C1555 When Everyone Is Here
At the other end of the Abyssal Gate lies the Abyss itself.
Yet, what truly resides within the Abyss may only be known to the Great Demon God, Bertain.
Zu Ann, who had been seated for quite some time, slowly rose to his feet and meticulously adjusted his attire and his crest.
His gaze penetrated the foggy distance, discerning figures either hastening towards this place or already emerging at Skyreach Peak.
The nearing of the supreme beings had stirred a great tide between heaven and earth, with the spiritual energy's tumultuous waves and the cosmic order's thunderous roar.
Yu Yuan and Youyu, within the carefully crafted little world atop the peak, experienced a blurring of senses, showing no significant reaction.
Zu Ann, however, connected in spirit and body to every blade of grass and tree on Skyreach Peak, felt a profound tremor as the cosmic order buffeted his very being.
Even he, having merged with the land, would face immense pressure upon the arrival of the many supreme existences.
"The guests will soon be arriving."
With Zu Ann's words, the thick white fog shrouding the peak began to fade.
"Since the Great Demon God had Reid deliver much news, perhaps we can find answers from Han Miaoyuan." Zu Ann's narrow eyes turned toward the valley housing the Origin Gate. "As the host, it is my duty to welcome them."
His Lunar Spirit remained while his real body gracefully descended, carried away by the wind.
Yu Yuan, present in his Lunar Spirit form, watched as Zu Ann's real body descended like a white rainbow into a valley mouth.
There, jagged rare stones dotted the landscape, their psionic power aura faint.
The path to the valley, shrouded in mist, seemed to hide infinite walls, as if forbidding even deities to cross without permission.
Suddenly, a fierce sunbeam cut through the clouds above Skyreach Peak, beaming directly toward the mouth of Zu Ann's valley.
Within the broad column of sunlight, a tall, handsome man of the human race smiled and nodded at Zu Ann.
The brilliant sunlight then coalesced into countless tiny crimson particles, swiftly merging into his form.
As the column of sunlight vanished, he fully materialized, choosing a dark red stone to seat himself upon.
"Ruby Hand, Qin Luo."
Upon a glance, Yu Yuan recognized the man who had descended from the heavens as the sect master of Zhou Cangmin and Faang Yao.
During his rise in the Everlands, this individual had resided beyond our world, leaving only his Lunar Spirit with the Ruby Hand to manage essential affairs and pursue a divine position.
And he had indeed achieved his goal.
Qin Luo had a profound friendship with Yuan Lianyao, Faang Yao, and Zhou Cangmin. He had always been lenient and never strictly prohibited their actions.
Thus, Yu Yuan had consistently held a favorable view of this unfamiliar Sect Master of the Ruby Hand.
Following Qin Luo's appearance, a tumultuous sphere of vital energy emerged from the distant mountains.
The Shadow's Keep, Moonfang Tiger!
Even without its real body and Solar Spirit present, Yu Yuan, with his Lunar Spirit, could discern the identity of the being behind the mass of vital energy.
Sure enough, a robust man with a distinctive mark on his forehead swiftly flew low through the mountains.
Yu Yuan, who had recently encountered the Tianqi God-King at the Moonfall Sanctuary, didn't need the Dragon Slaying Stage to estimate that the vital energy within the Astral Tiger was many times greater than Tianqi's.
Moreover, a palpable aura of slaughter permeated every strand of the Astral Tiger's vital energy!
Yu Yuan's sensitivity to souls remained strong, and from a distance, he observed the Astral Tiger.
He envisioned the residual souls of dozens of Otherkin trapped within the ferocious tiger's body, their latent power being relentlessly extracted.
The murderous presence of the Shadow's Keep's tiger seemed capable of warping the hearts of mortals, even stirring something within Yu Yuan.
It was unclear how many Otherkin warriors he had slain in the extraterrestrial wars to cause their spirits to wail within his bones and flesh, seemingly unable to ever escape.
Yu Yuan couldn't help but feel concerned for Zhao Yafu, fearing that under the tutelage of such a master, she might one day lose control.
"That young lady was already brought here by the Astral Tiger not too long ago."
Zu Ann's remaining Lunar Spirit seemed to have perceived Yu Yuan's concerns. "The Astral Tiger is quite fond of the girl; you needn't worry excessively. The very killing intent that you fear might accumulate within her is the same Way of Heaven that the Astral Tiger has mastered and the very foundation of his strength. While others might succumb to such power, the Astral Tiger will not."
"This sacred way, violent and ruthless, was forged by the Astral Tiger himself. He is not only immune to its effects but can also harness its power for his own use."
Yu Yuan's brow furrowed. "Are you spying on me?"
"As the ruler of Skyreach Peak, while you are merely a Lunar Spirit here, the fleeting thoughts of your spirit form into vague images that I can glimpse," Zu Ann explained, aware of Yu Yuan's concerns. "Even I can only catch fleeting glimpses. Other supreme beings cannot see them at all."
"You should consider changing your ways," Yu Yuan huffed.
"I can't change," Zu Ann responded simply.
Perched at the summit of Skyreach Peak, Zu Ann had long grown accustomed to using the Mirror of Fates to peer into the mortal realm.
The act of probing into the hearts, souls, and thoughts of others had become second nature to him, a habit not easily altered.
And he had no inclination to change it.
Following the Astral Tiger's lead, Mo Baichuan, representing the Sunlit Order, made his way to the space before Qin Luo and settled onto a rock.
