C1206 Boom!

The Voidfarer, shaped like a flying fish, soared through the dimly lit Star River. Atop the "fish head" of the warship, three Starborn experts stood, bathed in dazzling starlight, unfazed by the erosive psionic power of the Star River. They were Leo, Beru, and Gheirat.

Gheirat, the ruler of this Astral Domain, stood behind Leo and Beru, pointing out a gourd-shaped floating landmass in the distance. He enthusiastically described the wondrous sights there and invited them to visit and take in the scenery.

Leo and Beru, with smiles, graciously declined, expressing a desire to first explore Zekrica. They had learned from Gheirat that Zekrica, a realm bestowed upon his children, was not part of Kuvrepros. It had appeared out of nowhere one day, capturing their curiosity.

The revelation that Zekrica was home to Fellbeasts, abundant magic plants in the Everlands, and once even a thriving population of mortals, left Leo and Beru increasingly astonished. They eagerly proposed a visit to Zekrica to witness its marvels firsthand.

Gheirat, having sworn fealty to Leo, privately considered the Kuvrepros Astral Domain under his rule as part of Leo's territory. Eager to please Leo on his rare visit, Gheirat aimed to accommodate his wishes as much as possible.

He also saw an opportunity for Leo and Beru to confront a fiend in the underground caverns, a problem he had been unable to solve himself. Along their journey, Gheirat mentioned the fiend, further sparking Leo and Beru's interest.

Without any urgency, Gheirat proudly showcased other wonders of the Kuvrepros Domain to his guests, demonstrating the prosperity and order achieved under his leadership.

"There!" exclaimed Beru, the Starfallen Oracle, detecting an anomaly. His gaze locked onto an inconspicuous Domain not on their path. "Let's check it out!"

Beru's bloodline stirred, causing the stars of Kuvrepros to brighten suddenly. He transformed into a shooting star and darted off.

Leo, sensing the disturbance, grew somber. "There's trouble!"

After an extended period, three beams of starlight descended upon the charred remnants of the land.

They witnessed the shattered wall, and the psionic power that surged through it eradicated the low-born of the Starborn.

Cities lay in ruins, mountains crumbled, and the earth was scorched black as far as the eye could see.

It was an apocalyptic vista.

Gheirat suppressed his rage as he soared across the world, yet he found not a single survivor.

Upon returning to Leo and Beru, his rage gave way to profound grief. "My apologies to you both. I never anticipated such a tragedy."

The Kuvrepros Domain boasted nearly a hundred stars, but only about twenty to thirty were suitable for life to thrive and proliferate.

Only a handful, like the one beneath their feet, had sturdy walls and ample cosmic energy.

The Starborn and their eighth-level warriors stationed here were all slain. With the natural wall breached, Gheirat was overwhelmed by sorrow.

"The tactic of incinerating a world is typically employed by the Ruby Hand and the Sunlit Order within the Everlands," Beru sighed, offering a logical analysis. "To my knowledge, the Ruby Hand's masters were dispatched to the Dark Star to collaborate with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep. It's improbable they would be here."

"The Sunlit Order?" Leo exclaimed in fury.

"Yes, a cultivator from the Sunlit Order has intruded into Kuvrepros. Judging by the extent of the damage, it seems there were no Unbound realm cultivators involved, merely some Solar Spirits," Beru deduced.

"Sunlit Order!"

Gheirat's growl was primal, akin to that of a wild beast.

...

Amidst the flames, a warship slowly disintegrated, surrounded by the floating remains of the Starborn.

Xu Jingyao's thoughts flickered, and the Flame Spear vanished from his side. He squinted and clutched the head of a Starborn warrior, from which blood continued to flow.

His fingers, wreathed in flames, penetrated the skull like sharp Fire Crystals.

His Solar Spirit Body glowed like a crimson crystal, its divine light swirling as he extracted crucial information from the head. "The Starfallen Oracle of the Starborn is currently inspecting this Kuvrepros. Heh, he's too old to pose a threat, but the individual accompanying him is quite significant."

"Who is it?" Lu Rui inquired with curiosity.

"That individual, a prodigy graced with an innate Altar of Rebirth, capable of harnessing the cosmic energy from the myriad stars above," Xu Jingyao said with a sinister smile.

"Leo?! Is he in Kuvrepros too?"

Huang Baiqi, Wan Jing, and several experts from the Ethereal Void, Winter's Bite, and Thunder Sect shrieked with excitement, their eyes gleaming as if they had stumbled upon a treasure. "Indeed, it's Leo!"

Xu Jingyao flashed a grin, pausing to reflect before offering advice that seemed out of character for him, "Let's not be hasty or take any impulsive actions. Considering Leo, Gheirat, Beru, and possibly other Starborn elites, our current strength..."

He surveyed the group before him, his demeanor cool and collected. "We're outmatched."

"Little Master, what do you recommend?" Lu Rui asked.

