C867 Old Servant
The celestial body in question was none other than the Silver Moon Sect's most prized possession—the Fallen Star Eyes.
Lau Ying, whose cultivation journey had always been smooth sailing, stood out among her peers thanks to her astonishing innate talent. Even when she wasn't the most diligent, few could rival her abilities.
Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, Lim Zhuyun, and others paled in comparison to her prowess.
Her transformative experiences in the Ember Waters and Luan Bird City led to a profound shift in Lau Ying's mindset. Upon her return to the Silver Moon Sect, she began to engage in rigorous cultivation.
Her dedication paid off as she made rapid strides in her advancement. In an impressively short span, she not only formed her Yin God but also broke through to the late stages of the Yin God Stage, leaving the entire Silver Moon Sect and the wider Heavenly Source Continent in awe of her progress.
Her swift ascension caused her master to worry about the stability of her mental state. It was only after several thorough assessments that the Sect Master of the Silver Moon Sect could breathe a sigh of relief.
Had the Horror Land not been so tumultuous, Lau Ying would have been sent to cultivate her Yin God there much earlier, which would have helped solidify her realm.
Despite the concerns, her master, after careful observation, was convinced of the solidity of her realm, leaving both her master and the other elders of the Silver Moon Sect baffled.
Unbeknownst to them, Lau Ying frequently used the Fallen Star Eyes and the evil statue within the Sword Prison to glimpse into the depths of the forbidden land. She witnessed the emergence of Devaputra, the release of numerous ferocious spirits, and the presence of various alien races.
She was aware that the mighty warriors of the Primordial Yang Sect had fiercely defended the outskirts of the forbidden area on numerous occasions. Yet, now that the war had ended and the Primordial Yang Sect had withdrawn, the feared havoc of the Devaputra and alien races upon the empires of the Profound Sky Continent had not come to pass.
The alien visitors adhered to the rules, steering clear of the realms and cities where mortals dwelled.
Harboring doubts, Lau Ying often visited the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. Each time her soul's perception reached out, it clashed with the chaotic and twisted consciousness emanating from the evil statue. It was through these confrontations that she honed her resolve.
Her ability to break through several realms without succumbing to madness or instability was a testament to her strength of character, forged through her repeated encounters with the evil statue in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.
Today, Lau Ying's casual glance led her to an unexpected sight of Yu Yuan!
"Yu Yuan!"
She exclaimed involuntarily within the Silver Moon Sect on the Heavenly Source Continent.
Her soul thought traveled through the Fallen Star Eyes, reaching the depths of the forbidden area and the Sword Prison's malevolent statue.
The statue's compassionate visage blurred, while its grim and terrifying aspect sharpened, exuding an aura of cruelty, bloodlust, and madness.
But as Lau Ying's call reached it, the statue's kind face seemed to suddenly come into focus.
Simultaneously.
Yu Yuan, who was infusing the Astral Shield with his soul power and vital essence, felt a connection.
In his mind's eye, he saw the towering, airborne evil statue, its gentle side facing him.
A faint light sparked at the statue's brow, revealing the Fallen Star Eyes and beneath them, Lau Ying.
"Yu Yuan!"
Lau Ying gestured emphatically, as if she too could see him, her thoughts emerging fervently.
"How did you end up in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area? I thought you were in the Fiend Sect's mountains. And where should I go if I want to see you?"
"What's happening in Horror Land? How did the bones transform from a mere ghost to a Ghost King, and now they're advancing to a Ghost God?"
"Why did the Fiend Sect willingly cede those mountains?"
"..."
Lau Ying's mind brimmed with questions.
Yu Yuan chuckled, surprised, and after a moment's thought, he replied, "I'll be heading to the Medicine Sect in the Jade Peak soon. Meeting there should be more convenient."
"I'll wait for you at the Medicine Sect!" Lau Ying declared without hesitation.
Following the exchange of soul thoughts, Lau Ying, who had materialized between the statue's brows, suddenly grimaced in pain, her eyes flashing with a wild and vicious energy.
She whispered her discomfort, aware that communicating with Yu Yuan in this manner made her more susceptible to the statue's influence.
"I'll make my way to the Medicine Sect! I must withdraw now!"
Her image vanished in a blink.
Yu Yuan's form shuddered slightly. Upon opening his eyes, he drifted aloft, spotting the distant statue that seemed to emit a faint glow.
"It recognizes me too. Back in the Desolate Swamp, it didn't seize my mind because it knew who I was."
With a furrowed brow, he locked eyes with the statue suspended in midair before descending once again.
In the time that followed, he devoted himself to the practice of the Ghosting Arts. Occasionally, souls would be drawn to him, willingly offering themselves to be refined by his Yin God, thereby enhancing his soul power.
This purified soul power was continuously channeled into the Astral Shield, merging with the essence of his flesh and blood to refine the artifact.
The Heaven Level item was like a voracious abyss, consuming his soul power and essence, yet the emanating greenish-black glow grew ever more concentrated and pure.
Within the shield, a mere third of the numerous miniature Spiritual Arrays had been empowered.
He estimated that at his current pace, it would take at least another month and a half of relentless refinement to fully activate the Spiritual Arrays inside the Astral Shield.
Only then would the true marvels of the Astral Shield come to light.
"The cultivation at the Yin God Stage is markedly slower than the breakthroughs of previous levels. From this point on, I must redouble my efforts."
With a reflective sigh, he immersed himself in his training, shutting out the external world.
Days passed until Yan Qiling, perpetually occupied, arrived stealthily with Qin Yun, whose garments were bloodied and who bore a look of distress.
"Qin Yun!"
"Young Master!"
Qin Yun's weathered face lit up with a smile. Eager to explain before Yu Yuan could inquire, he said, "The Patriarch mentioned you'd gone to Elfview Town. I discreetly asked Yan Yu from Darkmoon City, and she informed me that you were planning to visit the Medicine Sect soon. So, I headed to Jade Peak, hoping to meet you there, but..."
"The Seven Divine Sect caught wind of his presence at Jade Peak and amassed their forces to hunt him down," Yan Qiling interjected. "Knowing he was outmatched, he made a break for the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. That's when the Outland Devaputra spotted him. He was calling out for you, and a Devaputra relayed the message to me."
"The Seven Divine Sect?" Yu Yuan's expression grew somber, "The Rainier Empire's sect should be aware that you've been looking after the Yu family in Elfview Town all these years, shouldn't they?"
"They wouldn't dare approach Elfview Town because of Yu Zhu. But as for you, Young Master..." Qin Yun cleared his throat, "To many, you're now synonymous with a demon, a traitor to this realm. The Seven Divine Sect doesn't believe the Demon Palace would intervene on your behalf."
"Small sects like those on the Profound Sky Continent, such as the Seven Divine Sect, aren't privy to the deeper secrets," Yan Qiling said with a slight smile, elaborating, "Take the return of the Divine Soul Sect, for instance. They have no clue what it signifies. Even the five supreme sects have begun to rein themselves in."
"What's the foundation of the Seven Divine Sect like?" Yu Yuan inquired, turning to Qin Yun.
"Currently, they have three individuals who have ascended to the Soul Wandering Stage, with the present Sect Master being in the Middle Period of that stage," Qin Yun replied candidly.
"Mr. Yan, there's no need for you to intervene. I'll accompany him on a visit to the Seven Divine Sect!"
