C604 You Feed the Tiger with Your Own Body

The Yin Corpse King charged at Chi Hongyi, but in a mere moment, they were standing shoulder to shoulder.

The tumultuous uproar that had filled the air quieted inexplicably once the Yin Corpse King reached the statue's rear.

Both the Yin Corpse King and Chi Hongyi wore expressions of kindness and benevolence, mirroring the Sword Prison statue, casting an eerie and unspeakable melancholy over those who beheld them.

At that moment, the sect elders and those who had come for their guidance realized that something was amiss.

A snow-white robe hung empty and aloft, as if suspended in midair.

It had been a long while since the master of this domain had uttered a word.

The Sword Prison had transformed into a statue, standing at the very heart of this realm, exuding an intimidating presence.

Each individual who became a statue felt a disquieting discomfort, an instinctual sense of being a lowly vassal in the eyes of the statue, yearning to kneel and worship it as their sovereign.

For ancient and formidable figures like Zhongli, Xi Quan, Zhan Yun, and the Demon Race's supreme leader, the mere notion was a source of deep embarrassment.

They were aware that something was off.

"Mr. Yan?" Zhongli from the Ancient Desolate Sect, sensing the foreboding atmosphere and contemplating retreat, inquired, "Do you have any sound advice?"

Given that the statue was a malevolent creation of the Divine Soul Sect, capable of altering the fate of the Profound Sky Continent, it was undeniably a fearsome and formidable killing artifact, not to be underestimated.

His sparse encounters with the Divine Soul Sect in the remote reaches of the Outland Star River had left him with a profound impression.

"A sound suggestion?" Yan Qiling paused, his face etched with a mix of bitterness and resignation, "We're in the Desolate God's Great Swamp. Perhaps if we leave this mist-enshrouded place, we might avoid this disaster with the Desolate God's favor."

A heavy sense of dread settled in Zhongli's heart as he responded, "If the Sword Prison has come this far, I fear it's because the master here has already secured the Desolate God's tacit approval."

At his words, a wave of alarm spread among the gathered.

If the Desolate God had indeed sanctioned the master of this place to wreak havoc, using the evil statue to his own ends, they would all be in grave peril.

"Let's move out!"

An elder from the Ghoul Glyph Sect, emerging from the Sword Prison with symbols of the occult adorning his attire, sensed trouble and swiftly called out. He skirted past a Sword Prison statue and made his exit.

His disciples from the Ghoul Glyph Sect, who had hurried to escort him, promptly followed suit.

"You five youngsters, follow me."

The slender, nimble green snake trailed behind the ancient dragon of the Nagas, slithering towards the direction of the hovering palanquin.

Whoosh!

Dark green streams enveloped Zhao Yafu, Zhan Tianxiang, and three other Demon Palace youths.

Willing or not, the Grand Marshal, deemed a traitor by the Demon Palace and confined to the Sword Prison, took the five juniors under his wing at this dire juncture.

It was clear that Zhao Yafu and the others were at his mercy; no one else was permitted to intervene.

"I... I still want to watch; I'm not eager to flee."

Zhao Yafu's protests were in vain due to her insufficient cultivation level.

Xi Quan, a practitioner of the Withered Sword, disregarded Chen Qingyan's views and firmly grasped her wrist.

Whoosh!

Xi Quan, with Chen Qingyan in tow, transformed into a sword light embodying the essence of withering and vanished towards the horizon.

"Master?"

Shen Feiqing, who had achieved the Yang God Stage, stood beside Tan Yuan, both gazing at Zhongli.

"Follow Mr. Yan's advice—let's get out of here first," Zhongli instructed.

With that, he took the lead, heading in the direction of Loong Jie.

Lee Yuchan, who had been practicing the Martyr Spell and was invited by Tan Yuan, glanced between Yu Yuan and Zhan Yun. After a brief hesitation and an inward sigh, he too decided to depart.

Suddenly, all those scattered near the Sword Prison made their retreat.

Only the portly elder in the worn garb of the Babel Chamber of Commerce remained, his brow furrowed as he quietly inquired of his disciple.

The disciple had acted on his behalf, and the elder had a hunch about his identity. Believing it prudent to stay and assess the situation, he sought to discern his master's intentions.

