C1353 The Sword Light Was Dazzling

The Everlands are actually connected to the Darkpinion!

The news Zhou You brought was both astonishing and exhilarating.

It made sense why he had been keen to avoid the snow bear before speaking.

He was aware of the snow bear's intelligence and its connection to the Shura. Clearly, he didn't want the Shura to catch wind of this development.

"That individual must be concerned about the Origin Deity's reach extending into the Darkpinion. This connection means that the Wingkind and the Everlands can exchange messages at any moment. She can seek our aid when it's most crucial," Zhou You said with a smile.

The three lairs that Chen Qinghuang had assimilated – the Deathwing Lair, the Annihilation Nebula, and the Hellmouth – each served as a Starway.

These lairs could also intercommunicate.

The Annihilation and the Deathwing Lairs, situated in the Everlands, with the Deathwing Lair positioned in a world within the Darkpinion, facilitate instant travel for Everlands' cultivators to the Darkpinion. This could also mean that members from the Hellmouth and the Annihilation Nebula might be able to visit.

When Diggs achieves the tenth level and aims to dominate the Shadowkin and the Wingkind, he will find it's not so straightforward.

Chen Qinghuang's return is a clear signal of her intent to unify the Wingkind and the Shadowkin, and Brie, as their leader, is likely to advance this cause.

The starry realms of the Wingkind and the Shadowkin are mostly adjacent, fostering close interactions.

She has honored her initial promise and has allied with the Skyreach Consortium and Boulderdawn.

With the Wingkind's support, she should be able to swiftly regain her full strength using whatever remarkable items she left behind.

Once she regains her peak power, not even the Origin Deity or the Voidweaver may gain the upper hand over her.

And what about the additional support from Boulderdawn and the Skyreach Consortium?

Yu Yuan's phantom, within the Dragon Slaying Stage, suddenly smiled and remarked, "It seems I'll be able to return to the Everlands before long."

"Indeed," Zhou You agreed with a nod. "The Everlands have undergone a dramatic transformation. No longer are they under the sole dominion of those five powers. Our combined strength, along with the Untamed, Zu Ann, and the newly risen God of Ghosts from the Land of Terror, is a match for those five factions."

"Numerous sects have begun to gravitate towards us."

"Yu Yuan, if you wish to return, you can immediately head to the Darkpinion and make your way back to the Everlands through the Deathwing Lair," Zhou You elaborated.

Uncertain about the state of Glimmerdrift, he had urgently employed space magic to traverse the Brugeth Nebula.

Others are likely to follow, arriving in succession.

"Is the Wintermaw located beneath these stars?" Zhou You shifted the conversation, peering down at the world shrouded in cold fog. "Given that the Dire Bear is present, the peculiar world within the Glimmerdrift Nebula must be right below us."

The snow bear's massive eyes shot him a glare.

Zhou You ducked his head and moved to the opposite end of the Dragon Slaying Stage, creating distance between himself and the bear.

Yu Yuan was forthright with him. "Yes, it's right below. Not long ago, Gu Xingkui from the Sword Sect launched an unexpected attack, injuring it."

"I've been informed," Zhou You said with a wry smile.

Yu Yuan looked puzzled. "How did you come by this news?"

"The president mentioned it."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhou You's gaze settled on the snow bear. "It has been hovering around the Wintermaw for too long, shedding numerous Ice Shards. Gu Xingkui sensed something amiss, prompting his strike. Over time, the Ice Shards at the Wintermaw have built up, with several more forming every century."

"Consider these Ice Shards an enhanced version of the Celestial Ice Crystal, with a multitude of applications. The Wintermaw also relies on these Ice Shards for stability. If too many are removed, the Wintermaw's integrity could be compromised."

"That's the reason behind Gu Xingkui's intervention," Zhou You clarified.

Yu Yuan wore a bemused expression.

"At present, one of the Wintermaw's mouths is obstructed, causing disquiet within the Sword Sect. All the factions in the Everlands privy to the Wintermaw's mysteries are concerned," Zhou You continued, "and that includes us."

"The earthfire in the Everlands is excessively fierce, necessitating the siphoning of ice energy from the external world through seven Wintermaw mouths to forge the Frozen Hellscape, which serves to temper and refine it. Without the seven Wintermaw mouths, should the earthfire of the Everlands erupt, it would spell death for all mortals in the Aetherius Empire. Even cultivators of modest realms and evilkinds would struggle to endure."

"Therefore, not only are the five forces closely monitoring Wintermaw, but our Skyreach Consortium and your Boulderdawn sect are equally concerned about this situation. My visit is in hopes of clearing Wintermaw without sparking a major catastrophe."

As he spoke, he blinked his small eyes and glanced at the snow bear.

It was clear that he was aware the blockage at Wintermaw was due to this enraged snow bear.

"The Sword Sect must pay a price for Gu Xingkui's actions."

Yu Yuan adamantly denied that the blockage at Wintermaw was due to his desire to secure more Ice Shards for Ji Ningshuang.

"The Sword Sect's price is right before us, isn't it?"

Zhou You extended his hand, pointing towards the shimmering River of Swords, and clicked his tongue in admiration. "Nie Qingtian truly was an extraordinary talent. His sword light endures eternally. I detect the presence of Du Yuan, Yue Mu, and some Sword Sect juniors. They're likely in for trouble."

