Chapter 156

Deep in the consciousness sea, the dark purple "demonic seed" star point was like a tumor, stubbornly parasitic on the edge of the Star-Fall people's inheritance memory. Zhao Yuan's Sword Intent of Annihilation and the newborn star power intertwined around it into layers of sealing nets, gray-white and deep blue light like chains, dead-locking the dark purple evil aura that was constantly trying to spread and erode.

Every time the sword intent impacted, the "demonic seed" would tremble violently, emitting a silent, venomous, and seductive shriek, attempting to shake Zhao Yuan's mind, triggering the fear, anger, or greed hidden deep in his heart. At the same time, it would release extremely faint fluctuations that resonated with some of Zhao Yuan's memory fragments (mainly fragments about certain painful, desperate, or paranoid obsessions of the Star-Fall people), attempting to disguise itself as part of the inheritance itself, making it difficult for Zhao Yuan to distinguish and difficult to make a determined decision.

"What a sinister method..." Zhao Yuan's cold sweat had not yet dried, but his mind became increasingly cold and clear. He realized that this was no accident. Either the Star-Fall people civilization itself was eroded by some power originating from the "Three Enclosures Star God" contract or the early Abyss power, polluting part of the inheritance information, or the Wangsheng Sect or the Abyss played tricks in the ruins, using blasphemous rituals to implant this kind of "information toxin" into the ruin energy network or inheritance carriers (such as the "Star Essence" fragment or certain specific rune nodes), waiting for later generations to trigger it.

Regardless of which one it was, it meant that the Abyss's layout for "World-Erosion," its sinister and far-reaching nature, far exceeded previous estimates. They were not only trying to violently pollute and catalyze ancient ruins, but also burying such hidden "poison bait" at the information level.

The tremor of "Shadow-Annihilator" slowly subsided, and a trace of comfort and firm intent came from the sword body, as if telling him: Do not panic, I am here.

Zhao Yuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning mind. Now is not the time to panic. Since it has been discovered, there is a possibility of response. The Sword Intent of Annihilation and star power can seal it temporarily, indicating that it is not unsolvable. Perhaps, with the improvement of cultivation, deeper digestion of inheritance, or finding more suitable methods (such as Senior Lin's Chaos Tribulation power, or the deeper power of the "Star Essence" fragment), it can be eradicated.

The top priority is to consolidate himself, improve his strength, and at the same time... inform Eunuch Wei and other Alliance high-level officials of this discovery.

He did not immediately leave the quiet room, but first used the Sword Heart of Annihilation to perform an extremely detailed internal scan of his consciousness sea, meridians, and Dantian, confirming that except for the "demonic seed" that was sealed, there were no other hidden dangers. The cultivation improvement and sword intent transformation brought by the inheritance were solid, and there was no emptiness. Although the "demonic seed" was dangerous, as long as the seal was stable, there should be no major problems in the short term.

After doing all this, he tidied his robes and pushed open the door of the quiet room.

Outside the door, Elder Elder Xinghui had been waiting for a while, and seeing him come out, his eyes were concerned: "Little friend Zhao Yuan, just now I sensed abnormal energy fluctuations and sword intent erupting in your quiet room, did something go wrong with your cultivation?"

Zhao Yuan felt a warmth in his heart and bowed: "Thank you, Elder Elder Xinghui, for your concern. Junior is fine, just when digesting the inheritance, I discovered some... unexpected 'impurities,' which have been temporarily handled." He pondered slightly and decided to speak directly, "This matter concerns the safety of the inheritance, Junior needs to see Eunuch Wei immediately to report."

Elder Elder Xinghui's expression turned solemn: "'Impurities'? Is it related to the Abyss? Go, I will go with you."

The two came to the Star-Discussion Pavilion again. At this moment, only Eunuch Wei and Elder Beichen True Person were discussing important matters in the pavilion, while Elder Lingshuang, Elder Yangang, and others were either urging defense or studying the ruin materials brought back. The atmosphere was solemn.

Hearing Zhao Yuan's discovery and speculation about the "demonic seed" in his consciousness sea, the faces of Eunuch Wei and Elder Beichen True Person became extremely ugly.

