C1121 The Changes Were Endless

Yu Yuan offered no response to Hu Caiyun.

Peach Madam, finding no reply forthcoming, lost interest. She casually touched her nose and struck up a conversation with the Kalpa Ghost King beside her.

The majority of those within the Destruction Fortress were still reeling from shock and sorrow.

The shock stemmed from the emergence of Taishi, the schemes of the Divine Soul Sect and the merchants, and the revelation that an evil stone statue concealed another Divine King.

As for the sorrow...

Many from various races had perished in the Plover Realm, slain by the Asuras of the Dark Domain, mutated monsters, and Yin Corpses.

Benin, a young lady from the Void Spirit Succubus Clan, had likely met her fate amidst the thick darkness following Fisher's death, with little hope for survival.

Sansom, the leader of the Banshee Clan, failed to gain entry to the fortress and was besieged and killed by two Platinum Asuras from the Dark Domain.

Kennard, Arlene, and other dignitaries of the Dark Elfkind, including the leader of the Silver Scale Clan who sought Yu Yuan for potion crafting, nearly all met their end in the Plover Realm.

Pattinson of the Shadow Clan survived solely due to his lineage's talent for stealth and evasion.

Currently, he stood next to Elena, observing the young Asura Clan lady reveal her vulnerable side. He felt compelled to offer words of comfort but found himself at a loss for words.

Elena's father was still trapped in the Plover Realm. Given his Asura heritage and status as a deserter, his prospects there were grim.

Pattinson also suspected that while other Asura clanspeople might survive, Fernand's chances were particularly uncertain.

As time marched on, the Destruction Fortress receded into the distance, and the Plover Realm gradually vanished from view.

On that day, Yu Yuan felt a subtle quiver.

Clutching the Dragon Slash Platform, he projected his soul's awareness into it. He observed the dragon corpses within various microcosms—whether they were the remains of the Space-time Dragon or the Frost Dragon, or even the lesser dragon corpses—all seemed to quiver, as if stirred by an enigmatic force.

He concentrated, attuning his senses.

Before long, he perceived a strong and vigorous heartbeat.

This heartbeat—it's coming from the Plover Realm!

"What's the matter?"

Chen Qinghuang had been keeping an eye on him. Noticing his troubled expression as he held the Dragon Slash Platform in deep thought, she couldn't help but inquire, "Have you detected something unusual?"

"A massive heartbeat is emanating from within the Plover Realm," Yu Yuan carefully chose his words. "This heartbeat doesn't resemble that of a human, nor does it match any powerful demon or expert from any known race. As you're aware, the Life Altar within me has refined the blood of many different tribes. If it were their kin, I would sense it."

"The heartbeat is massive," the Luan Bird Queen echoed his words, pausing to consider before asking, "Are there any other signs?"

"The dragon corpses inside the Dragon Slash Platform seem to be affected by it," Yu Yuan explained.

Chen Qinghuang drew in a deep breath and refrained from further questions.

Yu Yuan regarded her with a hint of surprise, sensing she might know something more.

And so, the Destruction Fortress continued to drift further from the Plover Realm, to a distance not even the Divine King could traverse in a single breath.

After a long silence, Chen Qinghuang finally spoke, "Everyone, you are free to leave now."

She was effectively dismissing them.

Beru, a sage of the Star Race, rose from his meditative state and glanced at Leo. "It's time for us to return as well."

Leo nodded and offered a respectful bow to Chen Qinghuang and Yu Yuan, following the customs of the Boundless Land. "We are grateful for your assistance."

Without further ado, he, Beru, and several other Star Race members took flight from the Destruction Fortress.

Becker from the Curtis family was not among them.

Yu Yuan silently watched their departure, his thoughts heavy with the memory of the many familiar faces lost to the turmoil in the Plover Realm, stirring a complex mix of emotions within him.

"When you find the time, do visit our Star Race. You will always be welcome," Beru's voice resonated within Yu Yuan's heart. Turning to look, Yu Yuan saw Beru facing him with a slight smile. "We extend our invitation to you alone. As for others, including the Great Demons, the Star Race will need more time to become acquainted."

