C1780 I Am Willing to Take a Step Back!

Within the fluttering Wraithbanner, the once dim and indistinct figure of Jihui gradually sharpened into clarity.

He was a figure of heroic stature with eyes that radiated intelligence, revealed amidst the flag, his long silver hair and weather-beaten face suggesting he had just endured a lengthy trek.

Numerous green Voodoo Shades crouched submissively at his feet, as tame as house pets.

Wisps of black soul smoke from the Voodoo Shades wove into his image through the Wraithbanner, rendering his form even more distinct.

With a smile, he addressed Yu Yuan, "The Wraithbanner was once the property of Boulderdawn, but after our sect was decimated by Dark Phoenix and Han Miaoyuan, the flag fell under the Dark Phoenix's control, hidden beneath her Dark Deity statue."

"Many years later, Tan Xiaotian and I retrieved the flag after toppling Shadow's Keep."

"What I reclaimed is rightfully mine. Moreover, it's a Divine Artifact that suits me perfectly, and I intend to use it to vanquish Han Miaoyuan and Dark Phoenix."

Pausing briefly, Jihui's lips quirked upward, "You command the Dragon Slaying Stage, Taishi presides over the Soulforge Pool, and I shall unfurl the Wraithbanner. Do not overstep your bounds."

With a sudden rip, space magic surged within the Origin Gate at the base of the flagpole, flowing into the Wraithbanner.

The Divine Artifact, refined by Jihui, underwent a transformation as dazzling lines intertwined, morphing into sharp blades of spatial light.

Jihui, a master of space magic, had once re-forged this item, inscribing it with the spatial mysteries he had unraveled.

Thus, the Wraithbanner not only had the power to summon the spirits of ghosts but also harbored the capacity for wondrous spatial manipulation.

Aware of Yu Yuan's true identity, Jihui took great care when Yu Yuan approached him for the Wraithbanner, knowing the gravity of the request.

"Handing over the Wraithbanner won't resolve the Voodoo Charm, nor will it transform a shadowmancer back into a person."

It was only in the presence of the former Taiyin God-King, his past supreme leader, that Jihui exhibited such patience, willing to explain at length, "The Demon Lord stands with me, while the other has withdrawn from the Everlands to the extraterrestrial realms to craft a divine throne. You have not yet ascended to the ultimate rank, and I have no desire to be your adversary, so I suggest you take a moment to reflect."

He initially addressed him with a formal "you," then switched to a more casual "you," leaving many people stunned. Zu Ann, who had made an appearance beyond the valley and had merged paths with the Skyreach Peak, was taken aback by Jihui's respectful term and looked at him with a peculiar expression.

What was Jihui's status? He was one of the ancient God-Kings who had taken over the Origin Realm from the Origin Deity, commanding respect and admiration from even the Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian. To this day, he remains a towering figure in the Abyss.

He actually used a term of respect for Yu Yuan! Moreover, it was clear from his words that he sought to avoid conflict with Yu Yuan, continuously urging him to stay calm.

It seemed as though he harbored a significant wariness towards Yu Yuan. Despite having Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian at his side, and even though Yu Yuan had not yet ascended to the highest rank, he was reluctant to engage in direct confrontation.

This was the same individual who had the audacity to bring down Shadow's Keep alongside Tan Xiaotian, intent on eradicating Han Miaoyuan and the Supreme of Shadow's Keep. What made Yu Yuan so worthy of his attention?

"I think you should calm down as well," said Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian, his true form seated on the Ebon Meditation Mat, his handsome face exuding earnestness. "Regarding Dark Phoenix, we share common strategies and plans. Jihui and I will surely make her feel troubled and challenged in the future."

"And don't you and your Boulderdawn sect also wish for her demise?" he continued. "When that individual targeted the Lunar Meridian, didn't I merely observe? Jihui and I also played a part in the Origin Deity's soul's fate. The creation of the Voodoo Charm and the surge of the Ghost Tide, your Boulderdawn sect bears a significant responsibility! Therefore, you should not have come to Skyreach Peak but instead should be figuring out how to deal with the Voodoo Charm."

