C765 Shadow Moon Essence!

Before Shadow Mountain, a multitude of Banes burst forth from the cauldron, swarming out like locusts. The sky was swiftly obscured by the swarm of Banes, and waves of malevolent thoughts that could make one's soul shudder swept through the air like a raging sea. The mortal souls and ghosts that were still feasting on Shadow Mountain scattered in a panic, like birds startled by the twang of a bow.

Yu Yuan squinted his eyes as he stood at the mouth of the cauldron, observing the Banes that had finally amassed into a formidable formation. A surge of pride washed over him, and he couldn't help but smile broadly, "At last, it's starting to take shape!"

Yuan Lianyao, manifesting as a Lunar Spirit, stood beside him, her expression one of utter astonishment. She watched as over two thousand Banes, led by the Second Bane, Blood Moon, formed into various arrays and drifted towards the diminishing Shadow Mountain. The fearful wails of the ghosts and souls around Shadow Mountain reached her ears, amplifying her shock.

"These?" she exclaimed in amazement.

It hadn't been long since their last encounter, but since she and Yu Yuan had reunited in the Land of Terror, the world-renowned Crucible of Evil had reached new heights of power with the aid of the local ghosts and souls.

The sight of the numerous Banes roaring into existence had a profound impact on her. Among the ghosts and souls lingering around Shadow Mountain were those of Spirit Level, formidable enough that even she would struggle to claim victory in battle. And there was more than one of these powerful spirits.

Yet, at that moment, the Banes released by Yu Yuan were effortlessly hunting down these Spirit Level ghosts and souls as easily as an eagle snatches up a chick.

"Yuanyuan, it's been some time since we last saw each other. This cauldron has seen some improvements, thanks to the Sky Fiends, the oddities, and the ghosts of this forsaken place," Yu Yuan said, his smile radiant. "Without it, I wouldn't have dared to barge in here, knowing full well that White Bone was besieged by numerous Spectres of the same caliber."

The ghosts surrounding Shadow Mountain wailed in terror. Led by Blood Moon, numerous powerful Banes followed, selectively targeting soul spirits suitable for evil convergence and trapping them within rune circles.

The Shadow Mountain was swarmed by just over three hundred ghosts, a number vastly inferior to the Banes that were howling out from the cauldron.

Yuan Lianyao's gaze quivered as she took in the scene at Shadow Mountain. In just a short time, the ghosts had either perished or fled, while those marked were ensnared by the peculiar Soul Nexus.

Yu Yuan, standing within the cauldron, had yet to lift a finger, yet he had swiftly brought the situation under control.

She was inwardly astonished, her stunning face awash with amazement. "How have you become so formidable all of a sudden? You've changed so much, I can barely recognize you."

"We're in the Land of Terror," Yu Yuan said, gesturing towards Shadow Mountain with a smile. "The Crucible of Evil can exert its utmost power in places saturated with Yin Qi."

"Now I understand why you were so bold as to ignore their warnings and insisted on coming here," Yuan Lianyao said with a wry smile.

The might Yu Yuan now wielded was far beyond that of a mere novice in the Subtlety Realm. He seemed more akin to a titled Spectre presiding over a domain within the Land of Terror!

Was this the extent of power a titled Spectre could command?

With a whoosh, the Crucible of Evil soared toward Shadow Mountain, diving into a cavern that led inside. As soon as he entered, Yu Yiyi's Soul Voice burst forth in Yu Yuan's mind, "Master! This Shadow Mountain harbors Shadow Moon Essence!" It was rare for Yu Yiyi to show such excitement.

Yu Yuan, having just stepped into the heart of the mountain, paused and asked, "What exactly is Shadow Moon Essence?"

"My memories haven't fully returned, and I can't quite recall the significance of Shadow Moon Essence just yet," Yu Yiyi admitted. "But I do know that you can extract it from within Shadow Mountain using the Evil Body Refining Technique. Infusing it into your flesh will purify your being." Yu Yiyi was brimming with excitement. "Master! Shadow Moon Essence is a treasure. You must refine it quickly!"

Before Yu Yuan could even process this, the cauldron shifted direction and descended into a stone cave, its opening facing downward.

Yu Yuan's feet touched the cool earth. "Will refining it truly be to my advantage?"

