C1176 Epitaxial Realm

The Dim Starfield was a world charred beyond recognition.

It seemed as though the land had been scorched by an intense inferno, leaving no trace of flora—only blackened bones stripped of flesh.

The skeletal remains were predominantly from members of the Demon Scorpion Tribe and the Fire Lizard Tribe.

A Great Demon from the Demon Palace continued to ravage the outskirts, accompanied by the Raven, the Python Queen Xu Zixi, numerous Golden Rock Beasts, and Qilins of lesser bloodline stature.

The besieged realm was a picture of desolation, nearly devoid of life.

In retaliation for the deaths of the Golden Elephant Ancient God and the Mighty Spirit King, the Demon Palace and the Devil Palace unleashed their fury. Emerging from the Swift Ferry into the Dim Starfield, they showed no mercy to the Domain Boundary they traversed.

Atop a mountain shrouded in miasma and toxic smog, Yu Zhu manifested her demon form, still assimilating the revival blood crystal of the Great Demon God Grec, integrating its concealed power into her demon heart.

Out of nowhere, she caught sight of a sword light streaking across the deep starry river.

Feeling its approach, she slowly withdrew her demon form into the depths of the toxic haze.

In no time, she assumed the slightly slender form of a human, patiently awaiting the arrival of the renowned starlight.

As if a galaxy cascaded down, the sword light halted atop the peak, revealing Jee Ningshuang, wielder of the Starfrost Sword.

The Starfrost Sword transformed into a ribbon of color, circling Jee Ningshuang as she boldly stepped into the toxic smoke, her sword aura shielding her from the venom. Without preamble, she demanded, "What exactly happened? I need to know every detail, starting from the Origin Blood Continent."

Yu Zhu's expression chilled.

In an instant, millions of blood beams, finer than strands of hair, interlaced into an immense spider web amidst the poisonous fog.

Her mastery of her bloodline's subtleties, in harmony with the virulent miasma, unfurled a unique and profound mystery.

Jee Ningshuang's brow furrowed, and she let out a light huff. A dazzling starry river seemed to burst forth within the smoke.

A myriad of sword glows and beams fluttered like butterflies, shredding Yu Zhu's freshly spun web and the grand truths she had crafted, leaving them in tatters, unable to hold their form.

"You're still a bit green," Ji Ningshuang remarked, her sleeves billowing as a trace of mockery flickered in the depths of her icy gaze. "Your existence, hidden within the Jade Peak Mountain Range, owes something to my efforts. Had I not shielded you in secret during his reincarnation, other formidable demons would have devoured you long ago. I need to know everything that has transpired with him. You're aware that I mean him no harm."

As she spoke, her voice softened unexpectedly.

Yu Zhu, enveloped in the toxic smog, inhaled the subtle, chilling aura emanating from Ji Ningshuang. Memories of three perilous incidents from years past surfaced in her mind. Each time, as great demons lurking in the Jade Peak Mountain Range marked her as prey, a frigid force would emerge from a hidden array at the swamp's edge, repelling the malevolent creatures.

"I understand now."

In that moment, she realized that during her time of vulnerability, someone else had been safeguarding her from the shadows, leaving behind an enigmatic sword formation. She recounted to him the entirety of her experiences alongside Yu Yuan, starting from the Origin Blood Continent. She carefully omitted the vision of the supreme being from the Demon Palace within her lineage and the slaying of her mother in the Outland Star River.

"Remember this: do not set foot on the Origin Blood Continent again until you have ascended to a Demon God," Ji Ningshuang advised after a pause. "Even if you manage to refine Grec's resurrection blood crystal, steer clear of the Origin Blood Continent. Otherwise, you'll become Grec's Blood Slave, unable to withstand his influence."

Yu Zhu felt a mix of shock and doubt.

"Stay out of the encirclement and assault on the Origin Blood Continent," Ji Ningshuang added with a huff. "I have no desire to slay you if you become possessed by Grec. So, it's best you keep in line and seize the opportunity to depart from the Dim Starfield."

With those words, the Great Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect soared back into the Starfield atop her sword.

...

In a distant realm.

Yu Yuan quickly learned the name of the peculiar world he found himself in—Epitaxial Realm—after conversing with the unexpected visitors from the Mondnacht Clan. This realm consisted of two parts: the Upper Continent and the Lower Continent.

The Upper Continent of the Epitaxial Realm lay beneath the ever-present golden sun.

Meanwhile, the Lower Continent was home to the Mondnacht Clan, bathed in the glow of a perpetual bright moon and stars.

