C1573 The Chaos of the Demon Phoenix

After infusing the core essence of the Divine Throne into the pristine lake, it was instantly drawn to Lvliu.

Yu Yuan observed the enigmatic essence energy gradually making its way toward Lvliu's colossal serpent form.

The Titan Spinosaurus, which had been loath to depart, finally settled down, its yearning and attachment fading away.

"Dragon Slayer."

Yu Yuan whispered to himself, feeling a vague memory stir deep within his primary soul, yet it was firmly repressed, forbidden from emerging.

This hazy recollection seemed linked to the essence of the Divine Throne, as though it was a matter of great importance and secrecy.

Piecing together Old Ape's words, he began to suspect that in his first life, he might have truly traversed the Geocentric Fire as a pure soul and witnessed that object firsthand.

At that moment, the deep azure Qilin Heart, carried by a stream of essence energy, slowly made its way toward the Dragon Slash Platform.

Inside the Dragon Slash Platform, Yang God Yu awaited with eager anticipation.

It was his Yang God that beckoned the Qilin Heart, intent on engulfing the vast blood energy within the Demon God's heart.

Yet, what was peculiar was...

He discovered that within the Qilin Heart, amidst the thick flesh and blood energy, not a single delicate Bloodline Crystal Chain could be found.

The instant the Dragon Slash Platform struck, the Bloodline Crystal Chain embodying the storm's law burst into fragments. Likewise, the inherent Demon God bloodline abilities meant to be etched within the Qilin Heart were destroyed.

With the fracture of the divine seat, all the marvels held within the Qilin Heart, along with the other mysteries he had discerned, vanished without a trace.

This was highly unusual.

For when Lin Daoke had slain Lee Sha with a single stroke, the drops of silver-like blood essence left behind still contained the subtleties of the moon that Lee Sha had mastered.

Yu Yuan, through the refinement of the Yang God, could still perceive the moon's intricacies, enabling the Yang God to replicate and wield the moon's divine powers.

If he chose, he could even employ Lee Sha's bloodline essence to transform the Yang God into a member of the Mondnacht Clan.

Yet, the multitude of Bloodline Crystal Chains that were supposed to exist within the Qilin Heart had also disintegrated with the collapse of the divine seat.

Thus, he turned once more to the Desolate God for enlightenment...

"It was effortlessly erased by the Demon Phoenix," the Desolate God grumbled, his Demonic Eye gazing towards the sky at the realm's barrier. "Even though she was in the starry sea beyond the Boundless Great World, the moment she sensed the shattering of the Storm Divine Crystal within the Qilin Heart, she obliterated not only the Bloodline Crystal Chains that Lee Sha had spent her life comprehending but also those she was born with."

"As a result, the Qilin Heart you now possess is saturated with potent blood energy, yet devoid of any Bloodline Dao Law."

"You're lucky you were in the Great Swamp and not elsewhere in the Boundless Great World. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to bring even that sphere of blood energy within the Qilin Heart to the Dragon Slash Platform for your Yang God Yu to consume."

The Desolate God continued, revealing more details, "Apart from integrating the essence of the Storm Divine Crystal into the Qilin Heart, she can erase or extract anything associated with blood energy or bloodlines with her power."

"In essence, she can meddle with anything in the Boundless Great World that's linked to the energy of blood."

"You might think of her as one of our Boundless Great World's Yang Meridians for a simpler analogy."

At this point, a mix of bitterness and resignation crossed the Desolate God's face.

"I wasn't around during the Nagas' golden age. I ascended to Demon God status after she, along with other formidable humans, toppled the Naga's reign. I know little of the Nagas' fall, but I'm well aware of the Divine Soul Sect's overthrow."

"When she struck at the Divine Soul Sect, I refused to exert any effort and instead slipped away to the Outland Star River."

"However, when she finally took action and began to demonstrate her power, I was horrified to discover that the blood energy within me was rapidly depleting."

"Can you imagine what that feels like?"

