C1608 How to Explain It?
Mitts' face held a trace of concern as she watched Yu Yuan closely follow behind Reid, who had just emerged from Ionodios. Upon landing on the warship's deck, Reid greeted them with a smile and shared that Taishi had predicted Wei Zhuo's deification, with the Demon God Bertain lurking in the background. And indeed, he had openly acknowledged it.
The abruptness of Wei Zhuo's rise to godhood was peculiar and startling. The elder powerhouses were aware of a secret Lightning Sanctuary deep within the Star River, zealously guarded by the Sky Fiend Clan, off-limits to all. Wei Zhuo, not yet at the pinnacle of ascension, had not only achieved godhood but also crafted his divine seat with astonishing rapidity. The Thunder Pool had even evolved into a Divine Artifact. It was difficult not to speculate whether this miracle was aided by the sealed lightning realm of Bertain.
"Taishi isn't foolish, and Yu Yuan has only recently met with the ancient chieftain," Reid remarked from beneath his dark cloak. He turned to the watchful ninth-level Demon Gods beside him, "Show Yu Yuan the respect he deserves. Furthermore, we'll need his help to confront the Origin Deity. The old patriarch has everything arranged; our duty is simply to follow his lead."
A surge of dark energy erupted from within the cloak, revealing the true form of a tall, elderly man with creased skin, who drew his cloak tighter around him. It transformed into a black robe with golden trim, snugly enveloping his frame.
This elder of the human race had eyes of deep purple, with what appeared to be dark fire flickering within. Had any of the venerable powerhouses from the Everlands been present, they would have recognized this man as a former Demon Lord of the Devil Palace, one who preceded Tan Xiaotian.
A master of dark energy, he had led the Devil Palace for many years before falling to Bertain during a campaign beyond the terrestrial realm. With the fall of a supreme being and the shattering of his divine seat, his remains were gifted to Reid by Bertain.
The Devil Palace's dark adepts were known for their emphasis on physical fortitude. As such, even after the obliteration of his primordial spirit, his body retained immense value. Through Reid's meticulous refinement, it had been transformed into his demonform.
In the Everlands, Reid refrained from bringing his demonform due to the body's highly sensitive identity. Should he traverse the Everlands in this form, it would dishonor both Han Miaoyuan and Tan Xiaotian. Tan Xiaotian, notorious for his foul temper, would be particularly incensed to learn that Reid had transformed a revered predecessor from the Devil Palace into a demonform and dared to show himself in the Everlands. He wouldn't spare a thought for Han Miaoyuan's feelings, let alone the greater good, and would undoubtedly cause an uproar.
Thus, Reid discreetly entered the Everlands without the demonform he had mastered, leaving it outside. Only upon his return to the battleship did he merge once again with his devil soul.
"Why does the old patriarch hold Yu Yuan in such high regard?" Mitts, who was favorably inclined toward Yu Yuan, was taken aback by this. As an emerging force among the Star-Spawned Terror and having ascended to the realm of Demon God, she sometimes had to wait a century or more to meet with Bertain. Yet, Yu Yuan had been personally welcomed by the patriarch in the extraterrestrial realm, stirring a hint of envy in her.
"He's gone to seek out the Moonlit Wanderers."
A Demon God, inhabiting a Shadowbeast, gazed at the crescent moon with purple eyes and remarked, "The Moonlit Wanderers, along with the nearly extinct ancient Moonfiends, seem intent on demanding justice from Boulderdawn and the Chamber of Commerce for Lee Sha's demise."
"The Moonlit Wanderers..."
The Sky Fiend warriors on the deck snickered at the mention. To them, the Moonlit Wanderers were nothing more than a minor tribe that had briefly risen in status thanks to Lee Sha. Yet, Lee Sha had foolishly returned to the Everlands, and as an Otherkin no less!
In the Sky Fiend Clan, revered figures like High Priest Reid and the mighty Demon God Grec would never dare to venture carelessly into the Everlands, let alone with such brazenness. They all agreed that Lee Sha lacked sense, particularly for having antagonized Lin Daoke, whose wits were even more questionable. However, despite Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect's lack of intelligence, his swordsmanship was unrivaled.
