Joining a fourth-grade Divine Realm would be costly. The Divine Spirit Race's bloodline ranks highly, and powerful factions would undoubtedly try every means to capture them or arrange marriages.
Under such fragmentation, the Divine Spirit Race would quickly be assimilated and unable to maintain their pure bloodline.
This is why Elder Ji Yue said it was worth considering, and Yi Tianyun had guessed it almost entirely.
"We've arrived at the Cold Underworld Divine Realm," Yi Tianyun said as they passed through a passage, feeling the chilling cold enveloping them from all sides.
This kind of cold is unbearable for ordinary cultivators; at least Star Monarchs and above can fly freely. Those below this level would need specific protection to avoid being frozen instantly.
"This area is quite desolate…"
Yi Tianyun looked around, seeing planets covered in ice, some even barren and lifeless.
This place was full of water-attribute energy, indicating the presence of a water core. Naturally, with a water core, there would be forces stationed here.
Although the Cold Underworld Divine Realm was desolate, it didn't mean no forces were there. For cultivators with water-attribute physiques, this was a paradise.
"It's desolate, but relatively safe. Being remote, it's generally not easily discovered," Ji Shui Lian explained beside him.
"How did you get captured?" Yi Tianyun hadn't asked this question before, as they were captured in a large group.
"We were intercepted on the way to transfer," Ji Shui Lian shook her head. "We were divided into several groups to go to the agreed gathering place, but we were intercepted on the way. We had received news that the Evil Spirit Race was coming after us, so we had to evacuate quickly, but we were caught."
Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes; it was unfortunate. The Evil Spirit Race had relentlessly hunted them, and unless the Evil Spirit Race was eradicated, this nightmare would never end.
The two sides were like sworn enemies, with the Evil Spirit Race being the hunters and them the prey. Other races, even if they had ideas, were not as terrifying as the Evil Spirit Race.
At least absorbing the Divine Spirit Race's blood didn't have such special effects. This was the main reason. If other races had similar effects, it would be dangerous.
It's like the Phoenix Clan and other divine beasts, whose bloodlines are highly sought after and can be absorbed and used. But this is only to a small extent; completely replacing one's bloodline is impossible.
Yi Tianyun was an exception, able to reach higher levels through upgrades. For other humans, reaching such levels would be impossible.
No matter what, a person's bloodline must occupy a certain proportion; it cannot be entirely replaced unless they change their body or undergo significant modifications.
"It's really a sad situation. I wonder if your people will be waiting for you at the gathering place," Yi Tianyun said.
"They should be. Unless the gathering place is attacked, they won't leave for a short time," Ji Shui Lian said.
Yi Tianyun nodded and said, "Since we're in this area, let's get out of this space to avoid any misunderstandings."
"Alright!"
Yi Tianyun then released them. They had recovered most of their strength during the journey and could fly freely. After coming out, Yi Tianyun quickly put away the Evil Spirit Puppet and flew with them.
Elder Ji Yue led the way, taking them to the gathering place. Even in the Cold Underworld Divine Realm, they still had to fly a considerable distance, making several twists and turns, before arriving at an inconspicuous planet.
This planet was very small and covered in sparse plant life. At first glance, it seemed uninhabited.
Clearly, there was no one on this planet. However, Elder Ji Yue led them to land. After scanning the area, Ji Shui Lian's eyes lit up: "This is our mark!"
"What mark?"
Yi Tianyun looked around, seeing nothing and not understanding what Ji Shui Lian meant by a mark.
"This!" Ji Shui Lian pointed to a small grass on the ground, which looked very inconspicuous and blended in with the planet.
"This is the mark?" Yi Tianyun examined the small grass, still seeing nothing unusual, but then he thought of a way and activated his Eye of Insight to scan it.
Soon, he saw a faint white light within the grass, just a tiny speck, almost undetectable. Even with a spiritual sense, it was hard to detect, but by using his ability, he could see it.
"So it's here…" Yi Tianyun retracted his Eye of Insight. It was information only the Divine Spirit Race could see.
Luckily, he had the Eye of Insight. Otherwise, he wouldn't have seen it.
"There's no need to look; you can't see it. Only our clan members can see it," Ji Shui Lian didn't believe he could see it.
After Elder Ji Yue circled around once, the ground slowly opened a door, revealing a passage to the underground. It looked random but was actually the correct way to open the passage, not something anyone could just figure out.
One wrong step, and everything had to be reset, requiring hundreds or thousands of steps to open the door. It seemed like a lot, but if done correctly and quickly, it only took a few seconds.
"Everyone, come in quickly," Elder Ji Yue urged them inside.
They nodded, and Yi Tianyun followed them down. After everyone was inside, Elder Ji Yue followed, and the door closed quickly, leaving no trace on the surface.
This inconspicuous planet was their gathering place. Yi Tianyun wasn't surprised it was underground.
If it were outside, it would be easily spotted. He guessed it would be underground upon seeing the planet.
They quickly walked through the passage, but what greeted them wasn't a group of welcoming Divine Spirit Race members but a scene of battle!
The place was in shambles, with signs of a fierce battle everywhere. Clearly, this gathering place had been attacked in advance.