C1668 The Lighthouse in the Void

In the Everlands, within the Moonfall Sanctuary, the Domain Channel that linked to the Hellmouth was obstructed once more due to the fierce battle between Youyu and Tan Xiaotian. Consequently, the Boulderdawn sect had no choice but to depend on their stronghold in the Marsh to maintain communication with the extraterrestrial realms.

All of a sudden, a cascade of rainbow-hued spatial light began to emanate from the entrance of the channel. At first glance, the gaping entrance appeared to be brimming with iridescent ripples of light.

Whoosh!

The figures of Taishi and the imposing Tianqi, the God-King, materialized in the sky above the channel in quick succession.

"What is this?" Tianqi asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Taishi offered a serene smile and explained, "Zhong Chichen has amassed the Earth Core Origin and instantly teleported from Dragon Island to the Domain Channel below. His intention is to forge his God Throne within it."

"Why inside the channel?" Tianqi inquired, clearly perplexed.

"I have a hunch," Taishi responded, "that the congested channel is brimming with an extraordinary concentration of space magic."

Aligned with the essence of the Everlands, Taishi narrowed his eyes and peered into the abyss. He could see a figure, surrounded by a mélange of powerful forces and remnants of the Star River, moving swiftly through the depths of the channel. As this figure advanced, the accumulated dust, the anomalous stellar currents, and various crystalline impurities began to vanish rapidly. His actions were purifying the channel, restoring its function—a channel that had come into existence because of him.

"He's doing a good deed; it's fair to say he's honoring his promise," Taishi gestured reassuringly to Tianqi, signaling there was no cause for concern.

The Everlands had granted two divine seats—one each for Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie—to ascend to godhood. The only stipulations were that they address the 'hazard' within the Domain Channel and resolve the issue with the 'Origin Gate' at Skyreach Peak. Zhong Chichen was already making progress on the first task.

Time seemed to race by as Zhong Chichen soared like a celestial rainbow through the resplendent chaos of the psionic-powered channel.

Rip!

Every so often, fissures would erupt near him, like lightning tearing through the darkness, unleashing streams or bursts of space magic that swiftly integrated into his being.

Within his Mindscape, a diminutive Seven-Colored Dragon unfurled its body, consuming the space magic that originated from unknown realms. The dragon's form grew increasingly radiant and enigmatic, exuding an indescribable aura of mystery.

Zhong Chichen continued to soar through time, ceaselessly capturing space magic that did not belong to the Everlands through the fissures that burst open around him. He seamlessly integrated this power with his own soul.

Crack!

Another slender space rift split open, from which beams of radiant light burst forth, nourishing his Seven-Colored Dragon Soul and merging with his essence.

"Uh..."

Zhong Chichen let out a soft exclamation, his gaze fixed on the healing space rift. His eyes, glittering like jewels of every hue, sparkled with an astounding brilliance.

"Ha!"

With a wide grin and a nod, he chuckled to himself, "My dear junior brother, so you've ventured into the Ashlands and discovered that place. Ah, the Origin Deity is there too! And... a lost darkness? Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian! Haha, what a bustling scene indeed!"

"It's unfortunate that I haven't yet forged my divine seat. I'm not able to manifest in my complete form."

He felt a twinge of regret.

"No, this won't do! I must stir up some excitement so that my dear junior brother can feel my presence. Even if I can't descend to join the battle in person, I can still contribute in other ways. You're confining Tan Xiaotian, preventing him from finding the path back, but I can offer guidance!"

Clap, clap!

Zhong Chichen applauded himself, "Excellent, just like that!"

Strands of multicolored lightning slipped into the space rift before it sealed shut.

...

Deep within the Ashlands.

The soul that Youyu had crafted from the Shadow Moon Essence shattered, obliterated by the fearsome space magic at the mouth of the cave, leaving not a trace behind.

Youyu's brow furrowed as he gestured for everyone to remain calm and not to rush into the cave.

Whoosh!

A burst of rainbow-colored light suddenly appeared from an inconspicuous dark cave atop the oval star. The Dragon Slaying Stage and Yu Yuan instantly felt a connection!

"My esteemed senior brother, Zhong Chichen, is currently in the very tunnel where you once battled! The tunnel's existence is thanks to him carving it out with the body of the Chronowyrm. The numerous dark caves on this star are actually linked to that location."

Yu Yuan was astounded.

The next moment, he received a message from his senior brother, Zhong Chichen, conveyed through a beam of rainbow light.

Whoosh!

While the Dragon Slaying Stage remained stationary, Yu Yuan transformed into a streak of crimson lightning and shot towards the star, positioning himself at the entrance of a particular cave.

Before the cave entrance, there shimmered a delicate seven-colored light, flickering uncertainly like a flame on the verge of being snuffed out.

Boom!

