The Ming Feng of the Human Race and the Death Vow were no longer receiving attention. Those enemies from other Life Stars who had narrowly survived were simply set aside. No one cared about them.

On the mountaintops, Gu Ya, Lan Fen, and the others wore grave expressions, recognizing the extraordinary nature of that demonic creature, which stirred deep worry in their hearts.

Only when those intense flames erupted together, enveloping and fiercely refining the demonic creature, causing its body to gradually melt, did they secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

This refining process lasted for three days and three nights.

The power of Earth Fire, Samadhi True Fire, and Heavenly Fire were all unleashed, poured onto the creature. The Earth Fire and Samadhi True Fire melted its body, and the moment the creature dissolved into smoke, the Heavenly Fire immediately took effect, incinerating that smoke.

Moreover, to prevent the creature's soul from escaping, Ji Changkong even employed the Requiem of the Purgatorial Ghost Clan. The power of the Requiem and the Heavenly Fire acted in concert, specifically targeting the dissipating flames.

Under the effect of these powers, any wisp of smoke from the creature immediately vanished completely between heaven and earth, never able to coalesce. This continued ceaselessly for three days and three nights, with all available power concentrated solely on dealing with this novel being he had conjured.

Finally, under the effect of all his desperate, wondrous powers, the demonic creature completely disappeared. Within the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation, he could no longer sense its aura. The Earth Fire, Samadhi True Fire, and Heavenly Fire faded away, and the Requiem of the Purgatorial Ghost Clan was withdrawn. At this moment, Ji Changkong’s mind suddenly felt dizzy, and his body was overcome with extreme fatigue; his Yuan Force seemed utterly depleted.

His body's various powers plummeted significantly, and he struggled to maintain control over the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation. Those mountaintops suspended in the sky began to slip from his command.

Startled, he barely managed to gather his remaining strength. Dozens of mountaintops suddenly pressed downward like divine hammers from the Ninth Heaven, striking Tian Lu, the Lord, and the Death Vow members.

Dozens of mountaintops bombarded them in succession. Even Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader could not withstand the assault; their bodies cracked audibly, and blood streamed from their mouths.

The speed at which the vital energy of the Hai Lan Continent flowed into the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation gradually slowed. Without the infusion of power from Ji Changkong’s body, the formation’s might continuously weakened.

The severely injured Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader seized an opportunity amidst the onslaught and forcefully broke through the blockade. They unleashed the divine weapons they had obtained from the Dead Star Domain—a flying shuttle and a pallid scepter.

The flying shuttle, indestructible, shone with an evil light under Tian Lu’s Lord’s control, possessing an ancient power capable of tearing through the firmament and reverting the world to primordial chaos. Under the shuttle’s impact, a minute fissure finally appeared on the defense of the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation.

The Death Vow’s Leader’s pallid scepter instantly gathered the death soul energy that had permeated the Hai Lan Continent for millennia. Tens of millions of death souls soared forth, converging before the scepter, prying open the gap torn by Tian Lu’s Lord.

Taking advantage of Ji Changkong’s exhaustion, Tian Lu’s Lord, the Death Vow’s Leader, and two or three of their subordinate experts flashed through the fissure and fled desperately toward the spatial turbulence region of the Hai Lan Continent.

While airborne, blood still splattered from those individuals; they were clearly gravely wounded.

Ji Changkong did not pursue. He stood atop one of the mountaintops, forcibly commanding the power within his body to return the constituent peaks of the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation to their proper places. Using his residual strength, he scattered the peaks, returning them to the four directions of the Hai Lan Continent.

After a very long time.

The heavens cleared, and the bright moonlight reappeared in the sky. All the peaks suspended in the mist settled back onto their respective islands. The eighty-one gathered hearts flew in as nine, vanishing into Ji Changkong’s palm.

In the sky above the Hai Lan Continent, only Gu Ya, Lan Fen, and the others remained, suspended in the mist with looks of astonishment.

The invading enemies had suffered devastating losses, and the few who escaped were all severely wounded. In the short term, Tian Lu and the Death Vow would be incapable of threatening the major powers of the Solar Star Domain again.

Standing proudly on a cloud, Ji Changkong’s face was pale, his expression deeply serious.

Just now, the moment the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation completely vanished, he thought he detected an extremely faint, unfamiliar aura that slipped away stealthily during the formation’s dissipation. However, upon careful sensing, he found nothing—this filled him with caution and an underlying sense of unease.

He worried that the extremely faint trace of aura belonged to that magical demonic creature; if so, the situation was rather serious.

He tried to sense it, releasing all his residual soul power, but gained nothing.

At this moment, Gu Ya, Lan Fen, Li Hentian, and their group descended from another cloud, joined by experts from the Shang family and the three bald men from Jinwang Mountain. They all converged there.

Those from other Life Stars arrived shortly after, offering profuse thanks for his intervention at the critical juncture, thanking him for saving their lives.

“Grandfather, Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader still escaped,” Ji Changkong sighed softly. “To deal with that demonic creature, I expended too much strength, and in the end, I couldn't fully control the peaks. Without sufficient power to sustain it, the Ancient Nine Transformations Absolute Formation still revealed a flaw.”

