The Star Sea Nebula, Tuoman Continent Even before the "Dark Star" descended, a dense throng of people was already gathered on the land below. The weakest among them possessed the cultivation of the Seven-Star Heaven realm, and Heaven Masters of the Eight Trigrams Heaven and Nine Palaces Heaven were present everywhere.

With just a brief downward glance, Ji Changkong felt a surge of alarm. Nearly a thousand Eight Trigrams Heaven Masters and several dozen Nine Palaces Heaven Masters were present. Each exuded a profound aura, yet their souls were filled with palpable terror and unease. As the "Dark Star" made its descent, he distinctly sensed something amiss with the Heaven Masters below.

It wasn't until three familiar figures appeared and raised their hands to signal for quiet that the experts on the continent gradually calmed the panic in their hearts. Finally, the "Dark Star" settled upon a desolate peak.

He had not yet emerged when Tore, Tolie, and Heiluo were already waiting respectfully. Seeing him step down from the "Dark Star," Tore and the others were beaming with joy.

It was Ji Changkong himself who felt a slight sense of discomfort. Although Heibing and Tolong had perished by the poison of the Origin, as the master of that very poison, he could not entirely escape responsibility.

Fortunately, Tore, Heiluo, and the third person were tactful enough to avoid mentioning the past, which spared Ji Changkong any awkwardness.

“You have finally arrived. If we don't see your shadow a month from now, we will have no choice but to continue fleeing,” Tore said gravely, his brow furrowed with deep worry.

“You should leave sooner rather than later. I don't know the true strength of those three Hidden Demon Clan experts. It’s possible that even I might have to make a hasty retreat,” Ji Changkong stated, refraining from shouldering the entire burden, his expression equally serious.

“If even you cannot deal with those three Hidden Demon Clan experts, even fleeing to another life-bearing star will lead to the same outcome,” Tolie sighed, his face etched with distress.

“I don’t have a perfect solution either. I can only take things one step at a time. First, let’s gauge the power of those Hidden Demon Clan experts. If they aren't overwhelmingly strong, I am naturally willing to resolve your trouble for you. But if my three clansmen from the Hidden Demon Clan prove too formidable, I will retreat three paces and cease to concern myself with your fate.”

Although these words were not sugar-coated, they were better than leaving these people unprepared.

Tore and the other two seemed to have anticipated this, nodding gently with heavy expressions.

At a distance, some Heaven Masters began to converge toward the "Dark Star." Before long, the vicinity of the vessel was filled with Heaven Masters from the Star Sea Nebula. They gazed curiously at Ji Changkong, at the peculiar "Dark Star," muttering amongst themselves. “Is this the person? Who is he? He’s only a Nine Palaces Heaven Master. Can he possibly stop those three Hidden Demon Clan masters?”

“Who knows? Regardless, the experts of our Star Sea Nebula can no longer hold on. Even the Vengeful Demon was dragged away by Heaven. If this trend continues, the Star Sea Nebula will be utterly ruined before long.”

“So be it. My life span is nearing its end anyway, and since I couldn't break through, death is the inevitable end path. Is that massive entity the 'Dark Star' of the Celestial Craftsman Clan? With this thing, can we finally escape the Star Sea Nebula?”

When the "Dark Star" was mentioned, they became visibly excited. It seemed they all pinned their hopes on it. These people had been so terrorized by the three Hidden Demon Clan experts that not a single one wished to stay and fight; they all expressed a desire to use the "Dark Star" to flee to the Solar Star Field for refuge.

Ji Changkong frowned, taking in the faces of the crowd before turning to Tore and the others. “What are your thoughts? The 'Dark Star' cannot carry many people—at most, it can take a hundred to the Solar Star Field. If that is the plan, you must select only one hundred individuals; I cannot accommodate any more.”

At these words, the faces of the gathered experts of the Star Sea Nebula changed drastically, their eyes flickering.

Stealthily, many began to drift closer to the "Dark Star," seemingly believing that proximity would increase their chances of boarding it. “Stop right there!” Heiluo roared, his face filled with fury. “Don't disgrace our Star Sea Nebula!” “Lord Heiluo, we only want to live!” one man shouted.

“The Tuoman Continent alone has thousands of Heaven Masters, and there are still many experts remaining on other life-bearing stars. Yet, the 'Dark Star' can only take a hundred. If you leave, what about the others?” Heiluo glared at the man and shouted again, “Constant evasion is no solution! If those three Hidden Demon Clan experts sweep through the Star Sea Nebula and then enter the Solar Star Field, where will you run then?”

Those men fell silent, but the hope in their gazes toward the "Dark Star" remained apparent; clearly, they felt it was best to live one more day. “Hmph!” Ji Changkong swept his gaze over them, his voice chillingly cold. “Until I give the word, anyone who dares approach within a hundred zhang of the 'Dark Star' will face my lack of courtesy!”

