C1744 The Dark Domain's Shadow

The bloodline shackles of alien beasts appear to be a profound cosmic prohibition, preventing these creatures from undergoing a complete metamorphosis. Take, for instance, the Violent Bear, Ash Divine Crocodile, Raymon Beast, and Three-legged Golden Crow—all are at the Peak of Ninth Level, yet they are unable to ascend to the Tenth Level and will never achieve the stature of a vast Demon God.

The birth of a Demon God elevates the entire species, allowing their progeny to be deemed true Demons. The emergence of a Demon God can illuminate the whole race, endowing successive generations of Demons with heightened intelligence from birth, making them as clever as humans and other intelligent races beyond the heavens.

Yet, it seems as though the alien beasts from beyond have been cursed, unable to emulate the vast Demon Gods. This is why the Demon Phoenix can effortlessly command the allegiance of countless alien beasts with a mere call. Her offer is straightforward: she claims to have the means to evolve their bloodlines and discover the method to elevate them to the Tenth Level.

The alien beasts are powerless to resist; just a sliver of hope is enough to draw them in droves, compelling them to give their all, especially when the Demon Phoenix herself is shrouded in mystery.

If Yu Yuan possessed such strength and techniques to further advance the Violent Bear, Ash Divine Crocodile, and other Ninth Level beasts, he could disrupt the Demon Phoenix's dominion over the animal realms. This would certainly complicate her otherwise unchallenged reign.

"Why the sudden urge to experiment?" the Chaos Roc exclaimed in astonishment.

"Just a slight epiphany," Yu Yuan replied with a smirk.

In an instant, he divided into two, with his Yang God, radiating the essence of life, standing atop the Dragon Slash Platform and gradually departing with several alien beasts. Meanwhile, his true form remained on the Heaven Opening Flare Star. He gave the Chaos Roc a nod and added, "I need to step out for a bit."

"Where to?" inquired the Chaos Roc.

Yu Yuan let out a soft laugh, offering no reply. His true form then descended into a secluded cavern on the Heaven Opening Flare Star and vanished without a trace.

"She's always so secretive; who knows what she's plotting," muttered Awkwafina of the Shadow Clan, her expression growing grim. Her mood soured, and she became increasingly paranoid.

She lived in constant fear that the Origin Realm God would appear before her at any moment, ready to enslave her once more.

"Can he and the Demon Phoenix truly forge success on the Tenth Level path of the alien beasts?" the old lizard asked, his brow creased in concern.

"We'll see in time," responded the Chaos Roc.

...

Yu Yuan stood on a desolate icy plain within the Dark Domain. A flicker of light briefly danced in the depths of his eyes as he gradually accustomed himself to the extreme cold and darkness of this alien territory.

"Help me find her," he commanded.

He released the Optimus Sword from his grasp, letting it hover and then gently descend above him. The sword soul emitted a low hum and began to dart through the Dark Domain.

The sword, sealed in the Dark Domain by Sabonis after Nie Qingtian's fall, was intimately familiar with this realm. Its presence allowed Yu Yuan's vision to remain clear within the Dark Domain. As he maneuvered with the sword, his soul consciousness expanded in every direction, aiding his search.

He observed parts of the Dark Domain's icy terrain marked by the scars of fierce battles. He encountered numerous unique alien beasts and scattered members of the Asura Clan. The Asura warriors, seemingly devoid of hope, were desperately seeking an escape.

The Asura King and Alonso were dead. Recently, their Dark Domain, guarded by generations, had suffered an invasion by the Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian. They had even heard that Jee Ningshuang, wielder of the Starfrost Sword, had been comprehending the sword within their Dark Domain, and the very Golden Dragon God responsible for their king's death had been seen roaming their lands.

The native Asuras of the Dark Domain slowly sensed a growing estrangement from the dark and icy Dao that pervaded their homeland and their bloodlines. The Dark Domain was becoming a place of danger and alienation, prompting them to migrate.

"If there's anyone to blame, it's your Asura King for defying Beilstein's will, and Alonso's greed and arrogance that have brought ruin upon your Asura Clan," Yu Yuan mused silently.

After some time adrift.

Whoosh!

The Optimus Sword carried him to a frigid ice mountain. In this world of blinding whiteness, filled with ice and frosty stones, the mountain was but one among many, unremarkable at first glance.

"Why have you come?"

Thunderous crashes echoed as glaciers tumbled down one by one, except for one inconspicuous glacier that stood unyielding.

On its smooth surface, specks of light emerged like stars, coalescing into a swirling Galaxy Map.

"It's her," the sword soul's voice echoed in Yu Yuan's mind before falling silent again. It had fulfilled the task Yu Yuan had entrusted to it.

