# Chapter 298: Soul Shattered
“Come, try releasing your Arcane Firmament and see how it feels. When the Arcane Firmament awakens, you should naturally understand how to use it.” Yun Canghai said with a genial smile.
Yun Che nodded. Indeed, when his Arcane Firmament had awakened, a strand of soul connection had been added to his heart and soul—a connection with the Arcane Firmament. The feeling it gave him was not like that of a new power, but rather like a new organ being born inside his body. With a casual thought, a faint red light flickered on his left arm, and a strand of crimson light silently shot out, floating before him. Under his will, it transformed into the shape of Dragon Gate... aside from the difference in color, its appearance was identical to his own Dragon Gate.
Looking at the Arcane Firmament before him, although its power aura was far inferior to that of his grandfather, Yun Che's heart still surged with an indescribable excitement. Seeing his expression, Yun Canghai smiled contentedly: “Trust your feelings. It is not only your power, but also a part of your body and soul. Although among Arcane Firmaments, it is of the lowest grade, the crimson color has its own benefits. The power of the Arcane Firmament also comes from its master. Therefore, when you release it, it will also accelerate the consumption of your profound energy and mental strength. The stronger the Arcane Firmament, the greater the consumption. A crimson Arcane Firmament comes with the smallest degree of consumption.”
Yun Canghai's words were naturally just consolation. As the lowest grade of crimson Arcane Firmament, this so-called "advantage" could be said to be laughable. The crimson Arcane Firmament began to change in various forms under Yun Che's will—sometimes into a sword, sometimes into a spear, sometimes into a long ribbon, and even into the shape of a leaf, water droplet, or even a human figure. Yun Canghai continued: “The Arcane Firmament is not only a special form of power, but can also be a pure soul body, capable of soul invasion and soul attacks against enemies.”
“Soul attacks?” Yun Che was surprised, then quickly focused his mind. Immediately, his Arcane Firmament rapidly faded, becoming formless and invisible, transforming into a pure soul body.
The power and wonder of the Arcane Firmament once again exceeded Yun Che's expectations, and his heart stirred, as if he had thought of something.
“Hehehehe...” Watching Yun Che excitedly manipulating his newly awakened Arcane Firmament, Yun Canghai nodded and smiled continuously, simultaneously recalling the time when he himself had just awakened his own Arcane Firmament in his youth. As he smiled, his vision gradually blurred. Once upon a time, he had been so powerful and proud, looking down on everything. In the Huan Yao Realm, he was the 'King' beneath only the 'Emperor'. But now, he had fallen to such a miserable state, causing his son to face life-and-death uncertainty while trying to save him, and inadvertently dragging his own grandson into this abyss... His grandson was now nineteen years old, yet he had never fulfilled the duty of a grandfather for even a single day. The only thing he could do for him was to consume his own source energy to help him awaken his Arcane Firmament early.
For a hundred years, he had suffered loneliness, endured hardships and insults, yet he had never been willing to die. He didn't want the important item of the Demon Emperor Clan to be lost, nor did he want to die here so worthless.
And now, that important item had been entrusted to his grandson, and his remaining crippled life could finally die with value...
“Che'er, come here.”
Yun Che withdrew his Arcane Firmament and came before Yun Canghai.
“That year, when I left the Huan Yao Realm to search for the Demon Emperor, I handed the family head token to your father. But there was a huge secret that I did not tell him. This secret is known only to the Demon Emperor Clan and our Yun Clan, and it has been passed down orally from each generation's Demon Emperor and Yun Clan family head, with absolutely no one else knowing. If the Demon Emperor has truly fallen, then the only person in the world who knows this secret is me. I am trapped here, with no possibility of seeing the light of day again. This secret, I must pass on to you... Che'er, bring your ear closer.”
In this place, only the two of them, grandfather and grandson, were present. No one could possibly hear them speaking, yet Yun Canghai was still so cautious, showing how important this secret was. Yun Che did not say much, but did as he was told and brought his ear close. Yun Canghai whispered something extremely softly into his ear.
“Ah? Is this true?” After hearing Yun Canghai's words, Yun Che's face showed deep shock.
“This matter concerns the future of the entire Huan Yao Realm. You must keep it firmly in mind and tell it to the Little Demon Empress who now rules the Huan Yao Realm. Moreover, you must never let anyone else know.”
