C1603 The Dark Phoenix's Madness
In Kobran, Zhou Cangmin of the Ruby Hand, along with the venerable Unbound cultivator Zhang Guanyu, Faang Yao, Zhan Ruonan, and other distinguished members of their sect, stood in silent anticipation.
They awaited the arrival of the Moonfang Tiger.
Recently, they had been informed that the Astral Tiger from Shadow's Keep would personally visit Kobran to mend the damaged Starway under Ruby Hand's jurisdiction. With a guilty conscience, Zhou Cangmin had prematurely announced to the public that the Ruby Hand had already repaired and reopened the Starway.
Yet, the Astral Tiger, hastening from the Star River, remained undeterred in its approach.
Zhang Guanyu, too, had rushed from the Everlands via the Starway, relaying Sect Master Qin Luo's orders to handle the Astral Tiger's descent with caution and vigilance.
"Ah!"
Faang Yao, now in the late period of the Solar Spirit Stage, was a step behind Zhou Cangmin when he exclaimed in shock. The Ruby Hand cultivators looked on, their faces changing colors as they witnessed the transformation of Kobran's terrain.
"What's happening?" Zhang Guanyu whispered to himself.
From the shadowy, silent Star River emerged a formidable Moonfang Tiger, its presence like a towering, snow-white mountain on the move. Its demon energy, palpable and fierce, seemed to warp space and time, causing the cosmic energy to crackle and hiss as if being pushed aside by its immense power.
Following the Astral Tiger, a Thunderhawk spanning hundreds of acres with feathers crackling with electricity soared into view. Behind it, a fiery scarlet bull, as if engulfed in flames, panted heavily, exhaling unknown infernos.
Both the Thunderhawk and the scarlet bull were ninth-level Monster Lords, and trailing them were a host of eighth-level Fellbeasts.
Yet, it wasn't the sight of these formidable creatures that stunned Zhang Guanyu. Behind the Astral Tiger and the other archdemons of the Everlands, hundreds of alien beasts from extraterrestrial realms began to materialize. Predominantly of seventh and eighth-level bloodlines, the primal ferocity in their gaze far outshone any hint of sentience.
However, these alien beasts, which had never before had any dealings with the evilkind of the Everlands and were generally overlooked, were now behaving very obediently and submissively. It was as if they had become an integral part of the Demon Army.
"This..."
Zhou Cangmin was equally bewildered.
Historically, the evilkind of the Everlands had little regard for the alien beasts scattered throughout the cosmos.
For one thing, the alien beasts lacked the intelligence and spiritual awareness to assume human form at the seventh or eighth level.
Even ninth-level alien beasts like the Dire Bear, greylag, and the Abyssal Winged Lizard were unable to speak human languages and lacked the intelligence to match other sentient beings, leading the evilkind of the Everlands to consider them mere beasts.
None of the extraterrestrial alien beasts had the capability to ascend to a tenth-level bloodline, so they were often dismissed and undervalued.
The evilkind of the Everlands, on the other hand, almost all possessed the potential to challenge the Dark Deity, with the younger generation of demons displaying intelligence on par with humans.
In every aspect, the evilkind of the Everlands were deemed superior to the extraterrestrial alien beasts, which naturally instilled a sense of superiority in the archdemons.
When the evilkind and humans collaborated to expand their territories in the extraterrestrial realms, they typically ignored the less intellectually gifted alien beasts.
Even when alien beasts attempted to approach them, they were rebuffed and excluded.
But now...
Led by the Moonfang Tiger, along with two ninth-level Monster Lords and the eighth-level archdemons of the Everlands, they had actually welcomed the extraterrestrial alien beasts and integrated them into their ranks.
What was Shadow's Keep planning?
Had the Dark Phoenix made a mistake in judgment? Why had it suddenly shifted its stance and started to embrace the extraterrestrial alien beasts?
"While the alien beasts may lack the intelligence of tenth-level creatures, their sheer numbers and combat strength at a slightly lower level far surpass that of the Everlands' archdemons. After all, the Everlands cannot compare to the vastness of the Infinite Galaxy."
Zhou Cangmin's expression shifted subtly as he recalled the conversation with Yu Yuan and the Abyssal Leviathan, sparking new ideas in his mind.
With a whoosh, the majestic Moonfang Tiger signaled for the other monsters and alien beasts to halt as they neared Kobran. Transforming into human form, it descended with the weight of a mountain.
"Greetings, Lord Astral Tiger."
"Hello, Lord Astral Tiger."
