C1854 It Could Not Turn Back
The spear cleaved through the heavens, while the Dark Phoenix's chilling shriek lingered like an inescapable shadow over everyone's hearts.
A sense of heaviness and oppression weighed on them all as they stared at the spot where the Dark Phoenix had vanished, unable to utter a word.
The Unbound cultivators and the Solar Spirit masters from the various sects did not let their guard down with the spear's disappearance. Instead, their expressions grew even more grim.
Who, other than Lin Daoke, would dare to underestimate the Dark Phoenix's menace?
"What in the world happened? Why did the Dark Phoenix, who waged war in the Dark Star, seem to have a change of heart? She used to care deeply about the Everlands."
"I'm not sure. It appears she truly no longer cares about the fate of those in the Everlands."
"She's unequivocally turned against the Everlands!"
It was only after the sky had healed from the spear's rending that people dared to speak openly under the moon's light.
The only one who remained silent was Lin Daoke, the fearless challenger of the Dark Phoenix, whose stoic demeanor was characteristic of the Sword Sect's leader.
"She's an alien beast from beyond our world."
Having stored the Divine Sword within his consciousness, Lin Daoke had witnessed the extraordinary sight of the Bloody River in the Annihilation Nebula during his battle with Yu Yuan, leading to his own conclusions.
"An alien beast from beyond? Is the archdemon of the Everlands also part of this alien lineage?" someone exclaimed in shock.
Lin Daoke gave a slight nod, too indifferent to engage further with the crowd, and abruptly soared into the Everlands.
He had remained outside the wall to confront the Dark Phoenix with his sword, to thwart her departure.
Even though he hadn't succeeded in detaining the Dark Phoenix, he wasn't disheartened. As he transformed into a beam of sword light descending upon the Euwrea Continent, he was already absorbing the divine force.
Without the aid of Han Miaoyuan's Banner of Duality, and after battling Loong Jie, Soul-Capturing, and Yu Yuan in the Annihilation Nebula, he was in dire need of replenishing his spiritual energy through the Everlands.
"Mr. Lin!"
"Mr. Lin has returned!"
Within the inner realms of the Everlands, a sense of calm and inspiration surged as a sword light pierced through the wall, streaking towards the Sword Sect's domain.
Lin Daoke was the foremost warrior among humans. Together with Tan Xiaotian, the Demon Lord, they consistently held the Dark Phoenix at bay to preserve equilibrium.
Upon his return from the Star River beyond our world, the cultivators from various factions, who had been terrified by the Dark Phoenix, flocked to the Sword Sect as if parched land welcoming a refreshing rain.
They sought an audience with Lin Daoke to inform him about the deranged Supreme from Shadow's Keep who had nearly brought about the annihilation of all beings.
...
Deep within the Marsh.
"Are we just going to let her leave like that?"
Loong Jie, now a miniature golden dragon, swayed his resplendent body. His dragon scales were shattered in places, and his hook-like claws bore deep wounds.
"She's even more powerful than the legends suggested."
Loong Jie gasped for breath as he gradually shifted back into his human form.
Having finally ascended to a Dragon God, this once lecherous dragon had been buoyed by Zhong Chichen's assurances of the might of the Ultimate Golden Body. However, after this battle, he began to doubt himself.
He wondered if his Rainbow Sage had deceived him.
Zhong Chichen, perceiving his turmoil, descended gracefully and stood alongside him in the sky, also reverting to his human shape.
Addressing Loong Jie's uncertainty, Zhong Chichen sighed, "She has indeed grown much stronger than when I first knew her. In ancient times, your forebear's dragon form was impervious to her."
He paused, then added, "The passage of time has altered much. Since the heyday of our Nagas ended, humans, the Dark Phoenix, and evilkind seem to have gradually eclipsed us."
His gaze, filled with complexity, turned to Mo Baichuan at the Earthfire Crucible and the conspicuous Yu Yuan.
Back when the Nagas dominated the Everlands, not even a Dragon God could gain the Earthfire's favor, nor could they refine its power into a bloodline chain to etch into their hearts.
Nor was there an anomaly like Yu Yuan, who could acquire a complete life sequence through Primal Blood.
Such favor from the Primal Blood was a privilege reserved for the exalted Titan Spinosaurus!
"Don't lose heart. As long as we live, we can continue to grow stronger. If humans and evilkind could surpass the ancient Nagas, then we too harbor hope for a reversal of fortunes."
With a whoosh, the Dragon Slaying Stage, once sealed beneath a blood-red sky, began to retract, transforming back into a pristine white jade platform.
"The sky has opened!"
Cultivators gathered around the Marsh and the nobility from the three empires cried out in fear and uncertainty.
