Chapter 507: Painful Struggle

As the hollow and tragic sound of the soul gradually faded, the shepherd boy's soul body finally appeared before Xu Yang's team. However, the outline of this small figure seemed different from what they had imagined. Although his appearance and form were identical, the expression on his face was one of such profound pain and sorrow that it evoked pity.

Especially his hollow eyes, which seemed to belong only to an elder who had weathered countless hardships and the vicissitudes of endless years.

“The shepherd boy's soul essence has finally appeared!” Long Kun excitedly turned his head, glancing at Xu Yang and the others. It was only then that he realized his mistake, seeing the icy expressions on their faces.

“Alright, my mistake.” Long Kun stuck out his tongue helplessly and turned his face back, feeling a bit awkward. But this time, he truly wanted to do something for everyone, not just be an observer or someone trailing behind.

Xu Yang's expression remained calm as he slowly stepped forward, approaching the shepherd boy and looking deeply into his eyes.

“Since we were able to come here and awaken you, we already know a great deal about you. You should clearly understand that we bear you no ill will. To be frank, our sole purpose here is to understand what truly happened to you all those years ago. Who was the ultimate source, the instigator, of the calamity within the Cloud Dream Marsh?”

Xu Yang clearly stated their purpose and origins, hoping to avoid further unnecessary conflict and prevent the shepherd boy from experiencing even deeper sorrow. However, he soon realized that his approach seemed to provoke a strong rejection from the shepherd boy.

“Don't pretend to be sympathetic here! If it weren't for the various factions from your continent greedily coveting the mysterious heritage of Cloud Dream Marsh back then, how could those people have erupted in such hysterical resistance? It was your shameless, ruthless slaughter that created that tragedy. You brought this upon yourselves, and you fully deserve whatever consequences come!”

The shepherd boy became exceptionally agitated, and without giving Xu Yang and his team a chance to learn more, he plunged into a frenzied state. At the same time, the familiar blood-red light reappeared!

“It’s the Blood Demon Curse again! Quick, Miss Shi!” Xu Yang's expression hardened as he immediately called out to Shi Lingyun behind him. She did not disappoint; the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound surged forth in scorching waves, engulfing the shepherd boy's soul essence and beginning to dispel the negative effects on him.

The intricate, clashing sounds reverberated as those almost tangible sound blades fiercely attacked the blood-red outline. However, the effect produced this time greatly astonished all five members of Xu Yang's team!

“No! How can this be? The sound blades are causing a mutation effect on the surface of the Blood Demon Curse?” Long Kun was utterly stunned, clutching his head as he watched the scene in disbelief.

Shi Lingyun, who had been acting with full confidence, hesitated due to the sudden turn of events.

“Don't hesitate, Lingyun. Remember, no matter what the consequences, the four of us will always trust and support you unconditionally. That's what teammates do. Even if it leads to world-ending repercussions, we'll stand by you. Never doubt yourself!”

Xu Yang himself had come up step by step from a similar stage to Shi Lingyun's. He knew very well that building confidence is difficult, but shattering it often takes only an instant. Shi Lingyun was currently in such a critical growth period. If, at this crucial moment, she were to lose the confidence she had painstakingly built, the internal damage would be unimaginable, possibly leaving an indelible scar.

Such negative effects are often directly related to the individual's soul strength. The stronger the soul and deeper its foundation, the harder it is to recover from such a blow to confidence. This is especially true for someone like Shi Lingyun, who possesses the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart state, a pinnacle of soul cultivation on the continent. If she were truly struck and left with a psychological shadow, perhaps only a true deity could heal such a wound!

Fortunately, Xu Yang was there. When he spoke those words, Shi Lingyun was so moved she almost shed tears. Perhaps only she and Xu Yang truly understood the immense spiritual power conveyed by such comforting and encouraging words, and a look of unwavering trust! Indeed, the moment Shi Lingyun hesitated and turned her head, she saw the four of them looking back with eyes full of unwavering belief, and a shared resolve and courage to bear any consequences together!

In a trance, the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound seemed to erupt with unprecedented brilliance at that very moment! The previously monochromatic sound blades, under Shi Lingyun's ultimate, peak performance, now shimmered with a dazzling array of other colors!

“My goodness, this girl's spiritual power seems to have become even stronger than before! Her potential is truly immeasurable!”

Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Hua, watching from the side, was filled with envy. She understood that while everyone's encouragement was important for Shi Lingyun's astonishing performance, the fundamental reason was the assistance of her Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart state, a peak human soul realm.

Originally, the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart state was only supposed to provide a certain level of auxiliary effect, as Xiao Hua had previously told everyone; it was a soul cultivation realm. However, when Xiao Hua witnessed Shi Lingyun's recent transformation, she suddenly and instinctively realized that her understanding might have been too narrow. This heart state might truly undergo significant, tangible changes as its wielder continuously strives for perfection!

At that moment, Xiao Hua even wished she could transform into a ray of light, entering the depths of Shi Lingyun's mind to truly see if her heart had undergone a transformation utterly different from anyone else's, just as her and Xu Yang's soul realms differed from others by possessing color! If Xu Yang and Xiao Hua were considered anomalies on the soul level, then Shi Lingyun might very well be an anomaly on the heart level!

It was known that when beings perished on this continent, every part of their body would revert to its most primitive, colorless state. This was the concept of 'returning to primordial simplicity' on the level of the Grand Dao! Xiao Hua had previously believed that her and Xu Yang's souls possessing color was the most essential manifestation of being close to a deity, and that only the soul essence itself could permanently possess its own unique color. However, the instant the scene unfolding before her eyes—what was happening to Shi Lingyun—entered her vision, Xiao Hua instinctively began to ponder new possibilities.