Chapter 688

Chapter 688: Undersea Demon Palace

"Has anyone told you that those who consider themselves cleverest often prove most foolish?" Yue Lengxuan sighed, dispelling the barrier array as though abandoning further tests against Ye Yun. "My cultivation technique performs best under moonlight, similar to the Moon Goddess Palace’s Moon Refining Technique. But unlike theirs which peaks only during full moons, mine maintains optimal power under any lunar phase."

"Doubtful. The Moon Refining Technique’s true marvel lies in its full-moon zenith. Your imitation likely inherits its flaws," Ye Yun stated bluntly, piercing through her pride.

"Hmph. My methods barely fall short of Jun Ruolan’s. Don’t assume the Moon Goddess Palace monopolizes lunar secrets," she retorted coldly.

"Jun Ruolan never resorts to underhanded tactics. Remember that, or you’ll pay dearly when facing her," Ye Yun said, faintly amused by the comparison.

That woman crushed opponents through sheer strength alone, never compromising her honor. Among Nascent Soul stage cultivators, few could rival her. Even Du Jianyin emerged wounded from their clashes—reason enough for Ye Yun to regard Jun Ruolan as more threatening than Du Jianyin.

"You sound intimately familiar with her," Yue Lengxuan remarked, eyeing the seventh-level Golden Core stage cultivator skeptically. Yet given his earlier display, such acquaintance seemed plausible.

"We’ve crossed blades a few times. Gained little," Ye Yun shrugged.

"’Little’ implies some advantage," she pressed, noting the razor-sharp intensity beneath his casual tone. It convinced her.

"Now I wish to know your true name," she declared, standing rigidly beneath the moonlight.

Ye Yun extended a hand. "Ten top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones, and I’ll share it."

"Ten? Extravagant," she frowned, scrutinizing him. "Prove your worth first."

"Did you poison the Pool of Life with fire toxin catalysts?" Ye Yun asked, reassessing her. Her disdain for trickery mirrored Jun Ruolan’s pride.

"Beneath my dignity. Yue Xiao likely planted them during my pill cultivation," she replied coolly, avoiding his murderous gaze.

"Your subordinates serve you devotedly," Ye Yun remarked, killing intent flashing. Yue Xiao’s fate was sealed.

"I care nothing for them. Without my strength, they’d overthrow me for sport," she said indifferently, tilting her face toward the crescent moon.

"Unexpected," Ye Yun chuckled.

"And what am I to you?" she asked earnestly.

"First, a pampered brat. Now? A future threat needing elimination," he answered, gazing at the stars.

"Good. When we clash, hold nothing back," she said, lips curving faintly.

"Agreed." Ye Yun’s eyes locked onto the brightest distant star.

"Enough chatter! Hunt treasures or roll in the grass—pick one!" Ancestor of the Sword Path barked.

"Join us if you can," Ye Yun taunted.

"Without a body, I’m… hindered," the Ancestor grumbled.

"Begin," Yue Lengxuan ordered. Ye Yun’s duality—ally or enemy—intrigued her. The North Star’s solitude mirrored her resolve.

"Lengxuan, your orders?" Yue Xiao asked, jealousy sharpening his tone as he glared at Ye Yun.

"Yue Xiao and Yue Xiao guard the left. Moon Ling and Yue Hua, the right. Ye Yun fronts me," she commanded.

Yue Xiao froze. She entrusted their vanguard to this newcomer? After years of service, this betrayal stung. His hatred for Ye Yun seethed—usurping the honor he’d sacrificed everything to earn.

“Damn that brat, if it weren’t for you…” The murderous intent toward Ye Yun surged fiercely. True qi pulsed within him as he prepared to ambush the Golden Core stage youth, determined to teach this insignificant cultivator not to covet the woman he considered his own.

