C1099 The Resolute Return

The wall of Ionodios, reinforced by the influx of ice energy from the extraterrestrial realms, had become as cold and hard as white jade.

Outside the domain, lightning streaked across the sky and thunder roared, the terrifying winds and magnetic storms of the Star River bellowed like savage giant beasts.

The relentless lightning and thunder, as if intent on ending the world, lashed against the ice rock-like wall.

Yet the wall stood unyielding, as steadfast as a rock that had weathered a million years of wind and storm without so much as a tremor.

The remnants of Voidfarer warships, the shattered bones of Otherkin, and their blood and flesh, all swept up in the violent storm, crashed against the wall of Ionodios, proving its impenetrable strength.

This only deepened the sense of despair and helplessness among the trapped cultivators.

The Deathwing Lair, a pit that seemed to plunge into the depths of the earth, was crowded with Otherkin and human cultivators, all of whom gazed longingly into its depths.

They yearned for a glimmer of hope, wishing for the Deathwing Lair to transform back into the Starway.

Yet from within the lair, which emanated an aura of death and desolation, a cold as piercing as the wall's own began to seep out.

It became clear to everyone that the Deathwing Lair, repaired by the Songbird Queen, had been compromised by the same ice energy.

With a hiss, a slender bolt of golden lightning sprang from the cage, shattering a naturally sharp spur on Elena's shoulder.

"Shura..."

Many eyes turned to Elena, their gazes laden with unspoken thoughts.

The Shura girl, imprisoned by the golden lightning, stood uncomfortably under the scrutiny, her face set in a cold snort.

"The Chamber should seize the opportunity to use her to coerce Fernand into destroying the Frost Well."

Sean Kennard, known among the Shadowkin as a Child of the Forest, pointed at Elena in the golden cage and questioned Mr. Zhou, "She was brought here by Yu Yuan, wasn't she? Was the Shura General also invited by your Chamber because of her and Yu Yuan?"

As he spoke, Kennard cast a fearful glance at the crystalline wall.

He had been cast out by the Chamber and, sensing danger aboard a Voidfarer in the extraterrestrial realm, Selter had risked everything to break through the still-vulnerable wall and return to Ionodios.

Upon their return to Ionodios, he and Selter witnessed the Voidfarer, a warship built at great expense, erupting into flames and fragments.

Aside from Selter and himself, all other Shadowkin who had stayed in the extraterrestrial space had perished.

He had assumed that safety was assured once back in Ionodios, but to his shock, upon arrival, he discovered an open Frost Well connecting to the Dark Realm. The formidable Shura warriors from the Star River had already set foot in Ionodios, and the chilling voice of the Blood King echoed in the air.

Kennard was convinced that the massacre in the outside world was orchestrated by the Blood King's command.

With his clansmen nearly wiped out and the warship destroyed, they fled back to Ionodios like a pack of lost dogs, while the Shura continued their relentless advance, and the bitter cold darkness kept spreading...

Naturally, his suspicions turned toward Elena.

Likewise, those who learned of the destruction of the extraterrestrial warship and the death of their kin directed their pent-up fury at Elena.

"Ah, Hart..."

Benin of the Voidweaver, along with Wen Lu, Luo Yue, and Peach Madam, stood together, each sharing a moment of somber reflection and a collective sigh of sorrow.

Pattinson of the Shadowkin bore a particularly ashen expression.

Hart from the Silverscale Tribe, having previously been overlooked by the trade guild due to his status, had remained outside the realm.

Besides him, numerous Shadowkin outlaws had escorted Yu Ying to Ashen Hollow. Pattinson was all too aware of the grim fate that likely befell them.

"She was led here by Yu Yuan, but her father, Fernand, the King of Bandits, is a different story," Mr. Zhou remarked coolly, casting a sidelong glance at Kennard. "Fernand's arrival was at the behest of President Lyi. Do you have any objections to that?"

Upon hearing President Lyi's name, Kennard snorted dismissively and said with a tinge of bitterness, "I expect the Chamber of Commerce and Boulderdawn to provide everyone with an explanation. If our safety cannot be ensured, why bother hosting the Chamber of Commerce here at all?"

"The Chamber of Commerce and Boulderdawn bear the greatest responsibility! We came here trusting in you, abiding by your rules. And what was the result? Our ships moored in the extraterrestrial space were destroyed by the Abyssal Leviathan! Our clansmen fell victim to the Abyssal Leviathan's wrath!"

"Even a cosmic giant beast has gained your approval to enter the Annihilation Nebula! Since it's here, why can't you control it? If you can't manage it, you never should have allowed it into the Annihilation Nebula! Where is the God-King of Boulderdawn?"

"We demand an explanation!"

"..."

The consensus was unanimous.

Spurred by Kennard, various clans began to denounce the Merchant Guild and Boulderdawn.

At that moment, President Lyi, Jun Chen, White Crane, Green Willow, and other longstanding and new members of the Chamber of Commerce were on high alert in the expanse where the Absolute Darkness was encroaching.

Currently, Mr. Zhou was overseeing the situation.

