Deep within the endless expanse of stars, amidst the vast river of the cosmos, rested a colossal, honeycomb-shaped celestial body. Upon this star were countless, immense caverns, each one impossibly dark and profound, like an abyss leading to an unknown destination within the star itself. At the deepest recess of one such cavern lay a world bathed in blood.

A boundless sea of crimson stretched out, thick and scarlet, yet it carried no stench of gore; rather, a refreshing fragrance permeated the air, capable of instantly clearing the mind and lifting the spirit.

In the heart of this blood-sea floated a solitary island, overgrown with vegetation possessing incredible vitality. These plants resembled grotesque demons, each adorned with bizarre faces, eerie and savage, instilling a sense of profound terror.

Upon the island stood only a single, towering peak, dyed the color of deep blood. Ancient structures clung to its slopes, where the clansmen of the Purgatory Ghost Tribe had dwelled for untold ages.

On a sheer cliff face behind the peak, an unearthly woman sat cross-legged, her posture unchanging for an immeasurable duration.

Suddenly, the calm blood-sea began to churn, emitting gurgling bubbles as it boiled, as if an ancient power had been awakened, causing the entire ocean to seethe. The unearthly woman’s eyes snapped open, a sharp gleam flashing within them, and the roiling sea instantly—

The blood-sea fell into absolute silence, not a ripple or a disturbance remaining. A mystical power enveloped the entire expanse, and a brilliant scarlet radiance erupted from the surface. This blood-light coalesced in the void, projecting a scene: it was Ji Changkong on the Fire Purgatory Star, performing the Soul Soothing Melody. "I have finally found you," the unearthly woman murmured softly. Her devastating beauty seemed to flicker, and she vanished from the honeycomb star as if she had already stepped beyond its confines.

Across the vast sea of stars, her figure surged forward, cutting through the void like a wave, moving faster than thought itself, traversing unimaginable distances in fractions of a second.

Stars streaked past her like mere pinpricks of light. With shifts in her form, she seemed to bypass the river of time, transcending all barriers. Fire Purgatory Star. Ji Changkong, carrying Shang Bingjie, had flown away from Profound Ice Island, moving at top speed across the Golden Sea. He sensed danger! Massive, palpable auras were bearing down on him; clearly, his pursuers aimed solely for him. Realizing the peril, his only desire was to flee this place immediately.

The Fire Purgatory Star was not easily navigated. This immense sphere was riddled with peculiar restrictions. Above, a pervasive force of confinement blanketed the entire star, deliberately designed to prevent outsiders from entering casually. This same power would equally affect anyone attempting to leave. Safe departure was only possible through designated pathways in the heavens.

However, this might not apply to him. Having only recently grasped the profound mysteries of the Primordial Chaos, his confidence had swelled; he believed few restrictions or barriers in this world could truly detain him. Thus, as soon as he left Profound Ice Island, he chose a direction and prepared to ascend directly skyward. It was then he recognized the gravity of the situation.

His pursuers were moving too swiftly; he was certain to be intercepted before he could even breach the outer veil of the Fire Purgatory Star!

"You leave Fire Purgatory Star first and seek refuge on the nearby Raging Flame Star; I will meet you there." Taking a deep breath, and accepting that an easy escape was impossible, he made an instant decision. He produced the treasured Nirvana Elixir, stuffing it, along with several tens of thousands of Origin Crystals, into Shang Bingjie's hands. "Go now. I will rejoin you." "Are you in danger?" Shang Bingjie asked, concern etching her face.

"Bingjie, you know me well enough," Ji Changkong smiled, offering those words. "We have known each other for years; you know my nature, and you surely know I possess the Boundless Star Chart, don't you? If I wished to leave, I could depart with ease. I am staying only because I need to speak a few words with someone, which might present danger, but I assure you, I will be unharmed." Hearing this, Shang Bingjie nodded.

She truly did understand him. In her estimation, even if Ji Changkong could not decisively defeat his enemies, he could certainly retreat safely. With that assurance, she nodded gently. "I will wait for you on Raging Flame Star; be sure to come quickly." Shang Bingjie offered a dazzling smile, leaned in, and gently kissed his cheek before departing with peace of mind.

She did not know that Ji Changkong had deceived her; on this bizarre Fire Purgatory Star, the Boundless Star Chart could not so easily tear through the dense layers of restriction.

Seeing her leave with such confidence, Ji Changkong finally let out a genuine sigh of relief. He did not rush to follow Shang Bingjie; after a moment of contemplation, he chose to fly in the opposite direction. The distant tailing figures swiftly altered course, all converging upon him.

Islands flashed beneath him in rapid succession. Before long, Ji Changkong arrived at a desolate, remote island. This land held little sign of life, only barren earth and fetid, reeking swamps.

Halting on the island, Ji Changkong looked up at the sky. A tall, slender silhouette materialized first, settling nearby with a faint smile directed at him. "Tia, why are you following me?" Ji Changkong asked, clearly displeased.

"Young brother, please don't take offense; I am merely curious, nothing more," Tia replied with a slight smile. "I am intensely curious why you know the Purgatory Ghost Tribe’s Soul Resonation Melody. As far as I am aware, this Melody can only be performed by key figures among the Purgatory Ghost Tribe. Yet, you, clearly one like me, can use it. Why?" "No comment."

