Chapter 237: The Unexpected Visitor

Anwen said, “This isn’t too difficult. Once everyone has recovered tomorrow, let Edward descend into the Well of Stars. I will have enough time to observe the changes in stellar power. Hopefully, I can find stars that are also beneficial to us.”

Aiden nodded, for the first time in his life feeling that Anwen’s eclectic knowledge might not be entirely useless.

Anwen looked at the Witch and Aiden, then suddenly said, “It’s not easy for us to gather like this. Perhaps this is a rare opportunity to discuss some important matters.”

Aiden was slightly taken aback, not expecting Anwen to say such a thing. This implied that Anwen already considered him an equal, at least in status, even if there was still a gap in power between him, the Witch, and Anwen.

Not long ago, Aiden was still fighting for the right to inherit in his family, but now he could sit and discuss matters with two legendary figures of the younger generation. It was truly unbelievable.

Anwen then gestured to Bai Kongzhao, calling her over. “This is Bai Kongzhao. She… is very special. Though she is human, she can also practice our clan’s techniques. Previously, Emperor Eternal Flame met her and bestowed upon her a protective treasure.”

The Witch snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Aiden gave an awkward smile. During the battle on the floating land, he had encountered Bai Kongzhao, and that experience was far from pleasant. At that time, Aiden was deeply impressed by her ability to seize opportunities. Now, with Anwen formally introducing Bai Kongzhao, Aiden understood the underlying message. Anwen was saying that the girl had already been vetted by Emperor Eternal Flame, and any doubts about her origins should be dismissed.

The girl stood there, looking confused, as if she did not understand what they were talking about.

Anwen said solemnly, “I have thought it over again, and I believe we need to reach a consensus on how to deal with Qian Ye. How exactly should we handle him?”

Without hesitation, Aiden replied, “Of course, we should kill him.”

“Kill.” The Witch was succinct.

Bai Kongzhao remained silent. Anwen, however, gave a wry smile. “You make it sound so easy. We have been chasing him all day, and what have we achieved?”

The Witch responded coldly, “Are you questioning me? The earlier skirmish was merely due to my carelessness. Do you think there will be a second chance?”

Anwen, however, was calm. “I would never doubt your combat prowess, but this is not the void, is it?”

The Witch fell silent. Her most powerful techniques could only be used in the void, and the space structure within the Great Maelstrom was too solid to draw upon, making it impossible to leverage. Here, Qian Ye, with his body stronger than that of the natives, thrived.

“So, what should we do now?” Aiden, seeing the Witch’s silence, knew it was his turn to ask.

After a moment of contemplation, Anwen said, “There are two options. One is to try to reconcile, or even form an alliance, to explore the Great Maelstrom together and, in the future, the void. The other option is to wait until we leave the Great Maelstrom and report to Emperor Eternal Flame, who, along with the Princes, can personally eliminate him.”

Aiden was surprised, not expecting Anwen to hold Qian Ye in such high regard. He pondered for a moment and asked, “Is reconciliation possible?”

Anwen affirmed, “Yes! Qian Ye is a blood race, yet not entirely. This means he is not well-received by either the human empire or the blood race. In this situation, we are the better partners. Moreover, he values his companions highly. If we use their safety as a bargaining chip, cooperation should be achievable.”

Aiden nodded, acknowledging the point. Previous encounters had shown that Qian Ye indeed cared deeply for those around him.

“But the likelihood is low, and we will never be true allies,” the Witch said coldly.

Anwen neither agreed nor disagreed. “Then we must find a way to inform Emperor Eternal Flame. I can send a message now, but only once. Once the message is sent, the Emperor will find a way.”

Though the environment within the Great Maelstrom was harsh and mysterious, it could not stop a supreme being of the Overlord level. However, for some reason, neither the Evernight nor the Dawn had records of Overlords staying long in the Great Maelstrom.

A hint of envy appeared on Aiden’s face. He knew how valuable it was to be able to send a message out of the Great Maelstrom, and more importantly, it meant direct access to the Overlord.

The Witch, however, said coldly, “Keep your message for yourself.”

Anwen was surprised, “Do you want to reconcile with Qian Ye as well?”

The Witch sneered, “Is that possible?”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“I have no interest in your two options. I will handle it my way. I will take Qian Ye’s life with my own hands, and no one is to interfere!”

Anwen frowned, “You mean…?”

“After I kill Qian Ye, you can tell the Emperor.”

