C1397 They All Had Their Own Concerns

The God-King Taishi ambushed and slew Alonso in the shadows.

Elsewhere, Cardo had been lying in wait for the Abyssal Leviathan at the edge of the Star River for quite some time.

This indicated that the Boulderdawn Sect and the Dawnbringers' patriarch had long been aware of the tumultuous changes within the Glimmerdrift Nebula.

They had even been making covert moves.

Otherwise, there's no way they could have timely appeared at the precise location to deliver a crushing blow to the Abyssal Leviathan!

But why hadn't they entered the Glimmerdrift Nebula sooner? Why hadn't they struck at Alonso and the Abyssal Leviathan when they were both vulnerable and frenzied? Instead, they chose to wait until they were both grievously wounded and in a state of frenzy, thinking they were about to escape.

"Alonso is as good as dead, and the Abyssal Leviathan... it's likely to be stripped of some of its flesh and blood."

A distorted corridor materialized, and the corpulent figure of the merchant emerged with ease.

Zhou You's plump face was plastered with smiles, yet his voice was icy and merciless. "Xi Quan was one of ours. Alonso should have known better than to kill him without expecting repercussions. The Shura and Blood Fiend have been at odds with us, stirring up too much trouble first in the Moonfall Sanctuary and then in Ionodios."

"And let's not forget the Abyssal Leviathan!"

Zhou You sneered with satisfaction, "Sabonis and Grec have never really understood their place! Once Bertain gave his nod and Cardo agreed with our strategy, they should have known better than to try to stand in our way."

Bertain, the patriarch of the Primal Demon Clan, is eternal!

His reign over the cosmos predates even the Nagas and the Boulderdawn Sect.

With his endorsement of the Boulderdawn Sect and the Chamber of Commerce's philosophy, and Cardo's support, the Shadowkin, Starborn, and enchantresses all followed suit. Sabonis and Grec's obstinate interference was doomed to fail from the start!

"Grec has already died once, and with Sabonis grievously wounded, he wouldn't dare leave the Dark Realm. Now, Alonso's end is imminent. The Abyssal Leviathan will also have a portion of its flesh taken by Cardo. This is the fate of those who resist the inevitable tide," Zhou You said, his face a mask of indifference.

Yu Yuan, Ji Ningshuang, Yue Mu, and Cao Jiaze each had their own thoughts as they listened to his words. Yu Yuan considered that with the combined efforts of the Skyreach Consortium and Boulderdawn, along with the cooperation of Bertain and Cardo, they had indeed swept away all obstacles. The Shura and Blood Fiend were no match for the Demon God Bertain, and it was only fitting that they met such a fate.

"Why didn't we enter the Glimmerdrift earlier?" Yu Yuan finally voiced the question that had been nagging at him.

With a whoosh, Tian Zang arrived swiftly, halting beside the Dragon Slaying Stage. He first nodded in greeting to Yu Yuan before turning to Cao Jiaze with a smile. "The Banner of Duality is with this young man!"

Yu Yuan paused, taking a moment to process the revelation.

"With the Banner of Duality here, Han Miaoyuan could arrive at any moment."

As Tian Zang spoke Han Miaoyuan's name, his demeanor seemed slightly uneasy, as if he sensed a distant gaze piercing through the vast Astral Domains to observe him. The more powerful beings like Tian Zang became, the more likely they were to be detected when uttering Han Miaoyuan's name.

In contrast, the Otherkin with lower bloodline levels would only feel a minor disturbance in their hearts and soul seas when casually mentioning Han Miaoyuan, not giving it much thought.

"Neither Taishi nor the God of Light from the Dawnbringers are certain about the stance of the Everlands," Tian Zang continued, glancing at the Dragon Slaying Stage. "It was only after the Wintermaw descended into the Dragon Slaying Stage that they finally breathed a sigh of relief."

"The issue that concerns you is also troubling our Lord," Cao Jiaze said, his smile carrying an odd edge.

"I see," Yu Yuan murmured, nodding in understanding.

He finally grasped the full picture. Before the Dragon Slaying Stage had claimed the Frozen Hellscape, Taishi and Cardo were apprehensive that the cultivator and the Dark Deity from Shadow's Keep might use the Wintermaw to make their way directly from the depths of the Frozen Hellscape. Moreover, the Banner of Duality in Cao Jiaze's possession could enable Han Miaoyuan to reach them in the blink of an eye.

