C1735 Loong Jie's Confusion

"Youyu!"

Han Miaoyuan's frown deepened as he caught sight of the dense river of Yin Qi and the appearance of Youyu, the God of Ghosts. His gaze shifted beyond Youyu to the babbling river, his expression turning somber.

With the departure of the Great Demon God Bertain, the Root of the Lunar Meridian, once hidden deep within the Everlands, dared to reveal itself in the extraterrestrial realm.

He had once shared an unspoken agreement with the Root of the Lunar Meridian.

Yet, as the spiritual energy from the Land of Terror and the Rainbow Ocean seeped from his ensnared banner, he sensed a betrayal; the Root of the Lunar Meridian had forsaken their pact.

The Lunar Meridian had little faith in his chances against Yu Yuan, suspecting defeat, and thus withdrew its support.

But why had the Lunar Meridian and Youyu emerged from the Everlands to closely monitor this battle?

Whoosh!

The river beneath Youyu suddenly transformed, displaying images much like the rainbow halo above the Dragon Slaying Stage.

It was Ionodios!

Within the Annihilation Nebula, figures such as the Grand Sword Immortals Lin Daoke, Yue Mu, Van Heqing, and others like God-King Taixu, Hei Xun, and Jiang Miaojie gradually appeared.

Even more astonishing was that the inhabitants of Ionodios displayed expressions of shock.

Apparently, they too were peering back through some means, witnessing the events unfolding here.

The Lunar Meridian's power enabled the mighty of Ionodios and those like Yu Yuan in this starry realm to observe each other and stay informed of the happenings in real-time.

"Merely a trick of illusory shadows!"

Zu Ann scoffed, straightening his crest, and stepped forward with the Mirror of Fates in hand. Squinting at the stream, he remarked, "The Zekrica of the Annihilation Nebula has a tributary here. A Starborn lady named Denise became its devotee, mastering the arcane taught by it."

"It's through the bloodline of the Starborn lady and the tributary left in Zekrica that both sides can behold one another."

Zu Ann, who had long stood watch over Skyreach Peak, had not expected to discern such truths in the Extraterrestrial Star River.

He also mentioned that the technique employed by the Lunar Meridian was facilitated through Denise of the Starborn and a subsidiary stream of the Lunar Meridian in Zekrica.

"Heh, that's not too shabby."

Yu Yuan maintained his composure as he gazed intently at the river where Youyu was located. Suddenly, he chuckled, "Well then, the Boulderdawn disciples trapped in Ionodios will be aware of what has transpired in the Everlands. They'll no longer be concerned for their fellow sect members."

"Lin Daoke has seen me as well," Han Miaoyuan noted, his expression shifting.

"He can't make it here," Youyu murmured, then elaborated, "He can only view this place, but this stream lacks the capability for spatial transport."

"That's alright. As long as he can see me, that's enough," Han Miaoyuan said, surprisingly more composed.

The menace posed by the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, the Abyssal Leviathan, and the two apex Otherkin warriors seemed to diminish substantially with the knowledge that Lin Daoke could see them.

His demeanor caught everyone off guard, and even Yu Yuan couldn't quite gauge the situation.

As the human leader, Han Miaoyuan possessed numerous enigmatic abilities. It was possible he had a method to establish a connection with Lin Daoke in the Annihilation Nebula.

Han Miaoyuan had faith in Lin Daoke. He seemed to believe that with Lin Daoke's swordsmanship at his disposal, no foe could instill fear in him.

To Han Miaoyuan, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, the Abyssal Leviathan, and the two peak Otherkin paled in comparison to Lin Daoke.

"Stay vigilant."

Zu Ann, who had been ostentatiously self-assured, grew noticeably more cautious in response to Han Miaoyuan's altered demeanor, constantly scanning their surroundings.

He was aware that Han Miaoyuan was a formidable opponent, adept in numerous arcane arts and artifacts. There was a chance he could indeed summon Lin Daoke to his aid.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The celestial expanse within ten thousand miles, previously obscured by Han Miaoyuan's spiritual energy, now shone brightly.

"I've just had a realization," Han Miaoyuan exclaimed, slapping his forehead as if a lightbulb had gone off. "The reason the Supreme from Shadow's Keep didn't immediately assault the Dark Star Region is that she's been searching for a creature brimming with sufficient vital energy!"

He casually observed the Abyssal Leviathan, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, and Loong Jie within the radiant circle of the Dragon Slaying Stage and remarked, "You lot seem to fit her hunting criteria quite well. As for myself, I'm actually in a position to contact her. No matter where she is, I have ways to get messages to her."

Suddenly, a layer of the Exquisite Pagoda on the seventh floor lit up, as if transmitting a covert signal.

