C1571 Three Gods Sinking

In the extraterrestrial realm, Taishi, seated atop the bronze coffin, stirred and abruptly announced, "Yuwen Hao is dead."

Yu Yuan, floating next to Chen Qinghuang in midair, was taken aback as he observed the Kylin, now reduced to the size of a lion. "That quickly?" he exclaimed.

Chen Qinghuang, donning her imperial crown, remained unmoved. Her gaze, from behind the beaded curtain, stayed fixed on the Kylin, sensing that the creature's harvestable flesh was dwindling.

The blood had long since been drained, leaving not a drop behind. Yet, within the Kylin's withered form, its heart persisted in beating; it had not succumbed to death.

"Loong Jie's ascension to God-King status caused a stir beyond anyone's imagination. It must have frightened Han Miaoyuan as well," Taishi mused. Despite being here, he was able to glean updates on his homeland's events through the vast networks of Gui Xu and the Skyreach Consortium. With a wry twist of his lips, he added, "After all, Han Miaoyuan has never witnessed such a divine spectacle among the Nagas in ancient times."

"Han Miaoyuan must have realized that if Loong Jie were to attain the pinnacle form of the golden dragon, neither Lin Daoke nor Tan Xiaotian might stand a chance against him. Yet, the Dark Phoenix claims that with a Youyu in her possession, she could slay Loong Jie in the Everlands, even at his most formidable," Taishi said, his brow creased with concern.

At that moment, the typically reticent Chen Qinghuang interjected, "She, along with an adept of Mind Magic, could indeed vanquish the returned Loong Jie within the Everlands."

Taishi's lips curled into a rueful smile at her assertion. "If you believe it can be done, then it surely can." He was acutely aware that the secular bird before him and the Dark Phoenix of the Everlands were sworn adversaries, intimately familiar with each other's capabilities. If Chen Qinghuang believed it to be true, it likely was.

"Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian have also sensed the dread Loong Jie inspires. Consequently, the gravely wounded Yuwen Hao, swayed by Han Miaoyuan, opted to shatter his own divinity," Taishi said, massaging his temples as a headache began to set in. "The somewhat simple-minded leader of the Sword Sect has already departed from the starry expanse beyond the Everlands. Judging by the path of his departure..."

"He seems to be heading our way."

Taishi, considering Lin Daoke's formidable power and unpredictable temperament, felt uncertain.

"What do you mean?" Yu Yuan inquired, puzzled.

"Ji Tianyu and Yuwen Hao have both shattered their divine seats, which surely infuriated him. Han Miaoyuan persuaded him to cease the assault on the Dark Phoenix, alongside Tan Xiaotian. Enraged, he stormed off to the extraterrestrial, likely to slay the Kylin," Taishi said, his face betraying an odd mix of emotions.

"Dark Phoenix didn't inform anyone that the Kylin was in peril?" Yu Yuan asked, taken aback.

"I don't believe so," Taishi nodded. "Because if Han Miaoyuan were aware of the Kylin's impending death, he would go to great lengths to protect Yuwen Hao. By keeping silent, Dark Phoenix forces Han Miaoyuan to prioritize resolving the Origin Gate of the Everlands, sacrificing Ji Tianyu and Yuwen Hao. As for the Kylin, that's a matter for another day."

"So, Dark Phoenix concealed the Kylin's distress, resolute in ensuring Yuwen Hao's demise?" Yu Yuan grasped the situation, then pressed on, "But how could Lin Daoke pinpoint the Kylin's location without knowing about it?"

"Ann Wen has been active in the neighboring Astral Domain," Taishi clarified.

"What's your plan moving forward?" Yu Yuan probed further.

"It's straightforward. With Ji Tianyu and Yuwen Hao gone, take the Kylin Heart back to the Godsblight Marsh. There, simply shatter the Kylin Heart on the Dragon Slaying Stage, and the primal energy of the Everlands will be released.

