The Sea Monster!

On the Five Elements Continent, there existed a powerful life form, separate from the Four Holy Beasts, dwelling deep within the Eastern Sea since antiquity. It had never manifested on land. For years, only legends of the Sea Monster persisted in the Eastern Sea; no one had actually seen this ancient being.

However, Ji Changkong, having once visited White Bone Island, knew the Sea Monster was real. On that island, he had faintly sensed its aura, so when the Sea Monster's presence erupted, he immediately knew it was the creature he anticipated.

He didn't have to wait long. In an instant, he saw a colossal entity riding the wind and waves, generating monumental surges that churned the ocean here.

Like the Four Holy Beasts, the Sea Monster was an ancient life form rarely seen in the world, and it was also immensely large. When the Sea Monster finally revealed its full form, Ji Changkong gasped in shock. Amidst the towering waves, the creature's massive body gradually took shape.

It was a giant, squid-like organism, its bulk piled high like a mountain range, covered in hundreds of meters of writhing tentacles. At the tip of each tentacle was a single, solitary eye, beneath which gaped a hideous, wide maw lined with razor-sharp teeth that glittered with chilling menace.

The squid-like Sea Monster bore down upon them, cutting through the wind and surf, and halted before the Azure Dragon Holy Beast in mere moments. An ancient, primordial aura emanated from the Sea Monster, equally capable of shaking the spirit.

The Sea Monster was festooned with enormous tentacles, and at the apex of each one seemed to sprout a grotesque face. The creature coiled its body into what resembled a vast, undulating mass of flesh.

Ji Changkong’s heart tightened. The moment the Sea Monster appeared, without a word, he instantly channeled the elemental power within him, summoning a half-moon shaped corona of light to envelop his entire body. His Dragon-Shining Saber immediately flew forth from within him, hovering silently by his side, ever vigilant.

He was far more familiar with the Four Holy Beasts, having dealt with them several times, and he knew they held no malice toward him. The Sea Monster, however, was different. It was an ancient entity of the Eastern Sea, the guardian of its aquatic inhabitants, and he had no deep familiarity with it.

Legend held that the Sea Monster was inherently bloodthirsty, particularly relishing the consumption of powerful Heavenly Masters, which compelled Ji Changkong to exercise extreme caution.

Yet, he wasn't overly worried. After all, he wasn't the only entity present; the Azure Dragon and the Black Tortoise Holy Beasts were here as well. With these two ancient beings watching over the situation, he surmised the Sea Monster's threat level would not be overwhelming.

Upon seeing Ji Changkong take such precautions, Gu Dan, Li Hentian, Dick, and Shang Bingjie's expressions shifted slightly. They too became silently cautious, wary of a sudden attack from the Sea Monster. Boom! Boom! Boom-boom-boom!

Just then, from within the massive sinkhole, another series of earth-shattering roars erupted. Amidst the deafening explosions, the bodies of the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger Holy Beasts soared out sequentially.

Like the Azure Dragon and the Black Tortoise, the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger were both immense, instilling a terror as profound as mountains and rivers.

The White Tiger, especially, exuded a sharp intent of slaughter and conquest the moment it emerged from the pit. It stared fixedly at the Sea Monster, seemingly eager to engage in a grand battle right there on the floor of the Eastern Sea. Buzz-buzz-buzz! Buzz-buzz-buzz!

A strange sonic wave of pure soul energy suddenly manifested beneath the sea. The waves were piercing, actually generating a subterranean tsunami that whipped up immense swells above their heads.

Ji Changkong’s mind swam slightly; he held his breath and focused, only managing to steady his spirit through the influence of the Tai Xu Secret Record.

This was the communication between the Sea Monster and the Four Holy Beasts. Bizarre sonic waves emanated simultaneously from the Sea Monster and the Beasts, propagating outward and causing the waters of the Eastern Sea to tremble violently.

Even Ji Changkong and Gu Dan, possessing cultivation at the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, felt a stinging pain in their souls, a testament to the terrifying might of these ancient entities.

