“I’ll show you a clear path! This Void Kun is not something you can possess! Hand it over to a First Star Ring power, and perhaps you might live!”

His words hung in the air, leaving everyone momentarily stunned. But the shock quickly gave way to a chilling realization: the Grey-robed Elder wasn’t bluffing.

Ancient Ancestor-level cultivators were unchallenged in this Starry Sky; their sole apprehension was the Dark Void. The Void Kun, a Great Demon born from the Dark Void, held the key to its secrets. Should an Ancient Ancestor manage to tame it, they could potentially unlock those very mysteries. The thought of Lu Xuan possessing such a creature would undoubtedly stir the greed of any Ancient Ancestor. The White Robe Star Venerate was already on Emperor Shenwu’s radar. Now, with the Void Kun revealed, countless more Ancient Ancestors would set their sights on him. Surrendering the Void Kun might be his only chance at survival.

Meanwhile, the Void Kun’s emergence was stirring the cosmic pot, drawing the attention of an ever-increasing number of powerhouses. More formidable auras began to flicker into existence from the deep reaches of the Starry Sky, like predatory eyes opening in the dark.

Hidden in the cosmic shadows, Ah Li and her Fox Clan companions watched, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension. Ah Li’s exquisite eyes widened. “This White Robe Star Venerate… he actually tamed a Void Kun!” The other Fox Clan experts murmured in agreement, “He truly surpasses all our predictions.” Ah Li’s gaze sharpened, a new resolve hardening her features. “Perhaps, we genuinely need the White Robe Star Venerate’s assistance!”

A Grey-robed Old Crone beside her offered a sly smile. “This development works in our favor! The Void Kun’s emergence will inevitably draw the gaze of countless Ancient Ancestors towards the White Robe Star Venerate. With all that attention diverted, our window to open the Fox Fortune Holy Land and claim the Bronze Ancient Palace just widened considerably.”

Just then, the Tianchen Empire’s Grey-robed Elder spoke again, his voice laced with a false magnanimity. “White Robe Star Venerate, consider this: I can offer you a path. If you surrender this Void Kun over to Master Kongwu of Cold Mountain Temple, I will personally guarantee your life before Emperor Shenwu. What do you say?”

Lu Xuan let out a soft, dismissive chuckle. “Too much nonsense.”

The moment the words left his lips, the Void Kun surged forward, a monstrous shadow hurtling directly towards the Tianchen Empire’s Old Ancestor, ready to crush him.

“Shhhk!” In an instant, before the Grey-robed Elder could even register what was happening, an abyss of darkness erupted around him. The very essence of the Perished dragged him down like quicksand. “No! No…!” A desperate shriek tore through the void. The Grey-robed Elder was gone, utterly Perished. An instant kill.

Witnessing this, the remaining Old Ancestors’ faces turned glacial, their voices dripping with menace. “White Robe Star Venerate, you have made an unforgivably foolish decision.” BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! They unleashed their supreme secret arts, blinding starlight swirling around them, their forms shimmering as if becoming one with the cosmos. The Third Star Ring itself roared in protest, its immense Star Ring Power erupting. These Old Ancestors struck with force equivalent to a Five-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivator!

“Star-Arrow!” In a flash, the Star Ring itself transformed into a colossal bowstring, unleashing a terrifying divine arrow of pure starlight! This arrow, vast as a cosmic river, surged with endless Dao Patterns, locking onto Lu Xuan with lethal intent. Kill the master, capture the Void Kun!

BOOM! The Void Kun’s colossal form shot forward, meeting the divine arrow head-on. Under the stunned gazes of countless onlookers, its abyssal maw gaped wide, swallowing the Star-Arrow whole! Everyone froze, dumbfounded. It just… ate it? The Void Kun was truly this terrifying! But the creature didn’t pause, continuing its charge straight for the Old Ancestors.

