C1737 The Horn of Attack
Kobran.
A magnificent dark purple palace stood tall on this star, now under the dominion of evilkind. The land, though not vast, was nearly overrun with evilkind, Fellbeasts, and alien beasts.
Periodically, ninth-level alien beast leaders would bring their kin from afar.
These ninth-level alien beasts, typically wild and untamed, would become docile and well-behaved upon entering the dark purple palace of Kobran. The evilkind's supreme beings within held a magical power that could tame even the most rebellious alien beast leaders.
The expansive Star River near the Dark Star was teeming with evilkind and alien beasts. They would mercilessly attack any unusual creatures that weren't part of their packs.
These so-called unusual creatures included Blood Fiends, Sky Fiends from other extraterrestrial branches, and all forms of intelligent life.
Any being spotted near the Dark Star by these packs would be shredded and devoured.
They acted on the orders of the Dark Phoenix!
It was as if from that moment, the Dark Phoenix had declared her unrivaled status to all higher intelligent life across the extraterrestrial realms—King of the Monsters!
Having united the evilkind, Fellbeasts, and extraterrestrial alien beasts under her command, she encircled the Dark Star, waiting for more beasts and beast kings to pledge their allegiance while biding her time for the perfect moment.
Far from Kobran, Yu Zhu sat on the resplendent Heaven's Dais at the junction of Qiyan and the Seven-Colored Lake.
Her eerie and dangerous eyes occasionally glanced at the individual who kept a distance from her in Kobran—a rare sight indeed.
Lin Zhuyun, who had claimed the rare stone for herself, might be the only pure human in the region.
She resided within the frigid domain of the rare stone, seldom making an appearance.
Given that the outside world was rife with alien beasts, evilkind, and Fellbeasts, she remained cautious despite having permission from the Dark Phoenix.
Yu Zhu, in particular, was a concern.
This newly risen high being from the Everlands sometimes gazed at Lin Zhuyun's refined rare stone with ill intent, which was disconcerting.
"Stop intimidating her," chided the Untamed, arriving with a whoosh from the fringes of the Dark Star, taking a long drag of his pipe and chuckling. "Girl, what's the situation in the Everlands? My bloodline recently sensed a disturbance. My offspring has stirred the spiritual energy of the Marsh, and it's even got my attention."
The Ape was aware of Yu Zhu's connection to the Lunar Meridian and the events unfolding in the Everlands.
Deep beneath the Everlands, the Lunar Meridian should have been keenly aware of the disturbances occurring there, and it was expected to promptly inform Yu Zhu.
"It's nothing," Yu Zhu said nonchalantly, casting a quick glance at Kobran.
She had already learned from the Root of the Lunar Meridian about Yu Yuan's significant actions in the Everlands. It seemed that the Lunar Meridian intended for her to relay this information to the Dark Phoenix.
Yet, she chose not to.
"You're quite the character, aren't you? I'm not aligned with her. I simply need her to obtain what I desire, and she's the only one who can provide it," the Ape said with an eye roll.
Yu Zhu remained silent.
"Fine, I'll ask the Astral Tiger," the Ape conceded, realizing he couldn't persuade her. Before departing, he paused and added, "War is on the horizon; I can sense it. Once we reach the Dark Star, you'd best tread carefully. Don't end up as expendable fodder, dying without even knowing why."
The Ape worried about Yu Zhu's naivety and offered his warning out of concern.
Yu Zhu continued her silence.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Atop the palace of the supreme Dark Phoenix, a shimmering purple glow flickered, as if receiving a covert message from beyond the stars.
"Han Miaoyuan!" the Ape exclaimed, taken aback.
At that moment, Yu Zhu, who had been reticent, seemed to realize that she could no longer keep things to herself and stoically revealed the massive upheaval in the Everlands.
Hearing this, the Ape slapped his thigh and cackled, "Let the chaos begin! It's about time!"
Boom!
The deep purple palace in Kobran soared towards the Dark Star. The remnant soul of the supreme Dark Phoenix echoed within all the Dark Deities, Monster Lords, and Beast Kings.
Thus, Dark Deities like Green Willow, the Moonfang Tiger, the Untamed, and Yu Zhu, along with numerous Monster Lords and ninth-level alien beasts, set forth from Kobran and the surrounding Star River, all converging on the Dark Star.
The Dark Phoenix finally sounded the horn of attack.
...
"She actually believes that the battle between Loong Jie and Lin Daoke is a sign that she can engage without concern."