With a heavy heart, Mr. Zhou gazed at the Deathwing Lair, pulsing with death aura, wishing he could reveal that as long as this lair served as the Starway, the God-King of Boulderdawn could arrive instantly.

But now...

"I propose that the Chamber of Commerce execute this Shura girl first."

A Crypt Clan member glared at Elena darkly. "All of my kin are dead. Our last starship crashed in the extraterrestrial realm! I saw it all. Since the Shura started this war, this Shura woman must pay with her life immediately!"

"Kill her!"

"Execute her first to show your stance, to prove you're not in league with the Blood King!"

"Exactly! Maybe the Merchant Guild and Boulderdawn are conspiring with the Blood King to betray us!"

The agitated Otherkin were clamoring, converging on Elena's location, pressuring Mr. Zhou to swiftly carry out her execution.

Inside the golden cage, the diminutive Elena curled up and slowly bowed her head.

She sighed without a sound, wondering to herself why Yu Yuan had left so abruptly. Was it because he foresaw their dire fate that he and the Songbird Queen parted ways without a word?

If not, would he return? Could she hope to see him once more?

Elena, like a small creature facing the slaughterhouse, was unafraid of the malevolent extremists slowly closing in. She didn't spare a thought for how her father might be treated by his former kin in the Absolute Darkness. Her only wish was to see Yu Yuan one last time before her end.

If I had known it would come to this, I should have clung to you after entering Ionodios. I should have been by your side, no matter what.

Elena was overwhelmed with regret.

She couldn't understand why, at this moment, she felt such a deep yearning and sorrow for Yu Yuan, with whom she had only shared a few fleeting moments of intimacy.

Rip!

The Deathwing Lair, constructed from massive withered branches, erupted with a surge of psionic power, emitting beams of grayish-white light. The whole lair suddenly burst with an intense scent of death.

"Get back!"

Those who sensed the danger changed their expressions and quickly instructed anyone near the lair to evacuate.

Zhou You's eyes sparkled.

A strange power capable of ripping through space and causing the Star River to tremble burst forth from the Deathwing Lair.

In the next instant, two figures appeared simultaneously at the very heart of the Deathwing Lair.

"Yu Yuan!"

"Songbird Queen!"

Luo Yue, Ann Ziqing, Tong Laoqian, Wen Lu, and those gathered with Peach Madam all felt a significant easing of their heavy hearts at the sight of the returning figure.

Zhou You, Canli, and some who knew the mysteries of the Deathwing Lair turned their attention to Chen Qinghuang.

Inside a cage woven from golden lightning, the Shura girl looked up sharply upon hearing that familiar name. Her alluring face was filled with excitement and heartfelt joy.

She brought her hands together in a gesture of prayer, murmuring something in the Shura tongue.

"What's happening?"

Yu Yuan emerged from the Deathwing Lair, the Baneblade known as Bloodhell slung across his back, and walked towards Zhou You, Shen Feiqing, Yu Ying, Tan Yuan, and the rest.

Tan Yuan and the others, skilled in physical conditioning and with the cultivation level of Solar Spirit, trembled as Yu Yuan drew near.

Many Otherkin of noble lineage also began to back away in fear as Yu Yuan leaped from the Deathwing Lair, as if they dared not come too close.

Among the crowd, Ann Ziqing of the Colddeath felt it most acutely.

As Yu Yuan approached, the blood within her began to boil. She closed her eyes, sensing his slow advance. To her, Yu Yuan seemed like an ocean of blood, teeming with countless Bloodwraiths roaring and howling, as if they were ready to engulf all the living beings present and grind all bones and flesh to dust.

"Baneblade Bloodhell!"

Ann Ziqing's eyes snapped open, and a purple divine light burst forth from their depths. She inhaled sharply, biting her tongue to use the pain as a means to steady herself.

The Goddess of War, Shen Feiqing, Tan Yuan, Yu Ying, and numerous powerful Otherkin were also making adjustments to themselves.

The more robust one's physique and the more bountiful one's vitality, the greater the influence of the Baneblade. They could sense the terrifying vital energy emanating from the blade.

"Sorry, this blade has just been tempered. I can't yet contain the vital energy it's emitting."

Yu Yuan, momentarily taken aback, quickly grasped the situation. He offered an apologetic smile to the individuals before him and addressed Zhou You, "She is under my protection. Regardless of the circumstances, she should not be treated in this manner."

"This..."

Zhou You's expression was one of discomfort.

"She is no guest! That Shura General has betrayed us. He aided a human woman in unsealing a Frost Well!" Kennard declared gravely.

Yu Yuan turned aside, narrowing his eyes in a manner that sent shivers down Kennard's spine, and asked, "Why are you still here?"

With a dismissive snort, he turned back to Zhou You, "I believe I made it clear to the chamber of commerce that he should have been banished from Ionodios, correct?"

"He was, but due to the turmoil in the extraterrestrial regions, he returned," Zhou You explained with a wry smile.

"He either keeps silent or leaves Ionodios. Here, someone who should not be present does not have the privilege to speak!" Yu Yuan commanded icily.

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