Among them, the Sea Monster, the White Tiger, and the Vermilion Bird displayed agitated, bellicose behavior. The White Tiger, in particular, seemed exceptionally enraged, as if the Sea Monster had proposed some outrageous demand.

The Sea Monster wildly thrashed its myriad tentacles, each tipped with a ferocious, savage face coldly fixed upon the White Tiger, giving the clear impression that a fight would break out without another word spoken.

Throughout this episode, the Azure Dragon Holy Beast continuously sought to placate the massive creatures. Its serene aura flowed back and forth between the three, seemingly urging them to reach a consensus.

Ji Changkong watched, dumbfounded. However, he dared not interrupt or communicate with the Azure Dragon at this moment, so he could only stand by and observe the unfolding situation.

After some more time, mollified by the Azure Dragon’s efforts, the Sea Monster gradually calmed down. It appeared reluctantly to assent to some condition set by the Azure Dragon. Consequently, the White Tiger Holy Beast ceased its aggressive posture but remained watchfully focused on the Sea Monster. Once the five colossal beings settled down, they arranged themselves into a pentagonal formation, seemingly preparing to activate something momentous.

It was then that the Azure Dragon’s voice finally resonated in Ji Changkong’s mind: "Move further away. We are about to tear open a spatial passage to that unfamiliar continent to go and execute the Ancestral Demon." "Huh?" Ji Changkong exclaimed, then swiftly questioned, "Why not use the entrance beneath the Poison Dragon Pool? And what agreement did you reach with the Sea Monster?"

"The entrance at Poison Dragon Pool is too narrow. That cavern was left specifically to facilitate Xuanyuan’s entry to eradicate demons. Our four bodies are too vast; that aperture cannot sustain our forms or our power. Thus, we must forge a new passage." "The Sea Monster wishes to leave the Five Elements Continent with us. Its singular power is insufficient to open a spatial channel, so it sought an alliance with us to depart this continent together." "The White Tiger initially disagreed because, during the time it absorbed the Origin of Life, the Sea Monster fought it and managed to seize a portion of that Origin. However, since the Sea Monster now agrees to cooperate, we have included it."

The Azure Dragon transmitted its message in an unhurried, calm manner. It was quite patient and showed no immediate inclination to act. "Origin of Life? What is that? Why did the Sea Monster contend with you for these things back then?" Ji Changkong inquired in his mind, deeply curious.

"The Origin of Life is an original form of energy in this universe; it is exceedingly rare. Only about one in several million Life Stars will contain even a minuscule amount of the Origin of Life. The Flame of Life within your soul is one manifestation of this Origin..." "The Origin of Life is an immensely precious form of cosmic energy. When you reach the Ten Directions Heaven realm, your cultivation will require its use. You will gradually learn the specifics later." "The Solar Starfield is vast, with countless Life Stars, but only the Five Elements Continent harbors even a slight trace of the Origin of Life. That is why the four of us chose to lie dormant here. Naturally, the Sea Monster also chose the Eastern Sea of the Five Elements Continent as its cultivation ground after sensing the presence of that small amount of Origin of Life." "After eons of cultivation, we utilized the Origin of Life within this Life Star to recover a portion of our strength, exhausting what was here. That is why we must leave, and the Sea Monster must leave as well."

The Azure Dragon rapidly summarized the general situation, though it refrained from elaborating on the Origin of Life, stating that Ji Changkong would understand its purpose once he broke through to the Ten Directions Heaven realm. Ji Changkong listened intently, filled with astonishment.

The Origin of Life appears in only one in millions of Life Stars—what a precious substance! Cultivation in the Ten Directions Heaven realm requires the Origin of Life. Heavens! Wouldn't cultivation at that level be agonizingly difficult?

Cultivation in the Nine Palaces Heaven realm requires the Essence of Stars, which, though hard to find, exists in virtually any living star. While living stars are rare, they are not utterly scarce.

