C705 Disloyalty

In the shadowy expanse of Absence Relic, amidst the enigmatic Spider City, Zhu Peining presided over a chamber adorned with numerous crystal orbs. Her gaze, sharp and vigilant, never strayed from the ever-shifting scenes within the spheres.

These orbs, each a window into the Boundless Land and its myriad enigmatic locales, allowed the Babel Chamber of Commerce's branch leaders to gauge the perils and predict the unfolding of events across the realm.

One particularly large crystal ball cast a reflection of the Desolate Swamp's periphery. Massive demons, their true forms as imposing as mountains, were on the move, converging on the swamp. Some were native to the Desolate Swamp, having dispersed across the world on the Desolate God's previous command. Now, heeding a new summons, they were returning—many from their recent refuge in Absence Relic.

Yet, among them were demons with no prior allegiance to the Demon Palace or the Desolate God, who had nonetheless embarked on the long journey to the swamp.

"Lu Qingyu, Lei Jiao, and Huoluo!" Zhu Peining's eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition crossing her face as she spotted three familiar demons, now in human guise, also making their way to the swamp.

Chiang Yurong, the attending deacon, and Gao Qin stood by her side. Gao Qin's voice broke the silence, "The world is in turmoil. The Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, the Nether Abyss, the Iridescent Cloud Miasma Sea, Horror Land—these extraordinary places are now teeming with Heavenly Demons and foreign invaders. The conflict rages beyond the Boundless Land, among the stars, where the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Demon Palace have yet to secure an advantage."

The Chamber of Commerce, with its profound insight into both internal and external affairs, was acutely aware of the situation's precarious balance. This knowledge had given rise to significant internal divisions.

One faction was convinced that the coalition led by the five supreme sects would emerge victorious. Another contended that the Divine Soul Sect, returning with formidable might from beyond the heavens, would reclaim its prominence in the Boundless Land.

For now, the Chamber's stance was one of cautious observation, offering support to neither side.

Chiang Yurong concurred, "Those three great demons once came to Absence Relic because of Yu Zhu's affiliation with the Demon Palace. But their current exodus to the Desolate Swamp, to seek the Desolate God's protection, speaks volumes. It suggests they no longer wish to be pawns of the Demon Palace, nor to be commanded into battle against the extraterrestrial invaders."

Zhu Peining let out a deep sigh, "The world has never been in such disarray."

As she peered into the crystal ball again, she saw that apart from the Luan Bird Empire, the other empires were still locked in intense battles with no end in sight.

Numerous bizarre and deadly places had emerged, teeming with Earth Demons and ferocious great demons.

The Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, close to Spider City, was overrun with demonic beings. Innumerable malevolent spirits and devils were locked in fierce combat with the formidable sect warriors led by the Primordial Yang Sect.

Ding Ling!

A crisp bell sound emanated from Gao Qin's bracelet. He sent a sliver of his consciousness into it.

Moments later, Gao Qin exclaimed in alarm, "I've just received word from Luan Bird City. Lord Jin Xiaolie shattered his Dharma form and has led them out of the Boundless Land!"

"What?" Chiang Yurong cried out, taken aback.

She had been aware of the anomalies in Luan Bird City, including the encroaching Darkness Dust Mist and the influx of Devaputras and other beings from the Crimson Desert with nefarious plans.

But she could never have imagined such a monumental upheaval in Luan Bird City.

"Chen Liangquan of the Chen family forced the Luan Bird Queen to step down," Gao Qin inhaled sharply, "He was aided by Zu Ann of Ascension Peak and the Green Willow Demon! The Luan Bird Queen realized she had been poisoned and trapped by Chen Liangquan, and with a vulnerability in her Unrestrained Stage, she made the decisive move to withdraw."

Gao Qin recounted the astounding developments that had unfolded in Luan Bird City.

He concluded with an additional note, "Yu Yuan has aligned himself with Zu Ann and Chen Liangquan! Every survivor in Luan Bird City witnessed this before the Luan Bird Queen and Tan Junshan led them to safety!"

"Ah!" Zhu Peining was equally astonished. "Yu Yuan has joined forces with the demons?"

"I don't know," Gao Qin sighed.

"We're in trouble," Chiang Yurong said, her face a portrait of despair.

...

In the Sword Cave of the Heavenly Source Continent, Chen Qingyan was surrounded by sharp, gleaming Spiritual Swords. With focused breathing and a steady flow of Sword Intent, she honed the newly formed Yin God.