Moreover, his mastery of spatial powers gave him a stronger foundation for escape than most.

"Yu Yuan, check out what's behind the Sword Prison," Zhan Yun, the current leader of the Bright Sect, commanded with a soft voice and a welcoming smile.

The seductive image that she had branded into Yu Yuan's Consciousness Little World shimmered subtly. It was clear that Zhan Yun had employed her enchantment to exert the mysterious influence of the "Soul Seal," ensuring Yu Yuan couldn't resist and would comply without question.

Behind the Sword Prison, both Chi Hongyi and the Yin Corpse King had been ensnared by the reverse side of the statue, losing themselves completely. What chance then did Yu Yuan have?

If Yu Yuan were to go there and witness the other face of the statue carved into the Sword Prison, he was bound to share the same fate as Chi Hongyi and the Yin Corpse King.

"Sect Master Zhan!" Yan Qiling, who had remained behind, erupted in anger. "Sending Yu Yuan to the other side—is that not a death sentence?"

"That's not necessarily true," Zhan Yun retorted with an air of arrogance. "Regardless of what that statue may be, I have utmost confidence in my 'Soul Seal.' I'm curious to see which is more potent: the mental manipulation that the statue used on Chi Hongyi and the Yin Corpse King, or the 'Soul Seal' technique of my Bright Sect."

In this unique setting, the sect master of the Bright Sect was filled with a combative spirit, eager to challenge the statue's psychic powers.

Yan Qiling was taken aback, speechless.

Loong Jie, Zhongli, Xi Quan, including myself, had all shown interest in trading valuable treasures with Yu Yuan, and Zhan Yun herself had been visibly moved. Wasn't her initial intent to use Yu Yuan's "Soul Seal" to profit greatly from the Bright Sect's art of seduction?

Later, upon discovering that Yu Yuan possessed the Evil Cauldron and, beyond the sword sheath, the Giant Beast Amber as well, Zhan Yun grew even more convinced of a lucrative opportunity.

Why then, at this moment, would she risk Yu Yuan in a contest of wills with the statue?

It was not only unnecessary but could also result in Zhan Yun walking away with nothing, suffering a tremendous loss.

Yan Qiling was baffled, finding the woman's actions utterly illogical.

Yet, Chi Hongyi and Chung Miao were invigorated by Zhan Yun's decision, their spirits lifted, brimming with combativeness and respect for the legendary sect master.

"A woman truly is..." Yan Qiling shook her head in silent disbelief.

"You wouldn't understand!" Zhan Yun declared with a grave demeanor, seemingly convinced that leveraging Yu Yuan to challenge the statue's sinister spiritual magic was of utmost importance.

"The Bright Sect's claim to fame, the very foundation of its establishment, is the art of enchantment!" Zhan Yun inhaled deeply, "The Yin Corpse King and Chi Hongyi were effortlessly ensnared by the face on the reverse side of the statue, which only fueled my fighting spirit! Moreover, the art of enchantment is central to my path of the Great Dao. This moment is my chance!"

"Chance!" Yan Qiling's heart jolted, grasping the significance of her words in an instant.

Zhan Yun intended to use Yu Yuan to seek enlightenment from the statue!

She had already successfully implanted a soul within Yu Yuan's Consciousness Little World, and the formidable and bizarre spiritual magic displayed by the statue's reverse had ensnared both the Yin Corpse King and Chi Hongyi in a heartbeat.

Zhan Yun was pitting Yu Yuan against the statue's other aspect in a contest of control techniques, seeking a breakthrough opportunity!

It was no surprise then that Zhao Jie, Chung Miao, and the others were brimming with a readiness to battle.

Yan Qiling couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for this legendary figure of the Bright Sect.

Daring to seek a breakthrough at the risk of her own life, seizing every chance to advance on the Great Dao—this must be why she had outshone her own master.

"Very well."

Yu Yuan smiled, nodding subtly as if oblivious to everything around him, as if he hadn't heard a single word.

And so, with unruffled composure, he walked towards the back of the Sword Prison statue as everyone else drew back.

It was as though he had indeed been "soul planted" by Zhan Yun, losing all sense of self...

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