C1772 Continuous Turmoil

The God-King Jihui has made his presence known, and with him, the Origin Realm has changed rulers. Tan Xiaotian employed a dark soul to probe the depths of the Origin Realm.

These tumultuous events in the Everlands have taken everyone by surprise, leaving the leaders of the various sects at a loss regarding Tan Xiaotian's allegiance. They are uncertain about which side the Demon Lord is on, especially since Jihui was once part of Boulderdawn.

"Origin Realm! Abyss!"

Zu Ann's face turned a ghastly pale. The Origin Gate, which Han Miaoyuan had painstakingly worked to close, had been reconstructed by Jihui at its original site on Skyreach Peak, where he had merged with the Dao.

What sacrifices had the Everlands made to excise this blight?

Ji Tianyu from Ebon Star had shattered her own divine status, and Yuwen Hao had met his end—all because of this gate.

The blight that was so arduously eradicated has been resurrected by Jihui. As the guardian of Skyreach Peak, Zu Ann had a myriad of reasons to be enraged.

"What in the world is Boulderdawn up to?!"

His anger directed at Yu Yuan, he bellowed, "I've been tormented by the Origin Gate for years, and just when I finally managed to destroy it, Jihui has the audacity to rebuild it. He's even summoning the elite of various sects to delve into the Origin Realm with their spirits. Is this your sect's grand scheme?"

"He's no longer the Jihui associated with Boulderdawn."

Yu Yuan paused, then offered a wry explanation, "We're in the dark about how he survived, let alone what he's become in the Abyss. His current stance and all his actions are unknown to Boulderdawn."

"He hasn't had any contact with Boulderdawn?" Zu Ann asked skeptically.

Yu Yuan shook his head and replied with gravity, "Not to my knowledge, no."

Zu Ann's fury subsided slightly as he posed his next concern, "So, what do we do about this new Origin Gate?"

"We'll have to wait for my senior brother, Zhong Chichen, to return."

Yu Yuan's greatest concern was Tan Xiaotian's return, fearing that the Demon Lord would direct his wrath towards the commerce guild and the rest of the Boulderdawn members, potentially drawing them into the fray between Soul-Capturing and Lunar Meridian.

In the end, Soul-Capturing addressed the Root of the Lunar Meridian. Tan Xiaotian and Jihui, fueled by the raging Earthfire, took care of both the Origin Deity's soul and President Lyi.

The current situation was quite delicate, yet it seemed manageable. Nothing had happened that was beyond acceptance.

"I'll go to the Sword Sect."

Ji Ningshuang had no interest in the reemergence of the Origin Gate, Tan Xiaotian's deep incursion, or Jihui's sudden appearance.

With the Earthfire now calm, Ji Ningshuang, who seldom returned, promptly departed on her sword.

"I no longer require the Dragon Slaying Stage."

From his hidden place beneath the Land of Terror, Soul-Capturing sent a message, "We can disregard the door that Jihui created and the Demon Lord's movements for now. I will soon head to Ionodios to challenge Lin Daoke. Your task is to ensure that the Dark Phoenix does not succeed."

"If the Dark Phoenix were to annihilate the Solar Meridian, conquer the Primal Blood Continent, and unravel the complete Secrets of Life, she could indeed become the next Titan Spinosaurus."

"She might even surpass the Old Titan Spinosaurus, causing all the alien beasts of the Star River to evolve!"

"If she were to succeed, the world would be transformed, and the existing order would be completely upended."

The voice of Soul-Capturing, gentle and rich, continued to resonate.

"Zu Ann, leave the new Origin Gate at Skyreach Peak be for now. I'll handle other matters; keep a close watch on things."

With a mere thought, Yu Yuan utilized his soul connect with the Dragon Slaying Stage to instantly return there from the Fireheart Mountains.

Looking down, he noticed that the Land of Terror had been restored to its former state. The ghosts, no longer driven by Youyu's influence, ceased their relentless descent into the earth.

Now with their own consciousness, the ghosts aimlessly drifted through the dense gloom of the Land of Terror, searching for something without purpose.

"Shrink!"

