Chapter 708

Chapter 708: Reaching an Agreement

"Since Xiao Shui can help, I’ll try the supreme Immortal artifact Senior gave me first," Golden Ling’er said as she drew the Dragon Sword gifted by Ye Yun. She stared at its serpentine Blade Body resembling a coiled dragon, channeling all her true qi into it. Though unbound to her, it still unleashed partial power.

*Boom!* The cloud split instantly, the explosive force startling Golden Ling’er. Exhaustion flooded her—supreme Immortal artifacts demanded absurd amounts of true qi. Mishandling one could drain a user dry. Shuddering at the thought, she hastily stored the weapon in her storage pouch. She watched Jin An struggle against a lunar spirit, choosing not to intervene.

With her true qi depleted, aiding Jin An would only burden him. Three slain lunar spirits lay around her, deterring others from approaching. "Time to recall Xiao Shui," she murmured. The Water Spirit Python reluctantly abandoned its feast, slithering onto Golden Ling’er’s arm. It transferred absorbed Moon Goddess power to her before curling atop her head to sleep.

As the Moon Goddess power nourished her, Golden Ling’er smiled. The python needed quiet to refine excess energy, so she refrained from disturbing it. Meanwhile, Jin An’s top-quality Immortal artifact flared, golden threads piercing through remaining lunar spirits. He collected their crystalline drops, channeling true qi into one.

Moon Goddess power surged through him, strengthening his physique. His eyes widened—this holistic enhancement surpassed elemental spirits like Fire or Ice that only boosted specific attributes. A fortified body amplified both spiritual power and true qi. Such treasures were typically monopolized by the Moon Goddess Palace, priced beyond reach. Yet here, slaying lunar spirits offered limitless growth.

"Moon Goddess Palace disciples?" Ye Yun sensed approaching figures radiating Moon Goddess power. Zhang Yanhua led a dozen followers, halting ten zhang away.

Ye Yun frowned. "Why seek me here, Zhang Yanhua? I’ve not reached the fifth layer."

"The fourth and fifth layers are merging. I came to warn you before the natural nine great tribulations strike," Zhang Yanhua replied coldly.

"Finally beginning." Ye Yun nodded. The Ancestor of the Sword Path had foretold this. His solar soul’s intensification confirmed the fifth layer’s blazing sun merging with Taiching.

"You didn’t come merely to warn me," Ye Yun remarked.

"The layers will collapse. We must ally—you, I, and Du Jianyin—to breach the fourth layer’s limits and claim both layers’ treasures before destruction," Zhang Yanhua stated.

"Agreed." Solo efforts would fail, but collaboration held promise. "One last question: how did you track me?"

"A Moon Goddess mark placed unnoticed," Zhang Yanhua answered flatly.

"Impressive." Ye Yun’s Fire Spirit Qi surged through his meridians as he burned the mark away. Though uneasy allying with rivals, he had no choice. Triggering the natural nine great tribulations might breach the fifth layer’s crumbling space.

"Will Jun Ruolan and Du Jianyin agree?" Ye Yun doubted sworn enemies would cooperate.

"They’ll set aside grudges for the Xumi Treasure’s riches," Zhang Yanhua assured.

Ye Yun smirked inwardly. Jun Ruolan’s petty grievances paled against Du Jianyin’s hatred. Yet defeating Du Jianyin in the third layer had humbled him. Without that lesson, Du Jianyin’s arrogance would’ve rejected alliance. The Purple Shadow Divine Sword’s borrowed power had secured victory—a fleeting advantage not to be squandered.

"Let’s proceed." Ye Yun tossed three runes to Jin An and Golden Ling’er. "Activate these if threatened. They’ll kill any below Nascent Soul stage instantly."

"Senior, must you leave again?" Golden Ling’er forced a smile, eyes glistening. "Remember Ling’er, or I’ll cry missing you!"

