C1083 Dark Undercurrents Surged

Beyond the wall of Ionodios, amidst the vast expanse of the Star River, expensive Voidfarer warships lay scattered like a herd of alien beasts.

Aboard these ships, members of the Shadowkin, Starborn, Dawnbringers, and Silverscale Tribe, among other formidable Otherkin, stood watch. Their fiery gazes occasionally swept over Ionodios with a mix of awe and desire.

Most of these Otherkin had bloodline levels ranging from the sixth to the seventh level, and their status was not particularly distinguished.

As such, they were not escorted to Ionodios by their chieftains or the elite of their clans. Instead, they were left to wait aboard the warships, harboring a deep-seated yearning to partake in the most magnificent gathering in the cosmos.

A battered and cramped warship slowly made its way toward them, drawing their attention. This vessel was in even worse condition than the black iron warships once seen in the Nirvana Realm, moving at such a sluggish pace that it could exasperate the impatient to the point of frustration.

Several Shadowkin, clad in garish attire, wore expressions of utter despair on the deck of the ship.

When they caught the curious stares from the occupants of the larger warships, their urge to weep intensified. In other regions of the Star River, they would have fled at the mere sight of such formidable vessels, knowing well that they housed the regular armies of the races, each with powerful Blood Warriors at the helm.

But they were mere outlaws...

"Alas, we're out of options," lamented a gaunt Shadowkin warrior of the seventh level. "Our leader is rumored to be dead, leaving only Pattinson alive. Yet the Skyreach Consortium's white crane demanded we bring this person here, and we dared not disobey."

He then cast a glance at a human woman, her frame skeletal and vitality spent from years of captivity at the hands of the Shadowkin. Denied food rich in vitality, soulstones, and crystals imbued with spiritual energy or psionic power, she had been reduced to this frail state.

In her youth, she must have been a figure of vigor, with resolute, sword-like eyebrows and an air of toughness.

Now, however, she was exceedingly weak.

"Shouldn't you be taking me to what you call Ionodios?" Yu Ying's voice was faint and feeble as she spoke. "Without sufficient food, soulstones, or special crystals, I'm unable to recover. Without my strength, I can't traverse the void to enter Ionodios on my own."

She had been incarcerated for many years, completely out of touch with the outside world.

All she knew was that the Shadowkin bandits had abruptly been ordered to ensure her safe arrival at Ionodios to attend a grand event hosted by the Skyreach Consortium.

Wasn't the Skyreach Consortium always based in the Everlands? When did they start openly operating off-world and hosting grand events?

Yu Ying was baffled.

"Look, even the Starborn's warships aren't permitted in Ionodios, much less us," lamented a Shadowkin, gesturing towards a distant warship. His face soured as he began to argue, but his eyes suddenly caught sight of Ashen Hollow, and his demeanor instantly brightened. "Ashen Hollow! Our Lord Pattinson has indeed arrived!"

The other Shadowkin members stirred with excitement at the news.

They had heard about Rosny's death, but Pattinson, Rosny's brother and a leader with exceptional talent, had the potential to ascend to the ninth bloodline level and continue leading them.

Whoosh!

A slender bamboo boat zipped by, heading straight for Ionodios.

A man dressed in white stood atop the boat. As he was about to pass by, he noticed Yu Ying among the Shadowkin. His brow furrowed as he surmised her identity, and with a mere thought, he brought the boat to a halt.

"Are you Yu Ying of the Yu family from Asvetaesi?" called out Jun Chen.

Yu Ying, aboard the vessel, glanced up at him, her face betraying a hint of surprise. "Yes, that's me."

Her instincts told her that this man in white might just be the most powerful being she had ever encountered—stronger than her master, stronger than those who had pursued her, and even surpassing any entity she had come across in the extraterrestrial Star River.

"Good, you're the one I was looking for."

Jun Chen nodded, reached out his hand, and a soft force enveloped Yu Ying, whisking her through the air and onto the boat.

"Return to where you came from, or continue to wait at Ashen Hollow."

With that, the diminutive bamboo boat swiftly made its way toward Ionodios.

"May I ask who you are?"

Yu Ying, seated on the bamboo boat, was visibly cautious and felt a sense of unease.

"Ah, no need to worry. I'm the one who instructed those bandits to bring you here," Jun Chen said with an easy smile, reflecting on the fortunate happenstance of encountering Yu Ying on his return journey. "You're connected to someone very important, and I inadvertently learned of your situation. So, I had a white crane instruct Rosny to fetch you."

"An important person?"

Yu Ying lowered her head, her brow furrowed in deep thought.

My master had already fallen in battle in the extraterrestrial Star River. Who within the Everlands could possibly have the power to help me?

The Skyblight Cult was backed by Zhu Zhenlin from the Devil Palace, one of the five supreme forces!

And Han Yue, the sect master of the Forgeroses, was never on good terms with my master. Why would he care about my fate?

Yu Ying was stumped and looked up, asking, "Who is it?"

