Chapter 147: Go deep into the demonic realm and find the truth
The dust from the battle of the Ten Thousand Bone Caverns hadn't yet fully settled, and the smoke and stench of blood still seemed to linger over the Jade Square of the Nine Heavens Palace. Although the coalition had achieved a strategic victory, destroying the altar, severely injuring Ling Hao's clone, and temporarily preventing the complete opening of the Eclipse Realm passage, Ye Li's heart felt as if it had been plunged into the icy abyss of the Northern Territory's eternal night, unable to feel the warmth of victory.
The chaotic, fragmented yet shocking information that Elder Shadow Ci had forcibly poured into her sea of consciousness at the cost of soul fragments and the backlash of the contract before his death was like the most vicious curse, gnawing at her mind day and night.
"Heaven-stealing Plan," "Key to Samsara," "Container," "Soul-annihilating Abyss"... These cold words, inextricably intertwined with the mystery of the disappearance of her parents, Ye Feng and Su Wan, weave a vast, dark, and suffocating web of conspiracy. She is almost certain that her parents' disappearance was no accidental mishap or ordinary vendetta, but rather the engulfment of a terrifying conspiracy far beyond her imagination, involving the very essence of samsara, the fate of the entire spirit world, and even beyond! Ling Hao, or rather the even more massive and terrifying Shadow Demon Organization behind him, and even the so-called "Holy Lord," their ultimate goal is to target the very power of samsara that governs the birth and death of all creation!
Jiuxiao Palace, Yunxiao Side Hall.
The lingering scent of sandalwood incense couldn't dispel the solemn atmosphere within the hall. Ye Li sat upright in the guest seat, her face still pale from the intense battle, but her eyes sharp as a sword about to be unsheathed. She shared the key information she'd gleaned from that brutal spiritual confrontation. She withheld details regarding her parents, but shared all the remaining clues regarding the "Heaven Stealing Plan" and the "Nirvana Soul Abyss" with her core allies present—Qin Yixuan, Palace Master Yaoguang, Master Huijue, and the hastily arrived Xuanyun Sect's Sect Master, Lay Buddhist Muyun.
When the word "stealing the sky" came out of Ye Li's mouth, even with the cultivation and concentration of the Master of Yaoguang Palace and Master Huijue, their pupils couldn't help but shrink slightly.
"The Soul Abyss of Silent Annihilation..." Master Huijue's fingers paused as he fingered his rosary beads, every wrinkle on his withered face seeming etched with solemnity. "When I was young, I once read a few fragments of this place in a nearly weathered ancient Sanskrit scroll in the temple. Legend has it that it lies deep within the 'Eternal Night Frozen Land' in the far north of the Spirit Realm, a land of absolute silence where even the laws of time are frozen and distorted. The notes allude to the fact that it was the final annihilation point of the great war in the ancient age of gods and demons that ultimately led to the collapse of the world order. The spatial structure is extremely fragile and chaotic, filled with various unknown space-time cracks, vortexes of the Return Abyss, and... ancient thoughts left over from that era, long since lost to madness or dormancy. Some almost outrageous records even speculate that it may be a gap... where the Spirit Realm and a long-dead ancient world known as the 'Waste Realm' meet."
The Yaoguang Palace Master's slender fingertips unconsciously tapped the smooth jade armrest, making a subtle clicking sound. Her tone was so heavy that it seemed to crush mountains. "'Thieves of Heaven'... Such an arrogant tone! Such presumptuous ambition! If, as the information indicates, they don't simply want destruction, but intend to steal, tamper with, and even control the authority of reincarnation, then their plans are likely a thousand times more terrifying than our previously estimated, destructive 'Eclipse Plan'! The Eclipse may be the end, but Thieves of Heaven... intend to fundamentally reshape order, bringing the reincarnation of all beings into their own pockets, making them a tool to manipulate at will! Such actions are truly against heaven and earth, and are unacceptable to heaven and earth!"
Qin Yixuan sat quietly beside Ye Li, her gaze as gentle as water yet resolute, never leaving her. She could clearly sense the surging magma of anxiety, suppressed grief, and determination to uncover the truth at all costs beneath Ye Li's calm exterior. She reached out her slender hand and gently placed it on the slightly cool back of Ye Li's hand, resting on her knees. A gentle yet resolute power of the mysterious goddess quietly flowed over, offering comfort and support.
"A-Li," her voice was clear and steady, carrying a reassuring power. "Whether the road ahead is a sea of fire, a mountain of swords, or an endless hell, I will go with you. The duty of the Lady of the Nine Heavens is to protect the order of the common people. This order naturally includes uncovering the truth and stopping such acts that defy the laws of nature and bring chaos to the universe."
