C824 Fall

Nestled among the lush greenery of a mountain, Yuan Lianyao, having returned to her Lunar Spirit form, stood poised on a cliff edge. Her gaze was fixed intently on the horizon, her presence alone a captivating sight that filled the onlookers from the Ruby Hand with a sense of wonder.

Faang Yao of the Ruby Hand sat in meditative silence on a dark red boulder, his demeanor reminiscent of a serene Buddha.

Behind him, Hou Tianzhao and a diverse group of Ruby Hand cultivators occasionally glanced at Yuan Lianyao, murmuring amongst themselves in hushed tones.

Nearby, at the summit of an adjacent mountain, the Silver Rainbow Shuttle of the Devil Palace's Dark Herald lay at rest. A scattering of Devil Palace cultivators dotted the landscape.

Below, a meandering stream flowed through a clear mountain brook where a massive grey crow basked in the sunlight. Surrounding the Dusk Raven were various sixth and seventh level evilkinds, their chatter unceasing.

The area was a convergence point for nearly a hundred formidable individuals from the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and the Ruby Hand, all focused on a vast pit that Yuan Lianyao observed from her vantage point.

This pit marked the entrance to the Land of Terror, a place perpetually shrouded in darkness.

Yuan Lianyao had come to understand that the Land of Terror was a subterranean expanse, its opening narrow yet leading to a vastness comparable to the Songbird Empire's domain.

Above, the sun blazed fiercely, its rays like swords of flame, causing discomfort to many.

Every so often, a formidable ghost would emerge from the pit, only to be startled by the assembly of experts from the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and the Ruby Hand. Yet, these entities were largely ignored by the gathered factions.

Recently, it seemed that a dozen or more Spectre-level ghosts had stealthily departed from the Land of Terror.

With a whoosh, Chu Yao of the Order of Healing appeared, his Lunar Spirit form drawing the gaze of many. Yuan Lianyao turned her attention to him as well.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Chu Yao spoke with a detached calmness, "White Bone, Rahu, and Yu Yuan from Asvetaesi are likely seeking out Cao Jiaze at this very moment."

The crowd's expressions subtly shifted as they murmured among themselves.

Before Chu Yao, the Skyreach Consortium's Cloud Cruiser had already emerged, carrying Ma Jianjiang, Jin Xiaolie, Chen Qingyan, Shen Yan, and other cultivators from the Sword Sect.

Razses the Ghost King had safely escorted Ann Ziqing away before swiftly departing himself.

Through the accounts of Ma Jianjiang, Chen Qingyan, and Ann Ziqing, those from the Land of Quiescence had a rough idea of the events that had transpired.

Upon hearing Chu Yao speak of Yu Yuan, White Bone, and Rahu's search for Cao Jiaze, Yuan Lianyao instantly grasped the situation.

"He doesn't want you to be in trouble."

After Chu Yao's Lunar Spirit had departed, Faang Yao let out a soft sigh, "You must realize his intentions. When you were with him, you didn't make any unforgivable mistakes; it was he who took action. You were merely a bystander. That's why I can vouch for you with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep."

"He sought out Cao Jiaze to strike against the cultivators from Euwrea. If you had truly been involved, it would be difficult for me to defend you."

Having emerged from the Land of Terror, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit and her original body became one. She disclosed everything to Faang Yao, who then negotiated with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep.

He held Yuan Lianyao in high regard.

Particularly after learning that, following her ordeal in the Land of Terror, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit was on the cusp of advancing to the Spirit Walk, Faang Yao's esteem for her grew even more.

It hadn't been many years since she left Asvetaesi, and Yuan Lianyao had already formed a Lunar Spirit in the Embers Sea and was now on the verge of breaking through to the Spirit Walk.

The Ruby Hand's spells were known for their rapid progress, yet it was rare for someone to ascend from Subtlety to Lunar Spirit and then approach the Spirit Walk within just a few years.

Faang Yao had to acknowledge that the woman he had welcomed into the Ruby Hand possessed a talent surpassing even his own.

Yuan Lianyao's aptitude for cultivation was exceptional, and her eloquence and demeanor had earned her the favor of Zhou Cangmin and others. They saw her as a prime candidate for cultivation, and Faang Yao was determined not to let her potential be wasted by falling into the Abyss due to Yu Yuan's actions.

"I hope he's okay," Yuan Lianyao expressed with concern.