Yun Che nodded: “Grandfather's words, I have all engraved in my heart. Grandfather, do not be too pessimistic. We will surely find a way out. The secret Grandfather told me, I will guard closely, but telling the Little Demon Empress does not necessarily require me to do it. It would be best if Grandfather tells her personally.”
“Hahaha!” Yun Canghai laughed gratifyingly: “Hearing you say these words makes me very happy. Our Yun family has owed you for nineteen years. Grandfather has even caused you to be trapped here, yet you have shown not a trace of resentment. Not only are you willing to acknowledge me as your grandfather, but you also think of everything for me... Having a grandson like you is the fortune of our Yun family, and also the greatest compensation Heaven has given me, Yun Canghai, for my hundred years of suffering. I believe that when you see your birth parents in the future, you will certainly not blame them for not protecting you back then. Although you carry a heavy killing aura, your nature is exceptionally kind. It seems that Grandfather Xiao, who raised you, must be a very gentle person.”
Yun Che gently nodded: “He is a... very great grandfather.”
Yun Canghai raised his head and sighed emotionally: “I really want to thank him in person. Having lived for several hundred years, I have never been so grateful to anyone... Che'er, remember what I said before. In the future, you must honor him just as you would your own grandfather, and repay his nurturing kindness.”
Yun Che nodded heavily.
“Good... I am tired and need to rest for a while. Go outside the barrier and thoroughly comprehend your newborn Arcane Firmament. The more deeply you perceive it, the more you will discover its infinite wonders.” Yun Canghai said, closing his eyes.
“Yes, Grandfather.” Yun Che nodded and walked out of the barrier as instructed. In order to awaken his Arcane Firmament, Yun Canghai seemed to have expended a great deal of effort. Earlier, when he spoke, he had been panting heavily.
Stepping outside the barrier, Yun Che sat down on the spot, closed his eyes, but did not think about the Arcane Firmament. Instead, he racked his brains on how to leave this place.
Yun Canghai was bound to the Xingtian Sword by chains called the “Starfall Chain.” Yun Che had tried to attack the Starfall Chain with Dragon Gate before, but not only could he not break it, he couldn't even cause the slightest damage.
Mo Li had told him earlier that the suppressing power of the Xingtian Sword was connected to Yun Canghai's heart and soul. As long as Yun Canghai did not die, this suppressing power would continue to exist. Conversely, if he died, this suppressing power would disappear. This was also the reason why she had previously insisted on killing Yun Canghai. Now that he knew Yun Canghai was his grandfather, he could no longer lay a hand on him. So if he wanted to get out...
... ... ... ...
... ... ... ...
Yun Che's eyes snapped open, as if an electric current had pierced through his brain.
There was no way Yun Canghai could have a method to get out from here; otherwise, he wouldn't have been trapped for a hundred years. Apart from killing Yun Canghai, Yun Che had no other way out... But, just because he couldn't make a move against Yun Canghai didn't mean that Yun Canghai wouldn't make a move against himself for Yun Che's freedom!
The Heaven's Might Soul-Suppressing Array had no effect on him, so why had Yun Canghai asked him to go outside the barrier to comprehend his Arcane Firmament?
And those words he had said earlier... telling him that huge secret...
“GRANDFATHER!!”
Yun Che roared, leaped up from the ground, and charged into the barrier. The moment his foot entered the barrier, he froze in place...
Yun Canghai's head was drooped onto his chest. Even under Yun Che's startling shout, there was no response. And from his body, not a trace of life aura could be felt.
“Grandfather... GRANDFATHER!!”
The terrifying thought that had flashed through his mind suddenly approached reality like a nightmare. Yun Che's entire body trembled, and he rushed forward like a madman, throwing himself in front of Yun Canghai.
But what responded to him was not Yun Canghai's voice, but the clattering sound of the Starfall Chain falling.
The Starfall Chain that had been wrapped around Yun Canghai's body suddenly released all its bindings and drooped powerlessly. Because the Starfall Chain's seal was also connected to the heart and soul of the bound person. When the body falls and the soul is extinguished, the Starfall Chain automatically loosens.
At this moment, the imposing aura of the Xingtian Sword also dissipated completely, without a trace of heavy, vast pressure. It became as peaceful as a dead sword.
