C1522 Missing Person

Rainbow Ocean!

In an instant, countless gazes converged upon this singular location.

A colorless river flowed directly from the site of Zhu Zhenlin's demise at the Devil Palace, heading straight for the Rainbow Ocean.

Two streams, one clear and one murky, seemed to carry the power of the Root of the Lunar Meridian, buoying the Dark Court along their currents.

Youyu, the preeminent God of Ghosts from ancient times to the present, clutched a rolled-up painting and followed the river symbolizing divine authority. His expression was icy as he too made his way toward the Rainbow Ocean.

A breathtaking aura, powerful enough to awe the masses, emanated from him, the Dark Court, and the very depths of the Everlands.

Without uttering a single word, Youyu's stance was clear to all the pinnacle warriors of the world.

Any who dared to obstruct him would face relentless opposition.

He embodied the sovereign will that governed life and death within the Everlands, having once traversed three sacred ways to reach the ultimate pinnacle.

Even if the frost wyrm, long since perished, were to be resurrected at its tenth level as a Dragon God and regain its mightiest form, it would not be able to suppress Youyu.

Across the heavens and the Everlands, only a select few were deemed worthy to challenge Youyu in combat.

Even fewer were those willing to forsake all, to risk the upheaval of the Everlands and the devastation of its people.

It was with such unwavering confidence and self-assurance that he sought out Zhu Zhenlin, seeking vengeance for his past self and to purge the Bloodbrawlers.

"Rainbow Ocean!"

President Lyi inhaled deeply, his gaze alight with fervor.

"Here's some excellent news: Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect has just arrived at Dragon Island."

Zhou You's plump face broke into a grin as he rubbed his hands together, eyeing President Lyi, who feigned composure. "It seems even Han Miaoyuan, that old curmudgeon, has given you his nod of approval."

"Is Loong Jie being suppressed?" Shi Jing'er asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Lin Daoke!"

"He's actually gotten involved!"

"Loong Jie is likely at a standstill now!"

Upon hearing that the Sect Master of the Sword Sect had made an appearance on Dragon Island, Green Willow, Zhongli Dapan, and Jun Chen realized that President Lyi's main rival had been ousted.

With a heart devoted solely to the sword, Lin Daoke, who had dedicated his life to swordsmanship, was widely acknowledged as the strongest in all of Euwrea.

He was the strongest among the humans, while Tan Xiaotian was the foremost devil in the Devil Palace.

This individual seldom concerned himself with the internal affairs of the Sword Sect. He spent his time either in the Everlands, immersed in the study of swordsmanship, or traversing the cosmos with his sword spirit.

Rumors swirled that he had ventured into numerous forbidden areas.

He showed no interest in romantic entanglements, sect rivalries, or nurturing the next generation.

He had only reluctantly accepted the role of sect master because his overwhelming strength had compelled all the Grand Sword Immortals to fervently endorse him for the position.

His presence alone deterred the petty criminals of the Everlands.

Apart from his mastery of the sword, he lacked expertise in other areas and rarely gave them much thought.

He approached all matters with a casual indifference, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he simply didn't care.

Yet, it was Han Miaoyuan who had unearthed his potential, leading to his induction into the Sword Sect and his subsequent fame.

On matters of great significance, he habitually deferred to Han Miaoyuan's judgment, possibly out of sheer reluctance to ponder them himself.

Nevertheless, the mightiest warriors of the Everlands were well aware of his formidable nature. They knew that once he took a challenge seriously and saw someone as a worthy adversary, he could unleash a fearsome combat prowess.

When word spread that he had journeyed to Dragon Island, there was a unanimous belief that Loong Jie would no longer be a concern.

"Mr. Yan, Zhou You, could you two assist me?" President Lyi asked, turning to face Yan Qiling and Zhou You with a smile. "Help me arrive at the Rainbow Ocean at the precise moment to claim the divine seat."

Timing was crucial—it could neither be too early nor too late.

With Zhong Chichen gone, Yan Qiling and Zhou You were the most skilled practitioners of space magic in the Everlands, and they remained close at hand.

"I've stayed nearby, awaiting your command," Yan Qiling said with a smile.

President Lyi responded with pleasure, "Your sect has indeed lived up to my expectations."

...

Underneath a peach tree, Hu Caiyun was engulfed in sorrow. Each time her thoughts turned to her heartache, tears streamed down her face.

