494: Xun Xiuyuan's decision

Shadow King did not indulge in pleasantries, speaking immediately: "Xun Xiuyuan, you should already be aware of the matter of Star Swallower's fall."

His voice was low yet clear, "If there is anything you wish to do, I am willing to follow. Do not forget, I am also in the Hongmeng Realm; I am by no means someone powerless in a fight."

Xun Xiuyuan gazed at him, speaking slowly after a long while, his tone as heavy as mountains and seas: "The grace bestowed upon me by Senior Star Swallower, I will surely repay; as for the vengeance of Senior Star Swallower, I will plan it myself."

He paused slightly before continuing: "As for you, Senior... please prioritize the Giant Beast Alliance. That was the life's work of Senior Star Swallower; it must not be destabilized because of this."

Upon hearing these words, Shadow King was suddenly stunned.

That was right, the Giant Beast Alliance.

Star Swallower's lifelong wish was not conquest or revenge, but to lead the Starry Sky Giant Beast Clan across the sea of stars to return to their homeland—that place of origin far beyond the Blue Star Great Universe.

Shadow King's lips moved slightly as if he wished to say more, but in the end, he did not utter a word.

The light in his eyes dimmed abruptly, as if he had lost his Divine Soul in an instant, leaving only vast emptiness.

He turned slowly, his cloud-like sleeves fluttering as his figure gradually became illusory, as if merging into the clouds and mist outside the Celestial Palace, departing silently to return to the Realm where the Giant Beast Alliance resided.

Silence returned to the hall, leaving only Xiuyuan and Nan Qiao gazing at each other in silence; cloud shadows swept across the jade steps, as if nothing had happened, yet everything had changed.

Xun Xiuyuan watched as Shadow King's figure completely dissipated into the Void Realm, standing still for a long time without saying a word.

The surrounding scene seemed to dim due to Shadow King's departure, with only deep thoughts churning silently in Xun Xiuyuan's eyes.

After a long while, he finally turned to Xie Nanqiao, his voice low but carrying an unquestionable resolve: "I want to take a trip to the Blue Star Universe."

Although his tone was calm, every word was as firm as iron.

The vengeance for Star Swallower was like a brand etched deep into his Dao Heart; as long as it remained unavenged, he could not find peace.

And the undisguised hostility of Ye Mao and Bai Guang toward the Yuan Ling Universe was like a sword hanging over their heads, signaling the inevitable conflict to come.

He could no longer avoid these two matters, and there was another reason: Bai Guang's frenzied slaughter.

Xie Nanqiao gazed at his solemn face and, without hesitation, nodded gently: "I will go with you."

Her words were soft yet permeated with a firm strength, "The Yuan Ling Universe of today is no longer the fragile shell it once was. After Wan Hai's Neutral Alliance joined us, we absorbed many experts, and our structure has been rebuilt."

She smiled slightly, a flash of confident radiance appearing in her eyes, "More importantly—my cultivation should now be sufficient to fight alongside you."

Xun Xiuyuan gazed at Xie Nanqiao's beautiful and resolute face, finally nodding slowly.

What she said was true.

Since Wan Hai's Neutral Alliance forces joined with their core strength, the high-end combat power of the Yuan Ling Universe had leapt to an unprecedented height.

Although they still lagged behind some established Alliances in terms of the scale of low-to-mid-level Cultivators, in terms of top-tier experts, they had vaguely become the second pole in the vast Void Realm, second only to the Cosmic Alliance.

If he and Xie Nanqiao joined forces, even when facing the pressure of the Cosmic Alliance, they would not necessarily lack the power to contend.

The only variable at present was Ye Mao—that existence who had just stepped into the Supreme Realm and whose pressure dominated the heavens.

It was precisely his Breakthrough that cast an unpredictable shadow over a situation that could have been evenly matched, and also caused many experts in the Yuan Ling Universe to inevitably harbor reservations and act with caution.

But he knew that some paths must eventually be walked by someone first. Some enemies must eventually be faced by someone.

Xun Xiuyuan returned to the abyss and went back to Xiuyuan City. There, he reunited with Bai Xiaoou and Wen Ruyu, sharing a warm and peaceful time. They strolled through the gardens in the city, recalling bits and pieces of the past; laughter and warmth filled the air, as if they had temporarily forgotten the turmoil and pressure of the outside world. This brief tranquility caused a warm current to surge in his heart, allowing him to regain his strength.

After properly arranging all matters of the Yuan Ling Universe, Xun Xiuyuan returned to the Celestial Palace.

The Celestial Palace remained solemn and magnificent. In that familiar grand hall, Wan Hai and others had been waiting for a long time. In addition, True Person Yuan Ling, Jiuyou, and other elders of the Yuan Ling Universe had also gathered here. The atmosphere was heavy and solemn, and everyone's face wore a serious expression, as if foreshadowing the major issues about to be discussed.

Xun Xiuyuan did not mince words, speaking directly to the point: "I intend to make a trip to the Blue Star Universe. Even if Ye Mao has Advanced to the Supreme Realm, he has only just entered it. If we wait for him to stabilize his Realm, it will be much more difficult to deal with him later."

His voice was firm and decisive, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, revealing an unquestionable determination.

Xie Nanqiao did not speak, because she had long known of Xun Xiuyuan's decision, and she was also a companion, so she listened very calmly. Her eyes revealed trust and support for Xun Xiuyuan, as if she were already prepared to face all challenges.

Wan Hai frowned and said: "Daoist Xun, we should prioritize defense now. Going there rashly is extremely dangerous. Moreover, that is Bai Guang's base; this matter requires careful consideration."

His tone carried worry and caution, his brows furrowed tightly; he was clearly reserved about Xun Xiuyuan's plan, fearing that it would invite greater risks.

Xun Xiuyuan shook his head, insisting on his own view: "For this trip, Nan Qiao and I are sufficient. Both of us have a supreme treasure to protect us; even if we are not a match, it will not be difficult to escape. Otherwise, I fear that less than one in ten living beings in the Blue Star Great Universe will survive."

His words were filled with compassion and responsibility for living beings. Although his voice was soft, it was resonant, making everyone present feel his sense of urgency.

Everyone present understood Xun Xiuyuan's meaning. They remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts, recalling that many survivors from the Neutral Alliance had already arrived in the Yuan Ling Universe. According to the news they brought, in just the last battle, the Cosmic Alliance slaughtered nearly ten billion living beings of the Neutral Alliance, most of whom were Advanced combatants.

The entire affiliated Universe of the Neutral Alliance, after such a war, fell into absolute chaos. Because of this chaos, the death toll was far higher than this; countless worlds collapsed in the flames of war, and living beings suffered immensely.

Everything confirmed Star Swallower's deduction: Bai Guang had betrayed the Blue Star Great Universe.

The massive loss of life and the extensive destruction of the environment were all hugely damaging to the Blue Star Great Universe, yet Bai Guang still committed these acts without hesitation, showing that he no longer cared about the backlash from the Blue Star Great Universe.

Seeing that Xun Xiuyuan's words were reasonable, clear, and hit the mark with every sentence, Wan Hai realized he could not refute them. He took the initiative to propose: "If that is the case, why don't all of our Cultivators at the True Saint-Grade or above go to station themselves at the base of the Yuan Ling Universe? This way, we can at least buy some preparation time for the billions of living beings within the Universe, so we won't be caught off guard when the powerful enemy attacks."