C1715 He Prepared to Fight

In the Ebon Star Sect, Cao Jiaze sat with a straight back in a palace suspended in the air. He pulled a Mark of the Celestials from his chest.

Within the square Mark, rivulets of spiritual energy were refining, slowly revealing the Banner of Duality.

From within the banner, a phantom of Han Miaoyuan emerged, smiling with a benevolent gaze. "Ze, what's the matter? Why the sudden urgency to contact me? Is there something you can't handle within the sect? Remember, as long as I'm away from the sect, you have full authority over all matters!"

"Ze, I have complete trust in your abilities. I'm getting on in years, and the role of sect master of Ebon Star will inevitably be yours one day."

He looked upon Cao Jiaze with a sense of pride, as if bringing him back to the Ebon Star was one of his life's greatest achievements.

"Sect Master, where are you?" inquired Cao Jiaze with curiosity.

"I'm on the moon beyond the Everlands," Han Miaoyuan responded, his voice warm with amusement.

"It seems Yu Yuan has returned to the Everlands."

Cao Jiaze mentioned this while intently observing the Mark of the Celestials, watching for any flicker of emotion on Han Miaoyuan's face. Regrettably, he detected no significant reaction.

"The Thunder Sect's Wei Zhuo and those from the Ethereal Void Sect have been stirring. The Sword Sect, Abyssal Dawn, and the Moon Sect also appear to be consolidating their power," Cao Jiaze said, his brow furrowed, concern evident in his eyes. "What are they planning?"

Han Miaoyuan offered a serene smile and advised, "Concentrate on mastering the magic arts; pay no mind to the shifting tides of the outside world."

Cao Jiaze was far from naive.

With that response, he instantly understood that the old sect master, residing in the extraterrestrial realm, must be aware of the subtle shifts occurring in the Everlands.

After all, the newly elevated leader of the Thunder Sect held the old sect master in high esteem.

Even Wei Zhuo's ascension to the Supreme God had been sanctioned by Han Miaoyuan's consent and with his assistance.

Thus, if Wei Zhuo intended to undertake a significant endeavor in the Everlands, it would have been discussed with, and tacitly approved by, the old sect master.

"You're aware that Yu Yuan has returned?" Cao Jiaze exclaimed.

"It's merely a Lunar Spirit. He's just manifested in the forbidden area, and both Wei Zhuo and the Root of the Lunar Meridian have sensed his presence. They've already reached out to me." Han Miaoyuan maintained his composure, smiling as he spoke, "Right now, I'm out in the extraterrestrial realm, trying to understand what's unfolded in the Ashlands, but I haven't pieced it all together yet. Yu Yuan's return as a mere Lunar Spirit is inconsequential to us."

After a brief pause, Han Miaoyuan spoke with gravity, "Ze, it's time I started taking action on your behalf."

"Acting on my behalf?" Cao Jiaze was taken aback.

"Yu Yuan is moving too quickly; he's entered the Unbound Realm ahead of you, and you've always been more cautious with your breakthroughs, a step behind. Given that he's the hand-chosen disciple of that individual and has mastered Wraithbinding, his claim to the Supreme God and the divine status directly conflicts with yours."

Han Miaoyuan's expression conveyed an air of inevitability, "He belongs to Boulderdawn, a successor of that person, and a confrontation with us is inevitable. Now that the threat of the Origin Gate has been neutralized and the Demon God Bertain has ventured into the Abyss, it's time we settled our longstanding disputes."

"Consider this: Untamed, Green Willow, and Yu Zhu have all been summoned to Kobran by Shadow's Keep. Without Untamed to guard the marsh, we have the opportunity to obliterate the secular bird nests there. Alternatively, we could banish them to the extraterrestrial realm. And as for the Domain Channel in the Moonfall Sanctuary, we need to take control of it ourselves."

"This is an opportunity that comes once in a millennium."

"Don't fret. The upcoming moves by Wei Zhuo and the Ethereal Void Sect are merely the appetizer. The main course won't take place in the Everlands; we'll save that for the extraterrestrial realm."

"With the Lunar Meridian on our side, and allies like Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, Wei Zhuo, and the many Grand Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect, it's time to settle the score."

Han Miaoyuan spoke with an ease that belied the gravity of the situation.

Cao Jiaze's form shook slightly, and after a long moment, he murmured, "Is it happening this quickly?"

