C1703 The Understanding but Not Acceptance!

In the Everlands, within the Fireheart Mountains, Mo Baichuan, his entire Solar Spirit Body shimmering, sat at the base of the Serpentflame furnace. He emerged slowly from the magma pool below.

With a sizzle, the furnace's outer walls sparkled with a cascade of colors. Wisps of earthfire essence, drawn into the furnace, transformed into strands of arc light as fine and lustrous as hair, vanishing into Mo Baichuan's body.

Han Miaoyuan, enveloped in the Banner of Duality, descended from the volcano's mouth and hovered level with the furnace.

In an instant, Mo Baichuan's Solar Spirit Body alighted upon the furnace lid, using his form to shield the mouth of the furnace, preventing Han Miaoyuan from seeing the fire circle inscribed within.

Mo Baichuan's rapid mastery of earthfire's secrets was due to the mysterious and powerful fire circle etched inside the Serpentflame, which held the essence of earthfire.

He was puzzled as to how Yu Yuan's mentor from the Order of Healing had come to understand the mystical aspects of earthfire and managed to depict them in the form of a fire circle on the furnace's inner wall.

He suspected there was something unusual about Yu Yuan's elusive master, who seemed to have never existed in his memory.

Determined to keep these revelations from Han Miaoyuan, Mo Baichuan blocked the furnace mouth and gave a cold, formal bow from atop the lid.

Han Miaoyuan exhaled deeply and said, "I bear an undeniable responsibility for Yuwen Hao's demise and the fracturing of the divine seat."

Mo Baichuan remained silent.

"I know you're upset, but you must realize that everything I did was for the sake of the Everlands. And now, you're aware of the truth, aren't you? After Zhong Chichen ascended to the divine seat, he fulfilled his promise by resolving the Domain Channel's dangers and even caused the Origin Gate at Skyreach Peak to vanish."

"The malignant growth that kept us awake at night has truly been excised."

"Without Zhong Chichen's intervention, the Origin Gate might have obliterated the Everlands, leading to horrors beyond our wildest fears."

"So, the sacrifice of Yuwen Hao was justified."

During the valley council, Han Miaoyuan had already perceived Mo Baichuan's frustration. Despite knowing that the Dark Phoenix had launched a surprise attack on the Sunlit Order, targeting their leader, Mo Baichuan was powerless to act.

First, Lee Tianxin fell, followed by Yuwen Hao. The two highest leaders of the Sunlit Order had succumbed, and the leadership of the upper sect was no longer secure.

How could Mo Baichuan not harbor resentment?

"I understand, but I cannot accept it!" Mo Baichuan stated with an icy demeanor.

"I can promise you that if you meet the qualifications and conditions to ascend to the divine realm, I will assist you in becoming a deity," Han Miaoyuan earnestly said. "This was also my promise to Yuwen Hao."

"And what of it?" Mo Baichuan remained cold and dismissive, his words lacking the respect for Han Miaoyuan he once held.

"Mr. Yuwen ascended to godhood through the Path of the Skyfire. Yet, wasn't he still coerced by the Dark Phoenix, sacrificing himself for the Everlands at your behest? But why him and not the Kylin, not Tan Xiaotian, or the others?" Mo Baichuan questioned sharply, his face stern. "The Sunfire Emperor may have attained a divine seat, but he couldn't avenge Mr. Yuwen. It changes nothing."

With that, he gazed down at the magma pool below, his ruby-like eyes sparking with numerous fine strands of Divine Thunder.

"Give me Mr. Yuwen's relinquished essence and divine position. I intend to use it to ascend to godhood and challenge the Dark Phoenix!" Mo Baichuan declared with finality.

"Nobody has ever succeeded with the Path of Earthfire in the Everlands. Your hopes are exceedingly faint," Han Miaoyuan lamented.

Mo Baichuan was well aware of what he wanted and how obstinate he was.

But what did it matter if he knew?

Neither the golden dragon of old nor the current Dark Phoenix could reach the Earthfire.

The masters of the Sunlit Order, the Ruby Hand, and other sect leaders who attempted to use the Earthfire to ascend to godhood were all incinerated.

"I'm aware of your purpose here. I can sense President Lyi's presence as well. He has plummeted into the depths of the earth's core, where his Sunsilver Body is enduring the scorching of the Earthfire. The intricate formations etched into his unique Sunsilver Body and the sacred way he has comprehended are slowly merging with the Earthfire."

"True gold does not fear the refiner's fire. He seeks to harness the Earthfire in pursuit of his ultimate Way of Heaven," Mo Baichuan observed.

Mo Baichuan laid the groundwork and locked eyes with Han Miaoyuan, his voice steady and calm. "No one can reach the Earthfire, no one can thwart his malevolent quest. Until I ascend to divinity through the Path of Earthfire, I can only observe him and sense his presence faintly."

