C664 I Want More!!

"Fallen Star Eyes! Liu Ying!"

The desperate cries for help echoed not from the Sword Sect disciples below but from another direction.

Perched on the edge of a meteorite, Yu Yuan, gazing into the distance, spotted over a dozen Winter's Bite disciples under assault from rocks glowing red-hot.

These rocks moved like animated slabs, pulsating with a unique rhythm.

The fiery red stones seemed sentient, sporadically scattering and then merging, wielding their formidable force and blazing flame energy to inflict excruciating pain on the Winter's Bite disciples.

Those practicing the Cold Spirit Spell were repeatedly struck by the scorching rocks, their bones shattering almost instantly as the blazing flame energy seared through them.

Innately attuned to the cold, the disciples felt as though they were being fried alive once the searing energy invaded their bodies, the agony so intense they longed for death.

Before long, some could no longer endure, succumbing to death right there.

Underneath the barrage of rocks, tumbling across the ground and through the air, stood another figure, a man from the Otherkin clad in red fur, his body beneath resembling dark red stone.

This Otherkin was slightly shorter but more robust, his face devoid of fur but etched with red stone patterns.

He appeared to be the puppeteer behind the relentless rocks hunting down the Winter's Bite disciples.

Meanwhile, the golden-furred Otherkin, encircled by Kong Banbi and the Sword Sect disciples within a sword circle, remained composed, as if biding his time.

His plan was clear: eliminate the Winter's Bite disciples first, then join forces to obliterate Kong Banbi and his Sword Sect companions.

"Liu Ying! Save us!"

"Take us with you!"

Pursued relentlessly by the dark red stones, the Winter's Bite disciples, upon spotting the Fallen Star Eyes in the distant sky, screamed frantically for salvation, racing towards hope.

"They hail from the Stoneborn Clan, beyond the Star River. The Stoneborn aren't among the mightiest races of the first level extraterrestrial beings. It's said that these rugged Otherkin, upon entering the Everlands, can draw upon the essence of mountains and rivers to fortify themselves," Liu Ying whispered, sharing her knowledge. "My master told me that the Stoneborn's arrival in our realm could wreak havoc on our mountains and rivers."

"The Stoneborn," Yu Yuan murmured under his breath.

Zu Ann was at the pinnacle of merging with the Dao in the Everlands, specifically at Skyreach Peak. This peak was part of the highest mountain range in this world.

He had reached the Unbound Stage of Dao Integration. While he referred to Skyreach Peak, he was actually referring to the entire mountain range.

Perhaps that's why his real body was stationed in the Star River of the extraterrestrial realms, guarding a fortress to prevent the Stoneborn from crossing a critical threshold into the Everlands.

It was likely because Zu Ann had the power to suppress the leader of the Stoneborn.

Now, pure members of the Stoneborn had appeared in this realm, and not just one. With Zu Ann deep underground, did this mean he had truly forsaken the Everlands?

Zu Ann was his closest friend. The Untamed deity of the Marsh had aided him, allowing him to slip away under the watchful eyes of the five supreme beings.

Yu Zhu, under his guidance, had become the ruler of the Forgotten Ruins and was destined to ascend as a Dark Deity there.

Which side should he take?

Contemplating this, Yu Yuan felt a headache brewing. He was uncertain about his future path.

In that moment, Liu Ying's brow furrowed slightly. Displeased with Winter's Bite, she sought Yu Yuan's advice, "What do we do?"

Yu Yuan glanced at Kong Banbi, who was directing his disciples, and after a brief hesitation, he suggested, "Let's hold off for a bit."

He believed that Kong Banbi hadn't yet exhausted his full strength and could hold out a little longer.

"Mm, I'm not fond of those from Winter's Bite either. Let them fend for themselves." Liu Ying agreed with Yu Yuan's decision. With a mere thought, the Fallen Star Eyes dashed across the sky, disappearing like a flash of lightning.

"Liu Ying!"

The calls from the Winter's Bite disciples turned into jeers, fading until they were no longer audible.

Shortly thereafter, Liu Ying, navigating on the Fallen Star Eyes, located Zhao Yafu, Zhan Tianxiang, and the envoys from Shadow's Keep.