Although Han Miaoyuan had not yet made an appearance, since he had been in the Silver Sands, it was unlikely he hadn't sensed the tumultuous changes occurring in the Glimmerdrift.

Alonso and the Abyssal Leviathan had surely alerted him by now.

If he were to exert his full strength, it would not be long before he emerged in the Glimmerdrift Nebula.

His arrival would allow him to directly influence the unfolding events within the Astral Domain, effectively having the final say.

Taishi and Cardo were cautious of him, as well as the other primordial spirits and Dark Deities of the Everlands, fearing traps and ambushes.

Likewise, Han Miaoyuan was uncertain about the number of God-Kings from the Boulderdawn lurking in the shadows of the chaotic Glimmerdrift Nebula, or whether there were peak Otherkin like Cardo cooperating with them.

Both parties feared the other's covert schemes, and in their haste, neither had fully prepared, thus they held back.

After all, the outbreak of chaos in the Glimmerdrift Nebula was an unexpected event from the start—

It was not the final battleground they had chosen.

"You all may return now."

Zhou You grunted, indicating to Cao Jiaze, Yue Mu, and Ji Ningshuang that they should leave the Glimmerdrift Nebula posthaste.

"There will be an important council in the Everlands concerning the Maw of Oblivion and the Origin Deity," Cao Jiaze confirmed with a nod. "Our Sect Master wishes for representatives from the Skyreach Consortium and the Boulderdawn to attend. He has uncovered some findings and has deduced that a great disaster is imminent in the Everlands."

Zhou You's mind resonated with a slight tremor as he replied, "I will pass on the message."

"Very well."

Cao Jiaze offered a smile, then turned to Yue Mu and Ji Ningshuang, who occasionally cast glances at Yu Yuan. "Time is of the essence. We need not depart from Brugeth; we can head directly to the Silver Sands. Our people will meet us there, and we should encounter no issues."

Yue Mu, without further ado, stepped into the Emerald Palace he commanded.

Ji Ningshuang, with a lingering look at Yu Yuan, also ascended into the palace.

Cao Jiaze promptly communicated with Lingxu, Huanmiao, Wei Zhuo, and the other cultivators who were nearing their position, instructing them to reroute directly to the Silver Sands.

Whoosh!

He soared away, with Yu Yuan, Tian Zang, and the other cultivators watching intently.

"Taishi has instructed us to put a halt to the hostilities for now. We need to find a suitable Astral Domain to establish the Wintermaw," Tian Zang stated calmly.

Zhou You looked up at the Dire Bear, noting its steadfast protection of Yu Yuan. An idea struck him. "Perhaps it can assist us in locating the ideal Astral Domain. It might even help us pinpoint the Wintermaw's location."

"It certainly can," Tian Zang concurred.

Being the most gifted of the Azurefiend, he was well-versed in the lore surrounding the Dire Bear and its acute sensitivity to the frigid locales within the Star River.

If the Dire Bear could defend the Wintermaw for Nie Qingtian and safeguard the River of Swords, then it might also be capable of finding a new suitable home for the Wintermaw.

"Yu Yuan, if you can, we'll need you to communicate with it."

Zhou You gave a sheepish grin and added, "The Skyreach Consortium will undoubtedly assist in every way possible. Whatever it requires, the Consortium will strive to provide. Even the five major powers of the Everlands will offer all the support they can for the relocation of the Wintermaw."

"I'll have a word with it later."

His gaze lingered on the departing Emerald Palace, his expression betraying a hint of nonchalance.

The departure of Ji Ningshuang left him with a sense of loss, a touch of melancholy.

Their chance reunion beyond the stars, the opening of their hearts to one another, had been all too brief before they were parted once more.

"Taishi, you have our backing to bring Ms. Ji over to our side," Tian Zang said with a chuckle.

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Yu Yuan shifted his focus away, steadying his emotions as he surveyed the surroundings from the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Lingxu and his group from Brugeth, upon receiving Cao Jiaze's message, had indeed altered their course towards the Silver Sands.

Green Willow, Hei Xun, Indigo Wraith, White Walker, and the rest had already joined forces with Jun Chen and the white crane.

From a distance, they observed Lingxu, seemingly exerting great restraint as if under orders. They refrained from causing chaos in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, which was on the brink of destruction.

Soon after, they set off together toward the Dragon Slaying Stage.

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