C1567 A Pie Falling from the Sky
At the Ascension Mountain Range, Yu Yuan, Youyu, Zu Ann, and their companions sat in silent anticipation, awaiting the outcome of the celestial battle and Han Miaoyuan's pivotal decision.
Following the alliance between the Desolate God and the Sky Tiger, the two Demon Gods fell silent.
"Bai..." Yu Yuan's expression was one of mild astonishment. After departing from the side of Zu Ann and Youyu, he approached Mo Baichuan. "What's the matter with you?"
Mo Baichuan, present in his true form, was flushed and shaking violently.
The group understood his distress and recognized his frustration. When the Demon Phoenix struck at Yuwen Hao, Mo Baichuan was powerless to intervene.
Despite the efforts of Tan Xiaotian and Lin Daoke, Han Miaoyuan's resolve seemed to waver once more after Sky Tiger's threat involving Loong Jie's deification.
While everyone empathized with Mo Baichuan's emotional state, his current condition appeared to stem from more than just his feelings.
"Hehe," chuckled Qin Luo of the Red Devil Sect, casting a knowing glance at Mo Baichuan. "Mo Baichuan, your Yin God and true self are here, but your Yang God... has it ventured to the heart of the earth, embarking on the trial?"
At his words, those familiar with the Geocentric Fire, including Zu Ann, showed a flicker of realization in their eyes.
Zu Ann let out a soft sigh, gazing at Mo Baichuan. "Was it necessary?" he asked.
Yu Yuan turned his attention to him.
Zu Ann elaborated, "The Geocentric Fire from the Land of Vast Expanse requires constant suppression by Frost Energy drawn from seven frigid Starfields. This ferocious blaze surpasses any Heavenly Fire or even the Sun in its intensity. To date, no one has deciphered its secrets, nor has anyone ascended to godhood through it."
"However, if someone were indeed capable of ascending to the highest echelons with the Geocentric Fire..."
Zu Ann paused, then continued, "The result would be unimaginably formidable."
With a detached tone, Youyu remarked, "Not even the ancient flame dragon could fathom the Geocentric Fire, let alone dare to traverse it."
Yu Yuan instantly grasped the situation.
"Bai, this path is fraught with danger, and there's no precedent for success. Don't act on impulse!"
Yu Yuan's Yin God leaned in close to Mo Baichuan, his voice grave, "If Yuwen Hao perishes, his divine path will be vacant. You could actually ascend to the highest divine position with ease via this path."
Upon hearing this, Qin Luo of the Red Devil Sect grew restless and let out a light snort, "Yu Yuan, if Yuwen Hao dies, Zhou Cangmin will be poised to ascend to godhood."
Qin Luo's mention of Zhou Cangmin served as a caution to Yu Yuan not to meddle thoughtlessly.
"There's room for fair competition," Yu Yuan declared.
Mo Baichuan's frame shook violently, as if billows of thick smoke were escaping from his Yellow Court Little World.
His face twisted in agony, his body slick with sweat, as though he were enduring the scorch of intense flames.
This was because his Yang God had merely grazed the outermost fringe of the Geocentric Fire...
The connection between the Yang God and his physical form, particularly through the nine fiery channels of his Yellow Court Little World, meant his true form was also impacted.
If his physical form was in such a state, it indicated that the Yang God, directly confronting the Geocentric Fire, was in a torment magnified manyfold.
His expression of pain allowed onlookers to surmise the extreme distress his Yang God must be enduring...
"I'd rather meet my end on this uncharted Divine Path."
With those words, Mo Baichuan cast a glance at the Profound Dao Flag standing at the edge of the deep valley before it abruptly shot into the heavens.
He had not heeded Han Miaoyuan's command, nor had he informed Zu Ann, choosing instead to break away from the Ascension Mountain Range on his own.
Unable to bear the ferocity of the Geocentric Fire, he had attended the council in his true physical form.
