C997 First Arrival in the Outer Domain
"At least I'm still alive."
Holding onto that thought, Yu Yuan sat up to assess his wounds. His body bore injuries of varying degrees. His Qi and blood were somewhat depleted, and although his spiritual energy was largely intact, his soul power had been significantly drained, leaving him feeling exceptionally fatigued.
"Using the power of two Dragon Slash Platforms has sapped my soul power so much. And the sword sheath, too, relies heavily on it. It's no wonder that human cultivators prioritize their Consciousness Little World after advancing past the Profound Break Stage, refining their Yin God to forge the Yang God as swiftly as they can."
Yu Yuan murmured to himself, retrieving several pellets from his Universe Ring and swallowing them in one go. Some were for nourishing the soul, others for strengthening flesh and bones, and a few for enhancing spiritual power.
His belongings, including the Evil Cauldron and the two Dragon Slash Platforms—still resembling ordinary gray stones—remained with him, nothing lost.
He inhaled deeply, feeling a searing pain in his lungs that triggered an involuntary cough. The air was thick with substances and toxins detrimental to his internal organs and flesh.
Thankfully, his robust constitution allowed him to internally inspect the fiery sensation in his lungs, throat, and airways, observing as the inflamed tissues rapidly healed, becoming even more resilient and adjusting to better suit the environment.
"A regular human cultivator, even after reaching the Profound Break Stage and undergoing a second body refinement, wouldn't survive this."
Yu Yuan quickly surmised that the human cultivators of the Boundless Land, with their inherently frail bodies, would struggle to adapt to the severe conditions of this strange realm.
He decided to test the Evil Body Refining Skill.
Whoosh!
A tumultuous gravitational field erupted around him. Dozens of bizarre energies, mingling with Spiritual Qi, violently collided within the gravitational field generated by the Evil Body Refining Skill, producing a series of 'puff, puff' noises.
Streams of noxious energy, peculiar Qi, and both frigid and volatile soul powers were drawn into his body.
The energies, now purified by the gravitational field, buzzed ceaselessly through his meridians.
Harnessing the power of the Evil Body Refining Skill, he swiftly subdued the anomalies assaulting his flesh, organs, and bones. His injured body, however, managed to recover rapidly thanks to its extraordinary self-healing capabilities.
He mulled over this carefully...
After some time, he ceased the flow of the Evil Body Refining Skill, and a glimmer of realization sparked in his eyes.
He deduced that in this mysterious realm, the area he occupied was rife with sixty-three varieties of peculiar energies. There was Spiritual Qi, what was known as Demonic Energy, and the life force of numerous distinct races and vicious beasts. Additionally, there were various types of soul energy and toxins, not to mention seven or eight kinds of harmful cosmic dust from the far reaches of the galaxy.
The sensation here reminded him of his initial foray into the depths of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, where he first employed the Evil Body Refining Skill. Yet, the energies of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area paled in comparison to this place. The energies of this world surged with a complexity that was dozens of times greater.
For the average practitioner not adept in bodily refinement, adapting to this environment would be challenging. Those lacking in physical strength would succumb to the toxic forces at play in short order.
"For me, however, it's hardly an issue," Yu Yuan remarked, a wry smile forming on his lips.
The Evil Body Refining Skill had forged his body to withstand this environment. The myriad energies, along with the life force of various races and vicious beasts, could be directly integrated into his microcosm of blood and Qi. Once processed through the Life Altar, they would instantly transform into pure vital essence.
The soul energy intermingled with these forces was also effortlessly assimilated whenever he practiced the Ghosting Arts.
"Spiritual energy, vital essence, and soul energy can all be replenished simultaneously! My body, sculpted by the Evil Body Refining Skill, is already self-regulating, adapting to the contamination and assault on my physical form."
He gazed at the dark yellow sky, noting the fissures that marred it.
Outside...
Despite the numerous breaches in the world's boundary, allowing various energies from the Outer Star River to seep in, he assessed that the peril here was significantly less than the direct exposure to the cosmic wilderness of the Outer Star River.
