C2278 The Butterfly Nest

Han Miaoyuan remained silent.

Beside him, Duan Yisheng was earnestly trying to convince Tan Junshan and Jun Chen to abandon their goal of killing Lin Daoke. He suspected that even if they ascended to the rank of Supreme God, they might still fail to defeat Lin Daoke.

Despite his efforts, Tan Junshan and Jun Chen remained resolute in their pursuit.

Van Heqing, usually a man of few words, looked at them with a gaze filled with pity and gently shook his head, which only added to Duan Yisheng's growing frustration.

Yue Mu, who had recently been promoted to Supreme God, quipped with a mischievous grin, "You two, wasn't Lee Sha's death her own doing? And just to add my two cents, it was Mr. Han who consented to Ji Ningshuang succeeding the vacant Supreme God seat after our sect leader passed away."

The typically lax Yue Mu gestured towards the silent Han Miaoyuan and teased, "Shouldn't you be seeking revenge from him?"

"It wasn't him who struck the blow," Jun Chen retorted, furrowing his brow.

Tan Junshan's expression turned grave as he glanced at Han Miaoyuan, recalling that this man was indeed implicated.

"Shut your mouth! If Lin desires Ji's position, how could I refuse?" Han Miaoyuan shot Yue Mu a fierce glare, silencing him, then chuckled and added, "Tan Junshan, I've already died once."

His words implied that he had paid his dues.

"Enough, let's leave for now."

Duan Yisheng forcefully ushered Tan Junshan and Jun Chen away, preventing them from discussing the matter further with Han Miaoyuan at Ebon Star.

"Don't mind them."

Once the trio from Starmoon Sect had left, Van Heqing spoke up, "I have faith in our Sect Master's prowess!"

Yue Mu grinned and said, "Actually, I meant well. I find Tan Junshan and Jun Chen rather unfortunate. Imagine if they finally reach the eleventh level only to be cut down by the Sect Master in two swift strikes—wouldn't that be a waste of our resources?"

He gave Han Miaoyuan a playful wink and chuckled, "Right, Mr. Han?"

"Do I owe you thanks now?" Han Miaoyuan scoffed.

"It's only right; it's what I should be doing," Yue Mu replied, dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand.

Van Heqing was taken aback. "Are you suggesting that even if they've reached the eleventh level as supreme beings, they're still no match for the Sect Master?"

With a nonchalant shrug, Yue Mu said, "Honestly, even if I were to advance to the eleventh level of the Way of Water, I wouldn't dare to engage in a fight to the death with the Sect Master."

"Heh, but I'd take on Tan Junshan or Jun Chen in a life-or-death battle any day!"

As Van Heqing pondered this, Yue Mu turned to Han Miaoyuan and suggested, "Mr. Han, for tens of thousands of years, the Sect Master has heeded your advice. Perhaps it's time you found him and brought him back to lead our Sword Sect once more."

With those words, he took Van Heqing by the arm and they departed.

Once they were back at the Sword Sect and alone, Yue Mu's expression turned grave. "Jun Chen mentioned that... he was given permission to seek vengeance against the Sect Master. Regardless, I hope the Sect Master survives."

"You're concerned about the Sect Master?" Van Heqing inquired, sensing the implication.

"Tan Junshan and Jun Chen, even as supreme beings, couldn't kill the Sect Master. But now..." Yue Mu sighed, "the fusion of your Lunar Spirit and Primordial Vitality indicates his power has grown stronger, suggesting he's assimilated the Primal Vitality."

"You're not worried he might overhear us?" Van Heqing exclaimed, alarmed.

"He doesn't care for fools, nor is he as petty as you imagine. What does it matter if he hears? He knows I would never abandon the supreme position and that I'm inextricably linked to him," Yue Mu said with ease. "Boss Gu is gone, and so is Old Lu. Cough, cough..."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Let me be frank, and please don't take offense. Boss Fan, the Dark Phoenix killed Lin Yue and Old Lu so effortlessly that, by all logic, you shouldn't have survived. Could you tell me if the Dark Phoenix showed mercy, or was there another reason?"

Van Heqing pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I'm not sure myself. It's just that... I sometimes feel her gaze upon me."

Yue Mu jumped, startled. "She looks at you? What do you mean by that?"

"I feel like she's watching me from somewhere," Van Heqing said with some hesitation. "After I fell to the Unbound Realm, that sensation disappeared. But once I ascended back to the Supreme Realm and my primordial spirit merged with the Lunar Spirit, the feeling returned."

...

In the Frostlands, Yu Yuan, who had ventured deep beneath the surface of the Primal Blood Continent, finally emerged once more.

He scanned the crowd of onlookers, their faces etched with anticipation. His gaze settled on the little spinosaurus and he instructed, "You, go down for a while."

