C1577 The Demon Lord Turned the Tables on Him

"Don't look at me; it didn't come from my end."

Atop Skyreach Peak, Zu Ann sat beside a pond formed by the Mirror of Fates, eyeing Han Miaoyuan with a stern expression. "The company's envoy vanished without a trace during a rift in the sky," he said gravely.

"It wasn't from Skyreach Peak?" Han Miaoyuan asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Fueled by a desire for vengeance after Ji Tianyu's death, he had concluded that the assailant was the creator of the Shadowkin, the corrupted Uxthar Tree. That's why he had sought out Zu Ann to hold him accountable.

The wall and the celestial canopy of the Everlands resonated subtly with him. He might overlook those fleeing into the Star River, but he would surely detect an alien presence like the Uxthar Tree arriving from the extraterrestrial heavens.

Convinced that Zu Ann had neglected his duties, he had come to confront him.

"It didn't come from this place," Zu Ann replied, shaking his head. After a moment's pause, he continued, "It must have been after the God-Kings Tianqi and Gui Xu hastily used the Domain Channel to return to the extraterrestrial realms and ventured into the Hellmouth. Ji Tianyu, having fallen into the Unbound Realm and overcome with despair, was particularly vulnerable to the Blightwood's natural suppression, leading to her swift demise..."

With a sigh, Zu Ann added, "By the time I noticed, it was already too late."

Han Miaoyuan fell silent.

He trusted Zu Ann's word. If Zu Ann was certain it wasn't from Skyreach Peak, then it must have originated from the Moonfall Sanctuary, connected to the Hellmouth.

Gui Xu and Tianqi had fled back to the extraterrestrial realms with urgency, and he was well aware of their motives.

Firstly, neither Gui Xu nor Tianqi belonged to the Moonfall Sanctuary, which was part of Boulderdawn's domain, guarded only by the Soulforge Matrix.

With the God-Kings absent, the Blightwood had indeed had the opportunity to slip in undetected.

"Is the tree still in the Everlands?" Han Miaoyuan inquired.

"If it's intentionally concealing itself and has the Origin Deity's protection, I'm afraid it will elude my sight. Only if it appears in Skyreach Mountain Range or the Marsh will the Ape and I be able to respond instantly," Zu Ann said with a grave look. After a moment of reflection, he added, "The Origin Deity's power has grown. The failure to create a spatial rift indicates he can now manipulate the space rules of the Everlands."

Han Miaoyuan's face fell.

"He must be aware of our discussions and decisions," Zu Ann expressed with concern. "Zhong Chichen, you must return to the Everlands posthaste. Ascend to godhood quickly and excise the two blights. If not, those adept in space magic will find their attempts to flee via spatial rifts thwarted by his influence."

"And even..."

Zu Ann paused before resuming, "Even the teleportation circles established in the Everlands could eventually fall under his sway!"

Han Miaoyuan's mood soured further at the revelation.

"Oh, and Youyu of the Bloodbrawlers, along with Xuanli, should be in the Domain Channel," Zu Ann mentioned.

"What are they up to?" Han Miaoyuan wondered.

As he was about to delve deeper, a troubling thought crossed his mind, and his expression darkened.

Whoosh!

His real body, bearing the Banner of Duality, gracefully emerged from Skyreach Peak, while his Lunar Spirit lingered behind.

"I'm not sure why Youyu and Xuanli have entered the Domain Channel. All I know is that Yan Qiling is with them. Perhaps they too wish to inspect the unstable Origin Gate within," Zu Ann shared his knowledge before asking with curiosity, "What occurred to you?"

"The moment Youyu leaves the Everlands, regardless of his destination, Tan Xiaotian will seize the opportunity to strike!" Han Miaoyuan's Lunar Spirit declared.

During his time in the extraterrestrial starry sky, following the Dark Phoenix's abrupt departure, Lin Daoke's pursuit, and Yuwen Hao's demise, he had a revealing conversation with Tan Xiaotian.

