C1121 Thousands of Changes in an Instant
Yu Yuan offered no response to Hu Caiyun.
Peach Madam, finding him unresponsive after her inquiry, lost interest. She touched her nose and struck up a conversation with Taruer, the Ghost King, beside her.
The majority of those within the Dissolving Fortress were still reeling from shock and sorrow.
The shock stemmed from Taishi's emergence, the schemes of Boulderdawn and the Chamber of Commerce, and the revelation of another God-King hidden inside the malevolent statue.
As for the sorrow...
Many Otherkin had perished in Ionodios, falling victim to the Shura, Warpbeasts, and Ghouls.
Benin, a young Voidweaver girl, was shrouded in darkness. With Noeyr's death, her chances of survival were bleak.
Sansom, the enchantress leader, failed to gain entry to the fortress and was slain by two platinum Shura from the Dark Realm.
Kennard, Selter, and other Shadowkin nobles, including the leader of the Silverscale Tribe who had approached Yu Yuan for potion-making, had nearly all met their end in Ionodios.
Pattinson of the Shadowkin had managed to survive, thanks to his bloodline's aptitude for stealth and evasion.
Currently, he stood by Elena, observing the young Shura girl as she showed her vulnerable side. He wanted to offer words of comfort but found himself at a loss for words.
Elena's father was still trapped in Ionodios. Given his Shura identity and his status as a defector, his prospects there were grim.
Pattinson also suspected that while other members of the Shura might survive, Fernand's fate was uncertain.
As time marched on, the Dissolving Fortress receded into the distance, and Ionodios faded from view.
On this day, Yu Yuan felt a slight tremor through his body.
Clutching the Dragon Slaying Stage, he projected his remnant soul into it. He observed the dragon corpses in various little worlds—whether it was the Chronowyrm, the frost wyrm, or even the lesser dragons, they all seemed to quiver, as if touched by some enigmatic power.
He concentrated intently, tuning in to his surroundings.
Before long, he discerned a strong, forceful heartbeat.
Astonishingly, the heartbeat originated from Ionodios!
"What's the matter?"
Chen Qinghuang had been keeping a close watch on him. Noticing Yu Yuan's troubled expression as he held the Dragon Slaying Stage thoughtfully, she couldn't help but ask, "Have you detected anything unusual?"
"There's an immense heartbeat emanating from Ionodios," Yu Yuan chose his words carefully. "This heartbeat doesn't resemble that of a human, nor does it match any archdemon or mighty warrior from known races. As you're aware, the Altar of Rebirth within me has assimilated the lifeblood of many different peoples. If this were one of their kin, I should be able to sense it."
"The heartbeat, it's massive," the Songbird Queen echoed his words, pausing to consider before inquiring, "Are there any other signs?"
"The dragon corpses within the Dragon Slaying Stage seem to be reacting to it," Yu Yuan replied.
Chen Qinghuang inhaled deeply and refrained from asking further.
Yu Yuan regarded her with a hint of bewilderment, sensing she might know something more.
And so, the Dissolving Fortress continued to drift away from Ionodios, reaching a point where not even a God-King could traverse the distance in a mere moment.
One day, after a prolonged silence, Chen Qinghuang announced, "Everyone, you are free to leave now."
She was effectively dismissing them.
Beru, the Starborn sage, rose from his meditative state and exchanged a glance with Leo. "It's time for us to return," he declared.
Leo nodded, then respectfully bowed to Chen Qinghuang and Yu Yuan, honoring them with the courtesies of the Everlands. "We are grateful for your assistance."
With no further farewells, he, Beru, and several other Starborn departed from the Dissolving Fortress.
Becker from the Curtis family was notably absent.
Yu Yuan silently watched them go, his thoughts heavy with the memory of the many familiar faces lost to the turmoil in Ionodios, his emotions a complex tapestry.
"When you find the time, come visit us Starborn. You will always be welcome," Beru's voice resonated within Yu Yuan's heart. Turning his head, Yu Yuan saw Beru facing him with a slight smile. "We extend our invitation solely to you. Others, and the archdemons, will need more time to be understood by our people."