With a blink and a wave, Beru and Leo scattered a cascade of starlight, enveloping their kin as they soared into the distance.

"We should get going as well."

Canli of the Bright Clan, bearer of the Life Altar, curtsied to Yu Yuan, her skirt in hand. Without acknowledging Chen Qinghuang, she swiftly led the remaining elite members of her clan away from the fortress.

"Yu Yuan, I'll take Lulu with me. Kennard perished in the Plover Realm. His robes and the Dark Elfkind's artifacts—I've gathered them all," Mia said, her tone laced with regret as she addressed Yu Yuan. "With Lulu's return, there are no more hindrances. I'll find a way to handle any other issues."

"She could still learn so much about alchemy," Luo Yue remarked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What's on your mind?" He turned to Lulu.

"I... I'd like to explore some of the Dark Elfkind's domains. I have this premonition that advancing my bloodline requires me to be in the Dark Elfkind's lands," Lulu confessed, her gaze lowered. "Master, I plan to seek you out after some time. You're a prominent figure in the Divine Soul Sect and a distinguished guest of the Chamber of Commerce. It shouldn't be difficult to locate you."

After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan nodded in approval. "Very well."

And so, Lulu, accompanied by Mia and a handful of fortunate Dark Elfkind survivors, departed from the fortress.

Many other survivors, unfamiliar with Yu Yuan, vanished into the stars following Chen Qinghuang's expulsion.

"We've reached another border of the Oblivion Starfield. What about you?" The Luan Bird Queen's eyes settled on Qi Yunhong and the members of the Thunder Sect. "We have no ties, so I'll not be escorting you any further."

"Haha, you certainly don't beat around the bush."

The elder from the Thunder Sect, who had shown interest in Qi Yunhong, chuckled and snatched him up, robbing him of any chance to bid farewell to Yu Yuan, as they both vanished into the cosmos.

Remarkably, not one of them had perished. They were all in good health, unscathed.

"You, and you," Chen Qinghuang said, pointing at Pattinson and Elena.

"Us?" Pattinson pointed to himself, then turned to Yu Yuan with a look of entreaty.

Elena sharply turned her gaze.

"They're not fit to stay with us," Chen Qinghuang said with a detached tone. "I'm considering your well-being. You must realize how sensitive your identities are. My advice is to retreat to your secret base, lay low for a while, and get a clear picture of the external situation before planning your next move."

Elena opened her mouth to protest, but Pattinson, grasping the situation, nodded emphatically and thanked Chen Qinghuang for the warning. He then firmly pulled Elena along, disregarding the Asura girl's unspoken words, and dragged her into the starry expanse, departing with the other non-human beings.

"She's an Asura. Her constant presence hasn't affected you, but it will bring her trouble," Chen Qinghuang remarked calmly.

Yu Yuan remained silent, standing at the edge of the Destruction Fortress, his gaze following Elena as she departed. He could see the fiery-tempered girl looking back repeatedly.

Memories of their encounters flooded his mind, etching themselves deeply.

...

At the Boundless Land, by a secluded lake within the Absence Relic, the Python Queen, Xu Zixi, arrived silently and stood at the water's edge. In a gentle voice, she conveyed, "By the authority of the Demon Palace, I bring a message. The Demon Palace requests your immediate presence via the teleportation array. Alongside Lord Golden Elephant, you will command a Demon Army to conquer the Outland Star River, aiding your ascension to the Ninth Level."

"I understand," came the aloof reply from Yu Zhu on the mid-lake island.

In a flash, her diminutive form materialized before Xu Zixi, her overwhelming Demonic Power surging like a tsunami, overshadowing Xu Zixi's presence.

Xu Zixi looked at Yu Zhu, who, though still petite and less dark in complexion, seemed worlds apart from before. Yu Zhu's bloodline had quietly ascended to the pinnacle of the Eighth Level.

She was merely one step away from the Ninth Level, on the verge of becoming a formidable Demon God, revered within the Demon Palace.

Once Yu Zhu's bloodline attained the Ninth Level, her wrath in the Absence Relic would likely be a force to reckon with, even for the Primordial Spirit and Demon God. Any Unrestrained Stage cultivator daring to intrude would struggle to endure her fury.

