C1878 The Emergence of the Conspirators

In the Everlands, nine palaces suspended in the air were restored to operation under the meticulous care of Lin Yue and other Unbound cultivators. The once-shattered Nine Palaces Array, a grand formation of the seventh level within the Ebon Star sect, was brought back to its former glory.

On the outskirts of Ebon Star's domain, within a village known as Lin Village, Cao Jiaze, whose cultivation had fallen to the Solar Spirit realm due to the collapse of the Nine Palaces Array, ascended once again to the Unbound realm. At this moment, he was seated at the bottom of a dry well, surrounded by walls that continuously emitted spiritual energy and Soul Power, his cultivation level climbing steadily from the early to the middle and then to the late period of the Unbound stage.

The well's opening was covered by a worn flag, and all the villagers had been relocated elsewhere by Lin Yue.

With a whoosh, Lin Yue arrived from the Ebon Star, lifting the tattered flag to peer down at Cao Jiaze, who was in deep cultivation. He nodded approvingly and said, "Don't disappoint the expectations of your master and the sect leader."

A curious smile spread across Lin Yue's face as he spoke to Cao Jiaze, who looked up at him, "Prepare yourself, for the new Supreme God seat will have a place for you, Cao Jiaze."

Cao Jiaze fell silent for a moment before responding, "Mr. Lin has said that if Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit agrees to return, the three primal sources at the heart of the Everlands will be decided by Boulderdawn, won't they?"

His words belied his true thoughts. Yu Yuan had warned him through Lin Yue of the Colddeath Divine Cult to be cautious, as Han Miaoyuan might soon attempt to take over his soul to get closer to the Primal Soul beneath the earth.

The promising news from Lin Yue left Cao Jiaze feeling anxious, uncertain of what his future held. "You needn't worry too much. Just wait patiently," Lin Yue reassured him.

"Understood."

...

Beyond our world, in the Ashlands—a stark contrast to the sealed Wraithlands—the Ashlands, another part of the Starry Sky Forbidden Zone, always had a way in and out.

Under Zhong Chichen's guidance, several supreme beings from the Everlands, after a tumultuous journey, gathered at the entrance to the Ashlands.

For Zu Ann and Mo Baichuan, it was their first visit to the Ashlands. They surveyed the area for some time, yet they didn't spot any extraterrestrial experts, which they found quite peculiar.

"The enigmatic Eiwrone, bridging the starry skies of all races, seems to only segregate the Everlands."

The Ape, returning to this place once more, wore a grim expression of displeasure and huffed, "On the contrary, the extraterrestrial clans' experts have been cordially invited and hosted by Boulderdawn! Frankly, I take it as an affront from Boulderdawn! Taishi, along with several God-Kings from the extraterrestrial clans, apparently no longer consider themselves part of the Everlands!"

Mo Baichuan remained silent, though his eyes often drifted towards Ji Ningshuang. Clutching the Cosmic Crucible in his palm, he felt an innate aversion to Ji Ningshuang.

Her Arctic Breath was unsettling to him, igniting an impulse to destroy her divine seat.

"How odd..."

Mo Baichuan inwardly grumbled, attributing this to his recent ascension to supreme status and his yet-to-be-stabilized realm.

He bore no enmity towards Ji Ningshuang; they had no prior interactions, and she was Yu Yuan's confidante. He had no reason to harbor malice towards her.

Yet, the thoughts that occasionally sprouted in his mind were predominantly dark.

Zu Ann's brow furrowed. After quietly observing for a while and noting Zhong Chichen's hesitation to enter, with only Untamed voicing his impatience, he remarked, "There must be something unknown to us at play here."

"I demand a satisfactory explanation this time!" the Ape snorted coldly.

A subtle, fierce vital energy enveloped him like a wisp of smoke. Without him having to act, Zu Ann and Mo Baichuan, who were nearest to him, could sense his struggle to contain himself.

He was repressing his bloodthirsty cravings.

"Lord Untamed."

Zu Ann straightened the crest atop his head and gazed intently at the Ape, notorious for its savagery since time immemorial. He inquired, "Do you feel any discomfort?"

"Zu Ann, what are you implying?" Untamed's eyes glinted with menace.

