C1499 Rovi Was Already Dead!
Zhong Chichen glanced at the heavens, seemingly contemplating something before he chose to gracefully depart from the Everlands. As the Chronowyrm, he had once soared through the extraterrestrial Star River, exploring countless Astral Domains on behalf of the Everlands. His knowledge of the cosmos might even surpass that of the current supreme beings.
Moreover, he had recently absorbed a portion of Rovi's power, including Rovi's insights into the extraterrestrial cosmos. His departure was both decisive and serene.
With his exit, the Chronospatial Lock he had established shattered almost instantaneously, reviving the once frozen people and objects to their lively state. Activity resumed, leading to a flurry of confusion and commotion as everyone looked around bewildered.
Yu Yiyi, inside the cauldron, found herself in Yu Yuan's grasp as the Dragon Slaying Stage diminished in size, causing her and the cauldron to plummet. Upon awakening, she quickly steadied the Crucible of Evil and looked up, crying out, "Master!" Her recollection was still fixed on the moment Zhong Chichen had passed her the golden dragon horn.
Without having seen Rovi or Zhong Chichen, she was brimming with puzzlement when she noticed that the Dragon Slaying Stage in Yu Yuan's hand had altered. As a servant responsible for overseeing the little world within the Dragon Slaying Stage during her master's extraterrestrial campaigns, she was intimately familiar with it. With just one glance, she recognized that the Dragon Slaying Stage, fragmented for tens of thousands of years, had been restored to its original form. She was so astounded that she was rendered speechless.
In a swift whoosh, just before the last Warp Gate was about to seal shut, Tan Junshan emerged. Back in the Everlands, Tan Junshan watched as the spatial blades vanished and the fissures sealed. His mind lingered on Zhong Chichen, who had abruptly appeared to show him the way back.
Unsure of what had transpired, Tan Junshan opted for silence, deciding to first assess the situation. Yet, his gaze repeatedly drifted towards Yu Yuan, recalling the vision of the Astral Domain being rent asunder by the thick, crimson sword light in the unknown Astral Domain where Rovi had cast him.
He was well aware of Yu Yuan's formidable combat prowess, capable of decimating the heavens and the earth.
"Hmm? Where is the Spacetime Ancestor from our clan?"
Upon awakening, the first figure he sought was not Yu Yuan, but Zhong Chichen, who had assumed human form.
Not finding Zhong Chichen, he turned to Yu Yuan, expecting an explanation.
At that moment...
Yuan Qingxi, the venerable ancestor of the Bloodbrawlers, knelt tremblingly at Youyu's feet. He bowed deeply in reverence before tearfully murmuring, "You've finally returned."
The scroll held between him and Youyu shared a subtle link; he could distinctly feel that the consciousness belonging to his master had successfully merged with him.
After years of devoted service, his master had truly awakened following the fusion of their memories.
Youyu, standing by the lakeside, leaned down slightly and placed his free hand gently on Yuan Qingxi's head, speaking softly, "You have endured much."
Yuan Qingxi, overwhelmed with emotion, wept, "It was no trouble at all. I've longed for this day. Young master—no, Master, for you to return!"
Initially, Youyu was his young master, but upon ascending to lead the Bloodbrawlers, Yuan Qingxi began to address him differently.
The change in address came with his induction into the Bloodbrawlers, becoming part of the hierarchically structured sect.
In his overwhelming excitement, and touched by Youyu's affectionate gesture, he inadvertently slipped back to calling him "young master."
Yet, he quickly corrected himself.
His slip of the tongue caused Youyu a moment of reflection, reminiscing about the days before his spiritual journey when Yuan Qingxi tirelessly served him.
Decades had passed, and while many had long forgotten him, unsure of his fate, one loyal old man remained. This man had faithfully served him, repeatedly braving the cycle of rebirth, yearning for his awakening.
In a world where everything else had changed, this old man's unwavering loyalty had not.
Today, this old man's wait for his master's return had finally come to an end.
Youyu's eyes brimmed with emotion as he gently nodded and personally assisted Yuan Qingxi to his feet. Looking deeply into Yuan Qingxi's eyes, he declared with deliberate emphasis, "From this moment on, we, the Bloodbrawlers, need not skulk in the shadows. We can walk through the Everlands with our heads held high."
