C873 Boom!!
Above the Nimo River, Yu Yuan called upon the "Evil Demon Desolation" with the power of the Evil Cauldron, his vitality and spiritual energy erupting in unison. With each movement, he was imbued with an immense force, his clenched fists swinging through the air, releasing massive orbs of light that soared like blazing suns.
"This is what I call a thrill!" Yu Yuan bared a wide grin, laughing heartily. He found this exhilarating combat far more gratifying than the meticulous art of potion refining. Especially when he was in complete command, bending the situation to his will.
His boldness in traversing the Rainier Empire with abandon stemmed from his knowledge of the formidable Evil Demons housed within the Evil Cauldron, sunk deep at the river's bottom. It was this assurance that lent him his confidence.
Puff! Puff! Puff! Giant elephants, mountainous Qilins, hundred-meter-long serpents, and towering spirit turtles were bombarded by the sun-like orbs, bursting into showers of droplets. Amidst the torrential downpour, new colossal spirit beasts surged from the water's surface, emerging ceaselessly.
With poise, Yu Yuan continued to swing his fists, shattering each beast in turn. As the "Evil Demon Desolation" coursed through him, the spiritual energy and blood within his veins surged wildly with each punch, culminating in explosive force.
Relying solely on his own might, without summoning his sword sheath or employing the Evil Cauldron, he stood his ground against the alien beasts conjured by Yang Chuhe's manipulation of the waters, honing his combat prowess.
"Without external aids or aligning with the Yin God sword spell, my sheer physical strength should suffice to challenge peers from the Ancient Desolate Sect. And those from the Ancient Desolate Sect, renowned for their formidable prowess and battle readiness, are unmatched in weaponless combat!" he mused.
Sects devoted to physical fortitude were invariably composed of battle-hungry warriors, each possessing exceptional martial strength. This was true for both the Ancient Desolate Sect and the Evil Sect.
Years of practicing the "Evil Body Refining Skill" had primed him for this moment, allowing him to fully unleash his capabilities in the clash against the water-formed alien beasts. In the heat of battle against the titanic elephants and Qilins, he found his mind remarkably at peace.
Advancing to the Yin God Stage had brought with it bouts of anxiety and impatience, but the intensity of combat had significantly eased his inner turmoil. "Venturing into the Rainier Empire is a journey of cultivation, an exploration and stabilization of a new state of being."
With a powerful leap, he soared into the air, striking at the head of a newly-formed Qilin. A soft red halo radiated from his palm, dispersing the creature's watery essence upon impact.
Striking the head of a Luan bird and a giant serpent in turn, he relaxed his brow and a smile played on his lips.
He was aware that all the alien beasts spawned from the Nimo River were mere phantasms, devoid of souls. No matter how many times they were slain, they would not trouble Yang Chuhe.
At best, they could only deplete a fraction of Yang Chuhe's energy.
With the departure of Imperial Advisor Zhou Cangmin, this evil cultivator, now much sought after, was merely at the Yin God Stage. Yet, the power he wielded from the refined Nimo River was sufficient to vex both Qin Yun and Yang Chuhe.
"If it weren't for the Evil Cauldron and this scabbard, given my current level, I doubt I'd stand a chance against him."
With this thought in mind, he turned his attention to Qin Yun, anticipating the formation of the next alien beast.
"Don't use the Azure Yang Arrow!"
His command echoed as the Universe Ring on his finger glowed faintly, conjuring a sword sheath into his grasp.
Yang Chuhe, standing atop the water dragon's head, looked down and hummed dismissively. The dragon opened its maw, releasing a silver arrow akin to the Azure Yang Arrow.
The arrow was etched with delicate white clouds and slender rivers, as if it had harnessed the essence of rivers and clouds, filled with profound mysteries.
He scrutinized the silver arrow, his eyes stinging from its brilliance, and he immediately recognized it as a treasure comparable to Qin Yun's Azure Yang Arrow.
"Heh heh," Yang Chuhe laughed softly.
The colossal water dragon burst apart, its essence coalescing into a white glow that infused the silver arrow.
"My Water Cloud Arrow may not be as treasured as your Azure Yang Arrow, but I am of a higher realm," Yang Chuhe declared, noting Qin Yun's hesitation at Yu Yuan's caution.
Transforming into his watery visage, he plummeted downward, deftly seizing the silver arrow. Regardless of Qin Yun's thoughts or actions, Yang Chuhe swept his sleeve with a flourish.
Whoosh!
The diminutive Water Cloud Arrow took flight, carving a razor-sharp trail across the sky like a piercing streamer cloud.
Within the cloud surged an intense sword intent, fierce beyond measure.
Yu Yuan watched the streamer cloud with unease, his body tensing. Without a moment's delay, he aimed the sword sheath in his hand at the swiftly moving cloud.
