C1971 The Temptation of the Devil

"Light Origin Spirit!"

Cadorath's eyes sparkled like jewels, her light flickering uncertainly. Her exquisite, flawless face betrayed a hint of hesitation and contemplation, sending a wave of tension through the onlookers.

A suffocating, oppressive power hung in the air like a heavy cloud, casting its influence over the assembled experts.

She was the leader of the Bright Clan, second in strength only to Beilstein, and a spiritual beacon for many.

The thought of her aligning with the Beast God, as Ferris had done, was too dire and frightening for anyone to contemplate.

The existence of the Light Origin Spirit was unknown to most, yet they could see that Cadorath's excitement upon learning of its presence in the Desolate Realm surpassed even her joy at acquiring the cold jade box or the key to immortality.

Clearly, the Light Origin Spirit held exceptional significance for Cadorath!

Ferris and Harry from the Fire Lizard Tribe were no longer in agony, a testament to Cadorath's generosity. Her stance towards the Desolate Realm seemed to be quietly shifting.

With the Great Demon God Beilstein gone, the most formidable among the foreign races of the Eon Realm was this eternally youthful girl, whose formidable power had only just begun to reveal itself.

Should she be swayed by the Desolate Realm and grow close to the Beast God, who coveted this world, the impact on the defenders of the Divine Soul Sect's stronghold would be beyond comprehension.

"The Light Origin Spirit and the Eleventh Level deserve your careful consideration."

The black goat, devilish in its demeanor, chuckled at Cadorath. "Only the Desolate Realm can offer you these gifts, and only with the two worlds united can you truly chase your dreams."

"Yu Yuan."

Cadorath floated in midair, her gaze moving with difficulty from the black goat on Ferris's chest to Yu Yuan, who stood vigilantly at the other end of the Dragon Slash Platform.

Yu Yuan, still wary of the Sea Clan's matriarch, Pantley, sensed the unusual power within her heart stirring, like a venomous snake growing stronger by the moment.

Cadorath's sudden glance prompted Yu Yuan to speak without hesitation, his voice grave: "I can craft the key to immortality for you using the remains of the Beast God, though it will require some time."

"But..."

Yu Yuan shook his head with a sense of resignation. "Regarding the Light Origin Spirit, I honestly don't know its origin, nor can I procure it for you."

Cadorath nodded slowly. "I appreciate your candor. I understand."

Amidst the anxious stares of those around her, she gently closed her eyes, then opened them once more.

Her gaze was steady, her decision clear. She spoke with calm resolve, "I shall take this key to immortality for the time being. What I can assure you is that the Bright Clan and I will remain neutral and withdraw from this place."

"As for what comes later, I need more time to reflect."

She addressed the black goat.

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

The black goat's spirit exuded a confidence that suggested it was holding all the winning cards. It appeared to have calculated that Cadorath would eventually be unable to resist the allure of the Light Origin Spirit and would seek out the Desolate Realm after careful consideration.

"Foolish witch of the Sea Clan, now that Lady Cadorath has reached a decision, your time has come to die."

The black goat's voice was chillingly cold.

Boom!

The bewildered Sea Clan elder's heart, filled with bizarre blood energy, burst open, and even the hand impaled by the Dragon Slash Platform shattered.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Brilliant blue blood light, like streaks of lightning, burst from Pantley's lifeless body.

The lightning, as if sentient, instantly targeted the Tenth Level Bloodline warriors and streaked towards Barol, Rebecca, Brie, and Jessica of the Silver Scale Clan.

"I knew it."

Yu Yuan hoisted the Dragon Slash Platform, summoning a massive, blood-red shadow that enveloped the space around Pantley's remains.

The bright blue blood light collided with the slowly converging palms of the shadow, getting crushed into oblivion.

Yu Yuan fixed his gaze on the black goat and challenged coldly, "Why not face me in person?"

He had sensed something amiss with the blood energy in Pantley's heart, especially as she neared death, when the peculiar blood energy surged with unexpected vitality.

Pantley's brush with death seemed to amplify that power, driving it to spread wildly.

The black goat's pronouncement acted like a death knell, sealing Pantley's fate. The strange blood energy that had been concealed within her heart, granting her a semblance of eternal life, now fractured and actively sought out the nearby Tenth Level Bloodline Keepers.

Without his intervention, those tainted by this peculiar blood energy could have easily ended up like Pantley.

They would gain the ability to siphon the life force from a Tenth Level Bloodline Warrior of equal standing, replenishing their own vitality by plundering a portion of their victim's life essence.