They were unsure if the Dark Phoenix would continue her onslaught after the Marsh's seal was lifted. Given her dominion over the blood of all beings, she could extinguish the lives of the Everlands' inhabitants in an instant.
Those who had hurried to the scene lacked the insight to see the battle within and the experience to deduce the Dark Phoenix's departure through the presence of a spear.
They feared the Dark Phoenix was still present, interpreting the vanishing blood-red sky as her regaining the upper hand.
"Quiet down!"
Zhong Chichen, in a foul mood, barked sharply.
The crowd fell deathly silent.
The Dragon Slaying Stage descended into the hands of Yu Yuan's real body. He stood at the Nest of Perdition, attempting to reach out to the Secular Bird Queen.
"Don't come any closer."
From afar in the Darkpinion, the Secular Bird Queen sent a message through the nest, halting Yu Yuan's advance.
The Nest of Perdition's stored Destruction Energy, once siphoned by the queen, rendered the once-mystical nest mundane.
Even the power of spatial transportation had vanished.
The Secular Bird Queen did not share Yu Yuan's desire for his involvement in the Darkpinion conflict.
She harbored no trust for Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie, suspecting that these two Dragon Gods sought to exploit the little spinosaurus for their gain, scavenging for spoils in the Darkpinion.
"Don't worry. This time, I... will be alright."
The Empress's final thought faded, and the branches that formed the Nest of Perdition lost their otherworldly glow.
Yu Yuan paused, taken aback.
The Solar Spirit, guardian of the Abyssal Gate, fixed his gaze on the vibrant sea and failed to notice the Origin Gate's formation by Jihui. This suggested that the Darkpinion battle might not unfold as he had envisioned.
With Jihui, Tan Xiaotian, and the Secular Bird Queen united against the supreme Dark Phoenix, even the arrival of an Otherworld Beast God would hardly allow the Dark Phoenix to dominate with ease.
"Yu Yuan!" Zu Ann's sudden exclamation snapped Yu Yuan out of his reverie.
Yu Yuan turned to him, puzzled. "What's the matter?"
"The Dark Phoenix has a technique that ensnares the flesh and blood of all beings in the Everlands. You must find a way to counter it. Otherwise, she'll be able to use it as a threat the next time she descends upon the Everlands. And another thing..."
Zu Ann inhaled deeply, his eyes flashing with intensity. "She may have left, but what do we do about the archdemons, the Monster Lord, and the human cultivators practicing the dark arts?"
"She's lost her mind, willing to forsake everything she's built in the Everlands! She doesn't even care about her own kind anymore. What else can we expect from her?"
The outrageous behavior of the Dark Phoenix had ignited a fury in Zu Ann that he could no longer contain.
"It's time to expel the Shadow's Keep from the Everlands."
Mo Baichuan, the keeper of the Earthfire Crucible, had melted down the Blood Rune associated with the blood of the living. "I've refined a Blood Rune, but she can easily recreate it upon her return to the Everlands. She's not the same as Han Miaoyuan; she's become irrational."
"The Shadow's Keep, along with the archdemons and human cultivators loyal to it, should no longer be treated with leniency."
From his vantage point, ascending with the Earthfire Crucible, Mo Baichuan could see the skeletal remains of evilkind. These archdemons, followers of the Untamed, met their end in desolation, without a chance for resistance.
Numerous human cultivators lay lifeless on the ground, drained of every drop of blood by the Dark Phoenix.
"Yes, this matter requires our immediate attention."
Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, feeling more secure now that the immediate threat to the Everlands had subsided with the departure of the Dark Phoenix, was finally able to state his position.
With a look of resignation, Qin Luo explained, "I apologize, but from a factional standpoint, the Ruby Hand has aligned with Han Miaoyuan and the Shadow's Keep. According to the teachings of our sect's secret book, the actions of the Dark Phoenix are not without precedent. She used to regain her composure eventually."
Qin Luo clung to the hope that Dark Phoenix would regain consciousness and, as the secret book described, continue to safeguard the Everlands.
She viewed Dark Phoenix's madness as a temporary loss of control, a deviation from the path, but believed there was still a chance for her to return and resume her alliance with the leader of the Everlands' human race.
Yu Yuan spoke gravely, "She's past the point of no return. This is unlike anything we've seen before."
"Is she truly intent on abandoning the Everlands and opposing our human race?" Qin Luo cried out in shock.
"It's not just against our race, but against all intelligent life in this starry expanse. She aspires to be the deity of all creatures, elevating the alien beasts and archdemons above all other species," Yu Yuan explained, having already discerned Dark Phoenix's grandiose schemes. "Just wait and see. It won't be long before she becomes the shared foe of every race."