"Heh heh, then I shall press no further. If I am not mistaken, young brother, you have attracted considerable trouble, haven't you? Oh, the first trouble has arrived. Well, isn't that Yang Minghuo, patriarch of the Yang family? Ah, and also Thunder Duke and Lightning Duke from Thunder God Mountain. This is quite surprising."

As Tia finished speaking, just as predicted, Yang Minghuo, patriarch of the Yang family, along with Thunder Duke and Lightning Duke from Thunder God Mountain, descended into a swamp not far from Ji Changkong. Yang Minghuo approached with a gentle smile, even offering Ji Changkong a friendly nod, inquiring, "Where is that girl Feng'er?" "I don't know," Ji Changkong huffed.

Yang Minghuo laughed easily, brushing it off. "Young brother, what do you think of my Feng'er? If you were to marry my Feng'er, I guarantee I would drop all pursuit concerning her reckless behavior. Furthermore, I could arrange for you and Feng'er to reside together in the Yang family's Blazing Cave, making you both the Yang family's most vital Fire Emissaries. How about that offer?" Instead of threats, Yang Minghuo began with terms that many would find impossible to refuse.

Thunder Duke and Lightning Duke remained calm, their gazes sweeping over Ji Changkong, seemingly trying to gauge what manner of individual possessed so many miraculous abilities.

"Hmm!" Yang Minghuo's expression suddenly shifted. "Why has the Dragon Python King arrived as well!"

Thunder Duke and Lightning Duke also frowned, then shook their heads in unison.

"Damn brat, show yourself, I said show yourself!" A coarse voice echoed across the heavens, booming like thunder from beyond the ninth realm, startling the very soul and striking fear into the heart. Minor Heavenly Scholars on the island, their eardrums bleeding from the shock, immediately collapsed into unconsciousness.

Moments later, an immensely robust figure manifested in the sky above the island. It was a giant, five meters tall, clad in python hide, with a human face adorned by dragon horns. In the opening and closing of his eyes lay an arrogance that scorned the world. The leader of the Demon race on Fire Purgatory Star—the Dragon Python King!

The Dragon Python King wore a purple-gold crown, yet his dragon horns were clearly visible. His face was framed by a wild, thick beard, giving him a thoroughly uncouth appearance. Upon arrival, his eyes swept over everyone present in turn, declaring with utter arrogance, "Yang Minghuo, why are you and the Thunder Dukes here? Are you attempting to stop me from killing this brat? I tell you now, this youth belongs to me! You three should leave quickly, or don't blame me for turning hostile and showing no deference to you!"

The Dragon Python King was accustomed to tyranny on the Fire Purgatory Star, arriving with overwhelming might, seemingly confident he could dominate Yang Minghuo and the others.

"Dragon Python King, do you truly believe we of the Human Race fear you?" Lightning Duke from Thunder God Mountain snorted coldly, mocking him. "Your son, Mang Ao, behaved recklessly, and we held back not because we fear the Dragon Python King, but because we wished to avoid unending entanglement with an annoying fellow like you. But if you intend to act unlawfully today, then do not blame us for showing no respect to your Demon Race."

"Hahahaha!" The Dragon Python King roared with laughter, shouting boisterously, "Good, good! I enjoy nothing more than others arguing with me, and I enjoy testing strength even more! Come, come! Test your strength against this Demon King. I want to see if your Nine Revolutions of Electric Might can pierce the defenses of my Demon Body!" The Dragon Python King bellowed, preparing to strike at Lightning Duke.

However, just as he was about to unleash his attack, his expression froze. He stared strangely into the distance. "You have reinforcements?"

"We do not," Lightning Duke replied instantly.

"Then who has arrived?" the Dragon Python King demanded.

"It is us." An elder of the Wood Tribe and a noble lady of the Feather Tribe manifested together from the distance. Both possessed the cultivation level of Divine Connection. Upon arriving, they merely glanced at the Dragon Python King before turning their attention solely to Ji Changkong. The Wood Tribe elder nodded. "You are Ji Changkong, correct?" "Indeed," Ji Changkong confirmed, "You have pursued me for so long, and now you have finally found me. What is your intention?"

"To capture him," the noble Feather Tribe lady stated, her face full of haughtiness, as if looking down on everyone. Tossing her head back, she continued, "This brat has been chased by our Feather Tribe and Wood Tribe for quite some time; we have him now. Everyone else, disperse."

"Gong Feiyu, are your eyes blind?" The Dragon Python King roared in fury. "I am standing right here! Did you not see me? This brat destroyed my son’s demon body; I intend to flay him! Are you attempting to stop me?"

"Enough chatter. You have so many sons; if it were merely about that, would you have come in person?" The Feather Tribe lady sneered dismissively. "You are after the Chaos Remnant Map, aren't you? Then there's nothing to discuss. If you have the skill, come and fight for it; whoever wins claims the prize."

The Dragon Python King grunted in reply, "That's right, I am here for the Chaos Remnant Map! My Demon Race will have it!"

Yang Minghuo, Thunder Duke, Lightning Duke, and Tia—upon hearing the four words "Chaos Remnant Map"—all experienced a sudden constriction of their pupils, expressions of shock flickering across their faces. Clearly, they had only just learned of this matter.

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