C1513 Xuanli!

In the depths of the Moonfall Sanctuary, Hua Xin stood tall at the bottom of a deep, silvery-white crater, his long hair hanging loosely around him. He leaned against a massive boulder, his expression as stern and unyielding as the stone at his back. The veins on his bare arms stood out like ferocious green serpents, poised to strike at any moment.

A descendant of Ruan Lengling, Hua Xin was a master of the Forgeroses' arcane body-refining techniques. Born beyond the terrestrial realm, he was unlike any newborn of the Everlands' human race. Their bodies were on par with the young of the evilkind, brimming with majestic vitality and robust life force.

This was why the new generation of Boulderdawn cultivators placed such emphasis on forging and tempering their flesh. In contrast, most Everlands cultivators, aside from a select few from sects like the Forgeroses and Terror Claws, sought to advance their realms swiftly, reluctant to squander time on physical refinement. The human race of the Everlands was naturally frail, a perpetual disadvantage since time immemorial. It seemed a poor trade to invest heavily in one's inherent weaknesses.

Instead, it was more prudent to quickly transcend the stages of Soul Awakening and Veil Breaking, focusing on the harmony of remnant soul and spiritual energy upon reaching Subtlety. These were the true pillars of human strength and the race's distinct advantage. The Solar Spirit represented the ultimate fusion of spiritual energy and Soul Power.

Yet, with Hua Xin's generation, the tide had turned. Their birth had rectified the human race's most significant shortcoming. Like the young of the evilkind and the mighty of the Otherkin, they were born with robust bodies. The Boulderdawn had effectively patched the human race's vulnerabilities, and Hua Xin was a prime example of this new era.

With a whoosh, a woman in a moon-white gown glided gracefully to the crater's floor. Her beauty was ethereal, her presence exuding an ineffable nobility. A misty allure shimmered in her eyes, enchanting those who met her gaze as if she were a celestial being.

She, too, was a fresh face among the new generation, and like Hua Xin, her vitality was boundless. Even the simple act of tucking her hair behind her ear seemed to radiate strength.

"Yu Yuan didn't show up?"

Upon seeing her, Hua Xin rose to his feet with deliberate slowness. "I expelled Hu Caiyun. When Mr. Yan escorted her away, I sensed it clearly. Yu Yuan must know what I've done by now. With the Dragon Slaying Stage at his disposal and Mr. Yan by his side, he could arrive here in an instant."

Jiang Miaojie pressed her lips together, her smile tinged with amusement as she shook her head. "Hua Xin, you're being a bit hasty."

"You'd be just as anxious in my place," Hua Xin retorted, stamping his foot. The deep pit they were in, whether it was the floor or the surrounding rock walls, suddenly sprouted innumerable cracks. "I had a moment of insight, just beginning to grasp the subtleties of resilience, and the Dragon Slaying Stage vanished. Right where you're standing, a space rift appeared out of nowhere."

"Do you realize that if that space rift had been even slightly off, it could have injured me while I was deep in contemplation?"

Hua Xin was incensed.

"Injured?" Jiang Miaojie's grin held a hint of intrigue. "Oh, Hua Xin, I'm well aware of your exceptional nature and your level of combat prowess. But haven't you grasped the fact that the space rift that appeared so abruptly was the work of the ancient Chronowyrm?"

"If that space rift had indeed opened up at your meditation spot, well," she chuckled, "we likely wouldn't be having this conversation."

She had understood, even before her arrival, the immense power and wonder of the Everlands, the most resplendent civilization within the Infinite Galaxy, and she possessed a profound knowledge of the ancient Nagas.

The Chronowyrm had once been the bane of all extraterrestrial Otherkin, so much so that even the mighty Demon God Bertain found it troublesome.

The entire Voidweaver Clan had exhausted their collective might in an attempt to subdue it, yet they never managed to gain the upper hand. Instead, they were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses at its hands.

Hua Xin was still searching for the breakthrough that would take him to the Unbound Realm. But no matter how robust his body and Solar Spirit were, how could they possibly withstand a space rift torn open by the Chronowyrm?

"Are you interested?" Hua Xin shook his head and flexed his arms. "What's the matter? Are you itching for a fight with me?"

