C800 !

"You're quite generous with her."

Once Chen Qingyan had departed from the Sword Sect, Ann Ziqing of the Colddeath Cult pursed her lips, her face etched with a look of resentment.

Having served Yu Yuan as a maid for many years, she hadn't done anything to jeopardize him, even after his soul had awakened.

Mostly, she found amusement in teasing Yu Yuan.

Yet, Yu Yuan was perpetually wary around her, treating her as if she were a venomous scorpion, something to be avoided at all costs.

What deep bond do you have with that Sword Sect girl, Yu Yuan?

Did she dress you or fold your blankets when your spiritual wisdom was yet to be awakened?

Why do you show her kindness, yet offer me nothing but coldness?

The more Ann Ziqing dwelled on it, the more incensed she became, her exquisite face growing cold.

Yu Yuan remained impassive, merely giving her a glance without offering an explanation.

"Whatever, I'll kill her eventually!"

Bored after Chen Qingyan's departure, she transformed into a streak of purple lightning and drifted away from the cauldron.

This time, she didn't linger in the area but instead moved towards the dark clouds.

"Neither she nor Chen Qingyan is a fool. They both know that being near you and exchanging a few words is harmless," Yuan Lianyao spoke gently. "As long as they don't join you in attacking cultivators from other sects, they'll have a defense when the sect holds them accountable."

Yu Yuan nodded, replying, "It doesn't bother me."

"I understand," Yuan Lianyao responded with a radiant smile. "I'm not like them. When the battle comes, I'll stand with you. The Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and those in the celestial palace—if you consider them enemies, so do I."

She extended her arm, intending to link it with Yu Yuan's, but then she suddenly recalled that she was merely a Lunar Spirit.

With a self-deprecating chuckle, she stopped herself.

However, Yu Yuan was visibly touched and said, "Yuanyuan, there's no need for that!"

Deep down, he was well aware that Chen Qingyan's visit and Ann Ziqing's entrance into the cauldron were not declarations of allegiance; they were not truly aligning with him.

Only with the onset of a new round of battles, when he directed his sword toward the palatial heavens, would the positions of Ann Ziqing and Chen Qingyan, cultivators of Euwrea and Mo Yan of the Devil Palace, become clear.

It was premature to speak of such matters now.

Yuan Lianyao, however, was an exception.

Her declaration signified a resolute heart; she was prepared to stand by him, even if it meant being branded a traitor to the Everlands and becoming an enemy to this realm.

Yu Yuan couldn't help but be touched by her loyalty.

"I owe a great deal to you. Both my father and I were chosen by the Ruby Hand to practice the dark arts thanks to your efforts. The state preceptor and Lord Faang Yao hold you in high regard. Even Lord White Bone of our sect has shown you special favor," he said.

After pausing, the renowned beauty known as the red lotus bit her lip and looked down, adding softly, "And naturally, I feel the same."

She said no more, but her affection was unmistakable.

Yu Yuan remained silent for a moment before breaking into a radiant smile. "Once we leave the Land of Terror, our real bodies will meet in the world beyond. We can discuss everything else then."

The enchanting mayor before him was merely a Lunar Spirit, limiting his ability to express affection.

"Agreed," Yuan Lianyao responded cheerfully.

Yu Yuan stilled the ripples in his Heart Lake and inhaled deeply, regaining his composure.

Within his Mindscape, his transformed Lunar Spirit, composed of flowing remnant souls, was vividly present. His spirit's appearance and stature were consistent with his real body, unaltered by any artificial enhancements.

His Lunar Spirit, though an ethereal spirited body, was sharply defined.

With a single thought, his Lunar Spirit morphed into a colossal furnace within his Mindscape. He realized that since the Lunar Spirit was crafted from remnant souls, he could manipulate it to assume any form, whether for practicing unique Spirit Magic, defense, or offense.

For instance, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit could transform into a pool of molten lava, while Chen Qingyan's could become a razor-sharp sword.

Another thought prompted the dark red furnace to shift into a fiercely burning sun.

His thoughts shifted once more, transforming him into a sleek and lustrous piece of ice.

"The Lunar Spirit requires a specific Spirit Magic to unlock its full potential. Its natural state doesn't deplete Soul Power, but each transformation with Spirit Magic does consume a bit of it," he mused, quickly coming to an understanding.

The Lunar Spirit, in its primal form as the real body, resided within the Mindscape, incurring no extra drain on Soul Power.

However, frequent transformations would lead to some loss of Soul Power, and using Spirit Magic would accelerate this depletion.

Thankfully, he was now in the Land of Terror.

