The mysterious figure inside the Yin Yang Pearl reveals his ancient origins and disdain for the Dragon Clan. Meanwhile, Ye Yun successfully dispels the Yin and Yang Storm, attracting the attention of numerous other forces. As everyone rushes towards a nearby mountain for opportunities, Ye Yun and Gu Anran are unexpectedly teleported into the Yin Yang Pearl's core.
“You phantom old ghost, daring to seize the opportunity!”
The dragon-shaped mountain trembled violently, dust and smoke billowed, and amidst the earth-shattering roars, an enraged cry from the Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon erupted.
Whoosh!
A rampaging Yin Yang Storm abruptly materialized from the void without any warning, sweeping away every Celestial Boat that had ventured to the forefront.
The cultivators aboard these Celestial Boats were utterly defenseless against the storm and were instantly sent flying, along with their vessels.
After being flung afar, they were scattered in every direction.
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon, in its sheer fury, conjured the Yin Yang Storm, a force completely beyond the capacity of these individuals to resist.
At that very moment, some of the weaker cultivators met their end on the spot.
Numerous factions, who had initially harbored intentions of seeking immense fortune in the Dragon Mountains, found their plans thwarted.
The sudden emergence of the Yin Yang Storm had shattered everyone's aspirations.
...
Whoosh!
A colossal dragon claw descended from the sky.
This was no ordinary claw, but a true dragon's appendage, its scales shimmering with a spectral red luminescence, the talons as sharp as divine artifacts.
If it were to strike, the entire Yin Yang Cave was feared to be annihilated.
“Yin Yang Old Ghost, release those two immediately!”
The immense Dragon Mountain quaked, revealing a spectral red giant dragon.
A massive dragon head lifted, its eerie eyes fixed upon a specific point in the void.
“Heh, demon dragon, no need to be agitated. What is there to worry about with those two youths from the True God Realm?”
The calm laughter of the Yin Yang Old Ghost echoed softly.
“Damn it, you cunning old ghost, full of malice!”
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon snorted with disdain.
“This young man from the True God realm, having cultivated the Yin-Yang Reverse Jue, I merely wish to meet him personally and bestow some crucial cultivation insights. Demon dragon, you need not concern yourself…”
The Yin Yang Old Ghost’s eyes glinted as he chuckled.
At this instant, a beam of light materialized beside him in the void, and as the light dissipated, two figures clad in white appeared.
These were Ye Yun and Gu Anran.
Due to the formation's influence, the space before them had been separated into a miniature world.
As long as he did not reveal himself, those two would remain unseen by him.
“Old ghost, if you agree to cooperate with us, I might let this matter slide!”
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon stated plainly.
“Hmm… I can contemplate that. However, my successor will remain here to cultivate. Do not entertain any malicious thoughts!”
The Yin Yang Old Ghost’s eyes swirled as he laughed.
His sole aim was to placate the Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon for the time being…
As for his genuine intention, it was to have the young man in white open the Bronze Treasure Box, thereby aiding him in repairing the Yin Yang Bead.
Although the young man in white had practiced the Yin-Yang Reverse Jue, his current cultivation realm was still quite low. Even if he could mend the Yin Yang Bead, the process would be excruciatingly slow.
However, this Bronze Treasure Box, in his estimation, was an incredibly potent artifact for repair. If it could mend the Yin Yang Bead, the duration required for the bead’s complete restoration would be significantly shortened.
Perhaps, akin to that sword, the Yin Yang Bead could be rectified in a mere handful of breaths.
Once the Yin Yang Bead regained its full might, he would be able to completely subjugate the demon dragon using the Peerless Array of the Yin Yang Cave.
He harbored a deep-seated animosity towards this troublesome Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon.
This mother-and-child dragon pair had entrenched themselves within the Yin Yang Cave for countless eons, thereby hindering the Yin Yang Bead from achieving its full recovery.
Instead, the injuries it sustained had become progressively more severe.
“Very well!”
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon mused for a moment before assenting.
Its current posturing was, in essence, an empty display.
To risk its life in a mutual destruction with the Yin and Yang Old Ghost, the Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon was naturally disinclined.