"Yu family?"

A verdant glow danced in Yu Zhu's eyes.

Xu Zixi spoke in a gentle tone, "Don't worry, the Yu family has resettled in Darkmoon City. The Silvermoon Empire, Luan Bird Empire, and the Kingdom of Rewia are beyond our influence now. The higher-ups have made it clear that we are to avoid any involvement with these three empires for the time being—no overt or covert actions are permitted."

Yu Zhu gave a slight nod in response.

With a wry smile, Xu Zixi continued, "The dynamics within the Boundless Land are no longer solely dictated by the five paramount powers. Many changes are happening quietly. Our conflict with the opposition isn't confined to the Boundless Land anymore; it's gradually shifting to the Outer Star River. This time, in addition to the Demon Palace and the Devil Palace, the three upper sects are also dispatching numerous powerhouses to advance into the celestial beyond."

Yu Zhu's thoughts stirred, and she inquired, "What's happening with the Babel Chamber of Commerce?"

"They've withdrawn from the Absence Relic and have chosen a new site in the Jade Peak range," Xu Zixi replied, his expression somewhat uncomfortable. "It appears they've constructed a new branch in the Chilly Wind Valley, where you once honed your skills."

"Why would they do that?" Yu Zhu wondered.

"We've just learned some astonishing news," Xu Zixi said with a sigh. "President Lyi and his foremost guest, Jun Chen, continue to operate under the Babel Chamber of Commerce name in the Outer Star River because President Lyi firmly believes that the current president of the Boundless Land is waiting for his return."

"And it turns out his belief was well-founded. The Chamber's current leader is a disciple he personally mentored."

"This disciple is also a woman deeply in love with President Lyi. When President Lyi's attempt to reach the Primordial Spirit stage failed, she simply rode the wave of the moment, seizing power in a manner that aligned with the ideals of the five supreme forces."

Xu Zixi paused briefly before adding, "Take Yan Gui of the Silvermoon Empire, for instance. His situation was similar to that of the Silvermoon Queen. He knew he couldn't stand against the Devil Palace, so he went with the flow. But when Yan Gui learned that Lee Yuchan was still among the living, didn't he still seek refuge with the Divine Soul Sect?"

Xu Zixi was deeply moved.

After a moment of silence, Yu Zhu asked, "So, the Babel Chamber of Commerce in the Boundless Land has thrown its full support behind the opposition due to the current president's directive?"

"Exactly," confirmed Xu Zixi with a nod.

"Understood. I'll join the others at the Demon Palace before heading to the Outer Star River."

...

In the Jade Peak mountain range, nestled within Chilly Wind Valley, exquisite buildings rose majestically, dotting the landscape of peaks and valleys.

Bordering the Chilly Wind Valley was the forbidding Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. From a distance, one could barely make out vicious souls wandering its depths, patrolling like sentinels, deterring any who dared approach the boundary.

Feng Zhong, sporting a goatee, leisurely puffed on his pipe while conversing with Zhu Peining, who had ascended to the rank of Yang God.

Chiang Yurong, Gao Qin, and several other members of the Chamber of Commerce gathered on a lofty terrace, hanging on his every word.

"Who could have imagined?" Feng Zhong inhaled deeply from his pipe, savoring the moment, and remarked, "After the turmoil in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area subsided, our president openly declared that the Babel Chamber of Commerce and the Outland Star River were inherently united, indivisible."

Core members of the Chamber of Commerce, like Chiang Yurong and Zhu Peining, were awash with sentiment.

At the president's command, the branches rooted in the Rainier Empire, the Kingdom of Driliwyr, and the Divine Might Empire, along with numerous other sensitive branches close to the five supreme forces, promptly relocated.

The Chamber of Commerce made no attempt to conceal its stance, opting instead to make a clear statement through its actions.

Moreover, President Lyi had recently made an appearance at the Babel Chamber of Commerce's main base on the Quietus Continent.

Together with the female president from the Boundless Land, he purged those members of the Chamber who had been swayed by the five supreme forces, thus harmonizing the internal consensus.

Within the Boundless Land and beyond, the Chamber of Commerce stood united as one.

"The ways of the world are truly unpredictable!"

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