C1741 The Starry Sky Was Without a Trace!

The words of the Soul-Capturing, coupled with the death of Wei Zhuo, unearthed many hidden truths for Zu Ann. Without the support of the Everlands' essence, the transformation of the primordial spirits of the few God-Kings who had ascended in the Star River seemed to have exacted a grievous toll.

Soul-Capturing was immensely powerful, capable of overshadowing even the will of the Root of the Lunar Meridian. Yet, he doubted his ability to surpass Lin Daoke. Thus, he needed to merge with the origin, enhancing his primordial spirit and combat prowess before facing Lin Daoke in Ionodios.

Currently, a segment of the Everlands' Supreme resided in Kobran, with the Shadow's Keep's sovereigns holding sway. Elsewhere, Boulderdawn had long-standing ties with the Everlands and the Skyreach Peak, clearly not a target for their schemes.

Han Miaoyuan, attuned to the Everlands' spiritual energy and watching from the shadows, made it challenging to target Wei Zhuo. Tan Xiaotian, Zhong Chichen, and Loong Jie were either in the Dawnbringers' holy lands or the Ashlands, making them difficult to approach.

It appeared that Ji Ningshuang, who was delving into the rules of ice magic in the Dark Realm, was an ideal target for Soul-Capturing. Yet, due to her connection with him, Boulderdawn hesitated, delaying their decision.

The turning point came when Wei Zhuo departed the Everlands, guided by the Thunder Pool's soul, to the Starry Sky Forbidden Zone, constrained by the Demon God Bertain. And so, Wei Zhuo was slain.

Upon analyzing the events, Yu Yuan had an epiphany, though it left him feeling uneasy. It was common knowledge that he and Ji Ningshuang were very close; Boulderdawn, despite their need for the Origin, should not have targeted Ji Ningshuang.

"Soul-Capturing..." Yu Yuan muttered with a furrowed brow and a cold snort.

"Ms. Ji is still young, unlike Yuwen Hao. Even if she were to lose her origin and divine status temporarily, she would only regress to the Unbound Stage," Zu Ann remarked, noticing Yu Yuan's somber demeanor and understanding the root of his discontent. "I suspect that Boulderdawn didn't intend to kill her. They likely just wanted to claim her origin, ensuring that Soul-Capturing could confidently face Lin Daoke in battle."

"That's not possible!" Yu Yuan exclaimed.

"Don't dwell on what hasn't actually happened," Zu Ann advised, sensing Yu Yuan's foul mood. "These are merely my speculations. Nobody knows the actual truth. Considering the current circumstances, Soul-Capturing will soon depart for Ionodios. So..."

He straightened his crest and cleared his throat before continuing, "Just concentrate on confronting Mr. Han!"

Before leaving for the Everlands, Han Miaoyuan had made it clear that once either Lin Daoke or Tan Xiaotian returned, Zu Ann would lose his God-King status. He was too old; losing his divine seat would likely lead to his death soon after. There was no time left for waiting or preparing, making a return to the pinnacle after his decline seem unrealistic.

With bridges burned and no retreat in sight, Zu Ann's only option was to place his bets on Yu Yuan and Boulderdawn's victory. Only with Han Miaoyuan's demise could he secure the hard-earned divine seat, allowing him to remain perched upon Skyreach Peak, observing the mortal world's hustle and bustle and the extraterrestrial right and wrong.

"Rest assured," Yu Yuan said with a broad grin before launching another sword strike at Han Miaoyuan.

A crimson River of Swords materialized in an instant, and as it soared toward Han Miaoyuan, it was infused with thick vital energy and Soul Power, transforming swiftly into a clear red crystal.

The technique was still the "Heaven-Opening Sword Array!"

With a resounding boom, the solidified river of red crystal shattered, its myriad fragments becoming dazzling sword blades. Yu Yuan's remnant soul will adhered to each red crystal blade, communicating with the widely known sword spell. Coordinated by the Divine Sword's sword spirit, they swiftly wove together into an orb of light.

Yu Yuan's Soul Power, vital energy, and spiritual energy were rapidly depleting, while the Dragon Slaying Stage beneath him erupted with pure power, coursing through his body.

The Dragon Slaying Stage voraciously absorbed cosmic energy, purifying it and converting it into the essence and spiritual energy of its own little world.

When the supreme Divine Artifact was activated, the tornado created by the Banner of Duality could no longer draw strange power from the nearby Star River.

"The spiritual energy I've brought from the Everlands will suffice," murmured Han Miaoyuan.

Wisps of divine force wafted from the Banner of Duality, infusing Han Miaoyuan's body and shooting towards the Exquisite Pagoda he wielded.

"Having led the Human Race for many years and given my all to the Everlands, it's not unreasonable to redirect some of the spiritual energy."

