C1020 Strongest Counselor
While in the Embers Sea, Yu Yuan had once glimpsed a white crane exuding a death aura from a distance.
He later inquired with the Python Queen, Xu Zixi, and learned that the white crane hailed from Shadow's Keep.
Moreover, this white crane had ventured deep into the Star River of the extraterrestrial realm alongside Dusk Raven, serving as a formidable general in the evilkind's army.
For reasons unknown, the white crane fell out with Shadow's Keep. It was commanded to return to the Everlands and was forbidden from leaving.
The barriers of the Everlands were formidable, constantly guarded by a primordial spirit or a Dark Deity. Despite its strength, the white crane found it nearly impossible to break through the wall and escape the vigilant eyes of the guardians.
Hence, it was persuaded by Hei Xun to seize a unique opportunity and finally gained its freedom.
Back in the Embers Sea, Yu Yuan sensed that the white crane's bloodline level was merely eighth level, akin to that of Dusk Raven. Could such an archdemon truly wreak havoc in this haven for bandits?
Why then did the mighty Titans and the towering Stoneborn appear so fearful?
"White Crane!"
Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun of the Ruby Hand also showed a flicker of recognition.
Clearly, they too were aware of the white crane's notoriety.
Yu Yuan grew increasingly astonished.
"The white crane has an owner, whom you've also seen in the Embers Sea," Peach Madam said with a smile. "The Crane Rider was once the premier counselor of the Skyreach Consortium. During President Lyi's tenure, he dealt with those who dared to challenge the Consortium."
She paused before adding, "Whenever the Crane Rider intervened, no issue remained unsolved. As a result, President Lyi often found himself in negotiations with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, much to their chagrin. That's because the top counselor showed no mercy, even to those from Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep!"
Yu Yuan was profoundly taken aback.
The days when President Lyi led the Skyreach Consortium seemed like distant memories, far removed from his past and present lives.
He was largely uninformed about former President Lyi and many past events.
Hong Qi's life had been tragically short, and during his time, Boulderdawn was absent, with President Lyi presumed dead. The first counselor, once considered a brother by President Lyi, had long vanished without a trace. He may have heard rumors, but never paid them much attention.
In this lifetime, as Boulderdawn returned from the extraterrestrial Star River, President Lyi reemerged.
The white-clothed Crane Rider had even dared to challenge the likes of Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep—his boldness was truly commendable.
"Is the Crane Rider that strong?" inquired Yu Yuan.
"His might is earth-shattering! In his early years, he was regarded as second only to Nie Qingtian in ferocity. But since he wasn't from one of the five supreme forces, he never received a primordial spirit slot," Hu Caiyun explained with eyes full of awe. "Otherwise, he would have achieved godhood just like Zu Ann by now."
Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun remained silent, offering no objections.
Privately, they shared the same opinion.
"Zu Ann has already been promoted to the rank of primordial spirit," Yu Yuan mentioned offhandedly.
"Ah?!" exclaimed the couple, Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun, visibly shaken by his statement.
"Lee Tianxin of the Sunlit Order has perished, leaving a vacancy in the Supreme God ranks. Zu Ann, fully prepared, has smoothly ascended to godhood," Yu Yuan stated nonchalantly.
The three, having emerged from the Everlands after a long absence from news, were stunned into silence.
Conversely, many of the bandits who understood the human language appeared unfazed.
They seemed to have been privy to the astonishing upheavals within the Everlands in advance.
"You've arrived too early. The time you specified hasn't even come yet!"
A towering Titan warrior, noticing their shocked silence, spoke with a mix of curiosity and frustration, "Moreover, our king hasn't returned. We can't give you an answer just yet."
At his words, the surrounding bandits displayed looks of suppressed anger, yet none dared to speak out.
The Otherkin who had previously been clamoring to band together and launch an attack had fallen silent. The white crane, or more accurately, its owner, had evidently imposed a terrifying pressure and deterrence upon them.
The trio, bewildered by the death of Lee Tianxin and the divine ascension of Zu Ann, gradually refocused their minds thanks to the words of the Titan's formidable member. Peach Madam, with a hint of curiosity, inquired, "What's going on?"