The warmth of her palms radiated, and Ye Li's icy heart seemed to be infused with a warm current. She gently grasped Qin Yixuan's hand with her backhand, suppressing the subtle trembling of her fingertips. She looked at everyone present, her gaze calm but unquestionable: "I must go to the Silent Soul Abyss. This is not only to uncover the truth behind my parents' disappearance, but also to thoroughly understand the root cause of the 'Heaven Stealing Plan' and stop the mad conspiracy of Ling Hao and the mastermind behind it. But before heading to that desperate place, we need more and more accurate intelligence. The Shadow Demon's core stronghold in the Western Regions has been eliminated by us, and its main force and core secrets have most likely retreated to their deeper and longer-hidden lair - the Chaos Demon Realm."
The Chaotic Demon Realm! The very name caused everyone present to frown even more deeply. It was a vast and perilous land located on the northwest edge of the Spirit Realm, a land of chaotic laws and an overwhelming demonic aura. It was home to countless demonic masters, exiled evil cultivators, extraterritorial demons, and all manner of strange creatures. Killing and betrayal were the norm there, devoid of reason or order, only the unadulterated survival of the fittest. The Shadow Demons, known for their unstoppable power and their ability to wreak havoc across the Spirit Realm, were incredibly difficult to eradicate. Their true headquarters was likely hidden deep within this demonic realm.
"You're going to infiltrate the Chaos Demon Realm yourself?" The Yaoguang Palace Master's beautiful face was filled with worry. "It's full of dangers, the environment is far more complex than the Western Regions, and the forces are intertwined. You know very little about the situation there. If your identity is exposed, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
"It's not that I'm completely unfamiliar with it." A subtle glint flashed in Ye Li's eyes, but her tone remained calm. "Even when I first rebuilt the Nether Pavilion, I anticipated that I might need to explore these shadowy lands in the future, so I ordered Lin Feng to begin infiltrating various domains. The Chaos Demon Realm, a place where good and bad people mix, information flows freely, yet it's also closed and strange. It's the perfect breeding ground for the Nether Pavilion to develop covertly and establish spies. Now is the time to use this hidden chess piece. I need to go there in person and reunite with Lin Feng. Using the intelligence network that the Nether Pavilion has initially established in the Demon Realm, I need to investigate the specific connection between the 'Heaven Stealing Plan' and the Silent Soul Abyss, and find a way to safely enter the Soul Abyss and rescue my parents."
This was an extremely bold, even insane, decision. The Chaos Demon Realm was a recognized forbidden zone in the spirit world, fraught with danger. A single misstep would lead to eternal damnation. But Ye Li's eyes told everyone she was determined. This was the fastest and most direct way to obtain core intelligence.
Qin Yixuan didn't hesitate at all. She held Ye Li's hand tightly, meeting her gaze. Her voice was gentle but firm: "I will go with you. Although Xuannu's female power will be naturally suppressed in the Demon Realm, her ability to perceive and purify demonic energy may help us avoid many invisible dangers and better disguise our presence."
Seeing the two men's resolute attitude, the Yaoguang Palace Master, Master Huijue, and the others knew that dissuasion was futile. The Yaoguang Palace Master pondered for a moment, then pulled out a simple jade pendant from her bosom, emitting subtle spatial fluctuations. She handed it to Ye Li, "This is the 'Void Escape Talisman,' a secret treasure of our Heavenly Palace. It contains a trace of the power of the origin of space. At a critical moment, it can forcibly tear through space and allow escape thousands of miles, enough to escape most confinement and pursuit. However, it is extremely difficult to refine, and there is only one. Use it with caution and never use it except in a life-or-death situation." Her tone was filled with concern and reluctance.
Master Huijue also removed a string of ordinary-looking bodhi beads, faintly scented with sandalwood, from his wrist and handed it over. "Amitabha. This string of beads was given to me by my master before he passed away. Influenced by Buddhism for thousands of years, it has the effect of calming the mind, stabilizing the soul, and resisting external demonic invasions. In the demonic realm, demonic sounds fill the ears and illusions abound. This item may protect the two fellow Taoists from spiritual confusion."
Lay Buddhist Muyun took out several jade bottles and a set of formation flags. "These are the sect's treasured top-grade healing elixirs and a set of portable concealed protective formation flags. They might be useful. Li'er, above all else... prioritize your own safety."
Feeling the unconditional care and support from her elders, Ye Li felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She solemnly accepted these precious gifts and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Palace Master, Master, and Teacher. Ye Li will live up to your trust, uncover the truth, and return safely."
The plan was finalized. To avoid alerting the enemy, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan announced that they would retreat to the secret realm of the Heavenly Palace to recuperate and digest the gains of this battle. In reality, on a moonlit night with dim stars, they disguised themselves, concealing most of their auras and posing as a pair of wandering sisters. Using a secret teleportation array provided by the Yaoguang Palace Master, which led directly to the border of the Northern Territory, they quietly departed the Nine Heavens Palace and sped towards the chaotic Demonic Realm, filled with endless sin, danger, and the unknown.
Awaiting them is a perilous realm even more treacherous and treacherous than the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones, filled with murderous intent at every step. Hidden beneath layers of fog are shocking secrets concerning the past and future, reincarnation, and theft of the heavens. The true test begins now.
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