Though Hao Yun was busy celebrating his successful escape from Eternal Star, he momentarily forgot to report to Dao Lao and Dream Jia about the dagger, causing him to regret missing the opportunity to transfer the mold spirit energy from it. More importantly, he blamed himself for not figuring out a way to bring back the dagger from King Eru to Yan Chaoyue. As Yan Chaoyue had said, reuniting all thirteen daggers would allow her to gain a greater power boost from the complete form of Phoenix Thorn. Even if they couldn't match the Destroyer, who was a catastrophic-level threat, at least they would have the ability to confront him.
"It's okay, Brother Hao. You didn't know about the use of the Phoenix Thorn feathers. Besides, I've now gathered twelve daggers, enough to activate my tactical formation and significantly boost my strength. Now, even if I can't directly match the Destroyer, I at least have the power to hold him off. This way, you can find his vulnerabilities and plan to defeat him," Yan Chaoyue comforted Hao Yun while explaining her battle plan.
Meanwhile, seemingly to confirm Yan Chaoyue's claims of increased strength, the mold spirit energy tracking system soon sent them a detection message: Yan Chaoyue's Mold Luck level was now at one star. This meant that despite her increased strength, Yan Chaoyue had once again strengthened her resistance to negative energy. However, since a one-star Mold Luck level still existed within her, Hao Yun and the others felt relieved about her decreased Mold Luck level but remained concerned about her physical condition.
"If we can retrieve the thirteenth dagger, will you return to your complete form? By then, the properties of the lower realm creatures within you will be completely suppressed and neutralized by the powerful divine force, shielding your Mold Luck level completely?" After honestly explaining her current physical condition to Yan Chaoyue, Dream Jia asked.
"I think so," Yan Chaoyue nodded in response.
"But how do we retrieve that dagger from King Eru's possession? Considering Sister Chaoyue's current state, I don't think she can reopen a teleportation array in a short time!" Hao Yun said.
"Alas! Yes! Due to the need to break through the chaotic flow of black hole energy and the three layers of uncontrolled defensive arrays, I must fully activate the spell to ensure I can open a teleportation array close enough to the Eternal Star. This will consume a lot of my strength and require a long rest to fully replenish that part of my energy," Yan Chaoyue sighed.
"And before I can cast such a powerful spell, I also need to ensure I have enough strength left to maintain the Sky Curtain Shield. Therefore, even if my strength is fully restored, I cannot easily open a teleportation array. Moreover, now that the Destroyer's strength has greatly increased, I cannot afford to risk sending you back to the Eternal Star, as it would be too dangerous!" Yan Chaoyue helplessly shrugged.
Listening to Yan Chaoyue's explanation, Dao Lao and Dream Jia couldn't help but feel conflicted. They had seen Yan Chaoyue draw a large amount of energy from her battle armor, but what surprised them was that even with such replenishment, she could only cast a teleportation spell once. Thinking of this, Hao Yun and Dream Jia couldn't help but smile wryly. Fortunately, they hadn't stopped Yan Chaoyue from continuing to gain energy; otherwise, even if she could sense the energy sent out by Phoenix Thorn Feather Six, she might not have been able to save Hao Yun from Musi.
As Dao Lao and Dream Jia pondered, Yan Chaoyue continued, "In addition, although this tactical formation formed by twelve daggers can greatly enhance my strength, it doesn't mean that I can cast a powerful teleportation spell again. Because the teleportation spell I cast was an additional skill added to the dagger by the Countess when she repaired the Phoenix Thorn. So——"
"So, you can only activate this skill in the dagger using the energy from the Earthly Spirit Realm battle armor, just like creating this Sky Curtain Shield, right?" Hao Yun interrupted, and at the same time understood that the teleportation array Yan Chaoyue had opened to help him escape from prison made him feel evil because the teleportation array was also a function provided by the Countess.
"Yes. Just like launching the Sky Curtain Shield," Yan Chaoyue replied.
"Do you still have the ability to maintain the Sky Curtain Shield now?" Dao Lao asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, Uncle Dao. The reason why I chose to seclude myself after obtaining that energy was to transfer energy to the Sky Curtain Shield to ensure its stability. If the situation doesn't deteriorate further, but continues to fight at the current level of confrontation, then the Sky Curtain Shield will at least be able to support another dozen or so years. Of course, if I can take all the energy from your battle armor, the Sky Curtain Shield will naturally be able to support it longer!" Yan Chaoyue replied. Anyone could hear from her words that there was still some blame for Dao Lao and Dream Jia.
Dao Lao and Dream Jia were also helpless about this. Because they were not unwilling to contribute their Earthly Spirit Realm battle armor. It's just that if Yan Chaoyue continues to absorb the energy of the battle armor without any worries, it will make her physical condition worse. If there is something wrong with Yan Chaoyue, not to mention that Dao Lao is not easy to explain to Yan Judge, just talking about this Sky Curtain Shield, who can take over Yan Chaoyue and continue to maintain it?
Thinking of this, Dao Lao simply opened up his concerns. Yan Chaoyue expressed her understanding of Dao Lao's concerns helplessly, and then said that this Sky Curtain Shield cannot be lost under her control, and it can achieve self-operation. And don't talk about leaving her control, even if she is far away from the Sky Curtain Shield, it will cause the Sky Curtain Shield to fail instantly. This is also because after King Eru and the others were captured, Yan Chaoyue was always unable to personally lead the army to rescue the Eternal Star.
Stolen novel; please report.
To avoid continuing the topic of providing battle armor energy, Dream Jia changed her tone and asked, "So, Chaoyue, have you already used up all the energy you absorbed earlier?"
