C2384 The Reappearance of Tan Xiaotian

Gazing upon the barren world, Yu Yuan's expression was as dark as the still waters. His Solar Spirit Body, having awakened, could not discern what the Primal Soul had done while time and space were frozen. He was uncertain whether the Primal Soul had removed all visible matter or had extinguished it on the spot. The trace of the Primal Soul's existence eluded him.

Lost in thought within the void, he suddenly returned to the Genesis Nebula on the outer rim, once again engulfed by a vast sea of energy. His Divine Sense and life essence frantically spread in every direction, desperately seeking any sign of life. Yet, despite the reach of his soul and life essence, not a single living creature could be found. The movements of the Primal Anima were no longer detectable to him.

Supreme beings like Yuan Lianyao and Loong Jie possessed powerful magnetic fields, while the Primal Anima, though incorporeal, had a dense spiritual sense. Nevertheless, his extended senses failed to locate the Primal Anima or the supreme beings. The world had fallen into a profound silence, with only the boundless energy and the barely discernible rules of existence remaining. He found no one with whom to communicate.

His concerns for Zhong Chichen, Taishi, Loong Jie, and Yuan Lianyao grew, and he feared for the safety of Heesters and Youyu. Thus, his Solar Spirit Body continued its relentless search throughout the Genesis Nebula, hoping to find them. Meanwhile, his real body sat in meditation on the Dragon Slaying Stage, positioned between the colossal five-colored flesh and his Solar Spirit.

He watched over both ends, the two active bodies, vigilant for any sign of anomaly.

...

Deep within the infinite void, the Peak of Creation, which had been soaring through the cosmos, came to a halt once more. Within the belly of the towering peak, a radiant girl with pristine white wings emerged silently from a smooth, luminous rock face.

She was the embodiment of the Light Spirit. Having formed her spirited body, she gazed forward with a complex look in her eyes. Her lips were tightly drawn, her exquisite face etched with concern. This being, having grown increasingly powerful through a series of extraordinary encounters and now surpassing Mother Earth, the Tree of Life, and the Thunder, remained alert and conscious at the call of the Spirit of Creation.

The spiritual senses of the other three Primal Animas were all muddled, clearly indicating they were in a state of confusion.

The Light Spirit's soul emerged, its demeanor alone a testament to its immense power.

"Yu Yuan, the soul that was outside has vanished from my perception."

She didn't glance at the Wellspring of Creation or at Yu Yuan's Undead Sovereign body. Instead, her gaze was fixed on the vibrantly colored, jade-like body that soared alongside the Peak of Creation.

She revered the mighty and adored powers far greater than her own.

To her, the colossal Yu Yuan was an awe-inspiring and terrifying presence.

"Can you locate my soul? My spirited body within the golden cape has already overpowered the Spirit of Fate. I was meant to refine that small Primal Beast." She spoke to Yu Yuan in a soft voice, taking the form of a young girl with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan, with his vast body, slowly opened his eyes.

His pupils released a captivating divine light as he locked eyes with the Light Spirit, who was preserving its spiritual self within the Peak of Creation, and bellowed, "Have you been awake this whole time?"

Yu Yuan's resonant voice thundered through the void, causing endless tremors.

The Great Demon God Bertain, Lin Daoke, the God of Oblivion, the Death God, and the Secular Bird Queen were all jolted awake, their puzzled gazes settling on him and the phantom of the Light Spirit.

The Light Spirit instantly showed a look of fear and, after a brief hesitation, gave a slight nod.

It promptly confessed to Yu Yuan that as soon as the star, imbued with space magic, had stepped forth and "Stephanie" had just touched the Land of Nothingness, it had felt a connection to its soul through the root of the Peak of Creation.

It was a connection similar to that between Yu Yuan's real body and the Solar Spirit, Zhiya, and the Primal Beast.

Yet, while at the Peak of Creation, it had not taken a stance, feigning ignorance like Mother Earth, the Tree of Life, and the Thunder Spirit, pretending to be lost and adrift.

Yu Yuan, now awake, continued to act as if he were asleep, as if unaware of the soul's actions.

"I'm sorry, I can't make a decision right away."

Seeing Yu Yuan's icy stare, he quickly offered a sincere apology, "The Spirit of Fate, Primal Soul, Spirit of Creation, and you – you're all too formidable. I dare not provoke any of you. I don't wish to declare my allegiance prematurely; I simply want to survive."

"However, I meant it when I said that if I were to refine the little Primal Beast, I would stand by my oath to you!" he explained anxiously.

His survival to this day was due to his habit of yielding to those stronger than himself, never stubbornly resisting when faced with a far superior force.

Back in the seventh level of the Abyss, he had capitulated to Yu Yuan's overwhelming power, which is how he managed to save his life.

