C1711 Forget It!
The two Cosmic Giant Beasts fell silent in the face of the immense threat posed by the Dark Phoenix and the Root of the Solar Meridian. If the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and the Abyssal Leviathan were to join forces with Jessica and Awkwafina, they might wander the vastness of space with less fear, even if they happened upon the formidable Dark Phoenix. But the Dark Phoenix was far from alone; she had a formidable entourage. Accompanied by Untamed, the Moonfang Tiger, Green Willow, and Yu Zhu, she could summon these Dark Deities to her side. Against such might, the Abyssal Leviathan and the Abyssal Greater Basilisk stood no chance.
One wonders, how much has the Dark Phoenix's youngling evolved?
"The Secular Bird Queen's nest is linked with Boulderdawn. Green Willow, Untamed, and Yu Zhu, knowing that their quarry is the Secular Bird Queen, would likely abstain from the conflict," it was said.
"The God-Kings of Boulderdawn will join the fray, owing to past favors from the Secular Bird Queen."
"But what about you two? Do you have any significant allies to call upon?" Yu Yuan inquired, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
The two Giant Beasts maintained their silence.
Yu Yuan produced a porcelain vial, the lifeblood of the Chaos Serpent within, and passed it to an eager Taixu. As Taixu carefully accepted it, Yu Yuan queried, "Are you headed to the Annihilation Nebula or the Everlands?"
"Either is possible?" Taixu responded, surprised.
Yu Yuan confirmed with a nod, "Either is possible."
The Dragon Slaying Stage rested upon Eiwrone, with tendrils of spatial light and electricity weaving into the many cavernous depths, casting visions into his mind. The stage, initially crafted from Eiwrone itself, had been transformed through countless rituals, the essence of three Dragon Gods, the remains of ninth-level dragons, Rovi's lifeblood, and the rules of the Everlands. This Hex Stone, born of Eiwrone, had become even more mystical than its source.
If Eiwrone was a lock, then the Dragon Slaying Stage was the master key. This key could unlock the myriad depths of Eiwrone and even traverse to the central star of the Ashlands, transporting Yu Yuan to the myriad realms within the Ashlands.
The Dragon Slaying Stage is the key to unlocking the entire Ashlands, having transformed into its central hub, akin to the soul of an artifact.
Yu Yuan's consciousness followed the gossamer threads of light, and before long, he detected a familiar scent within a secluded cavern.
The Domain Channel connecting the Moonfall Sanctuary to the Hellmouth!
"Begin the connection!"
At his command, a new fork leading to the cavern materialized within the channel, filled with a myriad of flowing lights and the remnants of stellar psionic powers.
The once straight passage now branched into three, with a mysterious node at the center linking to the Eiwrone's hidden cave.
This enigmatic node seemed to be controlled exclusively by the Dragon Slaying Stage.
As the ruler of the Ashlands, Yu Yuan had the power to open or seal it at will!
Anyone wishing to travel to or from the Ashlands via the Eiwrone would need his explicit consent.
"Just head down here, and you'll find yourself in the channel that leads to the Hellmouth. It's a bit congested at the moment, so you might run into some difficulties, but..."
Yu Yuan gestured toward the luminous cave entrance, indicating the direction to Taixu, when he caught sight of Zhou You.
He chuckled and gave Zhou You an acknowledging nod, "With Mr. Zhou as your guide, the minor inconveniences within the Domain Channel should be easily navigable."
Zhou You, who had been drained nearly to the point of collapse by the Origin Deity, had regained his robust appearance after some time to recuperate.
As a cultivator of the Unbound Realm with masterful control over space magic, he was certainly the ideal candidate to lead the way.
Additionally, he was likely eager to return to the Everlands and seek the Chamber of Commerce's aid in his recovery.
Zhou You, upon being addressed, gave Yu Yuan a wry smile and said, "Without someone like the Origin Deity stirring up trouble in the Domain Channel, I should manage to escort Lord Taixu safely through the congestion and back to the Everlands."
"I'm here too!" Xuanli eagerly added.
Yu Yuan turned, offering him a warm smile and a nod, "The Boulderdawn Sect owes a debt to the Bloodbrawlers. I'll find a way to repay it. That is, assuming the Bloodbrawlers remain as steadfast allies to us as they were in ancient times."
"Forget it! I have no intention of becoming your ally! I fear waking up in the dead of night to find someone has shattered my divine throne." Xuanli sneered, his heart heavy with grievances that had built up over tens of thousands of years—grievances that Yu Yuan's few words could not possibly dispel.
Taixu, wearing an odd expression, coughed awkwardly.
The Abyssal Leviathan, privy to the underlying issues, remained silent for a long while before finally breaking into a bizarre, cackling laugh.
Xuanli's remark caused Yu Yuan's smile to stiffen. He knew he was at fault and chose not to offer any defense.
"I, too, must return to the Everlands to commune with the Mindscape and address the issues of the Origin Realm," Youyu interjected dispassionately, deftly steering the conversation away from Yu Yuan's past missteps.
