Chapter 647

Chapter 647: Puppet

“If I’m not mistaken, there should be a precious pill in this ancient temple that can temporarily suppress the fire poison.”

Recalling his situation here, Ye Yun shook his head with a bitter smile. “Looks like I’ll have to risk my life even for my own sake now.”

He refused to use his final trump card unless absolutely necessary. Within the reverse time array’s accelerated realm, he could multiply the activation speed of his spiritual power using time’s reversal. Though the fire poison would also grow stronger, as long as he had enough Immortal Spirit Stones, he could outlast the toxin and eradicate it.

Using this method would destroy the Stagnation Stone at the array’s core and waste a massive amount of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones—something Ye Yun wished to avoid. While now wasn’t the time for hesitation, he knew these stones were irreplaceable. Even the densest spiritual environments in the Xumi Treasure paled compared to their value.

“The first trial should be those ancient spiritwood statues. Passing alone wouldn’t be hard, but bringing those two along complicates things…” Memories from the dragon egg flooded Ye Yun’s mind. Nine ancient spiritwood statues guarded this first level.

The Ancestor of the Sword Path wanted to object but sighed upon seeing Ye Yun’s resolve. “If you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. But remember—aside from the Purple Shadow Divine Sword, most of your abilities are hindered. If the fire poison reaches your marrow, it’ll be fatal.”

When Ye Yun remained unmoved, the Ancestor fell silent, watching the paleness of his face with concern.

Gritting his teeth, Ye Yun tightened his grip on the Purple Shadow Divine Sword. His unwavering will embodied the essence of his Sword Path.

Inside the temple, Golden Ling’er buzzed with energy, her earlier gloom forgotten. She marveled at the green murals. “Senior, what do these symbols mean? They look like a giant tree!”

“They depict this temple’s guardian spirit, though it perished long ago,” Ye Yun replied, pressing a hand to the wall. The fire poison within him stalled briefly upon contact before resuming its flow.

“So cool! I want a guardian spirit too! Then I could lock Dad in a dark room!” She traced the carved tree with envy.

“Ling’er, Master would be hurt if he heard you.” Jin An’s worried expression softened as he watched her antics. “Let Senior rest. His injuries are only suppressed for now. If you keep shouting, I’ll tell Master.”

“He’s the one who always locks me up!” Sticking out her tongue, she glanced at Ye Yun. The determination etched on his face made her blush. “Fine, I’ll behave!”

“It’s alright.” Ye Yun sensed her reluctance. The temple’s vitality seemed to suppress the poison deeper inside. He added, “See? I’m not worried. This Xumi Treasure opens once every millennium—we can’t leave without making our mark!”

“At least try not to trouble Senior,” Jin An sighed. His carefree junior sister had been manageable under their Master’s watch, but here, rules meant nothing. Strength alone dictated survival.

As a novice and a first-level Nascent Soul cultivator, they stood at the bottom here. Without powerful backers, their hopes lay in sheer luck.

Supreme Immortal artifacts, heavenly treasures, miraculous pills—all required strength to keep. Any treasure they found might become their death warrant.

Mining spirit stones offered safer gains, but extracting them demanded constant spiritual power. Even mid-grade Immortal artifacts risked damage from prolonged use.

Ye Yun knew time was limited. Most forces would gather on the third level, fully prepared. Competing then would be near impossible.

Obtaining a supreme Immortal artifact and Stagnation Stone on the first layer was miraculous luck. Most, even fifth-level Nascent Souls, left empty-handed.

Even Jun Ruolan, whom Ye Yun met in the Extreme Southern Fire Domain, lost her target—the Seven-leaf Fire Lotus—when it fused with him. Bathed in Fire Spirit Qi, the once-manageable poison mutated wildly.

“The Cold Snow Crystal from the Extreme Northern Frost Land… If that fails, then—” Ye Yun’s fist clenched around the Stagnation Stone, its faint glow like trapped starlight.

Using the reverse time array risked catastrophic backlash. Surging spiritual power might clash irreversibly, destroying his foundation.

“That Moon Dynasty woman must have solutions. If desperate, maybe we can bargain.” Ye Yun eyed the darkness ahead. Though many Nascent Souls rushed forward, most would fall at this first trial.

Knowing this, he took time to study the murals with his companions. Giant trees, blood moons, worshiping beasts—the temple’s history unfolded in carvings.

“A sorrowful tale. After two millennia, I still feel its sting,” the Ancestor murmured.

“They’re just pictures. Don’t act your age,” Ye Yun scoffed. Though unclear on details, he guessed the giant tree represented the temple, while the blood moon linked to wolf-like beasts frozen in worship.

“Wolves howling at the moon—maybe they longed for freedom under the tree’s restraint.”

“So naive!” The Ancestor chuckled. “It’s a feud between a wolf pup and sapling. Neither would yield as doom approached.”

Ye Yun ignored him. “Enough gloom. Help me smash these first-level puppets.”

“My soul power’s weak now. Only intervene if necessary.”

“Troublesome. How many ‘Born as a Sword’ uses remain?” White light engulfed Jin An and Ling’er as space rippled, teleporting them away.

“Why are so many Nascent Souls injured here?” Ling’er blinked at the meditating cultivators.

“Likely because of that.” Jin An nodded at a towering wooden colossus ahead, clutching a tree like a club. Its carved eyes stared vacantly.

“This is the first guardian. Senior… can you handle it?”