The masters of Xing could see that these other lives were utterly different! In the ancient Nine Transformations Array, soul after soul scattered, and bodies exploded into pieces; in just a few short minutes, half the people were dead within it.

The Ancient Nine Transformations Array originated before the Great Destruction. It comprised nine transformations: Manifestation, Heaven and Earth, Life and Death, Inner Demon, Reincarnation, Space, Ten Directions, Limitless, and Chaos.

Of these, the first six—Manifestation, Heaven and Earth, Life and Death, Inner Demon, Reincarnation, and Space—could be deployed within the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm. The remaining three—Ten Directions, Limitless, and Chaos—required breaking through to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm before they could be unleashed.

The force used against Chang Mei involved the violent collision of numerous mountain peaks. This was one of the nine transformations: the Manifestation transformation, where those peaks were transmuted into the caster’s body. The mountains acted like his fists, striking Chang Mei repeatedly under the influence of his soul’s intent.

Ultimately, Chang Mei was battered until his flesh and bone burst apart, and his soul was annihilated.

This time, to imprison the Death Pact and Tian Lu, the transformations that generated spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces were achieved by leveraging the natural wonders of the Hailan Continent, evolving from the essence of wind, thunder, and lightning. This was the Heaven and Earth transformation, another of the nine variations.

Under this Heaven and Earth transformation, those trapped could only dodge vaguely in all directions, trying their utmost to evade the invasive changes. Unfortunately, the space between the peaks was not wide, and all manner of dangers permeated every corner.

Especially since one Wraith had transformed into a demonic creature under the warping force, swiftly pursuing the escapees, tearing apart and devouring the Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers who were once their comrades.

That demonic creature, after being twisted by the warping force, had become an entirely new species. Its body was impervious to blades and spears, its soul eerie and unpredictable; its movements were like wind and lightning—swift and agile—and it possessed immense strength, capable of violently ripping apart the bodies of Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers.

In a short span, neither the Master of Tian Lu nor the Leader of the Death Pact could find the weakness of this demonic creature. All their profound mystical powers and techniques proved completely ineffective against it. Under the monster’s relentless pursuit, even these two renowned experts from the Sun Star Domain were forced into a desperate scramble for survival.

On one mountain peak, Lan Fen, Gu Yu, and others looked down at the distant commotion, watching the figures imprisoned by several peaks, a mixture of surprise and strangeness coloring their faces.

Although they had long known the Ancient Nine Transformations Array was extraordinary, witnessing its miraculous power firsthand still left them deeply shaken, fostering a sense of their own insignificance.

Lan Fen, the elder woman of the Shang Family, and the bald man from Golden Net Mountain were all peak experts of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm. The three held considerable fame within the Sun Star Domain, and on their respective Life Stars, they were revered by countless people. Yet, even they felt a chilling dread and a surge of helplessness seeing the plight of the Master of Tian Lu and the Leader of the Death Pact in that bizarre confinement.

They understood that if they entered that space, they would likely fare no better than the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu—unable to escape the pervasive influence of the Heaven and Earth transformations, ultimately being shattered, perhaps even having their souls destroyed.

Thinking this, the three subtly glanced toward Ji Chang Kong, their expressions complex. They thought: This young man only recently entered the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm, yet he could force masters like the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu into such a wretched state. If, one day, this fellow broke through to the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm, how terrifying would he become?

At that point, wouldn't he command even more transformations of the Ancient Nine Transformations Array, capable of imprisoning, even annihilating, masters of the Ten Directions Heaven Realm?

Considering this, the three began to feel a chill creep in, secretly resolving that they should stir up less trouble with the Xuanyuan Valley in the future. That fellow’s power was terrifying, and his methods were ruthless. If they truly offended him, not only would they suffer misfortune, but their families might also be dragged into the disaster.

Ji Chang Kong was unaware that while he exerted his full strength against Tian Lu and the Death Pact forces, he was covertly intimidating figures like Lan Fen and the Shang Family elder, making them increasingly wary of the Xuanyuan Valley and daring not to harbor any thoughts of confrontation.

With his soul merged with the Ancient Nine Transformations Array, he experienced a wondrous sensation, as if those mountains were the very bones of his body, becoming his limbs. With just a flicker of his thought, those peaks would respond to the influence of his soul, manifesting all sorts of earth-shattering formations.

There was no need for deliberate control; everything followed the shifts of his soul and intent. His soul permeated the array, omnipresent, and any living being within the formation could not escape his soul’s perception. A thought moved, the array activated, and those within the formation were his to command.

The Heaven and Earth transformation borrowed the power of the Hailan Continent, integrating those forces in a manner that embodied the rules of heaven and earth, manifesting the terrifying powers that should only exist in the endless Star Domain, bringing devastating blows to the Death Pact and Tian Lu contingents. The power of the Heaven and Earth transformation was truly formidable.

Unknowingly, only a sparse few experts from Tian Lu and the Death Pact remained. Among the Nine Palaces Heaven experts from other Life Stars, only three were left, and one of them had been caught in the blast from a solar flare, half his body disintegrated.

