Chapter 279

Fifth-rank Spiritual Martial Star Domain.

In a dense forest within the territory of the Golden Snake Clan, Dong Zhao, Liu Qingzhu, and others all watched Xu Jin, awaiting the results of his interrogation.

With Xu Jin, interrogating alien races was incredibly convenient and effortless.

Their previous interrogations mostly relied on torture.

They could extract some intelligence, but torture had one major flaw: it could not determine truth from falsehood.

Throughout human warfare history, countless armies had been annihilated due to false intelligence from star domain aliens.

Thus, even when they obtained intelligence, they had to carefully deliberate and judge it.

Moreover, many star domain aliens, facing these invading present-day humans, preferred death to speaking.

Xu Jin's Wenmeng interrogation method was extremely convenient.

One hundred percent authentic.

And extremely fast.

The only prerequisite was a high requirement for Divine Soul cultivation base.

This made Dong Zhao envious beyond measure.

After returning, he must learn this Wenmeng Star Pattern from the State Master.

He had once had the chance to learn it but declined, fearing waste, since positions for Divine Soul Star Patterns were scarce.

Now he realized how highly practical Wenmeng truly was.

Not only for interrogation, but also for recovery, it had miraculous effects.

Previously, when his Divine Soul cultivation base was depleted, even with elixirs to aid recovery, he needed at least six hours of sleep to fully restore.

But with Xu Jin's Wenmeng, he recovered in just one and a half hours.

If he had learned Wenmeng before entering the fifth-rank Spiritual Martial Star Domain, their situation within it would not have been nearly as difficult.

Fifteen minutes of sleep-induced recovery equaled nearly an hour of normal recovery.

Under the gaze of all, Xu Jin emerged from Wenmeng and smashed the skull of the recently captured fifth-rank mid-stage Golden Snake with one palm.

This was already the fourth one.

After continuously interrogating four groups, intelligence regarding the Blood God Sect had been largely pieced together.

The Blood God Sect had been developing within the Spiritual Martial Star Domain for over a decade, with a clear structure and considerable scale.

One Blood God Son.

Four Blood God Messengers, and eight Blood Robe Golden Giants.

The Blood God Son resided permanently within the Fire Ox Clan; the Fire Ox Clan was the first to accept the Blood God Sect, and the Blood God Son now served as their Divine Master, holding status equal to that of the Fire Ox King.

The four Blood God Messengers were divided into two groups, each leading four Blood Robe Golden Giants, stationed respectively within the Fire Ox and Golden Snake royal cities.

The two Blood Robe Golden Giants had previously commanded the battles.

When the Blood God Son and Blood God Messengers first arrived, their cultivation bases were all fifth-rank ninth-layer peak; now, they had all broken through to sixth-rank.

But only the Blood God Son had rapidly advanced to sixth-rank ninth-layer peak.

The Blood Robe Golden Giants' cultivation bases were mostly in late fifth-rank.

"Mountain Master, it seems the Blood God Sect intends to take root in this fifth-rank Spiritual Martial Star Domain," Xu Jin concluded after reporting the intelligence.

Hearing this, Mountain Master Dong Zhao shook his head. "There's a possibility, but not necessarily."

Tang Hui was stunned. "Sixth-rank ninth-layer peak? Do they plan to leave the Spiritual Martial Star Domain?"

"Won't they be trapped here by life and death?"

"According to my teacher, the Blood God Sect possesses a technique called the Blood God True Interpretation Great Law. Once perfected, it allows one to condense a drop-blood Star Pattern."

Any high-ranking Blood God Sect member who forms this drop-blood Star Pattern can not only regenerate from a single drop of blood, but if combined with their Blood Spirit Avatar, they can restore their cultivation base and realm without loss—extremely difficult to eliminate."

This is the only known method in the present world for high-cultivation beings to leave a star domain," Dong Zhao said.

"Regeneration from a drop of blood?"

