Chapter 353: Altar Sky Path

A group of fifth-rank elites formed small teams and began clearing and encircling in Rockshell King City, deliberately heading toward the city's treasury.

But several key combatants turned their attention to studying the Altar Sky Path.

"If we concentrate our fire, could we destroy this Altar Sky Path?" Xu Jin asked, staring at the Altar Sky Path at the heart of Rockshell King City, composed entirely of starlight.

Staff Officer Ji Xiuchuan shook his head. "Almost certainly not. When the Domain Lord led our previous assault, he immediately gathered six-rank experts and the top dozen fifth-rank combatants to concentrate their fire on this Altar Sky Path."

The Altar Sky Path didn't even tremble.

Before we came, the Domain Lord specifically analyzed this for me.

Destroying the Altar Sky Path to prevent Huashi Star Domain from connecting to the ancestral celestial realm is basically impossible.

He had already sensed and confirmed that the star power feeding this Altar Sky Path draws from the entire Huashi Star Domain.

Destroying the Altar Sky Path means fighting against the entire Huashi Star Domain's star power.

We don't have the strength to do it."

Hearing this, Xu Jin's heart stirred—he immediately trusted Domain Lord Ji Cheng's judgment.

First, Domain Lord Ji Cheng had no reason to conceal this; second, Xu Jin judged that Ji Cheng likely controlled at least one or two percent of the Huashi Star Domain's celestial star will.

In this regard, his perception was far more accurate than that of outsiders like them.

"Staff Officer Ji, did the Domain Lord say anything about a way to break through?" Xu Jin asked.

Staff Officer Ji Xiuchuan pointed to the very bottom of the Altar Sky Path. "This passage is likely the key to breaking through. During our last assault, the Domain Lord believed we could force our way in here."

The original plan was to send one person inside to scout the conditions, then find a way to break through.

But it failed.

We couldn't get in!"

"Why not?" Xu Jin asked, surprised.

"During the chaos, the Domain Lord forced a fifth-rank alien to charge in—confirming his theory. He said this Altar Sky Path functions somewhat like a star gate, bound by the laws of this realm, allowing only fifth-rank beings to enter, not sixth-rank." Ji Xiuchuan said.

Xu Jin nodded at first, then immediately shook his head. "No—that's wrong! We can clearly see six sixth-rank aliens inside! If sixth-rank can't enter, how did they get in?"

"They were probably already inside before the Altar Sky Path activated. But that's only the Domain Lord's speculation."

"The Domain Lord said most of the Huashi Star Domain's celestial star will is concentrated here—so such anomalies aren't surprising," Staff Officer Ji Xiuchuan said.

Now Xu Jin fully understood why the Altar Sky Path was so hard to breach.

Only fifth-rank could enter.

And the six known sixth-rank beings—all had at least sixth-rank eighth layer cultivation base.

More critically, the space within the Altar Sky Path was extremely narrow.

More people wouldn't help!

If two sixth-rank ninth layer guards held the entrance, they could cut down every fifth-rank who came—single or paired.

Frankly, even Xu Jin himself couldn't force his way in alone.

There was barely any room to maneuver—only direct, brutal confrontation.

"We must break through! I'll lead the assault—but I need others to share the fire, coordinate with me. Who's willing to fight with me?" Xu Jin asked.

"I'll go!"

Ji Hongli was the first to speak; Ning Yuchan said nothing, but stepped forward silently, standing directly behind Xu Jin.

Her action spoke louder than words—more resolute.

With Ning Yuchan and Ji Hongli sharing some pressure, success became possible.

But there were at least six sixth-rank, plus a Sacred Clan messenger.

There might even be more sixth-rank.

So, for safety, one or two more fighters would be ideal.

After a moment's thought, Xu Jin turned his gaze to the remaining fifth-rank elites eligible to fight.

They were Cui Chongguang, Li Tian, and Hou Yunzhang. As for Tan Zhi, deputy leader of the Sword Hero mercenary squad, Xu Jin dismissed him outright—fifth-rank fifth layer, too weak.

Besides them, there were four other fifth-rank ninth layer human warriors from Huashi Star Domain.

But Xu Jin had no intention of using them.

These four had merely stacked their cultivation base to fifth-rank ninth layer through time—average combat power, no ability to fight above their rank.

If they charged in, they'd be instantly obliterated by sixth-rank experts!

Only these three!

Feeling Xu Jin's gaze, Director Tian Cui Chongguang felt uneasy, hesitant.

Going in meant near-certain death.

More importantly, did he have any sixth-rank star armor? Xu Jin, Ji Hongli, and Ning Yuchan all did. Did he?

He didn't.

He knew this well.

