C1888 Entering the Wraithlands

In the Moonfall Sanctuary, the Domain Channel that led to the Hellmouth was gently covered by a massive flag, severing the connection between the Everlands and the outside world. This flag was none other than the Banner of Duality, signaling the return of Han Miaoyuan and heralding a new era of leadership for the people of the Everlands.

The Boulderdawn cultivators stationed at the sanctuary, figures like Indigo Wraith and Hei Xun, were left without words upon recognizing the Banner of Duality. With Taishi still absent and Yu Yuan nowhere to be seen, and the rest of the God-Kings occupied in the Ashlands, there was no room for negotiation with Han Miaoyuan.

Peers such as Geng Tian'ao, Tang Dongjun, and Xu Mingze, who stood at the pinnacle of the Unbound Realm, were utterly disheartened at the sight of the Banner of Duality. They withdrew from the Moonfall Sanctuary with heavy hearts and downcast faces. With Han Miaoyuan present, what chance did they have to meddle in the affairs of the Everlands?

"Forget it, forget it," Tang Dongjun muttered to himself, shaking his head. Considering the Domain Channel was blocked, it was wisest to leave posthaste.

"Let this be a warning to all: Do not leave the Everlands in the coming days. For at least the next three years, none should step beyond its bounds," declared Qin Luo of the Ruby Hand, his presence dominating the void like a blazing sun. He addressed those yearning for the divine Origin, "These are the commands of Mr. Han. Disobey, and you shall face the sword of Lin Daoke." At these words, even Xuanli's face turned ashen with the realization that a significant upheaval was imminent, likely due to a breakdown in negotiations between Yu Yuan, the other supreme beings of the Everlands, and the extraterrestrial Ashlands.

Days later, the silence was shattered by the thunderous roar of Voidfarers piercing the wall of the Everlands. Crafted by the Starborn and the Dawnbringers, these ancient warships descended upon the Crimson Sun Empire, the Sunblessed Empire, and the Empire of Dawn. Representatives from the Ebon Star and the Sword Sect disembarked, informing the three emperors of the unfolding circumstances.

Thus, the three grand Human Empires were set into motion, initiating a nation-wide migration.

Their actions sent shockwaves of terror throughout the Everlands, leaving the mortals to speculate wildly about the unfolding events.

News quickly spread.

Han Miaoyuan rallied forces from all corners to lead the inhabitants of the Everlands to an extraterrestrial refuge. He warned that the core of the Everlands was ablaze, threatening to engulf the entire world in flames, and that it was beyond anyone's power to stop.

A wave of panic swept across the Human Empire and the various cultivation sects.

The Skyreach Consortium, Starmoon Sect, and Forgeroses all sprang into action. They reached out to the extraterrestrial experts through every available means and sought assistance from the Boulderdawn.

...

In the Marsh.

Untamed shredded the power-drained Nest of Perdition left by the Secular Bird Queen into fragments. With a face contorted in rage, he cursed, "Damn it, she left nothing behind!"

"Perhaps it's for the best that nothing was left."

Zu Ann, having returned to the Everlands, observed the empty teleportation circle and remarked, "This also signifies that Mr. Han has sealed off every connection between the Everlands and the outside world."

It was fortunate he had returned alongside Untamed and managed to soothe his fury.

Otherwise, members of the Skyreach Consortium like Ho Zhan might not have made it out of the Marsh alive, likely to be obliterated by Untamed's thunderous roar.

Following a fruitless venture in the Ashlands and a fallout with Yu Yuan, Untamed's demeanor shifted.

He decided to place his full trust in Han Miaoyuan and to act in accordance with the will of the Everlands, directing his wrath towards anyone and anything associated with the Boulderdawn.

...

Land of Terror.

Hovering on a white cloud, Han Miaoyuan, Lin Daoke, and Cao Jiaze appeared silently, gazing down at the dense gloom of the land below.

"The Nest of Perdition is no more, and the Moonfall Sanctuary's passage can no longer connect to the extraterrestrial realms."

Han Miaoyuan rubbed his chin, eyeing the wall in the void with a hint of satisfaction. "Whether it's Taishi or Dark Phoenix, they can only make their return through the wall now. If even a trace of their souls lingers in the Everlands, Lin Daoke, obliterate them with your sword the moment they emerge."

Lin Daoke simply responded with an "Oh."

