The moment Ji Changkong admitted it, Granny Yu was utterly astonished, her mouth slightly agape as she murmured, "Inconceivable. After all this time, you’ve actually managed to reach the God-Attunement Realm. That speed is simply too fast."

"Purely luck. Without fortune, I fear I’d still be trapped in the Ruyi Realm even after another thousand years, with absolutely no possibility of further advancement," Ji Changkong offered a faint smile, casually inquiring, "What’s happening up ahead?"

As the two were speaking, a "Guangchen" vessel shattered in the void. Several experts with cultivation at the Nirvana-Extinguishing Realm flew out in disarray, grinding their teeth and swearing they would deliver a vicious blow.

The Bone Clan members situated atop the strange bone artifact were emaciated, their skeletons clearly visible beneath their skin; they were skeletal figures, possessing scarcely any flesh.

The Bone Clan is an exceptionally peculiar race. Its members are fiercely united, having almost never engaged in internal strife. Every Bone Clan individual strives to advance the interests of their clan, trusting one another implicitly, never conspiring with outsiders against their own kind.

Not only are they incredibly united, but they are also exceptionally vengeful. If anyone offends a member of the Bone Clan, that member's friends will seek justice for him. They will forgo cultivation and neglect all other duties, focusing solely on retribution until the score is settled.

Consequently, in the Dead Quantity Domain, most people dare not lightly provoke members of the Bone Clan. Once provoked, they are swiftly eliminated to prevent any chance of retaliation. Otherwise, one must endure a miserable fate of sleepless nights, constantly guarding against the Bone Clan’s vengeance.

The individuals who escaped the "Guangchen" were Humans. In the Dead Saint Domain, the Human Race is not the most powerful. Within the Dead Star Domain, Humans are notorious for their use of cunning schemes and deceit, earning a poor reputation. Ji Changkong was immensely curious as to why these people dared to openly confront the Bone Clan, and over what matter.

"It's all about seizing dominance over the land beneath Blazing Flame Star," Granny Yu Fanfan replied calmly. "Many Bone Clan members are gathered on Blazing Flame Star; they have always considered it their star. Other races face numerous restrictions there; the Bone Clan has established various forbidden zones, preventing experts of other races from entering or leaving at will."

"However, ever since the Bone Clan's Dry Bone Hermit was injured by the Sky-Piercing Ghost Mother, other races on Blazing Flame Star have gradually stopped strictly adhering to the Bone Clan's rules. The Human Race, allied in the 'Anti-Bone Pact,' sought to force the Bone Clan to open those restricted zones. After the Bone Clan refused, fighting erupted. Fearing that large-scale conflict would damage the structure of Blazing Flame Star, they moved the battle into the sea of stars."

Granny Yu briefly explained the situation, then asked, "You haven't come to Blazing Flame Star to fight for something, have you?" "Fight for what?" Ji Changkong blinked, shaking his head. "I came to Blazing Flame Star solely to find someone. Once I locate them, I will leave this star immediately. I couldn't care less how they choose to quarrel."

Hearing this, Granny Yu’s eyes revealed a strange expression. After a pause, she said, "Do you know why the 'Anti-Bone Pact' suddenly appeared on Blazing Flame Star? Look around—besides the 'Anti-Bone Pact' and the Bone Clan, many members of other races are gathered as spectators. Why do you think they are here?" Ji Changkong looked surprised and probed, "Could it be... there’s another hidden reason?"

Granny Yu smiled and nodded. "Of course there is." She blinked, tilting her head slightly, seemingly waiting for Ji Changkong to inquire further.

Seeing her expression, Ji Changkong felt a flicker of amusement and followed her lead, asking, "What hidden reason?"

"Six months ago, a massive fiery meteor descended from the heavens and plunged deep into the interior of Blazing Flame Star. This meteor arrived so swiftly that many Celestial Masters on the star didn't even sense it. By the time some people found the impact site, the meteor had vanished without a trace within that enormous crater."

Granny Yu paused, seemingly to keep Ji Changkong in suspense. Only when she noticed his expression showed extreme interest did she continue, "Not long after, clusters of this brilliant flame began gathering outside Blazing Flame Star, refusing to dissipate. The temperature of the star started rising steadily, accompanied by violent rumbling from the depths and strange cries. During this process, Blazing Flame Star radiated intense heat, the surface began to crack, and the vegetation withered. Those who ventured underground to explore even discovered that solar flares were starting to manifest deep within..."

"What does that signify?" Ji Changkong asked, confused. "Young man, have you heard the legends concerning Origin Fire?" Granny Yu asked, pausing. "I've heard whispers, but I'm not entirely clear. Please enlighten me, Granny Yu."

Granny Yu nodded, seemingly satisfied with Ji Changkong's demeanor, and stated solemnly, "Blazing Flame Star is a living star. The sudden appearance of solar flares in its core signals an impending transformation toward becoming a sun—a scenario nearly impossible unless there exists a 'Sacred Sun Heavenly Blaze' deep within Blazing Flame Star. Only this kind of Origin Fire possesses such characteristics." "You mean there is an Origin Fire residing within the very structure of Blazing Flame Star?" Ji Changkong finally understood.