"The Abyssal Leviathan, she's sought you out in the extraterrestrial starry skies. And you!"

Han Miaoyuan turned his gaze to the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, offering a slight smile as he spoke with ease, "You hid at the edge of outer space, and she contemplated your whereabouts. But the search proved too arduous, so she abandoned the effort. However, now that you've returned, not lurking at the elusive borders of space, finding you will be much simpler."

Han Miaoyuan had invoked the Dark Phoenix!

Moreover, through the seven-tiered Exquisite Pagoda, he had revealed the whereabouts of the Abyssal Leviathan and the Abyssal Greater Basilisk in the Ashlands, informing these two cosmic giant beasts that they might be able to emerge beyond the Everlands via the Dragon Slaying Stage.

"Dark Phoenix!"

The illumination from the Exquisite Pagoda caused a shift in expression for the Abyssal Leviathan, Loong Jie, Jessica, and Awkwafina.

In this world, post the departure of the Great Demon God Bertain, the purple phoenix of the Everlands was an entity of sheer terror, particularly to cosmic giant beasts and beings like Loong Jie.

The Dark Phoenix had a notorious penchant for preying on creatures such as themselves!

In contrast, Lin Daoke, whose combat prowess was formidable, lacked a deep-seated obsession with slaughtering these ancient beings of abundant vital energy.

"The only one I fear is Bertain. She hasn't claimed victory in the Dark Star Region, nor has she merged with the Solar Meridian. She hasn't reached the level that would make me flee upon hearing her name," the Abyssal Greater Basilisk huffed, "Unless she allies with the Untamed and the White Tiger, she alone may not overpower us."

"Especially now that we have Loong Jie!"

After speaking, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk cast a meaningful glance at the golden dragon in human form, "A tenth-level golden dragon god, once the Ultimate Golden Body is fully realized, will certainly give her a run for her money."

"And you, Han Miaoyuan, think carefully. In the vast expanse of the Everlands, who could possibly kill Loong Jie?"

The old lizard held Loong Jie in such high regard!

Loong Jie himself, a fellow denizen of Eiwrone, was taken aback by such praise, awkwardly scratching his head.

His "Ultimate Golden Body" had only achieved minor success, and he had yet to witness its full potential. After Zhong Chichen had taken him to the Ashlands, he didn't get the chance to join forces with the young beast to attack the Secular Bird Queen before Yu Yuan, that anomaly, had him pinned down.

The Draconic Soul Shackle and the Way of Heaven's suppression at the Dragon Slaying Stage had deflated the once buoyant Loong Jie.

He hadn't had the opportunity to test the true strength of his "Ultimate Golden Body," and he wondered if it was as formidable as the legends claimed.

The defeat in the Ashlands led him to question the glory of his ancestors and whether Zhong Chichen's reverence for the Ultimate Golden Body was merely exaggerated to boost his morale.

If not, then why was Yu Yuan able to suppress him so thoroughly?

"Ultimate Golden Body, a tenth-level golden dragon god."

Youyu pondered the weight of the Lizard's words, involuntarily conjuring images of the ancient golden dragon that once dominated the Star River.

Aside from the Demon God Bertain, that golden dragon god had never cowered before anyone.

"I've had the privilege of witnessing your ancestor's power. Loong Jie, don't underestimate yourself. Yu Yuan may be your bane, but apart from him, in the Star Ocean without Bertain, you should fear no one," the Lizard said earnestly to a doubtful Loong Jie.

Loong Jie asked with hesitation, "You're not trying to trick me into battling the Dark Phoenix, are you?"

"No, Loong Jie, you truly are powerful. If you don't believe me, go to Ionodios and let Lin Daoke strike you with his sword. Then you'll realize just how resilient your golden dragon body is," the Abyssal Greater Basilisk stated with conviction.

"I refuse!" Loong Jie's head shook like a bobblehead.

Back on Dragon Island, as he aspired to claim the Dragon God throne, Lin Daoke arrived with his sword, and the sword's will loomed over his Dragon Soul, instilling a fear that lingered to this day.

Even after ascending to the status of a Dragon God, his fear of Lin Daoke remained deeply ingrained; he always felt inferior to Lin Daoke.

But then...

He noticed that following the Lizard's remarks, Youyu, Zu Ann, and Han Miaoyuan all wore grave expressions, seemingly pondering the significance of the Ultimate Golden Body and the might of a tenth-level golden dragon god.

Han Miaoyuan, in particular, looked troubled, as if he were concerned about how to handle him.

Could I truly be that powerful?

Loong Jie was taken aback.

"Loong Jie! I, too, am eager to see if you can withstand Lin Daoke's sword!" Yu Yuan burst out laughing.

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