C1648 The Real Scene

After Youyu learned of the Origin Deity's scheme, he continued to move at his own pace. Millions of gray rays of light cascaded across the Mindscape, like Youyu's eyes, searching for the souls and consciousnesses that entered, discerning whether they were followers of the Origin Deity or bore its aura. He seemed capable of identifying any connection between the newcomers and the Origin Deity.

The Mirage of the Mind was desperate to enter the domain Youyu had claimed, eager to convince him to cease his meddling with this world and to have Yu Yuan sway Youyu's decision. Yet Youyu steadfastly denied her entry.

As the endless gray rays combed the Mindscape, Youyu, in his God of Ghosts form, watched the Mirage of the Mind, who was lingering outside the gray-white wall, with an indifferent gaze.

"Some androgynous creature..." Youyu muttered under his breath. The realm around him unfolded into a series of images.

Yu Yuan had previously seen tentacles that tugged at the Star Altar, which were in fact seaweeds growing beside the Mirage of the Mind's shell, teeming with numerous corpses. Among them were the bodies of Otherkin, alien beasts, and even archdemons from the Everlands.

Another scene revealed the Mirage of the Mind, distinctly masculine, using its razor-sharp shell to brutally slice through several Shura warriors. After dismembering them, it savored their vibrant flesh and blood within its shell at leisure.

Several enchantresses, believing themselves adept in Soul Power, fell victim to the Mirage of the Mind's nightmarish influence, their minds eroded by its power. Their screams of agony echoed from the deep-sea islands, chilling to the bone. Day by day, the heads of the enchantresses shrank as if the Mirage of the Mind was feasting on their brain matter, consuming every beneficial part.

Numerous Star-Spawned Terrors, drawn into the Mindscape, slaughtered one another. The Mirage of the Mind gobbled up the little devils, conjured by the formidable Sky Fiends, as if they were candies.

Scene after scene of the Mirage of the Mind preying on the living surfaced relentlessly.

"Some of these events are from the past, while others unfold even now. She's not as fragile or as beautiful as you might think. She is a genuine Cosmic Giant Beast. To the Cosmic Giant Beast, every life in the world is mere sustenance when hunger strikes."

Youyu's expression was impassive as he said, "The images you're seeing are merely what she chooses to reveal. In the unseen corners, she's far from idle. She's been relentlessly hunting the creatures that pass by, slaughtering both the people and beasts of this star."

Yu Yuan nodded in understanding. He recalled the moment when Leo and his companions were ensnared by tentacled seaweeds at the Star Altar, plummeting violently. It dawned on him that the Mirage of the Mind was preying on them. Had the Abyssal Leviathan not intervened, and had he not shown up, Leo and the rest would have perished.

In her confrontation with Leo and his group, the Mirage of the Mind hadn't even resorted to her psychic powers; she had intended to obliterate the team, composed of ninth-level Blood Warriors, with sheer force.

"Regardless of your past relationship with her, you must recognize that she's no benevolent entity. Each cosmic giant beast harbors deep-seated hatred for living beings. Don't be fooled by her feigned frailty and sorrow; it doesn't make her kind or weak."

Yu Yuan, empowered by the shadowforce to perceive the Mindscape's reality, had seen what Yu Yuan could not upon his arrival. He had glimpsed the Mirage of the Mind's concealed aspect. Hence, he harbored no fondness for this enigmatic giant beast, adept in Mind Magic. He even preferred the Abyssal Leviathan, considering it somewhat better than the cosmic giant beast, for its straightforward and brutal approach, eschewing the use of elaborate illusions to bewilder minds.

"So, there are indeed followers of the Origin Deity here."

Youyu's brow quivered slightly as a gray-white stream of light materialized beneath his feet, revealing a phantom. Three members of the Shadowkin. These Shadowkin weren't of high bloodline level, and their true locations were unknown. They probed the Mindscape with three subtle phantoms, proceeding with extreme caution and care.

Suddenly, the gray-white light morphed into a ferocious whirlwind, ripping the three Shadowkin phantoms to shreds.

"There must be others. I'll continue searching."

Youyu's face hardened as he regarded the agitated Mirage of the Mind and spoke, "Do you think you can shut out the Origin Deity by simply closing the door? He can manifest through any of his followers here. He brought me here because he knows I'm familiar with the Sea of Demons, intending to use me to locate it first, then seize it for himself."

