The battlefield fell into stunned silence.
Chun Yue, Long Si, and Long Wu stared at Yue Yun with incredulous expressions. Even Yao Xi's gaze deepened, her crystal-clear eyes flickering with complex emotions as she thought of Yun Tian—her lost lover, who had never had the chance to have a family.
Yue Yun remained calm, facing Ren Yuan with icy indifference.
Ren Yuan chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "To think Yun Lintian actually has a daughter. And from your age, it seems you don't belong to this timeline." His smirk widened. "Now, I'm curious—who is your mother?"
Yue Yun's eyes darkened. "That's none of your business."
Without hesitation, she attacked again.
The Moon Staff in her hand gleamed with divine light as she swung it downward, unleashing a crescent blade of condensed lunar energy. The attack sliced through space itself, aiming directly for Ren Yuan's throat.
Yet Ren Yuan merely tilted his head, effortlessly dodging. The blade of energy shot past him, carving a deep fissure into the distant void.
"Tsk, tsk," Ren Yuan tutted. "Such hostility. But since you're Yun Lintian's daughter…" His golden eyes gleamed with greed. "You're the perfect hostage."
His aura exploded outward, several times stronger than before. The Heavenly Decree Domain intensified, pressing down on everyone like an invisible mountain.
Long Si and Long Wu groaned, their knees buckling under the pressure. Even Yao Xi's movements slowed, her divine light flickering as if struggling to resist.
Only Yue Yun remained standing firm, her eyes burning with defiance.
Ren Yuan's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Submit."
He raised a hand, and golden chains materialized from the void, wrapping around Yue Yun's limbs. The chains pulsed with divine authority, sealing her movements.
But Yue Yun didn't panic.
Her fingers twitched—
The chains shattered as an overwhelming surge of life energy erupted from her body. The World Tree's phantom manifested behind her once more, its roots digging into the fabric of reality.
Ren Yuan's smile faltered for a split second. "Huh?"
"Come!" Yue Yun didn't give him time to react.
The phantom tree's branches lashed forward like divine spears, piercing through space toward Ren Yuan. Each strike carried the weight of creation itself, capable of erasing even a Primordial God's existence.
Ren Yuan's third eye pulsed violently as he warped time around himself, narrowly avoiding the lethal strikes. Yet one branch grazed his shoulder, and golden blood splattered across the void.
He glanced at the wound, his expression darkening. "Impressive. But you're still far from matching me."
His Heaven's Eye glowed ominously.
"Heavenly Decree: Oblivion."
A golden beam lanced toward Yue Yun, carrying the absolute authority to erase her from existence.
Yue Yun clenched her fists, and the Primordial Azure Dragon's roar echoed through the abyss. A swirling vortex of ten elemental energies formed a barrier before her.
The collision shook the endless abyss. The shockwaves sent Long Si and Long Wu flying backward, while Chun Yue barely managed to stabilize herself.
When the dust settled, Yue Yun still stood—unharmed, but her breathing slightly ragged.
Ren Yuan's golden eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Ten elemental laws, the Primordial Azure Dragon's soul, the World Tree's power… and now, even the Divine Phoenix Flame and Golden Crow Inferno." He chuckled. "You have indeed inherited your father's legacy fully."
Yue Yun's expression remained cold. "You talk too much."
She raised the Moon Staff high, and the sky above the endless abyss darkened. A massive silver moon materialized, its glow illuminating the battlefield.
The moon crashed downward, its sheer mass distorting space itself.
Ren Yuan's smirk finally vanished.
His Heaven's Eye pulsed violently, and time around him reversed. The descending moon flickered, its form unraveling before it could reach him.
But Yue Yun wasn't done.
She blurred forward, her body transforming into pure light as she closed the distance in an instant.
"Divine Light Severance."
Her palm struck Ren Yuan's chest—
A shockwave of radiant energy exploded outward, sending Ren Yuan hurtling backward. He crashed into a distant mountain of voidstone, the impact reducing it to rubble.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Ren Yuan's laughter echoed from the dust. He emerged, his robes torn, golden blood trickling from his lips—yet his smile was wider than ever.
"Magnificent! Truly magnificent!" He wiped the blood away, his golden eyes burning with excitement. "To think Yun Lintian's daughter could push me this far!"
Yue Yun's expression remained icy. "You haven't seen anything yet."
Ren Yuan chuckled. "Oh, I believe you. But unfortunately… you've overestimated yourself."
Just as Ren Yuan raised his hand to unleash another Heavenly Decree, a piercing screech echoed through the endless abyss. The sound carried the authority of an ancient divine beast, shaking the very fabric of space.
A blazing figure emerged from the Gate of Beyond Heaven, wreathed in crimson flames. Nantian Fengyu landed gracefully beside Yue Yun, her red hair dancing like living fire. Behind her, Yun Qianxue emerged with a swirl of frost, her icy blue eyes locked onto Ren Yuan with lethal intent.
Nantian Fengyu smirked, crossing her arms. "Well, well. If it isn't Ren Yuan—finally showing your face after running with your tail between your legs all these years."
Ren Yuan's golden eyes flickered with mild surprise, but his smile never faded. "Nantian Fengyu. Yun Qianxue. What an unexpected reunion."
He swept his gaze over them, his voice dripping with mock courtesy. "Initially, I had no plans to involve Yun Lintian's women in this. But since you've delivered yourselves to me, it would be impolite to refuse."
His aura erupted once more, this time even more oppressive than before. The Heavenly Decree Domain intensified, pressing down like an invisible mountain.
Yun Qianxue's fingers twitched toward her sword—
But before she could draw it, Ren Yuan's voice rang out like divine judgment.
A golden ripple spread outward.
Long Si and Long Wu stiffened, their bodies locking up as if bound by invisible chains. Their knees buckled, forcing them to the ground, their divine power suppressed.
Nantian Fengyu, Yue Yun, Yun Qianxue, and Yao Xi remained standing but they were clearly battling against the suppression.
Ren Yuan's smirk faltered slightly. His gaze fixed on Nantian Fengyu, his golden eyes narrowing. "You... have already completely merged with the Divine Phoenix?"
Yun Qianxue frowned at his wording.
Merge? What does that mean?