C1748 An Apology
In the Outland Starry Sky, a child of the Mondnacht Clan was born as dawn broke. The clan's elders had already prepared a ceremony to cleanse the infant and offer prayers to the Moon God they worshipped.
The baby's cries echoed through the crescent-shaped pool.
A shadowy figure appeared, a faint glimmer of bloodlight flickering at the tip of a finger before briefly touching the infant's chest. Then, just as suddenly, the figure vanished.
Moments later, Yu Yuan materialized near the cold moon of the Outland Starry Sky, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Jee Ningshuang sat in quiet contemplation on a nearby floating stone, paying no mind to Yu Yuan's peculiar behavior. It seemed she had grown accustomed to it.
Since departing the Dark Domain, Yu Yuan had taken her to the Heaven Opening Flare Star within the Gray Domain, moving from one cavernous depth to another.
They lingered briefly in the Gray Domain before using the Heaven Opening Flare Star as a waypoint, traversing various star systems inhabited by alien races.
They often visited obscure regions, unremarkable to the point where neither the Boundless Human Race nor the Demon Race would bother with them. These areas were home to lesser races, none of which boasted warriors of Seventh Level or higher, and thus, they flew under the radar of human cultivators.
Yu Yuan frequented these realms, observing the movements of alien beasts, the breakthroughs of the Mondnacht and Crypt Clan members, and the wonders of their hearts.
Jee Ningshuang found none of this intriguing and refrained from inquiring, simply savoring the idle moments of their wanderings.
"The heart of a newborn harbors a potent life force," Yu Yuan murmured. The once nebulous concepts related to life were becoming slightly clearer in his mind.
His physical form and Yang God had been active in both the Gray Domain and beyond. He had gleaned profound insights from the intelligent races like the Mondnacht Clan, Silver Scale Clan, and Shadow Clan.
He discovered that all flesh-and-blood creatures, whether alien beasts or other races, possessed a life force at birth, centered within their hearts.
From the moment of their inception, the life force of alien beasts and other races was gradually ebbing away.
If a child from an alien race lived a life of mediocrity, they would be constantly depleting their life force day and night.
The day their life force is completely exhausted is the moment they die of old age, marking the end of their life's journey.
The life force endowed to ordinary members of these alien races isn't exactly uniform, but the differences aren't particularly significant.
It's similar to humans: some may live for several decades, others a century or more. Though there are variations, they are not drastically different.
After observing for an extended period, he discovered that life force only changed at the moment of a bloodline breakthrough!
Aliens and alien beasts from the Outland Starry Sky only experience a resurgence of life force during these breakthroughs, granting them an extended lifespan.
Beyond that, their life force would only diminish, with no other means of increase.
Of course, there are exceptions.
Take the Cold Domain Bear, for instance. When it appeared on the enigmatic Origin Blood Continent and absorbed Frost Energy to enhance its bloodline, it also integrated sporadic amounts of life force into its heart.
Moreover, with each bloodline breakthrough, it would surge with new life force.
Without having expended much, it repeatedly achieved bloodline breakthroughs, each time amassing more life force, and additionally drawing from the cold energy for an even more substantial boost.
— This was the secret to its longevity.
Other aliens and alien beasts weren't as fortunate. If their bloodlines failed to advance, and their life force ran dry, it signaled their impending demise.
Even though the Ash Divine Crocodile, the Raymon Beast, and the Three-legged Golden Crow also possessed Ninth Level bloodlines, they were merely descendants of its descendants.
If these alien beasts possessed something like the Chaos Roc's Bloodline Crystal Chain, capable of regenerating life force, would they too enjoy prolonged lifespans?
This thought led him to an epiphany: the Demon Phoenix must have such a Bloodline Crystal Chain within her.
The Demon Phoenix's enduring life is attributed to her mastery of life's profound secrets, solidifying a Bloodline Crystal Chain within her being.
Thus, while the ancient Demon Gods and Desolate Gods have perished, she alone persists.
"One of life's great wonders is a Bloodline Crystal Chain that can incessantly generate life energy. If it can be formed, capable of recreating life energy, then the prospect of eternal life becomes attainable!"
Yu Yuan had an epiphany.
