C1278

Both hailing from the Silvermoon Empire, Yuan Lianyao once served as a city lord, while Lin Zhuyun was the treasured gem of the Lin family. However, the Lin family has since been stricken from the empire's records. Their elders and youth have either perished or been wounded, leaving no notable figures to rise from their ranks. In contrast, Yuan Lianyao and the Yuan family continue to thrive.

Despite Yan Gui's defection from the Devil Palace to the Boulderdawn faction, the Yuan family's standing in Asvetaesi and the Silvermoon Empire remains unscathed, thanks to the bond between Yuan Lianyao and Yu Yuan.

These two renowned women of the empire once had their share of disputes over Yu Yuan. Later, Lin Zhuyun became host to the Frostfiend and fell under the sway of the Abyssal Leviathan, which dramatically enhanced her combat abilities and realm. She even pursued Yu Yuan and Yuan Lianyao with intent to kill.

Now, Lin Zhuyun, in the Star River of the extraterrestrial realm, encounters Yuan Lianyao, who has refined her Solar Spirit. Naturally, she is compelled to act.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Ice mountains burst forth one after another from a rare stone, small in appearance yet vast in hidden dimensions, launching like frigid blades towards the heavens behind Lin Zhuyun. Encircled by strands of white lightning, she moves between the ice mountains, her feet treading upon ghostly flames, her gaze growing colder as she declares, "Ms. Yuan, you will stay. Everyone else may leave."

"Leave me behind?" Yuan Lianyao responds with a light chuckle, her lips curling into a smile.

Her enchanting figure stands at the mouth of the Red Demon Bell, as if enveloped in the glow of molten lava. With a sudden flourish of her fiery red sleeves, flames transform into lotuses, soaring towards Lin Zhuyun's feet and meeting the icy flames below.

In a flash, the lotuses and icy flames clash, igniting a spectacular burst of fireworks.

"Lin Zhuyun, you possess only the cultivation of a Solar Spirit, having merely merged with it. The reason you can traverse the extraterrestrial with your real body..." Yuan Lianyao glances at the brightened rare stone behind the ice mountain and scoffs, "is solely due to the Abyssal Leviathan's aid. Your innate talent within the Silvermoon Empire was modest at best. It was only after being possessed by the Sky Fiend in the Embers Sea that you caught the eye of the cosmic giant beast."

Shaking his head with a mocking smile, the mayor said, "A realm and power acquired purely by luck—I doubt it's very stable. You've failed to learn anything of substance, yet you've mastered the art of shameless boasting."

The icy flames lacked the terrifying chill one might expect, leaving her unimpressed by Lin Zhuyun's supposed menace.

Bald Faang Yao, too, bared his teeth in a sinister grin. "You think you have the gall to challenge our Ruby Hand?"

The Ruby Hand now boasted a Primordial Spirit expert and several Unbound Stage cultivators, establishing themselves as the third mightiest sect in the Land of Quiescence, following the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep.

"Ghoul King, so you've thrown in your lot with the Abyssal Leviathan. Do you truly believe you can do as you please without consequence?"

Upon hearing Lin Zhuyun's words, Ogeus, the ninth-level Golden Rock Beast, summoned icebergs from within the rare stones, his ferocity kindled. "Don't forget, that cosmic giant beast was pinned beneath the Embers Sea for ages. Our Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep have kept it at bay; we have no fear of its retaliation."

In the annals of notorious cosmic giant beasts, the Abyssal Leviathan's rank was not particularly high. It was not as formidable as the secular bird of a hundred millennia past, nor the Voidweaver, nor the Abyssal Greater Basilisk. Having been confined to the Embers Sea for years, the beast's combat prowess was not as earth-shattering as some might recall.

With the backing of Shadow's Keep and its three tenth-level Dark Deities, why would Ogeus fear the Abyssal Leviathan?

"Not at all," the Ghoul King replied with a smile and a shake of his head. "Back in the Everlands, I was hunted by both the Shadow's Keep and the Devil Palace. Even after escaping to the extraterrestrial Star River, I was still a target. Eventually, I was locked away in the Sword Prison for years. What's wrong with seeking refuge with my current master? Under his wing, I enjoy far more freedom."

"He's not hiding in there, is he? I can't sense his presence!" Ogeus's face paled as he peered at the luminous rare stone behind the ice mountains, his golden lifeblood flaring within him.

At his words, all the cultivators present, including the Solar Spirits, tensed, readying themselves for any threat.

The Ghoul King and Lin Zhuyun's words did not intimidate them, nor did the numerous Otherkin Ghouls. However, the presence of a cosmic giant beast would be a game-changer.

Any mature cosmic giant beast possesses the battle prowess of a Dark Deity. It was certain that after the Abyssal Leviathan's return to the Star River, it had regained its strength.

