C1717 He Imprisoned the Experts

News of astonishing events spread rapidly throughout the Everlands.

Cultivators of the Unbound realm from the Forgeroses and Starmoon Sect were incarcerated in the newly established Sword Prison, located in extraterrestrial territory.

Individuals like Tan Yuan, Shen Feiqing, and Yu Ying, who had attained the Solar Spirit level, found themselves confined within the Sword Sect's dungeons.

Similarly, figures such as Xueyin, Han Ling, and Lin Yue from the Colddeath Sect were not spared—they too were detained.

All of them were apprehended!

Those who had previously allied with Boulderdawn and the Chamber of Commerce were now facing retribution. The majority of those at the Unbound and Solar Spirit levels were captured and imprisoned.

Many who had received advance warning fled through the Domain Channel and from the dens of the Marsh to the extraterrestrial realms.

Yet, even there, they were not safe, as reports of captures continued to emerge.

Thankfully, this internal conflict targeted only the cultivators of the Solar Spirit and Unbound stages, with the primary intent being to capture and imprison, not to slaughter.

The aggressors made it clear that as long as no one resisted fiercely or took drastic actions, there would be no mass killings.

They also reassured that the turmoil was aimed solely at the upper echelons and would not involve the lower ranks of the sects, advising them not to panic.

...

Bloodbrawlers.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

In the deep valley filled with the howls of venomous insects and Voodoo Shades, Xuanli leapt to his feet, cackling with schadenfreude. "I never expected Han Miaoyuan to move so swiftly! No sooner had the threat of the Origin Gate been neutralized than he made his move!"

Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing, along with the integrated cultivators from the Poison Cult and Binders of Shadows, all huddled around Xuanli.

They watched him, puzzled by his excitement over the misfortune befalling those sects.

Hadn't the Bloodbrawlers also had dealings with Boulderdawn?

Wasn't it with Yu Yuan's assistance that Youyu became the Ghost King in the Land of Terror and then successfully advanced to the God of Ghosts?

Xuanli shouted, releasing his pent-up frustration with abandon. Once he had finished venting, he gestured for the Unbound cultivators from the Poison Cult and the Bloodbrawlers to depart, leaving only Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing with him. Yuan Qingxi was a confidant of Youyu, and Lianjing had loyally served him since ancient times, tirelessly working towards his resurrection. These were the only two he truly trusted.

"What's Youyu's stance on this?" Xuanli asked, plucking a leaf from a distant ancient tree and chewing on it. The green sap oozed out, seemingly toxic, yet he savored it with relish.

"Master holds a differing view," Yuan Qingxi replied, bowing his head respectfully.

Regarding the Root of the Lunar Meridian, Yuan Qingxi was exceedingly cautious, aware of the gravity of the matter.

"A differing view?" Xuanli raised an eyebrow, his gaze instinctively dropping to the ground beneath him. He was aware of a branch of the Lunar Meridian lying directly below. As he spoke, a secretive remnant soul bypassed Yuan Qingxi and Lianjing, surfacing directly in his mind.

Xuanli immediately understood that the Root of the Lunar Meridian, which had once recommended Youyu for deification, and Taiyin, who had subsequently shattered their divine status, had not managed to resurrect them promptly. This oversight had left the Lunar Meridian harboring resentment towards the Boulderdawn.

In the past, the Lunar Meridian had opposed the Nagas that terrorized the Everlands, not humans like Han Miaoyuan or ancient evilkind such as the Dark Phoenix. Now, with the Nagas resurgent and the shadows of Yu Yuan and the Boulderdawn looming behind them, the Lunar Meridian was displeased.

The Root of the Lunar Meridian was leaning towards forming an alliance with Han Miaoyuan. In the grand conflict of the Everlands, it wished to side with Han Miaoyuan, but Youyu had disagreed, prompting an in-depth discussion between them.

After reaching a conclusion, they left the final decision to Xuanli. The Root of the Lunar Meridian conveyed to Xuanli that if the Bloodbrawlers allied with Han Miaoyuan, Han Miaoyuan would ensure that Xuanli secured a divine position within the next century.

"Am I actually allowed to make the choice now?"

Xuanli was astonished, for from ancient times until now, the Root of the Lunar Meridian had never offered him any choices, merely dictating his actions.

Suddenly, Xuanli was struck by a shocking realization.

He was able to choose not because the Root of the Lunar Meridian had grown lenient, but because Youyu had become so formidable that the Root could not ignore his stance!

The very Root of the Lunar Meridian that had birthed Youyu now had to consider his opinions and attitudes. It was only after Youyu's dissent and subsequent negotiations that he was given the option to choose.

After all, it was Youyu who had shattered his divine throne years ago.

"This is such a difficult decision."

Xuanli tugged at his hair, staring at the sky with an expression of deep gloom.

Having returned from the Ashlands, he knew who Yu Yuan was and had witnessed his commanding presence there, which left him far from optimistic.

...

At the Artifact Sect.

Yin Tiehua, who had also recently returned from the Ashlands, faced the current leader of the Artifact Sect, his face creased with concern. He advised his junior brother, "Let's hold off on making any statements for now."

Hu Po, with his dashing and refined appearance, was a Divine Level forger and a former member of the Hu family from the Stormcrown Empire.

He was young enough to be Yin Tiehua's son, with his striking and impressive demeanor.

Yet at that moment, he felt rather unfortunate as he lamented, "I had just planned on forming an alliance with the Boulderdawn Sect, and out of nowhere, Han Miaoyuan turns against us. Oh, Senior Sister, why did you have to return at this very moment?"

