C944 Convincing

Human cultivators congregated around the teleportation circle, while visitors from the extraterrestrial realms were dispersed near the Domain Channel. Each of them was eager to discover a way out of the forbidden area. The teleportation circle could transport human cultivators to the Terror Claws, the Songbird Empire, and the Godsblight Marsh. Conversely, the Domain Channel could return those from extraterrestrial realms to the Hellmouth.

Their actions indicated a clear reluctance to confront the combined onslaught of the five supreme forces and the numerous Everlands cultivators within the forbidden area. Essentially, they lacked any real confidence.

"What should we do?" Shi Yuxuan from Sacred Hands, feeling the icy gaze of the Sky Fiends looming in the demonic clouds overhead, recoiled and turned to Luo Yue and Xi Quan with a look of desperation.

Xi Quan scoffed, "What can we do? If those extraterrestrial fiends truly intend to strike, we have no choice but to stand our ground." At his words, a collective, resigned smile spread among the group.

But how could they stand against such odds? A single Sky Fiend race boasted three Demon Gods, along with numerous Demon Generals and Lords, more than enough to overwhelm all the human cultivators present. Not to mention the formidable Mighties from the Shadowkin, Starborn, Silverscale Tribe, and Dawnbringers.

While the Otherkin's numbers and combat strength paled in comparison to the external Five Great Forces, defeating them wasn't the issue. The thought of being vanquished by the extraterrestrial fiends before even breaching the Soulforge Matrix filled everyone with a deep sense of despair.

"Youqian!"

"Lord Youqian!"

As the Ghost King Tian Zang made his entrance above the Domain Channel, all the Sky Fiends, along with the Otherkin guests, paid their respects. Even the most fervent among them, the Nightscale Tribe and the enchantress who had proposed slaying Qi Yunhong and his companions, were instantly subdued.

The renown of Sky Fiend Youqian, echoing through the Star River for millennia, was no mere legend.

"I speak for Boulderdawn! As a counselor to Boulderdawn, I've come to negotiate with you!" Tian Zang declared, his elegant form suspended effortlessly in midair. The Tears of the Azurefiend on his forehead glowed like a third, luminous blue eye, casting a resplendent light.

Every ninth-level bloodline leader and Demon God present shuddered with the force of their revelation.

Tian Zang, the Ghost King, whose body originated from Dhoreus and wielded the Tears of the Azurefiend, exuded an aura that left no doubt about his formidable strength among the Otherkin.

None believed they could best him in single combat.

Moreover, he claimed to be a counselor for Boulderdawn, speaking on their behalf...

"I assure you, you haven't been trapped here by any scheme of Boulderdawn or President Lyi. It's my belief that both Boulderdawn's forces and your kin stationed in the Extraterrestrial Star River have merely been temporarily hindered from entering the Everlands," Tian Zang said, his eyes methodically scanning the Otherkin elites.

Those Otherkin warriors who met his gaze subdued their defiance, adopting a silent and composed demeanor.

"Believe me, the tide will turn soon enough," Tian Zang added, pausing briefly before turning to Canli. "I overheard that the lifeblood of a ninth-level Mighty could bolster Yu Yuan's strength?"

Canli's eyes sparkled with an unusual light as she responded, "You overheard our private heart-to-heart?"

Before Yu Yuan embarked on his advancement to the Spirit Walk realm, she had whispered a mystic vow to him: should he successfully enter the Spirit Walk, she would secure a drop of lifeblood from the ninth-level Mighty, Beru, to infuse into Yu Yuan's Altar of Rebirth, propelling his combat prowess to new heights.

This pact was known only to her and Yu Yuan, yet Tian Zang had openly spoken of it.

"Now that you've made a promise, it's time to fulfill it. Yu Yuan has not only successfully entered the Spirit Walk but has also been sanctified by an enigmatic force," Tian Zang declared solemnly. "I sense that upon his awakening, he'll undergo a remarkable transformation, capable of withstanding any assault on the rune circle outside."

"Youqian, aren't you overestimating him?" Quero, the leader of the Silverscale Tribe, challenged.

"No matter how powerful he is, even with the might of a Solar Spirit, it seems inconsequential," Mia of the Shadowkin expressed her skepticism. "Both of us are aware of the sheer number of Unbound cultivators amassed beyond the forbidden area. The dread power of an Unbound cultivator can only be truly comprehended by those who have faced it firsthand."

The rest of the Otherkin murmured in agreement, believing that Tian Zang had placed too much faith in Yu Yuan.

With a stern expression, Tian Zang allowed them to voice their concerns and challenge him.

