Chapter 1481: Plan Begins! Wait, Is That Xu Jingming?

"Oh?"

Jin Yao was slightly surprised.

Yin Ci belongs to the Void Plunderers clan.

Naturally possessing spatial affinity and invisibility, even a Cosmic-tier being one major rank higher cannot easily detect them.

They were an excellent intelligence gatherer, yet now they've vanished.

"Looks like his luck ran out, falling just before redemption was within reach."

With a sigh of regret, Jin Yao did not dwell further: "Enough. The plan is about to begin. Since Yin Ci has perished, no need to concern ourselves with him."

Immediately, his gaze turned to the many beast beasts present.

His golden hair stirred without wind, the noble and majestic aura around him growing even more pronounced.

The previously noisy beasts fell silent at once, all eyes fixing on him, filled with reverence and submission.

"The Beast Emperor is arriving soon.

Before then, we shall lie in ambush near those prodigies."

Jin Yao slightly raised his hand, and a smart armband used by a human contestant appeared in his grasp.

Hum—

He tapped it lightly, and a holographic map over three meters in diameter materialized in midair.

It clearly marked the terrain of Blood Refining Star, and... the real-time coordinates of every contestant.

In a certain region to the northeast.

Several golden numbers were converging from different directions toward the center—those chasing Luo Li, the top-ranked few.

"Originally, I thought killing the top three humans would suffice.

But judging by their route, they're gathering together.

That actually makes it convenient for us—to net them all at once."

Jin Yao's golden eyes fixed on the map, a cold smile curling at his lips:

"The Beast Emperor will soon arrive near Blood Refining Star.

When he does, he will strike down the human Eternal Deities.

Our task is simple: wait until the human prodigies converge.

When the fighting reaches its fiercest, follow my command and strike together!

Eliminate the human Star-tier prodigies—let them face a two-thousand-year generational collapse!"

"Roar—!!!"

A deafening roar exploded through the swamp.

Dozens of Star-tier and Cosmic-tier beast beasts simultaneously roared to the heavens, their terrifying sonic waves churning the gray mist, causing the entire swamp to tremble.

Bloodthirsty, brutal, and mad energy surged skyward, as if a slumbering ancient beast were slowly opening its crimson eyes.

Jin Yao stood at the center of the beast horde, his golden hair whipping wildly in the turbulent aura, his forehead horns glowing with mysterious radiance.

"Advance!"

Jin Yao swept his hand forward.

Shhh—shhh—shhh—!

Dozens of figures blurred into afterimages.

Silently vanishing into the shadows deep within the swamp.

Following Jin Yao's form, heading toward the prodigies' convergence point...

On the other side, Chi Huang had no idea where Xu Jingming had gone after leaving.

He could only watch helplessly as Xu Jingming disappeared beyond the horizon of the crimson sky.

Yet, through the Virtual Universe livestream,

every viewer could clearly see Xu Jingming's flight path.

On the screen, the golden dot representing Xu Jingming raced toward the northeast at an astonishing speed.

With no concealment whatsoever, straight as an arrow piercing the heavens.

"He's really heading toward Luo Li's direction!"

"No way? He actually plans to rescue her? That's five top-tier powerhouses!"

"Hahaha, I'm dying—when Yue Ying said 'one against five,' I thought it was just bravado, but Xu Jingming actually dares to go?"

"This isn't arrogance anymore—it's suicide!"

"The God-Slaying Martial Temple and the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance are joining forces to hunt the Eternal Star Alliance—clearly aiming to eliminate the Eternal Star Alliance first. Xu Jingming rushing in now? What else is it but delivering his own head?"

"......"

Inside the Virtual Universe central arena, the audience's murmurs surged like a tidal wave.

Supporters of the God-Slaying Martial Temple and the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance outnumbered the rest.

Now seeing Xu Jingming actually dared to go, they erupted in mocking laughter.

Of course, due to Xu Jingming's earlier formidable display, many also supported him.

Supporters and opponents argued incessantly; the arena's atmosphere reached fever pitch.

In the VIP box, Ling Shuang and the other women watched the screen with tense eyes.

"Jingming really went..."

Jiang Chu held Xu Xinglan's small hand tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"Dad will definitely win!"

Xu Xinglan said in a tiny, childish voice, her little face brimming with unwavering belief.

Xu Xinghe nodded vigorously: "Dad is the strongest!"

Ye Lan softly pressed her lips, her cold eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xu Jingming's flight path.

Nikki leaned back in her seat, her red lips curving slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes:

"This kid really doesn't play by the rules."

"But... I'm growing more eager."

Based on her understanding of Xu Jingming.

He wouldn't do anything without confidence.

That makes things interesting.

Which means Xu Jingming truly has the confidence to suppress these top-five prodigies.

Half a day later.

Blood Refining Star, northeastern hemisphere, an ancient forest covered in dark red vines.

Deep within the forest, a slender figure darted like a spirit butterfly between the thick tree trunks.

She wore a form-fitting silver-white battle suit, its fabric shimmering with a faint silver glow under the blood-red sky, perfectly outlining her breathtaking curves.

Her waist was slender, her legs long, her full chest rising and falling gently with rapid breaths.

Her ice-blue hair streamed behind her like a flowing river of stars.

It was Luo Li, the other flagship prodigy of this year's Eternal Star Alliance Hunt Demon Competition.

At this moment, her exquisite face bore a rare solemnity.

"Trouble..."

Luo Li flashed forward and landed on a branch of a giant tree a hundred meters tall.

Leaning against the trunk, she quickly adjusted her breathing.

She opened her smart bracer, and on the map,

four golden dots had merged, advancing from different directions to encircle her position.

The nearest one was less than three hundred kilometers away.

"Louis, Kate, and Soros of the Godslayer Martial Temple.

Eric and Barton of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance..."

Each of these five names weighed heavily on Luo Li's heart.

All five were monsters ranked in the top five of this year's Hunt Demon Competition!

Any one of them alone, she had no hundred-percent chance of defeating—let alone all five together.

"Sis Luo, you run first! We'll hold them here!"

The remaining three members of Luo Li's team had also caught up.

Among them, petite Mia, with her twin buns, spoke up first.

"Yes! If we can escape, we can still keep sixth place!"

"We're not useless—we can hold them off for half an hour."

The other two team members quickly echoed her.

They were all Star Peak, each possessing one fundamental law.

"They have five people. Even with you three holding the rear, you won't escape."

Luo Li shook her head, her ice-blue eyes quickly hardening:

"Prepare for battle. I'll fight with you. Even if we lose, we'll make them pay a price!"

At that moment, Mia, staring at the coordinate projection on her smart bracer, suddenly exclaimed:

"Huh? Sis Luo, that light point looks like... Xu Jingming?"

PS: It's New Year's Eve! Wishing everyone a happy New Year's Eve, a joyful New Year, and swift success!