Yu Yuan stood at the threshold of the cave, yet he did not descend. Instead, he unleashed the potent life force of his flesh and blood, the sword's will he had mastered, and the vibrations of his soul.

He became a tumultuous energy field in his own right.

His vital energy, spiritual energy, and remnant soul converged, as if he were wedged in the cave entrance, neither falling nor withdrawing, simply declaring his presence.

"What is he doing?"

Xuanli, still immersed in refining the stars of the Water Domain within the Abyssal Leviathan, watched in confusion as Youyu attempted to halt Yu Yuan, only to have the spirited bodies formed from the Shadow Moon Essence shatter. Despite the warnings, Yu Yuan stubbornly continued his confrontation with Youyu, leading Xuanli to question his sanity.

"He's become a beacon, a guide for Tan Xiaotian," observed the elegant God-King Taixu, his brow creasing as he watched Yu Yuan expose himself at the deep cave entrance. "If the Origin Deity is indeed present, we can expect action soon."

In an unnamed Mysterious Realm.

A striking young man in black sat cross-legged atop an Ebon Meditation Mat. His long, dark hair cascaded naturally, blending seamlessly with the mat beneath him.

The mat carried him, drifting without purpose through the Mysterious Realm.

This realm was a void, devoid of stars, land, people, or objects—akin to the desolate Brugeth, yet even more expansive.

In this entire empty world, it seemed only he and the Ebon Meditation Mat beneath him existed—nothing more.

He found no points of reference, no adversaries. His spiritual sense and vital energy roamed freely, yet they encountered nothing beyond himself.

He could not sense people, flora, fauna, or even energy.

For far too long, he had wandered this Mysterious Realm, unaware of the entrance's location or the realm's true expanse.

He had come to understand that he was trapped in a labyrinth, a creation of the Origin Deity, and without a door in sight, he had been walking in circles.

He wasn't adept at space magic, nor did he understand its power. He feared no attack, not even the slicing edge of a Rift Cutter, and he was bold enough to confront the bombardment of mysterious Soul Power. His frustration lay in the absence of any adversary to test his might against.

Without the guidance of sun, moon, or stars, he had lost track of time, unsure of how long he had been adrift. Then, one day, his extended Soul Power consciousness detected a tumultuous energy field. His pitch-black eyes sparkled with excitement.

In an instant, he and the Ebon Meditation Mat beneath him materialized at the source of the Soul Power consciousness. Peering into the abyss below, he discerned a vague shadow, as if glimpsing a figure in another world, separated by an invisible barrier.

This unseen barrier, previously undetectable, was a curious space wall. "A wall..." he scoffed. No matter the strength or level of any wall, he possessed the means and might to shatter it. "Once I see it and set my sights on it, I can naturally find my way out."

Imprisoned though he was, he felt no stirrings of anxiety. His demeanor grew even more serene as he stealthily moved toward the membrane and the silhouette in that other realm. His calm stemmed from the knowledge that he was immortal in this limbo; even if he couldn't leave just yet, he wouldn't perish.

For him, anyone in this world who dared to strike at him, anyone with the power to attempt his demise, simply provided him with a target and direction. He feared no power that he could see or sense; on the contrary, he eagerly anticipated it, and thus remained unflustered.

"Ah! It's that youngster from Boulderdawn!" As he drew closer to the figure, he recognized the familiar presence and realized the 'beacon' on the other side of the wall was none other than Yu Yuan.

Simultaneously, Yu Yuan, who was plugging the deep chasm with his body, also sensed a force emanating from the depths of the mysterious dark realm below—a force so potent it seemed to beckon the mind, body, and soul into the abyss. It had emerged from nothingness and was now revealing itself in full force.

"It's indeed Tan Xiaotian!" This realization dawned on him, and the space around his position at the mouth of the cavern began to roil with the gathering surge of space magic.

Rip! Sizzle!

One after another, the gleaming, elongated Rift Cutters, each imbued with the unique sharpness of the cosmic order, sliced through the air towards his neck, waist, and torso.

"If you're intent on killing me, you'd do better to reveal yourself!"

Yu Yuan flashed a grin, his shoulders dipping slightly as his hands danced in front of his chest.

Crimson sword lights burst forth from his fingertips, reducing the gathered white blades of space magic to mere fragments.

"That won't suffice."

He chuckled, shaking his head as wisps of his remnant soul scattered about, avoiding any entrapment in the caves, merely flitting across the surface of the Everlands. "Since you're here and eager for a battle with us, why the secrecy? I recall you extended an invitation to us not so long ago when you whisked President Lyi away."

"Even though we haven't traversed your refined Maw of Oblivion, here we are. Isn't it time you made an appearance?"

With a resounding boom, his inner strength obliterated even more of the space magic.

"Show yourself."

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