C722 What Can I Do?

All items that qualify as Horcruxes naturally become more powerful in the Land of Terror, for this place is the original haven for ghosts and spirits. This holds true for the Soul Locking Diagram, the River of Souls, and, of course, the Crucible of Evil. Different Horcruxes have unique functions; for instance, the River of Souls is renowned not for its offensive capabilities but for its ability to guide ghosts, enhancing their wisdom and spirituality. On the other hand, the Crucible of Evil is the quintessential weapon of slaughter among soul weapons! Inside the crucible, all the Banes and the various peculiar Soul Nexuses are forged in the heat of battle!

With a whoosh, the Second Bane transformed into a streak of blood-red light, swiftly approaching the elderly man with a white beard and silver eyebrows. Suddenly, the light morphed into a blood-red spear and thrust forward with lethal precision. The old man, manifesting as a Lunar Spirit, saw the incoming spear and, sensing the intense killing intent and the unsettling Spirit Magic within, his Lunar Spirit burst into countless fragments of ghostly light.

The old man's strategy was to evade the spear's direct assault, assess its overall strength, and then plan his counterattack. The fragments scattered like dandelion seeds in the wind, making it impossible for the blood-red spear to lock onto its target accurately.

"Mr. Lin remains ever cautious," Jiang Xingwen said with a light chuckle. She made no move to intervene in the clash between Yu Yuan and Mr. Lin. Instead, she turned to address her subordinates, who were itching to join the fray, "Why meddle in others' battles? Stand down, all of you!"

Nearly a thousand ghosts of various shapes and sizes materialized behind her, poised to strike. To these soul spirits, Yu Yuan, an outsider, would likely face a formidable challenge against the two mighty Lunar Spirits of the Skyreach Consortium. Jiang Xingwen's intervention could tip the scales in favor of Yu Yuan's defeat.

The Crucible of Evil, which shrouded Yu Yuan's real body, was sensed to be an equally formidable Horcrux. If their master could maintain control over this Horcrux, their power in the Land of Terror would soar, eclipsing that of many Spectres!

The ghosts who had sworn allegiance to Jiang Xingwen underwent a subtle transformation after being immersed in the River of Souls. Their souls altered, they became utterly devoted to considering Jiang Xingwen's interests above all else.

They truly wished for Jiang Xingwen to grow in strength.

Together, they would rise up from the Land of Terror!

But Jiang Xingwen's command to "fall back" extinguished their fervent zeal for battle, dousing their spirits like a bucket of cold water.

"A bunch of fools!" Jiang Xingwen's expression cooled as she watched the ghosts withdraw, thinking to herself, "If Yu Yuan were so easily handled, would Liu Linzhi have met his end?"

Her Lunar Spirit's power had been restored after taking control of the River of Souls, and with the dense Yin Qi of the Land of Terror, her combat prowess had surged once more.

Yet, she was well aware of the Crucible of Evil's might and had no desire to provoke Yu Yuan.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have simply allowed Yu Yuan to dominate a Shadow Mountain and let the ghosts within it escape.

"Don't include me in your plans." Jiang Xingwen said with a light-hearted smile, gesturing to Yu Yuan to proceed as he wished. "As for me, I'm staying neutral. I'll just watch you all fight it out. It truly has nothing to do with me."

"Ms. Jiang."

Yu Yuan, controlling the Crucible of Evil, soared towards the Skyreach Consortium's Cloud Cruiser. As he passed the frigid expanse of the Land of Terror, he glanced at the counselor named Faang Yingzi, whose Lunar Spirit shivered amidst the icy chaos, his soul gradually blurring.

Yu Yuan knew Faang Yingzi was no match for the Frost Queen.

"I ventured out specifically to offer my congratulations to Ms. Jiang. To hear that you've rallied so many followers in such a short time is truly impressive," he said with a distant bow.

He paid no mind to the battle unfolding between the Second Bane and the white-haired, silver-eyebrowed visitor from the Consortium.

Beside Ma Jianjiang, another female Lunar Spirit had arrived, standing still, not intervening in the conflict.

Yu Yuan cast a curious glance her way.

"Don't mind me. I'm not affiliated with the Skyreach Consortium. I'm just hitching a ride on the Cloud Cruiser, passing through the Land of Terror," the unremarkable woman quickly clarified upon Yu Yuan's gaze. "I hail from the Taintborn Sect. I'm here solely to temper my Lunar Spirit. Your skirmish with the Consortium is none of my concern."

