Piaomiao Island was the paramount power on the Hailan Continent, and the Shang family was one of the supreme forces within the Sun Star Domain. Over the past thousand years, they had already produced two Ten Directions Heavenly Masters, making the might of the Shang family truly formidable.

The primordial energy of the Hailan Continent was tens of times richer than that of the Five Elements Continent, and Piaomiao Island, naturally, possessed the densest concentration of this energy.

Given the Shang family's immense power, all sorts of esoteric formations, lost for many years, were scattered across every region of the island. Many of these wondrous formations were utterly unknown to Ji Changkong and Gu Pang; only Dick seemed to vaguely recognize a few. According to Dick, some of these formations even originated from the Dead Star Domain.

Although they were merely rudimentary formations from the Dead Star Domain, when brought to the Sun Star Domain, they appeared profoundly arcane, almost impossible for anyone to decipher.

At the urging of everyone, all the experts of the Shang family became busy, striving to maximize the defensive capabilities of Piaomiao Island. The formations activated by the Shang family began to ravenously suckle the primordial energy from heaven and earth.

In an instant, the primordial energy surrounding Piaomiao Island began to surge inward uncontrollably. This energy rightfully belonged to the nearby islands, which usually held it, but when the Shang family sensed danger, they claimed it all without hesitation.

Soon, the swirling primordial energy from the neighboring islands was drawn towards the Shang family under the influence of their grand array.

The already dense primordial energy on Piaomiao Island, augmented by this influx, became dozens of times richer than the energy found in Xuanyuan Valley on the Five Elements Continent, and a hundred times richer than that of Kunlun Mountain!

Some masters who had traveled from other life-bearing stars, feeling the density and wildness of the primordial energy on Piaomiao Island, displayed expressions of shock. It seemed only at this moment did they truly grasp the gap between their own sects and Piaomiao Island.

Cultivating in such a treasure ground, saturated with intense primordial energy, even someone of mediocre talent could advance rapidly. At the very least, reaching the stages before the Five Elements Heaven realm would be effortless.

If one possessed extraordinary cultivation talent, nurtured by the primordial energy here, their spirit could remain perfectly calm. Coupled with sufficient rare heavenly treasures, becoming powerful would be inevitable.

No wonder Shang Bingjie could break through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm so quickly. Her inherent intelligence was already high, and she had undergone a fundamental transformation via some arcane power left by a predecessor of the Shang family. The family certainly wouldn't skimp on spiritual treasures for her. Her rapid ascent to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm was well-justified.

On one hand, her innate talent was extraordinary, but the most crucial factor was possessing the ideal cultivation soil.

Masters from other life-bearing stars watched Shang Bingjie busily giving orders to the Shang family experts, an emotion stirring involuntarily within them. Under the Shang family's efforts, all the primordial energy surging in from all directions was being utilized. Seven-colored divine light once again enveloped the skies above the Shang family residence, as bizarre and variegated hues materialized across Piaomiao Island, seemingly weaving an even more mysterious and unpredictable defensive force.

Wisping balls of spectral fire drifted in the void, and immense, sky-piercing stone pillars erupted from the earth, hovering in mid-air.

The ground churned, and dense primordial energy, like milky-white clouds, overflowed, enveloping the entire Piaomiao Island, continuously reinforcing the myriad strange powers within.

Under the manipulation of the Shang family experts, mountain peaks began to shift their positions. The Shang experts were moving mountains and overturning seas on Piaomiao Island, restructuring every massive feature of the landmass.

Under the influence of the Shang family, Piaomiao Island was constantly transforming. After a short while, the vast island underwent a complete upheaval.

The spring-like warmth of Piaomiao Island instantly became bone-chillingly cold. Many mountains had been relocated, and several small rivers had turned into bottomless lakes. Chunks of phosphorescent stone emerged from the crevices in the earth, filling many flat areas of the island.

The island, once beautiful as a young maiden, under the operation of the Shang experts, seemed to suddenly morph into a ferocious female demon, fully unleashing its savage aspect.