Yet, the Origin of Life is found in only one place in the entire Solar Starfield: the Five Elements Continent. This explained why the Four Holy Beasts and the Sea Monster had lingered here since antiquity.

"It is said that the probability of finding a Life Star containing the Origin of Life is higher in the Dead Starfield. That is why so many Ten Directions Heavenly Masters and ancient entities congregate there. When you eventually break through to the Ten Directions Heaven realm, you will naturally venture there as well..." The Azure Dragon sent another thought. Ji Changkong paused, then nodded solemnly.

At that moment, a stone shimmering with light shot out from the Azure Dragon’s mouth, speeding toward Ji Changkong.

"This is the reward I promised you. It contains several common methodologies for advancing from the Nine Palaces Heaven to the Ten Directions Heaven realm. Take it first. We will open the passage shortly and enter that continent to slay the Ancestral Demon. You shall come with us." The Azure Dragon transmitted again.

Ji Changkong caught the rapidly approaching, gleaming stone, pressing it down. His divine sense swept over it once, discovering a wave of memory imprinted within.

Without immediately absorbing the memory wave into his soul, Ji Changkong looked toward the Azure Dragon and sent a soul message: "Agreed."

The Azure Dragon ceased speaking, exchanging a glance with the other ancient beings, and began to channel the power within its body.

Suddenly, the four distinct elemental energies—metal, wood, water, and fire—erupted violently from the bodies of the Four Holy Beasts, converging into a single point within the seawater situated among them. Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

A bizarre sound of spatial tearing emanated from that single point. The point grew rapidly, and in an instant, it rent open into a fissure spanning several dozen mu.

At that juncture, the Sea Monster’s myriad tentacles suddenly ejected thin plumes of dark smoke, all falling into the spatial rift. The already enormous rift immediately expanded by another ten mu or so.

These ancient life forms actually commanded the power to tear the void. This truly shook Ji Changkong to his core. He pondered privately: if a true master of the Ten Directions Heaven realm confronted the Four Holy Beasts, would it truly be a path to certain death?

"No. A formidable Ten Directions Heavenly Master, having cultivated to a profound level, can slay us—and can even use our souls and bodies as divine weapons." While he was contemplating, the Azure Dragon’s presence once more filled his mind. His pupils constricted; Ji Changkong was struck with profound shock.

A high-level expert in the Ten Directions Heaven realm could kill the Four Holy Beasts? To extinguish such ancient beings, whose bodies and souls were terrifying to this degree, and furthermore, to refine their very essence into divine weapons? It was almost inconceivable!

Suddenly, Ji Changkong desperately wanted to examine the contents of the memory wave in that stone, eager to know the methods required to break through to the Ten Directions Heaven realm.

However, before he could act, amidst the deafening roar, the Vermilion Bird Holy Beast plunged its body first into the spatial rift.

Following that, the massive bodies of the White Tiger and the Black Tortoise unceremoniously entered the fissure. The Sea Monster hesitated briefly, then, with its countless tentacles waving, moved unhurriedly into the rift. The Azure Dragon remained last, signaling Ji Changkong to enter first.

Without further hesitation, Ji Changkong nodded to Gu Dan, Shang Bingjie, Dick, and Li Hentian, then rushed toward the spatial rift. The others followed him into the passage.

This was the familiar, yet unfamiliar, continent where the Ancestral Demon resided, a place known intimately to Ji Changkong, Gu Dan, and Dick alike. They descended from the heavens of this continent, briefly materializing through the thick cloud layers.

They hadn't been visible for long in the clouds when they saw the massive form of the Azure Dragon Holy Beast slowly emerge from a colossal vortex behind them.

"You all watch from above; your current strength cannot assist in this matter." The Azure Dragon’s immense thoughts resonated simultaneously in everyone's minds. It then surged violently toward the entrance atop the mountain peak shrouded in demonic mist. By this time, the Vermilion Bird and the Sea Monster had already vanished within the opening.

