Chapter 1406: Magic Shadow Descends (Part 2)

"I understand." Mu Bingyun nodded. The Snow Song Realm, located in the extreme north of the Eastern Divine Region, was indeed one of the star realms closest to the Northern Divine Realm.

As the Northern Divine Realm was mentioned, a strange glint appeared in Mu Bingyun's eyes. As she left, she quietly stated, "My father was killed by devils back then. My mother's dying wish was that the devils of the Northern Region would be the eternal enemies of Snow Song... No matter what happens in the future, even if it costs me my life, I will never allow devils to step foot into Snow Song!"

Mu Xuanyin: "..."

After Mu Bingyun left, Mu Xuanyin stood still for a long time before opening her icy eyes and softly calling out, "Feixue."

Mu Feixue, clad in Ice Phoenix snow-white robes, possessed a beautiful, serene face as eternally cold as Mu Xuanyin's. She knelt behind Mu Xuanyin.

"It will be difficult for you to make further progress with the Ice Phoenix God Sealing Arts in a short time," Mu Xuanyin said. "Starting tomorrow, I will teach you Flickering Moon and Shattered Moon Extinction."

"Yes," Mu Feixue responded softly.

"Flickering Moon, like the Ice Phoenix God Sealing Arts, is a divine power inherited from the ancient Ice Phoenix. Currently, no one in the entire sect, apart from me, has managed to master it. Whether you can comprehend it depends entirely on your understanding and fate. Shattered Moon Extinction, on the other hand, is a forbidden art created by our ancestors; you should have heard its name from your grandfather. Although it possesses immense power, I still need to use my vital blood as a catalyst to activate it. If you were to use it in the future, it would very likely require your life as a catalyst. You must remember this point clearly."

"Yes," Mu Feixue replied, without a ripple of emotion.

Yun Che's comprehension ability was exceptionally high; both the Ice Phoenix God Sealing Arts and Flickering Moon came effortlessly to him... However, Mu Xuanyin had never taught him Shattered Moon Extinction.

The world immediately fell silent. Mu Xuanyin stood still for a long time, completely motionless. Only after a full half an hour did she realize Mu Feixue was still kneeling behind her. She softly said, "You may go."

"Yes, Master." Mu Feixue rose and slowly departed. Even she could clearly sense Mu Xuanyin's disquiet.

Mu Xuanyin's premonition was correct. The sudden beast tide in the northern region of Snow Song was by no means an isolated incident. On that very same day, even at the same hour, nearly thirty percent of the star realms in the Eastern Divine Region simultaneously experienced beast tides of identical nature... without any prior warning.

A commonality among these star realms was that an increasingly dazzling red star could be seen in their eastern sky.

Furthermore, as this star became more blinding day by day, more and more star realms were able to see it.

This day, however, was merely the beginning of a series of disasters for the Eastern Divine Region.

A silent, colorless, invisible shadow had quietly spread across the Eastern Divine Region... More accurately, it was spreading across the entire Primordial Chaos.

Eastern Divine Region, Eternal Heaven God Realm.

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor stood atop a dome even taller than the Eternal Heaven Pagoda. He gazed eastward, his hair and beard flowing, his God Emperor's eyes revealing an unprecedented solemnity.

However, his complexion was an extremely unnatural grayish-white.

Behind him, two figures arrived gracefully.

One, clad in white robes, was tall with a white beard and hair, possessing an otherworldly aura yet a benevolent smile, like a celestial master from beyond the mortal realm.

The other, dressed in black, had a face as if carved by a sword, and eyes that were dark and sharp, seemingly devoid of emotion.

The two most renowned powers under the Eternal Heaven God Emperor were undoubtedly the Guardians and the Punishers. The former constituted the core strength and foundational presence of the Eternal Heaven God Realm, while the latter served as the arm that maintained order in the Eastern Divine Region for the Eternal Heaven God Realm.

Of these two, the white-robed elder was Honored One Tai Yu, the head of all Guardians, whose status and cultivation were second only to the Eternal Heaven God Emperor himself within the Eternal Heaven God Realm.

