C1911 He Was Forced to Advance
Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit materialized on the far side of the Wraithlands, yet this did not hinder the connection with his dominant soul.
As long as he existed within a single plane or dimensional space, his soul could connect instantaneously.
Invited by Jihui, the Lunar Spirit joined him on a journey through the Abyss, their adventures unfolding in the depths of Yu Yuan's soul, unfettered by the spatial constraints of the Wraithlands.
Could the Everlands' human race be the Abyss... the intelligent life?
The so-called Abyssal Treasure that had tainted the Primal Soul turned out to be the creator of humanity, the very origin of our species?
He had learned all this in a flash, yet he was shaken to his core, his thoughts in disarray.
It was challenging for him to process everything quickly, to come to a decision.
The cryptic words of Han Qi before his demise now resonated with profound meaning. Han Qi had been awaiting not just the supreme beings from the Everlands but perhaps his Lunar Spirit as well.
It was clear that Jihui and Han Qi had been conspiring.
But if the Abyssal Treasure that had merged with the Primal Soul was indeed humanity's creator, should Yu Yuan, along with all the formidable humans of the Everlands, not heed the will of the Abyss?
Had he been steadily straying down the opposite path?
Had he led the Boulderdawn Sect astray, or had they been misled by Bertain's guidance?
His mind was adrift in a haze.
Yet, the transformative memories brought by the Lunar Spirit did not immediately rouse his dominant soul, nor did they awaken him within the Wraithlands.
Layers of enigmatic shackles were imposed upon the imprints of his dominant soul, ensuring he would not awaken fully with ease.
Meanwhile, Youyu found himself ensnared within the Origin Realm, subjected to Jihui's relentless chastisement. The Lunar Spirit, allowed passage by Jihui, seemed to carry Jihui's great expectations.
Jihui likely believed that once Yu Yuan regained consciousness, he would understand the true origins of humanity and align with Han Qi's plans.
Perhaps Jihui also wished for him to rekindle the memories within his dominant soul, to bring forth the presence of the once-great Taiyin.
"So it is..."
The ancient tree, suspended in the ether, whispered in a Soul Voice, its leaves quivering intensely.
Whoosh!
Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit, freshly emerged from the grayish-white dark soil near the Origin Gate, traversed the void in an instant and materialized beside his physical body and Kaiya.
Rustle!
The leaves of the ancient tree watched over Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit like eerie, silent eyes.
His Lunar Spirit felt exposed, as if all its secrets and memories were laid bare for inspection.
A cool sensation crept over the spirit body of his Lunar Spirit.
"The seventh level of the Abyss, where light fails to penetrate, is home to intelligent life..."
The Undead Lord's Soul Voice caused Yu Yuan's heart to clench, realizing that the Undead Lord had seen through all the secrets of his Lunar Spirit.
Yu Yuan's expression grew somber, and his Lunar Spirit yearned to return to his dominant soul.
For reasons unknown, he felt that his Lunar Spirit would only be safe once it rejoined his Mindscape, nestled within his physical form.
"Yes, your Lunar Spirit has practiced necromancy. From the moment you appeared in the Wraithlands, I've been able to access the deepest memories of your Lunar Spirit if I choose," the Undead Lord admitted openly. "I've always been skeptical of Kaiya's words."
"Yet, there are things within her devil soul and your dominant soul that even I cannot probe."
"Your Lunar Spirit's return and its experiences have enlightened me about your journey in the Abyss. I am now convinced that there is indeed an issue with the Primal Soul of the Everlands."
"Wait a moment."
With those words, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit, which was about to descend into his Mindscape, halted abruptly.
"Below the rank of God of Ghosts, I can discern everything about any ghost or Lunar Spirit within the Wraithlands. It was only after Han Qi ascended to God of Ghosts that I lost the ability to see through his thoughts. Having become a God of Ghosts, he earned the right to leave the Wraithlands, and I can no longer grasp his subsequent actions or thoughts."
"Therefore, you should strive to become a God of Ghosts first, regardless of the circumstances."
Despite knowing that the humans of the Everlands originated from the intelligent life of the Abyss, the Undead Lord of the Wraithlands still intended to honor his promise and assist Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit in its advancement.
Kaiya, sensing the unease in Yu Yuan's demeanor, also encouraged him, "You are not a Sky Fiend. Your soul is uniquely wondrous. Once your Lunar Spirit ascends to a God of Ghosts, even if it were to perish and be eradicated in the future, it would not destabilize your very essence."
"You still possess the Solar Spirit, as well as this equally wondrous real body!"
"Turning the Lunar Spirit into the God of Ghosts will only benefit you. You ought to heed its advice."
She couldn't, like the Undead Lord, utilize the returning Lunar Spirit of Yu Yuan to learn that the humans of the Everlands originated from the Abyss, tainted by the Primal Soul.
