Chapter 64: The Outer Realm’s Shadow and a Sister’s Fury

The Outer Realm.

This was a term that filled every intelligent being in the Origin Star Universe with revulsion, dread, and an icy chill.

The rapid advancement of all civilizations shared a singular, ultimate goal: to stand against the Outer Realm.

The Origin Star Universe, created by the Creator, saw all its inhabitants living under the Creator’s benevolent protection. To a certain extent, despite the ceaseless conflicts between various races, they were ultimately of the same origin. Reconciliation and coexistence were never insurmountable problems.

The Outer Realm, however, was different. This boundless, desolate expanse, untouched by the Creator’s hand, enveloped the entire Origin Star Universe.

Every exploration outward from the known borders consistently yielded the same chilling conclusion.

Our understanding of the Outer Realm remained incredibly sparse, and the Creator seemed to harbor no desire to explain it. This innate lack of knowledge instilled a primal fear of the unknown within the lives of the Origin Star Universe.

The fundamental reason the Outer Realm became the common enemy of all our races lay in its endless stream of invaders.

Most of these invaders were devoid of reason, bloodthirsty and savage like beasts. They harbored intense hostility towards all life within the Origin Star Universe. Their very bodies and blood could contaminate environments, disrupting the spiritual energy circulation systems of planets. Their power could cause the beings of the Origin Star Universe to lose themselves, descending into madness.

Consequently, each invasion brought widespread destruction and immense casualties.

To mitigate losses and preempt crises, the Anska Alliance deployed vast armies to the chaotic borderlands where rifts appeared, at the very edge of the Outer Realm. Supported by the five World Beasts’ perceptions, their aim was to contain the Outer Realm’s incursions within the lawless zones.

While the aspirations were noble, reality often proved brutal.

Historical records revealed that less than fifty percent of Outer Realm invasions were successfully repelled.

This was partly because the Origin Star Universe was simply too vast, and the sudden appearance of rifts was entirely unpredictable. Consequently, surprise attacks were impossible to guard against.

More significantly, the sheer power of the Outer Realm creatures was a major factor. Even with early detection of invaders, the Alliance was not always guaranteed victory.

Beyond their massive numbers during each invasion, the individual combat prowess of Outer Realm creatures was formidable. Most Prison Beasts ranged from Fifth to Sixth-tier, with some even reaching the Seventh-tier, and these were merely the basic troops.

Even more powerful individuals existed: Eighth-tier Hell Beasts and Battle Sovereign-level Sky Prison Beasts.

Upon encountering high-tier Prison Beasts, regular military deployments were utterly incapable of resisting. Only beings of Saint-tier or above, leveraging the home advantage of abundant spiritual energy, could barely contend.

This explained why most civilizations clustered in the central regions of the Origin Star Universe, areas rich in spiritual energy. Border zones, with their depleted spiritual energy, were simply indefensible, and their indigenous populations were almost extinct.

So, how exactly had Blue Star managed to survive until now? Perhaps its continued existence could be ranked as one of the universe’s greatest miracles.

In the face of such a formidable enemy, the Anska Alliance decreed:

Outer Realm creatures: once discovered, immediately eliminate!

Those who dabble in Outer Realm energy: execute without mercy!

The primary purpose behind the birth of an Original Battle Sovereign was to safeguard the Origin Star Universe and annihilate invaders. This duty far surpassed the protection of their own race.

****

Outer Realm creatures were the common enemy of all inhabitants within the Origin Star Universe.

As an Original Battle Sovereign, one was expected to lead by example.

This was why Lin Ling felt such a mix of emotions after Ifis confirmed her suspicions. It meant that she and Xi Yue might become enemies, a situation Lin Ling desperately wished to avoid.

But… why would things be this way?

Observing Lin Ling lost in thought, Ifis could sense the powerful negative emotions unconsciously emanating from her.

‘Perhaps it’s difficult for my little sister to accept this all at once, but Xi Yue has only been with her for a few years.’

‘Compared to the lifespan of a Battle Sovereign, a few years are but a drop in the ocean, insignificant.’

‘Do not forget your duty. Outer Realm creatures are nothing more than enemies, regardless of what they once were.’

As this thought crossed his mind, a woman’s silhouette flashed before Ifis’s eyes.

Sensing that Lin Ling would not recover anytime soon, Ifis decided against wasting time, as he had matters of his own to attend to. “It seems you understand now.”

“Mhm.”

Lin Ling could only nod reluctantly.

However, a sudden realization struck Lin Ling. Something felt incredibly strange to her.

If Xi Yue truly hailed from the Outer Realm, then why did she not harbor hostility towards the lives of the Origin Star Universe, unlike other Outer Realm creatures? While Lin Ling knew very well that Xi Yue appeared indifferent to almost everyone, she had never shown malice towards strangers. Most often, she simply dismissed them.

