“Very well then! Don't blame me for what comes next!”
Emperor Lian Qianli’s hands wove intricate spirit seals, and brilliant Dao Patterns erupted, surging forth like a cosmic tide. In the vast expanse of the starry sky, the colossal Third Star Ring, an ancient and formidable construct, began to tremble, responding to his command. A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Lian Qianli was activating the Star Ring Power!
The Third Star Ring was a truly boundless marvel, its surface etched with countless Dao Patterns, a testament to its ancient origins. A powerful seal, left by Ancient Ancestor Kongwu of Hanshan Temple, pulsed faintly upon it, making it appear like a colossal ring piercing the very fabric of space. Now, in this critical moment, the dormant Star Ring roared back to life, erupting with a blinding, scorching light. A torrent of power, far exceeding the Three-star Myriad Phase Realm, surged forth like an unstoppable cosmic tide! In that instant, Lu Xuan's very 'Dao' and 'Stance' were shattered, his Rule Power temporarily suppressed!
The Rule Power that had previously held the Tianchen Army in check, dominating the surrounding space, began to rapidly fade and dissipate. The cultivators of the Tianchen Army felt their suppressed power surge back, their cultivation realms rapidly recovering! “Hahahaha!” The Tianchen Army commanders roared with laughter, their voices echoing with renewed arrogance. “And now? What good is your ‘Rule Power’ now, White Robe Star Venerate?!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Dozens of High-rotation Star Venerate Realm cultivators unleashed their auras, each as vast and imposing as a celestial deity. Their collective might surged like a pack of ravenous beasts, raw Starry Sky Power swirling violently around them as they advanced, step by menacing step, towards Ji Fuyao and her three junior siblings. Dozens of High-rotation Star Venerates! And their numbers were still swelling! In that instant, Ji Fuyao, Ye Chen, Xuanji Holy Lord, and Wuwu felt an oppressive, suffocating pressure bear down on them. Even Ye Chen, the strongest among them at Two-rotation Star Venerate Realm, was vastly outmatched. The gap between his power and that of the Tianchen Army commanders was immense.
From afar, Emperor Lian Qianli let out a cold sneer. “A mere White Robe Star Venerate,” he scoffed, “no matter his strength, can he possibly stand against the might of the Third Star Ring?”
Just then, Ye Chen, without a moment’s hesitation, stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Ji Fuyao, Xuanji Holy Lord, and Wuwu. In his hand, a terrifying Exotic Flame materialized. The Fallen Star Flame! In a flash, Dark Starry Sky Power erupted, burning fiercely as Fallen Power cascaded outwards. Ye Chen became a miniature Dark Void, a swirling vortex of corruption. Only the space immediately around him remained a pure sanctuary; everywhere else, the chilling tendrils of Fallen Power spread. With a resolute thought, Ye Chen broke another seal on the flame. A mouthful of fresh blood erupted from his lips—the inevitable backlash! Backlash! Yet, the Fallen Power continued to surge outwards, unchecked.
The charging Tianchen Army commanders instantly faltered, their bodies stiffening. Though this power was nowhere near the full might of the Dark Void, it was enough to send a shiver of dread down their spines. It felt as if an unseen, colossal hand was dragging them relentlessly downwards. A cold fear gripped their hearts! After all, Fallen Power was a force that even Ancient Ancestors regarded with trepidation!
But then, Emperor Lian Qianli’s eyes, however, gleamed with a predatory excitement. He fixated on the Fallen Star Flame in Ye Chen’s hand, a wide, avaricious grin spreading across his face. “That Exotic Flame is mine!” he declared with a booming laugh. He could tell at a glance that this Exotic Flame, though potent, was merely Myriad Phase Tier. If he could acquire it and present it to the Ancient Ancestors of the First Star Ring, the rewards would be immeasurable! Fallen Power of this caliber would be invaluable for the Ancient Ancestors’ research into the Dark Void. Lian Qianli swept his sleeve, his voice ringing with ruthless command. “Kill these four! Seize the Exotic Flame!”
The moment his words landed, the Tianchen Army commanders, no longer hesitating, charged forward. Divine radiance erupted, shaking the heavens and earth as they descended like a storm.
It was at this precise moment. BOOM! CRACK! The very fabric of space ripped open! Space itself twisted and warped! From the gaping spatial rift, Lu Xuan emerged, a figure of serene power. Clad in his pristine white robes, a faint divine radiance shimmered around him, making him appear like a celestial being descended from the heavens. His expression remained utterly unbothered, a picture of tranquil indifference.
“Dare to bully my disciples?”
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes, which had been alight with fierce determination, softened with relief. Her heart, previously taut with tension, instantly settled. Lu Xuan casually flicked his sleeve. Instantly, a terrifying wave of power swept through the heavens and earth, an overwhelming tide of ‘Dao’ and ‘Stance’ that flowed with the might of the cosmos itself. The Rule Power, which the Third Star Ring had so arrogantly shattered moments before, now reappeared in the starry sky, stronger and more profound than ever. The faces of the High-rotation Star Venerates instantly paled. Their cultivation, which had just recovered, was suppressed once more!
