C683 The Night's Howl
Upon seeing the phrase "Spirit Magic Soul Ferrying Technique," Yu Yuan had already reached a verdict in his mind.
The Wraithbinding couldn't possibly originate from the Terror Claws.
He had lost interest in the book's content, as the spell was incomplete, and the Wraithbinding he was currently practicing was intricate and profound. He had personally realized its numerous advantages.
Regardless of its origins, Yu Yuan had decided to adopt this spell as his primary method for refining his earthly soul and eventually transforming into a Lunar Spirit.
The Terror Claws were renowned for their body-refining mystique, not their expertise in soul cultivation.
Thus, in Yu Yuan's view, even if the Spirit Magic Soul Ferrying Technique were intact, it wouldn't compare to the superior grade of Wraithbinding.
"How many soulstones?"
With a resolved mind, he held the aged, yellowish book and inquired in a subdued tone.
"It's not very valuable—three hundred soulstones will suffice," Ma Jianjiang responded with a laugh.
Yu Yuan nodded, caressed his Bracelet of Holding, and extracted several gleaming soulstones, stacking them on the display counter. "Does the Skyreach Consortium possess any mystique for communicating with the outside world?"
The sum of three hundred soulstones was modest, and Ma Jianjiang didn't bother to count them carefully, nor did he seem overly concerned.
His attention was fixed on Yu Yuan's question. After a brief pause, he replied, "Mr. Yu, as you are aware, the activation of a grand array typically disrupts communication between the inside and the outside."
"I'm well aware," Yu Yuan said with a sly smile, "But I also know that with 'Skyreach' in its name, the Consortium surely has ways to reach the heavens. While others may not be able to communicate with the outside world, your organization likely can."
More often than not, when a high-tier array is fully operational, it naturally severs internal and external connections.
During the operation of the Soulforge Matrix within the Moonfall Sanctuary, cultivators from the outside world couldn't use their remnant souls or spiritual sense to spy within, nor could they rely on instruments to remotely view the inner realm.
Preventing sensory espionage is a fundamental function of such high-caliber arrays.
Yu Yuan was well aware of the situation.
He had posed the question despite knowing the answer because he was uncertain about the level of the grand array protecting Afnetalos.
Should the array be of a lower level, the Skyreach Consortium, with its resources, could likely use secret artifacts to establish contact with the Chamber of Commerce Headquarters.
It might even be possible to communicate with another branch, such as the one in the Forgotten Ruins.
"The Phoenix Skybreak Array straddles the fifth and sixth levels. Once fully operational, even our Consortium would be at a loss," Ma Jianjiang said with a tone of reverence when discussing the array.
"Just like the protective arrays of the Ethereal Void Sect, Starmoon Sect, and Thunder Sect, which are all sixth level, the Phoenix Skybreak Array's classification hinges on a single individual."
"Depends on whom?" Zhao Yafu interjected with surprise.
Ma Jianjiang inhaled deeply, checked for eavesdroppers, and whispered, "The Songbird Queen!"
Yu Yuan's expression shifted. "So, you're saying if the Songbird Queen is within the city, the Phoenix Skybreak Array is at the sixth level? But if she's absent, it drops to the fifth level?"
"Exactly," Ma Jianjiang confirmed with a nod.
Zhao Yafu pondered briefly before her eyes sparkled with realization. She gasped, covering her mouth, "The preeminent figure of Aetherius, her realm?"
Yu Yuan felt a jolt of shock and turned to Ma Jianjiang, seeking confirmation with his gaze.
Ma Jianjiang nodded once more, his voice hushed, "The latest intelligence from the Consortium suggests that she has indeed ascended to the Unbound Stage. Few are privy to this information. And for her breakthrough, she chose none other than Afnetalos as her item of merge."
The Unbound Stage, where one merges with the Dao, could involve a unique location, a mountain, a city, an object, or even an emotion.
Hei Xun merged with the Dao at the Embers Sea, Zu Ann with the Skyreach Peak, and the Songbird Queen, it turns out, merged with the city of Afnetalos itself.
The Songbird Empire had spared no expense in constructing this city, adorning both its interior and exterior with innumerable arcane circles and glyphs. The inner city served as the Chen family's stronghold.
From the moment the city was established, it was clear that the Songbird Queen had intended to use it as a means to merge with the Dao.
"Merging with the Dao in Afnetalos, achieving ultimate liberation!" Zhao Yafu was visibly moved, her eyes shining with awe and veneration.
She held profound respect for the emperor of the Songbird Empire, a figure who stood among the top three in the annals of history.
When it came to female emperors, she was without a doubt the foremost of them all—unparalleled in the past and, perhaps, unmatched in the future.