In an instant, the Dragon Slaying Stage, once as vast as a luminescent continent, shrank to the size of a small inkstone beneath his feet.

Razses, Luo Yue, and Taruer, the three Ghost Kings, hovered above the Land of Terror, realizing they still couldn't reestablish their soul connection with the River Styx.

The will of the Lunar Meridian was elusive and beyond perception.

Many Spectres and ghosts, shielded by Youyu and not hidden underground, shared a collective sense of uncertainty, clueless about their future direction.

"Let's wait for Youyu's return."

Yu Yuan was in the midst of a conversation with Soul-Capturing and simultaneously addressing the three Ghost Kings, "Once he's back, everything will get back on track. From then on, your allegiance will be to him, not the Lunar Meridian."

"Denise!"

With a gentle call, he watched the noble Starborn lady, her gown billowing, surrounded by a soft glow, as she gracefully descended onto the Dragon Slaying Stage.

"Lord Soul-Capturing mentioned that I could also observe the Starpierced in the Ashlands."

Denise, with a hint of shyness, looked up at Yu Yuan from the Dragon Slaying Stage and hesitantly added, "I'm aware of it. I've also heard about your plans to assist Miss Liu Ying in meeting the Starpierced. Both Senior Leo and Senior Beru informed me it resides in the Ashlands. I'd like to accompany you and catch a glimpse of that extraordinary creature. My aspirations aren't grand; I'm simply curious to encounter this unique beast."

She was conscious of the closer bond between Yu Yuan and Liu Ying, aware of Liu Ying's exceptional talent, and familiar with the sacred way of the Everlands, the cosmic giant beast, and Ji Ningshuang's ascent to the pinnacle.

Yet, witnessing the clash between Soul-Capturing and the Lunar Meridian had opened her eyes to a whole new echelon of existence, making her wonder about the heights she could reach.

Having glimpsed the vistas from above and been endowed with fresh soul potential by Soul-Capturing, she naturally aspired to a novel future.

"Would that be alright?"

After a prolonged silence from Yu Yuan, Denise tentatively inquired once more.

"There's no harm in you seeing it, but I must be clear that the mystical cosmic giant beast was specifically intended for Liu Ying," Yu Yuan clarified before continuing, "The Ashlands hold other wonders, and as a member of the Starborn Clan, transcending the boundaries of your bloodline won't be as complicated as it is for us humans."

Denise's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Would you take me to the Ashlands?"

"Of course," Yu Yuan nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much!" Denise's lips curled into a delighted smile. "Speaking of which, what about the queen? It's been such a long time since I've seen her. Is she in the Ashlands too?"

"If you're looking to meet her, she can be found in Darkpinion."

The thought of the Secular Bird Queen made Yu Yuan glance at the Sword Sect, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"I was just curious," Denise hastily added.

Yu Yuan, along with Soul-Capturing at his feet, engaged in a covert conversation. Noticing her devil soul shifting, he inquired, "What's happening with your devil soul?"

"My devil soul, carrying the Shadow Moon Essence through a branch of the Lunar Meridian, is merging with my extraterrestrial real body to construct the Divine Throne. I've captured the Mind Magic from the Lunar Meridian, though it's currently very weak and sealed in the deep pool below."

"Once Youyu returns, he can integrate that segment of the reincarnation technique into himself."

"You should head to the Ashlands soon to confront the Dark Phoenix, and keep an eye out for Han Miaoyuan. As long as Han Miaoyuan lives, he'll continue to cause chaos wherever he is," Soul-Capturing advised.

"Understood."

Yu Yuan responded coolly and proceeded to the Dragon Slaying Stage, heading to the Chamber of Commerce to retrieve Liu Ying's real body and then directly to the Moonfall Sanctuary.

There, he awaited Ji Ningshuang's arrival.

"Mr. Yu!"

Upon his arrival, Qin Yun eagerly approached him, bowing respectfully from a distance. "The master has heard of your presence in the Everlands and wishes to have the Yu family meet with you. He's aware of your other life and is uncertain if you still hold the Yu family dear, so he sent me to inquire on his behalf."

"I owe him an apology," Yu Yuan admitted, feeling a pang of regret for having avoided his family. "I will go see him."

...