"Of course not. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the strength to talk to everyone now. However, the remaining energy is only enough for my own use. Besides, I can't activate any larger spells anymore. So, receiving the blessing of these twelve Phoenix Thorn splinters at this moment strengthens my own power. Lord Hao, you've truly lent me a helping hand in times of need!" Yan Chaoyue sighed, showing gratitude as she respectfully nodded towards Hao Yun.
Hao Yun quickly reciprocated with a respectful bow. At the same time, he thought about the remaining energy in his own battle armor and the mold spirit energy stored in his mold spirit energy storage device. Adding to that the ten percent mold spirit energy sealed within Phoenix Thorn Feather Six, if Yan Chaoyue converted all these energies into a special form usable by her, could it potentially prolong the Sky Curtain Shield's endurance?
Of course, Hao Yun was merely pondering. He didn't want Yan Chaoyue to suffer further harm due to acquiring these energies, especially those mold spirit energies left within Phoenix Thorn Feather Six. Regardless, Hao Yun felt he should retain these energies for now and use them to contact Judge Yan and the others when necessary. Thus, since Yan Chaoyue hadn't discovered these energies yet, it was best to keep this matter concealed to leverage them at a critical moment.
Yet, Hao Yun had another thought: if he provided these energies to Yan Chaoyue, could she once again activate a remote teleportation array to send them back to Eternal Star to seize the thirteenth dagger, or even strike the Destroyer before his power became unstoppable? Thinking this through, Hao Yun felt torn. He shared his thoughts with Dao Lao and Dream Jia, seeking their advice.
Dao Lao and Dream Jia understood the potential benefits if Yan Chaoyue acquired these energies, but they also didn't see the necessity of putting Yan Chaoyue in danger. At least not at this moment. Therefore, Dao Lao and Dream Jia advised Hao Yun to remain silent and observe how the situation developed.
To ensure Hao Yun didn't blurt out these things to Yan Chaoyue due to a sudden impulse, Dao Lao emphasized several times after they had all agreed on their course of action. Dream Jia, especially concerned about Hao Yun keeping his mouth shut at this crucial juncture, leaned over and gave Hao Yun a firm twist at his waist. It was a reminder for him to understand clearly that if he accidentally revealed the matter of these mold spirit energies to Yan Chaoyue, he would face severe punishment from Dream Jia.
As their conversation drifted back to the topic of Yan Chaoyue absorbing energies, despite their efforts to avoid continuing in that direction, they couldn't help but recall the recent minor friction, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward. The discussion paused abruptly due to this topic related to Yan Chaoyue's energy absorption.
Finally, Yan Chaoyue broke the silence with a casual tone, "Ah, that was just a misunderstanding earlier. Let's not dwell on it. I understand, Uncle Dao and Dream Jia, you stopped me from absorbing energy for my own good. Because you want me to return to the City of Spirits with you and reunite with my parents. Don't worry! I get it! Actually, I was too eager to obtain those energies earlier, so my mind was clouded and I didn't communicate well with Uncle Dao and Dream Jia. I apologize sincerely to both of you. I was a bit too rash just now!"
With that said, Yan Chaoyue placed her hands on her abdomen, bent her knees, and respectfully bowed to Dao Lao and Dream Jia. Seeing their queen behaving so respectfully, Hilf and the two others immediately knelt on one knee and paid their respects to Dao Lao and Dream Jia.
Dao Lao quickly stepped forward to support Yan Chaoyue, reassuring her that he harbored no ill feelings and that he only wanted to protect her from harm. Dream Jia and Hao Yun also rushed forward to help Hilf, General Iron Knife, and Tie Zhu to their feet, emphasizing that they were all comrades in the same trench and there was no need for such formalities.
In conclusion, thanks to Yan Chaoyue's initiative in admitting her mistake, the unresolved tension from earlier was completely defused, and the awkward atmosphere was eased. With the atmosphere lively again, they fervently discussed their next strategies. Unfortunately, no matter how they discussed it, they couldn't devise a more effective plan against the Mastanians.
Ultimately, they agreed that since the current situation was extremely unfavorable for the Eternal Star people, they should fortify their defenses thoroughly. Additionally, while holding their ground, they needed to quickly restore their own strength. This would allow them to confront the Mastanians with better conditions when they launched a large-scale attack on Eternal Star. They hoped to defeat the Destroyer with the combined strength of the four of them first, as once the Destroyer was defeated, the Mastanians would significantly weaken without his aura. Therefore, they felt it wasn't too late to launch a massive siege against the Mastanians when the time came.
With their battle plan set, they dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to intense preparations before the upcoming decisive battle. Queen Yan Chaoyue also bluntly announced to all that the current situation was gravely unfavorable for the Eternal Star people. She emphasized that the next battle, about to unfold between them, could likely determine the final outcome. Therefore, she called upon all Eternal Star people to take up arms, make haste in fortifying defenses, and be prepared to confront the Mastanians in a decisive battle at any moment.
The Eternal Star people's enthusiasm for battle naturally needed no further worry; otherwise, they wouldn't have been chosen by various deities from the spirit realm to join their coalition during the War God's period, with Eternal Star serving as a crucial logistical base during wartime. Everyone understood clearly that if they didn't actively confront the enemy's attacks, they would have no retreat and could only watch in despair as their families and friends around them fell victim to the Mastanians' atrocities.
Therefore, faced with the various crimes committed by the Mastanians against them, in order to make the Mastanians pay the blood debt they owed, to protect their families and friends, and to safeguard their civilization, not a single Eternal Star person showed fear or hesitation upon hearing the news that the Mastanians could launch a full-scale assault on Eternal Star at any moment. At this moment, the face of every Eternal Star person was marked with determination and a readiness to face death, each displaying a strong desire to fight.