C2281 Tan Xiaotian's Farewell

After the Dragon Slash Platform departed from the Perish Starfield, the High Priest Reid fell into contemplation. He approached the "Road of the Dead," the path that had brought him here, and cast a glowing orb containing the soul of a Darkness Origin Spirit into it.

Invisible to the naked eye, the "Road of the Dead," which had previously eluded even Reid's perception, suddenly echoed with the sound of flowing water. Within Reid's mind, the path materialized as a bridge leading to the Creation Starfield, as though it bore the spiritual essence of countless departed souls. Regrettably, not a single specter traversed this ethereal bridge.

Reid was met with nothing but silence.

Before long, the orb emerged, but the soul it contained was no longer that of the Darkness Origin Spirit. It had transformed into the ghostly visage of Yu Yuan. The previous apparition of the Darkness Origin Spirit had been indistinct, lacking a true face. Reid had discerned only that the spirit was female.

Now, the Yu Yuan within the orb, though still a spectral form, had features that were strikingly distinct. He was almost indistinguishable from the Yu Yuan who had just taken his leave. At first glance, he appeared to be another Yu Yuan.

Reid understood the significance of the ghost's clarity and the implications of Yu Yuan's appearance in this form. With deep respect, he bowed to the soul's image within the orb, remaining silent. Reid was well aware that a mere glance from Yu Yuan would reveal all that had transpired.

Yu Yuan would have seen his arrival with Tan Xiaotian at the Dragon Slash Platform, the release of a soul from the Soul Altar to obliterate the Darkness Origin Spirit, and Tan Xiaotian's departure. There was no need for Reid to offer any explanation.

Abruptly, the black orb shifted to a shade of green-black, and its shadow began to undulate. With a whoosh, the green-black light burst forth, expanding a millionfold into an eye of colossal and terrifying proportions.

Within the depths of this "pupil," billions of ghosts, demons, and spirits swirled chaotically, seemingly drawn by its power, becoming manifestations of its divine might and intent.

Through this celestial, green-black eye, it gazed toward the Desolate Realm. A mysterious soul vibration, targeted specifically at the Desolate Realm, emanated from this immense and fearsome eye. It traversed the vastness of space, unfurling endlessly across the heavens and earth of the Desolate Realm.

After the barrier between realms had vanished, its influence was no longer confined to the Origin Realm. Reid's demeanor grew increasingly reverent as he sensed this power, his heart brimming with awe.

In the Gal Starfield, Yu Yuan and Youyu, both Undead Sovereigns, were suddenly struck by an intense feeling of unease. They turned their gaze toward the Origin Realm in alarm. They both wore somber expressions, sensing as if an eye within the Origin Realm had spotted them.

Whoosh!

The heart stone Youyu clutched, representing the source of the Yin Vein, resembled a writhing, gray earthworm. It was being restrained by a force that sought to extract it from the heart stone. Matina, Luo Yue, and Wagner, akin to phantoms, experienced a muddled consciousness, as though they were responding to a call. The higher echelon of ghosts and gods, as well as the sentient source of the Yin Vein, yearned to break free from the heart stone. However, the Grim River and the Dark Mountain remained unaffected by this summons.

"Cease!"

Youyu grasped the heart stone firmly, wrapping it in his pale divine power, creating a barrier of light that separated it from the outside world.

"It's his power!" Youyu's face was etched with icy resolve.

"I've noticed," Yu Yuan responded, casting a sphere of shimmering green light that enveloped both Yu Yiyi and the Evil Cauldron, safeguarding against any mishaps.

The source of the Yin Vein within the heart stone, along with all the ghosts and gods, settled down under the influence of Youyu's divine power. The still-twitching source of the Yin Vein communicated with Youyu and Yu Yuan, revealing that since the collapse of the Realm of Nightmares, they could no longer detect the essence of the origin soul, and all "Paths of the Undead" were now firmly in the grip of another power.

Beyond the vast expanse of the Origin Realm, the purification and rebirth of souls from alien races and Dark Elfkind were also under the dominion of this new force. The future of the Star Race, Bright Clan, Asura, and Dark Elfkind, and the continuation of their progeny, would all hinge on the whims of this new power. Should it choose otherwise, the extraterrestrial races of the Origin Realm would gradually face extinction.