The implications of encountering an adult cosmic giant beast were clear to them.

"He's not here!"

Ogeus's lifeblood had refined countless golden lightning bolts, each tens of times thinner than a hair, which had entered the rare stone to search within.

"With him absent, what gives the Ghoul King such confidence?!"

Ogeus bellowed in rage, his formidable figure descending upon the meteor where the Solar Spirits resided. His massive golden hooves crushed and kicked, slaughtering numerous Otherkin Ghouls.

Having confirmed the Abyssal Leviathan's absence, Ogeus lost all interest in bantering with the Ghoul King, instead directing his fury toward the Ghoul King and Lin Zhuyun.

Backed by the Shadow's Keep, he feared no cosmic giant beast, not even one like the Abyssal Leviathan. If displeased, he was ready to wage war.

"Out of my way!"

Ogeus's colossal form bulldozed through the ice mountains, which, upon Lin Zhuyun's call, had emerged from the rare stone. They either tumbled down or burst into a multitude of ice rocks.

Lin Zhuyun, her feet wreathed in ghostly flames, continued her standoff with Yuan Lianyao, seemingly unconcerned with the chaos.

"Is this all you've got? And you dare ask us to stay?"

Faang Yao, bald and bemused, regarded the Ghoul King and Lin Zhuyun as if they were fools.

...

Elsewhere.

"Yan Ziyang, are you from the Yan family of the Silvermoon Empire? I recall there's mention of you in the family's annals!" Yan Qiling and Yu Yuan inquired about Yan Ziyang's background during their conversation, expressing surprise upon confirmation.

Yan Ziyang nodded, "I was selected by the Wraithcult and left the Yan family to pursue my cultivation on the Land of Quiescence. But when I left, the Yan family wasn't particularly formidable."

"Indeed," Yan Qiling said with a smile. "The Yan family presumed you had perished long ago, so they didn't publicize your departure. I learned of your past from some ancient texts. I once spent time with the Yan family under different circumstances, so it seems we're destined to cross paths."

Yan Ziyang's eyes widened in shock.

Upon learning of his affiliation with the Yan family, Yan Qiling's warmth increased significantly. "You hail from the former Wraithcult? That's even more fortuitous! Yu Yuan, the Wraithcult, much like the Terror Claws, shares a deep connection with Boulderdawn. I suspect that the annihilation of the Wraithcult might have been sanctioned by the five factions."

Yu Yuan paused, considering the possibility. "That could very well be the case."

"I..." Yan Ziyang was at a loss for words.

"Don't worry, the Wraithcult can establish a new stronghold in the Land of Quiescence," Yan Qiling reassured with a smile. "Our Boulderdawn will welcome both you and the Wraithcult with open arms. You can count on me!"

Yan Ziyang hurriedly offered his thanks.

At that moment, the Frost Queen's devil soul stirred, her brow furrowing as if tuning into a distant signal. After a brief pause, she spoke up, "Master, I need to borrow the power of the Bane from the Crucible of Evil."

Yu Yuan and Yan Qiling were in the midst of catching up, discussing the recent events in the Everlands and the current state of Ionodios.

"What?" Yu Yuan exclaimed, taken aback.

"I've detected a familiar presence. I wish to harness the cauldron's Bane to investigate further," the Frost Queen requested, her gaze shifting between Yu Yuan and Yu Yiyi. She had grown accustomed to seeking Yu Yuan's approval directly, rather than consulting the cauldron spirit Yu Yiyi.

Yu Yuan gave a nod of consent.

The Frost Queen's ethereal icy form descended into the Crucible of Evil, where she summoned the hidden lower-tier Banes from their stair-like recesses.

One by one, the Banes fused into her crystalline eyes.

Amplified by the Banes' power, her vision seemed to pierce through the vast distance, revealing a scene unfolding miles away.

Within her gaze, two distinct wraiths emerged from obscurity, rapidly gaining clarity.

"Yuan Lianyao!" "Lin Zhuyun!"

Both Yu Yuan and Yu Yiyi cried out in recognition.

Yan Qiling, Moore, and Yan Ziyang also peered into the Frost Queen’s eyes, witnessing the Golden Rock Beast, the Ghoul King, and numerous Solar Spirit cultivators.

They watched as Ogeus, with his massive demonic form, plowed through the throngs of Otherkin Ghouls, and the Ghoul King let out a chilling, eerie laugh.

"What's your plan?"

Yan Qiling's brow furrowed slightly upon noticing the dramatic shift in Yu Yuan's demeanor. He advised, "I recommend we stay out of it. The Ghoul King and Lin Zhuyun don't seem to be on equal footing with them. If we intervene, we might just add to the complications. It's best to keep out of it."

"Let's wait and see."

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