C1868 Promote Growth

The ground beetle was nestled in its decrepit little world.

Its massive form nearly filled the underground realm, trembling slightly as it emitted a hazy star energy. This energy transformed into a crystalline shield, enveloping its hiding place like a cage.

"Starry Sky Wall!"

"It possesses such a power?"

Duan Yisheng and Tan Junshan were visibly shaken, their voices rising in awe within this suddenly enchanting inner world.

The not-yet-mature ground beetle had conjured a barrier for this tiny realm using one of its innate gifts, seemingly as a precaution.

Barriers were a rarity in the Gray Domain; this was the first of its kind.

"It's on guard against the Star Race," Lau Ying stated, perched atop the Fallen Star Eyes. Through the barrier formed by the ground beetle, she could see several Star Race figures on a meteorite in the distance, one of whom was Denise.

"It's Barol."

Duan Yisheng's expression grew stern. He had been ready to depart the Gray Domain but hesitated, "We're in the Gray Domain. Barol seems to hold Yu Yuan in high regard. Surely he wouldn't act rashly, right?"

"It detests the Star Race," Lau Ying clarified.

"Barol mentioned it wants to glimpse the Starfield map on its shell once it reaches maturity," Tan Junshan mused, stroking his chin and sensing the pulse of the ground beetle's lineage, "Looking at the newly formed Starfield map shouldn't affect it, should it?"

"Sword Immortal Jee shares this sentiment," Lau Ying responded.

"Here's what we'll do."

Duan Yisheng shot Jun Chen a stern look, "This young lady stays. Have Shi Jing'er from the Chamber of Commerce look after her. You and I will seek out Taishi from the Divine Soul Sect! They've vowed to reserve a supreme divine seat for our Silver Moon Sect!"

Moved, Tan Junshan admitted, "Truthfully, I'm not that eager."

As they conferred, the ground beetle's barrier spontaneously formed an opening.

The Dragon Slash Platform descended gracefully.

Yu Yuan, Taishi, and Ann Ziqing appeared on the luminescent stone platform, their faces etched with solemnity.

"We need to talk."

Yu Yuan surveyed the earth beneath them, while Taishi gave a slight nod and gestured towards the fissure in the ground, which then swiftly ripped wider.

The ground beetle, trying to make itself smaller, was compelled to emerge from the fissure underground. "It's gathering floating rocks and meteors nearby, aiming to expand this little universe," Taishi said, his mood sour and his face grim. He gestured to Lau Ying to stay calm and added, "Our intention is to assist in its metamorphosis, to accelerate its maturation. Rest assured, the ground beetle is highly beneficial; we have no intention of harming it."

Lau Ying breathed a sigh of relief and replied respectfully, "Primordial Divine King, it can aid in the creation of realm walls around stars."

Taishi's eyes brightened slightly, though his mood remained subdued. He nodded and acknowledged, "So it is true." He had learned from Yu Yuan on the Dragon Slash Platform that a boundary wall had begun to form in the small universe where the ground beetle resided, a manifestation of its innate bloodline talent.

In the chaotic and volatile starry sky of the Gray Domain, without the protection of boundary walls, warriors with lesser bloodlines, including those below the level of Yang Gods, would struggle to survive on suitable stars if they relocated there.

Should the ground beetle reach maturity and construct boundary walls for these stars, it could purify the starry sky's energies that drive lower beings to madness, thus resolving the issue once and for all.

"What do you require for your evolution and growth?" Yu Yuan inquired, gazing at the ground beetle's head as it was gently lifted by a swirl of starlight.

At that moment, Lau Ying stepped into its head. Transforming into the beetle's voice, she conveyed, "It requires an abundance of flesh and blood energy, and... some of your blood would hasten its growth. It specifies blood, not blood essence, not daring to ask for too much."

"My blood?" Yu Yuan was taken aback.

"Yes, your blood harbors the power to hasten life's evolution. Blood essence, on the other hand, has the potential to trigger life transformations and holds secrets fundamental to life itself," Lau Ying explained on behalf of the ground beetle.

"It appears to have a deep understanding of you," Taishi remarked gravely.

"It understands the supreme Titan spinosaurus," Yu Yuan responded nonchalantly. After a moment's thought, he added, "I can satisfy its needs."

Boom!

