[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-953":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Sky Fell",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2281809,4462,"Chapter 953: Star Core","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-953",953,"\u003Cp>A wisp of auspicious cloud rose from a shattered continent in the Demon God Realm, flying toward the horizon beneath the blazing sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few days of brief rest, Li Yi decided today to take time to search for the old lair of the Golden Crow Demon God, hoping for some unexpected gains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His divine blood was depleted and could not be replenished in the short term, yet his wounds had nearly healed; without the support of incense offerings and fortune, his combat power had plummeted severely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He estimated that upon returning to the Wildlands, he could not even defeat a Lord of a Hundred Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least his life was safe—knowing that divine blood warriors in the Wildlands typically perished after burning their divine blood, unlike him, who remained vigorous and alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yi ascended higher, he soon reached the outer void of the Demon God Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, it was cold, silent, and empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I get the wrong location?” Li Yi thought to himself. He dared not venture deeper into space, for the endless stars could swallow all things—even a cultivator, if lost among the stars, faced grave danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after a brief moment of observation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi soon noticed something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the direction where sunlight fell, a massive meteor floated in space, orbiting the Demon God Realm along a fixed trajectory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi understood that such a colossal meteor, under the gravitational pull of the Demon God Realm, could not remain motionless here indefinitely—unless some force disturbed it, maintaining a lasting equilibrium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, he immediately flew toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before he could draw near, a surge of demon god power erupted, transforming into a searing solar true flame that swept toward him with the power to incinerate all things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi was startled and immediately drew his Crimson Gold divine artifact, then swung his massive axe, cleaving through the solar true flame to avoid being engulfed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a great array set by the demon god—anyone who approaches is slain by demon god power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This force was not weak—it could severely wound a demon king. To force entry would mean a gruesome death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Demon God Realm, such an array was more than sufficient, since the strongest beings below the demon god were demon kings—but this array could not stop Li Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his combat power had declined sharply, he had his own methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then retrieved from his Five Elements Bracelet a celestial warship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the great battle had ended, he had recalled both his celestial warships; one he had given to his father, Li Jiye, and brought back to the Incense World.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the celestial warship leading the way,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>even when the demon god power activated and the solar true flame burned, it could not destroy the vessel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This new warship, forged from divine wood and infused with Crimson Gold, was indestructible even to a demon king—blocking this single surge of demon god power was no challenge, for the array was merely an array, not the demon god himself present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the celestial warship as cover, Li Yi easily reached the side of the massive meteor and swung his axe to cleave off a corner, wanting to see what secrets lay within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the colossal meteor split open, a torrent of searing heat surged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, a self-contained space existed, where a sophisticated array channeled infinite solar power, condensing it into a unique paradise realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such extreme heat, even without the array’s protection, a demon king would dare not enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi did not overestimate himself—he entered the celestial warship, using its shielding to block the heat, then flew inside to investigate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No mistake—this is the Golden Crow Demon God’s lair. I thought she truly lived inside the sun, but she’d hidden within this meteor. Of course—how could she endure long-term in the sun, so distant from the Demon God Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed the Golden Crow remained here to constantly monitor the Demon God Realm, unwilling to slumber in the distant sun, where loneliness reigned and no living beings accompanied her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Yi found nothing valuable in the Golden Crow’s lair—perhaps she had taken all important items with her when the great battle began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this meteor, having withstood the refining of solar true flame for countless years without damage, was itself a treasure—he decided to take it with him later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The celestial warship flew slowly, and within this space, Li Yi spotted a peculiar mountain peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peak was translucent, as if carved from flawless jade, yet radiated terrifying heat—but that was not the focus; the focus was a nest atop the peak, containing a crimson-red egg, inscribed with ancient Daoist runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This aura was familiar—he had sensed it before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a Golden Crow’s egg—this is the aura of that fire phoenix. So her physical body was here all along,” Li Yi’s eyes lit up; he could even sense the astonishing life force pulsing within the phoenix egg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, whatever lay inside was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet without the phoenix’s soul, this egg was doomed to never hatch—if left unattended for long, its life would gradually fade and perish utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Li Yi ordered the celestial warship to open its hatch; braving the horrific heat, he forcibly seized the phoenix egg and stored it within his Crimson Gold Five Elements Bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing this, he continued exploring the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he arrived at another location—strangely, it felt like stepping into a starry void, where starlight shimmered everywhere, and boundless energy flowed; even the terrifying heat here seemed tamed, growing gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, the AI Hong Ji warned that gravity here fluctuated wildly—the entire celestial warship was being pulled downward as if influenced by some unseen force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would the Golden Crow Demon God’s lair contain such a place?” Li Yi grew curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he could tell the Golden Crow rarely came here—this area was barren, silent, with no signs of activity, and located in a relatively remote corner of the space. Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi found the source of the anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a shattered boulder, roughly ten zhang tall, radiating terrifying energy, surpassing all other intact marvels; upon it, starlight flickered—though he did not understand why, his eyes confirmed at once that this boulder was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, it was a treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Yi did not recognize it—he still decided to store it in his Five Elements Bracelet and study it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he stepped out of the warship, crushing gravity instantly slammed him to the ground—so intense it made him feel as if he could not take a single step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had his physique and strength not been extraordinary, he likely could not have resisted this gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A self-contained gravity stone—fascinating,” Li Yi murmured in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He guessed the Golden Crow had left this behind because it was too heavy, burdening her own body—otherwise, such a treasure would never have been abandoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to retrieve it—but failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Crimson Gold Five Elements Bracelet could not absorb the boulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had never happened before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi tried repeatedly, even suspecting distance was the issue—he moved closer and attempted again, but all attempts failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I must move this stone by sheer strength alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed through the crushing gravity to stand beside the boulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the torrent of terrifying energy, Li Yi dared not touch it directly—such power would burn and damage his flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching his Crimson Gold divine artifact axe, he attempted to cleave it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he channeled all his strength into one swing, the axe was violently flung from his grasp—while the fractured boulder remained untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the Crimson Gold divine artifact can’t cut it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s lips twitched—he realized this thing was even more extraordinary than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hua Qing, do you know what this is?” He then withdrew his coin and consulted Hua Qing’s lingering soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing’s soul, weakened from his previous intervention, stirred awake at Li Yi’s question; one glance and he recognized the object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbelievable—this is a fragment of a shattered star core. Where did you find this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing was astonished, incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star core fragment? What’s that?” Li Yi asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing said: “The most refined essence left behind when a world is destroyed—a supreme treasure born of heaven and earth. Only a great cultivation realm rich in spiritual energy has a chance to birth a star core.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see,” Li Yi understood somewhat: “What is its use?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It can be used to forge magic treasures, aid cultivation, and when placed in a lawless world, revive its spiritual energy. A cultivator who remains near a star core for long periods can undergo bodily transformation, attaining a stellar body capable of resonating with the celestial constellations and mastering certain divine arts,” Hua Qing’s soul said. “This star core fragment likely drifted here from the depths of the universe—otherwise, it wouldn’t be shattered like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The universe is infinitely mysterious—even an indestructible star core cannot guarantee its safety. But that doesn’t matter—whether broken or intact, a star core functions the same; the difference is only in size. Your fragment is already large enough to serve you for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but marvel—Li Yi’s luck far surpassed his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To find a star core at this level of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In true great cultivation realms, even if a powerful cultivator shattered a hundred stars, he might still fail to unearth a single star core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to store it in a storage magic treasure—is there a way?” Li Yi asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing’s soul replied: “Your Crimson Gold Five Elements Bracelet lacks sufficient power to contain a star core. Only a superior storage treasure might succeed. I suggest you open a cross-realm gate and toss it into some world for now—retrieve it later when the opportunity arises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi agreed this made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately ordered the celestial warship to open a gate to the Incense World, then used his axe as a hook to forcibly drag the shattered star core inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as it entered the Incense World,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the star core plummeted like a meteor into a desolate wasteland, unleashing boundless cosmic energy that thickened the Incense World’s spiritual energy—and this effect continued to intensify.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing was right—this object, placed in a lawless world, could indeed revive a realm’s spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yi felt it safer to keep it in the Incense World—at least he needn’t fear its theft, for no one powerful enough to steal it existed here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing this, Li Yi prepared to explore elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon god’s relics were a vast treasure trove—careful searching always yielded surprises.\u003C\u002Fp>",1782,"2026-06-20T01:27:08.613Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f6f04b1a7030d8c7ea68d8be7e0ab07e11bd26ff5cb60f8ff2321a0e86136c2e","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-954","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-952",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]