Once they had all fallen silent, Tian Zang spoke: "I have only one thing to say, and I want you to listen carefully! Yu Yuan might be able to wield the Dragon Slaying Stage!"

"The Dragon Slaying Stage?"

"The very same Dragon Slaying Stage that binds the fate of the Nagas?"

"The Dragon Slaying Stage that could transform the entire Everlands and lead to the decline of the Nagas?"

The revelation left many of the Otherkin's Mighty in utter astonishment.

Tian Zang slowly nodded in affirmation.

"Fine! I'll wager a drop of my lifeblood on this!" declared Beru of the Starborn, steeling himself as he made the first commitment.

"A drop of lifeblood might weaken me, but it's a gamble worth taking!" Quero of the Silverscale Tribe growled in agreement.

After a brief moment of consideration, the other ninth-level bloodline leaders of the Otherkin nodded, indicating their willingness to contribute a drop of lifeblood to further empower Yu Yuan.

Their shift in attitude was solely due to Tian Zang's statement and the possibility of Yu Yuan harnessing the Dragon Slaying Stage!

The Dragon Slaying Stage was not only a force to be reckoned with in the Everlands but also a Divine Artifact that resonated throughout the depths of the Extraterrestrial Star River!

...

In the Deep Sea, on the Sundering Isles, Acora Island.

Ann Wen stood by the sea, flanked by Ann Jieshan and Xueyin, the Island Master of Acora Island.

Before him, on a rock, Ann Ziqing sat with her chin propped on her hands, quietly gazing toward Celestial Isle.

Acora Island was shrouded in a misty, blood-red glow. From a distance, it appeared as though billions of bloody lights streaked through the sky like lightning.

"Master, aside from our Colddeath Sect, all other sects in the Land of Quiescence have capitulated," Xueyin expressed with a hint of concern. "The Taintborn Sect, the Binders of Shadows, and the Artifact Sect have all set the precedent."

Ann Jieshan, one of the founding ancestors, remained silent, patiently awaiting Ann Wen's decision.

The Colddeath Sect still had an opportunity to choose their allegiance.

"There's nothing more to discuss," Ann Wen said with a dismissive smile. "The Taintborn Sect and the Binders of Shadows have already killed those who went to the Terror Claws for the trial, feigning ignorance afterward. Am I to emulate them and kill my own daughter? Absurd!"

Both Xueyin and Ann Jieshan appeared to have anticipated this response, their expressions betraying no surprise.

"The Boulderdawn Sect has been scheming for millennia. President Lyi is a prodigy. Now that he's officially returned, it's unlikely he'll fail so easily," Ann Wen said, his smile beaming. "Besides, my dear friend from the Land of Terror will soon emerge in the state of a God of Ghosts. And in the battles across the Star River, among the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep, should any primordial spirit perish, the first to ascend to that level will surely be Zu Ann from Skyreach Peak!"

"I am convinced that the real conflict is just beginning with the Moonfall Sanctuary. We are far from the end!"

"This will be a protracted war, not something that can be resolved in a single battle or even over a decade. This war will not only engulf the Everlands but will also extend to every race within the extraterrestrial Star River!"

Upon hearing his proclamation, Xueyin, Ann Ziqing, and the others felt a surge of adrenaline.

"The outcome of this battle will determine if we can stand toe-to-toe with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep."

With a whoosh, Ann Wen transformed into a crimson comet, bursting forth from Acora Island. Eschewing the use of a teleportation circle, he soared directly toward the Aetherius Continent.

On Celestial Isle, Feng Zhong, who had attained the pinnacle of the Solar Spirit Realm and sported a somewhat scruffy goatee, watched the departing streak of blood-red light from the island's palace eaves.

Zheng Luanjie and Qi Lingyu, also tasked with guarding the island, observed the vanishing light from another part of the palace.

"A great upheaval is on the horizon," Feng Zhong murmured, shaking his head with a low sigh. "For now, the Sundering Isles will enjoy a brief respite. But soon, all attention will turn to the Moonfall Sanctuary, drawing in countless formidable figures from across the three continents."

"I am the chief of the Windspeakers, and it's my duty to gather intelligence. I'll go and see for myself."

He didn't make his way to the Moonfall Sanctuary with the ostentatious flair of Ann Wen, who moved like a rainbow across the sky. Instead, he utilized the teleportation circle, making a transfer at Gavanas after starting from the Forgotten Ruins.

"There's a perfectly good rune circle available, and no one's stopping you from using it. Why insist on making things so difficult for yourself?"

Feng Zhong grumbled under his breath.

​