In an instant, that massive ball of golden light, like a celestial meteorite, descended with blinding speed, annihilating nearly a hundred spectral beasts caught between the Seal and the members of the War Clan.

Seeing this spectacle, everyone inside the Seal was startled.

They had witnessed such a technique before, during the fight between Nie Kong and Ye Dengwen; clearly, Nie Kong was the one acting now. What surprised them, however, was that Nie Kong could manipulate the star-shaped golden light to such an enormous degree, attacking numerous spectral beasts simultaneously.

And just as they were in shock, a second ball of golden light flashed into existence.

"Boom!"

In a flash, the second ball of golden light struck the first, still unvanished mass like lightning, and even from within the Seal, everyone could feel an exceptionally powerful aura.

Those like Ye Dengwen and Mo Yu, being Eighth-Tier experts, perceived it most clearly.

Immediately following this, an indescribable tremor ran through their hearts, as a third colossal mass of golden light entered their view.

"Boom!"

The moment the three balls of golden light overlapped, they erupted violently. With a deafening crash, the space spanning several tens of meters seemed to unleash a golden tempest.

Fierce kinetic energy, like crashing tidal waves, raged outward in every direction...

In that instant, the hundred spectral beasts covered by the golden light were pulverized into fine mist, while a large number of surrounding beasts were flung high into the air, their mournful roars echoing ceaselessly.

Then, the members of the War Clan, previously enveloped by the beasts, reappeared, finding themselves standing in a clean, bare expanse of ground around them.

At this moment, not only those inside the Seal but even War Zichuan, Li Xiao, and the other War Clan disciples were momentarily stunned.

"Go!"

A loud shout snapped them back to reality. As the golden light dissipated, War Zichuan and the others saw the spectral beasts immediately charging forward again, undeterred by death. They jolted and bolted toward the Seal at maximum speed.

Nie Kong let out a soft breath, bringing up the rear.

What Nie Kong had just performed was the "Layered Seal" from within the War God Star Imprint. This "Layered Seal" involved stacking one War God Star Imprint upon another before unleashing the total power in an instant—completely different from the individual War God Star Imprints he used while fighting Ye Dengwen.

It had to be admitted that after cultivating the Third Nether Star, the might of the War God Star Imprint had surged dramatically, but so had the consumption of death energy.

Nie Kong had previously employed the "Layered Seal" when sparring with Zhan Tian Shan at the War Heart Palace.

Although Nie Kong had held back then, the power released by the dual War God Star Imprints hadn't been particularly strong, and the drain on death energy was minimal. Afterward, the impact on Nie Kong was negligible. But now, with this triple "Layered Seal," the death energy consumed had multiplied several times over. Coupled with the previous expenditure in killing the spectral beasts, the three golden Nether Stars within Nie Kong's body were now quite dim.

Fortunately, the result achieved at such a cost was significant: a hundred spectral beasts were instantly vaporized, including quite a few Fifth and Sixth-Tier beasts that couldn't escape. Nie Kong conceded that without the War God Star Imprint, he would never have achieved such formidable attack power at the Seventh-Tier.

Of course, this was under the condition that Nie Kong had not yet merged his true body and his second avatar into Spirit Treasure Essence, nor had he invoked the Purple Luo Illusory Spirit Incense state of mind.

"Whoosh!—..."

Watching figures rush through the protective dome and enter the Seal, the chubby, still slightly baby-faced countenance of Zhan Qingzhu was filled with delight.

Soon, Nie Kong's figure also reached the safe zone.

"Roar! Roar..."

Dense masses of spectral beasts covered the clearing that Nie Kong had carved out with the triple War God Star Imprint, letting out earth-shattering roars.

Instantly, the crowd was confronted only by gaping maws and savage fangs.

Nie Kong sighed with relief. After this battle, excluding himself, nearly all twenty-plus members of the War Clan, including Zhan Qingzhu, were injured, though thankfully, none were killed. Only now did Nie Kong grasp the sheer magnitude of the spectral beast hordes within the Ghost Domain!

The number of beasts killed in today's fighting was at least several thousand, yet the monstrous shadows outside the Seal remained countless and boundless, showing no sign of diminishing. If such numbers gathered even with regular culling, how terrifying would it be otherwise?

If the number of spectral beasts surpassed a critical limit, this Seal would be breached. Once countless beasts streamed out of the Ghost Domain, the Nether Earth would flow with blood, and life would be utterly devastated.

In this Nether Earth, the war between Black Spirit Masters and spectral beasts was purely a struggle for survival.

