236 - Elasia Saga

**Chapter 236: Rebuilding the Shanhua Palace (Translated Excerpt)** Fu Yan, having meticulously prepared, was resolute in leading Shanhua Palace to the upcoming Immortal Sect Symposium. Admission to such a prestigious event necessitates a guiding immortal, a feat Shanhua Palace currently cannot boast. Even Lu Xiao Wen, who has rebuilt his power to rival an immortal, has not yet achieved true immortality, making this ambition a daunting hurdle. Fu Yan stared intently at Bai Yue Li before nodding truthfully, "Yes, that's my plan." With the Xuyou Jade Seal, thirty years could equate to nearly a century for Fu Yan. Given her current prowess, ascending to immortality within that time isn't out of reach. However, time was scarce. To enter this symposium, she needed not only to enhance her cultivation but also to rapidly expand Shanhua Palace. Alone, this task couldn't be accomplished, leading her to conclude that Lu Xiao Wen, being of Shanhua Palace, was her ideal ally. Upon hearing Fu Yan's intentions, Bai Yue Li showed no surprise, offering a simple, "Alright." Rebuilding Shanhua Palace was beyond Bai Yue Li's capacity due to her position, and she recognized her limitations in assisting Fu Yan. "Are you planning to return to the Southern Domain next?" Bai Yue Li asked, regaining her usual calm demeanor. "Yes," Fu Yan confirmed. "Despite its current state, Shanhua Palace's original site is still the most suitable place for reconstruction." Bai Yue Li nodded, acknowledging the situation. "All right. I've been away from the Demon Domain for a while. It's time I returned." Now occupying the role of Demon Lord, Bai Yue Li couldn't afford prolonged absences from the Demon Domain. Following the previous Demon Lord's ordeal with heavenly tribulation, the domain required fortification, and there were also many external threats to consider. Fu Yan agreed, "Very well." That night, Bai Yue Li used her magical prowess to tear through space, retracing her journey back to the Demon Domain in a matter of moments, unseen by any observers. In the grand hall of the Demon Palace, she sat quietly on her throne, devoid of visible emotion as she regarded the figure before her. "Do you have any orders, Demon Lord?" You Lao asked, his expression inscrutable as he met Bai Yue Li's gaze. Since Fu Yan intended to return to Shanhua Palace, Bai Yue Li would eventually need to travel between domains. The distance between the Southern Domain and the Demon Domain was vast, making spatial travel unreliable and risky. There was potential for a mishap that could expose her whereabouts to immortals, thus she needed a secure teleportation array. "I require a concealed teleportation array to the Southern Domain," Bai Yue Li instructed him. This array would respond solely to Bai Yue Li's magic, allowing only her passage—far more convenient than using her space-tearing power. "Understood," You Lao responded respectfully, turning to leave without questioning her motive. Watching him depart, Bai Yue Li's eyes briefly flickered with understanding, perhaps realizing that the original Demon Lord's meticulous planning encompassed even her eventual return. With Bai Yue Li returning to her duties, Fu Yan deftly maneuvered the spirit vessel towards the Southern Domain, disappearing shortly thereafter into her meditative training within the Xuyou Jade Seal. Half a year swiftly slipped by as she fortified her sword techniques and cultivated in her secluded sanctuary. When Fu Yan reopened her eyes, she felt reinvigorated, her cultivation base significantly strengthened, although the second heavenly tribulation was still distant. After a brief respite, she delved into studying dual cultivation techniques, anticipating that she might soon explore them with Bai Yue Li. The thought lingered, eliciting a smile and a satisfied curve of her lips. Fu Yan realized that dual cultivation transcended mere physical practice, encompassing a soul connection that surpassed all else, promising unparalleled ecstasy. Musing over this, she discarded such thoughts, organizing her plans before stepping away from the seal. On the quiet spirit vessel, Yi Tu and Yuan He had already emerged from their meditation, their cultivation restored to peak levels. Yuan He, with his fractured foundation, couldn't advance beyond the later stages of the Void Formation. Fu Yan resolved to find