"Thus, I'm unable to assist you or Mr. Lin. You should return."

With those words, he descended slowly into the magma pool.

"President Lyi's construction of his sinister path will take considerable time. I hope to have grasped the intricate depths of the Path of Earthfire by then and be worthy of crafting a divine throne."

"If you could prepare such a throne for me, allowing me to attempt ascension..."

"Only after I've ascended can I aid Mr. Lin, enabling him to confront President Lyi."

With a soft sound, both the Forge of the Sun and Mo Baichuan vanished into the dense liquid of the magma pool, leaving Han Miaoyuan with a look of profound disappointment.

...

"Do you have anything else to say? Speak freely."

Deep within the Ashlands, Yu Yuan gazed at the elder of the Shadowkin, no longer eager to act. He gestured for her to express her thoughts openly.

Freed from the menace of the Origin Deity, Awkwafina willingly shared the secrets of the Abyss, broadening Yu Yuan's horizons.

Jessica of the Silverscale Tribe and the two warriors also chose to cease hostilities.

Awkwafina's revelations were news to Jessica as well, leaving her stunned and eager to learn more.

"I intend to use your voices to inform Tan Xiaotian and others tied to the Abyss that there exists a power from the same source as theirs, governed by an Evil God. I want them to willingly reach out to the Abyss!" Awkwafina said with a smug, cold laugh.

A thunderous roar from the Abyssal Greater Basilisk echoed through a spatial fissure, sending out enigmatic ripples as if conveying a message.

Upon hearing the roar, Yu Yuan deciphered the secret language of the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and realized that the venerable lizard was seeking aid from the Abyssal Leviathan.

This indicated that the old lizard was under immense pressure in the spatial rift.

At the edge of Eiwrone, the Abyssal Leviathan was intently examining the deep caverns, its gaunt body trembling slightly in surprise. "That rapidly growing young beast, along with the Seven-Colored Dragon and the golden dragon, are all teaming up against you? This is the first time in years you've sought my help," it murmured to itself.

Suddenly, the land belonging to Yin Tiehua was forsaken by the abundant star of the sea, shaking violently and rising into the sky. The three alien beasts, along with Yin Tiehua and his companions, were utterly bewildered and looked toward the leviathan in terror, fearing it had gone mad and was about to bare its fangs for a hunt.

Without offering any explanation or even acknowledging Taixu, Youyu, or the others, the star the leviathan had refined shrank several times over. With a stern expression, it descended swiftly, the star accelerating and quickly vanishing from view.

"Did he accept the Abyssal Greater Basilisk's invitation?" Xuanli wondered, recalling the old lizard's offer to the Abyssal Leviathan before it departed. The leviathan had said it would consider it. Could it be that it had made up its mind to join its old friend on a journey?

What were the two cosmic giant beasts, the warriors of the Silverscale Tribe, and the elder of the Shadowkin planning to do in the Ashlands? Were they out to hunt the young beasts?

After a brief pause, Taixu proactively reached out to Yu Yuan to inform him of the Abyssal Leviathan's abrupt departure. Yu Yuan responded promptly. "The Abyssal Greater Basilisk was trapped by Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie in a spatial interlayer. It was he who called upon the Abyssal Leviathan for help," Taixu clarified.

"This matter in the Ashlands doesn't concern us. Maybe... I could join you on a trip to Boulderdawn beyond our world? It's been too long since I've been out there, and I could use some fresh air," Yin Tiehua suggested, still reeling from the shock.

"He mentioned that once he finds the time, he might be able to transport us directly to our desired destination using the Eiwrone," Taixu relayed Yu Yuan's thoughts to the others while listening intently.

Xuanli's eyes sparkled as he clapped his hands in delight. "Fantastic! I'm eager to return to the Everlands. I have no interest in aimlessly drifting elsewhere."

Youyu reflected briefly before stating, "I, too, need to make a trip back to the Land of Terror."

Han Miaoyuan, who had recently been in contact with the Root of the Lunar Meridian, could perceive the Lunar Meridian's messages even from the Ashlands, and he understood that his presence was required back in the Everlands.

A profound sorrow emanated from Taixu, palpable to everyone around him.

"What's happened?" inquired Xuanli, his curiosity piqued.

Taixu, who had just received another update from Yu Yuan, slowly took a seat, his head bowed as he shared, "The conflict between the Secular Bird Queen and Asa has concluded. Asa was defeated and has perished."

"That was to be expected," Xuanli remarked.

"Asa... She's the very Asa I knew."

Taixu, with his refined features, hung his head, murmuring in a tone of helplessness, like a person drowning, desperately trying to cling to something but finding nothing to grasp.

His heart was overwhelmed by a sense of profound loss, leaving him feeling hollow and directionless for a moment.

​