C1222 The Spectators
Sabonis, the Blood King, stood as one of the mightiest beings in the entire Star River, possessing a peak tenth-level bloodline. Despite his injuries, he remained incomparable to those of a lesser caliber.
Yu Yuan was undaunted by the two platinum Shura, even if they hailed from the Dark Realm. Having witnessed the awakened might of Chen Qinghuang, he doubted not her ability to withstand their assault. But the Blood King was a different matter altogether.
This formidable Golden Shura had been summoned by Ciara through the Frost Well, bridging the Star River and the Dark Realm. As the Absolute Darkness spread, Sabonis emerged, and the Songbird Queen, deep in slumber, was instantly roused.
She would not only awaken but likely perceive the Blood King's arrival as a challenge, prompting her to strike back.
Kuvrepros was no Ionodios; it lacked the protective enigma of a wall. The aftermath of a clash between two such titanic forces was unthinkable...
The mere thought sent a chill down Yu Yuan's spine, as he envisioned a fierce battle between Sabonis and the Songbird Queen, stars extinguishing in their wake, and countless lives, including his own, snuffed out in the crossfire.
"Was it not meant for you?"
Ciara, poised to unleash her talent through the activation of her blood magic, paused momentarily, taken aback by Beru and Yu Yuan's evident alarm.
Her gaze fell upon Beru with a hint of suspicion, bypassing Yu Yuan.
"We are well-acquainted; you should know me by now."
Beru emerged from the meteorite at his feet, his cape adorned with intricate patterns that shimmered like the Star River itself, enhancing his connection with the celestial bodies.
Gheirat, the sovereign of this realm, watched in awe and admiration as he noticed a change in the Kuvrepros stars. Some ceased their glow, while others, previously dim, now shone brightly.
Beru had masterfully redirected the psionic power from distant stars to those nearby.
Suddenly, every formidable presence in the vicinity discovered that their slice of the cosmos and the Star River had become significantly more luminous.
"Look at me!"
Beru called out gently.
His eyes suddenly transformed into two vast expanses of the Star River, with countless points of light swimming within. A power that could touch the soul emanated from his gaze.
Ciara met his eyes intently, and between their souls, a bridge paved with starlight formed.
Whoosh!
A stream of stars flowed into Ciara through the mystique of Beru's race.
He held nothing back.
The origins of Zekrica, the merging of two continents, Nie Qingtian's schemes and hopes, even the existence of the Lunar Meridian—all were branded into the starry stream by Beru.
Ciara, her form gradually being swallowed by darkness, grasped the entire sequence of events in an instant.
And she believed Beru.
"Great Sage, halt!"
Demian, stationed before the Heartthumper Drum, noticed Beru nearing their warship's deck. This formidable Platinum Shura from the Dark Realm glared with a sudden burst of wild ferocity.
His platinum-like skin bristled with sharp spines, emitting an aura so fearsome it made hearts quiver.
Roar!
Behind the war drum, the eighth-level Shura warrior echoed his call, bellowing deeply.
The Shura's distinct aura of war and slaughter resonated through their bloodlines, erupting into a peculiar field at the forefront of the warship.
The celestial patterns on Beru's cape were being suppressed, extinguished one by one.
The Great Sage dared not make a move, aware that any action might provoke Demian's frenzied assault.
He was familiar with Demian's brutality and understood that sometimes a minor mishap could lead to disastrous outcomes.
Thus, he stood still, silently regarding Ciara.
"It's alright."
Ciara's face softened, and she reined in the Absolute Darkness that had emanated from her, quietly breathing a sigh of relief. "Demian, there's no need for alarm. He means no harm. I trust his words. The sword we've been tasked to pursue..."
Glancing at Yu Yuan, the female Platinum Shura stated, "It did not come because of Yu Yuan."
Her words brought a wave of calm over everyone who had been tense and anxious.
No one wished to witness the Blood King emerge from the mysterious Frost Well, only to be startled by the secular bird spreading its wings from within the battered warship.
