At this point, some of Old Monster Duan's secrets were unexpectedly revealed:

At a weak stage, he accidentally obtained the contract paper, becoming a major power in the central region at the cost of becoming a Pupa Slave.

When his cultivation became profound enough, for various reasons, he hoped to shed this identity.

So, he used some means to elevate Duan Yun's cultivation to the Core Formation Realm, then refined him into a puppet, using the child divine seed to occupy the shell, achieving a purpose similar to a clone.

This kind of "clone" successfully separated the contract paper from the original self, allowing the original self to act freely without being monitored.

Subsequently, the original self fled into the Demon Realm and perished, while Duan Yun was directly killed by some arranged back-up.

The fall of Duan Yun caused the child divine seed to vanish completely, and Old Monster Duan's original self was also "judged" dead by the world due to isolation or other means.

With the successive disappearance of two divine senses from one master, the contract paper naturally thought Old Monster Duan had perished.

This also explains why, unlike his usual timid self, Old Monster Duan would voluntarily request to fight this time, and why, shortly after his "sacrifice", a Pill Raider dared to offend the world's laws and attack his only child.

All of this was orchestrated by Old Monster Duan himself behind the scenes!

Of course.

There are still many mysteries lurking behind it.

For instance, what exactly did the skeleton mean by 'Pupa Slave'?

From the above analysis, it's apparent that Old Monster Duan's actions were clearly to escape the bondage of being a Pupa Slave.

For him to set up such a scheme with his own child, being a Pupa Slave must be an unpleasant identity.

Furthermore, how exactly did Old Monster Duan and Duan Yun enhance their qualifications and cultivation?

In this era, for a cultivator with three spiritual roots to break through, it's beyond what heavenly and earthly treasures can solve.

Moreover, what happened in the Demon Realm?

After Old Monster Duan and another Sword Cultivator entered the Demon Realm that day, both of their life tokens shattered swiftly, and the next day, their heads were sent back on spears.

Their bodies are actually easier to explain.

Once a cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul Realm, they can survive temporarily off just the Nascent Soul by paying some price, even if they lose their physical form.

But the life token is different.

This thing is directly linked with divine sense.

Theoretically speaking, if the life token shatters, it signifies that the cultivator, including the Nascent Soul, is completely gone.

Thinking of this.

Si Boyun couldn't help but glance toward the skeleton at the cave entrance.

Clearly, only he could possibly answer this question.

However, from the fact he referred to Old Monster Duan as a Pupa Slave, and Old Monster Duan's actions of not hesitating to refine his own child into a puppet, it shows.

He was likely an enemy rather than a friend.

The skeleton seemed to only engage in brief conversation with him out of boredom more than anything else.

Unexpectedly...

Most likely, a confrontation was impending.

Yet, while being wary in the dark, Si Boyun still wanted to seize the moment when weapons hadn't clashed yet to see if he could retrieve something.

As someone rightly said.

It doesn't cost anything to try a little.

He cupped his hands toward the skeleton, saying:

"I didn't know this was your abode when I intruded recklessly and feel sincerely apologetic for it.

To express my apology, I'm willing to offer this Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill to you.

If it's convenient, could you also advise how I might leave this place?

I'm willing to make a Heavenly Dao oath, never to disturb your peace ever again!"

With that said, Si Boyun turned over his left hand.

A pill slowly floated toward where the skeleton stood.

The Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill.

This is a tier-four pill extremely precious in being able to greatly heal injuries of both the flesh and the divine sense.

This pill was one of Si Boyun's survival contingencies, but due to the special circumstance at hand, he couldn't afford to keep it hidden.

The pill quickly flew to the skeleton's side, emitting a faint fragrance.

The skeleton, with its fleshy hand, gently picked it up.

"The Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill, is even something like this considered a rarity these days on Dongning Star? Moreover..."

The skeleton toyed with the pill while looking at Si Boyun.

Interestingly enough.

Even though the skeleton's facial features were gone, it gave an impression as though it was smirking:

"A Heavenly Dao oath? Does the Heavenly Dao even respond to you anymore?"

Upon hearing this, Si Boyun's expression froze, seemingly puzzled by the true meaning behind those words.

However, before he could open his mouth to speak.

The skeleton swiftly took the Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill and turned away lazily:

"I know what's troubling you. Rest assured, it was Old Monster Duan, as you called him, who voluntarily decided to become a Pupa Slave back then.

We....I never forced anyone to make their choices.

However, if you wish to leave this ruin... all I can do is wish you good fortune.

If you seek revenge in your next life, don't come looking for me; in short, none of this is related to me."

As soon as the skeleton finished speaking.

A sudden rustling sound, akin to something swiftly scraping, came from the cave opening on Si Boyun's right hand side.

A moment later.

A white object shot out from the cave entrance, flying higher and higher.

Recognizing the object's form, Si Boyun exclaimed in surprise:

"Brother Tu Hong!"

Indeed!

This figure emerging from the right-side cave was none other than the previously vanished Ye Tuhong!

However, at this very moment.

This tall man looked extremely peculiar:

White threads wrapped around his entire body, rendering him unconscious, yet certain details confirmed he was still alive.

How should one put it...

He looked just like a cocoon being wrapped up.

As an old friend of hundreds of years, Si Boyun instinctively prepared to fly and intercept Ye Tuhong.

However, as he was casting a spell, he remembered he couldn't fly at all within the plaza!

Realizing this.

He hurriedly flipped both hands, hastily channeling several talismans.

Regrettably, however.

Even though these tier-three and tier-four talismans managed to come into contact with the white cocoon, not a single one could break even a single thread.

As it was.

He could only watch helplessly as Ye Tuhong flew overhead, finally stopping at the upper left corner of the Unfinished Mother Gold Stone engraved slab.

That is...

Precisely in front of the smallest female human figure carving!

A moment later.

As if sensing something.

The female face on the carving abruptly emitted two rays of light, and immediately....

The entire figure came alive!

The figure strained to pull her arms from the slab, grasping tightly onto the cocooned Ye Tuhong, opening a mouth full of sharp teeth.

And then....

"Brother Tu Hong!!!"

Witnessing the chilling scene not far away, the skeleton in the left-side cave couldn't help but softly shake its head.

At that moment, it was deliberately covering its own coffin board, seemingly muttering to itself:

"Pupa Slave, indeed, refers to slaves seeking to feed on cocoons, similar to worker ants of an anthill, and naturally, there isn't just one Pupa Slave, only that the initial Pupa Slave can't leave this place, needing an external aid..."

"If one enters the ancient relics without the contract paper, they would be preyed upon by Pupa Slaves sealed within..."

"This is the rule, or perhaps it should be said as part of what is sealed within..."

"The Heavenly Dao!"

......

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