C1051 Dispersed Without a Happy Ending

The formidable races of the Extraterrestrial Star River had always regarded the humans of the Everlands as their most fearsome adversaries. Whenever the Boulderdawn sect unveiled their innovative concepts and began to actively promote them, a clash was inevitable. These encounters would often end with the annihilation of one side, leaving no chance for the vanquished to even become slaves.

In such an environment, romantic entanglements between human women and Otherkin were virtually unheard of. Yet here was Elena, openly displaying her deep connection with Yu Yuan, proudly holding his arm and introducing him to the crowd. Wilson was momentarily taken aback.

"Outlaws, nothing but outlaws!"

A decrepit female Starborn elder from the Coleman family cast a disdainful glance at Elena. "You have brought shame upon the Shura! Your father, despite his fall from grace, once had his moments of glory."

"But now..." She scoffed. "His legacy might just be tarnished because of you!"

Fernand was once a celebrated general of the Shura, with a storied past. Even as an outlaw, he still commanded a measure of respect from many Otherkin warriors.

"It's not your place to judge my life! You'd best watch your words, you old hag!" Elena retorted fiercely, her anger flaring. She scornfully eyed the elderly woman who, despite her advanced years, possessed only an eighth-level bloodline. "At your age, with merely an eighth-level bloodline and negligible combat prowess and talent, you dare to criticize me?"

Wilson's brow creased in concern as he turned to consult Eleazar, the respected elder of his tribe. The seasoned Starborn, who carried the ninth-level bloodline, understood him well and promptly replied using blood magic, "This human lad seems to be at the Spirit Walk stage. He's an odd one. By the standards of the Everlands, someone of his rank shouldn't even be here in the Star River."

After a brief pause, Eleazar added, "There's something concealed about him that I can't quite discern. I'm unable to penetrate his little world of vitality or accurately probe his consciousness. There's definitely something peculiar about him."

Wilson gave an imperceptible nod.

"As for the Peach Madam..." Eleazar hesitated before continuing, "She's a formidable opponent. Her combat strength is immeasurable, and I'm not entirely confident about facing her."

"I understand," Wilson said.

Following a discreet exchange, he chose to disregard Elena, casting a stern glance at the enraged female elder.

The Starborn elder, who was on the verge of further quarreling with Elena, felt a sudden chill and promptly fell silent.

Being from the Coleman family herself, she dared not defy Wilson and resigned herself to silence.

"Benin, are you certain you won't join us on our battleship?"

Wilson was composed and unobtrusive, patiently seeking the consent of the Voidweaver girl.

Benin smiled gently and shook her head. "Thank you, but it's really not necessary."

"Very well."

Wilson didn't press the issue. He acted as if Yu Yuan and the others were invisible. "Once we reach the Annihilation Nebula, I'll visit your mentor. We've heard that Senior Noeyr will be there as well."

"Understood," Benin replied softly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please exercise caution. Don't... let's not have any mishaps before we enter the Annihilation Nebula." Eleazar, with his ninth-level bloodline, glanced meaningfully at Hu Caiyun and continued, "The Skyreach Consortium has indicated that any existing feuds among the invited parties can be settled before entering the Annihilation Nebula."

"However, once inside, private duels are strictly prohibited."

Eleazar tapped his forehead, adding, "Also, we've been informed that emissaries from the five greatest powers have been spotted near the Annihilation Nebula, seeking information. You'd best hope you don't cross paths with them, or else," he chuckled ominously.

His gaze left Peach Madam, and he ascended, trailing a cascade of starlight.

He was well aware of the turmoil within the Everlands. Peach Madam was certainly not aligned with the five greatest powers. An encounter with them could mean either elimination or detention, followed by deportation back to the Everlands.

"Hey, what's your name?"

Yu Yuan, who had been mostly silent, flashed an enigmatic smile and fixed his gaze on a departing Starborn elder.

The elder's attire was distinct from that of the others, signaling that he was likely not from the Coleman family.