The woman hastily attempted to dissociate herself from the Skyreach Consortium.

Yu Yuan chuckled wryly to himself.

The Skyreach Consortium had always maintained neutrality. Now branded a traitor of the Everlands, the white-haired elder and Faang Yingzi had emerged to cause him trouble.

Yet, Jiang Xingwen of the Abyssal Dawn and the Lunar Spirit from the Taintborn Sect chose to stand by passively.

"The Abyssal Dawn and the Taintborn haven't made a move against me. I wonder why the Skyreach Consortium is so anxious?" Yu Yuan couldn't resist a jibe, "Ma Jianjiang, do you speak for your Consortium? Is this how the Skyreach Consortium treats me?"

"No, you've got it wrong. Please don't misunderstand!" Ma Jianjiang hastily clarified, "Yu Yuan, your Yu family in Thylethlume has always been supported by our consortium. We've never ceased dealings with your family over this matter. Before coming here, I was informed by people from Gavanas that the consortium is still purchasing medicinal herbs from your family at the previously agreed prices."

"Your Yu family has evacuated Asvetaesi, relinquishing the mining rights, but the medicinal fields have been incorporated into the Forgotten Ruins without significant loss."

The deacon from the Skyreach Consortium, who had previously interacted with Yu Yuan in Afnetalos, rushed to convey the Yu family's situation and the consortium's stance towards them, hoping Yu Yuan wouldn't hold a grudge against the entire consortium because of Mr. Lin and Faang Yingzi.

"As long as the Yu family is unharmed, that's what matters."

Yu Yuan nodded slightly. He was aware that if the news of his defection from the Everlands were to spread, his family would inevitably be affected.

Learning that Thylethlume had been absorbed into the territory of the Forgotten Ruins by the Shadow's Keep brought him some comfort.

Faang Yingzi and Mr. Lin, preoccupied with defending themselves against the Frost Queen and the Second Bane, no longer had the capacity to challenge him.

He had drifted up to Jiang Xingwen and, bowing his head, gazed at the green jade belt. "What is this called?"

"River of Souls," Jiang Xingwen said with a slight smile. "I stumbled upon this item in the Land of Terror. After refining it, I discovered its remarkable properties. I had intended to leave the Land of Terror since I had already mastered the Spirit Magic I sought. But with the River of Souls in my possession, it seems I can accomplish even more."

"River of Souls? Have you ever heard of it?" Yu Yuan inquired of the cauldron spirit in secret.

The cauldron spirit responded, "I'm not aware; it must be a newly emerged Horcrux."

"Don't worry, because you are Su Yan's friend and you rescued me from Liu Linzhi, I won't be your enemy," Jiang Xingwen assured him. "However, I cannot align myself with you either. Your current identity is too sensitive, and I don't want to bring trouble to myself or the Abyssal Dawn. I hope you understand."

"I understand," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a nod.

"Yu Yuan, Faang Yingzi is on his last legs!"

Ma Jianjiang was frantic, noticing that in the Land of Extreme Coldness, Faang Yingzi's soul appeared ephemeral, as if it might vanish at any moment. He blurted out, "Consider the bigger picture before acting!"

"Do something drastic?" Yu Yuan paused, perplexed. "I'm already the enemy of the entire Everlands. What more is there to worry about? What consequences could there be if I kill Faang Yingzi?"

Ma Jianjiang was at a loss for words.

It was then that Jiang Xingwen and Yu Yuan simultaneously turned their attention to the depths of the Land of Terror.

Two formidable soul auras burst forth like a volcanic eruption and a tidal wave, startling all the souls in the vicinity.

The nearly thousand ghosts behind Jiang Xingwen trembled with fear.

In contrast, the weaker ghosts, unable to fully manifest themselves, looked around, bewildered.

"Ghost Kings! Two Ghost Kings are truly clashing!"

Jiang Xingwen's face was etched with concern. "Before, the Ghost Kings only directed their minions to fight, never engaging themselves. But now, they've entered the fray, signaling that a significant upheaval is unfolding in the depths of the Land of Terror!"

Ma Jianjiang was profoundly shaken. "The Ghost King, the battle of the Ghost Kings! It's been nearly a century since the last one, hasn't it?"

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