C2281 Tan Xiaotian's Farewell
After the departure of the Dragon Slaying Stage, the Stellar Oblivion lay silent and vast. High Priest Reid, deep in thought, approached the Path of Undead that had brought him to this place. With a deliberate motion, he cast a glowing orb containing a Dark Anima phantom into the Path of Undead.
Invisible to the naked eye, the Path of Undead, which had previously eluded even Reid's perception, suddenly echoed with the sound of rushing water. It began to materialize in Reid's mind, transforming into a bridge leading straight to the Genesisverse, as if it were the spiritual resting place for the souls of countless ghosts and spirits. Regrettably, not a single ghostly figure traversed this bridge of the afterlife; Reid was met with nothing but stillness.
Before long, the orb emerged, but the wraith within was no longer a Dark Anima. It had assumed the form of a phantom resembling Yu Yuan. The Dark Anima's previous manifestation had been indistinct, lacking any true visage, and Reid could only discern that it was female. Now, the phantom of Yu Yuan within the orb, though still a spirited body, bore strikingly clear features, nearly indistinguishable from the Yu Yuan who had just departed. At first glance, it appeared to be yet another Yu Yuan.
Reid understood the significance of the ghost's clarity and was acutely aware of what it meant for Yu Yuan to manifest in this form. Therefore, he offered a reverent bow to the image of Yu Yuan within the orb, yet he remained silent. Reid was certain that a mere glance from this entity would reveal all that had transpired.
Yu Yuan's arrival at the Dragon Slaying Stage, the release of a soul from the Soul Altar to obliterate the Dark Anima, and Tan Xiaotian's departure—all were events that Yu Yuan could perceive without need for explanation.
Suddenly, the black orb shifted to a shade of green-black, and the wraith within began to stir. With a whoosh, the orb expanded a millionfold, transforming into an eye of immense and terrifying proportions. Within the depths of this pupil, billions of phantoms, ghosts, and demons seemed to be drawn by its power, becoming manifestations of its divine strength and will.
Gazing through this colossal, star-like green-black eye, Yu Yuan's focus turned toward the Wasteland. A mysterious soul vibration, targeted specifically at the Wasteland, emanated from this immense and fearsome eye, traversing the vastness of space to spread unceasingly across the heavens and earth of the Wasteland.
Without the barrier, His influence was no longer confined to the Origin Realm. Sensing this power, Reid's demeanor grew increasingly reverent, his heart awash with awe.
...
In the Creitecesh.
Yu Yuan and Youyu, both Undead Sovereigns, were suddenly struck by an intense sense of unease, and they turned their gaze towards the Origin Realm in alarm.
Their expressions were grave as they felt as though an eye from the Origin Realm had spotted them.
Whoosh!
The soul stone Youyu wielded, representing the Root of the Lunar Meridian, twisted like a sinuous, gray earthworm. It was being restrained by a force trying to extract it from the soul stone.
Matina, Razses, Luo Yue, and Wagner, akin to Gods of Ghosts, were muddled in consciousness within the soul stone, as if they could hear a summons.
The higher echelon of Gods of Ghosts, along with the conscious Root of the Lunar Meridian, yearned to break free from the soul stone.
However, the Levi River and the Shadow Mountains remained unaffected by this call.
"Steady!"
Youyu gripped the soul stone with both hands, wrapping it in his pale divine power to create a barrier of light, sealing it off from the outside world.
"It's His power!"
Youyu's face was etched with an icy resolve.
"I've noticed."
Yu Yuan responded, casting a sphere of emerald glow that enveloped the Crucible of Evil and Yu Yiyi, safeguarding them from any mishaps.
The Root of the Lunar Meridian within the soul stone, along with all the Gods of Ghosts, were pacified by Youyu's divine power.
The still writhing Root of the Lunar Meridian communicated with Youyu and Yu Yuan, informing them that after the Wraithlands had shattered, they could no longer detect the scent of Primal Vitality, and all Paths of Undead were now firmly in the grip of another power.
Beyond the vastness of the Origin Realm, the cleansing and rebirth of extraterrestrial Otherkin souls were also dominated by this new force.
