C1364 Old Friend Happy Children's Day

Yu Yuan gazed intently ahead.

Nine fiery orbs, akin to nine suns ablaze, encircled a towering figure.

Clad in a long gray robe, with soft, silver hair, the man's handsome features were composed, his expression serious.

He was Mo Baichuan, the Lord of Mount Solarian, the creator of the "Nine Glories Wheel," and one of Yu Yuan's few friends from his past life.

Currently, Yu Yuan was operating the "Nine Glories Wheel," a gift bestowed upon him by Mo Baichuan himself.

Three centuries prior, their bond was notably close; Yu Yuan wouldn't have crafted pills for Mo Baichuan otherwise, nor would Mo Baichuan have shared his original "Nine Glories Wheel."

Back then, Yu Yuan's fame actually surpassed that of Mo Baichuan.

At the time of their friendship, Mo Baichuan had not yet become the Lord of Mount Solarian, and the "Nine Glories Wheel" had not yet achieved its current illustrious reputation.

In his final years, Yu Yuan delved into the study of poison pills and ventured into perilous realms like the Rainbow Ocean. As he occasionally unveiled new, potent toxins, his interactions with Mo Baichuan dwindled.

His personality had shifted, leading to several misdeeds. Perhaps to avoid conflict or because his actions conflicted with Mo Baichuan's ethics, their contact gradually ceased.

"I sensed someone channeling the Nine Glories Wheel with great intensity. I suspected it was you, so I made a point to check in," Mo Baichuan declared, standing amidst the nine orbs of flame. Upon hearing the snow bear's roar and witnessing the return of the bear, massive as a mountain, he added, "Don't worry, I've come alone."

"It's alright," Yu Yuan replied, looking up and offering a slight smile to the snow bear.

The bear, anticipating a confrontation and suspecting Mo Baichuan of ill intentions, was taken aback by Yu Yuan's reassurance and cast a curious glance at the nine intense fireballs beside Mo Baichuan, sensing the formidable fiery energy within them.

Its vast eyes then shifted to Yu Yuan's elixir field, where nine points of flame spun in a similar pattern, drawing out fiery trails. These flames aided Yu Yuan in purifying his body and gradually refining the remnants of the Solar Spirit.

He was incredibly astute, quickly realizing that since Yu Yuan practiced the same spell as Mo Baichuan, there must be a significant connection between them. Additionally, he detected no clear hostility emanating from Mo Baichuan. With this revelation, he settled into a calm state, standing firm in midair like a steadfast mountain, though his furry face remained on high alert.

"The legendary 'Dire Bear' showing such a side is truly unexpected," Mo Baichuan mused, taken aback.

As the Lord of a peak within the Sunlit Order, he had heard whispers of a secret pact between the Shura and a savage ancient snow bear of the Frostlands. This alien beast, known in the Everlands as the "Dire Bear," had lived through the ages. Its existence stretched back to the times when Boulderdawn and the Nagas soared through the Star River, leaving its mark in history.

The "Dire Bear's" notorious ferocity was noted in the annals of many ancient sects. According to Mo Baichuan's knowledge, this "Dire Bear" was exceedingly dangerous, harboring intense animosity towards both humans and archdemons of the Everlands. Numerous Unbound cultivators had perished under its formidable claws, and it had massacred countless archdemons from Shadow's Keep.

Yet, it had not shown itself for ages, and Mo Baichuan, being relatively young, had never crossed paths with it in the cosmos. This first encounter was startling for him, especially seeing the Dire Bear not only protecting Yu Yuan but also heeding his commands obediently.

"Baibai..." Yu Yuan began, causing Mo Baichuan's face to twitch involuntarily.

"What's the matter? Has it been a while since anyone has called you that?" Yu Yuan observed Mo Baichuan's discomfort, his own gaze turning peculiar as he let out a wry smile. "I almost forgot, you're now the Lord of Mount Solarian, the most likely candidate in the Sunlit Order to ascend to the primordial spirit. Had it not been for Zu Ann's meddling, you would have seamlessly succeeded Tianxin's vacant seat."

"What's the use in bringing all that up?" Mo Baichuan asked, his brow furrowed. He was impressed by Yu Yuan's ability to multitask, engaging in conversation while simultaneously operating the Nine Glories Wheel.

The critical issue was that Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit had ventured far from his body.

Even he shouldn't have been so reckless during the crucial period of Solar Spirit refinement.

