C1971 The Temptation of the Devil

"Light Spirit!"

Cardo's gem-like eyes shimmered with an uncertain light. Her exquisitely beautiful face, free of any imperfections, betrayed a sense of hesitation and contemplation, making everyone around her tense.

A suffocating, oppressive force hung in the air like a heavy cloud, influencing the powerful individuals gathered.

As the leader of the Dawnbringers, second in strength only to Bertain in the extraterrestrial realm, and a spiritual beacon for many, her potential alignment with the Beast God of the Otherworld, much like Ferris had done, was unthinkable for its dire consequences.

Few had heard of the Primal Anima, yet they could see that Cardo was more thrilled to learn of the Light Spirit's presence in the Wasteland than when she acquired the jade box or the Key of Eternity. This clearly indicated the Light Spirit's exceptional significance to her.

Ferris and Harry of the Fire Lizards ceased their agonized screams, a testament to Cardo's generosity. Her stance towards the Wasteland seemed to be quietly shifting.

With the departure of the Demon God Bertain, the most formidable among the Otherkin of the Star River was this eternally youthful girl, whose formidable power had only just begun to reveal itself.

Should she be swayed by the Wasteland and grow close to the Beast God, who covets this realm, the blow to the defenders of the Boulderdawn would be beyond comprehension.

"The Light Spirit and the eleventh level deserve your careful consideration."

The black goat, devilish in its demeanor, smiled slyly at Cardo. "Only our Wasteland can offer you these, and only with both worlds connected will you have the hope of chasing your dreams."

"Yu Yuan."

Cardo hovered in midair, her gaze moving with difficulty from the black goat on Ferris's chest to Yu Yuan, who was positioned at the opposite end on the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Yu Yuan, with his hand still impaling Pantley's body, remained vigilant against the elder of the Oceanfolk, sensing the unusual force within her heart growing more active, like a venomous snake gaining strength.

Upon noticing Cardo's gaze, Yu Yuan spoke without hesitation, his voice grave, "I can craft the Key of Eternity for you using the bones of the Beast God, though it will require some time."

"But..."

Yu Yuan shook his head, a look of resignation on his face. "As for the Light Spirit, I truly have no knowledge of its origin, nor can I procure it for you."

Cardo nodded slowly. "I appreciate your candor. I've got it."

With everyone watching anxiously, she closed her eyes slowly, then opened them once more.

Her gaze was steady, her decision clear. She spoke with calm resolve, "I will take the Key of Eternity for now. My promise to you is that we, the Dawnbringers, will remain neutral and withdraw from this place."

"As for what comes later, I'll need more time to consider."

She addressed the black goat with these words.

"Very well, my king is willing to await your decision."

The soul of the black goat radiated a confidence that seemed to say victory was in its grasp. It appeared to have calculated that Cardo would ultimately be unable to resist the allure of the Light Spirit and would, after much contemplation, seek out the Wasteland on her own.

"Now that Lady Cardo has reached a decision, your time has come to die."

The voice of the black goat was chillingly cold.

Boom!

The bewildered Oceanfolk elder's heart, filled with bizarre vital energy, exploded suddenly, along with the hand impaled on the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Streams of bright blue light, like bolts of lightning, burst forth from Pantley's lifeless body.

The lightning, as if sentient, instantly targeted the tenth level Blood Warriors and streaked towards Ballo, Rebecca, Brie, and Jessica of the Silverscale Tribe.

"I knew it."

Yu Yuan lifted the Dragon Slaying Stage, summoning a massive blood shadow, crimson as blood, that sealed off the space around Pantley's body.

The bright blue light collided with the closing palms of the blood shadow and was crushed to pieces.

Yu Yuan fixed his gaze on the black goat and asked icily, "Why not come in person?"

He had sensed something odd about Pantley's vital energy; it had become eerily active just as she neared death.

Her impending demise seemed to fuel that power, driving it to spread wildly.

The black goat's pronouncement acted like a death knell, ensuring Pantley's end. The peculiar vital energy within her heart, which had granted her a semblance of eternal life, had fermented and split into several strands, actively seeking out the nearby tenth level Heirs of Blood.

Without his intervention, those tainted by this peculiar vital energy could very well end up like Pantley.

They would gain the ability to siphon the life force from a fellow tenth-level Blood Warrior, replenishing their own power with a portion of the victim's essence.

Yu Yuan was uncertain of the full extent of the dangers posed by this eerie vital energy. Yet, if the tenth-level Blood Warriors of the Origin Realm were to acquire this power, their greed for extended life could drive them to irrational acts.