The emergence of the Starborn, Dawnbringers, Shura, and Shadowkin, and the continuity of their progeny, would all hinge on the whims of this new power.
Should He be disinclined, the Otherkin of the Origin Realm would gradually perish.
"His process of refinement and absorption must be nearing its conclusion."
Despite being mentally braced for it, Youyu still struggled to accept the confirmation from the Root of the Lunar Meridian.
"The one from Shadow's Keep should never have shattered the barrier between the realms! Without the wall, his influence could seep from the Origin Realm into the Wasteland!" Youyu declared icily.
He held the Dark Phoenix responsible for disrupting the balance between the realms, allowing that individual's power to encroach upon the Wasteland too soon.
Yu Yiyi, clutching the Crucible of Evil, looked equally troubled as she chimed in, "It's all the Dark Phoenix's fault!"
Just moments ago, every Bane within the crucibles sensed a call.
She had lost control over the Bane; the connection to their souls severed, leaving her unable to keep them contained.
The legions of Bane had suddenly become minions of another entity, utterly dominated by that force.
She herself felt a wave of dizziness. Had it not been for the care from Yu Yuan's "Undead Sovereign" form, she might have been drawn back to the Origin Realm by that call, Crucible of Evil in tow.
The Bane, crafted from the souls of the Everlanders, Terra Fiends, Sky Fiends, and ghosts, were ultimately unable to evade His grasp.
His display of power this time was a direct assault on the Wasteland.
"Only those who have ascended to Sovereignty can withstand this disturbance of the soul. Anyone below that rank, whose soul is linked to hers, will be subject to His control," Yu Yuan stated gravely.
Through his "Soul Altar," he observed the actions of the supreme beings like Bertain, Green Willow, Ballo, and Loong Jie. He noted that these individuals, cleansed by the Death God at the spring, swiftly regained their composure after an initial moment of confusion.
However, had Bertain, Green Willow, Ballo, and Loong Jie been harboring His taint within them at that time, it's likely they would not have escaped unscathed.
The sovereigns he had fashioned in the Wellspring of Creation might have all turned against him in that fleeting instant.
This realization sent a shiver of dread through Yu Yuan.
"My real body will arrive shortly."
Seeing the unsettled looks on Youyu, Yu Yiyi, and Qi Yunhong's faces, he offered reassurance, "Don't worry. My real body can fully withstand him."
...
Upon entering the Wasteland, the Dragon Slaying Stage activated its teleportation ability, tearing through space with rapid successions of jumps.
"Huh!"
Feeling the disturbance, the Dragon Slaying Stage abruptly halted. Yu Yuan turned to look toward the Origin Realm, his brow furrowed, "It seems he appeared after we left."
Tan Xiaotian grunted, "I noticed it too."
Like the other supreme beings, he was momentarily disoriented but then became immune to the disturbance.
Yet, he wasn't relieved. Sighing, he admitted, "That was merely a ripple. If he were truly before me, attempting to corrupt my soul, I doubt I could withstand it."
"Ah, you're quite self-aware."
Yu Yuan resumed guiding the Dragon Slaying Stage on their path.
...
"Tan Xiaotian!"
As the Dragon Slaying Stage emerged through a void crack above the Wellspring of Creation, Qi Yunhong and Yu Yiyi called out together.
Youyu cast a dark look at Tan Xiaotian.
"Does this spring lead directly to the Underworld?"
Tan Xiaotian, upon arrival, was immediately intrigued by the Spring of Death. He inquired, "Have Zhong Chichen and Arthurs manifested here?"
He had been briefed on the situation in the Primal Blood Continent by Lin Daoke and Yu Yuan prior to their arrival.
"Yes."
Yu Yuan responded, then beckoned Canli and Taishi out of the Dragon Slaying Stage.
"The Peak of Creation, I'm certain it's within!"
Eager to meet the Light Spirit, Canli swiftly flew from the Dragon Slaying Stage toward the Peak of Creation.
She had journeyed from the Frostlands seeking the favor of the Light Spirit, a sovereign of the eleventh level.
Taishi followed without delay, gracefully alighting on the Peak of Creation. Setting foot on solid ground, he marveled, "This place is indeed the perfect sanctuary for me!"
