C1306 Fallen

Seven vibrantly colored, yet highly toxic streams carried a pungent, corrosive stench as they fled through the Spirit World below. The possessed Starbeast had been reduced to a splattered mess, bursting into a pile of crystalline powder. Yu Yuan observed with clarity that upon touching the ground, the powder seamlessly merged with the earth. Or more accurately, it was instantaneously absorbed by some force beneath the surface.

The Starbeast targeted by Qiyan boasted a high bloodline level. Its alien beast bones and sinews were laden with abundant psionic power, speckled with star essence, which now evidently served as sustenance for the burgeoning Uxthar Tree. The growth rate of the malevolent divine tree visibly accelerated.

Yu Yuan looked down and noticed that the Uxthar Tree's crown, sharp as a Divine Sword, was nearing the plane of void they occupied. To his astonishment, Qiyan, now transformed into seven venomous streams, was also soaring upwards.

The seven streams of poison, crackling like lightning, varied in hue—some dark brown, others green, or deep red like blood. Invisible Soul Power relentlessly pressured the streams, while tangible, colorful ripples converged towards them. Despite their struggles, the streams could not break free from the Spirit World's grasp. They would shoot up thousands of meters, only to plummet abruptly at certain moments.

Pah! Pah! Pah!

The streams, upon hitting the Spirit World's enigmatic earth, scattered sparks of strange luminescence. Then, with minor adjustments, they attempted to ascend once more, undeterred.

"Eh, what is this? After observing for so long, it's the first peculiar being I've seen that retains its spiritual wisdom and resists despite the combined forces of the butterflies and the Uxthar Tree," Yan Qiling remarked with a sense of wonder.

It appeared to him that within the depths of the toxic streams, strands of alien souls, condensed from soul threads, were attentively watching their direction, seemingly... still seeking help from someone among them.

"Qiyan?"

Recalling Denise's soft utterance and Yu Yuan's composed response, Yan Qiling had an epiphany. "Do you recognize him?"

"He hails from the Everlands as well, a Terra Fiend born in the Rainbow Ocean," Yu Yuan replied indifferently. "Ignore him. His fate is of no concern to us."

Yu Yuan had resolved that after their last parting, he would no longer concern himself with Qiyan's fate.

"Qiyan, that peculiar Terra Fiend, is certainly no ordinary being."

Beru, the Great Sage of the Starborn, had learned of Qiyan's origins from Gheirat. He was aware that Qiyan had been concealed in Zekrica for countless years, constantly imprisoned by Nie Qingtian.

A fiend held in such high regard by Nie Qingtian was clearly extraordinary.

He observed that even Zhu Huan of the Sunlit Order, an Unbound cultivator, had lost complete control the moment he transformed into a massive fireball and plummeted into the Spirit World.

The ancient woods, thick and robust, seemed to sprout legs beneath the earth, stirring to life within the Spirit World.

The branches of these towering trees converged around Zhu Huan's Fire Divine Visage. Some branches took the form of sharp spears or long whips crackling with lightning, while others became icy blades. They assailed Zhu Huan's imposing Divine Visage like a tempest, snuffing out the flames capable of incinerating life and drying up rivers.

Zhu Huan, bereft of reason, was unable to summon any of his divine abilities, his arms bound by the roots and vines of the trees, his movements severely hindered.

It was clear to all that this esteemed Unbound cultivator of the Sunlit Order would likely meet his end in the Spirit World, potentially becoming another significant loss for the Sunlit Order following Lee Tianxin.

"This Zhu Huan..."

Beru shook his head, his interest in Qiyan waning, regardless of Qiyan's repeated ascents and violent descents.

Narrowing his eyes, Beru gazed intently at Zhu Huan's evolving Divine Visage.

In time, Zhu Huan's Divine Visage morphed into a spherical Fire Star, encased by a blazing wall, with volcanoes and streams of magma coursing within.

Following this transformation, Zhu Huan's physique, flesh, and soul were ensconced deep within the Fire Star, seemingly as an instinctual self-preservation.

Yet, as the relentless assault by the branches of the ancient trees continued, Beru sensed that the energy and the unique essence that formed the bizarre Divine Visage were being silently siphoned by the Spirit World.

Unless something unforeseen occurred, the Fire Star's exterior would inevitably shatter.

At that moment, Zhu Huan's blood, soul, and very bones would be completely consumed by the Uxthar Tree, deeply rooted in the Spirit World.

The malevolent divine tree would, in turn, surge in height at a remarkable pace.

"Zu Ann has stolen my divine seat! The Shadow's Keep and Devil Palace stood by, intentionally allowing the Ruby Hand to ascend. Damn them! They all deserve to die!"

