A couple of days passed.

The Graha race has still yet to descend, yet the world was appropriately on edge. It was especially so for the nine top sects, who learned that their opponent this time would be from the Upper World upon meeting with the Arcane Mountain. It would be an invasion from above, a first for the Mortal Desolate World.

Only they were aware of this information so far, the others were still in the dark. The people only knew that the Graha was returning and that was it. Nervousness, fear, anxiety, and unease, the Sect Masters of the nine sects were struck with all kinds of emotions, none of which was good.

Their minds were plagued by doubt, which caused them to feel uncomfortable. Can they win again? What if they lose? What would be their fate? What of their families? Friends? What would happen to the people?

Cultivators they may be, but humans they remain. It was only natural for them to worry.

However, when they saw how unfazed Dong Zongying was in their gathering, they suddenly felt a boost of confidence and they became composed. That’s right, the Arcane Mountain was here, as was the Great Ancestor, with them around, what was there to fear? Upper World or not, how big can the difference be from last time?

The existence of the Arcane Mountain gave them a great sense of security and despite their differences over the years, the nine sects have always highly regarded the Arcane Mountain. Their presence gave them great comfort for the upcoming battle.

Thus, the Sect Masters hid their concerns in the deepest parts of their hearts before returning to their respective sects with greater determination than before.

Mortal Haven and Mortal Desolate were surprisingly similar in this sense because the Mortal Haven World experienced a similar circumstance where leadership was needed. The first time the Upper World descended, they too panicked. There were also thoughts of surrendering but it was at that time that two people stood out and bravely charged forward to lead the fight to defend their home. It was a brutal, and hard-fought battle that ultimately ended in the victory of Mortal Haven. Later on, those two individuals were given the title of Guardian, and to this day, that title holds a significant importance that continues to be passed down from one generation to the next.

The meaning of Guardian has always been much more than just about being strong. If one doesn’t have the love and conviction to want to safeguard their home from outer threats, then they will never be worthy of such a title.

In the history of Mortal Haven, there has only ever been one person who doesn’t quite match this requirement.

…

It was currently nighttime at the Ardent Yin Sect.

The silver moon lingered behind the hazy clouds while the sight of heavy snowfall continues without any sign of ending. Its abundance filled the land but failed to muffle the sounds of the bustling sect.

Under the brilliance of the stars, Xiao Yueyin’s beautiful figure can be seen standing on the balcony of the Third Yin Pavilion. The purple streaks in her hair gleamed from the moonlight, which further accentuated her allure.

Seated behind her, was Guo Xinyi, who was still struggling in the Pseudo Rejection Field. After all the time that she has spent there, she has become much thinner than before. Her face was pale and she looked to be on her last leg, yet, every time she was on the verge of passing out, she fought to stay awake. Compared to the first day when she was in the Pseudo Rejection Field, her resistance toward the Rejection now has definitely increased, but as for whether or not she was confident in tackling the Ninth Life Destruction, that was something only she herself would know.

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Xiao Yueyin was still wearing Ji Xian’s black robe and nothing about her seemed to have changed. Her expression was still as unfriendly as before, however, a hint of fatigued could be seen in her eyes. Despite the busying movements going on below her, she paid no attention to it and was only blankly staring ahead in one particular direction.

There were the shadows of a man and woman in the distance.

As Xiao Yueyin watched them, a vibration was constantly being released from her enclosed hand. A small jade tablet was visible through the gaps in her fingers. It sent a series of messages in her mind but from her dazed expression, who knows if she even heard it?

The vibration never stopped and after some time, she finally took her eyes away from the couple afar. Then, she glanced downwards at her hand and muttered, “Master, I’m sorry, nothing you say can convince me to return. I can’t go back yet… not without them…”

“Please, just wait a little longer.”

The vibration from the jade tablet became even more rapid as if responding to Xiao Yueyin’s words.

There were angry roars in her mind but she ignored them.

Xiao Yueyin put away the jade tablet and glanced at Guo Xinyi.

After confirming that she was fine, Xiao Yueyin vanished from the balcony.

She reappeared in the sky, before the rooftop of the Core Yin Pavilion.

A man and woman were casually resting there.

The man was laying on his back, silently resting his head on the woman’s lap. It was almost impossible to make out his appearance as half of his face was hidden behind a cloth and the other half by his scattered hair. He resembled a corpse but upon closer look, it looks as though he was only sleeping. His breathing was faint and strange as it was being inhaled and exhaled in an unusual rhythmic pattern.

The woman was sitting with her long legs fully stretched out, her eyes also closed. With one hand she was caressing the man’s face and with the other, she was brushing his hair. Her elegant white dress danced with the wind and it brought forth her flawless features. There was something odd going on around her but Xiao Yueyin failed to understand what it was.

She glanced at the woman before focusing her attention on the man, her expression complicated.

She reached out her arm, wanting to touch him, but as she draws near, she was repelled by an unknown force.

Xiao Yueyin sighed, not at all surprised by what just happened, clearly, she has experienced this before.

“Ji Xian… why are you always so unreliable? In a time like this, you’re still sleeping?”

“What exactly is going on? Since you and Lihua’s time at the Sacred Yin Hall, so many things have happened. The Second Yin Pavilion Master has left the Ardent Yin Sect, my Talisman Hall Master is a spy and the Graha is closely approaching. Apparently, there have also been some movements at the ruins of the Amber Soul Kingdom, which makes no sense. Why are people still going there? That place has been entirely plummeted since long ago. What else could be there?”

Xiao Yueyin unhappily spoke to herself to relieve some stress. Ji Xian and Xia Lihua never looked for her after the events of the Sacred Yin Hall, instead, they came here and went into this weird meditative state, and since then, they haven’t left this spot.

She has a feeling that they have the answers to her questions but with both of them like this, she can only remain ignorant for the time being,

Xiao Yueyin glanced at Xia Lihua and a fit of surging jealousy began to rise from within her heart.

Why is it you? Why does he share everything with you and not me? Why didn’t I meet him first!? In what way are you better than me!?”

Xiao Yueyin’s pupils dangerously narrowed. An angry, defiant draconic roar cried out from deep within her soul.

I am the true dragon! I am the true dragon! I am the true dragon! You should not have existed!

Pitch-black scales slowly grew from her skin. She glared at Xia Lihua, her eyes glowing with a purple hue that was filled with murderous intent.

Xiao Yueyin felt her emotions getting out of control. She quickly bit her tongue to pull herself back to reality and she used her will to resist the unruly dragon inside her.

She broke out into cold sweats, and a few minutes later, she finally calmed down.

Xiao Yueyin panted. She looked down at her hands and felt nothing but disappointment.

It happened again… in the end, my will is still too weak. I need to break through to the Tenth Life Destruction soon, otherwise, I’ll just keep losing control.

Xiao Yueyin gave the couple one last look before deciding to leave.

It was at this moment, that a great change occurred in the Mortal Desolate World. All beings felt their hearts skip a beat and they raised their heads to the sky.

A gigantic spatial tear appeared and it brought along a seven-colored light that brought fear to everyone in the world.

At the Arcane Mountain, the Great Ancestor appeared outside his immortal cave. His expression was serious as he looked onward in the direction of the spatial tear.

“That’s… is this a coincidence? That is where the Amber Soul Kingdom is located. How can this be? The Graha is descending there?”

“Han Lan, don’t tell me you already foreseen this happening long ago?"