394: return

He further explained that it was precisely because of his rash intrusion that he had unintentionally touched the Seal, leading to the release of a strange creature.

That strange thing gradually grew stronger by continuously absorbing his Soul power, to the point that even the stone wall found it difficult to suppress it again.

If not for Xun Xiuyuan arriving and assisting with his unique Soul power, he likely would have found it difficult to escape.

True Person Yuan Ling continued in a heavy tone:

"If you hadn't appeared in time, I'm afraid I would never have seen the light of day again. Even if that strange creature could eventually break through the wall, it's more likely that it would have killed me without hesitation before escaping the Soul-Loss Cave. And I, having encountered only one such strange being, was already driven into a corner. No one can predict what unknown horrors still lie hidden deeper within this cave."

After hearing True Person Yuan Ling's account, a chill couldn't help but rise in Xun Xiuyuan's heart, and his originally firm belief in exploration began to waver.

He had originally thought that the Soul-Loss Cave was merely a Secret Realm that required specific conditions to open, and that he could easily rescue True Person Yuan Ling just by inputting enough Soul power.

However, reality was far more complex than he had imagined.

He suddenly realized that everything he had done before was merely charging the stone wall.

If he had rashly entered the cave and encountered the same predicament as True Person Yuan Ling, there would be no one else like him to continuously supply Soul power to open the entrance.

By then, what awaited him would likely be nothing but endless darkness and despair.

The moment True Person Yuan Ling stepped out of the cave, the mysterious entrance on the stone wall behind him began to close slowly, eventually vanishing without a trace.

Witnessing this, Xun Xiuyuan felt a trace of fear in his heart; the entire stone wall seemed like a living being.

He deeply realized that the Soul-Loss Cave was much more dangerous than he had imagined, and the secrets hidden there were perhaps not something he could currently touch.

On the way back, Xun Xiuyuan detailed the current conditions and changes of the Yuan Ling Universe to True Person Yuan Ling.

He not only described the overall situation of the Yuan Ling Universe but also specifically mentioned the latest developments regarding some key figures and events.

When Xun Xiuyuan mentioned that the two Grand Elders, Dragon Elephant and Zhen Feng, were actually Puppets of the Phantom Poison King, True Person Yuan Ling did not show much surprise, as if all of this was within his expectations and he had already made some conjectures and inferences.

However, when Xun Xiuyuan further explained that the reason Jiu You was trapped was precisely because of the schemes and calculations of these two Grand Elders, True Person Yuan Ling's expression showed a noticeable change for the first time. His

brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of imperceptible solemnity flashed in his eyes. "The two of them were actually able to join forces to frame Jiu You?"

True Person Yuan Ling muttered to himself; clearly, he was very aware of Jiu You's unfathomable strength, perhaps even knowing it like the back of his hand.

Seeing the doubt and confusion in Xun Xiuyuan's eyes, True Person Yuan Ling smiled slightly and spoke slowly, "In the Yuan Ling Universe, I was the first cultivator to successfully achieve a Breakthrough to the Saint King Realm. It was also at that time that the mysterious cosmic vortex first appeared on the Extraterritorial Battlefield."

His tone carried a hint of reminiscence. "At that time, I thought it was a special Secret Realm, and my heart was full of curiosity and expectation, yet I didn't dare to step in easily because of the unknown risks. It wasn't until I had experienced countless years of bitter cultivation and tempering in the Yuan Ling Universe that I finally gathered the courage to enter."

"On the Cosmic Battlefield, I always traveled alone, like a solitary void pirate group, except I acted by myself and used a pseudonym to hide my true identity."

True Person Yuan Ling continued, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness and self-deprecation.

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan realized, "So that's it. This also explains why the Yuan Ling Universe has never joined the Cosmic Alliance, right? With Sect Master Yi's strength and influence, if you were willing, it should have been easy to lead the Yuan Ling Universe into the Cosmic Alliance."

His words carried a hint of admiration and emotion.

True Person Yuan Ling nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Later, I cultivated Mortal World and that batch of outstanding juniors, but because I had offended too many people on the Cosmic Battlefield before, I could no longer reveal my previous pseudonym and identity."

His tone carried a hint of a bitter smile and helplessness.

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan couldn't help but feel utterly speechless, secretly sighing: It seems the people you offended weren't just a few, but so many that even you can't easily deal with them.

The other six Saint Kings of the Yuan Ling Sect were all six-system; most of these cosmic cores were plundered by True Person Yuan Ling.

You must know, these are cosmic cores, not common cabbages.

True Person Yuan Ling naturally saw Xun Xiuyuan's expression and couldn't help but smile.

"But this Jiu You is different. He has never joined the Yuan Ling Sect and, like me, advanced to the Saint King Realm within the Yuan Ling Universe. Moreover, I have seen him before and know his strength; even if he isn't Seven-System, he is not far from it."

Speaking to this point, True Person Yuan Ling glanced at Xun Xiuyuan once more.

In his helplessness, Xun Xiuyuan had no choice but to recount the series of events caused by the Phantom Poison King in detail.

After hearing this, True Person Yuan Ling suddenly understood and said slowly, "In that case, things are mostly clear now. The Phantom Poison King used trickery to cleverly deceive Jiu You; such a development is quite reasonable."

Immediately after, he couldn't help but be filled with emotion, sighing, "Actually, I can roughly guess why Jiu You was so easily deceived; in the final analysis, it must have been because of Mortal World."

As for the specific details of how Jiu You fell into the predicament, Jiu You had not revealed anything to Xun Xiuyuan.

However, relying on his own sharp insight, Xun Xiuyuan already had some conjectures in his heart, and he firmly believed what True Person Yuan Ling said.

After all, making a powerful existence like Jiu You step into a trap was no easy feat. But without a doubt, Mortal World's safety had precisely become the fatal weakness that Jiu You could not escape.

At this time, their gazes simultaneously turned toward the distant exit of the Wuxiang Realm. True Person Yuan Ling turned to Xun Xiuyuan and said solemnly, "On the way to the Yuan Ling Universe this time, we will happen to pass through the mysterious and unpredictable Cosmic Abyss. I have decided to go with you so that we can look out for each other."

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan secretly agreed, as it coincided with his original plan, so he nodded slightly to show his agreement with True Person Yuan Ling's proposal.