C1869 It Was Very Anxious

Lin Daoke of the Sword Sect made a commitment to Boulderdawn: if Yu Yuan could neutralize the Dark Phoenix's threat to all living beings, the three emerging sources of power would be refined by individuals chosen by Boulderdawn.

The news sent shockwaves throughout the Everlands and quickly rippled out to the Star River beyond.

Suddenly, all those from the Everlands aspiring to reach the Most High status were abuzz with anticipation.

Before long, another bombshell dropped.

The Moonfang Tiger, belonging to Shadow's Keep, and the newly risen Dark Deity Yu Zhu, had both vanished in the Darkpinion Star Domain, their fates unknown.

With the return of these two sources, plus the one previously owned by Wei Zhuo and taken by Soul-Capturing, the Everlands found itself with three sources at once!

The potential to create three Supreme Gods had the sects' powerhouses and extraterrestrial dignitaries watching the Everlands with bated breath.

Questions began to swirl in everyone's minds.

How had the tiger, tirelessly forging new ground for the Everlands, suddenly come to lose its source?

And Yu Zhu, having only recently ascended to the rank of Supreme God, how had she lost her source so quickly?

Those seeking answers slowly learned of a mysterious demon energy sealing off the Darkpinion Star Domain, where even the space rules were constrained.

From those departing the Darkpinion, it emerged that the Secular Bird Queen, Jihui, and Tan Xiaotian had waged war against the Dark Phoenix there.

The Astral Tiger and Yu Zhu had been caught up in the conflict!

Those unable to reach the Darkpinion speculated that the demise of the Astral Tiger and Yu Zhu was due to the might of the Secular Bird Queen, Jihui, and Tan Xiaotian.

"New Supreme Gods!"

"Three vacancies, just like that! That old eccentric Han Miaoyuan and the Dark Phoenix can't even make it back to the Everlands!"

"In the past, Han Miaoyuan and the Dark Phoenix dictated who would ascend in the Everlands, leaving us no opportunity. But now, at last, there's a change!"

"Has the Boulderdawn Sect risen from the ashes? Lin Daoke, how could you give the power to decide the Divine Throne to Boulderdawn?"

"Let's head back and see for ourselves!"

In some desolate corners of the extraterrestrial void, old monsters who had ventured out of the Everlands and reached the late period of the Unbound realm were stirred by the news.

A portion of these ancient beings were nefarious demons who had evaded Nie Qingtian's manhunt and avoided confinement in the Sword Prison.

Others were venerable members of esteemed sects who, having been defeated in the internal struggle for the Supreme God, had chosen to withdraw from the world and live in seclusion beyond the stars.

Upon learning that there were three vacancies for the Supreme Gods in the Everlands, and with Han Miaoyuan and Dark Phoenix absent, they were naturally tempted to vie for these coveted positions.

Utilizing their various connections, they began to return to the Everlands from the Star River, each seeking to secure a seat of supreme power.

...

Moonfall Sanctuary.

At the underground passage leading to the Hellmouth, Hei Xun of the Devil Palace, along with Indigo Wraith, Sky Fiend, and White Walker, watched with frustration.

It seemed as though the sect's God-Kings had made a pact, as not one had returned to the Everlands.

Left with no other choice, they reluctantly stepped forward to welcome the guests and confront the mounting pressures.

Whoosh!

"I hail from the Taintborn Sect, my name is Tang Dongjun, and I've come to pay my respects to the Boulderdawn Sect's Taishi."

A white-faced elder, his appearance akin to that of a beggar, hurried back to the Everlands from the Hellmouth.

He gave Hei Xun a slight nod and declared with pride, "If you haven't heard of me, it merely shows your youth."

"The leader of the Taintborn Sect thought you had perished nine thousand years ago."

Indigo Wraith, confined within Moonfall Sanctuary, eyed the shabbily dressed yet dignified Tang Dongjun and remarked, "You've visited Moonfall Sanctuary before; I remember you."

"And you are?" inquired Tang Dongjun with curiosity.

"I'm the one who refined that coffin lid," chuckled Indigo Wraith.

"Ah, it's you."

Tang Dongjun, having reached the late period of the Unbound Realm but never summoned by Han Miaoyuan or Dark Phoenix, tempered his arrogance slightly and said, "I've returned from the extraterrestrial specifically to meet with Taishi."

"Then you'll have to wait your turn," Indigo Wraith stated with an even tone.

"Get in line at the back!"

Xuanli's gaze was icy as he watched Tang Dongjun, who was hastily trying to claim his piece of the action. He scoffed, "Those three Origins will never be yours."

