C1244 Legend of Origin Realm

Qiyan approached the shimmering disc with caution. Only after receiving Yu Yuan's consent did he dare to step onto it gingerly.

He proceeded to detail the grudge that might exist between Zu Ann and Pei Yuling.

The root of their conflict lay within Skyreach Peak.

Zu Ann presided over Skyreach Peak, the tallest of the Everlands' mountains, surrounded by a range of towering peaks.

Near the summit of Skyreach Peak lay a mysterious valley rumored to be a nexus point for the Maw of Oblivion, harboring malevolent spirits intent on influencing the denizens of the Everlands.

A Terra Fiend was birthed within this enigmatic valley, ensnared by its depths at the dawn of its spiritual wisdom.

During this time, Zu Ann was called away to the extraterrestrial realms to battle alongside the mightiest forces against the Otherkin.

The Terra Fiend, after a sojourn in the bizarre intersection, returned to the Everlands.

This returned Terra Fiend had somehow gained mastery over the arcane art of spatial teleportation, allowing it to soar at will throughout the Everlands, slaughtering numerous cultivators and harvesting their souls to bolster its power.

Upon his return, Zu Ann learned of the Terra Fiend's emergence from Skyreach Peak and its subsequent rampage. He set out to hunt the creature down.

Due to the Terra Fiend's strange power to traverse space, Zu Ann's initial pursuit proved challenging.

Eventually, after the Terra Fiend had wrought too much havoc, three great upper sects, skilled in space magic, were commanded to assist Zu Ann, leading to the fiend's entrapment and demise.

Yet, before its destruction, the Terra Fiend arrogantly revealed that part of its devil soul had already merged with the Origin Realm and would never perish.

It also claimed that its understanding of space magic originated from the Origin Realm and that it had disseminated this arcane knowledge.

Years later, within the Everlands, some mortals from Aetherius were born with an innate awareness of the Origin Realm. Invariably, they all embarked on the path of cultivation, delving into the study of the arcane.

Once discovered by Zu Ann, he would promptly seek them out and eliminate them to prevent further calamities.

Subsequently, these unique individuals appeared to have wised up, keeping their connection to the Origin Realm and their cultivation journey to themselves.

One day, if Zu Ann were to discover their true identities, he would swiftly evacuate the Everlands.

Qiyan described Pei Yuling as someone naturally attuned to the Origin Realm, possessing the innate ability to perceive it with his soul and grasp the secrets of space magic through it.

"Origin Realm? An intersection point with the Maw of Oblivion?"

Jin Haolong from the Starmoon Sect, upon hearing Qiyan's account, was visibly astonished.

Xie Bin and the others were clearly unaware that a mysterious valley existed within Skyreach Peak, a place that had once nurtured a peculiar Terra Fiend.

Yu Yuan, who had been a close friend of Zu Ann's, was equally perplexed, as Zu Ann had never mentioned this to him.

"The Origin Realm is rumored to be not an actual world but an ethereal place that only certain souls can perceive," Qiyan elaborated. "I came to know of this during my confinement in the Rainbow Ocean, where I absorbed the inner demons of some dark adepts and overheard their distorted confessions."

"The intersection with the Maw of Oblivion in the valley of Skyreach Peak might provide access to the Origin Realm. Yet, those who have attempted to explore the valley were nearly all slain by Zu Ann. He claimed they had lost their minds and were tainted by malevolent spirits."

"I once overheard a dark adept, lost in his own madness, claim that only beings of immense understanding of space magic, akin to the Chronowyrm or the Jihui God-King, could possess the power to obliterate the intersection point within the valley."

"Without mastery over space magic, even those at the Primordial Spirit level should not act rashly," Qiyan advised.

...

Hellmouth.

The Domain Channel connecting to the Moonfall Sanctuary has been re-stabilized through the collaborative efforts of Yan Qiling and his peers, allowing for unimpeded travel once again.

Numerous grand stone palaces dot the floating lands, frequented by cultivators from the Skyreach Consortium.

Additionally, members of other races, granted permission by Boulderdawn and the Consortium, along with numerous Sky Fiends, were active in the halls trading a variety of scarce magic items.

Yu Yiyi and the Crucible of Evil had also reached this locale, where they were carefully accommodated by Yan Qiling.

Within the resplendent passageway, a remarkably concealed spot caught the attention of Yan Qiling, an expert in the true essence of space magic, and Zhou You. They stared, with grave expressions, at a fist-sized, spiraling orb of light that pulsed continuously.

The orb resembled a large conch, its spirals contracting inward, with a dim glow emanating from its core.

Concentrating their senses, they could detect the heart-palpitating tremors of space and faintly hear a soul-wrenching, piercing shriek.

Staring too long invoked a terrifying sensation, as if their souls were on the brink of succumbing to the orb's pull, unable to escape its grasp.

Zhou You and Yan Qiling had sealed off the orb's outer edge, forbidding anyone from approaching.

The mysterious orb's sudden appearance within the Domain Channel had both of them deeply concerned, their brows furrowed with worry.

They understood the significance of this phenomenon.