His use of "we" signified his acceptance of his identity as the leader of the Bloodbrawlers. He was acknowledging himself as Youyu. His gaze then shot towards the heavens as he proclaimed, "In the Surface World, too, the Bloodbrawlers should claim their rightful place!"
"The Earth, the surface world?" Yuan Qingxi's voice quivered, his speech faltering as he spoke.
How many years had passed? The remnants of the Bloodbrawlers, the disciples he had secretly gathered and nurtured, could only move stealthily in the shadows, fearing annihilation by the five supreme forces if discovered. He had dreamt of the day when the Bloodbrawlers would proudly unfurl their sect's flag and declare openly that he, Yuan Qingxi, was one of them.
"In the grand scheme of the Everlands, the Bloodbrawlers have played a significant role in ending the dominion of the Nagas. We have also made the greatest sacrifices." Youyu, casting a glance at Yu Yuan, continued, "What rightfully belongs to us must be returned: our reputation, our glory, and the divine status that is our due."
"Youyu!" The call echoed twice.
Huangyin from the Terra Fiend Clan and the refined specter within the wooden tombstone also turned their gazes towards him, visibly stirred. Youyu's declaration had their demonic blood surging with anticipation, sharing in the vision of a brighter future. After all, the Terra Fiend and the Bloodbrawlers were steadfast allies.
"Youyu, what about Xuanying? Why isn't she here?" the specter from the tombstone demanded suddenly.
"Xuanying..." At that name, all eyes, including those of Chen Liangquan, Tan Junshan, Loong Jie, and Yuan Qingxi, converged once more.
"Xuanying should not have conspired with the Voidweaver. Rovi is an extraterrestrial Otherkin; by choosing to ally with an outsider, she has broken our laws," Youyu said, his face a mask of indifference. "And as for Rovi, for daring to set foot in the Everlands, he must pay the appropriate price."
"So, Rovi is already dead."
He spoke those final words to the murky heavens of the Defiled World.
Without realizing it, the dense, filthy shadow energy that had shrouded the area had dissipated.
Yu Yuan abruptly looked up, as if he saw a colossal mirror vanish.
"The Mirror of Fates!"
Yu Yuan immediately realized that the underground Defiled World, long concealed by Youyu, had drawn the attention of many. The Boulderdawn sect, the trading guilds, including the primordial spirits and Dark Deities of the five supreme forces, were all concerned that a significant event was about to unfold.
Senior Brother Zhong Chichen glanced at the sky and left in haste.
He must have sensed that a supremely powerful being was intent on breaking through the shadow energy veil Youyu had cast and was determined to peer below.
"Rovi is dead!"
"Rovi is dead?"
Survivors of this world, along with Zu Ann, who wielded the Mirror of Fates, were struck as if by lightning upon hearing Youyu's last words.
"Rovi, the patriarch of the Voidweavers! It was rumored he got lost in the Maw of Oblivion, and now he's perished down there!"
At Skyreach Peak, Zu Ann and the Untamed rose in an uproar.
Earlier, the Ape had been leisurely smoking his pipe, but now smoke billowed from his nostrils, ears, and eyes. He wasn't bothered by the smoke; his eyes were wide with astonishment.
"I can't believe it."
The Ape shook his head, taking a long time before he managed to utter those words.
He couldn't accept that Rovi had died in the Defiled World, especially so recently.
"It is indeed hard to believe," Zu Ann said with a furrowed brow.
"Yu Yuan, where is my ancestor?"
Upon hearing of Rovi's death, Loong Jie instantly transformed into his human form and rushed to Yu Yuan's side, demanding urgently, "I don't care about Rovi's fate! He didn't meet his end alongside Rovi, did he?"
"My esteemed senior brother, with his extraordinary abilities, wouldn't perish so easily," Yu Yuan mused, recalling Zhong Chichen's parting words instructing him to look after Loong Jie. With mixed emotions, he continued, "He left just before you awoke. He has ventured into the extraterrestrial outer space and has now achieved great freedom."
"I can vouch for that," Tan Junshan chimed in.