The ground trembled fiercely, and the ground beetle hidden within seemed quite agitated.

"Furthermore, it doesn't want any contact with members of the Star Race before it reaches adulthood. It has a grudge against them for past killings," Lau Ying continued.

"No problem there," Yu Yuan concurred. To accelerate the ground beetle's maturation, he displayed the complete Starfield map on its shell, ready to invest in its growth.

The precise locations of the Realm and the Beast God's domain would be revealed once the ground beetle matured.

"Primordial Divine King, a new primal source has emerged in the Vast Expanse; we wish to return!" Duan Yisheng from the Star Sect couldn't contain himself any longer. Accompanied by Jun Chen and Tan Junshan, he approached the Primordial Divine King and Ann Ziqing, saying, "Lee Sha has perished. Tan has delved into the secret arts of the moon, positioning him as a likely candidate for divinity."

At the mention of Lee Sha, a shadow passed over Tan Junshan's eyes. "The Divine Soul Sect did nothing when our Senior Sister passed away," he lamented.

Hearing this, both Duan Yisheng and Jun Chen's brows furrowed.

"A seat among the gods was a promise I made. However, Lee Sha's advancement to Tenth Level Bloodline and her unification with the Mondnacht Clan and the ancient Moon Demon were partly due to the Divine Soul Sect's efforts," the Primordial Divine King said with a note of displeasure to the resentful group. "Lee Sha entered the Vast Expanse unannounced and met her end at the hands of Lin Daoke. Surely, she bears some responsibility for her own fate?"

"We had always intended to secure a divine seat for Tan Junshan in due time; she was simply too hasty."

"Why did she have to compete with Jee Ningshuang or confront Lin Daoke?"

While speaking, Taishi glanced over at Yu Yuan, whose mood was somber due to Andrea's uncertain fate, and he showed no warmth towards the members of the Silver Moon Sect.

Yu Yuan seemed to ignore the exchange entirely.

"This is for Aliosha. Use it for now."

The graceful Taixu produced a Universe Ring and, with a hint of reluctance, handed it over to Yu Yuan. "Remember, you promised to revive Aliosha when the time is right."

Yu Yuan accepted the ring and peered inside to find rows of massive cabinets housing thousands of containers.

They were filled with vibrant blood or frozen flesh of alien beasts.

"I haven't forgotten."

Yu Yuan moved through the hazy starlight to the head compartment of the ground beetle, just as Lau Ying had done, and passed the ring to her for feeding.

"It's my blood that's needed, not my life essence."

He furrowed his brow in thought, then gently touched the ground beetle's wrinkled neck with his finger, allowing his blood to seep out.

Whoosh!

The ground beetle and its surrounding realm barrier radiated a dazzling light as Yu Yuan's blood infused them.

Across the way, Barol and Leo's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"After Yu Yuan is done, we'll see if he can use the Heaven Opening Flare Star to return you to the Boundless Land," Taishi reassured Duan Yisheng and the others. "I have another proposal. Once the new Vast Ocean is forged, there will be a supreme seat of power available. The Divine Soul Sect intends to ascend at the Tia Main Planet. The Silver Moon Sect might want to consider waiting and joining us."

Taishi was exceedingly cautious, aware that the Origin Soul of the Vast Ocean might have undergone a transformation.

But he couldn't state his concerns outright, so he subtly guided the Silver Moon Sect to make their choice.

"New Vast Ocean? Tia Main Planet?" Duan Yisheng looked bewildered. "When is all this supposed to happen? Are we expected to just wait indefinitely?"

"I'm not particularly rushed," Tan Junshan added.

"You have time to think it over. Even if you decide to go to the Vast Ocean, you can still reflect on it. Naturally, keep the new Vast Ocean's plans confidential."

"Understood."

Several days later, Jun Chen rose abruptly. Having just spoken with Shi Jing'er, he exclaimed in astonishment, "The Sky Tiger, along with Yu Zhu's Origin, has also returned to the depths of the Boundless Land!"

"What?"

Duan Yisheng and Tan Junshan were both stunned.

Could it be that Sky Tiger and Yu Zhu had also met their demise?

"Lin Daoke from the Sword Sect claimed that once Yu Yuan's Yang God returns to the depths of the Boundless Land, the new triad of sources will fall under the purview of the Divine Soul Sect!"

...