"The process of his refinement and absorption should be nearing its end." Despite being braced for this confirmation, Youyu still struggled to come to terms with the reality as the source of the Yin Vein affirmed it.

"The master of the Demon Palace should never have shattered the barrier between the realms! Without it, his influence can now spread from the Origin Realm to the Desolate Realm!" Youyu declared icily.

He blamed the Demon Phoenix for disrupting the balance between the realms and for allowing that individual's power to prematurely affect the Desolate Realm.

Yu Yiyi, clutching the Evil Cauldron, looked equally troubled as she echoed, "It's the fault of the Demon Phoenix!"

Just moments before, all the Evil Demons within the cauldrons had felt a call.

She had lost her grip on the Evil Demons and the connection to their souls, rendering her unable to keep them contained.

Thousands of Evil Demons had seemingly become the minions of another being, utterly dominated by that force.

She herself felt disoriented. If not for the protection of Yu Yuan's Undead Sovereign form, she might have been drawn back to the Origin Realm by that beckoning with the Evil Cauldron in tow.

The Evil Demons, forged from the souls of the Boundless Human Race, Earth Demons, and Heavenly Demons, were ultimately unable to elude his grasp.

His display of power this time was a direct assault on the Desolate Realm.

"Only those who have ascended to the Supreme Realm can withstand this surge of soul disturbance. Anyone below Supreme, whose soul has any connection to her, will fall under his control," Yu Yuan stated gravely.

Through his Soul Altar, he had observed the actions of the Great Demon God Beilstein, Lvliu, Barol, and Loong Jie. He realized that these beings, who had achieved supremacy and had their corruption purged by the Death God at the spring, were able to regain their clarity swiftly after a momentary confusion.

However, had Beilstein, Lvliu, Barol, and Loong Jie already been tainted by his corruption, they too might not have escaped unscathed.

The supreme beings he had fashioned in the Creation Pool could have all turned against him in that instant.

This thought sent a shiver down Yu Yuan's spine.

"My true form will arrive shortly."

Noticing the unsettled looks on the faces of Youyu, Yu Yiyi, and Qi Yunhong, he reassured them, "Don't worry. My true form is fully capable of resisting him."

...

Upon entering the Desolate Realm, the Dragon Slash Platform initiated its spatial traversal capabilities, tearing through the fabric of space for rapid teleportation.

"Eh!"

Feeling the disturbance, the Dragon Slash Platform came to an abrupt halt. Yu Yuan turned to gaze towards the Origin Realm, his brow furrowed as he remarked, "It seems he made an appearance after we left."

Tan Xiaotian let out a snort, "I felt it too."

Like the other supreme beings, he was momentarily dazed but remained unaffected by the disturbance.

Yet, he was far from relieved. With a sigh, he admitted, "That was merely a residual wave. If he were truly before me, attempting to corrupt my soul, I doubt I could withstand it."

"Indeed, you're quite self-aware."

Yu Yuan resumed steering the Dragon Slash Platform on their path.

...

"Tan Xiaotian!"

As the Dragon Slash Platform emerged through a void rift above the Creation Pool, Qi Yunhong and Yu Yiyi called out simultaneously.

Youyu cast a glance at Tan Xiaotian, his expression darkening.

"Does this spring lead to the Nether Domain?"

Upon his arrival, Tan Xiaotian's attention was immediately drawn to the Death Spring. He inquired with curiosity, "Have Zhong Chichen and Arthurs manifested here before?"

He had been briefed on the situation by Lin Daoke and Yu Yuan before his arrival.

"Yes."

Yu Yuan responded, then beckoned Canli and Taishi out from the Dragon Slash Platform.

"Creation Peak, I know it's in there!"

Unable to contain her eagerness, Canli soared towards Creation Peak to seek an audience with the Light Origin Spirit.

She had journeyed from the Cold Domain, yearning for the Light Origin Spirit's favor, that of an Eleventh Level Supreme Being.

Taishi followed without any reservations, gracefully descending onto Creation Peak. As his feet touched solid ground, he marveled, "This is truly the divine land meant for me!"