As soon as he touched down, Taishi felt an unparalleled surge of the earth's energy permeating the entire mountain.
He realized that his ascension to supremacy was inextricably linked to the Peak of Creation and the presence of Mother Earth within.
"Why have you summoned Tan Xiaotian here?"
Youyu's displeasure was evident as he gazed at Tan Xiaotian, who had approached the edge of the spring. With a furrowed brow, he remarked, "He ought to be in the Origin Realm. His intentions are impure, and I fear he may cause trouble."
Back in the Everlands, Youyu had sought vengeance by slaying Zhu Zhenlin, a towering figure in the Devil Palace, resulting in the loss of a paramount being for the palace.
At that time, Tan Xiaotian was away, waging battles in extraterrestrial realms.
Upon his return, Tan Xiaotian clashed violently with Youyu, who had by then become a God of Ghosts.
Eventually, both found themselves plummeting into the Eiwrone within the Ashlands, with Tan Xiaotian enduring a lengthy imprisonment by Arthurs.
The two were sworn enemies, each despising the other, each eager to emerge as the definitive victor.
Though Tan Xiaotian had achieved Sovereignty, Youyu was no less formidable. With the aid of Primal Vitality, he too had risen to become an Undead Sovereign. Their evenly matched powers only made conflicts between them more likely.
With a whoosh, the Star of Light, previously within the Peak of Creation, burst forth, fixating on Tan Xiaotian as if with an unblinking eye, ready to thwart any mischief.
The visage within the Star of Light spoke to Canli, "I will assist you in ascending to Sovereignty!"
Canli was ecstatic, expressing her gratitude profusely.
She had never imagined that she could so effortlessly reach the exalted realm that the former patriarch, Cardo, had sought his entire life. Prepared for this moment, Canli and the celestial body descended together.
The Peak of Creation trembled subtly.
The distant Embers Star, along with the nearby sun, moon, and stars, seemed to shift at the Peak's behest, which suddenly blazed with brilliance.
This was clearly a signal to Tan Xiaotian.
"What nonsense."
Tan Xiaotian turned a blind eye, his focus unwavering on the Spring of Death as he muttered under his breath.
"He's had a falling out with the Dark Anima."
Yu Yuan offered a brief explanation to the Light Spirit within the Peak of Creation. Then, with a decisive thought, he addressed Mother Earth, "You will aid Taishi in achieving his Sovereignty."
In the next moment, Mother Earth conveyed a message to him, revealing that Taishi could ascend even within the confines of the All Spirits Ban.
"First, assist him in becoming a supreme being by imprinting upon him the earthly power you've grasped. Afterward, I'll allow him to assimilate the additional earthly essence and the rules contained within the All Spirits Ban," Yu Yuan responded.
The Primal Soul of the Abyss sent out ripples through the Origin Realm, affecting both Youyu and himself. He now had to proceed with caution, hesitant to recklessly cast Taishi into the All Spirits Ban.
His return this time had been without passing through the All Spirits Ban in the Abyss of Truth, and he sensed that something was amiss.
He had this inkling that while reaching the Frostlands might be straightforward, transitioning from the Wintermaw into the absolute darkness below, and using the All Spirits Ban to access the Wellspring of Creation, might not go as smoothly as anticipated.
Through the insights of Dark Phoenix and Zhiya, he learned that the Primordial Spirit and Lunar Spirit of the Everlands' Gods had successfully fused, indicating that the individual had mastered the Primal Vitality.
He needed to make his way back to the Wellspring of Creation to refine the colorful flesh. Additionally, he required more time to fully unravel the Secrets of Life.
Already lagging behind, he was unwilling to gamble further. Therefore, he chose a longer path, which serendipitously led to Tan Xiaotian's rescue.
"Yu Yuan, until we meet again."
"I'm unable to refine the Dark Anima under His scrutiny. Once the Dark Anima acts, with His intervention, all hope will be lost for me."
"Hence, my only option is to take a chance in another world."
Tan Xiaotian waved, bidding farewell solely to Yu Yuan, and then shot towards the Spring of Death.
He made the decision to venture into the Underworld on his own initiative.