It was then that he discerned Tan Xiaotian's discontent with Youyu.

He was well-acquainted with Tan Xiaotian and fully aware that due to Zhu Zhenlin's death and the repercussions suffered by the Devil Palace, Tan Xiaotian would certainly not tolerate Youyu.

Youyu, being a God of Ghosts, maintained a tight bond with the Root of the Lunar Meridian. In the Everlands, any move Tan Xiaotian made against Youyu could mean confronting the Root of the Lunar Meridian itself.

However, should Youyu leave the Everlands, wherever he appeared, if his connection to the Root of the Lunar Meridian was severed or not consistently strong, Tan Xiaotian might seize the opportunity to strike!

"This is a complete mess," Zu Ann remarked with a sigh.

"I'll have my Lunar Spirit stationed here for the time being. Any odd occurrences you notice in the Everlands, report them to me immediately!" Han Miaoyuan declared with a grave tone. "The Origin Deity has taken action against the Everlands. Regardless of any arrangements you have with Boulderdawn, I need you to help me maintain control of the situation!"

"Especially now that Dark Phoenix and Lin Daoke are absent!"

Zu Ann nodded, responding simply, "Understood."

Hours later, atop Skyreach Peak, two individuals peered through the Mirror of Fates and observed tiny specks of black light emerging from the direction of the Skyreach Consortium's main base and the Serpent Spine Mountains.

These specks of black light, emanating from the chests of the Yu family members, were minuscule yet carried a pure darkness. They defied the sealing power of the Soulforge Matrix and descended upon the entrance of the Domain Channel.

"You truly understand him," Zu Ann said, shifting his gaze from the pond to Han Miaoyuan's Lunar Spirit. "Are you able to stop him now?"

"I must try to stop him, regardless!" Han Miaoyuan replied, his face a mask of fury. "Tan Xiaotian and Youyu cannot engage in battle now, not here, not within the inner reaches of the Domain Channel where the Origin Gate lies!"

Simultaneously, a declaration was made above the Moonfall Sanctuary:

"Han Miaoyuan of Ebon Star Sect requests an audience with your sect's leader!"

Brandishing the Banner of Duality, Han Miaoyuan stood resolute in the high heavens, announcing his name before leaping down without awaiting a response from anyone at Boulderdawn.

Whoosh!

A pillar of light, seemingly carrying all the divine force of the Everlands, shattered the purple and black soul barriers of the Soulforge Matrix.

With a puff, a breach formed in the matrix, allowing the Banner of Duality to pierce through.

"Tan Xiaotian, do not initiate combat within the Domain Channel!"

As the banner soared through the air, Han Miaoyuan had already reached the Domain Channel's entrance, only to find it filled with an inky darkness akin to thick black water.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Sudden, violent explosions echoed from within the channel, with gray-white lightning and the glimmer of Shadow Moon Essence splashing through the dark ink.

Han Miaoyuan's face turned a steely shade of gray as he watched the fine cracks, which seemed to burst forth from the depths of the darkness, then abruptly seal themselves.

He feared that the passage from the forbidden area to the Hellmouth would once again be sealed due to the clash between Tan Xiaotian and Youyu.

Tan Xiaotian was no Lin Daoke.

Except when united for the greater good of humanity, Tan Xiaotian was always defiant.

Not long ago, after the Dark Phoenix struck, it was Tan Xiaotian who directly joined the battle at the Sunlit Order.

This time, he had just arrived, ready to intervene...

Tan Xiaotian, seemingly unprepared, had chosen to commence the battle prematurely due to Han Miaoyuan's arrival. He even blocked the entrance, preventing entry.

"Tan Xiaotian! You..."

Han Miaoyuan fumed, stamping his foot, as if on the verge of spewing expletives, looking ready to charge in and flay the insubordinate rogue.