He had also witnessed the shattering demise of Mother Earth and the extinction of other Primal Animas. Hence, his ingrained belief was to never reveal his stance until absolutely necessary.

He would align himself with whoever was strongest, whoever emerged victorious in the end.

"What happened? He wants to refine the little Primal Beast too?"

Bertain's face took on a hint of concern as he listened to the exchange between the Light Spirit and Yu Yuan, and then observed the grave expression on Yu Yuan's Undead Sovereign body.

Yu Yuan stated, "The Primal Soul triumphed in the battle, while we were utterly defeated."

"The Primal Soul?"

"He joined the battle too?"

"My goodness, has he finally made his presence known?"

Harris, Kurkova, and Chen Qinghuang exclaimed in astonishment, each revealing a look of awe towards the Primal Soul.

Only those who had ventured into the Origin Realm and encountered the Primal Soul firsthand knew the true extent of its terror, emerging from the Abyss.

"He has taken control of the Spirit of Time and the Spirit of Space, and he also commands Yuan Lianyao, Loong Jie, Ballo, and others."

With the situation as it was, Yu Yuan disclosed the outcome of the other battle to Bertain, Lin Daoke, the two deities from the Otherworld, as well as Chen Qinghuang and Ji Ningshuang.

Upon learning the outcome, everyone was speechless for a long while.

Even the mighty Spirit of Fate, a being capable of toying with the lives of beings across thirty-six Otherworld realms, had met such a fate.

With the allegiance of supreme beings like Yuan Lianyao, Loong Jie, and Ballo, he had seized everything at an opportune moment.

How could they possibly contend with such a being in the future?

Their hearts heavy with bitterness, they all sensed that the journey ahead would be incredibly challenging in the face of the formidable Primal Soul.

"The last thing I heard was that I will meet him in the Land of Origin."

Yu Yuan addressed the Light Spirit with his massive, multicolored form. "Continue to act as if you're one of them until we reach the Land of Origin," he instructed.

"I didn't intend to deceive you."

The Light Spirit attempted to offer further explanation but stopped upon noticing Yu Yuan's colossal form had already closed its eyes.

He sighed softly and chose to say no more, his soul vanishing into the mountain.

"The Land of Origin?"

The old demon pondered to himself, gazing toward the direction of the Peak of Creation. "It seems we're destined to converge at the end. I can only hope that by then, we'll stand a chance rather than facing utter defeat."

"It's unlikely."

The two deities from the Otherworld exhaled in resignation, seemingly devoid of hope.

The old demon's eyes rested on the massive, colorful form below, sensing the vast divine power within. "Perhaps a miracle is possible," he murmured.

The Peak of Creation howled once more.

After a fruitless search in the outer reaches of the Genesis Nebula, Yu Yuan found nothing.

"It seems I have no choice but to seek answers in the Land of Origin."

With no other options, his Solar Spirit Body re-entered the boundless void, drawn by the connection to his real body.

His original form remained in place, awaiting the Solar Spirit's return so they could journey together to the Land of Origin.

In the void's expanse, where no landmarks exist, both the Peak of Creation and Yu Yuan's immense, vibrant form drifted for an indeterminate time.

Then, unexpectedly, a figure no one anticipated materialized before the Peak of Creation.

Seated upon an Ebon Meditation Mat, he floated in the nothingness, his gaze sweeping past the Peak of Creation as he greeted them with a grin, "Folks, it's been a while!"

"Tan Xiaotian!"

Bertain burst forth from the Wellspring of Creation, clad in a deep crimson cape, clutching his Dragon Bone Staff, and exclaimed, "You scoundrel! How did you manage to reach this place after venturing into the Otherworld?"

Lin Daoke and Chen Qinghuang also looked on in astonishment.

Tan Xiaotian, ever in pursuit of the ultimate darkness, had boldly set forth into the Otherworld after finding no path forward in the Abyss, Origin Realm, or Wasteland.

He made this choice because the Dark Anima was significantly less powerful than the Light Spirit. Once Canli ascended to the rank of Supreme, he would stand no chance against her, the Supreme of Light. The Dark Anima is forever bound to the Primal Soul, and he lacked the power to cross the Abyss's Primal Soul and refine the Dark Anima.

Tan Xiaotian, having exhausted all his ideas without finding a solution, ventured into the Otherworld. "I'm quite surprised you all managed to find this place," he said. Amidst the collective astonishment, Tan Xiaotian let out a hearty laugh. When his laughter subsided, his black eyes were filled with an icy intensity. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a swath of darkness that halted the Peak of Creation in its tracks.

"Primal Anima cannot be trusted. They are all alien to us, and we, beings of flesh and blood, can never live in harmony with them," Tan Xiaotian declared with a chilling tone.

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