C652 Bloodline Hybrid

As night fell, the desert air grew slightly chilly.

Atop a towering sand dune, seven cultivators from the Thunder Sect stood vigil.

Leading them was Qi Jinghai, the same man Yu Yuan had encountered not long before in the courtyard of the Obsidian Thunder Sect.

His six companions looked to him for direction, forming a magic circle that ensnared a group of otherworldly beings, all bearing human shapes.

Bolts of dark green lightning erupted from the weapons and palms of the Thunder Sect cultivators, enveloping each humanoid figure and methodically erasing their souls.

The creatures, torn asunder by the relentless lightning, revealed bones of pure gold as their flesh split apart. Their cries of agony filled the air, and even their blood was a golden fluid.

Qi Jinghai's face was a mask of stoicism, his eyes devoid of any flicker of emotion. At his behest, the humanoid figures were reduced to charred remains, leaving behind only the golden skeletons.

A subtle shift in his consciousness prompted Qi Jinghai to look up, and there he saw the renowned Fallen Star Eyes, crafted from Moon Shards, against the backdrop of the night sky.

"Junior Sister Liu," Qi Jinghai called out softly.

Liu Ying emerged from the Fallen Star Eyes, her eyes sparkling with innocence and clarity. A gentle smile played on her lips as she greeted, "Hello, Senior Brother Qi. Greetings to all the Senior Brothers and Sisters."

Despite the clandestine struggles among the seven lower sects, they maintained a facade of harmony, often addressing one another as siblings in the sect.

"We've encountered some half-breeds," Qi Jinghai remarked, gesturing toward the scorched golden skeletons. "These are remnants of the Golden Bone Tribe from deep within the Star River, left behind in our Everlands. Back when the ancient demons and the Nagas held sway over the earth, their power was insufficient. It's likely that they allowed members of the Golden Bone Tribe to infiltrate the Everlands."

The mention of the ancient demons and the Nagas elicited a sneer from the Thunder Sect cultivators.

Before the human race had discovered how to harness divine force, refine it within the Golden Sanctum's little world, channel vitality into the middle elixir field, and solidify the soul within the mud pellet, the Nagas were the supreme rulers of this realm. They formed an alliance with the archdemons, led by the Dark Phoenix, to safeguard the Everlands.

During that age, the Everlands were far from being the center of the cosmos, and its vast starry expanse was devoid of any renowned powerhouses.

This very vulnerability invited frequent invasions from extraterrestrial threats like the Star-Spawned Terrors. Formidable beings from the Golden Bone Tribe and the Shura could effortlessly shatter the celestial barriers and set foot in this realm.

It was during this tumultuous time that many of the mixed-blood individuals came into existence.

Qi Jinghai was a human, as were the cultivators of the Thunder Sect. They often ridiculed that bygone era, deeming the Everlands of the past as too feeble.

Upon the Fallen Star Eyes, Yu Yuan, now restored to his true form, went unrecognized by Qi Jinghai.

Indeed, during their time at the Obsidian Thunder Sect's courtyard, Yu Yuan had complied with Xie Bin's request to remain indoors, merely observing from a window. Qi Jinghai paid him no mind, considering a minor character from the Obsidian Thunder Sect to be insignificant.

Yet now, as Yu Yuan stood on the Fallen Star Eyes alongside Liu Ying, he discreetly scrutinized Yu Yuan's origins.

"The offspring of the Golden Bone Tribe and humans..." Yu Yuan mused, his eyes narrowing as he observed the golden skeletons left behind after being obliterated by lightning.

The disciples of the Thunder Sect were now meticulously stripping the flesh from the golden skeletons with their finely crafted knives, preserving only the golden bones to store within their Bracelets of Holding.

It seemed that these golden skeletons held some value.

Yu Yuan recalled from his past life that in the present Everlands, there were individuals of mixed heritage with the Otherkin who concealed their identities, living either among the great empires or on secluded islands and remote locations, surviving in their unique ways.

Yet in his former life, he had little interaction with such people, who seldom made their presence known.

They certainly didn't dare to reveal themselves openly.

This was because the upper sects, along with factions like the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, regarded them as tainted. They believed these hybrids could be easily swayed by the Otherkin, potentially aligning themselves against the established orders.

They were seen as a latent threat.

In essence, the native human cultivators and the evilkind of the Everlands harbored little affection for these mixed-blood individuals.

Yu Yuan was taken aback by the sudden emergence of these hybrids from remote corners and hidden places, all converging on the Scarlet Dunes.

Liu Ying had just mentioned that the five greatest sects had made it crystal clear that they were forbidden from setting foot in the Scarlet Dunes. Those who defied the rules and boldly entered would be executed without mercy!

Yet, despite the decree, hybrids like the Terra Fiend and other malevolent creatures continued to flock to the Scarlet Dunes from all directions.

Neither Liu Ying nor Yu Yuan could fathom the reason, but Yu Yuan sensed there was more to the situation than met the eye.

"Liu Ying, I don't recognize this junior brother. Is he a new disciple of your Starmoon Sect?" Qi Jinghai inquired with a seemingly casual air.

The Fallen Star Eyes was Liu Ying's private artifact, and she rarely allowed even her own sect members access, except on special occasions. The appearance of this unfamiliar face within Liu Ying's Fallen Star Eyes piqued Qi Jinghai's curiosity, prompting his question.

