C1546 !
In the depths of the underground cavern, the training field was abuzz with anticipation. Tan Yuan, Yu Ying, Jiang Miaojie, and the others braced themselves for the imminent clash, careful to remain alert. They needed to ensure that the ruckus caused by Yu Yuan and Hua Xin didn't ruffle the feathers of Gui Xu and Tianqi.
The conflict was unstoppable, not because of Hua Xin, but because Yu Yuan was the instigator. Despite Yan Qiling and Tian Zang's intervention, Hua Xin was ready to back down. That is until Yu Yuan's division into two unleashed a Solar Spirit with an aura so fierce it couldn't be ignored. With Yu Yuan's true form gone, the oppressive atmosphere vanished, leaving Hua Xin feeling suddenly unburdened.
The Solar Spirit's powerful stomp sent shockwaves through the ground, igniting Hua Xin's competitive spirit. He was no coward, and he certainly didn't intend to let down those who were watching. He was determined to gauge Yu Yuan's prowess on behalf of Boulderdawn's newer generation.
"Are you certain you wish to engage in combat with your Solar Spirit?" Hua Xin asked, his handsome features betraying a hint of displeasure at the prospect of an unequal battle, despite the palpable danger emanating from Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit.
"It's of no consequence. My Solar Spirit is formidable, and I assure you, it will bring you plenty of surprises. I'm eager to discover what extraordinary secrets you extraterrestrial beings hold. Just don't let me down," Yu Yuan replied with a smile, acknowledging the growing crowd eager to witness their showdown. He was done with hesitation.
He was acutely aware of the intrigue he sparked among the sect's new generation, who had returned from the extraterrestrial realm. They were all eager to understand how he had earned the right to wield authority at the Dragon Slaying Stage and the high status that came with it. Why did Taishi hold him in such high regard?
Without a demonstration of his abilities here and now, mere words and possessions wouldn't be enough to win everyone over. The newly reformed Boulderdawn was, after all, composed of these otherworldly cultivators.
"If that's the case..." Hua Xin began, poised atop the alien beast sculpture forged from meteoric iron, ready to deliver a rousing speech. But Yu Yuan was already approaching, his laughter echoing through the cavern.
"Taming the Wild!"
Yu Yuan even set aside the Baneblade and Bloodhell.
His forearm transformed into a blade, slashing down with mountainous force, and his violent vitality spilled out from his flesh.
This surging vitality refined and condensed in midair at breakneck speed, forming a blade of light that seemed almost tangible.
A relentless, fearless momentum, reminiscent of the human ancestors who tamed the wild, seemed to pour out from every pore of his body.
As this force took shape, it was as if onlookers could see the ancestors of the human race carving paths through thorny forests millions of years ago, trekking vast distances to cleave through mountains, clear brush, and fill in obstructive rivers.
Whoosh!
The dark red vital energy cut towards Hua Xin like a blade light.
Hua Xin's little world was instantly overwhelmed by this momentum, making him feel as if legions of ancient warriors from the Everlands were bearing down on him.
A sense of overpowering dread took root deep within his soul.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
He activated the Ancient Echoes of the Void mantra, but the newly formed vacuum shattered under the onslaught of this brute force.
The time he had desperately slowed could only slightly delay the onslaught of this ferocious vital energy.
Seizing the moment, Hua Xin withdrew.
Boom!
After his departure, the alien beast, also sculpted from meteoric iron, was shattered into gravel by the formidable force.
"This spell isn't half bad."
Yu Yuan flexed his arm, feeling an odd sensation in his heart.
For an instant, he was transported back to ancient times, becoming one of the human ancestors clad in animal skins, traversing thousands of miles of terrain to find fertile land for future generations, ensuring the continuation of life.
Throughout this journey, innumerable Forgeroses pioneers laid down their lives, leaving their bones as a testament to their efforts.
This spell carried with it a poignant sense of tragedy, as if it were crafted from the bones of many human ancestors, evolving over many years into a cultivation technique of the Forgeroses.
"Taming the Wild" was a spell favored by the sect's cultivators for its emphasis on aggressive tactics and profound meaning, though it paid little heed to defense.
This spell wasn't overly complex or filled with fancy techniques—it was a single, decisive slash that carried an unstoppable momentum. A force capable of cleaving through any barrier, be it mountains, massive trees, or wild creatures; anything that stood in the way of progress was split apart, paving a wide, unobstructed road.
The vitality within his Solar Spirit was beyond Hua Xin's reach, so he wielded the Forgeroses' Taming the Wild, overpowering Hua Xin with his boundless vital energy.
