Chapter 328: The Hidden King

"Run!"

Almost the instant he saw six sixth-rank aliens and over a hundred fifth-rank aliens charging toward them, Xu Jin shouted at Ji Hongli and immediately grabbed her hand, launching them skyward.

Ji Hongli, pulled by the hand, stumbled forward, then in the next instant frantically activated her two Star Instruments, the starlight of her Wind-Listening Wings flashing to its utmost, while simultaneously wrenching her hand free from Xu Jin's grip.

Only then did Xu Jin realize his action had been slightly inappropriate.

But at this life-or-death moment, he couldn't care less.

Xu Jin hadn't anticipated that the Ice King City's reaction would be this extreme—they had sent out everyone to hunt them down.

Under these circumstances, even if Xu Jin had a seventh-rank rune seal, it would be useless.

A hundred and more fifth-rank experts—if just one of them fired once, a single concentrated volley could reduce Xu Jin and Ji Hongli to ashes.

Numbers are terrifying!

Xu Jin estimated that the Spring Thunder Star Region must have been attacked by humans more than once—otherwise, such an extreme reaction was impossible.

Behind them, the Ice King led five subordinates, charging ahead to pursue Xu Jin and Ji Hongli.

Originally, he had merely intended to crush these two human rats with full force, to prevent them from inflicting further damage on his tribe—damage that would weaken his own people.

But when Ji Hongli shot skyward, the Ice King's eyes suddenly flared, his expression instantly burning with heat!

The aura of Star Instruments!

And not just one!

On his feet: a sixth-rank Star Boot; on his body: a sixth-rank Star Armor; behind his back: a fifth-rank Wind Wing.

This equipment made the Ice King's eyes bulge wide.

Why did he hate modern humans so much?

Although only fifth-rank modern humans could enter the Spring Thunder Star Region, these fifth-rank humans often inflicted massive casualties on them—thanks to their Star Instruments, personal supply elixirs, and rune seals, which allowed them to perform beyond their normal limits.

It was extremely frustrating.

Previously, the Ice King had seized several fourth- and fifth-rank Star Instruments.

The fifth-rank Star Instruments he seized had given him significant advantages in battles against two other Kings, even saving his life—he had tasted the sweetness, but most had been destroyed in those great battles.

But today, he saw a sixth-rank Star Instrument.

Sixth-rank Star Instruments were not only more powerful, but also rarely damaged in battles among sixth-rank experts.

In an instant, the Ice King changed his mind.

He had just been wondering if it was a trap!

After all, three sixth-rank experts had just been eliminated.

But now it seemed likely the reason was the sixth-rank Star Instrument.

This thing must be obtained.

"Lock onto this girl's aura—do not let her escape!" the Ice King roared.

Ahead, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli were flying at high speed.

Even with two Star Instruments assisting her, Ji Hongli's speed was only slightly faster than an ordinary sixth-rank expert—and still slower than the several sixth-rank experts in the Ice King's group, especially those at mid-to-late sixth-rank.

Especially the Ice King.

He was slowly closing the distance.

Xu Jin watched the approaching Ice King and remained calm.

Because Xu Jin saw an opportunity.

The Ice King's full-force pursuit had pulled him far away from the fifth-rank experts behind.

As long as he wasn't caught in the crossfire of those hundred-plus fifth-ranks, Xu Jin wasn't afraid.

Six sixth-ranks were still troublesome to deal with.

He needed time.

As for speed, Xu Jin wasn't worried.

If he wanted to escape, it wouldn't be hard.

With a two- or even threefold Burst of Flowing Radiance, he could flee far enough to vanish and shake off his pursuers.

But Ji Hongli couldn't yet.

Xu Jin had already decided—he would teach Ji Hongli the latest version of the Flowing Star Rune after this, otherwise she'd be useless in a life-or-death escape.

Beside him, Ji Hongli, having heard the Ice King's roar, turned pale, bit her lip, as if making a firm decision.

"Senior Brother Qi, their target is me—this Ice King has fixated on me. I'll draw them away; you escape." Ji Hongli declared resolutely.

Xu Jin was surprised, then found it amusing—Ji Hongli's nature was truly like this.

"Six sixth-ranks? What's to fear? Let's pull even farther away."

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized the key point: "You said—they're targeting you?"

"I just faintly heard the Ice King say he'd lock onto my aura and not let me get away."

Ji Hongli said while flying, then added, "Senior Brother Qi, there are seven sixth-ranks—why did you say six?"

Now it was Xu Jin's turn to turn pale.

He instantly activated all five Mingji Star Runes to their maximum—but within three hundred and fifty meters, there were only six sixth-ranks, and his eyes could see only six.

"Where is this seventh one you mentioned?" Xu Jin asked, his expression grave.

"A wood-type, extremely high cultivation—my perception is unclear, but at least late sixth-rank. When they came out, he hid among the trees; I sensed him then, and he's still trailing far behind." Ji Hongli said.

"Pay special attention to him."

Cold sweat broke out on Xu Jin's forehead.

If a late sixth-rank expert ambushed and struck from hiding, this would be no fun.