Squinting, Ji Changkong noticed that the Four Holy Beasts and the Sea Monster could manipulate their forms at will. The mountain peak entrance was only a dozen mu across; logically, the Holy Beasts’ bodies should not fit.

Yet, as they entered, their bodies were elongated or shrunk several times over, allowing them to slip through with absolute ease.

The Azure Dragon was no exception. After conveying his message to Ji Changkong, its body, enveloped in azure light, also shrank several times before it could barely squeeze through the mountain peak entrance.

Beneath the surface, violent rumbling continued. Range after range of mountains on this continent collapsed, leaving the earth scarred and ravaged.

For a prolonged period, the immense tremors from deep within the continent echoed, the ferocious power impacting one another, reducing this land entirely to ruin. In almost a single night, not a single plant could be seen on the continent where the Ancestral Demon had been hiding.

After several days of observation while suspended in the air, Ji Changkong discovered that the flora seemed to have turned to ash in an instant, dissipating completely with a puff of wind. Soon, the entire continent was barren; all life perished in explosive ruptures.

It seemed as if this somewhat peculiar Life Star, influenced by some unseen force, had transformed into a desolate dead star. The subterranean roaring persisted.

Ji Changkong and his company remained suspended in the sky, observing the fierce battle below with detached interest. None dared descend to investigate.

The entire star was affected by the surging impact of the powers. Merely observing the collapse of mountains hinted at the terrifying scale of the forces unleashed by those few ancient beings.

A battle of this magnitude was temporarily beyond their capacity to engage in. Though feeling a sense of helplessness, they had to accept this reality.

Though they had never witnessed a Ten Directions Heavenly Master, the turbulent energy fluctuations below allowed them to vaguely estimate the sheer might of such beings, inspiring a newfound reverence for the experts of the Dead Starfield. However, the observers were not entirely without reward.

By extending their immense divine senses to follow the energy circulation patterns of the Four Holy Beasts, the group gradually began to grasp the true meaning behind the utilization of the world's power. Although these were only vague insights, they were invaluable to them at their current level.

Gu Dan, in particular, meditated deeply on the phenomenon, frequently knitting his brows as if grasping some new understanding.

The ancient beings' comprehension of the profound truths of power far surpassed the group's current knowledge. They were demonstrating the most subtle and fundamental laws of cosmic power. In combat, they unleashed their mastery over different powers unreservedly. Those whose divine senses were strong enough could even perceive the trajectories of these forces in motion. This was an immensely precious experience! After an unknown length of time, the tremors deep underground gradually subsided.

Finally, from a profound depth beneath the earth, the body of the Black Tortoise Holy Beast slowly reappeared. Following it, the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger, the Sea Monster, and the Azure Dragon one by one emerged. As expected, they were the victors.

Yet, despite their success, these ancient life forms all appeared profoundly exhausted, exhibiting signs of having expended tremendous energy in the fight.

The four creatures—the Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Sea Monster—had glints of intense excitement in their massive eyes. Without sparing Ji Changkong a second glance, they ascended from the ravaged star. Their colossal forms gradually pierced through the clouds and entered the region of chaotic disorder, subsequently rushing into the vast Star Sea. They seemed overwhelmingly impatient, unwilling to waste even a moment! This departure was something they had awaited for an eternity, so long that they no longer wished to contemplate it.

At last, the four ancient beings—the Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Sea Monster—passed through the heavens in their massive forms, heading toward the boundless Star Sea.

These ancient entities were magical species predating the Great Annihilation and were long accustomed to interstellar travel. The restrictive forces that bound the Nine Palaces Heavenly Masters held no sway over them.

The Azure Dragon Holy Beast did not depart immediately. It opened its mouth and expelled a series of dark, ossified scales that flew toward Ji Changkong. These bones and scales radiated soaring demonic energy. Embedded within the scales were more than ten ink-black stones, each swirling with demonic power and possessing astonishingly sinister energy.

