Chapter 1591: Destruction and Sorrow

Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er left the Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might without bidding farewell to anyone except Yun Shang.

Meanwhile, as Yun Che said goodbye to Yun Shang, a major decision was being made in the ancestral temple of the Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might.

"Is this... the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill?"

In the center of the ancestral temple, a gem the size of a dragon's eye floated and shimmered, occasionally flashing with faint lightning. Though merely a pill, it emanated a strong aura of life and soul, and its spiritual energy was incredibly dense, almost unbelievably so.

Cloud Clan Chief Yun Ting, the three Grand Elders, and seventeen regular Elders were all present, as was Yun Xiang. This was also Yun Xiang’s first time seeing the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill; for years, it had been securely sealed within the ancestral temple’s grand formation, both to contain its medicinal power and to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

"It seems everyone's opinions are unified," Yun Ting said slowly, his eyes reflecting the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill's lightning with a hint of reverence.

"Are we... are we really going to refine it for Shang'er?" Yun Xiang turned, his face filled with worry. "But, according to our ancestor's words, only clan members who have overcome at least four heavenly lightning tribulations can consume the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill. Given Shang'er's talent, she is indeed the most qualified person to use it. However, her cultivation has only just entered the Divine Tribulation Realm. It's too dangerous to use this ancient pill, which the ancestor stated can only be refined by those in the Divine Spirit Realm. What if..."

"Don't worry," Second Elder Yun Fu said slowly. "Shang'er certainly cannot do it alone. But with all seventeen of us present, plus the power of the Chief and the three Grand Elders, there's no reason we can't control the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill's medicinal power."

"The three Grand Elders will also participate?" Yun Xiang frowned. The three Grand Elders of the Cloud Clan were all nearing the end of their lifespans; every bit of power they expended would shorten their lives.

"Alas," the central Grand Elder sighed softly, saying, "Only seven days remain until our time is up. While we still live, let us use this ancient pill to complete Shang'er... Otherwise, after seven days, I fear there will be no more opportunity."

"Shang'er received a blessing from a senior master, making her physique and profound veins extraordinary," Yun Ting said. "She was able to easily refine various potent pills, even dragon's blood, before. Now, with all our combined power, there's no reason we can't help Shang'er refine this ancient pill. It's just that Shang'er's cultivation is too weak, so we must control the medicinal power to a great extent, which will make the process very long."

"Xiang'er, summoning you here is also to borrow your strength. With your help, the possibility of an accident becomes almost non-existent."

"Alright!" The elders' words and conviction immediately dispelled Yun Xiang's worries. He stood up and said, "I'll go get Shang'er."

Soon, a rather massive purple profound formation took shape within the ancestral temple.

Yun Shang sat peacefully at the center of the profound formation, with over twenty auras connecting to her through the array. These auras belonged to the twenty-two strongest individuals of the Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might... including the Chief, the former Young Chief, and all the Elders and Grand Elders.

Only the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, and only Yun Shang, could bring them to this extent.

"Shang'er, calm your profound energy and relax your mind," Yun Ting said in the gentlest voice. "Although the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill's medicinal power is fierce and overbearing, it is an ancient pill of our Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might, inherently harmonious with us. You must trust us, and even more, trust your own body and profound veins, which were blessed by heaven."

"I won't disappoint anyone," Yun Shang said calmly and obediently.

Yun Ting nodded, "Let's begin."

Dark light shimmered, purple radiance shone, and the profound formation slowly revolved. The Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, linked to the auras of twenty-two Divine Sovereigns, floated upwards and flew towards Yun Shang. Yun Shang reached out, took it, and without any hesitation, placed it in her mouth and swallowed it directly.

"Unleash!" Grand Elder Yun Jian roared softly.

The Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill's seal was broken, and its medicinal power instantly surged forth like a torrent. However, it was immediately bound tightly by the controlled auras of the elders, transforming into a thin stream that slowly flowed into Yun Shang's body, then even more slowly refined into her own power.

"Good..."

Although they had never truly witnessed the full medicinal power of the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, with twenty-two Divine Sovereigns assisting in its refinement, there should have been no possibility of an accident, even with Yun Shang having only just entered the Divine Tribulation Realm. Indeed, the beginning was uneventful; the instantly surging medicinal power, though immensely potent, was entirely under control.

"With this, Shang'er's cultivation will surely greatly increase, perhaps even reaching the middle stage of the Divine Tribulation Realm. Her lightning power will also advance significantly!" Yun Ting held his breath and concentrated, his voice tinged with unconcealed excitement.

A quarter of an hour... three-quarters of an hour...

