C2272 It Returned to the Frostlands
In the Origin Realm's Frostlands, the Primal Blood Continent, with its deep crimson hue, had naturally become the epicenter of this Domain. The Boulderdawn's most formidable experts, including several God-Kings of the highest order, were all present.
Beyond the Primal Blood Continent, various other races such as the Starborn, Shadowkin, and Dawnbringers were dispersed among the stars of the Frostlands.
Those Otherkin warriors who had suffered persecution had fortunately converged in the Frostlands, distributed among different celestial bodies.
Majestic new palaces rose across the Primal Blood Continent.
"I wonder what the situation is like in the outside world," mused Taishi, standing before the palace, his expression grave.
With the aid of Primal Blood, he had used a Blood Fiend Life Seed to forge a new body. Once his primordial spirit settled within, he assumed his current form.
His Blood Fiend body, coupled with his primordial spirit, constituted the present Taishi. This new form bore little outward difference from his previous human appearance. Yet, the configuration of his elixir field, acupoints, and organs were distinct from those of humans.
He no longer accustomed himself to gathering divine force and refining it into the Golden Sanctum's little world. Instead, he drew upon the dense vital energy of the Primal Blood Continent to temper his bones and bloodline. With the Primal Blood's accelerated growth, he had already advanced to the ninth level of his bloodline, with the tenth level within reach.
With a whoosh, Tan Xiaotian descended onto the Primal Blood Continent atop his Ebon Meditation Mat, appearing travel-worn and weary.
Taishi, Taixu, Tianqi, Ann Ziqing, and Xuanli, the Boulderdawn's mightiest, all turned their attention to him.
Since Bertain and Lin Daoke had vanished after crossing the wall into the darkness, Tan Xiaotian had emerged as the preeminent force in the Frostlands.
Weary of his time in the Frostlands, Tan Xiaotian would sometimes venture out with Ji Ningshuang's assistance to gather intelligence on the wider world.
"The situation is dire," Tan Xiaotian, clad in black, announced with a furrowed brow. "The Wraithlands have been obliterated. The Genesis Continent, shrouded in perpetual darkness, was supposed to emerge in the Wraithlands' Astral Domain but instead laid waste to it. This star domain has been christened the Genesisverse, and many races fleeing the Abyss have begun migrating there."
"Furthermore..."
The Demon Lord gazed at the assembly, pausing briefly before revealing, "He has informed Han Miaoyuan and the other paramount beings that he now possesses the power to elevate those supremely powerful beings loyal to him to the eleventh level."
"What?"
"How can that be?"
"Has he become that powerful?"
The God-Kings of Boulderdawn, along with the Abyssal Leviathan, the little spinosaurus, and other unique entities, were all stunned by this revelation.
"Not all, only those aligned with metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and the celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars."
As Tan Xiaotian spoke, he glanced toward the fissure beneath the Primal Blood Continent, adding, "After the Wraithlands, it seems likely that the Frostlands will be next."
A sense of foreboding settled over everyone.
With Yu Yuan absent and the fates of Bertain and Lin Daoke unknown, and with Zhong Chichen, Loong Jie, and others having vanished in the Wasteland, how could they possibly stand against the Frostlands?
"At present, the true state of affairs in the Wasteland remains unclear. Separated by two realms, it's difficult for us to ascertain what has transpired there. Nor do we know whether Yu Yuan has unlocked the mysteries of the flesh and blood within the Wellspring of Creation."
Taishi's expression was one of concern as he inquired, "And the Ashlands?"
"I dare not approach the Ashlands."
Tan Xiaotian shook his head in resignation, explaining, "From what I've learned, the Origin Realm, with the exception of our current position in the Frostlands, is under his dominion."
After a brief silence, Tan Xiaotian let out a sigh, "My urgency in returning to the Frostlands was also driven by another matter."
"What is it?" Taishi pressed.
"The Dark Anima, along with the Genesis Continent, now resides in the Wraithlands. It can constrain and bind me; with its presence in the Origin Realm, I dare not roam freely." Tan Xiaotian's brow furrowed as he continued, "My creator seems very rushed, as if desperate to augment his strength and status."
Unbeknownst to the Demon Lord, the Dark Anima had detected that the Light Spirit, its adversary, had experienced an extraordinary surge in power. This was due to Yu Yuan's Soul Altar undergoing a transformation that integrated the mysteries of the sun, moon, and stars into the Astral Plane.