"Save your breath. You don't have a suitable weapon at hand; you're no match for me," Jiang Miaojie scoffed. "As for the Dragon Slaying Stage, I'm afraid you're out of luck. I suggest you visit the Artifact Sect or inquire with the Chamber of Commerce. Our return was specifically to seek out a rare treasure that resonates with our Way of Heaven."

"Dragon Slaying Stage, Crucible of Evil, Baneblade, Bloodhell!" Hua Xin clenched his teeth in frustration. "I could wield any of these artifacts! Since Yu Yuan doesn't have the courage to face me, I'll go to him!"

With that, Hua Xin soared into the heavens.

"Such a hothead," Jiang Miaojie muttered, a hint of exasperation in her voice. As she felt Hua Xin's departure toward the teleportation circle, she turned abruptly, her face blossoming into a smile as she bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you, Elder Tian Zang."

Tian Zang, now in human form, returned the nod with a smile. "Did you know? Initially, Taishi also permitted me to comprehend the Dragon Slaying Stage."

"You came away empty-handed?" Jiang Miaojie asked, astonished.

"A Divine Artifact possesses its own sentience," Tian Zang implied meaningfully. "It selects its bearer. Merely refining it or gaining some insight doesn't guarantee ownership. This is true for the Crucible of Evil, the Tears of the Azurefiend, and all the more so for the Dragon Slaying Stage."

"What sort of man is Yu Yuan, then? The Crucible of Evil, the Dragon Slaying Stage, and even the Titanblade—why have they all chosen him?" Jiang Miaojie, a cultivator of the God-King Taisu's legacy, had spent years traversing the fringes of the cosmos, encountering numerous Otherkin, leaving her less familiar with the emerging talents of the Everlands.

On her journey here, Yu Yuan's name had come up repeatedly, fueling her growing curiosity.

Her involvement in the ousting of Hu Caiyun wasn't out of a desire to assist Hua Xin, but rather to expedite Yu Yuan's arrival at the Moonfall Sanctuary.

She was eager to meet him and quench her curiosity.

"Maybe Yu Yuan is selecting a Divine Artifact."

Tian Zang let out a sly chuckle. Aware of Yu Yuan's true identity, he had intended to boast a little more, but a sudden tremor of fear caused his smile to stiffen.

"Please forgive me. As you know, I had no choice."

He nodded and bowed in a particular direction.

...

Within the Land of Terror, in a vast, silver-lined cave.

Youyu, clutching the Spectre Binding Scroll, furrowed his brow and let out a displeased huff.

Apart from Bloodbrawlers Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing, Luo Yue, Razses, and Taruer, the Ghost Kings, were all in attendance, positioned throughout the cave.

Razses had come to terms with her true identity, and Luo Yue had realized she was among those Yuan Qingxi had selected early on.

As for Taruer, once the Queen Bee of Shadow's Keep, she had dutifully accepted her fate and reaffirmed her allegiance to Youyu.

Now, the only one left was Tian Zang.

"Master, should we really force Tian Zang to join us? He's sworn loyalty to Taishi, and it would be difficult for him if you summon him against his will," Yuan Qingxi suggested gently.

Lianjing nodded in agreement.

Luo Yue, Razses, and Taruer, the three formidable Ghost Kings, remained silent.

"He was crowned a Ghost King in the Land of Terror; his loyalty should be to me, not Taishi," Youyu said icily, his hand slowly extending as if piercing through the earth to the very River Styx that connected to Tian Zang.

It was as though he had gently grasped the River Styx, seizing Tian Zang's throat.

"Come to me now, or I will revoke your Ghost King authority!"

His ultimatum was delivered with unyielding firmness.

Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing were taken aback, pondering why Youyu would be so confrontational. Tian Zang had pledged his loyalty to Taishi and was part of Boulderdawn; coercing him would surely offend both Taishi and Boulderdawn.

"I haven't received a definitive response from Boulderdawn. With Taishi in seclusion, the newly ascended God-Kings seem unaware of what I, Youyu, and the Bloodbrawlers stand for."

Youyu's hand, buried deep underground, slowly began to exert force.

Tian Zang let out a terrible scream, feeling as though his soul was being torn apart. Against his will, Youyu gripped his soul and yanked him out of the Moonfall Sanctuary.

Whoosh!

