"The Heaven Refiner Cauldron!"

The startled cry rang out in Moon Hermit's ear just as she finished killing Silent Fate with a finger strike. She had been calmly withdrawing her fair hand, but those words made her pause. "What did you say?"

The artifact spirit of the Myriad Beast Scroll fell silent for a moment before answering, "Never mind; I was mistaken. That cauldron only looks like the Heaven Refiner Cauldron, but its tier and power are far from the real thing."

Moon Hermit let out a sigh of relief. As she had thought, the Heaven Refiner Cauldron really had self-destructed above the Sea of Clouds Plaza not long ago; she had witnessed it with her own eyes. There was no way a second one would suddenly appear. Still, if even the Myriad Beast Scroll's artifact spirit could mistake it, then the great cauldron above Azure Yang's head could not be ordinary.

She found herself wanting to observe the battle over there more closely. 

To her side, Fairy Jadecold was still clutching her painting, surrounded by beastly phantoms, but her resistance had already weakened. 

Moon Hermit looked away from the cauldron and back at her. She let out a gentle sigh. "Little Sister, stop struggling. Silent Fate is dead, and Blood Nightmare won't last long against Blood Hermit. Your alliance has fallen apart. The devil sect is gone, and the Penglai Sect will never rise again. But I have founded the Society. Come back with me. From now on, I will protect you."

Fairy Jadecold remained silent. 

Seeing that she had no intention of answering, Moon Hermit shook her head and carefully withdrew the Myriad Beast Scroll. The spirit treasure was powerful beyond doubt, but the drain on her mana was far too great. Even after advancing to the late stage, wielding it remained extremely taxing.

Yes, the late stage! No one...