C1701 The Compromise of both Sides
After Yu Yuan's departure, the snow bear let out a low growl, communicating with the newly revived Uxthar Tree atop the Phoenix Ashes. The lush divine tree had once again grown to a size that eclipsed the sky, yet it was still a considerable distance from its peak strength. It seemed to be aware that the Dire Bear was not an adversary to take lightly. As a result, the two extraordinary beings managed to coexist without conflict.
The Dire Bear had gleaned some of the world's secrets from the Uxthar Tree, understanding why the Blood Fiend from the Dark Star Astral Domain was so desperate to capture it among the stars. The Uxthar Tree, now fully conscious, possessed wisdom comparable to the warriors of various races and had been around as long as the Lunar and Solar Meridians.
It also shared with the Dire Bear that, thanks to Yu Yuan's remarkable powers, there was a possibility for the Dire Bear to transcend the boundaries of its lineage and eventually ascend to the tenth level. At this pinnacle, the Dire Bear's icy bloodline might undergo a profound metamorphosis, potentially allowing it to inscribe the essence of ice magic from the Primal Blood Continent. It might even gain the favor of the extreme cold.
This revelation from the Uxthar Tree filled the Dire Bear with excitement, as it foresaw the dawn of a new era that would rejuvenate the alien beast race and alter the current state of subjugation and domination by the Otherkin.
Elsewhere, amidst the hisses of the Chaos Serpent, the Secular Bird Queen's wings slashed the serpent's elongated body into segments. The flame of destruction blazed intensely, thwarting the Chaos Serpent's limbs from rejoining and preventing the Astral Serpent from regenerating.
Suddenly, timely space rifts emerged, whisking away parts of the serpent's body. From within the depths of one such rift, Zhong Chichen's iridescent form appeared. As a Solar Spirit within the rift, he bowed respectfully to the Secular Bird Queen.
"My apologies for interrupting your feast," Zhong Chichen said, his smile beaming. He straightened up and gestured for the Queen to remain at ease, inviting her to hear his explanation.
The Secular Bird Queen, now in the form of an Azure Bird, had wings as expansive as continents, though many feathers had been lost. A bloody wound marred the neck of the Divine Bird, and it was no longer the epitome of grace it once was, appearing somewhat disheveled with mottled bloodstains across its wings and body.
The chill in her gaze only served to intensify the trepidation of those around her, as her aura grew increasingly perilous.
She had emerged victorious in her war against the Chaos Serpent. Having severed the behemoth, she now allowed her flame of destruction and death force to seep into the serpent's carcass.
The arrival of Zhong Chichen, who had begun to gather some of the serpent's severed limbs, naturally incited her wrath.
Zhong Chichen was clearly snatching a meal from the jaws of danger!
"Please, temper your anger."
Zhong Chichen's smile remained unaltered as the world around his iridescent form turned a brilliant gold, accompanied by the deep rumble of a dragon's roar. It was as if another giant dragon had made its presence known within this golden realm.
"Loong Jie."
The Empress let out a cold huff, retracting her Divine Bird form to reveal a majestic Divine Visage with three heads and six arms.
"Yes, Loong Jie and I are always ready to arrive at a moment's notice."
Zhong Chichen nodded, standing within the space rift. He pointed earnestly at the Phoenix Ashes and said, "You shall consume the poisonous parts of the Chaos Serpent. It has shown a keen interest in these parts and wishes to claim them."
"In the interest of fairness, you may take the Phoenix Ashes and the Uxthar Tree from the Ashlands. It has agreed to relinquish them."
The 'it' the Seven-Colored Dragon mentioned was clearly the young beast. Chen Qinghuang was well aware of the ties between the Nagas and the young beast, so the presence of Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie was undoubtedly sanctioned by the young beast, perhaps even at its behest.
"The bloodline mysteries and the vital energy within the Chaos Serpent's venomous parts will have a negligible effect on your future battles with the Dark Phoenix."
"The force of the venom's corruption is what can impose some limitations on a vital energy sovereign like the Dark Phoenix."
"You, as well as we, share a common foe – the Dark Phoenix of the Everlands."
"…"
Zhong Chichen employed his eloquence in an attempt to sway the Secular Bird Queen.
"Moreover, as recompense to you, we will take on the task of intercepting the Abyssal Greater Basilisk. That old Lizard has been eyeing the Phoenix Ashes with great desire. Once refined, they will transform into his haven and a domain of mystery, where he might even produce rare treasures akin to soul stones."
"You've just come out of a fierce battle, and your vital energy has taken a significant hit. You urgently need time to recover."
"The Starborne Lizard might not have been a concern for you before, but now it's known as the Abyssal Greater Basilisk. He has indeed learned to wield the power of the Abyss, bestowed by the Origin Deity. Moreover, remnants of this abyssal power linger within him."
