C1192 Take on the Heavy Responsibility!

The earth quaked and mountains swayed across Zekrica. Many of the caves and cities carved out by the Crypt Clan deep underground crumbled as a result. Warriors from the Silverscale Tribe, Fire Lizard, and Stoneborn on the Upper Continent cried out in terror, clueless about the disaster unfolding before them. Likewise, the Shadowkin, Moonlit Wanderers, and enchantresses of the Lower Continent, along with a few Voidweavers, were thrown into disarray, having never faced such an ordeal before.

Since their migration to Zekrica, peace had reigned, disturbed only by occasional wars between the Upper and Lower Continents. For them, Zekrica was a sanctuary, the dream homeland they had longed for. Today, however, their cherished paradise seemed like a dire beast, roused from a millennia-long slumber by an unknown force, baring its formidable teeth.

Crackling and snapping filled the air as thunder vortexes scattered throughout the forbidden area burst into life with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, convulsing as they surged anew. This time, the thunder vortexes soared over Yu Yuan's head, plummeting like stormy orbs into the depths of the cavern below—one after another.

Yu Yuan and Mi Ting of the Shadowkin stood by, watching in stunned silence. Soon, the thunder vortexes appeared to detonate at the cave's base, engaging in a fierce battle with some unseen monstrosity.

The land of Zekrica trembled even more violently, causing numerous dwellings of the Shadowkin and Moonlit Wanderers to collapse. The wails and howls that echoed across both continents of Zekrica sent the Otherkin, who had come from extraterrestrial realms, into a state of sheer terror.

Meanwhile, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit listened intently at the mouth of the cave, its ears assaulted by the shrill screeches. His face twitched, his eyes reflecting an eerie bewilderment. "What are the odds?" he muttered to himself. The image of the eight-legged spider being torn apart by the Dark Phoenix had sparked an uprising of the Earth Fiend, triggering seismic disturbances throughout Zekrica. Even Yu Yuan, for all his simplicity, could piece together the unfolding chaos.

The entity responsible for creating Yu Zhu was none other than the fiend sealed beneath the earth!

He witnessed his partner's demise at the hands of the purple phoenix amidst the frigid Star River. Overcome with rage, he lost control of his emotions and began to rebel.

This incited the thunder vortexes to plummet, one after another, inflicting severe injuries upon him.

During his dealings with the eight-legged spider, he became aware of another strand of Yu Zhu's lineage originating from the Rainbow Ocean, though the exact nature of it remained undisclosed by the spider.

Unexpectedly, Yu Zhu's true father, the Terra Fiend, was trapped within Zekrica!

Yu Yuan surmised that the Terra Fiend must have emerged from the Rainbow Ocean, having forged a body laced with deadly toxins.

Sealed deep underground, the Terra Fiend dared not attempt an escape for fear of the thunder vortexes' wrath.

He had to perfect his toxic shell to safeguard the devil soul of the Terra Fiend, preventing the thunder vortexes from instantly permeating his spirit.

In the oppressive darkness of the subterranean caves, his only recourse was to corrupt the minds of the Crypt Clan dwelling below, seducing them into procuring venomous herbs for him.

Yet, should the Crypt Clan venture to the Upper or Lower Continent, they would inevitably be purged.

The few who slipped through the net could only make their way to this forbidden area, casting the toxic herbs down the cave's maw.

These escapees also had to contend with the Starbeast, Lunarphite, and lightning sable, likely falling prey to alien beasts and Fellbeasts before even locating the cave entrance.

The fiend might exploit the Crypt Clan's infighting to draw in residual souls for sustenance.

Still, to craft a body steeped in poison, he required external aid, depending on outsiders to supply him with a plethora of toxic plants and potions.

After some contemplation, Yu Yuan unraveled many mysteries.

"Given that he is Yu Zhu's father and has witnessed my history, it's unlikely he would strike at me. To have coupled with the eight-legged spider and to rage so fiercely upon witnessing its death at the claws of the Dark Phoenix, this fiend... must be extraordinarily formidable," Yu Yuan mused.

After a while, the thunder vortexes that had seeped into the cave began to emerge once again. It was clear that a significant amount of the lightning and thunder essence stored within the vortexes had dissipated.

The fiends below also quieted down, seemingly with their devil souls heavily damaged, no longer able to summon soul spirits or secretly communicate with Yu Yuan.