"No, no!" Unexpectedly, Granny Yu immediately corrected him. "To be precise, there should be two kinds of Origin Fire within Blazing Flame Star! Besides the 'Sacred Sun Heavenly Blaze,' there is also the 'Star-Devouring Flame.' Do you know of the 'Star-Devouring Flame'?" Ji Changkong nodded.

The 'Star-Devouring Flame' is also a type of Origin Fire. Legend says this 'Star-Devouring Flame' takes the form of a fiery meteor, drifting aimlessly through the void, fond of consuming other fiery meteors in the sea of stars, drawing strength from them. "It is rumored that there are exactly nine types of Origin Fire in this world. Have you heard a particular legend?" Granny Yu asked mysteriously.

"What legend?" Ji Changkong's curiosity was truly piqued.

"Anyone who gathers all nine Origin Fires of heaven and earth and successfully fuses them can break through to the Chaos Realm!" After a beat, Granny Yu dropped another bombshell: "The Chaos Realm I speak of is the ultimate, imperishable Chaos Realm!" Ji Changkong’s heart constricted, his eyes filled with horror.

Granny Yu was quite pleased with his reaction and continued, "It's not just humans; the nine Origin Fires can also devour and fuse with each other. Once the nine Origin Fires merge, the one that initiates the fusion force can also attain the ultimate Chaos Realm, becoming the most singular existence in all of creation!" "Ah?!" Ji Changkong cried out again.

"The 'Star-Devouring Flame' that crashed onto Blazing Flame Star six months ago must have known of the 'Sacred Sun Heavenly Blaze's' existence within the star. Its purpose in coming here is undoubtedly to assimilate the 'Sacred Sun Heavenly Blaze.' The changes occurring beneath Blazing Flame Star recently are certainly the result of a struggle between these two Origin Fires. The 'Anti-Bone Pact' engaging the Bone Clan is merely to gain access to the forbidden zones the Bone Clan established, hoping to locate the two Origin Fires and seize them," Granny Yu explained seriously.

"So that’s the situation," Ji Changkong murmured, glancing at the onlookers and then back at Granny Yu. "You and your group being here—are you also after these two Origin Fires?"

"You could say that," Granny Yu smiled. "However, I dare not hope to obtain the Origin Fire myself. My main purpose is to bring my disciples here for experience, and perhaps try our luck. After all, acquiring Origin Fire isn't easier for those with higher cultivation; it also requires destiny. Perhaps one of the girls I brought has such a chance."

"If the two Origin Fires are clashing, Blazing Flame Star must be unbearably hot?" Ji Changkong suddenly realized something, his face changing urgently as he asked.

"Naturally," Granny Yu replied with an expression of certainty. "Recently, many low-level Celestial Masters have evacuated Blazing Flame Star. Aside from those who cultivate fire-attribute power, and the masters who have reached the peak of the Nirvana-Extinguishing Realm, very few dare to linger on the star." Bad! She must be suffering!

Shang Bingjie only possessed low cultivation, and she specialized in Ice-Attribute Power. Remaining on Blazing Flame Star, she must be enduring immense pain every moment. That scorching fire energy must be torture for her. If she stays, her cultivation level might even regress! Why is that girl so foolish!

Bitterness welled up in Ji Changkong’s heart. With his God-Attunement Realm cultivation, he needed only a thought to sense Shang Bingjie. He could see her standing on a peak on Blazing Flame Star.

To wait for him, Shang Bingjie had never left. Even after the great upheaval on Blazing Flame Star, she was still waiting silently on that very peak!

"Thank you. I have urgent matters to attend to. If fate allows, I shall repay you another day!" Ji Changkong shouted sharply. Without waiting for Granny Yu to continue speaking, he shot forward like a streak of rainbow light towards Blazing Flame Star.

"Hey..." Granny Yu Fanfan cried out in frustration. She had ulterior motives for sharing all that information, and before she could reveal them, Ji Changkong vanished. This annoyed Granny Yu immensely, and she grumbled, "That little rascal, I hadn't even finished speaking." Unfortunately, Ji Changkong did not hear her.

"Halt! Blazing Flame Star is currently closed to outsiders!" Beams of bone-white spikes shot forth, weaving a net of bone outside the star’s boundary. A Bone Clan expert on the bone artifact shouted with a sinister coldness.

"Get out of the way!" Impatient, Ji Changkong paid no heed to the potential offense against the Bone Clan. With a roar, he shattered all the blocking spikes, instantly tearing through the Bone Clan blockade and plunging straight into Blazing Flame Star.

A: This is the only chapter for today. I'm off to purchase New Year goods. I haven't even eaten dinner yet, and I managed to scribble out a draft while starving. I apologize for the lack of energy... D