At the final moment, he had the chance to annihilate Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader. If he had directed his strength toward killing them, he would have lost control over the formation, causing those mountaintops to plummet from the clouds while he was executing them.

If ninety-nine peaks had crashed down, the surrounding islands of the Hai Lan Continent might have faced utter annihilation, potentially killing tens of thousands of Heavenly Masters.

Because of the wondrous spectacle in the sky, many Heavenly Master experts on the Hai Lan Continent were looking up from below. As the peaks fell swiftly, those people had no time to evade and were almost certain to be instantly obliterated.

“Although Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader escaped, they surely won’t be causing trouble again soon. As long as we are cautious and consolidate our strength during this period, we need not worry too much,” Gu Ya said with a calm smile, his voice gentle. “You have done exceptionally well. Without you, the various colleagues on Hai Lan Continent certainly would not have survived until now.”

“Indeed, without you, we would certainly be finished this time.”

“Thanks to your timely aid, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

“From now on, if the Xuanyuan Valley needs anything, just command us; we will certainly do our utmost. As long as we can manage it, we will never decline!”

“Why don’t we also form an alliance, following the lead of your Xuanyuan Valley?”

In an instant, those fellows from other Life Stars became devoted adherents of the Xuanyuan Valley. To prevent Tian Lu and the Death Vow from returning with vengeance, they needed to rely on a powerful force to ensure their own survival.

By now, these people had recognized the formidable strength of the Xuanyuan Valley. In the entire Solar Star Domain, who else could have dealt such a blow to Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader?

If it hadn't been for the demonic creature’s interference, perhaps both Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader would have perished within the formation! While the Shang family, Jinwang Mountain, and Feihua were also among the eight great powers of the Solar Star Domain, the gap between them and the current Xuanyuan Valley was not small.

Realizing this, they all bowed and flattered Ji Changkong and his group, eager to please, terrified that the Xuanyuan Valley might reject their offer.

It seemed that the escape of Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader brought unexpected benefits; without these threats looming, these fellows certainly wouldn't be so compliant. Ji Changkong sneered internally but maintained an expression as calm as still water, nodding slowly. “It is fortunate you have such thoughts. I believe if we can truly unite, we need not fear Tian Lu and the Death Vow.”

He paused, then snorted coldly, “I can currently force Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader to flee in heavy injury, so I am not afraid of their return. In the domain of my Xuanyuan Valley, if these heretical elements of Tian Lu and the Death Vow dare to come, I will ensure they come but never leave.”

If he had uttered such words before, these people would surely have mocked him for overestimating himself. But now, they all beamed and nodded repeatedly, saying, “That is true, that is true.”

“Let’s discuss this further on the island,” the old lady of the Shang family said, forcing an awkward smile and looking at Ji Changkong with entreaty.

After this battle, the old lady no longer dared to treat him as a junior. Someone capable of defeating Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader would inevitably become the most conspicuous rising star in the Solar Star Domain sooner or later. Especially before Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader were killed, maintaining a good relationship with him was certainly the right move.

“Very well,” Ji Changkong smiled and agreed.

Moments later, everyone arrived at the Shang family’s assembly hall. The entire battle had taken place in the skies above the Hai Lan Continent. Although Misty Island underwent earth-shattering changes, the center where the Shang family resided remained safe, largely unaffected.

Once seated in the assembly hall, everyone looked at Ji Changkong with smiles, seeking his opinion on the next course of action.

“We are returning to the Xuanyuan Valley. We do not plan on engaging in widespread conflict for the time being. Since the spatial turbulence region of my Xuanyuan Valley has been destroyed, no one can enter physically without my guidance, so I am not worried about a massive invasion by Tian Lu and the Death Vow. Of course, if they do come, I am not afraid.”

Sitting casually, Ji Changkong made no effort to be modest, saying with a smile, “Gentlemen, you at least have a period of rest, because Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader certainly won't cause trouble again until their injuries heal. However, once they recover, that’s another story.”

“Young Master Ji, that… can we perhaps seek refuge in the Xuanyuan Valley for a while?”

“Yes, Young Master Ji. If we gather together in the Xuanyuan Valley, we should not have to worry about their arrival. Only by working together can we make those heretical factions fearful.”

“Who knows when Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader will recover? If they recover early, they will surely seek revenge on us; we dare not return home.”

“Young Master Ji, allow us to go to the Five Elements Continent with you. Rest assured, we will behave ourselves on the Five Elements Continent and do exactly as you instruct.”

The experts from other Life Stars, still deeply fearful of Tian Lu and the Death Vow, couldn't help but suggest this. The old lady of the Shang family, along with Lan Fen and the big bald man, hesitated for a moment before their expressions showed longing; they all looked at Ji Changkong, seemingly inclined to seek temporary refuge in the Xuanyuan Valley.

“You could also destroy the spatial turbulence region you used,” Dick interjected with a reminder.

“But we can’t go back now,” one said pitifully. “Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader left powerful seals in the Hai Lan Continent’s spatial turbulence region.”