Standing before the Shang family’s grand assembly hall, Ji Changkong, Gu Pang, and the rest of the group watched the world-shaking changes occurring on Piaomiao Peak, realizing that compared to the Shang family's ancient formations, the so-called defensive arrays on the Five Elements Continent were remarkably provincial.

"Impressive!" Li Hentian watched for a long time before finally uttering this evaluation.

Gu Chan nodded, his expression solemn. "We truly were frogs in a well before. Looking at these methods employed by the Shang family, one can see the terrifying might of the Eight Great Supreme Powers of the Sun Star Domain. The application of many formations and profound meanings on this island far exceeds my understanding. It seems the path ahead of us is still very long."

"Many of these formations come from the Dead Star Domain. Some are even residual arrays from before the Great Destruction. Perhaps even our Dark Star Clan doesn't fully grasp their profound meaning." Dick also passed judgment after observing for a while.

Gu Pang and Li Hentian were renowned supreme experts on the Five Elements Continent, and Tian Shan was one of the holy lands there. However, when compared to the grand scale of the Shang family, Gu Pang had to admit that Tian Shan paled in comparison.

The group lamented in silence, finally realizing the clear gap between the powers of the Five Elements Continent and these so-called Eight Great Supreme Powers of the Sun Star Domain. This disparity wasn't just in the number of Ten Directions Heavenly Masters.

Whether it was the Shang family or the other supreme powers, they all had individuals who had cultivated to the Ten Directions Heavenly Master realm. Any master who achieved the Ten Directions Heaven realm, before their body completely departed, would surely have imparted something to their family or sect. Upon comprehending the profound mysteries of the Ten Directions Heaven realm, they would undoubtedly have gained entirely new insights into formations and various secret techniques.

When these new insights were translated into action, they resulted in the massive transformations seen in the mountain gates of these supreme powers.

Furthermore, these supreme powers, having cultivated Ten Directions Heavenly Masters, could utilize special methods to receive residual thoughts from those predecessors who had departed. Some of these thoughts might contain power principles that were very common in the Dead Star Domain, yet upon reaching the Sun Star Domain, those principles became incredibly miraculous.

For example, the method used by the Eight Great Supreme Powers to traverse life-bearing stars via spatial turbulence was entirely derived from these residual thoughts of predecessors. While such a method might be common knowledge in the Dead Star Domain, in the Sun Star Domain, it became unbelievably precious and magical, capable of making their families and sects far stronger.

Watching the changes on Piaomiao Island, Gu Pang, Li Hentian, and the others realized their own inadequacies for the first time.

As they marveled silently, Ben Yuan Zhi Du’s small eyes darted around restlessly. Suddenly, he fixed his gaze on Ji Changkong and exclaimed in surprise, "Kong Kong, what's wrong with you?"

Gu Pang, Li Hentian, and Dick all started, turning involuntarily to look at Ji Changkong.

Ji Changkong was staring blankly at the marvelous changes unfolding on Piaomiao Island. His eyes seemed to have transformed into two separate worlds, within which all sorts of strange images flashed and vanished in rapid succession.

Landmasses were being shifted and rearranged into bizarre and unconventional formations. The power of lightning, like dragons and snakes, coiled around peaks, causing the mountains to dance with electric light. Rivers beside the mountains would instantly emit chilling air and freeze solid, only for that icy river to suddenly resemble boiling water, its surface spewing flames as if erupting lava.

Cold winds gathered, coalescing into tornadoes that ravaged the void, connecting heaven and earth. The ground trembled rhythmically, like a beating heart.

Within his pupils, various strange lights shimmered, intersecting to form unbelievable panoramic scenes. Yet, his expression remained vacant, as if he were completely unaware of the changes occurring within his own eyes.

Gu Pang, Li Hentian, Ben Yuan Zhi Du, and Dick stared dumbfounded at the strange transformations flickering within Ji Changkong’s pupils, frozen by the marvels displayed within.