"Junior Sister Yuan, hehe, I'm not sure what's got you so worried. Didn't you listen to Chu Yao? He's with Lord White Bone and Lord Rahu! After Lord White Bone and Lord Rahu took down Black Staff and Wintermaw, and with Rahu by his side, who in the Land of Terror could possibly stand against them?" Hou Tianzhao grinned and exclaimed.

He was slightly younger than Yuan Lianyao but had been with the Ruby Hand since he was very young. Regardless of whether Yuan Lianyao liked it or not, he insisted on calling her Junior Sister.

He had made it clear to Yuan Lianyao that he didn't feel superior when around Yu Yuan. By calling Yuan Lianyao 'Junior Sister,' he felt a bit more satisfaction.

"Something just doesn't seem right," Yuan Lianyao said, furrowing her brow.

"You're right to be concerned. Taking on Cao Jiaze won't be easy," Faang Yao said gravely. "Cao Jiaze's master is waiting outside, and he seems utterly confident in Jiaze. If the Ebon Star has sent Cao Jiaze in, they must be fairly certain of their success."

"That Han Qi, his only claim to fame is having Cao Jiaze as a talented disciple, which skyrocketed his status within the Ebon Star," Lord Dusk Raven of Shadow's Keep commented idly from a distant ravine. "Cao Jiaze entered with his true body, and Han Qi isn't the least bit worried. It looks like Yu Yuan might be in trouble."

At this point, he suddenly erupted into a tirade of curses.

He berated Yu Yuan for not recognizing what was in his best interest, for being seduced by treacherous individuals, and for not staying put in Afnetalos, instead inexplicably joining forces with the outside evil demons.

The treacherous individuals he referred to were Zu Ann and the archdemon Green Willow.

Half an hour later.

Chu Yao of the Order of Healing, having merged with his Lunar Spirit, returned on a majestic golden bird with a grave look on his face. "One of my remnant souls perished along with the Soulgraft. The Ghost King in the Land of Terror is none other than Luo Yue, the former leader of the Poison Cult!"

He had intended to return to the Order of Healing, but he suddenly realized that the remnant soul had dissipated. The last piece of information he received was about Luo Yue's true identity.

"The Rahu Ghost King, it's actually her..."

The voice of the Dark Herald from the Devil Palace eerily echoed from within the Silver Rainbow Shuttle, "Chu Yao, you should be cautious with your second master. I'm aware that she has always held your first master in high regard."

"Hehehe," Dusk Raven cackled with schadenfreude, "Who would have thought Luo Yue could ascend to the realm of a Ghost King after turning to necromancy! Little Chu, be vigilant on your journey back. I wouldn't put it past Luo Yue to sneak up on you and prevent your return to the Order of Healing."

Both the Dark Herald and Dusk Raven were well-versed in those ancient tales.

This knowledge contributed to their lack of fondness for Chu Yao.

"The only thing I'm afraid of is her not showing up."

Chu Yao huffed, his mood soured. Without further ado, he mounted the golden Roc and took off into the sky.

Time passed.

Suddenly, a multitude of Lunar Spirits burst forth from what seemed like a bottomless pit. As these cultivators emerged, they unleashed a torrent of new information.

Cao Jiaze lived up to his reputation. He had refined the Tears of the Azurefiend in the Embers Sea, captured both White Bone and Luo Yue, and consumed Yu Yuan with the Spawn of Chaos!

"What? Cao Jiaze seized the Blood Altar of the Azurefiend?"

Dusk Raven of the Ebon Star leapt up from his crouched position, transforming into a gaunt old man with a chilling gaze. He fixed his eyes on Han Qi, who was a hundred miles away, "Han Qi, if your Ebon Star found Hei Xun in the extraterrestrial Star River and secured the Blood Altar, why keep it a secret?"

The Dark Herald from the Devil Palace inquired, "What's the status of Hei Xun now?"

Faang Yao's face turned pale.

Yuan Lianyao stiffened, murmuring in disbelief, "How could this happen?"

...

In the domain of Wangchuan.

Cao Jiaze of the Ebon Star sat in solitude at the base of Shadow Mountain, without a single soul for company.

All those who had journeyed from Euwrea were dispersed by him. He informed them that the chaos in the Land of Terror had been quelled and that Dhoreus would soon oversee their return.

He had forcefully commanded them to evacuate the Land of Terror.

Now, he stood with his back against the rock face of Shadow Mountain, gazing intently at the Blood Altar, which had been formed from the Tears of the Azurefiend. His eyes were fixed on the base of the altar—the Spawn of Chaos.

Within the Spawn of Chaos, the figure of Yu Yuan began to emerge.

A peculiar glint suddenly sparked in Cao Jiaze's eyes.

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