Chapter 2860: Jinyao

Jin Yao didn't know why the Soul-Suppressing Bell's power was rapidly weakening. Even more puzzling to her was that, as the supreme treasure's power diminished, her own divine soul seemed to be undergoing an indescribable change.

It was as if an inexplicable connection was subtly forming between her and Lu Ye.

This change unsettled her, but at that moment, she had no other recourse than to continuously channel the supreme treasure's power.

As time passed, the immense pressure on Lu Ye's soul body gradually dissipated, which was undoubtedly due to the significant decline in the Soul-Suppressing Bell's power.

At this point, Jin Yao finally ceased her efforts. She knew clearly that continuing was pointless. The Soul-Suppressing Bell's power had been at its peak when she first started; if she couldn't suppress Lu Ye's soul then, it was even less possible now.

Forcing the issue would only lead to further embarrassment.

Gazing at Lu Ye with deep, dark eyes, she sighed, "Indeed, every generation produces its talents. Enough. I have lingered on for so many years, and I had long anticipated this outcome. It is time to be free."

With these words, she actually sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes in concentration.

Lu Ye, however, did not lower his guard. Although Jin Yao seemed to have resigned herself to fate, who knew if she was merely feigning surrender? It was better to remain vigilant.

But to his surprise, Jin Yao made no further moves until the Soul-Suppressing Bell in her hand disintegrated into dust and vanished.

It was then that Jin Yao, who had kept her eyes closed, slowly opened them and gazed deeply at Lu Ye. "Young man, this place is deathly silent and vast. You will likely be lonely for a long time. I hope you can gradually get used to it."

She could feel that with the Soul-Suppressing Bell's disappearance, she seemed to be returning somewhere, her mind in a daze. Perhaps this was how it felt before one's soul scattered.

After speaking, her soul body involuntarily transformed into a streak of light, darting towards Lu Ye's body and vanishing instantly.

Lu Ye quickly checked his Talent Tree.

Another fruit had appeared on the Talent Tree, precisely the supreme treasure, the Soul-Suppressing Bell fruit.

He extended a wisp of his consciousness and softly called out to the fruit, "Fellow Daoist, Fellow Daoist Jin Yao..."

Having witnessed the refinement of the Black Coffin previously, he was sure that if a supreme treasure that was refined and absorbed possessed sentience, that sentience could be retained within the Talent Tree.

However, the Soul-Suppressing Bell's situation was somewhat different from a normal supreme treasure, so he wasn't sure if its refinement would yield the same result as the Black Coffin.

At his call, a tall, slender figure suddenly floated out from the Soul-Suppressing Bell fruit. It was none other than Jin Yao.

She was clearly bewildered at this moment, her expression utterly lost. She glanced around, and her pupils contracted sharply!

She could hardly believe her eyes.

Before her was a magnificent golden tree, its leaves burning with fiery light. Her soul body was minuscule amidst its branches, like an ant.

A profound and mysterious aura permeated the tree, intoxicating her divine soul.

Even more astonishing to her was that she could sense the auras of numerous different supreme treasures emanating from the tree.

Following those auras, she immediately saw supreme treasures of various forms, hanging on the tree like fruits.

One, two, three... there were a total of seven or eight of them.

Her own Soul-Suppressing Bell was conspicuously among them!

Even with her extensive knowledge, she couldn't help but be profoundly shaken, her mind unable to settle.

She stared blankly for a long moment before slowly turning her head to look at the wisp of Lu Ye's consciousness that had manifested there. "What is this? And what... has happened to me?"

She had expected her soul to scatter, yet here she was, perfectly intact. However, her current situation left her truly bewildered.

She could feel that she could still wield the Soul-Suppressing Bell's power and that she remained its master. But under this premise, both she and the Soul-Suppressing Bell now shared a deeper bond with this miraculous large tree, a bond far more profound and primary than the one she had with the Soul-Suppressing Bell itself.

And... why were there so many supreme treasures here?

She had never heard of anyone being able to subdue so many supreme treasures.

Even at her peak, she had only possessed three supreme treasures. Firstly, refining and subduing supreme treasures was exceedingly difficult. Secondly, refining too many supreme treasures placed a considerable burden on a cultivator's body and mind; too many would not only prevent strength from improving but would also cause harm.

Yet, the supreme treasures hanging on this tree were far more than three.

How could this young man before her bear such a load?

"The Dao Tree!" Lu Ye slowly began. "Fellow Daoist, you can consider it my inheritance. As for you... I believe you can sense your own situation."

Jin Yao fell silent.

She could indeed sense her own situation; after all, her sentience was intact. Now that the Soul-Suppressing Bell was on this Dao Tree, she, as its spirit, faintly felt a sense of being controlled.

It seemed as if this young man before her could freely wield the Soul-Suppressing Bell's power whenever he wished.

The Dao Tree... she had never heard of it before. And how could refining a supreme treasure be so easy? Only a few days had passed from her intrusion into Lu Ye's soul sea until the Soul-Suppressing Bell disappeared.

She herself had spent many years refining the Soul-Suppressing Bell back then.

"Are you going to enslave me?" Jin Yao asked, looking at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye shook his head. "If you are unwilling, you may destroy your soul. I will not force you, so there is no talk of enslavement."

