C642 Returning from the Dead

The moonlight cast a cold, silent glow over the landscape.

Outside the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, a tall figure arrived without a sound.

"Mountain Lord."

"Lord Mountain Lord."

At his appearance, cultivators from the Eastern Yang Mountain branch of the Primordial Yang Sect, previously hidden in the shadows near the entrance to the Jade Peak Mountain Range, stepped forward to offer their respects with deep reverence.

These individuals from Yang Mountain had been stationed here for over a fortnight, tasked with uncovering the mysteries within the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

Yet, despite their efforts, they remained barred from entry and thus, without any findings.

The newcomer was none other than Feng Pu, the Mountain Lord of Yang Mountain, a formidable cultivator at the Middle Period of the Unrestrained Stage.

With his full beard and worn robes, Feng Pu at first glance resembled a disheveled vagrant from a street corner, weathered and hungry.

His arrival, however, subtly altered the flow of spiritual energy for miles around. The Qi of Heaven and Earth in the Jade Peak Mountain Range, along with subterranean fire sources, shifted in response to his presence, drawn to him as if by magnetism.

Such is the influence of an Unrestrained Stage cultivator, whose every move can sway the natural world and invoke change.

Standing at the threshold of the forbidden area, Feng Pu gazed up at the fluctuating patterns of light within the Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation and inquired, "When was it discovered that this grand formation had been fully activated?"

"Zhou Cangmin of the Red Devil Sect, a Demonic Seed, first detected the anomaly a month and a half ago," explained a woman with her hair neatly coiffed. "When Zhou Cangmin alerted the various sects, they initially dismissed it. Such occurrences, after all, were not unheard of."

"It was only later, upon learning that the evil statue had been transported from the Desolate Swamp directly into the forbidden area, that the matter was taken seriously."

As she relayed this, her brow furrowed and she let out a deep sigh.

The Rainier Empire and the Devil Moon Empire were locked in fierce combat. With Zhou Cangmin's departure, the Rainier Empire's monarch seemed to lose his resolve and was steadily pushed back by the Devil Moon Empire's advances.

It was widely believed that the Primordial Yang Sect was the Rainier Empire's most significant ally.

The Rainier Empire's defeat gave the impression that the Primordial Yang Sect's power was waning.

A barrage of chaotic events converged, leaving the woman traversing the Profound Sky Continent in a state of utter disarray.

Feng Pu listened intently, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

With a whoosh, he released a dark red shield that soared into the sky.

The "Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation" seemed to detect an unusual presence, its surface light screen suddenly bursting with dazzling moonlight.

Refined beams of moonlight cascaded from the heavens, infusing the light screen with energy, while a powerful spiritual force from within the forbidden area echoed in response, seemingly fortifying the formation.

Feng Pu, having deployed the shield, quietly sensed the disturbances within the "Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation."

After a brief pause, he retrieved the shield from the sky and inquired, "I've heard tales of a Darkmoon City youth who could freely traverse this formation?"

"His name is Yu Yuan."

"Where might he be?" Feng Pu pressed.

"He's believed to have ventured to the Crimson Desert, joining forces with the Demon Palace's cultivators to eradicate evil," the woman answered.

"Alert the Demon Palace that a significant upheaval looms over the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. Even with my strength, breaking through is a formidable challenge," Feng Pu commanded. "Have the Demon Palace summon Yu Yuan to delve into the forbidden area and investigate the situation."

"Mountain Lord, what's on your mind?" the woman asked, taken aback.

"The evil statue has descended into the area. I fear the space channel linked to the Outland Star River may have been breached," Feng Pu sighed. "Should that be the case, we're in for some serious trouble."

The woman's face turned grave as she exclaimed, "I'll reach out to the Demon Palace immediately!"

She was acutely aware of the dire consequences should the space channel spiral out of control.

...

In the subterranean city beneath Luan Bird City, Chen Liangquan, a non-human, watched with delight as Yu Yuan employed the "Evil Body Refining Skill," absorbing the life force of a Seventh Level Great Demon with the aid of a blood sacrifice altar.

Yu Yuan was in the midst of another session of purifying his body, strengthening his sinews, and vital organs.

Chen Liangquan, ever the epitome of leisure, remained by his side throughout.

As Yu Yuan honed his physical form, Chen Liangquan used a specialized communication device to issue commands, ensuring the smooth operation of Luan Bird City's underground realm.

Five days later, the room felt significantly more spacious after he had disposed of the remains of the Seventh Level Great Demon. With a smile, he watched Yu Yuan gradually come to consciousness.

"The Demon Palace has been searching for you," he said.

Yu Yuan's eyes fluttered open, and before he could marvel at the peculiar Blood Sacrificial Altar or assess the benefits of his recent physical refinement, Chen Liangquan's unexpected statement caught his attention.

"Uncle Chen, you rescued me from the Demon Palace because someone requested to meet with me," Yu Yuan replied, probing his own condition with his Spiritual Sense. "It's been some time since I've been out of their sight. Isn't it natural for them to seek me from the Chen family?"

Despite being stripped of its demonic heart and bones, the Seventh Level Great Demon's blood and Qi remained formidable.

