Chapter 1462: A Desolate Trance

Grandmaster Lan nodded at Li Yan’s request.

“No problem!”

Li Yan’s request was reasonable. Once Mu Guyue became his Soul Slave, the soul seal she had planted in her body would naturally have to be removed. But once the soul seal was gone, Mu Guyue would be free of all restraints and become uncontrollable. Li Yan might not necessarily be a match for this demonic woman.

“Senior, once you’ve decided when to begin testing the formation, I will make my time available. But before that, I must ask senior to explain this formation to me in detail…”

Li Yan immediately brought the topic back. He knew he couldn’t dwell on that other matter any longer; the more one says, the more one is likely to slip up. It was natural to stick to topics that interested Grandmaster Lan. Sure enough, as soon as she heard this, a peculiar light immediately appeared in her purple eyes. She then began to introduce the formation to Li Yan, a true enthusiast of the art, without any delay.

Although Li Yan hadn’t lived as long as Grandmaster Lan, the latter, who had always been obsessed with artifact refining, was definitely not as cunning and sly as Li Yan.

Li Yan listened, committing everything to memory, and would occasionally ask a question. The questions he asked were often the very same doubts that had arisen back in the underground passage. He and Zhao Min had been unable to understand them, and Li Yan took this opportunity to clear up his confusion. Of course, he wouldn’t ask everything, as that would arouse Grandmaster Lan’s suspicion. Having only gone through the formation once, he shouldn’t have too many questions.

Thus, after asking only two or three questions, Li Yan had already caused Grandmaster Lan’s eyes to sparkle repeatedly. She had not expected Li Yan to have such questions. These questions pertained to some of the key points of the formation. Their discussion lasted for over an hour.

After an hour, Grandmaster Lan was on the verge of taking Li Yan to the formation site immediately. However, she also knew that Li Yan would certainly need some time to process the issues and information she had discussed. She could tell that Li Yan’s skill in formations was not strong, even mediocre. Therefore, he would need more time to understand what she said. This matter could not be rushed.

Through Grandmaster Lan’s introduction, Li Yan also confirmed the true origin of this formation. It was an ancient Soul Cultivator cultivation method, recorded in an ancient book brought from the lower realm by the first-generation Sect Master.

‘This means that the first-generation Sect Master of the Soul Suppression Palace in the Immortal Spirit Realm had never seen this formation when he was in the lower realm. So that means he had no idea about the existence of the real passage in that underground place on the Verdant Continent. Could it be that all my previous speculations were wrong? Although this Soul Suppression Palace is a Soul Cultivator sect, it might actually have no connection with the Hellsoul Clan at all. Just like how I accidentally entered the Hellsoul Clan’s underground passage back then, that Sect Master must have also obtained a classic related to the Hellsoul Clan through some coincidence…’

While listening to Grandmaster Lan’s explanation, Li Yan’s mind was racing. It seemed he had overthought things in the past.

Seeing that she had explained the key points of the formation in a way Li Yan could understand, Grandmaster Lan finally concluded her introduction.

“…Your sensitivity to this formation is very keen. Those questions you raised are all key points within the formation. I believe you can help me improve this formation. After you return, properly review what I told you today. The day after tomorrow, at the Hour of the Rabbit, wait for me at the inner sect gate. Also, I do not wish to hear the information I’ve shared with you about this formation from anyone else’s lips. If I hear any secrets about this formation being leaked outside, I will personally slay you. Do you understand?”

The old woman, who had been speaking softly just a moment ago, sounded exceptionally cold by the end, exuding a sense of ruthless indifference.

“This junior will remember senior’s teachings. If any word is revealed from my mouth, this junior is willing to accept any punishment from senior!”

Li Yan’s expression also turned solemn as he spoke seriously.

Seeing Li Yan like this, Grandmaster Lan nodded in satisfaction. Logically, matters concerning the refinement of this formation should only be known to her. Even the Sect Master himself only knew of the formation’s function. But if she wanted to find help, she would have to let others know. She could only sternly warn Li Yan.