Tan Xiaotian, who typically feared neither heaven nor earth and often disregarded even Han Miaoyuan's face, was also urging Yu Yuan to remain level-headed—because he had deduced Yu Yuan's true identity.

He may have figured it out, but others were oblivious. Witnessing how Jihui, the preeminent figure of the devil in the Everlands, held Yu Yuan in such high regard, the various leaders capable of confronting each other across the valley were left speechless by their astonishment.

Jihui was a God-King from an ancient era, shrouded in mystery due to a comprehensive information blockade by the five supreme powers. Knowledge of him was limited to legends and recent revelations.

Tan Xiaotian was an exception.

Before Lin Daoke came into his own, the Demon Lord represented the pinnacle of human combat prowess! Alongside the Astral Tiger, he carved out a legacy of valor and triumph across the extraterrestrial Star River.

Many divine positions within the Everlands were forged by his combat feats, and he was revered as a hero by countless individuals.

Yet, this formidable and once haughty figure was now reasoning with Yu Yuan?

He was even urging Yu Yuan to remain calm, showing a reluctance to immediately sever ties.

When had Yu Yuan achieved such lofty status?

It was beyond everyone's comprehension.

They couldn't fathom that Yu Yuan, who had merely driven Han Miaoyuan back, would warrant such cautious treatment from both Tan Xiaotian and Jihui.

Whoosh!

A brilliant star cluster, exuding a frigid aura like a celestial galaxy, descended upon Skyreach Peak, transforming into a frosty silhouette beside Yu Yuan and Zu Ann.

"Stardust Blade!"

"Ji Ningshuang!"

Amidst the astonished exclamations from all quarters, this newly elevated Supreme of the Sword Sect disregarded factional differences to stand by Yu Yuan's side.

With a delicate twist of her wrist, her small box subtly gestured towards Jihui, then shifted to aim at the Ebon Meditation Mat beneath the flag.

She was declaring her allegiance.

Observers were sent into a frenzy, their minds reeling from the unexpected complexity unfolding in the valley. The situation surpassed their wildest imaginations and understanding.

Jihui, once a towering presence within the Boulderdawn Sect, had descended into the Abyss, even slaying a spirit of the Origin Deity.

Tan Xiaotian, a formidable support of the Everlands' human race, was now allied with Jihui, venturing into the Origin Realm with a dark soul to engage with the Darklord of the Abyss.

Yu Yuan, Boulderdawn Sect's emerging talent, had approached this ancient predecessor demanding the Wraithbanner, his demeanor far from cordial.

Jihui, despite his seniority and proven exceptional strength, referred to the sect's junior with deference. His language and demeanor were notably restrained, as if he feared Yu Yuan might lash out without restraint or consideration for the consequences.

Moreover, Ji Ningshuang, who had been propelled towards deification by Lin Daoke and Han Miaoyuan, now chose to stand alongside Yu Yuan of Boulderdawn.

What in the world was happening?

...

"This is just chaotic."

While Shi Jing'er from the Skyreach Consortium was preoccupied with the Voodoo Charms, she kept a vigilant watch on the activity around Skyreach Peak.

Upon witnessing the scene, Shi Jing'er murmured, "Can either of you explain exactly what's happening here?"

Hu Po, a long-time resident of the Everlands, shook his head with a wry smile, indicating his confusion.

"Whether it's Tan Xiaotian or the newly emerged Jihui, they must both be well aware that the force at Yu Yuan's disposal is potent enough to once again disrupt the current state of affairs!"

Images of the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, the Abyssal Leviathan, and the silhouettes of two peak Otherkin, including Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie, surfaced in Yin Tiehua's thoughts.

She spoke gravely, "There are forces at play that remain unseen and have yet to reveal themselves. But I sense that if Yu Yuan continues to confront Jihui and Tan Xiaotian, they might be forced to abandon the Origin Gate and flee the Everlands."

