C1657 Meeting

Youyu and Taixu shared a remarkably unified stance regarding President Lyi—they both wanted to eliminate him as swiftly as possible.

"Entrust the soul stone to me for refinement. With it, I intend to challenge the Origin Deity," Youyu declared. In Yu Yuan's presence, Youyu was candid about his motives. "He sent me to the Ashlands in search of this Hex Stone. I'm aware that once he's dealt with Tan Xiaotian, he'll inevitably covet the Hex Stone. It seems prudent for me to refine it first."

As he spoke, Youyu cast a surprised glance at the three alien beasts nearby. "Them?"

"They're my friends," Taixu answered.

Taixu's view of Youyu had greatly improved since learning of his determination to remove President Lyi. Having served Taiyin, the God-King, for many years, Taixu was familiar with the praises Taiyin had sung of the Bloodbrawlers' creator. Taixu was well aware of the high regard Yu Yuan from ancient times held for Youyu's friendship and his exceptional nature.

Initially skeptical, Taixu's opinion of Youyu had recently risen after witnessing his actions, such as slaying Zhu Zhenlin and securing a divine seat for Yu Zhu. Now, having personally interacted with Youyu, Taixu found himself developing a genuine respect for the former Bloodbrawlers' leader.

"Friends..." Youyu murmured, nodding slightly before continuing, "The Origin Deity is aware of the soul stone's existence and its remarkable properties. He might even know it contains... the essence of that individual. Yet, he remains unaware that, in a critical moment, that individual... can still provide combat strength."

His words were deliberately ambiguous, likely out of consideration for the three alien beasts, the Abyssal Leviathan in the deep sea, and Xuanli.

Yu Yuan and Taixu clearly grasped his meaning.

"By refining it, I can bridge your soul with the soul stone. I'll engage the Origin Deity in a Soul Battle within the stone. This fight, however, may require some assistance from you." Youyu's gaze bore into Yu Yuan with earnest intensity.

Yu Yuan nodded in agreement. "Understood."

He had grasped Youyu's strategy, recognizing that Youyu aimed to use the soul stone as a trap to entice the Origin Deity, planning an ambush within the Mindscape that Youyu had meticulously refined.

In the heat of battle, Youyu might pull his soul into the fray at a critical moment.

He needed to be ready to transfer his dominant soul into the Mindscape and join forces with Youyu to strike at the Origin Deity.

Entering the Mindscape with his dominant soul could completely reveal his identity, and the image of his first life as the colossal phantom dragon slayer would manifest there.

Despite knowing the risk of exposure and the impossibility of destroying the Origin Deity, he accepted the challenge without a second thought.

"Do you three no longer require additional vital energy?"

Taixu materialized amidst the Duskjaw, Stormwraith, and Three-legged Golden Crow, speaking earnestly, "I played a part in the Mirage of the Mind's demise. If you have any needs in this regard, I can speak with the Abyssal Leviathan to allow you to partake in her flesh and blood."

The alien beasts showed appreciation in their eyes, yet they declined with a shake of their heads.

"It appears you've truly reached the pinnacle of alien beasts. No amount of vital energy will aid in advancing your bloodlines any further." Taixu, the God-King, let out a sigh and refrained from insisting further.

Subsequently, the star beneath Yu Yuan and the others began to contract dramatically following the Mirage of the Mind's death.

It was as if an obese man had suddenly slimmed down.

The Ashen Shadowmist that had enveloped the star thinned to the point of near imperceptibility and then mysteriously vanished.

After some time, Xuanli emerged from the dreamlike azure sea, brimming with energy and life.

"I'm alright now," Xuanli announced as he settled next to Youyu, his tone nonchalant. "What about you? How much longer will it take to conquer the Mindscape and meld her beast soul?"

"A bit longer," Youyu responded.

"Now that you're Taixu, the God-King, and a representative of Boulderdawn, do you recall the Dragon Slaying Stage's master promising to assist our Bloodbrawlers in securing a divine position?"

Xuanli, now awake, didn't hold back. He deliberately bypassed Yu Yuan and chatted up Taixu with a playful grin.

"That is correct," Taixu confirmed.