Han Miaoyuan glanced at Youyu, Zu Ann, and Qin Luo. The spiritual energy surged through his body, quickly filling his limbs and bones, while the abundant force from the Golden Sanctum's little world began to spill out.

"Han Miaoyuan!"

Amidst blinding sword light and a chorus of fierce shouts, a massive crimson sphere of light faintly shrouded both the Banner of Duality and Han Miaoyuan.

The sword's will, capable of tearing apart the heavens and shredding the void, suddenly overwhelmed the space.

Crack! Crack!

The vast expanse of the starry sky shattered like a flawless mirror under the relentless assault of the sword's will.

"The scent of Primal Blood!"

The tornado, birthed from the Banner of Duality, now encased Han Miaoyuan as he held the seven-tiered Exquisite Pagoda aloft, resembling a protective hat.

This venerable leader, who had held sway over the human race for millennia, inhaled deeply, as if he had discerned the essence of Yu Yuan's heart, crafted from Primal Blood, and detected the aroma of life's origin. His eyes took on an unusual hue as he remarked, "The Dark Phoenix ought to be fixated on you."

"Primal Blood?"

Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, his eyes blazing like the sun, incredulously gazed at Yu Yuan's chest, as though attempting to peer through it.

Whoosh!

The Exquisite Pagoda, perched atop Han Miaoyuan's head, began to rotate gently, its substance transforming into the luster of pure white jade.

Instantly, an array of feathers, auroras, branches, jade seals, and imperial crowns emerged, along with a mystical geographical chart, a brush aglow with cosmic order, and a throne capable of toppling the highest divine seats.

Han Miaoyuan's Exquisite Pagoda seemed to transform into an encyclopedia of the Everlands, encompassing the myriad wonders of the universe.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of epoch-resounding booms encircled the diminutive Exquisite Pagoda, giving the impression that Han Miaoyuan was in communion with the past, foretelling the future, and poised to command the present.

Boom!

The red crystals, forged from blood and souls, shattered under the influence of a mysterious rhythm. The profound swordsmanship mantras developed by the Sword Sect's sages dispersed amidst the onslaught of enigmatic objects that filled the heavens.

The sphere of light, woven with sword light, slowly ripped open, as if another part of the Everlands was crumbling.

"The Heaven-Opening Sword Array is also my crowning achievement. I am well-versed in the hidden swordsmanship truths it contains! Yu Yuan, you have greatly underestimated me," Han Miaoyuan declared, standing atop the Exquisite Pagoda. After breaking the Heaven-Opening Sword Array, he chose not to pursue the fight but instead descended into the eye of the tornado.

The Banner of Duality spun and gradually vanished in front of Yu Yuan, Qin Luo, and Zu Ann.

Having shattered the formidable Heaven-Opening Sword Array, Han Miaoyuan did not press his advantage. Instead, he concealed his presence and vanished without a trace.

"There's no sign of him in the vast expanse of stars," Zu Ann remarked, a drop of blood emerging from his fingertip and touching the Mirror of Fates. After using a mystique to probe the situation, he furrowed his brow and said, "He's certainly not in the Everlands! If he were in the Star River or a Starry Sky Forbidden Zone akin to the Ashlands, I would be able to detect his whereabouts, even if he is Han Miaoyuan."

"Why wouldn't he fight to the end?" Qin Luo wondered, perplexed.

The miraculous items that had emerged from the Exquisite Pagoda had captivated Qin Luo, as if he had witnessed the ascent of the Everlands and the rise and fall of innumerable supreme beings.

Han Miaoyuan had managed to break the Heaven-Opening Sword Array and appeared to still have reserves of strength.

Continuing the battle, Han Miaoyuan might not have been defeated, yet he decisively chose to withdraw.

Qin Luo couldn't make sense of it.

"There are too many variables at play, and he has always preferred to err on the side of caution," Zu Ann explained, gesturing towards Youyu. "He's unsure of Youyu and the Lunar Meridian's true intentions, and he might be concerned that Tianqi and Taishi are already en route. Moreover, with the Dark Phoenix striking at the Dark Star, it indicates they're too preoccupied to attend to this region."

"He also fears the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, the Abyssal Leviathan, and the two tenth-level Otherkin warriors might join the fray."

"Yet, he now finds himself without any allies at his side."

Zu Ann, who had silently observed Han Miaoyuan for many years, surmised that Han Miaoyuan's withdrawal was due to his concern over Yu Yuan's overwhelming strength. He feared that, should he sustain serious injuries, he would be besieged by the powerful reinforcements arriving later.

Should that come to pass, escape would no longer be an option for him.

"Starry Sky Forbidden Zone."

Yu Yuan's remnant soul, vitality, and the Dragon Slaying Stage synchronized as he envisioned Han Miaoyuan's form, attempting to harness the stage's power to locate him.

Regrettably, his efforts yielded no results.

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