"These are the segments, scales, and Demon Crystals from the Ancestral Demon's body that contained the most power. The Ancestral Demon's soul is almost inextinguishable; although we annihilated its physical form, its soul escaped as a wisp of demonic qi. Since its body is destroyed, it will take at least a hundred thousand years for the Ancestral Demon to reconstruct a physical form. It is no longer a threat," the Azure Dragon conveyed. "What use are the Ancestral Demon's bones, scales, and Demon Crystals?" Ji Changkong inquired.

"Last time, you obtained the Ancestral Demon’s head. Now, with these most vital parts of its body, you can forge a body for your second soul. If this second body cultivates demonic arts, it has the potential to reach the pinnacle of the demonic path! However, you must be cautious not to be usurped by this second body. Pay absolute attention to your second soul; if you detect any abnormality, stop cultivating the second body immediately. Only proceed when you are certain you can control the second soul. Remember this!"

"In the stone I gave you, there are methods for refining a new body using the Ancestral Demon’s miraculous essence. Study it well. The spatial turbulence leading to the Poison Dragon Pool still exists, though its orientation has shifted slightly. Be mindful of that..."

"The White Tiger and the others are waiting for me; I must depart as well. We will leave from here. Should fate allow, perhaps we shall meet again in the Dead Starfield..."

The Azure Dragon's transmissions began to fade. Its colossal form gradually ascended, piercing through the zone of chaotic disorder and entering the boundless Star Sea.

Even in the void of space, the immense magnetic fields generated by the souls of the Four Holy Beasts and the Sea Monster could still be perceived, though as these ancient beings traveled farther, their soul signatures gradually diminished.

After a very long while, the group finally realized they could no longer sense the auras of the Four Holy Beasts, indicating they were now very far from this star.

"They're gone?" Shang Bingjie looked up at the sky and murmured.

"Gone," Dick replied, his eyes full of astonishment. "These ancient beings are truly incredible. Only such powerful entities could survive the Great Destruction."

"Finally, they've left," Ji Changkong took a deep breath and then smiled lightly. "We will meet again someday. Bingjie, as long as you and I strive, I believe it won't be long before we too become members of the Dead Starfield."

"Then you need to hurry up; breaking through from the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm won't pose a major bottleneck for me... I can already feel it," Shang Bingjie chuckled softly, glancing provocatively at Ji Changkong.

"Haha, don't worry, I'll definitely be faster than you!" Ji Changkong declared boldly.

He knew that Shang Bingjie carried an imprint left by the ancestors of the Shang family from the Dead Star Domain within her mind. With the aid of that imprint, once Shang Bingjie reached the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm, she should be able to quickly ascend to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm.

Ji Changkong, however, wasn't so fortunate. But now that he had obtained the memory fluctuations left by the Azure Dragon Sacred Beast, he believed that as long as he dedicated effort to studying them, he would inevitably reach the Ten Directions Heaven Realm one day.

"Changkong, do you really intend to refine that second body? The Ancestral Demon... such a creature doesn't entirely approve. With the current strength of your body, you no longer fear any expert in the Solar Star Domain. Why waste energy on that second body? In my opinion, focusing entirely on cultivating your main body and reaching the Ten Directions Heaven Realm sooner is the priority."

"Grandpa, I will consider it. After studying the memory fluctuations left by the Azure Dragon Sacred Beast, I will decide whether to refine the second body," Ji Changkong replied after a moment of hesitation.

"Very well, then let's return to the Five Elements Continent. You should also enter seclusion for a period to properly examine the memory fluctuations within that stone," Gu Dan nodded.

Saying this, the group located the original spatial fissure in a dark area deeply sunken underground, opened the passage, and emerged at the bottom of the Poison Dragon Pool, bringing everyone with them. The Meteor Sea Star Domain, Tuoman Continent, Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein.