“Exactly, it’s hard for us to leave the Hai Lan Continent. Once Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader recover, they will certainly target the Hai Lan Continent first.” “Let us take temporary refuge in the Xuanyuan Valley for a while, and when the storm subsides, Young Master Ji can send us back to our continents, alright?”

These people had been frightened badly; they now dared not return home.

Under their pleading, Ji Changkong showed a difficult expression. “The Yuan Force on the Five Elements Continent is thin, less potent than the Hai Lan Continent, perhaps even less than your home continents. Moreover, our Five Elements Continent is a small place, and I fear you might not be accustomed to it. Furthermore, my Xuanyuan Valley is rather rudimentary; perhaps you…”

“It doesn't matter! As long as we can go, nothing else matters.”

“Young Master Ji, we cultivators are not concerned with luxuries; having a path to live is a great fortune. What requirements could we have?”

“Everyone gathering in the Xuanyuan Valley to properly discuss a grand plan to deal with Tian Lu and the Death Vow, and eliminating these two threats early, is what truly matters. Otherwise, we dare not return home either.”

Ji Changkong frowned, listening carefully to their pleas, knowing they were genuinely afraid. He feigned careful consideration before nodding with a look of great reluctance. “Very well. If you insist, then I have no issues on my end. Let’s put our heads together and devise a method to deal with them; that is indeed necessary.”

“Um… our Shang family also wishes to come and take temporary shelter,” the old lady of the Shang family finally couldn't hold back, her old face showing embarrassment as she mumbled haltingly.

“No problem at all. Come if you wish. Though the Xuanyuan Valley is not vast, we welcome all of you, provided you don’t mind,” Ji Changkong said, suppressing a smile while maintaining a serious tone.

“To help eliminate Tian Lu and the Death Vow, we from Jinwang Mountain will also contribute,” the big bald man said righteously after a moment of hesitation, as if making a profound sacrifice.

Hypocritical! Ji Changkong cursed inwardly, but his face was spread with smiles as he repeatedly said, “With this, my Xuanyuan Valley will truly become lively! Hahahaha!”

Transforming the Xuanyuan Valley into the central gathering point for the major Life Stars of the Solar Star Domain—if this goal could be achieved, it would bring tremendous benefits to the Xuanyuan Valley. Many things that were impossible before, he could now accomplish.

On other Life Stars, there were many exotic cultivation materials not found on the Five Elements Continent. If the Xuanyuan Valley became the gathering place for the major Life Stars, then various cultivation resources from the Solar Star Domain would appear there.

At that time, the cultivators within the Xuanyuan Valley would undoubtedly gain an immense advantage, becoming the most broadly knowledgeable cultivators in the entire Solar Star Domain. If this vision were realized, the Xuanyuan Valley would surely see the emergence of Ten Directions Heavenly Masters!

This was the plan he had formulated before coming to the Hai Lan Continent, and events were now proceeding according to his wishes. Ji Changkong was secretly delighted and began discussing the details with these people, telling the Shang family to prepare, secure their direct relatives, and pack any resources they could take.

Hai Lan Continent, Spatial Turbulence Region Portal—

Tian Lu’s Lord, the Death Vow’s Leader, and several bloody, wounded experts arrived here in utter disarray. Upon reaching this place, their faces were pale, like beggars.

They could never have imagined that they, who had entered here with imposing grandeur, would return in such a state.

When they arrived, they boasted a multitude of experts, each radiating peak vitality. Now, as they departed, more than half their experts were dead, and every one of them was injured and listless.

Tian Lu and the Death Vow, as the two most supreme powers in the Solar Star Domain, had always acted with impunity, eradicating ruthlessly anyone who refused submission wherever they went.

When the experts of Tian Lu and the Death Vow were on the Sun and Moon, they were specters feared by all; as soon as word spread that their people had arrived, everyone scattered, terrified of being ambushed.

Now, these two great powers were reduced to such a miserable state—something no one had ever anticipated.

Tian Lu’s Lord and the Death Vow’s Leader spent a considerable time in this spatial turbulence region, pooling their remaining strength to forcibly tear open a breach in the barrier they had erected.

When the barrier was opened, Tian Lu’s Lord’s face became even paler. The Death Vow’s Leader’s ethereal soul flickered like a candle flame in the wind, seemingly ready to be extinguished at any moment—as pathetic as could be.

“In my entire life, I have never been so humiliated as today. Ji Changkong, I will remember you,” Tian Lu’s Lord hissed, his eyes beneath the smiling mask flashing with venomous light.

“He only won by relying on the formation. Next time, as long as we don't enter the formation, we won't be affected,” the Death Vow’s Leader whispered, his soul drifting. “I will use secret arts to recover, and it won’t take long before I return to kill. Hai Lan Continent, Five Elements Continent—I will turn them into the Ghost Realm, leaving not a single living soul!”

With that, under their leader’s signal, the people of Tian Lu and the Death Vow drilled into the spatial turbulence region.

Tian Lu’s Lord was the last to enter. As his figure disappeared into the passageway of the spatial turbulence region, he failed to notice a strange wisp of aura following him inside.

Behind him, into the fading passage of the spatial turbulence region…

It’s the last day, don’t forget to cast your monthly tickets for me, thank you! D