C568 Proudly Walking Forward!

Beneath Ochre Mountain, a mysterious formation converged spiritual energy, solidifying into the Sunsilver's strange power. Liang Jingyin, an independent cultivator, had selected this location to establish his base. With assistance from the Ethereal Void Sect's masters, he used his own body and a pagoda to seize control of the subterranean ore vein.

In combat, Liang Jingyin would draw upon the spiritual energy and the Sunsilver's strange power from the ore vein, channeling it into his pagoda. This vein, a constant source of the Lost Lands' spiritual energy, ensured that Liang Jingyin's reserves were perpetually replenished during battle, akin to an inexhaustible pool of water.

Above Ochre Mountain floated a five-story pagoda, emitting a continuous golden divine glow. Despite the relentless assaults from Zhu Peining and the Golden Fiend, its brilliance remained undiminished, a testament to its power.

Liang Jingyin, having brazenly provoked the Skyreach Consortium, yet boldly continuing his cultivation on Ochre Mountain, drew his confidence from this very power. He planned to use the mountain's refined iron veins to further refine his pagoda and transform his heaven soul into a Solar Spirit.

Neither Zhu Peining, the Golden Fiend, nor Tong Laoqian could touch him, and other sects, bound by the Shadow's Keep's regulations, couldn't deploy a Solar Spirit against him. But everything could change with Yu Zhu's return.

As the Lost Lands' sovereign, Yu Zhu could redirect the spiritual energy's flow, dry out Ochre Mountain's ore veins, and compel Liang Jingyin to leave the Lost Lands. Liang Jingyin's only option was to quickly refine his Solar Spirit and flee before Yu Zhu's return, or face dire consequences.

"You, and you!" Inside the cauldron, Zixi pointed her delicate finger at the Golden Striped Beast and the golden flamingo perched on the peach branch. "Ochre Mountain, if you're plotting something, you'll need to invite the archdemon once more."

The bird, its feathers alight with golden flames, chirped a coy laugh. "Thanks for the heads-up, Python Queen. We're aware." With that, it gracefully descended onto the towering Golden Striped Beast.

The creature perched on the Golden Striped Beast's shoulder, diminutive as a gnat, spoke, "Now that we're aware this independent practitioner has someone backing him, we're better informed."

The Golden Striped Beast's ferocious eyes cleared in an instant as it settled down.

It seemed the golden flamingo had the power to soothe the Golden Striped Beast's frenzied beast soul, endowing it with spiritual wisdom at all times.

"We shall abide by the rules established by Shadow's Keep in the Lost Lands!" The Golden Striped Beast suddenly declared, its thunderous voice echoing through the heavens, "Python Queen, a word of caution: you'd do well to avoid prying into matters concerning the Marsh."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Golden Striped Beast strode into the distance, each step causing the ground to tremble and the mountains to quake.

The golden flamingo, perched on its shoulder, glanced back at the Crucible of Evil and spoke in a melodious tone, "When the Untamed is enraged, there is no creature that can bring him peace."

Slowly, the Golden Striped Beast transformed into a sphere of golden light and departed from Ochre Mountain.

Zhu Peining's brow furrowed, "Xu Zixi, are you considering venturing into Godsblight Marsh?"

The Skyreach Consortium was always well-informed and had learned of the tumultuous changes within the marsh. They too were eager to uncover what had transpired, but their agents sent to investigate met with immediate demise.

Zhu Peining was acutely aware of the dread inspired by the Untamed of the Marsh, particularly when he was in a state of furious irrationality.

"It's not me," Xu Zixi replied, shaking her head before turning to Yu Yuan with a sheepish grin, "Shadow's Keep has requested his presence to delve into Godsblight Marsh. He hasn't yet achieved the Spirit Walk state. As long as he doesn't unleash that cauldron, his presence in the marsh should go unnoticed by the Untamed."

"No way!" Tong Laoqian exclaimed in alarm.

Zhu Peining shook her head at Yu Yuan, "It's far too risky."

Yet Yu Yuan simply stated, "I have given my word."

"Brother Yu, what if you don't return from Godsblight Marsh?" Tong Laoqian expressed his concern, "Without you, the master of the Lost Lands won't pay me any heed."

"I will convey a message to Miss Yu Zhu," the Python Queen assured.

"You?" Tong Laoqian was clearly skeptical.