“That’s natural. Don’t worry,” Ye Yun nodded, instructing them on self-protection before activating spatial laws to depart with the Moon Goddess Palace group, leaving Jin An and Golden Ling’er training atop the clouds.

“Ling’er, alright?” Jin An studied his junior sister, recognizing her reluctance to part with Ye Yun. Having separated multiple times before, he thought little of it now.

“Ah! I must cultivate harder.” The girl reopened her eyes, startling Jin An with the unwavering resolve in her dark pupils.

Golden Ling’er’s newfound determination undoubtedly stemmed from Ye Yun. Should he ever seek their aid, even facing certain death, she’d choose to help without hesitation.

Standing on the cloud, they gazed at the moon spirits with blazing eyes, acutely aware their cultivation needed urgent advancement.

“Zhang Yanhua, what happens if caught in the natural nine great tribulations?” Ye Yun asked upon reaching the coordinates.

“Without forming a Nascent Soul, you’d likely suffer grave injuries,” Zhang Yanhua replied mildly.

“Oh? You discerned my cultivation level?” Ye Yun paused. “Jun Ruolan told you.”

“Indeed. Your Golden Core stage achievements shocked me. If you reach my realm, you might kill me instantly.” Zhang Yanhua harbored no real enmity, merely craving a thrilling duel.

Once Ye Yun advanced to Nascent Soul stage, only Earth Immortal realm attainment could make Zhang Yanhua his match.

“Why insist on using natural nine great tribulations to breach the fifth layer’s sealing space?” Ye Yun sighed, having learned of Zhang Yanhua’s risky plan.

“Great rewards demand great courage.” Zhang Yanhua smiled. Though friendly now, he’d show no mercy in actual combat.

“Did you group Du Jianyin with Jun Ruolan?” Ye Yun suddenly asked.

“They claimed private matters to settle. Need them?” Zhang Yanhua nodded.

“I sense murderous intent.” Ye Yun shrugged, feeling two violent auras ahead—Sword Path will and Moon Goddess power clashing.

*Boom!*

Explosions echoed as two dark shadows collided repeatedly. Crimson flames engulfed Ye Yun’s whip while fiery imagery blazed behind him.

Sensing his spiritual power, the shadows disengaged, glaring coldly.

“Fight later. Now, focus on triggering the tribulations,” Ye Yun said irritably.

“Our feud waits,” Du Jianyin coldly conceded as Ye Yun approached.

“Seek death if you wish.” Moon Goddess power coalesced around Du Jianyin’s crescent blade, projecting a full moon behind Ye Yun.

“Settle this first. My disciples located the fourth layer’s treasure site. Destroy it since we lack time to claim it,” Zhang Yanhua stated coldly.

“No objections. But can you truly shatter it?” Ye Yun doubted his own power sufficed alone, but with three allies…

“I’ve methods, depending on your actions.” Zhang Yanhua gestured to their artifacts. “Self-destruct supreme Immortal artifacts to break that moon projection.”

“Acceptable.” Ye Yun smirked at Du Jianyin’s scowl. “Don’t tell me you lack a supreme artifact.”

“Hmph! I’ve one.” Du Jianyin produced a golden dagger radiating supreme Immortal spirit energy.

“Good.” Ye Yun summoned his crescent blade. “This supreme artifact’s quality suffices.”

“Begin.” Watching turbulent waves mirroring the colossal moon, Ye Yun willed his blade to crack from the hilt, channeling surging Moon Goddess power.

With the trio ready, Ye Yun grinned. “Do your best.”

A ten zhang crescent blade of pure Moon Goddess power plunged into the sea-moon. Behind him, the others shattered their artifacts, unleashing cataclysmic force into the depths.

*BOOM!*

A towering Water Column erupted. Spotting approaching Nascent Soul cultivators, Ye Yun vanished via spatial laws as skies darkened.

The trio repelled attackers with spiritual power bursts before streaking toward the ruptured space like meteors.