121: Chapter 121 Dragon Soul Resonance, Lunar Eclipse Begins

The phantom of the Corrupt Poison Flood Dragon Soul hovered above the Altar, its dark golden light illuminating the entire Lair.

Its pair of Dragon Eyes stared at Lin Yue, its gaze complex—containing the pain of being imprisoned for ten thousand years, the confusion of regaining freedom, and wariness towards the Human Race Cultivator before it, mixed with... a trace of gratitude.

"Human Race... why did you save me?"

The Dragon Soul's voice echoed directly in Lin Yue's Sea of Consciousness, carrying the unique majesty and antiquity of the Dragon Clan.

"I need your help."

Lin Yue did not hide anything. "The Black Lotus Cult above the Corrupt Dragon Pool is performing the 'Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual,' attempting to summon more of the Spirit Devouring Clan to descend. I must stop them."

"The Spirit Devouring Clan..."

The Dragon Soul's phantom trembled violently, clearly harboring deep-seated hatred for that name.

"Those filthy Devourers... it was they who, taking advantage of my weakness after failing my Undergoing Tribulation, used spirit devouring root to corrode my body, imprison my soul, and turn me into a sacrifice for their ritual..."

It paused, its voice filled with suppressed fury.

"I seek vengeance."

"I can help you."

Lin Yue looked directly into the Dragon Eyes. "But the prerequisite is that you must cooperate with me. Tell me, what is the weakness of the Altar above the Corrupt Dragon Pool? How can I destroy it fastest?"

The Dragon Soul was silent for a moment.

"The core of the Altar is the 'Spirit Devouring Crystal Core.' It is not only the energy source for the ritual but also the coordinate anchor point connecting to the Void Realm. Destroy the Crystal Core, and the ritual will break itself."

"But the Crystal Core is protected by Nascent Soul-level Restrictions; a direct assault is almost impossible." Lin Yue frowned.

"Therefore, we need an 'Inside and Outside Coordination.'"

The Dragon Soul explained, "Although the Crystal Core's Restriction is powerful, it requires continuous extraction of my Dragon Soul Origin to maintain operation. If I suddenly interrupt the Origin supply, the Restriction will have a momentary flaw."

"Can you interrupt the supply?"

"I can now."

A trace of arrogance entered the Dragon Soul's voice. "Those chains have been destroyed by you; I have regained my freedom. But the Priest will soon notice, and he will certainly try to regain control of me."

It looked at Lin Yue.

"Human Race, if you truly want to stop the ritual, you must take me away from the Corrupt Dragon Pool before the Night of the Lunar Eclipse begins. As long as I leave the bottom of the pool, the Crystal Core will lose its most crucial energy source, and the Restriction's power will be greatly reduced. If you then strike to destroy it, the success rate will be at least seventy percent."

Taking the Dragon Soul away... Lin Yue pondered.

This truly was the best solution.

But the question was, how could he silently take a Dragon Soul phantom, Thirty Zhang long, out of the Corrupt Dragon Pool?

"I can temporarily reside within the token you possess."

The Dragon Soul clearly had a plan. "The Dragon Soul Imprint contained within that token, though weak, is extremely high in essence, enough to accommodate my Remnant Soul. After leaving this place, you can then find a suitable 'Vessel' for me."

The star lord token?

Lin Yue's heart stirred.

This was indeed a method.

The star lord token was originally refined by the Star Lord after slaying a True Dragon; it had a natural affinity for Dragon Souls, making it perfectly suitable as a temporary Vessel.

"Alright. But how can I trust you? If you take over as host after residing in the token, won't I be inviting a wolf into my house?"

"Hmph, the Human Race is suspicious."

The Dragon Soul snorted coldly. "I am the mighty Rot Poison Flood Dragon. Although only a Remnant Soul remains, the Dragon Clan's dignity persists. Since I have promised cooperation, I will not go back on my word."

It paused, its tone softening slightly.

"Furthermore... I can sense a special existence within you that naturally suppresses Dragon Souls. If I truly harbored ill intentions, I would likely be completely annihilated before I could even act."

Lin Yue's pupils contracted slightly.

This Dragon Soul... could actually sense the existence of the Cave Heaven?

Although it was only a vague sensation, it was enough to show the strength of its perception.

"Alright, I'll trust you this once."

Lin Yue no longer hesitated and took out the star lord token.

"Please."

The Dragon Soul phantom slowly shrank, finally transforming into a dark golden stream of light and sinking into the token.

