C1533 I will Help You!

Yu Yuan and Ji Ningshuang embraced and spent some time catching up. During their conversation, Ji Ningshuang learned that Lin Daoke, the master of the Sword Sect, and Han Miaoyuan of the Ebon Star, intended for her to inherit Gu Xingkui's divine seat.

Yu Yuan was invigorated by the news. He pondered the deeper implications of Han Miaoyuan and Lin Daoke's actions, particularly their desire for Ji Ningshuang to exchange the damaged Wintermaw for the one he had restored in the Frozen Hellscape. Lin Daoke's motives aside, Han Miaoyuan was known for his meticulous planning, and every move he made was calculated.

It was clear to Yu Yuan that Han Miaoyuan had sent Ji Ningshuang because he was confident that the repaired Wintermaw would be safely handed over through her, without any unforeseen issues.

Moreover, the discussion of the vacant divine seat and the declaration that it would be offered to Ji Ningshuang, coupled with Yu Yuan's relationship with her, meant that he was expected to lend his full support.

With Gu Xingkui's divine seat shattered and Ji Ningshuang set to succeed it, she remained the Grand Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect. And once she ascended to godhood, her combat prowess would undoubtedly surpass that of Gu Xingkui. The Sword Sect would not only recover from the loss of Gu Xingkui but would gain an even more powerful Grand Sword Immortal.

Han Miaoyuan! Yu Yuan let out a cold snort, recognizing the Ebon Star Sect Master's machinations. Yet, because Ji Ningshuang was the one to inherit the divine seat, he would not interfere; instead, he would offer her all the assistance he could.

"Old fox!" he muttered under his breath.

In a flash of insight, Yu Yuan grasped the recent events surrounding the divine seat and the river that led to the Rainbow Ocean. His open support for Yu Zhu had prompted immediate backing from Zu Ann, Gui Xu, and Untamed of Skyreach Peak.

Their reaction had likely taken Han Miaoyuan by surprise. The cunning strategist might not have anticipated Yu Yuan's significant influence within Boulderdawn and with the Untamed.

Since his attitude could influence Boulderdawn and earn the recognition of both Zu Ann and Untamed...

Moreover, Youyu had only become a God of Ghosts in the Land of Terror with his assistance. Recently, in the depths of the Defiled World, he had further demonstrated his exceptional relationship with Youyu.

Now, with Gu Xingkui's divine position on the brink of collapse and Ji Ningshuang being nominated to inherit it, he would undoubtedly stand firmly by her side. Wouldn't this swiftly eliminate many hindrances?

With this in mind, Yu Yuan silently scorned Han Miaoyuan, acknowledging the old fox's flawless strategy.

Despite seeing through Han Miaoyuan's ploy, his willingness to leap into the fray for Ji Ningshuang was unwavering.

No one could deter him.

"Mr. Han, indeed..."

Ji Ningshuang slightly raised her eyebrows and gave a soft cough, "Our sect master has never bothered with these matters, preferring not to waste energy overthinking them. The leader of the Sunlit Order usually heeds his advice as well. As a result, once he takes a clear stance, the decisions of the three upper sects are essentially settled."

"If it were you..." Yu Yuan stroked his chin, lost in thought, "You mentioned earlier that you weren't ready, that you needed more time?"

Ji Ningshuang nodded gently, "I've only reached the pinnacle recently; it hasn't been long enough."

"I'll help you," Yu Yuan declared.

"Help me?"

Ji Ningshuang's eyes, cold as an ice pond in a deep valley, gazed at the confident Yu Yuan with ripples of doubt.

How could he possibly help?

...

Moonfall Sanctuary.

Beside a massive Moon Shard, Hua Xin was grumbling to a compassionate-looking statue.

Nearby, many newcomers like Hua Xin and Jiang Miaojie were gathered.

They eagerly listened to Jiang Miaojie recount her adventures in the Rainbow Ocean.