For instance, they might scheme to eliminate their peers.

Such actions would quickly fracture the unity of this world. Rebecca, Ballo, and Brie, all tenth-level Heirs of Blood, could potentially turn on one another in battle.

In such a scenario, the alliance between the Origin Realm and the Beast Gods of the Wasteland would crumble.

"To be victorious in all battles, one must know both the enemy and oneself. My delay in coming here was intentional; I wanted to first understand the dynamics of your world and seek out allies with aligned interests," stated the black goat, gazing at the Dawnbringers' elder. It seemed to imply that those with aligned interests were Origin Realm powerhouses like Cardo.

Concealed within Ferris's body, the black goat was unfazed by Pantley's ineffective demise.

"Besides myself, other Beast Gods roaming the Origin Realm will pursue the same goal. The power within Pantley, though not true immortality, can significantly extend one's lifespan."

"Surely, there are aging tenth-level warriors on the brink of death who desire such power," the black goat proclaimed, as if it could peer into the hearts of men.

"I'm quite intrigued. How can you, the entity from another world, inhabit Ferris's body?" Yu Yuan, having extinguished the last of the azure vital energy, ignored Pantley's mutilated remains and advanced toward the black goat with the Dragon Slaying Stage in hand.

At his movement, all eyes were riveted on him.

As the God-King Taiyin, the dragon slayer with the power to traverse the Everlands and beyond, it was up to him to resolve the present dilemma.

Tianqi was visibly anxious.

"Cardo," Yu Yuan called out, his voice softer than usual, and notably, he omitted the honorific 'Master' this time.

Cardo instantly sensed the distance between them. Her long, platinum eyebrows arched as she declared, "I've already stated that the Dawnbringers and I will remain neutral. You're aware of the Light Spirit's existence, so you should understand its significance to me. Therefore, I ask that you and the Boulderdawn sect refrain from pressuring or constraining me."

She paused briefly, her grip tightening on the Light Scepter, her expression one of haughty pride. "Even Bertain has always engaged in respectful discussions with me, honoring my decisions. I expect the same from you."

"Patriarch..." Canli's voice was a soft murmur.

"Silence!" Cardo shot her a fierce glare, rebuking her sharply, "Once you've advanced to the tenth level and learned more secrets, you'll understand my choices!"

Canli bit back her words, feeling unjustly silenced. She had never witnessed this side of Cardo before; he had always been a figure of kindness and nurturing warmth since her earliest memories.

What had changed?

Canli, now slightly intimidated, harbored a multitude of silent grievances, yet she dared not voice them.

Ballo's brow creased with concern as he watched Cardo with an enigmatic look, holding back his thoughts.

"Eternal life sometimes equates to stagnation, to a loss of vitality," Yu Yuan said, halting before the Dawnbringers' leader, his words laden with implication. "Cardo, haven't you noticed? Ever since you learned of Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie's immortality, your attitude toward Canli has shifted."

Cardo responded with a detached air, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Canli, too, was baffled by his insinuation.

Ballo, the Starborn patriarch, stood by Canli's side, his usually reserved demeanor giving way to a moment of revelation upon hearing Yu Yuan's statement.

He shook his head, sighing softly.

"Canli was born with the Altar of Rebirth and possesses a superior lineage; she should be your ideal successor."

After a moment of reflection, Yu Yuan voiced the harsh reality, "You've poured your heart into nurturing Canli because you're acutely aware that, despite your efforts, you will eventually face death. You've strived to secure as many advantages as possible for Canli and the Dawnbringers, to fortify your tribe and ensure the Dawnbringers' enduring legacy."

"But can you maintain that original resolve once you realize you have the power to live forever?"

Yu Yuan's words cut like a blade, piercing the hearts of Canli and Cardo, as well as the very beings of the Dawnbringers warriors.

"Now that you possess eternal life and the prospect of an endless lifespan, you might even gain access to the Light Spirit. Consequently, the role of the Dawnbringers' chieftain and their future will perpetually be in your grasp."

"If you're immortal, doesn't that make Canli, your successor and the one more gifted than you, a potential threat?"

"It seems to me that you've started to see her not just as a successor, or a junior, but as a rival."

Yu Yuan's words were a merciless indictment.

Canli's complexion turned ashen, as if she had suddenly come to a stark realization, and she looked at Cardo with a sense of helplessness.

Ballo stepped forward, his bloodline power creating a nebula that enveloped her, guiding her back. "Enough, it's time for you to return to the Ashlands."

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