“But that’s pointless!”

“For me, that’s the point.”

Anwen wanted to say more, but the Witch waved her hand, “No need. That’s decided. If you insist on telling the Emperor, do as you please.”

While she said that, both Aiden and Anwen understood that doing so would mean incurring the Witch’s enmity.

The Well of Stars finally found a rare moment of peace. Edward, Rorol, and the others, having failed to catch Qian Ye, slowly gathered around the well, considering their next move.

Anwen and Aiden joined them, but the Witch was nowhere to be seen, and no one dared to ask where she had gone.

After a full day of chasing Qian Ye, they had nothing to show for it. This slightly dented the Witch’s untouchable image. Many secretly thought that she was not, after all, omnipotent.

Once everyone was gathered, Anwen said, “Procuring the source blood remains our top priority. Given that Rorol has already tried, it is now the blood race’s turn. Esteemed Edward, will you descend, or will you delegate someone else?”

All eyes turned to Edward. Yesterday, Rorol’s near success highlighted the difficulty of procuring the source blood. Among the blood race, apart from Edward, only Dusk had a good chance of succeeding. Rorol had mentioned that the quality of the source blood directly related to the purity of the bloodline. Those with high strength but low innate talent, even if they succeeded, would produce source blood of limited value.

Logically and emotionally, it should be Edward.

Edward’s expression was as still as water. After a long pause, he said, “In my opinion, it would be better for Rorol to try again, or perhaps Aiden should give it a shot.”

Before Aiden could speak, Rorol’s face darkened, and he snapped, “Why me again?”

Edward’s expression remained unchanged. “Rorol has extensive experience and knows how to handle unexpected situations. Therefore, I think it’s best for him to continue. Otherwise, if Aiden or even Anwen wishes to try, I am open to that.”

Rorol, unlike Edward, was clearly angry. He gritted his teeth, “Edward, are you trying to go against me?”

Edward smiled slightly, “You’re overthinking. If you don’t want to, no one can force you, right?”

Rorol suddenly understood and grunted, falling silent.

Aiden frowned, glancing at Anwen, who also knitted his brows.

Edward’s implication was clear: without resolving Qian Ye, he would not descend. Without his example, Anwen’s analysis of the stellar power would be impossible. Even if Aiden descended, it would be in vain.

The situation was at a standstill. Even with Anwen’s vast wisdom, he could not solve the dilemma. He sighed, “Edward, perhaps we can talk.”

Edward smiled, “I think my life is more important.”

At that point, there was no more to discuss. Anwen shook his head, “Then we wait.”

Only when the Witch brought news could the deadlock be broken.

The Evernight strong gathered around the Well of Stars, each sitting quietly, waiting for the Witch’s news. Although this was traditionally the Empire’s territory, the young generation of the Evernight, much stronger and now banded together, felt secure. Occasionally, Empire strongmen came near the Well, but they were driven away by the outer guard of the blood race. Anwen and the others did not even need to lift a finger.

The Evernight strong openly occupied the Well of Stars, an act of audacity, but with overwhelming power, they had the capital to be arrogant.

However, appearances can be deceiving. While the Evernight strong seemed mighty, they had their own troubles.

The Witch had been pursuing Qian Ye, and since then, there had been no news. No one knew if she had succeeded, or if she was still chasing Qian Ye, or if she had lost his trail and was lying in wait.

With Rorol’s lesson in mind, no one dared to descend until Qian Ye’s whereabouts were confirmed. Thus, the top geniuses of the Evernight young generation sat idle for a full day and night.

As patience began to wear thin, Anwen suddenly looked up, his expression unusually serious.

Edward and Rorol noticed moments later, their faces changing. Aiden was the last to react.

Edward and Rorol’s gazes landed on the ground not far away, where a patch of green grass was dotted with wildflowers. At first glance, it looked no different from the scenery of the Empire or Evernight. Only when one tried to pick a flower would they realize the uniqueness of the Great Maelstrom. Without using origin power, except for Rorol, picking a flower would be a challenge. The delicate flower stems were as tough as steel wires.

Among the scattered flowers, one was in full bloom. It looked ethereally beautiful, its petals unfolding, long stamens extending, and the surrounding landscape subtly shifting, as if a wave of water flowed beneath it.

Anwen, Edward, Rorol, and Aiden, the top geniuses of the Evernight’s young generation, all stood up, their faces filled with shock!

The blooming flower was the Flower of the Nether River.