"And who might you be?"

Tang Dongjun, having been away from the Everlands for quite some time and out of touch with current events, regarded Xuanli with a look of confusion.

"I ascended to godhood ten thousand years ago. I am Xuanli, one of the leaders of the Bloodbrawlers. Alongside Youyu, I battled against the Nagas and the Taintborn Sect. Before my fall, your Taintborn Sect wasn't even established!"

"Bloodbrawlers, Lord Xuanli!"

Tang Dongjun responded with reverence.

The cultivation methods of the Taintborn Sect, including the very foundations of the sect, have deep roots with the Bloodbrawlers. Tang Dongjun, of course, recognized their significance.

"And there's me."

An elderly man, holding a red jade staff, looked at Tang Dongjun with a smile and quipped, "Little Tang, do you remember me?"

"You? Elder Xu from the Cloudwater Sect?" Tang Dongjun was taken aback, a wave of sorrow washing over him, "But weren't you long since passed away?"

"Not entirely."

Xu Mingze casually glanced towards the Sunlit Order and let out a wistful sigh, "In the past, I vied for the divine seat against Lee Tianxin. With the Sunlit Order behind him, he easily ascended to the Most High. As for me, I left the Everlands and ceased serving the five great powers, choosing instead to tend to flowers and plants in the extraterrestrial Star River."

He shook his head, "I never imagined I'd still be alive while Lee Tianxin has already departed. It's quite the surprise."

After his eager return from the extraterrestrial Star River, Tang Dongjun's excitement was dampened by Xuanli and Xu Mingze's presence. As he looked around, his heart grew heavier.

"Geng Tian'ao from the Abyssal Dawn Sect!"

"Cao Ji from the Ethereal Void Sect!"

A wry smile spread across Tang Dongjun's face as he realized for the first time that, besides himself, there were many other venerable figures from the Everlands who, lacking the Origin, had no hope of forging a Divine Throne. They had chosen to spend their years in the extraterrestrial Star River, unwilling to return.

I was quite taken aback to hear that three entities had returned from beyond our world.

...

In the Ashlands, the Songbird, transformed into a beautiful young girl in green, became exhilarated beside the Rebirth Nest and let out a piercing scream, "Empress!"

Whoosh!

The nest, which had ceased its voracious absorption of the Star River's psionic power, was overwhelmed by a resplendent divine glow, and a rich wave of plant essence poured forth.

The Uxthar Tree, now diminished in size, was the first to emerge within the nest, its roots intertwined with the Phoenix Ashes. It swiftly rose from the nest, and both the divine tree and the hallowed soil took to the air.

They knew the Ashlands well. After departing from the main planet of Tyria, they navigated through the massive energy vortexes, searching for the perfect place to settle.

They dared not root themselves on Tyria, nor did they dare to siphon more power from the star chosen by Yu Yuan.

"Uxthar Tree!"

"Secular Bird Queen!"

High Priest Reid, Sky Fiend Youqian, Dawnbringers' Cardo, Starborn Ballo, and the enchantress Rebecca all witnessed the Uxthar Tree and Phoenix Ashes leaving Tyria. They instantly sensed that a significant event was unfolding and were drawn closer without hesitation.

Shortly thereafter, the Secular Bird Queen made her anticipated appearance within the nest.

In her human form, she donned an imperial crown, and her slender, elegant figure was encircled by numerous shimmering ribbons, each brimming with energy that sent shivers through the soul.

"The Moonfang Tiger and Yu Zhu have been forcibly deprived of their essence and are now within the Phoenix Shrine."

With those words, she gestured lightly and materialized high above Tyria, positioned beneath the swirling energy vortexes.

From a distance, she gazed upon Yu Yuan.

"Understood."

Yu Yuan stepped out from the collar of the Starpierced armor in the secluded realm encased by the wall. He stood before Taishi, Ann Ziqing, and the others, eyeing the eager Starmoon Sect and the venerable Zhongli Dapan.

"I'm not fond of being coerced."

It began with Mo Baichuan relaying a message on behalf of Earthfire, followed by Zhong Chichen's demands to Xueyin, the wrath of the Untamed, and then Ji Ningshuang's plea to come to the Ashlands.

Now, he was using three primal sources as bait.

"Yu Yuan, I'm not in any rush, so please don't get the wrong idea," Tan Junshan stated with ease.

"You may not be, but it certainly appears to be quite eager."

"What?"

Tan Junshan was utterly perplexed.

​