C1697 The World will be in Chaos!

Whoosh!

The Dragon Slaying Stage descended upon the Phoenix Ashes, and the newborn Uxthar Tree's branches and leaves began to shake violently.

Yu Yuan stepped off the jade-white platform onto the muddy, damp earth, arriving at the roots of the divine tree.

Looking up, he was met with the sight of the Uxthar Tree towering into the sky, its emerald-like branches sharp enough to seemingly pierce through heaven and earth with ease.

Yu Yuan's thoughts drifted to a vision that had once crossed his mind.

At its peak, the Uxthar Tree was so vast it could root itself within an entire Astral Domain. Its branches extended into the stars, drawing power from them.

It had even encroached upon other Domains, stripping the stars of their plant essence with its invasive branches.

It was the deity of the Shadowkin and possibly a protector of the Wingkind. It spared the Astral Domains and worlds of these two groups, nurturing them instead.

Yet, should it find abundant plant essence hidden within the stars of other Domains, its arrival spelled disaster.

Thus, even before being seduced by the Origin Deity, its actions were grievous sins against the intelligent life not of the Shadowkin or Wingkind.

It was rightfully pursued across the worlds by its first life—it had brought retribution upon itself!

It was the architect of its own downfall.

"I'm not in the best of moods," Yu Yuan declared beneath the colossal tree, Titanblade in hand, gazing up at the lush foliage while sensing the overwhelming plant essence and the tree's trepidation. "Since you've been resurrected and the Secular Bird Queen has gone to great lengths to defend you, you'd best stay in line. Perhaps then, you can endure."

"But if you revert to your old ways, invading the Astral Domains of lesser civilizations to endlessly augment your power, I might just have to sever your roots."

Yu Yuan's tone was uncompromising.

The divine tree, though it had reached a towering height of tens of millions of feet, still fell short of its true form. Without a clear response, it nonetheless recognized Yu Yuan as Taiyin.

Thus, it trembled in acquiescence, meekly heeding Yu Yuan's stern admonition.

Whether it was genuine or a forced act due to its current weakness, it wouldn't dare to oppose Yu Yuan in the Ashlands at this moment.

It was acutely aware that its only protector could be the Secular Bird Queen, yet she too held this individual in high regard.

"Actually, if the little beast were to lift the spatial restrictions, this place could connect to the Everlands."

It timidly shared its thoughts, "By utilizing the Eiwrone, we could draw more people into the Ashlands. It's not out of the question to ambush and kill the Abyssal Greater Basilisk."

As its spiritual wisdom continued to evolve, it began to feel concern for the Secular Bird Queen, especially after catching a glimpse of the Abyssal Greater Basilisk's shadow flickering within the Dragon Slaying Stage in secrecy.

It deduced that both the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and the youngling were biding their time, hoping for the Secular Bird and the Chaos Serpent to weaken each other.

With the Eiwrone's call bringing more powerhouses into the Ashlands, the likes of Lin Daoke and Han Miaoyuan could potentially eliminate the Abyssal Greater Basilisk plotting against the Secular Bird and the Chaos Serpent.

"You should be more concerned about your own affairs."

Yu Yuan's gaze was frosty. For some reason, he had never taken a liking to the Uxthar Tree, not in the past and certainly not now, even harboring an innate aversion to it.

This fabled divine tree was complex; with the awakening of its intelligence, it might also have begun to harbor ill intentions.

...

In the Everlands.

The giant dragons from Dragon Island stealthily submerged into the deep sea, heading towards the Frozen Hellscape.

The Nagas' unusual movements caught the attention of Shi Jing'er from the Merchant Union. Clueless about the situation, she promptly alerted the Boulderdawn to be vigilant.

Upon receiving the news, Taishi covertly probed with the cosmic order and discovered that numerous eighth and ninth level fire dragons, Jade Wyrms, and green dragons had bypassed the five supreme forces and the Boulderdawn, using the passageway of the Frozen Hellscape to head directly to the Star River beyond our world.

Each Wintermaw was linked to the Everlands' Frozen Hellscape. After ascending to his divine position, Zhong Chichen sanctified these gateways.

The Wintermaw had become a conduit between the Nagas and the outside world. With Zhong Chichen's return and subsequent deification, the once supreme guardians of the Wintermaw could no longer maintain their hold over it.

"The world is on the brink of chaos."

Perched atop a withered tree, Taishi let out a sigh, his usual composure slipping away.

Next to him stood Sky Fiend Youqian, along with Feng Zhong and Jun Chen from the Merchant Association.

"Taishi, what exactly has become of President Lyi?"

Feng Zhong, sporting a goatee, floated in midair, his demeanor humble and his brow furrowed with concern. "We've received some information, but it's incomplete. President Shi is deeply concerned about his condition and has tasked me with uncovering the full story."

Jun Chen, who was studying the power of stars and holding a bamboo flute, also looked on with a heavy heart.

Before President Lyi resolutely set out to transform himself into a malevolent Sunsilver entity, he had taken good care of them and earned their deep trust.

The Chamber of Commerce owes its prestigious status in the Everlands largely to President Lyi's efforts.

But lately, unsettling rumors have been circulating, suggesting that President Lyi has not only betrayed the entire Everlands but has also become a malevolent other. This has sent shockwaves of fear through the Chamber of Commerce.

