C665 Thunder Chariot
Yu Yuan found himself in a quandary.
He was intent on leading Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu out of the Scarlet Dunes after realizing through the Fallen Star Eyes that the mastermind was his past life's dear friend, Zu Ann.
Yu Yuan knew all too well the formidable nature of Zu Ann, who had reached the late period of the Unbound Stage, wielded the Mirror of Fates, and possessed unparalleled power.
With Zu Ann's combat prowess, even the masters of the seven lower sects might not gain the upper hand against him.
What chance would these younger ones have?
The most prudent course of action was to swiftly guide Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu out of the Scarlet Dunes.
Yet, burdened with the significant responsibilities of Shadow's Keep, they firmly resolved to lead the Keep's disciples out of the Scarlet Dunes alive, politely declining Yu Yuan's well-meant offer.
Liu Ying, constrained by her sect's regulations, was also unable to involve the numerous disciples of Shadow's Keep with the Fallen Star Eyes.
The Crucible of Evil under his command differed from the Fallen Star Eyes; it wasn't an item meant for transport.
The Crucible of Evil could manage him and perhaps one or two others, but any more would severely compromise its function.
After all, the cauldron that absorbed "evil spirits" and transformed them into "Bane" prioritized the soul's capacity to endure.
Since souls typically lack a corporeal body, they bear no weight.
Atop the Fallen Star Eyes, Liu Ying's captivating eyes sparkled like celestial bodies as she whispered, "Yu Yuan, I need to speak with you."
"Oh?"
Yu Yuan's silhouette ascended, then settled back onto the gleaming extraterrestrial rock, inquiring, "What's on your mind?"
With a casual flick of her porcelain hand, Liu Ying activated the Starmoon Sect's expensively crafted artifact, shielding them from external perceptions and remnant souls. "I sense that the Scarlet Dunes is turning into a vast vortex, poised to swallow an increasing number of formidable individuals. That person..."
Liu Ying exercised caution, refraining from mentioning Zu Ann's name, likely wary of being detected by the Mirror of Fates. "That person's strategy of incrementally releasing goasts from beneath the surface seems designed to compel Qu Jing, Qi Jinghai, and Zhao Yafu to send out word. The intent is to alert all major sects to the peril of the Scarlet Dunes, prompting them to dispatch more experts."
"Then, he'll turn the Scarlet Dunes into a vortex, swallowing up anyone who follows in his wake, one by one."
"Considering the individual below, unless a primordial spirit or a Dark Deity of the tenth level arrives in person, not even the sect masters could challenge him."
"My master mentioned that the pinnacle beings of the Everlands are scattered deep within the Star River, each with their own adversaries, unable to make hasty moves in the short term."
"It seems he's virtually invincible, capable of both offense and defense."
Liu Ying voiced her concerns with a furrowed brow.
Yu Yuan listened intently, mulling over her words, and realized her speculation was likely accurate.
"Zu Ann holds an extraordinary and unique position within the Everlands," Liu Ying added. "Why would someone of his stature employ evil spirits and target sect disciples? He's supposed to be defending against the Stoneborn invaders from beyond, yet he's the one who has brought them into the Everlands."
Liu Ying couldn't fathom why Zu Ann would forsake the Everlands.
A sudden insight struck Yu Yuan.
He vividly recalled his last encounter with Zu Ann, when he had revealed his identity and requested the red metal key, and Zu Ann had in turn sought a piece of Sunsorrow from him.
"Rosy Cloud Island, where Zu Ann's beloved must be sealed, is where he's desperately clinging to a sliver of life for her. If Zu Ann wishes to resurrect her, not only does he need a divine pill capable of capturing the essence of heaven and earth, but he also needs assistance in reconstituting her soul. The first that comes to mind who could aid in this within the vast Star River is Boulderdawn!"
"It must be a prominent figure from Boulderdawn who found him and made a promise!"
"Given Zu Ann's disposition, as long as his beloved can be revived, the collapse of the Everlands and the extinction of all life would be inconsequential to him. With his advanced Unbound realm cultivation, he and his revived love could live freely anywhere in the Infinite Galaxy."
In that moment, Yu Yuan believed he had uncovered the reason for Zu Ann's betrayal of this realm.
All for the love he cherished!
"Crackle!"
A massive chariot interwoven with dense lightning bolts streaked across the sky from afar.
The chariot was broad, forged entirely of green gold, dazzling in the night.
Beneath the immense chariot, a reservoir of lightning seemed to lurk, constructed of innumerable lightning crystals, harboring the Divine Thunder capable of obliterating souls.
"Thunder Chariot!"
Liu Ying was startled, her gaze fixed on the chariot that had emerged so suddenly. She was deeply moved.
Yu Yuan focused intently and could see atop the colossal "Thunder Chariot" more than a dozen cultivators, each clad in different attire, standing with their hands behind their backs.
These cultivators engaged in lofty discussions, their demeanor arrogant, all bearing the visage of middle-aged men.
Even from tens of miles away, Yu Yuan felt a slight discomfort in his eyes as he watched them.
He quickly understood that these cultivators aboard the "Thunder Chariot" were of a different caliber compared to the sect disciples currently in the Scarlet Dunes.
Almost all were at the Spirit Walk Stage, with some even at the Solar Spirit Stage!
They must have been alerted by various signs that something was amiss, concerned that too many of their sect's disciples had perished, prompting the sect elders and high-ranking counselors to take action.
"Hmm?"
Among them, Yu Yuan recognized Weixian.