The black-clad middle-aged man was Honored One Qu Hui, the head Punisher, who had presided over the Profound God Convention years ago.

Their simultaneous summoning by the Eternal Heaven God Realm was extremely rare.

"You have arrived," the Eternal Heaven God Emperor said, turning around, his expression still solemn.

"Your Majesty summoned us; there must be a matter of great importance," Honored One Tai Yu stated, and Honored One Qu Hui nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, it is a matter of great importance, not just for my Eternal Heaven God Realm, but for the fate of the entire Eastern Divine Region." The Eternal Heaven God Emperor exhaled slightly. "Today, a large number of star realms in the Eastern Region suddenly experienced beast tides. You must have heard about this."

Honored One Tai Yu's gaze flickered. "Does Your Majesty know the cause of this incident?"

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor slowly nodded, then turned his gaze back to the east, his face showing a profound gravity that the world would find impossible to comprehend. "The root of all this is the crimson rift on the Wall of Primordial Chaos."

The expressions of Honored One Tai Yu and Honored One Qu Hui changed slightly at the same time.

"This... how can this be?" Even at the level of the two Honored Ones, they couldn't comprehend these words.

"After discovering that strange rift on the Wall of Primordial Chaos years ago, I and Brahma had many conjectures. On the eve of the Conferred God Battle, various hypotheses and possible ultimate outcomes were announced on the Conferred God Stage... But three years ago, after sending the chosen children into the Eternal Heaven Divine Realm, I obtained a possibility that was tens of millions of times more terrifying than the 'worst outcome.' And this possibility has, in these short three years, increasingly approached reality."

"What possibility?" Honored One Tai Yu asked in a deep voice.

"The crimson rift is not a natural disaster, but a grievance originating from the ancient era that now afflicts the present." The Eternal Heaven God Emperor's voice was heavy, though he did not elaborate. "I can tell you now that the sudden turmoil among profound beasts in those star realms is influenced by a demonic energy. This demonic energy carries an extremely profound hatred and resentment, and its source... is that rift on the Wall of Primordial Chaos!"

"What!?" Tai Yu and Qu Hui instantly revealed their astonishment. Tai Yu immediately furrowed his brows and shook his head. "That's impossible! If there truly were such demonic energy, how could I have perceived nothing?"

Honored One Tai Yu was absolutely qualified to say this because, apart from the Eternal Heaven God Emperor, he was the only Level Ten Divine Master in the Eternal Heaven God Realm, a true pinnacle existence, naturally possessing the most supreme spiritual perception in the current age.

"Alas," the Eternal Heaven God Emperor sighed heavily, "because that demonic energy is on a level far too high, even you and I cannot perceive it."

Honored One Tai Yu: "..."

"Currently, only profound beasts are affected. Perhaps it won't be long before humans are also unknowingly influenced, and the effects will grow stronger. These are not my conjectures, but... the words of the Old Ancestor."

"Old... Ancestor!?"

These two words caused the leaders of the Guardians and Punishers to turn pale with shock. Their backs, which had not bowed before the Eternal Heaven God Emperor, involuntarily stooped several inches at the same moment.

If they were truly the words of the "Old Ancestor," then no matter how ten times more unbelievable they seemed, they would not harbor the slightest doubt.

"Too fast... too fast..." He repeated it twice, filled with worry. Although the existence of the crimson rift had been publicly known for three years, very few truly took it seriously. He, the only one who knew the truth, bore an unimaginable burden on his body and in his heart.

Just today, the profound beast turmoil in the Eastern Divine Region suddenly erupted without warning... It was truly too fast, so fast that it caught him, and even the "Old Ancestor" he spoke of, off guard.

Indeed, if it were truly power of "that" level, how could they possibly comprehend or predict it?

"I summoned you here today because there is a great task I need you to undertake."

There was no need for the Eternal Heaven God Emperor to say more. The "great task" he spoke of concerned the future of the Eastern Divine Region. Honored One Tai Yu and Honored One Qu Hui listened with solemn attention. "Tai Yu, put the matter of the Evil Infant aside for now. You are to immediately travel in person to the Brahma Monarch and Moon God Realms, and at the same time dispatch people swiftly to all major Upper Star Realms. Gather the strength of all King Realms and Upper Star Realms to construct a massive dimensional formation leading to the extreme east of the Primordial Chaos!"

