Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 321 - 188: Thunderflame Mountain, Soul Sea

Chapter 321: Chapter 188: Thunderflame Mountain, Soul Sea

White Fox Bai Ying clearly stated the symptoms after being afflicted by the Power of Time. These symptoms, however, matched exactly with everything that had happened before.

Such a situation left Zhou Yan feeling somewhat shocked and uncertain.

Was it White Fox Bai Ying who had been entangled by the Power of Time, or was it himself?

Zhou Yan’s expression grew solemn, and he remained silent for a long while.

He always felt out of sorts, that something was amiss, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

"Zhou Yan, what’s wrong? Are you worried about the Power of Time? There’s no need to worry about that. The Power of Time is very peculiar, once you’re hit by it, your heart is very clear that you’ve been affected.

The so-called ’forgetfulness,’ ’anxiety,’ and so on, are only specific to certain experiences one has had, and one’s memory of the events after being affected will still exist. Neither you nor I have been entangled by the Power of Time, so don’t worry too much," White Fox Bai Ying again tried to reassure him.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan nodded thoughtfully.

Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain was the most bizarre place he had ever experienced.

Even when he was in the Despair Abyss of the City of No Tears, Zhou Yan never had the same anxious and unsettled mindset as he did now.

Yet at Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain, he lacked the sensation of strategizing. All he felt was an eerie sense of being infinitesimally small and insignificant, as if he were a spirit wandering through heaven and earth after death.

"I don’t know why, maybe because of the difference in our races, but you humans always seem to feel affected by the Power of Time after experiencing the thunder here. It’s not just you; even the human woman I saved always thought she was cursed by the Power of Time, often saying inexplicable things.

But in reality, even in her complete state, not just as a Residual Soul, she couldn’t trigger the Power of Time, as her realm is actually very low."

"And Zhou Yan, it’s the same for you. Your realm does not currently attract the Power of Time on its own, of course, unless you’re affected by someone else’s tribulation," White Fox Bai Ying explained in detail.

Seeing Zhou Yan’s continued grave expression, after careful thought, she seemed to understand what was troubling him and so provided answers to all of his questions.

Hearing this, Zhou Yan finally relaxed.

However, Zhou Yan knew very well that his feelings were always extremely precise. This time, something definitely had been hit by the Power of Time; perhaps it was Zhou Yan himself, or perhaps, White Fox Bai Ying had been struck.

As for White Fox Bai Ying forgetting certain things, now Zhou Yan also had some incomplete memories, and he didn’t know what the situation was regarding White Fox Bai Ying’s fear of him, as those memories were becoming somewhat hazy.

"This place might still be hiding something invisible yet deadly and dreadful!"

After musing again for a moment, Zhou Yan came to this conclusion.

This was the conclusion he had reached after countless derivations and analyses, and although it seemed somewhat absurd, Zhou Yan was well aware that it was true.

Having reached this step, Zhou Yan suddenly felt an epiphany blooming within, and he couldn’t help but look up at the sky.

The sky over Purple Flame Breaking Path Mountain was always dark purple, with thunderbolts constantly present in the void, endless and hefty, as if draped with a thick layer of purple thunderclouds.

But this strip of sky, upon looking, was not the usual arc shape seen from the outside world, but rather a peculiar ’mountain’ character shape.

Zhou Yan analyzed carefully. Then, expanding his imagination and shrinking these celestial bodies in his mind, he thought.

When his derivations and thoughts reached a certain point, Zhou Yan suddenly trembled, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

At that moment, almost subconsciously, Zhou Yan cast his Soul Consciousness into the Purple Flame Void, sensing a change within.

His expression clearly fluctuated, and after a long while, Zhou Yan withdrew his Soul Consciousness, looking extremely solemn.

"Zhou Yan, what’s wrong, did you discover something?"

White Fox, seeing Zhou Yan relax only momentarily before becoming more shocked and uncertain, couldn’t help but show a look of concern and thus inquired.

"I’ve discovered that this world seems to be a mountain,"

Zhou Yan hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Hmm, Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain is said to be an ancient mountain, transformed from the body of an ultimate Sword Dao practitioner. It is also a part of Sword Burial Ancestor Star but was expelled from the body, hence existing in the form of a Secret Realm," White Fox said matter-of-factly.

"Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain is indeed a mountain, even though it’s a Secret Realm, but the essence of the Secret Realm is a Thunder Mountain; this is not unusual.

All Cultivators who come here to undergo tribulation know this,"

it added.

"I know, but I feel like this is the interior of someone’s brain, this mountain isn’t a mountain, it should be a sea! The Sea of Consciousness! Or perhaps the Soul Sea."

Zhou Yan hesitated for a long time but still shared his speculation.

This speculation was quite terrifying.

If this place truly was the Soul Sea of that ultimate strong practitioner, then the presence of infinite thunder and the Power of Time here would be perfectly normal.

