Chapter 733

Chapter 733: The Secret of Nine Yin

“Ancestor of the Sword Path, is the Nine Palaces Annihilation Body truly as domineering as you claim?” Ye Yun glanced skeptically at the Ancestor, voicing his doubts.

After all, unlocking the Nine Palaces supposedly granted access to the Heavenly Immortal realm. Such an opportunity seemed too perfect. Though Mo Wenxian possessed exceptional talent, reaching the Heavenly Immortal realm still felt uncertain. Yet the Ancestor’s unwavering confidence stirred envy within Ye Yun.

Ye Yun knew his own limits. While he had a chance to ascend to the Heavenly Immortal realm, failure remained a possibility. Meanwhile, Mo Wenxian’s guaranteed success would provoke jealousy in anyone. Ye Yun spoke bluntly, laying his thoughts bare.

“This physique is inherently supreme. Why else would it be revered? It carries innate divine abilities bound to its host—a born ruler. Only that sword cultivator, Slash Immortals, could overpower the Nine Palaces Heaven. Other Heavenly Immortals pale in comparison,” the Ancestor replied.

“Yet that senior’s philosophy was terrifying—severing all natural karma. Defying heaven’s will… no wonder he met an early end,” Ye Yun muttered bitterly, sighing.

“Slash Immortals’ Sword Path held merit but was too ruthless, leading to his downfall. With more time, he might’ve rivaled even this Ancestor,” the Ancestor conceded, lamenting the loss of a genius among sword cultivators.

“Demon spirit, retreat.” Ye Yun activated the controlling magic disk, summoning swirling black-and-white light. He watched calmly as the demon spirit writhed under the disk’s suppression before recalling it into his body with a wave.

“Boy, have you abandoned refining this demon spirit?” The Ancestor frowned, observing Ye Yun’s restraint. He’d assumed Ye Yun would further cultivate it, not waste the infused Lightning Element Law. Though puzzled, he didn’t interfere.

“Refining it further complicates matters. My Lightning Element Law already surpasses this demonic energy. I’ll suppress it for now and shatter it after leaving the Celestial-Demon battlefield. Tools remain tools—no matter their power.” Ye Yun stared coldly at the disk.

“Very well. This Ancestor won’t hinder your choice.” The Ancestor sighed, masking his unease. Ye Yun’s ruthlessness unsettled him, but he dismissed it as sentimental folly. Examining the stone fragments, he detected anomalies with his soul power.

“Likely a Devil Race artifact. It harbored a demon god’s will—a cursed demon setone.” Flames engulfed the earth as Ye Yun intensified the Fire Spirit Qi, burning the decayed ground where boulder fragments had fallen.

Firelight illuminated the cave wall painting. The sparse, naturalistic drawings hinted at deliberately obscured secrets. Ye Yun spared them little attention, uninterested in ancient mysteries.

Noticing Shui Lingling recovering nearby, Ye Yun turned to the meditating Shui Yingying. “Strange. Even a demon god’s will shouldn’t delay her this long. What’s she doing?”

“Sister’s not in danger, but her aura feels… rushed,” Shui Lingling confessed, detailing subtle changes. Ye Yun’s brow furrowed—such nuances often signaled deeper turmoil.

“Hmph. Another conflict brews.” The Ancestor noted dark energy coalescing behind Shui Yingying but stayed silent, reclining lazily.

Ye Yun and Shui Lingling watched black tendrils swirl around Shui Yingying. While Ye Yun steadied himself, Shui Lingling trembled. “How…? Our talents matched! Why would she choose demonic cultivation?!”

“What’s wrong with Yingying? Possessed?!” Shui Lingling’s nails dug into her palms as she glared at the encroaching demon aura. Guilt gnawed at her—had her dependence blinded her to her sister’s struggles?

When Shui Yingying’s lashes fluttered, Shui Lingling froze. Black eyes snapped open, leaking suffocating demon qi. A twisted smile spread across Shui Yingying’s face as Ye Yun demanded coldly, “Who are you?”

“Still your Yingying~ Can’t you tell?” She giggled, tilting her head coquettishly.

“Leave her body, or I’ll erase you.” Ye Yun’s voice chilled. This mockery of Shui Yingying’s identity enraged him.

Shui Lingling lunged first, channeling star power. Yet her opponent matched her strength, wielding star power with superior finesse. Shui Lingling’s attacks barely grazed her.

“Poor Lingling. Without my guidance, you’d never have reached the Earth Immortal realm. Now you dare raise a hand against me?” The possessed Yingying sneered, feigning pity.

“If I’d noticed sooner…” Shui Lingling’s voice broke before hardening. “But I feel her presence! My sister’s still here!”

“Foolish child.” The entity smirked. Sensing Ye Yun’s approach, she spun and slashed her hand. “Pathetic ambush.”

