C600 Life and Death Are in Your Hands

"Bright Sect..."

Yu Yuan, immersed in his Consciousness Little World, gazed at the vivid shadow mark and let out a cold, mocking laugh internally.

His journey through the sword spell had, in fact, come to an end.

He hadn't fully witnessed the ultimate fate of the Chopping Moon cultivator in the second act.

Yet, he could surmise that even the founder and first guardian of the Sword Prison would struggle to survive an onslaught from the five mightiest beings of the Boundless Land and the cosmos at large.

The Divine Sword was missing, its sheath abandoned in the Absence Relic, and the sword soul resided within him.

These pieces of evidence were sufficient to deduce many truths.

Yu Yuan recognized that the sword spell etched into his arm bone was, in essence, a burdensome gift.

The Divine Sword had been lost to the collective assault of the strongest in the Boundless Land, and its former master... likely met with total annihilation.

Embracing the sword spell of that individual could very well place him in direct opposition to the vast expanse of the Boundless Land.

"The hidden legacy of the Divine Soul Sect has already sealed my fate, and adding that person's sword spell changes little."

Quickly, Yu Yuan resolved on a course of action, charting his own path forward.

He glanced at the enchanting mark left by Zhan Yun, the current leader of the Bright Sect, and scoffed, his concern for it fading.

"A mere soul imprint won't disturb my resolve."

Feeling the power in his hand that clutched Zhan Yun's soul imprint, Yu Yuan recognized its origin—the Soul Transformation Pool.

"The old crone's art of seduction is indeed remarkable, offering a taste of pleasure at its most intense."

With a wry smile, Yu Yuan opened his eyes.

In the cave, only Zhongli, Zhan Yun, Xi Quan, and Chen Qingyan remained.

"What's so funny?"

Zhongli approached with his gleaming bald head, peering at him curiously. "You should be wholeheartedly devoted to your sword practice. Why the laughter?"

"I'm not quite sure myself," Yu Yuan responded.

Chen Qingyan from the Sword Sect regarded him with a look of compassion. With a heavy heart, she resolved to find a way to compel the old enchantress of the Bright Sect to remove the soul-seeding mark once they left the Sword Prison.

To untie the bell, the one who tied it must do the untying. Zhan Yun possessed the skill to release the Soul Seal.

Yu Yuan and Chen Qingyan exchanged a glance, each understanding the other's thoughts. Chen Qingyan still felt ensnared by Zhan Yun's enchantment.

"Let's step outside," Zhan Yun suggested with a smile, confidently leading the way, certain that Yu Yuan would follow.

Her seemingly offhand remark sent ripples through Yu Yuan's Consciousness Little World. The soul imprint she had left there undulated gently, its subtle vibrations quietly tugging at Yu Yuan's soul and mind, the siren call reaching deep within his spirit.

Yu Yuan's thoughts blurred momentarily. Seconds later, he casually gestured towards the soul imprint as if flicking it away.

The shadow's ripples subtly altered as they spread out, unbeknownst to Zhan Yun who continued forward.

Yu Yuan followed as if by instinct, pausing abruptly for a mere second before resuming his steps as though nothing had occurred. That brief pause marked a world of difference.

"Yu Yuan, would you care to join me in cultivation?" Zhongli's voice boomed like thunder behind them, "If you agree, I'll handle everything else!"

"Hold on a moment," Zhan Yun interjected softly.

Yu Yuan halted, furrowing his brow as he turned to face Zhongli.

"Do you wish to cultivate with him?"

Zhan Yun's smile was warm and comforting, devoid of her perfected enchantment, resembling a sect elder inquiring whether a disciple wished to learn a Spiritual Spell or secret arts.

She finished her query with a wink at Zhongli, as if to say she hadn't tampered with Yu Yuan's will.

Yu Yuan himself could sense that the imprinted figure within his Consciousness Little World remained still, exerting no undue influence over him.

He pondered, his frown deepening.

Zhongli watched him intently, full of hope, awaiting his response.

"Really, there's no need for all this fuss or to seek his consent. I'll make him agree to cultivate with you," Zhan Yun said with a light laugh, brimming with confidence. "He's just a talented young man. A pity he's not female, or he could learn the secret arts of my Bright Sect. But it's no issue to let you have him."

