C1744 The Dark Realm Was Shrouded in Shadows
The bloodline shackles of the alien beasts appeared to be a profound cosmic prohibition, preventing the creatures from undergoing a complete metamorphosis. Creatures such as the Dire Bear, Duskjaw, Stormwraith, and Three-legged Golden Crow were all at the pinnacle of the ninth level, yet they were unable to ascend to the tenth level and could never attain the stature of an Everlands Dark Deity.
The birth of a Dark Deity in the Everlands would elevate the entire species, allowing their progeny to be known as evilkind. The emergence of a Dark Deity could illuminate the entire race, ensuring that the offspring of evilkind were born with their spiritual wisdom fully awakened, making them as intelligent as humans and the extraterrestrial intelligent life.
However, the extraterrestrial alien beasts seemed as though they were under a curse. They were unable to emulate the evilkind of the Everlands, which is why the Dark Phoenix could effortlessly summon countless alien beasts to pledge their allegiance. Her offer was straightforward: she claimed she could assist the alien beasts' bloodlines in transforming and had discovered a method for them to ascend to the tenth level.
The alien beasts were powerless to resist. The slightest hint of hope would draw them like moths to a flame, compelling them to give their all, especially since the Dark Phoenix was already enigmatic enough. If Yu Yuan possessed such strength and means to further advance the Dire Bear, Duskjaw, and other ninth level alien beasts, he could disrupt the Dark Phoenix's dominion over the animal kingdom.
Should that come to pass, the Dark Phoenix's dominance over the beasts would undoubtedly face significant challenges. "Why have you suddenly decided to experiment?" the Abyssal Leviathan exclaimed in astonishment. "I've had a bit of an epiphany," Yu Yuan replied with a smile.
He then split into two, with his Solar Spirit, radiating the essence of life, standing atop the Dragon Slaying Stage and departing with several alien beasts. Meanwhile, his real body remained on Eiwrone. He gave the Abyssal Leviathan a nod and said, "I have to step out for a bit." "Where to?" inquired the Abyssal Leviathan. Yu Yuan responded with a laugh, yet offered no answer. His real body then descended into a secluded cavern on Eiwrone and vanished without a trace.
"She's so secretive. I can't help but wonder what she's plotting," Awkwafina of the Shadowkin muttered, her face clouded with gloom. Her mood had sunk into a depression, and she had become increasingly paranoid.
She constantly feared that the Origin Deity might appear before her at any moment, ready to enslave her once more.
"Can they truly forge success on the tenth-level path of the alien beasts and the Dark Phoenix?" Lizard asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Time will tell," responded the Abyssal Leviathan.
...
In the Dark Realm, Yu Yuan stood on a barren icy wasteland.
A tiny spark of light flickered deep within his eyes, gradually adjusting to the frigid cold and darkness of this strange land.
"Help me find her."
Yu Yuan raised the Titanblade into the air, where it hovered before gently descending.
With a low hum, the sword spirit took flight throughout the Dark Realm.
This sword, sealed in the Dark Realm by Blood King Sabonis after Nie Qingtian's fall, was intimately familiar with its surroundings.
Its presence allowed Yu Yuan's vision to remain clear in the Dark Realm. As he wielded the sword, his remnant soul spread out in every direction, aiding his search.
He observed patches of the icy terrain scarred by fierce battles.
He also encountered numerous unique alien beasts of the Dark Realm and scattered members of the Shura clan. The Shura warriors, seemingly devoid of hope, were desperately seeking an escape.
The Blood King had perished, as had Alonso.
Not long before, their cherished Dark Realm had suffered an invasion by Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian.
They had even heard that Ji Ningshuang, wielder of the Stardust Blade, had been mastering her swordsmanship in their Dark Realm, and that the golden dragon god who had slain their king roamed their lands as well.
The native Shura of the Dark Realm gradually sensed a growing estrangement from the darkness and ice magic that lurked within their homeland, feeling it diverge from their very bloodlines.
The Dark Realm, once familiar, now seemed perilous and alien, prompting them to seek new homes.
"If there's anyone to blame, it's your Blood King for defying Bertain's decree. Alonso's greed and hubris have brought ruin upon your people," Yu Yuan silently reflected.
After some time adrift.
Whoosh!
The Titanblade finally brought him to a towering mountain of ice.
In this white expanse, ice and frost-covered stones were everywhere, and among them stood a mountain of ice, unremarkable at first glance.
"Why have you come?"
Boom! Boom!
Glaciers collapsed all around, yet the inconspicuous one remained steadfast.
Starshards emerged on the mountain's smooth surface, coalescing into a swirling star chart.
"It's her."