Li Tian's gaze also flickered away uncomfortably.

Cutting one's throat for blood wasn't the same as offering one's head to the blade!

But the next instant, Hou Yunzhang, captain of the Sword Hero mercenary squad, who had just been glanced at by Xu Jin, surged with Rexue, stepping forward boldly. "I'll go too! Just don't think my low combat power drags you down, Brother Qi!"

The moment Hou Yunzhang stepped forward, Li Tian's face changed—he instantly whispered to Hou Yunzhang, "Old Hou, are you mad? They all have sixth-rank defensive star artifacts. Do you? Are you trying to die?"

"Not exactly dying—I just think someone should step forward and fight alongside Brother Qi now. So I stepped forward. Besides, I trust Brother Qi won't betray me," Hou Yunzhang whispered back.

Li Tian stared at him in disbelief, as if meeting Hou Yunzhang for the first time.

Seeing Hou Yunzhang step forward, Xu Jin smiled.

In truth, his move was itself a filter.

After so many years of struggle, Xu Jin felt solo efforts could never succeed.

Even the Grand State Advisor needed countless people aiding him, serving him, to build today's Chen Guo Dao Academy.

So if he had the chance, he must cultivate a few allies.

This moment was perfect—bonds forged in life-or-death are the strongest.

Seeing Hou Yunzhang step forward, Xu Jin wasted no words—he immediately pulled out a sixth-rank superior defensive star artifact, the Fire Ox Shield, and handed it to Hou Yunzhang before everyone.

"Captain Hou, immediately refine this. It'll greatly increase your survival odds."

"Also, these two talismans are sixth-rank defensive talismans—use them in critical moments to save your life."

"Use them when needed."

As Xu Jin spoke, not only Hou Yunzhang was stunned—Cui Chongguang, Li Tian, and even Ji Xiuchuan were stunned.

Then he gave away a sixth-rank superior defensive star artifact, and casually handed out two sixth-rank middle-grade defensive talismans—what was this Qi Tian Sheng's background?

Why did he seem richer than even the Ji family?

The Ji family, especially Domain Lord Ji Cheng, had ruled Huashi Star Domain for twenty years—his wealth was legendary.

He owned several sixth-rank star artifacts.

But he'd never casually gifted a sixth-rank superior star artifact.

Nor had he ever casually given out sixth-rank middle-grade defensive talismans.

If he had any, he wouldn't have been so badly wounded!

"This is… too valuable! I—"

"No matter how valuable, it's just an object. Your life is worth more," Xu Jin smiled.

Hearing this, Hou Yunzhang nodded, took the items—but didn't refine them. "Then I won't refine it. I can still use it at seventy percent power bare-handed. After this battle, I'll return it."

"No—you should refine it. That missing thirty percent could mean the difference between life and death," Xu Jin said.

"But if I refine it and then return it, I'll have to damage my soul once," Hou Yunzhang chuckled.

"Who said you have to return it? After this battle, the Fire Ox Shield is yours."

Hou Yunzhang froze.

Beside him, Cui Chongguang and Li Tian, hearing Xu Jin's words, now regretted their hesitation bitterly.

One Fire Ox Shield plus two sixth-rank middle-grade defensive talismans—this would make survival and return from the assault extremely likely.

It was essentially a free sixth-rank superior star artifact!

Sixth-rank superior defensive star artifacts were rare even at auctions!

In that instant, Li Tian was also deeply tempted—he even felt the urge to step forward too.

But he hesitated—did Qi Tian Sheng have a second sixth-rank superior defensive star artifact?

If not, what was he risking his life for?

To get one or two defensive talismans? Not worth it.

After long calculation, Li Tian never spoke up or stepped forward—even after Hou Yunzhang completed refining the sixth-rank superior star artifact.

In fact, Xu Jin really did have more!

The Grand State Advisor had sent three sixth-rank superior defensive star artifacts—the Fire Ox Shield. As for Xu Jin, he felt no reluctance.

He needed comrades.

Not those who calculated every gain and loss to the extreme.

"Everyone, prepare your states."

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jin softly spoke to the three behind him: Ning Yuchan, Ji Hongli, and Hou Yunzhang.

As the three nodded and activated their defensive star arts, the Sacred Clan messenger Ju Shisan, who had been observing the outside from within the Altar Sky Path, issued a solemn order.

"These humans are charging. Cease activating the great array for now. When they enter, unleash full force—annihilate them!"

Hearing this, the Rockshell King, the Fire Scale King, and the other four sixth-rank eighth and ninth layer aliens rose instantly, their vast star power surging into motion.

At the center of the Six-Pillar Star Array, six distinct celestial wills of heaven and stars hovered, converging together.

