Ye Chen learns from Wu Duan Cang that the Sacred Origin Heart has been found, but chooses not to reveal more. After returning to Netherworld Peak, Liu Yunmiao informs Ye Chen that Xu Shenglong is looking for him. Xu Shenglong reveals images of Xia Ruoxue wielding a powerful rune sword and displaying the Reincarnation Star Flames in the Star Swirl Domain. Ye Chen, suspecting a connection to the Dark Domain, seeks permission to leave the Six Paths Sect and travels with Xu Shenglong to the Star Swirl Domain's edge. There, Xuan Han Yu instructs Ye Chen to prepare for a full moon ritual to unlock her next seal, which will enhance his power before entering the Dark Domain.
A peculiar undulation emanated from the Dragonslayer Sword's peak, and within the void, the silhouette of an ice-cold woman materialized. This woman was none other than Xuan Han Yu, her slender form bound by multiple chains! Ye Chen’s gaze fixed upon one of the chains, his eyes alight with divine radiance as a formidable power surged forth! Xu Shenglong, standing nearby, was taken aback, his expression one of bewildered astonishment at the uncanny spectacle unfolding before him. The might of the Destruction Divine Dao manifested, enveloping Ye Chen. At this moment, Xu Shenglong beheld Ye Chen, experiencing a profound dread that far surpassed the terror evoked by Ye Chen’s Heavenly Demon aura! Yet, the ordeal was far from concluded! This seal could not be shattered by Ye Chen’s Destruction Divine Dao power alone! Suddenly, a flash of crimson light burst from the Slaughter Sword, and a soul, pierced by this bloody light, emerged. It was the lingering spirit of the Lishan Fairy! Ye Chen cast a glance at the Lishan Fairy and stated with detachment, “You are now unbound.” In the subsequent instant, he extended a finger; blood-red light flared from the Slaughter Sword, and the Lishan Fairy’s soul emitted a heart-wrenching cry, completely dissolving within the crimson radiance! Where her soul resided, only a sword-shaped silhouette remained! This was the Dao Sword imprint, etched into the very divine soul of the Lishan Fairy, which Ye Chen had forcefully extracted. With a wave of his hand, Ye Chen summoned the effigy formed by the Dao Sword imprint, and it materialized in his grasp. Potent, destructive energy coursed into it, causing faint black tendrils to emanate from the nearly translucent Dao Sword shadow, as if gaining corporeal form! The supreme aura of the Sword Dao merged harmoniously with the Destruction Divine Dao, causing the very fabric of the world to tremble! But still, it was far from over! Abruptly, the full moon adorning the night sky seemed to react, its luminescence intensifying, bathing the desolate landscape in daylight; a concentrated essence of moonlight descended, alighting upon Ye Chen’s form! The obsidian sword shadow clutched in his hand was immediately suffused with the power of Taiyin, and Ye Chen himself exuded an aura of profound solemnity and sanctity. Gripping the dark sword, Ye Chen’s expression shifted subtly; his hands quivered, struggling to contain the formidable power contained within the blade! He drew a deep breath, optimizing his True Qi to its peak condition, and with a guttural cry, he unleashed his full potential! His previously trembling hands instantly found their steadiness! The critical moment had arrived! Ye Chen’s eyes blazed, and he struck with fierce precision at a chain binding Xuan Han Yu’s delicate form! An exceedingly sharp sword light erupted, impacting the chain instantly; in the next moment, myriad runes flared from the chain, projecting a potent sealing force that fiercely contested the faint, moonlight-infused dark sword beam! All eyes were fixed intently on the clash between the sword beam and the runes, even Xuan Han Yu’s beautiful eyes betrayed her nervousness! After the passage of three breaths, the runes finally emitted a mournful sound, fracturing bit by bit, and another chain restraining Xuan Han Yu vanished! An aura, seemingly capable of transcending all beings, briefly emanated from Xuan Han Yu’s body! Ye Chen exhaled slowly, a jubilant expression dawning on his face; he had ultimately succeeded! At this juncture, the Dao Sword shadow in Ye Chen’s possession expended its energy, crumbling to dust and scattering on the wind. Ye Chen regarded the dispersing Dao Sword shadow with a hint of regret; the profound Sword Dao essence within the Dao Sword imprint resonated deeply with his Destruction Divine Dao, and had he been able to seize this imprint, his power could have surged manifold! But in that very instant, Ye Chen’s expression contorted dramatically as, with a resounding roar, a potent aura surged from within him! Concurrently, a new imprint materialized upon his divine soul! The Dao Sword imprint, which should have dissipated, had appeared within Ye Chen’s divine soul! Perceiving this Sword Dao aura, not only Xu Shenglong but also Xuan Han Yu were momentarily dumbfounded… This Dao Sword imprint had inexplicably settled within Ye Chen? Ordinarily, such imprints, embodying the Dao of Heaven and Earth, were innate and utterly impossible to acquire. What precisely were innate imprints? They were intrinsically present from birth, wholly natural! Yet, Ye Chen had, against all odds, acquired this innate imprint with such ease… Even Ye Chen himself harbored a degree of disbelief… However, upon further reflection, this phenomenon bore a resemblance to past occurrences… Back when he had slain Ling Jiuxiao, he had gained a measure of the Forbidden Spirit Body’s power! Xuan Han Yu gazed at Ye Chen with a curious expression and remarked, “Your reincarnation bloodline grows ever more intriguing to me.” Having spoken, she transformed into a streak of light and re-entered the Slaughter Sword. Meanwhile, Xu Shenglong regarded Ye Chen with mounting reverence, akin to the adoring throngs of fans seen on the mortal planes…
Ye Chen was also filled with delight; this unforeseen acquisition had significantly boosted his strength by several levels once more!
However, Ye Chen decided against pressing forward. Instead, he addressed Xu Shenglong, "Shenglong, let's make camp here for the night. We'll recover our strength and continue our journey tomorrow."
They were currently drawing near to the Dark Domain's entrance, necessitating a heightened sense of caution.
...
The following morning, following a night of recuperation, Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong resumed their travels, their spirits invigorated.
After journeying for half the day, Ye Chen's expression abruptly shifted, and he brought them to a halt.
Beside him, Xu Shenglong looked at him with a puzzled expression, inquiring, "Brother Ye, what troubles you?"
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes, stating calmly, "There are individuals ahead."
As his words concluded, two figures materialized, appearing before Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong. These individuals were clad in black, their faces concealed by black jade masks. More disturbingly, their auras were deliberately masked by a mysterious fluctuating energy. Were it not for this specific encounter, Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong might not have recognized them even if they had merely changed their attire.
Furthermore, in this guise, their Martial Arts Cultivation Realm remained entirely enigmatic!
Naturally, with Ye Chen's soul power, a forceful probe might pierce through the concealment of these fluctuations. However, Ye Chen had no intention of doing so at this moment.
The two men's gazes swept across Ye Chen before settling upon Xu Shenglong's face. One of them, a considerably tall man, inquired, "Are you two intending to enter the Dark Domain?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Shenglong's eyes widened in astonishment!
These individuals were aware of the Dark Domain's existence? He knew that even as a genius of the Nine Saint Demon Sect, without Ye Chen's guidance, he would have had no opportunity to discover anything about the Dark Domain. Moreover, he suspected that even Huang Rushan might not know what the Dark Domain truly was!
Consequently, these two gentlemen were most likely emissaries from the Dark Domain! It was presumed that they held the authority to determine whether he and Brother Ye would be granted entry into the Dark Domain!
