C1084 Friends

The Skyreach Consortium's members bustled about in the towering structures of Ionodios, clad in their distinctive attire. Dazzling gemstones, clear energy crystals, and numerous artifacts exuding an ancient charm were meticulously arranged for display. Even the long-forgotten holy weapons of various races shone amidst the radiant clouds, revealing themselves in the grand halls.

Many ninth-level experts, High Priests, Elders, and even the peak tenth-level Patriarchs of the Otherkin had perished in the conflicts across the Extraterrestrial Star River. Once their bodies and souls perished, the holy weapons, Divine Garments, and armor they bore were gathered by the Human Race's Great Cultivators.

These artifacts, now spoils of war, were taken to the Everlands and placed within their respective sects. However, to unlock the full potential of the Otherkin's holy weapons, a unique bloodline was required. Thus, human cultivators could not fully utilize these treasures, which served more as symbols of prestige.

The Skyreach Consortium discreetly acquired these coveted holy weapons and transported them beyond the Extraterrestrial. In a similar vein, Unbound cultivators and Solar Spirit-level powerhouses from the Everlands' sects had fallen in battle, their heavenly-grade artifacts confiscated.

The Otherkin experts from the Extraterrestrial lacked the means to wield such formidable power. The Skyreach Consortium, in turn, quietly bought up the spiritual artifacts lost by the sects and showcased them.

The grand assembly drew the Star River's elite, including figures like Razses the Ghost King and Luo Yue, because it offered the chance to discover legendary relics that could prove invaluable. Yu Yuan floated above, surveying the grand stone halls and the diverse assembly of dignitaries below with a somber look.

Among them were eighth and ninth-level bloodline Otherkin powerhouses, as well as sixth and seventh-level young elites with astonishingly noble lineages, all oblivious to the lurking dangers as they eagerly anticipated the event's commencement.

Yu Yuan estimated that nearly a thousand Otherkin guests had already arrived in Ionodios, with more expected to follow. These were likely the crème de la crème of the intelligent life from the far reaches of the Star River.

"Do the Shura truly dare to be so ruthlessly bold?" he mused to himself.

Before long, he received responses from the remnant souls he had sent forth.

The Stormcrowned Emperor, Indigo Wraith, and Ghost King Tian Zang, representing the Boulderdawn sect, were the first to arrive on the scene.

"What's the issue?" inquired Tian Zang with a hint of curiosity.

"Hold on a moment," Yu Yuan signaled, indicating there were more people yet to join them.

With a whoosh, a streak of white light flashed, and the portly Zhou You appeared out of thin air. "I've been overseeing the Deathwing Lair. Plenty of supplies are still being shipped over from other Starways, and I need to keep a close eye on things. What's so urgent that you're looking for me?"

"Where's President Lyi?" Yu Yuan asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Didn't you report a Warpbeast sighting in the Annihilation Nebula? It's a serious issue. President Lyi has gone to confirm it himself and won't be back for a while," Zhou You explained. "But rest assured, the Skyreach Consortium's operations are running smoothly. Everyone is fulfilling their roles diligently, even in his absence."

"The matter I'm about to discuss is of the utmost importance. You must relay it to President Lyi as quickly as possible," Yu Yuan insisted with urgency.

Zhou You looked taken aback. "Is it that troublesome?"

Yu Yuan nodded affirmatively.

"Then we should find a more suitable place to talk." Zhou You waved his whisk, creating a Warp Gate, and gestured for everyone to step through.

The group entered without hesitation and, moments later, found themselves in a secluded cave within Ionodios. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, and a powerful array filled the space, shielding it from any detection of soul or vitality.

"Many of President Lyi's directives are relayed from here," Zhou You stated gravely. "Don't worry, not even a Primordial Spirit-level expert could eavesdrop on us here."

"Good to know," Yu Yuan responded, no longer delaying. He shared the peculiar connection he had experienced with the sword spirit.

Concluding his explanation, he said, "I didn't rush to mention it before because I didn't know the location of the Frost Well and assumed it was far from Ionodios. Plus, having only sensed the Titanblade's presence once, I thought it might have been a hallucination. But now, I'm convinced otherwise—the Frost Well is close by!"

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone in the cave shifted with alarm.

"Hantian, you must leave at once and inform the rest of the Boulderdawn sect about this development," commanded the Indigo Wraith with a grave tone.

The Stormcrowned Emperor nodded and promptly departed without further ado.

"Lord Youqian, let's divide our efforts: you investigate within Ionodios, and I'll search the extraterrestrial realms," suggested Indigo Wraith, the God-King's confidant. Despite his current allegiance, he addressed Tian Zang by his original name, his demeanor marked by profound respect.