Yun Canghai's body, which had been bound for a full hundred years, finally gained freedom at this moment. He slowly fell forward, collapsing into Yun Che's arms. Yun Che held his grandfather's body, slowly knelt to the ground, and stared blankly ahead. There was no sound, no movement, not even tears, as if his soul had left his body in an instant.
“He severed his own heart meridian... I am not at all surprised that he made such a choice.” Mo Li said flatly.
Yun Che: “...”
Yun Canghai was dead. As Mo Li said, he died by severing his own heart meridian.
He died peacefully, his expression calm, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned in a smile—a smile of relief and satisfaction. This was the only thing that could console Yun Che... But behind the smile, there was a deep reluctance and concern quietly hidden.
At this moment, Yun Che's ears rang with Yun Canghai's final words... the lingering echo of his soul left before death:
“Che'er, during this time, Grandfather could see that your heart has always been filled with many people and many matters. Every moment, you yearn to get out... It is Grandfather who has wronged you. This is the last thing Grandfather can do for you. Do not grieve. Although Grandfather is gone, for me, this is the liberation I have dreamed of. To have been reunited with you, and to have entrusted to you what I could not let go of, Grandfather has no regrets, no more worries. I can peacefully and contentedly go to accompany the Demon Emperor... Moreover, there is you, as the continuation of Grandfather's life and bloodline.”
“Che'er, my good child. Grandfather never took good care of you in life. In the other world, Grandfather will use all his time and power to bless you. The Tian Xuan Continent is your home, but the Huan Yao Realm is your true birthplace. Grandfather hopes that you can one day return to the Huan Yao Realm, return to our Yun Clan, and let your parents know that you are still alive and well in this world... Do not blame your parents. They must have been worrying about you and missing you with a heart-wrenching pain for nineteen full years... Grandfather's last wish is not revenge, nor the Demon Emperor Clan, but that you... may be reunited as a family...”
Yun Canghai's final voice faded away, and two trails of tears finally rolled down Yun Che's face... Above his head, grains of sand and dust trickled down. These sands also proved that the suppression of the Xingtian Sword had completely disappeared. But Yun Che remained motionless for a long time. He held Yun Canghai's body—holding this blood relative whom he had just recognized and then lost again—his entire being like a sorrowful statue turned to stone.
——————————————
At the same time, at Tian Jian Villa.
Having finished his sword practice, Ling Jie returned to his courtyard with a body full of heat. Just as he was about to enter his room, a Tian Jian disciple dressed in full sword attire rushed in hurriedly: “Second Young Villa Master!”
“Senior Brother Yun Peng... what's the urgency?” Ling Jie turned his head, panting heavily.
“First, congratulations to the Second Young Villa Master for rapidly breaking through to the Spirit Profound Realm, Level 10, surpassing the Young Villa Master of that year.” The Tian Jian disciple said with a flattering smile. Ling Jie's breakthrough yesterday had shaken the entire Tian Jian Villa, because at seventeen, Ling Yun was only at Spirit Profound Realm, Level 9. Ling Jie's breakthrough proved that his talent had completely surpassed Ling Yun. He took out a gold-edged invitation card from his bosom: “This is an invitation from the Fen Tian Gate. The Young Gate Master of Fen Tian Gate will go to the Cangfeng Imperial City in four days to marry the Cang Yue Princess. The wedding will be held at the Flaming Sun Hall of Fen Tian Gate in seven days. The Villa Master happens to be occupied with matters in seven days, so he requests that the Second Young Villa Master go in his stead. He says it has been nearly two years since the Second Young Villa Master left Tian Jian Villa, and it's a good opportunity to take a walk now that you've broken through.”
“Fen Juecheng... and Princess Sister!?” Ling Jie shuddered, snatched the invitation from the Tian Jian disciple's hand with a “whoosh,” opened it, swept his eyes over it, and his brows immediately sank: “How can this be... No! This definitely cannot be Princess Sister's true intention. Princess Sister is Big Brother's...”
He read the invitation several times, finally pausing his gaze on the date. His brow furrowed, as if he had made some decision. He put away the invitation and said seriously: “Senior Brother Yun Peng, go tell Father. In seven days, I will go to the Fen Tian Gate in his stead.”
...
...