C909 A Grand Gathering!

A white robe billowed in the void.

The former president of the Skyreach Consortium, with his striking golden eyes, swung his bare arms through the air, his skin pulsing with countless fine, golden streaks like lightning.

Brand-new, majestic palaces sprang from the earth, dotting the landscape across valleys and mountaintops.

Many, clad in the robes of the Skyreach Consortium and sporting golden eye emblems, greeted newcomers with beaming smiles in front of these palaces.

These individuals were the fresh faces of the Skyreach Consortium, and among them were Otherkin!

President Lyi had welcomed the Otherkin, incorporating them into the ranks of the new consortium.

Sky Fiends, Starborn, Shadowkin, Shura, Dawnbringers, Stoneborn, enchantresses, and members of the Silverscale Tribe, along with many other Otherkin races unfamiliar to Yu Yuan, were scattered across the numerous valleys of Fiendpeak, all gazing up at President Lyi as he delivered his impassioned speech.

Chen Langzhi of the Songbird Empire, accompanied by many from the Chen family and mixed-blood individuals, was settled in one valley.

Yan Yu from the Silvermoon Empire, along with the reigning Emperor Yan Gui, were leading the empire's elite at the base of another mountain.

From the Empire of Dawn, a towering man in a yellow robe, bearing a resemblance to the Stormcrowned Emperor, led a group of over a dozen.

Zhongli Dapan of the Forgeroses was grinning broadly, laughing heartily.

Shen Feiqing, Tan Yuan, Du Huang, and others were congregated around him.

Xie Bin from the Obsidian Thunder Sect had arrived with Lee Yu and their current Sect Master, standing close to Zhongli Dapan, seemingly there at his behest.

Ann Ziqing and Ann Jieshan, along with several elders unknown to Yu Yuan, were engaged in a hushed conversation with the Ghost King from the Land of Terror.

Visitors from the Taintborn Sect, in their flamboyantly colored attire, looked around with curiosity.

Cultivators from the Binders of Shadows, positioned between the Taintborn and Colddeath, bore variously sized Ghoul Glyphs on their necks and cheeks, their demeanor restrained and cautious.

A master forger from the Artifact Sect, skilled in crafting heavenly ninth level artifacts, led his disciples on a journey aboard a resplendent treasure ship. They feasted and imbibed fine wines at the ship's grand table, as if on a leisurely picnic.

Many individuals from once illustrious sects, now diminished to second or third-tier status, wandered the three continents—some by invitation, others unbidden.

President Lyi, presiding over the grand assembly hosted by the Terror Claws, had extended invitations to numerous Otherkin from the extraterrestrial Star River. As expected, he commanded the spotlight.

With a whoosh, Yan Qiling, previously at President Lyi's side, descended gracefully to the ground, a look of joy on his face.

High above, President Lyi continued to gesture emphatically as he spoke of the imminent transformations that would reshape the Everlands. Upon Yu Yuan's arrival, President Lyi merely nodded with a warm smile before carrying on with his address.

Zhou You beckoned to Yu Yuan with a wave.

"Yu Yuan!"

As Yu Yuan made his way through the crowd, many of his old acquaintances from the Terror Claws acknowledged him with nods and salutations.

Zhongli Dapan, Xie Bin, Ann Ziqing, Ann Jieshan, Yan Yu, Lee Yu... Their nods and soft calls drew the gaze of many who did not know Yu Yuan personally but recognized his renowned name.

The forgers from the Artifact Sect, members of the Taintborn and Binders of Shadows, and cultivators from lesser sects were all present on the treasure ship.

Yu Yuan, who had recently slain Qu Jing of the Ethereal Void Sect, was now the nominal host of this place, capturing the attention of all present.

In the sky, President Lyi, upon noticing that Yu Yuan had momentarily drawn the crowd's focus, paused in his speech.

The youthful-looking President Lyi, in his early forties, flashed a bright smile, revealing his pearly white teeth. He pointed to Yu Yuan within the teleportation circle and announced, "Our man of the hour, after defeating Qu Jing, has also brought about the demise of Chong Xiao and Tianjing in the Serpent Spine Mountains."

"What? Chong Xiao and Tianjing are dead?"

"They perished in the Serpent Spine Mountains?"

"Wait, isn't that Shi Yuxuan from the Sacred Hands? Why is he with Yu Yuan?"

A buzz of excitement and murmurs spread like wildfire through the valleys of the Terror Claws.