"Are you blaming me?" Yin Tiehua shot him a stern look.

Hu Po was chosen by their master when he was but a toddler, taken from the Hu family to join the Artifact Sect.

Back in the day, Yin Tiehua looked after all of Hu Po's needs, even carrying him across mountains to familiarize him with the tools of their trade. It wouldn't be an overstatement to call her his second mother.

Owing to their profound bond, when rumors spread of Yin Tiehua's demise in the extraterrestrial realm, she was mourned like Yin Xueqi, a descendant from the Everlands, whom Hu Po had quietly looked after all along.

It was because their relationship was so strong and transparent that Yin Tiehua didn't hesitate to scold him when she was upset.

"How could I possibly blame you?"

Hu Po quickly gestured in surrender, "I've been a fence-sitter my whole life, trying not to offend either side. That's why I expelled Yin Xueqi from the Artifact Sect and secretly sent her to the Chamber of Commerce, to prevent any trouble. Now you're back, and with Taixu no less. It's common knowledge that we have a deep connection with the Boulderdawn Sect."

"We've barely settled in, and Han Miaoyuan strikes out of nowhere! As the Sect Master, this is giving me a headache."

Hu Po felt incredibly unlucky.

"Zhong Chichen, Loong Jie, a young beast, Taishi, Taixu, and the Soul-Capturing Tianqi. We might even have to include the Abyssal Leviathan and the one who has just awakened," Yin Tiehua mused, tracing patterns on the ground with her crutch. "Han Miaoyuan, Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, Wei Zhuo, Qin Luo, Ji Ningshuang? They're not in the same league..."

Yin Tiehua lifted her head, her gaze intense as she locked eyes with Hu Po. "Let's not drift away from the Boulderdawn. We can play the role of fence-sitters a bit longer. I don't believe Han Miaoyuan will come out on top this time!"

Hu Po was startled, "Is the Boulderdawn that formidable?"

"It's difficult to say, really difficult to say!" Yin Tiehua was cautious, worried that speaking too openly might lead to eavesdroppers. She could only continue to shake her head.

Yet, Hu Po had always trusted her, regarding her words as an ironclad truth.

"I know what I must do!" Hu Po declared resolutely.

...

"It's been shadowing me in secret."

Youqian transformed into a blue-robed middle-aged man. He had just alighted on a barren peak in the Fireheart Mountains and began to discreetly communicate with Yu Yuan.

"Does it know that your Lunar Spirit has taken refuge in my body?" Youqian's face registered shock as he blurted out, "You mentioned that Xuanli had confirmed your identity when you were in the Ashlands. Youyu is potent enough to cloud memories and thoughts, making it hard to predict movements. Xuanli hasn't reached that level yet, has he?"

As soon as he spoke, Yu Yuan, nestled in his embrace, fell silent.

The possibility was real!

Should the Root of the Lunar Meridian learn from Xuanli's memories that he was the dragon slayer, what would its reaction be?

It would surely watch his every move with great scrutiny!

It sought to discern his intentions through various signs, curious about his plans upon returning to the Everlands with the Lunar Spirit.

"Don't worry. Its alliance with Han Miaoyuan is only temporary. It's unlikely to reveal my identity to him. Besides, Youyu and Xuanli might have managed to obscure the memories before their return," Yu Yuan responded.

"You actually trust that Youyu, who ascended to God of Ghosts through it, would conceal your identity for you?" Youqian asked incredulously.

"My fear is that he hadn't considered that layer. If he had, he might have indeed done so before returning through the Domain Channel," Yu Yuan maintained his faith in his bond with Youyu.

"Sometimes, I truly can't fathom your relationships. Youyu and Taixu have both shown you such loyalty, yet you weren't known for your ability to forge friendships in ancient times. On the contrary, it was Lord Taishi who was renowned for his social skills, with friends far and wide, many won over by his charisma," Youqian remarked.

"The Order of Healing has faced no troubles."

As Youqian reflected, Yu Yuan, through his vision and perception, saw that the Order of Healing in the Fireheart Mountains was at peace, untouched by Han Miaoyuan's forces.

"Officially, the sect master of the Order of Healing is the Chronowyrm, Zhong Chichen, not you, Yu Yuan."

Youqian spoke as he discerned a direction and soared toward the most tumultuous volcano, "Moreover, Mo Baichuan has merged with the Fireheart Mountains, turning it into his treasure trove for exploring the Earth Fire Sacred Way. With the Serpent Spine Mountains' plant essence so vibrant, many herbalists have also migrated there."

Pausing briefly, Youqian added, "The Yu family has also stood firm amidst this upheaval."

"That's because Youyu is still present," Yu Yuan stated.

Youyu, the Evil King Yu Xi, was the progenitor of the Yu family in the Serpent Spine Mountains. With the Root of the Lunar Meridian and Han Miaoyuan in silent agreement, Han Miaoyuan would certainly not provoke Youyu by antagonizing the Yu family.

Therefore, the Yu family would remain untouched by this conflict.

Moments later, Youqian emerged from the intense heat of the magma pool, catching sight of the Serpentflame furnace rising slowly to the surface. There, he also spotted Mo Baichuan seated at the base of the furnace.

"Come down to the base," Mo Baichuan instructed, gesturing beside him and glancing at Youqian's arm. "Have him wait outside."

"Understood."

Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit soared out and descended into the base of the Serpentflame.

The furnace lid promptly sealed shut, and the furnace rapidly submerged once more into the magma pool, plunging downwards.

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