C919 The World Was Blocked!

Halfway up the mountain, there was a stone pavilion offering respite.

Ann Ziqing squinted lazily, leaning on the railing, watching Yu Yuan rush into the palace. She smiled smugly and said, "I just knew it."

Razses, the Ghost King, and the others from Colddeath were wandering through the mountains in search of suitable magic items.

Only Ann Jieshan stayed by her side, vigilantly protecting her from any potential harm.

Colddeath was once considered vermin in the depths of the extraterrestrial Star River.

Ann Jieshan was concerned that some brash Otherkin, having previously suffered at the hands of Colddeath, might seize the opportunity to assassinate the sect's Goddess.

"Girl, are you aware that Yu Yuan has an Altar of Rebirth within him, created by lesser heavenly forces?" Ann Jieshan asked with curiosity.

"What else?" Ann Ziqing replied, her lips curling into a sneer, "Back on Acora Island, I enticed him with the Blood Pool as a test. Afterward, I not only confirmed the existence of his Altar of Rebirth but also understood its unique characteristics, similar to those of the Blood Fiend patriarch in the extraterrestrial Star River."

Ann Jieshan was deeply moved, "Is that truly the case?"

As a co-founder of Colddeath, he was acutely aware of the profound mysteries contained within the bloodlines of the Star River's otherworldly Blood Fiend, which bore many similarities to Colddeath's own mystical spells.

Many Colddeath members, upon reaching the Solar Spirit Realm and venturing into extraterrestrial territories, experienced profound insights upon encountering the Blood Fiend.

Ann Jieshan knew that the current Blood Fiend patriarch ranked among the top three of the strongest beings in the extraterrestrial Star River, the Sky Fiend.

Rumor had it that his ascent to the status of a Demon God was thanks to the innate Altar of Rebirth within him.

If Yu Yuan's Altar of Rebirth bore resemblance to his, what could that imply?

"If he were to join Colddeath and practice our spiritual spells and blood refinement techniques, his achievements would likely be extraordinary," Ann Ziqing huffed. "I saw his potential, which is why I lured him to Acora Island to stand before the Blood Pool. The blood within that pool is drawn from numerous high-level archdemons, as well as the vital lifeblood of many Otherkin."

"At that time, he only needed to jump into the Blood Pool for the Altar of Rebirth within him to automatically refine it."

"If I recite the blood refining spell, he'll surely be able to activate it just by listening."

At this point, Ann Ziqing was visibly upset. "I had the best intentions, yet he was always so wary, as if I was out to get him. It's infuriating!"

With a mere thought, she glimpsed the vibrant vials of blood within the Cosmos Ring.

Seeing the blood, a smug smile crept onto her face. "Everything is in my control. Even after the Dawnbringers' saintess revealed the wonders of the Altar of Rebirth, he still ended up pleading with me!"

"You seem to really enjoy sparring with him," Ann Jieshan said with a chuckle.

"With such exceptional talent and prospects, he chose the Terror Claws over Colddeath. What a waste." Ann Ziqing's eyes sparkled. "See, I'm right, aren't I?"

Ann Jieshan glanced down just in time to see Yu Yuan emerging from the building, heading straight toward them.

As the owner of the Crucible of Evil, the lynchpin of the Myriad Demons Circle, Yu Yuan could effortlessly locate anyone amidst the mountains.

Swoosh!

Yu Yuan alighted in the pavilion and cleared his throat before speaking, "Um..."

"Young Master, you've finally thought of me," Ann Ziqing said with a radiant smile. "I was considering leaving early if you didn't want to meet."

"I've only recently learned about the ties between the Yu family and your An family," Yu Yuan acknowledged Ann Jieshan with a nod. "I'm here to purchase some Otherkin blood from you. If you have lifeblood or an Otherkin heart, that would be even better."

"Unfortunately, I need that blood for my own cultivation," Ann Ziqing said, spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness. "Young Master, with your vast powers, just speak to President Lyi and Zhou You. They will surely take the time to gather more for you."

"I've already spoken to Zhou You. He will instruct his subordinates to collect it from the Star River in the extraterrestrial realms," Yu Yuan continued, "but I'm looking to acquire it more quickly."

