C1818 After Saying Goodbye to the Divine Sword
Atop Skyreach Peak in the Everlands, Zu Ann, the year-round sentinel, abruptly turned his attention to the small pond created by the Mirror of Fates. He noticed that the once dormant volcanoes of the Fireheart Mountains, home to the Order of Healing, were now radiating intense heat.
Soon after, these long-silent volcanoes began spewing lava and flames. The remaining disciples of the Order of Healing, unable to withstand the seismic shifts in their region, gathered their furnaces, herb seeds, and alchemical vessels, deciding to relocate.
"Hmm!" Zu Ann's expression shifted subtly as he seized the Mirror of Fates and teleported to the skies above the Fireheart Mountains. Peering down, he expanded his divine consciousness and, with a jolt, proclaimed, "A new divine seat!"
Beneath him, in the fiery depths, Mo Baichuan was at the base of the Serpentflame furnace, harnessing the essence of the Heart of the Everlands as his foundation for ascension. The Earthfire, nearest to the Primal Soul, was intrinsically linked to it, and Mo Baichuan had also garnered its favor.
With the formation of a new primal source within the Heart of the Everlands, Mo Baichuan's progression seemed inevitable.
"Dark Phoenix..." Zu Ann whispered, his gaze drifting involuntarily toward the Land of Quiescence, as if witnessing the fall of Shadow's Keep.
A realization dawned on him: the crumbling of Shadow's Keep signified the dismantling of the Dark Phoenix's once unassailable honor in the Everlands, a feat accomplished by a collective force. Mo Baichuan's ultimate goal was to wield power on par with the Dark Phoenix, to confront her directly. To this end, he had forsaken the Path of the Skyfire, obsessively pursuing the elusive Path of Earthfire.
Now, it appeared as though he had swept away all hindrances, grasping all that was necessary to attain divinity.
"Why do I sense that Mo Baichuan's animosity toward the Dark Phoenix is also pivotal? Could it be that the Earthfire below shares Mo Baichuan's disdain for the Dark Phoenix, desiring her demise?" Zu Ann was taken aback by his own speculation. Shaking his head, he refrained from delving deeper into the thought.
On the other side, within the Ruby Hand sect.
Whoosh!
A mountain erupted with raging flames. Yuan Lianyao's "Red Demon Bell" burned furiously, drawing strands of earthfire essence and weaving them into an intricate fire circle.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Numerous fire beams, alive like creatures, burst from deep underground and merged into the "Red Demon Bell."
Within the bell, amidst the torrential flames, Yuan Lianyao's fire crystal-like Solar Spirit suddenly acquired an array of spells related to earthfire.
It was as if a pie had fallen from the sky!
Zhou Cangmin, Faang Yao, and many other cultivators from the Ruby Hand converged from all directions, gathering at the mouth of the Mountain of Flames where the "Red Demon Bell" stood.
"Yuanyuan is on the verge of breaking through to the Unbound Realm."
Zhou Cangmin was puzzled, only aware that Yuan Lianyao, ensconced within the "Red Demon Bell," had undergone a profound change.
Doubts about certain matters and uncertainties about specific powers had vanished, replaced by a sense of unstoppable determination.
"Ah, it's quite disheartening. I never imagined that in my lifetime, I'd see someone ascend to divinity through the Path of Earthfire. I had assumed that under my leadership, the Ruby Hand would always overshadow the Sunlit Order." Qin Luo's sigh resonated within the hearts of Zhou Cangmin and Faang Yao.
The two were momentarily taken aback, then realized that Mo Baichuan, located in the Fireheart Mountains, must have received an immense fortune.
This fortune was so significant that it also benefited Yuan Lianyao, who was pursuing the Path of Earthfire.
Mo Baichuan, the trailblazer, was demonstrating to the world that the fiery energy from the depths of the Everlands could indeed pave a sacred way to the summit!
His existence and his methodology would invigorate and encourage all those who would follow in his footsteps!
Yuan Lianyao, a cultivator who had believed the Unbound Realm was the apex, now understood that by harnessing the Path of Earthfire, one could achieve the highest pinnacle of cultivation.
"Where did this primal source originate?"
Faang Yao was utterly baffled. With his Unbound Realm cultivation and expertise, he couldn't perceive the formation of this new source, let alone its origin.
"It's related to Yu Yuan, but I'm not clear on the specifics."
Qin Luo, whose whereabouts were unknown, gazed upon the Red Demon Bell as if he were peering through the Eye of God and remarked with a sense of awe, "You welcomed this young woman into the Ruby Hand and have cultivated her with great care. Looking at it now... it truly was a remarkably astute decision. The two of you have made a significant contribution to our sect."
Zhou Cangmin and Faang Yao exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter.
They fully understood the deeper meaning of Sect Master Qin Luo's words. By bringing Yuan Lianyao into the fold, they had forged a connection with Yu Yuan. Regardless of how the future might unfold, this was a substantial advantage for the Ruby Hand.
...
On the Primal Blood Continent.
Led by the Great Demon God Grec, the Blood Fiend Race either soared through the wall or boarded the Voidfarer, setting their sights on the extraterrestrial realms.
The celestial tapestry was marred by many a star and domain laid to waste.
These ravaged realms were often the ancestral homes or territories of the Blood Fiend clansmen from the Primal Blood Continent.
