[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent":3,"chapter-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-320":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring the Starry Sky 2: The Origin Continent",{"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},2332948,4561,"Chapter 320: Chapter Eight: Assassination","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-320",320,"\u003Cp>“King!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The King is in Yulan City!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All low-level Hunyuan lifeforms hidden within Yulan City stirred with fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low-level Hunyuan lifeforms are inherently lax; even under their leader’s orders, only a few core members comply, while the vast majority of middle- and lower-rank clans pay little heed—they may go centuries without ever meeting their leader and could die at any moment at the hands of cultivators! Naturally, they become even more capricious and careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Capriciousness, recklessness, and laziness have long been the tradition of low-level Hunyuan lifeforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mind-Confusing Worms, the Soul-Devouring Snakes, and the Void Wanderers—these are the three hidden clans. Once a “King” emerges among the hidden clans, their influence becomes unimaginable—even Kings of other clans are willing to obey their commands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a King of the hidden clans can easily enter the city and assassinate its highest-ranking core members, drastically reducing the difficulty of breaching the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the history of the Jiuhe Sacred Realm, nine out of ten city breaches occurred because a “King” emerged among the hidden clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon discovering a hidden clan’s King, cultivators of the Jiuhe Sacred Realm immediately call for aid—the Dark Sacred Realm will then dispatch terrifyingly powerful cultivators to hunt down the hidden clan’s “King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, once a hidden clan’s King is born, it is kept absolutely secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A King has only one chance in a lifetime to breach a city!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they fail, under the pursuit of cross-realm enforcers from the Dark Sacred Realm, they cannot survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my only chance, my only chance to regain freedom.” The red-robed cultivator rose, his eyes icy—every inch of the Jiuhe Sacred Realm was a giant prison! After enduring immense hardship to reach the Ultra-Limit realm, he had earned but one opportunity to “regain freedom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he breaches the city! Of hundreds of millions of cultivators, he need only slaughter a portion to accumulate enough merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-robed cultivator gave the order. At that moment, all leaders hidden throughout Yulan City sprang into action, while the other clans remained concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-robed cultivator also left his cave, flying through the faint mist toward the cave of Wei Yang, the Hall Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, thirty-two other leaders flew toward the cave of Wei Yang, the Hall Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the King’s summons, the Jiuhe Sacred Realm’s entire network of Mind-Confusing Worm and Soul-Devouring Snake branches—those leaders who had reached the Divine Emperor Peak realm—numbered precisely thirty-two who arrived here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, among the thirty-five city regions scattered across the Jiuhe Sacred Realm, some branches had not yet produced a “Divine Emperor Peak” entity; their strongest members were merely late-stage Divine Emperor clan members. Thus, the total number of leaders among the Mind-Confusing Worms and Soul-Devouring Snakes across the entire Jiuhe Sacred Realm was already scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, some leaders had not come to fight; the ones present were only roughly half the elite of the two clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—boom—boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four city gates of Yulan City slammed shut with thunderous force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the gates closed, all cultivators were temporarily forbidden to enter or exit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All cultivators, return immediately to your caves or temporarily remain within nearby merchants’ establishments,” came the gentle voice of Yuan Xiang, the Hall Master, echoing across the entire city. “In moments, all cultivators are forbidden from leaving. Anyone who attempts to flee will be treated as a hidden low-level Hunyuan lifeform.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This inspection will be completed within one day. All cultivators must cooperate fully during the process.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivators previously scattered across the city—those nearby—rushed toward their own caves. Those farther away temporarily took shelter in nearby merchant shops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed. The cultivators within Yulan City moved swiftly; the number of cultivators visible outside buildings dwindled rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-robed cultivator was now very close to Wei Yang, the Hall Master’s cave, but the other thirty-two leaders were at varying distances, moving at different speeds—many had not yet arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deploy Branch One. Launch a full-city assault. Draw the cultivators’ attention.” The red-robed cultivator immediately issued orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of Branch One obeyed, issuing commands as planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, cultivators emerged from caves across multiple districts of Yulan City—over two hundred in total. They were all Mind-Confusing Worm or Soul-Devouring Snake clones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such suicide missions were always planned as clones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these clones were powerful—some were even clones of core clan members. Cultivators below the Divine Emperor realm fell one after another under the clones’ assaults, dying at an astonishing rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha ha! It’s been so long since I’ve slaughtered cultivators so freely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the blink of an eye, I’ve killed over ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The merit from this slaughter will surely elevate my bloodline to greater strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two hundred-plus hidden ones slaughtered without restraint—now that secrecy was no longer needed, the wilder, the better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as we begin a full-city search, the hidden ones can’t wait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Destroy them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elders controlling Yulan City’s multiple defense arrays showed no mercy—they immediately activated the arrays and began striking down the rampaging hidden ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—boom—boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning and thunder rained down. In an instant, every hidden one who was frenziedly killing was struck by lightning—nowhere to hide. The vast majority were reduced to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three hidden ones managed to withstand the lightning strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These three hidden ones are either late-stage Divine Emperor true bodies or leader-class clones!” One Elder controlling the Thunder Array transmitted his message to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A late-stage Divine Emperor-level low-level Hunyuan lifeform, in its true form, possesses far greater vitality—no single Elder’s array could destroy it from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re likely just leader-class clones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These hidden ones are cunning—they dare not enter the city in true body. They always send clones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Splash! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single breath, the three hidden ones who withstood the lightning were struck by multiple arrays in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames burned across their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible, colorless winds brushed against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freezing cold descended and froze them solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple arrays, each controlled by an Elder—these three hidden ones were ultimately slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Wei Yang, the Hall Master’s cave, the red-robed cultivator had met with seven leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deploy Branch Two. Launch another full-city assault. Keep delaying.” The red-robed cultivator issued another order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the command,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one hundred ninety-two hidden ones burst from their caves. The cultivators still outside were now extremely few. These emerging hidden ones attacked every cultivator they saw—even storming into merchant shops and killing their servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More hidden ones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? How are so many appearing again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elders managing the arrays were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first wave of two hundred-plus had been expected. But a second wave of one hundred ninety-two? That was unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Destroy them first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Destroy them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elders activated arrays and launched remote strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one hundred ninety-two hidden ones slaughtered wildly—for them, even if their clones perished, as long as they killed enough, they would still earn sufficient slaughter merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just three breaths, all one hundred ninety-two hidden ones were dead. Of course, they had also slain hundreds of innocent cultivators nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something’s wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Xiang, the Hall Master, sensed the anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two consecutive waves of frenzied attacks made Yuan Xiang suspect something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All cultivators who have not yet returned to their caves, enter the nearest merchant shop immediately. In ten breaths, we begin full-city inspection.” Yuan Xiang’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry! Hurry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten breaths is too short!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The majority of Yulan City’s population were below Divine Emperor rank. Under the Jiuhe Sacred Realm’s suppression, their speed was limited—they could only rush toward the nearest merchant shops, no matter the risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Wei Yang, the Hall Master’s cave, the red-robed cultivator had now gathered twelve leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only ten breaths? This operation is too rushed.” The red-robed cultivator frowned slightly. According to the original plan, he and at least twenty leaders’ true bodies would act simultaneously to overwhelm Wei Yang, the Hall Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, one by one, they would eliminate the rest—internal and external forces united, easily breaching the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The external force gathered was only three-tenths of what was needed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal mobilization within the city was hindered by Yulan City’s full alert status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though rushed, we have no choice.” The red-robed cultivator glanced around at the twelve leaders nearby—all of them had noticed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enter the cave.” The red-robed cultivator transmitted his order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirteen of them moved as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying surge instantly shattered the main gate of Wei Yang, the Hall Master’s cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the cave, Wei Yang, the Hall Master, sat cross-legged, expressionless, currently controlling the array that covered the entire city, coordinating with other Elders to deal with the hidden ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Wei Yang instantly rose, gazing toward the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve terrifying waves of energy descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each wave sent a chill through Wei Yang’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twelve leaders—all true bodies!” Wei Yang could not believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders of the Mind-Confusing Worms and Soul-Devouring Snakes were extremely difficult to fight—they directly targeted the soul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wei Yang were outside, one-on-one, he could defeat one leader. But against three, he had little confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're inside the city now, and with the entire city’s array supporting me, even if all twelve leaders arrived in their true forms, I’d still have a sliver of chance.\" The Wei Yang Hall Master felt deep unease. \"But they usually send only their avatars into the city—why are all their true forms risking this now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something’s wrong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wei Yang Hall Master sensed disaster and immediately called for aid from the Yuan Xiang Hall Master, the Gai Tao Hall Master, and the other Elders!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wei Yang Hall Master, die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As twelve terrifying fluctuations surged toward him, one fluctuation only fully erupted when it drew near the Wei Yang Hall Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red-robed cultivator appeared as if illusory, materializing directly within the Wei Yang Hall Master’s mind. The red-robed cultivator twisted into a colossal worm and swallowed the Wei Yang Hall Master’s mental power in a single bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ultra-limit class!\" The Wei Yang Hall Master was stunned and furious. He had never heard of any Ultra-limit class emerging among the Mind-Deceiving Worms or Soul-Devouring Snakes of the Jiuhe Sacred Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because as soon as a hidden race’s Ultra-limit class is detected, immediate aid is requested from the Dark Sacred Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have no retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is our only chance at freedom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve leaders’ true forms, each frenzied, all plunged into the Wei Yang Hall Master’s body, joining Wang in a coordinated assault to slay him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1754,"2026-06-20T20:45:00.697Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b1a4e0e4f718dcb2a35d511031efce5cd20723d8fed03a5a88c2e63079b6a0c7","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-321","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-319",340,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-cover.jpg"]