"Green Willow is already there, poised to harness that primal energy to challenge for the Dark Deity seat."

"And you will use the Solar Spirit to refine the Kylin Heart, drawing on its vast vital energy to strive for the Unbound Realm."

Taishi had his strategy well in hand.

"Rest assured, if the Untamed God learns of the Kylin's demise and a new divine seat emerges for Green Willow, he will undoubtedly lend his full support."

"With his dominion over the Godsblight Marsh, it's nearly impossible for anyone to thwart Green Willow's Path to Godhood."

"The only one who could possibly match him in a fight within the Godsblight Marsh would be the Dark Phoenix. Yet, since the one ascending to godhood is not a human but the orthodox ancient archdemon Green Willow, the Dark Phoenix is unlikely to intervene."

"Despite the Dark Phoenix's distaste for Green Willow, her decision to let him live and to confine him in Sword Prison instead of outright killing him shows that she greatly values his combat prowess."

"Don't underestimate Green Willow. Once he achieves godhood, he could surpass even the Kylin in strength."

"For the Dark Phoenix, the ancient evilkind of the Everlands, regardless of their dissatisfaction or hatred towards her, are allowed to exist as long as they are powerful enough to enhance her strength and provide significant benefits... She tolerates their presence."

"Take the Untamed, for example."

"An ancient evilkind that cannot be killed by her will only serve to make her stronger. If such a being remains loyal to her, then all the better. Even if not loyal, as long as they can provide her with a substantial amount of vital energy, she can tolerate them."

"Of course, if they were to side with her arch-enemy, that would be a different story altogether."

Taishi cast a glance at Chen Qinghuang.

The Empress let out a cold huff.

...

In the Everlands.

Shortly after the fiery clouds descended upon the Crimson Sun Empire, Han Miaoyuan emerged once again from the Banner of Duality.

Appearing somewhat weary, he sat down next to the banner and fixed his gaze on Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, saying, "I do not wish to see you take action against the Sunfire Emperor, killing him and taking the fiery clouds."

Qin Luo's expression turned rigid.

Fuming with intent, he had planned to visit the Crimson Sun Empire after the council concluded, to slay the Sunfire Emperor on the spot and seize the fiery clouds, delivering them both to Zhou Cangmin.

He was unconcerned with whether Zhou Cangmin would reproach him.

Now that the Sunfire Emperor had become Zhou Cangmin's adversary on the Way of Heaven, and with no one in the Sunlit Order to challenge him, he felt free to act on his impulses.

"Qin Luo, you should be aware that your seat among the gods and your place in the extraterrestrial sun were granted with my approval," Han Miaoyuan stated bluntly. "Within the Everlands, you cannot hide any of your actions from me. So let me reiterate, from the moment the fiery clouds merged with the Sunfire Emperor, he became a member of the Sunlit Order."

"Since Lee Tianxin and Yuwen Hao have passed away, the Sunlit Order has been relegated to a lower sect."

"I made a promise to Yuwen Hao to look after the Sunlit Order, so after his passing, the vacant sacred way is up for contention between Zhou Cangmin and the Sunfire Emperor."

"I won't allow you, Qin Luo, to get involved!"

He harbored some guilt deep within, and he was determined to fulfill Yuwen Hao's request.

He certainly had the capability.

The Sunfire Emperor's level, aptitude, and understanding of the Way of Heavenly Fire were originally inferior to Zhou Cangmin's.

But with the integration of the fiery cloud, Yuwen Hao unselfishly imparted all the esoteric knowledge of the Heavenly Fire Sacred Way to the Sunfire Emperor, giving the ruler of the Crimson Sun Empire the potential to surpass his predecessor.

Han Miaoyuan planned to have him renounce his imperial title and join the Sunlit Order as a disciple of Yuwen Hao.

In the future, he would become Zhou Cangmin's most formidable and powerful rival on the Way of Heaven.

