118: Chapter 118 The Beacon's Shocking Turn of Events, The Embers of the Black Lotus

Inside the Council Hall, the atmosphere was solemn.

Sect Master Mo Chen sat in the guest seat, his Qinglan Daoist robe spotless. However, a rare worry creased his brows. Although the pressure of his Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivation had been restrained, it still caused several Foundation Establishment Stage Lin family Disciples in the hall to hold their breath.

Lin Yue and Star Radiance quickly entered.

"Sect Master Mo Chen."

Lin Yue cupped his hands in greeting. "Sect Master, to what do we owe the honor of your personal visit?"

Mo Chen's gaze swept over the two, lingering on Lin Yue for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"City Lord Lin... your cultivation has advanced again? It's only been a little over ten days..."

"Just a fortunate Opportunity," Lin Yue said, subtly changing the subject. "Sect Master, you've come a long way. I presume it's an urgent matter?"

Mo Chen nodded, no longer pressing the issue.

He raised a hand, and a soundproofing Restriction enveloped the main hall, completely isolating it from the outside.

"Three days ago, a secret report came from our Qinglan Sect's hidden agent in the Central Domain's 'Heavenly Mystery City'."

Mo Chen's voice was low. "The remnants of the Black Lotus Cult have made contact with a mysterious organization called the 'Spirit Devouring Alliance' and reached a certain transaction. The details of the transaction are unknown, but the agent risked his life to send back a keyword—"

He paused, then said, word for word:

"Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual."

Star Radiance's expression changed drastically.

"Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual... that's a forbidden ritual used by the ancient Spirit Devouring Clan to summon their kin and pinpoint their descent coordinates! How could the Black Lotus Cult possess such a secret method?!"

"This is precisely my concern."

Mo Chen looked at Lin Yue. "City Lord Lin, do you still remember that before the Black Lotus Ancestor perished, he mentioned that the Black Lotus Cult had another 'Cult Leader' behind it?"

"I remember. He said the Cult Leader is immortal, and the Spirit Devourers live forever."

"According to the latest intelligence, that 'Cult Leader' is very likely a high-ranking member of the Spirit Devouring Alliance, or even... a Puppet completely controlled by the Spirit Devouring Clan."

Mo Chen took out a recording stone and injected Spiritual Qi into it.

A scene emerged from the stone—it was a black altar located deep in the mountains. Hundreds of Black-robed Cultivators knelt around the altar, all with blooming black lotuses embroidered on their chests.

At the center of the altar stood a blurry figure shrouded in black mist.

In the figure's hand, a fist-sized black crystal was held.

Distorted runes continuously flashed on the surface of the crystal. The aura emitted by those runes... was exactly the same as that of the Spirit Devouring Imprisoned Soldiers in the Burial Dragon Abyss!

"This is what was discovered three days ago in an abandoned mine three hundred miles outside Heavenly Mystery City."

Mo Chen said in a deep voice, "Our Sect's hidden agent recorded it at great risk and immediately evacuated, but on the day after the intelligence was sent back... his soul lamp extinguished."

A silence fell over the hall.

Everyone understood what that meant—the hidden agent had met with misfortune.

"Sect Master, do you mean that the Black Lotus Cult and the Spirit Devouring Alliance are preparing the 'Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual' to summon more Spirit Devourers to descend?"

Lin Yue's voice was cold.

"More than that."

Mo Chen shook his head. "According to astrological deductions and intelligence analysis, the location they've chosen... is very likely the Southern Region."

"Southern Region?!"

Star Radiance suddenly stood up. "Why the Southern Region? The Central Domain has more abundant Spiritual Veins, and the Eastern Barrens, Western Desert, and Northern Plains also have vast uninhabited areas. Why choose the Southern Region, a borderland?"

"Because of the Burial Dragon Abyss."

Lin Yue suddenly spoke. He looked at Mo Chen. "Sect Master, you should already know about the Seal of the Burial Dragon Abyss, right?"

Mo Chen nodded.

"Star Envoy Star Radiance has informed me of the situation. Precisely because of this, I am even more worried—although the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal has been temporarily stabilized, the Spirit Devouring Qi accumulated over ten thousand years inside is an excellent 'beacon amplifier' for the Spirit Devouring Clan."

"Beacon amplifier?"

"Indeed."

Mo Chen explained, "The Spirit Devouring Clan needs precise spatial coordinates to descend across the Void Realm. The dense Spirit Devouring Qi in the Burial Dragon Abyss is like a lighthouse in the dark, allowing the summoning ritual to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"What's more terrifying is that if they hold the Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual in the Southern Region, it is very likely to resonate with the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal, accelerating its collapse. At that time, with attacks from both inside and out, the Southern Region will become the Spirit Devouring Clan's first landing point!"

The temperature in the hall plummeted.

Everyone realized the gravity of the situation.

"We must stop them."

Star Radiance declared resolutely, "No matter the cost."