Xu Jin was surprised. "Doesn't that amount to immortality?"

"Not quite, but the Blood God Sect's ancient lineage is undeniable. It is said that even during the unification of the present world by the Ultimate Emperor Star Lord three thousand years ago, the Blood God Sect already existed."

The Ultimate Emperor Star Lord mobilized the power of the present world to exterminate them, yet the outcome—you've seen it," Dong Zhao said.

"If the Blood God Son is in the Fire Ox Royal City, I suggest we strike first at the Golden Snake Royal City to test the Blood God Messengers' strength and see if we can capture one of them or a Blood Robe Golden Giant," Dong Zhao proposed.

This was a prudent strategy; no one objected.

"Mountain Master, during the previous interrogation, I made another unexpected discovery."

"What unexpected discovery?"

"This fifth-rank mid-stage Golden Snake was ordered to escort a present-day emissary to the royal city for assembly."

He claimed it was the Blood God Son's decree," Xu Jin recounted what he had gleaned via Wenmeng.

"Present-day emissary?"

This discovery confirmed another fact: a powerful figure from the present world was colluding with the Blood God Sect in the Spiritual Martial Star Domain—likely the Heavenly Sun Star Temple.

But currently, there was no evidence.

"If so, it might be Liu Meng's reinforcements," Liu Qingzhu said.

"If it's Liu Meng's reinforcements, we must be extremely cautious."

Liu Meng carried two sixth-rank superior-grade Star Patterns; these reinforcements must carry at least one sixth-rank superior-grade Star Pattern."

If we encounter any present-day humans, we must remain vigilant," Dong Zhao said.

"Do we know the exact number?" Han Qing asked.

"No. But multiple squads were dispatched; this captive didn't know how many."

There should be more than one," Xu Jin said.

"Then let's go. First, rush swiftly to the Golden Snake Royal City and catch them off guard. I suspect the Blood God Messengers behind the scenes never expected us to dare attack the Golden Snake Royal City," Dong Zhao laid out the tactical plan.

But before departure, Xu Jin gave each of the others two fifth-rank inferior-grade Star Patterns he had crafted and nurtured.

Due to the intense stellar energy infused after nurturing, they could not discern their actual grade.

Xu Jin merely claimed they were fifth-rank superior-grade.

He told them to use them to preserve their lives in critical moments.

In reality, they possessed sixth-rank inferior-grade power.

One hour later, the group of five had reached the area one hundred li outside the Golden Snake Royal City.

But clearly, the hostility of this realm's will was intensifying.

From a thousand li away to one hundred li, they had encountered five waves of elite Golden Snake forces.

Each wave was stronger than the last.

Clearly, the Golden Snake Clan had detected their arrival.

From the captive, they learned the Golden Snake King and the two Blood God Messengers had begun summoning their outlying elites.

"We set up the Guiyuan Spirit Light Array here, then besiege the city and ambush reinforcements. If we encounter too many enemies, use Xu Jin's sixth-rank Star Pattern to break through and escape," Dong Zhao outlined the strategy.

The others had no objections, except Xu Jin, who held a different view. "Mountain Master, isn't this too conservative?"

"Conservative?"

Dong Zhao smiled bitterly. "Within the Golden Snake Royal City, we know of at least five sixth-rank experts, nearly a hundred fifth-rank, and over a thousand fourth-rank."

Charging in once wouldn't be too difficult.

But one misstep, and we risk being surrounded.

Once surrounded, with our stellar energy depleted, we'll have no choice but to wait for death."

At these words, Xu Jin suddenly understood.

He had never worried about stellar energy before—he had simply overlooked it.

After thinking, Xu Jin suddenly pulled out two vials of pills, handing two San Yun Yi Qi Gui Xing Pills and two San Yun Si Xuan Fu Xing Pills to each person.

"These pills were painstakingly refined by the State Master using secret methods; their efficacy is six times that of ordinary pills."

