C1337 Ciara's Shock
The snow bear was far from weak.
Back in the Brugeth Astral Domain, the Abyssal Winged Lizard fell prey to the illusions of the Voidweaver, charging into the Spirit World only to be consumed by the Blightwood. Zhu Huan met a similarly tragic end.
Yet, this snow bear alone dared to obliterate countless plants and flowers with blizzards and gales.
It even had the audacity to defy the Voidweaver and the Blightwood—truly a testament to its exceptional nature.
Yu Yuan felt that this spirited creature was significantly more powerful than the Abyssal Winged Lizard, and even more so than the greylag ridden by the empress, both in combat prowess and intelligence.
Its current state of severe injury was solely due to the terrifying adversary it had faced.
"The Sword of Gaia," Gu Xingkui, was the highest primordial spirit of the Everlands and the successor to Nie Qingtian as the Grand Sword Immortal!
In the Star River beyond, few could claim to be a match for Gu Xingkui.
Despite its grievous wounds, the snow bear had managed to seal its rich lifeblood within its body after crystallization, no small feat.
As the fragmented ice-cold blood crystals began to split open, its overwhelming vital energy flowed back into its massive form. Yu Yuan knew then that the bear was going to be alright.
The Baneblade's intervention, allowing some vital energy and remnant soul to seep into the Bloodhell, had actually healed the most critical injuries, preventing further deterioration.
The recovery of an alien beast's soul, like that of the snow bear, is heavily reliant on the nourishment of its physical form.
Its spirit and body are, in fact, inseparable.
This is unlike the human cultivators of the Everlands, particularly those from the renowned sects of Euwrea, whose spiritual growth remains unaffected by the frailty of their flesh and blood.
The snow bear, however, could not do the same.
For alien beasts like it and the archdemons of the Everlands, their souls are wholly dependent on their physical bodies.
"Wu..."
As Yu Yuan pondered, the bear let out a low groan of pain and struggled to open its innocent-looking eyes.
"Are you awake?"
Ciara of the Shura approached with a look of joy, appearing in the air above the bear as it gazed up at the sky.
She even triggered the luminous ice shield, crafted from the Frost Well, to affirm her identity.
Ciara conveyed to the snow bear that she was not only a formidable member of the Shura but also privileged to wield the Frost Well, a sign of her esteemed status in the eyes of Sabonis.
Yet...
Upon opening its eyes, the snow bear didn't spare her a glance, instead expressing its annoyance with a disgruntled growl for obstructing its view.
Ciara, understanding the depth of its growl, reluctantly stepped aside.
This allowed Yu Yuan to come into view.
Ciara observed that the snow bear, revered by her entire tribe and respected by their king, softened its gaze the moment it laid eyes on Yu Yuan.
It attempted to smile, but the gesture quickly turned into a pained groan, as even this simple act seemed to aggravate its wounds.
"Alright, focus on healing. Don't move," Yu Yuan advised, his voice warm and his expression softening.
He had grown genuinely fond of the snow bear that had repeatedly sought his friendship and had been injured in the process.
"Wu, wuwu!" the snow bear vocalized, laboriously lifting a massive arm and uncurling its anchor-like fingers to reveal several Ice Shards it had been clutching.
With its eyes, it signaled to Yu Yuan that it had secured the items he needed.
Moved, Yu Yuan shook his head and responded, "I don't actually need so much. If it costs you this much to get these Ice Shards, I'd rather not take them."
"Wuwu!" the bear continued to growl, undeterred.
Yu Yuan was taken aback by the gesture.
The scene left Ciara dumbfounded.
As a high-ranking and respected member of the Shura, she had never seen the legendary "Dire Bear" exhibit such a gentle and straightforward demeanor. The tales handed down through the ages always linked the "Dire Bear" with ferocity, brutality, and a thirst for blood.
While it was amicable toward the Shura due to their pact, its interactions with other races—be they the human archdemons of the Everlands, the Shadowkin or Dawnbringers from the extraterrestrial realms, or even the Sky Fiend—always revealed its vicious nature.
The Shura's respect for the bear was not solely because it had been a benefactor to their kind.
It was feared not only for its notorious reputation but also for its terrifying prowess in battle. As the guardian of the Frost Well, Ciara was privy to a secret...
The current Blood King, Sabonis, had once wandered into a frigid and perilous territory as a youth, nearly becoming prey to the ice-cold alien beasts within. In a moment of dire need, it emerged and rescued the young Sabonis.
This creature had been a part of the Shura's secret books for ages, with many Shura warriors having benefited from its protection and benevolence. Thus, when it saved Sabonis and showed its friendliness, his renown soared upon his return.
Rumors also circulated that the Blood King of recent generations had been under its watchful presence.
Now, the Dire Bear, deeply connected to the entire Shura clan, was treating a mere human boy from the Everlands with such gentleness and even eagerness to please!
Ciara couldn't make sense of it and found it hard to believe. Yet, she could see one thing clearly...
Yu Yuan was certainly not the one who had harmed it; in fact, he was genuinely healing it.