"Thank you."

Zhan Qingzhu suddenly walked up to Nie Kong, and to his surprise, two words tumbled from her mouth.

Nie Kong paused before realizing, then smiled, "Don't forget, I am also a disciple of the War Clan." With that, Nie Kong sat down on the grass. Zhan Qingzhu and the others gathered around Nie Kong to cultivate and heal, their eyes involuntarily betraying deep gratitude. Only after this battle did these proud War Clan disciples truly begin to acknowledge Nie Kong. . . .

Around the palace hall, people stood or sat, pointing out the various spectral beasts roaring furiously outside while enthusiastically discussing the fierce battle they had just endured. Although several Black Spirit Masters had died and many more were gravely wounded during that time, it did nothing to dampen the general excitement.

Mo Yu gazed at Nie Kong in the distance, his expression deepening, murmuring, "After that slaughter, Nie Kong's strength has improved again. It seems I still underestimated him."

When the second ball of golden light appeared, Mo Yu felt that aura which made his spirit tremble. This aura peaked when the three golden lights burst apart. Although the peak lasted only an extremely brief moment, it left a deep impression, causing him to elevate his assessment of Nie Kong by another large margin.

"If we let him grow, he might surpass Zhan Xinzi. At that point, with both him and Zhan Xinzi in the War Clan, our status as the number one high-tier sect in the Vast Sky Sect might be jeopardized. Three days should be enough time to successfully recruit him into our Vast Sky Sect," Mo Xinyue’s voice was as delicate as a flute.

"And if that fails?" Mo Yu inquired.

"Then we find an opportunity to eliminate him!"

Mo Xinyue's tone was utterly placid, as if she were merely making an insignificant decision. Hearing this, Mo Yu nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Those who achieve great things must be ruthless. Xinyue, in this regard, you have already surpassed the other young masters. If you can become a Ninth-Tier Black Spirit Master within twenty years, the position of the next Sky-Evasion Sect Master will surely be yours." The Sky-Evasion Sect had ten young masters, all individuals of prodigious talent, each qualified to inherit the Sect Master's throne. Mo Xinyue was the foremost among them and the current Sect Master's daughter.

"I will."

Mo Xinyue narrowed her beautiful eyes, her smile blossoming like a flower.

Not far away, the face of Ye Dengwen, the Eighth-Tier Elder of the Ling Feather Sword Sect, grew increasingly grim.

He didn't believe Nie Kong had truly elevated his cultivation during the battle; he merely thought Nie Kong had concealed part of his power earlier. The scene of Nie Kong instantly clearing a hundred spectral beasts flashed repeatedly in Ye Dengwen's mind, causing cold sweat to bead involuntarily on his spine.

If Nie Kong had used such a technique from the beginning during their earlier confrontation, he didn't know if he would still be standing inside the Seal now.

"This person must be eliminated. If he becomes too strong, the balance among the high-tier sects in the Nether Earth will be utterly destroyed."

Ye Dengwen’s expression was shadowed, his eyes blazing with fierce intent.

Around the hall, the experts remaining from the other high-tier sects displayed varied expressions, frequently glancing over toward Nie Kong in the distance.... Nie Kong sat quietly, aware of the many eyes subtly observing him, yet unconcerned. Besides his cultivated Crimson Star War Body and War God Star Imprint, he also had Qing Yue, whose power had returned to the Heavenly Spirit level, giving Nie Kong unprecedented confidence.

More importantly, Nie Kong carried a coiled heart in his right chest. Before resolving the Great Evolution Spirit Venerable, Nie Kong believed that Pan Hu absolutely would not allow him to suffer any harm. Thus, Nie Kong paid no heed to the commotion around him, concentrating entirely on puzzling out the sudden spike in his cultivation.

"Slaughter..."

Muttering the word so softly only he could hear, Nie Kong frowned in confusion. The term "slaughter" was never mentioned in the spiritual arts for the Crimson Star War Body or the War God Star Imprint. Yet, the fact that his cultivation rose through killing was undeniable.

"Nie Kong, what character appears in the names of Crimson Star War Body and War God Star Imprint?" Pan Hu's thread-like voice pierced Nie Kong's ear.

"War?" Nie Kong responded instinctively.

"Correct! That character, 'War' (), speaks of combat!"

Pan Hu's voice continued, "It's not just these two; the spiritual arts of the Crimson Star Clan are all like this. The deeper the comprehension gained in battle, the faster the cultivation advances. Otherwise, where do you think the title 'War God' in Chi Lian's name came from? And where did the term 'War Clan' originate?"

