C756 Strongest in the Same Realm

Yu Yuan had never crossed paths with Cao Jiaze before, and he was taken aback when this rising star of the Profound Sky Sect, at the zenith of his influence, unexpectedly extended an olive branch. It was both surprising and inexplicable to him.

A grand palace, conjured from a Heaven Palace Seal, swiftly bridged the distance between them. Adorned with intricate carvings and elaborate decorations, a closer inspection revealed an array of exquisite patterns. Within the palace, a mysterious light radiated, pulsating with a protective force that seemed to shield the soul.

Cao Jiaze's visage materialized before him. Tall and clad in simple green attire, his broad shoulders set him apart from the crowd. Though not strikingly handsome, his eyes were remarkably bright. At a glance, he appeared to be in his early thirties, yet he exuded the air of someone who had weathered countless trials, his resolute will unshakable by the world's tribulations. On his finger, a dragon-shaped Universe Ring glinted with a brilliant yellow hue, impossible to overlook.

Leaning on a white jade railing, Cao Jiaze inclined his body slightly forward and spoke earnestly, "Yu Yuan, I'm not playing games with you. If you can honestly assure me that you have no connections with Zu Ann or the Green Willow Demon, and no dealings with the Outland Devaputra, I am genuinely willing to find a way to clear your name and welcome you into the Profound Sky Sect for cultivation."

"Kid, you'd better give thanks quickly!" A Yin God with a chilling presence behind Cao Jiaze murmured.

Judging by its aura, this Yin God seemed to be affiliated with the Cold Yin Sect.

"What makes you, a lad from Darkmoon City, worthy of his attention? He holds you in high regard, so if you've been wronged, make your case clear without delay!"

"If you wish to remain in the Boundless Land, come to this palace willingly!"

The Yin Gods, each hailing from various sects across the Heavenly Source Continent and dependent on this palace, clamored for Yu Yuan to express his gratitude to Cao Jiaze.

One particularly volatile Yin God from the Cold Yin Sect, gaunt and with a grim demeanor, was especially vociferous in his reprimands, accusing Yu Yuan of being ungrateful and oblivious to the good fortune before him.

Yet Yu Yuan remained unfazed, responding with a simple, puzzled query, "Why?"

"You and I are a lot alike," Cao Jiaze said with a smile. "You may have a greater talent for cultivation than I do, but our experiences share many similarities. Truth be told, I didn't have the backing of any sect's resources either. It was only through enduring numerous difficult trials that I began to stand out and caught the Sect Master's attention."

"I've looked into your background. You come from humble beginnings, without the support of any sect. Starting from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, you've worked your way up to your current level of cultivation and realm."

"We're cut from the same cloth, which is why I want to lend you a hand."

His sincerity was evident.

He had indeed taken the time to thoroughly understand Yu Yuan. Based on his journey, he surmised that if Yu Yuan were to receive the same kind of nurturing from a sect like the Profound Sky Sect, he would quickly rise to prominence just as he had.

His own roots in the Profound Sky Sect were somewhat shallow, and in these turbulent times, he was keen to bring together individuals like himself to strive for greater achievements.

Yu Yuan had yet to align with any sect. If he had no ties to Zu Ann or Lvliu, Cao Jiaze genuinely hoped to offer his resources to bolster Yu Yuan's strength.

Then, once Yu Yuan had grown powerful, he could become a formidable ally, aiding Cao Jiaze in his ascent to the pinnacle of the Profound Sky Sect.

After a moment's reflection, Yu Yuan shook his head, his refusal straightforward and without hesitation: "I appreciate your offer, but I don't need your help to clear up any misunderstandings, nor do I wish to train with the Profound Sky Sect."

"Do you have any idea what you're passing up?"

"You really don't recognize a good opportunity when you see one!"

"You must be well aware that you've already been in cahoots with Zu Ann and the Green Willow Demon," they accused.

The cultivators of the Heavenly Source Continent, present in spirit through the Yin God, regarded Yu Yuan with enmity, their eyes shimmering with barely concealed covetousness.

Yu Yuan, having dealt with Faang Yingzi and Lin Yue, was all too familiar with such looks. He simply smiled, unbothered, offering no explanation.

"No pressure," he said.

Cao Jiaze was somewhat taken aback by his decision but refrained from further persuasion. After a pause, he added, "We will back the Cold Abyss Ghost King. All the sects and powers across the Heavenly Source Continent will spare no effort in supporting the Cold Abyss Ghost King's ascension to Ghost God."