One pill should restore more than half your stellar energy," Xu Jin said, referring to the San Yun Yi Qi Gui Xing Pills.

Everyone's eyes widened instantly.

Even Mountain Master Dong Zhao looked puzzled and astonished. Could such pills exist?

But if the State Master produced them, anything was possible.

"In that case, we can be bolder."

Charge straight in and see if we can capture a Blood God Messenger," Dong Zhao said.

Fifth-rank ninth-layer peak cultivators already possessed immense stellar energy; with these pills, their courage surged instantly.

Fifteen breaths later.

Five streaks of light shot skyward, directly assaulting the Golden Snake Royal City.

Their speed was not fast, for the hundred-li distance would still take fifty to sixty breaths—even if they moved faster, the Golden Snake Royal City would already be prepared.

Thus, their pace was deliberately moderate.

But they were extremely conspicuous.

Inside the Golden Snake Royal City, the Golden Snake King, clad in golden scales, slammed his fist on the table and rose. "These invaders have balls.

Five men dare charge our formation."

"Send two Elders with a thousand elites to crush them," the Golden Snake King roared.

But He Shen, the Blood God Messenger seated below the Golden Snake King, stopped him. "Your Majesty, that would be unwise. According to the intelligence brought by the Blood Robe Golden Giants, this group possesses sixth-rank Star Patterns—and not just one."

Sending one or two sixth-rank alone will surely play into their hands.

Let's wait a bit.

Wait until they charge into the city, then concentrate our superior forces to annihilate them all at once.

The envoy is truly astute.

"Let the fourth-rank clan members retreat, to avoid unnecessary casualties," suggested Blood God Envoy He Shen.

That's only right.

Outside the city, Xu Jin and the other four radiated overwhelming aura, yet encountered not a single enemy.

This made Xu Jin and Dong Zhao and the others grim-faced; clearly, the Golden Snake King was extremely shrewd.

"Mountain Master, let me lead the charge."

"You?"

"Mountain Master, you just cover my blind spots or finish off any survivors."

Fair enough.

They had all witnessed Xu Jin's combat power before.

Indeed.

"Charge!"

In the next instant, Xu Jin surged forward, flying straight toward the Golden Snake Royal City.

But barely a moment later, his thunder wings flared, and he sharply veered off—his four companions followed his sudden change of direction.

According to the Mingji Star Pattern's sensing, at least four sixth-rank experts were waiting ahead; if Xu Jin charged straight in, it would be suicide.

We must lure them into motion.

Xu Jin's group circled around the city.

Yet the sixth-rank expert guarding the eastern gate moved slightly slower.

Because they were waiting for the Golden Snake King's orders.

Whether to pursue or retreat to the inner city.

One breath later, the Golden Snake King's command arrived: retreat to the inner city.

This was the order of Blood God Envoy He Shen.

Simultaneously, recall all fifth-rank aliens and Blood Robe Golems to defend the inner city.

They feared being picked off one by one by Xu Jin's group.

But their response was still a beat too slow.

Military orders were not delivered promptly enough.

After circling just three li, Xu Jin's group of five stormed into the fixed fifth-rank alien formation in the southern quarter of the city.

Xu Jin unleashed his full power without mercy.

Because Xu Jin knew clearly: this battle was the most difficult he had faced since the Lou Gong Campaign.

He immediately activated the Xuanzi Heavenly Fire, stirred his fifth-rank Fire Spirit Heart, triggered the Crimson Dragon Ring, and summoned two mid-tier Fire Star Patterns from the Can Dou Altar for protection.

Spiral Inferno erupted one after another in relentless barrage.

Any fifth-rank mid-level or lower who was struck was instantly reduced to ash—killed in a single blow.

Fifth-rank late-stage opponents were severely wounded on the spot. Xu Jin was going all out.

Dong Zhao, Liu Qingzhu, and the other three were stunned by Xu Jin's full-power assault.