"I had intended to leave the Annihilation Nebula, but when that youngster burst forth, I thought... let's stick around a bit longer."
Reid, in his human guise, gave a wry smile and gestured to a Demon God beside him. "Change our course; let's drop by the Moonlit Wanderers and see what entertainment they can offer."
"Understood."
"The Moonfiend, what a stain on the reputation of us Sky Fiends. After their fall from grace, they've stooped to consorting with the insignificant Moonlit Wanderers," Reid said, his expression darkening. "The Patriarch once offered them a lifeline, but they rejected it. It's truly pitiful."
The Moonfiend, a branch of the Star-Spawned Terror, seemed to be particularly disfavored by Reid.
...
A cold crescent moon hung silently in the dim starry sky.
"Yu, Yu Yuan!"
Liu Ying of the Starmoon Sect had transformed the Fallen Star Eyes into a pendant. As she fiddled with it in her delicate hand, she abruptly caught sight of a figure and stood up sharply.
She was on a moonstone tower, not originally facing Ionodios, with several elders of the Moonlit Wanderers by her side.
Three ancient specters exuded an air of antiquity.
"Boulderdawn's Yu Yuan?"
A gaunt elder from the Moonlit Wanderers scoffed at her cry of surprise, "This Yu Yuan, he's the one who received Nie Qingtian's legacy! It was also his lover who usurped a divine position meant for our Starmoon Sect, indirectly causing the death of our patriarch, Lee Sha!"
"Lee Yupan, our saintess, and Yue Fei also fell victim to him!"
Both the Moonlit Wanderers and the ancient Moonfiend were filled with righteous anger upon learning that Yu Yuan had left Ionodios and was heading their way.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Figures transformed into beams of moonlight, dispersing throughout the Silvery Land, all facing the approaching Yu Yuan.
They were the ones intent on seeking retribution.
Liu Ying, brought out from the Everlands by the Starmoon Sect, felt a sense of helplessness. Upon her initial arrival in the territory of the Moonlit Wanderers, she was warmly welcomed.
But with the death of Lee Sha, the once harmonious relationship between the Moonlit Wanderers and the Starmoon Sect had been abruptly shattered.
Right now, she was essentially under house arrest by the Moonlit Wanderers.
Unlike Lee Sha and Lee Yupan, she wasn't of mixed heritage with Moonlit Wanderers' blood.
She was purely human and practiced the power of stars from the Starmoon Sect.
"Everyone!"
Yu Yuan's call rang out, and he swiftly descended onto the Silvery Land.
He then caught sight of the graceful Liu Ying, who looked at him with an awkward expression.
"Why are you here?" Yu Yuan was taken aback. He stared at Liu Ying in surprise. "Didn't Canli invite you to visit the Dawnbringers' Domain?"
"Don't get me started."
Liu Ying glanced at the ninth-level members of the Moonlit Wanderers and the three ancient Sky Fiends, biting back her words.
Her face bore a clear look of discontent.
"Okay, we'll have a proper chat later," Yu Yuan said, understandingly nodding. He then addressed the group, "Who's in charge here? I'm here on behalf of Boulderdawn to clarify the circumstances of Lee Sha's death."
"That would be me! My name is Heather!"
A slight woman from the Moonlit Wanderers stepped forward from the crowd.
Her mind was free of Moonfiend possession, and she possessed the resolute and determined eyes of someone with ninth-level lineage.
"Our clan's patriarch, Lee Sha, was slain by Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect upon her return to the Everlands! We are allies with your sect. You witnessed her death and did nothing."
"Don't we deserve an explanation?!"
Heather's voice rose with conviction.
She noticed the Sky Fiend's battleship drawing near with a thunderous roar and saw figures emerging from the Ionodios' Wall.
Unintimidated, she continued to passionately voice the Moonlit Wanderers' indignation and rebuke Boulderdawn for neglecting the interests of their allies.
"Hold on!"
Yu Yuan abruptly raised his voice, cutting off Heather's outcry.
Nearby in Zekrica, the ground trembled. The Divine Sword, long concealed at the planet's core, responded to Yu Yuan's summons and shot forth like a bolt of lightning.
Yu Yuan's attention, however, was fixed on the Silvery Land atop the waning moon, where he sensed a presence that should not exist.