443: The three drinking groups

Just as Mortal World's gaze wandered and thoughts drifted into the distance, Mortal World suddenly noticed an exceptionally brilliant light appearing on the horizon. That light cut through the Void Realm at an astonishing speed and was heading straight toward the southern fortress of the Yuan Ling Universe base.

Mortal World subconsciously rubbed eyes, suspecting that Mortal World might have seen wrong, and then turned to glance at Yuan Yi, who was currently lying lazily on the city wall, heart filled with doubt.

Mortal World couldn't help but speak in a low voice, as if talking to self or perhaps to Yuan Yi: "Yuan Yi, have I had a bit too much to drink? Why does it seem like I saw a light coming this way, but in the blink of an eye, it was gone? It's really strange."

Yuan Yi did not use spiritual power to dispel the drunkenness; instead, Yuan Yi swayed as Yuan Yi stood up with a bit of tipsiness and cast a gaze in the direction Mortal World was looking.

The Void Realm was still desolate and empty; there was no light to be seen. Yuan Yi couldn't help but think this was complete nonsense.

Yuan Yi was just about to lie back down; after all, ever since the news spread that the strong experts of the Cosmic Alliance were about to arrive, the outcome seemed already fated.

They were unwilling to abandon the Yuan Ling Universe, yet powerless to change the grand trend, so they simply chose an attitude of near-resignation, "lying flat," and waited for the arrangement of fate.

However, at this very moment, a gentle and clear voice seemed to pierce through space and time, ringing softly in the ears of the two: "You haven't had too much to drink."

The voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable composure.

Clearly, this Shadow King of the Hongmeng Realm had not only heard the whisper of Mortal World but had also specifically responded.

In an instant, the drunkenness of Mortal World and Yuan Yi completely vanished, and the eyes of both suddenly became sharp and solemn.

Mortal World's gaze was cold as Mortal World was the first to ask: "Are you a strong expert sent by the Cosmic Alliance, Senior?"

This question was not without reason—the pressure radiating from Shadow King was simply too strong. Although not as vast and boundless as Star Swallower, it was stronger, not weaker, than the Aura of Bai Huang.

Such an Aura naturally made one think of the high-level power within the Cosmic Alliance.

The question of Mortal World was reasonable.

Shadow King, however, shook the head slightly.

Shadow King had long since learned the ins and outs of the whole matter from Star Swallower. At this moment, the question of Mortal World actually allowed Shadow King to capture a key piece of information: the Cosmic Alliance, or rather, the forces of the Bai family, had not yet actually arrived at the Yuan Ling Universe.

The tone of Shadow King was calm as Shadow King slowly introduced self: "I am not a person of the Cosmic Alliance, but rather from the Giant Beast Alliance, serving as the Deputy Alliance Leader. You may call me Shadow King."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Mortal World and Yuan Yi instantly shifted from tension to joy, as if sunlight had suddenly broken through dark clouds.

Yuan Yi immediately displayed the straightforward and somewhat reckless personality, excitedly taking out a jug of wine and handing it to Shadow King, saying: "Senior, then we are our own people! Come, come, let's have a drink first!"

Shadow King looked at the wine jug offered before Shadow King, feeling a bit amused and exasperated.

Shadow King was a Cultivator whose cultivation had reached the Hongmeng Realm, but Shadow King was more like a scholar immersed in knowledge and Laws; Shadow King was not good at fighting and had never been one to drink alcohol.

The Laws that Shadow King comprehended were mostly inclined toward assistance and deduction, rarely involving offensive combat.

Shadow King had long discovered that once Shadow King tried to delve into the art of killing, the cultivation of Shadow King would stagnate; but as long as Shadow King followed the heart and explored those obscure directions that fascinated Shadow King, the progress was actually extremely fast.

But perhaps because of the enthusiasm of Yuan Yi, or perhaps because of the rare relaxed atmosphere before Shadow King, within less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick since arriving at the Yuan Ling Universe, Shadow King had unexpectedly accepted the wine jug, tasting the flavor of wine for the first time.

Yuan Yi was even happier upon seeing this and took out another jug of wine to hand to Mortal World.

Thus, the three of them, like old friends reunited after a long separation, sat side-by-side on the city wall, drinking freely while facing the vast and silent starry sky.

Bai Huang furrowed the brows tightly, carefully examining the shimmering Star Domain map in the hand of Bai Huang, the inner anxiety of Bai Huang growing heavier.

Although the destination, the Yuan Ling Universe, was no longer far away, the Soul reserves that Bai Huang carried were about to be exhausted, which made Bai Huang feel an unprecedented sense of urgency.

At the back of the team, a strong expert wearing the attire of an Eight-System Saint King stepped forward and respectfully requested: "Alliance Leader, a medium-sized Universe has been detected nearby. According to the scanning results, the defensive power of this Universe is not strong. Shall we consider heading there for necessary resupply?"

Bai Huang knew all too well the implication behind the words of the subordinate.

If they continued to force the journey, once the Void Spirit Beast in the palanquin felt hungry, the entire team would have to make a difficult choice—someone would have to sacrifice the own Soul to feed this Divine Beast.

This was a situation no one wanted to see.

Recalling the lineup of this expedition, Bai Huang couldn't help but feel a thousand emotions.

In addition to Bai Huang, the Alliance Leader, personally overseeing it, there were three peerless experts in the team who had reached the Guiyi Realm, and there were even dozens of experts at the Eight-System Saint King level. Such a luxurious lineup would be enough to cause a sensation in any Universe.

If it were in the past, such a team composed of top experts would be grandly received and warmly entertained by local forces wherever the team went.

Who could have imagined that they would be lonely, carrying out space jumps for nearly a year in the vast, boundless Void Realm?

What was even more frustrating was that they had been delayed quite a bit on the way due to the Void Spirit Beast's several tantrums; otherwise, they probably would have already arrived at the Yuan Ling Universe by now.

Bai Huang turned the head to look at the luxurious palanquin behind, seeing the Void Spirit Beast curled up inside, fast asleep.

Bai Huang pondered for a moment, and finally, Bai Huang slowly nodded, agreeing to the suggestion of the subordinate.

Once this Void Spirit Beast was full, it would sleep peacefully, but whenever it woke up, it would inevitably demand food.

Now that Bai Guang was not by the side of the beast, the Void Spirit Beast knew well that these people could do nothing about it. Since it had left the familiar environment, it naturally wanted to enjoy itself to the fullest, eating and drinking the fill.

The Eight-System Saint King who made the suggestion saw the Alliance Leader nod in agreement and couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

All the Eight-System Saint Kings understood in their hearts that if the Void Spirit Beast needed to feed on Souls, the first to bear the brunt would be one of them.

As for who it would specifically fall upon, it all depended on luck; no one dared to guarantee that they wouldn't be the unlucky one chosen.

Therefore, at this moment, every Eight-System Saint King felt uneasy, secretly praying not to become that sacrificial victim.

Bai Huang was equally unwilling to see the Eight-System Saint Kings under the command of Bai Huang sacrifice themselves in vain.

In the Cosmic Alliance, every Eight-System Saint King was a top combat force, and the value of these experts was immeasurable.

Losing even one was a major weakening of the entire Alliance's strength; this kind of loss was something no one could afford.

After making the decision, the entire team adjusted the course and steadily advanced toward the small Universe they had just detected.

Everyone hoped that this resupply would proceed smoothly, avoiding unnecessary sacrifices, and allowing the team to safely arrive at the final destination.