C1299 He Participated!

The three "solar nuclei" were concealed within the Red Demon Bell, undetectable to the average person.

Xu Jingyao, however, was far from average.

Practicing the same fire magic, he shared a profound connection with the soul of the Divine Artifact, the Flame Spear. Having nearly secured a solar nucleus himself not long ago, he was acutely aware of their distinctive energy.

He regarded Yuan Lianyao as though he could see the lightning-imbued "solar nuclei" locked away by her artifact.

Yuan Lianyao maintained a serene facade, not speaking right away. She was uncertain about the extent of Xu Jingyao's knowledge.

As the three "solar nuclei" made their appearance, Chu Yao and the remaining members of the Skyblight Cult seized the moment to flee.

Only Faang Yao lingered nearby, approaching only after the arrival of the "solar nuclei."

Moreover, the three "solar nuclei" had converged from various directions at an inconceivable velocity.

Upon reflection, she surmised that Chu Yao and survivors from groups like the Skyblight Cult and the Taintborn were likely unaware of the solar nuclei's origins. They might have merely stumbled upon a streak of crimson lightning during their escape.

Nothing more.

With this thought, she felt a measure of peace. Her eyes, reminiscent of Fire Crystals, flicked towards the admirers from the Taintborn, and with a disdainful huff, she finally addressed Xu Jingyao's inquiry, "Is it any of your business whether I possess a solar nucleus or how I acquired it?"

With a haughty tilt of her head, she appeared to disregard the prodigy of the Sunlit Order. "And as for my dealings with Yu Yuan, do you really think I owe you an explanation? Since when does the Sunlit Order have the authority to question the Ruby Hand?"

Xu Jingyao brushed off the slight, remaining unflustered. "The Ruby Hand's temper seems to be flaring up more than ever."

"Xu, the Ruby Hand will never owe your Sunlit Order any explanations!" Faang Yao declared, his face flushed but unafraid, even in the presence of Xu Jingyao and Zhu Huan. "What's the big deal about a chance encounter on the extraterritorial battlefield? I'm well aware that you, Cao, and Yu Yuan have all met in the Kuvrepros!"

"What does meeting him prove?"

Faang Yao scoffed, "Ask these folks, and them too!"

He gestured towards the survivors from the Skyblight Cult, Taintborn, and Poison Cult, including Chu Yao, "Ask them, which blind dog saw Yu Yuan and Yuanyuan join forces to attack them? A bunch of opportunistic scoundrels, acting all innocent after gaining the upper hand. It's revolting!"

His words left many feeling disgraced.

Chu Yao clarified, "We nearly fell to the Ghoul King and a woman named Lin Zhuyun. His arrival enabled us to escape unscathed, avoiding further assault from the totem-pole."

While speaking, Chu Yao glanced at Cao Jiaze, clearly recognizing him as someone who valued reason.

"I understand," Cao Jiaze said with a nod, then frowned in thought. "Brother Xu, whether Ms. Yuan possesses the solar nucleus or not, it's irrelevant to you."

"I'm saying that a solar nucleus I had my eye on vanished just before I could claim it," Xu Jingyao stated, refraining from further provocation or troublemaking. "I urgently need a solar nucleus to refine my Solar Spirit, so if Ms. Yuan happens to have one, I'm prepared to pay a premium for it."

"I'm not interested," Yuan Lianyao dismissed curtly.

Faang Yao spoke with a sarcastic edge, "I have an untimely remark, but I'll say it anyway. My Ruby Hand now boasts a formidable primordial spirit in the Everlands. True, our Sect Master is the only one who has ascended to the primordial spirit level, putting us slightly behind other sects and Shadow's Keep."

"Yet, when compared to your Sunlit Order, we're not far off."

He gave Zhu Huan a pointed look.

Zhu Huan's eyes blazed with fury as he retorted, "You've certainly grown bolder, daring to provoke us to our faces."

"It was Xu who provoked us first!" Faang Yao shot back without backing down.

The primordial spirit is the backbone, the emblem of a sect's might!

After the leader of the Ruby Hand sect successfully forged his primordial spirit, and with the death of Lee Tianxin from the Sunlit Order, all cultivators of the Ruby Hand felt a surge of pride, no longer seeing themselves as inferior to the Sunlit Order.

"Alright, alright, let's keep the peace. We're all on the same side here. No need for infighting," Cao Jiaze intervened, trying to defuse the tension. He urged both the Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand members to avoid conflict, especially at the critical juncture at the Starway.

"Pei Yuling has defected to the Origin Deity, and this fractured Star Sea is riddled with oddities. I propose we don't linger in this Astral Domain any longer than necessary. Let's leave and discuss further," he suggested, looking to Wei Zhuo and several elders for their agreement.

"It's good that you've made a decision," one elder acknowledged.

"We'll follow your lead. If you wish to depart, then please chart our course," another added.

Those assembled worked to soothe the emotions of Zhu Huan and Faang Yao, urging them not to prolong their dispute.

Yuan Lianyao's gaze, fiery as Fire Crystals, fixed on a nameless cultivator from the Taintborn, causing him to lower his head, feeling exposed.

...

Chen Qinghuang abruptly awoke. Above the Lunar Meteorite, the group's anxiety was palpable, and their eyes swiftly focused on her, including Yu Yuan's. They had remained, pondering Beru's words, yet indecision held them back.

The enigmatic Origin Deity, the Voidweaver, and Diggs had revealed formidable powers and mystical abilities, convincing them of the peril within the Brugeth. They were inclined to evacuate but had waited for Chen Qinghuang to awaken, unsure of her stance.

"Voidweaver," the Queen stated, her eyes clear and piercing like twin mirrors of ice, reflecting all that had transpired. "Diggs is no match for it. Those three will find leaving is not as simple as they think."

The group was taken aback by her awareness.

Clearly, even in slumber, she had remained cognizant of all events, likely observing Beru, Leo, and Denise's arrival through some other means.

"What about the Spirit World?" Yu Yuan inquired gently.

"The butterfly there is adept at space magic and illusions," the Queen responded coolly. "Even the Starchild will struggle to find a way out of the Brugeth as it stands. They may soon realize that their attempts to leave are merely taking them in circles."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was taken aback.

They too were eager to leave, to distance themselves from the conflict. But if even Leo couldn't make his way out, what hope did they have?

Chen Qinghuang surveyed her surroundings, her eyes like mirrors of ice, seemingly perceiving scenes unfolding thousands of miles away. "More and more powerful beings will be drawn here. The leader of the Shadowkin will be the primary target. Diggs wants to settle his score with him."

The queen had made her assessment. She spoke these words and then paused briefly.

Everyone fell silent, waiting expectantly.

"There's no rush. The shattered Star River is only going to get busier."

Finally, her gaze softened as she turned to Yu Yuan. "Diggs is on the verge of advancing to the tenth level. That colorful butterfly intends to extend her power across the Star River, which will require her to amass even more energy."

"My own recovery necessitates the same."

Her eyes sparkled with an extraordinary light.

She seemed to be brimming with anticipation for the events about to unfold in the Brugeth Astral Domain.

"If you wish to leave, you may do so now."

Her gaze drifted indifferently over Moore, Yan Qiling, and Yu Yiyi.

"We can both partake in this new grand affair."

Her final words were directed at Yu Yuan, "Your enigmatic Solar Spirit will be roused by these events. And with my assistance, you should be able to wrest something from Diggs, from that colorful butterfly."

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