With the combined efforts of the twenty-two Divine Sovereigns, the medicinal power was controlled extremely smoothly, and the refinement proceeded without a hitch.

"Screech..."

Just then, a faint, strange sound echoed within everyone's spiritual perception.

"What was that sound?" How powerful were the spiritual perceptions of Divine Sovereigns? They would never mistake it for an illusion.

Suddenly, the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill's medicinal power completely ceased its release, as if it had been depleted. Everyone froze in surprise... but then, the ancient pill's shape abruptly changed, followed by another incredibly bizarre sound. The briefly silent Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill then erupted with several times... even dozens of times its previous medicinal power.

Like a violently erupting volcano with no warning.

"Wh-what?!!"

This sudden anomaly terrified everyone. What followed was even more dreadful: not only did the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill erupt violently, but its medicinal power surged with incredible precision towards the weakest point among the twenty-two auras. In an instant, it broke through, like a flood bursting a dam, raging through Yun Shang's body and profound veins...

Boom————

All light vanished from Yun Shang's world, leaving only a dull roar.

A long jet of blood gushed from her lips, draining all color from her face.

"Ugh... Ahh! Wh-what's going on?!"

"A pill spirit... it's a pill spirit! Such a terrifying pill spirit actually exists!" This was Yun Ting's shocked roar... This pill spirit not only possessed consciousness but clearly had considerable intelligence; it had actually ambushed them!

"Control it... quickly control it!!"

"Stop!" Yun Jian roared hoarsely. "Do you want to kill Shang'er?!"

Yun Shang's body was, after all, only at the Divine Tribulation Realm; how could she directly withstand the power of a Divine Sovereign? Each of them had only condensed an extremely careful and cautious wisp of their power, and if any single one of those powers increased even slightly, it could directly kill Yun Shang.

Another jet of blood spurted out. The rampaging medicinal power, like thousands of nightmare blades, crashed wildly through Yun Shang's body and profound veins, mercilessly destroying her life force.

"Chief!" Yun Xiang was completely at a loss.

"Draw the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill out... quick!" Yun Ting shrieked, his eyes wide with terror.

Profound light flickered. Half a breath later, the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, only a small portion of which had been refined, was hastily drawn out. As soon as it flew from Yun Shang's lips, several streams of fully unleashed Divine Sovereign power instantly covered it, sealing it tightly.

The profound formation dissipated, and Yun Shang's body slowly collapsed, her face deathly pale and her consciousness gone... The medicinal power within her was still raging, like countless cruel and bloodthirsty beasts.

Given Yun Shang's Divine Tribulation body, she would likely perish completely under this terrifying medicinal power in just a few more breaths... perhaps even explode.

"Shang'er..."

"Quick! Force all the medicinal power within her into her profound veins!" Yun Ting gasped, his voice trembling violently as he roared.

Yun Xiang suddenly looked up, his voice hoarse, "No... don't tell me..."

"It's better than dying!!"

More than a dozen auras once again surged into Yun Shang's body, carefully and tremblingly guiding the chaotic medicinal power... With their Divine Sovereign power, it would be effortless to obliterate this medicinal power. However, since it was inside Yun Shang, releasing enough power to obliterate it would undoubtedly kill her on the spot.

All they could do was guide it!

Guide it into her profound veins... Only the profound veins could withstand sufficiently powerful forces without killing Yun Shang.

But the consequence would undoubtedly be severe damage to her profound veins... perhaps even complete destruction.

Soon, all the medicinal power entered her profound veins, instantly riddling them with countless holes. Yun Ting stepped forward, placing a finger on her chest, and a profound light surged in... In that instant, blood dripped from between his teeth.

Boom———

The rampaging medicinal power was annihilated layer by layer by Yun Ting's power until it was completely gone.

And Yun Shang's profound veins were completely shattered the moment the medicinal power was extinguished... Her profound energy wildly dispersed.

The ancestral temple fell silent... except for a succession of heavy breaths, heavier than ever before.

They stared blankly at Yun Shang, lying unconscious on the ground with blood on her lips. Her life aura had become exceptionally weak, and her profound energy aura was dissipating with every passing moment. It wouldn't be long before it vanished completely.

Moreover, there would be no possibility of recovery.

Because her profound veins... were completely destroyed, ruined.

"How could... how could this happen..." Yun Ting slumped there, his hand frozen in the air, his pupils a horrifying gray.

"Shang'er..." Yun Xiang called out softly, then clenched his jaw, bowed his head, and trembled all over.

"Alas." All the Elders sighed in sorrow, appearing to age significantly at the same moment.