Here, under the watchful care of the Root of the Lunar Meridian, replenishing Yin Qi was effortless.

By simply stepping into any Shadow Mountain and connecting with the Root of the Lunar Meridian, he could draw upon a powerful surge of Yin Qi, swiftly restoring any spent Soul Power.

"In the Land of Terror, my Lunar Spirit should be able to leave my body!"

This new idea surfaced in his mind, and he hesitated briefly before deciding to experiment. That's when Yu Yiyi's urgent cry stopped him in his tracks.

Jolted to his senses, he immediately exercised caution, refraining from any hasty actions.

For those newly initiated into the Lunar Spirit realm, their Lunar Spirit is not yet stable and should not leave the corporeal body.

The nascent Lunar Spirit is fragile, unable to endure the elements or withstand the assaults of formidable adversaries.

In the unique environment of the Land of Terror, his Lunar Spirit could, in theory, leave his body and wander, even without having reached the Spirit Walk stage.

But with many nearby harboring malicious intent and possessing formidable strength, it was a different story.

Protected by the Crucible of Evil and his corporeal body, it wouldn't be easy for the sects' visitors or ghosts to inflict serious harm on his soul form.

Yet, if he were to foolishly release his fledgling Lunar Spirit and stray from the Crucible of Evil...

Spectres, along with the Razses, the Black Staff, and Taruer, launched an attack with a soul blade. His nascent Lunar Spirit would likely be reduced to ashes.

"Activate the Third Eye!"

He touched his forehead, and myriad strands of spiritual sense converged at the Heaven Soul.

The Heaven Soul and the original soul vibrated in a peculiar harmony, as if a ray of light had poured into the depths of his pupils.

His eyes suddenly blazed with brilliance, piercing through the dense black clouds, revealing the skirmish between White Bone, Black Staff, and Taruer.

From a distance, Cao Jiaze watched with a grave expression.

It seemed that with just one look, the future leader of the Ebon Star Sect had discerned the wonders of his "Third Eye."

"What's so peculiar about it?" Chu Yao of the Order of Healing asked, puzzled. "Cao, your high regard for Yu Yuan seems illogical. I've been observing him for quite some time and noticed that you're more focused on him than on the clash involving the three Ghost Kings."

"He's a key figure; you'll understand in due course," Cao Jiaze replied enigmatically.

"Eh!"

Yu Yuan inwardly gasped.

His Heaven Soul had not transformed, but it was still a gathering of spiritual sense. Yet, after activating the "Third Eye," he could peer into the black cloud's interior, much like Rahu could, despite the distance.

Inside the inky cloud, the white flames burning on White Bone's body were immediately smothered and extinguished upon release.

The purifying white flames of White Bone seemed unable to exert their true strength.

Moreover, the dazzling radiance emanating from his skeletal form couldn't penetrate the black clouds, leaving Black Staff and Taruer unscathed.

In contrast, within the cloud, Qignas, the Ghost King, brandished his colossal black scepter, striking White Bone with ferocious force.

A torrent of black clouds surged forth from the scepter!

"His weapon can counter White Bone's white flames, including the radiance!"

With just one glance, Yu Yuan realized that this Qignas was somewhat more dreadful than Wintermaw.

Countless fragmented souls, hidden within shattered stones, were arrayed in the black cloud's void, forming an array that ensnared White Bone, leaving him no chance to break free.

White Bone, clutching a gleaming silver awl, was forced to defend himself against the onslaught of the massive black staff.

Taruer, ensnared by the rune circle laid down by the Ghost King, felt as though he was mired in a swamp, finding even the movement of his joints to be cumbersome.

"Yu, do you remember me? You must have seen me back in the Embers Sea, right?"

A figure in a white robe approached silently. This Pale Reaper, once ranked above White Bone among the Spectres of the Land of Terror, was escorted by eight ancient ghosts, advancing leisurely through the air.

The eight ancient ghosts, shifting their phantoms along the way, exuded an aura and scent that sent shivers down the spines of many a ghost.

Some ghosts, having reached the level of Spectre, found themselves kneeling in awe upon witnessing these ancient beings.

Near the black cloud, tens of thousands of ghosts and spirits, led by a select few, descended into madness at the sight of the eight ghosts.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Numerous Spectres, along with rebellious souls that had refused the Ghost King's call, flocked to greet the eight.

"It's them!"

Aboard the Cloud Cruiser, Jin Xiaolie and Ma Jianjiang were both stunned and infuriated by the emergence of the eight ghosts.

"The Pale Robe!"

"The Pale Reaper!"

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