"What?" exclaimed Shi Jing'er in disbelief.

Hu Po looked on, stupefied.

How could Yu Yuan possibly have the power to drive the Demon Lord, Tan Xiaotian, out of the Everlands?

After all, Tan Xiaotian was not Han Miaoyuan; the Demon Lord was renowned for his combat prowess, not for his cunning!

"Excuse my frankness, but the power Yu Yuan alone can wield likely surpasses that of the entire Boulderdawn!" Yin Tiehua declared with conviction, gripping her cane firmly.

Both Shi Jing'er and Hu Po stared at her, too astonished to utter a word for a long while.

...

"Take the Origin Gate and the Wraithbanner, and leave the Everlands for now."

Yu Yuan, with one hand on the Dragon Slaying Stage and the other wielding the Titanblade, entered from beyond the valley.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The Dragon Slaying Stage shimmered with iridescent ripples, warping the space rules within the valley. The space rifts, torn asunder, could no longer hold together due to his descent into the depths.

The shadowmancer could still feel the pull of the Wraithbanner, yet they found it challenging to take the shortcut over.

"And then there's you, Mr. Tan."

Yu Yuan's gaze settled above the Ebon Meditation Mat. "I can't prevent you from using a devil soul to reach out to the denizens of the Abyss, nor do I have the time to concern myself with it at present. However, when you're in communication with the Darklord of the Abyss, I expect neither you nor this Origin Gate to be within the Everlands!"

"I have no say over what occurs in the extraterrestrial realms, but you simply cannot be in the Everlands."

"Otherwise..."

Yu Yuan paused briefly, then continued, "Otherwise, should the two Dragon Gods return to the Everlands, I will draw my sword against Jihui. In the Ashlands, those you've encountered will also besiege you."

Tan Xiaotian's smile abruptly stiffened.

The Demon Lord's obsidian eyes became like twin maelstroms of darkness, with countless dark lightning bolts weaving through them. He regarded Yu Yuan with a serene gaze, stating, "No one can threaten me."

Yu Yuan maintained his silence.

With a whoosh, the Wraithbanner that dominated half the sky over Skyreach Peak began to retract swiftly, collapsing into a massive shadow that draped over the flagpole's tip.

More astonishingly, the Wraithbanner began to envelop the ajar Origin Gate.

Inside the flag, Jihui's distinct silhouette faced Yu Yuan, their eyes locked in a standoff.

Outside the valley, Zu Ann and Ji Ningshuang tensed up, while the Ebon Meditation Mat beneath Tan Xiaotian absorbed all light, swelling ominously.

As Skyreach Peak teetered on the brink of everlasting night, Zu Ann and the others in this world felt their spiritual connection threaten to snap.

At this moment, those in the heavens and within the Everlands, witnessing this scene, dared not even exhale.

It seemed they all understood that a battle capable of altering the Everlands' fate could ignite at any second.

Should things go awry, the Everlands could face catastrophe, torn asunder by these formidable forces before the Voodoo Shade onslaught even began, leaving the land fractured and empires and commoners alike reduced to ash in an instant.

Suddenly, they found themselves longing for Han Miaoyuan. They realized how much better it would be if Han Miaoyuan, the greatest protector of the Everlands, were here.

"It's because it's you."

After a moment, Jihui lowered his head and murmured softly, "Had it been Taishi, Taixu, or even the current Soul-Capturing or Tianqi, I would have ignored such a request from any of them."

"But because it's you..."

"So..."

The intricate spatial patterns within the Wraithbanner shone with a blinding light. The flag, originally intended for summoning spirits, now transformed into a tunnel through space and time.

The Wraithbanner's pull came to life, targeting only Tan Xiaotian. The Demon Lord, caught off guard, was swept into the Wraithbanner along with the expanding Ebon Meditation Mat.

"It's because it's you that I'm willing to compromise."

And with that, the Wraithbanner vanished.

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