C1093 Baneblade
Within the secluded caverns of Ionodios, specially carved out by the Chamber of Commerce, President Lyi furrowed his brow as he gazed intently at two prismatic crystal pillars before him. The pillars mirrored a golden sea of light, a stretch of land, and several gray, withered trees, amidst a multitude of Warpbeasts.
His attention was particularly drawn to a Warpbeast that had ventured into the golden light and a Titan Warpbeast entwined in a dance with unending lightning.
"This is becoming quite the conundrum," he mused.
After a moment of contemplation, President Lyi turned to Zhou You and instructed, "Inform Boulderdawn to make additional preparations beyond the defensive sea of light."
Zhou You nodded in acknowledgment.
"And what of the Abyssal Leviathan?" President Lyi inquired with a hint of curiosity. "Given his power, he should have been able to set foot in Ionodios by now. Why haven't I sensed his presence?"
Jun Chen, the chamber's foremost counselor, responded, "He chooses not to enter Ionodios."
President Lyi paused, puzzled. "What is he wary of? Lin Zhuyun is there, as is Yu Yuan. Aren't they reason enough for him to come?"
"Yu Yuan is currently absent," Zhou You interjected.
"Oh?" President Lyi motioned for him to elaborate.
"After purchasing the Baneblade Bloodhell, Yu Yuan was taken from his tower by the Songbird Queen," Zhou You clarified. "I detected the spatial disturbances that ensued. Where the Songbird Queen has taken him to refine the Bloodhell, I cannot say. However, it's likely in a little world on the way to the Everlands, near the Nest of Perdition."
Jun Chen chimed in, "The Songbird Queen's behavior is somewhat peculiar. President, have you considered the possibility that she might be feigning an alliance with us while secretly collaborating with the five supreme beings?"
"No, you're overthinking it," President Lyi reassured with a confident smile. "Jun Chen, I'll share something with you. Ever since she harnessed the regenerative power of the secular bird, advancing the Nest of Perdition to the Unbound realm, she's been regarded as a nuisance by the Dark Phoenix of Shadow's Keep."
Jun Chen was taken aback. "The secular bird and the Dark Phoenix—are they inherently at odds?"
"Very smart," President Lyi acknowledged with a slight nod. "The secular bird, born from chaos, will forever be the Dark Phoenix's enemy in the Everlands. Ponder the reason, and you'll come to understand. It's with this understanding that Boulderdawn and I dared to extend her an invitation."
"It's because we know she will never be accepted by Shadow's Keep. And the power and heritage of Shadow's Keep in the Everlands are well known to us."
With this explanation, Jun Chen and Zhou You gradually came to an understanding and put aside their doubts.
"However, what she's plotting behind the scenes, I can't quite discern," President Lyi mused. "Keep an eye on Yu Yuan, and inform Hei Xun to do his best to persuade the Abyssal Leviathan to come to Ionodios."
"Understood."
...
In the VIP area, Fernand of the Shura tribe, after a leisurely stroll, sat quietly in his room, his mind awash with thoughts.
Suddenly, a radiant bloodline in his heart, as fine as a strand of hair, seemed to be stirred by a distant force, gradually expanding in size.
Fernand was jolted and immediately held his breath, concentrating all his focus.
Within the luminous bloodline, a faint message began to form, requiring his utmost attention to discern, "Fernand..."
A voice of supreme authority, as if emanating from the most enigmatic depths of the Star River, resonated.
"Blood King!"
In the silence of the training room, Fernand's towering frame shook violently.
He recognized the voice as that of their Shura Race's current leader—the Blood King, a figure whose mere mention struck terror into the hearts of countless warriors.
As a Shura tribesman and a noble warrior, even reduced to a renegade, his reverence for the Shura king remained undiminished.
Despite having been harshly punished by the Blood King and turned into an outlaw as a result, he still held deep respect for the ruler of the Shura.
"Seek out a human girl named Lin Zhuyun and follow my orders. Once you succeed, you, Fernand, may return to our clan. All past transgressions will be forgiven. Your daughter will also gain the opportunity to hone her skills in the Dark Realm."
"Elena possesses potential that exceeds yours. She could bring glory to your family and become a shining new star for our race."
The Blood King conveyed his commands.
Fernand listened intently, careful not to miss a word.
As the Blood King's deep, authoritative voice finally ceased, Fernand, filled with eagerness, swiftly replied, "I will heed your will."
...
In an unfamiliar land.
Yu Yuan flashed a grin and slammed his fist into the counter.
Bang!
The glass counter shattered, sending spiritual lights and crystals scattering. The intricate patterns and arrays within were instantly destroyed.
The long blade clattered to the ground.
A bizarre suction force emanated from the blade. Yu Yuan's chest acupoint, the Profound Gate, throbbed with a searing pain, seemingly influenced by the blade.
A vibrant demon energy curtain enveloped Yu Yuan's location, with the Peacock Queen hovering above, aiding in the suppression of the little world.
Within the curtain, the strikingly beautiful Chen Qinghuang's expression grew increasingly solemn.
"I'll give it a try first."
Yu Yuan crouched slightly and reached for the handle of the Baneblade. It felt as though his palm was being pierced by hundreds of needles, and as wisps of his vitality were drawn out, his organs, bones, and veins seemed to be swayed by the Baneblade, as if they were being compelled to merge into the blade and become part of it.
He let out a forceful cry, activating the "Evil Body Refining" technique to command his own flesh and blood, while employing the "Soul Forging through Enlightenment" to maintain clarity and resist the corrupting thoughts.
Next, he infused a thread of his vitality into the Baneblade, establishing a connection.
Within the blade, seven fist-sized Bloodwraiths, like dark red eyes, fixed their gaze on his vitality and began to converge and fiercely compete for it.
The seven Bloodwraiths were embroiled in their own battle, exuding an intense lust for slaughter.
Beyond them, countless minuscule Bloodwraiths, each the size of a grain of rice, also harbored brutal, frenzied, and murderous energies.
When he attempted to sense them more closely, he discovered that the vitality he had channeled into the Baneblade had vanished without a trace.
He could no longer detect any activity within the blade, and his internal organs had mysteriously shifted in a brief moment, causing him to cough up blood, oblivious to the chaos within himself.
It seemed as if the pain had vanished.
"Don't touch the hilt with your hand for now," Chen Qinghuang's voice emerged softly. "I have a suggestion. Immerse your Lunar Spirit or heaven soul in the Altar of Rebirth. Release the altar directly from your little world of vitality, and after it shrinks, let it enter the Baneblade."
Prompted by her words, Yu Yuan released his grip and pondered for a moment before nodding.
The crimson Altar of Rebirth began to float out from his little world of vitality at a leisurely pace.
The Peacock Queen, observing from beyond the demon energy light curtain, had her eyes ignite with fervor as she gazed upon the legendary Altar of Rebirth, as though it were the most precious treasure in existence.
"If the empress weren't here, I would attempt to claim this altar for myself," she muttered under her breath.
"Yu Yuan, I believe it would be best for you to transfer your heaven soul into the Altar of Rebirth. Others in the Spirit Walk Stage can't separate their souls from the sea of consciousness, but you're an exception. You've practiced the Soul Forging through Enlightenment from Boulderdawn, and have already begun refining your heaven soul," she advised.
Chen Qinghuang went on, "Furthermore, with your Solar Spirit Body, you should discard any other approaches. Simply use the Altar of Rebirth as a model. Once the heaven soul is in place, you can refine it gradually with spiritual energy and remnant soul."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan felt a jolt of realization. He silently marveled at the possibility.
