C874 The Fight for Treasures!

After departing from Nemo River, Yu Yuan held his sword sheath, occasionally tuning in to its presence.

At the base of the sheath, dense strands of sword's will swirled like anacondas in a deep pool. He could detect the movements of the sword's will with his remnant soul, yet truly understanding it proved to be an arduous task.

The sword's will within came from many cultivators, including those of the Moon Slayer, gathered from the extraterrestrial Star River.

Most belonged to fallen cultivators of the Sword Sect, still possessing a vestige of strength and bearing imprints of incomplete swordsmanship, yet lacking a full system.

Such fragmented sword's will, without a complete framework, was notoriously difficult to cultivate.

"The Nine Celestial Slashes of that individual, his sword spell and sword's will, dominate the rest, including the sword's will of other Sword Sect masters."

After a moment of reflection, Yu Yuan grasped the concept.

The residual power of the incomplete sword's will, like scattered remnants under the command of the crimson sword light, would bolster the force of the sword spell when Yu Yuan executed the "Nine Celestial Slashes."

It was as simple as that.

Yet, without affiliation to the Sword Sect or knowledge of their specific methods for channeling sword's will and spiritual energy, delving into the intricacies of the sword's will seemed unlikely.

Nevertheless, with the profound sword spell of the Nine Celestial Slashes already deeply etched in him, there was no need to look elsewhere.

"Yang Chuhe's Tide Arrow, now a sword spell, pales in comparison to the sword's will within his master's sheath," Qin Yun remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Despite being old rivals, Yang Chuhe's Tide Arrow lacked the potency of Qin Yun's own Dawn Arrow.

However, with Yang Chuhe having attained the middle period of the Spirit Walk Stage and infusing the Tide Arrow with the essence of Nemo River, the arrow's potency was significantly enhanced.

Qin Yun had initially braced to counter the Tide Arrow with a Dawn Arrow, but that became unnecessary once Yu Yuan summoned the sword sheath.

After Yu Yuan summoned the sword sheath, the difficult problem was effortlessly resolved. The Star Shattering Slash burst forth with a dazzling point of crimson brilliance, obliterating the Tide Arrow and filling him with excitement.

"Young Master, does this pertain to the rare treasures and swordsmanship traditions of the Sword Sect?" he inquired with curiosity.

"It certainly pertains to the Sword Sect."

As dusk approached, Yu Yuan glanced up at the cloud-strewn sky, pondering the mysterious events that led to the Grand Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect being besieged by a multitude of powerful foes, resulting in the division of the sword blade, sword sheath, and sword spirit into three separate entities.

He mused that if the sword blade were still intact and reunited with the sword sheath, his own mastery would be greatly enhanced. The power he could wield would be nothing short of terrifying.

In the distance, a grand and ethereal city seemed to emerge from the wilderness.

Qin Yun expressed his astonishment, "Something's not right."

Yu Yuan collected his scattered thoughts and also expressed surprise. "Based on your description, shouldn't we reach Midnightshields after crossing the Nemo River? Is that city part of the Crimson Sun Empire?"

"No, it's not. The Crimson Sun Empire doesn't have such a city!" Qin Yun stated with absolute certainty.

"A city that has materialized out of nowhere and doesn't belong to the Crimson Sun Empire..." Yu Yuan stroked his chin, furrowing his brow in deep thought before suggesting, "Could it be that we've encountered someone from the Ebon Star again?"

The Mark of the Celestials from the Ebon Star could manifest into a similar, imposing city. Both Mei Qiurong and Cao Jiaze, in the past, had wielded the Mark of the Celestials. After refining it, they could alter its form at will, each with their own remarkable capabilities.

Beneath the darkening sky, the appearance of such an elusive city could only suggest one thing—other than the Mark of the Celestials from the Ebon Star, what else could it be?

"The Ebon Star, the Mark of the Celestials?" Qin Yun's expression shifted subtly, "Master, didn't you mention that our arrival in the Crimson Sun Empire shouldn't alarm the members of the three upper sects?"

His concern was immediate.

Anyone in possession of the Mark of the Celestials held a distinguished position within the Ebon Star. They could be either cultivators of profound realms or sect elites like Cao Jiaze, and none were to be underestimated.

Having survived the treacherous Moonfall Sanctuary, Qin Yun had encountered numerous malevolent entities and seen the respect that Otherkin guests showed to Yan Qiling. Consequently, he naturally positioned himself as an adversary to the three major Upper Sects.

Thus, he harbored a fear of the formidable experts from these sects.

"The three Upper Sects and the forces backing Mr. Yan have been cautiously watching each other," Yu Yuan remarked with a hint of wariness. "According to Mr. Yan, their recent skirmishes have all taken place in the extraterrestrial realm. Both parties hail from the Everlands and wish to avoid a battle here that could devastate the landscape."

Battles between experts of the Primordial Spirit and Unbound Realms could wreak havoc on the Everlands.

So, by unspoken agreement, both sides chose to clash in the extraterrestrial realm instead.

"If it's not the three great Upper Sects, then who could it be?" Qin Yun wondered, perplexed.

"Let's go and see for ourselves," Yu Yuan replied curtly.