The words had been carried forth.

Upon hearing them, the Mirage of the Mind fell silent for a moment before asking, "Who are you? Why do you not only comprehend the Mindscape I created but also have the ability to soar within it?"

"I've already told you who I am."

Youyu, having a change of heart, caused the gray-white wall to vanish as he spoke. He and Yu Yuan suddenly stood before the Mirage of the Mind.

"If you're so eager to enter, then by all means, come in."

Youyu gestured like a host flinging open his doors to a guest, even beckoning to the Mirage of the Mind to step inside. "Just a word of caution: though this ground I stand on was born from you, it now belongs to me. Within my domain, even you, the original master, will be subject to constraints."

Youyu's pride was evident.

The Sea of Anomalies, crafted by the Mirage of the Mind, was an idea he and Taiyin had once envisioned. Yet, before they could bring it to fruition, he had perished.

He could never have imagined that, years after his demise, Taiyin would succeed in creating it in the Ashlands, beyond our world, with the aid of this unique Mirage of the Mind.

This Sea of Anomalies contained his essence and the wisdom he had contributed; he was well aware of that. In his view, he and Taiyin had sketched the blueprint, using the Mirage of the Mind's bloodline talents to forge this extraordinary domain of consciousness.

He and the still-slumbering Yu Yuan were the rightful creators of the Sea of Anomalies.

They were the true masters, while the Mirage of the Mind was merely an assistant, a temporary caretaker of this Sea of Anomalies, a laborer they had employed.

"This..."

The Mirage of the Mind became flustered as Youyu opened the way, hesitating to cross the threshold.

"Later, I'll find someone, and you'll do the killing."

The myriad streams of gray-white light that Youyu had unleashed continued to howl through the Mindscape, lurking near every soul and consciousness that ventured within.

Before long, he encountered seven members of various Otherkin, including enchantresses, Voidweavers, and individuals from the Shadowkin.

He presented his case to the Mirage of the Mind.

The Mirage of the Mind was indeed collaborating with him, either by weaving deadly dreams, utilizing illusory Mind Magic, or inciting people to slaughter one another.

The seven Otherkin also perished in a brief span of time.

"Why has President Lyi changed so drastically?"

Youyu spoke again, and as he did, the door that had been open shut once more. A gray-white barrier of light emerged, shielding the Mirage of the Mind from eavesdropping on his conversation with Yu Yuan.

"I'm not sure if he's been tainted by something or if it's his own ambition. In his quest for power to rival Loong Jie, he's attempting to transmute his own body into Sunsilver. As a living creature with a soul, he's nearly gone. He even made an attempt on my life, but fortunately, he didn't succeed."

Yu Yuan was forthright, sharing details of his encounter with President Lyi and Grec's schemes.

Grec aimed to assassinate the Ashlands' preeminent alien beast to prevent the Dark Phoenix from taking control, intending to elevate the beast's bloodline to the tenth level to create a formidable force against the Dark Star.

He also mentioned his and the Abyssal Leviathan's growing distrust of the Dark Phoenix.

"What about Xuanli and Mr. Yan? And what's the current status of Tan Xiaotian?"

After recounting his recent ordeals, he inquired about Youyu's circumstances.

"Xuanli has sustained serious injuries. My unique body is currently by his side, protecting him. As for Yan Qiling, the moment we were transported to the Ashlands, he was whisked away by a bizarre force of space magic and vanished instantly. As for Tan Xiaotian, he engaged with the Origin Deity upon detecting its will in the Domain Channel."

"I'm not worried. I've instructed the giant beast to seal this place off. I'm not concerned about his followers. The reason I brought him here is that Tan Xiaotian is still entangled with him."

"He probably can't resolve the issue with Tan Xiaotian just yet. Even if he's aware that I've made it to the Sea of Demons, he won't be able to reach us right away."

Each time Tan Xiaotian's name came up, Youyu's brow furrowed slightly.

"Is Tan Xiaotian really that formidable?" Yu Yuan exclaimed, taken aback.

"He has nearly grasped the entirety of the dark energy that permeates the cosmos. He's thoroughly mastered the ultimate Way of Heaven. Even the Origin Deity might only manage to confine him, but not to take his life." Youyu's expression was grave.

His assessment of the Demon Lord, Tan Xiaotian, was exceedingly high, and his words carried a clear tone of reverence.

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