Old Ape's face contorted with rage, "Without so much as a warning, she could siphon your very essence if she chose to! It was at that moment I realized that in her eyes, whether it be me, the Qilin, or the Ancient God Golden Elephant, we were nothing more than her puppets."

"That's why I've spent years residing in the Great Swamp. As long as I'm there, she can't manipulate my blood energy at her whim."

Upon uttering these words, Yu Yuan gained a more concrete understanding of the Demon Phoenix in the Boundless Great World. The Demon Phoenix's presence there was somewhat akin to the origin of the Yang Meridians in the Origin Blood Continent. Astonishingly, she was capable of erasing the Bloodline Crystal Chain imprinted within the Qilin Heart after the Qilin's demise.

Had the Qilin not been in the Great Swamp, even the concentrated blood energy within its deep green heart might have been seized by her.

The Desolate God, having left the Great Swamp he had devotedly crafted, would similarly have his flesh and blood essence taken by the Demon Phoenix elsewhere.

Yu Yuan felt this scenario was reminiscent of the Blood Slave created by the Great Demon God Grec. When Grec dealt with Ann Ziqing, he seemed capable of extracting her vital energy at will for his own use.

However, the Blood Slave refined by the Great Demon God Grec was utterly subservient, devoid of its own intellect and will.

In contrast, the Desolate God could still muster resistance against the Demon Phoenix. Though likely futile, he retained his sense of self, allowing him to take precautions and prepare, rather than being a thoroughly subjugated blood puppet.

"Lvliu, Yu Zhu, Sky Tiger, any creature in the Boundless Great World with sufficiently rich flesh and blood energy—can she extract their vitality whenever she needs it, especially in times of peril?" Yu Yuan exclaimed in alarm.

"Mm."

The Desolate God spoke of this with a sense of helplessness. "Aside from the offspring of the Titan spinosaurus, like Ann Wen and Ann Ziqing, and individuals like yourself, any creature with intense flesh and blood energy is vulnerable to her extraction when necessary."

"Yu Zhu is somewhat unique, having seemingly grasped and refined a portion of the Great Demon God's blood energy. Perhaps, just perhaps, she might have a chance to escape the Demon Phoenix's grasp. Sky Tiger, Lvliu, and other formidable beings, including those from the Ancient Desolate Sect like Zhongli, and Tianqi from the Divine Soul Sect—the stronger their vital essence, the more susceptible they are to her influence."

The terror of the Demon Phoenix had left Yu Yuan shaken, as it suppressed the blood of all living creatures in the Boundless Great World.

Yu Yuan realized that his lifelong dedication to the path of life would inevitably lead to a fierce conflict with the Demon Phoenix if he continued to pursue breakthroughs.

...

High above, on the luminous moon.

Yue Mu, practicing the Heavenly Water Sword, hung his head in a series of dejected sighs.

Van Heqing emerged from the Crack Archipelago to inform him about Lvliu's bid to ascend to Demon God status.

Yue Mu's spirits plummeted. He sat silently in the Sword Sect's gleaming silver pavilion for hours on end.

"I never expected you to still harbor ambitions of reaching the pinnacle," Van Heqing remarked, eyeing the notoriously laid-back Great Sword Immortal. "With your talent, a bit more effort over the years could have seen you advance to the Late Period of the Unrestrained Stage. I assumed you had given up, knowing our Sword Sect has only two divine seats."

"Even if I seem indifferent, I still cling to hope," Yue Mu retorted with an eye roll. "Now that Lvliu has ascended, my hopes are dashed."

We both follow the Great Path of Water, but with Lvliu's ascension, my own path to divinity has been severed.

It would be odd if I were content.

"The Demon God isn't like our Primordial Spirit; he will eventually meet his end," Van Heqing offered consolingly.

"You're trying to encourage me, but that's hardly the way to do it. Old Fan, you're not exactly a master of persuasion. Talking to you might just be the death of me," Yue Mu grumbled, uninterested in further discussion. "Lvliu will die, sure, but without a divine seat, I'll die too!"