Yu Yuan was aware of the potential dangers of this strange blood energy, but he also knew that the Tenth Level Bloodline Warriors of the Origin Realm, if overcome by greed for more life, might act irrationally.

For instance, they might scheme to eliminate their peers.

The solidarity of this world could quickly crumble, leading to conflicts among equals such as Rebecca, Barol, and Brie, who might turn on each other.

In such a scenario, the alliance between the Origin Realm and the Beast God of the Desolate Realm would inevitably collapse.

"To be invincible, one must know both the enemy and oneself. My delay in coming here was deliberate; I wanted to first understand the dynamics of your world and seek out more allies with aligned interests," the black goat stated, lifting its gaze to the leader of the Bright Clan. It seemed to imply that those aligned with Cadorath were the formidable forces from the Origin Realm.

Unfazed by Pantley's ineffective demise, it remained concealed within Ferris's body, showing no sign of despair.

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

"Surely, there must be aging Tenth Level Warriors on the brink of death who desire such power," the black goat remarked, as if it could peer into the hearts of others.

"I'm curious about you, the one with a corporeal form on the other side. How do you manage to inhabit Ferris's body?" Yu Yuan pondered aloud, his attention unfazed by the sight of Pantley's mangled remains. Clutching the Dragon Slash Platform, he advanced toward the black goat.

With his movement, all eyes were riveted on him.

As the Divine King, the Great Yin, and the Dragon Slash Warrior with the power to transcend both the vast expanse and the celestial beyond, it was up to him to resolve the present dilemma.

Tianqi was clearly on the verge of losing his patience.

"Cadorath."

Yu Yuan called out, this time omitting the respectful title of 'Master.'

Cadorath instantly sensed the coldness in his tone. Her platinum eyebrows arched as she stated, "I've made it clear that I and the Bright Clan will remain neutral. If you're aware of the Light Origin Spirit, you should understand its significance to me. So, I'd appreciate it if you and the Divine Soul Sect refrain from pressuring or constraining me."

Pausing briefly, Cadorath clutched the Scepter of Light, her expression one of haughty pride. "Even Beilstein has always negotiated with me respectfully, honoring my decisions. I expect the same from you."

"Patriarch..."

Canli murmured softly.

"Silence!"

Cadorath shot her a fierce look, sharply rebuking her, "Once you've advanced to the Tenth Level and learned more secrets, you'll understand my reasons!"

Canli felt hurt and fell silent.

She had never seen Cadorath act this way; since her earliest memories, he had always been gentle and nurturing. The patriarch she knew was always warm and approachable.

What had changed?

Canli, somewhat intimidated, harbored many complaints but dared not voice them.

Barol's brow creased in concern, and he regarded Cadorath with a puzzled look, holding back his words.

"Eternal life can sometimes equate to rigidity, to a lack of vitality," Yu Yuan said thoughtfully, standing before the leader of the Bright Clan. "Cadorath, haven't you noticed? Since you learned that Zhong Chichen and Loong Jie could achieve immortality, your attitude toward Canli has shifted."

Cadorath responded coolly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Canli was equally bewildered.

Meanwhile, Barol of the Star Race stood by Canli's side. Upon hearing Yu Yuan's statement, the usually reticent Star Race patriarch seemed to have an epiphany.

Barol shook his head with a soft sigh.

"Canli was born with a Life Altar and possesses a superior lineage; she was meant to be your ideal successor."

After a moment of reflection, Yu Yuan revealed the harsh reality, "You devoted yourself to cultivating Canli because you knew, despite all your efforts, the day would come when you would pass away."

"You sought to secure as many benefits as possible for Canli and the Bright Clan before your death. Your aim was to fortify the entire clan, ensuring the Bright Clan's enduring legacy."

"Yet, can you maintain such resolve now that you know you possess the gift of immortality?"

Yu Yuan's words cut deep, piercing the hearts of Canli and Cadorath, and resonating within the Bright Clan warriors.

"Now that you have eternal life and the prospect of infinite years, even potentially accessing the Light Origin Spirit, the leadership of the Bright Clan and its future will perpetually rest in your hands."

"With death no longer a concern for you, doesn't that make the successor, the one more gifted than yourself, a potential threat?"

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

Yu Yuan's words were incisive, each one striking home.

Canli's complexion turned ashen, as if a sudden realization had dawned on her, leaving her to gaze at Cadorath with a sense of helplessness.

Barol stepped forward, his bloodline power coalescing into a nebula that enveloped her, gently guiding her back. "Come now, it's time for you to return to the Gray Domain."

​