C1831 It Was Not a Fair Fight

Lin Daoke's ultimate form has finally opened everyone's eyes to the incredible level of combat prowess that Yu Yuan possesses!

The fact that Lin Daoke was pushed to reveal three swords by Yu Yuan speaks volumes about Yu Yuan's fearsome capabilities.

Yet, Lin Daoke's radiance was so intense that it seemed to eclipse Yu Yuan.

Meanwhile, Xue Jiu, astounded by the Sect Master's power, came to the sudden realization that Yu Yuan, who had driven the Sect Master to such extremes, must possess equivalent battle strength!

"Could he be even stronger than the God-King's Soul-Capturing?"

"We've been observing for so long, but have we ever seen Lin Daoke take on Soul-Capturing in such a form?"

"Also, think about it. In Lin Daoke's battle with Soul-Capturing, wasn't it Lin Daoke who was always on the offensive while Soul-Capturing merely defended? Yu Yuan, on the other hand, was the aggressor throughout their fight!"

"Boulderdawn truly breeds heroes!"

"Yu Yuan! Yu Yuan!"

"…"

These were the kinds of conversations echoing throughout the regions of the Annihilation Nebula, all centered around the clash between Lin Daoke and Yu Yuan.

As the preeminent swordsman of the Everlands and the strongest of the human race, Lin Daoke's swordplay has subdued all the challengers that have ventured into the Annihilation Nebula.

Neither Loong Jie nor the God-King Soul-Capturing could demonstrate the ability to best him.

In fact, they couldn't even force him to exert his full strength!

In contrast, Yu Yuan, the rising star, managed to compel the Sword Sect's Sect Master to unleash his most formidable form with just two waves of assault, revealing for the first time that Lin Daoke wielded three swords!

And these were swords forged from his very essence and soul!

Suddenly, the words of the Abyssal Leviathan seemed believable, and many felt that Yu Yuan truly deserved his place in the battle against the Dark Phoenix in the Dark Star Region.

...

"Mr. Lin is truly our human race's pride."

Upon awakening on a floating shard of the Sword Prison, Duan Yisheng, accompanied by Jun Chen and Tan Junshan, gazed in awe at Lin Daoke, who was enveloped by a myriad of swords.

Duan Yisheng had been imprisoned for an extended period, yet he harbored no resentment towards Lin Daoke. He even instructed Jun Chen and Tan Junshan not to seek vengeance against the Sword Sect.

Standing beside the three Unbound cultivators was another striking figure—Lee Yuchan, Han Qi's disciple. Following Han Qi and Kaiya's departure to the Wraithlands, the former Silvermoon Empire's female general's secluded cultivation palace exploded, and it was Tan Junshan who rescued her. This was also because she had interceded on Tan Junshan's behalf with Han Qi while in the Sword Prison.

Now, Lee Yuchan stood with the others, her gaze fixed on the distant battlefield. Her eyes, filled with a complex mix of emotions, were focused solely on Yu Yuan. She found it difficult to believe that since their last meeting, Yu Yuan had transformed into such a formidable figure, capable of standing toe-to-toe with Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect.

"If only you had stopped him back then, or even persuaded him," Lee Yuchan lamented, her heart heavy with sorrow. She held Boulderdawn and Yu Yuan accountable for the tragedies that befell her sister Lee Yupan and Lee Sha at the hands of Lin Daoke.

"Leviathan, Yu Yuan has made me realize something," said the Abyssal Greater Basilisk, now in the guise of a Silverscale Tribe elder, as he watched the intense battle and reflected on his own experiences. "The Bloody River that recently manifested is located at the boundary of the starry sky I know so well. Back then, neither you nor I had come into existence."

The Abyssal Leviathan paused, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Yu Yuan may be trying to tell us that beings like the Dark Phoenix, the Untamed, the Green Willow, and the Tiger are akin to the alien beasts of the Star River—they do not belong to this realm," the Lizard surmised, choosing his words carefully and speaking softly.

Loong Tianxiao and the Abyssal Leviathan turned their attention to him.

"The Root of the Solar Meridian, carrying the blood seed, scattered across the Star River when the world was engulfed in chaos," the old lizard continued, his expression grave. "This is an immense secret. I suspect that Yu Yuan uncovered this truth by extracting the hidden memories within the Root of the Solar Meridian during its refinement and dissolution."

"The Abyss? Did it originate from the Abyss?" Loong Tianxiao inquired, his voice quivering.

The old lizard completely ignored him.

"I understand now."

The Abyssal Leviathan had an epiphany. Having heard about his old friend's adventures firsthand, he recognized the fantastical visions his friend had witnessed as likely being the memories of a mighty being from another realm.

The Beast God!

In the world where the Beast God resided, the Root of the Solar Meridian was forged and dispatched to this nascent world of chaos, sowing the seeds of alien beasts.

"Lord Youqian, isn't Yu Yuan's strength a bit too outrageous?"