She had been commanded to enter seclusion. Amidst the turmoil of the world, she seized the chance to advance to the Yin God Stage and manifest her Yin God.

Currently, she was consolidating her realm, allowing her Yin God to absorb the Sword Intent within the Sword Cave to purify and refine her soul.

Whoosh!

Loong Tianxiao appeared before her, his face etched with complexity, and greeted, "Master."

Chen Qingyan opened her eyes and inquired, "What brings you here?"

"Master, the Luan Bird Empire of your origin has undergone a massive upheaval." Loong Tianxiao, head bowed, detailed the events, revealing that the Luan Bird Queen had ventured across the galaxy, with Chen Liangquan ascending as the new emperor. Yu Yuan, along with Zu Ann, had turned their backs on the Boundless Land.

Chen Qingyan listened in stunned silence, repeatedly murmuring, "How could this happen? Why has it come to this?"

"Master, please be at ease. Your master sent word—you possess no foreign lineage. She scrutinized your bloodline thoroughly when she accepted you as her disciple," Loong Tianxiao reassured her gently, "She advised you to focus on tempering your Yin God and not to dwell on these matters."

"Not dwell on it?" Chen Qingyan, visibly perplexed, shook her head, then resolved, "I must end my seclusion at once!"

...

On the Quietus Continent within the Red Devil Sect, a volcano roared with fierce flames. Yuan Lianyao sat in meditation, her Yin God detached and descending into the fiery maw, drawing in strands of fiery essence to temper her soul.

Swoosh!

Yuan Qiufang emerged unexpectedly, watching his daughter engrossed in her practice, struggling to find the words.

"Father, is something the matter?" Yuan Lianyao asked with a smile that blossomed like a field of flowers, her beauty beyond compare.

"I've received a communique from Lord Faang Yao with some startling news," Yuan Qiufang sighed, steeling himself to speak, "Yu Yuan has forsaken the Boundless Land, allying with the Outland Evil Demon. Zu Ann of Ascension Peak and Chen Liangquan of the Luan Bird Empire have sided with him, slaying numerous sect disciples and elders."

Boom!

Yuan Lianyao's Yin God erupted with a dazzling burst of flame before swiftly retracting into her body.

Her body jolted, and she abruptly stood up. "That's impossible!"

"Many have witnessed it," Yuan Qiufang said with a wry smile. "Before they evacuated Luan Bird City, every elder and young leader from the major sects saw him alongside Zu Ann and Chen Liangquan. They brought with them a host of Heavenly Demons, Outland Evil Demons, hybrids, and Earth Demons, nearly annihilating Luan Bird City!"

"Taoist Qiyu from the Spirit Void Sect and a Yang cultivator from the Thunder Sect both perished there."

"Listen, you need to forget about Yu Yuan. From now on, steer clear of any association with him. If anyone inquires, make it clear that your connection with him wasn't deep," Yuan Qiufang advised with gravity.

"No, no, it can't be true, I don't believe it!" Yuan Lianyao protested vehemently.

...

Meanwhile, on the Quietus Continent.

Deep within a cave draped in cobwebs, a small, newly restored teleportation array suddenly sparked to life, emitting a bright light and pulsating with intense spatial waves.

In a moment, Yu Yuan found himself standing alone at the heart of the array.

"Hello, Young Master Yu, it's good to see you again."

At the edge of the array was a portly old man, whisk in one hand and a wine jug in the other.

Clad in an old robe from the early days of the Babel Chamber of Commerce, his face broke into a welcoming grin. "I've received instructions from Lord Zu Ann to come here specifically to escort you to Horror Land."

This rotund elder was one of the so-called Evil Demons released from the Sword Prison in the Desolate Swamp.

A master of spatial arts, he had once been a distinguished guest of the Chamber, tasked with constructing teleportation arrays for the Babel Chamber of Commerce.

This secret array, once inoperable and dilapidated, was now functional again thanks to his return to the Boundless Land and his expert repairs.

"Ah, it's been a while," Yu Yuan said with a sheepish smile.

"Haha!" The old man's laughter boomed. "President Lyi was right; you've always been one of us, you just didn't realize it. When Lord Zu Ann sent me to fetch you, I wasn't the least bit surprised."

"Let's go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he seized Yu Yuan's arm. "I've got a shortcut that'll take you straight to Horror Land."

With a flick of his horsetail whisk, a spatial passage unfolded before them.

Together, they stepped through.

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