"You've been locked away too long, unaware of the outside world's situation, and even less so of the many changes that have occurred in the Everlands. For instance, the current sect master of the Forgeroses is no longer Han Yue but Zhongli Dapan," Jun Chen explained with a smile.

"Master Zhongli? Wasn't he always confined in the extraterrestrial Sword Prison?" Yu Ying exclaimed in surprise.

"You really have been isolated for too long," Jun Chen said, shaking his head.

"Was it he who rescued me?" Yu Ying pressed for confirmation.

"Not him, but..." Jun Chen paused, then continued, "Once you reach Ionodios, you can find out for yourself. Just engage with the human cultivators, have a few conversations, and you'll naturally come to understand everything."

Yu Ying was bewildered yet filled with a sense of anticipation.

...

Outside the stone building where Fernand, Pattinson, and Elena were gathered.

Noeyr, an elder of the Voidweaver Clan, stood with her white hair flowing freely, accompanied by her student Benin, who possessed a tranquil demeanor and striking features.

Previously, Noeyr had only considered Benin a half-disciple due to her unremarkable talent.

However, with Benin's bloodline having advanced to the eighth level and her commendable deeds in the Ashen Hollow and Nirvana Realm, Noeyr had proudly announced to the clan that she had taken Benin on as a full-fledged student.

To mark their close bond, she had bestowed upon Benin a few treasured trinkets.

"I am Noeyr, and I wish to pay my respects to the World-Sundering Stone!"

With no response from within, she bowed slightly, showing no sign of displeasure, and called out once more with her request.

A whisper of thought reached Benin through the secret of their bloodline, "What kind of person is this young man? Does he fancy beauty or treasure? Is he a connoisseur of fine food or does he crave power?"

She was determined to discern Yu Yuan's preferences and then tailor her approach accordingly.

Benin wore a puzzled look as she hesitated, then responded with the same bloodline technique, "It's hard to say. If it's about beauty, I believe I'm no less attractive than Elena. Yet, he has never once treated me with disrespect, and in the Nirvana Realm, he nearly killed me, showing no interest in Grace either."

The Moonlit Wanderers and Voidweavers were renowned for their beautiful women, and Benin considered both herself and Grace to be exceptional.

Nevertheless, during their time in the Nirvana Realm, Yu Yuan had nearly lost his patience with her and Grace, almost leading to their demise.

Despite her time spent with Yu Yuan, Benin had yet to decipher any special intentions he might have towards her.

And yet, in the Ashen Hollow, there was an inexplicable connection between Yu Yuan and Elena...

Shaking her head, Benin admitted her inability to see through him, adding, "As for other treasures or delicacies, I'm even less certain."

Noeyr was taken aback.

Within the stone building.

The Crucible of Evil rose, revealing Fernand, Elena, and Pattinson, while Yu Yuan himself descended to the ground. The cauldron swiftly contracted and disappeared into his Zigong acupoint.

Clutched in his hand was the Dragon Slaying Stage.

His Lunar Spirit had returned, with Yu Yiyi and the Frost Queen still within the Dragon Slaying Stage, in the world where the frost wyrm lay buried.

"Come in," Yu Yuan beckoned, having composed himself with a clearing cough, granting Noeyr and Benin entry.

Shortly, the two Voidweaver notables stood before him.

Noeyr's eyes sparkled at the sight of the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Her bloodline and the sacred relics she carried vibrated in response, signaling to her that the grey-white, prism-shaped stone in Yu Yuan's hand was none other than the World-Sundering Stone.

"Yu, Yu Yuan..." she stammered, her excitement rendering her speech less than fluent.

Yu Yuan remained silent, understanding that the Voidweaver elder had surely misconstrued something.

"I just happened to grasp the marvels within the Dragon Slaying Stage; it wasn't intended for your inspection or reverence," Yu Yuan clarified, then, under Noeyr's deeply disappointed gaze, he stowed the Dragon Slaying Stage away once more.

With both the Frost Queen and Yu Yiyi inside, it wasn't the right time to offer Noeyr a chance to venerate the Dragon Slaying Stage.

"I harbor no illusions of reclaiming the Dragon Slaying Stage from you. My only wish is to gain insight from the World-Sundering Stone!" Noeyr inhaled deeply, bracing for the worst. "Please, tell me what is required. What must we do, or what do you need in exchange for my opportunity to comprehend the World-Sundering Stone?"

"Not anytime soon," Yu Yuan responded with resolve. "We can discuss it later."

As Noeyr was about to respond, Yu Yuan's demeanor abruptly darkened.

In that instant, he sensed the presence of the Titanblade perilously close!

By the time he and the sword spirit fully mobilized to capture it, it had vanished once more.

Only when the Frost Well was open and linked to the Dark Realm could he and the sword spirit detect the faintest stir. Once sealed, they could capture nothing.

Yet, just now, it wasn't only the sword spirit that had felt something; he had too!

This indicated that a Frost Well connected to the Dark Realm was in the vicinity, undoubtedly not far from him.

"This is serious trouble!"

With no further inclination to engage with Noeyr, he hurriedly departed.

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