Who exactly was the fifth-rank ninth-layer expert—them or Xu Jin?

How strong is this guy?

Even a sixth-rank early-stage expert doesn't have this kind of offensive power!

In their shock, the four immediately unleashed their full strength.

Paired in twos, they could annihilate fifth-rank mid-to-late-stage experts in an instant.

In just a few breaths, over twenty fifth-rank aliens in the southern quarter were wiped out by Xu Jin's group.

Yet the sixth-rank aliens paid no attention whatsoever—all elite aliens retreated entirely into the inner city.

This was beyond absurd.

"What do we do? Retreat or press forward?" Tang Hui asked.

"Let's charge ahead!" Xu Jin made the decision immediately.

"Go! Follow Xu Jin," Dong Zhao affirmed.

In the next instant, Xu Jin led the group slowly advancing toward the inner city.

It looked as if they intended to confront them directly.

Above the inner city, including the Golden Snake King and the two Blood God Envoys, seven sixth-rank aliens stood in formation, alongside over sixty fifth-rank aliens.

Blood God Envoy He Shen stared coldly at Xu Jin's approaching group. "Four fifth-ranks and one fourth-rank dare storm our royal city?

How brave of you.

Your Majesty, you watch from the sidelines—we'll capture these few alive and serve their still-beating hearts as your appetizer."

Five hundred meters from the inner city, Xu Jin halted, his Fish Curtain Golden Bell swirling around him, and he roared at the Blood God Envoy.

"I never thought your Blood God Cult, hunted like rats across the mortal realm, would come here to the Star Domain to bully and dominate."

Why not rename yourselves the Blood Rat Cult?"

Xu Jin dared not charge directly.

If six powerful enemies focused fire on him simultaneously, even if he were fourth-rank ninth-layer, he'd be reduced to ashes.

But if they came to him, it would be different.

Since he and the Grand Master had already finalized their future plan—and even begun executing it—Xu Jin had nothing left to hide.

Some powers, once revealed, were revealed.

"Die!"

Blood God Envoy He Shen's face flushed with rage—he knew this man was provoking him.

But with seven sixth-ranks and over sixty fifth-ranks so close, what was there to fear?

No trick, no matter how clever, would work here.

"Hold your defenses! Beware their sixth-rank Star Patterns! Charge! Remember—this fourth-rank must be taken alive. I want his heart and liver for my wine!" With a cruel grin, He Shen slashed his hand forward.

In the next instant, four senior elders of the Golden Snake Clan, all sixth-rank early-to-mid-stage, surged forward, frantically channeling star energy; golden scales rose across their bodies, growing thicker and larger.

Their bodies swelled by double due to the reinforced scales.

This was the Golden Snake Clan's ultimate defense.

It was also the foundation of their dominance in the Fifth-Rank Spirit Weapon Star Domain.

Once fully activated, even a full-force strike from a sixth-rank ninth-layer expert could be absorbed with only minor injury.

"Go!"

In the next moment, the four fully-defended Golden Snake elders lined up side by side and charged straight toward Xu Jin's group.

They anticipated Xu Jin's group possessed sixth-rank Star Patterns.

Simultaneously, two sixth-rank Blood God Envoys, flanked by four fifth-rank ninth-layer Blood Robe Golems, followed closely behind the four sixth-rank elders toward Xu Jin's group.

The sixty-plus fifth-rank aliens formed a fan-shaped advance behind them.

Five hundred meters.

Four hundred meters!

"Kill!"

The moment the word "kill" left his lips, Xu Jin's thunder wings flashed, and he surged forward instantly—Dong Zhao and the other three followed his charge, but slightly behind, as Xu Jin had instructed.

Almost the instant they entered the hundred-meter range, Xu Jin hurled the sixth-rank upper-tier Star Pattern: the Great Sun, tightly clutched in his hand.

This was a cultivated sixth-rank upper-tier Star Pattern.

This was Xu Jin's trump card.