"How long has it been since it formed?" Zhou You asked, resting his horsetail whisk on his arm, his plump face creased with concern. "You hadn't mentioned it during my last visit."

"It's a recent development. I sent word to you as soon as I realized something was amiss," Yan Qiling replied.

At that moment, Yan Qiling, radiating an enigmatic charm, appeared equally perplexed. "Both of us have heard the legends, haven't we? The Otherkin from the extraterrestrial realms refer to it as the 'Origin Gate.' We have something similar at Skyreach Peak in our Everlands."

Zhou You nodded slowly, "I'm certainly aware of it."

"Our Everlands boast three continents rich in spiritual energy, with Euwrea being the most abundant. It's astonishing that the world which birthed the enigmatic Sky Fiend race—the Primal Blood Continent—shares the 'Origin' prefix. And the concept of the Origin Realm itself stems from the various extraterrestrial races," Yan Qiling mused, furrowing his brow.

"The Origin Gate and the Origin Realm are enigmas to us in the Everlands, as well as to the extraterrestrial races; our knowledge is limited, and we're all in the midst of exploring," Zhou You said, pausing thoughtfully. "From what I've gathered, the Origin Realm is a fantastical place accessible only to the soul. The Voidweaver considers it the endpoint of time and space, a repository of its deepest secrets."

Zhou You paused briefly before continuing, "I've heard that the leader of the Voidweaver race, a tenth-level Patriarch, vanished while exploring the Maw of Oblivion. It's believed he may have accidentally stumbled into the Origin Realm and has not returned since. Moreover, the cosmic giant beast that spawned the Voidweaver race is in a state of uncertain life or death, seemingly connected to the Origin Realm as well."

"It seems that the enigmatic Origin Realm is intricately linked to the creation of the Maw of Oblivion."

"The Origin Realm possesses its own consciousness and is gradually growing in strength, extending its influence across the vast stellar sea. Within our Everlands, there are followers who, by sensing its presence, have unlocked the secrets of space magic and set forth on the path of cultivation."

"Take Pei Yuling, for example," Zhou You concluded.

"Pei Yuling!" Yan Qiling's brow furrowed. "Lately, that name keeps coming up. What do you know about him and the Origin Realm?"

"Not a great deal," Zhou You admitted after a moment's thought. "The emergence of the Origin Gate represents the Origin Realm's will reaching out. It's like a window it has opened. Not just in our realm, but Otherkin worlds too. Any intelligent being with a soul that passes through the Origin Gate might gain its favor and learn the profound truths of space magic."

"The bloodlines of the Otherkin can be altered by this interaction, enabling them to soar through the void, much like the Voidweavers."

"Here in the Everlands, a Terra Fiend conceived in the shadowy valley of the Origin Gate entered while Zu Ann was away and gained the approval of the Origin Realm's will, mastering the ability to traverse space."

"Upon Zu Ann's return, he slew the Terra Fiend, but it appears to have carried back some soul fire seeds from the Origin Realm, which have spread across the mortal kingdoms of the Aetherius Continent."

"These soul fire seeds have imbued certain infants with the innate ability to perceive the Origin Realm and to hear the whispers of its will."

"Pei Yuling is among these individuals, a quintessential example and currently the highest in terms of cultivation level." Zhou You let out a sigh as he finished recounting the tale.

"Regrettably, the Origin Gate has become intertwined with the cosmic order of Skyreach Peak. Unless both of us ascend to the realm of the primordial spirit, it's not possible to destroy the Origin Gate without also laying waste to Skyreach Peak. The Origin Gate there was created by the Chronowyrm and the Jihui God-King at an opportune moment."

Zhou You reflected with a sense of loss, "The five supreme forces and Zu Ann are well aware that the Origin Gate's existence poses a significant threat, yet they are powerless against it. Zu Ann would never allow the primordial spirits and Dark Deities from all factions to demolish Skyreach Peak just to shatter the Origin Gate."

"As a result, Zu Ann has no choice but to maintain a constant vigil on Skyreach Peak, barring those who seek to hone their skills from venturing into the valley of the Origin Gate. They must not come into contact with the Origin Realm, to avoid being tainted by its will and turning into malevolent entities that could wreak havoc across the Everlands."

Having said his piece, Yan Qiling gestured towards the newly formed Origin Gate and asked, "What's our course of action?"

"The will of the Origin Realm is strengthening. The emergence of this gate is a silent challenge," Zhou You grumbled. "Either of us advancing further, or deciphering the secret of the Dragon Slaying Stage, might have the power to obliterate the Origin Gate."

"However, we've had no word from Yu Yuan," Yan Qiling lamented.

"No news is good news, especially since he disappeared alongside that individual," Zhou You remarked with equanimity. After further strategizing, they erected a concealment barrier around the Origin Gate and then departed from the passage together.

As they stepped out, Yu Yiyi, clad in armor forged from the Crucible of Evil, arrived abruptly.

"I have news! My master has been sighted in the Starborn's Kuvrepros, alongside Chen Qinghuang! Right now, they are both withdrawing from Kuvrepros!"

With her message delivered, Yu Yiyi turned expectantly to Yan Qiling.

"Please make arrangements for me to reunite with my master at the earliest convenience!"

​