Since he could control everything within the Ancient Nine Transformations Array at will, Ji Chang Kong, seated atop a mountain peak, quietly released the Origin Pearl.

The Origin Pearl flew out and miraculously passed through the layer of crystalline protective shield, appearing in the perilous heart of the formation.

The souls of the Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers killed by the spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces—whose souls had not yet dissipated—were drawn to the Origin Pearl, becoming the souls within it, transforming into another form of pure energy.

These were all Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers! Several of them were even at the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm!

The power of these individuals was formidable. As their souls shattered and fell into the Origin Pearl, they continued to grant it immense energy. The greater the accumulation of soul power, the greater the transformation within the Origin Pearl.

Originally, after the Origin Pearl nurtured the Vast Star Sea Map, Ji Chang Kong no longer needed to inject soul power into it. However, upon discovering that the Origin Pearl could serve as a power reserve, providing him with powerful assistance during combat, he resumed the collection of souls.

Unseen by others, the souls of the Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers who died within the crystalline barrier scattered and were absorbed by the Origin Pearl one by one. After absorbing the soul power of those individuals, the Origin Pearl spun rapidly, emitting a dim crimson light, like an eye eerily observing everyone.

The Master of Tian Lu and the Leader of the Death Pact had been evading for a long time, employing various powers in an attempt to break through the crystalline barrier.

Yet, after struggling for so long, they could not break free, their minds consumed by deep thought.

When they saw the Origin Pearl manifest within the crystalline barrier, joy sparked in their hearts. They immediately targeted the Origin Pearl as a potential breach point, gathering their power, preparing to attack it.

The Origin Pearl was exceedingly nimble. The moment it detected the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu preparing to strike, it instantly ascended, disappearing outside the crystalline barrier to evade their attacks.

The crystalline barrier offered resistance to the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu, but it posed no obstruction to the Origin Pearl. The pearl could move in and out freely; through this method, the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu could not touch it at all.

Whenever the pair were afflicted by the array below or pursued by the demonic creature, the Origin Pearl would take the opportunity to descend, collecting the lingering souls within the crystalline barrier, causing its power to surge ever stronger, and its light to grow ever more dazzling.

The Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu suddenly found themselves utterly helpless when trying to deal with the Origin Pearl, and at that moment, some of their subordinates nearby were being devoured alive by the demonic creature, one after another.

The demonic creature, transformed by the warping force, underwent noticeable changes with every Nine Palaces Heaven Soldier it consumed. For example, when it first ate a Nine Palaces Heaven Soldier, the horn on its head grew longer; later, scales began to appear on its body, followed by strange spines, and viscous fluids.

In short, with the consumption of each Nine Palaces Heaven Soldier, the demon changed slightly; even its soul was gradually transforming.

Initially, after transforming into this form, the creature’s life form seemed incomplete and imperfect; the consciousness of its soul was chaotic and disordered, as if permanently affected by the warping force, unable to return to normalcy.

However, with the consumption of every Nine Palaces Heaven Soldier, the demon’s life form became more complete. Not only were its flesh, veins, and blood constantly rearranging into a more perfect structure, but its very life essence was rapidly evolving, becoming more flawless and stable.

The initially frantic, mindless eyes of the creature gradually calmed down after devouring seven Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers; it seemed to have acquired sufficient intelligence.

Crack! Snap!

The demon held the arm of a Nine Palaces Heaven Soldier in its hand, feasting messily as blood spurted forth vividly. A faint halo emanated from its body, and its eyes gradually began to resemble those of a human. Faintly, the demon’s gaze held a similarity to that of the Ghost Demon King.

Standing atop a mountain peak, Ji Chang Kong kept his eyes closed, yet he perceived every anomaly occurring below.

When that cold, emotionless gaze suddenly appeared in the demon's eyes, Ji Chang Kong's soul leaped, and a powerful sense of unease surged within him.

Could that warping force... could it be creating a new, terrifying species? Could it become as horrific as the Ghost Demon King and turn into a scourge upon this Sun Star Domain?

Those Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers, trapped within the crystalline barrier and unable to break free, provided the perfect opportunity for the demon to slaughter them, consuming them one by one.

Originally, everything was within Ji Chang Kong’s control. He expected that after the demon devoured all his enemies, its short life span would lead to its eventual demise within the array, making the entire scenario perfect.

But after consuming these experts, the demonic creature was evolving rapidly. Both its physical form and soul structure underwent earth-shattering changes. The flaws in its flesh and soul seemed to be mended through this evolution, making it... increasingly adapted to this world.

Suddenly, Ji Chang Kong realized the severity of the situation. What if this demon killed everyone but failed to die?

As this thought surfaced, he violently realized the situation had slipped beyond his control. A single glance at the creature told him it would not be easy to deal with.

Thinking quickly, Ji Chang Kong made a decisive move. He abruptly tore open a breach next to the Master of Tian Lu and the Leader of the Death Pact, allowing them to escape the crystalline barrier.

