C1596 The One Who Killed the Spinosaurus
After the human race's dominant soul evolved into a primordial spirit, it became a Primal Demon.
This was the lineage of Bertain!
Yu Yuan had never been told that the supreme beings of the human race from the Everlands, who dominated the Star River, had also become part of the Star-Spawned Terror.
They were Primal Demons, sharing the same roots as Bertain.
Yu Yuan's face registered utter astonishment.
"The exquisite Spirit Magic of Boulderdawn revolves around the soul, which is precisely our forte as Sky Fiends, isn't it? The Soulforge Matrix that Boulderdawn crafted in the Moonfall Sanctuary was so effective against the invading demons precisely because of you."
"Your enlightenment from my Spirit Magic allowed you and Boulderdawn to surpass others in understanding the soul."
Bertain's smile was tinged with mischief.
"Almost no one in the world can perceive this, because when I first guided you, you had no idea who I was. Initially, you saw only a soul sea, which was an extension of myself."
"Yet, when you sought to grasp the essence of Mind Magic from that soul sea, you were unaware that it wasn't the true soul sea."
"Only after you ascended to the level of supreme primordial spirit, and after joining forces with the young phoenix and the Bloodbrawlers, and after other pinnacle humans had been battling the Nagas for many years, did you finally get the chance to encounter the real soul sea."
"It was then that you sensed the difference and began to harbor doubts."
As the Demon God Bertain spoke with a smile, the fierce combat between the clans and archdemons raged on unabated.
Tens of thousands of fallen Otherkin warriors and the skeletal remains of archdemons continued their eternal struggle.
In reality, it was merely a collision of his dark will against another.
It seemed he was amusing himself with the bones scattered across this desolate battlefield out of sheer boredom.
"You've been here more than once. The last time we met, I voluntarily revealed the entire story to you, right here."
Bertain grew reflective, "Back then, you were already the renowned dragon slayer, the Taiyin God-King of Boulderdawn, with numerous accomplishments in the extraterrestrial Star River. You had also allied with the young phoenix and the mightiest warriors of the Sword Sect and Boulderdawn, engaging in several confrontations with me."
"At that time, you were regarded as the rising star most capable of threatening me in the Everlands," the Primal Demon said with a wry smile. "Had I not sensed the Origin Deity stirring, ready to emerge from the Abyss, and indeed needed the power of you and the Dragon Slaying Stage, I would not have been inclined to open up to you about the inner workings of the Everlands."
Yu Yuan remained silent for a long while before suddenly speaking up, "So, it was only after we severely wounded the Origin Deity that you chose to reveal the truth here? That the soul sea I first encountered was, in fact, you?"
"Correct," the tall elder with the red beard nodded earnestly. "I withheld the truth, fearing you might harbor doubts or even betray me. Yet, I miscalculated. After learning everything, you chose to trust me, and together we approached the Abyssal Gate."
"We nearly ended the newly emerged Origin Deity, who then spent tens of thousands of years recovering."
"Still, our overly intimate dealings did not go unnoticed. Both the young phoenix from the Everlands and Han Miaoyuan were convinced you had fallen under my spell, that I had lured you to the ranks of the Sky Fiend."
"Admittedly, many of your methods and strategies at the time were quite extreme."
"They bore a striking resemblance to my own approach..."
He explained to Yu Yuan that the collaboration between Dark Phoenix and Han Miaoyuan to strike a deadly blow against Boulderdawn was largely driven by their suspicion that Yu Yuan had been swayed by him, his spiritual wisdom subtly eroded, transforming him into a devoted follower.
"Young Phoenix..." Yu Yuan was taken aback.
"Oh, I neglected to clarify the origins for you," Bertain, the Primal Demon, said as he ran his fingers through his dense beard, his bloodshot eyes taking on a profound depth.
"The Titan Spinosaurus was the first to gain the favor deep within the Primal Blood Continent... Crafted by Primal Blood and imprinted with the full Secrets of Life, it became the embodiment of Primal Blood, an extension of its will, and the mightiest sovereign of the Star River."
He paused briefly, then blinked and gazed at Yu Yuan's chest, "You're aware of this, aren't you?"
Yu Yuan nodded silently, his expression revealing his surprise that the substance enveloped in the extreme cold at the very depths of the Primal Blood Continent was known as Primal Blood.
The source of all blood.
"I wasn't as fortunate as him. It took me much longer to encounter the Primal Soul in the Everlands. Though the Primal Demon Clan originates from the Everlands—our birthplace—by the time I perceived the Primal Soul and attempted to draw near, the Titan Spinosaurus had already established itself as the unrivaled sovereign," lamented the Demon God.
"What? The Primal Demon Clan are the original inhabitants of the Everlands?" Yu Yuan exclaimed in surprise.
"Why would that be surprising?" Bertain asked with a squint and a smile. "The heart of the Everlands once harbored the enigmatic Primal Soul. It's only natural for the Primal Demon Clan to have emerged from there, right? Besides us, numerous alien beasts also call the Everlands home."
"The young phoenix I mentioned..."
The Demon God paused for a brief moment, then with a casual flick of his finger, a purple phoenix materialized at the tip.
The purple phoenix perched on a tree branch, its eyes exuding a cold haughtiness mixed with a touch of vanity.
Back then, the Dark Phoenix lacked the transcendent aura of a creature above all others. Far from appearing majestic, it seemed awkward and ungracefully misshapen.
Observing the Dark Phoenix conjured by Bertain, Yu Yuan was reminded of Yu Zhu when she first transformed into human form—a dark, skinny, and clownish young girl.
He couldn't resist the amusing thought that perhaps the Dark Phoenix's fondness for Yu Zhu stemmed from their similar appearances. Was Yu Zhu's transformation into a human, retaining her childhood ugliness, somehow endearing to the Dark Phoenix?