"Even though the Origin Deity has departed, the Origin Realm he fashioned isn't beyond reach. I might be able to use this soul stone to find a way into the Origin Realm." Youyu's gaze shifted from Yu Yuan to Awkwafina of the Shadowkin as she spoke.
"My interest extends to the Dreadlord and other supreme beings of the Abyss. The Origin Realm is not confined to the consciousness of the Origin Deity. Since it is akin to the Mindscape within this Hex Stone, the Origin Realm should persist even in the absence of the Origin Deity."
"A bridge for the souls of the mighty, allowing the champions of both realms to engage in spiritual exchange through the Origin Realm."
"This daring concept should not be abandoned with the passing of the Origin Deity. I believe it merits further pursuit," Youyu murmured.
At Youyu's words, Awkwafina was the first to react with fervor. "The Abyss isn't dictated by the Origin Deity. It's a realm of chaos, dominated by numerous Evil Gods! The Origin Deity's combat prowess barely places him in the top five there. His specialty in space magic and his ability to traverse our world are what set him apart!"
"The top five?" The Abyssal Leviathan inwardly stirred.
"Had he not made significant contributions to the Abyss and been a trailblazer for this realm, he wouldn't even rank within the top five!" Awkwafina exclaimed, her voice laden with pent-up resentment. She had held back her grievances against the Origin Deity for too long and now seemed eager to unleash them all.
Suddenly, Youyu turned to Yu Yuan and declared, "I will find the answer!"
His gray eyes shimmered with a light that intertwined like rivers, clearly indicating his intense fascination with the Abyss.
"Watch out for the Lunar Meridian."
Yu Yuan's warning echoed in Youyu's mind, severing his connection with the outside world.
Youyu gave a slight nod, an acknowledgment that he understood, and then he was the first to descend into the shadowy cavern.
As he departed, Xuanli gave Yu Yuan an exasperated roll of the eyes and let out a cold snort before following suit into the depths.
Xuanli, aware that Yu Yuan was none other than Taiyin, would have challenged him to a battle long ago if not for Youyu's intervention and his own lack of advancement to the highest level.
"I'll inform Taishi about everything that's transpired in the Ashlands so he can prepare accordingly."
In high spirits after obtaining a drop of the Chaos Serpent's lifeblood, Taixu extended an invitation to Yin Tiehua, "It's been years since I've been home. Don't you want to see it again? The landscapes of the Artifact Sect's continent, some old friends—aren't you curious to see them?"
"Is it really possible?"
Yin Tiehua's wrinkled face quivered slightly as she gripped her crutch.
How many years had it been?
She had been feigning death in the Ashlands, oblivious to the passage of time and the transformations of the Everlands. The thought of home always brought a pang of sorrow.
She yearned to return.
She longed for recognition, to see the familiar landscapes once more, to witness what had become of the sect that had shaped her.
"In the past, it wasn't possible, but now there's no issue. The Skyreach Consortium is openly trading vast quantities of artifacts with the extraterrestrial races. The deeds of your past are insignificant by today's standards."
Taixu spoke with earnest sincerity, understanding that Yin Tiehua's fears were now unfounded.
"Well then, that settles it! I'll go with you. I trust you!" Yin Tiehua's voice wavered with emotion.
"Allow me to lead the way."
Mr. Zhou respectfully bowed to Yin Tiehua, who was of higher status and seniority than himself, before soaring into the cave, ready to escort her down.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhou."
"It's nothing."
Yin Tiehua, Taixu, and Youyu followed Xuanli into the cave and returned to the Everlands.
...
"There's no need to rush. Take some time to think about your next steps here in the Ashlands. Meanwhile, I'll reacquaint myself with the Ashlands and uncover the secrets of this fascinating world."
With those words, Yu Yuan and the Dragon Slaying Stage vanished, leaving behind four ninth-level alien beasts.
As soon as he left, the four ninth-level alien beasts appeared visibly nervous and uneasy in the presence of the Abyssal Leviathan and the Abyssal Greater Basilisk.
"Relax. If we dared to harm you, we'd be playing right into that young man's hands."
The Abyssal Leviathan's expression was grim, uncertain of Yu Yuan's true intentions and concerned that an extended stay in the Ashlands might embolden the young beast to turn against him and the old Lizard.
Whoosh!
Shortly thereafter, the Dragon Slaying Stage emerged in a secluded area of the Ashlands.
Whirlpools of cosmic energy churned violently ahead, the storm brimming with a potent strange power capable of annihilating life. At the heart of these whirlpools, a massive pale golden star shimmered faintly.
The star seemed extraordinary, as if it were bathed in a divine glow.
"This place is much larger than the Everlands, more than tenfold! Unfortunately, without a natural wall, any weaker beings that settle here will quickly turn into Warpbeasts, if they don't perish first."
Yu Yuan, observing in secret, murmured to himself as he listened to the agonized cries of the Nagas.
Ninth and eighth-level giant dragons poured out from Dragon Island in the Everlands, believing they could glide through the Star River and rapidly evolve their bloodlines with the assistance of Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie. Instead, they found themselves bound by spells that suppressed their dragon blood, constantly lashed by the cosmic order.