Meanwhile, his Yang God lingered at a juncture leading to the Geocentric Fire, biding time and experiencing the fierce periphery without rushing forward.
Following the Demon Phoenix's assault on Yuwen Hao within the Primordial Yang Sect, Mo Baichuan, tormented by the reactions of those around him, made his resolve.
Fusing his spiritual power with his soul, the crystalline Yang God made direct contact with the Geocentric Fire!
He began at the very periphery.
Whether Yuwen Hao was dead or alive, his resolve to pursue the Dao remained unaltered. He renounced the Great Dao of Fire, aspiring instead to ascend to godhood through the mighty Geocentric Fire.
But what of it, even if Yuwen Hao's divine path led to ascension?
Would he still not be powerless against the Demon Phoenix?
Since Yuwen Hao's divine path offered no promise of future vengeance, and in times of peril within the Vast Expanse, he would either be hunted by beings like the Demon Phoenix or cast aside by Han Miaoyuan, just as Ji Tianyu was...
Mo Baichuan, having left the Ascension Mountain Range behind, shook his head with unprecedented resolve.
"He's gone, just like that?"
Qin Luo was taken aback.
"Regardless of the outcome, his decision commands my respect," remarked the Old Ape, his Demonic Eye reflecting admiration. "The odds of success are slim, yet he's aware that following Yuwen Hao's path won't allow him to stand against the Demon Phoenix. His only chance to revive the Primordial Yang Sect's glory in the future is to forge a divine path with the Geocentric Fire."
With Lee Tianxin gone, and possibly Yuwen Hao too, the once supreme Primordial Yang Sect could plummet to the status of a lower sect.
Without carving out a powerful enough divine path, Mo Baichuan understood that his thirst for vengeance would remain unquenched.
He refused to one day be discarded by Han Miaoyuan, like Yuwen Hao, Ji Tianyu, and others, at some critical juncture.
"Paths are made by those who walk them. Initially, those who ventured into the sun were incinerated, yet now, isn't it a freely traversed divine path?" Zu Ann turned to Qin Luo.
Choosing to enter the Ascension Mountain Range to safeguard the land, he gazed at the Origin Realm Gate behind him and said, "I may not know Mo Baichuan well, nor do we have much of a connection, but I sincerely hope he succeeds."
"I share that hope," declared the Desolate God.
Yu Yuan nodded, his emotions tangled.
He understood that if Mo Baichuan truly succeeded, and could ascend to godhood with the Geocentric Fire, no one would dare risk losing him.
Because he might ignite the Geocentric Fire, turning the vast ocean into nothing but ashes and scorched earth.
Should Yuwen Hao ascend to godhood, Han Miaoyuan and the Demon Phoenix wouldn't dare entertain any thoughts, let alone make a move against him.
Moreover, if Mo Baichuan truly forged a new divine path with this power, he might suppress the Geocentric Fire momentarily during an unforeseen event at the Cold Abyss Entrance.
"Perhaps we'll never see him again," Qin Luo remarked nonchalantly.
"If we do see him again, he should have gleaned some insights on the path of the Geocentric Fire. Naturally, that's hardly sufficient. He must survive. As long as he continues to live and progressively approaches the true Geocentric Fire, there's hope for him," the Desolate God expressed with anticipation.
...
On Dragon Island, deep within the sea, Loong Jie's golden dragon form glistened like a golden fortress on the beach.
He, too, gazed skyward, pondering why Tan Xiaotian, Lin Daoke, the Demon Phoenix, and Yuwen Hao had abruptly engaged in battle.
As the Nagas were consistently marginalized, he was out of the loop with no news.
The five supreme powers and the Babel Chamber of Commerce had previously disregarded the Nagas...
That was until Yu Yuan returned from beyond the heavens and made a sudden appearance on Dragon Island.
Loong Jie, witnessing the Spinosaurus Titan within the Dragon Slash Platform, understood why the balance that restrained the Nagas had shattered, and he felt a renewed sense of significance.