On the surface of the token, the character “Jun” suddenly lit up. Fine Dragon Scale patterns appeared along the edges of the inscription, emitting a faint Dragon Might.

"It's done."

Lin Yue put away the token, clearly sensing the fluctuations of the Dragon Soul within it.

Weak, but stable.

"Master, we have a situation!"

Haotian's voice suddenly rang out in the Sea of Consciousness.

"The Priest has detected the Dragon Soul's anomaly and is mobilizing all the guards at the bottom of the pool to converge on the Lair! The number... is at least fifty Corrupt Water Yin Puppets, and three 'Spirit Devouring Water Generals' equivalent to the Middle Golden Core Stage!"

Lin Yue's expression changed.

"Can we avoid them?"

"It's difficult. They have sealed all exits and are searching section by section. They will search here in Thirty Breaths at most."

Thirty Breaths... I must leave immediately!

"Dragon Soul, guide the way."

Lin Yue urgently called out in his mind.

"To the north, there is an Undercurrent Passage that leads directly to the Underground Water Vein Three Li outside the pool. However, the passage is narrow and inhabited by a 'Spirit Devouring Leech Swarm,' making it extremely dangerous."

"I can't worry about that now."

Lin Yue moved like lightning, rushing toward the north side of the Lair.

Sure enough, in the corner where the Flood Dragon Bones were piled up, there was a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through, and a faint sound of flowing water came from the depths of the gap.

He drilled in without hesitation.

The passage was pitch black, the water flow was rapid, and it was filled with a pungent, fishy odor.

Even more terrifyingly, the rock walls were covered with dense black leeches, each as thick as an arm, slowly wriggling.

Sensing Lin Yue's Qi, the leeches immediately became active, wrapping around him like countless black tentacles!

"spirit cleansing dew!"

Lin Yue took out the medicine bottle and sprinkled out all the remaining medicinal liquid.

Sizzle—!

The leeches, splashed by the spirit cleansing dew, let out painful screeches and retreated one after another.

But the medicinal liquid was limited and could only clear the area three zhang ahead.

And the passage was at least a hundred zhang long.

"Haotian, how much Cave Heaven Spiritual Qi can still be deployed?"

"At most... thirty percent."

"Deploy it all, protect my body!"

Lin Yue roared softly.

Inside the Cave Heaven, the remaining Spiritual Qi surged out, forming a layer of pale golden protective barrier on his body surface.

Where the barrier passed, the leeches scattered, as if encountering a natural predator.

However, the Spiritual Qi consumption rate was extremely fast.

At this rate, it could only last twenty breaths at most.

Must go faster!

Lin Yue increased his speed to the maximum, rushing through the passage like a golden arrow.

Fifteen breaths later, a light appeared ahead!

The exit!

But just as he was about to rush out of the passage—

Splash!

A massive black bone claw burst out from the side rock wall and fiercely grabbed towards his head!

That was a Spirit Devouring Water General!

It had ambushed him here without warning, managing to conceal its Qi to the point that even Haotian hadn't detected it beforehand!

"Get lost!"

Lin Yue drew the spirit slaying star scar and slashed at the bone claw with one sword stroke.

Clang—!

The huge sound of metal striking metal echoed in the narrow passage.

A deep sword mark was left on the bone claw, but it didn't break; instead, it grabbed down with more force!

At the same time, the pursuers from behind had arrived.

Dozens of Corrupt Water Yin Puppets surged forward like a tide, completely sealing off the retreat path.

Ambush ahead, pursuers behind.

Desperation!

"I can only fight my way out..."

A look of determination flashed in Lin Yue's eyes; he was about to burn the remaining Origin of the Cave Heaven to force a breakthrough.

Just then—

Voom!!!

The star lord token suddenly erupted with dazzling dark golden light!

A majestic Dragon Roar emanated from the token!

"A mere Water General... dares to block my path?!"

The voice of the Corrupt Poison Flood Dragon Soul echoed throughout the entire passage!

The next second, a dark golden Dragon Shadow phantom flew out from the token.

Although it was only three zhang long, ten times smaller than the original Dragon Soul phantom, the sheer Dragon Might caused all the Spirit Devouring monsters to halt their movements simultaneously!

"Dragon Might... Suppression!"

The Dragon Shadow opened its Dragon Mouth and spewed out a cluster of dark golden Dragon Breath.

Where the Dragon Breath passed, the Water General's bone claw crumbled like rotten wood, and the Shadow Puppets behind, suppressed by the Dragon Might, trembled and dared not advance!