"You taught him Taming the Wild?" Tan Yuan asked Yu Ying, her face a picture of astonishment, yet devoid of any blame.
She was, in fact, astounded. The formidable presence Yu Yuan had summoned using Taming the Wild had deeply shaken her. The energy within that overwhelming force was so fierce and untamed that it left Tan Yuan, who had spent her life steeped in the Forgeroses' mystiques, utterly speechless and profoundly moved.
She hadn't anticipated that Yu Yuan's execution of Taming the Wild could so perfectly manifest the raw power of this spiritual spell. Taming the Wild wasn't considered an intricate spell within their sect; many had practiced it, but Tan Yuan had never witnessed it wielded with such terrifying might.
Yu Ying's imparting of the basic Taming the Wild to Yu Yuan didn't seem problematic to Tan Yuan, yet the extraordinary potency it demonstrated in Yu Yuan's hands was certainly out of the ordinary.
"Taming the Wild is also a spell from your Forgeroses, right? Why does it seem even more powerful and ferocious than the Ancient Echoes of the Void?" Jiang Miaojie inquired, her clear eyes fixed on Tan Yuan with curiosity. "Since you're here, why didn't you also teach Hua Xin to cultivate Taming the Wild?"
She suspected the Forgeroses might be withholding secrets.
Tan Yuan couldn't help but respond with a wry smile, "In our sect, Taming the Wild is considered a foundational spell that any disciple can practice. As for the Ancient Echoes of the Void, it's a spell that neither my junior sister nor I are even qualified to study. So, which do you think is more formidable?"
Jiang Miaojie gasped, her hand covering her mouth in surprise.
She certainly wasn't foolish. Having heard Tan Yuan's words, she understood that it wasn't that the "Taming the Wild" technique was superior to the "Ancient Echoes of the Void," but rather that Yu Yuan was vastly more powerful than Hua Xin.
And not by a small margin.
In the very next moment, Yu Yuan proved this to be true.
"Ah! The Sky-Shaking Ape!"
"Am I seeing things? A Platinum Shura from the Shura... Even if I'm seeing double, my senses can't be mistaken!"
"A warrior from the Silverscale Tribe! I swear, this is undoubtedly a pure Silverscale Tribe warrior. I've battled with them before, and I can recognize the identical scent of their vitality!"
"What kind of monster is this guy?"
Then, something astonishing happened!
While Yu Yuan was executing "Taming the Wild" in pursuit of Hua Xin, figures began to emerge from his Solar Spirit Body.
Some transformed into the formidable shape of the Sky-Shaking Ape, exuding a fierce aura and brimming with demon energy.
Others became genuine Platinum Shura, their shoulders, knees, and elbows adorned with natural spikes gleaming with the chill of platinum light.
Yet others took on the form of pure Silverscale Tribe warriors, actively employing the tribe's blood magic.
These figures, emerging from Yu Yuan, were tangible, living beings, each with a unique body structure and bloodline mysteries.
The one thing they shared was their facial features and the way they gazed at Hua Xin...
Even the Sky-Shaking Ape, despite its furry visage, bore a striking resemblance to Yu Yuan upon closer inspection.
Subsequently, the crowd watched in amazement as these different incarnations of Yu Yuan took turns replacing his Solar Spirit Body, each launching attacks at Hua Xin.
They even showcased their distinct theurgic talents with flair, weaving a tapestry of enigmatic wonders.
As one Yu Yuan attacked Hua Xin, the others would either observe with detached interest, smile and scan their surroundings, or narrow their eyes in deep contemplation.
It was as if each Yu Yuan from the different races was engaged in independent thought.
This was the hallmark of the legendary God-King's most fearsome aspect: the ability to multitask with each thought and soul capable of autonomous reflection and discernment.
"Hua Xin is no match for me."
Yu Yuan, in the form of a Shadowkin, materialized beside Jiang Miaojie and Tan Yuan, speaking with a smile.
He stood there, yet to Jiang Miaojie, Tan Yuan, and Yu Ying, he was indistinguishable from a member of the Shadowkin.
Despite having the face and features of Yu Yuan...
"What exactly are you? Which one is the real you?" Jiang Miaojie was stunned.
She had never witnessed Yu Yuan wield such power in the Rainbow Ocean, and it led her to question everything she knew about life, even doubting whether the Yu Yuan she knew was the genuine one.
"All of me is real," Yu Yuan said, chuckling lightly.
At that very moment, High Priest Reid, who had been planning to leave the palace, paused in his tracks.
What astounded Reid was witnessing a display of power that had never before been seen in the Everlands.