"Pollution at the information level... poison bait in the inheritance..." Eunuch Wei's old fingers tapped lightly on the back of the chair, his eyes sharp as an eagle, "What a good Abyss! What a good 'World-Erosion'! It is truly using all means, not even letting go of the legacy of the deceased civilization, wanting to turn it into poison to corrode later generations!"

Elder Beichen True Person closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then took out a Star Palace secret treasure "Star-Mirror," and irradiated Zhao Yuan (under Zhao Yuan's active release of part of his mental defense) for a moment. The mirror surface indeed revealed a trace of dark purple spot that was extremely faint but heavily sealed by the Sword Intent of Annihilation and star power.

"It does exist, and it is extremely hidden and vicious." Elder Beichen True Person said in a deep voice, "If it weren't for little friend Zhao Yuan's clear sword heart, keen perception of illusory evil by the intent of annihilation, and the strengthening of his soul and star sensing by the 'Star Essence' fragment's partial origin, it would be extremely difficult to discover. This thing lurks extremely deep and will slowly 'release' as the inheritance memory is interpreted, subtly affecting the host's temperament, distorting cognition, and even possibly triggering mental loss or Dao foundation pollution at critical moments."

Eunuch Wei snorted coldly: "The Abyss's plan is killing several birds with one stone. It can pollute the talents who obtain the inheritance, making them potential hidden dangers or puppets, and can also use their hands to spread the pollution. Zhao Yuan, your discovery this time is a great contribution! If it weren't for your timely detection and sealing, the consequences would be unimaginable."

He looked at Elder Beichen: "In the Star Palace inheritance, are there methods to deal with this kind of 'information heart demon' or 'inheritance pollution'?"

Elder Beichen True Person frowned and thought: "The Star Palace does have secret techniques such as 'Star-Washing Formula' and 'Clear Heart and See Nature Method' to purify the mind and stabilize the Dao heart, but for this kind of 'information toxin' that is deeply bound to specific inheritance memories and almost symbiotic, the effect is hard to guarantee. Perhaps... it needs to be combined with the purest star source purification power contained in the 'Star Essence' fragment, and little friend Zhao Yuan's own Sword Intent of Annihilation, to solve it slowly. In addition, if Fellow Daoist Lin wakes up, his Chaos Tribulation power might..."

Mentioning Lin Lin Xuan, a faint light flashed in Eunuch Wei's eyes: "Speaking of Offering Lin, the research on the 'Star Essence' fragment has made initial progress." He took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhao Yuan, "The star source vitality contained in the fragment is vast, and its nature is gentle and tolerant, which indeed has a miraculous effect on repairing the Dao foundation and nourishing the soul. The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and several grandmasters of alchemy and medicine deduced remotely that by using specific formations to guide the power of the fragment, supplemented by spirit medicines such as the Imperial Dynasty's secret treasure 'Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Grass,' there is a 50% chance of awakening Offering Lin's dormant Chaos Tribulation Crystal and helping him start autonomous healing. But the process needs to be extremely careful and cannot have the slightest external interference."

50% chance! This was already a very high hope! Zhao Yuan's spirit was lifted.

"However," Eunuch Wei's tone changed, "Awakening Offering Lin requires time to prepare, and needs to be in an absolutely safe environment. And at present, although Sui Xing Yu has been rebuilt and the defense line has been initially consolidated, it is far from stable. The anomaly of the Return to Ruins sea eye has subsided, but the Abyss will never give up. The 'demonic seed' in your consciousness sea also needs to be solved. Therefore, the old man has a proposal."

"Please Eunuch Wei give instructions."

"Sui Xing Yu's 'Star-Quenching Platform' has been initially repaired." Eunuch Wei said slowly, "That is a secret place built by the Star Palace using the unique star power here and the deep-sea earth veins to quench magic weapons and realize the star Dao. You can go to the 'Star-Quenching Platform,' borrow the star power gathered there to further quench your 'Shadow-Annihilator,' consolidate your own cultivation, and attempt to integrate the newly obtained star inheritance with the Sword Intent of Annihilation more deeply. At the same time, borrow the pure star power environment, perhaps it can produce continuous suppression and purification effects on the 'demonic seed' in your consciousness sea. Elder Beichen True Person will open the formation for you and protect you on the side. When your state is stable and the awakening ceremony for Offering Lin is ready, we will take the next step."