"Baibai, did you come to the Glimmerdrift Nebula alone? What about the Unbound cultivators from the Sword Sect, Ebon Star, and Sunlit Order? What are your intentions?"

With the assurance of Jun Chen's arrival, Yu Yuan was visibly relaxed as he inquired at a leisurely pace.

Initially uncomfortable with being called 'Baibai,' Mo Baichuan eventually resigned himself to the nickname with a helpless expression.

"After the turmoil in Brugeth subsided, most left upon hearing the news. Curiosity about the void in space led me to explore. I decided to visit when I learned that members of the Sword Sect were heading to the Glimmerdrift Nebula in succession."

"Then, sensing the operation of the 'Nine Glories Wheel,' I surmised it was you and decided to check."

Mo Baichuan spoke with a detached tone.

He then silently observed the nine luminous flames at Yu Yuan's lower elixir field acupoint.

"Unexpected, wasn't it?"

Yu Yuan, familiar with his temperament, let out a low chuckle, "When you gave me that spell, did you think I couldn't master it and that's why you were so generous?"

Mo Baichuan huffed, his expression one of disdain.

"Why haven't you sought me out at the Order of Healing since then?" Yu Yuan probed further.

Mo Baichuan lifted his head slightly, snorting with contempt, "You have the audacity to ask?"

"What's the matter?"

"You've strayed onto a wicked path! Your poison pills have claimed countless lives. By not slaying you at the Order of Healing, I was already sparing you out of old loyalty," Mo Baichuan said sharply, sparing no regard for Yu Yuan's feelings. "In your new life, aligning with the Boulderdawn Sect, you've done far better than before!"

With his outburst, his silky silver hair stood on end, becoming as pointed as needles.

"As expected, you haven't changed a bit."

Yu Yuan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. As he watched Baibai's silver hair stiffen, he forced a smile, "Okay, okay, Baibai, try to stay calm. I'm not upset with you."

Mo Baichuan drew in a breath of the icy air and quickly composed himself. Gazing into the distance at the frozen ocean, he inquired, "Beneath those depths, there's a Wintermaw, isn't there?"

Yu Yuan didn't deceive him and nodded, "Gu Xingkui unleashed his sword recently and provoked it..."

He gestured towards the snow bear and continued, "This Wintermaw here has been covertly guarded by it. It's been injured and, in its fury, has temporarily sealed the entrance. Did you come here just to see me, or are you also looking to unblock the Wintermaw?"

"You needn't concern yourself; now that you're a member of Boulderdawn, both Boulderdawn and the Skyreach Consortium will ask you to handle it once they learn of your close ties with the Dire Bear."

Mo Baichuan appeared quite unimpressed, his face stern as he huffed, "The Sword Sect, Shadow's Keep, and the Ruby Hand have all extended their invitations, eager to recruit you. You could have chosen any of them, yet you went with Boulderdawn. Are you intent on making enemies of Ji Ningshuang and me?"

Yu Yuan let out a sigh, "I'm not in control of my own fate."

He wanted to explain that being one of the God-Kings in his first life meant that his path was set from the moment he entered the Moonfall Sanctuary.

The Five Great Forces of the Everlands were directly responsible for his demise in that first life.

In his second life, he was sabotaged by a pill. His senior brother Zhong Chichen treated him harshly, with Chu Yao's complicity, all under the influence of those same forces.

With things as they were, he had no choice but to "return" to Boulderdawn and reclaim control of the Dragon Slaying Stage.

With a swift motion, Mo Baichuan produced a gleaming Sunfire Gem, throwing it towards Yu Yuan, "What's inside should be of some assistance to you at the moment. Plus, I've refined the intricacies of the Nine Glories Wheel over the past few centuries and have inscribed them onto this gem."

The Sunfire Gem hovered before Yu Yuan, its fiery power surpassing even that of the Solar Nucleus.

"Act as if I was never here, as if we never met."

Mo Baichuan cast a glance at the Dire Bear that had nearly launched an attack, then suddenly took flight. Before he could breach the boundary wall, he vanished into thin air.

The snow bear held back, its eyes flashing with astonishment, seemingly puzzled by the turn of events.

Yu Yuan, observing the Sunfire Gem, felt its potent energy, as well as the flickering flames within his lower elixir field. After a brief silence, he softly said, "Indeed, nothing's changed. When it matters most, Baibai is always dependable."

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