420 - Senior Sister Is on Top

Jiang Yin opened her mouth to dissuade her, but her words were interrupted by the joyful gaze of her junior sister. “Senior sister treats me so well. Then, I’ll leave my safety in your hands. I trust that Her Majesty will protect me.” Tang Muxi playfully responded, rarely referring to her senior sister as "Her Majesty". The term “Her Majesty” hit Jiang Yin’s heart like a jolt of electricity, stirring indescribable emotions. She remained silent for a long time before reluctantly sighing and nodding her agreement. After a brief exchange with her senior sister, Tang Muxi did not delay any longer. She rose into the air, positioning the three fragments of the Soul-Reaping Seal before her, and arranged the snake-blood-soaked fragment of the sacred tree in the center. To be extra cautious, she took out a bagua mirror and set up a formation to conceal and protect them. “Senior sister, I’m about to start now.” She didn't know why she felt the need to inform her senior sister first, but it brought her a sense of reassurance. Jiang Yin nodded, surveying the golden light of the formation surrounding them. Though she knew it was unlikely her intervention would be needed, she nonetheless drew her Demon-Imprisoning Blade. Tang Muxi turned back, focusing intently on the three Soul-Reaping Seal fragments. She took out an immortal stone, drawing forth its radiant mystical energy, which transformed into countless threads and wrapped around one of the fragments. If one looked closely, they’d notice that this fragment’s power far surpassed the other two. The reason was simple: Tang Muxi had used this particular piece in a previous blood sacrifice. She then took up the sacred tree fragment, without erasing the faintly glowing blood on it, and crushed it thoroughly, allowing the blood essence and powdered sacred tree to fully integrate. By the time she finished, cold sweat had already beaded on her forehead. Tang Muxi drew out a large amount of high-grade spirit stones, crushing them to absorb their pure energy into her body. Once her depleted spirit power was partially replenished, she continued by infusing the sacred tree powder with her spirit power, subsequently drawing out a trace of multicolored spirit force, combining it all to form a dazzling, five-colored crystalline fluid. The fluid emitted divine light, shining brightly as it condensed, causing a transformation in the heavens. Countless spiritual clouds churned, and an overwhelming aura descended, even overshadowing the power of the divine artifact. Watching the strange changes in the sky, Jiang Yin’s fear grew. Completing a divine artifact was unprecedented, a monumental task for the order of Yin and Yang. Such an achievement should be celebrated for millennia. Yet, why did these dense clouds resemble a harbinger of doom? Unable to help herself, she gripped the Demon-Imprisoning Blade tightly, ready to fully commit if any danger arose. Tang Muxi also sensed something amiss, frowning at the turbulent skies, unable to discern the meaning behind the phenomenon. Holding the crystalline fluid, she hesitated for a moment but did not stop. No matter what awaited her ahead, she could not abandon this. With determined resolve, she smeared the crystalline fluid on the three Soul-Reaping Seal fragments, using divine power to slowly merge them. Facilitated by the divine blood and sacred tree, the fragments soon began to coalesce, revealing its square shape, and the dormant power of the divine artifact stirred, rippling outward like water in a silent pond. This was the first time Tang Muxi had examined the Soul-Reaping Seal so closely. The mystical runes engraved on its surface were dizzying. Her actions became more cautious, meticulously joining the fragments. Yet, just as they were about to merge, it felt as if an insurmountable gulf had interrupted the process. Tang Muxi frowned tightly, pouring in more spirit power. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make the fragments fully integrate. It was as if, despite being so close, success eluded her… Seeing her junior sister struggling, Jiang Yin couldn’t help but ask, “Junior sister, are you having difficulties?” Tang Muxi nodded, “Senior sister, it feels like the seal is resisting fusion…” She wasn’t sure why she came to this conclusion; it was just a sudden feeling. Jiang Yin approached for a closer inspection and noticed one fragment was nearer and more powerful than the others. “Junior sister, try dripping two drops of blood into the gaps,” Jiang Yin suggested, recalling the previous blood sacrifice. Tang Muxi complied. The blood seeped into the seal’s cracks and vanished without a trace. Tang Muxi stood puzzled, but just as she thought her effort was in vain, a beam of golden light descended from the sky, illuminating the fragments. In the next moment, the Soul-Reaping Seal fused completely. Its surface runes blazed with a fearful intensity. Chapter 240 The Soul-Reaping Seal, if viewed from the outside, resembled the legendary Jade Seal of the Pass of State, differing only in its material composition. Measuring half a foot in width and length, small enough to be held in one hand, it contained the immense power to overturn the cosmic order. Its surface bore intricate, obscure symbols, occasionally flashing with a strange black and gold hue. Like a reaper’s weapon, it held the power to decide life and death at a mere gesture. Tang Muxi had not seen the complete form of the Soul-Reaping Seal since it reigned supreme a thousand years ago. Now, seeing it suddenly, she was momentarily overwhelmed by the black and gold runes. She stood there, bathed in golden light, feeling as though she had returned to her mother’s embrace. Eager to proceed, Tang Muxi extended her hand, activating the Soul-Reaping Seal. “In the name of Empress Xi, shatter the Gates of the Underworld, realign the order of Yin and Yang, command…” command all beings to obey the cycle of reincarnation, and return all spirits to the Nine Hells. Before the golden light of merit faded, she harnessed the artifact’s power, intending to open the ghostly gates and eliminate the strife plaguing the cultivation world. However, midway through her incantation, the Soul-Reaping Seal in her hand began to tremble. At first, the vibration was faint, almost illusory, but it quickly intensified, like a raging beast, enveloping the entire realm. The ground shook, winds howled, and the obscure runes on the seal flickered with dark light, as if the artifact were breaking free from her grasp, soaring towards the sky. Struggling to stabilize herself, Tang Muxi looked up, seeing the once pristine spiritual clouds turn ominously dark. An overwhelming shroud of murky ghostly fire blanketed the sky. Tang Muxi’s voice halted abruptly. Drawing her Mirage God sword, she watched the rebellious Soul-Reaping Seal and the dim sky scorched by the ghostly fire. For a moment, it felt as if the world was on the brink of collapse.