C1497 A Promise!

After the scroll was placed around Rovi's neck, his soul became obscured, and his eyes simultaneously closed. The fragmented and Defiled World around him transformed into a stillness where everything, from the wind's movement to the lake below, ceased—everything except for Yu Yuan and Youyu. They alone, unaffected, stood amidst the halted world.

Yu Yuan, however, seemed to freeze after Youyu spoke, as if caught in the grip of a Chronospatial Lock, unable to move or respond. He was at a loss, with no memory of past events and no understanding of why Youyu would now choose to ally with him.

"You have kept your promise," Youyu murmured.

"What promise?" Yu Yuan asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Youyu gazed at him intently, taking a moment to ensure Yu Yuan was truly not yet fully awakened—or perhaps, unwilling to revert to his former self. With a slight hesitation, Youyu began to calmly recount their shared history.

"In that bygone age, I was a leader among the Bloodbrawlers, and you were the chief of Boulderdawn. Even before we had reached the pinnacle of our power or discovered how to forge our primordial spirits, we were already the closest of friends."

"I've lost count of the battles we fought side by side," Youyu said, his eyes softening with the warmth of nostalgia.

"When we resolved to confront the Nagas, it was you and I who led the charge. We were the ones who bore the brunt of their wrath, coming close to death on numerous occasions."

"Our trust in each other was absolute," Youyu continued, a faint smile touching his otherwise stoic face. "And that hasn't changed to this day."

Moved by Youyu's words, Yu Yuan couldn't help but inquire, "Your death..."

"Yes, it was by your hand," Youyu confirmed solemnly, his expression tinged with sorrow yet devoid of resentment.

"Huangyin, Xuanying, and then Xuanli—they all perished, and you played a direct role in their demise. In your quest for swift resolution, you even enlisted the help of others, seeking a decisive victory."

"You struck them down with the force of a thunderbolt, before they could grasp the situation or mount a significant resistance."

"Of course, you, burdened with guilt, left some room for hope."

"That's why Huangyin, Xuanying, and even Xuanli had a fighting chance to return to the world."

Youyu paused.

"Xuanli..."

Yu Yuan then realized that this was the name of the other leader of the Bloodbrawlers.

It felt familiar to him...

"Their deaths were shrouded in mystery. Or rather, it was only in their final moments that they understood the reasons for their demise and why you had to act as you did."

"You never treated me in the same way."

"After you killed the three of them, you provided a justification to the world. You explained to all the archdemons and human warriors your reasons. In doing so, you also offered me an explanation, revealing the dire necessity of your actions. It was the only way to harbor any hope of defeating the Nagas."

"But you delayed in seeking me out. Without your move, neither others nor demons dared approach me."

"You gave me ample reason and plenty of time. You tacitly, even indulgently, allowed me to leave..."

Youyu inhaled deeply, his voice softening, "It was I who refused to go."

Yu Yuan was profoundly shaken.

"If you were reluctant to strike me down, how could I possibly put you in such a position? Am I not aware of the significance of the divine seat I held for that prolonged and grueling war?"

"I am well aware."

"If I were to drift away from the Everlands, seeking boundless freedom in the extraterrestrial realm, the vows we made and the promises to the people would never come to fruition. Our world might still be under the dominion of the Nagas, with all the original rebels possibly annihilated by them."

"How could I possibly save only myself?"

"So, I sought you out proactively."

"Accusing you of betrayal and the slaughter of Huangyin, Xuanying, and Xuanli, I initiated the challenge."

"Yes, I was defeated. In my demise, I vacated that divine position."

Youyu appeared to be smiling.

"You knew I sought you out with a death wish. You also knew that I held no grudge against you for the dishonorable means you used to kill the three of them."

"Because I understand that your decision was the correct one. Without it, we would have stood no chance."

"Only you possessed the boldness and the heart to be so cold and decisively ruthless."

"The evidence has indeed shown that you were right; you've succeeded."

"You've managed to topple the Nagas, who have reigned supreme over the Everlands for countless eons, from their lofty divine pedestal."

He inhaled softly.

Then, his gaze shifted from Loong Jie, transformed into golden lightning, to the still and silent Zhong Chichen, his face etched with deep contemplation.

