C1984 Possession at the Same Time

Ashlands.

A dark red star, devoid of a surrounding wall, scattered with volcanoes.

Atop a lava-spewing volcano sat the immense Red Demon Bell, eagerly harvesting the underground fire essence, incorporating it into the glyphs etched upon its surface.

These glyphs would sometimes spring to life, moving like fiery beasts, and at other times, they would form patterns resembling the earthfire's veins.

Yuan Lianyao's enchanting figure was submerged in a pool of pure earthfire essence, tirelessly honing her strength, tempering her physique and Solar Spirit.

This place was even more conducive to her cultivation than the Fireheart Mountains, having already propelled her to the middle period of the Unbound Realm.

She sensed that if she persisted in her rigorous training here, she would inevitably ascend to the peak of the Unbound Realm, and the Red Demon Bell would undergo a transformation as well.

The cosmic energy concealed within the Ashlands far surpassed that of the Astral Domain of the Everlands. This nameless dark red star was the ideal sanctuary for her cultivation aspirations.

One day, Zhou Cangmin drifted down from an unknown corner of the Ashlands, alighting upon a stone as red as smoldering iron.

The state preceptor, with a hint of exhilaration, announced, "I have news that might be unfortunate for some, but fortunate for you. I've just learned of it from the Skyreach Consortium."

Having recently lost his physical body, Zhou Cangmin had been somewhat despondent, making his speech somewhat convoluted.

"What news?" inquired Yuan Lianyao with curiosity.

Gazing at the earthfire essence merging with the Red Demon Bell, Zhou Cangmin revealed, "This world, abundant with volcanoes, was once ideal for your cultivation. Had it not been for this news, I wouldn't suggest you leave."

"But..."

"The earthfire here is merely intense flame, merely waves of fire energy to you. Stars are inanimate; regardless of the grandeur of the magma and flames beneath the surface, they lack consciousness and the naturally occurring pinnacle of fire magic."

"Therefore, this place might elevate you to the peak of the Unbound Realm, but you'll find your progress halted there."

Zhou Cangmin elucidated.

Yuan Lianyao arched an eyebrow, "My lord state preceptor, I am aware of all this. Naturally, I understand that to ascend higher, I must harness the Earthfire of the Everlands. Yet with Mo Baichuan already established on the sacred way, what options do I have?"

"He's dead."

Zhou Cangmin's voice was low and grave as he announced, "Lured by the Supreme of Shadow's Keep to the extraterrestrial Star River, he sought to challenge the Dark Phoenix and avenge Yuwen Hao. Alas, he met his end at the hands of the Dark Phoenix out there among the stars."

"You now stand as the one with the highest achievement on the sacred way of the Everlands!"

"The heart of the Everlands is rich with primal energy, clearing the path for your ascension. The conditions for your deification are wide open!"

Zhou Cangmin's eyes sparkled with excitement as he emphasized, "This could be the greatest opportunity of your life!"

Upon hearing of Mo Baichuan's demise, Yuan Lianyao emerged from the Red Demon Bell, her body enveloped in swirls of fire essence that shimmered like splendid ribbons, her radiance akin to a constant outpouring of divine light.

"But..."

A shadow of concern crossed her eyes.

"I understand your fears. Are you worried that Han Miaoyuan and the others will ostracize us over the Ashlands incident? Or that if you ascend to the Most High, you might one day be compelled to oppose Yu Yuan?" Zhou Cangmin's smile shone with reassurance.

Yuan Lianyao nodded, and he continued, "I shared your concerns, but you wouldn't believe how many formidable individuals from the Starmoon Sect, Forgeroses, and the Skyreach Consortium I encountered on Tyria. They all hailed from the Everlands, and Han Miaoyuan didn't hinder them in the slightest—she freely allowed them passage!"

"Han Miaoyuan has moved beyond such concerns."

"As for your apprehension about a future clash with Yu Yuan, my advice is to seize the favor of the Earthfire while you're young. Use the raw power of the Everlands to ascend, and you'll witness the vistas reserved for the strongest, grasping the intricacies of the Earthfire."

"If Han Miaoyuan and our Sect Master ever corner you into enmity with Yu Yuan, threatening you with the primal source..."