Weixian of Winter's Bite, in the late period of the Spirit Walk Stage, was supposed to be in the Forgotten Ruins.
Unexpectedly, he too had arrived on the Thunder Sect's Thunder Chariot, alongside his fellow sect members.
The sect elders, positioned high above, conversed with one another, yet none engaged in combat.
Merely the presence of the "Thunder Chariot," sporadically unleashing bolts of lightning, was enough to instantly vanquish any encountered souls and malevolent entities.
Swoosh!
A thread of green lightning plunged into the desert sands, reducing a bat-like Sky Fiend to ashes, dead beyond doubt.
The group of cultivators paid no heed to the disintegrated Sky Fiend, their expressions stern.
As the "Thunder Chariot" drew nearer and spotted the "Fallen Star Eyes," the lightning-adorned chariot abruptly sped up and came to a halt in the sky, all in the blink of an eye.
"Yu Yuan!"
Aboard the Thunder Chariot, Weixian from Winter's Bite Sect gasped in surprise upon spotting Yu Yuan and Liu Ying standing together on the Fallen Star Eyes.
As Yu Yuan turned his gaze, Weixian flashed a grin and nodded, acknowledging him with a casual greeting.
"Yu Yuan!"
"Zhan Tianxiang, Zhao Yafu."
The cultivators from various sects, who had arrived on the Thunder Chariot, took sharp notice of Yu Yuan and his companions, prompted by Weixian's exclamation.
These individuals were unconcerned with Yu Yuan's comfort, as streams of remnant souls reached out to them through the air.
"Hmph!"
Anger etched Liu Ying's exquisite features. With a graceful sweep of her hand, a gossamer veil of starlight formed a protective barrier around her and Yu Yuan.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
The probing tendrils of soul thoughts met the luminescent shield and were repelled by the cosmic energy of the Fallen Star Eyes, unable to touch Yu Yuan.
In that moment, Yu Yuan noted that, aside from Weixian, the largest contingent present belonged to the Thunder Sect.
Three individuals clad in Thunder Sect garb stood out, all appearing to be in the Spirit Walk state.
Additionally, members from Cloudwater Sect, Forgeroses, and Abyssal Dawn were present.
The Ethereal Void Sect was represented by a solitary figure, his hair secured in a bun with a white jade trident, his waist, wrists, and neck adorned with jade accessories.
This man seemed to harbor a deep affection for exquisite jade, as evidenced by the numerous jade ornaments he wore.
Each jade accessory pulsated with spiritual energy, some even echoing with the roars of alien souls, suggesting the presence of powerful extraterrestrial soul spirits trapped within.
He stood among the crowd, stoic and unsmiling, seemingly indifferent to Yu Yuan.
Yet, Yu Yuan could sense that upon this man's arrival, his focus and gaze lingered on him, causing a distinct unease.
"Ditdite!"
Liu Ying inhaled deeply and whispered, identifying the most significant among them, Ditdite.
The seven Sages of the Ethereal Void Sect were the most esteemed and revered individuals of their order.
Ditdite, like Chong Xiao, possessed the cultivation of a Solar Spirit, specifically at the middle period of the stage. Although he ranked last among the seven Sages, it merely reflected his youth, for he had only recently ascended to the Solar Spirit Stage and was not as aged as the other Sages.
"The Sages have arrived, and they've set their sights on me first..."
Yu Yuan's thoughts stirred, and he suddenly realized that Yingye, the predestined Eighth Sage, must have been killed by Zu Ann at his behest.
Only with Yingye's death would the Ethereal Void Sect be sufficiently alarmed to send Ditdite immediately.
"Liu Ying pays her respects to Ditdite, Elder Hu, Elder Wei..."
Standing atop the Fallen Star Eyes, the young woman greeted the elders from various sects of Euwrea who had arrived on the Thunder Chariot with neither arrogance nor subservience.
She made a point to acknowledge those whose names she knew, and offered a polite smile and a curtsy to the unfamiliar faces.
Ranked just below the Ethereal Void Sect among the seven lower sects, the Starmoon Sect had a profound legacy. The hidden strength of the Moon Sect was envied and feared by many.
Liu Ying, the proclaimed successor of the Starmoon Sect, demonstrated her authority by wielding the Fallen Star Eyes.
Given that everyone was near the sects' sacred grounds on the Euwrea Continent, they were all well-acquainted, so the visitors were courteous to Liu Ying, nodding in acknowledgment of her greetings.
"I have a few questions I'd like to ask Yu Yuan in private."
Ditdite, whom Liu Ying had addressed first, maintained a serene gaze as he naturally requested her to bring Yu Yuan to him.
"This..."
Liu Ying looked uneasy.
Fully aware of Yingye's covert assault on Yu Yuan, she was certain that although Qu Jing might be oblivious, Ditdite undoubtedly knew the truth.
As a Sage privy to the inner workings of the Ethereal Void Sect's leadership, what could Ditdite possibly want with Yu Yuan?
His eagerness to speak with Yu Yuan upon arriving at the Scarlet Dunes was suspicious.
Liu Ying had an ominous feeling that if she consented and allowed Yu Yuan to meet with Ditdite, she might never see him again.
The thought of such an outcome filled her with urgency, and she blurted out, "That won't be possible."
"I only wish to ask a few questions," Ditdite spoke again, his brow furrowing slightly, his displeasure evident.
"My Uncle Master Tan needs to speak with him as well, and I've already delayed too long. I can't keep Uncle Master Tan waiting!" Liu Ying hastily fabricated an excuse, unconcerned with whether Ditdite found it credible.
...