Jiang Miaojie, Hua Xin, and many of the Boulderdawn's younger generation watched his frustration, unsure of how to react.

Was this the leader of humanity in the Everlands?

...

The Marsh.

Upon discovering that Taishi had sustained grave injuries, Yu Yuan also found out about Ji Tianyu's death and Zhu Zhenlin's disappearance.

Moreover, both the Untamed and Tian Zang forbade him from leaving, confining him to the Marsh.

Boom!

Upon Han Miaoyuan shattering the Soulforge Matrix within the forbidden area, an immediate reaction surged through the Marsh.

While his real body remained hidden in the depths of the Marsh, his Solar Spirit was inside the Dragon Slaying Stage, working to refine the Kylin Heart.

With a slight tap into the power of the Dragon Slaying Stage, he could clearly see Han Miaoyuan at the entrance of the forbidden area, furiously stomping her feet and calling out Tan Xiaotian's name.

Jiang Miaojie, Hua Xin, and the new generation of Boulderdawn disciples were all visible to him from his vantage point.

He could even overhear their hushed conversations.

Thus, he was well aware of the unfolding events.

"Tan Xiaotian has clashed with Youyu in the Domain Channel leading to the Hellmouth, causing another blockage. The current situation inside is anyone's guess," Yu Yuan revealed the startling developments within the forbidden area.

The Marsh was in close proximity to the Moonfall Sanctuary, so when Han Miaoyuan announced his presence, the Untamed also became aware of the disturbance.

Yet, he didn't have the clarity of insight that Yu Yuan possessed. Upon hearing Yu Yuan's account, both the Untamed and Tian Zang were taken aback.

It was unforeseen that Tan Xiaotian would choose to ambush Youyu within the Domain Channel, deliberately preventing Han Miaoyuan from intervening and sealing off the entrance.

"Zu Ann just informed me that with Gui Xu and Tianqi gone, the Blightwood likely emerged, taking advantage of the absence of a God-King in the forbidden area. Moreover, the power of the Origin Deity has begun to permeate from within," he said.

The Untamed, rubbing his fuzzy forehead, shared Han Miaoyuan's headache.

"What's the status of the Kylin Heart?" he inquired abruptly.

"It's been fully refined. However, I'm still uncertain about mastering the breakthrough to the Unbound Stage," Yu Yuan admitted.

"With the Kylin Heart refined and your Solar Spirit being so unique, even the Dark Phoenix is at a loss. As for the breakthrough to the Unbound Stage, it's just a matter of finding something that resonates with the Dao. It could be the Dragon Slaying Stage or something else..." the Untamed pondered.

"I won't opt for the Dragon Slaying Stage," Yu Yuan stated firmly, shaking his head.

The Untamed was taken aback. "Why?"

At that moment, Tian Zang gazed intently at Yu Yuan, fully aware of the situation.

He understood that since Yu Yuan's first life was that of the Lunar Spirit God-King, and since his dominant soul remained intact, he was inherently a dragon slayer.

Thus, from the instant Yu Yuan's soul first set foot on the Dragon Slaying Stage, he became the sovereign of that realm.

Regardless of the circumstances, as long as his dominant soul endured, whenever he stepped onto the Dragon Slaying Stage, it signified a homecoming.

The Dragon Slaying Stage had long been an extension of himself, an integral element of his Dao Integration. With the new Way of Heaven, he could advance to the Unbound State without relying on the Dragon Slaying Stage.

With that in mind, Tian Zang spoke softly, "The Moonfall Sanctuary, correct? The Boulderdawn Sect needs you now, as does that sacred place."

Yu Yuan's frame shuddered as he acknowledged, "The forbidden area? Indeed... it's where my dream took root."

The legacy of the first Taiyin God-King and the third Yu Yuan, the brilliance of both lives, commenced at the Moonfall Sanctuary.

The Merging Dao Forbidden Area was beyond reproach.

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