"What exactly is inside?" Mi Ting edged closer and peered into the shadowy depths of the cave, whispering her question as she watched the thunder vortexes drift away.

With the Altar of Rebirth no longer siphoning Soul Power, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit swelled, rejuvenating him and lifting his spirits as he learned about the fiend's origins. His thoughts now turned to how he would soon confront Denise. The disturbance underground would have undoubtedly caught Denise's attention, and the Starborn noblewoman would surely know that the fiend was the source of the trouble below. He just hoped Denise hadn't noticed his own clandestine actions.

"Don't worry. You see these thunder vortexes?" Yu Yuan pointed to the departing swirls of energy. "With them around, whatever malevolent creature lurks in the cave is nothing to fear."

"That's a relief," Mi Ting replied, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Denise arrived swiftly, as expected.

With a whoosh, she transformed into a beam of cosmic energy and instructed Dogget, "Take Mi Ting away and don't come back for a while. I'll be staying here for some time."

"Understood!"

Dogget, a fellow Starborn warrior, took hold of a somewhat reluctant Mi Ting and swiftly headed toward the warship. Accompanied by a deep rumble, the warship that had been stationary in the sky departed.

"You were right. We've confirmed the news; Schwarz perished in Ionodios."

Now alone with Denise and the still-unconscious Chen Qinghuang, Denise let out a soft sigh. "Lately, I've been consoling my father, helping him find his way through his sorrow. A son is still a son, despite lacking talent and being of average intellect. My father had placed some of his hopes in Schwarz."

Yu Yuan nodded in understanding.

"What's happening?" Denise asked, her brow furrowing as she gazed at the cave, gradually regaining her composure.

"I had a brief exchange with him," Yu Yuan began, already prepared with his explanation. "He indeed hails from the Everlands and seems to have emerged from the Rainbow Ocean. As I mentioned earlier, he requires potent toxins to regain his strength, and there's no error in that."

Denise mulled over his words, silently gesturing for him to continue.

"Princess Denise, your brother's death in Ionodios wasn't due to any fault of the Boulderdawn or the Skyreach Consortium," Yu Yuan clarified.

"I'm aware," Denise responded.

"The dynamics of the world have undergone monumental shifts; you must acknowledge that. The Skyreach Consortium and Boulderdawn are making concerted efforts to embrace various Otherkin. Esteemed individuals like the Great Sage Beru of the Starborn, Leo, and our own Mia have recognized the efforts of both the Boulderdawn and the Skyreach Consortium. Would you agree?" Yu Yuan inquired cautiously.

After careful consideration, Denise agreed, "Yes, you're correct in saying that."

"That makes communication easier," Yu Yuan said with a smile, pointing towards the cave entrance. "As for him, he's currently at odds with the five dominant powers of the Everlands. His imprisonment is the work of either the Devil Palace or Shadow's Keep. The reasons behind Zekrica's presence here are still unclear to me."

"Being an adversary of the supreme forces, he could be aligned with the factions of the Boulderdawn and Skyreach Consortium. I believe we could convince him."

"He's been confined for many years, after all, and is likely unaware of the changes within the Star River."

"The situation has evolved. We are now able to coexist with those from the other side of the Everlands."

Yu Yuan shared his perspective, feeling that Yu Zhu's biological father was likely oblivious to the current state of affairs, leading him to view all Otherkin from Zekrica as foes. In the past, the inhabitants of the Everlands and the extraterrestrial races were locked in a bitter struggle, with irreconcilable differences.

Now, however, the situation is different.

Denise quietly pondered his words, absorbing the implications. Soon after, her eyes brightened as she softly inquired, "Are you suggesting he's still unaware of the external world? If he learns that the Skyreach Consortium and the Everlands have begun integrating, that we're partially merging with one another, do you think he'll be open to us?"

"I think we can find a way to release him and then negotiate for additional rewards," Yu Yuan proposed.

"I'm concerned he might act rashly, and I'm also worried that we might not be able to restrain him," Denise admitted with some anxiety.

Frankly, noblewomen like Denise, who are unfamiliar with the fiends of the Everlands, lack trust in these beings. They fear that the fiend might renege on any agreement and, once freed, could annihilate all the inhabitants of Zekrica.

"I'll initiate contact with him. I'm certain that I can persuade him to strike a deal with us," Yu Yuan declared with full confidence.

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