C1766 Mr Tan

Shadow's Keep stood as a towering symbol of evilkind in the Everlands.

The Nagas had been dethroned, the Bloodbrawlers and Terra Fiend had rapidly declined, and Boulderdawn had retreated to the extraterrestrial realm. The Everlands had been intimidated by the Star River's Otherkin and the cosmic giant beasts.

Shadow's Keep loomed large behind these events.

Since its establishment in the Land of Quiescence, the Keep's master had always been the proud purple phoenix, and the Keep itself was a reflection of her prestige.

The destruction of Shadow's Keep was a direct affront to her.

Jihui was nowhere to be seen, but everyone knew of Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian's thunderous arrival. With an oppressive force akin to a darkened dome, he obliterated Shadow's Keep.

Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, both situated in the northern reaches of the Land of Quiescence, were the undisputed leaders of devils and evilkind.

Before Tan Xiaotian's emergence, the two had been steadfast allies, united against the three great upper sects of the Primal Blood Continent.

Previous generations of Demon Lords had always maintained amicable ties with the Dark Phoenix, never once breaking the peace.

Yet, no one could have anticipated that Tan Xiaotian, after revealing his might within Boulderdawn and following Yu Yuan's expulsion of Han Miaoyuan from the Everlands, would return to lay waste to Shadow's Keep.

At a time when Boulderdawn was stable, and unity within this longstanding supreme alliance was paramount, Tan Xiaotian shattered it.

What was he thinking?

Observers of Shadow's Keep were left reeling, simultaneously shocked and pondering Tan Xiaotian's motives.

Despite their best efforts, they couldn't fathom why the Demon Lord would topple Shadow's Keep just as evilkind needed a solid foundation amidst their invasion of the Dark Star Region.

How deep was Tan Xiaotian's hatred for the Dark Phoenix?

"Ms. Xu, what should we do?"

Zhan Tianxiang, Zhao Yafu, and numerous cultivators who had practiced the dark arts stood aghast as they witnessed the collapse of the palace that stood for the supreme Dark Phoenix.

It was Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian who struck, not some formidable extraterrestrial adversary, and certainly not a member of the Boulderdawn sect!

"Before his return, no one could stand against the Demon Lord. He only razed Shadow's Keep, sparing even the archdemons. It's wiser for us to depart first," Xu Zixi murmured.

Subsequently, she issued an order for all humans practicing the dark arts to accompany her to the Forgotten Ruins.

Though the Forgotten Ruins remained nominally under the control of Shadow's Keep after Yu Zhu's departure, the number of active evilkind had dwindled.

Xu Zixi's choice of the Forgotten Ruins was strategic, given its proximity to the Godsblight Marsh and the nearby Moonfall Sanctuary. Should Tan Xiaotian truly lose his sanity, she could lead individuals like Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang to these refuges to escape calamity.

"What a headache! Such an exasperating situation!"

Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, massaging his throbbing temples, spoke to Zhou Cangmin, "I assumed he returned to save the day, to drive out Yu Yuan and the rest. Could you have imagined his comeback was solely to demolish Shadow's Keep? With the Keep in ruins, the Dark Phoenix and the Moonfang Tiger will certainly not rest easy!"

"For now, she probably won't go on a rampage," Zhou Cangmin replied with a raspy voice.

Inside the ruins of Shadow's Keep, dark electrical currents crackled, and the ancient demonic inscriptions on the walls seemed to be disintegrating under some formidable force.

At this moment, the alteration of the concealed bloodline mysteries brought relief to many ninth-level Monster Lords.

This was particularly true in the Godsblight Marsh.

Monster Lords loyal to the Untamed felt a deeply hidden suppressive force within their hearts snap like a taut string suddenly breaking.

Previously, just the thought of the Dark Phoenix would send shivers down their spines, triggering an innate sense of dread.

Now, that sensation was gone.

While they still held the Dark Phoenix in high regard, the tangible power of her bloodline no longer lurked within their hearts, threatening to snuff out their lives at any moment.

"Who could have the power to disrupt her bloodline's equilibrium and manipulate the blood of all beings in the Everlands?"

In the deepest reaches of the Godsblight Marsh, the child left by the Untamed experienced a more direct and vivid sensation.

"How did it come to this?"

Cao Jiazhe was pulling at his hair, utterly baffled by Tan Xiaotian's actions. He couldn't fathom why the enigmatic Demon Lord would abruptly lay waste to the Shadow's Keep.

The destruction of the Shadow's Keep signified that upon the Dark Phoenix's return, an inevitable battle to the death with Tan Xiaotian would ensue.

It seemed unlikely that their sect master, Han Miaoyuan, could intervene successfully.

"Moreover, the Demon Lord and the Moonfang Tiger are comrades-in-arms. They've faced life and death together in the extraterrestrial realms. Surely they share a deep bond? Despite his disdain for the Shadow's Keep, couldn't he have shown some respect for the Astral Tiger?"