The cloud that pursued Qin Yun seemed to possess its own consciousness. No matter how Qin Yun weaved and dodged, it relentlessly tracked him.
Yu Yuan only had the opportunity to strike because the cloud, Liu Yun, was preoccupied with its pursuit, giving him no chance to attack Qin Yun directly.
"Star-shattering Slash."
A dazzling, scarlet beam burst forth from the sword sheath, striking one segment of Liu Yun and detonating like a spectacular firework display. The Water Cloud Arrow, meticulously crafted by Yang Chuhe at great expense, was obliterated on the spot.
Meanwhile, Yu Yuan felt the sword aura within his sheath dwindling.
After delivering a single slash, Yu Yuan ceased his attack, releasing a strand of his soul consciousness. He sensed the multitude of sword intents settled at the base of the sheath, stirring restlessly like a vicious beast catching the scent of blood.
The sophisticated sword intent that had been integrated into the Water Cloud Arrow was effortlessly dispersed.
The Water Cloud Essence that Yang Chuhe had mastered paled in comparison to the profound sword intent harbored at the base of the sheath.
Stored there, alongside the "Optimus Nine Slashes" of the Chopping Moon cultivator, were the sword intents of the Great Sword Immortals from the Sword Sect who had perished in the Outland Star River.
These sword intents were the epitome of swordsmanship!
"This sword sheath..."
Yang Chuhe murmured to himself, deep in thought.
It was then that he suddenly felt an intense chill emanating from the depths of the Nimo River, a cold so severe it threatened to shatter his soul.
"Evil Cauldron!"
Yang Chuhe's face contorted with alarm as he perceived the imminent danger. He disintegrated instantly, with his Yin God spirit emerging and vanishing into the void.
The Nimo River slowly returned to tranquility, but the eerie cold at its bed sent shivers down Qin Yun's spine.
Bowing his head, Qin Yun probed the sensation and blurted out, "Why is there a whiff of the Nether Abyss here? Could there be an anomaly from the Nether Abyss in the Nimo River?"
"It's the Ice Concubine," Yu Yuan explained, a smile on his face.
"Ah!"
Qin Yun gasped in astonishment, wondering if the female Evil Demon that had manifested on the mid-lake island had grown so formidable that even Yang Chuhe, in the middle period of the Soul Wandering Stage, had to flee at the mere hint of her presence.
On the journey here, I noticed Yu Yuan frequently pulling out his sword sheath, idly fiddling with it. I could feel the chilling sword intent emanating from within, so when Yu Yuan cautioned me against using the Azure Yang Arrow, I heeded his warning and kept still.
The might of that sword sheath, the terror of its sword spell—I've witnessed it firsthand.
As for the myriad Evil Demons within the Evil Cauldron, I couldn't possibly have seen them all. I had assumed the Ice Concubine remained as she was in the past.
Unexpectedly, when the Evil Cauldron sank to the depths of the Nimo River, the Ice Concubine merely unveiled a fraction of her power, and it was enough to send Yang Chuhe fleeing in alarm.
"Yang Chuhe employed a Yin God, leveraging the Nimo River to gauge our power," Yu Yuan mused, his gaze following the Evil Cauldron as it ascended. "Without his true form present, and lacking his usual artifacts, he's far from his full strength."
"He'll come prepared," Qin Yun stated gravely.
"No matter," Yu Yuan replied, unfazed. "As he probed my strength, I was assessing his. This evil cultivator, who has refined three mighty rivers, is certainly formidable. Yet, I believe we won't be at a significant disadvantage."
This was merely a brief interlude. Once the Evil Cauldron emerged from the river, we resumed our journey, heading directly for Yang Chuhe's stronghold—the Seven Divine Sect.
...
Swoosh!
A spectral light shot from the clear water in the stone trough straight into Yang Chuhe's forehead. He jolted, his face clouding over as he called out, "Your Highness!"
Liu Xu turned to him immediately. "Teacher, what are your commands?"
"Summon more powerhouses," Yang Chuhe inhaled sharply, bracing for a formidable challenge. "And inform the Primordial Yang Sect that even the might of our Rainier Empire may not suffice against Yu Yuan."
At these words, the members of the Seven Divine Sect looked visibly shaken.
"What? Are Yu Yuan and Qin Yun truly that formidable?"
It was clear to them that Yang Chuhe had employed a secret method, dispatching the Yin God to test Yu Yuan and Qin Yun's capabilities, leading to this new revelation.
"You've already witnessed Qin Yun's capabilities. But now, we need to discuss Yu Yuan," Yang Chuhe said with a grave expression. "He's quite a handful. Just to be on the safe side, we should reach out to the Primordial Yang Sect for guidance. They're on their way."
"Understood! I'm on it immediately!"