The cultivators from the Ruby Hand sect greeted him respectfully, each offering their reverence.
For the past thousand years, the primary forces behind the Everlands' extraterrestrial conquests had been Zhu Zhenlin of the Devil Palace and the Astral Tiger from Shadow's Keep. The Astral Tiger would either be recuperating or, once healed, would resume its battles in the extraterrestrial realms. It was rumored that his last injury was from a battle with the Demon God Grec, prompting his return to the Everlands for recovery.
Now at the edge of the Dark Star, his presence suggested an impending event. Could it be...
"Kobran will soon be under the control of Shadow's Keep," the Astral Tiger declared without preamble. "Inform your sect master. Our archdemons will negotiate with you regarding compensation for the Ruby Hand."
After landing, the Astral Tiger wasted no time in getting straight to the point. It then turned to Zhou Cangmin and inquired, "Not long ago, did you witness the Abyssal Leviathan in combat with someone at the border of the Dark Star?"
Zhou Cangmin replied cautiously, "I did see it. The one fighting the Abyssal Leviathan appeared to be... Yu Yuan. However, due to the great distance and Yu Yuan manifesting his Divine Visage, I cannot be certain."
"Divine Visage?"
The Ruby Hand cultivators, along with the Thunderhawk and the fiery bull, were visibly taken aback. The Divine Visage indicated a breakthrough to the Unbound Realm, signifying a substantial increase in Yu Yuan's combat prowess.
"Alright, I understand," the Astral Tiger acknowledged, nodding without probing further. "The main forces of Shadow's Keep will be deployed to Kobran. Besides us, more alien beasts will be arriving. Someone has decided to soon initiate an offensive against the Blood Fiend in the Dark Star, aiming directly for the Primal Blood Continent."
"Ah!"
Zhou Cangmin, Zhang Guanyu, and Faang Yao gasped in surprise. The battle in the Dark Star had barely passed; why was Shadow's Keep preparing for another campaign already?
"This time, Shadow's Keep does not need to rely on the power of humanity," the Astral Tiger stated, its gaze profound. "As such, Shadow's Keep has requisitioned Kobran and this Starway. Upon your return to the Everlands, please inform the other factions that humans should temporarily refrain from arriving at Kobran."
Zhou Cangmin was utterly stunned by this revelation.
He realized that an event of monumental significance must have occurred, something that exceeded his understanding. He might need to return to the Everlands to consult with Sect Master Qin Luo and report to Han Miaoyuan.
"Understood, we will evacuate Kobran immediately," Zhou Cangmin declared with gravity.
...
In the Kuvrepros Astral Domain, a ninth-level Starbeast silently departed its nest, heading for Kobran, and proclaimed its allegiance to the Shadow's Keep of the Everlands!
Within the territory of the Shadowkin, the beast king of the Darkgold Beasts, leading a hundred of its kind, also made its way to Kobran.
Two ninth-level Abyssal Winged Lizards from the territories of the Silverscale Tribe and the Water Tribe appeared to have also journeyed to Kobran.
The Red Tiger King broke away from the Dawnbringers, explicitly informing Canli of the Dawnbringers that it would henceforth be loyal to the Dark Phoenix.
The Abyssal Crocodile savagely killed many of the Moonlit Wanderers, declaring its obedience solely to the Dark Phoenix.
...
Every day, the intelligent lifeforms from the myriad races across the vast expanse of stars received varied messages.
Suddenly, as if by some decree, the alien beasts scattered across innumerable Domain stars seemed to have an epiphany, one after another choosing to join the ranks of the Everlands' Shadow's Keep.
Shadow's Keep, which had traditionally ruled only a portion of the evilkind in the Everlands, was witnessing a change.
For years, the Dark Phoenix had maintained her domain within the Everlands, occasionally venturing out to hunt cosmic giant beasts or collaborating with the mightiest humans to fend off the Demon God Bertain.
No one could have anticipated that she, who had always been so averse to outsiders, would take such a drastic turn.
Following her command, alien beasts from beyond the stars rallied to her call.
In a remarkably short span, dozens of ninth-level alien beasts pledged their loyalty to her, with the numbers of eighth and seventh-level alien beasts too vast to estimate.
Shadow's Keep, due to the Dark Phoenix's shift in demeanor and her single command, began to welcome—or more accurately, amass—a variety of alien beasts, swiftly becoming the most formidable power throughout the entire Star River.
...
Ionodios.
Tianqi, the God-King, Reid the High Priest, along with Brie and Rebecca, were all stunned by the news.
They had all been intimidated by the Dark Phoenix.