It was only by gathering these six portions of celestial will and channeling them through the Star Pivot Array that the primordial power of the entire Huashi Star Region could be mobilized, drawing forth its stellar energy to forge the Celestial Path and achieve the connection.

At this moment, as the six rose, with no one to activate it, the rate at which the altar's Celestial Path extended upward slowed dramatically.

Simultaneously, above the altar's Celestial Path, the envoy Juzhang, with a golden single horn sprouting from his head, sensed the disturbance and looked down, observing closely.

Xu Jin took a deep breath; his sixth-rank supreme star artifact, the Golden Scale Armor, materialized, its Guhua star technique, Golden Scale Overlap, already activated, flickering faintly, while the Fish Curtain Golden Bell also appeared.

Behind Xu Jin, Ji Hongli, Ning Yuchan, and Hou Yunzhang followed suit.

Everyone understood.

The first moment of charging in was the most dangerous.

Because they would face the concentrated fire of six sixth-rank experts, some even at peak, and that was the true danger!

"I go first. You three must lag one step behind me," Xu Jin said.

The three behind him nodded simultaneously.

There was no alternative—any one of them, even Ning Yuchan, the strongest, would be obliterated if hit by three sixth-rank ninth-layer experts at once!

This vanguard role could only fall to Xu Jin!

"Kill!"

The next instant, as Xu Jin's Thunder Wings emerged, fifteen Heavenly Gang Thunder Chains suddenly appeared—and in that same moment, he surged forward with thunderous light into the altar's Celestial Path.

The instant he entered, it was like stepping through a star gate—the starlight shifted.

Yet, barely carrying his momentum forward a hundred meters, six terrifying star techniques surged toward him like a tidal wave.

Seeing this, Envoy Juzhi Shisan sneered, "Yes, just like that—don't scatter your power. All six of you focus fire—target whoever you want to kill. Who can stand?"

The Rock Armor King, Fire Scale King, and the other five unleashed their full strength.

And at that very instant, Xu Jin faced the brink of life and death!

Without hesitation, as the six terrifying attacks hurtled toward him, Xu Jin hurled the sixth-rank supreme Sun Pattern Seal he had nurtured.

Attack as defense!

The blazing light of the Sun exploded instantly, completely annihilating the Fire Scale King's attack.

The Fire Scale King's attack was the strongest.

But this nurtured sixth-rank Sun Pattern Seal only partially obliterated the second sixth-rank ninth-layer alien expert's assault before dissipating.

The weakened second wave of star technique surged against Xu Jin's newly formed Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield, dissolving instantly in thunderlight—but the third, earth-yellow star technique crashed through Xu Jin's Thunder Chain Shield like a tide, then joined the fourth sixth-rank eighth-layer alien's technique to strike his Fish Curtain Golden Bell.

At that same instant, the Holy Clan envoy suddenly lifted his head; from within his star core, a glacial meteor shot out, hurtling toward Xu Jin.

This glacial meteor was stronger than any of the sixth-rank alien experts' attacks.

Just as Xu Jin's Fish Curtain Golden Bell shattered, the seventh-rank glacial meteor reached his face.

Its power—let alone Xu Jin—even the Rock Armor King and Fire Scale King across from him were chilled.

Fortunately, they had been wise enough to yield—otherwise, this move would have been aimed at them.

Xu Jin's expression turned grim.

At that very instant, Xu Jin frantically activated the Fish Star Pattern, unleashing the special star technique: Move the Flower!

The next instant, a miraculous sight occurred—the glacial meteor struck Xu Jin's body, then spun wildly, slipping like ice on a surface. Part of it slammed into the Golden Scale Overlap defense on his Golden Scale Armor, shattering it entirely; the other part slid away.

Not only did it slide away—it struck the Fire Scale King, who was charging the fastest and closest.

Instantly, the Fire Scale King, who had been preparing a chain attack, lost his balance and abruptly shifted from offense to defense.

At the same moment, the fifth and sixth star techniques reached Xu Jin's front.

With a sharp cry, Ning Yuchan's Whirlwind Heavy Hammer slammed into Xu Jin's front, attacking as defense, directly intercepting one attack; the sixth was absorbed outright by her sixth-rank supreme Golden Scale Armor.

Shhh!

As the piercing shriek of displaced air rang out, Xu Jin's counterattack began.

Or rather, Xu Jin's counterattack had already been completed.

Fourfold Flow Flash!

At the moment the piercing shriek rang out, Xu Jin, wielding the Fire Ox Sword, slammed toward the Rock Armor King, who was charging the fastest.

But the Rock Armor King's defense was far stronger than Xu Jin had anticipated.