Zhan Yun's words implied that she could employ her enchantment skills to bewitch Yu Yuan, causing him to lose his sense of self and follow Zhongli in his cultivation.

Despite the presence of the Soul Seal, Yu Yuan's intelligence, talent, and temperament would remain largely unaffected. He would still be able to continue cultivating the Ancient Desolate Realm True Spell.

Naturally, she expected Zhongli to provide a substantial offer in return.

"No, I want his consent," Zhongli huffed, shooting her a stern look. "If you dare to tamper with his will, I'll ensure the Bright Sect is eradicated from the Boundless Land."

His declaration was delivered with an air of absolute authority.

Zhan Yun kept silent, not responding, as if she was well aware of his ruthless nature and methods.

"I'm not going to deceive you—I have no desire to accept you as my master," Yu Yuan stated plainly.

Zhongli simply nodded, choosing not to add anything further. "Fine, I won't insist. From now on, his fate is not my concern."

Yu Yuan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. "Understood."

With a whoosh, Zhongli shot through the stone corridor like a gust of wind and departed from the Sword Prison.

"Xi Quan, stop watching me so closely," Zhan Yun remarked as she walked. "He holds great value. Now that I've successfully ensnared his soul, I intend to sell him at a premium."

"I'm just looking; there's nothing else to do," Xi Quan replied nonchalantly.

Moments later, the three women emerged from a stone cave, devoid of any sword radiance or intent, escorting Yu Yuan.

The night sky was bleak, devoid of any specks of light, as the Big Devils who had exited the Sword Prison dispersed in various directions.

Tan Yuan, Shen Feiqing, and Chung Miao gathered around Zhongli, their expressions brimming with excitement.

Shen Feiqing presented a jar of pellets to Zhongli with utmost reverence. These pellets, concocted from the innards and sinews of Demonic Beasts, were designed to replenish Qi and blood.

At that moment, the renowned commander of the Divine Might Empire resembled a young girl, her eyes sparkling with joy as she affectionately addressed him as "Master" over and over, as if she had reverted to her girlhood days.

"Senior Sister!"

Zhao Jie, known as Charm Spirit, eagerly gestured from below, while Chung Miao looked on with equal excitement.

Zhan Yun was acting on behalf of her master in accepting disciples. Although Zhao Jie addressed her as Senior Sister, it was Zhan Yun who had personally taught her all the arts of enchantment.

The former leader of the Bright Sect paled in comparison to Zhan Yun in the art of enchantment.

Zhan Yun was the epitome of the student surpassing the teacher, steering the Bright Sect onto a new trajectory.

"Yu Yuan!"

Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang, who had traveled from the Demon Palace on the Quietus Continent to the Great Swamp because of Yu Yuan, cried out together upon realizing he had indeed emerged from the Sword Prison.

Yan Qiling hovered in the sky, letting out a sigh as he observed Yu Yuan.

The saying goes, "the sly rabbit is cooked by the hunting hound." The release of the demons from the Sword Prison, all breaking free from their confines, was undeniably Yu Yuan's doing.

Should this information be divulged, Yu Yuan's standing in the Boundless Land would be in jeopardy.

Moreover, a Yu Yuan deemed worthless could very well be swiftly and decisively eliminated by the ruler of this realm.

Yan Qiling was inclined to assist him, but considering the presence of Zhongli, the eerie green serpent, Loong Jie, and other extraordinary creatures of this realm, he recognized the impracticality of his wish.

"You'd better count your blessings. There's no way I can take you with me from here," he silently conceded.

"Hu!"

In that instant, an icy moon ascended from the emerald flames.

The Sword Prison trembled and then began to levitate.

The frigid moon had an inexplicable pull on the Sword Prison!

"Lim Zhuyun!"

Yu Yuan's heart lurched, finally spotting his betrothed among the throng of trolls.

"You've done nothing to warrant taking the Sword Prison," declared the master in the floating white robe. "Zhan Yun, you used the Soul Seed on Yu Yuan without my consent."

"Now, undo it."

His tone left no room for argument as he issued his command to the sect master of the Bright Sect.

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