C1558 The Boldness of the Human Leader!

If creatures akin to the Origin Deity were to exist in large numbers, what would the consequences be if they all broke through the Abyssal Gate? Everyone gathered here was at the pinnacle of their power within the Everlands, and each was a notable figure within the vast expanse of the Star River.

Yet, despite their stature, the mere thought of such an event weighed heavily on their minds. The arrival of an Origin Deity, a being on par with a Demon God, had already proven to be a headache for the Great Demon God Bertain. Everyone was well aware of who Bertain was and the significance of his role.

The influx of many such beings would undoubtedly herald a cataclysmic disaster, one that even Bertain might be powerless to prevent.

"Go on, tell us."

The Ape, puffing on his pipe, had already turned his head, squinting at Yu Yuan with keen interest. The others followed suit, their gazes fixed on Yu Yuan with equal curiosity.

They all wondered how Yu Yuan had managed to reach the Abyssal Gate. How had he escaped the clutches of the Origin Deity? What had he witnessed within the Abyss?

"My experience went like this..." Yu Yuan began, his demeanor calm and composed as he retold his tale.

As he spoke, it was as if he were reliving the harrowing encounter with the Origin Deity once more. Han Miaoyuan had informed him that he and the Great Demon God Bertain had once severely wounded the Origin Deity. Reflecting on that experience now, Yu Yuan felt a different insight.

The Origin Deity had indeed tried to corrupt Diggs, aiming to turn him into a servant like the Voidweaver and the Blightwood. At the pivotal moment, the colossal phantom within the depths of his dominant soul emerged, unleashing the full power of the Dragon Slaying Stage.

In that instant, the Origin Deity must have realized Yu Yuan's true identity and origins! With the Dragon Slaying Stage ablaze with energy, the Origin Deity might have felt even more fear and unease than Yu Yuan himself.

Perhaps the Origin Deity suspected that Yu Yuan, in his first life, had once again allied with the Great Demon God Bertain, plotting to use the Spirit World to plot his downfall. Knowing who Yu Yuan was, the Origin Deity, filled with trepidation, hastily concluded the uneven battle.

Having previously suffered a significant defeat, resulting in millennia of silence, he was not eager for a repeat. Thus, upon recognizing Yu Yuan, the Origin Deity weighed his options briefly before choosing to swiftly bring the battle to an end.

Moreover, the Origin Deity, unclear about the situation, likely commanded the Voidweavers to make a swift retreat.

He feared that the Great Demon God Bertain might be en route, anxious to avoid falling into the same trap once more.

Thus, he was able to slip away with ease through the Abyssal Gate and return to the real world, a place now reduced to nothingness.

It was only today that Yu Yuan finally managed to clear his thoughts.

"Beneath the Abyssal Gate lies an endless darkness. Ha, ha."

From within the shroud of darkness enveloping Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian, a deep and hearty laugh resonated.

This formidable demon, who had once reigned over the Star River, had been silent until now, when he suddenly burst forth with a vibrant fighting spirit, "If it is truly endless darkness, then perhaps I am even more suited than the Great Demon God Bertain to delve into the Abyss!"

Upon hearing this, everyone paused to consider his words, and not a single voice raised in doubt.

Even Han Miaoyuan appeared contemplative.

He had never reached the Abyssal Gate, nor did he understand the powers within the Abyss. But upon hearing Yu Yuan's account, and knowing that the Abyss was a realm of boundless darkness, he found himself trusting in Tan Xiaotian's assessment, deeming the Demon Lord's statement to be plausible.

In terms of combat prowess, Tan Xiaotian was still no match for Demon God Bertain.

Yet, if the Abyss truly brimmed with dense, unending darkness, once Tan Xiaotian fully grasped all the darkness-related rules of the Star River, he might indeed stand a chance of venturing into the Abyss.

Of course, whether he could survive such an expedition was another matter entirely.

"Yu Yuan mentioned he could sense immense beings within the Abyss, relentlessly battering against the Abyssal Gate, evidently eager to break free," the Untamed God said, taking a hefty drag from his pipe. "Perhaps they are beings of the Abyss comparable to the Origin Deity."

"However..."

He looked up at Han Miaoyuan, who was within the Banner of Duality, "The Origin Deity just happened to master the power of space, giving him an edge in that regard. It's akin to how, in our world, beings like the Voidweaver, Rovi, and the Chronowyrm are better equipped to explore the Maw of Oblivion."

"However, the Voidweaver, Rovi, and even the Chronowyrm were not the most formidable beings in our realm."

"The title belongs to the Great Demon God, Bertain."

"It's possible that the Origin Deity isn't the mightiest among the denizens of the Abyss."

"Should the Abyssal Gate shatter, no one can foresee the outcome. We're in the dark about what we'll be up against. I suspect that the Great Demon God, Bertain, permitted the rise of the Everlands, sensing the threat from the abyssal creatures. He seemed pleased to watch the Everlands become the cosmic hub."

"The Everlands' relentless exploration and invasion of extraterrestrial space, driven by a thirst for new divine domains, compels every intelligent species out there to grow stronger."

"Without sufficient strength, one has no right to exist in the Star River beyond our world. Destruction is the inevitable outcome."

"Just like..."

