C522 On the Island

The expansive Celestial Isle buzzed with activity as numerous cultivators converged upon it.

The landing site of the Crucible of Evil was a large square on the northern side of the island, with rows of houses neatly arranged behind it. This area served as the Skyreach Consortium's venue for hosting distinguished guests.

Yu Yuan emerged from the cauldron, and with a mere thought, the dark cauldron transformed into a radiant orb of black light, retreating into his little world of vitality. The glyph array that Mo Yan had tampered with was utterly obliterated.

The Crucible of Evil, now integrated into his being, no longer harbored any elements that could hinder Yu Yuan's cultivation or the control of external forces he wielded. Even the obstinate will of the Sky Fiend, consumed by the Crucible of Evil at the depths of the Embers Sea, had been completely dismantled by the sword's will of the Shatterblade.

The evil spirit, once defiant in the face of the cauldron spirit, found its unyielding emotions erased. Now enveloped in swathes of bizarre Soul Power within the cauldron's little world, much of this power originated from the Spawn of Chaos that Yu Yuan had previously gathered.

These various alien souls enveloped the evil spirit, purging its former vengeful thoughts against the world. The cauldron spirit rejoiced, informing Yu Yuan that the decisive strike from the Grand Sword Immortal on Sword Island had eradicated all latent dangers within the cauldron.

A strand of the sword's will had shattered Mo Yan's arrangements, crushed the evil spirit's defiance, and restored order to the tumultuous inner realm of the cauldron. Yu Yuan, in turn, found fortune amidst this calamity.

"Yu Yuan, how did you recognize that venerable immortal?" Zhu Peining of the Skyreach Consortium, looking astounded, turned to Jiang Yurong, who stood at a distance, and remarked, "That shouldn't be possible, right? That old immortal hasn't made an appearance in many years, much less drawn his sword."

Jiang Yurong replied with reverence, "Indeed, the Grand Sword Immortal Fan has not wielded his sword for a considerable time."

At the rear of the square, many cultivators peeked out from the rows of houses set aside by the Consortium for their esteemed guests, eyeing Yu Yuan with curiosity.

"Yu Yuan? That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before? Ah, Qi Nandou, who recently returned from the Embers Sea, mentioned him!"

"I've heard about him! Chi Yin from our sect couldn't stop praising him when she reported back, she holds him in high regard!"

"Yu Yuan, he's the one who got the Sunsorrow from the giant beast, and that cauldron too!"

"Yes, that's the guy!"

Only esteemed cultivators from the various sects of the Everlands or the standout giants among independent cultivators are invited by the Skyreach Consortium to take up residence in those houses.

They all witnessed the Shatterblade protecting Yu Yuan and escorting him to the Celestial Isle.

"The Crucible of Evil!" The connection between Yu Yuan and the cauldron sent shockwaves through many of them, and they quickly put two and two together, recognizing Yu Yuan's identity.

"Is it because of Kong Banbi from the Sword Sect? But that doesn't make sense; he doesn't practice his swordsmanship, nor is he from the same lineage. It's odd, why would he draw his sword for Yu Yuan?"

"The stroke of the Grand Sword Immortal's sword carries no ordinary significance!"

The murmurs about Yu Yuan became a clamor that could not be contained after the Shatterblade departed and vanished from Sword Island.

Those in the know whispered, "Recently, the fierce Divine Thunder, with its fiery surge, severely wounded an individual from the Sunlit Order, another guardian of the Consortium, and the Dark Herald from the Devil Palace."

"The woman wielding the Frozen Flames, known for her killing sprees, was there too!"

"..."

A multitude of astonished and questioning eyes were all fixed on Yu Yuan.

"Come with me."

Zhu Peining cleared her throat, aware that this was not the place for discussions, and led the way to the other side of the plaza where the internal members of the Consortium were quartered.

Tong Laoqian hesitated for a moment.

Zhu Peining spoke calmly, "Yu Yuan, Ms. Yuan, the two of you, come here."

"And me?" Tong Laoqian looked distressed.

"You'll follow the standard procedure to enter the Celestial Isle," Zhu Peining called out without looking back. "Deacon Jiang, please see to his accommodations. Find out how long he'll be staying, and what he wishes to buy or sell."

"Understood." Jiang Yurong quickly stepped in, positioning herself between Tong Laoqian, Yu Yuan, and Yuan Lianyao.

Tong Laoqian could only watch Yu Yuan wistfully, "Yu, I've lost the Jade Tower because of you. Remember your promise to repay the favor once you've safely arrived on the Celestial Isle."