The newcomers, mostly at the Solar Spirit level, occasionally asked questions about Yu Yuan and the enigmatic Dragon Slaying Stage.

A short distance away, Tian Zang and Yan Qiling observed a grand stone hall rising from the ground, newly constructed from various meteorites of extraterrestrial origin.

At this moment, God-Kings Gui Xu and Tianqi were deep in conversation.

A burst of seven-colored light flickered into existence, piercing through space and appearing suddenly in Yan Qiling's chest. The Soulforge Matrix within the forbidden area seemed utterly ineffective against the light, offering no resistance or warning.

Yan Qiling, surprised, lightly touched it with his finger and instantly deciphered Yu Yuan's intentions.

"Should I relay a message to Lord Taishi, suggesting a delay in the revocation of Gu Xingkui's status?"

Yan Qiling's expression turned rigid as he murmured to himself, feeling a mix of confusion and wonder.

"What are you muttering about?" inquired Tian Zang, his curiosity piqued.

"Yu Yuan has sent a message, asking me to inform Lord Taishi to postpone stripping Gu Xingkui of his position. He mentioned that Ji Ningshuang has been given Gu Xingkui's divine role, and the Stardust Blade has only recently advanced; it's not yet prepared," Yan Qiling explained, shaking his head in disbelief. "What's this all about? Does he think Lord Taishi's manipulation of the Way of Heaven is a trivial matter?"

Tian Zang cleared his throat and reminded him, "Before you left the Rainbow Ocean, didn't you encourage him to put in extra effort to bring Ji Ningshuang to our side?"

"But not like this, not now!"

Yan Qiling grew increasingly frustrated and irate. "Besides, his actions are delaying Lord Taishi's plans! Lord Taishi is our master, both yours and mine!"

After a moment of contemplation, Tian Zang spoke earnestly, "I suggest you pass along the message. With the Domain Channel providing direct access to the extraterrestrial realms, traveling there and back is quite convenient."

He was aware of Yu Yuan's identity, as was Taishi, but Yan Qiling might not be fully informed.

Yu Yuan, who commands the Dragon Slaying Stage, would certainly be taken seriously if he instructed Yan Qiling to deliver a message to Taishi in his capacity as a God-King.

"Do I really need to go?" Yan Qiling asked, taken aback. "Do you truly think it's necessary for me to make the trip?"

Tian Zang nodded with gravity, "It is necessary."

"Very well," Yan Qiling conceded, albeit reluctantly.

He respected Yu Yuan, but this issue concerned his master, Taishi, and could potentially impact him, which caused some resistance within him. However, Tian Zang, who was also devoted to Taishi, had advised him to go, so he agreed to undertake the journey.

Rainbow Ocean.

Ji Ningshuang's Solar Spirit wielded the Stardust Blade, piercing through the clouds like an icy torrent. After a brief pause, she and the blade surged toward the starry expanse beyond our world.

The crystal bottle was destined for the moon beyond the Everlands, to be safeguarded by the Devil Palace's mightiest and several Grand Sword Immortals from the Sword Sect. They would use the Starway to deliver it to the location Tan Xiaotian had specified.

Within the grass hut surrounded by the Shadowflame Blight Array, Yu Yuan focused his thoughts, subtly expanding the Dragon Slaying Stage.

He pondered for a moment before speaking with a grave tone, "Shuangshuang, leave your real body behind and let your Lunar Spirit accompany me to the resting place of the frost wyrm."

Ji Ningshuang's heart fluttered. "To the Dragon Slaying Stage?"

"Yes," Yu Yuan confirmed with a gentle nod. "Bringing your real body might invite trouble. But your Lunar Spirit should face no such issues. The realm where the frost wyrm's remains lie is nearing a state of perfection. The tenth-level Dragon God it represents is a clear path to divinity. Try to understand it."

"Frost wyrm!"

Ji Ningshuang inhaled deeply, her eyes alight with longing.

