C1819 Reversal

The Abyssal Leviathan, having assumed the form of a gaunt old man, burst forth from the Dead Star toward the Dark Nebula.

From a distance, he gazed upon Ionodios.

To him, Yu Yuan stood out like a blazing torch within Ionodios.

Even though it was merely Yu Yuan's real body, as the Solar Spirit underwent its transformation, no matter where it was, his little world of vitality could draw the purest vital energy from the Solar Spirit.

The aura of flesh and blood that naturally emanated from Yu Yuan was clearly visible to the Abyssal Leviathan, appearing as a tangible manifestation of the enigmatic bloodline rules.

Having gleaned a fragment of the Secrets of Life from the Primal Blood, the Abyssal Leviathan was particularly attuned to such phenomena.

Across the radiant expanse of the starry sky, Yu Yuan seemed to glow with an inner light.

"He, he... has undergone a complete transformation."

The Abyssal Leviathan was dumbfounded. It was only Yu Yuan's real body, not the Solar Spirit with its complete life sequence, yet the impression it left was of a life form that had experienced a fundamental shift.

If the real body was this affected, what magnitude of change had the Solar Spirit undergone?

"This scent, it's reminiscent of the Old Titan Spinosaurus when it first left the Primal Blood Continent, imbued with the Secrets of Life."

The Abyssal Greater Basilisk also arrived beside the Abyssal Leviathan. As an entity of ancient standing, he too could detect the energy emanating from Yu Yuan within Ionodios.

"We've missed so much."

Lizard was filled with a touch of remorse. He shouldn't have been fixated on the clash between Lin Daoke and Soul-Capturing. He should have remained in the Ashlands, by Yu Yuan's side, as they ventured together into the Dark Star.

Perhaps, he too could have reaped rewards in the Dark Star Region like Yu Yuan did.

"Is it really worth such astonishment when it's not even the Solar Spirit that's here?"

Zhong Chichen, having witnessed Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit's fierce battle with the Dark Phoenix on the Primal Blood Continent, was less impressed by this weaker incarnation of Yu Yuan's real body, devoid of the same bloodline marvels.

"The Solar Spirit, the Solar Spirit... It must be on the verge of a breakthrough, right?" exclaimed the Abyssal Leviathan.

"His Solar Spirit Body has consumed the Bloody River on the Primal Blood Continent. Moreover, it seems he has nearly completed its assimilation," Zhong Chichen responded.

The Abyssal Leviathan and the Lizard fell into silence.

"After his Solar Spirit clashed with the Dark Phoenix in the Dark Star, it was gravely wounded and plummeted into the Primal Blood Continent. He's likely in a state of recovery now."

"Yet, the Dark Phoenix was wounded as well, shedding blood across the cosmos."

"The injury, coupled with the frigid extremes of the Dark Star Region, prompted the Dark Phoenix to seek a new battlefield."

Zhong Chichen disclosed further details.

The Lizard and the Abyssal Leviathan grew even more reticent.

After a lengthy pause, the Abyssal Greater Basilisk spoke with a hint of bitterness, "The vast expanse of the Star River may soon be under Yu Yuan's dominion. Once his real body ascends, who else could possibly stand against him?"

"We've likely made a wise choice," the Abyssal Leviathan reflected.

Subsequently, both turned their gaze to Zhong Chichen.

Zhong Chichen paused, then asked, "Is there still hope for our revered little ancestor?"

He was referring to the young Titan Spinosaurus, which, following Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit's profound transformation, now rivaled the Old Titan who had first grasped the Secrets of Life.

He was aware that Yu Yuan was Taiyin, whose real body had not yet reached its pinnacle, nor fully awakened.

The scope of Yu Yuan's ascent and his untapped potential were boundless.

In this context, could the little spinosaurus, whom he and Loong Jie saw as the beacon of hope and resurgence for the Nagas, truly surpass Yu Yuan and reclaim the glory of the Titan Spinosaurus at its zenith?

Doubt crept into Zhong Chichen's thoughts.

...

Ionodios.

Upon arriving from the Everlands and the Starway via the Hellmouth, Yu Yuan was immediately greeted by the elated Taixu, along with Jun Chen, Feng Zhong, Jiang Miaojie, and others.

"Yu Yuan!"

"What brings you here?"

"Lord Taishi!"

The crowd exchanged pleasantries.

Even the senior members of the merchant guild and the ninth-level Elders of the Otherkin quickly gathered around, all paying their respects to Taishi.

Taishi signaled for everyone to ease up, then glanced at the Grand Sword Immortals stationed beyond the wall, akin to Yue Mu.

"My friends, are you still assisting Lin Daoke in safeguarding Ionodios?"

Taishi chuckled softly and with a gentle stomp of his foot, a network of fine, grayish-yellow lines spread instantly across the earth in all directions.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Strands of sword's will and sword radiance were forcibly drawn out, emerging from mountain ravines, palaces, and structures erected by the Otherkin.

The sword light swiftly returned to the bodies of the Grand Sword Immortals.

"From this moment forward, all cultivators of the Sword Sect, except for Fairy Ji, are forbidden from setting foot in Ionodios."

While speaking, Taishi had already reached the other side of the wall.

His gaze methodically moved across the faces of the Grand Sword Immortals, including Van Heqing, Su Qingmo, and Yue Mu.

Swoosh!

The Titanblade suddenly appeared in his grasp.