alternative means to aid his advancement. Collecting herself, Fu Yan emerged onto the deck, greeted by the fiery hues of twilight as the sun descended. A solitary strand of hair, indistinguishable from the rest, lay quietly among her tresses, devoid of any perceivable aura, thus escaping attention. Relaxing her body, Fu Yan's contemplation of the horizon was interrupted by a sudden waft of decay emanating from below, causing her to wrinkle her nose in distaste. Distinctive and pungent, the odor resembled rot, yet carried a distinct nuance. Quickly, Fu Yan extended her mental senses towards its source. Below, a large caravan of over a hundred people was entrapped by a swarm of zombies within a canyon pass. The undead besieged them from both sides, tightly encircling the caravan. "Boom! Boom!" In mere moments, the caravan's cultivators, safeguarding their cargo, found themselves embroiled in combat with the zombies amidst the pervasive odor, swords clashing and spiritual energy flaring around them. Initially indifferent to the unfolding battle, Fu Yan paused as she recognized a familiar figure among the caravan—a man who had once gifted her a silver card, Liu Sheng Yi of the Ge Yuan Trading Company. Considering few dared to challenge such an influential entity, the culprits intrigued her. "What happened, mistress?" Yi Tu and Yuan He approached, disturbed by the pervasive stench, the latter frowning with distaste. Fu Yan gestured silently, halting the spirit vessel above the canyon pass, signaling them to look below. Yi Tu and Yuan He glanced down, surprised to witness the scene unfolding beneath them. "Zombies? Could this be the work of the Corpse Ghost Sect?" Yi Tu exclaimed. "Corpse Ghost Sect?" Fu Yan queried, unfamiliar with the name. "You haven't heard of them, mistress?" Yi Tu seemed taken aback before hastening to explain, "Not long ago, a mysterious being capable of corpse refinement emerged, notorious for his nefarious methods. Despite concerted efforts by multiple immortals, he eluded death." Fu Yan recalled hearing about this enigmatic figure when she first encountered Yuan He. "The Corpse Ghost Sect is his creation, rising to notoriety in a few short years. Though accounted a demonic sect and shunned, their power equals the Demon Domain's necromancers..." Yi Tu trailed off, mindful of Bai Yue Li's ties. Indeed, in such a brief period, the sect's rise was unnerving, creating complications for the righteous sects and hindering their readiness to challenge the Demon Domain. Her thoughts interrupted by the escalating battle below, Fu Yan assessed that despite the presence of strong cultivators, the caravan struggled against the zombies, likely due to concealed enemies from the Corpse Ghost Sect. At this rate, the Ge Yuan Trading Company wouldn't withstand for long. "Bang!" The sound from the canyon jolted Fu Yan back to the present. Observing the dire situation once more, she instructed Yi Tu and Yuan He, "Go down and assist them." Without hesitation, the two leapt from the spirit vessel, diving into the fray. Fu Yan held a favorable impression of the Ge Yuan Trading Company, especially since Liu Sheng Yi had personally given her the silver card she possessed. So, encountering them now, lending a hand felt like a natural gesture. Thinking this, Fu Yan quickly moved, gracefully withdrawing the spirit vessel with a wave of her hand, and flew towards the canyon. She didn't reveal herself immediately, instead using her spiritual energy to target and take down the concealed disciples of the Corpse Ghost Sect. The sudden assault threw them into a panic. This mission evidently wasn't of great importance, as the most formidable among them was barely at the peak of the Void Formation stage. Without breaking a sweat, Fu Yan dispatched them with swift sword strokes, leaving many either dead or severely injured. Within moments, the Corpse Ghost Sect disciples around the canyon were slain by Fu Yan’s sword or had fled hastily. Without their control, the zombies ceased to be a coordinated threat, dissolving into chaos. Peace returned swiftly to the canyon pass, and the caravan's members collectively exhaled in relief. Fu Yan sheathed her sword and descended, heading towards Liu Sheng Yi, who was staring at her in astonishment. At that moment, a single strand of silver within her long hair subtly twitched, as if sensing something.