As Xu Jin charged forward, the four opposing sixth-rank experts had already launched golden beams, aiming to concentrate fire on him.

But all were instantly incinerated by the blinding radiance of the Great Sun Pattern exploding.

In the next instant, the golden scales on their bodies—capable of withstanding a full strike from a sixth-rank late-stage expert—began melting like snow under boiling water.

The four sixth-rank Golden Snake elders screamed in agony.

Some fifth-rank experts who had charged too close were instantly severely wounded.

Behind them, the two Blood God Envoys, terrified by the power of the Star Pattern, recoiled instantly.

In an instant, the alien formation collapsed into chaos.

Xu Jin's thunder wings flashed again, circling swiftly to appear before the other Blood God Envoy and a group of fifth-rank Blood Robe Golems.

Without hesitation, Xu Jin hurled another Star Pattern.

This was a cultivated fifth-rank upper-tier Star Pattern: Blazing Light.

The moment it was released, the Blazing Light exploded into blinding daylight.

This terrified the Blood God Envoy.

Because both the fifth-rank upper-tier Blazing Light and the sixth-rank upper-tier Great Sun were fire-type Star Patterns, and their explosive radiance looked nearly identical.

The Blood God Envoy assumed this was another terrifying Star Pattern that could instantly cripple the four Golden Snake elders with their maximum defenses.

The two Blood Robe Golems before him were instantly wounded; they glanced fearfully at Xu Jin and tried to retreat.

But as they looked toward Xu Jin, he instantly activated the Divine Soul Star.

Kill Dream!

In the shifting light of heaven and earth, he entered another world.

Dark clouds filled the sky, torrential rain poured down, thunder and lightning flashed.

As Xu Jin entered, he intended to use Lei Hong, but remembered that this Blood God emissary had once been terrified of his Great Sun Seal.

With a thought, the rain ceased and clouds scattered; the Great Sun blazed across the heavens, and in the same instant, a seal shot from Xu Jin's hand.

The blazing light of the Great Sun instantly spread and swallowed the Blood God emissary whole.

In truth, the Great Sun Seal was merely something Xu Jin had woven in his dream.

But to the Blood God emissary's eyes, it was utterly real.

Its power was terrifying beyond measure.

Even the Golden Snake Elder, who had fully activated his defenses, could not withstand it—let alone him.

In the Blood God emissary's own mind, the Great Sun Seal possessed this power, capable of instantly slaying him.

This was using illusion to kill the real!

If the Blood God emissary had believed the Great Sun Seal was false, it could not have harmed him at all.

In the next instant, under the searing light of the Great Sun, the Blood God emissary—whose cultivation base reached Sixth Realm Fourth Layer—melted like snow poured into hot broth, dissolving completely.

Heaven and earth shifted; Xu Jin instantly withdrew from the Killing Dream.

The radiant glow of the Fifth Realm Upper-tier Seal still lingered, but the Sixth Realm Fourth Layer Blood God emissary was dead, plummeting straight from the sky.

At the same moment, Xu Jin noticed five Fifth Realm outsiders charging from the side; he glanced once and unleashed a cultivated Fifth Realm Upper-tier Radiant Light.

Instantly, two were slain, three severely wounded.

Nearby, the Blood God emissary He Shen, also retreating, was stunned.

With a terrified sidelong glance at Xu Jin, he could not fathom how his companion had died without a sound.

Xu Jin, however, silently regretted it.

No eye contact had been made.

Otherwise, He Shen could have been slain then and there.

At the same time, Dong Zhao and the other three had finished off their targets.

Aside from the strongest Golden Snake Elder—Sixth Realm Eighth Layer—who barely escaped with his life, the other three Golden Snake Elders were all eliminated.

First wounded by Xu Jin's cultivated Sixth Realm Upper-tier Great Sun Seal, then finished off by Dong Zhao and the others.

At this moment, He Shen's expression changed.

