C1552 One More Life
Upon Green Willow's arrival, the Stormcrowned Emperor remained silent and soared into the sky without a word.
The Shadowflame Blight Array on the mid-lake island posed no significant threat to him in Yu Zhu's absence.
Naturally, his lifeless body had no fear of the blight's corrosion.
Suspended in the air, he was akin to a zombie, momentarily dazed, before he abruptly set off toward the Stormcrown Empire.
It appeared he still had unresolved desires.
As the creator of the Stormcrown Empire, there must be someone within the Human Empire he still cared for.
Before deciding, he likely wished to see someone, to put certain affairs in order.
Yu Yuan watched him recede into the distance, aware that the Everlands' current state was unique. The powers capable of slaying him would not make their move anytime soon.
What decision he would ultimately make, Yu Yuan could not ascertain.
"What's with him?"
A chill gleamed in Green Willow's emerald Demonic Eyes, clearly displeased with Hantian's behavior.
"He's beginning to come to terms with himself, which is why he's in pain and seems somewhat deranged," Yu Yuan clarified.
At those words, any trace of annoyance in Green Willow's heart vanished instantly.
"Has he finally come to terms with himself?" Green Willow inquired, his somber expression noticeably softening.
"Did you know already?" Yu Yuan countered.
"Yes," Green Willow nodded, a slight smirk forming as he spoke, "I had a hunch. Being from evilkind, I have a keen sense of the scent of flesh and blood. He never had the aura of a living being. I assumed he had come to terms with himself after pledging loyalty to Taishi, but it seems he's only just now facing it."
With the reason revealed, any irritation Green Willow felt towards the Stormcrowned Emperor evaporated.
Shifting the conversation, he added, "The Forgotten Ruins are sensitive territory. That girl remained a member of Shadow's Keep until she publicly severed ties. Thus, this land is still under Shadow's Keep's nominal rule."
"And me? I've long been loathed by Shadow's Keep. Had I come here rashly during this time, it could have sparked a conflict."
The moment Green Willow arrived at the Forgotten Ruins, he could sense the presence of Xu Zixi, the human cultivator who pledged loyalty to Shadow's Keep, lurking in Gavanas. Green Willow knew that some of the pythons under Xu Zixi's command had a natural affinity for him, and he could easily sway them to his side if he chose to.
"I see," Yu Yuan said, grasping the situation. "The Everlands will remain tranquil until the council concludes. Don't worry, I've been here more than a day or two, and Shadow's Keep hasn't shown any strong reactions."
He was well-aware of the whereabouts of Xu Zixi and the other archdemons of Shadow's Keep.
It was actually for the best that Xu Zixi didn't seek him out, considering they were on opposing sides.
Seeking out Xu Zixi himself might bring trouble and raise suspicions within Shadow's Keep.
"What do you want?" Green Willow inquired.
Yu Yuan got straight to the point, "Give me a drop of your lifeblood."
"Why?" Green Willow's guard went up, and he looked at Yu Yuan with suspicion, asking with a hint of displeasure, "What are you up to? I've heard that anyone whose lifeblood you refine ends up under your control."
"Who told you that?"
"Lord Untamed!"
Green Willow was clearly resistant to the idea.
Yu Yuan was at a loss for words. He had intended to do a good deed and repay Green Willow's kindness, but he hadn't expected such wariness.
"By giving me a drop of your lifeblood, I might just save your life," Yu Yuan revealed his true intention reluctantly. "Lord Green Willow, you know I mean you no harm. Moreover, I assure you, I won't meld your lifeblood with my Solar Spirit. I'm genuinely trying to help you here..."
He continued to earnestly plead his case.
"Fine, I'll trust you this once," Green Willow finally conceded after a long, hard stare. He grudgingly extracted a drop of his lifeblood, which shimmered like a green turquoise.
"Rest assured," Yu Yuan reassured him, his eyes brightening. He produced a glass bottle he had prepared earlier and carefully collected Green Willow's lifeblood.
Holding the bottle with his Solar Spirit, Yu Yuan then swiftly entered the Dragon Slaying Stage.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
The moment the drop of lifeblood touched the Dragon Slaying Stage, the connection between Green Willow and his lifeblood was severed. This deepened his unease. "Yu Yuan, I've always been good to you, haven't I?"
"Very good, very good!" Yu Yuan nodded enthusiastically, his spirits visibly lifted.
This was because, at the instant his Solar Spirit on the Dragon Slaying Stage infused the life force into the glass bottle using the same technique, he noticed that Green Willow's lifeblood was particularly vibrant.