It was then that he was reminded of the profound decree of the Boundless Land — only warriors of the Yang God caliber could venture into the Outland Star River for battle.
The Yang God of human practitioners is forged from the Heavenly Soul, kneaded with the purest spiritual energy to create a substantial form that is essentially a body of pure energy.
Such a body lacks flesh and blood; instead, it is a corporeal form solidified from spiritual energy through successive refinements.
A body of pure, unadulterated energy is impervious to the flesh-corroding toxins found in the Outland Star River. It can ward off most harmful external forces, allowing it to glide through the heavens.
"One must possess either the pure body of a Yang God or the resilient form of a Great Demon at the Eighth Level."
Yu Yuan paused to reflect, then attempted to explore his surroundings with his Yin God, seeking any signs of life.
Whoosh!
The moment the Yin God separated from its host, it flickered like a candle in the wind, threatening to snuff out at any moment.
The agony of a soul being torn asunder washed over the Yin God, mingled with a multitude of bizarre powers, like a bone-scraping gale, causing extreme discomfort to the Yin God.
The Yin God was not only in pain but also seemed to be infiltrated by malevolent thoughts, on the verge of losing its sense of self and turning savage and irrational.
Startled, Yu Yuan quickly gathered his thoughts and guided the Yin God back to the sanctuary of his Consciousness Little World.
Once the Yin God was back in its rightful place, it could leverage the "Ghosting Arts" to combat, suppress, and even absorb those peculiar soul energies, refining them gradually to enhance itself.
Outside of the Consciousness Little World, however, it was like a rootless, withered leaf, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
"In the depths of the Outland Star River, one must exercise extreme caution with the Yin God, avoiding separation from the flesh and blood!"
Having learned his lesson, Yu Yuan peered into the bleak, icy expanse of the Outland through a fissure in the dark yellow sky. "Especially deep within the star river, one should not hastily release the Yin God. Moreover, in realms devoid of the starry sky's barrier, due to the infiltration of Outland impurities, extra vigilance is required."
Resolved to avoid further recklessness, he attempted to summon Yu Yiyi, the cauldron soul.
After some time passed.
"I just woke up."
Yu Yiyi finally gave her response. The dark cauldron spun effortlessly, its surface alive with Demonic Marks that swirled and pulsed, transforming into eyes that seemed to survey the surroundings. "This isn't the Boundless Land. Master, have we entered the Outland? Where... are we?"
"I don't know," Yu Yuan replied, shaking his head.
As the cauldron continued to spin, his perspective widened. Through the clusters of Demonic Marks on its surface, it appeared as though he could glimpse scenes from afar.
"I'll go take a look."
Yu Yiyi picked up on his intention and slowly ascended from above his head, drifting towards the distance.
"Be cautious. Don't let loose any Evil Demons that haven't yet solidified into form. This eerie place corrupts spiritual beings lacking flesh and blood with its bizarre soul energy," he warned her urgently.
"Rest assured, Master. Venturing into the Outer Star River isn't new to me. A lot of my dormant memories have been reawakening," Yu Yiyi said, her voice tinged with excitement. "I never imagined we'd actually make it through the realm's passageway so smoothly, nor did I anticipate re-entering the vastness of the outer cosmos so soon."
Having left the Boundless Great World for the outer domain, Yu Yiyi seemed to have acquired a touch of humanity. She was no longer the numb, cold entity akin to an inanimate object. Now, she bore the essence of a truly sentient being.
As the cauldron soared, images flooded Yu Yuan's mind, and he instantly realized he was in a vast valley. Beyond its confines grew an array of bizarre, seemingly mutated plants.
These plants boasted naturally sharp edges and branches like saw teeth, exuding a predatory brutality. As the cauldron descended, it risked being assaulted by the plants' saw-like foliage.
Clang! Clang! The leaves struck the Evil Cauldron, casting out a black luminescence, as heavy and sharp as forged steel.
"What a peculiar place," Yu Yuan murmured to himself. Then, through a vision, he caught sight of what seemed to be a village inhabited by intelligent beings.