Clutching the Divine Sword, Taishi spoke with a hint of reminiscence, "Nie did the most for your Sword Sect. How many swords did he forge for the Everlands? Do any of you still remember? You should have some insight into his death. It was Han Miaoyuan who wanted him dead, and so he died."

"When I was confined within the Moonfall Sanctuary, he was the one who stood guard."

"He was the one who kept me company the longest, the one I conversed with the most. Thanks to him, I wasn't so lonely, and it was through him that I stayed informed about the yearly changes in the Everlands."

"But our philosophies differed from Han Miaoyuan's. Because Nie interacted with me frequently and had differing views on matters..."

"Heh, Han Miaoyuan thought he was unruly, hard to control, and suspected he might side with us."

"And so, he was killed."

Taishi addressed the present-day Grand Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect, "Who decided that Han Miaoyuan is always right?"

The Grand Sword Immortals remained silent.

Buzz! Buzz!

The sword spirit within the Titanblade emitted an indignant hum, as if protesting the injustice done to its former master.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The sword spirits of Van Heqing, Yue Mu, Su Qingmo, Xue Jiu, and the others seemed stirred as well, resonating with a collective hum.

"Do you see? Sometimes your sword spirits possess more sense than you do," Taishi said with a sneer. "You all are aware that when Yu Yuan was on the verge of shattering the Nine Palaces Array in the Everlands, numerous swords resonated in response. Why? They too were voicing their grievance over Nie Qingtian's death."

Many of them were brought back by Old Nie to the Sword Cave, and he buried many of their owners. It's possible that Old Nie also avenged their owners' hatred. Lin Daoke is oblivious to worldly affairs, his life dedicated solely to sword cultivation, unable to discern right from wrong. Are you all the same?"

Taishi chastised the Grand Sword Immortals outside Ionodios, causing their faces to flush with embarrassment.

Yet, no one dared to contradict him.

...

"He sure has a way with words."

Feng Zhong, standing beside Yu Yuan, quipped with a smirk, "Sadly, most of the Sword Sect are set in their ways. All of Taishi's words can't hold a candle to a single utterance from Lin Daoke. Lin Daoke is their pillar of support; as long as he remains undefeated, all of Taishi's talk is for naught."

Jun Chen nodded in agreement.

"Yu Yuan!"

Brie from the Shadowkin, who had arrived from the neighboring Zekrica, hesitated before plummeting down.

At that moment, he disregarded Lin Daoke's prohibitions.

"The Chronowyrm has messaged the Wingkind of Darkpinion, warning that your Dark Phoenix seems poised to launch an attack! I've attempted to reach out to our ancestors and the empress using blood magic, but I've received no response from either. I'm deeply concerned for them," Brie expressed with evident anxiety.

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed.

Whoosh!

He descended to the Starway in Ionodios, his mind racing to locate the coordinates for Greenshadow, hoping to make a swift round trip.

"Hmm?"

The ferry, previously guarded by Lin Daoke and the Grand Sword Immortals, was now unable to establish a connection with Greenshadow.

He retrieved the Dragon Slaying Stage he had brought from the Dark Star. As soon as the Divine Artifact was in his grasp, the secrets of space seemed to awaken.

Streams of rainbow light cascaded down onto the ferry. He was determined to ascertain whether the ferry was truly malfunctioning.

He suspected that Lin Daoke's sword power had sealed it, rendering the ferry a one-way passage, entry without exit.

Upon closer inspection, however, he found that the Starway operated smoothly, maintaining its connection with the Hellmouth.

Should he wish to visit the Hellmouth, he could do so instantly, just as he had upon his arrival.

The ferry in the Zagreus Astral Domain offers passage to this location and others, utilizing various spatial coordinates.

Yet, there was an issue with Greenshadow.

"Can't get through?"

Brie grew anxious. He swiftly descended into Ionodios, hoping to use its ferry to hasten to Greenshadow and consult with the progenitor of the Shadowkin—the newly sprouted Uxthar Tree—to see if he could aid the Secular Bird Queen. Failing that, he aimed to relocate the Wingkind's elite.

This was to prevent the Dark Phoenix's frenzy from causing the total demise of the Darkpinion Astral Domain.

"The spatial rules in the Darkpinion have subtly shifted. I didn't want to delve too deeply, so I didn't inspect them closely. Ha, I'm not eager to confront the Dark Phoenix again so soon," Zhong Chichen said as he arrived, accompanied by the Abyssal Greater Basilisk and the Abyssal Leviathan.

The two colossal creatures, the Abyssal Leviathan and the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, seemed more restrained in Yu Yuan's presence, especially the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, which wasn't well-acquainted with him. It had once coveted the Phoenix Ashes, but upon Yu Yuan's arrival in Ionodios, it recognized that even outside the Ashlands, Yu Yuan's enigmatic Solar Spirit was beyond its capability to contend with.

Moreover, if it dared to show up in the Ashlands or Dark Star and clashed with Yu Yuan, escape would be impossible.

Thus, its desire for the Phoenix Ashes gradually waned.

"Based on your assessment, how long will it take for the Phoenix Shrine to reach the Darkpinion Astral Domain at its current velocity?" Yu Yuan inquired solemnly.

Zhong Chichen thought for a moment before cautiously answering, "It will require several days."

"The Secular Bird Queen is formidable in her own right and won't be easily defeated," the Lizard added after some thought. "There's no need for such concern. I have a hunch that the power of the Abyss is lurking within the Darkpinion."

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