Seeing this, Ji Fuyao, her jade-like feet gracefully pushing off the ground, soared into the air. Her long spear, a blur of silver, flashed as she charged directly into the fray. Ye Chen, Xuanji Holy Lord, and Wuwu moved in perfect synchronicity, launching their attacks almost simultaneously.
Emperor Lian Qianli glared at the White Robe Star Venerate, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it would shatter. “You’ve truly exceeded my expectations,” he snarled, “but you will still die!” As his words echoed, his hands wove another series of spirit seals, and countless Dao Patterns surged forth. His body resonated directly with the Third Star Ring, which once again flared to life, pouring an endless stream of power into Emperor Lian Qianli. This surge of power instantly pushed him beyond the Three-star Myriad Phase Realm! Yet, Lu Xuan’s expression remained as calm and unbothered as a gentle breeze. ‘Hmm, even if I’m only Nine-rotation Star Venerate Realm right now, I can still instantly kill Two-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivators,’ Lu Xuan mused internally, a hint of amusement in his unreadable gaze. ‘No need to panic. I’m invincible, after all.’
Emperor Lian Qianli unleashed a devastating punch, a strike infused with the full might of the Star Ring Power. This heaven-shattering blow caused the very fabric of space to boil, a boundless ocean of violent Starry Sky Power surging forth, its immense force threatening to tear the sky asunder. “Star Fist!” BOOM! The force of that single punch was enough to shatter the heavens and rend the earth!
Lu Xuan’s thoughts flickered. Deep within the Dark Void, the Void Kun, which had been frolicking with childlike abandon, suddenly froze. “Huh? Master summoned me for battle!” “Heheheh!” The Void Kun’s massive, childlike heart swelled with excitement. This was the very first time its Master had called upon it! Battle! In an instant, the Void Kun’s colossal form blurred, then vanished. Sensing Lu Xuan’s precise location, it activated its innate Spatial Talent, instantly materializing in the starry expanse where Lu Xuan stood.
BOOM! CRACK! Space twisted violently! The starry sky itself ripped open! From the newly formed spatial rift, an unimaginably colossal form surged forth, its entire body an abyssal black that seemed to drink all light. Its sheer presence was so overwhelming that even the mighty Third Star Ring nearby seemed to dim, its brilliance paling in comparison. Black! An ink-like darkness enveloped this entire corner of the heavens! Everyone present was utterly dumbfounded! What in the world is that?! Such an impossibly massive Great Demon!
The next instant, the Void Kun turned its colossal head towards Emperor Lian Qianli’s incoming Star Fist. Its massive maw opened, a gaping abyss that seemed capable of devouring all creation. WHOOSH! The terrifying Star Fist, a blow that could shatter worlds, was swallowed whole by the Void Kun, vanishing without a trace! Then, the Void Kun, with a gentle rumble that belied its terrifying power, nudged against Lu Xuan, as docile as a pet. It was clearly seeking praise, like a child showing off a new trick. Lu Xuan casually patted the Void Kun’s head, a subtle gesture of encouragement.
Witnessing this surreal scene, every single observer was utterly petrified! Even Emperor Lian Qianli, who had just unleashed a world-shattering attack, stood frozen in disbelief! What… what kind of Great Demon is that?! How can it be so terrifyingly powerful?! It had just swallowed his devastating attack whole! That attack was easily comparable to the full power of a Four-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivator! And such an unbelievably powerful Great Demon was actually subservient to the White Robe Star Venerate?! Emperor Lian Qianli’s face twisted into a grotesque mask of fury and disbelief. He simply couldn’t, wouldn’t, accept it! Impossible!
Suddenly, a grey-robed Imperial Old Ancestor, who had been secretly observing from the shadows, gasped in utter shock. “That’s the Void Kun!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling. “The Great Demon from the Dark Void! I can’t believe it actually exists!” A wave of fresh alarm swept through the onlookers. The Dark Void Great Demon, the Void Kun! But could the Void Kun truly acknowledge a human as its master? How had the White Robe Star Venerate accomplished such an impossible feat? Even the most powerful Ancient Ancestors had never managed such a thing! The Void Kun’s massive form pulsed with terrifying Fallen Power, a sight that completely shattered all their preconceived notions. For countless millennia, this was, for many, the first time they had ever laid eyes on the legendary Great Demon of the Dark Void.
Emperor Lian Qianli’s face darkened, contorting into a truly hideous scowl. “Summon Ancestor!” he roared, his voice laced with desperation. Even with the full might of the Star Ring Power, he could only reach a level comparable to a Four-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivator! He was no match for the White Robe Star Venerate!
The next instant, in the starry sky, several terrifying auras erupted from a cluster of shattered stars. This was the very heart of the Tianchen Empire’s domain! Imperial Old Ancestors, roused from their slumber, activated a Supreme Secret Art and instantly descended. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Several terrifying figures materialized in the starry sky. Though their auras seemed somewhat diminished, their oppressive power was undeniably profound, far surpassing anything Lian Qianli could muster. A grey-robed Imperial Old Ancestor fixed his gaze on Lu Xuan, his voice dripping with cold authority. “I’ll offer you a clear path, esteemed Sir!” he declared. “This Void Kun is not something you are capable of possessing! Hand it over to the powers of the First Star Ring, and perhaps you might yet live to see another day!”