Zhao Yuan pondered slightly and understood Eunuch Wei's deep meaning. This was creating the best cultivation and "detoxification" environment for him, while keeping him away from the possible battle front (with his current state and hidden dangers in his consciousness sea, he is not suitable for high-risk missions), and being able to respond to emergencies at any time. And quenching "Shadow-Annihilator" and improving himself was undoubtedly the foundation for dealing with future changes.

"Junior obeys." Zhao Yuan bowed and accepted.

The "Star-Quenching Platform" is located in the southeast corner of Sui Xing Yu, in a natural rock cave deep under the sea, which was later transformed by the Star Palace to guide the star power gathered by the deep-sea earth veins and the "Whole Sky Star Dou Formation" above. The top of the rock cave is not rock, but a layer of transparent crystal dome engraved with complex formations, looking up you can see the brilliant starlight flowing slowly like a real star river in the dim seawater.

Stepping into the rock cave, the rich, near-substance star power rushed toward him, cool, vast, and carrying a pure feeling of washing the soul. In the center is a circular stone platform with a diameter of three zhang, the surface is as smooth as a mirror, engraved with runes for gathering spirits and guiding star power. On the surrounding rock walls, various crystals emitting soft star light of different sizes are embedded.

Elder Beichen True Person activated the formation, and suddenly, the "star river" on the dome shone brightly, countless condensed star-shine light pillars fell, converging on the stone platform, forming a silver-shining energy vortex. The concentration of star power permeating the air soared again.

"Quenching here will get twice the result with half the effort. I will protect you at the entrance, if there is any abnormality, transmit information at any time." Elder Beichen True Person exhorted and retreated to the stone room at the entrance of the rock cave.

Zhao Yuan walked onto the stone platform and sat cross-legged. "Shadow-Annihilator" lay across his knees.

He did not immediately start quenching, but first operated the cultivation method, guiding the surging star power around him into his body, walking along specific meridians, nourishing his flesh, stabilizing his Dantian, and at the same time guiding part of the purest star power to his consciousness sea, together with the Sword Intent of Annihilation, to reinforce the seal on the "demonic seed." The cool star power flowed through, and the restlessness of the "demonic seed" was obviously suppressed, and the dark purple light dimmed a lot.

After feeling that his state was adjusted to the best, Zhao Yuan focused his mind on "Shadow-Annihilator."

He gently stroked the sword body with both hands, and the Sword Intent of Annihilation slowly injected. The dark gold patterns on the sword body lit up, and the newborn deep blue star light inside also emerged. The two lights intertwined and resonated with the star-shine falling around.

"Lead Star Quench Edge..." Zhao Yuan recited a method of combining star power to quench objects that he realized from the inheritance star sea. He carefully guided a condensed star-shine light pillar, like a forging hammer, and slowly "knocked" on the sword body of "Shadow-Annihilator."

Ding—!

A crisp and pleasant sound, like gold and jade colliding, echoed in the rock cave. The sword body shook slightly, the dark gold and deep blue light shone brightly, actually actively absorbing the star-shine, the sword body seemed to become more transparent, and the patterns inside were like coming alive, flowing and growing slowly.

Zhao Yuan was overjoyed, continuing to guide the star-shine, one after another, like a waterfall washing and quenching "Shadow-Annihilator." At the same time, he integrated his insights into the "Star Purification Technique," his understanding of the "cleansing" and "opening" true meaning in the Sword Intent of Annihilation, and his experience of the resilience and sorrow of the Star-Fall people civilization into the sword intent, and together with the star-shine, hammered it into the sword.

Time passed quietly in quiet cultivation.

The light on the "Shadow-Annihilator" sword became more internalized and profound. The dark gold became like ancient bronze that had experienced the precipitation of time, and the deep blue became like the starry sky in the deepest part of the night, and the two perfectly blended. The sword intent became more refined, and in the annihilation, there was an extra vastness and tolerance like the starry sky, and an extra pure edge of slashing through illusions and washing away filth.