"It insists that you accept this," Ciara said through clenched teeth, her eyes fierce as she watched Yu Yuan repeatedly refuse, causing the snow bear's arm to bleed from holding out the gift.
At that moment, Yu Yuan noticed the wound on the snow bear's arm worsening.
"Alright," he conceded.
With a graceful landing in the snow bear's massive palm, Yu Yuan used the Cosmos Ring to accept the Ice Shards, then cast a glance at Ciara. "Now, do you believe what I've told you?"
What more could Ciara say?
With a whoosh, the colossal snow bear sat upright on the sea's surface like a towering mountain of snow, its broad chest riddled with alarming cavities.
Within these cavities, blood crystals shattered and fresh blood surged forth.
"Please, allow me to lend you a hand!"
Ciara descended slowly, positioning herself at the heart of the snow bear's chest, where the Frost Well suddenly transformed back into its original structure.
A breath of air, tinged with the tremors of space, emanated from the Frost Well.
Yu Yuan's face showed a flicker of concern.
Was she about to summon Sabonis, calling upon the Blood King to descend upon this realm?
At this moment, in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, the great commander Alonso was already present!
If Sabonis were to arrive as well, the Shura's most formidable warriors would all converge in this Astral Domain.
The Shura had nearly exhausted all their resources.
"Don't be nervous. Since it's friendly toward you, you won't die."
Ciara gave Yu Yuan a look of mild annoyance, then her expression darkened as she let out a soft sigh. Turning back to the snow bear, she said, "You're aware, my king... He must remain in the Dark Realm for an extended period. For him, time passes more slowly there, allowing him to live longer."
The snow bear let out a low growl.
Ciara's eyes sparkled, interpreting its response as consent. She quickly positioned the Frost Well over its chest.
The enigmatic Frost Well clung to the bear's chest like a slab of ice, seemingly linked to its heart.
Simultaneously, Yu Yuan felt an overwhelming surge of vital energy pouring into the Dark Realm!
This vital energy was much more potent than that of the Baneblade's Bloodhell, rapidly infusing the snow bear.
He had the distinct impression that numerous ninth-level alien beasts, only marginally less formidable than the snow bear, and even some archdemons, had been vanquished by the Shura. Their lifeblood and immense energy had been captured and stored in the Dark Realm, ready to be consumed by the bear at a pivotal moment!
As the copious vital energy streamed from the Frost Well, the bear's presence swelled.
Its eyes began to brighten once more.
Yu Yuan, feeling increasingly at ease, reflected on Ciara's words.
The Blood King needed to spend a considerable amount of time in the Dark Realm. It appeared that the prolonged duration within the Dark Realm could extend Sabonis's life.
What could this imply?
After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yuan had an epiphany. Sabonis and Diggs, like Beru, were likely bound by the natural limits of their lifespan.
Across the vast expanse of the extraterrestrial domain, only the Demon Gods among the Sky Fiends had achieved eternal life.
The Blood Fiend was an exception that had to be excluded from the entire Sky Fiend race.
Even for the Shura, the Dawnbringers, and the enchantress, beings like the Blood King had a finite existence.
Sabonis had probably lived quite long and was nearing the pinnacle of his life.
He spent most of his years in the Dark Realm, often relying on the Frost Well for direct intervention without the need for travel. Perhaps he wished to accomplish as much as possible within the confines of his limited lifespan.
For the Shura, more preparations were needed.
In the Dark Realm, they were desperately trying to prolong his life, aiding him in slowly succumbing to old age.
It seemed right...
Watching Ciara's efforts and the snow bear's gradual healing, Yu Yuan had an epiphany that humans and the Sky Fiends were the true favorites of the divine.
The human's primordial spirit and the Sky Fiend's Demon God could break their bonds, possessing eternal life.
Even Sabonis, the Blood King, ranked third in combat power across the Star River, was bound by the finite nature of life and would one day face death.
Sss! Sss!
Electric sparks flickered in the depths of Ciara's eyes. As she used the Frost Well to heal the snow bear, she was covertly forging a psychic link with Sabonis.
She relayed every detail she had learned from Yu Yuan, including the peculiar events in the Brugeth Galaxy, without omitting a single word.
She was ready. Should Sabonis command Yu Yuan's death, she would find a way to covertly signal Alonso and rally nearby forces to ensure Yu Yuan's demise right there.
She was confident in her ability to kill Yu Yuan in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, claiming the Dragon Slaying Stage and all his possessions!
But then...
Receiving a clear message from Sabonis, her expression turned peculiar.
"Kid, you're fortunate."
She inhaled sharply and with a huff, she declared, "Due to the upheaval in the Brugeth Galaxy and the emergence of an unnamed malevolence, our king has chosen not to completely annihilate you. My orders are to follow... its plans and directives."
She glanced at the snow bear and continued, "As long as it doesn't wish for your death, you're safe within the Glimmerdrift Nebula."
Ciara had clearly observed the snow bear's disposition towards Yu Yuan. She was certain that Yu Yuan would not die.
