C1790 The Phoenix Shadow

Tianqi stood as majestic as a mountain, his thick neck veined with cords that stood out like writhing snakes. His eyes blazed with fervent passion as he suddenly bowed respectfully to Yu Yuan, yet he remained silent.

After his bow, he stepped back to stand beside the composed Taishi, his gaze still brimming with sincere respect and adoration.

"Him?" Yu Yuan was at a loss for words.

"Yes, he's aware," Taishi confirmed with a shrug and a casual smile before continuing, "Taixu now has a corporeal body. When I went to invite Soul-Capturing, I revealed your true origins, and Tianqi was there to hear it. As more people come to know who you are, there's no longer a need for secrecy with our own. Tianqi is one of us."

"And another thing..."

"Tianqi is the most revered among the new generation of God-Kings. Your legendary battles and innovative concepts have always inspired him."

"You are his guiding light, the pillar of his faith," Taishi remarked, a tinge of envy in his voice.

Tianqi nodded emphatically, then flashed a grin. "You two chat. As the younger one, I'll wait outside."

With a thunderous rumble, his formidable body burst forth into the extraterrestrial realm like a broad, blood-red meteor, transforming into a towering, blood-colored mountain range. He made no effort to conceal his presence from Ionodios or Zekrica.

"Now, we're not concerned about Lin Daoke or the Sword Sect learning of his arrival."

Taishi then gazed toward the mountain cave, adding, "The Dark Phoenix's influence in the Dark Star Region is on the rise. It seems likely that the Blood Fiend and Solar Meridian clans will retreat to the Primal Blood Continent. The continent's blood curtain wall and the bloodline rules established by the Solar Meridian will become the final battleground."

"I suspect the Root of the Solar Meridian will not withstand this battle," Taishi said gravely.

Tianqi and the other God-Kings refrained from entering Ionodios directly, choosing instead to roam the outskirts, mindful of the broader picture.

Everlands, Dark Star, Hellmouth, Greenshadow, Zagreus, and other extraterrestrial realms—Boulderdawn had an overwhelming number of concerns to manage.

Before Lin Daoke's defeat, once they entered Ionodios, it would become nearly impossible for them to leave.

Now, their simultaneous appearance in the Annihilation Nebula signifies the immense importance they place on Lin Daoke. They are giving the utmost attention to the battle between Soul-Capturing and Lin Daoke.

"In the Ashlands, I made a discovery. The Starpierced armor bears the star chart of Boulderdawn's extraterrestrial outpost. I've also heard rumors of unknown beings there. Furthermore, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk mentioned it saw extraordinary species at the edge of the cosmos."

Yu Yuan couldn't help but glance towards Zekrica as if locking gazes with Soul-Capturing.

He could just make out a distinguished figure, enveloped in a myriad of purple dark fires and lightning, sketching out perfect contours and drawing together scattered forces.

Soul-Capturing was taking shape, forging a new corporeal body alongside the creation of her Divine Throne.

"I only learned a bit about this after visiting there myself. We'll need to wait for Soul-Capturing to finish her battle with Lin Daoke for a full explanation. She's stationed there because she can't afford to leave for long; there are indeed dangers she must guard against."

After a brief pause, Taishi added, "The Secrets of Life of the Solar Spirit are your path, Yu Yuan. Once you attain the highest state, what's rightfully yours will naturally return to you. Everything will fall into place."

"Alright, keep a close watch on the Dark Star Region and be especially cautious of the Dark Phoenix."

"Don't worry about Lin Daoke; we're more than capable of handling him."

He exuded confidence, assuring Yu Yuan that staying in the Ashlands and monitoring the Dark Star Region was sufficient, and there was no need to fret over their ability to deal with Lin Daoke.

"The Ashlands are vast, rich with resources and energy. I'm considering opening up this wondrous place," Yu Yuan shared his intentions.

"It's surprising that you've managed to take control of the Ashlands; that's beyond what we anticipated. But don't rush. When the time is right, the leaders of Boulderdawn and the forces of Ionodios will converge upon the Ashlands." Taishi gestured dismissively, his smile conveying reassurance, "For the moment, there's still some apprehension about the Ashlands."

Yu Yuan nodded in agreement.

Upon entering the Ashlands with Taixu and the Abyssal Leviathan, they noticed that the extraterrestrial experts who used to frequent the area had sensed the internal strife and had withdrawn. The current population of intelligent lifeforms in the Ashlands had significantly dwindled compared to the initial numbers. For a place like the Ashlands, capable of housing hundreds of millions, to be devoid of life was a tragic waste of its vast potential.

While Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit conversed with Taishi in the Annihilation Nebula, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk emerged from Tyria. Landing on Eiwrone, he paused briefly before asking, "Do you intend to guide the other races here?"