"You're quite something, admitting to it so readily."

Xuanli flashed a wicked smile and gestured toward Youyu at his side. "His title as God of Ghosts wasn't granted by the Boulderdawn. Taiyin owed us at the Bloodbrawlers, and when do you plan to settle that debt? Both Youyu and I perished because of Taiyin!"

As he spoke, Xuanli's expression turned icy, his voice laden with bitterness and fury.

"The Ghost King Youyu and the God of Ghosts position, Yu Yuan has contributed greatly to these. And isn't Yu Yuan one of our own at Boulderdawn, the current master of the Dragon Slaying Stage?"

Taixu made this statement without glancing at Xuanli, focusing instead on Youyu, who was privy to the secrets and Yu Yuan's true identity. "You'd agree with this, wouldn't you?"

Youyu nodded in agreement.

"Very well! I'll consider Youyu's ascension to godhood as supported by your Boulderdawn. And with Yu Zhu's backing, I'm on my way to godhood as well! Still, it's not enough! Your Boulderdawn owes the Bloodbrawlers at least one more divine seat!" Xuanli was boldly claiming a divine seat from Taixu during his leisure, and he had a solid argument.

After all, Taiyin, the God-King, had once promised him and Youyu.

Before their demise, Taiyin had vowed that once the Nagas' era was toppled, he would compensate and restore their divine seats.

Xuanli was aware that Taixu, a staunch follower of the God-King Taiyin, would not renege on this commitment if he truly honored Taiyin.

"As long as the Bloodbrawlers stay allied with us, I assure you a divine seat will be yours, fulfilling his ancient pledge," Taixu declared earnestly.

"We'll discuss this another time," Xuanli chuckled, brushing off the matter.

Time passed.

Whoosh!

The Abyssal Leviathan, now transformed into a gaunt old human, soared up from the deep cerulean sea below, his mouth twisted in a grotesque, contented smile.

"This belongs to you. Please keep it safe."

A fissure suddenly appeared between the Abyssal Leviathan's crimson and pearly eyes, revealing a dazzling, multicolored gemstone.

He extracted the gemstone from his brow, his face immediately taking on a grave expression, before handing it to Youyu.

The appearance of the soul stone caused Yu Yuan, Xuanli, and the three alien beasts present to experience a brief moment of vertigo.

Merely glancing at the vibrant Hex Stone, their souls felt as if they were being drawn in, on the verge of being absorbed.

"Alright."

Youyu extended his hand, took the Hex Stone, and swallowed it whole.

As the soul stone traveled down his throat, the Shadow Moon Essence flowing through his meridians was poised to surge into the stone.

Once the Hex Stone reached his stomach, streams of Shadow Moon Essence poured into it, erasing its radiant hues.

"I want her shell."

Taixu looked at the Abyssal Leviathan and after making his request, he plunged back into the ocean depths. "The Mirage of the Mind's shell is sufficiently sharp, and it's not made of Sunsilver. Next, we need to take down President Lyi. I require a weapon that is sharp enough and cannot be taken by him."

"If you want it, take it. I have no use for her shell."

The Abyssal Leviathan shrugged nonchalantly. The flesh and heart it had consumed not only healed its wounds but also granted it the coveted power of the spirit.

He was thoroughly content.

"Now, with me, Taixu, the God of Ghosts Youyu, we are a formidable force in the Ashlands."

A cruel, bloodthirsty gleam shone in the Abyssal Leviathan's eyes. "With our power, we are a force to be reckoned with in the Ashlands! Save for a select few, all the mighty beings of the Star River should think twice before confronting us."

Boom!

The star, already diminished, quaked at the Abyssal Leviathan's declaration.

"Youyu, point out President Lyi's location. I will steer this star towards him!"

Giant waves churned from the depths of the sea, creating a monstrous tsunami.

Beneath the earth, the Abyssal Leviathan seemed to have activated an energy forge, propelling the star into motion.

"Over there," Youyu said, gesturing toward a specific spot.

Beneath everyone's feet, the stars began to accumulate power, energized by the bloodline of the Abyssal Leviathan and the commanding presence of the ocean's sovereign.

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