This sword strike did not kill the Rock Armor King.

The Fire Ox Sword pierced into the Rock Armor King's forehead, but he frantically channeled star energy to resist.

It penetrated only an inch—and could not kill him.

At the same moment, Ji Hongli and Hou Yunzhang each charged a sixth-rank expert; Ning Yuchan swung her heavy hammer in a circle dozens of meters wide, directly entangling two sixth-rank experts.

Without hesitation, a torrent of divine soul energy surged, slamming directly into the Rock Armor King's forehead!

The next instant, Xu Jin, still mid-air, activated Earth Magnetic Core!

Because he saw the Holy Clan envoy activating his seventh-rank star core to unleash a killing technique!

The moment Earth Magnetic Core activated, all aliens in the air plummeted, caught utterly off-guard.

The Moon Shadow Sword appeared soundlessly behind the Holy Clan envoy and stabbed forward.

Sixth-rank star technique: Pierce Void!

Just as the Moon Shadow Sword was about to pierce the Holy Clan envoy's occiput, layers of starlight suddenly bloomed around him—a sixth-rank defensive star artifact materialized, blocking Xu Jin's surprise attack!

Xu Jin kicked out; Earth Magnetic Core exploded again, shattering the Rock Armor King's skull, which had been controlled by Startle Dream, then instantly surged toward the Holy Clan envoy!

On the other side, Ning Yuchan and Ji Hongli each activated a nurtured sixth-rank Pattern Seal without hesitation, severely wounding their respective opponents.

Xu Jin, now before the Holy Clan envoy Juzhi Shisan, struck with both hands.

First, Startle Dream!

Then, Fire Cloud Divine Thunder!

Divine soul energy surged—Startle Dream struck Juzhi Shisan.

But within Juzhi Shisan 's upper star palace, brilliant light flared, and a powerful divine soul defense formed, rendering him immune to Xu Jin's divine soul assault.

Fire Cloud Divine Thunder was also intercepted by the Holy Clan envoy's seventh-rank star core technique.

"Hmph! Let's see what other tricks you have!"

The Holy Clan envoy, having danced on the edge of death repeatedly, now both startled and terrified, sneered—and activated the great weapon within his seventh-rank star core once more.

"Try this then!"

Heavenly Gang Thunder Chains lashed out, instantly restraining the Holy Clan envoy—terrified, he poured all his power into his seventh-rank star core, shattering Xu Jin's Thunder Chain bindings.

The next instant, a fist-sized fireball, purple-black in hue, shot from Xu Jin's hand, flashing toward the Holy Clan envoy Juzhi Shisan!

BOOM!

Sun Star Technique!

Xu Jin's heavily compressed, modified Sun Star Technique exploded violently!

Instantly, the entire altar's Celestial Path was bathed in a single hue.

The six sixth-rank experts facing this direction even suffered brief blindness!

As for the Holy Clan envoy Juzhi Shisan at the epicenter, even his sixth-rank star artifact was instantly incinerated into nothingness under Xu Jin's full-force strike!

The next instant, Xu Jin appeared near Ning Yuchan and unleashed two consecutive Startle Dreams, directly aiding her.

BOOM BOOM BOOM—three hammer blows shattered the massive head of a sixth-rank ninth-layer alien.

Xu Jin flared his Thunder Wings and appeared behind the sixth-rank ninth-layer Fire Scale King, locked in battle with Hou Yunzhang; as the Fire Scale King turned, Xu Jin unleashed Startle Dream.

Sixth-rank star technique: Pierce Void activated simultaneously.

The Fire Ox Sword plunged directly into the Fire Scale King's back and twisted.

Four kills!

The next moment, Ning Yuchan's heavy hammer struck, completing five kills.

Then, Xu Jin's Fire Ox Sword plunged into the skull of the sixth-rank eighth-layer alien previously wounded by Ji Hongli.

Six kills!

One breath later, the last remaining sixth-rank eighth-layer alien in the altar's Celestial Path realized he was trapped.

To flee, the lower passage was blocked by Xu Jin and the others!

Whether out of desperation or the mistaken belief that an upper path existed, he roared and surged upward, attempting to escape through the very top of the altar's Celestial Path!

Xu Jin flared his Thunder Wings and shot straight upward.

Shatter Evil!

Sixth-rank star technique: Pierce Void!

The next instant, the Fire Ox Sword pierced straight through the alien's forehead and pinned him to the very peak of the altar's Celestial Path!

At the very top of the altar's Celestial Path, the Holy Clan envoy Juzhang, with his golden single horn, stared fixedly at Xu Jin, who had just completed the massacre.

(End of Chapter)