In that moment, Loong Jie's fighting spirit was reignited, and his dragon blood surged with fervor!
The emergence of Lin Daoke forced him to confront reality, making him realize that even with a vacant divine seat, it wouldn't be his turn.
Gradually, Loong Jie ceased to harbor many illusions. Aware that a significant event was unfolding as the Vast Expanse Holy Man battled fiercely beyond the heavens, he became indifferent.
After all, the advantages would never come his way...
Splash!
Before Loong Jie, a delicate figure stood on a crystal-clear orb, suddenly leaping from the sea.
And Loong Jie had not perceived her presence beforehand.
With his power, it was inconceivable for someone to approach him undetected, especially at such close range. Yet, as he squinted to identify the figure within the crystal ball, the reason for this anomaly became clear to him. The President of the Babel Chamber of Commerce had arrived, bringing a treasure with him. It was no surprise then that he had managed to evade detection and appear without any prior indication.
"President Shi graces us with her presence. Dragon Island is truly honored by your visit," Loong Jie remarked, his tone neutral as he observed the crystal ball that had settled on the beach, showing no inclination to assume human form.
"I've brought a gift, as well as some good news," Shi Jing'er said, her beautiful face adorned with a modest smile. As the crystal ball came to a halt, she stepped out gracefully and placed a bright yellow Universe Ring beneath Loong Jie's massive golden dragon head. She then quickly retreated back into the crystal ball, seemingly reluctant to draw attention to herself.
Loong Jie's gaze fell upon the Universe Ring, and it levitated into the air. The small ring perched on his nose, appearing as nothing more than an inconspicuous speck. His soul consciousness penetrated the ring, revealing vials of blood from various beings, including the Silver Scale Clan, Asura Clan, and numerous alien beasts—nearly all of them containing ninth-level blood essence. Among them, a vial of striking golden blood stood out, its potent life force causing even Loong Jie to look surprised. "Golden Asura blood? That must be Alonso's," he surmised, and Shi Jing'er confirmed with a nod.
"Why would President Lyi prepare a divine seat for himself only to offer it to me?" Loong Jie mused, perplexed. He snorted dismissively, "He's always been wary of me. Why the sudden generosity?"
Shi Jing'er was forthright in her response, "Because you're on the verge of ascending to Dragon God."
Despite her clear attempt to ingratiate herself, Shi Jing'er's candor and ease made it difficult not to warm to her. "Me?" Loong Jie finally stirred on the beach. Having had his spirit dampened once by Lin Daoke, he was skeptical of such unexpected fortunes. "Please, no jokes."
"I am Shi Jing'er, and I've come here in person. Do you really think I would jest about such a matter?" she replied.
Loong Jie's form quivered, his body crackling with dazzling golden electricity as he swiftly transformed into his human shape. Gasping for breath, he clutched the Universe Ring tightly and fixed his gaze on Shi Jing'er, demanding, "Who? Who has secured this divine position for me?"
"Space-time Dragon, Zhong Chichen," Shi Jing'er sighed inwardly as she gazed into the intense eyes of the Golden Dragon. "The celestial battle was fought to secure a divine seat for you. Ji Tianyu will also relinquish her powers and shatter her own divine seat to make way for Zhong Chichen."
Loong Jie, feeling as though a windfall had just dropped from the heavens, was thunderstruck by this astonishing news.
"How can this be? How is this even possible?" Loong Jie repeated in disbelief.
Shi Jing'er offered no further explanation, knowing that it wouldn't be long before Loong Jie grasped the full extent of what had transpired.
She had come forward to congratulate him and present a generous gift because she had received a communique from President Lyi.
Understanding that Loong Jie's ascension to divinity was now inevitable, she knew that President Lyi's current hope was to pray that once Loong Jie attained godhood, he would not turn his formidable dragon horn against him.