Perhaps it was because Green Willow was still alive. Within his lifeblood, apart from the delicate bloodline chains, there was also a faint presence of Soul Power.
The lifeblood of evilkind and Otherkin experts also contained this faint Soul Power.
Once Green Willow's lifeblood received the infusion of his life force, it began to greedily consume the life force amidst the thick crimson fog.
The life force had no catalytic effect on the feeble Soul Power within him.
Yet, the slender bloodline chains were rapidly expanding and growing!
Outside, Yu Yuan and Green Willow were engaged in a disjointed conversation, meandering from one topic to another.
Green Willow was baffled, unable to discern Yu Yuan's intentions. Despite his persistent questioning, Yu Yuan merely smiled, offering no answers.
Several days passed in this manner.
Green Willow, having lost interest in engaging with Yu Yuan, was no longer on the mid-lake island but had submerged into the lake, revealing his diminutive demonic form.
Even reduced in size, Yu Yuan could still make out the massive green serpent weaving through the water.
"Lord Green Willow, it's time to wake up. No more sleeping."
After a few coughs, Green Willow reluctantly lifted his head from beneath the lake.
Splash!
Accompanied by the sound of water, Green Willow's enormous serpent head finally surfaced. His green eyes, like emerald torches, coldly fixed on Yu Yuan on the island. Impatiently, he asked, "What now?"
Yu Yuan had barred his departure without explanation, which had left him irritable.
But before he could express his anger, his serpentine body in the lake began to quiver subtly!
As if sensing something extraordinary, he instantly transformed into his human shape and materialized before Yu Yuan.
Green Willow, now in human form, was shaking violently as he pointed at the small glass bottle in Yu Yuan's hands.
"What is this? What on earth is this?"
His hand, as he pointed to the glass bottle, and his words were both trembling.
Inside the glass bottle, which had once contained a drop of his lifeblood, there was now a tiny, green snake.
Incredibly, within the body of the snake was a complete bloodline chain! The arcane knowledge he had mastered, the secrets of water, and the principles of the Cosmic Order that he was attuned to were all embedded within the tiny snake, within each strand of the bloodline chain!
This little snake carried not only the scent of his flesh and blood but also his faint Soul Power!
Through the glass, he could sense an innate and perfect harmony with the green serpent.
In every way!
"He is another you! Or rather, he is another life of yours!" Yu Yuan said with a smile.
Judging by Green Willow's current expression, Yu Yuan knew he had succeeded. His hypothesis had been correct; it was indeed possible to bring it to fruition!
"He... He is me?"
The former commander of the evilkind's army stared at the little snake in the glass bottle, his words becoming disjointed.
He was acutely aware that the snake was neither his offspring nor a member of any other race.
No creature of his kind could possess a complete bloodline chain or embody his entire essence!
Even among his own kind, there were essential differences; no two were exactly alike in every aspect.
Green Willow had never encountered another being that shared his exact bloodline mysteries!
The only plausible explanation was that the little snake in the glass bottle... was Green Willow himself.
Only he possessed all the secrets of his bloodline!
"Let's put it this way, if one day your body is destroyed and reduced to dust," Yu Yuan said, his eyes narrowing as he observed Green Willow's rigid face, "as long as your demon soul escapes, you can return to this body. Though this Green Willow is weak, he is imprinted with all your bloodline mysteries."
"All you need to do is strengthen this new body. You'll have to infuse the bloodline chains with demon energy once more and elevate your rank again."
"Since he is you, this isn't a case of possession or spirit attachment."
"If your demon soul were to inhabit a body of another race, you'd never achieve greatness. Without your complete bloodline chain, any attempt at integration would undoubtedly encounter issues."
"On the contrary, he is different. Because he is you, he can perfectly integrate with your demon soul!"
Yu Yuan enunciated each word deliberately.
Green Willow grasped his meaning and, with a trembling voice, said sheepishly, "Yu Yuan, I can still separate a few more drops of lifeblood. Would you like me to create a few more bodies for you?"
He was seeking additional lives...
Yu Yuan's expression turned stern. He huffed, "Lady Green Willow, after all this time, I never realized how greedy you could be. Do you really think it's so simple for me to grant you another life?"
Green Willow fell silent. After a long pause, she spoke in a low voice, "Had Queen Bee possessed such a body back then, she wouldn't have needed to venture into the Land of Terror to pursue necromancy with her demon soul."
The former Queen Bee of Shadow's Keep, now known as Taruer, became the Ghost King after her demonic form perished, surviving on her residual demon soul.
"Please make your way to Skyreach Peak for the council."
Suddenly, Han Miaoyuan's voice echoed through the Forgotten Ruins.