With a warm smile, Liu Ying glanced at Yu Yuan, pondering how to introduce him.

"I'm not from the Starmoon Sect. My name is Yu Yuan, from Asvetaesi of the Shadowlight Empire."

Yu Yuan saw no need for pretense or to disguise his identity, especially since it would become apparent when he later met Lin Yue, Kong Banbi, and Zhan Tianxiang. He introduced himself with confidence.

He then moved closer to Liu Ying, standing beside her, their shoulders touching. The proximity suggested an unusual closeness that didn't go unnoticed.

Liu Ying was taken aback. Throughout their acquaintance, she had never seen Yu Yuan deliberately seek such closeness in public. It was she who had extended the olive branch to him in the Forgotten Ruins, inviting him to join her on a venture into the Embers Sea.

What was different about today?

Liu Ying was quietly perplexed, but deep down, she had never been averse to Yu Yuan. So, when he showed affection, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation.

"Yu Yuan!"

"Yu Yuan of Asvetaesi!"

"It's really him!"

Below, the young disciples of the Thunder Sect, having collected the golden skeletons, turned their attention to Yu Yuan, who was now visible within the Fallen Star Eyes floating midair. Their expressions shifted subtly.

Yu Yuan's name had unknowingly resonated throughout the entire Everlands!

Despite his youth, without the backing of a sect or formidable cultivation prowess, he managed to astonish all the disciples of the Thunder Sect who were present.

In this realm, the only one who could achieve such a feat with his status was Yu Yuan!

"Thunder Sect's Qi Jinghai greets Brother Yu."

Qi Jinghai, exuding an air of nobility, simply stated his name and gave a slight bow before cupping his fists towards Yu Yuan, "Your reputation precedes you."

His face remained impassive, his gaze steady, as if nothing could disturb his composure.

Yu Yuan inwardly sneered but maintained a neutral facade. He nodded and replied with a smile, "I've heard of you too—the appointed next master of the Thunder Sect."

While speaking, he nonchalantly took hold of Liu Ying's fair arm and pulled her away from the edge of the Fallen Star Eyes. "Zhao Yafu, Kong Banbi, and I have plans, and since we've exchanged pleasantries, let's not delay any further."

Liu Ying returned the smile and nodded in agreement.

With a graceful turn, she sashayed alongside Yu Yuan towards the Fallen Star Eyes, leaving Qi Jinghai behind. "Brother Qi, we'll meet again another time."

She didn't look back, keeping her back to Qi Jinghai as she spoke.

The Fallen Star Eyes soared upwards abruptly, gliding into the high skies like a swath of silver light.

"Brother Qi?"

A disciple of the Thunder Sect, privy to the undercurrents, hesitated to speak.

Qi Jinghai's eyes lingered on the Fallen Star Eyes until they vanished from sight.

"Let's not forget why we've come to the Scarlet Dunes." Moments later, he regained his composure and instructed the others, "Clear the battlefield and proceed with our search."

...

"Do you realize that Qi Jinghai has feelings for you?"

At the heart of the Fallen Star Eyes, Yu Yuan retrieved a dish of lustrous fruits from the Bracelet of Holding and slid it towards Liu Ying, "These are the ones I promised to cultivate for you two years ago in the Forgotten Ruins."

"Is that so?"

Liu Ying plucked a cluster of amethyst grapes, examining them with squinted eyes and a delighted expression. "They seem even more delectable than the ones I've had before, and they're brimming with even more spiritual energy."

Yu Yuan chuckled. "Of course."

"Planted especially for me?" Liu Ying's eyes curved into crescents with her smile.

"Mhm, I had them planted just for you near the mid-lake island by the Forgotten Ruins," Yu Yuan confirmed with a laugh.

Beaming, Liu Ying popped a grape into her mouth, savoring the burst of sweet juice as her eyes sparkled. She then remarked, "Qi Jinghai is so dull. His affection for me is his concern, not mine. He's overly serious, always calculating—like a little old man. I don't like him."

Yu Yuan watched her swiftly devour a cluster of amethyst grapes and couldn't help but smile.

"What's the matter? How did he upset you?" Liu Ying asked, as she began peeling a vibrant red persimmon. "Using me to provoke him—aren't you worried he'll come after you?"

Her intelligence was as sharp as ice; she could easily see that Yu Yuan's closeness was a ploy to irritate Qi Jinghai.

"Before Qi Jinghai arrived at the Scarlet Dunes, he demanded the Glacial Storm Seal from Xie Bin of the Obsidian Thunder Sect in Afnetalos," Yu Yuan explained, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I was there, disguised. He didn't even notice me—a mere nobody in his eyes."

"You're acquainted with Xie Bin?" Liu Ying exclaimed, surprised.

"Well, we have a bit of a history," Yu Yuan admitted, keeping the details to himself. "I just can't stand Qi Jinghai, so I see no reason to make things easy for him."

"You're full of mischief. With you targeting him, Qi Jinghai's journey to the Scarlet Dunes is likely to be anything but smooth," Liu Ying laughed.

"Liu Ying!"

"Fallen Star Eyes! Save us!"

From below, desperate cries for help rang out.

Yu Yuan looked down to see a group of Cloudwater Sect cultivators encircled by three specters.

The specters wove in and out among them, causing those with weaker powers to collapse, their eyes rolling back in a faint.

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