"Easier said than done."

Mo Chen gave a bitter smile. "We don't even know where exactly they are holding the ritual. The Southern Region spans tens of thousands of miles, with countless mountains and rivers. Finding a hidden altar is like searching for a needle in a haystack."

"Not necessarily."

Lin Yue suddenly spoke.

He recalled the black trajectory he had seen in the sky earlier.

"Sect Master, when you arrived just now, did you notice anything unusual in the northern sky?"

"Unusual?"

Mo Chen closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then suddenly opened them. "Are you talking about... that faint spatial fluctuation?"

"It seems the Sect Master also noticed it."

Lin Yue nodded. "That's not an ordinary spatial fluctuation, but the transmission trajectory of a 'Spirit Devouring Beacon'. Someone in the Central Domain activated a beacon and projected it towards the Southern Region."

He looked at Star Radiance.

"Star Envoy, can the Star Gazing Pupil Technique reverse-track the source of the beacon?"

"I can try, but it will take time."

Star Radiance closed her eyes, and the starlight in them flowed again.

This time, a tiny star imprint appeared between her brows. The imprint's light flickered, resonating with the Power of the Stars in the Void Realm.

Ten breaths, twenty breaths, thirty breaths... fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, clearly indicating a huge consumption.

Finally, just as she was about to collapse, the starlight in her eyes suddenly froze!

"Found it!"

She suddenly opened her eyes, a hint of exhaustion flashing within, but more so, solemnity.

"The beacon's source is in the northwest direction of the Southern Region, about two thousand miles from Luoxia City, in an area called 'Black Wind Marsh'."

"Black Wind Marsh..."

Mo Chen frowned. "That place is perpetually shrouded in miasma, with chaotic geomagnetism and restricted Spiritual Qi perception. It is indeed an ideal location for hiding a secret altar."

He looked at Lin Yue.

"City Lord Lin, this matter concerns the survival of the entire Southern Region, and Qinglan Sect cannot shirk its responsibility. I will immediately return to the Sect, mobilize three Golden Core Elders and three hundred Elite Soldiers Disciples, and have them arrive at the outskirts of Black Wind Marsh within three days to await orders."

"As for Luoxia City... can you spare some forces to cooperate?"

Lin Yue pondered for a moment.

Luoxia City had just experienced a major battle, its elites were depleted, and the city walls were not yet fully repaired. Deploying forces now would entail considerable risk.

But if he ignored it, once the Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual succeeded, the entire Southern Region would fall into catastrophe.

At that time, Luoxia City would also not escape disaster.

"Yes."

He made his decision. "Lin Hu!"

"Subordinate here!"

"Immediately assemble the Sharp Soldiers Camp, select one hundred Cultivators in the best condition, prepare sufficient Medicinal Pills and Talismans, and depart with me in three days."

"Lin Yan!"

"City Lord, please instruct."

"You will remain in Luoxia City and preside over the defenses. If a powerful enemy invades, you may fully mobilize the thunderfire demon-suppressing cauldron. If necessary... you may seek assistance from the two Star Envoys of the Star Track Pavilion."

"Understood!"

Lin Yan solemnly accepted.

After making arrangements, Lin Yue looked at Star Radiance.

"Star Envoy, your condition..."

"I'm fine."

Star Radiance took a Medicinal Pill, and her complexion improved slightly. "Although tracking the beacon consumed a lot, it won't affect my combat ability. Moreover... against the Spirit Devouring Clan, the Star Track Pavilion is duty-bound."

She paused. "However, before we depart, we need to make some preparations."

"What preparations?"

"Refining 'miasma breaking star lantern'."

Star Radiance explained, "The miasma in Black Wind Marsh is unusual, mixed with Earth Fiend Yin Qi and Rot Poison Spiritual Power. Ordinary purification methods have limited effect. The Star Track Pavilion has a special Magical Artifact called the 'miasma breaking star lantern', which uses the Power of the Stars as its source to disperse miasma within a hundred zhang radius and has a suppressive effect on Spirit Devouring Qi."

"What Materials are needed?"

"Mainly starlight stone and pure spirit wood core, which I carry with me. But we also need a 'Spirit Guiding Core'—preferably a Rank 4 or higher spiritual item containing pure Spiritual Power."

Rank 4 spiritual item... Lin Yue's heart stirred.

From his Storage Ring, he took out a fist-sized crystal, entirely dark gold, with a Dragon-shaped phantom swimming inside.

"Can this item... work?"

This was precisely a "Dragon Blood Crystal" condensed from the heart source essence blood in the Burial Dragon Abyss.

Although it was only Low Grade Rank 4, the Dragon Qi and vitality it contained were extremely pure.

Star Radiance's eyes lit up.

"Dragon Blood Crystal... even better! Dragon Qi is supremely yang and rigid, naturally countering miasma. A star lantern refined with this as the core will have its effect boosted by at least thirty percent!"