He stopped tending to the remaining few Nine Palaces Heaven Soldiers who hadn't yet died inside, focusing all his energy on the demonic creature within the crystalline barrier. He began manipulating the spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces, attempting to annihilate the demon first.

The mere thought of the chaos a new species like the Ghost Demon King had wrought upon the Five Elements Continent sent a chill through him. This demon’s power seemed no less than the Ghost Demon King's; in sheer brute strength, it might even surpass him. If this creature lived, who knew what devastating impact it would have on this Star Domain.

I cannot become a sinner for all ages; I must eliminate it!

With that resolve, he unleashed the spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces simultaneously, attempting to encircle and eradicate the demon within the barrier.

The demon’s evil eyes suddenly flashed brightly. It possessed astonishing perceptive abilities!

When the spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces approached it, the demon sensed them in advance and evaded them instantly, moving at speeds beyond ordinary imagination.

It was faster than the Leader of the Death Pact!

All incoming attacks were subtly dodged by its speed. None of the forces generated within the barrier could harm it—or, more accurately, none could even touch it!

It was too fast! Too fast for anyone to react, too fast for Ji Chang Kong to counter effectively!

Thump! Thwack!

It began violently slamming against the crystalline barrier. The barrier that resisted all attacks from the Leader of the Death Pact and the Master of Tian Lu started developing cracks under its continuous impacts!

Clang! Clang!

Again and again, the demon struck the barrier violently. The crystalline shield, like glass, showed ever-widening fissures.

Ji Chang Kong suddenly opened his eyes, his face heavy with grimness. He cast a series of arcane hand seals, focusing his spirit, essence, and will, and violently spat out a mouthful of blood, unleashing all the potential within his body.

Spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces surged forth manifold, filling every corner of the crystalline barrier.

The demon dodged rapidly, but when there was no empty space left to move, its evasion became futile. Under the combined assault of the spatial blades, solar flares, and warping forces, the demon chose to be struck by a solar flare.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The combined power of several solar flares exploded in an instant. The demon’s body suddenly burst apart, shattering into countless pieces of flesh that splattered within the crystalline barrier.

Hoo.

Letting out a breath, Ji Chang Kong thought, Finally resolved.

However, before he could feel relief, his pupils contracted, his face etched with terror and disbelief.

The demonic creature, pulverized by the solar flares, had its pieces writhing and rapidly coalescing into a single mass. Soon, it reformed entirely into the shape of the demon!

This was the same method as the Ghost Demon King’s soul splitting into countless strands before unifying! The only difference was: this creature was physical!

Even more terrifying! This was an evil ability more chilling than the soul splitting and merging! Seeing the demon consolidate its new body, Ji Chang Kong truly began to worry.

Crunch!

Just then, the demon struck the barrier with immense force, and the crystalline shield finally shattered completely. The demon escaped its confinement and pursued the Master of Tian Lu and the Leader of the Death Pact, who were still groping their way through the vast white mist, seemingly intending to devour them to restore its power.

"God! What kind of monster is this!" On one mountain peak, the expert from another Life Star gasped in terror next to Gu Yu and Lan Fen. After watching for a while, they were now trembling, their scalps tingling, utterly at a loss.

This newly emerged demon was clearly more terrifying than the Master of Tian Lu or the Leader of the Death Pact. Being utterly destroyed yet instantly recovering—what kind of ability was that?

Fear gripping their hearts, they involuntarily looked toward Ji Chang Kong, standing on the mountain peak opposite them.

At this moment, Ji Chang Kong had risen, his face grave, his eyes gleaming as he stared directly at the demon, not sparing the Master of Tian Lu or the Leader of the Death Pact a glance.

Clearly, in his eyes, the threat posed by the Master of Tian Lu and the Leader of the Death Pact was far overshadowed by this new species he had unintentionally created.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

After breaking free, the demon let out piercing roars. Intense waves of power surged outward from it in all directions. The heaven and earth essence within the Ancient Nine Transformations Array converged, beginning to counteract this monster.

Dozens of mountain peaks moved together from all corners of the world. The earth’s core fire contained within the peaks suddenly boiled and erupted, enveloping the demon entirely in rolling flames, trapping it.

Incinerate!

The earth's core fire could melt the most solid rock. Under Ji Chang Kong’s power, those flames were amplified a hundredfold. The power of the Sacred Beast Vermillion Bird was also infused into the fire, and even the Samadhi True Fire was summoned, all pouring toward the creature in one rush. The intensely concentrated flames converged to trap the demon, while simultaneously, the divine weapon Dragon Splendor Saber flew out, violently hacking at the demon amidst the flames. It was a two-pronged assault: severing the demon first, then refining it with fire.

This method seemed to be effective. Baked by the Samadhi True Fire and the earth fire, the demon's flesh softened and was severed, then intensely scorched by the flames. The flesh began to turn to blood, the blood burned into thick smoke, gradually vanishing. (To be continued)