In a calm tone, as if talking about a trivial matter, Ye Yu’s indifferent demeanor brought Su Yao a sense of peace.
Yet she was still worried.
After all, in her understanding, the chasm between Tribulation Crossing and Ascension was immense.
Experiencing a heavenly tribulation was an entirely different concept. It couldn’t simply be compensated for by combat skills or techniques.
Thus, Su Yao hesitated to speak.
But Ye Yu was already walking slowly toward the Nine-Headed Flood Dragon, Yang Xiao.
At that moment, the latter had also broken free from the golden chains binding him.
“A mere mortal, trying to change the tide is truly ignorant!”
After saying this, Yang Xiao’s form suddenly began to twist. In no time, his gray robe was completely torn open.
The figure of Yang Xiao, with the head of a flood dragon and the body of a man, appeared before the two.
Looking at this figure ahead, a hint of confusion flashed in Ye Yu’s eyes.
He remembered that Yang Xiao was at the mid-stage of the Ascension Realm, wasn’t he? Why did he now seem to be at the Ascension Realm early stage?
What was going on?
Ye Yu completely overlooked that, under normal circumstances, encountering Yang Xiao should be a matter of decades into the future.
However, he didn’t dwell too much on the matter of realms.
In the dream, Ye Yu had only been at the Integration Realm back then, utterly unable to slay the Ascension Realm Yang Xiao. He could only choose to perish together.
But now, as a cultivator at the Tribulation Crossing Realm, Ye Yu truly didn’t regard Yang Xiao with much concern.
He stepped forward, and the Eternal Star Diagram activated rapidly.
Streams of starlight penetrated the ocean surface, diving deep into the sea, enveloping Yang Xiao.
In an instant, a strong burning sensation caused Yang Xiao’s expression to change frantically.
He let out a painful wail.
Looking down, he saw the starlight had already penetrated his flesh.
Yang Xiao wanted to escape. But he soon realized that countless starry barriers had appeared around him, preventing him from leaving at all.
This was the Star-Cleansing Formation from the Eternal Star Diagram, which could only be unleashed by someone above the Tribulation Crossing Realm.
As Ye Yu shifted his hand seals, the starlight intensified.
In just two breaths of time, Yang Xiao was completely melted away, leaving no trace behind.
This horrifying scene left Su Yao speechless in shock.
How could this be possible?
Ye Yu, with just the early cultivation of Tribulation Crossing Realm, effortlessly dispatched the Ascension Realm Nine-Headed Flood Dragon?
What kind of formation was that?
Why had she never seen it before?
While Su Yao pondered this, Ye Yu had already returned to her side. He gently flicked her nose with his finger.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing, nothing!”
Su Yao shook her head repeatedly, breaking into a smile.
Ye Yu’s strength filled her with joy. Even the enemy she had once feared the most was easily killed. This could be considered a resolution for Su Yao’s inner conflict.
Finally, she could return the Sea Controlling Trident to Ye Yu without reservation!
Thinking of this, Su Yao casually raised her hand, and the Sea Controlling Trident that had fallen on the ground suddenly flew back to her.
“In a parallel world, I once gave it to you. So now it’s time to return it to its rightful owner!”
Looking at the Sea Controlling Trident being handed over, Ye Yu felt a hint of embarrassment.
This exaggerated weapon, while indeed imposing to hold, made Ye Yu truly reluctant to embrace the title of Sea King.
If he hadn’t been certain that Su Yao harbored no ulterior motives, he would have really suspected she was poking fun at him.
However, this was ultimately a kind gesture, and he couldn’t refuse.
After taking the Sea Controlling Trident, Ye Yu quickly asked, “Have you heard of something called the ‘Water Essence’? I need it for something important.”
“The Water Essence, the purest substance in the sea, is extremely precious. I’ve only heard of it, but I’ve never seen it,” Su Yao shook her head.
When she was very young, her home had been destroyed. To escape persecution, she could only come to the East Sea Continent.
Strictly speaking, she had spent more time on land than in the water. Naturally, she had never seen the Water Essence.
This made Ye Yu furrow his brows.
If even Su Yao hadn’t seen it, then wouldn’t that be a problem?
In the vast East Sea, where should he even begin to search?
“Wait!” Su Yao’s eyes lit up.
Pointing at the Sea Controlling Trident in Ye Yu’s hand, she continued, “Perhaps it can help us find the Water Essence!”
“This thing?”
Ye Yu looked down at the Sea Controlling Trident with confusion.
…
Inside the Ten Thousand Souls Hall, a beam of radiant light shot straight into the sky.
In an instant, the clouds rolled, and the winds surged.
Countless brilliant sword shadows swirled around.
Everyone within a thousand miles could hear a crisp and melodious sound of sword chimes.
The cultivators couldn’t help but turn their gazes toward the source of the light, their eyes filled with envy.
When heavenly phenomena appeared, there must be a spiritual artifact!
Their guesses were correct. After several months, under the crafting of eight masters from the Qianji Hall, a peerless flying sword had finally been completed.
Zhu Diezhen couldn’t wait to approach and take a look.
She saw that the sword was entirely as dark as ink. In the pitch-black night, its shape was nearly invisible.
At the hilt, a swimming dragon coiled, and the blade was sharp beyond measure.
This sword was a high-tier spiritual artifact.
During its forging, Zhu Diezhen also infused it with the highest Dao Seal of the Souls Hall. It could injure and sever the soul with a single strike, making it utterly impossible to defend against.
Although the eight masters were exhausted, they were also immensely proud. Being able to forge a top-quality spiritual artifact together was truly a rare achievement.
Materials, timing, technique, and opportunity—all were essential!
One could say that this sword was their best work so far.
They all cupped their hands and said, “Congratulations, Hall Master Zhu, on acquiring such a divine weapon!”
“Reward them, reward them all!”
Zhu Diezhen waved her hand grandly.
At that moment, Wei Aoshu quickly stepped forward and said, “Sect Master, should I take this artifact to… the master now?”
Though she was somewhat unaccustomed to the title, Wei Aoshu still uttered it.
Zhu Diezhen was the hall master of the Ten Thousand Souls Hall. Logically speaking, it would be more appropriate for her to address her husband, Ye Yu, as ‘Lord.’
However, Zhu Diezhen felt that ‘Lord’ sounded unappealing.
With a wave of her hand, she directly assigned Wei Aoshu to Ye Yu.
All the previous undercover work was no longer needed. Currently, there was only one task, that was to properly serve Ye Yu on her behalf.
After all—how could Zhu Diezhen’s man not have someone attending to him?
This decision had only been made recently. Wei Aoshu had not yet fully gotten used to the new way of addressing.
“No need! I intend to personally deliver this sword to him!”
Zhu Diezhen took out a sword box she had prepared in advance from her storage ring and carefully placed the flying sword inside.
Wei Aoshu was taken aback and quickly said, “Sect Master, you must not! You are a body of ten thousand gold; how can you risk yourself like this?”
“What’s wrong with that? I have made my decision; you need not say more!”
Zhu Diezhen waved her hand slightly.
Then she prepared to depart.
It had been so long since she last saw Ye Yu. The yearning in her heart made it impossible for Zhu Diezhen to hold back.
That was why she insisted on delivering the sword to the Azure Cloud Sect.
Moreover, Zhu Diezhen had already named the flying sword, and it was quite meaningful.
She hoped Ye Yu would like it!