Her inner pain remained unhealed, and she could not bring herself to forgive her own failings.

How could this be?

How could I find such joy conversing with a vile demon from the filthy depths?

Master, could you truly never err?

From Yu Yuan's revelations and subsequent hints, she had pieced together the truth. The love that had taken root in her heart wasn't for the one she believed it was.

It was for the Terra Fiend, Huangyin.

This realization brought nothing but disaster and further torment to her soul.

She could not accept it, nor could she forgive herself.

"Sigh."

A profound sigh echoed from beneath the earth, resonating within her mind.

She recognized this voice from her meditations in the Rainbow Ocean, where she once believed she had touched a mystical state of consciousness.

"Do you still not understand?"

The dashing and debonair progenitor of the Earth Fiends, Huangyin, materialized with a flourish. Observing Hu Caiyun wallowing in self-pity, he plucked a peach blossom, inhaled its fragrance deeply, and then, intoxicated by its scent, he chuckled, "From the very start, the person you've loved has been me, Huangyin. I can sense that Han Miaoyuan also knows; you're the only one left in the dark."

"You!"

Hu Caiyun charged at him in a frenzy, the thick miasma cloud swallowing her whole.

With an easy smile, Huangyin said, "I've imparted to you the dark arts, teaching you to harness the tainted power of the Rainbow Ocean. I've been hinting at the truth all along. Caiyun, why deceive yourself? Is loving me, Huangyin, truly such a disgrace?"

Within the dense fog of miasma, he remained unscathed by Hu Caiyun's ferocious onslaught.

Ignoring her screams, bites, and clawing, he embraced the Peach Madam tightly, rendering her immobile. "I've watched over you for countless years from below. I've always been here. Do you realize how long I've watched you, how long I've waited? My fervent desire to claim a divine throne was so I could walk openly upon the earth's surface!"

"I, Huangyin, intend to shatter all worldly barriers. I want that old fool, and all of creation, to know! I wish to be with you as Huangyin, openly as the Terra Fiend!"

With a forceful thump to his chest, Huangyin freed himself from Hu Caiyun, then surged into the sky, arms outstretched.

"Today, I, Huangyin, shall ascend once again to the highest echelons!"

Before him, a clear, colorless river came into view.

Given that he had come for the Rainbow Ocean, who else but Huangyin had the right to vie for it?

"Huangyin!"

Yu Yuan, Tian Zang, Liu Ying, and Jiang Miaojie, all present at the Rainbow Ocean, naturally laid eyes on Huangyin.

"Xuanli won't be returning. It looks like it's all up to Huangyin now."

Jiang Miaojie glanced towards the Skyreach Consortium with a hint of regret. "I've just received word that the three upper sects are blocking Xuanli in the extraterrestrial realm. And we've sealed off the connection pathways to the extraterrestrial. No matter how formidable Xuanli is, he can't make it back without first ascending to the highest level."

Tian Zang paused, then nodded in agreement. "It appears Han Miaoyuan has intervened."

A frown creased his brow.

"Knowing Han Miaoyuan as I do, he's not one to act lightly. But once he does, he leaves no room for chances." Tian Zang's face grew somber as he watched Huangyin, who was exuding an air of wild arrogance. "I suspect..."

In a flash!

Yu Yuan, whose Lunar Spirit had been at the Devil Palace, instantaneously transported to the Dragon Slaying Stage.

With the Lunar Spirit rejoining his body, Yu Yuan fixed his gaze on Huangyin and asked, "What is it you suspect?"

Tian Zang, his expression grave, didn't hesitate. "Huangyin's sacred way is unstable!"

Yu Yuan, Liu Ying, and Jiang Miaojie were all taken aback, their minds churning with doubts about Tian Zang's assessment.

With a meaningful look, Tian Zang turned to Yu Yuan and then addressed Jiang Miaojie and Liu Ying, "You underestimate Han Miaoyuan's cunning. He's made few mistakes in his lifetime. If he's involved, he's sure to have a comprehensive plan to ensure that neither the Bloodbrawlers nor the Terra Fiend produce a new supreme being."

"If Xuanli can't return, then Huangyin won't slip through the net either!"

"Moreover, the intelligence I've gathered suggests that Huangyin doesn't align with the turbid sacred way!"

Despite his words, the trio remained unconvinced.

"You should understand him better."