The Heavenly Vein practitioners residing in the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein were the most formidable lineage of Heavenly Scholars on the Tuoman Continent, and also the most powerful force of Heavenly Scholars in the entire Meteor Sea Star Domain! The Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein was a continuous chain of mountains, with every peak soaring into the clouds, reaching tens of thousands of meters high. The elemental energy here was exceedingly abundant; the higher a mountain pierced the clouds, the denser the Heaven and Earth elemental energy at its summit.

Within this Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein, there were several thousand Heavenly Vein practitioners, among whom over fifty had reached the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm!

The Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein had always been the leader of the Meteor Sea Star Domain. Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholars from other life-bearing stars frequently visited here, exchanging insights and cultivation comprehension with the local Heavenly Vein practitioners. One day, a massive meteor descended from the heavens, crashing down into the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein with a tremendous roar.

The intensely red, branding-iron-like meteor struck the second tallest peak of the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein, Mount Qiyun, directly leveling it. Almost none of the Heavenly Scholars cultivating on that peak escaped; all were blasted into dust by the impact of the meteor.

From the crimson meteor, three ferocious monsters, each standing three meters tall, slowly descended, unhurriedly stepping off the branding-iron-like surface.

These monsters were covered in black scales, possessed three heads and six arms, and were exceptionally savage, exuding an immense aura of violent bloodlust.

After descending from the meteor, the three monsters glanced at each other and immediately flew toward the highest peak of the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein, moving with lightning speed. In just a short time, piercing screams erupted from that highest peak; experts who had cultivated to the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm began to have their souls scattered and their physical bodies shattered.

An evil power, like a dark cloud, enveloped the entire Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein. Within a mere three days, the vast Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein was ravaged, and not a single cultivated Heavenly Scholar managed to escape the clutches of these three monsters.

After executing the experts of the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein, the three monsters split up and began moving throughout the Tuoman Continent.

Momentarily, the Tuoman Continent, once hailed as the paradise for Heavenly Scholars in the Meteor Sea Star Domain, transformed into a veritable hell. Powerful Heavenly Scholar families and renowned super-experts perished one after another. After one month, Heavenly Scholars on the Tuoman Continent whose cultivation had reached above the Seven Stars Heaven Realm were nearly extinct.

The three monsters reconvened at the Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein. After exchanging some assessments, they soared into the sky, piercing through the chaotic and lawless zone of the Tuoman Continent and directly navigating the sea of stars with their physical bodies.

The three monsters searched the sea of stars for life-bearing stars. Once they discovered a star inhabited by powerful Heavenly Scholars, the three monsters would descend from the heavens and commence a massacre of that star's Heavenly Scholars.

In the span of a year, the vast Meteor Sea Star Domain had seen hundreds of life-bearing stars swept clean, with all Heavenly Scholars at the Seven Stars Heaven Realm executed.

At once, terror gripped the populace of the Meteor Sea Star Domain. The surviving Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholars who received the news scattered like startled birds across the various life-bearing stars of the domain, utilizing the Spatial Turbulent Zones to hide, fearful of encountering these three monsters.

In the southern part of the Meteor Sea Star Domain, on a life-bearing star long desolate, a group of three people wore expressions of deep sorrow. Beside them stood more than a dozen Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholars, all with mournful faces. These three were none other than Hei Luo, Tuolei, and Tuolie.

"What are we to do? At this rate, it won't be long before the Meteor Sea Star Domain has no Heavenly Scholars above the Seven Stars Heaven Realm left. What can possibly be done about this?"

"There's nothing we can do; the opponent's strength is too overwhelming. I fear... I fear they possess power comparable to the Ten Directions Heavenly Scholars. We have absolutely no way to resist them."

"Alas, there's nowhere left to run. When will this nightmare end?" The dozen or so Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholars looked utterly lost.

Tuolei, his face stern, gazed at the desolate life-bearing star and sighed, "This life-bearing star has very little Heaven and Earth elemental energy. If we stay here long-term, we won't be able to continue cultivating. This isn't a solution either."