Upon setting foot on Creation Peak, Taishi was enveloped by the unparalleled essence of Mother Earth, permeating the entire mountain.

He realized that his ascension to Supreme Being would be impossible without Creation Peak and the Mother Earth residing within.

"What's the reason for bringing Tan Xiaotian here?"

Youyu's displeasure was evident. He eyed Tan Xiaotian, who had approached the spring's edge, and frowned, "He's supposed to be in the Origin Realm. His intentions are impure, and I fear he's here to cause trouble."

Back in the Boundless Human Race's domain, Youyu had avenged himself by slaying Zhu Zhen, a titan of the Devil Palace, dealing a significant blow to the palace by eliminating one of its highest beings.

At that time, Tan Xiaotian had just returned from his battles beyond the skies. Upon his return, he immediately clashed fiercely with Youyu, who had transformed into a ghostly deity. Ultimately, both were cast down into the Heaven Opening Flare Star within the Gray Domain, and Tan Xiaotian was subsequently imprisoned for an extended period by Arthurs.

The two had become sworn enemies, each a thorn in the other's side, constantly seeking to establish dominance over one another. Although Tan Xiaotian had ascended to supreme status, Youyu was no less formidable. With the aid of the Origin Soul, he too had risen to become an Undead Sovereign. Their equal standing only made conflicts between them more frequent.

Suddenly, the Light Star, which had been within Creation Peak, burst forth, fixating on Tan Xiaotian like a vigilant eye to prevent any reckless actions.

Inside the Light Star, a figure spoke to Canli, "I will help you ascend to supreme mastery!" Overwhelmed with gratitude, Canli eagerly expressed her thanks. She could hardly believe that she might so easily reach the exalted state that Cadorath, the former clan leader, had sought his entire life. Prepared for this moment, Canli and the star plummeted together.

Creation Peak trembled subtly. The celestial bodies of the remote Ashes Starfield, as well as the sun, moon, and stars of the neighboring Starfields, seemed to be stirred by Creation Peak's sudden brilliance.

This was a clear caution to Tan Xiaotian.

"What nonsense," Tan Xiaotian muttered dismissively, his focus unwavering on the Death Spring.

"He's had a falling out with the Darkness Origin Spirit," Yu Yuan offered, clarifying the situation for the Light Origin Spirit within Creation Peak. Turning his thoughts inward, he addressed Mother Earth, "Assist Taishi in achieving supreme status."

Almost immediately, Mother Earth conveyed a message confirming that Taishi could also advance within the Myriad Spirit Restriction.

"First, help him reach supreme status and imprint upon him the earth powers you've mastered. Afterwards, I'll have him assimilate another essence of earth energy and its laws from within the Myriad Spirit Restriction," Yu Yuan responded.

The Abyss Origin Soul emanated ripples throughout the Origin Realm, influencing both Youyu and himself. Now he had to proceed with caution, not daring to hastily cast Taishi into the Myriad Spirit Restriction.

Upon his return, he had bypassed the true Myriad Spirit Restriction of the Cold Abyss, sensing that something was amiss.

He had this gut feeling that while reaching the Cold Domain might be straightforward, entering the absolute darkness of the Cold Abyss and navigating through the Myriad Spirit Restriction beneath to reach the Myriad Spirit Restriction within the Creation Pool might not go as smoothly as planned.

Through the Demon Phoenix, he discovered that the Primordial Spirit of the Boundless Human Race and the Yin God had successfully merged, indicating that someone had successfully refined the Origin Soul.

He needed to get back to the Creation Pool to refine the piece of five-colored flesh. Moreover, he required more time to fully grasp the essence of life.

Realizing he was already behind, he decided against taking further risks. Opting for a longer route, he inadvertently ended up saving Tan Xiaotian.

"Yu Yuan, until we meet again."

"I can't refine the Darkness Origin Spirit under His watchful eye. Once the Darkness Origin Spirit is free and has His assistance, I will lose all hope."

"Therefore, my only option is to try my luck in another world."

With a wave of his hand, Tan Xiaotian bid farewell solely to Yu Yuan and then propelled himself toward the Death Spring.

He made the proactive decision to venture into the Nether Domain on his own.

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