Both the Starfrost Sword and the Optimus Sword were forged by the Sword Sect. The sword soul within the Optimus Sword could detect the presence of other Divine Swords from the sect—except for Lin Daoke's.

It was well-acquainted with the Dark Domain and could sense the Starfrost Sword, making it the perfect guide for Yu Yuan to locate Jee Ningshuang.

"I specifically came to find you," Yu Yuan said with a smile.

Whoosh!

A figure emerged from the spinning Galaxy on the mountain's facade, sword in hand. Her silhouette, initially ethereal, solidified into a tangible form.

Jee Ningshuang's eyes sparkled with delight. "I've been immersed in sword comprehension in the Dark Domain. What's been happening in the outside world?"

She approached Yu Yuan naturally, without a hint of affectation, and took his hand firmly. Her bright eyes glittered like a constellation, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly. "Am I in danger?"

She understood Yu Yuan all too well. If he wanted to leverage her strength or ask for her assistance, he wouldn't have come in person. His presence meant he was concerned for her safety.

"Yes," Yu Yuan replied, holding her cool hand without concealment. "You've unknowingly dodged one disaster already. But after discussing with Zu Ann, I believe you might face another peril. So, I'm here to take you somewhere safe."

"A safe place? The Hao Yun?" Jee Ningshuang inquired with curiosity.

"Hao Yun isn't safe. Let's head to the Gray Domain," Yu Yuan said, preparing to depart swiftly on his sword.

"Fill me in on the details."

Jee Ningshuang allowed him to lead her, lifting off from the icy earth beneath them with ease.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Luminous strands of sword light burst forth from the collapsed glaciers, the depths of the earth, and the nearby Dead Silence Stars, merging into her body with dazzling starlight.

Several beams of this radiant sword light settled between her eyebrows, searing into her sea of consciousness like a brand.

This was a sword technique she had newly mastered.

"Initially, Shehun from the Divine Soul Sect intended to cause your downfall, hoping to capture your essence and craft his own divine seat. Since I drove Wei Zhuo out of the heavens, he switched targets. After blasting Wei Zhuo to death, he used Wei Zhuo's essence to solidify his divine seat."

"Shehun did this to prepare for a confrontation with your Sect Master Lin in the Plover Realm."

"Han Miaoyuan has fled, and his whereabouts are unknown. Zu Ann believes he's likely in one of the Starry Forbidden Grounds."

Yu Yuan succinctly recounted the significant events that had transpired while he was immersed in his sword studies.

Jee Ningshuang listened intently, her bright eyes shimmering with fascination as she watched him, seemingly curious about his achievements.

The fall of the Thunder Sect, the demise of numerous cultivators, and even Wei Zhuo's death seemed inconsequential to her.

In this regard, Yu Yuan sensed a resemblance between her and Lin Daoke.

Her sole focus was on her path of the sword, undistracted by the rise and fall of empires or the fate of others.

Such a person is ideal for pursuing the ultimate sword path but ill-suited to lead a sect. Otherwise, the Spiritual Swords and Divine Swords within the Sword Cave would not favor Nie Qingtian over Lin Daoke.

"Who else wishes for my death?"

Jee Ningshuang lightly lifted her sword, effortlessly sketching a dazzling galaxy. Countless frigid sword lights, like stars trailing brilliance, roared across the sky. "I doubt there are many who can kill me or strip me of my Divine Throne. Even if Han Miaoyuan or Tan Xiaotian were to come, I would not fear them."

Her statement exuded immense confidence.

Yu Yuan quietly attuned to the energies around him, observing the movement of the stellar sword light. He could feel his soul consciousness, spiritual power, and lifeblood becoming increasingly muddled amidst the celestial dance of the sword light.

His mind snapped into sharp focus, and he realized that both his body and thoughts had been ensnared by the icy grip of sword intent.

With that clarity, he recognized the significant advancements in swordsmanship the beautiful woman before him had achieved. She had clearly surpassed Gu Xingkui of the past and was steadily approaching the prowess of Nie Qingtian.

"It's the supreme being from the Demon Palace," Yu Yuan stated gravely.

"Her?"

Jee Ningshuang's brows knitted slightly, her expression growing considerably more solemn. "I have no quarrel with her, nor any dealings. Why would she want me dead?"

"Zu Ann theorizes that if she intends to claim the Origin Blood, she might require the aid of an extreme cold force. Zu Ann has observed her nurturing Lim Zhuyun in the Fallen Realm, seemingly with the intention of having her take your place," Yu Yuan elucidated.

"Lim Zhuyun? The woman you're betrothed to in this lifetime?"

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