Hei Luo, equally grim-faced, glared fiercely at the dozen or so people opposite him. "Hmph! It's all because of you sects! You grew tired of your surroundings and ventured to distant star domains to seek Star Essence, finally provoking the outbreak of the Hidden Demon Race. Now they've sent experts to sweep through our domain—are you satisfied now?" The people facing him hung their heads in dejection, unable to find words.

"Alright, Hei Luo, it wasn't intentional. Without Star Essence to cultivate with, they were on a dead-end road sooner or later. Now we should discuss how to find a way to deal with the Hidden Demon Race. Only three experts showed up, yet they managed to ravage our domain; the gap in strength is too vast. This fight is unwinnable," Tuolie said with a wry smile. The crowd fell silent once more.

After a long pause, Hei Luo suddenly spoke, "That... do you still remember, back when we were at the junction point, he once... once possessed an 'Dark Dawn'?" At these words, Tuolei and Tuolie's eyes lit up, only to dim again immediately after.

"Back then, when our Five Great Elders turned against him, it resulted in us being poisoned to death. Even my younger brother..." Tuolei sighed. "Over the years, some of our Undulating Cloud Heavenly Vein disciples and experts tried to contact him regarding the Star Essence matter, but he refused to even meet with us."

"My sister too..." Hei Luo nodded, his expression somewhat melancholic. However, after a brief moment of reflection, Hei Luo continued, "The situation this time is different. Those Hidden Demon Race members have no humanity whatsoever. Only with the help of that 'Dark Dawn' can our main bodies traverse two star domains. I think... he might be willing to help, right?"

"Why should he help us?" Tuolie questioned.

"The Solar Star Domain and the Meteor Sea Star Domain are adjacent. If our Meteor Sea Star Domain falls, those Hidden Demon Race members might invade the Solar Star Domain—they won't benefit from that either," Hei Luo snorted.

"We might not be able to deal with those creatures, but it doesn't mean they can't," Tuolei shook his head. Then he added, "Have you forgotten that back then, after that evil creature appeared, it actually managed to drive the experts of the Zake Race into a frantic retreat?"

"That... that is true," Hei Luo nodded. "It is rumored that even that evil creature was eventually killed by that person. I think only he can deal with the Hidden Demon Race."

"Who is that person? As long as there is the slightest possibility, please do not let it pass!" a Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholar from the Meteor Sea Star Domain asked eagerly. These people had been hunted relentlessly, wandering across various life-bearing stars in terror of being discovered. Just then, a beam of light flashed behind them—it was indeed another Spatial Turbulent Zone.

A beautiful Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholar, her face etched with panic, emerged from the Spatial Turbulent Zone. Even before fully stepping out, she cried out loudly, "Bad news, bad news!"

"What is it, Xiaoman?" Hei Luo started, asking, "Did those three Hidden Demon Race fiends come this way?"

Hei Luo’s expression hardened. "If that's the case, we can't stay here either. We must move immediately, or if they find us, it's certain death!"

"No," the charming Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholar named Xiaoman replied, her voice trembling with fright. "Those three Hidden Demon Race fiends seem to know that some of us have been escaping through the Spatial Turbulent Zones. They've started... started..."

"What exactly is happening?" the crowd urged.

"They are destroying the Spatial Turbulent Zones! Every time they arrive at a life-bearing star, the first thing they do is destroy the Spatial Turbulent Zone there!" Xiaoman said, her face ashen with despair. At these words, everyone present was stunned speechless, completely dumbfounded.

Despair began to spread among them. At that moment, they all felt their end was near.

Destroying the Spatial Turbulent Zone upon arrival at any location meant that no Heavenly Scholar at the Seven Stars Heaven Realm on that life-bearing star could escape!

If they destroyed all the Spatial Turbulent Zones on every life-bearing star, then the experts of the Meteor Sea Star Domain would have nowhere left to flee! This was because those three Hidden Demon Race fiends could navigate the sea of stars directly!

