C515 Escorting Him

The Crack Archipelago was in turmoil as the aura of the Evil Cauldron leaked, alerting many powerful cultivators. They delved deep into the sea with their divine abilities, eager to uncover the truth and mysteries beneath the waves.

Yuan Lianyao, with Yu Yuan on her back, had faced relentless attacks from Mo Yan and Chung Miao, leaving her utterly drained. Yu Yuan was struggling, unable to quell the turmoil within his Qi and blood's microcosm, powerless to subdue the cauldron.

Then, suddenly, from the Yellow Court aperture in his lower dantian, eight clusters of Sun Essence Fire burst forth, igniting a new conflict.

Resting on Yuan Lianyao's back, his face flushed as red as a liver, Yu Yuan said, "The Chaos Roc is using the Eye of the Flaming Sun to search again. Our location must have been revealed."

A jolt of alarm shot through Yuan Lianyao as she responded with a bitter tone, "The inevitable has finally arrived." Without the Evil Cauldron's shielding, the Starry Behemoth would have pinpointed their position long ago.

She was aware that their recent concealment within the Evil Cauldron had thrown off the Chaos Roc's trail, granting them a brief respite. But she knew the relentless creature wouldn't rest or lose heart in its pursuit.

True to form, the Starry Behemoth had once again employed the Eye of the Flaming Sun to locate Yu Yuan, undoubtedly signaling Lim Zhuyun to hasten to their coordinates.

"What do we do now?" she whispered.

"We're still a ways from Babel Island," Yu Yuan mused. "Our underwater pace is too sluggish with me in tow. Since the Chaos Roc is onto us, there's no point in staying submerged. Let's head to the surface and make for Babel Island through the air, as swiftly as we can!"

With no hesitation, the Blazing Red Lotus lifted Yu Yuan, and they surged toward the sea's surface.

Moments later, Yuan Lianyao, with Yu Yuan in tow, burst from the water. Beneath her, a series of crimson lotuses bloomed, lifting her several meters into the air as she sped away from the sea's embrace.

The difference in their aerial speed compared to their aquatic pace was like night and day.

"Eh!"

"Who's that? A woman from the Red Devil Sect? The Flame Energy technique she's using looks like it's from their playbook."

"The Red Devil Sect was erased from the Crack Archipelago not too long ago. They haven't even sent a new leader to take over. So, who is she?"

"I don't recognize her."

On a nearby island, numerous independent cultivators caught sight of Yuan Lianyao and Yu Yuan. Squinting across the distance, they whispered among themselves in hushed tones.

Yuan Lianyao's reputation had only recently begun to circulate within the Red Devil Sect. Since it was her first visit to the Crack Archipelago, and no one had seen her before, they failed to associate her with the moniker "Blazing Red Lotus."

As the onlookers registered their shock, Yuan Lianyao, carrying Yu Yuan, had already soared past the island.

None of them took the initiative to investigate further.

"My fiancée, blessed with misfortune by becoming host to the Evil Cauldron, will be revealed soon. The moment she does, I'll unleash the Evil Cauldron once more," Yu Yuan rasped to Yuan Lianyao, his spirit flagging. "I'll cause such a commotion that it draws everyone's attention!"

"Aren't you worried she might slip away quietly, leaving you to be captured or killed?" Yuan Lianyao inquired.

"I can't afford to worry about that. It's a gamble I have to take," Yu Yuan resolved.

He was certain that Lin Zhuyun would come.

With Lin Zhuyun's arrival, he would have to deploy the Evil Cauldron to fend off her vicious onslaught, using the artifact to its fullest. He'd also need to bring out the sword sheath to extend his endurance as much as possible.

Lin Zhuyun had undergone a profound shift in temperament. Although her realm hadn't seen a dramatic increase, her combat prowess had skyrocketed to a frightful degree.

She was empowered by the Ice Flame from the Nether Abyss and the eye crafted from the essence gifted by the Chaos Roc.

Lin Zhuyun's surge in combat strength was bound to have repercussions, likely causing her harm.