After all, Youqian had outranked him at the Moonfall Sanctuary and was a senior member of the Star-Spawned Terror Clan.

"Alright," Tian Zang concurred.

"I'll find a way to reach out to President Lyi and inform him of the gravity of the situation," declared Zhou You.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a slender boat glided in, settling gently at the entrance of the cave dwelling.

"Mr. Zhou, where's President Lyi?" inquired the Skyreach Consortium's most esteemed counselor, clad in white, clearly eager to meet with President Lyi. Upon seeing Indigo Wraith and Tian Zang inside, Jun Chen paused, taken aback. His confusion only grew when he noticed Yu Yuan was present as well.

Yu Ying, who had arrived on the bamboo boat with Jun Chen, appeared somewhat uneasy.

Zhou You, Indigo Wraith, and the Ghost King Tian Zang each radiated an aura of immense power. To her, they seemed every bit as formidable as Jun Chen.

An Unbound cultivator, a Demon God, and a Ghost King from the Land of Terror...

She took mental notes discreetly, her sense of awe deepening.

Finally, she turned her attention to Yu Yuan, who appeared remarkably youthful yet brimmed with overwhelming vitality. Her eyes then fell upon the green-black iron ring adorning his wrist.

"The Seven Star Aegis!" Yu Ying exclaimed, unable to contain her astonishment.

Yu Yuan regarded the gaunt woman before him with a puzzled look. "Are you a cultivator from the Skyblight Cult? Isn't the Skyblight Cult allied with the five supreme factions? Senior Jun, is she your captive?"

Recognizing the Seven Star Aegis, an artifact of the Skyblight Cult, Yu Yuan questioned her identity.

Jun Chen's lips curled into a faint smile as he shook his head. "No, she's not."

"Then..." Yu Yuan began, but a sudden insight interrupted his query. Recalling Elena's words, enlightenment dawned upon him.

"In Asvetaesi, I, Yu Yuan of the Yu family, pay my respects to Ms. Ying!"

He bowed deeply, showing great reverence.

"Me, a descendant of the Yu family? And who might you be?" Yu Ying's frame shook as tears streamed down her face. She reached out with trembling hands to support Yu Yuan. "Have you achieved the Lunar Spirit and ventured beneath the earth? Was it you who brought out the Seven Star Aegis?"

She had departed early and when she returned in secret, Yu Yuan had not yet arrived.

"Yu Cen is my grandfather, and my father is Yu Jue."

At that moment, Yu Yuan chose not to reveal his other identity as the reincarnation of the God of Medicine, Hong Qi.

Gazing at the woman before him, whose heroic spirit was evident despite her depleted vitality, Yu Yuan felt a surge of warmth. He simply nodded and said, "I have reached the Spirit Walk realm."

"Spirit Walk realm!"

Yu Ying was overjoyed. "Your elder brother would be so proud! When I left some things behind, I only confided in him because of the Skyblight Cult's pursuit. I dared not stay long, to avoid bringing calamity upon our family. Thus, I fled hastily to the Star River in the extraterrestrial realm."

"In the extraterrestrial Star River, I avoided contact with the five supreme forces for fear of the Skyblight Cult's cultivators finding me. My late master and Han Yue of the Forgeroses sect were not on good terms. Therefore, I became a dark disciple out there, and later, my circumstances worsened, leading me to..."

With tears in her eyes, Yu Ying recounted her trials and tribulations over the years.

Feeling the frail aura within her and recalling Elena's earlier words, Yu Yuan had a fair understanding of what had befallen the elder of the Yu family.

"It's a relief that you're alright. Now that you're well, you'll continue to be so." Yu Yuan grasped her hand firmly, speaking gently.

"Let's save the trip down memory lane for later," Mr. Zhou said with a wry smile to Jun Chen. "Yu Yuan has detected a Frost Well connected to the Dark Realm near Ionodios. We fear it's part of a scheme by the Blood King and the Demon God Grec, aimed at this very gathering."

Jun Chen was taken aback, "My urgency in coming here was also due to an incident at the Wintermaw."

"There's trouble at Wintermaw as well?" Zhou You's expression grew grave. "It appears Yu Yuan's assessment was correct. We still have some time, but we must locate the Frost Well quickly to prevent the gathering from turning into a disaster!"

"Understood." Jun Chen acknowledged the gravity of the situation with a nod. He gestured toward Yu Yuan and addressed Yu Ying, "The Skyreach Consortium, out of respect for him, had Rosny of the Shadowkin escort you here. Your Forgeroses Sect's Master Zhongli doesn't have enough clout to have me, Jun Chen, attend to such minor tasks."

Yu Ying was taken aback.

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