C1816 Deep Probing
The Untamed clearly had little faith in the God-Kings from Boulderdawn who hailed from the extraterrestrial realms. Tianqi, Taixu, and Soul-Capturing, who had ascended to the rank of God-King without the blessing of their original source, were deemed incapable by the Ape of withstanding Lin Daoke's blade.
He was among the few who had witnessed Lin Daoke's formidable prowess and understood the terror that the Sword Sect's master could unleash. The ongoing battle between Soul-Capturing and Lin Daoke, with no clear winner in sight, took the Ape by surprise.
With a sardonic laugh, he remarked, "I had assumed you rushed to the Dark Star to halt the Dark Phoenix's madness, allowing the Everlands' nascent origin to emerge unimpeded. You would then harness this origin to reshape your divine status and venture into the Annihilation Nebula to confront Lin Daoke's sword."
After sharing his initial conjecture, the Ape released a wave of demon energy that swiftly expanded across the starry sea for ten thousand miles. He scrutinized the tumult of the Dark Star and the crumbling of celestial bodies to assess any fundamental damage to the extraterrestrial domain.
A moment later, he shook his head in disappointment and sighed, "At most, a single seat."
He then turned to Yu Yuan without any hesitation and declared, "Yu Yuan, whatever you've claimed is yours, and I have no objections. Only by forging your divine seat can you truly dominate the Everlands and stand a chance at quelling the Dark Phoenix."
Green Willow concurred with a slow nod.
Currently, Yu Yuan, with the aid of the enigmatic Solar Spirit and the unique conditions of the Dark Star, was on the verge of matching the Dark Phoenix in combat. Should Yu Yuan's real body succeed in crafting a divine seat, the Solar Spirit might well achieve another breakthrough.
Just the thought of such a version of Yu Yuan sent shivers down the spines of both the Ape and Green Willow.
The clash between Yu Yuan and the Dark Phoenix within the Dark Star had profoundly impressed the two Dark Deities, convincing them that in the vastness of the Everlands—and beyond, in the Star River—only Yu Yuan had the potential to make the supreme Dark Phoenix yield, aside from the Great Demon God Bertain.
"The source, the divine throne!"
Yu Yuan's eyes sparkled as he inhaled deeply, his spirit soaring.
He had a premonition that once he crafted the divine throne, everything that had once been his would return!
All the elements necessary for ascension were in place. With a new source in the Everlands, as long as it could take the shape of a divine throne, he was ready to ascend to the highest echelon.
When that time came, he doubted anyone could hold him down or force him to submit.
"No, you mustn't rush this!"
Taishi's face took on a complex look. With Untamed and Green Willow present, he held back his intended words.
With a note of concern, he advised, "Even if you have an abundance of the source, don't ascend to godhood just yet. You must take your Path to Godhood slowly. The Ashlands, and Tyria within it, must be in harmony with your ascension!"
"The Ashlands, in harmony?"
Yu Yuan paused, a flicker of memory from the depths of his dominant soul threatening to ignite.
His Path to Godhood seemed intertwined with Project New Everlands. The moment he transformed his dominant soul into a primordial spirit and crafted the divine throne, he sensed it would trigger something profound.
"Mm." Taishi affirmed with a knowing look.
"The Ashlands?"
The Ape paused, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation. "I'm familiar with the Ashlands, but what's this Tyria? From your reactions, is it something extraordinary?"
"If you get the chance, you should visit the Ashlands," Taishi said with a chuckle. "Yu Yuan now holds sway over the Ashlands, and he's opened it up for the mighty from all realms to explore its wonders."
"Oh, that's piqued my interest," The Ape said with a mischievous grin.
Shock was written all over Green Willow's face, seemingly unable to believe that even the mythical Ashlands were connected to Yu Yuan.
Yet, having seen the might of Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit, Green Willow was ready to believe anything Taishi said now.
"The Nagas have relocated to the Ashlands. Loong Jie, Zhong Chichen, and... another young Titan Spinosaurus were all on Tyria. Oh, and let's not forget the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and the Abyssal Leviathan," Yu Yuan said with a light cough. "None were needed in the end. The original plan was to band together to hunt down the Dark Phoenix. Alas, plans never seem to keep pace with change."
The expressions of Ape and Green Willow instantly lit up with intrigue. At that moment, Taishi addressed Ape, saying, "We're in no rush to uncover Yu Yuan's Path to Godhood. On my journey from the Everlands, I detected the will of the Earthfire, which is vying for a divine seat on behalf of Mo Baichuan. You've all overlooked a crucial fact: the most effective force against the Dark Phoenix isn't the bitter cold of the Primal Blood Continent."
"It's the fiercest of flames!"
"Mo Baichuan despises the Dark Phoenix to his core. He abandoned the Skyfire Sacred Way and obsessively followed the Path of Earthfire, all to one day confront the Dark Phoenix in battle."
"I, along with Boulderdawn, are fully prepared to support him in this endeavor," Taishi declared with gravity.
Whoosh!
The blood-colored specter of the mighty Demon God Grec burst forth from the earth's depths, standing before the ruins of a fallen palace, gazing absently into the extraterrestrial sky.
Behind him, a bewildered assembly of Blood Fiend elders stood lost.