"If she is present in Afnetalos, the Phoenix Skybreak Array is at the sixth level, on par with the formations of the Ethereal Void and Thunder Sect," Ma Jianjiang emphasized. "Without her, the Phoenix Skybreak Array automatically downgrades to the fifth level."
"So, is she actually here?" Yu Yuan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Ma Jianjiang simply shook his head, his smile conveying a refusal to divulge more.
Yu Yuan understood the etiquette; he recognized that Ma Jianjiang's willingness to share as much as he had was due to their favorable relationship with the Skyreach Consortium. He had hinted that the Songbird Queen had secretly merged with the Dao, ascending to the status of an Unbound realm cultivator.
Further details were restricted by the policies of the Chamber of Commerce and the Windspeaker, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him to inquire further.
"Thank you," Yu Yuan expressed with a formal bow, genuinely grateful. Clutching the fragmented scripture, he and Zhao Yafu continued to peruse the offerings of the Chamber of Commerce.
They ventured beyond the Scripture Tower, exploring pavilions that sold pills, magical artifacts, and formation arrays.
Ma Jianjiang remained by their side, eager to explain any item that caught Yu Yuan's interest.
Regrettably, the pervasive Ashen Shadowmist had prompted cultivators within Afnetalos to purchase nearly all the valuable magic items and pills from the local Chamber of Commerce branch.
What remained were items and pills of inferior quality, which Yu Yuan found unappealing.
With the Phoenix Skybreak Array activated and the Ashen Shadowmist enveloping the city, the Chamber of Commerce was cut off from the outside world, making it impossible to transport additional pills and magic items from the Chamber of Commerce Headquarters.
Ma Jianjiang spoke frankly, predicting that soon even the Earth Grade pills and items would be completely sold out.
When that happens, the Skyreach Consortium's branch in Afnetalos City will be deserted, no longer attracting the attention of any cultivators who might otherwise drop by for a visit.
After departing from the Chamber of Commerce's branch, Yu Yuan considered visiting the training hall of the Obsidian Thunder Sect.
He had been accompanied by Zhao Yafu for part of his journey. Along the way, a string of pearls she wore suddenly shone with a brilliant light. After tuning in with her spiritual sense, she offered an apologetic smile and said, "Yu, the Shadow's Keep needs to speak with me. I'll head back to the Azure Vault. If you need to find me, just ask around there."
"Understood." Yu Yuan responded with a smile as they parted ways.
He had always seen the girl who left Asvetaesi with him as a younger sister. Ever since he assisted Zhao Yafu with her Dragon Devour, the bonds between her, the Zhao family, and both him and the Yu family had grown incredibly strong.
He was well aware of how the Zhao family looked after the Yu family in his absence.
Watching the once-naive girl mature into the direct disciple of the Moonfang Tiger from the Shadow's Keep filled him with genuine joy. He resolved that, should he have the means within Afnetalos, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
As evening set in, the sky dimmed.
The burning sun receded, and Afnetalos, shielded by the Phoenix Skybreak Array, was bathed in a soft green luminescence, casting an enchanting hue over the city.
"Phoenix Skybreak Array."
Yu Yuan occasionally gazed into the sky, contemplating the ethereal glow, almost sensing the presence of a majestic green phoenix poised within the barrier, ready to soar at a moment's notice.
"Ah!"
Out of nowhere, a piercing scream echoed from a street in the distance.
Night had fallen over the inner city of the Songbird Empire, where both the empire and its sects strictly prohibited any internal conflict.
The sudden, harrowing cry disrupted the peace. What could it possibly signify?
The thunderous clatter of hooves on the earth abruptly filled the air.
Yu Yuan stood on the broad street, witnessing soldiers clad in heavy armor and mounted on majestic horses burst forth from neighboring districts. He immediately dashed toward the source of the piercing screams.
"Ah! Help!"
Soon after, similar cries echoed from the homes lining the streets.
Yu Yuan's face paled as a wave of intense unease surged within him.
Protected by the Phoenix Skybreak Array, the Ashen Shadowmist had been kept at bay, unable to infiltrate and spread anew. The cultivators, commoners, and soldiers within the city remained unaffected by the Ashen Shadowmist, and neither Sky Fiends nor Otherkin, nor Terra Fiends had breached the Phoenix Skybreak Array to invade the city.
What could be causing such disturbances within the walls of Afnetalos?
Before long, the calls for help multiplied, resonating from various streets and neighborhoods.
The commotion wasn't limited to the residences of commoners; even the sector housing the training hall of the Obsidian Thunder Sect was now pierced by shrill cries that sent shivers down one's spine in the dead of night.
"This is bad."
