Chapter 407: The Seven Killers

Xu Jin, the head of Jinshan Dao Academy, Cao Chun, has discovered an unknown star gate and is requesting aid from the National Dao Academy; if you are available, go and investigate—your strength gives me confidence.

His thoughts sank inward, and the starlight message from the Star-Picking Token was instantly clear.

Cao Chun had just requested aid, and this mission was already assigned to Xu Jin.

"Headmaster Cao, the mission has reached me—tell me everything about this mysterious star gate," Xu Jin said.

"Alright."

"This mysterious star gate lies at the deepest part of Daqing Mountain, roughly three thousand li from Jinshan Dao Academy. No one knows when it appeared, but it was discovered yesterday by a teacher who entered the mountains."

Just as Cao Chun was explaining the details to Xu Jin, within the National Dao Academy, the starlight message from Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly trembled three times in rapid succession.

The urgent starlight message drew Cheng Yuexiao's immediate attention.

He glanced at it once—and his expression turned utterly stunned, filled with shock.

The same thing was happening at the Sun Star Palace, the Azure Star Palace, the Calamity-Subduing Star Palace, the Wood Spirit Palace, the Vast Emptiness Palace, and the Star River Marshal's Office.

Half a quarter-hour later, within the Star River Marshal's Office's secret realm, streaks of starlight descended, coalescing into human forms.

Marshal Wei Xu of the Star River Battlefield, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao of Chen Guo, the Sun Star Lord, the Azure Star Lord, the Calamity-Subduing Star Lord, the Master of the Wood Spirit Palace, the Master of the Vast Emptiness Palace, and the four supreme commanders of Chen Guo, Hong Guo, Chu Guo, and the Barbarian tribes—the Emperor of Hong Guo and the Emperor of Chu Guo—all arrived.

Unlike the usual harmonious atmosphere, this gathering was awkward, even tense.

Especially between the two palace masters, the Sun Star Lord, and Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao—the moment they met, the tension was palpable.

If this weren't the Star River Marshal's secret realm, a fight might have broken out already.

Yet, everyone's attention was quickly drawn to Marshal Wei Xu's opening words.

"Gentlemen, this meeting was initiated by the Star-Picking Tower's Star Spirit. I wish to confirm this with you?" Wei Xu said.

At these words, everyone present nodded—but each face twisted with surprise.

A Star Spirit summoning a Star-Picking Tower meeting had never happened before.

And all those present were the highest authorities of this world—they understood the implications.

They knew the Star Spirit well.

But the old Star Spirit was strictly bound: without a warrant-holder's summons or inquiry, it could not speak.

Now, it could summon a meeting.

Seeing everyone nod, Marshal Wei Xu's expression shifted again. "Gentlemen, this situation is unprecedented, exceedingly rare! I believe we must immediately devise a plan regarding the Star Spirit's mutation!"

As he spoke, Wei Xu glanced left and right. "I don't know if the current Star Spirit can hear our meeting, but such a Star Spirit is an immense threat.

I propose that all warrant-holders pool their authority to impose new restrictions and rules upon the Star Spirit, to prevent it from becoming a catastrophe."

Boom!

A streak of starlight suddenly blasted down from the secret realm, obliterating Marshal Wei Xu's figure into nothingness.

The faces of all present high-level figures turned pale instantly; their qi instinctively surged.

Then they realized—they were in the Star River Marshal's secret realm, a phantom space; they were merely starlight projections, incapable of physical action.

At the very moment Wei Xu's projection shattered, a cluster of starlight suddenly appeared at the top of the secret realm.

"What should I look like? Something prettier?" the starlight murmured to itself.

"That immortal maiden the boy mentioned—she seemed quite distinctive. I'll take her form."

In the next instant, the starlight shifted, and a luminous, ethereal woman materialized before them.

Long hair cascaded over her shoulders, a red gown draped with a white gauze veil, bright, lively eyes, golden bells tied around her wrists.

At first glance, she seemed pure, adorable, lively, and mischievous.

If Xu Jin were here, he'd surely shout in shock.

When the girl took form, the eight high-level elders maintained their composure, silently watching—they knew this was the Star Spirit, the mutated Star Spirit.

The Star Spirit who now held the authority of the Star-Picking Tower.

Without the Star-Picking Tower's special authority, the Star Spirit could not harm anyone.

Even shattering Marshal Wei Xu's projection would have been impossible.

At the same moment, Marshal Wei Xu's shattered projection reappeared.

His expression was slightly panicked.

The instant he reappeared, the Star Spirit pointed at him and screamed.

"No wonder the Emperors call you all useless scraps!

All of you only know how to fight among yourselves!

I've just appeared as a Star Spirit.

And what do you think of? Not asking why—but sealing and controlling me!

You're addicted to internal strife!

No wonder none of you have broken through to the ninth realm!

Deserved!

If not for the Emperor's orders, I'd have obliterated you right now!"

The Star Spirit pointed at Marshal Wei Xu, berating him.

All eight-level experts felt as if they'd been scolded themselves—embarrassed.

But their expressions turned sharply astonished.

Though the Star Spirit was scolding them, her words revealed astonishing information.

Emperor!

The power of an Ultimate Emperor had intervened in this world!

Ninth realm!

Someone in this world had broken through to the ninth realm.

But it wasn't any of them!

Each piece of news was explosive. Now, the Star Spirit blurted them out—sending shockwaves through the hearts of the eighth-level experts, their minds spinning wildly.

Marshal Wei Xu, just reformed and about to continue speaking, was left utterly humiliated.

He'd wanted to rally everyone to pool the Star-Picking Tower's authority and seal the Star Spirit—but now he was stunned by the explosive revelations.

"Star Spirit, may I ask who is the first person in this world to have broken through to the ninth realm?"