Their gazes met, each cold and silent.
Qin Luo, however, couldn't suppress a smirk, nodding at Mo Baichuan as he said, "Hehe, Mr. Mo, what a pleasure! Allow me to extend my congratulations on your selection of a path that leads to certain demise!"
Qin Luo had keenly observed the subtle shifts in Mo Baichuan's aura.
He immediately understood the choice his most talented and promising rival from the Sunlit Order had made after he had claimed Lee Tianxin's sacred way.
Qin Luo's laughter rang out, for the path chosen by Mo Baichuan had been attempted by numerous predecessors from both the Sunlit Order and the Ruby Hand.
In every case, their very essence was consumed by flames, leaving not a trace behind.
In Qin Luo's view, Mo Baichuan had always posed a significant threat, a more formidable adversary than Lee Tianxin. It was only after Tianxin's death, with the approval of Han Miaoyuan and Tan Xiaotian to seize that sacred way, that Qin Luo finally felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.
He believed he had now surpassed Mo Baichuan in the race to divinity, severing Mo Baichuan's path to godhood.
Seeing such a formidable foe choose that path, Qin Luo felt a surge of elation, unable to resist the urge to mock.
Mo Baichuan, a man of few words, met Qin Luo's taunts with silence, choosing not to engage in a war of words.
"You're all quite early," remarked the old Ape, who had been smoking his pipe as if he had just emerged from the earth itself.
Before the Moonfang Tiger could make its approach, he dusted off a nearby rock with his sleeve. As soon as the Tiger arrived, he called out with warmth, "Come, Snow, join me. Let's pair up."
The majestic Tiger bowed its head in a respectful salute to him, foregoing any other greetings.
Following the Untamed's instructions, it obediently took its seat on the rock. The Ape, however, remained squatting.
Whoosh!
A thick shroud of darkness materialized beside Qin Luo, adjacent to the Untamed and the Astral Tiger.
The Untamed gave a grunt and continued to puff on his pipe, falling silent.
Qin Luo didn't hesitate. He stood and bowed, the first to initiate a greeting with a smile, "Greetings, Palace Master Tan."
"Hehe, you've done well. You've lived up to my expectations," came Tan Xiaotian's resonant voice from within the darkness.
The Astral Tiger greeted the dark presence with a bow of his fists but refrained from speaking. He and Tan Xiaotian were well-acquainted, having spent years together in the extraterrestrial realms, encountering numerous peak warriors of the Otherkin.
At that moment, atop Skyreach Peak, Yu Yuan and Youyu fell into a hushed silence as the darkness signifying Tan Xiaotian's presence descended.
Both were aware that this was merely a fragment of the Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian's being.
Yet, this legendary figure, who had transcended the dark dragon and was on the verge of mastering all aspects of dark magic beyond our world, commanded immense respect.
Since Nie Qingtian's demise, Lin Daoke had seldom drawn his sword, and the Dark Phoenix showed interest primarily in the cosmic giant beasts.
Thus, the most formidable warrior representing humanity in the battles against the extraterrestrial races was none other than Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian.
For millennia, Tan Xiaotian's name had been renowned across the Star River, recognized by every intelligent being and all the powerful Otherkin.
His significant contribution to Qin Luo's smooth ascension to divinity could not be overstated.
Hence, upon his arrival at the mouth of the valley, the first to extend a friendly gesture was Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand.
Qin Luo was well aware that Tan Xiaotian had not only secured an additional supreme seat for the Everlands but had also wholeheartedly supported him. Through negotiations with Han Miaoyuan, Qin Luo was able to claim that divine position for himself.
Moreover, following Lee Tianxin's demise, Tan Xiaotian took over his sacred way, allowing him to take residence in the sun beyond our world!
Tan Xiaotian had been generous to Qin Luo, who felt a deep sense of gratitude.
Zu Ann gazed intently at the thick darkness for some time before suddenly turning to Youyu. "What's your take on this?"
Youyu simply shook his head, offering no words in response.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The spiritual energy that belonged to Skyreach Peak began to converge slowly at the mouth of the valley, forming a dense cluster.
Within this thick spiritual energy, the Banner of Duality, representing Han Miaoyuan, materialized. Lin Daoke, dressed in wrinkled clothes and looking somewhat reluctant, emerged from the flag.
After surveying the gathered crowd, he chose no particular spot to sit and instead plopped down right where he stood.
Once seated, it seemed as though he was obstructing part of the Banner of Duality. With no other choice, Han Miaoyuan had to reposition the flag himself. Consequently, the Banner of Duality stood planted in the ground beside him.
Only then did Han Miaoyuan's phantom begin to emerge slowly within the flag.
"Alright, now that everyone has arrived, we can begin," he said.
With a smile, Han Miaoyuan looked over each new arrival from within the Banner of Duality and expressed his contentment, "Regardless, our team is growing, and the Everlands is becoming increasingly powerful. My efforts have not gone to waste."
At that moment, Youyu, grasping Yu Yuan's arm, darted forward and appeared at the valley entrance.
He located a grayish-white rock and gestured to Yu Yuan before taking a seat himself.
Present were Han Miaoyuan of the Ebon Star Sect, Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect, Mo Baichuan of the Sunlit Order, Tan Xiaotian of the Devil Palace, the Moonfang Tiger of Shadow's Keep, Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, the Untamed, Youyu of the Bloodbrawlers, Yu Yuan of Boulderdawn, and finally, Zu Ann, who presided over this location.
The assembly was complete.