Having painstakingly cultivated to the Half-step God King Realm, just a single step away from the God-Looking Realm, it absolutely needed to find a path forward.
Regarding those two young cultivators at the True God stage, the Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon indeed did not take them seriously.
Their cultivation realms were far too deficient!
Even with the cultivation of the Yin-Yang Reverse Jue, any substantial improvement in the repair of the Yin Yang Bead was unlikely.
It possessed a comprehensive understanding of the Yin Yang Bead's condition.
Agreeing with the Yin and Yang Old Ghost for the moment was merely a tactic to stabilize him.
After all, a single moment of negligence had permitted the Yin and Yang Old Ghost to clandestinely ensnare those two youths within the core of the formation.
This had placed it in a compromised position.
Within a few decades, when the young cultivator could aid the Yin and Yang Old Ghost in mending the Yin Yang Bead, it would possess the leverage to dictate terms, even to the point of facing death unapologetically.
At that juncture...
The Yin and Yang Old Ghost would likely develop reservations and perhaps permit the Yin Yang Bead to emanate a portion of its primordial essence.
Regardless of the quantity released, such an event would prove immensely beneficial to it.
"This ancient spirit is treacherous. The damage to the Yin Yang Bead is substantial, making it impossible for him to expel too much at once. For the present, allowing him to release it gradually is the only viable approach..."
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon contemplated internally.
The young man in white would, naturally, require a considerable duration to restore the Yin Yang Bead. Throughout this period, the dragon would need to persistently compel the Yin and Yang Old Ghost to furnish the Yin Yang origin.
Through this method, the strength of both parties would escalate in parallel.
Upon achieving the Divine King Realm, even if it couldn't fully subdue the Yin and Yang Old Ghost, it would gain the capabilities to venture into the external world.
"My mother once cautioned me against venturing out before reaching the Divine King Realm; the entities beyond are formidable and harbor animosity towards the Dragon Clan. To emerge prematurely would inevitably lead to my demise..."
The Yin Yang Refining Virtual Dragon vocalized softly.
Recalling its departed mother stirred a wave of melancholy within it.
Withdrawing its dragon claw, it slowly settled onto the ground, reverting to the guise of Dragon Mountain once more.
...
Within the Mystical Space.
Ye Yun remained motionless, surveying the surrounding expanse with a look of relaxed contentment gracing his features.
Gu Anran, on the other hand, appeared apprehensive, her gaze darting around the area, momentarily disoriented regarding their current location.
"Senior Brother, how did we suddenly arrive in this place?"
Gu Anran tugged at Ye Yun's sleeve, inquiring in a hushed tone.
"If my conjecture holds true, it is likely the Proprietor of the Yin Yang Cave who has intervened."
Ye Yun touched his brow, articulating his thought with a calm demeanor.
The Proprietor of the Yin Yang Cave?
Upon this revelation, Gu Anran was instantly taken aback.
Could it be that the Yin Yang Cave truly possessed an owner?
Throughout their journey, numerous factions had breached the Yin Yang Cave, causing significant upheaval, yet no proprietor had made an appearance.
Despite harboring doubts, Gu Anran opted to place her trust in her Senior Brother's words.
"Senior Brother, you mentioned that the Yin-Yang Reverse Jue we practice originates from the Yin Yang Cave. Could it be that the owner here imparted this technique? Now that he has brought us here, does he perhaps regard us as his inheritors?"
Gu Anran spoke rapidly, her eyes lighting up with burgeoning hope toward the conclusion of her statement.
If this proprietor truly viewed them as his successors, it implied their safety was assured.
"Junior Sister, your line of reasoning is not entirely without merit..."
Ye Yun offered a serene smile.
He did not choose to dispute Gu Anran's burgeoning optimism.
A fleeting silhouette materialized, and an aged man, adorned in a robe of contrasting black and white, suddenly materialized before them.
The elder's sudden manifestation revealed a tall, slender physique, ordinary facial features, and a pale complexion.
He appeared spectral and indistinct, as if sculpted from pure light, exuding an overall ethereal aura.
"Young lass, your Senior Brother is indeed an exceptional prodigy with a mind as keen as a fox; all that he articulates is precisely accurate!"
The Yin and Yang Old Ghost erupted into laughter as he appeared.