"You can follow Ji Ningshuang's example and sever your connection to the primal source. At worst, you'll regress to the Unbound state. Yet you'll have lived the experience of a Most High and gained an understanding of the Earthfire's subtleties."

"When the opportunity arises in the future, you can ascend again using a different method. It will be easier to accomplish, and you'll gain even more fire essence."

Zhou Cangmin gently coaxed her.

Yuan Lianyao's eyes sparkled with understanding, and she nodded softly, "Then I shall return to the Everlands."

"I'll accompany you."

...

In the Stellar Oblivion, the extraterrestrial stronghold of the Boulderdawn Sect, not long after Taishi, Cardo, and High Priest Reid departed via the Starway, Soul-Capturing returned in flesh and blood form with Xuanli, who had ascended to a higher level.

Xuanli had chosen a God-King title for himself—Taiqing.

In the Bloodbrawlers' golden age, he had been deified using the secrets bestowed by the Root of the Lunar Meridian. His sacred way included the purification of souls, the cleansing of impurities, and the cycle of rebirth. It was indeed the clear stream within the murky Lunar Meridian.

A figure from ancient times, he had led the Bloodbrawlers, and at that time, the God-Kings of the Boulderdawn had prefixed their names with 'Tai.' He continued this tradition.

His return and his decision added another God-King, Taiqing, to the Boulderdawn Sect.

He was also granted permission to select a suitable Starshard within the Stellar Oblivion to forge his own dominion.

"Lord!"

"Master!"

The Unbound cultivators of the Bloodbrawlers, witnessing his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm without the reliance on the Everlands' source, erupted in cheers.

His success opened their eyes to another path to achieving the Primordial Spirit.

...

"What?"

Kaiya squinted slightly, a hint of surprise in her voice as she addressed Feng Zhong, "The Domain Channel between the Hellmouth and the Everlands has opened? Han Miaoyuan's Banner of Duality isn't enforcing the seal anymore?"

Feng Zhong nodded, "And that's not all. The wall that has long shrouded the Everlands also vanished recently."

At this revelation, all those familiar with the mysteries of the Everlands were thunderstruck.

The wall of the Everlands, gone?

What in the world had transpired there?

"Furthermore, the passages from several frigid Astral Domains, harboring secret entrances to the Wintermaw, leading to the Everlands' Frozen Hellscape, have also opened."

"Like the Chronowyrm, there are highly intelligent individuals capable of using the Wintermaw to directly reach the Frozen Hellscape!"

Feng Zhong, the head of the Windspeakers, shared the latest news with everyone. His face registered complete surprise, as he was unclear about Han Miaoyuan's reasons for such actions.

Kaiya, Xuanli, Tianqi, Taixu, and the others were all taken aback.

They were clueless about Han Miaoyuan's intentions.

"Should I go and inquire about it?"

Taixu hesitated briefly, involuntarily glancing towards the distant palace where Yu Yuan was in seclusion.

Lately, Yu Yuan had seldom been seen. After Taishi emerged, he had advised everyone not to disturb Yu Yuan without good reason.

Taixu, having a responsive connection to Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit, didn't even need to enter the palace to exchange messages with him.

"There's no need."

Kaiya yawned, seemingly exhausted and ready to sleep, "Without the wall's protection, the Everlands are a realm I can freely traverse. I'll dispatch a devil soul to inspect the situation in the Everlands and discern Han Miaoyuan's motives."

No sooner had she spoken than her devil soul was already drifting towards the Everlands.

She intended to possess any human, compel them to return to the Everlands, and control their soul, operating within their guise.

...

In the sky above the Everlands, where the burning sun and crescent moon coexisted alongside a scattering of small meteors.

Zhou Cangmin and Yuan Lianyao, after a journey through the stars that was neither long nor short, chose to rest upon an inconspicuous meteor before planning their return to the Everlands.

Sequentially, two undetectable energies infused Zhou Cangmin's Solar Spirit Body.

Within his Solar Spirit Body, these energies clashed countless times in an instant. The state preceptor's body radiated flickering light, his consciousness thrown into disarray, and his flushed face bore an eerie glow.

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