Zhao Yuan's own cultivation also improved steadily in the continuous infusion of star power and mental quenching. The Golden Core became more rounded and full, the light internalized, and it seemed that only a thin layer of gauze remained from the critical point of breaking the pill and becoming a baby.

The "demonic seed" in the consciousness sea, under the continuous pure star power washing and Sword Intent of Annihilation suppression, although not eradicated, its activity had dropped to the lowest, the dark purple light was almost imperceptible, and it was firmly locked in the corner.

Everything seemed to be developing in a good direction.

However, on the seventh day when Zhao Yuan was immersed in deep quenching.

The perimeter warning formation of Sui Xing Yu suddenly sent an urgent alarm!

It was not a large-scale demonic creature attack, nor was it a sea eye anomaly, but a faint but clear distress signal belonging to a human cultivator! The signal source was located about three hundred miles southwest of Sui Xing Yu, in a dangerous sea area known as the "Broken Reef Labyrinth." What was even more unsettling was that the signal was mixed with an extremely faint energy fluctuation similar to the Wangsheng Sect's evil power!

The deacon in charge of monitoring did not dare to be negligent and reported immediately.

Elder Beichen True Person received the news, his brows locked tight. The "Broken Reef Labyrinth" has complex terrain, surging undercurrents, and often has space cracks appearing. Except for a few cultivators looking for special materials, very few people go deep into it on weekdays. A distress signal appeared at this time, and it also involved the Wangsheng Sect?

He immediately transmitted information to Eunuch Wei, and at the same time interrupted Zhao Yuan's quenching (which was nearing the end) and informed him of the situation.

Zhao Yuan closed his work and stood up, "Shadow-Annihilator" returned to its sheath, his eyes shining brightly, his cultivation although not broken through, but in terms of sword intent and mental level, he had already had a qualitative leap. Hearing that there was a distress signal that might be related to the Wangsheng Sect, he immediately said: "Elder Beichen Elder, Junior is willing to go and scout."

Elder Beichen True Person pondered: "How is your state? Hidden dangers in the consciousness sea?"

"The seal is stable, no problem. After 'Shadow-Annihilator' is quenched, the sensing of evil spirits is more keen. And the 'Broken Reef Labyrinth' environment is complex, Junior's sensing of star power is enhanced, perhaps I can find the target faster." Zhao Yuan's tone was firm. He was not being brave, but indeed felt that his state was quite good, and he had the responsibility to figure out whether it was related to the remnants of the Wangsheng Sect.

Elder Beichen True Person looked at Eunuch Wei (projection) who had just arrived.

Eunuch Wei's gaze swept over Zhao Yuan and nodded: "Okay. But be cautious, focus on scouting and rescue, if there are strong enemies or traps, retreat immediately. Elder Beichen, you allocate a team of 'Star-Patrol Guard' elites, take the 'Swift Shadow Boat' to follow and respond. Elder Elder Lingshuang is patrolling the nearby sea area, and can be ordered to go and respond."

The order was issued quickly.

Half an hour later, a silver flying boat "Swift Shadow Boat" about ten zhang long, with a streamlined body and extremely fast speed, quietly set out from Sui Xing Yu and sailed toward the "Broken Reef Labyrinth" in the southwest. Besides Zhao Yuan, there were four "Star-Patrol Guards" carefully cultivated by the Star Palace, who were good at cooperation and reconnaissance, all at the late stage of Golden Core, and the captain was a middle-aged cultivator at the early stage of Soul Formation.

The sea wind whistled, and the flying boat broke the waves.

Zhao Yuan stood at the bow of the boat, his robes hunting, "Shadow-Annihilator" humming in its sheath. His gaze pierced through the surging waves and looked toward the area of broken reefs that stood like the fangs of a giant beast under the starlight.

The sense of crisis that had eased slightly because of his cultivation improvement quietly rose again.

This time, what will be waiting for him, will it be a cultivator who survived by luck, or... another carefully laid trap?