"Yes," Yu Yuan responded.

"I've sent Jessica back to the Silverscale Tribe for reorganization. The conflict in the Dark Star Domain hasn't begun yet. With your permission, I'd like to send some of the Silverscale Tribe's eighth and ninth level warriors to a star in that region."

The Lizard gestured toward the horizon, painting a vivid picture with his words. As he spoke, Yu Yuan envisioned a domain—a territory that the Lizard had clearly already scouted, one well-suited to both the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and the Silverscale Tribe.

"No problem," Yu Yuan agreed readily.

A glint of satisfaction appeared in the Lizard's eyes, and a hint of a smile cracked his parched lips. "If that's the case, I'll call Jessica over!" He expelled a stream of vital energy, resembling a flow of mud and stone, which descended into a deep cavern on Eiwrone.

"As you traveled far and wide, Leviathan and I roamed the Ashlands, growing ever more convinced that this place is the future of our world," the Abyssal Greater Basilisk reflected with a hint of nostalgia. "Previously, it was too chaotic here, with many of the world's rules unsorted and fraught with unknown perils."

"Your Dragon Slaying Stage and Solar Spirit have brought much-needed stability to the Ashlands."

"As for me, being seen as the Creator by the Silverscale Tribe, I feel compelled to contribute to their welfare. Before your grand plan unfolds, selecting a suitable territory for them is my way of giving back." The Lizard's thoughts lingered on the Silverscale Tribe. He had instructed Jessica and two elders to depart first, yet he had already covertly set his plans in motion.

He pinpointed the exact location within the Ashlands, detailing the covert silver mines and bodies of water that would be ideal for members of the Silverscale Tribe to enhance their bloodlines.

His thoughts lingered on the possibility that even if he were to depart from the Ashlands and continue to drift on the fringes of the cosmos, the Silverscale Tribe could still venture into the Ashlands, guided by the wondrous sites he had previously discovered.

"Where's Awkwafina?" Zhong Chichen inquired offhandedly.

"She?"

The Abyssal Greater Basilisk huffed, his gaze growing icy. "She's not like me; she's wholly drawn to the Abyss. Over there, she reveres a Dreadlord as her master. I may not be fond of her, but out of respect for her past obedience, I've honored my promise."

"I permitted her to depart from the Ashlands. Her future choices, whether to lead the Shadowkin towards the Dreadlord of the Abyss, are no longer my concern."

"Have you heard that your God-King Jihui has reconstructed the Origin Gate in the Everlands?" Zhong Chichen scoffed.

"Tan Xiaotian's dark soul has already crossed over. And there will be more like Awkwafina to come. Once Jihui departs from the Everlands, he'll disseminate the marvels of the Origin Realm across the domains of various Otherkin." Yu Yuan frowned inwardly, anticipating that some would inevitably succumb to the allure and follow in Tan Xiaotian's footsteps.

The Origin Realm under Jihui's rule might prove even more formidable than when it was in the hands of the Origin Deity, potentially drawing countless seekers into its depths.

Zhong Chichen's gaze snapped towards Tyria!

Yu Yuan also had an immediate reaction, spotting a massive, multicolored archway that appeared forcibly rent by an irresistible force.

A withered female form was discarded from another realm, tossed aside like refuse.

"Ann Ziqing!"

Yu Yuan's face contorted with shock. He teleported to Tyria using the Dragon Slaying Stage, only to find Ann Ziqing's desiccated, skeletal frame.

Ann Ziqing, who had transformed into the Blood Fiend's Solar Spirit, was missing.

She was battered and bruised, her frail human body evidently tormented by lashes and claw punctures. Unconscious, she lay there with scarcely any blood remaining within her.

She could only just manage to cling to her basic life force.

Her little world of vitality, once filled with amethyst Blood Pools, was now barren, the pools themselves shattered to pieces.

It was as though someone abhorred the very presence of purple on her.

The divine armor that once shielded her was now in ruins. As she hit the ground, the fragments of her armor slowly disintegrated into dust and smoke, vanishing within moments.

The amethyst fragments of the Blood Pool in her little world of vitality also dissipated into nothingness.

A mysterious force seemed determined to strip her of every trace of purple.

"It's the supreme being from Shadow's Keep."

The Abyssal Leviathan's face contorted slightly as he spoke. "She's mocking you, and by extension, all of us. She deliberately sent Ann Ziqing's corporeal body here, signaling that she's not only aware of the Domain Channel but also possesses the capability to transport people through it!"

Zhong Chichen arrived from Eiwrone just in time to witness the fissure that had burst open, a breach he found himself powerless to seal.

"It's her power!"

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