Blinking, Beru and Leo cast a swath of starlight that enveloped their clansmen as they departed.
"It's our time to leave as well."
Canli of the Dawnbringers, possessor of the Altar of Rebirth, bowed to Yu Yuan, her skirt gathered in her hand. Without acknowledging Chen Qinghuang, she led the remaining elite of her tribe and flew away from the fortress.
"Yu Yuan, I'll take Wen Lu with me. Kennard perished in Ionodios. I've collected his robe and the Shadowkin's artifacts," Mia, the Shadowkin elder, said apologetically. "With Wen Lu's return unimpeded, I'll find a way to handle any other issues."
"She could still learn many alchemy techniques," Luo Yue remarked, somewhat reluctant to let her go.
Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What's on your mind?" he asked, turning to Wen Lu.
"I'd like to explore some of the Shadowkin's domains. I feel that my bloodline's advancement requires the world of the Shadowkin," Wen Lu said, her head bowed shyly. "Master, I plan to seek you out after some time. You're an influential figure in Boulderdawn and a distinguished guest of the Chamber of Commerce; it shouldn't be difficult to find you."
After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan nodded in agreement. "Very well."
And so, Wen Lu left with Mia and a few fortunate Shadowkin survivors from the fortress.
Many Otherkin who had survived, unfamiliar with Yu Yuan, fled into the Star River after Chen Qinghuang sent them away.
"We've already reached another border of the Annihilation Nebula. What about you?" The Songbird Queen's gaze fell on Qi Yunhong and the members of Tempest's Edge. "I have no ties with you, so I'll not be escorting you further."
"Haha, you're quite direct," chuckled the old woman from Tempest's Edge who had taken a liking to Qi Yunhong. With a wide grin, she snatched up Qi Yunhong, robbing him of his chance to bid farewell to Yu Yuan, and they vanished into the extraterrestrial realm.
Remarkably, not one of them had perished; all were alive and well.
Surprisingly, none of them had sustained any serious injuries.
"You, and you."
Chen Qinghuang extended her hand, pointing at Pattinson and Elena.
"Us?"
Pattinson pointed to himself and then looked at Yu Yuan for help.
Elena turned her gaze sharply in their direction.
"They don't belong with us," Chen Qinghuang said coldly. "I'm considering your well-being. You must realize that your identities are quite sensitive. I recommend that you retreat to your secret base and lay low for a while. Once you've assessed the external situation, you can plan your next move."
Elena seemed eager to protest, but Pattinson quickly caught on, nodding vigorously. "Thank you for the warning!"
He grabbed Elena, ignoring the Shura girl's unspoken words, and pulled her into the Star River, departing with the rest of the Otherkin.
"She is Shura. Being entangled with you for too long won't affect you, but it will bring her trouble," Chen Qinghuang remarked dispassionately.
Yu Yuan remained silent, watching from the edge of the Dissolving Fortress as Elena left. He could see the fiery-tempered girl repeatedly glancing back at him.
Memories of their first encounters flashed through his mind, leaving a deep impression.
...
At the edge of a secluded lake deep within the Everlands, Xu Zixi, the Python Queen, arrived silently and spoke softly, "On behalf of Shadow's Keep, I bring a message. The Shadow's Keep wishes for you to use the teleportation circle immediately and join us. Alongside Lord Golden Elephant, you will command a Demon Army to conquer the extraterrestrial realms, aiding your advancement to the ninth level."
"I understand," came Yu Zhu's detached response from the mid-lake island.
In an instant, her petite figure materialized before Xu Zixi, her body radiating a demon energy so powerful it was like a tidal wave, overwhelming Xu Zixi.
Xu Zixi looked at Yu Zhu, still slight in stature but no longer as dark, and felt as if worlds apart from her.
Without realizing it, Yu Zhu's bloodline level had soared to the pinnacle of the eighth level.
He was on the cusp of advancing to the ninth level, poised to become an archdemon of immense power and high status within Shadow's Keep.