In the midst of the rune circle, Qin Yun, Tong Laoqian, Qi Yunhong, and Shi Yuxuan found themselves under the intense scrutiny of Yu Yuan. Wen Lu, a girl with Shadowkin heritage, kept her head bowed, clearly intimidated by the attention.

"Kid, you always manage to steal the spotlight, don't you?" Yan Qiling said with a light chuckle. "Alright, enough standing at the center of this rune circle. Head over to Fiendpeak first."

"Okay, but I need to talk to you. It's urgent," Yu Yuan replied with a grave tone as he led Wen Lu and the others into the Crucible of Evil.

"Wait until President Lyi has finished speaking. Once the trade fair officially starts," Yan Qiling suggested with a knowing glance, gesturing towards Fiendpeak, "you should head over."

Yu Yuan then transported Wen Lu and the rest from the valley's teleportation circle, ascending into the sky. From this vantage point, he could take in the full scope of attendees at the event, and he was inwardly astounded.

The Colddeath Sect, Taintborn Sect, Binders of Shadows, Obsidian Thunder Sect, and Forgeroses—these were renowned powerhouses in the Everlands! He could hardly believe that these sects would attend such an event. Weren't they afraid of retribution from the upper sects, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep afterward?

Regardless of any alliances with Boulderdawn or President Lyi, these sects' presence at Terror Claws inevitably meant they had crossed the five highest powers. Was the current state of affairs in this world so that these sects no longer feared the top five?

"Yu Yuan! You've finally returned!" called out a voice from the summit of Fiendpeak.

There, Ghost King Luo Yue, Taruer, and a host of Spectres stood brazenly together. Upon Yu Yuan's arrival, Taruer, who had once been the Queen Bee of the Shadow's Keep, along with the Spectres, all bowed slightly in greeting.

The Queen Bee, who had previously flaunted her allure in the Land of Terror, now presented herself with a subdued charm and a serious demeanor. "Why didn't Green Willow come?" she inquired.

"Master Green Willow is in the Serpent Spine Mountains, having just devoured a green dragon. He's probably feeling quite full and is busy digesting," Yu Yuan explained with a smile, then turned his attention to the ghosts of the Land of Terror. "Are you here for the trade fair as well?"

The Boulderdawn Sect extended an invitation, and with a clear sign from Lord White Bone, we made our way here," a Spectre Yu Yuan had not previously encountered responded with utmost respect.

Today, White Bone is none other than the Ghost King Youling, the once-secret Evil King. The Evil King is the esteemed ancestor of the Yu family, Yu Yuan's forefather.

White Bone is on the verge of emerging from seclusion to ascend to the esteemed position of God of Ghosts. His rise will elevate the Land of Terror to an unparalleled status, no longer fearing any sect within the vast Everlands.

Yu Yuan, being a descendant of such a figure and having garnered a significant reputation in the mortal realm, is favored by the Boulderdawn Sect. How could these ghosts not hold him in high esteem?

"Please, proceed," Yu Yuan said with a nod. A thought crossed his mind, and he inquired, "Senior Sister, where is my mother?"

"Yes, where's Xiao Rou?" Shi Yuxuan interjected with urgency.

"She's within the belly of the mountain," Luo Yue replied softly, glancing at her feet. "Junior Brother, be patient. She requires a bit more time. Mr. Yan has procured some rare herbs to help her realign her meridians and rejuvenate her vitality and spirit. Give it a few more days, and she'll be standing before you, full of life and vigor."

Reassured by her words, Shi Yuxuan's concern eased. "Xiao Rou did appear quite frail upon awakening. It's understandable, given the prolonged separation of her body and soul."

"Then we shall wait a bit longer," Yu Yuan agreed.

Meanwhile, President Lyi continued his impassioned discourse. He alternated between the languages of the Everlands and the Star River, the latter of which Yu Yuan couldn't comprehend. With a captivating cadence, he spoke of the profound impact the grand racial integration would have on the vast Star River, declaring it an unstoppable trend.

His speech subtly criticized the three great upper sects, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep for their rigid and outdated ways, their refusal to embrace change.

President Lyi's insinuations targeted the five supreme sects, indirectly casting aspersions on their various shortcomings.

Then, quite abruptly, a female Otherkin clad in a grey-green cape materialized atop Fiendpeak. Her cape, with its pointed hood, obscured her face from view.

Beneath the cape, a pair of luminescent green eyes sparkled like emeralds.

The Shadowkin blood coursing through Wen Lu's veins, along with the silver leaf necklace adorning her neck, responded in unison.

"Shadowkin."

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