The voice of the sword spirit echoed in Yu Yuan's mind before falling silent again, its mission for Yu Yuan now complete.
Both the Stardust Blade and the Titanblade hail from the Sword Sect. The Titanblade's sword spirit could detect the presence of other Divine Swords from the sect—except for Lin Daoke's.
Well-acquainted with the Dark Realm and attuned to the Stardust Blade, it was naturally equipped to aid Yu Yuan in locating Ji Ningshuang.
"I specifically came to find you," Yu Yuan said with a smile.
Whoosh!
From the spinning star chart on the mountain's face, a figure wielding a sword emerged. Initially ethereal, she quickly solidified into form.
Ji Ningshuang's eyes sparkled with delight. "I've been studying the way of the sword in the Dark Realm. What's been happening in the outside world?"
She approached Yu Yuan with a natural ease, her demeanor devoid of any affectation. Grasping his hand firmly, her bright eyes glittered like a constellation, and her lips, pale as jade, lifted in a slight smile. "Am I in danger?"
She understood Yu Yuan all too well. If he had 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 held her cool hand, offering no pretense, and smiled. "You've unknowingly dodged one disaster already. But after speaking with Zu Ann, I'm aware you might face another. So, I'm here to take you somewhere safe."
"A safe place? The Everlands?" inquired Ji Ningshuang, her curiosity piqued.
"The Everlands aren't safe. Let's head to the Ashlands instead." Yu Yuan took her hand, ready to set off on his sword without delay.
"Tell me about the situation."
Ji Ningshuang let herself be pulled along, ascending slowly from the icy earth beneath her feet with a submissive air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Streams of crystalline sword light emerged from the collapsed glaciers, from deep within the earth, and from the nearby Dead Star, trailing dazzling starlight as they merged into her body. Some of the luminous sword lights found their way to her forehead, sinking into her sea of consciousness as if branding her Divine Throne.
These were the sword techniques she had newly mastered.
"First, the Boulderdawn Sect's Soul-Capturing technique seemed intent on causing you to fall from grace, to take your essence for the forging of their own Divine Throne. Since I forced Wei Zhuo into the extraterrestrial, he switched targets. After blasting Wei Zhuo to his end, he used Wei Zhuo's essence to solidify his Divine Throne."
"Soul-Capturing did this to prepare for a confrontation with your Mr. Lin in the Ionodios."
"Han Miaoyuan has slipped away, and his whereabouts are unknown. According to Zu Ann, he's likely in a Starry Sky Forbidden Zone."
Yu Yuan succinctly recounted the significant events that had unfolded in the Everlands while she was deepening her understanding of swordsmanship.
Ji Ningshuang listened intently, her bright eyes shimmering with fascination as she gazed at him, seemingly curious about his achievements.
She appeared indifferent to the fall of the Thunder Sect, the deaths of numerous cultivators, including Wei Zhuo's demise. In this regard, Yu Yuan sensed a resemblance between her and Lin Daoke.
Her heart was set on her path of swordsmanship, undistracted by the world's dynastic shifts or the fate of its people. Such a person was ideal for pursuing the pinnacle of swordsmanship but ill-suited to lead a sect. Otherwise, the Spirit Swords and Divine Swords within the Sword Cave would have recognized Nie Qingtian over Lin Daoke.
"Who else wishes for my death?"
With a casual flick of her sword, Ji Ningshuang conjured a brilliant Star River. Countless frigid sword lights streaked across the sky like a meteor shower, "I doubt there are many who can kill me and strip me of my divine status. Even if Han Miaoyuan and Tan Xiaotian were to come, I would not fear them."
Her words brimmed with confidence.
Yu Yuan remained silent, observing the trajectory of the sword light across the Star River. He noticed that his soul consciousness, along with the spiritual energy and vital energy within him, seemed to be thrown into disarray by the sword light and Star River, leaving him increasingly bewildered.
His mind snapped into focus, and he realized that his body and thoughts appeared to be frozen by the sword's will.
Thus, he recognized that the woman before him had made significant strides in her swordsmanship. She was now clearly far beyond Gu Xingkui's past abilities and was steadily becoming a match for Nie Qingtian.
"It's the supreme expert from Shadow's Keep," Yu Yuan stated gravely.
"She?"
Ji Ningshuang's eyebrows knit together, her expression turning much more solemn. "I have no quarrel with her, nor any dealings. Why would she want to kill me?"
"Zu Ann theorized that if she intends to take the Primal Blood, she might require the assistance of an ice force. Zu Ann observed her nurturing Lin Zhuyun in Kobran, seemingly preparing her to take your place," Yu Yuan clarified.
"Lin Zhuyun? The woman you're betrothed to in this lifetime?"