"Aren't you all together? Aren't you the emissaries of the white crane and its master?" asked the Titan's expert with a note of surprise.
"We are acquainted, but it's been some time since we last met," Peach Madam replied, her brow furrowed as if it pained her to look up at him. She gracefully ascended, shrouded in a swirl of colorful clouds, and only stopped once she was slightly above him. From this elevated position, she gazed down at him and asked, "Tell me, what deadline did he set for you? What were you instructed to do?"
With a whoosh, a Rainbow Ocean of colorful clouds began to emanate from her, carrying with it the ominous intent to eradicate all life on the continent.
Within this cloud sea, an immense, ethereal peach tree could be seen, barely visible. This tree was the object of her merge, and it seemed that once it fully materialized, she would regain her Unbound State.
Hidden from all eyes, deep within the cloud sea, a tiny peach sapling was thriving, feeding off the miasma and the Rainbow Ocean. The colossal, illusory peach tree was merely the light and shadow it cast.
The great peach tree she had summoned from the Rainbow Ocean had shattered due to her fall. Yet, the spell she practiced was enigmatic; as the old tree perished, a new sapling emerged. If this sapling could successfully grow and consume the miasma and spiritual energy, she would not only recover but potentially become even more powerful.
The news of Lee Tianxin's demise and Zu Ann's rise to divinity had jolted her. She realized the urgency to strengthen herself swiftly amidst the chaos of the times.
Hundreds of Otherkin, gazing upon the stirring Rainbow Ocean, felt a surge of alarm within their bloodlines, as if they were being warned that this beautiful human woman could annihilate them all at a moment's notice.
"Don't! Stay back!"
The flushed Stoneborn warriors, noticing more outlaws approaching from afar and others from two separate lands following the golden chains, urgently called out for them to halt.
"Explain what that white crane is up to," Hu Caiyun pressed, unfazed.
"It seeks to unite us under the Skyreach Consortium," the towering Titan warrior had to look up to her. "President Lyi of the Skyreach Consortium recently took over a Domain and has begun constructing a city there, aiming to make it a trading hub for all races."
The Titan warrior elaborated, "That white crane came to request that our three kings also travel to that Domain for trade."
"When did this happen?" Yu Yuan interjected.
"A month ago," the Titan warrior responded.
Yu Yuan was taken aback.
Had President Lyi returned to the Star River from the Moonfall Sanctuary? Or was it that, even though President Lyi might still be in the Everlands, his subordinates continued to advance his plans?
With the presence of the white-clothed Crane Rider, there were other formidable beings in the extraterrestrial Star River loyal to him.
He only needed to outline the steps; the seasoned members of the Consortium elsewhere would likely carry them out.
But to request these outlaws to go there...
Yu Yuan silently pondered, understanding why the numerous outlaws here deeply opposed the idea.
The magic items and materials they had looted belonged to the major races, and those they had killed were the weaker members of those races.
For them to enter a Domain under the Skyreach Consortium's control and face the elite forces of the Shura, enchantresses, Shadowkin, and Sky Fiend leaders would be like sheep walking into a lion's den.
No wonder they were fearful.
"If President Lyi has extended an invitation, surely your king's safety would be assured upon arrival," Hu Caiyun mused with a light chuckle. "Also, how did that white crane find you?"
"I don't know," the Stoneborn warrior replied, his voice heavy with defeat. "The white crane claimed the Skyreach Consortium is aware of our movements and can pinpoint our location at any time! It's made our king too wary to return for now."
According to Benin and Zhan Ruonan, the King of Bandits in this region only possessed a ninth-level bloodline, similar to others in the Moonfall Sanctuary. However, due to their status as an irregular force and their race being at a disadvantage, they lacked any formidable weapons. Consequently, the true combat strength of the three Kings of Bandits was unquestionably inferior to Quero's.
When confronted with the white-clad Crane Rider, who was eligible to vie for a seat among the primordial spirits, he naturally couldn't afford to show any defiance. As soon as the three Kings of Bandits returned, if they caught the attention of the most powerful counselor from the early days of the consortium, they would have no choice but to comply or face certain death.