In that moment, his Yang God within the Gray Domain transformed into a form resembling a stalactite, illuminating several life Dao principles with a mystical hue.
Yet, this enigmatic life force was merely tied to longevity and bore no relation to the Tenth Level bloodline of alien beasts.
He mulled over his thoughts and resolved to first return to Heaven Opening Flare Star to check on the Chaos Roc and the heart of the Abyss Goanna, as well as that of the young creature.
Jee Ningshuang, as a member of the Boundless Human Race, possessed an infinite lifespan.
He hoped to uncover answers within Jee Ningshuang in the Gray Domain, to understand why the Primordial Spirit of humans remained immortal after assimilating its essence.
"Someone's approaching," Jee Ningshuang announced in a hushed tone.
"Who?"
Yu Yuan, poised to depart, glanced around in astonishment. "In the Mondnacht Clan's Outland Starry Sky, devoid of even a single Seventh Level alien race, who could possibly penetrate the realm barrier to meet us?"
"It's not an alien race," Jee Ningshuang murmured.
Suddenly, a brilliant moonlight streaked from another small world of the Mondnacht Clan, swiftly reaching Yu Yuan and Jee Ningshuang. It materialized into a human man, his face covered in stubble, clutching a massive jug of wine and drinking heartily.
From the Silver Moon Sect, second only to Lee Sha, stood Tan Junshan, once a hopeful for the divine echelon, now exuding an aura of despondency.
The pungent scent of alcohol wafting from Tan Junshan made Jee Ningshuang's brow furrow, and Yu Yuan paused, sensing a profound melancholy in his spirit.
This once carefree cultivator at the Peak of Unrestrained Stage had inexplicably succumbed to despair.
"Mr. Tan!"
Yu Yuan waved his hand, noting that Tan's attention was fixed solely on Jee Ningshuang. His eyes sharpened, but his demeanor grew increasingly somber, as if he had lost all interest in the world around him.
"Mr. Tan, what brings you to the Mondnacht Clan's territory? This place is quite secluded. What business do you have here?" Yu Yuan inquired with curiosity.
"I'm healing," Tan Junshan stated icily.
"But you don't have any physical injuries."
"It's my heart that's wounded."
Tan Junshan forced a bitter smile, gesturing to his chest. "The wound is inside! Lin Daoke's sword pierced it, and it refuses to heal."
Jee Ningshuang looked on, clearly confused.
Yu Yuan was about to point out the lack of visible injuries, but then something came to mind, and he fell silent.
"My Senior Sister, Lee Sha, aspired to secure a divine position for the Silver Moon Sect. She silently returned to the Boundless Expanse, hoping to influence the succession of the divine seat."
"With a single stroke of his sword, Lin Daoke destroyed her completely, both body and soul."
"Her death caused the Mondnacht Clan to plummet to the status of a lesser clan overnight. The Silver Moon Sect lost a sect master, and I lost an esteemed Senior Sister."
"And you, Jee Ningshuang, ascended to godhood because of that very sword strike, simultaneously dashing Jun Chen's hopes."
"Haha!"
"The Sword Sect truly is domineering. Lin Daoke's swordsmanship is unmatched in this world! I'm well aware that I will never best Lin Daoke, nor will I ever have the chance for revenge."
"Yu Yuan, look within and tell me, have I ever wronged you? In the Boundless Expanse, I supported you both overtly and covertly. In the Outer Sword Prison, I aided you and Chen Qinghuang in obtaining Grec's blood crystal."
"What has the Silver Moon Sect gained? My Senior Sister is gone, the Star Race's leader is confined in the Outer Sword Prison, and Lau Ying's whereabouts are a mystery. What can Tan Junshan do? Even with a seat among the gods, I can't kill Lin Daoke! Moreover, I lack even the standing to challenge him."
"What else can I do but drown my sorrows in drink and lose myself in revelry night after night?"
As Tan Junshan laughed, he tilted his head back and gulped down the fiery liquor, which flowed into his throat like a crimson fountain, causing him to tear up and his nose to run.
He made no attempt to cleanse himself with his spiritual power, nor did he wipe his face with his sleeve, appearing as disheveled as a beggar adrift in the starry river.
"I apologize."