Accustomed to their domains, they faced the task of rebuilding their homes in the wake of the Dark Phoenix's departure and the disappearance of the archdemons and alien beasts.
For those Blood Fiend clansmen whose worlds were completely destroyed, the search for a new domain was imperative.
With so much to restore and rebuild, their tasks were many.
The Primal Blood Continent has always been the sacred land of the Blood Fiend Race. Only the most venerable Blood Fiend families and the most gifted among them were privileged to dwell here and seek the blessings of the Solar Meridian.
"Regrettably, because of the Dark Phoenix's rampage, the Everlands... has formed but a single Divine Throne."
Taishi watched as Grec and several ninth-level Demon Gods departed in a state of shock. Once they were gone, he turned to Yu Yuan and said, "The Supreme God seat was part of your plan from the beginning. I simply acted upon your original intentions." He said with a smile.
Yu Yuan, whose Solar Spirit was below and who was on the surface, had an inkling of the situation and chose not to delve further into the subject.
Instead, he stated, "The Root of the Solar Meridian, the Dark Phoenix, including all the archdemons and alien beasts of our world, are surely foreigners. Their origins have never been from this place."
Taishi had always been a source of confidence for him, so he shared the newly acquired information without hesitation.
Taishi's spirit was jolted as he exclaimed, "Bertain has made the same deduction! Yet, he doesn't have your certainty!"
"Bertain came to the same conclusion?" Yu Yuan was taken aback.
"Yes, Bertain hinted at it. But he lacked solid proof, merely suggesting the possibility. Of course, my source wasn't him, but rather... it was conveyed by Soul-Capturing."
After a brief explanation, Taishi fell silent, evidently still processing the news.
Eventually, Taishi shook his head decisively and said, "Let's set this aside for now. Once the fight between Soul-Capturing and Lin Daoke concludes, we three should meet. Then, we can discuss this further with Taixu and Tianqi."
He suddenly extended his hand, saying, "Hand over the Titanblade."
Yu Yuan, caught off guard, summoned the Divine Sword that had been integral to his journey since the Moonfall Sanctuary, immediately sensing the will of the sword spirit.
"I will find a new master for it, as I promised Nie Qingtian long ago."
Without any hesitation, Taishi took the Divine Sword from Yu Yuan's grasp.
He then touched the blade with a fingertip, seemingly communicating with the sword spirit within, "Since Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit has evolved, gaining formidable strength and stature, you are no longer a fit for him."
"Initially, he was merely a temporary wielder for you. Nie Qingtian's sword spell and the Way of Heaven, and you, must find a new successor."
Taishi offered words of consolation to the unperturbed sword spirit.
Yu Yuan looked at the sword, his words caught in his throat.
"The Dragon Slaying Stage is truly yours, and even the Baneblade suits you better now. I witnessed the final act of your recent battle. You, with merely this Solar Spirit, might have already surpassed Nie. His swordsmanship and the sword he crafted could end up limiting you."
"This sword, due to its material, inherently resists the flow of vital energy."
With a whoosh, Taishi shook his head, and the Titanblade vanished from his palm. He glanced at the earth beneath him and declared, "Your Solar Spirit should remain on the Primal Blood Continent for now; there's much for you to assimilate. As for your physical form, come with me to the Annihilation Nebula. We'll witness the outcome of Soul-Capturing's and Lin Daoke's duel firsthand."
"Alright."
...
Annihilation Nebula.
Whoosh!
Zhong Chichen suddenly materialized in front of the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, the Abyssal Leviathan, and Loong Jie amidst the desolation of the Dead Star. With a sardonic chuckle, he quipped, "You guys are still eagerly awaiting the outcome of the clash between Lin Daoke and Soul-Capturing?"
"Rainbow Sage!" Loong Jie called out in greeting.
He was aware of the recent upheaval in the Ashlands and that the venerable figure before him had been exceedingly preoccupied.
Yet, without the means to traverse as freely as Zhong Chichen, he was somewhat out of the loop regarding current events.
"What else can we do?" The Abyssal Leviathan gave a wry smile. "Lizard mentioned that his efforts to solidify the Time Gate were shattered by Yu Yuan using the Dragon Slaying Stage. And now that the link between the Time Gate and the Dark Star has been sealed, we lack your abilities to travel there."
"Did Yu Yuan and Ji Ningshuang perish in the Dark Star?"
The Abyssal Greater Basilisk was blunt, almost as if Zhong Chichen's arrival had confirmed their fates.
"No, he's still among the living," Zhong Chichen replied, grinning.
"It's puzzling. The Dark Phoenix is not one to be easily defeated. The Solar Meridian stands no chance against her. In today's world, with the Great Demon God Bertain gone, there's no one who could best her," the old lizard expressed, puzzled.
"The Dark Phoenix hasn't been defeated," Zhong Chichen said, his expression darkening as he pursed his lips and huffed. "It's just that in the Dark Star, she encountered overwhelming assistance and faced complexities too vast. Thus, she's temporarily withdrawn to plot the downfall of the Secular Bird Queen in the Wingkind's domain."
"Hehe, I've already informed the Wingkind of her intentions. What the Secular Bird Queen decides to do is beyond my concern," he said nonchalantly.
"My Phoenix Ashes!" exclaimed the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, its eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Yu Yuan has arrived as well!" The Abyssal Leviathan suddenly announced.