The Old Ancestors’ faces contorted in horror, their forms blurring as they instantly reappeared near the Third Star Ring. With a synchronized clap of their hands, their bodies merged into the Star Ring’s spatial fabric. But the Void Kun was relentless, appearing right behind them, its massive jaws snapping directly at the Third Star Ring itself. The Old Ancestors sneered, “Seeking death! To dare touch an Ancient Ancestor’s Imprint—” Their words died in their throats. “CRACK!” A colossal fissure ripped across the Third Star Ring, and boundless Star Ring Power gushed out like a ruptured dam. The Old Ancestors, still fused with the ring, were swallowed whole by the Void Kun’s gaping maw.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Star Ring Power erupted ceaselessly, spewing forth like a cosmic volcano! Witnessing this, the onlookers were utterly petrified. “Th-th-this…” “Is the Third Star Ring going to shatter too?” “The White Robe Star Venerate just shattered two Star Rings!” A tidal wave of disbelief crashed through everyone’s minds.

The numerous Hegemon-level Forces residing within the Third Star Ring were utterly dumbfounded. Their initial plan had merely been to let the White Robe Star Venerate wear down the Tianchen Empire’s strength. Shattering the Third Star Ring itself? That was never part of the equation! Now, they would inevitably suffer the consequences. But it was too late; they were powerless to intervene. Emperor Lian Qianli stood aghast, his hair disheveled, utterly incapable of processing the reality before him. Several Old Ancestors devoured, the Third Star Ring shattered… This was a Star Ring that had endured for eons! Just… shattered?

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The cataclysmic force of the shattering Star Ring was like a cosmic dam bursting, unstoppable as more and more fissures spread across its surface. The Void Kun, meanwhile, ravenously devoured the Star Ring’s power. Though distinct from Fallen Power, both served to fuel its growth. Its power surged relentlessly! Six-star Myriad Phase Realm! Seven-star Myriad Phase Realm!

Suddenly, deep within the core of the Third Star Ring, an Ancient Ancestor’s Imprint laid down by Master Kongwu flared to life. BOOM! Ten thousand golden rays illuminated the cosmos as a wisp of the Ancient Ancestor’s aura stirred, like a seed sprouting. The profound essence of the Dao of Self cascaded across this corner of the Starry Sky. Instantly, Wuwu felt a powerful resonance within himself. It was the same Dao of Self! Wuwu clasped his hands, his expression turning incredibly grave. His own Dao of Self, though nascent, overlapped with that of Master Kongwu. At the Ancient Ancestor realm, a cultivator’s Dao was so absolute, so intertwined with the fundamental principles of the universe, that it was almost impossible for a second Ancient Ancestor to emerge on the exact same Great Dao. Wuwu felt an immense, existential threat.

Moments later, amidst the boundless divine radiance of the shattering Third Star Ring, a colossal golden Buddha Dharma Manifestation slowly ascended! It was none other than the phantom of Ancient Ancestor Master Kongwu himself. Benevolent and serene, Master Kongwu sat cross-legged, his golden monk robes gently billowing. His face was pristine, radiating an ethereal clarity. A mere wisp of the Ancient Ancestor’s aura pulsed, yet it was enough. In that instant, Master Kongwu’s Dharma Manifestation stood immense and boundless between heaven and earth, compelling countless observing powerhouses to prostrate themselves.

Thud! Thud! Such was the crushing might of an Ancient Ancestor, even from a mere manifested imprint!

Master Kongwu’s face remained utterly devoid of emotion. The shattering of the Third Star Ring, far from provoking the expected rage, was met with profound serenity. His gaze bypassed Lu Xuan and the Void Kun entirely, fixing instead on Wuwu. “Dao of Self!” A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Master Kongwu’s eyes. This was the purest manifestation of the Dao of Self he had ever encountered from another cultivator in his entire existence. And this individual was merely a Star Venerate! He was a perfect seed, ripe for cultivation. Once Wuwu reached the Nine-rotation Myriad Phase Realm, by consuming his Dao Fruit, Master Kongwu’s own power would surge immensely. More crucially, it was the profound insight into the Dao of Self that intrigued him. He had cultivated for endless eons, sensing a growing bottleneck in his own path. Master Kongwu regarded Wuwu, his voice soft yet resonant. “Come with me.”