Jiang Miaojie, a leading light among the Boulderdawn's new generation, stayed close to Youqian, who had just returned to the "Tears of the Azurefiend." Her captivating eyes never strayed from Yu Yuan's silhouette.

"Even Lord Soul-Capturing can only counter Lin Daoke's sword with a barrage of devil souls."

This stunning woman had always revered the powerful. She once believed that figures like Taishi, Tianqi, and Soul-Capturing were the spiritual pillars of the Boulderdawn.

But now, Yu Yuan had supplanted Taishi, Tianqi, and the other God-Kings in her esteem, emerging as the ultimate pillar!

"It is as it should be."

Youqian murmured, his expression one of natural expectation, not at all surprised.

"Ah? But why?"

Jiang Miaojie gasped, her hand covering her mouth in surprise, bewildered by Youqian's remark.

"You'll understand in time."

Youqian replied dismissively, his mind preoccupied with his ambition to ascend to Demon God status after concluding his affairs in the Annihilation Nebula.

"The Ashlands! Lord Bertain once advised me to seek ascension to Demon God in the Ashlands!"

Youqian's determined gaze briefly swept over the area frequented by Zhong Chichen, aware of a hidden passage there that could lead him to the Ashlands.

...

Clang!

The Dragon Slaying Stage, akin to a golden bulwark, radiated dazzling bloody light, parrying the onslaught of sword light.

Inside the Dragon Slaying Stage, the profound meanings and bloodline rules from Taiyin's previous life, along with those etched in the present, were torn asunder by the penetrating sword light, only to be reforged and refined anew.

The Dragon Slaying Stage, under the control of the blood shadow, struggled to neutralize the onslaught of sword light.

Suddenly...

Yu Yuan sensed that the formidable Sword Sect Master, renowned for his swordsmanship, was visibly faltering in his strength.

Opening his Third Eye for a clearer view, he quickly grasped the situation.

Boom!

The towering blood shadow, as if it were a Bloody River birthed from the Solar Meridian, morphed into a vast red cloak that suddenly enveloped him.

The blood shadow solidified, becoming a vague figure of Yu Yuan, interwoven with countless crimson lightning bolts.

Yu Yuan, grasping the Dragon Slaying Stage, poured an infinite amount of vital energy into it, transforming it into a massive jade door that smashed through the surging sword light.

In an instant, he widened the gap between them.

The colossal blood shadow, amidst the intertwining lightning, rapidly contracted as if vanishing into the Dragon Slaying Stage itself.

Yu Yuan's real body took the place of the fearsome blood shadow, standing once more upon the blood-stained platform, now even further from Lin Daoke.

"Mr. Lin, please withdraw."

Yu Yuan, with a look of earnestness, bowed to Lin Daoke and spoke up, "There's no need to continue the blockade on Ionodios. Your previous decree is hereby nullified. Yue Mu and Mr. Van, along with the Grand Sword Immortals of your Sword Sect, are free to return to the Everlands or venture to any other destination of your choosing."

He voluntarily ceased hostilities.

Many onlookers, engrossed in the excitement, were left baffled by Yu Yuan's abrupt cessation, leaving them somewhat dissatisfied.

Why not battle to the bitter end?

At this juncture, what phase had the battle reached? Was it possible that Yu Yuan had grown fearful?

Did he fear defeat at the hands of Lin Daoke, prompting him to concede and seek peace?

"Let it be so."

Taishi pondered briefly before signaling Taixu and Tianqi to remain in place, while he himself glided towards the conflict zone.

"Han is Han, and you are you," Taishi remarked, his eyes settling on Lin Daoke's lower elixir field. "It was my Boulderdawn that acted dishonorably, first with Soul-Capturing and now with Yu Yuan..."

Youqian let out a soft sigh, "His sword force is nearly depleted."

"The Boulderdawn has indeed been unfair," the Lizard lamented.

Lin Daoke furrowed his brow as if he had only just realized the gravity of the situation after Yu Yuan and Taishi. His source of power, his Golden Sanctum, was running dangerously low on spiritual energy.

Without Han Miaoyuan by his side, the rate at which he could gather cosmic energy and refine it into spiritual energy couldn't keep up with his expenditure. He was on the verge of exhausting his spiritual energy reserves.

He had already been locked in an intense battle with Soul-Capturing for too long, depleting much of his spiritual energy. And immediately after Soul-Capturing's departure, he was thrust into another fight with Yu Yuan.

Caught in such relentless combat without Han Miaoyuan's Banner of Duality to replenish his spiritual energy, he was embarrassingly close to being completely drained.

Yu Yuan's sword, too, would soon come to a halt.

"Boulderdawn has forcefully drained Lin Daoke of his strength," someone observed.

The Abyssal Leviathan finally came to a realization, slapping its thigh and cackling, "Yu Yuan, why have you stopped? He is Han Miaoyuan's sword. Now is your chance to finish him. Why hesitate?"

In an instant, countless eyes shifted their focus to Yu Yuan.

"Yu Yuan!"

Van Heqing and Yue Mu called out in unison.

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