Jiang Yurong let out a derisive snort. "They managed to set foot on Celestial Isle thanks to the Grand Sword Immortal from the Sword Sect. I doubt you, Tong Laoqian, exerted much effort, did you?"

"I certainly did my part elsewhere," Tong Laoqian retorted.

Jiang Yurong was poised to continue her mockery when Yu Yuan turned to face him, casting him a look before saying, "Let's discuss this later. We're both on the island and won't be leaving anytime soon. I haven't forgotten what I promised you."

Tong Laoqian's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yu, you're truly magnanimous!"

Without the intervention of the Sword Sect's Grand Sword Immortal, and Yu Yuan's own Shatterblade that obliterated all obstacles with its sword's will, Tong Laoqian wouldn't have been so overjoyed. He had always believed that what he had asked of Yu Yuan paled in comparison to the effort he had put into constructing the Jade Tower.

Yet, if Yu Yuan could win the favor of that esteemed individual, earning high regard, it would affirm that Yu Yuan's worth was far greater than Tong Laoqian had initially estimated. Such a Yu Yuan, indebted with a favor, might indeed be comparable to the Jade Tower.

Although the Jade Tower was a heavenly artifact, to the Grand Sword Immortal, it was merely commonplace, not one in a million, and certainly not irreplaceable.

Across the plaza, there was a courtyard adorned with artificial hills and a meandering stream. Nestled within were even more quaint and elegant buildings. Zhu Peining led them to one of the small structures, its white bricks and green tiles gleaming. She ushered them inside before explaining, "This is the most secure spot on Celestial Isle. Unless a Grand Sword Immortal like Van Heqing strikes with his sword, the River and Rock Ward within will remain intact."

In this place, she boldly used Van Heqing's actual name without the usual formality of addressing him as the Grand Sword Immortal or Old Immortal. Clearly, the courtyard, home to the Skyreach Consortium's internal members, was shielded from any soul perception.

Even Van Heqing would not be able to eavesdrop on their conversation without overtly breaking the protective enchantments.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior," Yuan Lianyao said with a respectful bow. "I never imagined that Lin Zhuyun, once possessed by the Sky Fiend, could become so brutally cruel and inhumane."

"Don't even mention yourself; who could have anticipated that?" Zhu Peining let out a sigh, "Sky Fiends from the outside are usually cautious when descending upon the Everlands. To witness one so recklessly slaughtering, so utterly cruel—I've never seen anything like it with my own eyes."

"Us?" Yuan Lianyao inquired.

"We'll establish ourselves there first," Zhu Peining said with a grave expression. "We're still assessing the situation in the Sundering Isles. And we need to ascertain the condition of the Sunlit Order, the Devil Palace, and our associate from the Skyreach Consortium."

She paused, then pointed upwards.

"The most crucial task is to understand what exactly is happening beyond the Everlands. Until we have clarity on these matters, I'm not in a position to say or explain anything."

Yuan Lianyao gave a slight nod. "Understood."

"Just settle in for now, and don't wander off," Zhu Peining advised before taking her leave.

"How did it go?" Yuan Lianyao asked.

Yu Yuan, now seated with his vitality no longer surging chaotically, flashed a smile. "That sword resolved all the cauldron's issues!"

He lifted the sword sheath in his hand. "The ice energy at the base of the sheath has been resealed and suppressed; it can't cause any mischief."

He then sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. "The only downside is that the sword radiance I painstakingly gathered was nearly obliterated by Lin Zhuyun's fearsome assault."

"I doubt I'll be able to rely on this sheath to save my life in critical moments anymore."

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Lianyao sat down beside him, smoothing back a stray lock of hair. "Why would the Grand Sword Immortal extend a sword to clear away all your troubles?"

"It must be this," Yu Yuan said, gesturing to the sheath.

"This?"

"This sheath hails from the Forgotten Ruins; the sword itself is unaccounted for," Yu Yuan explained openly. "I acquired a sword spirit in the Moonfall Sanctuary, which I merged into my arm bone. The sheath's owner, presumably from the Sword Sect, nearly wiped out the Moonfiend Clan in the extraterrestrial Star River and split the moon in two."

"It was he who subdued the platinum skull of the Dark Realm's Shura with just a sword sheath."

"This suggests that the Shura of the Dark Realm was likely slain by him. He severed the head and pierced it with the sheath, thwarting the reunion of the residual soul and spiritual wisdom."

"The one who drew the sword must have known the significance of the scabbard to strike such a blow."

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