"I've been holding onto a thought for quite some time now, and I hope you'll consider it carefully," Zu Ann said, foregoing any subtlety. His tone was grave as he continued, "I'm not sure if it's the Dark Phoenix's influence over the demonic blood of your kind, but lately, you seem increasingly unable to control your nature and temper. Lord Untamed, you've managed to keep a tight rein on yourself for millennia, but now, it seems you're struggling."

"Could it be that..."

Zu Ann paused, then resumed, "Do you sense that your lifespan is drawing to a close? Is that why you're so restless and impatient with everything?"

At these words, the other Supreme Gods in attendance fell into deep contemplation. Untamed, being of the evilkind, shared the same lifespan constraints as the Kylin and the Golden Elephant God. He had lived a long life and was inevitably facing death.

The Dark Phoenix's incursion into the Dark Star Region, with an offer to help him overcome his lifespan limitation, promised him eternal life. Since the Dark Phoenix was immortal, he believed in her ability to fulfill this promise, which led him to accept her proposal.

However, Yu Yuan's intervention thwarted the Dark Phoenix's campaign in the Dark Star Region. The little spinosaurus, crucial to her plans, failed to undergo its transformation into adulthood.

With the Dark Phoenix's promise nullified, he didn't receive what he desired and, with a sense of dissatisfaction, ventured into the Ashlands. There, Yu Yuan demanded that he leave.

Upon his return to the Everlands, Untamed discovered the offspring in the Marsh had perished, and the generals loyal to him had been stripped of their vital energy and killed by the Dark Phoenix.

The ferocity and bestial nature he had suppressed for ten thousand years were now flaring up like a spark igniting his Demon Heart. He was on the brink of losing control.

"Ms. Ji, perhaps you should be the one to go to the Ashlands," Zhong Chichen finally said after much deliberation, offering a respectful gesture towards Ji Ningshuang. "Since that individual has made his wishes clear and doesn't want us there, I've given it some thought and believe we should honor his request."

"I agree!" Loong Jie quickly chimed in.

He and Zhong Chichen were well aware of the significance of Yu Yuan in the Ashlands and had witnessed his capabilities firsthand. Knowing Yu Yuan's true identity only added to their wariness.

Ji Ningshuang, however, was a different story. Everyone was aware of her extremely close relationship with Yu Yuan. Even if Ji Ningshuang broke Yu Yuan's rules, it was unlikely that there would be any severe repercussions. This was precisely why everyone had brought Ji Ningshuang along.

"I'll head to the Ashlands. But let me be clear, I'm not here to coerce him," Ji Ningshuang stated, nodding in agreement and clarifying her intentions, "I'm simply here to get a straight answer from you all and to understand why he forbids the Everlands from entering the Ashlands."

Whoosh!

The Stardust Blade floated beneath her feet, surrounded by numerous tiny Ice Shards, shimmering like trembling stars. Together, they formed a celestial Star River.

The Star River gently enveloped her, radiating an intense cold, as she prepared to plunge into the depths of the Ashlands.

Then, without warning, something changed!

Crack!

A crisp sound emanated from within Ji Ningshuang, who was encased in the Star River. She suddenly stiffened, looking down at the Golden Sanctum's little world in disbelief, as if witnessing something utterly inconceivable.

"Let's have a talk," a voice suggested.

Yu Yuan materialized on the Dragon Slaying Stage at the Ashlands' entrance, his gaze settling on the supreme beings who had traveled from the distant Everlands.

Each of these supreme beings possessed their primal source, marking them as dangerous. Yet, suddenly, Ji Ningshuang was no longer among them.

"What happened to you?!"

Yu Yuan, barely out of the Ashlands, managed to utter only a few words before catching sight of Ji Ningshuang amidst the Ice Shard-laden Star River. Her luminous face was etched with paleness and panic.

"My Solar Spirit has shattered," Ji Ningshuang confessed, sounding somewhat bewildered. She attempted to summon her Solar Spirit, only to discover that the once crystal-clear entity within her little world had fragmented into countless pieces.

Yu Yuan's fury was instantly sparked. He had considered numerous scenarios, but never had he anticipated that upon his first glimpse of Ji Ningshuang, her Solar Spirit would be in pieces.

"Taiyin."

Clutching the Banner of Duality, Han Miaoyuan materialized beside a meteorite from beyond the heavens, her voice laden with sorrow. "Little Ningshuang's Solar Spirit is just starting out. Surely you wouldn't want her to shatter her divine position as well, would you?"

"Taiyin!"

"Dragon slayer!"

...