C1267 The Secular Bird That Had Been Eating for Thousands of Years!
Pei Yuling, in collaboration with the Dark Elfkind, had devised a plan that would ensure a special meteorite became the focal point of widespread attention. The meteorite was designed to relentlessly prey on nearby living creatures. Regardless of their origin—be it other races, powerful human cultivators, demons, or alien beasts—all would be inexorably drawn to this location, only to be consumed one by one, their essence feeding the meteorite's growth. Pei Yuling was convinced that the unusual activities in the area would inevitably lead to this outcome.
Yet, after a lengthy wait, he was taken aback by the absence of an increasing number of creatures approaching. Sensing that something was amiss, he activated the Void Mirror. Employing a clandestine technique, his soul consciousness traversed the various realms of the Deep Starfield in search of clues.
What he witnessed was a scene of sheer astonishment. A multitude of formidable demons and alien beasts were engaged in a frenzied battle around a modest-sized, frigid meteorite. The creatures, as if under the influence of a potent stimulant, were locked in a ferocious melee.
Pei Yuling's attention was riveted to the chaos. As he scrutinized the scene, his eyes landed on Yu Yuan. "Yu Yuan!" he exclaimed, his voice low and his expression turning to ice.
The sight of Yu Yuan brought to mind the Secular Bird's human incarnation. Piecing together the behavior of the demons and alien beasts, Pei Yuling formulated a theory.
With a swift motion, he plunged back into the depths of the earth to consult with the Dark Elfkind elder about the recent developments.
High above, the Yin Corpse King, perched amidst the rare stones of the Ember Waters, and Lim Zhuyun observed Pei Yuling's emergence with clarity. They overheard his muttered words and glimpsed the hazy images reflected in the Void Mirror.
The Yin Corpse King, with a hint of amusement, remarked, "I never expected to encounter that youngster here in the Deep Starfield."
"Let's go!" commanded Lim Zhuyun.
The Yin Corpse King shook his head, firmly rejecting her command. "You may be willing to risk death, but I am not. You must have heard that Yu Yuan is currently with someone of equal standing to our Master. Moreover, before her demise in the Oblivion Starfield, she was ranked above our Master within their circle."
Lim Zhuyun fell silent.
The Secular Bird from 100,000 years ago, in terms of both battle power and reputation, surpassed the Chaos Roc.
As a member of the Starry Behemoth race, the impact of the Secular Bird's presence on the galaxy was profound, its destructive capabilities and the disasters it caused outstripped those of the Chaos Roc.
Before it vanished, the Secular Bird's rank among the Starry Behemoths was incomparable to that of the Chaos Roc.
"I'll try to communicate with the Master first, to see when he can receive my message and arrive in the Deep Starfield."
The Yin Corpse King watched her with a grave expression, understanding that her silence meant she had calmed down.
"Don't worry. The Death Bird hasn't fully recovered yet. If the Master can arrive in time..."
The Yin Corpse King's eyes began to sparkle. Licking his lips, he said with excitement, "If the Master can devour the Secular Bird and harness the powers of death, destruction, and rebirth it has mastered, we will all reap the benefits! The Master will also become the mightiest behemoth of our race!"
"As you say."
...
Yu Yuan used the sheath of the Optimus Sword to pierce the heart of a Golden Rock Beast. As he watched the beast plummet, his expression turned peculiar.
The madness and brutality in the eyes of the Eighth Level Golden Rock Beast faded with the destruction of its heart.
Yet, its body, as if drawn to the icy meteorite, drifted through the air before finally descending upon the frigid meteorite concealed by Yan Ziyang.
Shortly after its fall, the life force and soul of the Eighth Level Golden Rock Beast inexplicably vanished.
Yu Yuan gripped the sword sheath, refraining from immediate action as he squinted and observed.
He quickly realized that every great demon or alien beast that perished in this tumultuous skirmish would be drawn into the meteorite, rapidly losing its vitality and spirit.
The meteorite had become a vast Blood Prison, swallowing both blood and souls.
Surveying the scene, he saw numerous Eighth Level great demons, Celestial Star Beasts, and Dark Flame Beasts locked in fierce combat.
Then, a flash of insight struck him!
"She's preying."
Yu Yuan suddenly realized what Her Majesty the Empress was up to by leaving behind a drop of dark green blood. She was using it to attract high-ranked alien beasts and Eighth and Ninth Level demons, replenishing her own strength with their essence.
Her memory restoration, periods of deep slumber, and her current state all seemed to require vast amounts of blood and beast souls for support. To ascend to the levels of Primordial Spirit and Demon God, she needed to hunt for more energy, which meant she had to feed.
"That must be it," Yu Yuan mused.
He watched a Demon Blade dispatch a Golden Rock Beast and immediately recognized the Empress's superior efficiency. A single drop of blood had incited a frenzy among the creatures, leading them to slaughter each other.
For the time being, Chen Qinghuang didn't need to lift a finger. She was already harvesting the blood energy and Demon Souls from the fallen beasts. She would wait for the Black Oil Barbarian Ox and the female Great Demon to determine a victor, for Jin Lih to throw himself into the battle, and once a winner emerged, she would awaken to slay the victor and consume all the remaining demons and beasts.
The situation suggested that other Great Demons and alien beasts were also on their way.
With just a drop of blood, Chen Qinghuang had managed to take down dozens of Eighth Level alien beasts and demons, as well as five or six Ninth Level Demon Kings and equally high-ranked beasts. Her gains were substantial.
"Yu Yuan!" bellowed Jin Lih, his voice as formidable as a mountain, while he manipulated dozens of shattered golden rocks.
"The time has come."
Having grasped Chen Qinghuang's strategy, Yu Yuan looked at the Demon King with a touch of pity. Jin Lih's Demonic Eye was bleeding gold as he appeared to be using a Bloodline Secret Technique in an attempt to awaken the intelligence of the frenzied Golden Rock Beasts.
He was clearly resisting the Empress's influence.
It was evident that the Ninth Level Demon King's efforts were in vain. The Golden Rock Beast horde, which had grown under his command, was still locked in combat with the Celestial Star Beasts, Dark Flame Beasts, and other unnamed alien creatures. Before long, one of the Golden Rock Beasts fell, drifting like a leaf on the wind, towards the meteorite where the Black Oil Barbarian Ox and the female Great Demon were engaged in fierce battle.
And Jin Lih, he was utterly powerless to intervene.
Additionally, the peculiar behavior of the Black Oil Barbarian Ox and the female Demon King deterred Jin Lih from approaching the meteorite.
He was certain that Chen Qinghuang was inside.
"Here we meet again."
Yu Yuan gestured emphatically towards Jin Lih. With a mere thought, the bloodthirsty Demon Blade swiftly landed in his other palm. "Your loyal lieutenants are dying. As their king, shouldn't you take action? Don't just yell from afar. If you wish to kill me, you'll need to get a bit closer."
The nearer one got to the meteorite concealing Yan Ziyang, the more a formidable demon like Jin Lih would be influenced by Chen Qinghuang's presence.
Jin Lih could still keep his wits about him and call out Yu Yuan's name because he had not yet reached the meteorite and was not yet penetrated by the empress's malevolent thoughts.
Yu Yuan's taunt was designed to goad Jin Lih into joining the fray sooner.
"Master!"
It was then that Yu Yiyi's voice echoed from another direction.
Yu Yuan looked over and saw Yu Yiyi standing in the Evil Cauldron alongside Yan Qiling, controlling a silver-white meteorite as it suddenly appeared.
Yan Qiling greeted him with a radiant smile and a nod, appearing to be in high spirits.