Then, Grandmaster Lan’s expression softened again.

“That’s all for today. I’ll go bring Mu Guyue out now!”

As she spoke, Grandmaster Lan’s figure vanished from the main hall. She acted with great decisiveness, leaving Li Yan alone to wait.

About ten breaths later, the light in the reception hall dimmed slightly, and then Grandmaster Lan reappeared, holding a person in her hand. With a gentle wave of her hand, the person floated toward Li Yan as if they were a feather, light and weightless. At the same time, she said, “There. I have removed the soul seal within her. When you go back, you can plant your own.”

The moment Grandmaster Lan appeared, Li Yan’s eyes were fixed on the person in her hand. The figure was slender, with a perfectly proportioned body. The woman was already unconscious, her phoenix-like eyes tightly shut, but there seemed to be tear stains on her face.

“Many thanks, senior!”

Li Yan reached out and took hold of her. In the True Earth Domain, Void Shadows that could hold living beings were extremely expensive, and they could often only accommodate two or three people. Although Li Yan could afford one, he didn’t want to attract attention. Such treasures were generally only purchasable by Spirit Transformation cultivators and above. As a former rogue cultivator, he shouldn’t have that many Spirit Stones. Besides, many cultivators here used spirit-storing magical treasures. Although drawing a living being into one would almost completely deplete one’s divine sense, at least the space within the spirit-storing magical treasure was large. And since they didn’t frequently draw living beings into them, occasional use was acceptable.

But for now, Li Yan could only carry her in his hand. Her skin was warm and smooth to the touch, and a searing body heat radiated from his palm.

Grandmaster Lan saw Li Yan take the female demonic general into his hand, but he only glanced at her once before looking away. She also didn’t see any trace of lust in Li Yan’s eyes, which made her feel a sense of relief.

But as she waved her hand, she still said to Li Yan, “That’s enough, you may go back! However, you will be entering the formation for testing the day after tomorrow. Don’t waste any energy on this Soul Slave. You need to focus your mind to deal with those Soul Spirits!”

Hearing Grandmaster Lan’s words, Li Yan’s expression first froze, then he gave a bitter smile.

“Senior, this junior is truly only studying demonic markings. I have absolutely no other intentions. In that case, this junior will take his leave!”

She still thought he was only after this female Soul Slave for her beauty, even forbidding him from engaging in carnal acts for the next two days. This truly embarrassed Li Yan.

After speaking, Li Yan, carrying the unconscious Mu Guyue, turned and walked out of the hall.

Just as he was about to leave the hall, Grandmaster Lan’s voice suddenly came from behind him again.

“If anyone asks you for this Soul Slave, just say that I bestowed her upon you!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yan, who was walking, paused. He turned his head, a look of confusion on his face. But when he looked back, there was no longer any sign of Grandmaster Lan on the seat in the main hall.

“What… what does that mean? She’s my Soul Slave. On what grounds would someone else come asking for her?”

Li Yan mumbled to himself in confusion, but obviously, no one was there to answer his question.

Long after Li Yan left the courtyard, a smile appeared on Grandmaster Lan’s face in the refining chamber behind the courtyard.

‘It seems he really doesn’t know that this Soul Slave has been targeted by a Void Refining cultivator. Very well, I’ll send a message to Xiong Tianba and ask if he’s willing to trade in some other way. If he doesn’t agree, then for the time being, I’ll have to let it go…’

After muttering to herself, Grandmaster Lan quickly turned her attention to other matters. Since Li Yan had agreed to help test the formation, she needed to start preparing. However, when she said the final two words, “for the time being,” her tone was a bit heavier, but there was no one here to hear it…

In the dark of night, Li Yan moved swiftly through the shadows. His figure flitted through the night, but at this moment, he gave off a sense of lightness…

Mu Guyue felt a heart-drilling, tearing pain in her divine soul. Her head was heavy and dizzy. She couldn’t help but let out a groan. Then, she struggled to open her phoenix eyes. What greeted her was a soft glow that seemed to emanate from the ceiling and walls.