"Your king's wounds have not yet healed, and he requires a lengthy period of recuperation," Beru finally said as he stepped onto the flatfish-like deck of the warship, keeping a respectful distance from the two Platinum Shura. He spoke earnestly, "Believe me, his arrival in Kuvrepros would not bode well for your Shura."
Ciara and Demian remained silent.
"They!"
Beru's expression chilled as he gestured towards the cultivators from the upper sect and the towering palace, "They came from the Everlands, attempting to ambush Leo and me. Besides them, there are many other cultivators likely on their way here."
The Starborn's Great Sage had a clear mind and knew when to seize an opportunity.
"Guests from the Kuvrepros in the Everlands include several Unbound cultivators. We haven't had the time to call upon the Starborn's experts from other regions. So..."
Beru looked earnestly at the two platinum Shura before him, "We can collaborate against the Everlands' five supreme forces' cultivators. You help us eliminate as many of them as possible, and in return, we'll guide you to Zekrica. With our strength, we'll assist you in finding that sword."
"I, Beru, swear on my reputation that once this agreement is made, it will not be altered."
The Great Sage's declaration resonated with conviction.
Demian and Ciara exchanged glances, pondering Beru's offer and whether to accept it.
"And him?"
After a moment, Ciara's gaze shifted to Yu Yuan in the distance.
"Him?" Beru let out a bitter laugh, "You must have heard the news; he's with the secular bird. I wouldn't dare provoke the secular bird in Kuvrepros. Do you intend to?"
The two platinum Shura fell silent once more, weighing their options.
Yu Yuan watched Beru with mixed emotions as he deftly defused the impending battle and redirected the focus towards Cao Jiaze and his group. He couldn't help but admire him.
Truly, the Starborn's Great Sage was a wise old fox, both knowledgeable and intelligent.
"Qiyan, you are now free."
Yu Yuan's unexpected statement caught everyone off guard. He turned to address the fiend inhabiting the Starbeast, his tone indifferent, "From this moment on, I will not meddle in your affairs or dictate your actions."
At these words, the realm's ruler, Gheirat, darkened with displeasure.
"Why now?" Qiyan let out a feeble snort.
"Because there are too many here who can threaten and even kill you," Yu Yuan said with a smirk. "Of course, if you're capable enough, devouring their souls will hasten your recovery significantly. Plus, they harbor inner demons that could catalyze your transformation."
"The prerequisite is that you can survive and defeat them."
With those words, Yu Yuan deliberately created some distance from Qiyan, transforming into a wisp of ghostly light that descended upon the meteorite beneath Gheirat and Leo's feet.
"Him?" Gheirat inquired.
Leo's smile was radiant as he reassured his loyal general that there was no need for concern. He gestured invitingly, "Yu Yuan, I extended an invitation to you to visit the Starborn's world when we last said farewell. Ah, this isn't my birthplace, and I'm somewhat unfamiliar with it, but it can still be considered my domain."
Yu Yuan took his place where Beru had just vacated.
"Thank you for not causing chaos in this realm and for keeping that creature in check."
Leo nodded towards the fiend known as Qiyan, then gave Yu Yuan a conspiratorial wink and a smile, saying, "The Great Sage will handle the upcoming matters. You won't need to lift a finger."
"That would be ideal," Yu Yuan agreed with a nod.
"It's a deal!"
"We're in agreement!"
Ciara and Demian, the two platinum Shura, finally yielded to Beru's persuasion. Demian, positioned before the Heartthumper Drum, gripped his fists and pounded them onto the drum's surface with the force of massive hammers.
Boom!
A visible, terrifying wave of light emanated from the Heartthumper Drum, spreading like an energy-infused ocean, surging directly towards the grand palace where Cao Jiaze was concealed.
"Kill them!"
Demian's gruff bellow echoed across the Star River, prompting the other four battleships stationed in the distance to rumble into action.
The Shura warriors, following their command, were spurred on by the Heartthumper Drum's beat, their bloodlines ignited as they surged forth.