Yet, she was certain of one thing: only if Yu Yuan first became the God of Ghosts would there be a sliver of hope to challenge the Undead Lord in the future.
The Ghost King stood no chance whatsoever.
"The God of Ghosts, the pinnacle of the Wraithlands, is not so easily attained."
Yu Yuan, on the other hand, was hesitant.
Han Qi's death had come too swiftly, and the Undead Lord had been instrumental in Han Qi's rise. It had also expressed a desire to use Han Qi to explore the wondrous souls of the Everlands' humans.
Now that it knew the humans' origins lay in the Abyss, why the continued interest?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
From the Thornsnare, the blood-yellow Levi Rivers, stretching to the edge of the Wraithlands, suddenly surged with turbulence.
Following Han Qi's demise, the residual soul ghosts within three Levi Rivers scattered in disarray, as if their anchor had been lost.
Abruptly, the Levi Rivers intertwined rapidly before swiftly splitting, reorganizing into a new orderly structure.
Before long, only fourteen Levi Rivers remained.
It was as though they were laying the groundwork for a new God of Ghosts.
The ancient vine tree, suspended in midair, sent its thick, dancing roots down into the most expansive Levi River, seemingly siphoning some force from within.
"Shadow Moon Essence!"
Kaiya exclaimed in a hushed tone.
Copious amounts of Shadow Moon Essence sprouted at the base of the ancient tree's roots, resembling grains of glistening silver rice.
The Undead Lord's branches reached out, piercing into the nearby Levi Rivers, drawing out a refined Yin energy from the fourteen streams.
Simultaneously, a whisper resonated within the Lunar Spirit Body of Ghost King Yu Yuan, intended for him alone.
The Primal Soul from the Everlands must have chosen you before it was fully corrupted by the Abyss, while it still retained a measure of spiritual wisdom. Your dominant soul carries its essence and mark. This is why I couldn't discern the secrets of your dominant soul as you traversed the Thornsnare."
"To my surprise, through the memories of your Lunar Spirit, I discovered that the Primal Blood... has also chosen your Solar Spirit."
"Knowing that the Primal Soul once favored you and that your soul has been reborn, the Primal Blood still placed its bet on your Solar Spirit, endowing you with a complete life sequence."
"Though the reasons are unclear, if both entities are willing to take a chance on you, then..."
"My creator wants to be part of this as well. Regardless of what your future holds or how you might change, it trusts that the Primal Soul and Primal Blood wouldn't make such a choice without cause."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Atop the massive ancient tree, a murky sea of shadow energy swirled, with countless droplets of silver Shadow Moon Essence suspended like crystals in the mist.
It resembled a unique altar designed to forge a God of Ghosts, transforming the Lunar Spirit Body.
Yu Yuan, poised in front of his real body, intent on withdrawing into his Mindscape, found himself ensnared by a supreme rule emanating from the Wraithlands.
He was no longer in control.
Beneath the astonished stares of Kaiya, the Skeleton Horse, and Yu Yiyi, his Lunar Spirit Body gently ascended toward the crown of the ancient tree.
Woo! Woo! Woo!
The mighty evil spirits nesting within the tree's foliage seemed to be heralding the birth of a new king, celebrating with exuberant cheers and dances.
Crack! Crack!
Chains of pale light, akin to the arcane rules refined from the ghostly arts of the Wraithlands, intertwined within Yu Yuan's ethereal spirited body like a network of meridians.
Arcane secrets of reincarnation and transmigration, previously touched upon but never fully understood, were now taking shape within these nascent channels.
Beads of Shadow Moon Essence and droplets of shadow energy either bathed his spirit body like a refreshing rain or transformed into acupoints filled with shadow energy, spreading throughout this extraordinary form.
"Is this even possible?"
Yu Yuan stood resolute, his face betraying a look of astonishment.
He had the odd sensation of being pushed into something against his will.
The Undead Lord, embodying a portion of the Wraithlands' Primal Vitality, appeared to have had a discussion with the Primal Vitality before instigating this event.
It seemed to believe that since Yu Yuan was chosen by both the Primal Soul and Primal Blood, there must be something uniquely special about him, a necessity for his existence.
By granting him the title of God of Ghosts, the Primal Vitality was forcefully intervening, placing a bet on him.
Should anything prove amiss in the future, they would simply strip him of his God of Ghosts title and extinguish his Lunar Spirit.
Thus, whether Yu Yuan was willing or not, the Undead Lord, honoring its commitment and seemingly channeling the Wraithlands' essence, proceeded to forcibly consecrate his Lunar Spirit.
He may very well be the first in millions of years within the Wraithlands to be involuntarily elevated to the throne of a God of Ghosts.