The once irreverent Seven-Colored Dragon, who used to swear at the sky and the earth in the Everlands, now conducted himself with impeccable manners in the presence of the Secular Bird Queen.
"Very well."
After a moment, the Divine Visage representing the queen's aspect of death gave a slight nod.
"I am grateful for your magnanimity."
Zhong Chichen bowed deeply once more.
The golden realm behind him gradually faded away, allowing numerous Jade Wyrms and green dragons to emerge, spreading throughout the Ashlands.
The Ashlands had become a second sanctuary for the Nagas beyond the Everlands.
The space rifts that had opened were still on the hunt for remnants of flesh imbued with the power of ruin, eagerly relinquishing any trace of potent poison they found.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Parts of the Astral Serpent's body transformed into toxic rivers and swamps, dense clouds of poison, and strands of dark green and deep-brown crystal chains, all of which were deftly caught by the queen's regenerating arm.
The awe-inspiring Divine Visage descended leisurely toward the Phoenix Ashes.
The Dire Bear let out a low growl, understanding that its presence was no longer appropriate.
Aware of the complex relationship between the Secular Bird Queen and Yu Yuan, it trusted that the secular bird harbored no malice toward it.
Perhaps this trust was why, even after Yu Yuan's departure, it managed to live in harmony with the Uxthar Tree.
"We shall return to your domain."
As the Secular Bird Queen touched down, her form began to contract, and she nonchalantly sprinkled a portion of the Chaos Serpent's fragmented limbs over the Phoenix Ashes.
The Uxthar Tree immediately burst into resplendent divine light.
...
"Just as I suspected."
Yu Yuan, having sliced through the shadows, lifted his left hand to parry the spears of two ninth-level warriors from the Silverscale Tribe and nimbly evaded Jessica's ambush.
Whoosh!
He soared above the Dragon Slaying Stage, darting through the air with the swiftness of lightning.
A scarlet beam of light burst from his acupoint, grasped by his Solar Spirit clone, transforming into the Baneblade Bloodhell to do battle with two warriors of the Silverscale Tribe.
He had a clear view of the clash between the Secular Bird Queen and the Chaos Serpent from atop the Dragon Slaying Stage.
He also witnessed the emergence of Zhong Chichen's iridescent form, the golden world that was on the verge of unveiling itself, and heard Loong Jie's dragon roar.
The negotiations and dialogue between the two parties had not escaped his ears either.
At that moment, the empress had taken her seat upon the Phoenix Ashes, showing no intention of acknowledging his presence, and chose to depart with the Uxthar Tree from the Hallowed Ground.
He recognized that the Secular Bird Queen, having just endured a fierce battle, was considerably fatigued.
In her current condition, the Queen was reluctant to engage in a hasty battle, unwilling to risk a life-and-death struggle with the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, seemingly apprehensive about the potential alliance between the giant lizard and the Abyssal Leviathan.
Thus, the empress wisely conceded a portion of the cosmic order.
Following the Voidweaver's encounter, the youngling had acquired a share of the flesh and rules of ruin. It would undoubtedly grow stronger in the Ashlands, now with formidable allies like Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie.
"Hah, increasingly difficult to manage," Yu Yuan muttered to himself, then noticed a burst of rainbow light within the spatial layers of the Ashlands, realizing his esteemed senior brother, Zhong Chichen, had indeed kept his word.
Zhong Chichen had assisted the Secular Bird Queen in detaining the Abyssal Greater Basilisk within the Ashlands, preventing the Lizard from escaping anytime soon.
This also afforded the Queen time to recuperate her combat prowess, enabling her to swiftly heal her wounds through the remnants of the Chaos Serpent.
"I'm relieved you're unharmed."
Yu Yuan's thoughts reached out to Chen Qinghuang, unconcerned whether she could perceive them or not.
With no further concerns for the Empress's well-being, he turned his full attention to the adversary before him.
He regarded the elderly Shadowkin woman with a mocking smile and said, "You, who have been utterly corrupted by the Origin Deity, have no place in this world. I shall cleanse the threshold on behalf of this realm."
The elderly woman from the Shadowkin stood in stark contrast to the three warriors of the Silverscale Tribe.
Jessica, along with the two Mighty from the Silverscale Tribe, merely obeyed the Abyssal Greater Basilisk. To Yu Yuan, it seemed they retained their own thoughts and spiritual wisdom, possessing independent personalities and wills.
Their souls were pure, untouched by the corrupting influence of the Abyss, and they had not anchored a portion of their souls in the Origin Realm.
However, the old woman from the Shadowkin was a different story. She bore a chilling presence akin to that of the Shadowkin of old and the corrupted divine tree, her spiritual wisdom twisted and ominous.
...
There is one more chapter to go.