"I say you've kept your word because you made a vow to me before my soul was extinguished. You promised to reincarnate me as a human at the right time and to restore the divine seat you owe me."

"You always keep your promises, even if you're unaware. Your subconscious remembers..."

"That's why you ventured to the Land of Terror, sought me out, and gradually helped me grow stronger."

"You first elevated me to the rank of Ghost King. Then, you assisted me in defeating Dhoreus, clearing away my greatest hindrance."

"Without you, my struggle with Dhoreus would have been evenly matched, and it's uncertain who would have emerged victorious."

"While I was secluded, struggling to break through to the God of Ghosts, it was you who removed the Dragon Slaying Stage at the Moonfall Sanctuary."

"The moment you moved the two Dragon Slaying Stages, I ascended smoothly to the God of Ghosts."

"I reclaimed my place as a Supreme God, thanks to the Root of the Lunar Meridian. I stood even higher than before, no longer oppressed by the lineage of the frost wyrm!"

Youyu smiled once more, looking at the Dragon Slaying Stage in Yu Yuan's grasp. "The Chronowyrm still harbors a Dragon Soul. But the frost wyrm, which forced me to face death, has been utterly vanquished, leaving not a wisp of its Dragon Soul behind."

His eyes met Yu Yuan's again.

"You've done more than enough for me. You not only honored your promise but also cleared the path afterward, creating conditions favorable for my rebirth."

"Even the Voodoo Shade, crafted from my residual soul, took shape under your protection."

"It's difficult for me to harbor any resentment towards you."

Youyu laid out the sequence of events.

At that moment, Yu Yuan could distinctly feel the Dragon Slaying Stage, once fractured into three parts due to Rovi's lifeblood and the melding of various space magics, had now seamlessly fused back into one.

Not a single space rift remained!

"You and I are too familiar with each other. You've even detailed to me how exquisite your Spirit Magic is and the subtle vibrations of your soul mark. My consciousness within the scroll, unable to evolve or grow, could glimpse the outside world through Yuan Qingxi."

"The very first time he laid eyes on you, the version of me within the scroll was stirred by your presence."

"It was that familiar sensation, that imperceptible soul vibration unique to you, undetectable by the average person."

"Yet at that time, you were merely an herbalist, incapable of cultivation, with no chance of awakening."

"That was a mistake!"

"A mistake deliberately orchestrated by that accursed Chronowyrm!"

Youyu's icy glare fell upon Zhong Chichen, accompanied by a disdainful snort.

"That lowly, deceitful Seven-Colored Dragon! Had I known he was Zhong Chichen, I would have instructed Yuan Qingxi to obliterate him long ago!"

Yu Yuan, taken aback, turned to Zhong Chichen with a peculiar look.

In his first life, as he released the final Dragon Soul of the Chronowyrm, he hastily struck a deal with it.

He granted it great freedom, and in return, the Chronowyrm vowed to assist in his reincarnation.

Thus, without breaking the contract, the Chronowyrm chose for him a body incapable of cultivation.

And so, he became Hong Qi.

This error was the handiwork of his esteemed senior brother, Zhong Chichen, who had gone to great lengths to bring it about.

Senior brother's subsequent actions and earnest assistance stemmed from the fact that he... had not awakened.

Senior brother was unaware that he was the Chronowyrm, oblivious to ancient grudges.

He was also unaware that his inability to cultivate was due to his own meticulous selection of this very body with a Dragon Soul before his rebirth.

He hadn't breached the contract, nor had he broken the rules of the deal, but he had indeed sabotaged himself.

Yu Yuan's face bore an expression of both amusement and dismay.

"The actions of Yuan Qingxi were at the behest of my consciousness within the scroll."

Youyu went on, "As my lieutenant, his every deed was carried out under my command. The Circle of Spectral Rebirth and the Reincarnation Pill, all were to correct that error and set things back on course."

"Why would I harm you? My intent is to ensure you return in your most formidable state!"

Having spoken these words, Yu Yuan suddenly had a moment of clarity.

It made perfect sense why, within the secret chamber of the Order of Healing, he had encountered the Circle of Spectral Rebirth.

This rune circle was designed to fortify his heaven soul and earthly soul, ensuring that he could acclimate to the Reincarnation Pill and achieve successful reincarnation!