He blended into the Starborn crowd, unremarkable and unassertive, yet the Coleman family members nearby treated him with considerable respect.

"Becker, my name is Becker."

The elder from the Starborn, possessing only an eighth-level bloodline, responded with a hint of confusion. After a moment's contemplation, he added, "Becker Curtis."

"The Curtis family!"

Pattinson from the Shadowkin, Benin the Voidweaver, and Hart all showed a subtle shift in their demeanor.

"Do you know someone named Beru?" Yu Yuan asked with a smile.

Becker was visibly shaken, his eyes emitting an extraordinary glow. "That's my brother! Do you know of his whereabouts?"

Yu Yuan shook his head. "I've only heard of him."

"Oh."

Disappointment washed over Becker's face, and his interest in the conversation seemed to vanish. He, along with Wilson and Eleazar, made their way toward the Starborn warship.

"Is the Curtis family that renowned?" Yu Yuan inquired, surprised.

"The Curtis family of the Starborn is currently the preeminent family among the Starborn!" Pattinson inhaled deeply, his tone reverent. "The current chieftain of the Starborn, Ballo, hails from the Curtis family! And the Starfallen Oracle, Beru, whom you just mentioned, is Ballo's uncle!"

"Ballo was mentored by Beru in many of the Starborn's blood magic secrets during his youth. Beru's guidance was instrumental in Ballo's rise to become the chieftain and the mightiest among the Starborn."

He shared some stories about Beru.

Yu Yuan now fully grasped the high status of the Starfallen Oracle, who had led the Starborn into the Everlands.

The Coleman family, where Wilson belonged, was not even in the same league as Beru's Curtis family.

One had once produced a tenth-level expert, only to be slain by the Dark Phoenix from Shadow's Keep.

The other, with Ballo currently boasting a tenth-level bloodline, was at the height of its power.

"And what is the standing of Canli from the Dawnbringers?" Yu Yuan asked once more.

"Canli? The Canli born with the Altar of Rebirth?" Elena gasped in astonishment.

Yu Yuan nodded.

"She is the true jewel of the heavens! The pride and future of her people, Canli is the invaluable gem of the Dawnbringers! Someone like Wilson isn't even worthy to carry her shoes." Speaking of Canli, even Elena felt a sense of unworthiness, "She's a prodigy who has been groomed to be the future leader of her tribe since birth!"

Benin, Hart, and the Otherkin all nodded in agreement.

Yu Yuan stroked his chin, silently tallying up the situation in his mind.

The first wave of guests to arrive at the Moonfall Sanctuary, invited by the Boulderdawn and the Skyreach Consortium through the Domain Channel from the Hellmouth, was indeed extraordinary.

Beru, the Starfallen Oracle from the Curtis family, was an elder to the current chieftain, Ballo.

Canli was poised to become the future chieftain of the Dawnbringers.

Then there were Mia of the Shadowkin, Sansom of the evilkind, and the others, each likely with their own remarkable origins. It remains to be seen if they are still among the living.

...

"The Ashen Hollow has fallen under the sway of Peach Madam. I've taken note of the Shadowkin's demeanor," Eleazar remarked upon returning to the Starborn battleship, making his judgment, "Peach Madam is a dark disciple from the Everlands. She might be looking to join the Skyreach Consortium."

"Bandits have no place joining us in the Annihilation Nebula," declared Wilson.

"Bandits won't be a problem, dead or alive. But when it comes to a human expert of the Unbound realm..." Eleazar mused, his eyes suddenly brightening, "It's quite straightforward. I'm aware that the Shadowkin's battleship isn't too far from us. I'll notify them to take care of Peach Madam in the Yogreron just behind us."

The Starborn clanspeople cheered in approval at his words.

Hu Caiyun's descent into the Yogreron led to the extinction of life within the Shadowkin's domain. If the Shadowkin sought retribution or even her assassination, the Skyreach Consortium would have little ground to object.

As long as they remained outside the Annihilation Nebula and settled their private feuds there, the Consortium would permit it.