He never imagined that in the blink of an eye, four Sixth Realm experts had perished—the tide of battle had turned drastically.

"Your Majesty, act swiftly!"

Behind them, the Golden Snake King, who had been watching, was both shocked and furious.

He could not have anticipated it.

This was a battle outcome entirely beyond their expectations.

At the same moment, Xu Jin plunged into the midst of the Fifth Realm outsiders like a tiger among wolves; a spiraling explosion of Xuanzi Heaven Fire erupted, and he began slaughtering again.

But it lasted only an instant—when a terrifying aura surged forward, a colossal golden serpent, vast as the sky, crashed toward him: the Golden Snake King's attack had arrived.

Without hesitation, Xu Jin shattered a cultivated Fifth Realm Upper-tier defensive seal in his hand.

Yet it held for only half an instant; the defense formed by the cultivated seal shattered under the impact, the residual force striking Xu Jin's Fish Curtain Golden Bell, cracking it deeply—but not breaking it.

At that very moment, a terrifying soul ripple surged from Xu Jin.

Startling Dream!

The Golden Snake King's soul cultivation had broken through to Fourth Realm—quite high, around Fourth Realm Third Layer.

The Startling Dream struck; blood gushed from the Golden Snake King's seven orifices, yet he did not fall into the dream—only momentarily dazed.

But it was enough.

The instant the Seventh Realm Break-Soul strike was unleashed, blood spurted again from the Golden Snake King's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth; simultaneously, Xu Jin's cultivated Fifth Realm Upper-tier Radiant Light seal struck again.

Along with it came Xu Jin's Burn-Soul Heaven Fire, and the starlight from Dong Zhao's Star-Locking Ring.

Suddenly, the Mingji Star Seal within Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace flared wildly.

A torrent of bloodlight instantly took the shape of a tiger and lunged at Xu Jin.

It was the Blood God emissary He Shen seizing the chance to attack.

Xu Jin was not afraid; with a flick of his wrist, another cultivated Fifth Realm Upper-tier Radiant Light seal shot out.

The Radiant Light blazed fiercely; the bloodlight collided with it and began dissolving rapidly with a sizzling sound.

In the next instant, He Shen's figure emerged from the bloodlight.

His eyes filled with fear and confusion—how could there be so many Sixth Realm seals?

BOOM!

The moment he appeared, violet lightning poured down upon his forehead.

Thunder was the most hated power among Blood God cultists.

It inflicted the greatest harm upon them.

Under the dual assault of Radiant Light and Violet Thunder, He Shen's aura plummeted rapidly.

Xu Jin ignored the Golden Snake King entirely; he struck while the enemy was wounded.

He unleashed the Seventh Realm Break-Soul strike repeatedly.

It sent blood gushing from He Shen's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

The Gaiyue Sword slipped silently behind He Shen, circling once—his limbs were severed in an instant.

Before He Shen could recover from the barrage of soul attacks, Xu Jin's Xuanzi Heaven Fire Palm slammed onto He Shen's Middle Star Palace, shattering it instantly.

He was stripped of his cultivation.

Captured alive!

But Xu Jin did not pause for a single moment.

The Mountain Master was still entangled with the wounded Golden Snake King.

The Golden Snake King, entangled in Xu Jin's Burn-Soul Heaven Fire, had his soul burning—each instant, he endured unspeakable agony, his aura falling with every breath.

In the next instant, Xu Jin first obliterated two Fifth Realm outsiders who had sneaked in to attack, then unleashed wave after wave of Xuanzi Heaven Fire at the Golden Snake King.

Half an instant later, the Golden Snake King's lower body and abdomen were first reduced to ash; Dong Zhao's Star-Locking Ring starlight pierced through instantly.

The starlight bulged like earthworms, then exploded!

BOOM!

The Golden Snake King's head shattered into fragments!

The Golden Snake King is dead!

Two brilliant beams of starlight surfaced simultaneously.

(End of Chapter)