C1275

Streams of deep red flames poured down upon a corner of the extraterrestrial battlefield, grinding all the meteors into dust.

A fiery Divine Visage, akin to a deity of flame, materialized out of nowhere. With hands raised to the heavens, a sea of fire erupted from his palms, ensnaring the deep red flames.

Dozens of these flames swiftly coalesced and refined into the Sunlit Order's Divine Artifact, the Flame Spear.

As the Flame Spear reconstituted the shards of Fire Crystal, the towering Divine Visage meticulously pieced them together like building blocks, forming Xu Jingyao's Solar Spirit Body.

"There's no need for thanks."

The Solar Spirit, bearing the marks of fragmentation, bowed respectfully to Zhu Huan's Divine Visage.

"The machinations of Kuvrepros have led to such an unexpected conclusion."

Zhu Huan, in the late period of the Unbound Stage, watched his Divine Visage shrink and condense until it matched Xu Jingyao in stature. With a wry smile and a somber expression, he shook his head, "I wonder how many will manage to elude the Starborn's pursuit. Their new leader wields terrifying power."

The battle had etched lines of age into his face, leaving him visibly older.

"Elder Fu from the Ebon Star?" Xu Jingyao asked, his voice strained.

He, along with Cao Jiaze and others, had scattered across Kuvrepros to evade the Starborn's formidable warriors.

While wielding the Flame Spear, Xu Jingyao's Solar Spirit Body had been shattered by the impact of mysterious stars, nearly losing the Flame Spear in the process.

Before departing, Zhu Huan swept up the fragments of Xu Jingyao's Solar Spirit, blending them into the vast expanse of flames.

Yet, he was acutely aware that Ballo, the Starborn patriarch, had truly set his sights on the Ebon Star.

It was Cao Jiaze and Fu Xuanwen's faction...

The Rod of Heavenly Justice, wielded by Fu Xuanwen, had already shown numerous fractures before they made their escape, suggesting the Divine Artifact had sustained irreparable damage.

"Old Fu likely perished in Kuvrepros, and the Rod of Heavenly Justice will be destroyed. Cao Jiaze, having used so many Marks of the Celestials, might have a chance to flee." Zhu Huan sighed, his tone tinged with melancholy, "Many of the Solar Spirits from the sects who ventured into Kuvrepros are doomed to perish."

"It's my fault," Xu Jingyao admitted, bowing his proud head.

He had proposed and orchestrated the plan to assassinate Leo and Beru, and it was by his invitation that Cao Jiaze, Fu Xuanwen, and other Solar Spirit experts had entered the Kuvrepros Astral Domain.

Now that things had turned out this way, he couldn't shirk responsibility.

"This issue will surely be discussed at the meeting of the three upper sects," Zhu Huan said, giving him a glance that was meant to be reassuring. "Taking a hard hit on your first venture into the extraterrestrial realm isn't necessarily a bad thing. You've likely come to understand the saying 'there's always a higher sky.' You'll be more cautious in the future."

"Ballo, why did the Starborn's Beru and Leo choose Cao Jiaze?" Xu Jingyao asked with a cold edge to his voice.

"Fu Xuanwen was probably easier to kill," Zhu Huan replied, his demeanor untroubled.

"Why do I get the feeling that the Starborn see Cao Jiaze as having greater potential than me, as someone who will cause them more trouble in the future?" Xu Jingyao couldn't hide his resentment. "I wield the Flame Spear, and I have you by my side, yet Ballo didn't mark us as primary targets!"

...

Whoosh!

A dazzling burst of golden light shattered the surrounding stones.

Ogeus, in a blind panic, sped through the void, desperate to distance himself from the place where Chen Qinghuang had awakened.

"Ogeus! Ogeus!"

Suddenly, he heard urgent shouts calling his name.

Ogeus snapped to attention, the golden light around him faltering. He squinted, then darted toward a meteorite.

"A ninth-level archdemon!"

"Ogeus from Shadow's Keep!"

Faang Yao, Yuan Lianyao, and the Solar Spirit and Poison Cult cultivators from the Skyblight Cult watched in astonishment as Ogeus transformed into a gaunt human man, landing with a look of defeat.

"What happened?" Faang Yao inquired.

"I encountered a secular bird..."