"If that's your stance, I have no choice but to heed your advice," Qin Luo reluctantly conceded. "The Hellbreed of my sect possesses far greater talent than the Sunfire Emperor. Even with the fiery cloud, his victory is not guaranteed. Besides, as you're aware, it was he who expanded the borders of the Crimson Sun Empire in his role as the state preceptor."

"The military achievements were all his doing; the Sunfire Emperor's personal strength is not particularly remarkable."

With those words, Qin Luo transformed into a fierce ray of sunlight, piercing through the barrier of the Skyreach Peak and shooting off into the extraterrestrial realm.

Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian had yet to return, and with Ji Tianyu and Yuwen Hao's divine positions shattered, he was aware that the far-reaching council was drawing to a close.

With no further business there and feeling slightly disgruntled, he returned to the extraterrestrial. He was eager to inquire about the recent events from those in the outer realms.

"That settles it then. I'll inform the outside world that Zhong Chichen should return to the Everlands promptly," Han Miaoyuan said with a sigh, turning to Zu Ann. "You should also be ready. Once Zhong Chichen ascends to godhood, our first order of business will be to address the Origin Gate behind us. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to oversee things for the time being."

Ji Tianyu shattered her divine throne, and under her persuasion, Yuwen Hao did the same when he was gravely injured. Yuwen Hao perished instantly.

Throughout his life, Yuwen Hao had been nurtured and protected by her, receiving crucial assistance at pivotal moments. It was her support that allowed him to avert danger, ascend to the position of sect master of the Sunlit Order, and achieve godhood through the Path of the Skyfire. Even Yuwen Hao's divine throne was procured by her efforts. Yet, it was also her hand that had recently brought about his downfall.

The situation was akin to painstakingly constructing a grand castle from numerous building blocks, only to demolish it because the blocks were needed elsewhere. At this moment, she felt a pang of discomfort, so with a casual wave of her hand, she stepped into the Banner of Duality.

The Banner of Duality soared away, vanishing from the Skyreach Peak without a trace.

"I need to speak with Xuanli," Youyu announced, rising to his feet and notifying Yu Yuan before drifting off.

"Watch out for Tan Xiaotian," Yu Yuan called out.

"Understood," Youyu replied, already beyond the Skyreach Peak.

Now, only Zu Ann, Yu Yuan, the Astral Tiger, and the Untamed remained.

"I shall return to the Shadow's Keep," declared the Moonfang Tiger. With the proceedings concluded and the council disbanded, it bowed respectfully to the Ape and departed without a backward glance. The Ape had been a steadfast ally, fiercely defending him when it mattered most, and for that, he was deeply appreciative.

"Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, and those like Mo Baichuan who have departed are unlikely to return," the Ape said with a toothy smile. He understood that the departure of the Banner of Duality signified the end of the council. "Alas, it's regrettable that the Kylin has slipped away into the extraterrestrial realm," he mused, just as his form shuddered slightly.

Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit phantom swayed gently as well...

In a flash, a series of memories unfolded within his Lunar Spirit, transforming into tiny sparks before integrating into the depths of his soul.

Zu Ann, clutching the Mirror of Fates, suddenly showed a look of astonishment. Through the subtle movements of Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit, he glimpsed fleeting images: the graceful green bird navigating the Star River, the silhouette of the Kylin, and the bronze coffin emerging from beneath the earth's fissures.

At that moment, Yu Yuan's real body and Solar Spirit, carrying the Dragon Slaying Stage and the Kylin Heart, materialized in the Nest of Perdition.

Upon his return to the Everlands, his Lunar Spirit and real body instantly reestablished their connection, and all his experiences outside the Everlands were seamlessly imprinted onto his Lunar Spirit.

Zu Ann, the sovereign of this realm, peered into the Mirror of Fates and glimpsed a few things.

The appearance of the Kylin Heart in the Godsblight Marsh did not go unnoticed by the Untamed, the ruler of that domain.

Consequently, both Zu Ann and the Untamed surmised what had transpired.

——The Kylin had met its end!

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