326: Chapter 326 The Appointed Date, The Withered Soul Seizes the Yuanzhan

Two and a half months later, Chu Sheng's strength had already improved to the Late Stage of the Dao Palace.

His Dao Palace was more stable than before, his Sword Qi and spiritual energy had fused more harmoniously, and his Fuyao Ninety Thousand Miles had also improved significantly.

However, these past two and a half months had been quite difficult.

Because Jiuer's strength was peerless.

After she achieved her Breakthrough in Divine Ability, her Realm stabilized rapidly, and the balance of her Life and Death Qi became increasingly perfect.

Every time Chu Sheng sparred with her, he was suppressed completely.

Once her Divine Ability "Life and Death Rotation" was unleashed, Chu Sheng felt as if he had fallen into a quagmire; he could neither fight back nor escape.

Although she always held back, the feeling of being crushed still made Chu Sheng deeply realize the gap between Dao Completion and Divine Ability.

However, the good news was that over these two months, the Bear Clan had also begun to restrain themselves.

Ever since Chu Sheng had slain Bear Er with a single sword strike, the Bear Clan no longer dared to come to Guanyue Abyss to cause trouble, and they even bypassed the Fox Clan's territory during their daily patrols.

The members of the Fox Clan could finally rebuild their homes in peace; although the progress was slow, there was at least hope.

Soon, the agreed date arrived.

That night, a figure in black quietly arrived at Guanyue Abyss.

His footsteps were light, like a nocturnal cat.

He stood outside the main hall and removed his hood, revealing Wan Qiba's pale and gaunt face.

His aura was much better than when they had last met, but it still carried a deeply hidden exhaustion.

"Little Sister, Brother-in-law, are you ready?" he asked in a low voice.

Jiuer nodded. "We can leave at any time."

Wan Qiba said, "Good. I have prepared everything. We can set off for the Heavenly Pool Dragon Palace immediately."

His tone carried a hint of urgency, as if he were urging them on.

"The Heavenly Pool is a full hundred thousand li away from here; we need to hurry."

Chu Sheng asked, "How are we going? Flying there?"

Wan Qiba shook his head. "Flying is too slow and easily exposes us. I spent a heaven rank magic treasure to hire a Peng bird at the Yun Shen Realm to transport us."

"A Peng bird at the Yun Shen Realm can travel ten thousand li a day; we will reach the outskirts of the Heavenly Pool in about ten days."

Hearing this, Chu Sheng's heart stirred slightly.

The Peng Clan was one of the four great royal clans; they were always arrogant and rarely served other clans.

To be able to hire a Peng bird at the Yun Shen Realm from the Peng Clan, that heaven rank magic treasure must have been of immense value.

He did not ask any more questions, just followed Wan Qiba out of the main hall.

Under the moonlight, a giant Peng with a body of dark gold was crouching at the entrance of Guanyue Abyss. Its feathers shimmered with a metallic luster in the moonlight, and its eyes were as sharp as knives.

It glanced at Chu Sheng and Jiuer, said nothing, and simply shook its wings, signaling them to come up.

Chu Sheng and Jiuer leaped onto the Peng's back, and Wan Qiba followed.

The giant Peng flapped its wings and rose into the air, disappearing into the night sky.

Sitting on the Peng's back, the night wind whistled past.

Chu Sheng was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice and said to Jiuer, "Your big brother is certainly willing to spend a fortune."

Jiuer nodded but did not respond.

Her gaze was fixed ahead, as if she were thinking about something.

Chu Sheng did not press her.

He felt that Jiuer seemed to be hesitating about something.

After flying for about a day, Wan Qiba suddenly spoke.

His voice was mostly scattered by the wind, but Chu Sheng still heard him clearly.

"Once we reach the Heavenly Pool, I will find a way to sneak in and find Zhu Yin."

"Little Sister, you and my brother-in-law will provide support from the outside."

"As long as we find Zhu Yin, we can pry the Old Dragon's weakness out of his mouth."

Jiuer did not speak; she just looked ahead, silent for a long time.

Then she spoke, her voice very low, as if talking to herself.

"Big Brother, although I am eager for revenge, I am not the type to be blinded by hatred."

"The Old Dragon is, after all, the Demon Venerable of the Western Regions, having been immersed in the Imperial Law Realm for thousands of years."

"Even if we were to pour out all our forces now, gathering all the advantages of time, place, and demon harmony, our chances of success would not even be half a percent."

Her voice carried a hint of seriousness, as if she were speaking to herself as much as to Wan Qiba.

Wan Qiba was silent for a moment, then took something out from his bosom.

It was a dark, dull object shaped like a lamp, pitch-black all over, with its surface covered in twisted runes, emitting an uncomfortable, chilling aura.

Chu Sheng frowned slightly. "What is this?"

Wan Qiba said, "A Low Grade Magical Artifact, the Withered Soul Origin-Absorbing Lamp. It is sinister, a malevolent object from the ancient Turbid Waters."

He paused, as if organizing his words.

"The Old Dragon did too many wicked things when he was young; the hidden injuries and Evil Qi in his body have accumulated for ten thousand years, and his Lifespan is already on the decline."

"If we can offer a treasure that extends Lifespan as bait, and then use this Withered Soul Origin-Absorbing Lamp to secretly extract his Origin..."

"Even if he doesn't die, he will be severely weakened."

Jiuer looked at the Magical Artifact, silent for a long time.

She seemed to want to say something, but did not speak.

Chu Sheng could feel that she was still hesitating.

After a good while, she finally spoke.

"Fine. We will do as you say."

She paused, her voice becoming slightly more resolute.

"Once it is done, I will use Biluo Palace to take you away."

Wan Qiba nodded and said no more.

The giant Peng continued to fly through the night sky, passing through clouds and over mountains, heading in the direction of the Heavenly Pool.

Chu Sheng sat on the Peng's back, watching the horizon drawing ever closer, and suddenly had an indescribable premonition in his heart.

He kept feeling that this trip would not be so smooth.

But he did not say it out loud.

He simply gripped his sword tighter, his gaze fixed ahead, preparing for the coming storm.