Beside them, Lan Fen, the courtesan from Feihua, unintentionally glanced at Ji Changkong and also witnessed the marvels in his eyes.

Lan Fen’s delicate body trembled, and her beautiful eyes shot forth expressions of extreme horror as she covered her mouth and softly gasped, "The Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array!"

Gu Pang snapped his head around, his eyes like bolts of lightning, fixing on Lan Fen. "What did you say?"

Li Hentian and Ben Yuan Zhi Du also looked at Lan Fen, their faces full of confusion.

Only on Dick’s ugly face did a sudden look of shock appear, his body violently trembling. He echoed, "The Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array?"

Turning back, Dick looked at Lan Fen and asked with gravity, "Are you saying that what is flashing in his pupils... is the derivation method for that Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array?"

Lan Fen nodded repeatedly, then quickly shook her head, her expression peculiar. "I'm not certain. We at Feihua received some residual thoughts from our predecessors, which included descriptions of the Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array. I only noticed that the wonders within his eyes bear some resemblance to that arcane formation, but I dare not confirm if it truly is."

Gu Pang and Li Hentian turned together to look at Dick, clearly expecting him to explain.

At this moment, they noticed Ji Changkong was in a trance. Though they didn't understand why this change had come over him, they knew absolutely that Ji Changkong could not be disturbed now.

As they spoke, they encircled Ji Changkong in the center, secretly guarding against everyone else, including Lan Fen.

"The Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array is an arcane formation from before the Great Destruction. It is said that this formation has nine distinct variations, hence the name 'Nine Transformations.' Even our Dark Star Clan only knows that such a powerful and fierce formation existed before the Great Destruction, but I heard that after the Great Destruction, the method for laying out this formation was lost."

Dick explained to Gu Pang and Li Hentian, but his gaze remained fixed on Lan Fen. "That Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array seems terrifyingly evil. It is said that once the entire formation is established, it integrates with the soul of the caster. When the array takes form, everything composing it—the rivers and lakes—becomes like the caster’s own bones and flesh..."

Dick, under Lan Fen's gaze, slowly recounted what he knew about the Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array.

Under Dick's observation, Lan Fen’s bright eyes flickered with light. She stole several glances at Ji Changkong, her mind filled with questions. What was this kid’s origin? Why could he not only thwart the demon cave's invasion at this level but also know the layout method for the Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array?

What was going on? Had he been possessed by the soul of a Ten Directions Heavenly Master? Otherwise, how could he be so mysterious and unpredictable, having only just entered the Nine Palaces Heaven realm?

Lan Fen could not fathom it, and her curiosity about Ji Changkong deepened. She secretly resolved that she absolutely must not provoke him in the future, lest she invite endless trouble. If she could foster a closer relationship with him, it would surely bring great benefits to Feihua.

Thinking this, Lan Fen smiled sweetly and voluntarily retreated a short distance from their group, signaling she meant no harm, before saying, "I am not entirely clear about the Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array myself. I merely received residual thoughts from predecessors who mentioned that the ancient formation had nine... variations..."

Gu Pang and Li Hentian remained silent, their gazes fixed on Ji Changkong, filled with confusion.

Gradually, under the meticulous operation of the Shang family experts, the dramatic transformation of Piaomiao Island concluded. All the profound powers completely reshaped the island, making it seem like a different place altogether—dangerous, terrifying, and saturated with hidden lethal intent at every step.

When all the changes in the island's formations slowly settled into tranquility, the phenomena within Ji Changkong's eyes gradually faded.

His eyes cleared, and Ji Changkong immediately noticed the astonishment and confusion in the eyes of Gu Pang, Li Hentian, Dick, Ben Yuan Zhi Du, and Lan Fen. He paused slightly and asked curiously, "What is wrong with all of you?"

The entire group stared at him, their eyes shining, and finally, Ben Yuan Zhi Du inquired, "Did you just experience something?"

Ji Changkong thought back carefully before preparing to answer, but he noticed Lan Fen was also quietly cocking her ear. He coughed lightly and said dismissively, "Nothing, just reminiscing due to the scene, recalling a few things."