The Stardust Blade she had mastered merged two Great Dao Laws leading to the sacred way. The Law of Frost, part of her blade's essence, was deeply connected to the breath of the frost wyrm.

To approach the Dragon Slaying Stage and closely examine the frost wyrm's remains would yield unimaginable insights!

"That old fox, Han Miaoyuan, has forced your hand, so I must dutifully follow suit."

Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit had emerged from his third eye, shrinking before hovering before Ji Ningshuang's gaze.

He extended his hand and bowed slightly in invitation. "I will do everything in my power to ensure your ascension to godhood! All my resources are at your disposal!"

Ji Ningshuang's eyes twinkled with amusement as she nodded. Her Lunar Spirit then took flight.

When their Lunar Spirits joined hands in their ethereal forms, both their souls and bodies quivered gently.

The sensation was indescribably beautiful.

...

Deep beneath the Sword Sect's mountain, Gu Xingkui sat against the rocky wall, his heartbeat barely perceptible. It took a long while before he would open his eyes to glance at Xingkui, then close them once more.

The Banner of Duality hovered in the air, though Han Miaoyuan's presence remained unseen.

Regardless of where Han Miaoyuan's real body might be within the vast Everlands, his connection to the Banner of Duality meant he could arrive in an instant with just a thought.

The fragmentation of a divine seat and the emergence of a new deity were matters Han Miaoyuan approached with utmost gravity.

"Sword of Gaia!" With his finger as his blade, Gu Xingkui etched the profound truths of his sword spell into jade slates.

Eight such slates lay beside him, each bearing the sword spells and arcane secrets of the earth he had discerned over the years.

His hair and beard had turned white without him noticing, now devoid of any shine.

With each passing day, he aged irreversibly.

Deep within his consciousness, the divine seat that symbolized his godhood was not only fissured but also losing the luminous chains of cosmic order he had inscribed within it.

The crumbling of his divine seat was a relentless assault on his will and life force, accelerating his aging while sapping his essence, energy, and spirit.

The divine seat, riddled with cracks like a colossal pillar, would collapse the moment Taishi stripped the last of the earth-related cosmic order from it.

And he, in that fleeting moment, would deplete his entire lifespan and vitality.

—Instant death.

He fought valiantly to endure, yet he could sense Taishi, far beneath the Ionodios World, steadily pulling at him.

It was as if he and Taishi each grasped strands of a cosmic order rope, representing the earth, engaged in a tug-of-war across the void.

As they struggled, the strands of earth's cosmic order he clung to were being wrested away by Taishi, one by one.

Every time Taishi stripped away another cosmic order of the earth from him, the force became stronger, making it increasingly difficult for him to resist.

One day.

Gu Xingkui, utterly exhausted and with his spirit on the brink of collapse, suddenly felt the pulling force from Taishi's side weaken dramatically...

His Divine Throne, on the verge of shattering, clung to a single cosmic order related to the earth, barely maintaining its integrity.

Gu Xingkui's expression was blank; he had no idea what had just happened.

Lin Daoke opened his eyes, staring blankly at him, equally clueless about the current situation. He simply said, "You, by all accounts, should be dead."

"I know," Gu Xingkui responded, uninterested in engaging further.

The figure of Han Miaoyuan reemerged within the Banner of Duality, having clearly observed the bizarre state of the Divine Throne in Gu Xingkui's mind.

After a prolonged silence, Han Miaoyuan spoke with profound implication, "It appears we must reassess Yu Yuan's position and influence within Boulderdawn."

"Not long ago, Yan Qiling rushed through the Domain Channel of the Moonfall Sanctuary, seemingly with an urgent matter to report directly to Taishi."

"Hehe, I've been keeping an eye on that area and naturally sensed that Yu Yuan had sent a message to the Moonfall Sanctuary."

"I never imagined that even a figure like Taishi would be willing to accommodate him and agree to buy some time."

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