The Horror Land lies within the Quietus Continent, where its ghosts and spirits have always harbored disdain for the sects of the Heavenly Source Continent.

No upper sect has ever succeeded in persuading a Ghost King to forge an alliance.

Legend has it that the Cold Abyss Ghost King shares a connection with the lower Cold Yin Sect, yet he has never publicly acknowledged this.

This time, aware that the Black Staff, Chu Ling, and Qianjie are supported by the Devil Palace, Blood God Cult, and Demon Palace respectively, the Cold Abyss Ghost King sees a once-in-a-millennium chance to ascend to godhood. Breaking with tradition, he has begun to form alliances with the sects of the Heavenly Source Continent.

Cao Jiaze represents the Heavenly Source Continent in this unprecedented collaboration.

"Your choices are of no concern to me," Yu Yuan stated with detachment.

"Farewell, until we meet again." Cao Jiaze stood erect, gesturing lightly as the palace, manifested from the Heaven Palace Seal, sped away.

"Junior Brother Cao?"

"Is Yu Yuan not the Boundless Land's traitor, wielding the Evil Cauldron? Can we not kill him?"

"Will you simply ignore this?"

The Yin Gods from various sects raised an uproar as the palace neared the Evil Cauldron, only to veer away.

"Have you not seen it?" Cao Jiaze expressed his stance.

With a whoosh, the grand palace glided past where Yu Yuan stood with the Evil Cauldron.

The Yin Gods departing from the palace cast lingering glances at Yu Yuan and the Evil Cauldron he rode upon, ultimately sighing before retreating back into the palace, disappearing from view.

"Why does he seek to draw you into the Profound Sky Sect?"

After a considerable pause, Lee Yuchan, filled with astonishment, couldn't contain his curiosity. "To the outside world, you're already a traitor of the entire realm. Why would he go out of his way for you? Or was it merely an offhand remark?"

"I'm not him; I can't presume to know his thoughts," Yu Yuan replied, unconcerned. "What puzzles me is his lack of uproar after my refusal. I had braced myself for a fierce struggle."

Cao Jiaze, possessing the Soul Wandering Stage cultivation, was in the same position as Yu Yuan, with his true self having arrived.

As Yu Yuan confronted this individual, his energy and spirit were instinctively stifled, a sense of oppression welling up within him.

Deep down, he was acutely aware that the vast disparity in their realms meant that this master from the Profound Sky Sect was likely far more powerful than him.

Yu Yuan possessed the Evil Cauldron and a sword sheath, and had mastered the enigmatic Soul Arts. He was confident that Cao Jiaze was equally formidable.

When armaments and Spiritual Spells were on par, the true deciding factor in combat prowess was the level of one's cultivation.

Yu Yuan had reached the Penetrating stage, whereas Cao Jiaze had advanced to the Soul Wandering Stage—a significant gap between them.

"We can't linger in the domain of the Duanchuan You Ghost any longer. It's time to move on!"

The sight of the palace emerging from the Heaven Palace Seal filled Yu Yuan with a sense of foreboding. He suspected it was seeking out the Duanchuan You Ghost. "My knowledge of Cao Jiaze is limited, but I'm convinced that anyone who can reach Horror Land in their true form, as I have, is no ordinary individual."

"He's not just extraordinary. He's considered the strongest below the Yang God Stage!" Lee Yuchan exclaimed.

"The strongest below the Yang God Stage? Who declared that?" Yu Yuan's face showed a trace of surprise.

"The leaders of the three upper sects and the chief of the Devil Palace all share this view," Lee Yuchan inhaled sharply, "Apart from the Demon God of the Demon Palace, who hasn't weighed in, the four other supreme forces are in agreement. Even Zhou Cangmin from the Red Devil Sect, at his time in the Soul Wandering Stage, was deemed inferior to him."

"Even when Zhou Cangmin was in the late phase of Soul Wandering and Cao Jiaze was in the middle phase, that was still the prevailing opinion."

"However, Zhou Cangmin soon ascended to the Yang God Stage. Upon his return to the Red Devil Sect, he ventured far into the Outer Star River, while Cao Jiaze remained in the late phase of Soul Wandering, yet to solidify his Yang God. In terms of cultivation talent, he falls short of Zhou Cangmin, with a slower progression."

"Nonetheless, at any given level, his combat strength was seen as significantly surpassing those of his peers."

Whoosh!

A shadowy figure emerged silently, transforming into Jiang Xingwen. "She's not wrong—Cao Jiaze is indeed the strongest among his peers in cultivation!"

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