C1820 The New Guardian of the Sword Prison

In the Darkpinion Astral Domain, a massive, once barren gray star was now brimming with boundless vitality, thanks to the arrival of the Phoenix Ashes and the rooting of the nascent Uxthar Tree.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A ceaseless stream of cosmic energy merged into the star, which had previously lacked a wall, now forming a faint light screen around it.

Before long, this star would surpass Greenshadow as the most wondrous place in the entire Darkpinion.

Vegetation now blanketed the once desolate wasteland, and the once bare mountains were gradually cloaked in lush greenery.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

At the heart of the star, an Origin Gate, pulsating with spatial psionic power, made a bold appearance, exerting a covert influence over the space rules of the Darkpinion.

Its presence caused teleportation between Greenshadow and Ionodios to be temporarily disrupted.

"Do you have to make it so obvious?" Demon Lord Tan Xiaotian asked incredulously, eyeing the Wraithbanner planted in the Origin Gate. "With this setup, the Dark Phoenix will instantly know there's a trap as soon as she arrives in the Darkpinion."

"That's precisely the effect I'm aiming for."

Within the Wraithbanner, Jihui, in his ghostly form, nodded and explained, "The Dark Phoenix thrives on knowing someone is plotting against her; it piques her interest. I've staged this display to ignite her competitive spirit and intensify her anticipation for the upcoming battle."

Tan Xiaotian, seated cross-legged beneath a young tree with a fresh green leaf in his mouth, pondered for a moment before concurring, "I've given it some thought, and she really does seem to operate that way. Ha, you understand her better, having spent more time with her."

"Dealing with her is no easy task," Jihui remarked with a sigh.

"Haha, I think it's quite manageable," Tan Xiaotian replied with a carefree laugh. Having integrated numerous Darklords into his fold, especially after some dark souls entered the Origin Realm, he was feeling quite triumphant.

"We've already demolished the Shadow's Keep in the Everlands, so we must follow through. Now that the gloves are off, let's go all out!" He suddenly turned his gaze to the other side of this world, to the towering Uxthar Tree and the elusive figure perched at its summit.

The Phoenix Queen.

Whoosh!

The Wraithbanner slipped away from the Origin Gate and drifted to the top of the Uxthar Tree. Inside the banner, Jihui gazed at the Phoenix Queen, her imperial crown resonating with the aura of Darkpinion. He suddenly spoke, "It's been years. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

Chen Qinghuang, her face veiled by a curtain of pearls, turned towards the Wraithbanner and replied icily, "Thank me for what?"

"I was the one who disclosed the precise location of your first rebirth to him. Without my intervention, you would have been devoured by the Dark Phoenix during your inaugural rebirth," Jihui chuckled from within the banner. "He may not recall it yet, but surely you haven't forgotten?"

Before Chen Qinghuang could respond, Jihui added, "The Dark Phoenix despises me enough to have plotted against me in the secluded valleys of Skyreach Peak. There's a significant reason for that."

"I don't know you well," Chen Qinghuang responded coolly.

"As long as you remember, that's what matters. Without Tan Xiaotian and me, your chances of defeat would have been considerable," Jihui mused aloud. "We share a common foe. I hope that after her arrival in Darkpinion, we can manage to keep her here."

Chen Qinghuang reflected for a moment before saying, "It's been too long; I'm unsure of her current power level."

"Neither do I, but I trust you'll give it your all. Although I can retreat to the Origin Realm and then return to the Abyss, I'm intent on truly giving it a try this time. She was wounded before arriving in Darkpinion, and she's not one to sustain injuries easily. Minor wounds heal in an instant for her, but this time it's clearly different."

"With you and Tan Xiaotian, we now have a real chance at ending her," Jihui urged.

"I'm curious to see what kind of power you've mastered in the Abyss that has filled you with such confidence," Chen Qinghuang remarked, remaining seated.

Meanwhile, the Wingkind of Darkpinion had long since embarked on the Voidfarer, setting off to relocate to neighboring Astral Domains.

Her nest, once a conduit for teleportation, had contracted, transforming into her Divine Weapon.

In the Rebirth Nest, she had left behind a seed of rebirth. Should she fall in battle this time, her revival would be assured years later, provided the nest remained undiscovered.

She had prepared for every eventuality.

...

"The power of the Abyss!"

Zhong Chichen whispered in awe, his eyes sparkling with a myriad of colors. "If your perception is accurate, then it must be the so-called Jihui, the God-King, and... Tan Xiaotian!"

The fall of the Shadow's Keep in the Land of Quiescence was something he had witnessed firsthand upon his return to the Everlands. He knew that the Demon Lord and Jihui were responsible.

"It must be Jihui who's caused the spatial anomalies in the Darkpinion."

After a moment's contemplation, Zhong Chichen let out a mischievous chuckle. Before the eyes of all present, he transformed into a rainbow of light and vanished from Ionodios in an instant.

Shortly thereafter, Yu Yuan sensed that he had disappeared into the Annihilation Nebula.

"What could that sly Seven-Colored Dragon be up to?" The Lizard wondered aloud, astonished.

"He's likely seeking out Loong Jie. Or perhaps... he intends to inform the young Titan Spinosaurus," the Abyssal Leviathan speculated with a cold laugh. "It seems he's spotted a ray of hope. Jihui, Tan Xiaotian, and the Secular Bird Queen appear to have struck a silent pact to lay a trap for the Dark Phoenix in the Darkpinion."