From within the fiery, star-shaped Divine Visage, Zhu Huan's frenzied, hysterical roar could be heard.

It was as if he was unleashing a torrent of suppressed rage!

"No wonder, no wonder the combined forces of the Uxthar Tree and the butterfly have shattered his spirit."

Yan Qiling scoffed, "This old fool believed that after Lee Tianxin's demise, he would naturally progress to become the new primordial spirit, claiming Lee Tianxin's place. He was oblivious to the fact that our Boulderdawn had been covertly preparing for this moment for so long, investing considerable resources and effort to ensure Zu Ann's ascension."

Yu Yuan was taken aback.

He was completely unaware of the clandestine struggle and machinations between the two sides.

What he did know was that he was also a participant.

While all eyes were on the Moonfall Sanctuary, a sudden assassination targeting Lee Tianxin began beyond the stars.

With Lee Tianxin's death and the seat now vacant, Zu Ann boldly made his move for the divine position.

Such audacity was only possible with the backing and assurances of the Boulderdawn.

Zhu Huan, having lingered in the late stages of the Unbound realm for years, had been awaiting a new divine seat.

As per the tradition of the five paramount powers, should a primordial spirit of the Sunlit Order perish, the sect would prioritize selecting a successor from within to vie for the primordial spirit seat, thus maintaining equilibrium among the factions.

Had Boulderdawn not intervened, Zhu Huan would have been the natural successor following Lee Tianxin's death.

Instead, Zhu Huan's aspirations were dashed, and Zu Ann ascended to godhood.

This became the bane of Zhu Huan's existence, a demon gnawing at his psyche, causing him such agony that life itself became unbearable.

Recently, he had been publicly taunted by Faang Yao and Yuan Lianyao, who claimed that the Sunlit Order, now with only one primordial spirit remaining, had lost all right to their former arrogance.

Zhu Huan, accustomed to his lofty status, was feeling extremely frustrated, and his inner demons grew stronger.

"He's overthinking it. Even if the seat of divinity were vacant, his chances of success are slim to none if he attempts to ascend," Beru shook his head. The Great Sage, with his profound insight into the human race of the Everlands, offered an objective assessment, "Zhu Huan isn't cut out for it. His age is the only thing he has going for him. His aptitude, talent, and temperament are unlikely to enable him to ascend to the ranks of the Supreme God."

"Without breaking through to the primordial spirit, even humans face mortality. Zu Ann's choice to align with Boulderdawn was driven by his inability to wait any longer."

Crack!

In the distance, a massive thunder vortex emerged, thundering with explosive lightning and dense flashes.

Even the colorful ripples and the space magic cast by the butterfly were shattered by the immense thunder vortex, unable to approach.

Standing at the heart of the thousand-acre thunder vortex was a towering figure, like a deity commanding the order of thunder.

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes, peering into the distance. The figure that emerged from the depths of the colossal thunder vortex was unmistakably Wei Zhuo of the Thunder Sect.

The Voidweaver had conjured an illusion to entice the beings of the shattered star domain to this place. The gap between the affected and the unaffected in terms of cultivation and strength was vast.

The first to arrive would surely be the cream of the crop, the most formidable among them.

This was true for both Zhu Huan and Wei Zhuo.

Yet...

"To rise as the leader of the Thunder Sect in the Everlands is no small feat," Beru remarked.

In contrast to the erratic Zhu Huan, Wei Zhuo of the Thunder Sect remained lucid and retained his spiritual wisdom. It seemed he had successfully freed himself from the butterfly's illusory snare en route.

Nevertheless, he had still come, likely eager to uncover the nature of the force that had beckoned and beguiled him.

"Yu Yuan, Beru, and..."

Within the depths of the crackling thunder vortex, Wei Zhuo's face was serene as he ingested another pill. Effortlessly, he plucked Chu Yao, who had been shrinking back within the vortex, and said, "No more hiding. We're among acquaintances here. Do you really think Mr. Pei, who you're counting on for protection, is in the Spirit World?"

"Chu Yao," Yu Yuan mused with a hint of astonishment.

He observed Wei Zhuo swallowing a pill, and the cultivator's face from the Thunder Sect's Unbound Stage swelled as if his mind was brimming with an influx of psionic power. Turning his attention to Chu Yao, Yu Yuan noted his puffed cheeks, which seemed to make speaking a challenge.

With a slight nod, Yu Yuan surmised that the pill was likely crafted by his senior brother, Zhong Chichen. It was designed to shield Chu Yao and Wei Zhuo from the Voidweaver's illusions, keeping their minds as lucid as ever.

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