Ogeus's gaze swept over them. Realizing that not one of the human cultivators present had attained the Unbound Stage, he shook his head in disappointment. "Yanli from my hall, along with the black cattle, must have been devoured by the secular bird. And many of my kin, the Starbeasts and Darkfire Beasts, too."

He gave a brief account.

"Phoenix, Songbird Queen, Yu Yuan, and Yan Qiling..."

Yuan Lianyao's thoughts were swirling chaotically as she whispered to herself. She was tempted to break away from the group and dash over to see for herself what was happening.

Yet, she stayed level-headed and refrained from any rash actions, not even speaking a word.

Faang Yao kept an eye on her, noticing her eyes darting about, but she remained silent, prompting him to nod in approval.

"You!"

Ogeus, with a fierce look, demanded, "Are there any Unbound cultivators from your group on this extraterritorial battlefield? Before I arrived, I heard that Fu Xuanwen, Zhu Huan, and Wei Zhuo from the Thunder Sect had slipped in secretly. Where are they now? Can any of you get in touch with them?"

"I've lost many of my generals, and many archdemons from Shadow's Keep have been slain by her!"

"..."

Ogeus was shouting desperately, seeking assistance and the support of Unbound cultivators.

"They're in the Brugeth, and likely can't even save themselves, let alone offer any help to Shadow's Keep," Chu Yao replied meekly. "Also, Mr. Pei has apparently met with misfortune on a meteor deep within the Brugeth."

"Pei Yuling?" Ogeus barked.

Chu Yao nodded, "He's the one who rescued me from Kuvrepros."

"He's involved with the Voidweaver that's been missing for years and the Origin Gate. He needs to be cautious!" Ogeus was livid.

Chu Yao was taken aback. "I thought Mr. Pei was dead."

"He's a follower of the Origin Deity now, no longer aligned with us," Ogeus said urgently. "Head to the Starway and relay the latest information back immediately. Alert the powerful from all factions to keep an eye on the Brugeth. I sense a major upheaval is imminent!"

...

In a mere moment, all the archdemons and alien beasts were reduced to ashes.

A gust of cold wind scattered them as dust.

Above the silvery meteorite, Yu Yuan and his companions abruptly ceased their conversation, their eyes all drawn to the empress as she soared through the void, arriving in an instant.

Apart from Yu Yuan, everyone else felt constrained.

An intangible pressure loomed over them, making it hard to breathe.

"Head to the meteorite formed by the Domain Gate."

With an air of indifference and an authoritative tone, Chen Qinghuang commanded Yan Qiling, "You're aware of the location and how to get there."

Yan Qiling's heart skipped a beat. "The Voidweaver should be there!"

"That's exactly what I'm after," Chen Qinghuang declared.

Yu Yuan, taken aback, scrutinized the empress's face and neck to ensure no colorful butterflies were present before inquiring, "What's going on? What is the Voidweaver up to at the Origin Gate?"

"I have a rough idea, yet I can't fully grasp it," Chen Qinghuang mused, her eyes narrowing as she pondered for a moment. She continued, "The presence of the two ninth-level archdemons and the alien beasts has somewhat hastened my recovery. Regrettably, the butterfly's meddling allowed Ogeus to escape, costing me half of my potential gains."

Her mention of 'half' indicated that other archdemons and alien beasts were also nearing.

The Voidweaver's disruption, with its stealth attack while she slept, prevented her from continuously exerting her influence and spreading it further.

As a result, the archdemons and alien beasts that should have been drawn to her awoke in time and hastily fled.

Sensing the presence of the secular bird and the Voidweaver, any archdemons and alien beasts with a sense of self-preservation wouldn't dare approach and court death.

"Avoid using spatial passages and refrain from employing any related powers or spells," Chen Qinghuang instructed coldly, glancing at Yan Qiling with a furrowed brow. "In fact, it would be better if you left. Your presence, due to the butterfly's natural counteraction, could become a liability and weakness for us."

Yan Qiling's face stiffened, betraying a touch of embarrassment.

"Join me one last time, and after that, we shall bid each other farewell."

Her demeanor and voice softened considerably as she turned to Yu Yuan.

Despite recognizing the danger, Yu Yuan couldn't resist her request and promptly nodded in agreement.

Yu Yiyi, embodying the cauldron spirit, hummed disapprovingly, clearly reluctant.

​