The moment Tian Zang materialized, he pressed his thumbs against his temples and let out a low, hissing sound.

"Tian Zang!"

Taruer, Luo Yue, and Razses were visibly shaken.

"Since you've claimed a River Styx, it's time to pull your weight."

Youyu gave him a cold glance, then flicked the mysterious scroll in his hand toward Tian Zang, drawing him into it.

Next were Taruer, Luo Yue, and Razses.

With the four Ghost Kings inside, Youyu gripped the scroll firmly, inhaled a breath of chilling shadow energy, and addressed Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing, "Xuanli's soul is not extinguished; it persists in this era. However, the traces within the Spectre Binding Scroll have eluded me, despite scouring the entire Everlands for a matching sign."

Lianjing's spirited body quivered slightly. "What are you suggesting?"

Yuan Qingxi picked up the thread: "He's not in the Everlands?"

"Correct, he's likely battling in the extraterrestrial realms. I need to harness their combined powers to stretch the River Styx from the Everlands into the outer Star River to locate Xuanli's reincarnation."

After explaining, Youyu clutched the scroll containing the four Ghost Kings and descended toward the Root of the Lunar Meridian.

"Regardless of his identity or which starry expanse he occupies, I will ignite his soul mark and awaken him."

...

In the Dark Star domain, a dark red star housed a grand stone fortress.

The land, akin to red granite, was riddled with numerous caves leading underground, a territory assigned to the Crypt Clan and the Fire Lizard by the Blood Fiend.

Members of the Crypt Clan and Fire Lizard lived beneath the surface year-round, mining gems and special Sunsilver to maintain their tribute to the Blood Fiend Clan.

"Why does that demon linger still?"

"Alas, he is the eyes of the Demon God. His presence here is as if the Demon God himself watches over us."

Several Fire Lizard clanspeople emerged from the subterranean caves, arranging their recent harvest in designated spots. They cast wary and fearful glances at the blood-hued figure atop the stone fortress.

He was a man.

A man who had been transformed into a blood bound slave by the Great Demon God Grec.

His name was Cao Yi.

A prodigious youth of the Ebon Star, he was targeted by Ann Jieshan of Colddeath to poison his own sect. Instead, Cao Yi assassinated Ann Jieshan in secret and mastered the arcane arts of Colddeath.

His actions were flawless. With Yu Yuan's assistance at the Moonfall Sanctuary, he managed to return to Colddeath.

Once back, he reorganized the sect's doctrines, reformed their cruel spells, and gradually earned the recognition of both Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep.

Had he not been exposed by Yu Yuan at a critical juncture, he might have succeeded in eliminating Ann Wen and ascending to the position of sect master of Colddeath.

It was also he who gravely wounded Ann Ziqing in the extraterrestrial realm, nearly causing her death.

He, along with Yu Yuan and Chen Qinghuang, vied for treasures hidden by the Great Demon God Grec, plotting to capture the offspring of the Titan Spinosaurus, and for the third blood crystal, journeyed to the Primal Blood Continent.

There, his attempt to take over the Great Demon God Grec was thwarted, and he became Grec's blood bound slave.

Perched atop a stone fortress for untold years, he became an eye for Grec, his gaze upon the Crypt Clan and Fire Lizard Clan merely a facade.

This star, on the fringe of the Dark Star Domain, was moving toward Kobran.

And in Kobran, the Everlands had constructed the Starway.

What he truly watched for was the emergence of human cultivators from the Everlands or the sudden influx of Shadow's Keep's forces.

His cloudy, bloodshot eyes were empty, expressionless, devoid of focus or the spark of intelligence.

Such as he was, merely a shell, a blood puppet without a will of his own.

But suddenly, within the depths of his vacant, numb gaze, a faint white flame flickered to life.

This tiny flame, seemingly fanned by an external, mysterious force, rapidly transformed into a slender, chilling stream.

As soon as the stream materialized, it vanished into his dominant soul, as if igniting a dormant soul mark.

The radiance of wisdom cascaded like a gentle rain from his dominant soul, nourishing his sea of consciousness and stirring the memories that had lain dormant for tens of thousands of years.

"So, the purpose of my rebirth is to aid in severing the Colddeath. To sever the Solar Meridian's tendrils that stretch into the Everlands!"

Xuanli was roused from his slumber at last.

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