C869 Newborn Bane
Deep beneath Ochre Mountain, a vein of gold ore, shimmering with condensed golden light, was ceaselessly drawing in abundant spiritual energy. Within the vein, specks of golden light were slowly refined into solid forms, transforming into nuggets, stones, and crystals of gold.
Atop this vein sat the damaged Jade Tower, belonging to Tong Laoqian, who tirelessly used his magic to harvest the gold essence and mend the structure's imperfections. The copper coins spread beneath the tower were once again aglow.
The Jade Tower, which had suffered damage in the Sundering Isles while aiding Yu Yuan, was nearly restored thanks to the rich mine beneath Ochre Mountain. Tong Laoqian's mastery had reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Walk realm, laying the groundwork for an ascent to the Solar Spirit.
"Once the Jade Tower is fully restored and the mine has gathered more wealth, I'll secure a few more rare magic items. Then, here, following in the footsteps of Liang Jingyin, I can rely on Ochre Mountain to undergo my transformation into a Solar Spirit!"
Reflecting on his past decision, Tong Laoqian felt a deep sense of relief. He was thankful that he hadn't harbored any malevolent intentions or coveted the Crucible of Evil, avoiding any treacherous action against Yu Yuan. Instead, he chose to ally himself with Yu Yuan, risking the destruction of the Jade Tower to stand firmly by his side.
That choice had allowed him to succeed Liang Jingyin as the master of Ochre Mountain, facilitating the gradual restoration of the Jade Tower. It also secured him a place within the Forgotten Ruins.
As Tong Laoqian basked in satisfaction, he suddenly sensed a disturbance in time and space. The jade pavilion he was concealed within seemed to morph into an ethereal structure suspended in mid-air, so illusory it felt as though it could collapse at any moment. A chill ran through him, as if struck by lightning, and his expression turned to one of shock.
The next moment, in his Mindscape, an eerie and magical figure materialized. It was a colossal human-faced spider, its eight legs like ancient divine pillars, sharply piercing through the fabric of heaven and earth. Enveloped by its legs was a misty realm of chaos. Each of the spider's massive legs bore natural, enigmatic patterns imbued with apocalyptic force.
Upon closer inspection, the murky and obscure realm was none other than the Forgotten Ruins, miniaturized a millionfold.
Inside the chamber, Tong Laoqian seemed to have glimpsed Ochre Mountain...
Eight legs encircled the miniature Forgotten Ruins, creating an eerie and ambitious spectacle.
"Miss Yu Zhu."
Tong Laoqian licked his dry lips, realizing someone had invaded his soul. He became extra cautious, concentrated his thoughts, and scrutinized his Mindscape once more.
He instantly recognized the intruder in his Mindscape as the human-faced spider, unmistakably Yu Zhu with her dark, gaunt face.
Yu Zhu, having returned from Shadow's Keep as an eighth-level archdemon, always remained on the mid-lake island. There, in harmony with the Way of Heaven of the Forgotten Ruins, her power was tantamount to that of a ninth-level archdemon in this realm.
Here, she was mightier than the Dusk Raven of Shadow's Keep.
"Go to the Crimson Sun Empire, towards the Midnightshields, and assist Yu Yuan."
Yu Zhu commanded with an air of authority, as if issuing orders to her underlings, directly commanding Tong Laoqian within his Mindscape.
Tong Laoqian immediately felt uneasy. As a late-stage Spirit Walk cultivator, he was on the cusp of condensing his Solar Spirit.
Accustomed to the freedom of a solitary cultivator, he found it unsettling to be so casually directed by Yu Zhu, who seemed no more than a young girl, feeling a lack of respect from her.
"After this task, you will refine your Solar Spirit at Ochre Mountain, and I will aid you. I will channel the spiritual energy of the Lost Lands into the mountain and ensure your protection," Yu Zhu stated once more. "If you disobey, I will dismantle Ochre Mountain, sever the subterranean vein, and expel you."
Tong Laoqian's discomfort vanished at her words.
"I'm on my way!"
...
Within the cauldron's little world.
The Frost Queen, having refined the Celestial Ice Crystal, was on the ninth step, her form clear and shimmering, enveloped by the Arctic Breath.
Though the Bane was originally a soul entity, the Frost Queen, much like the Sky Fiend outside refining its demonform, had now acquired a tangible body forged from the Celestial Ice Crystal.