Thus, they could achieve their goal bloodlessly. The Shadowkin would owe them a debt of gratitude, and upon reaching the Annihilation Nebula, they might even present them with valuable gifts.

"The potential of the Voidweaver's bloodline has undergone a change."

Becker of the Curtis family interjected unexpectedly, "At the very least, it can evolve to the ninth level. In time, there might even be a slim chance to attempt a breakthrough to the tenth level."

His statement caused a stir among the gathered Starborn.

"Ensure that the Shadowkin exercise caution. Anyone else may perish, but Benin must survive!" Wilson urged with urgency.

The Starborn gathered there understood his intentions, and his words only made their understanding clearer.

"Don't worry, I'm well aware of the stakes!"

...

"Damn it!"

Elena stood on the platform, her arms flailing as she gritted her teeth in frustration.

Her body unleashed a torrent of vital energy, making the air crackle with its intensity.

"They didn't even bother to retract the Starfire Cannons!" Elena fumed. "The swirling cosmic energy is so blatant. Do they think we're blind?"

The Starborn battleship, which could have swiftly evaded us and vanished from our sight, maintained its deliberate pace.

Moreover, the elongated crystals that had been deployed were still pointed directly at Ashen Hollow.

It was as if they had simply forgotten to withdraw them.

Pattinson was no fool. Wilson of the Starborn certainly hadn't forgotten about the raiders; he simply didn't regard Ashen Hollow with any significance.

He even suspected that if Yu Yuan and Hu Caiyun weren't on Ashen Hollow, they would have been bombarded by now.

"The Starborn must be plotting something else," Peach Madam said, her demeanor relaxed as she addressed Yu Yuan nonchalantly, "There's no cause for concern, right?"

Yu Yuan, preoccupied with other thoughts, gave a casual nod in response, "No need to bother with it."

The Silvermoon Queen, with her lineage of the Moonlit Wanderers and crafted by the ancient Moonfiend, shared many spells and arcane techniques with the Starmoon Sect that bore resemblance to those of the Moonlit Wanderers and the ancient Moonfiend. It was rumored that the enigmatic Master of the Moon Sect had ascended to divinity with the aid of the Boulderdawn because of her Moonlit Wanderers heritage.

As he pondered, Yu Yuan's thoughts drifted to Liu Ying, the prodigious girl from the Starmoon Sect, and the Fallen Star Eyes.

Wilson, who had just departed, wore garments with intricate star patterns that triggered certain associations in his mind.

The Colddeath, known throughout the Everlands, bore a striking resemblance to the extraterrestrial Blood Fiend. They both possessed the ability to extract blood from formidable Otherkin to augment their own power.

The Starmoon Sect is divided into the Star Sect and the Moon Sect, bearing similarities to the extraterrestrial Starborn and Moonlit Wanderers, as well as the ancient Moonfiend.

"You're correct, and there's no need to dwell on these details. The Everlands are home to numerous sects and forces with ties to various extraterrestrial races," Yu Yiyi said, perceiving his thoughts. "In their efforts to confront the Nagas, the intelligent life forms of the extraterrestrial Star River have provided considerable assistance to humanity's ascent."

"This includes imparting knowledge on how to harness cosmic energy, moon energy, and vital energy."

"The inhabitants of the Everlands are incredibly intelligent, possessing boundless potential. They've delved deeper into these enigmatic rules and principles, creating spells and artifacts of greater destructive power, which they've ironically turned against their benefactors."

"It may seem odd, but while these extraterrestrial beings may have been the mentors for some human sects, the human factions have mastered the intricate manipulation of power to such an extent that they have long since surpassed their teachers."

Yu Yiyi helped him unravel the knots of confusion within.

"I believe the true origin lies with the cosmic giant beasts," Yu Yuan mused, gazing into the gloom behind him where a shadow loomed in his mind. "The Abyssal Leviathan likely knew my approximate location the moment I escaped the extraterrestrial realm."

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