[Saint rank Soul Spirit Pill: upon consumption, it condenses a Soul Golden Core within the sea of consciousness. The cultivator can draw upon the strength stored inside at will. Once the power is exhausted, the Golden Core dissipates.]
The previous pill formulas could only temporarily enhance the soul's strength, the power fading completely after a short while.
But this formula allowed one to store the strength within, to be drawn upon whenever needed. This effect could only be described as heaven-defying. Moreover, this pill was particularly suited for Xuan Kong.
Pills produced through the system always carried a hidden safeguard, preventing the demon race from using them.
Lin Xiao's remnant soul was from the outer-realm demon race, its essence darker and more vicious than that of demons. Once the Soul Golden Core formed, Lin Xiao's remnant would be unable to touch its power. Only Xuan Kong's main soul could wield it.
With the pill's aid, Xuan Kong's true soul would be able to suppress the remnant for a long time. This could, at least temporarily, be considered a solution.
Three months later, within Sky City, the final stage of the sect grand competition would begin.
That was the contest of strength among those at the peak of Tribulation and Mahayana. By that time, Qingxiao Pavilion would certainly select a new Pavilion Master, and the chosen master would undoubtedly arrive at Sky City.
Lin Xiao had operated within Qingxiao Pavilion for thousands of years. The position of Pavilion Master would most likely still fall to Xuan Kong in the end.
When that day arrived, Yun Jin would be able to observe him closely before deciding her next move.
During these three months, she could refine the Soul Spirit Pill, reinforce the Tai'a Sword, and attend to one more matter.
"Yuan Yuan, where has Yang Yun gone now?" Yun Jin asked.
That day at the Northern Ice Plains, she had seen Yang Yun's figure and instructed Yuan Yuan to dispatch a hidden camera to shadow him from afar.
The cameras dared not get too close, only able to track his general movements.
Yuan Yuan switched the display.
A blood-red moon hung in the sky.
Yang Yun's location was unmistakably within the Demon Realm.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. This much was within expectations. After failing to absorb Bai Yiran, it would not be easy for him to find another top-tier target. If he wished to continue seeking prey, he would have to borrow the strength of the demon race.
"Keep monitoring the cameras in the Demon Realm. Track Yang Yun's movements as best as possible. The moment he leaves, notify me immediately," Yun Jin said gravely.
Yang Yun's current situation was highly unusual. In only a few short months, his strength had skyrocketed beyond reason. Even Bai Yiran had been utterly helpless before him. If he managed to absorb more top-tier powers, his rise would only accelerate further.
Yun Jin had considered killing him outright.
But Yang Yun was far away, and Yuan Yuan's teleportation vortex could only open near someone who had attained a certain comprehension of the Law of Yin and Yang. Yang Yun clearly did not qualify. She could not teleport directly to him.
Even if she tried rushing there, she would not make it in time.
And now that Yang Yun had returned to the Demon Realm, things were even more troublesome. Under the glow of the blood moon, the demons' power would surge while the humans' spiritual strength would be drastically suppressed.
Even for Yun Jin, forcing her way into the Demon Realm was nothing but a path to death.
Unless humanity gained overwhelming advantage and completely cleansed the Demon Realm.
But such an undertaking required the mobilization of the entire human race. She alone could not make it happen.
Yun Jin suddenly recalled Yang Yun's choice in her previous life.
Back then, in order to shed his demonic body, Yang Yun had devoured the entire demon race. In this life, he could no longer cast off that demonic form. Yet, under the control of the outer-realm demon soul, to open the barriers of space, he would surely use any means necessary.
His primary targets would naturally be humanity's strongest experts.
But if he failed, would he…
Yun Jin wondered whether Yang Yun would once again devour the entire demon race.
Only, in the previous life, it had been his own choice.
In this life, he might not even have that choice.
Yun Jin had Yuan Yuan compile the recording of Bai Yiran's near-devouring and sent it to the three Holy Lands.
Most of humanity's strongest experts resided in the Holy Lands.
So long as they remained alert and avoided traveling alone, Yang Yun would find it much harder to succeed. Having finished this, Yun Jin instructed Yuan Yuan to continue monitoring both Yang Yun and Xuan Kong.
She was preparing to go into seclusion and refine the pills.
But then, her gaze flickered.
She had previously set a teleportation array. Now, a spirit beast was coming through.
Yun Jin vanished on the spot.
Inside the Celestial Divine Palace, a group of powerful spirit beasts were curiously looking around.
So this was the true form of the Divine Palace?
It was their first time seeing it.
"Welcome, all of you," Yun Jin greeted with a smile as she appeared.
"Sect Master," Rong Huo chuckled warmly, calling out to her.
"Big Sister Yun," Xiao Bao piped up sweetly.
Yun Jin stroked Xiao Bao's head, then turned to Rong Huo. "Lao Huo, you are now one of the Palace's masters. Since these esteemed spirit beasts have come, why don't you show them around?
If they wish to stay, they may. Yuan Yuan has already prepared an area within the Celestial Divine Palace that can serve as a dwelling place for spirit beasts. Also, three days from now, new disciples of the Wushuang Sect will be arriving here. They have just joined and are still weak…"
Before she could finish, Rong Zhou interjected, "Rest assured, we won't harm them."
Yun Jin laughed. "That's not what I meant. Since their strength is low, they need tempering. If any of you are interested, you could enter the game as spirit beast bosses and spar with them."
"This is wonderful!" Zhu Zhu cheered, popping out joyfully. "Using only virtual monsters has always felt lacking. If real spirit beasts take the role of bosses, the gameplay will be far more exciting!"
The spirit beasts all exchanged baffled glances.
What was this girl even talking about? They did not understand a thing.
"This is Zhu Zhu, the palace spirit of the Celestial Divine Palace," Yun Jin explained casually.
The palace spirit?
The eyes of the spirit beasts lit up. They had always revered the Divine Palace as an object of faith, and in a sense, the palace spirit was its very soul. To think they could converse with the palace spirit itself!
The spirit beasts grew visibly excited.
"Zhu Zhu, they seem eager. You can explain slowly," Yun Jin said.
Zhu Zhu happily led the spirit beasts away.
Soon, only Di Xiao remained.
"Senior Di, you do not mind them helping me with a bit of work, do you?" Yun Jin chuckled.
Di Xiao's expression remained flat. "Mind or not, you've already arranged it anyway."
"That is because I trust in your broad-mindedness, Senior Di," Yun Jin said solemnly.
Di Xiao had grown accustomed to Yun Jin's shameless manner. Ignoring her banter, he spoke directly. "I told you before, I owe you a debt."
Yun Jin was slightly startled. "Senior, when you helped me slay Lin Xiao, that debt was already repaid."
Di Xiao shook his head. "My sister's life… one Lin Xiao is not enough to balance it."
Yun Jin frowned slightly. "Senior, you mean…?"