Clutching the Crucible of Evil and gripping the sword sheath, he didn't believe that the modest Crimson Sun Empire could pose any real threat to him.

Shortly thereafter, he and Qin Yun approached their destination aboard the Crucible of Evil.

As night fell, a colossal pearl radiating a soft, treasure-like glow hung suspended in the sky.

The city they had just glimpsed was contained within this pearl.

"This object... the Illusion Orb!"

Yu Yuan paused, a realization dawning on him. Wasn't this the very pearl that had once lured him and Xie Bin out of Afnetalos City in an attempt to seize the Glacial Storm Seal?

Inside the Illusion Orb, the ethereal city teemed with shadowy figures darting about, appearing as mere wisps of smoke devoid of any soul consciousness.

A dazzling Spirit Sword, adorned with dragon scales, rampaged through the city within the pearl like a golden dragon on the loose. The sight of it stirred a sense of déjà vu in Yu Yuan.

Years before, in the Forgotten Ruins, he had encountered Wang Jinlin of the Ethereal Void Sect, wielding a Spirit Sword named Shadowgold in a similar spectacle. However, Wang Jinlin had long since perished.

"Ethereal Void's Chong Xiao, one of the eight Sages!" Yu Yuan's momentary shock gave way to clarity. Frowning, he explained, "The object is known as the Illusion Orb, and its owner is Qi Yunhong. He was once a cultivator with the Thunder Sect before he defected. Now, Chong Xiao from the Ethereal Void Sect is locked in battle with him inside the Illusion Orb."

Last time, Qi Yunhong was at the pinnacle of the Spirit Walk realm and had not yet refined his Solar Spirit.

Meanwhile, Wang Jinlin's master had long been in the realm of the Solar Spirit, and by now, he must be at least a late-period cultivator, usually stationed in Gavanas. So why has he shown up here?

With a hiss, a bolt of golden lightning shot out from the illusory city, transforming into an old man wielding a sword.

The Shadowgold returned to his grasp, and with a soft, cold huff, the ethereal city within the Illusion Orb began to collapse amidst a blinding golden radiance, like a sandcastle trampled under a frenzied assault, flattened in an instant.

"Old dog, this isn't over!" Qi Yunhong bellowed, emerging from the Illusion Orb in a fit of rage. Moments later, he stepped out of the orb, clutching it tenderly in his hand as he locked eyes with Chong Xiao in fury.

"It's you!"

"Yu Yuan!"

Simultaneously, Chong Xiao and Qi Yunhong exclaimed, both noticing the unexpected arrival of Yu Yuan.

"Why are you here?" Qi Yunhong, taken aback, appeared beside the Crucible of Evil in a blink. He rubbed his reddened eyes and said, "That doesn't make sense. The last I heard of you, you were in the Land of Terror."

Yu Yuan, startled by Qi Yunhong's sudden approach, gripped his sword sheath tighter.

This Qi family wild card, even before his expulsion from the Thunder Sect, was no easy mark. Since his departure, he's acted on a whim, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

Now, Yu Yuan observed him closely and discerned from the look in his eyes that Qi Yunhong's cultivation had indeed advanced.

He must have successfully ascended to the Solar Spirit...

A Solar Spirit-level cultivator is not to be taken lightly, and with him here in person, Yu Yuan had to stay on guard.

However, Qi Yunhong didn't seem to harbor any ill will, showing no intention of entering the Crucible of Evil or getting any closer. This realization allowed Yu Yuan to breathe a sigh of relief, prompting him to inquire, "And what brings you here?"

"I was in deep seclusion nearby, stabilizing my realm after a breakthrough, when somehow this old dog tracked me down." He gestured at Chong Xiao, a flicker of madness flashing in his dark red eyes. "Once I've recovered, I'll slaughter every member of the Ethereal Void Sect I come across!"

"Give me the Illusion Orb, and the Ethereal Void Sect will leave you be," Chong Xiao, clutching the Shadowgold, declared. "The orb and the Spectral Umbrella were originally a matched set, divided long ago between the Thunder Sect and the Ethereal Void Sect. Now that you've been cast out by the Thunder Sect, you no longer have the right to wield the Illusion Orb."

The Ethereal Void Sect placed great expectations on Qu Jing, the keeper of the Spectral Umbrella. Should Qu Jing regain possession of the Illusion Orb, both his cultivation level and combat prowess would significantly increase.

It was through clandestine intelligence that Chong Xiao learned of Qi Yunhong's nearby breakthrough attempt into the Solar Spirit Realm, prompting his search.

Qi Yunhong's advancement did not go unnoticed; a concerned party informed the Ethereal Void Sect.

And so, he arrived.

"The Illusion Orb and the Spectral Umbrella were always the property of the Ethereal Void Sect; they were never truly yours," Qi Yunhong sneered with a bizarre laugh. "Annihilating sects and claiming their rare treasures as your own, the Ethereal Void Sect truly has no shame."

"If saving face were my concern, I would never have embarked on the cultivator's journey," Chong Xiao replied evenly, then turned to Yu Yuan and said, "This doesn't concern you. The Midnightshields are just beyond here; you're free to leave now."

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