He knew the day would come, yet he hadn't anticipated its swift arrival. The threat posed by the Origin Gate had only just been neutralized when the venerable sect master began to lay plans, sharpening the blade for what was to come.

"Who allowed Bertain to leave?"

From within the Banner of Duality, Han Miaoyuan seemed to applaud the turn of events. "The big devil didn't just leave; he also took the Origin Deity with him, ensuring our internal strife is free from external concerns. Our alliance with Boulderdawn was born out of necessity, due to threats that could have shattered the Everlands."

"Now that the two greatest threats have ventured into the Abyss, we must seize this rare opportunity to eradicate the remnants of the Boulderdawn Sect. If not now, then when?"

"Alright, the Path to Godhood, opened with the Primal Soul, can only be walked by you, Ze!"

"Yu Yuan is your comrade and part of Boulderdawn; I will show no mercy. And remember, you must not allow compassion to cloud your judgment!" Han Miaoyuan's voice hardened with these final words.

"I understand," Cao Jiaze responded, his voice heavy with a sigh.

...

On Demon's Scar.

"Girl, put aside your thoughts on the Merge path of the Unbound Stage for now. The sect master has commanded you to venture into battle in the outside world; you mustn't linger in the Everlands," Faang Yao, with his bald head, urgently informed Yuan Lianyao. "He also instructed you to leave the Everlands as soon as possible and meet him on the moon, out in space."

"Why such sudden urgency?" Yuan Lianyao asked, bewildered.

"I'm not sure myself," Faang Yao admitted, his expression grave as he shook his head. "Something must have happened that I'm not privy to. The sect master must have received word beforehand. He's concerned for you, which is why he's urging you to leave quickly."

"Everything the sect master does is for your benefit. Don't delay with further preparations; head to the extraterrestrial realm as soon as you can."

"Heed the sect master's words!" Yuan Qiufang advised.

Yuan Lianyao looked up at the fierce sun, imagining the spirited sect master watching over her from afar. Resolute, she declared, "I will depart for the extraterrestrial realm at once."

In the Skyreach Consortium's somber chamber, the light cast a dim glow. Shi Jing'er, whose demeanor was as serene as a gentle stream, was accompanied by Jun Chen, Feng Zhong, and the recently returned Zhou You.

"Lord Youqian, it seems we may need to take action soon."

Shi Jing'er stood next to an immense crystal ball with multifaceted surfaces, observing the various scenes it displayed. "Thunder Sect, Ethereal Void, Winter's Bite, Abyssal Dawn, Sword Sect—too many cultivators are subtly shifting their movements towards sects allied with Boulderdawn."

"Particularly here."

Her delicate finger touched one of the facets, revealing the outline of Godsblight Marsh. "With the Untamed gone, the marsh is without its guardian. The Secular Bird Queen's nest, nestled within, is far from safe now. Should the Most High venture there, the nest could be destroyed."

With a whoosh, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit emerged from Youqian's embrace, his face grave as he gazed upon the marsh Shi Jing'er indicated.

"Yu Yuan!"

Jun Chen, Feng Zhong, and Zhou You exclaimed in unison.

Zhou You, still weak and without his full strength, was the most agitated upon seeing Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit. "President Shi, Old Feng, Jun Chen, don't be overly concerned. You haven't experienced the Ashlands. You're unaware of the fierce battles that have taken place there, nor do you know the extent of Yu Yuan's power in that realm."

Shi Jing'er, having inferred the adversary's intentions from the scenes within the crystal ball, was restless.

Had Youqian not arrived, she would have already instructed Feng Zhong to summon him, urgently needing to liaise with the God-King of Boulderdawn.

"With Han Miaoyuan at the helm, and if Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, Wei Zhuo, Qin Luo, and other high-ranking primordial spirits join him, I fear we'll be utterly defeated due to our lack of preparation," she mused, her thoughts drifting to President Lyi.

Her business acumen was notable, yet when it came to sect conflicts, she often deferred to President Lyi's judgment.

Regrettably, her mentor and benefactor, President Lyi, had succumbed to his extreme pursuits and was now lost to the Earthfire, becoming an unpredictable element within the Everlands.

"Yu Yuan, what are your thoughts?" Feng Zhong inquired.

"Let's get ready for battle."

...