"Our roots and the source of our bloodline still endure," Grec reassured his people, though his heart was heavy with desolation, fully aware that Yu Yuan had altered the thoughts and bloodlines of his kin.
Yet, he was acutely conscious that he was powerless to defy Yu Yuan, and even the mere thought of resistance might be detected by him.
He was deeply disheartened and utterly helpless.
"Grec."
At the sound of his name, Yu Yuan made his return to the Primal Blood Continent from the Star River beyond the wall.
With Yu Yuan's movement, Taishi was quick to keep pace.
Yu Yuan and Taishi effortlessly traversed the wall, once again stepping foot on the Primal Blood Continent.
However, as the Dark Deities, Untamed and Green Willow, neared the wall, they were met with a chilling presence.
It was as if ice spikes from within the wall were aimed directly at them, warning that any further approach would be met with hostility.
"It looks like we're not exactly welcome here," Ape remarked, scratching his nose with a hint of embarrassment.
"You and I, along with our tribe's evilkind warriors, have slain our fair share of Blood Fiends. We've even wrought havoc upon some minor realms within the Dark Star," Green Willow admitted with a sense of acceptance, faintly sensing that the entire world seemed to be repelling both him and Untamed.
"Perhaps it's time for us to take our leave."
Green Willow gazed intently at Yu Yuan through the shimmering barrier, suggesting, "Let's discuss matters later, either back in the Everlands or once we've reached another Astral Domain."
"Very well," Untamed conceded with a reluctant nod.
Then, without another word, the two Dark Deities from the Everlands departed side by side.
...
"You all may leave now."
Having returned to the Primal Blood Continent, Yu Yuan gestured dismissively to the throng of Blood Fiend clansmen gathered behind Grec, signaling them to disperse.
"At once, Sir!"
"We shall withdraw immediately."
With only Yu Yuan's presence remaining in the deepest recesses of their souls and bloodlines, the Blood Fiend clansmen dared not defy his command and promptly bowed before retreating.
Only Grec stayed behind.
"You are the only one who is lucid. But do you understand why I can so easily strip away everything from the Solar Meridian and alter the marks within their souls and bloodlines?" Yu Yuan demanded.
Grec, clearly puzzled, responded, "Is it because you've been favored by it? Is its rank above that of the Solar Meridian's creator?"
"No. The origin of the Blood Fiend Race isn't the Solar Meridian but something much deeper beneath the earth! It was this creator that manifested life. The Solar Meridian only grasped the concept of creation after it revealed itself. The creative power it bestowed upon the Solar Meridian is what led to the formation of the Blood Fiend Race."
"The very essence of your souls and the foundation of your bloodlines hold its power of life regeneration."
"In the truest sense, it is your creator, the wellspring of your existence. It remains silent most of the time, which is why it tolerates the Solar Meridian. It relies on the Solar Meridian to guide and protect you, as well as the Dark Star."
After his explanation, Yu Yuan concluded, "It is your real creator. Reflect on this truth."
Grec was dumbfounded.
Yu Yuan's revelations shattered his worldview, leaving him reeling in shock, struggling to come to terms with the new reality.
"I share your view," Taishi agreed softly, marveling at the Primal Blood Continent's mysteries. He smiled and added, "It leveraged the Root of the Solar Meridian, turning both the Solar Meridian and the Blood Fiend Race into guardians. You are like the cosmic barrier of this realm, ensuring it can slumber undisturbed."
Beneath the canyon, the area that once housed the Root of the Solar Meridian was now covered by solid ice rock.
Ji Ningshuang's body, along with Yu Yuan's gravely injured Solar Spirit, sat in stillness above the ice rock.
A faint cold fog shrouded them, shielding against any external disturbances and protecting them from further fierce assaults.
Sss!
Tiny purple sparks of electricity continuously shattered within Ji Ningshuang's body, now an ice sculpture.
The intense cold below not only froze Ji Ningshuang but also employed the utmost ice energy to extinguish the lingering vital energy of the Dark Phoenix, aiding in her swift recovery.
Yu Yuan, having reverted to his human form, occasionally snapped his fingers, sending a stream of vital energy into the frozen form of Ji Ningshuang, replenishing her with pure vitality.
Despite the assistance of the extreme cold, Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit Body was healing at a pace far exceeding that of Ji Ningshuang.
While his real body was conversing with the Demon God Grec, the ruptured meridians within the Solar Spirit Body had already been reconnected.
Whoosh!
The blood-red Baneblade suddenly hovered silently before his chest, a river meandering along its edge.
This river represented the residual power of the Root of the Solar Meridian.
Within the bloody world of the Baneblade, the blood river, a manifestation of the Root of the Solar Meridian, remained broad, encased in orbs of Soul Power.
Yet, deep within the blood river, Yu Yuan began to perceive memories distinct from blood magic and the Secrets of Life.
These were the life experiences of the Root of the Solar Meridian—its accumulated knowledge of the cosmos, its origins, pursuits, and dreams.
Yu Yuan had once sealed away these aspects, but now he sought to understand the Astral Domain through the Root of the Solar Meridian.
"Let me take a closer look."
A strand of a bloody specter descended, and a deluge of fragmented memories cascaded into Yu Yuan's soul like a flurry of snowflakes.