"Once refined through the Evil Body Refining Technique, the Shadow Moon Essence will cleanse your muscles and skin," Yu Yiyi explained, still riding her wave of excitement. "Besides bolstering your physical strength, it will afford you another significant benefit. In the future, you'll be able to traverse the Land of Terror on your own, without my protection, and no longer fear the harsh, flesh-searing winds."

Yu Yuan's eyes suddenly sparkled. "Is that true?!"

Refining the Shadow Moon Essence with the Evil Body Refining technique to purify his body would be incredibly valuable if he could harness such a miraculous effect. Currently, he had to be extremely cautious in the Land of Terror, as he couldn't stray from the Crucible of Evil.

If he did, his flesh would quickly begin to split and tear. Exposed for too long, his flesh and organs might disintegrate entirely, leaving nothing but a skeleton. His blood, flesh, and limbs, all infused with vitality, were at the mercy of the fearsome chill winds.

This vulnerability had led to his betrayal by Mo Yan. Had it not been for the aid of the beast skin, he might have been gravely wounded in an instant. His inability to leave the Crucible of Evil was a glaring weakness in the Land of Terror.

"Indeed!" Yu Yiyi exclaimed.

"Good!"

Without further ado, Yu Yuan sat down and began to silently operate the Evil Body Refining technique. As soon as he initiated the spell, he could sense tiny, flickering silver lights scattered throughout the diminutive Shadow Mountain.

These silver lights, tinier than grains of rice, moved within the mountain as if they were sentient silver sprites.

"Those?"

"Yes! Master, what you've detected is the Shadow Moon Essence!"

After the brief exchange, Yu Yuan inhaled deeply and turned to Yuan Lianyao, who looked puzzled. "This mountain contains what's known as the Shadow Moon Essence. I intend to assimilate it into my body, and you might try to gather it as well."

"Shadow Moon Essence? What's that?" Yuan Lianyao asked, bewildered.

Yu Yiyi interjected hastily, "She can't do it! The Shadow Moon Essence isn't like Yin Qi; it can't be refined and absorbed by a soul. She's a Lunar Spirit without a corporeal body, so she can't incorporate the Shadow Moon Essence into her flesh."

"Is that so?" Yu Yuan asked, surprised.

"Master, please don't ask me why; I can't recall the reason myself. All I know is that the Shadow Moon Essence is connected to the Root of the Lunar Meridian. It only appears in the Land of Terror at specific times. Since the discovery of this place, the Shadow Moon Essence has only manifested three times."

"This should only be the fourth time, right?"

"The Shadow Moon Essence, born from the Root of the Lunar Meridian, is not a figment of imagination but a tangible entity! Thus, the Shadow Moon Essence can only be integrated into the corporeal body, not the Lunar Spirit or the soul."

"Creatures capable of entering the Land of Terror in their corporeal form are exceedingly rare, and those who encounter the Shadow Moon Essence are even scarcer. Your fortune, Master, is truly unmatched!"

"Master! Utilizing the Evil Body Refining technique to assimilate the Shadow Moon Essence into your body will be immensely beneficial. Do not hesitate!"

Yu Yiyi lavished praise upon Yu Yuan within the miniature universe of the cauldron.

Yu Yuan found the explanation about the "Shadow Moon Essence" to be quite perplexing.

Yet, after some careful thought, he grasped the concept. He recognized the exceptional nature of the "Shadow Moon Essence" and realized that his arrival was serendipitous.

The Root of the Lunar Meridian, due to the turmoil outside causing a dense concentration of lunar energy, could spawn numerous Ghost Kings and even bring forth the God of Ghosts, never before seen in this world.

Likewise, it nurtured the enigmatic "Shadow Moon Essence"!

"Who are you communicating with?" inquired Yuan Lianyao.

"The artifact soul of this cauldron," replied Yu Yuan, gazing upward. He was aware that the cauldron that had covered both him and Yuan Lianyao now served as their sky, and he surmised that Yu Yiyi must be "above." "As for the Shadow Moon Essence, I suspect you might struggle to assimilate it. Allow me to go first."

The following moment, he banished all distractions from his mind, concentrating on locating and refining the Shadow Moon Essence.

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