C1298 He Tried to Persuade

A gaunt silhouette emerged slowly amidst the dark green ripples.

Beside the figure, slender, luminous fissures began to burst forth in abundance.

Above the silhouette, the mist shifted and changed, faintly revealing the Spirit World growing in strength.

One could also see the wildly proliferating, grotesque plants, numerous extraterrestrial creatures, Ghouls, and alien beasts impaled, their life forces cruelly stripped away in a harrowing display.

The Spirit World materializing at this moment was, of course, nothing more than an illusory projection, a mirage.

It wasn't real.

Likewise, the emaciated figure responding was merely Diggs, employing the subtle arts of space to project his voice from afar.

Yet, as he spoke, his form sharpened into clarity.

Pei Yuling was nowhere to be seen; it was only Diggs who materialized within the undulating ripples.

Gradually, even his bizarre strands of hair became unmistakably distinct.

"Beru..."

In the dark green shadows, Diggs' withered face betrayed a sorrowful expression.

His eyes shifted to a gray-green hue, his vitality concealed, yet exuding a certain terrifying malevolence. "You should not have come to Brugeth, the realm I once governed, at this time."

"Ah."

Diggs sighed deeply, his voice resonating with an ineffable desolation, "Lead your people and depart from this Star River at your earliest convenience. I will not stand in your way."

Yu Yuan was taken aback.

His knowledge of Diggs was limited, and the rumors he'd heard were far from flattering.

Diggs' sudden change in demeanor towards Beru, becoming so amiable, caught Yu Yuan off guard, making him suspect something was amiss.

"What has happened to you?"

Beru gazed intently at him, sensing his presence, and spoke with bewilderment, "You now... seem like a stranger to me. Do you remember the vows we made in our youth? The heated battles, the narrow escapes from death? Diggs, you were once the comrade I trusted with my life."

In the dark green luminescence, Diggs fell silent, his gaze ever-shifting.

Beru's words seemed to catapult his memories back ten thousand years, to a time when two young warriors, their combat skills still raw, stood back-to-back, battling the cultivators of the Everlands, breaking through the ranks of the evilkind.

"I remember, I remember it all. I'm also aware that after my misfortune, you sheltered my family. You brought them to your lands, ensuring their survival, sparing them from being eradicated."

"Beru, you are my most trusted comrade and dearest friend. I, Diggs, am proud every time I think of our friendship."

"But..."

Diggs shook his head vigorously.

"Ever since I was betrayed, stripped of my position as Patriarch, and my core bloodline chain was severed, cutting off my path to advancement, I've been resolute."

"My old friend, forgive my actions. I have no regrets."

"Leave the Brugeth. I'll be grateful. And here, in this fragmented Astral Domain, I will complete my bloodline transformation and reclaim what has always been rightfully mine!"

"..."

As Diggs's firm and deep voice faded, his figure, which had been condensed in the dark green ripples, also slowly vanished.

All the waves, the mirage-like Spirit World, and the bizarre space rifts disappeared as well.

The void before everyone returned to its original state, showing no signs of disturbance.

Yu Yuan watched the Great Sage of the Starborn with astonishment, not expecting the friendship between Beru and Diggs to be so profound.

When Diggs was targeted by the Shadowkin, it seemed that Beru had secretly looked after his scattered family members, helping them avoid the calamity that befell their kin.

To Yu Yuan, Beru and Diggs were akin to the Evil King Yu Xi and Ann Wen, known as the Evil God—brothers in arms with a bond strong enough to trust with their lives.

It was this bond that allowed Diggs, now a follower of the Origin Deity, to patiently persuade Beru to leave despite the imminent turmoil in the Brugeth.

Moreover, he permitted Beru to take his clansmen with him.

"Leo, Denise, come with me and leave this extraterritorial battlefield. Diggs is terrifying, and I understand his might better than anyone. He has declared his intent to undergo a bloodline transformation."

Beru inhaled deeply and commanded with an undeniable authority, "Once Diggs ascends to the tenth level, not even the current Shadowkin Patriarch may be a match for him. I believe that after his ascension, he could split the Shadowkin, swaying many of their warriors to pledge allegiance to him."

"Because Diggs' prestige among the Shadowkin once surpassed that of the current Patriarch!"

Leo and Denise felt the weight of the situation settle upon them.

The current chieftain of the Shadowkin, named Brie, was also the father of the so-called Children of the Forest, Kennard. Within the vast expanse of the Extraterrestrial Star River, Brie stood as a formidable presence, ranked seventh in power.

Moreover, Brie was still quite young, with boundless potential for growth.

As for Diggs...

Leo and Denise hadn't heard much about him and were unaware of his true capabilities. The only thing they knew was that he was once a close friend of the Great Sage Beru.

"If it hadn't been for Brie's foul play, Diggs would indeed have been the rightful chieftain of the Shadowkin," Beru remarked with a hint of caution in his voice. Given Brie's position of authority, Beru had his reservations. "Just know that until Brie's bloodline ascends to the tenth level, he stands no chance against Diggs."

"Diggs is headstrong; once he's set on something, no one can deter him," Beru continued to urge them.

Then, with a casual gesture, he summoned a meteorite shimmering with starlight.

Whoosh!

He was the first to leap onto it, calling out, "Leo, Denise, if you still hold respect for me, join me!"

Denise exchanged glances with Leo and Yu Yuan before responding softly, "I wouldn't dare go against your wishes."

She was the first to soar toward the meteorite.

Leo hesitated briefly before letting out a resigned sigh. He bowed to Yu Yuan, apologizing, "I'm sorry, it seems I won't be able to join you in exploring this enchanting Astral Domain."

With those words, he dutifully followed onto the meteorite.

"Yu Yuan, heed my advice. If possible, you should leave this place at the earliest opportunity," Beru advised earnestly. Without further delay, he steered the meteorite away, retracing their path of arrival.

Once they departed, a heavy silence fell upon the remaining group, their spirits sinking further.

...

At the Starway, safeguarded by the Ebon Star, the Solar Spirit cultivators from various sects and those of the Unbound Stage had all convened.

Xu Jingyao and Zhu Huan had also made their way there, joining the assembly.

Cao Jiaze, Wei Zhuo, Zhu Huan, and Xu Jingyao were contemplating whether to set aside the Starway issue for the time being and prioritize their departure from the Brugeth. Amidst these thoughts, Xu Jingyao's gaze frequently drifted to Yuan Lianyao, known as the Blazing Red Lotus.

Yuan Lianyao and Faang Yao were not involved in the discussion, instead conversing quietly among themselves.

Suddenly!

"So, you're Yuan Lianyao from Asvetaesi, aren't you?" Xu Jingyao asked with a radiant smile, capturing the attention of everyone present. "Yu Yuan should have been the first to reach this battlefield after leaving Kuvrepros. Have you seen him?"

Yuan Lianyao's brow furrowed.

"I have."

A cultivator from the Taintborn sect interjected, casting a reproachful glance at the stunning Yuan Lianyao, and said, "They didn't just see him; they had an encounter."

He went on to describe how their group was severely wounded by the totem-pole of the evilkind, and how Yuan Lianyao was ensnared by Lin Zhuyun, who then used her as leverage against Yu Yuan.

It was apparent to everyone that he harbored affection for Yuan Lianyao, though she had never so much as glanced his way.

"So there's more to the story," Xu Jingyao acknowledged, then pressed on, "You carry the scent of the solar nucleus. How did you come by it?"

...