"Combat?"

Nie Kong realized the truth with a sudden clarity, nodding thoughtfully. Nie Kong had sensed something similar during the elder selection at the War Heart Palace, though it hadn't been as obvious as in today's intense battle!

Suddenly, Nie Kong recalled that exceptionally unique Nether Source within the War God Mountain.

The death energy contained there held an overwhelming intent of battle, which became imprinted upon the hearts of the War Clan disciples when they cultivated the War Clan spiritual arts. Because of this, the War Clan members were obsessively devoted to fighting and sparring, much like the inhabitants of the 'Killing Isle' who craved slaughter and bloodlust.

Nie Kong nodded thoughtfully, "Then why did my finger suddenly grow large?"

"What were you thinking when you thrust out your finger?" Pan Hu asked with a smile.

Nie Kong was momentarily stunned. When he thrust out his right index finger, he had indeed subconsciously recalled something: the world-shattering finger strike displayed by Zhan Xinzi when they encountered Fu Huang in the Nether Sea. Zhan Xinzi’s finger strike was formed from condensed nether power, but Nie Kong’s finger had been material.

One illusory, one real, yet possessing a profound similarity.

"It seems my attack was influenced by my state of mind at the time."

Nie Kong dimly understood, a faint smile touching his lips. "I didn't expect the Crimson Star War Body could also cause localized physical changes. If so, it could make the attacks of the Crimson Star War Body more flexible and varied, rather than limiting it strictly to defense."

Having resolved these two mysteries, Nie Kong felt immensely relieved.

When he opened his eyes, Nie Kong noticed a streak of sunlight appearing on the horizon. The spectral beasts surrounding the Seal were beginning to disperse gradually, their earth-shaking roars growing fainter.

When all the spectral beasts had departed, Nie Kong suddenly widened his eyes in amazement: the blood-red stains on the ground outside the Seal were rapidly vanishing, and the scattered chunks of spectral beast flesh quietly sank into the earth. In the blink of an eye, the ground, previously slick with gore, had returned to a verdant green.

Nie Kong looked around again: the bloodstains on Zhan Qingzhu and the others were also completely gone, not even a trace remaining. Only the marks on the ground and the tears on their clothes served as proof that a bloody battle had just occurred there.

"What is happening?" Nie Kong looked utterly bewildered.

This scene was too bizarre, yet Zhan Qingzhu and the others showed no surprise, acting as if they hadn't witnessed it.

"See that? That’s the work of that woman," Pan Hu remarked.

"The Great Evolution Wu Zun caused this?"

Nie Kong's heart skipped a beat...

The sunlight rose higher. As their nether power recovered, some of the more battle-hungry Black Spirit Masters left the Seal, venturing into the mountain forests in groups. Even Zhan Qingzhu and War Zichuan went out once. Nie Kong did not follow. The spectral beasts on the periphery of the Ghost Domain only gathered at dawn; at other times, as long as they were cautious, there was generally no major danger, especially since War Clan experts were protecting them from the shadows.

A day passed in the blink of an eye. As the sun set, all the Black Spirit Masters returned. Tents were set up again, and the dimly lit safe zone was once more illuminated by colorful, shimmering lights.

Inside the tent, Nie Kong lay on his side on the bedding, closing his eyes to ponder the heritage of the Crimson Star Clan. Unusually, he refrained from cultivating. The main reason was that the invisible barrier surrounding his second avatar was becoming increasingly apparent, making Nie Kong hesitant to push for a breakthrough. Advancing to First-Rank Dan Spirit now would be a net loss.

"Senior Brother Nie Kong?"

Suddenly, a flirtatious, soft call echoed outside the tent, interrupting Nie Kong's contemplation.

"Who is it?"

Nie Kong's eyes snapped open, and he shot up.

"It's me, Mo Xinyue." The voice replied.

Mo Xinyue? Why was she here so late? Although Nie Kong felt a touch of surprise, he didn't dwell on it and said, "Come in."

The curtain lifted, and Mo Xinyue stepped in, her expression charming and her bearing graceful.

Mo Xinyue was dressed in a white gown, just as she had been during the day, but the style had changed. Especially the upper portion, which was now tighter, the sheer fabric seeming to cling to her skin, displaying her voluptuous curves to perfection.

The skirt flared out like a trumpet flower below her hips, concealing her slender legs. Yet, as she moved, her delicate waist swayed, her full hips oscillating in tandem with the gentle

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