"Go!"

The Dragon Shadow wrapped around Lin Yue, transforming into a golden light, and rushed out of the passage!

Whoosh—!

The view ahead suddenly opened up.

They had burst out of the Corrupt Dragon Pool and arrived in an Underground Dark River.

The dark river flowed rapidly, and the rock walls on both sides were covered with glowing moss, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime.

"We're safe..."

Lin Yue sighed in relief and put away the spirit slaying star scar.

The dark golden Dragon Shadow shrank back into the star lord token, and the Dragon Soul's voice carried obvious exhaustion.

"That strike just now... consumed thirty percent of my Origin. Human Race, you must quickly find a new Vessel for me, or I won't last much longer..."

"Don't worry, I will certainly fulfill what I promised you."

Lin Yue put away the token and sped upstream along the dark river.

He must quickly rendezvous with Star Radiance and formulate the next plan... Corrupt Dragon Pool, Altar Summit.

The Black Robed Priest suddenly opened his eyes, and black light surged within them.

"The Dragon Soul... is gone!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with uncontrollable fury.

"How is that possible... The Spirit Devouring Soul Locking Chain clearly..."

"Lord Priest!"

The Middle-aged Woman on the left side's face changed drastically. "This subordinate just sensed that the Restriction in the Lair at the bottom of the pool... has been broken!"

"Trash!"

The Priest struck out with a palm, and the woman flew backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting blood.

But she dared not show the slightest resentment, quickly climbing up and prostrating herself on the ground.

"This subordinate failed in her duty, please punish me, Lord..."

"What good is punishing you now?!"

Killing intent boiled in the Priest's eyes. "The Night of the Lunar Eclipse is approaching, and the ritual is about to begin, yet the Dragon Soul is missing at this crucial moment... Without the Dragon Soul Origin as the energy source, the Crystal Core's Restriction will be greatly weakened, and the stability of the Summoning Passage will also decrease!"

He looked at the dense Miasma outside the pool, seemingly able to penetrate the darkness and see Lin Yue who was escaping.

"That Human Race fellow... must die."

The Priest slowly stood up, holding his Skull Staff high.

"All Cult Members, heed my command! Immediately sacrifice your own blood, using your Essence Blood to temporarily replace the Dragon Soul Origin and maintain the ritual's operation!"

"What?!"

The thirty-seven Cult Members below looked up simultaneously, their eyes filled with terror.

Sacrificing one's own blood... that meant certain death!

"What, unwilling?"

Black light flickered in the Priest's eyes. "To sacrifice yourselves for the descent of the Spirit Devouring Clan is your glory. If you refuse... I will let you taste the agony of the 'Heart Devouring Seed' activating now."

Hearing the three words "Heart Devouring Seed," all the Cult Members turned deathly pale.

That was a Spirit Devourer Restriction planted inside their bodies; once triggered, it would be a hundred times more painful than death.

"This subordinate... obeys..."

The Cult Members despairingly lowered their heads and began cutting their wrists, injecting their Essence Blood into the Altar.

Dark red blood flowed along the Altar's patterns, eventually converging into the central Spirit Devouring Crystal Core.

The Crystal Core absorbed the Essence Blood, and its light stabilized again, becoming even brighter than before.

But the Priest knew this was only a temporary measure.

The Cult Members' Essence Blood was far less pure than the Dragon Soul Origin and could only sustain the ritual for two hours at most.

He must complete the Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual within two hours!

"You two."

He looked at the Middle-aged Woman and the Hunched Grotesque.

"Immediately take people to chase that Human Race fellow and retrieve the Dragon Soul. If you fail... don't bother returning."

"Yes!"

The two bowed and accepted the order, transforming into two black lights and chasing in the direction Lin Yue had fled.

The Priest sat down again, forming hand seals, and began to fully maintain the ritual.

Above, in the sky obscured by the Miasma, the moon was slowly moving toward a specific position.

The Night of the Lunar Eclipse was about to arrive.

Meanwhile, outside the Corrupt Dragon Pool.

Star Radiance stood on a high slope, holding the Star Gazing Mirror in her hand, her expression solemn.

In the mirror, the Miasma in the direction of the Corrupt Dragon Pool was violently churning, and a heart-palpitating evil aura was slowly rising.

"The ritual... has accelerated."

She muttered to herself.

"Lin Yue... did you succeed?"

"Please... hurry back."