Yun Shang, with her miraculous purple Heavenly Might and her divine profound vein mutation; the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, the most sacred and mysterious relic of their Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might.

They had been willing to bestow everything most precious to the clan upon Yun Shang. Today, they had even poured all the power of their strongest members into granting her the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill.

But...

Ruined...

The Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill... No, it was they who had ruined Yun Shang.

What was ruined was not just Yun Shang, but also the hope and future eagerly entrusted to her by the entire clan.

On the day Yun Shang returned to the clan, everything she displayed had filled the entire clan with immense excitement. It was like a sudden divine light appearing at the end of darkness, making everyone in the clan feel undeniably that heaven was still looking favorably upon their Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might.

The blood flowing in her veins was not from the Chief's lineage, yet she had replaced Yun Xiang and been appointed Young Chief, with not a single person in the entire clan opposing it.

But... it was like a cruel joke. Yun Shang was completely ruined.

And it was by their own hands.

"Chief..." Yun Xiang uttered two words, then could no longer speak.

Yun Ting's eyes were tightly shut, and he didn't open them for a long time, as if he feared the cruel reality that would enter his sight.

"Yun Ting," the central Grand Elder spoke slowly, his voice incredibly heavy, "Prepare to initiate the Forbidden Blood Ritual."

Yun Ting's eyes snapped open, and Yun Xiang looked up in astonishment.

The Grand Elder on the right also said slowly, "Although this is a forbidden technique strictly prohibited by our ancestors, given our current situation, there is no other choice. At least... we can preserve the only purple Heavenly Might."

The so-called "Forbidden Blood Ritual" was a cruel method of blood transfer that moved a Cloud clan member's Heavenly Might divine power to another clan member. Without a doubt, the donor... would surely die.

Heavenly Might divine power was a power of the bloodline; even if the profound veins were ruined, the Heavenly Might remained.

Yun Ting's withered muscles twitched. In the end, he didn't voice a refusal, uttering only a weak command: "Elders, prepare the blood transfer formation."

Yun Shang had been completely crippled, with no hope or possibility left. Her miraculous purple profound Heavenly Might could no longer exert any divine power... Transferring it to another, though immensely cruel to her, would ultimately preserve the Cloud Clan's last miracle.

"Xiang'er..." Yun Ting called out, but the rest of his words remained unspoken.

"I understand," Yun Xiang sighed softly. "I will inherit Shang'er's purple Heavenly Might, and I will also... inherit her life... No matter what happens in the future... I will not let her sacrifice be in vain."

Amidst the terrible oppression, the Forbidden Blood Ritual... that forbidden aura began to stir.

Yun Shang lay there quietly, even her lips completely drained of color. Her world was collapsing in pain and darkness.

So painful... so sad... Who will... save me...

The figures of her father, her mother... Yun Che's figure, and a black light that was undeniably dark, yet so warm.

She desperately reached out, wanting to touch that black light. In her blurry conscious world, a whisper from the depths of her soul resonated.

"Se...nior..."

Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er left the Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might. Yun Che remained silent throughout the journey, and Qianye Ying'er, understanding the mood, also refrained from speaking to him.

"Where are we going?" Qianye Ying'er finally spoke.

"Wherever fate takes us."

"I actually have a good place in mind."

"Where?"

"The God Realm of Absolute Beginning."

Yun Che turned, frowning at her.

"Don't be so rigid in your thinking," Qianye Ying'er said unhurriedly. "You are already exceptionally skilled at concealment, and now you can control the power of storms. If you disguise yourself and then use profound wind energy to mask your aura, no one in the Eastern Divine Region will be able to recognize you."

"As for me, I have the Void Escape Stone, so no one will be able to detect me. Thus, although we were forced here, it seems nothing can confine us now."

"I've been to the God Realm of Absolute Beginning many times; there's no place in this world more suitable for cultivation," Qianye Ying'er said, a cold glint in her eyes. "Of course, there's also no place more dangerous."

"We'll see," Yun Che didn't agree immediately, but at the mention of the God Realm of Absolute Beginning, the image of a young girl in colorful clothes flashed before his eyes.

Cai Zhi.

He wondered how she was doing now, and if she had found out about Jasmine and him...

Just then, an abnormal black light suddenly flickered in Yun Che's eyes.

"Hmm?" Qianye Ying'er noticed. "What's wrong?"

Before she finished speaking, she saw Yun Che's stern face suddenly turn incredibly grim.

Without a word, he suddenly reached out, grabbed Qianye Ying'er's shoulder, and with a terrifying storm of power, shot up into the sky, heading straight back to the Cloud Clan of Heavenly Might.