"The Stardust Blade is here; I will rescue her," Yu Yuan declared solemnly.

"I'm aware she's here. When Qiao Yuling spoke of her, I knew she must have come to the Glimmerdrift Nebula seeking you," Zhou You said with a mischievous chuckle. "Yu, you're quite fortunate. If you can turn this formidable blade against the Sword Sect and have it join our cause, it would be a monumental feat."

He was aware of Yu Yuan's two lifetimes and had heard the tale of Ji Ningshuang and Yu Yuan's past life.

"Taishi, back in the Moonfall Sanctuary, you managed to turn Nie Qingtian away from the Sword Sect using the Soulforge Pool. As the inheritor of the Dragon Slaying Stage, it wouldn't surprise me if you were to sway the Stardust Blade to our side," Zhou You said with a teasing grin.

Yu Yuan's expression shifted.

He finally realized why Nie Qingtian, once the guardian of the Moonfall Sanctuary, had gradually severed ties with the five major forces.

The death of his partner was just one factor.

Another was his likely communication with Taishi inside the bronze coffin while stationed at the Moonfall Sanctuary.

"I'll give it a shot," Yu Yuan stated earnestly within the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Ji Ningshuang might need to keep her distance due to her status, but he wasn't concerned. Zhou You believed he was merely a descendant of the dragon slayer, yet the God-King Taishi of Boulderdawn surely recognized his true identity. Otherwise, Taishi wouldn't have spoken those significant words to him before departing the Everlands.

Given that in his first life he was a God-King, what could he not do regarding Ji Ningshuang? What could Boulderdawn possibly object to?

"She's on the cusp of ascending to a primordial spirit. Should Gu Xingkui perish, she stands as the likeliest candidate to make the leap," Zhou You remarked, his face turning grave. "If she achieves that state, she'll be far more formidable than Gu Xingkui. So, we must do everything we can to bring her into our fold."

"At the very least, ensure she remains neutral due to your presence."

Zhou You, speaking on behalf of the Skyreach Consortium, indicated that both President Lyi and Boulderdawn valued Ji Ningshuang highly, recognizing her formidable potential.

"Hmm!"

While they conversed, a brilliant sword light burst forth near the River of Swords in the distance, capturing their attention.

A colossal Divine Visage, a thousand zhang in height and wielding a sword, stood atop a star in the Shura domain. Behind the visage, the essence of his swordsmanship unfolded, depicting the cycle of creation and destruction as if countless worlds were dissolving and being reborn behind him. The ever-shifting sword light was blindingly bright.

"The Sword of Destruction, Du Yuan!" Zhou You exclaimed, his tone laced with urgency. "He's about to strike!"

Yu Yuan, peering through his Lunar Spirit, couldn't make out Du Yuan's form, only the radiant sword light that grew increasingly vivid. But as he activated the Dragon Slaying Stage, space and time seemed to contract, and suddenly, Du Yuan's Divine Visage became visible, standing on the desolate surface of a star, his eyes revealing a hint of madness.

At that moment, Du Yuan found himself surrounded by three platinum Shura, with Demian among them.

It appeared that Alonso had successfully located Du Yuan's hiding spot and had instructed Demian and the other two platinum Shura to flush Du Yuan out.

Left with no other option, Du Yuan was forced to reveal himself, no longer concealing his presence.

"Earth-Tethered Cage."

Du Yuan, clearly still reining in his emotions, glanced at the moving River of Swords beside the cage imprisoning Ji Ningshuang. A sly smile played at the corner of his mouth as he said, "Would you kindly inform your commander to unlock the Earth-Tethered Cage and let the Stardust Blade go free?"

"And another thing..."

Du Yuan paused briefly before adding, "We would appreciate it if the blockage could be cleared soon, as it would be to the advantage of both the Everlands and the Shura."

He was a late-stage Unbound cultivator, one of the venerable Grand Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect.

Yet there he stood, in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, facing off against three platinum Shura, aware that the tenth-level Alonso was also in attendance.

Still, he boldly made his demands, asking Alonso to release him and to grant passage through the Wintermaw.

"It's widely known that the Sword Sect is the most reckless and unreasonable of all. You, Du Yuan, the Sword of Destruction, certainly live up to your reputation."

A Shura who had recently advanced to the ninth level of bloodline was incensed by Du Yuan's audacity.

"You will meet your end in the Glimmerdrift Nebula!"

The platinum Shura named Warren scoffed and peered down at the world below, a landscape blanketed in ice and snow.

There were no Shura nations there, only silver wolves, ice pythons, and a host of other alien beasts that thrived in the frigid climate.

Warren was looking to see if Yue Mu and the other swordsmen were still down there.

Oddly enough, despite employing Blood Call and his innate theurgy, he couldn't detect Yue Mu or the whereabouts of the Sword Sect's cultivators.

They had clearly seen Du Yuan and Yue Mu traveling together by sword.

But it was only when Alonso briefly departed after using a drop of golden blood that Du Yuan and Yue Mu's sword lights vanished abruptly.

Warren assumed that since Du Yuan had made an appearance, Yue Mu must be nearby as well.

"Perish in the Glimmerdrift Nebula?" Du Yuan shook his head, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "I don't see it that way."

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