Following his conversation with Canli, he was eager to witness the effects of the various races' lifeblood entering the Altar of Rebirth.

The trade meet's conclusion could very well herald the onset of a great war, sweeping across the land and heavens. He was determined to bolster his combat prowess by any means necessary.

One accessible shortcut was to enrich the Altar of Rebirth with the blood of various races.

"Sorry, I'm in dire need of that blood as well," Ann Ziqing stated, unyielding.

Ann Jieshan stood to the side, smiling silently.

"What would make you willing to part with it?" Yu Yuan asked, feeling at a loss.

"You're clearly the most suited for practicing the mystiques of Colddeath, so why persist in your obstinacy?" Ann Ziqing scoffed. "Within Colddeath, we have over a hundred types of lifeblood, not mere blood, but lifeblood! These come from the Everlands and even more so from the life races of the Star River."

"The Colddeath's craving for the lifeblood of various races exceeds your wildest dreams."

"Back on Acora Island, had you simply stepped into the Blood Pool, you would have become one with Colddeath. My father would have surely allowed you to infuse that lifeblood into the Altar of Rebirth! It was you, young master, who adamantly refused to enter the Blood Pool, shunning it as if it were a plague."

"…"

Ann Ziqing began dredging up the past.

Yu Yuan listened in silence.

Finally, when Ann Ziqing paused, still huffing with indignation, Yu Yuan, with furrowed brows, spoke, "Did you know back then that I harbored such an Altar of Rebirth within me? And that you were aware of its unique traits and needs?"

"Indeed," Ann Ziqing confirmed with a nod.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"And why wouldn't you jump into the Blood Pool?"

They locked eyes, neither willing to back down.

"So be it, then!"

Realizing the impasse, Yu Yuan briskly nodded and walked away.

The blood of the Otherkin, including lifeblood, was not an elusive commodity in the Star River. Having committed to the task, it would only be a matter of time for the Skyreach Consortium to procure it.

Beneath the Moonfall Sanctuary lay a Domain Channel leading to the extraterrestrial realms, facilitating travel for the Consortium's members.

In no more than a month or two, he would secure an even greater variety of Otherkin blood through his connections.

There was no need for him to plead with Ann Ziqing.

Subsequently, Yu Yuan took his position at Fiendpeak, meticulously refining the Altar of Rebirth and slowly condensing the Lunar Spirit. He awaited the conclusion of the grand trade fair before he would begin crafting elixirs for the Starborn's Beru.

Time slipped away silently. More independent cultivators, drawn by the news, ventured into the mountains and many returned laden with treasures.

There were those who arrived late, learning that the coveted treasures they had dreamt of were snatched up by others at bargain prices. They beat their chests in frustration, cursing their own indecision for missing such an opportunity.

In succession, powerful beings from the Otherkin made their way to the Moonfall Sanctuary via the teleportation circle.

On the fifth day, a grand and imposing palace appeared, floating in the void, drawing ever closer.

Atop the palace, Cao Jiaze of the Ebon Star Sect gazed towards Fiendpeak with a serene expression. Upon spotting Yu Yuan, his eyes sparkled, and he called out enthusiastically, "Brother Yu, I was just in the vicinity and heard about this magnificent trade fair. I couldn't resist coming to see it for myself!"

Cao Jiaze's voice boomed like thunder, crystal clear to all the human cultivators in the mountains.

"The Floating Palace, the Mark of the Celestials, the Ebon Star!"

"So young, and already set to be the Ebon Star's next successor—Cao Jiaze!"

"What brings Cao Jiaze here?"

A flurry of astonished and animated discussions erupted from various quarters.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Zhongli Dapan, Luo Yue, the Ghost King, Qi Yunhong, and the Starborn's Beru all descended upon Fiendpeak simultaneously.

Aboard the Artifact Sect's Treasure Ship, President Lyi with his golden eyes and the Heavenly Grade forger were deep in conversation. At this moment, they too furrowed their brows.

Cao Jiaze, the renowned prodigy of the Ebon Star, was the designated next Sect Master.

His presence sent ripples of shock through the crowd, injecting an unexpected twist into the closing moments of the trade fair.

​