C1053 (1)

"Is that really necessary?"

The speaker was Peach Madam, who arched an eyebrow and gracefully descended onto the platform where Yu Yuan stood.

For the first time, her demeanor took on a somber tone. She then spoke in the colloquial language of the Silvermoon Empire, "Yu Yuan, if both Rosny and Fernand have encountered grave dangers, it suggests that our adversaries possess exceptionally formidable strength."

She turned to look at the astonished Pattinson and Elena.

"They're merely bandits and Otherkin. Surely, someone of your caliber wouldn't be concerned with them, right?"

In her past life, the God of Medicine, Hong Qi, lived a brief yet illustrious life, largely free from the complications of deep emotional ties.

As far as she knew, Hong Qi was never hindered by women. He was always resolute and unhesitating, willing to employ any means necessary to achieve his objectives.

Women, Hong Qi's concerns? Especially Otherkin!

She believed that Yu Yuan's amorous encounter with the Shura girl was nothing more than a fleeting dalliance.

Yu Yuan would not be justified in risking his own safety for an Otherkin woman.

"It's merely out of curiosity," Yu Yuan clarified.

"It couldn't have been the Skyreach Consortium! Since that white crane extended an invitation to them, they wouldn't launch an attack just as they were nearing the Annihilation Nebula," Hu Caiyun reasoned with composure, "It's more likely the formal Allied Forces of the Otherkin, who are quite powerful. It could also be those human hunters who prey on various factions."

After a brief pause, she continued, "Regardless of which group it is, there's no need for contact before entering the Annihilation Nebula."

Both Rosny and Fernand, warriors of the Otherkin with ninth-level bloodlines, had sent urgent messages to Pattinson and Elena, advising them to escape immediately, indicating the enemy's formidable nature.

Hu Caiyun wasn't so presumptuous as to believe she could overcome Rosny and Fernand alone, so she earnestly advised caution.

She had allied with Yu Yuan, hoping to leverage his strength and status to curry favor with the Boulderdawn, and she was not eager to court disaster before they even reached the Annihilation Nebula.

"No harm in just taking a look," Yu Yuan said with a smile, giving Pattinson a knowing glance before adding, "Forget about the Starborn battleships. Lower the defensive energy and channel all available power into increasing our speed."

"Alright, alright!" Pattinson exclaimed with excitement.

Elena leaped into the air, landing squarely between Yu Yuan and Hu Caiyun. She shot Hu Caiyun a sharp look before turning to Yu Yuan to say, "Thank you."

Yu Yuan remained composed.

The cauldron spirit had been roused, and the Frost Queen had grown stronger. He had also recently gleaned some insights into the Nine Celestial Slashes.

Deep down, he craved a brutal and bloody battle, undeterred by the risks involved.

"Hold on a second!"

Below the platform, Benin suddenly spoke up, "I'm heading to the Starborn battleship!"

"Scared?" Elena taunted.

"It's not about fear. Going there will help me avoid a lot of trouble," Benin replied, indifferent to Elena's mockery. She explained to Yu Yuan, "I'll persuade the Starborn not to stir up any additional problems during this time."

"You're coming with me!" she commanded softly.

Hart nodded in agreement.

With a whoosh, rings of shimmering light enveloped Hart from the Silverscale Tribe. Benin, clutching a radiant silver ring, exchanged a brief nod with Yu Yuan, then swiftly pulled Hart along as they dashed toward the Starborn warship.

In an instant, both she and Hart vanished from sight.

At that moment, Yu Yuan signaled Pattinson to fully engage the Ashen Hollow.

"Benin!"

Aboard the Starborn warship, Wilson from the Coleman family, spotting the thoughtful Voidweaver girl arriving unexpectedly, greeted her with a delighted expression, "What's this? Have you had a change of heart?"

"The Ashen Hollow is making a swift departure," Eleazar announced.

"No need to fuss over it. With the Shadowkin's warships close by, there's no reason to keep a vigilant watch," Wilson said with a slight smile, addressing Benin. "The humans from the Ashen Hollow have brought misery to the inhabitants of Yogreron. The Shadowkin's elites are scouring for her whereabouts."

"Shadowkin..."

A flicker of intrigue sparked in Benin's eyes, as if she had pieced something together. She suspected that Rosny and Fernand's predicament might be tied to an encounter with the Shadowkin.

"My lord, we've received no response from the Shadowkin," Eleazar whispered.

"Let them be. Once we reach the Annihilation Nebula, we'll find out what's transpired," Wilson said, his attention now fully on Benin. "Congratulations on advancing to the eighth level. At such a young age, your future standing within our tribe is sure to be remarkable."

Benin appeared somewhat restrained, unaccustomed to the sudden warmth of his enthusiasm. As the Ashen Hollow picked up speed, she hesitated before speaking, "The Ashen Hollow has made a discovery. I came to inform you."

At her words, Eleazar reacted with surprise. "You're keeping an eye on the Ashen Hollow?"

"My teacher, Lady Noeyr, instructed me to follow them," Benin responded.

"So it was Lady Noeyr's directive!" Eleazar responded with reverence, not even seeking Wilson's consent before he commanded, "Track the Ashen Hollow, find out where they're headed!"

"Understood!"

...

A swarm of fragmented meteorites coalesced into an expanse of void stones.

A distinctive Voidfarer, crafted from ancient wood, lay in ruins. Glistening alien beasts burst forth from within.

Ugh!

The screams of the Shadowkin, as they were torn apart and their blood drained by the alien beasts, filled the air without end.

The brutal battlefield was marked by the demise of the Shadowkin.

A ninth-level Golden Rock Beast, with a body as imposing as a hill, sprawled atop the shattered Voidfarer, its claws caked with long-dried, dark green blood.

A Shadowkin elder, also of ninth-level lineage, had a heart pierced through, spilling a multitude of fine golden rays.

The archdemon's eyes, cold and merciless, occasionally flickered with a cruel gleam.

Crack!

Its jagged maw snapped the neck bone of the Shadowkin elder, green blood trickling from the corner of its mouth.

The archdemon's eyes gleamed with pleasure and rapture, savoring the delectable taste of blood and flesh.

The eighth-level Golden Rock Beasts that followed it through the Voidfarer were also feasting, eagerly consuming the sweet blood of the not-yet-dead Shadowkin elders.

The archdemons of Shadow's Keep, mostly savage and ruthless, unleashed their primal instincts once they burst forth from the Everlands.

The unfortunate otherkin scattered across the Star River who encountered the Demon Army of Shadow's Keep met fates similar to this.

They would not only perish but be consumed by the archdemons until nothing remained, not even the remnants of their bones.

Across several meteorites, a group of more than a dozen Human cultivators of the Solar Spirit were executing fleeing Shadowkin.

Rosny of the Shadowkin was drenched in blood, teetering on the brink of death. The Shadowkin were masters of evasion and stealth, but their combat prowess wasn't particularly impressive.

At that moment, the rocks around them were saturated with the aura and demon energy of ninth level Golden Rock Beasts, leaving Rosny with nowhere to conceal himself. Already grievously wounded, he was relentlessly bombarded by a host of cultivators wielding the power of the Solar Spirit. With no recourse, he could only endure further injuries and await his inevitable demise.

Yue Mu of the Sword Sect brandished the Rillrender, casting forth sword light infused with the essence of water to subdue Fernand. The Shura General, similarly marred by countless wounds, had most of his natural spines shattered.

Yue Mu, a newly ascended Grand Sword Immortal and one of the Sword Sect's nine revered Sword Immortals, excelled in protracted combat.