And since they had not reached the Ten Directions Heaven Realm, they lacked this ability. The only reason they had survived all these years was by relying on the existence of the Spatial Turbulent Zones. Once the Spatial Turbulent Zone on every life-bearing star was gone, they truly faced only death. What now?

Despair hung over everyone's hearts like a thunderous cloud. At this juncture, a single question arose in everyone's mind, bringing an extreme bitterness to their hearts.

"It seems we have no choice but to seek his help! Otherwise, the Meteor Sea Star Domain will be completely finished," Hei Luo murmured after a moment of thought, looking up at Tuolei and Tuolie. "Compared to the devastation across the Meteor Sea Star Domain, personal grudges are trivial. Moreover, it wasn't him who acted back then. We... we should just forget about it."

Tuolei and Tuolie exchanged a glance and both smiled bitterly. "Even if we can forget the hatred, will he even pay attention to us?"

"How will we know if we don't try?" Hei Luo took a deep breath. "While those three Hidden Demon Race members haven't found us yet, let a few people stay here. The rest of us will go to the junction point between the two star domains. No matter the method, as long as we see someone from the Solar Star Domain, we must get the message across!"

"That's the only way. Let's hope he extends a helping hand," Tuolei and Tuolie finally nodded in agreement. The Solar Star Domain, Five Elements Continent, Xuanyuan Valley.

Ji Changkong awoke from his seclusion and proceeded to the main assembly hall in the valley. He released his divine sense and invited everyone, including Li Hentian and Gu Dan.

"How was it?" Gu Dan asked immediately upon seeing him emerge. Li Hentian's aged face also showed signs of eagerness, indicating equal urgency.

"Breaking through from the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm indeed doesn't have just one path..." Ji Changkong said, looking at the others thoughtfully. "This documentation contains some instances of successful breakthroughs, but it concludes that the method for any Nine Palaces Heavenly Scholar to reach the Ten Directions Heaven Realm is irreplicable; no two breakthroughs were exactly the same."

"Ah?" Xiao Poshan exclaimed in surprise. Having reached the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm himself under the influence of the Dragon Crystal and the potent energy of the Star Essence, he was clearly taken aback.

"What exactly is the situation?" Gu Dan inquired.

"According to the Azure Dragon, there are various profound mysteries of power in heaven and earth. Any power mystery one cultivates, if taken to the extreme, allowing one to recognize the fundamental laws of that power mystery and integrate it into one's soul and body, can lead to a breakthrough to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm!"

"There can be many paths for breaking through from the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm. As long as one deeply understands the profound mystery of one type of power, truly grasps its essence, the veil on the mental state can be broken."

Ji Changkong pondered further, "The memories provided by the Azure Dragon mention that some people comprehended the profound essence of the operation of the sun, moon, and stars. By delving into this area, they finally broke through to the extreme and achieved the Ten Directions Heaven Realm. Others recognized the mystery of the cyclical alternation of spring, summer, autumn, and winter on a life-bearing star; by understanding all the conditions that bring about these seasons, they also broke through to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm."

"Furthermore, some individuals, having experienced the myriad facets of the mortal world, going through the seven emotions and six desires one by one, and understanding the formation and deepest secrets of human emotion, also achieved the Ten Directions Heaven Realm breakthrough."

"Conversely, some demonic cultivators severed their seven emotions and six desires, holding fast only to a single obsession in their hearts, and were surprisingly able to break through to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm."

"Even more individuals painstakingly pursued the fundamental powers of heaven and earth—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Those who cultivated all five could break through, but so could those who specialized intensely in a single power, achieving thorough control over one force, and understanding the source of that power's formation."

"In summary, the methods for advancing from the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm to the Ten Directions Heaven Realm are myriad and strange, yet each unique. The only commonality is the profound understanding of the essence and root of a single power, or the operating laws of a heavenly and earthly mystery."

After these words, Gu Dan, Li Hentian, Xiao Poshan, and the others all frowned, sinking into deep contemplation...