Fifty-plus breaths later, the Ice King's group of six drew ever closer, now only ten li away from Xu Jin and Ji Hongli.

They'd likely catch up in another twenty breaths.

But likewise, the Ice King's group of six had already left their fifth-rank subordinates dozens of li behind.

They now had room to maneuver.

But Xu Jin's eyes flickered—he had a better idea.

"Hongli, we split up and run!"

Ji Hongli paused for an instant, then nodded sharply: "Senior Brother Qi, if my grandfather asks about me, tell him I'm trapped in an alien star region."

Xu Jin was stunned: "Hongli, what are you thinking?"

"Do you want to turn from a little fish into a dead one?"

"How could I ever abandon you to escape alone?"

"Remember—I will never abandon a comrade to save myself."

Time is short—do as I say.

Cover for me, and keep watch for that wood-type sixth-rank who's been trailing us."

"Understood!"

In the next instant, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli instantly split, fleeing in opposite directions.

The Ice King's group didn't hesitate—they immediately divided.

Three followed the Ice King toward Ji Hongli; the other two pursued Xu Jin's direction.

But only three breaths later, those two lost Xu Jin's trail.

Gone!

Xu Jin vanished!

In the next instant, a terrifying sonic boom erupted.

At the moment of the sonic boom, a blade of light shot up from beneath a sixth-rank fifth-layer alien.

Two-fold Flowing Radiance.

Since it was combat, the sixth-rank fifth-layer water spirit had activated his starlight defense—Xu Jin used a fleeting two-fold Burst of Flowing Radiance, merely knocking him back, spitting blood.

A soul disturbance rose.

Break-Soul Strike launched!

The sixth-rank sixth-layer water spirit immediately bled from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth—damaged by the Break-Soul Strike.

A crimson blade appeared soundlessly behind his head, driving straight into his occiput, then twisting violently.

Dead!

In the same instant, Xu Jin stepped forward, unleashing Earth Magnetic Force—terrible power yanked the blasted sixth-rank fifth-layer water spirit back to the ground.

Before he even reached the ground, Moon Shadow Sword and Fire Ox Sword struck simultaneously.

Instantly shredded!

Second kill!

Xu Jin swiftly moved his thoughts, collecting both corpses into his Numinous Space, then stomped his foot and launched skyward.

Shhh!

The moment the sonic boom sounded, Xu Jin vanished into the distance.

Flowing Radiance! Two-fold Flowing Radiance!

Although only two breaths had passed, the Ice King and his three sixth-ranks were nearly upon Ji Hongli.

Ji Hongli already clutched her sixth-rank rune seal, ready to unleash a devastating blow at any moment.

In the next instant, a sonic boom sounded—the Ice King frowned, seeing Xu Jin, who had been on the other side, now approaching—but his subordinates were nowhere to be seen. This made him extremely wary.

Yet he was unwilling to abandon Ji Hongli, so close at hand—three Star Instruments, two sixth-rank, one special auxiliary—should he obtain them, he might even dominate the entire Spring Thunder Star Region.

"You two, go and kill him. Be careful."

The Ice King waved his hand, and the temperature of the entire world dropped instantly; two of his subordinates were instantly covered in thick, heavy ice armor.

This was his unique star art.

The ice armor he reinforced could withstand even one strike from the Lei Ling King.

At the same moment, the Ice King glanced at a distant, lush, towering tree.

With just a single glance, the tree's leaves trembled slightly, as if in response.

The next instant, the Ice King surged forward at full speed toward Ji Hongli.

With this setup, he refused to believe he couldn't eliminate this human boy.

Even if the human boy had a sixth-rank insignia, he could still be dealt with!

But at that very same moment, a tiny purple flower bud curled around Xu Jin's ear suddenly emitted a voice, directly piercing into his ears.

"Senior Qi, the hidden sixth-rank wood elemental is charging toward your direction—your left rear."

This was another function of Ji Hongli's Hundred Flowers Star Pattern: communication!

This tiny flower had been infused with Ji Hongli's Hundred Flowers Star Pattern; as long as the bearer remained within forty li of Ji Hongli, they could communicate with her directly for four hours.

Extraordinarily miraculous.

And incredibly effective!

More effective than battlefield comms.

In an instant, the hairs on Xu Jin's back stood on end; he went on full alert toward his left rear.

One second later, a terrifying star force aura suddenly appeared within Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern.

Sixth-rank, ninth layer peak, wood element.

Xu Jin instantly understood who it was—this must be the lost Wood King of the Chunlei Star Domain.

But why he was serving under the Ice King was not something to ponder now.

Three hundred and fifty meters—after the Wood King entered Xu Jin's sensing range, he did not attack immediately, still hiding as he rushed forward, clearly aiming for a one-strike kill.

Ahead, one sixth-rank sixth layer and one sixth-rank seventh layer were charging toward Xu Jin.

At that very moment, Xu Jin moved.

Shhh!

The piercing sonic boom made the two pursuing sixth-rank aliens frown.

This sonic boom was unbearably grating.

But at the very moment they frowned, a dark green figure was blasted out of the void—a fiery sword light pierced straight through his chest, exiting his back.

Severely wounded!

Triple Liushuo!