"This...!!" Honored One Tai Yu suddenly looked up. At his level, there was no profound spatial formation he hadn't seen. But how incredibly far was the extreme east of the Primordial Chaos...? A dimensional formation connecting to the extreme east of the Primordial Chaos would almost be equivalent to piercing through a good portion of the Primordial Chaos itself!

This was simply an unimaginable undertaking.

"No need to say more." The Eternal Heaven God Emperor knew what he would say and raised a hand slightly. "This task must be completed, and it must be completed within one year. Inform all Upper Star Realms that this is not a negotiation, but an order... even if it requires the strongest threats."

As the life and death of the Eastern Divine Region were at stake, no one could remain indifferent.

"..." Watching the Eternal Heaven God Emperor's expression, the astonishment on Honored One Tai Yu's face gradually faded, and then he nodded with extreme solemnity. "I understand."

"We, Eternal Heaven, must lead by example and offer all the divine crystals accumulated over these hundreds of thousands of years... Yes, all of them, without any reservation!"

It was an earth-shattering statement, yet the Eternal Heaven God Emperor spoke it decisively, without a hint of reluctance or hesitation. "Once this is completed, you are to personally travel to seek assistance from the King Realms of the Western and Southern Divine Regions."

Honored One Tai Yu raised both hands. "I shall not fail in my mission."

Honored One Tai Yu's personal journey would not only show due respect but also convey the severity of the matter to the three divine regions.

"Good," the Eternal Heaven God Emperor slightly nodded. "One year... I hope it will be enough time..."

But even if there was enough time, it would only be a minuscule chance...

Before he finished speaking, his body suddenly trembled violently, and his face was instantly covered by a terrifying black aura.

"Your Majesty!"

Tai Yu and Qu Hui were greatly alarmed and rushed forward.

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor's face was extremely pained. He repeatedly pressed his fingers to his chest, and finally, his chest caved in as a large mouthful of dark crimson blood spurted out. Only then did the black aura on his face finally fade somewhat.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Honored One Tai Yu asked, worried.

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor slowly took a deep breath and said, "The power of the Evil Infant is bone-corroding and heart-devouring, far more terrifying than anticipated. I had thought that with my ability, I could resolve it in three to five years at most. Now it seems... it might be difficult even with another ten years..."

"Qu Hui, this is also why I summoned you."

Honored One Qu Hui: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor slowly explained, "Although the power of the Evil Infant is dreadful, if given time, I can eventually dispel it completely. However, the current situation is critical, and I must bear the brunt of everything. I can no longer endure my current state, so the favor of the Western Region's Dragon Queen, which I had hoped not to ask for, must now be sought."

The favor of the Western Region's Dragon Queen... that was the most precious favor in the world.

Only her unique profound light energy could easily dispel the terrifying demonic energy that had invaded his body within a short time.

"I understand," Qu Hui accepted the order. "I shall depart immediately to seek an audience with the Western Region's Dragon Monarch."

"Go," the Eternal Heaven God Emperor said. In the current situation, not a single breath could be wasted.

Tai Yu and Qu Hui departed with their orders, their hearts infinitely heavier than when they arrived.

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor did not leave. He coughed violently, his face occasionally flashing with pain, but the torment of the Evil Infant's power was a mere fraction of the immense burden in his heart.

He had to prepare everything, even if it was a desperately slim and powerless preparation. Yet, he couldn't reveal the truth before then, because once that terrifying truth spread, it would cause immense panic in the Eastern Divine Region, and even across all three divine regions. Such terror would drive countless beings insane... the consequences would undoubtedly be unthinkable.

"The Old Ancestor's words cannot be wrong. Could it truly be... a world-ending catastrophe?" The Eternal Heaven God Emperor looked up at the sky. As the God Emperor of the Eastern Region, his voice was filled with such powerlessness and sorrow... even imbued with profound gloom and despair.