“Effective? Unclear. But your unstable spiritual power betrays you.” Ye Yun materialized the Fire Dragon Whip, cracking it toward her limbs.

“Giggling, although it’s still a rather old-fashioned method, if the opponent is you, it’s indeed something to keep in mind,” Shui Yingying said, her expression cold. With a faint smile toward Ye Yun, she raised her hand to block. Starlight erupted instantly, repelling the Fire Dragon Whip. Seeing his attack fail, Ye Yun showed no surprise—he’d never expected to restrain her so easily.

“Sea of Heavenly Fire!”

After the failed strike, Ye Yun wasted no more time. He pushed the Fire Flame Triad within the Fire Dragon Whip to its third stage, forcibly sealing Shui Yingying within the blazing sea to immobilize her.

Trapped in the molten inferno, Shui Yingying smiled despite the scorching heat. Though she knew Ye Yun wouldn’t harm her, this body couldn’t endure severe damage without risking her future control over it.

“Ah, still falling short… but I’ve never chosen surrender,” she murmured. After a soft laugh, she collapsed unconscious into the flames. Watching her breathing steady, Ye Yun swiftly dispelled the Sea of Heavenly Fire, allowing Shui Lingling to approach.

“Sister! Sister!” The whispered pleas roused Shui Yingying. Opening her eyes to Shui Lingling’s tearful gaze, memories resurfaced. “Silly girl,” she chided gently, stroking the younger girl’s hair. “I’m unharmed. Didn’t I tell you to stop crying?”

“But I feared you’d leave Ling’er alone!” Sobbing, Shui Lingling buried her face in Shui Yingying’s chest.

“We made a lifelong promise, remember?” Shui Yingying chuckled, though her weakened body strained under the embrace.

Turning to the Ancestor of the Sword Path, Ye Yun asked, “That consciousness earlier—it wasn’t demonic, was it? More like her own nature emerging.”

“I observed it too, but remain uncertain,” the Ancestor sighed, eyeing the sisters. “Likely the Stellar Body and Nine Yin Body clashing. A pitiful outcome—easy to overlook unless vigilant.”

“Rare for something to deceive you,” Ye Yun remarked dryly, aware of the Ancestor’s obsession with innate spiritual bodies. The old man had probably allowed the conflict to gather information.

“Hah! I’ll pay closer attention next time,” the Ancestor conceded.

Ye Yun produced a four-leaf spirit herb glowing blue-green from his Storage Treasure. “Take this Tai Ling herb. It’ll ease your recovery.”

Shui Yingying accepted without protest. Warmth flooded her meridians, reviving her depleted body. “No wonder mortals covet heavenly materials—such potent healing,” she marveled, regaining seventy percent strength instantly.

“But these treasures cost fortunes!” Shui Lingling chimed in. “This must be worth millions of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones! Yet Brother Ye Yun always has exactly what’s needed.”

“True,” Shui Yingying laughed, eyeing Ye Yun. “You’re oddly prepared.” Ye Yun merely shrugged, accustomed to their banter.

Rising smoothly, Shui Yingying stretched. “Fully recovered. We should move on.”

“I’ll try some next time!” Shui Lingling declared, licking her lips.

“Randomly consuming treasures could harm your constitution,” Shui Yingying warned. “If I catch you, there’ll be consequences.”

“Sister nags too much!” The girl stuck out her tongue at Ye Yun, expecting support.

“I agree with Yingying this time,” Ye Yun said. “Even a Heavenly Immortal couldn’t save you from reckless ingestion.”

“Hmph! I’m not a child!” Shui Lingling darted away before more scolding came.

“That girl never listens,” Shui Yingying sighed as the figure retreated.

“Let her be. Hardship breeds growth,” Ye Yun advised.

“But if she errs during trials…” Shui Yingying fretted, watching the distant silhouette.

“Focus on the Heavenly Immortal inheritance in the Demon Abyss first,” Ye Yun suggested. “Once Ling’er reaches the Heavenly Immortal realm, she’ll understand caution.”

“You’re right. Though ascension challenges most, Ling’er’s talent ensures success.” Shui Yingying’s smile returned, confidence undimmed.

“Reaching the Heavenly Immortal realm isn’t simple!” The Ancestor’s voice grumbled in Ye Yun’s mind. “Even with my guidance and her gifts, it’s no certainty.”

“Yet her Starry Sky methods grant unique advantages,” Ye Yun countered.

“True enough. Regardless, I must concentrate on surpassing Mo Wenxian for the Three Celestial Heavens’ inheritance.” Anticipation thrummed through him—that prize mattered above all. Without victory, even the greatest legacy meant nothing. A truth Ye Yun grasped deeply, and one Mo Wenxian undoubtedly understood better.