"Besides, you're well aware that unless we humans ascend to godhood, we can't match the Demon Race in longevity. In the Unrestrained Stage, living for a few thousand years is already an achievement. Yet, as a Ninth Level Demon King, Lvliu had a lifespan well over ten thousand years. Upon becoming a Demon God, his lifespan will extend even further, living tens of thousands of years is the norm."

"If I don't ascend, how can I possibly outlast Lvliu? By the time he dies of natural causes, I'll have perished countless times over!"

Yue Mu grew increasingly despondent the more he pondered the situation. Humans did indeed progress rapidly in their breakthroughs, holding a distinct advantage over the Demon Race in this regard. Yet, when it came to lifespan, even with advancements in their realm, humans fell short in comparison to the Demon Race. One could either ascend to godhood and attain immortality or remain at the Peak of the Unrestrained Stage like Zu Ann, struggling to surpass ten thousand years of life.

For a Ninth Level Demon King, living for tens of thousands of years was effortless, barring death in combat. Upon reaching the status of a Demon God, they could extend their lives by several more tens of thousands of years. Though not eternal, it was a longevity unattainable for human experts who had not achieved godhood.

Hence, without Lv Liu's demise, Yue Mu had no chance whatsoever.

"Why not try a different divine path?" Van Heqing offered.

"A different path? It's not that simple. You can't just change paths on a whim. Please, just go back to the Boundless Great World, return to the Crack Archipelago, and stop agitating me," Yue Mu replied, nearly choking on his frustration.

"My affinity is with water. If I were to change paths, I'd seek one that aligns with it. The only variation of water is ice. Are you suggesting I kill Senior Sister Ji and seize her divine path?"

"I'm not ready to die yet!"

Before Van Heqing could respond, Yue Mu unceremoniously ejected the Shattering Sword from his presence, unwilling to entertain any further absurd suggestions.

...

The Voodoo Cult.

Venomous insects fluttered through the valley like multicolored fireflies. Xuanli squinted as he observed the fusion of the Asura he had refined within the insects, witnessing their gradual transformation. He contemplated whether to collect a swarm of these insects to release into the nearby Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea.

Suddenly, Youyu appeared, gracefully coming to a halt before Xuanli. He watched the insects' mesmerizing dance and marveled at the extraordinary fusion of two souls. "You've certainly been busy," he remarked.

"Well, if it isn't Youyu, the Vast Expanse's first-ever Ghost King," Xuanli greeted with a hint of irony.

Xuanli gave him a sidelong glance and immediately launched into a biting sarcasm, "What brings you to grace us with your presence? It should've been me, Xuanli, visiting you in Horror Land long ago, shouldn't it? How about you head back, and I'll set off right away to your domain in Horror Land. Maybe I can persuade the Ghost King under your command to grant me an audience with you?"

"You haven't changed; you're as cutting as ever," Youyu responded, his gaze detached and devoid of any emotion.

He was well accustomed to Xuanli's icy barbs; they didn't faze him in the slightest.

He had no interest in engaging in a war of words with Xuanli, choosing instead to get straight to the point. "I was the one who killed Zhu Zhen, and this divine seat rightfully belongs to us, so I'm fairly confident in making arrangements. The individual from the Demon Palace also requires my power, and with Yu Zhu's unique abilities, ascending to godhood should be relatively straightforward."

"Moving forward, if I'm to secure a divine position for you, I'll need the Ghost Wizard Sect to earn its stripes. Only if we prove our worth to the Origin Realm will Han Miaoyuan and the person from the Demon Palace lend their support for the divine seat."

"My plan is to target the Origin Realm Gate, the Achilles' heel of the Origin Realm. That's where we can make our move," Youyu shared his strategy.

Xuanli paused for a moment before replying, "Speaking of the Origin Realm Gate, I just so happen to have a matter to discuss with you regarding that."

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