C1176 The Zekrica

In the Dark Star Region, there was a world scorched to the point of resembling coal.

The land seemed to have been seared by intense flames, leaving no trace of vegetation, only piles of blackened bones devoid of flesh.

Most of these skeletal remains belonged to the Fiend Scorpions and Fire Lizards.

An archdemon from the Everlands continued to ravage the outlying areas, accompanied by the Dusk Raven, the Python Queen Xu Zixi, numerous Golden Rock Beasts, and Kylin of lower bloodline levels.

The invaded Otherworld was in dire straits, with scarcely a living creature in sight.

Following the death of the Golden Elephant God and the demise of the King of Wraiths, the Shadow's Keep and Devil Palace were incensed. Emerging from Kobran Crossing and flooding into the Dark Star, they showed no mercy to the domains they encountered.

Atop a mountain shrouded in miasma and toxic smog, Yu Zhu manifested her demon form, still assimilating the revival blood crystal of the Demon God Grec. She was integrating its hidden, exquisite power into her Demon Heart.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a sword light speeding from the depths of the Star River.

She felt a connection and slowly withdrew her demon form into the depths of the toxic cloud.

In no time, she transformed into a slightly slender human shape, patiently awaiting the famed extraterrestrial starlight's descent.

As if the Milky Way itself was cascading down, the sword light halted on the mountaintop, revealing Ji Ningshuang, wielder of the Stardust Blade.

The Stardust Blade morphed into a ribbon of color, swirling around Ji Ningshuang as she stepped through the poisonous smoke, her sword energy shielding her from the toxins. Without any pleasantries, she demanded, "What exactly happened? Start from the Primal Blood Continent; I want to know every detail."

Yu Zhu's expression chilled.

With a hiss, countless blood beams, finer than strands of hair, swiftly interlaced into an immense spider web amidst the toxic smoke.

The bloodline mysteries she had mastered echoed through the venomous miasma, and a Way of Heaven unique to her began to radiate outward.

Ji Ningshuang furrowed her brow and let out a soft huff, as if a resplendent Star River had burst forth amidst the smog.

Countless beams of sword light danced forth like butterflies, shredding Yu Zhu's freshly spun web and the ultimate truth she had crafted into tatters, leaving it unable to remain whole.

"You're still too green," Ji Ningshuang said, her sleeves billowing as a hint of mockery glinted in her icy gaze.

"It was I who aided in your birth and allowed you to grow hidden within the Serpent Spine Mountains. Had I not secretly protected you during his reincarnation, you would have long been devoured by other archdemons, bones and all. I need to know everything that has happened to him, and you know I mean him no harm."

Her voice softened as she continued.

In the midst of the toxic smog, Yu Zhu caught the scent of another concealed, chilling aura emanating from Ningshuang, triggering memories of three past perils.

Each time, archdemons lurking in the Serpent Spine Mountains had marked her as prey. At the most critical moments, a frigid force would burst forth from a hidden array at the swamp's edge, repelling the malevolent archdemons.

"I understand now."

In that instant, she realized that during her time in a state of reincarnation, another had been secretly looking out for her, leaving behind an enigmatic sword circle.

She recounted everything that had transpired since the beginning on the Primal Blood Continent to Yu Yuan and the others, omitting only the vision of the supreme being from Shadow's Keep slaying her mother in the extraterrestrial Star River.

"Remember this: do not enter the Primal Blood Continent again until you become a Dark Deity," Ningshuang warned after a pause. "Even if you manage to refine Grec's resurrection blood crystal, stay away from the Primal Blood Continent. Otherwise, you'll become Grec's blood bound slave, unable to withstand his will."

Yu Zhu felt a mix of shock and doubt.

"Stay out of our siege on the Primal Blood Continent," Ningshuang added with a huff. "I have no desire to kill you if you become possessed by Grec, so it's best you keep in line and find an opportunity to leave the Dark Star Domain."

With those words, the Grand Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect soared back into the Star River atop her sword.

In the Otherworld, Yu Yuan swiftly learned about the unique realm he found himself in, known as Zekrica, through conversations with the unexpected visitors from the Moonlit Wanderers. This realm consisted of two main lands: the Upper Continent and the Lower Continent.

The Upper Continent of Zekrica, where Yu Yuan stood, was dominated by an eternal yellow sun. Conversely, the Lower Continent was home to the Moonlit Wanderers, a land bathed in the glow of a perpetual bright moon and stars.