The Untamed God's voice trailed off as he looked at Tan Xiaotian from the Land of Quiescence, Qin Luo, the Astral Tiger, and Lin Daoke from the Land of Euwrea, and said, "Just as within our Everlands, Euwrea and Quiescence are in constant competition, battling ceaselessly to forge more champions to clash with the Otherkin in the extraterrestrial realms."

"That's a valid point." Han Miaoyuan nodded in agreement.

The rest cast admiring glances at the venerable Ape, impressed by his insight into the Great Demon God Bertain's mindset. He understood that Bertain had always been wary of the Abyss, hence his contentment with the ascent of the Everlands.

Perhaps, at critical moments, he might even stoke the flames from the shadows...

He fueled the fire to burn brighter, letting the ambitions of the Everlands hasten the rapid transformation of its peoples.

He took pleasure in the emergence of more powerhouses like Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian.

In such a scenario, should the worst day arrive and the Abyssal Gate crumble completely, unleashing a flood of abyssal creatures, the stalwart champions of the Everlands would not be without the strength to fight.

"I suddenly realize..."

Zu Ann shuddered, casting an enigmatic look towards the valley behind the Banner of Duality. "Perhaps, the Great Demon God, Bertain, experienced emotions akin to mine while standing before the Abyssal Gate."

"Of course, his perspective is much higher, and his insight far deeper than mine."

"I'm concerned about the Origin Deity and the possibility of the Origin Gate transforming into the Maw of Oblivion. I fear that the Everlands will be consumed, that the Origin Deity will obliterate everything we've built."

"His concern likely isn't the Origin Deity, but rather all the beings from the Abyss!"

"He's on guard against the creatures of the Abyss breaking through, obliterating our entire Star River, eradicating all intelligent life, and reducing our Astral Domains to nothingness."

After listening to Zu Ann, everyone reflected deeply and began to regard the elder patriarch of the Sky Fiend Clan with newfound respect.

As the most formidable presence in the cosmos, the Demon God Bertain's vision surely extended beyond internal affairs.

He had voluntarily taken on the critical duty of preventing the Abyssal creatures from breaking free.

For this, he must have silently undertaken many actions to safeguard this section of the Star River for countless years.

He might have even played a role in the flourishing of the Human Race in the Everlands.

"We must eliminate this malignancy swiftly."

Han Miaoyuan picked up the conversation, "If the Origin Gate behind me isn't dealt with promptly, as that entity's power continues to grow, it could directly transform the Origin Gate into the Maw of Oblivion. Moreover, I'm convinced he's already targeting the Everlands as his next prize, especially since the Wintermaw Entrance overseen by Shadow's Keep was compromised by his followers."

"To counteract the Earthfire, we need at least five Wintermaw mouths simultaneously drawing in the ice power."

"The Origin Deity must be aware of this, which is why he's destroying the Wintermaw while simultaneously empowering the Origin Gate."

"His goal is to seize everything we have in the Everlands and engulf us completely."

"Now, I'll present my first proposal."

Han Miaoyuan called out calmly.

Everyone sat attentively, setting aside all distractions, eager to hear the influential human leader's insights on how to address the problematic Origin Gate.

"Based on all the intelligence I've gathered, to dismantle the Origin Gate that's been established on the Cosmic Order of the Everlands, we need someone adept in space magic who has also ascended to godhood. This individual's resolve and willpower must be exceptionally strong to avoid succumbing to the Origin Deity and becoming one of his followers."

"So, our primary task is to ensure that such an individual emerges in the Everlands as quickly as possible."

"As for the divine seat, Palace Master Tan may have secured another in the Star River beyond our world. Yet, it will be some time before it becomes a complete godhood."

"I want to state upfront that regardless of whether a new seat materializes, should someone with the qualifications to ascend to godhood appear, Ji Tianyu of Ebon Star will vacate her divine seat to make way for their ascension."

Han Miaoyuan spoke with a detached tone.

Yu Yuan, like the other powerful figures present, was taken aback and fixed his gaze on Han Miaoyuan.

The Way of Heaven is heartless.

The sect master of Ebon Star, in his quest to swiftly address the threat, had coldly and boldly chosen to sacrifice the highest-ranking expert of his own sect!

He truly deserved to be the leader of humanity; once he set a course, he followed through with unwavering determination.

"Ji Tianyu has only recently ascended to the Supreme God status, and her lifespan is far from its peak. Even if she relinquishes her godhood, she can continue to live. She is far luckier than Gu Xingkui."

Han Miaoyuan's tone was nonchalant when he spoke of her, as if the turnover of a Supreme God seat was no great matter.

"Of course, we'll need to compensate for our sacrifices later. That's a discussion for another time."

"At present, in the Everlands, the one who could ascend to godhood swiftly through mastery of the Space Way is Yan Qiling of the Skyreach Consortium, but without a corporeal body, she's automatically out of the running."

"If any of you have other candidates in mind, regardless of their faction, moral alignment, or past transgressions, feel free to nominate them."

"Anyone from the Everlands is eligible, provided they haven't been ensnared by the Origin Deity like Pei Yuling."

He appeared to be soliciting everyone's input...

Yet, after only a few seconds, he spoke again: "I have someone in mind who I believe is the most fitting."

The crowd watched him in silence.

Han Miaoyuan declared, "The former Seven-Colored Dragon, now the Sect Master of the Order of Healing — Zhong Chichen."

...