As Yu Yuan's remnant soul neared the Frost Queen, a coldness seeped into his very soul.
"Her combat prowess at the ninth level is akin to that of a Spectre from the Land of Terror. In the cauldron's little world, she's capable of battling a cultivator's soul at the Unbound Stage," Yu Yiyi said from the topmost level, gently swinging her legs. "Once I'm out, I'll possess the strength of a Solar Spirit."
Yu Yuan's gaze drifted downward.
On the eighth level, in addition to Blood Moon, the Second Bane, four new figures had emerged.
Silver Chain, a Bane ensnared in silver chains, had been subdued by the cauldron spirit Yu Yiyi from within the Array of Unholy Might.
Grimlantern, a lantern glowing with a dark yellow flame, housed a spirited body within its fiery glow.
Chebus, an elderly woman shrouded in a black robe, had yet to reveal her face, exuding an aura of gloom and despair, as if she had been whispering to herself for an eternity.
When Yu Yuan attempted to listen closely, a shiver ran through his scalp, and the malevolent thoughts within him burst forth.
Armor Crusher was a set of ragged green armor, concealing an eye of the same hue.
That green eye glinted with a cold light capable of extinguishing humanity. Upon seeing it, Yu Yuan felt his Lunar Spirit stiffen, as if it had been filled with stone.
The eighth level was home to Blood Moon, Silver Chain, Grimlantern, Chebus, and Armor Crusher—five Banes in total.
Their combat strength, once free from the Crucible of Evil, was comparable to that of the Spirit Walk.
Below, thousands of Banes populated the lower levels, with the sixth, seventh, and fifth levels boasting significantly more new Banes than before his departure from the Land of Terror.
"The Banes beneath the eighth level are of no concern to you; they serve merely as auxiliary forces for the rune circle, not its core. They lack the capacity for independent combat," Yu Yiyi said, her legs swaying, her smile demure. "Master, with no unforeseen complications, we can effortlessly flatten a minor sect like the Midnightshields."
"I agree," Yu Yuan nodded in affirmation.
With the Crucible of Evil in his possession, and the sword sheath ready for use, Yu Yuan felt confident enough to confront the cultivators of the Crimson Sun Empire, even though he had yet to refine the Seven Star Aegis.
Half a day later, they passed by Flamehold, a city within the Crimson Sun Empire. Flamehold was one of the empire's seven cities, famous for an exceptional rogue cultivator who had emerged from within its walls. Known as the Sunspeaker, he achieved the Solar Spirit level and joined the Sunlit Order's experts on their extraterrestrial campaigns, amassing a string of impressive victories.
His illustrious deeds were widely celebrated by the Sunlit Order, and the city of his birth was renamed Flamehold in his honor.
"Sunspeaker has become a legend from five hundred years ago. For a rogue cultivator to ascend to the Unbound Realm is truly remarkable," Qin Yun remarked with a hint of melancholy, gazing out at Flamehold from within the cauldron. "If I could one day reach the Unbound Realm, even if I were to fall in battle like him, my name would be etched in history."
"You will," Yu Yuan assured him with a smile.
Yu Yuan had heard tales of the Sunspeaker in his previous life. Many rogue cultivators who developed a Solar Spirit often sought the protection of a sect when venturing into the extraterrestrial Star River.
But Sunspeaker was different. He had ventured with the Sunlit Order into the extraterrestrial realms, only to part ways with them soon after. His attainment of the Unbound Realm wasn't in the Everlands but in an extraordinary world of the Otherkin, stirring the interest of many extraterrestrial powers. It was there that he met his end.
"Qin Yun!"
"Is that really you?"
From within Flamehold, a series of arc lights burst into the sky, halting momentarily before darting towards the Crucible of Evil.
With a bitter smile, Qin Yun shook his head and urged, "Young Master, we should leave."
"What about those people from Flamehold?"
"Don't mind them."
As they exchanged words, the arc lights surged towards them. The elder leading the charge bore a striking resemblance to Qin Yun.
"You hail from Flamehold?" Yu Yuan asked, as understanding dawned on him.
"Yes, born and raised in Flamehold. The Qin family holds a status there comparable to that of your Yu family back in Asvetaesi," Qin Yun replied with a sigh. "But let's not dwell on that. I'd rather not bring any trouble upon the Qin family because of me."
"I'd like to leave, but it seems they won't allow it," Yu Yuan said with a sense of resignation.