"Then use it."

Lin Yue handed over the Dragon Blood Crystal. "How long will it take?"

"Give me one day."

"Good. We'll depart in one day."

Mo Chen, seeing that arrangements were made, rose to take his leave.

"City Lord Lin, Star Envoy Star Radiance, we will meet at the outskirts of Black Wind Marsh in three days."

"Sect Master, take care."

After seeing off Mo Chen, Star Radiance immediately went to the Artifact Refining Workshop to begin refining the miasma breaking star lantern.

Lin Yue returned to his quiet room to continue meditating and recovering.

However, he did not immediately enter meditation, but instead immersed his consciousness into his Grotto-Heaven.

"Haotian, how is the World Tree's recovery?"

"The surface cracks have completely healed. The nourishing effect of the Dragon Origin Essence Qi is better than expected."

The face on Haotian's main trunk opened its eyes. "However, the Origin cracks still exist and require true life Origin to repair. Additionally, the Grotto-Heaven's Spiritual Qi concentration has recovered to sixty percent of its previous level, and the spiritual fields and Spirit River are slowly regaining vitality."

"Sixty percent... that's enough."

Lin Yue nodded. "There's one thing I need you to deduce."

"Please tell me, Master."

"Regarding the 'Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual'."

Lin Yue briefly recounted the intelligence he had just received. "With your current Karma Sensing and 'Rule Analysis' abilities, can you deduce the possible location of the Black Lotus Cult's altar, and... the best time to disrupt the ritual?"

Haotian closed its eyes.

The main trunk vibrated slightly, its roots delving into the Void Realm, capturing fragments of rules related to the Spirit Devouring Clan.

At the same time, its intelligence core operated frantically, deducing based on the known intelligence.

It was a full half hour before it opened its eyes again.

"The deduction results are out."

Its voice carried a hint of fatigue.

"There is a seventy percent probability that the Black Lotus Cult's altar is located beneath the Corrupt Dragon Pool in the center of Black Wind Marsh. A hundred years ago, a sub-Dragon species, the Rot Poison Flood Dragon, perished there, its bones forming the pool. Death Qi and miasma intertwine, making it an excellent location for setting up a Spirit Devouring ritual."

"The best time to disrupt the ritual is on the 'Night of the Lunar Eclipse'—which is five days from now, at midnight. At that time, the Yin Qi of heaven and earth will be at its peak, and the Spirit Devouring Clan's summoning channel will be most unstable. If the altar core is destroyed at this time, it can trigger a spatial backlash, severely injuring or even killing the Spirit Devouring Alliance members presiding over the ritual."

"But there's a problem."

Haotian's tone was grave.

"Beneath the Corrupt Dragon Pool, a 'Spirit Devouring Nest' has likely already formed. The Spirit Devouring monsters nurtured within the nest are probably far stronger than the Imprisoned Soldiers in the Burial Dragon Abyss. Moreover... there might be a 'Spirit Devouring Sacrificer' stationed there."

"Spirit Devouring Sacrificer?"

"Special individuals among the Spirit Devouring Clan skilled in rituals and summoning. Their strength is generally from Late Golden Core Stage to Early Nascent Soul Stage. They can mobilize the nest's power, making their combat strength far exceed others of the same rank."

A Nascent Soul-level Spirit Devouring Sacrificer... Lin Yue's eyes narrowed.

With his current strength, facing an Early Nascent Soul Stage opponent, his chances of victory were less than thirty percent.

Unless... "Master, there's another discovery."

Haotian suddenly said, "During the deduction process, I captured an extremely subtle 'Dragon Soul fluctuation', and the source of the fluctuation is also near the Corrupt Dragon Pool."

"Dragon Soul? Isn't there only the Rot Poison Flood Dragon's remains there?"

"Although the Rot Poison Flood Dragon is dead, its Dragon Soul has not dispersed and has been imprisoned by the Spirit Devouring Clan with a secret method, serving as a 'sacrifice' for the summoning ritual. If we can rescue the Dragon Soul, we might gain its help—at least, it could weaken the ritual's effect."

Dragon Soul... Lin Yue's heart stirred.

If he could rescue the Dragon Soul, he might be able to glean more intelligence about the Spirit Devouring Clan.

Moreover, a complete Dragon Soul's value far exceeded that of a Dragon Blood Crystal.

"Understood."

He exited the Grotto-Heaven and opened his eyes.

In his eyes, there was already a look of determination.

Five days later, the Night of the Lunar Eclipse.

Black Wind Marsh, Corrupt Dragon Pool.

No matter what was hidden there, he had to go.

Not just to disrupt the Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual, but also to... seize that Dragon Soul.

If he could use the Dragon Soul to repair the World Tree's Origin cracks, the Grotto-Heaven would not only fully recover but might even... advance again.

Opportunity and risk coexist.

This, is the path of cultivation.