Seeing the master angry, the crowd looked somewhat embarrassed and dared not move closer to the "Dark Star." Although they knew the "Dark Star" could navigate the star seas, none knew how to control it. If they offended Ji Changkong, even possessing the vessel would be useless. Thus, upon his stern warning, they all reluctantly retreated.

“How much time is left? When will those Hidden Demon Clan experts return?” Seeing that the crowd had settled down, Ji Changkong immediately inquired. “At most, one month. After one month, those Hidden Demon Clan experts will descend upon this life-bearing star and will immediately destroy the Spatial Turbulence Domain,” Tore said with a wry smile.

He nodded.

Ji Changkong murmured, “One month remaining. Hmm. That should be enough…”

“What do you mean?” Tore asked.

“If you can relocate to a safer life-bearing star, that is best. If not, during this month, do not disturb me. It would be best if you first conceal yourselves deep underground,” Ji Changkong instructed.

“Are you planning to?”

“Yes, I will make some preparations and then quietly await their arrival.”

With these words, Ji Changkong sat down beside the "Dark Star," closed his eyes, and adopted a posture clearly indicating he did not wish to be disturbed. “Understood!” Heiluo agreed, then began directing the crowd gathered around the "Dark Star."

Under the arrangement of Heiluo, Tore, and Tolie, the surrounding Heaven Masters of the Star Sea Nebula soon dispersed. However, as they left, every one of them looked back at the "Dark Star"; one person’s eyes even flashed with a hint of vicious intent.

Once the others had gone, Ji Changkong opened his eyes and let out a cold snort, muttering, “…Someone actually intends to seize the 'Dark Star.' To survive, people truly will do anything…”

Heiluo, Tore, and Tolie did not hurry away. Hearing his words, Heiluo looked embarrassed. “Don’t worry, the three of us will properly placate them. There won’t be any issues.”

“Is there anything we can assist you with?” Tore asked.

“When I first arrived, I sensed a soaring demonic energy descend upon the Tuoman Continent. I’m unsure if it was the Hidden Demon Clan. Keep an eye out; it was in roughly that direction.” Saying this, Ji Changkong pointed in a direction, cautioning them to be careful.

Heiluo and the others nodded, said nothing more, bowed, and took their leave.

Strange. That person’s soaring demonic energy felt faintly familiar, yet upon careful sensing, he could detect nothing unusual. Who could it be?

Frowning in thought, Ji Changkong sat cross-legged and began to release his divine soul to sense the surroundings. However, after a long while, he withdrew his soul, slowly shaking his head, looking puzzled. “They’ve vanished. Even my divine sense cannot perceive them. This visitor is truly quite skilled…”

Saying this, he stopped wasting energy and slowly began to restore his strength, mentally rehearsing the various profound mysteries of the Ancient Nine Transformations Grand Array in his mind.

After breaking through to the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, he realized the vital energy contained within his body was dozens of times vaster, especially as his soul ocean had expanded to its limit. Consequently, he felt he could now unleash another profound mystery of the Ancient Nine Transformations Grand Array.

Therefore, before those three Hidden Demon Clan experts arrived, he planned to practice that mystery mentally first, grasping its essence ahead of time so he could release it once the three arrived. On the icy south pole of the Tuoman Continent...

Bone-chilling cold winds howled through this world of ice and snow, a place where no living creature could survive.

Yet, at this icy location, there was a massive ice cavern from which astonishing cold air emanated.

After an unknown period, a figure emerged from that ice cavern. He looked around, took a deep breath of the icy air, and muttered to himself, “I wonder where I’ve arrived. But there seems to be the aura of Heaven Masters here. I hope they can tell me the way back…”

Saying this, he closed his eyes to sense the surroundings. In an instant, he smiled faintly. “Someone is actually coming to me proactively. That can save me some trouble.” This person was Ji Haotian.

After obtaining the Twelve Grand Heaven Demon Banners in the Vast Star Sea, his physical body was forcibly tempered anew. Although he hadn't broken through to the Ten Directions Heaven realm, his body could now soar through the Vast Star Sea.

Directionless, he flew through the Vast Star Sea for an unknown duration until he finally detected a life-bearing star and sensed the presence of Heaven Masters upon it.

Having been alone for many years, he was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he immediately flew toward this life-bearing star, hoping to find Heaven Masters there who could tell him the way back to the Five Elements Grand Body. Ji Haotian sat down where he was, his expression cold, waiting silently for the approaching figures.

After an indeterminate amount of time, a figure finally approached. The newcomer took one look at Ji Haotian and cried out in surprise, “Huh? Why did you come all the way here? Weren’t you just sitting quietly next to the ‘Dark Star’?”