An elder of the Moonlit Wanderers informed Yu Yuan that Zekrica was part of an Astral Domain controlled by the Starborn, and belonged to a ninth level Starborn powerhouse. This formidable being had bestowed Zekrica upon his two children, with the son overseeing the Upper Continent and the daughter managing the Lower Continent.

The siblings were at odds, frequently clashing with one another. They would rally warriors from their respective territories to engage in battle. Only when the conflict escalated to a devastating point, with heavy casualties on both sides, would their father step in to resolve their disputes.

Numerous passages connected the Upper and Lower Continents, and indeed, as Yu Yuan had surmised, these had been carved out by the Crypt Clan. Members of the Crypt Clan also resided within the heart of Zekrica, offering tributes of rare minerals mined from the core to the brother and sister.

The Upper Continent of Zekrica was populated by various tribes such as the Stoneborn, Fire Lizard, and Silverscale Tribe, all adapted to the eternal sun. The Lower Continent was inhabited by the Moonlit Wanderers, enchantresses, Shadowkin, and a handful of moon-accustomed Voidweavers.

Zekrica, being a secluded Astral Domain with scarce energy, meant that the bloodline levels of its inhabitants were generally low. A warrior of the Otherkin at the sixth level was considered to be at the pinnacle of power, with seventh level experts being a rare sight.

The elder explained that those who managed to advance their bloodline to the sixth level within Zekrica could be recruited as personal guards by the siblings. Such individuals were then eligible to leave Zekrica and ascend to a higher Domain to live.

To the siblings, Zekrica was merely a chessboard, a battleground for their rivalry. Most of the time, these young Starborn aristocrats were absent from Zekrica, leaving their trusted lieutenants to oversee the two interconnected continents.

After conversing for a while, Yu Yuan sighed deeply, staring blankly at the dimming sky.

Considering that the peak combat power in the Zekrica World only reached the sixth level among the Otherkin, the alien beasts of this realm likely weren't excessively strong.

He had initially planned to gradually build his strength by slaying higher-tier alien beasts, thereby continuously supplying energy to the Altar of Rebirth. Now, he feared that plan was no longer viable.

In his current condition, unable to harness his Soul Power and vitality, the idea of breaking through the wall to reach the extraterrestrial Star River was out of the question.

Besides, venturing deep into the Star River might not be beneficial for him in such a state.

Unless, of course, he could board a starship.

"Is there any way to leave the private starship of those siblings?" Yu Yuan inquired earnestly.

Elder Pellet, whose bloodline level had only reached the fourth level, eyed Yu Yuan curiously. After a moment's pause, he said, "You'd have to prove you're exceptionally strong and talented, and also earn the siblings' trust. Oh, and since you and your sister are Shadowkin, shouldn't you be residing in the Lower Continent? I don't recall ever seeing you two before."

Pellet gestured toward the hole. "Did you come up through here? Choosing this exit suggests you must be close to our village in the Lower Continent. How come I don't remember any Shadowkin Village nearby having you two?"

At this, the surrounding Moonlit Wanderers looked on with skepticism.

"Who said we emerged from this hole?" Yu Yuan lost interest in the conversation. "We actually came from a different hole in the Stoneborn's town. Recently, we ran into some formidable alien beasts, and my sister was bitten by a venomous creature. She's been unconscious for several days."

"Really? May I see her? I'm familiar with some venomous insects and might be able to help," a Moonlit Wanderers girl stepped forward, her bright eyes and radiant smile exuding an aura of warmth and kindness. It was clear she was naïve to the world's harsh realities.

"That's Guoli; she has some knowledge of antidotes," Pellet clarified.

"No, that won't be necessary."

Yu Yuan coldly rejected the notion, thinking to himself that as the forefather of poison refining and antidote creation, if he couldn't heal her, then nobody could.

"Are you really her brother? What kind of brother acts like you?" Guoli crinkled her nose adorably, giving him a doubtful glare. "Grandfather, I suspect he's not really her brother!"

Pellet's brow furrowed slowly, and his demeanor became increasingly unwelcoming. "Kid, did you get into trouble on the Lower Continent and end up on a wanted list? Is that why you fled here? Exactly who is she to you?"

Yu Yuan, overwhelmed with irritation, gestured dismissively as if swatting away a fly. "Stay away from me and stop pestering me."

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