Ye Yun casually observed Yue Lengxuan’s movements while ignoring Yue Xiao’s venomous glare. Complex runes surrounded Yue Lengxuan as spatial laws etched themselves into the ground, shifting with the moonlight. When moonlight poured into the activated array, it vanished instantly. The unleashed spatial force far surpassed even the distance-breaking talisman’s power.

Spatial compression pressed against them. Ye Yun merely tilted his head and stood firm. Among the five present, only Yue Lengxuan remained unaffected. The other four struggled desperately against the crushing force, their bodies ill-equipped to withstand spatial pressure.

“Your true target lies beneath the sea’s depths,” Ancestor of the Sword Path declared, deciphering teleportation coordinates from Yue Lengxuan’s chants. “The deepest part of this second layer. You’re preparing to open the third.”

“Then this layer remains accessible only to us?” Ye Yun frowned.

“They abandoned the first layer, treating this one as their prize.” The ancestor chuckled. “Follow my plan, and your crescent blade might absorb their Moon Goddess power.”

“Can it regain intelligence?” Ye Yun’s eyes sharpened.

“No, but their cultivated power could temporarily enhance its awareness and combat power.” The ancestor shook his head. “The world offers no free gifts.”

Ye Yun nodded. “Explain your method. But keep them alive for now.”

“Activate the blade’s residual consciousness while channeling it. Its instinct will devour all nearby Moon Goddess power – everyone here except you possesses it.” The ancestor studied Ye Yun’s hesitation. “These people would kill you without remorse. Hesitation is foolish.”

“I’m considering whether to include Yue Lengxuan.”

“Enemies remain enemies regardless of conversation.” The ancestor’s expression hardened. “Strike decisively – need I remind you?”

“We’ll delay. The Fire Dragon Whip takes priority now.” Ye Yun turned away, postponing the crescent blade’s fate.

In the transformed environment, Yue Xiao glared at Ye Yun’s back. The youth ignored him, engrossed in discussion with Yue Lengxuan. Their proximity made Yue Xiao’s fists clench – he’d never stood so close to her. Nearby, Yue Xiao’s chest tightened painfully. He’d sworn loyalty since their first meeting, yet this Golden Core ant conversed with her as an equal.

“She respects strength,” Yue Xiao told himself. “Securing the Sun and Moon Dual Souls here will earn her favor.”

Ye Yun and Yue Lengxuan’s discussion grew intense. “No wonder you ignored the first treasure layer,” Ye Yun remarked. “Already claiming this as your spoils.”

“Fortune favors preparation.” Yue Lengxuan shrugged. “The Moon Goddess Palace claims the fourth layer – we avoid conflict.”

“Pity about the first layer’s treasures. That ‘Golden Core Sword Demon’ likely fell to Zhang Yanhua or Jun Ruolan.”

As they exchanged insights about Moon Dynasty affairs, Yue Xiao’s fury burned. He should be the one sharing secrets with her, not this insect.

“The Sun and Moon Dual Souls lie in this underwater palace’s deepest layer.” Yue Lengxuan’s sudden candor surprised Ye Yun. “A race to the fifth layer.”

Nodding, Ye Yun silently inquired, “Ancestor, can your spirit perception scan this palace?”

“The fifth layer blocks me.” The ancestor sounded troubled. “Her claim about the Souls might hold truth.”

Ye Yun studied Yue Lengxuan. Few would share such secrets with strangers. His gaze swept the opulent halls – golden floors, eternal mermaid-wax candles, walls depicting maritime tragedies. He dismissed the tales but noted the soul-preserving artifacts.

“A palace transported through great magic,” Yue Lengxuan murmured, matching his pace. “Ten thousand perished here – their souls long dispersed.”

“They’d have fled given choice,” Ye Yun sighed.

“They chose death.” Her smile chilled. “An evil spirit possessed their emperor. Only mass sacrifice with Immortal Realm aid could destroy it.”

Ye Yun fell silent, observing luminous corals as ancient sorrows whispered through gilt-edged stone.