Once Yu Zhu's bloodline ascended to the ninth level, she would likely be able to hold her own against primordial spirits and Dark Deities in the Forgotten Ruins. Any cultivator from the Unbound Realm who dared to cause trouble there would surely incur her wrath.
"The Yu family?"
A green glimmer danced in Yu Zhu's eyes.
Xu Zixi spoke in a low voice, "There's no need to worry. The Yu family has resettled in Asvetaesi. The Silvermoon Empire, Songbird Empire, and Stormcrown Empire are beyond our influence now. Our superiors have made it clear that we are not to interfere with these three empires for the time being, either openly or covertly."
Yu Zhu gave a slight nod in response.
With a wry smile, Xu Zixi continued, "The dynamics in the Everlands are no longer dictated solely by the five paramount powers. Many shifts are happening quietly. Our conflict with the opposition is no longer confined to the Everlands; it's increasingly spilling over into the extraterrestrial Star River. In addition to Shadow's Keep and yourself, the Devil Palace and the three upper sects are dispatching numerous formidable individuals to venture into the extraterrestrial realm."
Yu Zhu's thoughts flickered as she inquired, "What's the situation with the Skyreach Consortium?"
"They've withdrawn from the Forgotten Ruins and have selected a site in the Serpent Spine Mountains," Xu Zixi replied, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Apparently, they've established a new branch in Gloomhollow, where you once honed your skills."
"Why would they do that?" Yu Zhu asked, puzzled.
"We've just learned some astonishing news," Xu Zixi explained with a sigh. "President Lyi and his first counselor, Jun Chen, continue to operate under the Skyreach Consortium banner in the extraterrestrial Star River without altering their allegiance. This is because President Lyi has always held the conviction that the current president of the Everlands is waiting for his return."
"And it turns out his belief was well-founded. The consortium's current leader is a disciple he personally mentored."
"This disciple is also a lovestruck woman, deeply enamored with President Lyi. When President Lyi's attempt to reach the primordial spirit failed, she seized power in line with the ideals of the five supreme forces, taking his place."
Xu Zixi paused for a moment.
"Take Yan Gui from 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 after discovering that Lee Yuchan was still among the living, didn't he still end up in the embrace of Boulderdawn?" Xu Zixi reflected with a heavy heart.
Yu Zhu fell silent for a while before asking, "So, the Skyreach Consortium of the Everlands has turned to the opposition because of the current female president's orders?"
"That's correct," Xu Zixi confirmed with a nod.
"Understood. I'll join them at Shadow's Keep and then head to the extraterrestrial."
...
In the Serpent Spine Mountains, within the Gloomhollow, jade palaces rose majestically, dotting the landscape between peaks and nestled in the valleys.
Gloomhollow, bordering the Moonfall Sanctuary, offered a distant view of evil spirits wandering the depths of the forbidden area, deterring visitors like vigilant sentinels.
Feng Zhong, sporting a goatee, leisurely puffed on his pipe while engaging in conversation with Zhu Peining, who had recently ascended to a Solar Spirit.
Jiang Yurong, Gao Qin, and several other consortium members listened intently from the lofty terraces.
"Who could have imagined?" Feng Zhong inhaled deeply from his pipe, savoring the moment, and remarked, "Our president, following the turmoil at Moonfall Sanctuary, openly declared that the Skyreach Consortium and the Star River beyond are inherently unified."
Zhu Peining, Jiang Yurong, and other core members of the consortium were also deeply moved.
At the president's command, the branches rooted in the Forgotten Ruins, within the Crimson Sun Empire, Empire of Dawn, and Sunblessed Empire, as well as those sensitive branches close to the five great powers, shifted their positions.
The consortium made no attempt to conceal its stance, decisively declaring its allegiance through action.
Moreover, President Lyi had recently made an appearance at the Skyreach Consortium's main base on the Land of Quiescence.
Together with the female president of the Everlands, they purged those members of the consortium who had been swayed by the five great powers, unifying the internal ranks.
In the vastness of space and within the Everlands, the consortium was unified!
"Life is full of surprises!"
