C2008 Chasing a Duck to the Top

A Skullcairn tower emerged slowly from the direction of the Devil Palace, appearing abruptly amidst the clouds above the Fireheart Mountains. Wuran, his gaunt frame cloaked in a gray robe, stepped out from the Skullcairn, his expression grave.

"Yu Yuan!"

Wuran inhaled deeply, his caution palpable, refraining from any rash actions. Within the tower, several dark adepts at the Unbound Realm whispered urgently to him, warning him of Yu Yuan's formidable exploits in the Everlands and advising against any hasty moves, especially since the Palace Master was currently absent from the Everlands.

Wuran, who had resided in the Star River for many years due to Lin Daoke's influence and had not dared to return, had ascended to supreme status thanks to Tan Xiaotian's intercession and Han Miaoyuan's leniency. Despite his intense desire for vengeance, Wuran showed remarkable restraint in Yu Yuan's presence, carefully holding his tongue.

Lu Hongpeng, the newly elevated "Sword of Seven Emotions," Du Yuan from the Sword Sect, along with Kong Banbi, Chen Qingyan, and a group of Solar Spirits, arrived aboard a gleaming Sword Boat. Chen Qingyan, Kong Banbi, and those familiar with Yu Yuan remained on the Sword Boat, while Du Yuan and Lu Hongpeng descended and halted dozens of meters away, offering their salutations from a respectful distance.

Having witnessed Yu Yuan's prowess in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, Annihilation Nebula, and Everlands, Du Yuan and Lu Hongpeng had also learned of Yu Yuan's legendary first life from Lin Daoke and Han Miaoyuan. They paid homage to the monumental figure who had ushered in a renaissance for humanity and crafted the civilization of the Everlands.

Cao Ji from the Ethereal Void Sect arrived silently beside the Fireheart Mountains, clutching an ancient tree root, having traveled via a teleportation circle. The root, hailing from a Blightwood that perished in the Everlands, had been felled by the combined efforts of Taishi and Han Miaoyuan. Cao Ji had since transformed this relic into a formidable weapon.

Furthermore, Faang Yao of the Ruby Hand and Zhou Cangmin, recently returned from the Land of Quiescence, hastened to the scene, given their proximity to the Fireheart Mountains from the Land of Quiescence.

"Yu Yuan..."

Curious gazes converged upon him, their owners hesitant to speak.

Yu Yuan, having withdrawn his spiritual sense from the depths of the earth, was aware that Xu Jingyao of the Sunlit Order, along with several Lords, were en route. Meanwhile, Cao Jiaze of the Ebon Star Sect remained in the Moonfall Sanctuary.

Jihui's soul form was still at Skyreach Peak, near the valley with the teleportation circle. These two formidable figures, fully aware of Yu Yuan's emergence in the Everlands, maintained their composure.

"There's no need for alarm. I won't stir up trouble until Han Miaoyuan, Lin Daoke, and Tan Xiaotian return," Yu Yuan assured them.

He was still pondering the enigma of Mo Baichuan's presence deep within the earth. As for those who had flocked from all corners of the Everlands, he paid them no mind, dismissing them with a wave, "Disperse, there's no need to linger and obstruct the view."

Du Yuan, understanding the situation, nodded and directed Kong Banbi, "Head to the outskirts of the Fireheart Mountains."

He and Lu Hongpeng descended onto the Sword Boat and, along with it, set course for the periphery of the Fireheart Mountains.

Kong Banbi, Chen Qingyan, and some of the young Solar Spirits aboard the Sword Boat cast lingering glances at Yu Yuan as they departed, their expressions tinged with reluctance and resignation. They had much to say, yet the current circumstances forced them into silence.

"Your master is alright," Yu Yuan suddenly said, his gaze resting on Chen Qingyan. "Her descent from the highest realm was her own choice, and in my view, it was the correct one."

Chen Qingyan's eyes sparkled, and she nodded gently, her lips curving into a relieved smile, comforted by the knowledge that Ji Ningshuang was unharmed.

Yue Mu, known as "Rillrender," who had been wearing a somber expression while keeping Yu Yuan company, let out a relieved breath. Clearly, he too had been concerned for Ji Ningshuang, fearing for her well-being.

Following Yu Yuan's clear signal to leave, Wuran of the Devil Palace said, "We'll withdraw from the Fireheart Mountains." The Skullcairn departed shortly after.

Wuran and the Skullcairn's departure took many by surprise. The seasoned cultivators among them were familiar with Wuran's exploits, knowing well his history of slaying numerous Blood Warriors in the extraterrestrial Star River.

Due to his penchant for violence, there was some discontent with him among the members of the Devil Palace.

Wuran's presence had, at one point, elevated the Devil Palace's notoriety to rival that of the Colddeath Cult.

Could such a vicious devil, especially one recommended by Tan Xiaotian, truly settle down?

Those who had hoped Wuran would test Yu Yuan and stir up trouble were astonished to see him obediently withdraw.

Meanwhile, at the Ruby Hand Sect, Faang Yao hesitated before leaving Zhou Cangmin behind with a few other Unbound and Solar Spirit cultivators from their sect, who wisely chose to depart.

The various individuals who had converged upon the Fireheart Mountains dispersed upon Yu Yuan's command.

These individuals didn't venture far, remaining nearby to keep a close watch on the mountain range's activities.

"Who are you? Didn't you hear what I said?"