"With Loong Jie having fully developed his Ultimate Golden Body, he poses a significant threat to the Dark Phoenix. Indeed, the Dark Phoenix has made many enemies."

As a Naga, Zhong Chichen had always regarded the Dark Phoenix as the ultimate foe, and now that he saw a chance to eradicate her, he was undoubtedly eager to get involved.

"It's not the Ashlands," Yu Yuan corrected, shaking his head as the others looked on in surprise. "Zhong Chichen has gone to the Everlands. It seems he's planning to await Mo Baichuan's forging of the Divine Throne in the Fireheart Mountains."

"Mo Baichuan!"

"He's on the brink of divinity as well!"

"If Mo Baichuan can successfully ascend through the Path of Earthfire, he could indeed become a formidable ally in the struggle against the Dark Phoenix."

Feng Zhong, Jun Chen, and other formidable Unbound cultivators from Boulderdawn, along with the likes of Indigo Wraith, were taken aback upon hearing the name Mo Baichuan. They immediately thought of his enigmatic journey and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Uh-oh!"

Yu Yuan, present in Ionodios, was suddenly struck by a sense of caution. Grasping the Dragon Slaying Stage in one hand, he vanished without a trace.

When he materialized again, he found himself at the edge of the Annihilation Nebula, gazing at a shimmering silver mountain that seemed to have drifted over from another corner of the cosmos.

The mountain floated in space, radiating an intense sword's will.

Sword scars etched into the smooth rock face of the mountain formed a natural seal.

"Sword Prison!"

Yu Yuan called out softly. The Dragon Slaying Stage expanded rapidly, positioning itself in the path of the drifting Sword Prison. He demanded, "Who is in charge of overseeing the Sword Prison? Please show yourself!"

"Yu... Yu Yuan."

Loong Tianxiao, with his dragon's head and human's body, clad in coarse sackcloth, exuded the air of a bold and robust warrior. He materialized above the mountain, bowing respectfully to Yu Yuan.

With a look of discomfort, he said, "We were ordered to transport the Sword Prison to the Annihilation Nebula."

"Whose order?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"The Sect Master's."

Yu Yuan paused to reflect, then asked further, "Is everyone confined within the Sword Prison still safe?"

"They are all safe," Loong Tianxiao replied earnestly.

At that moment, a crescent moon rapidly closed in from the distance, traversing millions of miles in a blink.

The crescent soon revealed itself to be Tan Junshan of the Starmoon Sect. He was momentarily taken aback upon seeing Yu Yuan there but then shared, "I've been searching for this Sword Prison for quite some time."

Among those detained in the Sword Prison were Starmoon Sect's Duan Yisheng and the formidable Zhongli Dapan. Duan Yisheng had always been a benefactor to Tan Junshan, who felt compelled to intervene.

"Lin Daoke actually intends for the Sword Prison to be brought to the Annihilation Nebula."

Yu Yuan's remnant soul spread out, casting a ghostly fire over the mountain-like Sword Prison's exterior, yet it failed to penetrate the interior, leaving the internal structure hidden from view.

Somehow, Yu Yuan sensed that this newly forged Sword Prison harbored hidden perils; it was far from the simple construct it appeared to be.

Even Loong Tianxiao was only asked to appear because of his familiarity with the situation.

"Who's currently in charge of Sword Prison?" Yu Yuan inquired, squinting his eyes.

Loong Tianxiao looked bewildered. He had been pushed forward to speak, and his previous role in Sword Prison had been menial at best; he was clueless about the details.

He still felt groggy, his thoughts muddled.

"I've been looking into it for quite some time, but I've come up empty," Tan Junshan admitted, his brow furrowed. "This new Sword Prison is quite peculiar. Nie Qingtian used to be the guardian, but I can't think of anyone who could fill those shoes now."

"Lin Daoke and Ms. Ji aren't cut out for such a task."

"Besides them, there are no new Most Highs in the Sword Sect. Du Yuan's power plummeted after his cultivation was broken; he's not fit to guard Sword Prison either."

Tan Junshan racked his brain but couldn't pinpoint anyone qualified to keep the likes of Duan Yisheng and Zhongli Dapan restrained within Sword Prison.

"I am the unremarkable Han Qi, without fame or significant deeds to my name. I'm like a duck forced onto a perch, reluctantly assigned to oversee Sword Prison by old Han himself."

An embarrassed figure stepped forward, his appearance and aura utterly unremarkable.

Han Qi from Ebon Star Sect was Cao Jiaze's master.

Everyone remembered Han Qi for selecting Cao Jiaze as his disciple and introducing him to Ebon Star Sect, so that Han Miaoyuan could take notice.

However, when it came to the Most High, it was widely believed that Han Miaoyuan had personally chosen Cao Jiaze, with Han Qi merely facilitating the introduction.

In the Ebon Star Sect, only Cao Jiaze and Han Miaoyuan held Han Qi in high regard, the only two who truly saw his worth.

And now, surprisingly, it was Han Qi from Ebon Star who had taken up the mantle of guardian in the new Sword Prison.

Yu Yuan and Tan Junshan both wore expressions of surprise.

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