Shi Jing'er, aware of the Boulderdawn's extensive knowledge beyond our world, had sent Feng Zhong and Jun Chen to urgently clarify the situation.

"I won't conceal the truth from you. President Lyi's current path on the Way of Heaven is exceedingly radical. If he succeeds, he will become an entity devoid of flesh, blood, and emotion." Taishi spoke frankly, as there was no longer any point in hiding the truth.

He elaborated on President Lyi's new quest.

"He would rather shatter than be whole but flawed; that's just who he is. Knowing him, he's fully capable of going through with it." Jun Chen sighed deeply, then bowed slightly to Taishi before using the teleportation circle to return and report to Shi Jing'er.

Feng Zhong lingered, gazing thoughtfully at the earth beneath him, pondering President Lyi's intentions.

"Could he still come back?"

After a long pause, Feng Zhong turned to Taishi, his eyes filled with hope.

"It's beyond my capabilities," Taishi said with a slight shake of his head, indicating that President Lyi's condition exceeded his abilities. It wasn't simply a matter of wanting to bring President Lyi back; it was something he couldn't achieve.

Feng Zhong gave a bitter smile and followed Jun Chen out.

"What are the Nagas planning?" Youqian inquired.

"The Nagas have been called away from the Everlands. There must be some place out in the extraterrestrial starry sky that's more appealing to them. With Loong Jie and Zhong Chichen present, and the threat of the Origin Gate resolved, the Nagas are beginning to strive for their own expansion," Taishi explained, massaging his forehead.

He was aware that with the departure of the Demon God Bertain and the Origin Gate, the entire world, particularly the Everlands, would be plunged into extreme chaos. The resurgence of the Nagas, the longstanding feud between Boulderdawn and Han Miaoyuan, and the bold advance of the ancient evilkind led by the Dark Phoenix into the Dark Star Domain were all signs that the intricate powers of the Everlands would not remain quiet.

"Have Tianqi make the arrangements; I need to meet with Soul-Capturing," Taishi said as he turned to gaze at the grand temple and the robust man inside who was indulging in a feast. "Soul-Capturing is a leader among your new generation. I'm aware of his dissatisfaction with me. It was only through Taixu's persuasive pleas that he agreed to let you return."

"Now, it's my turn to visit him, to go to the Boulderdawn territory he has established in the extraterrestrial realm."

In the expansive hall, the God-King Tianqi set down his utensils and nodded firmly in agreement.

...

In the Ashlands, after cautioning the Uxthar Tree, Yu Yuan kept his focus on the clash between the Secular Bird Queen and the Chaos Serpent. The juvenile creature seemed to be concealing itself, revealing no trace of its presence. Meanwhile, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, guided by the Shadowkin elder, led the Silverscale Tribe warriors closer to the fray.

Suddenly, with a swift motion, a snow-white Snow Bear appeared, looking bewildered, in the void next to the Phoenix Ashes. Yu Yuan felt the presence of the young beast the moment it emerged, but just as quickly, it vanished again, as if deliberately avoiding him.

Yu Yuan was aware that the arrival of the snow bear was undoubtedly orchestrated by the young beast.

What exactly was the young beast up to?

This question had barely formed in his mind when he heard the snow bear's exuberant howl and saw the Dire Bear charging toward him, landing on the Phoenix Ashes with the force of an avalanche.

The ground shook with a thunderous roar, causing the newly sprouted Uxthar Tree to shiver once more.

The howl of the snow bear clued Yu Yuan into what had transpired.

In the Frostfell of the extraterrestrial realms, the snow bear had encountered his senior brother, Zhong Chichen. With Zhong Chichen's assistance, it was transported to the Ashlands.

There, it was enveloped by a mysterious force and brought before him.

Before reaching the Ashlands, it had witnessed numerous giant dragons from the Everlands surrounding Zhong Chichen.

The news of the giant dragons leaving the Everlands and following Zhong Chichen through the Star River of the extraterrestrial domains caused Yu Yuan's expression to darken.

He realized that with the Origin Deity's threat removed, the Nagas, who reigned over the Everlands, were poised to ascend to power once more.

He also surmised that Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie would go to great lengths to ensure the young beasts of the Ashlands matured, lending their full support to the young beasts' transformation into adult Titan Spinosaurus.

The progenitors of the Naga bloodline were the Titan Spinosaurus. Loong Jie had initially obeyed him because he knew of the young beast Yu Yuan was nurturing within the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Loong Jie and the Nagas, including his senior brother Zhong Chichen, had aligned with him because of that very young beast.

It was the young beast that the Nagas truly revered, not Yu Yuan, who had incubated and nurtured it.

After all, it was the young beast within the Dragon Slaying Stage that had helped the Nagas break their ancient seals!

This meant that the young beast concealed within the Ashlands could command the loyalty of Zhong Chichen, Loong Jie, and the giant dragons that had burst forth from the Everlands, even calling upon the remnants of the Titans.

Yu Yuan also sensed that with each disappearance, the young beast might be using Zhong Chichen to communicate with the Nagas.

It made its presence known to all the Nagas, signaling to Loong Jie that it had broken free from the Dragon Slaying Stage and was now active within the Ancestor Treasury.

Would Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie show up in the Ashlands at the precise moment when they were needed?

Would they then directly engage in the battle unfolding before them?

Unable to persuade itself to confront the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, it called upon the dragons that were loyal to its command.

"You've truly grown up; you're starting to form your own ideas."

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