Yu Yuan scanned the area, noting that, aside from Zhou Cangmin, Yue Mu, Yuan Lianyao, and a handful of other familiar faces, there was also an unfamiliar elder. He asked with a hint of irritation.

"Ethereal Void Sect, Cao Ji," the man introduced himself.

"A newly ascended supreme cultivator from the Ethereal Void Sect," Yue Mu clarified, his tone betraying his annoyance. "Senior Cao, there's no need for your intervention in a bloody battle just yet. Please, take your leave."

"I seek guidance on a matter."

Cao Ji lifted the artifact he had crafted from the roots of a deceased divine tree. "I've heard rumors of a new divine tree sprouting in the enigmatic Ashlands?"

He was known as Sage Greenwood, a practitioner of the plant and vegetation path, formerly under Ji Tianyu's tutelage.

After Ji Tianyu ascended to godhood, realizing he had no chance of reaching the pinnacle himself, he left the Ethereal Void Sect and ceased following Han Miaoyuan's commands, wandering the extraterrestrial realms.

He frequented the Star Seas of the Wingkind and the Shadowkin, possessing deep knowledge of the Uxthar Tree.

His goal was to refine the true Uxthar Tree.

"There is indeed a new divine tree, and it resides within the Ashlands," Yu Yuan replied with a sardonic grin, eyeing the successor to Ji Tianyu. "You're welcome to admire it, but first, you must relinquish your core essence and return to the Unbound state. Then, you must publicly declare yourself a member of the Boulderdawn Sect."

"I've made it clear that those who possess the essence of the Everlands are strictly forbidden from entering the Ashlands. That's my rule."

Upon hearing this, the visage of the Ethereal Void Sect's Vegetarian Sage instantly turned rigid.

Yu Yuan, having no further interest in the matter, waved his hand dismissively, "Leave through the Fireheart Mountains!"

Cao Ji attempted to interject once more.

Yu Yuan's expression grew stern, and the Dragon Slaying Stage launched forth, transforming into a violet gold Divine Sword.

The sword light, a violet gold cascade akin to a celestial river of converging rainbows, plummeted from the heavens.

The essence of the sword spell, intertwined with the magic arts and bloodline mysteries Yu Yuan had mastered, surged directly towards Cao Ji.

Cao Ji's face contorted in alarm.

The old tree root he had been refining, now infused with his wood spiritual energy and his understanding of plant magic arts, blossomed into an ancient divine tree teeming with lush foliage.

His Divine Visage, primordial spirit, and the divine tree became one in an instant.

The divine tree, bearing a semblance of its former glory, stretched its branches through the Star River, unobstructed by any wall, nearly obscuring the earthfire itself.

Crack!

The violet gold divine rainbow cleaved through, shattering the ancient divine tree, which Cao Ji had transformed into using his most potent magic arts, into innumerable withered branches.

Cao Ji grunted, his chest drenched in blood as he regained his composure.

The artifact he had crafted from the old root of the Blightwood was now rendered useless.

With a somber expression, Cao Ji refrained from uttering any final threats and swiftly took to the skies.

He stood no chance against Yu Yuan, who was in the Unbound state, and with the return of the Solar Spirit, feared by both Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian, his odds were even slimmer.

The Cao Family, wise to the situation, had wisely cut their losses in time.

"Foolishness," muttered Wuran from within the Skullcairn, one of the supreme Devil Palace's lofty towers, chuckling with schadenfreude. "Before the Palace Master departed, he advised me to steer clear of Yu Yuan, no matter the time or place. Hehe, I heeded the Palace Master's counsel, and it has certainly paid off."

The dark adepts from the Devil Palace at the Unbound state continuously reminded him.

Upon his return from the extraterrestrial realm, he chose not to immediately strive for the highest echelon but instead sought an audience with Tan Xiaotian first. From the Demon Lord, he learned of those who were not to be trifled with.

Tan Xiaotian warned him that if he valued his life, once he ascended to the Supreme level, there were three individuals in the Everlands he should avoid provoking: Lin Daoke, Dark Phoenix, and Yu Yuan.

He took Tan Xiaotian's advice to heart, which is why he made a timely exit when Yu Yuan began to dismiss the others.

"Ugh!"

Yuan Lianyao's eyebrows quivered.

She unexpectedly perceived a summons emanating from the heart of the earth.

In a trance, she and the Red Demon Bell plunged into the mouth of a volcano.

She plummeted directly into its depths.

Rip! Sizzle!

Beams of fire, more refined than she could have ever imagined, were forcibly infused into her body from the magma, aiding in the purification of her being.

In her mind, the complexities of fire magic were kindled by a trail of light, unfolding in an accessible way.

It was as though a scholarly divine teacher was meticulously guiding her through the principles of fire, instructing her on their application.

Simultaneously.

A stream of dark essence from the Heart of the Everlands wafted up and quickly gathered beneath her in the magma pool.

It seemed to be waiting for her, biding its time until she had sufficiently grasped the knowledge and fortified her Unbound foundation, ready to pull her toward the awakening of her primordial spirit.

Yuan Lianyao was dumbfounded.

She could never have envisioned being so attentively nurtured, propelled by an unseen will. Despite not yet possessing the qualifications of a deity, the preparations for her origin had already begun.

Unbeknownst to her, this was the Earthfire of the Everlands reaching out to Yu Yuan through her.

Regardless of her innate abilities, to curry favor with Yu Yuan, the forces at play were determined to elevate her to the pinnacle.

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