Did the Dark Phoenix see a reflection of herself when she looked at Yu Zhu?
Moreover, the Dark Phoenix considered the secular bird her archenemy, determined to obliterate anything associated with it, like the Peacock Queen.
From the moment he met Her Majesty, whether in her human guise or as the secular bird, she was always the epitome of grace and unparalleled beauty, a stark contrast to the Dark Phoenix.
Perhaps, from their very first encounter, the Dark Phoenix envied the secular bird's stunning beauty.
Yu Yuan's expression grew increasingly peculiar the more he pondered the situation.
Beside him, Bertain coughed and remarked, "Your line of thinking isn't unfounded. Truth be told, we're on the same page. I too believe that the young phoenix was envious of the secular bird's beauty. Hence, after scheming to eliminate the secular bird, she subtly began to emulate its demeanor, making adjustments and changes in secret..."
Yu Yuan was momentarily taken aback.
Bertain could hear his inner thoughts and understand what he was contemplating, even going so far as to concur with his dark musings.
"Alright, let's get back to the matter at hand."
The Demon God, having delved into his thoughts without a hint of discomfort, deftly steered the conversation elsewhere, continuing, "The clash of the cosmic giant beasts has wreaked havoc on the entire cosmos, leaving too many Astral Domains in ruins. Once favored by the Primal Soul, I resolved to eliminate the cosmic giant beasts, putting an end to their reign over the Star River."
"Just as you once did, when you and the young phoenix joined forces to slay the golden dragon and dethroned the Nagas from the Everlands."
"It was I who, in the vastness of the stars, enticed a host of cosmic giant beasts, including the secular bird, to collectively hunt down the Titan Spinosaurus. The cosmic giant beasts' united front against the Titan Spinosaurus was orchestrated by me."
"And when it was gravely wounded, I was the one who disclosed that I was the catalyst for all that had transpired."
"Driven by rage and guided by my hand, it made a beeline for the Everlands."
"The Everlands is where I hail from, and it's the Primal Soul beneath its surface that has empowered me. Naturally, I chose it as the battlefield, for it is there that the Primal Soul resides."
"The Titan Spinosaurus, already grievously injured, eventually made its way here and then... I vanquished it, capitalizing on the advantages of time and place."
"It was I, Bertain, who orchestrated the demise of the Titan Spinosaurus, drawing the curtain on the era of the giant beasts' dominion over the stars."
"In its dying moments, it engaged in a dialogue with me, mentioning the Abyss for the first time."
"After it spoke, the complete Secrets of Life, derived from its Primal Blood and hidden within its heart, were ignited, reducing the Everlands to cinders. In its final act, it obliterated all the truths tied to life that were marked by the Primal Blood, and in doing so, it brought forth a certain miracle."
"That remains a miracle beyond my comprehension to this day."
"It perished, its blood spilling across the vastness of the Everlands."
"The lifeblood within its heart held the bloodline mysteries it had acquired or seized from other giant beasts. These secrets of the cosmic order were preserved within the lifeblood as bloodline chains. This lifeblood then dispersed across the mountains, lakes, glaciers, poisonous swamps, seas, and numerous flames of the Everlands."
"Years later, these remnants transformed into dragon whelps."
"The dragon blood that lacked bloodline mysteries was consumed by the native alien beasts after it descended. Though this blood was not the potent lifeblood and did not give rise to dragons, its consumption elevated the alien beasts' spiritual essence and broke through their latent potential."
"As a result, the alien beasts that ingested the dragon blood evolved into the unique Fellbeasts of the Everlands."
"This also meant that the alien beasts of the Everlands could eventually surpass the tenth level and ascend to become Dark Deities."
"As for humanity..." Bertain spoke with a grave tone. "Another portion of the dragon blood, undiscovered by the Everlands' alien beasts, lay concealed deep within the earth. It seemed to be awakened by the dispersed aura of the Primal Soul, igniting the soul fire."
"Humans came into existence because of this."
"Therefore, the Primal Demons and alien beasts are the true natives of the Everlands. The Nagas, born directly from it, and the humans are, in essence, foreigners."
"People are aware that it gave rise to the Titans and the Nagas, yet they are unaware that the human race also owes its existence to it."
"That's why, in the ancient times of the Everlands, human Emperors proclaimed themselves Sons of the True Dragon. During the Naga dominion over the Everlands, the royal families of human empires were even granted dragon blood by the Nagas."
"The Nagas are unique and powerful because of the bloodline chains naturally present in their hearts. Although humans are born of its blood and are its descendants, their hearts do not bear the naturally imprinted bloodline chains with the profound meanings of the cosmic order."
"Despite their frailty, humans are its true progeny. Hence, Loong Jie could effortlessly impregnate human women, leading to the birth of many exceptional beings like Loong Tianxiao."
"The alien beasts were inherently strong. Their power only increased after consuming dragon blood, allowing them to contend with the Nagas."
"Yet, the archdemons of today originated from those very alien beasts, transformed by the ingestion of dragon blood, not crafted by it."
"As the spinosaurus perished, its lifeblood, charged with the dense life force from the complete Secrets of Life due to its self-destruction, was consumed by the Otherkin. They are, at best, considered to have a diluted lineage, a chaotic and weak descent from it."
"The young phoenix is an anomaly. She failed to secure even a drop of the Titan Spinosaurus's dragon blood, yet she ingeniously unlocked the profound meaning of vital energy."
"To this day, she remains the sole alien beast among the creatures of the Everlands. She is still referred to as an alien beast, rather than a Fellbeast, because she forged an entirely new path when she did not acquire the dragon blood."