Indeed, upon hearing these words, even the White Fox Bai Ying couldn’t help but become stunned.

It grew more solemn, closing its exceptionally beautiful eyes, then began to sense carefully.

Even to the point where it ceased flying, hovering still in the Void.

Zhou Yan was quietly observing White Fox Bai Ying at this moment, waiting for its answer.

In this anticipation, Bai Ying seemed to be straining to sense something, but after only a moment, its entire body suddenly emitted a purple glow, and the thunder of Heaven and Earth once again began to boom.

This was another sign of impending tribulation; it had clearly triggered the Heavenly Tribulation.

However, not long after, White Fox Bai Ying regained its composure. Its snowy white fur now had a hint of enchanting blood color, and the aura of its life force soared, giving Zhou Yan an incredibly strong sensation.

But Zhou Yan still sensed that it might have been injured during this perception.

Even if White Fox Bai Ying showed no sign of anomaly, Zhou Yan could almost confirm this.

After experiencing such an unexplained mutation, Zhou Yan felt his ability to grasp things had significantly improved.

Especially after experiencing the great tribulation of Heavenly Dao, this feeling became crystal clear.

"How is it, did you sense anything?" Zhou Yan asked with concern.

In the midst of Heaven and Earth, the Heavenly Tribulation surged, and the colors of the wind and clouds changed.

The already somewhat oppressive atmosphere became even more terrifying due to the variable thunder.

Under such an aura, even White Fox Bai Ying felt somewhat suppressed, as if it couldn’t exert its full strength.

Yet Zhou Yan, under this same breath, didn’t display the slightest bit of discomfort, as if, unless an angry Heavenly Tribulation descended in its entirety, those scattered thunder flames would have no effect on him at all.

This was an inexplicably strong feeling of confidence, and upon feeling it, Zhou Yan knew it was true.

His senses here seemed to evolve bit by bit towards something terrifying, and he himself could only vaguely perceive this change but was clueless about where specifically the alteration was occurring.

"Nothing, my Soul Consciousness entered the thunder the moment and instantly encountered the fierce impact of Thunderflame, nearly being eradicated on the spot. It was extremely perilous. However, I do feel there’s some merit to what you mentioned."

White Fox Bai Ying spoke gravely.

After a moment of contemplation it continued, "Actually, it’s not just you. Even I, as well as the eight cultivators of the Heavenly Dao Tribulation who perished in the Thunderflame Tribulation earlier, had a similar feeling, but none could affirm it — only you seem to be certain of all this.

But if it’s true, then this place holds a fearsome, unprecedented opportunity. Or perhaps it is dangerous because this is a true Ancestor Land."

Zhou Yan deeply resonated with White Fox Bai Ying’s words.

He nodded, and after musing for a moment, he said earnestly, "Actually, I might be able to verify this. My Sword Soul is quite unique. Before this, I condensed the Twelve Sword Spirits, and the Twelve Sword Spirits can derive an Ancient Array, imitating the initial state of Heaven and Earth...

Among the Twelve Sword Spirits, there are those of Thunderflame and many other attributes.

Whether this is true or not, I can perform a test. This test is somewhat dangerous, but if successful, you too will understand the benefits."

Zhou Yan’s attitude was extremely serious, his expression solemn.

"I understand what you mean. Rest assured, if we can confirm all this, I will take you to a place. As long as you obtain approval from that thing, I, White Fox, can serve you as my master."

"Additionally, you don’t have to worry about me telling anyone. We of the White Fox clan do not speak falsehoods. When incarnated as humans, our nature is also to be extremely sincere. However, sincerity does not equate to foolishness. We will not go around proclaiming this matter. If this is true, I will not tell anyone, any Demon Beast, or any Life Forms."

White Fox Bai Ying was equally solemn.

Zhou Yan nodded. With the White Fox’s response, he had no more concerns.

The reason he said those words was also that through contact with White Fox Bai Ying, Zhou Yan knew it to be quite trustworthy. Even being ’taken advantage of’ by him could be overlooked due to its intent to repay a favor, which says a lot about White Fox Bai Ying’s ’character.’

Zhou Yan liked being with Demon Beasts because their loyalty and importance on bonds were very much to his liking.

"You just watch; give me a moment!" Zhou Yan spoke softly.

Saying this, he took in the expanse of sky, looking towards the rolling, echoing thunder, without the slightest concern.

Suddenly, a light emitted from between his brows.

A purple light.

After the purple light, twelve patterned filigree designs appeared.

These patterns, originating from Zhou Yan’s chest, kept rotating, moving to the spot between his eyes.

As the patterns passed, the internal conditions of Zhou Yan’s flesh and bones were laid bare as if transparent, distinctly visible to White Fox Bai Ying.

White Fox Bai Ying watched this unfold, thoroughly astonished. In its beautiful eyes, a mysterious radiance swirled!

Looking at this scene, its expression became somewhat incredulous, caught between disbelief and shock.