She was nothing like the Outer Realm creatures, who engaged in indiscriminate, purposeless slaughter. Otherwise, in the ten years Xi Yue had lived on Blue Star, Lin Ling’s surroundings would surely have been awash in blood by now.

Or perhaps…

‘Xi Yue is a special individual?’

‘Maybe they could get along amicably?’ After all, the bond they had shared for so long felt incredibly real!

A sliver of hope ignited in Lin Ling’s heart. She cautiously inquired, “Is it possible that some special individuals exist among Outer Realm creatures? Ones who aren’t so hostile towards us? Perhaps we could even get along amicably?”

Ifis, hearing this, adopted a speechless expression and scoffed, “Hahaha! Outer Realm creatures have emotions? They’re good to you? Stop dreaming! They’re nothing but a bunch of bloodthirsty beasts!”

Ifis’s mockery pierced Lin Ling’s heart like a sharp blade.

‘Ugh…’

‘This guy is so annoying…’

Suppressing her inner displeasure, Lin Ling maintained a pleasant demeanor. “Isn’t that a bit too absolute? There are always exceptions to everything, aren’t there?”

“Not for the Outer Realm. An enemy is an enemy.”

“But, but Xi Yue isn’t like that! She was very friendly when she was with me, completely different from the Outer Realm creatures described in records!”

Lin Ling still tried to argue.

However, Ifis’s gaze now held a trace of pity for Lin Ling.

“All of this could very well be an illusion. She might have stayed by your side with a specific purpose.”

Lin Ling: “…”

“Why do you think she stayed by your side, a mere ordinary person? And this ordinary person later became a Battle Sovereign. How low is that probability? Is it a coincidence? Moreover, her consciousness was stripped away before you became a Battle Sovereign. Perhaps this was the Mother Goddess’s doing, to prevent you from being corrupted during your trials or inheritance.”

“No, my feelings for Xi Yue are real. This… this is just a coincidence,” Lin Ling’s tone became tinged with hesitation and pain.

Seeing this, Ifis had no intention of stopping. While it might be difficult for his little sister to accept, a short, sharp pain was better than prolonged suffering. He didn’t want Lin Ling to repeat past mistakes; he had experienced enough of certain things himself.

“Think about what happened during Bisika’s inheritance. The Outer Realm is now consciously trying to prevent the birth of Original Battle Sovereigns, and Xi Yue’s objective was likely the same. Don’t be fooled.”

“Your feelings were nothing but a sham!”

“Don’t forget your duty as a Battle Sovereign! That woman is nothing but a liar, don’t let her trick you!!!”

…

…

Ifis’s words relentlessly pounded into Lin Ling’s ears, assaulting her heart and forcing her to accept the ‘truth’ she most vehemently rejected.

‘Is he ever going to stop?!’

“Shut up! Stop talking! What exactly is going on?! I’ll ask Xi Yue myself when I see her!”

A powerful, silvery-white spiritual energy erupted from Lin Ling, directly cutting off Ifis’s words.

Lin Ling knew all of this. Perhaps Ifis’s words weren’t wrong; some things were simply too coincidental. Yet, a glimmer of hope still resided within her, fiercely denying these ‘facts.’

She cherished her memories and feelings for Xi Yue. Even if they might be false, she needed to find Xi Yue and verify it herself.

Until then, no one was to lecture her about it.

Lin Ling knew she wasn’t being rational at the moment, but her subconscious utterly refused to equate Xi Yue, who had lived with her day in and day out, with the monsters of the Outer Realm.

She refused to believe that Xi Yue would deceive her.

‘Sigh,’

‘Sure enough,’

‘All green-haired people are just asking for a beating.’

A nameless fury began to burn within Lin Ling, gradually replacing her earlier sense of loss and pain.

‘Still unwilling to accept the truth?’

Ifis shook his head helplessly.

‘Perhaps now is a good opportunity.’

“I apologize for upsetting you so much, but my view remains unchanged. However, if you wish to vent, I’d be happy to oblige.”

Ifis’s words carried a potent spiritual energy as he extended his right hand, raising four fingers. It was a clear gesture of provocation.

His original intention was simply to inform Lin Ling of these matters. Whether she accepted them or not, it was crucial for her to be wary. Time would prove his point; he believed Lin Ling would eventually understand, just as he once had.

In the Outer Realm, there were only enemies.

But now, he had a different idea. He was immensely interested in Lin Ling, this most unique Original Battle Sovereign. Moreover, it was quite important to gauge his little sister’s strength.

Seeing Ifis’s blatant challenge, Lin Ling’s already foul mood was further provoked. A dangerous glint appeared in her golden eyes.

‘Damn it!’

‘Fine. If you’re going to talk like that, why should I hold back?’

‘Then I’ll beat you so badly your own mother won’t recognize you!!!’

Golden light burst forth from her pupils.

Silvery-white spiritual energy erupted behind Lin Ling.

In an instant, a silver beam whistled out, tearing through the clouds and surging towards the green figure ahead with unstoppable might.