This supreme treasure's spirit was different from a normal one; she was a cultivator's transformed divine soul. Moreover, Jin Yao had been a hegemon in her era, possessing immense pride. How could she possibly be willing to be enslaved?

Thus, Lu Ye had never considered enslaving her.

However, Jin Yao had attacked him first this time. Even if she hadn't intended to destroy his soul, her current predicament was her own doing.

He wanted the Soul-Suppressing Bell; whether Jin Yao's divine soul survived was irrelevant.

Jin Yao nodded slightly. Although she had mentally prepared herself for her soul to scatter, who would choose death if they could live?

She had spent an unknown number of years alone in that place, so her desire to live was naturally very strong.

Seeing Lu Ye's gentle tone, she put aside other thoughts. She would stay for now and observe; if things didn't go well, it wouldn't be too late to destroy her soul.

Furthermore... she was truly very curious about this Dao Tree.

This also sparked a strong interest in Lu Ye himself.

Initially, she had only thought Lu Ye was one of the Ten Great City Lords, but now, it seemed impossible that he was just an ordinary one!

Were young people nowadays this formidable?

After a brief conversation with Jin Yao, Lu Ye no longer paid her much attention. The Soul-Suppressing Bell had transformed into a fruit, and from now on, his greatest weakness had been compensated for. Feeling greatly pleased, he continued to follow that faint sensation, moving forward.

He secretly thought, if only he could pick up a few more supreme treasures.

Suddenly, a figure flashed beside him; it was Jin Yao revealing herself.

Lu Ye was startled.

How could she still come out?

However, considering it, this was the first supreme treasure with complete sentience refined by the Talent Tree—the Black Coffin didn't count. So, it was his first time realizing that a supreme treasure's sentience could leave the Talent Tree in the form of a soul body.

Jin Yao seemed to be in high spirits. Although she hadn't achieved her initial goal, regardless of the outcome, she finally had companionship.

Moreover, seeing Lu Ye's youthful and robust appearance, he would likely live for a very long time. Thus, for a significant period in the future, she would no longer be alone.

"Fellow Daoist, I have something I'd like to ask," Lu Ye said casually, having nothing else to do.

"Ask away," Jin Yao replied, floating beside Lu Ye like a ghost.

"You were so powerful in life, didn't you know one couldn't casually act in the Unity Realm? Why were you still trapped here?"

Since Jin Yao was a hegemon of that era, it made no sense for her to be so foolish.

Jin Yao sighed, a glint of recollection in her eyes. After several breaths, she shook her head and said, "The past is too painful to recall..."

The implication was clear: it was better not to mention it!

Lu Ye immediately lost interest in chatting with her.

"How did you get in here?" Jin Yao countered.

"Killed someone!"

Jin Yao was stunned. "Killed them completely?"

"Naturally."

She instantly regarded Lu Ye as a divine being. One had to know that even when she had acted in the Unity Realm back then, she hadn't managed to kill anyone; instead, she had been swept into this place by a white light the moment she made her move.

How did Lu Ye manage to kill someone?

Young people of this era were terrifyingly formidable!

Amidst her shock, a long silence ensued.

After a considerable while, Jin Yao spoke again, "What are you looking for? You're not still trying to find supreme treasures, are you? There are no other supreme treasures in this wretched place. Let alone supreme treasures, there isn't even a single auxiliary treasure. Don't waste your energy."

"I'm looking for a way out," Lu Ye replied casually.

Jin Yao spun her head to look at him, somewhat doubting her ears. "What did you say you're looking for?"

She stared fixedly at Lu Ye for three breaths, confirming she had heard correctly, then sighed and shook her head. "Don't bother looking. There's no way out of this place."

If there truly was a way out, she would have found it long ago.

Lu Ye rolled his eyes. "What if I can find a way out?"

Jin Yao couldn't help but let out a laugh. "If you can truly find a way out, what harm is there in me serving you from now on?"

Lu Ye suddenly stopped. "We're here."

Jin Yao looked around, utterly perplexed. "What's here?"

Lu Ye raised his hand and pointed forward. "The way out!"

As he pointed, a ripple suddenly spread before them. The ripple expanded, gradually transforming into the shape of a doorway.

Jin Yao stared blankly, her eyes devoid of focus.

She had never known that this eerie place actually had a way out. What she witnessed today repeatedly shocked her mind. She turned to look at Lu Ye again, only to see him smiling at her, his grin imbued with a mysterious quality.

"How did you find it?" Jin Yao asked, voicing her confusion.

"Let's go!" Lu Ye called out. He couldn't very well tell her that the spirit of the Dao Integration Orb was on him and that he had found this doorway solely through its guidance.

Stepping into the doorway, Jin Yao hastily followed.

Their vision blurred.

When Lu Ye regained his senses, he found himself back in the Unity Realm.

And his location was within a courtyard.

Jin Yao was beside him, her divine sense spreading out, perceiving her surroundings. She murmured, "We actually got out!"

How many years had passed? She had been trapped in that boundless, empty world for an unknown number of years, never imagining she would one day be able to walk out.

At this moment, she felt a sense of unreality.