This was Xu Jin's first time activating Triple Liushuo.

His internal star force vanished nearly ten percent in an instant.

But the results were impressive.

With the Huoniu Sword as the tip, the Triple Liushuo surprise strike inflicted a severe wound on the sixth-rank ninth layer Wood Spirit King—remarkable results!

Almost simultaneously, the Fenpo Heavenly Fire surged along the Huoniu Sword into the Wood Spirit King's body.

The next instant, the Wood Spirit King let out a horrific, agonized scream.

The wound was only part of it—the key was his soul being burned; it was excruciating.

Pain from within to without.

But this scream lasted only an instant.

The Yueying Sword circled silently, appearing behind his skull, and slashed!

Dead!

Third kill!

Xu Jin had originally planned to kill the other two, but the instant he slew the Wood Spirit King, he suddenly sensed the familiar aura of the celestial star will—his already cultivated Thunder Celestial Star Will from the Chunlei Star Domain responded in kind.

Xu Jin instantly understood.

A torrent of soul force surged out, immediately sealing the wood-element Celestial Star Will that flew from the Wood Spirit King's body.

At that same moment, due to this delay, the other two sixth-rank warriors unleashed their strongest attacks directly at Xu Jin.

Full concentrated fire!

Xu Jin's heart tightened; he instantly activated the special star art: Yihua!

But unfortunately, his current Yihua could only redirect one star art attack.

But it was enough.

The Yumao Golden Bell absorbed the blow from the sixth-rank sixth layer warrior, but the sixth-rank seventh layer's attack strangely curved around and slammed into the sixth-rank sixth layer Water Spirit alien beside him.

The sixth-rank sixth layer Water Spirit alien was horrified, frantically defending.

Xu Jin's two flying swords spiraled toward the sixth-rank seventh layer warrior.

The next instant, blood gushed from the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth of the sixth-rank seventh layer Water Spirit; the two flying swords shredded him!

Fourth kill!

The ice armor had only blocked Xu Jin's single sword strike!

The remaining sixth-rank sixth layer alien, seeing this, tried to flee—but Xu Jin caught up and obliterated him without hesitation.

Fifth kill!

The next instant, a terrifying sonic boom erupted again—Xu Jin charged toward the Ice King.

Ahead, a massive star force surge rose.

It was Ji Hongli hurling a fifth-rank insignia that Xu Jin had previously nurtured, successfully blocking the Ice King for one breath—buying time for both her and Xu Jin.

Xu Jin, desperate to save her, used Double Liushuo.

His entire body became a streak of starlight, hurtling forward with heavy sonic booms echoing behind him, as if the sound itself was chasing him, creating an indescribable illusion.

The Ice King spun around instantly, his expression turning grim.

Only now did he realize that all five of his sixth-rank subordinates—including the Wood Spirit King he had taken in for protection—had vanished!

Only this young man remained!

His pupils contracted sharply!

Could this young man really be this terrifying?

Yet his cultivation aura was only fourth-rank fourth layer.

Insignia!

It must be the insignia!

Without hesitation, the Ice King and his sixth-rank eighth layer subordinate braced for full defense.

They began stacking armor!

One layer of ice armor wasn't enough; in his left hand, he condensed a massive ice shield.

He looked like a terrifying ice golem!

This sight made Xu Jin, who had been about to unleash Triple Liushuo, suddenly change his mind.

If he used Liushuo now and failed to severely wound them, he himself would be the one crushed.

Under these circumstances, there was no need to risk it!

Xu Jin instantly slowed.

The instant his gaze met the Ice King's, he activated Sandream!

The starlight of heaven and earth shifted instantly—but the surrounding scenery remained unchanged, nearly identical to where he had just been.

Yet as the Ice King still hesitated in confusion, countless heavenly fires rained from above; the entire forest, the entire sky, the entire world became a world of flame.

As if the end of the world had come, flames plummeted from the heavens.

In an instant, the Ice King screamed in agony and despair—he didn't understand why the world had become this way.

But this world of fire was his doom.

Within a few breaths, the Ice King was burned to nothing by endless flames.

Xu Jin exited the dream.

In reality, the Ice King's ice armor had shattered piece by piece.

The Ice King was completely lifeless.

Sandream successful!

The sixth-rank eighth layer Water Spirit, upon realizing the Ice King's death, instantly turned pale with terror and fled.

But the moment he turned to run, countless vine-like green lights instantly wrapped around him.

As he struggled, Xu Jin's two sword lights appeared soundlessly behind his head!

Po Xu!

Shear!

Seventh kill!

Behind him, nearly a hundred fifth-rank warriors were still charging from over ten li away—but their momentum had completely changed.

Some of the fifth-rank aliens had already realized their sixth-rank leaders had fallen—each one, dead.

Shock had turned to terror.

To Xu Jin, these people now carried no pressure whatsoever.

In the next instant, Xu Jin turned and dragged the corpse of the Ice King toward the group of fifth-rank aliens, charging into them.

Ji Hongli followed right behind!

The moment the fifth-rank aliens saw the Ice King's corpse, some of them broke and fled.

The counter-hunt had begun!

(End of Chapter)