The Titan Spinosaurus, whose lineage had achieved the tenth level, stood before him in human form, with violet-gold dragon horns crowning its head and a broad, muscular frame that radiated fierce dominance.

Confused by the request, the little spinosaurus asked, "What for?"

"The Primal Blood now has the power to forge another eleventh level supreme being," Yu Yuan replied, a smile playing on his lips.

The revelation sent a tremor through the little spinosaurus, sparks of fine lightning dancing in its violet-gold eyes.

The shock rippled through the crowd as well.

Could it be that following Yu Yuan's Solar Spirit, a second supreme being was about to ascend using the force of life?

"Hurry now. The Primal Blood is more potent than it once was. Once you rise to the supreme level, you're destined to exceed your forebears. I foresaw this day when I first nurtured you from your egg," Yu Yuan said, his smile broadening.

"Thank you, Father!" the little spinosaurus responded, bowing deeply with a look of profound gratitude that nearly spilled from its eyes.

With a whoosh, he transformed into a streak of violet-gold light and sped towards the underground fissure.

In that moment, it was clear to all present that his loyalty to Yu Yuan surpassed his natural bloodline; he saw Yu Yuan as his true father.

"Yu Yuan, everyone seems to have a shot at becoming a supreme being. What about me? Why not eliminate Green Willow and let me ascend to the supreme being of this sacred way?" the Abyssal Leviathan proposed, feigning benevolence.

Suddenly, a star in the Star River blazed to life.

Yu Yuan looked up in surprise, only to realize it was the Starpierced.

The Starpierced was clearly eager to ascend to the eleventh level. It sought the same Way of Heaven as Ballo, but unfortunately, it hadn't ventured to the Wasteland and missed out on the prime opportunity.

"We can discuss this later. The future may hold new opportunities. After all, beyond the Wasteland and Origin Realm, there are other worlds out there worth our exploration," Yu Yuan casually reassured them, effectively lifting everyone's spirits.

He then turned his attention to Canli, Chen Liangquan, Elena, and the other newcomers.

"Tan Xiaotian has headed to the Wasteland!" Canli announced.

"Don't concern yourself with him. Once Taishi's bloodline reaches the tenth level, I'll take both you and him to the Wasteland," Yu Yuan assured her with a smile. "Rest easy; we'll surely outpace Tan Xiaotian."

Canli breathed easier at his words.

Yu Yuan went on to share with the group his intention to delve into the Secrets of Life left by the Primal Blood in the Abyss of Truth.

His goal was to accelerate his progress, which was why he had come to the Primal Blood Continent. It was the assistance of the underground Primal Blood that enabled him to achieve such rapid advancement.

The group bombarded him with questions about the Wasteland, all of which he answered.

"Hmm!"

All of a sudden, Yu Yuan's brow twitched as if he had detected something, murmuring, "She actually went there."

...

In the Origin Realm, amidst the chaos of the Void's Maelstrom, Arthurs, initially seduced by the "Origin Deity" and later a faithful follower of Pei Yuling, had become the leader of the Voidweavers in a sacred place deep within the myriad streams of spatial light.

Currently, he sat in meditation by the radiant Sacred Lake, purifying his bloodline and refining his soul.

Many of the Voidweaver tribe had already accepted him as one of their own, regarding him as an equal to Rovi.

His veins pulsed not only with the essence of the Voidweaver bloodline but also with the exalted power of the Gods.

Out of a sudden rift, a graceful figure emerged.

Pei Yuling and the Voidweaver elders gazed upon this woman of extreme beauty with expressions of astonishment.

"A messenger of the Gods?"

One of the Voidweaver elders looked towards Pei Yuling, filled with curiosity and doubt.

He was aware that Pei Yuling had once slipped away in secret, apparently to the Everlands.

In the Origin Realm, the Gods, Sky Fiends, and Evil Gods had been hunting the Voidweavers outside the sacred grounds. But ever since Pei Yuling's visit to the Everlands, all the Voidweavers were granted sanctuary.

"I used to want to kill your ancestors, but could never quite manage it. Now, thanks to you, Pei Yuling, I've managed to track you down," the woman said with a cold, mocking tone. "You merged with an essence and became its lackey, which is the only reason the Voidweavers survived. As someone from the Everlands, you've become something neither human nor ghost, which is truly regrettable."

Pei Yuling, who had become a non-human entity after consuming the lifeblood of the Voidweavers, was shaking uncontrollably. "Supreme of the Shadow's Keep!"

This was his first encounter with the Supreme of the Shadow's Keep in human form.

Previously, he wasn't even worthy of meeting Zhiya, and her appearance back then wasn't as effortlessly natural as it was now.

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