Tian Zang spoke softly, his gaze not fixed on anyone in particular. It was unclear whom his words were meant for.

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed.

It was at that moment!

Hovering above the Rainbow Ocean, Huangyin suddenly let out a pained howl.

His body, which he had transformed into a demonform, was now riddled with holes, leaking streams of crystal-clear spiritual energy.

This radiant spiritual light was the result of thousands of years of refinement by an expert from the Ebon Star.

The rapid loss of spiritual energy caused the Solar Spirit, which had been forcefully melded into the body, to fracture into pieces.

Yu Yuan, holding the Dragon Slaying Stage, squinted and noticed fingernail-sized crystals falling from Huangyin's demonform.

These were the crystallized essence of spiritual energy and Soul Power, fragments of the original Solar Spirit that had been integrated into his very being.

Thus, Huangyin's demonform suffered severe damage. The foundation of his strength, the vibrant streams he had amassed, now gushed outward like floodwaters breaking through a dam.

"Old fool!"

In midair, Huangyin hurled curses toward the Ebon Star, while the purple dark fire in his eye sockets crackled, spilling out remnant soul.

"Huang, Huangyin!"

Beneath the massive peach tree, Hu Caiyun couldn't contain her cries of anguish as she witnessed Huangyin's tormented state. The agony in her heart was beyond words.

In that moment, she seemed to finally realize who she truly loved.

Regrettably, it seemed too late.

Boom!

The demonform that Huangyin had possessed, now ablaze with Seven-Colored Serpentflame, ignited the essence he had refined from the Seven-Colored Lake over thousands of years, along with his body and soul.

"Han Miaoyuan!"

Yu Yuan, Jiang Miaojie, and Liu Ying involuntarily shuddered.

When had Han Miaoyuan planted a contingency within Huangyin's body? How many years had it lain dormant, only to be triggered now?

Huangyin was oblivious, believing he was safe in the Defiled World, thinking he hadn't suffered a complete defeat.

Even though he hadn't managed to displace the Dragon Slaying Stage that suppressed the Terra Fiend Clan or ascend to godhood, he was still alive. He had refined a body once divine, using it as a stepping stone on his journey along the sacred way.

Just when he was at the peak of his pride, convinced of his imminent victory and the forging of the sacred way...

He came to the stark realization that he had never truly won.

Han Miaoyuan's intent was not only to ensure his death but also to let him witness the brink of divinity before triggering the contingency plan to execute a fatal blow to both body and heart.

The demonform he had refined, his devil soul, burned with the meticulously refined seven-colored flame, plummeting like a flame meteor.

It descended right beneath the massive peach tree where Hu Caiyun was located.

"He's not the one. He's a pure Terra Fiend, not meeting the criteria for chaos and disorder!"

Tian Zang was indifferent to Huangyin's fate. As Huangyin's brilliance was about to extinguish like a fleeting flower, Tian Zang remained unmoved.

He was well aware of Han Miaoyuan's fearsome nature.

As the strategist and intellect of the three great upper sects, Han Miaoyuan's intervention made Tian Zang unsurprised by Huangyin's bold departure from the Defiled World and his subsequent downfall.

Tian Zang's urgent question now was who else, besides Huangyin, lurked in the depths of the Rainbow Ocean.

"Chaos, disorder, a jumble of contradictions—he embodies them all."

Once Yu Yuan regained his composure, he too began to ponder deeply.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The seven bizarre, venomous rivers that had emerged from Qiyan's body crystallized abruptly with Huangyin's fall.

In a flash, they materialized over the Seven-Colored Lake in the Defiled World!

The seven rivers, now like strange crystal formations, constructed a small Heaven's Dais atop the lake's surface.

With Huangyin's burning demise and Xuanying's departure, the Heaven's Dais, formed by Qiyan, seized complete control over the Seven-Colored Lake.

"I've brought you a gift."

A voice emanated from the Heaven's Dais.

The call, magnified a millionfold by the Seven-Colored Lake, reached all the way to the Forgotten Ruins.

Yu Zhu's face took on a dazed expression.

As she gradually came to, she found herself at the Seven-Colored Lake in the Defiled World, seated upon the Heaven's Dais that Qiyan had become.

Around her, countless ancient and newly born Terra Fiends watched her with a mix of terror and reverence.

It was as if they were gazing upon the deity of their tribe.

...