C1037 Bloodline Evolution!(1)

In a peculiar region where meteorites hovered in space, the remnants of oddly shaped Voidfarer warships were strewn across the massive rocks like discarded trash. Agile insects, flashes of sword light, and arcs of electricity darted through the debris of these vessels, seemingly in search of valuable materials to bring back to their masters.

Zhan Ruonan of the Ruby Hand and Sun Jun stood before a man from the Sword Sect. His name was Yue Mu, known as the Rillrender, the least ranked among the Nine Grand Sword Immortals. He was in the early stages of the Unbound realm and served as the head of this temporary base.

Nearby, on other meteorites, the formidable cultivators of the Solar Spirit from the Thunder Sect, Cloudwater Sect, Abyssal Dawn, and Winter's Bite continued their scavenging for resources.

Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun had located this human stronghold with the aid of a special device. Upon their arrival, they discovered that it was a team of cultivators from Euwrea, a vast distance from the Astral Domain where the Nirvana Realm lay.

Yue Mu was equally taken aback by the sudden appearance of two cultivators from the Ruby Hand. After conversing, Yue Mu learned from Zhan Ruonan what they had encountered.

"Three Solar Spirits perished at the hands of Yu Yuan. He traveled from the space rift in the Nirvana Realm to the Ashen Hollow, a gathering place for outlaws," Yue Mu murmured softly. After a moment, he added, "Yu Yuan is none other than Hong Qi, the God of Medicine from three hundred years ago."

At this revelation, Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun were visibly shocked.

"The God of Medicine, Hong Qi..."

Yue Mu, who had recently advanced to the Unbound realm, was filled with nostalgia and sighed deeply. He had known Hong Qi in his youth, due to Ji Ningshuang's connection with him. Hong Qi had even bestowed precious pills upon him, granting him many favors.

Coming to terms with the fact that Yu Yuan was the same Hong Qi from his past proved difficult for Yue Mu. His emotions grew more complex upon learning that after Yu Yuan had revealed his true identity in the Moonfall Sanctuary, his fellow disciple Ji Ningshuang, along with Xi Quan, another sister who had forsaken the Sword Sect, had been influenced by Yu Yuan's actions.

Now, leading an extraterrestrial hunting team, Yue Mu found himself confronted with news of Yu Yuan. While Zhan Ruonan was hesitant to disclose the exact location of the Ashen Hollow, Yue Mu had a rough idea of where it might be.

Should we go and look for him? If we actually met, would it come to blades drawn?

If Ji Ningshuang found out, would she storm into the Star River to seek me out for retribution?

Yue Mu found himself in a quandary, unable to speak for a long while.

Zhan Ruonan, through him, had learned of the major recent events in the Everlands. She heard about Yu Yuan venturing into the Moonfall Sanctuary as the controller of the Soulforge Matrix, wielding the Dragon Slaying Stage in a standoff with the allied forces of the Human Race and evilkind. Then, he was ambushed by the Demon God Grec and ultimately vanished into the Domain Channel.

Yu Yuan was Hong Qi, and Hong Qi was Yu Yuan; this was no secret in the Everlands anymore.

Yue Mu also revealed that Yu Yuan was greatly esteemed by the Boulderdawn and had made the hit list of the five most powerful forces, branded as a traitor to the Everlands.

However, when it came to other details about Yu Yuan, Yue Mu was evasive and unclear.

Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun, having not met with their sect's experts, couldn't fully trust Yue Mu's words, suspecting he was withholding information.

"In a short while, the powerhouses from the Land of Quiescence and several archdemons will arrive," Yue Mu said, his expression impassive. "Once we've all assembled, we'll make our way to the Annihilation Nebula."

"The Annihilation Nebula?" Zhan Ruonan reacted with mild surprise.

"The Skyreach Consortium has carved out a Domain in the Annihilation Nebula, intent on creating a trading hub for all races," Yue Mu confirmed with a nod. "We've been tasked with heading to the Annihilation Nebula to assess the situation and determine how many realms have been developed."

Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun shared a knowing look, silently noting the serendipity.

The Ashen Hollow, under Yu Yuan's control, along with Peach Madam, were also en route to the Annihilation Nebula.

The master of the white crane, possibly along with more of the Skyreach Consortium's elite, the cultivators from Boulderdawn, and invitees from various races, were also set to converge in the Annihilation Nebula.

"What is it?" Yue Mu inquired, sensing something amiss.

"It's nothing," Zhan Ruonan replied, shaking her head.

In the expansive arena, Yu Yuan leaned against the frigid rock wall, observing as the Shura girl hastily departed once more. His eyes narrowed slightly as vivid, albeit ludicrous and enchanting, images from recent events naturally surfaced in his mind. After some time, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "Regardless, that girl has brought me a joy beyond compare."

In recent days, Elena had sought him out several times. Each encounter, a fervent and exhilarating clash, left her departing contentedly. Once she had recuperated, she would eagerly initiate another 'battle,' only to leave, laughing, after being thoroughly spent.

She was candid about what she gained from this method. Yu Yuan, for his part, was indifferent. Upon reflection, he realized it had no impact on him. Moreover, these unconventional 'battles' had purged the malice and agitation from his being.

He had absorbed the life force and essence from the fallen Otherkin warriors through the miraculous Altar of Rebirth, which contained numerous malevolent thoughts. These negative thoughts needed to be slowly refined and eradicated to avoid affecting him. Yet, after each intense encounter with Elena, he found himself at peace, the negative energies that should have troubled him dissipated into nothingness.

Could it really be this simple?

Yu Yuan let out a soft laugh as his Lunar Spirit emerged, wandering the land without concern for the removal of protective barriers or the risk of another ambush.

While the Lunar Spirit practiced in this manner, his heaven soul delved into the intricacies of the Nine Celestial Slashes. In moments of utter relaxation after their joyous engagements, his mind became crystal clear, allowing him to grasp the subtleties of the sword spells with greater focus. He had not only mastered starshard, Moonfall, and Soulsever but had also developed fresh insights into Spirit Destruction and Sun Splitting, now actively evolving them within his thoughts.

"Yu Yuan, can we talk for a moment?"

The voice of Peach Madam suddenly echoed from outside. The enigmatic woman, who had wholly embraced the devil's way, had once again altered how she addressed him, reverting from Hong Qi to Yu Yuan.

Upon hearing her voice, Yu Yuan paused to consider and instantly understood what was afoot.

Sure enough.

As he gave a nod, Peach Madam entered, casually drawing a handkerchief through the air, "This scent is quite potent." Hu Caiyun looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes, her tone teasing, "You weren't always like this, were you?"

"Congratulations," Yu Yuan remarked with a detached tone.

Hu Caiyun had finally conquered her inner demon, assimilating and supplanting her other self. There would be no more unexpected mishaps.

Moreover, Yu Yuan sensed that she had reclaimed her place in the Unbound State.

"I should've embarked on this path long ago. It was my other self that held me back," Hu Caiyun spoke with the ease of everyday conversation. "You've probably heard the rumors about me. You know I had a primordial spirit partner who perished in the extraterrestrial. Heh, his name never even spread throughout the Everlands. How he died has never been a topic of discussion."