C1123 Zagreus
In a distant region of the Star River, Yue Mu, known as "Rillrender," sat cross-legged atop a solitary mountain peak. With eyes closed, he extended his remnant soul, desperately trying to sense something elusive.
Nearby, a group of men and women stood, each holding or shouldering their Spirit Swords, their gazes fixed on him. Clad in the attire of the Sword Sect, they each harbored a unique sword's will coursing through them.
Among them, the most formidable was Ji Ningshuang, the "Stardust Blade." She had traversed the Star River to join Yue Mu at the Starway, a passage overseen by the three upper sects.
This desolate land, devoid of walls, was dotted with numerous mountains and cliffs. Cultivators from the Sword Sect, Sunlit Order, and Ebon Star were dispersed throughout, maintaining their distance unless significant events drew them together.
After a considerable wait, Yue Mu opened his eyes, a look of dejection on his face, as he wiped away the sweat beading on his brow.
"How did it go?" inquired the Grand Sword Immortal, her white garments as stark as frost, without delay.
"Senior Sister, can't you give me a moment to catch my breath?" Yue Mu complained, exhaling deeply. "The Shura general must be dead. The extremely covert mark I left within him has vanished. That mark was powerless, unable to affect him in any way; it merely allowed me to overhear some indistinct sounds."
"The absence of any sound now indicates his death, likely in the Divine War."
Yue Mu had not only left a Skyfall Net within Fernand but had also secretly inscribed a peculiar mark. This mark enabled him to listen in on faint murmurs through his theurgy.
It was through Yue Mu that Ji Ningshuang and the Sword Sect's stalwarts learned of the earth-shattering developments in Ionodios within the Annihilation Nebula. They were aware that Blood King Sabonis had reclaimed Fernand, that Fernand had safeguarded Lin Zhuyun for some time, and that both Sabonis and Grec had descended upon the realm, prompting Taishi to reveal himself.
"I'm asking about that individual!" Ji Ningshuang pressed, her brow furrowed, her gaze icy as she stared at Yue Mu.
He departed from Ionodios ahead of everyone else, following the death of the Songbird Queen in her Deathwing Lair. Fernand died soon after, likely at the hands of Taishi and President Lyi." Yue Mu slowly rose to his feet, gazing towards a distant mountain, and after a moment's hesitation, he suggested, "I think we should inform both parties of the latest developments."
"Let's wait before we tell them," Ji Ningshuang advised.
"Understood." Yue Mu nodded, not daring to contradict her. "Senior Sister, who do you think will meet their end in Ionodios?"
"The Blood King and Grec, at least one of them, if not both, will perish," the Grand Sword Immortal replied with icy scorn. "Those fools actually dared to venture into Ionodios. President Lyi and Boulderdawn have laid a trap, possibly even hoping to draw us in. Luckily, we're not as foolish as they are."
The other cultivators from the Sword Sect couldn't help but smirk at the misfortune of others.
In their eyes, the Blood King Sabonis and the Demon God Grec obviously underestimated the might of Taishi and the others, which led them to recklessly and arrogantly enter Ionodios.
As a result, they walked right into the trap set by Taishi and President Lyi.
"They truly are brash. Those two could have simply done nothing, waiting for us to clash with President Lyi and Boulderdawn. When we were locked in fierce battle, they could have covertly taken action. Instead, they had to leap forward, engaging with Boulderdawn ahead of us. Utterly foolish," Yue Mu said with a light chuckle.
"Considering the vastness of time in the Everlands, share the information you've gathered with both sides three days after I leave," Ji Ningshuang suddenly instructed.
"Senior Sister, where will you be going?" Yue Mu asked, surprised.
"To find a place to practice my swordsmanship!"
...
In the Zagreus region.
The surface of the Deathwing Lair was as smooth as a mirror, with only Yu Yuan and the Songbird Queen seated atop it.
Chen Qinghuang had shared with him that from the far-flung reaches of the Star River, many Otherkin had been integrated. Moreover, they were actively promoting their willingness to welcome talented individuals from all races, offering to induct them into their sect and impart sophisticated spells and Mind Magic techniques.
The Boulderdawn sect, located beyond the terrestrial realm, was not limited to humans and archdemons; it was a sanctuary for numerous Otherkin as well. They had demonstrated to all that their refined arcane spells could be mastered by Otherkin, providing them with a revolutionary cultivation system to empower themselves and catalyze the evolution and breakthrough of their bloodlines.
"Sky Fiends, Starborn, Shadowkin, enchantresses, and the Silverscale Tribe have all readily embraced the innovative philosophies of Boulderdawn and President Lyi, recognizing their extraordinary aspects," someone remarked.
Chen Qinghuang removed her crown, unveiling her stunning visage that could captivate any beholder, as if from a dream.
"The Otherkin allied with Boulderdawn have begun to select individuals from their ranks, those apt for the human spiritual spells, to be sent to Boulderdawn for instruction. The combination of the Otherkin's unique bloodlines with Boulderdawn's novel cultivation system is something no one can foresee the outcome of."
"Do you understand why the five supreme powers are so terrified?"
"They are indeed terrified. They fear that the spiritual spells, once exclusive to humans, might now empower a multitude of Otherkin warriors. They're concerned that Boulderdawn won't be able to manage the situation and that these empowered Otherkin might proliferate and potentially lay waste to the Everlands."
The vast Deathwing Lair carried only Yu Yuan and her through the dark, icy expanse of the starry sea.
The Songbird Queen, having previously sworn fealty to the five supreme powers and commanded a great archdemon akin to the Peacock Queen, was privy to secrets far beyond Yu Yuan's knowledge. With her elucidation and guidance, Yu Yuan gained clarity on matters he had never even considered.
Several days later, the Deathwing Lair anchored in the shadowy reaches of Zagreus, descending slowly into the obscure depths.
With a whoosh, the Crucible of Evil emerged from his Zigong acupoint, releasing both Yu Yiyi and the Frost Queen.
Yu Yuan looked on in astonishment.
"It's her," Yu Yiyi indicated the Frost Queen, explaining to Yu Yuan, "She detected a familiar scent. She's been to this place before, so upon awakening, she requested to be released."
The Frost Queen, resembling a deity sculpted from ice, glimmered with an intelligent light in her eyes as she gracefully acknowledged Yu Yuan with a bow.
"Greetings, Master. Our kind is known by many names, such as Frostfiend, Icefiend, Scorpion Tail Fiend, among others. Different species and intelligent beings refer to us differently. We call ourselves Frostfiend. This realm, my sister and I have visited before, and I am familiar with some of its wonders."
As the Frost Queen spoke, her stature gradually diminished until she was the same height as Yu Yiyi.
Yu Yuan nodded. "Your sister, was she the one who took over Lin Zhuyun's body?"
"Yes, I sense that she has perished," the Frost Queen said, her head bowed. "That human woman, with the assistance of the Abyssal Leviathan, killed her and refined her essence. The remnants of her dark will are being absorbed, and the essence of her soul has undergone a transformation."
"Two more will be joining us."
Chen Qinghuang gestured with her hand, signaling Yu Yuan, Yu Yiyi, and the Frost Queen to step out of the nest, which shimmered like crystal.
As Yu Yuan backed away, he asked in astonishment, "Others are coming? The Peacock Queen?"
"It's not her," Chen Qinghuang replied without elaboration.
Within the Deathwing Lair, the central space began to undulate with mysterious ripples. A light, astonishing to Yu Yuan, burst forth, growing increasingly brilliant.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two figures materialized in the middle of the lair at the moment the light was at its most blinding.