Youyu, through the Root of the Lunar Meridian, was the first to receive news of the Dark Phoenix's assault on the Dark Star from the distant Yu Zhu in Kobran.
Youyu was taken aback; he hadn't anticipated the Supreme Being of Shadow's Keep making her move at this juncture.
Was Dark Phoenix still wary of a united front between Loong Jie and Lin Daoke?
Originating from the Everlands herself, did she suspect that Han Miaoyuan might, at any moment, disrupt her schemes in the Dark Star and somehow compel Loong Jie and Lin Daoke to join forces?
"The Supreme Being of Shadow's Keep has struck at the Dark Star."
After connecting with the Lunar Meridian, and before Loong Jie reached Ionodios, Youyu spoke to the restless Han Miaoyuan, "She got your message but chose not to come here. Upon learning that Loong Jie and Lin Daoke were on the verge of clashing in Ionodios, she ordered the invasion of the Dark Star Domain!"
Han Miaoyuan was profoundly shaken.
The beings of the Everlands despised not the humans but her, the one who had united evilkind and humans to overthrow the Nagas in ancient times!
The deification of Loong Jie and the return of the Chronowyrm signaled to her that there was no escape.
Soon, a tenth-level golden dragon god, the original Chronowyrm, and perhaps a newly born Dragon God would seek her out for a deadly confrontation.
If Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian were to appear, her troubles would only multiply.
She patiently waited for the moment to act, biding her time until she could no longer contain her animosity towards Boulderdawn, until the Nagas took a stand, and until internal strife erupted among the humans of the Everlands.
Only then would she strike at the Dark Star without a care!
In a flash, Han Miaoyuan deduced the Dark Phoenix's strategy, his mood darkening as he silently chastised himself for his impatience.
"She's been guarding against you all along!" Zu Ann declared emphatically.
Qin Luo, the newly risen primordial spirit, was left bewildered by the exchange between Youyu and Zu Ann. He struggled to grasp the situation, puzzled as to why the Dark Phoenix was so vigilant against Han Miaoyuan.
"She truly intends to break away from the Everlands and establish her own domain in the Dark Star Region! She aims to escape the fundamental constraints of the Everlands and leverage the alien beasts and evilkind of the celestial realms to topple the current order of our world! She envisions a new world where alien beasts and evilkind reign supreme, relegating intelligent life to a secondary tier, all under her rule!"
Han Miaoyuan shared his conjecture with those present, revealing the Dark Phoenix's ambitions.
"She aspires to become the second Titan Spinosaurus and surpass the Great Demon God Bertain! Should she succeed, the societal structure of the Infinite Galaxy will be upended, and numerous tenth level alien beasts and Dark Deities will emerge."
Han Miaoyuan declared emphatically.
"Don't worry. I'll handle you first, then I'll take care of her later." Yu Yuan remained unfazed, having already deduced the Dark Phoenix's motives from the Demon God Bertain, Abyssal Leviathan, and Lizard. He calmly stated, "I hadn't anticipated her to place such importance on Loong Jie, nor her fear of an alliance between Loong Jie and Lin Daoke."
"Loong Jie is, after all, a pure-blooded golden dragon, and he even slew the Blood King Sabonis." Han Miaoyuan sighed.
"That just makes me all the more eager." Yu Yuan said with a smile.
...
Whoosh!
Like a golden mountain range, Loong Jie finally made his way to the outskirts of Ionodios after a long trek. His eyes, blazing like golden suns, fixed upon the territory within the wall.
Clang!
His scales, shimmering like golden leaves, vibrated with a jarring Sunsilver clangor, as if the very rules of the Annihilation Nebula were being scrambled.
Brie, Rebecca, Beru, and other hidden Otherkin powerhouses felt as if they were hearing the collapse of the cosmos itself. A boundless energy storm began to build, threatening to engulf Ionodios.
"Loong Jie!"
"Golden dragon!"
Yue Mu, Van Heqing, Su Qingmo, Lu Hongpeng, and Xue Jiu, dispersed across the starry ocean beyond the wall, all fixed their gaze on the lecherous dragon, whom they had previously dismissed.
Loong Jie, who had spent years confined in the Sword Prison, had been underestimated by all, known more for sowing his wild oats than for any legendary feats of valor. He had always been regarded as a nonentity.
Until this moment!
As the massive golden dragon's scales fluttered, the Grand Sword Immortals could glimpse the muscles beneath, each one sheathed in a blinding metallic sheen.
Locking eyes with Loong Jie, they felt their very bodies, souls, and even their meticulously honed sword's will, as if on the verge of being torn asunder.
…