The Great Dao had its principles: power not forged through relentless refinement and cultivation was inherently unstable, fraught with flaws.

Her obedience to the Chaos Roc and her frenzied killing spree were undoubtedly connected.

Yu Yuan was convinced that if he could just hold out for a short time, once the powerful cultivators from the other islands converged, Lin Zhuyun would become their primary target, taking his place at the center of their onslaught.

The massacre on Red Devilland, Star Moon Island, and Cold Yin Island was excessively brutal and bloodthirsty.

Perhaps, amidst the siege on Lin Zhuyun by the powerful cultivators, he might seize the chance to make his way onto Babel Island.

It was the only strategy he could come up with under the circumstances.

From afar, the Jade Tower soared into the sky from another island.

Beneath the bright blue sky, the Jade Tower stood resplendent and radiant, its crystalline glow shimmering. There, atop the tower, the rotund Old Cash waited with a beaming smile for him and Yuan Lianyao.

It was as if he had anticipated their arrival.

"Old Cash!"

Yuan Lianyao's anger flared as she saw the Jade Tower obstructing their path. She bellowed, "Enough with your shamelessness, constantly provoking us! Do you truly believe your advanced cultivation makes us easy prey?"

"It's all a misunderstanding!" Old Cash, bowing and scraping atop the Jade Tower, quickly interjected, "I waited here on purpose to offer you a lift. This Jade Tower, being a Heaven Level artifact, can carry you both."

"We'll pass," Yuan Lianyao retorted.

Old Cash was well aware of Yu Yuan's reputation and the treasures he possessed, like the Evil Cauldron and the Giant Beast Amber. His intentions were clearly not benevolent.

Entering the Jade Tower was simple, but leaving would be far from it.

"Get inside!" Yu Yuan suddenly commanded.

Yuan Lianyao, taken aback, asked, "What?"

"We need to take refuge in Old Cash's Jade Tower; she's on her way!" Yu Yuan declared, "We won't make it to Babel Island before she catches up to us, not at our current speed. And that Jade Tower surely can't match this velocity!"

At his words, Yuan Lianyao's face paled.

With a whoosh, the Flame Lotus Stage, carrying her like a burst of ferocious flames, surged towards the Jade Tower.

Old Cash, elated, exclaimed, "Welcome, welcome!"

Shortly thereafter, Yuan Lianyao and Yu Yuan alighted upon the pavilion, seemingly sculpted from pure jade.

"Old Cash, let's strike a deal," Yu Yuan proposed upon arrival. "Safely deliver us to Babel Island, and I'll be in your debt. You're aware of the items I possess—the sheath, the Evil Cauldron. I'm not parting with them lightly."

"What else do you need?"

He was well aware that Old Cash wouldn't offer help without a reason. Thus, as he touched down, he had already summoned the sword sheath, gripping it tightly in his hand.

If Old Cash made one wrong move, he was ready to unleash the remaining sword energy and obliterate the Jade Tower!

"I don't need the item. I have another favor to ask of you." Old Cash's eyes twinkled, "Young man, take good care of that sword sheath. Don't act rashly."

Within the Absence Relic, the sword sheath's power could even eradicate the lingering soul consciousness within the white-gold skeleton of an Asura from the Dark Domain.

Realizing that Yu Yuan was wary of him as soon as the item appeared, he quickly clarified, "We can discuss your needs once we arrive at Babel Island!"

As he spoke, the Jade Tower soared, heading straight for Babel Island.

"You knew we were bound for Babel Island?" Yu Yuan asked, astonished.

Old Cash let out a sly chuckle, "I figured as much!"

"Fine!" Yu Yuan nodded in agreement, "If you can successfully transport us to Babel Island, I'll honor your request!"

In the face of life and death, he didn't bother with the specifics.

"The girl who decimated Red Devilland is on her way here. I'm quite frightened," Old Cash lamented. "Yu Yuan, I've taken a deadly risk. If we make it to Babel Island alive, you must keep your promise—no backing out!"

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