C1031 Looking from Afar(1)

In an uncharted region of the Star Sea, a prismatic landmass was enveloped by the wings of an enormous, colorful butterfly. The butterfly's wings shone with a tangible radiance, a splendor beyond the power of words to describe.

This colossal butterfly, dwarfing the Nirvana Realm by seven or eight times, became a beacon of light brighter than the sun and moon in the dark, cold depths of the Star River. The land it cradled was a crystal of pure energy, emanating a mysterious spatial essence.

Upon this crystalline terrain, three Voidweaver elders were dispersed near an enigmatic lake. The waters of the lake sparkled with a multitude of hues, swirling with boundless cosmic energy.

Among them, a white-haired female elder, whose youthful beauty was still evident, felt her bloodline stir. She extended her hand into the radiant waters. Bright spatial lines converged upon her hand from every direction, as a series of secret auras traveled from a distant Star River to her.

Her expression turned to one of amazement as her once-clouded eyes gleamed with clarity. "Die Ying!" she uttered in a mystical language attuned to the laws of space.

The wing of the vast, colorful butterfly, which encased the crystal-like land, shone brilliantly, reflecting the Ashen Hollow in a triangular form.

Benin, who had been speaking softly with Hart, felt a sudden awareness and turned her gaze toward the dim Star River. "There are three Kings of Bandits active in the Ashen Hollow!"

The other two male Sylph elders rose, looking astonished at the wings of their ancestor. This butterfly, more expansive than the stars of a Domain, was the creator of the Sylph race, one of the first cosmic giant beasts born from chaos.

"Their lineage is among us!" exclaimed an elder of ninth-level bloodline, noticing Benin. "Was it her bloodline's advancement that triggered your sense? Wait, something's off! Why do I detect the disturbance of the World-Sundering Stone?"

The female elder inhaled deeply, "You're not senile yet; your intuition is correct!"

The third Voidweaver, usually composed, now found himself unable to contain his excitement. "The World-Sundering Stone?!"

"Her name is Benin. I've mentored her before, so you could say she's somewhat of a student of mine," the white-haired female elder said, gesturing toward Benin. "During her bloodline advancement, she transmitted a message using a mystique. Everyone, take a moment to experience it."

She extended her hand, offering a radiant orb filled with numerous concealed messages.

The other two Voidweaver elders reached out with their souls to touch the orb, quickly working to decipher its contents.

After some time.

The three ninth-level Voidweaver elders, who had long stood watch over this place, were now privy to Benin's experiences in the Nirvana Realm, the anomalies in Veilfall Canyon, the group's departure, the discovery of the World-Sundering Stone, and her breakthrough by stabilizing her bloodline with the stone.

"The bearer of the World-Sundering Stone must be Yu Yuan!"

One elder exclaimed with excitement, "Exactly! He is the Great Demon God, Grec, the one who has been sought after far and wide! Both World-Sundering Stones vanished with him into the Domain Channel leading to the Hellmouth!"

The three Voidweaver elders were surprisingly well-informed about the events in the Everlands and Yu Yuan's origins.

"The Ashen Hollow is moving towards the Domain Channel constructed by the Skyreach Consortium," the female elder mused. "The Skyreach Consortium has extended an invitation to us as well. There's no issue with Benin traveling to that Domain. I'll inform her to stay within the Ashen Hollow."

As Benin was a member of the Voidweaver Clan and had caught their attention, they could use her as a shining beacon to precisely pinpoint the Ashen Hollow's location, as long as she remained there. Moreover, if they so chose, they could tap into the residual power of their ancestors to make their descent.

"The World-Sundering Stone rightfully belongs to us!"

One of the male elders gazed at the wings of their ancestor, inhaling deeply, his eyes ablaze with fervor. "Our ancestor emerged from the chaos as a cocoon. When she transformed into a butterfly, the cocoon she shed combined with her blood and space magic to create the World-Sundering Stone."

"The wonders of the Nirvana Realm are all thanks to that stone, which was formed from our ancestor's cocoon! It contains a fragment of our ancestor's psionic power!"

Another elder chimed in, "It is only proper that the stone be returned to its rightful owner."

The female elder who had mentored Benin gave a wry smile and shook her head. "It's not that simple. As you all know, the World-Sundering Stone, now known as the Dragon Slaying Stage in the Everlands, has become even more enigmatic. Whoever possesses it will not simply hand it back to us."

"That young man is still quite vulnerable!" A murderous glint appeared in an elder's eyes.

"Do you want our entire clan to be wiped out by Boulderdawn?" the female elder retorted sharply, "Are you unaware of Boulderdawn's might in the extraterrestrial Star River? Our numbers are already dwindling; how could we possibly stand against them?"

Upon the mention of Boulderdawn, the other elders fell silent.

"As for the World-Sundering Stone, we must strategize carefully. Let's hope Benin can deliver some promising news."

...

In a secluded corner of the Star River lies a little world belonging to the Moonlit Wanderers, perpetually bathed in the glow of the moon.

The inhabitants of this realm, the Moonlit Wanderers, are known for their warmth and hospitality, welcoming most Otherkin, except for humans and bandits, to find respite within their borders.

Beneath the soft lunar light, a castle constructed of moonstone houses the Moonlit Wanderers.

This castle stands apart from the majority of towns and cities in the little world.

"Great Lord! Lambing is dead!"

A Moonlit Wanderer warrior burst onto the top floor of the castle, interrupting Calves, who was in the midst of a meeting.

Calves, the King of Bandits, had concealed his true identity and name, taking refuge in this little world of the Moonlit Wanderers. His plundered treasures were piled high beneath the castle.

In this outwardly hospitable little world of the Moonlit Wanderers, he was the true puppeteer.

Calves, slender and tall, bore no resemblance to the stereotypical King of Bandits. He appeared genteel and scholarly, even sporting a pair of silver-framed glasses.

"The last message from my trident?" Calves' expression grew somber.

He had numerous sons and daughters, and in this little world alone, his descendants numbered nearly a hundred. Yet, only a few possessed the potential to inherit his bloodline and remarkable abilities.

Lambing was among the elite.

Otherwise, Calves wouldn't have left him in charge of the Ashen Hollow.

"Yes, the trident has suffered catastrophic damage!" The man kneeling before him bowed his head, reporting, "From the trident, I faintly heard the name Yu Yuan."

"Yu, Yu Yuan?!"

A woman in the castle's expansive living room gasped.

"Do you recognize that name?"

Calves, ever the epitome of poise, fought to keep his rage in check as he addressed the woman, "Who is he? Is he one of your humans from the Everlands?"