Cao Jiazhe had assumed that Tan Xiaotian's return was to confront Yu Yuan, Zu Ann, and the rest. Yet, he was left bewildered by the reality of the situation.

"Mr. Tan may appear impulsive, but in truth, he's the most clear-headed among us in the Everlands. He's not only lucid but also bold enough to act decisively, taking the lead. Having such a person among us is indeed a stroke of fortune for the Everlands."

The Soul-Capturing God-King's rich and soothing voice echoed in Yu Yuan's heart, surprisingly bestowing Tan Xiaotian with a title of respect—Mr. Tan.

"From the moment the Dark Phoenix rallied all the alien beasts to strike at the Solar Meridian in the Dark Star, she chose a path in direct opposition to the Way of Heaven and all intelligent life. Mr. Tan must have seen that she would not only become an enemy to all other intelligent Otherkin but also sever ties with humanity. Hence, he showed no mercy."

"Tan Xiaotian was already dissatisfied with her, so before the Chronowyrm, and before any of us, he took the initiative to strike against her."

"Throughout history, he has truly earned his place as the foremost figure in the Devil Dao," praised the Soul-Capturing God-King.

"And... Jihui," Yu Yuan interjected.

Deep underground, the Soul-Capturing, who hailed from the Wraithlands, continued his battle with the Root of the Lunar Meridian. Yu Yuan's reminder brought a moment of silence upon him.

Whoosh!

Denise, a Starborn lady who had been possessed, soared to the summit of Shadow Mountain, a peak as pure and white as snow, refined by Youyu.

Her body shimmered with starlight, yet her expression was one of bewilderment. She gazed out at the strange land with hollow eyes.

Her soul consciousness was gradually returning from a secret place within her.

She reflected on her recent experiences, feeling many wondrous forms of Spirit Magic merging into her blood, branding her bloodline chain.

These Spirit Magic were incredibly mysterious and profound. It seemed she had utilized them all. When she focused, the Spirit Magic would surface in her blood and bloodline chain, as though someone was meticulously guiding her on how to intertwine her soul and lineage.

Dense Yin Qi from this peculiar world converged, infusing her soul and body, aiding in their refinement.

Denise reveled in the sensation, her face growing serene as she immersed herself in understanding the oddities of the Land of Terror.

"Don't worry, I will keep my promise."

Before she entered the Everlands, the voice that had echoed within her resurfaced, jolting Denise awake and filling her with exhilaration as she cried out, "Lord Soul-Capturing!"

"Yu Yuan is right above you. Yes, that expanse of pearlescent sky—that's the Dragon Slaying Stage."

"First, purify your soul and strive to concentrate the shadow energy within your bloodline. This is how you'll awaken your potential and foundational strength, and perhaps, in time, transform your bloodline."

"…"

Hearing Yu Yuan's guidance, Denise grew increasingly composed, adhering to Soul-Capturing's instructions to fortify herself in the Land of Terror.

"Yu Yuan."

Her gaze left the luminescent canopy above and she closed her eyes contentedly, her mind free of distractions.

"She is now safe. You only need to maintain the Dragon Slaying Stage here; there's no need for further vigilance. The Lunar Meridian is no longer a threat, as I've confined it within that deep pool."

"I am already assimilating it, deciphering its rule and authority. It won't be long now."

Soul-Capturing's voice resonated with unwavering confidence.

"My true form, beyond this world, is simultaneously forging a divine throne. Once my throne is complete, I will journey to Ionodios to confront Lin Daoke and encounter the Most High of Human Swordsmanship."

Yu Yuan gazed downward, observing the River Styx as it ceased its flow, seemingly frozen by some unseen force. The multitude of ghosts within it were immobilized, like grasshoppers trapped in amber, unable to leap.

Around the deep pool, the source of the Lunar Meridian, a silver-gray radiance spilled over. On the water's surface, it appeared as though small purple flowers had blossomed. Upon closer inspection, each flower, magnified a hundredfold, revealed gray lines within its buds—lines formed by the principles of Mind Magic.

These lines served as nourishment for the buds, enabling clusters of devil souls, under the guidance of Soul-Capturing, to absorb and unravel deeper secrets tied to the cycle of rebirth.

"How confident are you in taking down Lin Daoke?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"Roughly fifty percent," came the reply.

Soul-Capturing let out a soft chuckle, pondering for a moment before responding, "Fifty percent isn't insignificant. Among us, unless you ascend to Godhood, I hold the highest odds of victory."

"The Stardust Blade you recovered and returned to the Ashlands—if it receives the augmentation of the ice power from the Primal Blood Continent, it could pose a threat to all practitioners of Mind Magic."

"Furthermore, should Mo Baichuan attain godhood through the Dao of Blazing Fire, the danger he poses to living creatures will surge exponentially."

"The utmost cold can shatter the remnant soul, while the fiercest flames can reduce living creatures to ashes..."

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