"We either evacuate Kuvrepros immediately, feigning ignorance, as that's the only way to ensure our safety—especially since we've done some unsavory things here," Xu Jingyao said with a composed expression. "Or, we go for a bold move!"

"We're with you!" Huang Baiqi declared firmly.

"Then let's devise a plan to erase the Starborn's most resplendent star from existence!" Xu Jingyao laughed heartily, turning to the three from the Sunlit Order behind him. "You three, cause as much havoc as possible using the coordinates I've provided, and draw Leo and Gheirat's attention."

"Afterward, make a swift exit from Kuvrepros and relay Leo's location to our allies. We'll covertly send in cultivators from the Unbound realm. It's imperative to remain undetected."

He then gestured towards Lu Rui, Huang Baiqi, Wan Jing, and a few others.

"The deceased Starborn was instructed by Gheirat to head to a realm known as Zekrica and await Leo and Beru's inspection," he explained, lifting the Starborn's skull. "The intelligence within suggests that Zekrica's enigmatic nature has captured Leo and Beru's interest."

"We'll set our trap in Zekrica and wait for them to seek us out. They'll be preoccupied elsewhere at first, but by the time they follow their plans to Zekrica, our forces should be ready to converge."

"What do you think?"

Xu Jingyao, having laid out his plan, looked to the gathered experts from various sects. With the Flame Spear in hand and his esteemed position within the Sunlit Order, he commanded the respect of the Solar Spirit experts.

"I'll follow your lead!"

"We think it's workable!"

"Let's go for it!"

The Solar Spirit experts from the sects each nodded in agreement, recognizing that Xu Jingyao was far from rash and that his hastily crafted plan was highly viable.

"Then let's pull off a major coup!"

...

Yu Yuan was unaware of the undercurrents stirring within the Kuvrepros, each with their own schemes.

He was ready to depart.

He had seven bottles of pale green, thick medicinal liquid, which he handed over to Denise. Each bottle was as thick as her arm. "I won't bother with names, as they would need to be renamed, which is quite a hassle."

The concoction's primary ingredient was the lifeblood of the Starbeast, combined with portions of the high-grade alien beast flesh and blood that Elena had provided. Mixed with the magic plants available in Zekrica, the blend harnessed the exquisite properties of the Starbeast's lifeblood and the psionic power akin to that of the Starborn.

Yu Yuan couldn't guarantee that Denise would be able to elevate her bloodline level with the seven bottles of medicinal liquid.

But he was certain that the liquid would be unequivocally effective in enhancing the bloodline of the Starborn.

Especially since Denise's bloodline level was merely at the seventh level.

It wasn't particularly high.

He had once secured a drop of Beru's lifeblood within the Moonfall Sanctuary and subsequently learned much about the vital energy of the Starborn. After delving into the blood crystal of the Demon God Grec, he gained a profound insight into the bloodline mysteries of the Starborn, which enabled him to tailor the treatment.

Thus, he had created those seven unique bottles of medicinal liquid.

"Do you intend to leave Zekrica?"

Having taken the medicinal liquid, Denise sensed his intentions. She glanced at the slumbering Chen Qinghuang and then at the restless, peculiar Starbeast crouched beside the cave. "Are they accompanying you as well? Is that individual inside the Starbeast?"

From Yu Yuan's words, she learned that the fiend buried deep underground had successfully broken free.

"It'll be a bit longer."

Yu Yuan nodded, offering no further explanation.

Shortly thereafter, Xie Bin and Rong Xun from the Obsidian Thunder Sect, along with Han Dan and Jin Haolong from the Starmoon Sect, arrived from various regions of the Lower Continent.

The quartet had reaped considerable rewards; their spirits were high, and their Solar Spirit Bodies were pulsing with the energies of lightning and starlight.

"It's odd that those from Winter's Bite and the Ethereal Void Sect haven't shown up yet."

Jin Haolong looked up at the twinkling stars and exhaled contentedly, "Honestly, I feel a sense of familiarity in Zekrica. I've grown quite fond of it here; I'm in no rush to leave."

When Rong Xun and Xie Bin approached, they squinted at the Starbeast behind Yu Yuan.

The fiend within it turned to them and snapped, "What are you two juniors from the Thunder Sect staring at?!"

"Who is he?" Xie Bin inquired, puzzled.

"Don't concern yourselves with him."

Yu Yuan gestured dismissively, indicating that Denise and Elena should depart. He pondered for a moment before stating, "I can't expect you to stay in Zekrica indefinitely. From now on, you're free to choose whether to go or stay."

With Leo, Beru, and Gheirat already en route, he was confident that even if the Solar Spirit experts from Winter's Bite did find Zekrica, they wouldn't gain any advantage.

Thus, there was no longer any reason for Rong Xun and the others to remain.

"You promised to reveal the secrets of Zekrica to us," Rong Xun said gravely.

Yu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

As he was about to explain, a searing heat emanated from the deep sword scar etched into his arm bone.

"Titanblade!"

​