Chapter 288: Farewell, Bu Nantian

"These two are the Sun Star and the Red Phoenix Star."

Mars Star introduced both sides, then turned to Chen Mu and said, "Wu Qu, you've already received the inheritance; when walking the world under the identity of 'Star God,' you should make greater use of the inherited arts—it will help conceal your true identity and let you grow familiar with your power faster."

The Sun Star's eyes flickered with curiosity—he longed to ask what the lost Wu Qu Star inheritance entailed, but the words died on his lips.

Among Star Gods, prying into each other's secrets is an iron law.

He shifted the topic instead: "Now that Wu Qu Star Lord has reclaimed his place, there is something you must know. Our 'Star Gods' have a long-standing enemy in this world: the 'Beast Gods.'"

"Beast Gods?" Chen Mu's gaze sharpened.

"Correct."

The Sun Star's tone grew more solemn: "This faction, like us, traces its lineage to the ancient past. Each 'Beast God' is immensely powerful—they inherit the power of primordial ferocious deities. Most crucially, they know the way into the 'Demon Nest!'"

"Demon Nest?!"

Chen Mu's heart reeled.

Caves, Demon Nests, Insect Hives… these were the sources of monstrous rampages, one of the root causes of the world's chaos.

He never imagined the secret behind it was this horrifying.

This faction had been eternally opposed to the 'Star Gods.'

To have contended with the Star Gods for so long—the power of the 'Beast Gods' was unimaginable.

"The Beast Gods must all die."

Red Phoenix Star took up the thread, her voice crisp yet deadly: "Thus, every newly ascended Star God must undergo an initiation trial: personally annihilate a faction that worships the 'Beast Gods' and sever their claws and fangs!"

"Regarding this matter…"

Mars Star looked at Chen Mu and said, "I've already selected your target. In Yazhou of the Southeast Dao, there is a 'Gold Coin Gang.' Publicly, it's a martial sect; secretly, it's a hidden Beast God worship site. Their leader cultivates at the Earth Altar Realm's early stage—perfect for you to eliminate and complete your trial."

"That's perfect—it seems Mars Star has already prepared everything," Red Phoenix Star smiled.

Chen Mu understood: this was a test, and the inevitable path to becoming one of the Star Gods.

He immediately bowed to Mars Star: "Thank you, Mars Star Lord, for your thoughtfulness."

Mars Star waved his hand, his tone calm: "Among Star Gods, no formalities are needed—mutual support is simply our duty."

Chen Mu nodded, then remembered something: "I've been inside the Star Palace for some time—I must leave briefly to handle some worldly matters, lest my friends grow anxious."

"Go."

Mars Star replied, then seemed to recall something and whispered through qi: "By the way, the outside world now spreads the rumor that you perished at the hands of Gao Xingde."

Huh?

Chen Mu froze for a moment, then understood.

He had vanished for over a month, lost amid pursuit by a Heaven Palace Realm cultivator—being presumed dead was only natural.

His mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged; he whispered back through qi:

"Thank you for the warning."

Without further words, he pulled out the Star Token and connected it to Wu Qu Star's divine altar.

Shhh~

The Star Token activated.

The space around Chen Mu rippled faintly; his body blurred like dissolving into water, then vanished.

…

The spatial transport power of the Star Token did not originate from the token itself, but from the Star God Altar within the Star Palace.

The Star Token, the mask, and the Star Robe were merely extensions and vessels of the Star God Altar's power—all could be remotely summoned from the Altar.

Chen Mu had not yet retrieved the mask or the Star Robe—he would take them when needed.

…

Shhh~

The scene before him shifted from blurred to clear; the spatial ripples settled.

Around him: the same mountaintop in the Southeast Dao where Mars Star had taken him away.

Huhhh~

The mountain wind howled, tugging at Chen Mu's robes.

He removed the pure white mask from his face and stored it in his palm space.

Chen Mu oriented himself, then flickered forward, leaping into the air as a streak of light, racing toward the headquarters of the Southeast Dao's Town Martial Bureau.

The rumor circulating outside—that he was dead—must be swiftly clarified, lest it trigger unnecessary trouble.

Swoosh~

Swoosh!

He raced against the wind.

In the blink of an eye, he shot past several lush, verdant peaks.

Suddenly, from a deep ravine ahead, came a muffled explosion and a piercing scream.

Shhh!

Chen Mu halted instantly, hovering midair; he activated his "Eagle Eye" skill—his gaze pierced through the trees, locking onto the ravine.

There, a squad of roughly seven or eight Town Martial Bureau guards fled in disarray, each wounded, armor torn.

Behind them, a figure shrouded in thick, crimson blood-chaos energy pursued leisurely, like a cat playing with its prey.

At times, he casually flicked out a streak of blood-light, sending a guard flying; listening to their muffled groans and furious roars, he let out a chilling "Jiejie" laugh, savoring the pleasure of torture.

Several guards wore expressions of grief and despair, powerless to resist.

"It's this bastard."

Chen Mu's gaze locked onto the bloodstained face—he recognized the man.

It was none other than Bu Nantian, the "Bloody Hand Futo," whom he had once met and driven off!

Formerly ranked sixth on the Qianlong List, a core disciple of the Xuemo Sect.

Last time, he escaped.

Now, upon meeting again, he was brutally slaughtering officers of the Zhenwu Bureau.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Mu's eyes flashed with cold light, and his body plunged downward like a falling star.

Mid-air, he slashed with the Xianlong Sword, its blade wreathed in crimson flames.

The piercing sword intent of the Second Heavenly Realm erupted violently, reinforcing the blade—first the Hidden Sword Art, then the True Martial Annihilating Demon Sword Art pushed to its full power!

"Ssshhhh—"

A searing, meteor-like flame sword qi tore through the sky, descending with terrifying might as if capable of cleaving the earth itself, striking precisely upon Bu Nantian's crown!

Where the sword qi passed, the air warped from scorching heat, leaving a clear vacuum trail.

On the ground.

Bu Nantian had just casually slapped out a blood-red palm print, sending a female Zhenwu Bureau officer flying backward with a spray of blood, a cruel, mocking smile on his face.

At that very moment, a deadly peril struck him, making his soul tremble!

"Who?!"

Bu Nantian was stunned.

Startled, he looked up—and saw a flame sword qi descending like it could burn the heavens and boil the seas!

"It's you?!"

Bu Nantian recognized Chen Mu, let out a shrill cry, and frantically gathered all his blood demonic energy, thrusting both palms upward in a wild surge—a solid crimson energy shield instantly formed, attempting to block it.

"Boom—"

The flame sword qi slammed into the blood shield with a deafening crash.

Violent energy shockwaves swept outward, hurling grass, trees, and rocks into the air.

Bu Nantian felt an unstoppable force surge up his arms—the crimson shield shattered after only an instant!

He was struck as if heavily, his chest constricted, and he spat out a great gout of blood, his body flying uncontrollably backward, crashing like a ragged sack into the jagged rocks of the ravine…