"Fine, I've already made my commitment." Yu Yuan saw no need to explain anything to Tong Laoqian or Zhu Peining. Watching the independent cultivator Liang Jingyin retreat back into Ochre Mountain, he said, "You two keep trying to see if you can drive him off. My affairs don't require your concern."

With those words, the Crucible of Evil took to the skies once more.

En route from the mid-lake island to Godsblight Marsh, Yu Yuan witnessed numerous archdemons and fierce skirmishes.

Evil cultivators from the seven lower sects, along with solitary practitioners like Liang Jingyin, were locked in combat with both high and low-tier demon beasts of Godsblight Marsh.

Xu Zixi had made it clear that Shadow's Keep was pleased to see evilkind and fellbeasts making their home in the Forgotten Ruins.

Creatures such as the Golden Striped Beast, the golden flamingo, and the Blazing Sun Toad, even if they had once served the Untamed, were now considered kin by Shadow's Keep.

Fellbeasts and evilkind, roaming the Forgotten Ruins, would never be expelled by Shadow's Keep.

Shadow's Keep also believed that upon Yu Zhu's return as the rightful owner of the Lost Lands, she might be able to subdue and gather all previously unruly evilkind and fellbeasts.

Seizing some archdemons from the Untamed was not out of the question.

Thus, Shadow's Keep warmly welcomed any evilkind or fellbeast, regardless of their origins, allowing them to battle the lower sects in the Lost Lands for territories rich in spiritual energy.

Xu Zixi informed Yu Yuan that although Shadow's Keep had rules prohibiting Solar Spirits and eighth-level archdemons from entering, if a great demon evolved within the Lost Lands and pledged allegiance to Yu Zhu, Shadow's Keep would embrace them as one of their own.

Any archdemon willing to pledge fealty and reach the eighth level would be accepted by Shadow's Keep.

Naturally, this did not extend to humans.

Several days later, the Crucible of Evil departed the Forgotten Ruins, arriving at Thealone, the Sunblessed Empire's city closest to the Lost Lands.

Last time, Yu Yuan rode the Silver Rainbow Shuttle, soaring over Thealone. In a secluded village, he picked up Su Yan and then set off toward the Embers Sea for their trial.

It was his second time passing by Thealone.

The Crucible of Evil didn't brazenly streak across the skies of the Sunblessed Empire. With the Godsblight Marsh to the east, he was merely passing through the vicinity of the city.

From within the Crucible of Evil, he noticed many cultivators from Thealone gathering and heading outside the city, seemingly to join a battle.

"There's an archdemon in the forest just outside the city that has injured many," the Python Queen explained upon seeing his astonished look. "Only nine seventh-level archdemons reside in the Forgotten Ruins. The rest are scattered across various empires and numerous peculiar places. Not all archdemons are suited for the Forgotten Ruins. Some are inherently violent and can't manage themselves, making it easy for them to stir up trouble."

Yu Yuan nodded in understanding. "Seventh-level archdemons operating across different empires must be quite the headache for their rulers."

An archdemon of the Spirit Walk stage, hailing from the Godsblight Marsh and obeying that fearsome archdemon, posed a significant challenge for the empires of Aetherius to handle with caution.

"Isn't that the truth," Xu Zixi sighed deeply. "They're all pleading with the Shadow's Keep to intervene and rein in those rogue archdemons. But the Shadow's Keep doesn't have the resources to chase down all the archdemons from the Godsblight Marsh. To them, the archdemons heading to the Forgotten Ruins is actually the best outcome."

As they talked, the Crucible of Evil moved away from Thealone and continued toward the Godsblight Marsh.

Over the next while, Yu Yuan witnessed more disturbances from Fellbeasts. Yet, it was only fifth and sixth-level Fellbeasts that emerged in numerous villages, clashing with cultivators from various cities and clans.

Trouble brewed in the Godsblight Marsh. The evilkind and Fellbeasts were commanded to leave, sparking a tumultuous uprising across the Aetherius Continent.

Several days had gone by.

Xu Zixi urged Yu Yuan to halt, gesturing toward the distant Marsh. "This is as far as I go. Any further, and I won't make it," she declared.

Yu Yuan glanced over and gave a subtle nod.

"Take care of yourself," Xu Zixi said before leaping down from the cauldron.

Yu Yuan offered a smile, stored the Crucible of Evil within the Zigong acupoint, and confidently walked forward.

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