The residual Qi and blood were drawn into the Blood Sacrificial Altar, partially integrating with it, while the rest revitalized Yu Yuan's flesh.

The Evil Body Refining Skill, akin to the Desolate True Spell, was an extraordinary method capable of steadily strengthening one's physique.

As Yu Yuan attentively sensed his inner state, he discovered a fresh accumulation of Qi and blood essence within his organs and bones.

"Hmm?"

An unexpected realization struck him.

The sword light branded onto his arm bones was actively drawing Qi and blood from within him!

The sword light, etched into his bones, coiled like malevolent dragons and pythons.

These sword beams were sword spell imprints, designed for him to perceive the true essence of the sword, enabling him to mobilize it in crucial moments and synchronize with his sword soul to confront adversaries.

Yet, the sword light's power was meant to be expended in a single use. After its deployment, the sword spell's imprint would remain, but its force would be spent.

The legacy power of the Chopping Moon cultivator could not be regenerated and had to be replenished from the sword sheath and the walls of the Soul Transformation Pool before he could wield the sword anew.

To his astonishment, Yu Yuan now observed that the sword beams and marks on his arm bone were faintly mustering traces of sword power.

This was made possible through the Blood Sacrificial Altar situated within his Yellow Court Little World, his middle dantian's mysterious portal, and the delicate strands of Spiritual Sense in his sea of consciousness.

A synergy of Spiritual Energy, Qi, and Spiritual Sense enabled the sword beams and marks within his arm bones to coalesce and refine into tangible sword power.

"It turns out it can be restored! The condensation of the sword's power requires a fusion of three forces, and my previous cultivation level was insufficient. Perhaps it was during my time in the Sword Prison, when my Spiritual Sense was newly formed, that I truly began to grasp the sword spell and understood its essence and intent!"

Yu Yuan's face flickered with excitement, stirred by the transformation of his arm bone.

Now, with the sword soul gone and the sheath stripped away, the fact that the sword's radiance and marks on his arm could once again solidify into sword power suggested that once he fully grasped the intricacies of the sword intent, he might wield the formidable sword spell of the Chopping Moon cultivator.

"The Demon Palace isn't sending you to the Crimson Desert for training," Chen Liangquan said, his lips curling into a slight smirk. "It's the disturbance in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area that's caught the attention of the three upper sects, including the Demon Palace. Penetrating the fully activated Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation is no small feat, and it's not a place for those at the Unrestrained Stage to tread lightly."

"Fallen Moon Forbidden Area!"

At the mention of those words, Yu Yuan's heart sank, confirming his greatest fears.

He had hurried to the Crimson Desert to lie low, hoping to elude the upper sects and the Demon Palace, to avoid being summoned to probe the mysteries of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

He had glimpsed the chaos within through his Fallen Star Eyes, and knowing the turmoil that awaited, he was reluctant to venture forth.

"You don't want the Demon Palace to know your whereabouts, do you?" Chen Liangquan asked with a knowing smile.

Yu Yuan's heart jolted, though he maintained a stoic facade. "I owe a debt to the Demon Palace. I will heed their call, as long as it's not a death sentence."

"No, that's not true," Chen Liangquan countered, shaking his head as if reading Yu Yuan's mind. "If you were truly obedient to the Demon Palace, you wouldn't have rushed here. You don't actually intend to train in the Crimson Desert; you're seeking a place to hide, somewhere you can't be found, at least for now."

Yu Yuan rose from his seated position at a leisurely pace. "Why have you had me absorb the residual blood and Qi of a formidable demon?"

"I believe that you and I are meant to walk the same path," Chen Liangquan answered earnestly.

"The same path? You and me?" Yu Yuan scoffed.

"It's inevitable," Chen Liangquan said with a smile. "Look, the Desolate God, upon learning you were here, sent back what was rightfully yours."

The Evil Cauldron and the sword scabbard, enveloped in two orbs of blood-red light, materialized in the palms of his hands.

Yu Yuan's eyes widened, his breath quickening. "The Desolate God knew I was here and sent these through magic? But didn't he say I should retrieve them later?"

The sight of the Evil Cauldron and the scabbard made it impossible for Yu Yuan to remain calm. These items, hard-won through countless trials, were crucial to his cultivation and combat strength. The prospect of reclaiming them was exhilarating.

"Here, take them," Chen Liangquan offered.

Yu Yuan extended his hands, and as his fingertips brushed against the glowing orbs, the light trembled violently, as if discerning his identity.

Moments later, the light faded, and the Evil Cauldron and scabbard settled into his grasp.

"Master!"

The joyful cry of the cauldron soul echoed from within the Evil Cauldron.

As he grasped the scabbard, the sword soul burst forth from its base, concealing itself once more within the sword marks etched into his arm bones.

The sword soul, too, vibrated with excitement, seemingly thrilled by its newfound ability to gather sword power independently.

"The item has returned to its original master," Chen Liangquan said with another smile, before adding, "The Desolate God hopes you will undertake a task for him."

"What task?"

"First, conceal yourself well to avoid detection by the Demon Palace."

​