Zhao Yafu was a picture of sorrow, squatting beside a white tiger that had shown its true monstrous form. She stared at the tiger's body, crisscrossed with dense, bloody wounds, appearing utterly distraught.

The Fallen Star Eyes came to a halt, and Yu Yuan descended swiftly.

"Yu Yuan!"

Zhan Tianxiang's midsection still bore the marks of recent battle. "How did you find me? Yu Yuan, something's off with the Scarlet Dunes. You should get Liu Ying from the Starmoon Sect to take you away quickly. You're not bound by any sect, nor do you owe any loyalty to Shadow's Keep. It's best you head back to the Forgotten Ruins!"

Zhao Yafu, hearing the commotion, looked up to see that it was indeed Yu Yuan. She managed a weak smile and, gesturing to the lifeless white tiger, said, "Our guide to the Scarlet Dunes was slain by a spirit crane. I've heard from the Shadow's Keep that the crane's tribe had long forsaken them."

"Brother Yu, he's right. You don't belong to Shadow's Keep, and with the Scarlet Dunes becoming dangerous, you should leave at once."

Liu Ying observed them from above, her expression peculiar.

Yu Yuan had rushed over intending to urge Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu to make a quick departure, but before he could speak, they were the ones advising him to withdraw.

Yu Yuan had assumed they were unaware of the perilous state of the Scarlet Dunes and feared they might act rashly.

It was now clear that many were aware that something was amiss in the Scarlet Dunes.

"A spirit crane..."

In an instant, Yu Yuan recalled the graceful white crane from the Embers Sea, and the Crane Rider who played the flute. The white crane and Lord Dusk Raven appeared to be sworn enemies.

Here in the Scarlet Dunes, a white crane that had once been part of Shadow's Keep but had since renounced its allegiance had slain a descendant of the Moonfang Tiger. It seemed to be systematically attempting to eliminate the members of Shadow's Keep.

What deep-seated grudge did this white crane hold against Shadow's Keep?

"It's not the same crane from the Embers Sea. If it were, they would all be dead by now," Liu Ying murmured from above the Fallen Star Eyes. "They're from the same tribe, but not the same individual."

Yu Yuan nodded, his gaze lingering on the Shadow's Keep kin before him as he mulled over the situation.

Liu Ying spoke up once more, "My Fallen Star Eyes can't transport everyone from Shadow's Keep. If I did, I'd have a hard time explaining it to my sect. If they find out I rescued people from Shadow's Keep instead of our own, I'll be in quite a predicament."

"Yu Yuan! We won't be separated. I'll lead them across the Scarlet Dunes!"

At that moment, Zhan Tianxiang stepped forward, taking on the responsibility. "Before entering the desert, I made a vow to my master that I wouldn't let him down!"

"Big Brother Yu, we will leave, but together," Zhao Yafu said earnestly. "You don't need to worry about us; you can go ahead. I know you have the Fallen Star Eyes and the Crucible of Evil."

"Perhaps we should leave first?" Liu Ying suggested quietly.

The scene she had witnessed underground revealed a stark reality—the Evil Devils and Mutated Beasts swarming around Zu Ann held an overwhelming advantage over the surface sect disciples.

Given Zu Ann's status, realm, and power, he disdained to act personally.

If he had acted, all the sect disciples who had come to the Scarlet Dunes would have perished long ago.

Not to mention him, if the Evil Devils and Alien Souls underground were to burst forth, everyone who came to the Scarlet Dunes to 'dispel evil' would perish.

And they would perish swiftly.

Yet, the Sky Fiend and Alien Souls below, traitors to the Shadow's Keep, seemed in no rush.

A chilling realization dawned on Liu Ying, sending a shiver down her spine.

The obedient evil souls, devils, and spirits under Zu Ann's command hadn't emerged in one fell swoop to slaughter those above ground. Instead, they were gradually amassing power.

They seemed to be biding their time, waiting for increasingly powerful elders and counselors from the sects to arrive.

Then, they would leisurely consume each newcomer, one by one.

Their ambition was insatiable!

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