A profound sense of crisis emanated from the Dark Anima, causing it to feel restless.
"Let's wait a bit longer. If Yu Yuan doesn't show up soon, we might need to consider our options," Taishi suggested.
Xuanli, Taixu, Tianqi, and Ann Ziqing exchanged puzzled glances, each wondering, "Is there even a future to consider?"
...
Loong Jie, Ballo, and Green Willow were harnessing energy through the All Spirits Ban when Yu Yuan, steering the Dragon Slaying Stage, once again reached the seal above the Abyss of Truth.
The Genesis Continent was nowhere to be seen.
Above the seal lay an expanse of impenetrable darkness.
"It's not above."
Looking up, Yu Yuan's eyes pierced the clear wall, allowing him to observe every detail within the darkness, but the Genesis Continent was absent.
The fragments of land that had plummeted from above now lay silent in the Abyss of Truth, devoid of any energy.
Whoosh!
Yu Yuan, commanding the Dragon Slaying Stage, breezed past the seal over the Abyss of Truth and emerged into the profound depths below.
Here, the purest Soul Power mingled with the intense dark energy.
With the chilling soul force from the Wraithlands now within him, he could effortlessly draw it into the ninth level of his Soul Altar without so much as stirring.
The Genesis Continent was missing, the Dark Anima was absent, and yet Yu Yuan was aware that his movements within the All Spirits Ban were being monitored.
By revealing himself in this darkness, he was certain that his presence was noted.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Soul Power flooded into his Soul Altar like the depths of a vast sea, quickly giving him a sensation of being overwhelmed.
The ninth level of the Soul Altar, invigorated by the influx of Soul Power, began to stir, seemingly eager to challenge the status of the tenth level.
At that moment, he remembered the warning from the Death God, Kurkova: do not allow the ninth level to ascend further.
He could sense the substantial benefits the ninth level was reaping in this Soul Power-rich environment, and he surmised that this was likely pleasing to the Primal Soul.
With a huff, Yu Yuan ascended into the darkness above.
The once teeming seven levels of the Abyss were now desolate and empty.
The land that once radiated light had vanished, yet due to the shattered Abyssal Gate, a faint glow still filtered down into the abyss.
The seven levels of the Abyss had lost their former brilliance, now shrouded in darkness. The abyssal energy he once knew was gone, along with any rules or secrets he could wield.
The Abyss he had once tightly controlled as the Lord of the Abyss was utterly ruined.
"Hah."
With a heavy sigh, he plunged deeper into the abyss.
He located the crystalline wall and, without a moment's delay, passed through it, emerging above the Frostlands.
In a flash, he traversed the void using the Dragon Slaying Stage and appeared above the Primal Blood Continent.
Below him, the familiar world had been reshaped by Taishi using the Blood Fiend's body. Employing the power of the earth, he forged a palace akin to the Boulderdawn's main stronghold.
Boom!
The Primal Blood Continent quivered faintly.
As everyone looked up and saw the Dragon Slaying Stage, they realized that Yu Yuan, who had been long awaited, had returned.
"Yu Yuan!"
Excited shouts filled the air.
Ji Ningshuang, stationed at another border of the Frostlands, also sensed his presence and quickly made her way to him.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Deep within the blood-colored canopy encircling the entire Primal Blood Continent, numerous new Life Seeds emerged and vanished with Yu Yuan's arrival.
The vanishing Life Seeds, embodying the profound Secrets of Life, were already leaving their mark on the Primal Blood beneath the surface.
Deep within the earth's core.
A formless blood shadow slowly materialized within a dangling blood crystal, while an icy silhouette gradually took shape on the adjacent ice wall.
From within the numerous hanging crystals, new Secrets of Life began to emerge, taking the form of scarlet lightning.
This left the Primal Blood filled with uncertainty.
As Yu Yuan's real body materialized, it also gave rise to the Primal Blood of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, immediately sensing an overwhelming and terrifying presence above it.
Upon detecting this presence and carefully discerning it, the Primal Blood reached a startling conclusion.
The one in the Wasteland, which it had intended to devour and assimilate, had already been refined by Yu Yuan.
What exactly was Yu Yuan's intention with his return this time?