Chapter Sixty-six: The Red Moon Awakens

The pirates, fierce and unyielding by nature, drew several curved blades from their animal-skin garments. “Rather than waiting here to die, we might as well fight to the death. Today, let us show the world the true blood and spirit of pirates!” With that, they charged forward toward the clearing, their comrades following close behind.

The warriors of Ling Dynasty performed a series of martial movements. “We, descendants of the Dragon, have always held valor above all. If at this moment we do not use our martial skills to save those in peril, what kind of heirs are we?” Rallying people from every era, they too rushed forth.

The scientists, faces grave, exchanged glances. “Our original intention was always for the advancement of human civilization. It seems those who come after us have fulfilled that dream. So even if we die now, we shall have no regrets.” With that, they followed the others into the fray.

Even the nobles wore solemn expressions. “If we do not sacrifice ourselves now, the ones who suffer may well be our descendants, who have spent centuries building our family’s legacy!” Watching one group after another charge to their deaths, the One-Eyed Man no longer hesitated. He ran straight ahead, treading a path paved with the lives of those who went before him, heading for the pillar.

“Just a little further! I’m almost there!” He knew that at best, these sacrifices would buy him only a few seconds. If he did not seize this fleeting chance, all would be lost.

At last, when he was less than five meters from the pillar, all traces of life around him vanished. The flowers began to ravenously draw energy from him.

“Damn it! So close—just a little more!” As he felt his own life ebbing away, he made a desperate decision.

“Bloodthirsty Berserk Lizard, I have sealed you for seven years. You have tried countless times to take my body. This time, I will give you what you want—so long as you can seize the source power of this Phantasmal Realm!” The strange creature sealed within him was no ordinary being; it had attempted many times to break free and possess him. Losing his eye had been the price of keeping it at bay.

In the next instant, a black aura flooded his veins, his skin darkening, his consciousness growing dim. He knew the creature within was taking over.

He ignored the searing pain ravaging his body. His sole aim was the essence of the Phantasmal Realm.

“Just a little more! I cannot fail those who sacrificed themselves for me!” As his hand was about to touch the source power, a huge blood-red hand reached out and seized it first.

“Well, well, so this is the source power of the Phantasmal Realm? Quite exquisite. And isn’t this the Spirit Summoner? So weak—perfect for me to inhabit your body now.” The One-Eyed Man was stunned.

As his consciousness slipped away, he saw the entire space begin to crack and shatter. A crimson figure swiftly merged into his body.

“How… how could this happen!” Outside the Phantasmal Realm, a great door opened once more. The One-Eyed Man stepped through, holding a red crystal, smiling at the crowd.

“It’s the Spirit Summoner from Maoguo! He’s obtained the source of the Phantasmal Realm!” Everyone realized what had happened, but none dared make a move. They simply stared, dumbfounded.

After all, everyone knew the relationship between Maoguo and Daxia. Whoever acted first would have a hard time explaining themselves if Daxia came to seek retribution. If Daxia demanded answers…

It would spell disaster.

At that moment, a Westerner approached. “Oh, my friend, when you were being chased by that wraith, I helped you. In return, might I have a look at that thing in your hand?”

The being controlling the One-Eyed Man—Xiao Zi—did not reply, but narrowed their eyes.

A second later, the Westerner’s chest tightened abruptly. Looking down, he saw a pair of hands thrust straight through him; blood gushed out uncontrollably.

“Ugh… ugh…” He could only groan weakly, stumbling backward before collapsing to the ground, utterly still.

Everyone around was dumbstruck. None expected the Spirit Summoner to strike so ruthlessly.

Before they could react, a massive red figure burst from the One-Eyed Man’s body, soaring upward, the source power clutched in its hand.

“It’s an uncanny being! The uncanny being has seized the source of the Phantasmal Realm!” All factions were shocked, preparing to act—only to sense several terrifying auras nearby.

These auras belonged to uncanny beings lying in ambush.

Before the humans could respond, explosions rang out, instantly obliterating several weaker members among them.

Next, the explosive-haired man appeared, glancing at his side. A little girl’s hand had grown monstrously large, fiercely strangling a human’s throat.

“That wraith over there, we’ve come on our god’s orders to protect you.” One after another, the Demon Lord’s subordinates emerged, clashing immediately with the humans below.

The cat-faced uncanny being declared to Xiao Zi, “Hand over what you hold, and you can become a direct subordinate of the Demon Lord!”

Before she finished her sentence, a blade of light pierced her entire body.

This surge of overwhelming power drew everyone’s attention. They turned to see a refined youth—Fan Tianxing’s senior brother.

“It’s a member of Daxia’s ‘Spirit Refiners.’”

Someone recognized him as one of Daxia’s envoys to Maoguo.

But Zhang Chenyang paid no heed, directing his attacks at Xiao Zi.

Discs appeared one after another around him, each producing sword blades. With a wave of his hand, the blades all shot toward Xiao Zi.

But just before they struck, several massive hands materialized before Xiao Zi, gripping the swords tightly.

The Blood Demon’s Eye identified these hands as manifestations of the little girl’s power—a leader among the uncanny beings.

Amid the chaos below, Xiao Zi finally spoke for the first time.

Lifting the source power high, he called out, “Is it this crimson gem you all covet?”

Every eye widened, fixed greedily upon him.

But Xiao Zi only smiled. “Yet I have no interest in it at all!”

With that, he squeezed the crystal, shattering it.

In the instant the crystal broke, an unimaginable red radiance burst forth, shooting skyward like a pillar linking heaven and earth.

When the light reached the clouds, every cloud in the sky turned red.

The next moment, the crimson radiance blanketed the sky, blotting out the sun and plunging the world into perpetual night.

But that was not all—a silvery glow appeared as the moon rose into the sky. Yet the moon’s pale color did not last; it was soon dyed red.

In that moment, the world’s energies ran wild. Countless uncanny beings felt an uncontrollable agitation deep within.

Even the creature within the Spirit Summoner began to struggle.

“Are you mad? Releasing its power like that? Don’t you know that if our Demon Lord received it, he could rule the world?” one uncanny being shrieked hysterically.

The world was plunged into unprecedented strangeness.

An elderly man from Daxia gazed at the scene and shook his head with helpless resignation.

“Red moon overhead, secrets in turmoil, the demon race on the verge of revival—has humanity truly no hope of altering prophecy?”