Her gaze was vacant at first, turning like a puppet’s. After just a few breaths, the tearing sensation in her divine soul grew stronger, hastening her return to consciousness.

‘Where is this… No… this isn’t that small, dark room!’

Mu Guyue’s thoughts were like a tide, continuously surging into her sea of consciousness. The pupils in her phoenix eyes were also rapidly focusing. Amidst this tide of thoughts, she remembered that she had been lying on a bed like this before, but it was in a small, dark room. Just as her thoughts were churning in the darkness, helpless and filled with a desolate sorrow, wondering what awaited her, a figure had suddenly appeared silently before her. She had only vaguely seen a silhouette, which seemed to be the slender form of Grandmaster Lan. After that, she couldn’t remember anything. When she woke up again, it was from the pain.

Looking at the soft light here, Mu Guyue’s heart suddenly tightened, as if she had thought of something. She abruptly tried to push herself up with her hands, only to find that she couldn’t exert any strength. Her entire body had been sealed. The sensation from beneath her was no longer the hard bed board of the small dark room, but a soft surface. She tilted her gaze slightly and found herself lying on a very large bed. Although there were no brocade quilts or silken curtains, it was definitely not the place she had been before, nor was it the bed she usually slept on.

Mu Guyue was already suffering from waves of tearing pain in her divine soul, causing her to feel waves of dizziness. At this moment, she realized something, and a wave of vertigo washed over her, nearly causing her to faint from shame and anger. She had actually been taken to someone’s bed. At this moment, she could no longer distinguish whether the intense pain she felt was from her divine soul or from the violation of her body.

Instantly realizing her predicament, her mind fell into chaos. Her sealed body trembled uncontrollably.

Just then, a man’s voice suddenly rang out.

“The pain you feel is from your divine soul after the soul seal was removed. You can slowly recover by circulating your magical power. However, I cannot release your seal just yet. There are some things we need to make clear first!”

To Mu Guyue’s ears, who was on the verge of fainting from anger, this voice seemed to be right next to her, yet also as distant as the edge of the sky. It sounded as if someone was speaking to her, yet also as if others were conversing among themselves, having nothing to do with her at all.

But Mu Guyue was Mu Guyue. She was a powerful warrior of the Demonic Clan. Even when she was fighting on all fronts and had exhausted her magical power, so tired she could barely lift a finger, she could still launch an attack with her astonishing willpower and incredible physical strength.

She tried hard to move her eyes, wanting to see clearly if someone was really speaking to her.

‘Right, what did that person say just now? Removing the soul seal…’

Her entire body was immobile. Amidst the chaotic thoughts, her reaction had also slowed. Although she forced herself to stay awake with astonishing willpower, the constant waves of dizziness and intense pain made her extremely uncomfortable. Moreover, she had heard every word the person said about removing the soul seal, but for a moment, she couldn’t understand what it meant.

As she struggled to think and move her eyes, she suddenly saw a dark shadow appear “above” her. To be precise, because she was lying down and unable to move, the person had walked over and entered her line of sight.

When the dark shadow appeared, the change in the light from above prevented Mu Guyue from seeing the person’s face clearly at first. But by now, she was certain who it was. It had to be that Xiong Tianba who had assaulted her. Mu Guyue’s heart was heavy. She wanted to sit up and kill him immediately, but she couldn’t muster any strength. So she endured the dizziness and intense pain, her phoenix eyes radiating an endless chill. He was so despicable and shameless, to have defiled her while she was unconscious.

There were no more tears in her eyes, nor would her heart feel a trace of sorrow again. But she hadn’t realized that if a special soul seal had been planted, how could she still feel resentment towards her master? Thus, after she adapted to the fluctuating light from above, she saw the person’s face.

And when she saw that face clearly, Mu Guyue suddenly felt herself grow dizzy again.

‘What… what’s wrong with me, to be thinking of him at a time like this… Yes, this person is just as shameless and vile as that human brat. They both used despicable means to possess my body…’