The elders of the Mondnacht Clan say that the Epitaxial Realm falls within a Starfield governed by the Star Race, and this particular realm is the domain of a Ninth Level Star Race powerhouse.

This formidable individual granted the Epitaxial Realm to his two children, with the brother overseeing the Upper Continent and the sister managing the Lower Continent.

The siblings were often at odds, leading to frequent conflicts and the mobilization of their respective warriors to engage in battle.

It was only when the fighting escalated to severe casualties that their father would step in to resolve their disputes.

Numerous passages crisscross between the Upper and Lower Continents, and indeed, as Yu Yuan speculated, they were carved out by the Crypt Clan.

Members of the Crypt Clan also dwell within the heart of the Epitaxial Realm, offering tributes of rare minerals mined from the earth's core to both siblings.

The Upper Continent is populated by the Rock Clan, Silver Scale Clan, Fire Lizard Tribe, and other groups adapted to the eternal sunlight.

The Lower Continent is home to the Mondnacht Clan, banshees, Dark Elfkind, and the occasional Void Spirit Succubus, all accustomed to lunar life.

Due to the Epitaxial Realm's remote location in the Dim Starfield and its sparse energy, the bloodline levels of its inhabitants are generally low.

Sixth Level warriors represent the pinnacle of power here, with Seventh Level champions being a rare sight.

As the elder stated, those who manage to advance to the Sixth Level within the Epitaxial Realm catch the eye of the ruling siblings and are recruited as personal guards, earning the chance to leave for a life in a higher-level Realm.

To the brother and sister, the realm is merely a chessboard, a stage for their rivalry.

Most of the time, these young Star Race nobles are absent from the realm, leaving trusted subordinates to manage the interconnected continents.

After their conversation, Yu Yuan let out a heavy sigh, gazing into the dusky sky, lost in thought.

Given that the realm's mightiest warriors peak at the Sixth Level, the alien beasts native to this world are unlikely to be excessively formidable.

He had originally planned to gradually build up his strength, supplying the "Life Altar" with energy by slaying higher-tier alien beasts. Unfortunately, that hope seemed to be fading.

Given his current condition, with his soul power and vital energy beyond his control, the idea of breaking through the domain's barrier to reach the Outland Star River was out of the question.

Moreover, venturing into the depths of the starfield might not even be beneficial for him.

Unless, of course, he could secure passage on a Galaxy Warship.

"Is there any way to escape from that brother and sister's private warship?" Yu Yuan inquired earnestly.

Pelle, an elder of the Mondnacht Clan who had only advanced to the Fourth Level, regarded Yu Yuan with a peculiar look. After a brief pause, he said, "Only if you can prove that you're exceptionally strong, talented, and gain the siblings' trust. Oh, and since you and your sister are from the Dark Elfkind, shouldn't you be living in the Lower Continent? Why haven't I seen you before?"

Pelle gestured towards the hole, "Did you also come up through here? Choosing this hole suggests that you must have been close to our village in the Lower Continent. How come I don't recall seeing you two in the nearby Dark Elfkind village?"

At this, many of the Mondnacht Clan's members, both young and old, looked on with skepticism.

"Who said we came out of this hole?" Yu Yuan lost interest in the conversation. "We emerged from a different hole in the small town where the Rock Clan resides. Recently, we ran into some formidable alien beasts, and my sister was bitten by a venomous creature. She's been unconscious ever since."

"Really? May I take a look? I'm familiar with some venomous creatures and might be able to help," offered a Mondnacht Clan maiden stepping forward from the crowd. With her bright eyes and radiant smile, she exuded a gentle and kind aura, clearly naive to the world's harsh realities.

"Her name is Guo Li, and she has some knowledge of antidotes," Pelle clarified.

"There's no need."

Yu Yuan dismissed the offer coldly, thinking to himself that he was the forebear of both poison and its cure. If he couldn't heal his sister, what good would she do?

"Are you really her brother? What kind of brother acts like you do?" Guo Li adorably scrunched up her nose, giving him a doubtful glare. "Grandpa, I think he's not really that girl's brother!"

Pelle's brow creased slowly, his demeanor turning noticeably colder. "Kid, you didn't flee to this place because you were causing trouble on the Lower Continent and ended up on a wanted list, did you? What exactly is your relationship with her?"

Yu Yuan, overwhelmed with irritation, waved his hand dismissively as if swatting away a fly. "Back off, stop pestering me."

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