"For the next three years, do not leave the Everlands," Han Miaoyuan instructed firmly.

Lin Daoke nodded and inquired, "Ji?"

"Her Solar Spirit shattered because it bore an imprint of an extremely cold rule. A similar frigid mystery exists within her Divine Throne," Han Miaoyuan explained with a sigh of regret. "But rest assured, she's still alive. If she can return in the future and adopt the Way of Heaven, she'll be able to reclaim her place among the highest ranks."

With that, his gaze drifted toward the Land of Terror, deep in thought.

Below, Ghost Kings like Luo Yue and Taruer sensed the presence of Han Miaoyuan and Lin Daoke but remained as silent as if stricken by a cold spell, not daring to utter a word.

"It's peculiar how Youyu's essence has managed to remain intact," Han Miaoyuan mused after a moment. "Without Youyu losing his essence, it complicates my decision regarding the remnants of the Root of the Lunar Meridian."

He had intended to summon Han Qi back to refine the Lunar Meridian sealed by Kaiya, then bestow upon Han Qi a surge of essence to empower his God of Ghosts.

Han Qi had earned his title as a God of Ghosts in the Wraithlands, without the enhancement of an essence.

Han Miaoyuan had hoped that by granting Han Qi a powerful essence from the Everlands, he would not only bolster his strength swiftly but also demonstrate allegiance to the Will of Everlands.

He believed that since the Will of Everlands had awakened and he had made his position clear, Youyu, once a dear friend of Taiyin, should be stripped of his essence just like Astral Tiger and Yu Zhu were.

Yet, things did not turn out as expected.

"Is it because of the Wraithlands? Has it yet to discern Youyu's intentions, unable to confirm his stance?" Han Miaoyuan pondered briefly before turning to Cao Jiaze with an expectant look. "Strive hard, and one of the essences below will be yours. You will become the next Taiyin, ascending to the highest with the pure force of Soul Power to become the next mightiest!"

Cao Jiaze bowed his head respectfully, responding, "I am grateful for your esteemed consideration, Sect Master."

"Han Qi, Little Cao, who else do you have in mind for the position?" Lin Daoke asked with a mix of curiosity and concern for his sect. "In our Sword Sect, Van Heqing and Lu Hongpeng are promising talents. Keep an eye on them."

"I'll take a look. However, it seems like someone has already been predestined," Han Miaoyuan mused softly. "Jihui, who fell into the Abyss, appears to have been chosen, though I'm not sure why."

"Jihui?"

Both Lin Daoke and Cao Jiaze were perplexed.

"Yes."

Han Miaoyuan nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "When Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit refused to return, I sensed that Tan Xiaotian's origin was incredibly stable. Since Tan Xiaotian and Jihui have allied to take down the Dark Phoenix, it seems to align with the interests of the Everlands."

"Mr. Han, Jihui also wants to kill you," Lin Daoke cautioned.

"Times change," Han Miaoyuan replied with an enigmatic smile.

...

Out in the extraterrestrial space near the entrance to the Wraithlands, the Dragon Slaying Stage materialized. Standing atop it were Yu Yuan's real body and the Starpierced, now in the form of a portly young man.

"It should be around here."

Starpierced activated his bloodline, releasing specks of starlight from his body that reached out to every particle of void dust.

The minuscule dust particles, engulfed by a faint Star River, were rapidly sifted through.

After a short while.

"Here!"

Starpierced pointed to a piece of void dust invisible to the naked eye, detectable only with divine sight, and said to Yu Yuan, "This is the entrance to the Wraithlands!"

"Excellent. Taishi and Tianqi will soon escort you back to the Ashlands. In the Ashlands, follow Taishi's lead. He'll have you construct barriers for some stars. Rest assured, Boulderdawn will compensate you for the vital energy and strength you've absorbed," Yu Yuan instructed.

Starpierced shrank back, voicing his fears timidly, "Just don't make me roam around outside; I'm terrified the Dark Phoenix might devour me. And that little spinosaurus in the Ashlands could kill me too. Not to mention the Secular Bird Queen, oh, my plight is truly pitiful."

The Starpierced Armor, once matured, was as timid as a mouse, afraid of everything.

"Rest assured, no one in the Ashlands can harm you."

With those words, Yu Yuan and the Dragon Slaying Stage shrank, and he entered the Wraithlands in his real body.

He suspected that his Lunar Spirit might have already perished.

​