Lan Fen was quite perceptive. Seeing that Ji Changkong spoke cautiously because he was mindful of her presence, she chuckled softly and voluntarily stepped back, disappearing from their group.

Gu Pang immediately erected a sound-insulating barrier, enveloping their group, before asking, "Changkong, what exactly happened?"

"I told you that after I refined and killed the original wisp of the main soul within the vast Star Sea Chart, I obtained some disordered memories. Just now, as I watched the earth-shattering changes occurring on Piaomiao Island, I miraculously entered a certain state. A portion of those disordered memories gradually began to organize within that state, and I then comprehended some profound meanings related to formations."

"Including the Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array?" Dick asked excitedly.

Ji Changkong nodded affirmatively.

"That’s utterly incredible!" Dick rubbed his hands, his long tail slapping the ground with a loud pat-pat. He exclaimed excitedly, "The Ancient Nine Transformations Ultimate Array is an arcane formation from before the Great Destruction, said to be lost. I never expected you to obtain those memories. You truly are unbelievable!"

"I don't know how it happened either," Ji Changkong said, looking puzzled. He speculated, "Perhaps the soul within that vast Star Sea Chart was a master of formations."

"Perhaps more than that," Gu Pang stated gravely, his eyes gleaming sharply.

Suddenly, Lan Fen and the old madam of the Shang family displayed expressions of shock.

The bald man from Jinwang Mountain paused for a moment before his expression also drastically changed, revealing a look of dread.

Gu Pang lowered the sound-insulating barrier, pausing his conversation with Ji Changkong, and turned his attention to Lan Fen and the others.

"They've come," Gu Pang said after a moment.

Evidently, these masters who had reached the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, relying on their extraordinary senses, had detected the arrival of powerful enemies. After a short while, even Ji Changkong sensed several dozen massive, malevolent, and bizarre souls appearing over the sea tens of thousands of miles away.

Those souls were like a colossal magnetic field, continuously emitting evil and frigid auras that projected a terrifying sense of oppression even from ten thousand miles away.

"Tianlu and the Death Pact!" Lan Fen cried out, her face turning ashen.

At these words, everyone's faces turned sickly green. Some masters from the smaller life-bearing stars looked utterly disheartened, having instantly lost their resolve.

Even before the battle commenced, these individuals were trembling. If they truly had to fight, what percentage of their combat strength could they manage to deploy?

Tianlu and the Death Pact were the two most heinous powers in the Sun Star Domain, infamous for their merciless slaughter wherever they went.

Two such powerful forces joining forces, and daring to approach them when they knew everyone was gathered at the Shang family residence, clearly indicated that the arrivals were absolutely confident. "What do we do? It's Tianlu and the Death Pact! There must be more evil forces involved too. What are we going to do?"

"We definitely can't hold them here. It is said that the master of Tianlu is only one step away from the Ten Directions Heaven realm, and they possess divine weapons used by Ten Directions Heavenly Masters, along with several rare treasures from the Dead Star Domain. We might not be a match for them!"

"The leader of the Death Pact is even more terrifying. It is said that the Death Pact leader's soul can transform into any shape. Their soul bodies are gathered from the yin energy of heaven and earth, making them impervious to elemental force strikes. Those fellows from the Death Pact are erratic and elusive; we simply cannot harm them."

"Can we escape? Since they have come, they must be fully prepared. They might have even sealed off the spatial turbulence domain. What can we do?"

Before the enemy arrived, the masters from the minor life-bearing stars were already unnerved, their fighting spirit steadily draining away.

"Chang Mei must have brought them. Perhaps they only came for revenge, or maybe their goal is only the people from Xuanyuan Valley," a timid master who had just entered the Nine Palaces Heaven realm suddenly ventured after much hesitation.

Ji Changkong’s face instantly darkened, his eyes filled with cold killing intent. He looked at the man coldly and said, "What do you mean?"

Hee hee, this book has gained a new alliance master. Well, you are quite formidable, thank you. D

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