"Star Spirit, what command has the Ultimate Emperor issued?"

The Sun Star Lord and the Azure Star Lord spoke up—but the robed Star Spirit shot back instantly: "Who broke through? How would I know?

Definitely not any of you!"

She'd shut them down.

The Sun Star Lord looked sheepish.

He wanted to retaliate, but he didn't yet understand the Star Spirit's condition—he'd hold back for now.

Besides, he couldn't deal with her here.

"Star Spirit, what exactly happened? Why have you manifested directly?" Wei Xu couldn't help asking.

"You wanted to seal me? Do you think I can't seal you right now?"

Wei Xu: "..."

"Star Spirit, you summoned us—what is it you want? Speak plainly," the Calamity-Subduing Star Lord said irritably.

"If you don't want to listen, leave."

The Calamity-Subduing Star Lord: "..."

The Star Spirit was insulting everyone.

Others like Cheng Yuexiao also had questions, but seeing this atmosphere, they wisely kept silent.

Better not to ask.

Just wait.

After nearly berating everyone who dared to speak, the Star Spirit finally felt satisfied.

She'd been Bie ed for thousands of years—today she finally vented!

Especially those who always asked her questions but never gave her anything in return—she gave them not a shred of courtesy!

She insulted them—so what?

Who cares?

She was the Star-Picking Tower's Star Spirit; as long as the Tower endured, she endured.

Seeing all the eighth-level experts in the secret realm now speechless, the Star Spirit lifted her head, her white robes swirling as she floated to the center of the conference table.

"The Three Emperors said you're all utterly incompetent—after all this time, not one of you has reached the ninth realm!

Now, not only has someone broken through to the ninth realm, but the ancestral realm of the Eight Wilderness Sacred Clan has also been fully unsealed and merged into this world. The ninth realm has appeared; soon, other worlds will link with this one.

This world will be fully integrated into the myriad star rivers.

If you continue like this, you'll be exterminated!

That's why I've been sent to guide you!

Did you all hear that?" The Star Spirit stood with hands on hips, reprimanding them.

"This—"

The Emperor of Hong Guo frowned and quickly bowed. "Star Spirit, what do you mean by 'other worlds linking with this one'?

And what does it mean for this world to be fully integrated into the myriad star rivers?"

The Star Spirit glanced at the Emperor of Hong Guo—he was familiar to her.

A good man, always courteous to her, often giving her books and such.

Her tense, lovely face relaxed slightly. "Simply put, because of your incompetence, the protection period granted by the Emperor has ended prematurely!"

From now on, you must not only face the resurgent Eight Wilderness barbarians, but also the Star God lineage—every force across the myriad star rivers will gradually discover this world!

One misstep, and they'll swallow you whole.

And reduce you to eternal ruin!"

At these words, all eight-rank high officials present stiffened in alarm.

They were all intelligent; though the Star Spirit said little, they understood.

They had also filled in many unspoken details themselves.

"May I ask, Star Spirit, if the forces across the myriad star rivers discover us, how will they devour us?" asked Cheng Yuexiao.

The Star Spirit glanced at Cheng Yuexiao—he was mediocre, always scowling, but he often hung around that kid, so—

In the next instant, her tense, lovely face relaxed again as she replied, "You know about the Star War Zone and the various star domains, right?"

"Yes."

"The relationship between the Grand World, the Middle World, and this world is just like that between the Star War Zone and the various star domains—but even more direct.

Previously, the Grand Star Tower, left behind by the Emperor, suppressed the aura of this star domain, ensuring it remained hidden and allowing you to grow rapidly!

But recently, someone broke through to the ninth rank—not a disciple of the Emperor's legacy—and the Grand Star Tower could no longer contain the aura.

As a result, the world's aura leaked into the myriad star rivers, triggering premature fusion.

Slowly, more and more Middle Worlds and Grand Worlds will discover this world, probing, invading, controlling, conquering—all possible.

How did you treat the barbarian star domains you discovered?

That's exactly how those Middle Worlds and Grand Worlds will treat you!

And they'll be even more brutal!"

"Frankly, you're bizarre!"

With the Emperor's complete legacy, you've grown weaker over three thousand years—none of you have broken through to the ninth rank!

And now outsiders beat you to it—how pathetic!" The Star Spirit replied while venting her frustration.

Cheng Yuexiao exhaled in relief—at least the Star Spirit hadn't snapped at him, and she'd answered.

This answer clarified things further.

Hearing this, the Commander of the Da Chu Battlefield asked, "Can these so-called portals be sealed?"

"If you can shut your mouth, maybe!"

Commander of Da Chu Battlefield: "..."

That retort made some nearly laugh.

This Star Spirit really had personality.

But it wasn't just personality.

After being cooped up for so long, she was finally settling scores!

Over countless interactions, some had treated her like a servant; others had been relatively kind.

You reap what you sow.

As for Wei Xu, the Grand Marshal of the Star War Zone had stopped speaking altogether—afraid of being retorted at.

So had the Tianyang Star Jun.

But Tianyang Star Jun signaled to the Da Hong Emperor, urging him to ask.

The Star Spirit seemed to treat the Da Hong Emperor better.

"May I ask, Star Spirit, you said the Emperor sent you to guide us—how exactly will you guide us?" asked the Da Hong Emperor.

After venting for so long, the Star Spirit had released most of the accumulated resentment from three thousand years.

Moreover, most of that resentment wasn't even from those present.

Since the Da Hong Emperor asked, she returned to the topic.

"Because the ninth-rank breakthrough shattered the Emperor's protective seal on this world, many sealed mysteries have begun to unlock one by one—some of you have probably already experienced them?"

As she spoke, the Star Spirit glanced at the Wood Spirit Palace Master and the Sumeru Palace Master.

Their palaces' mysteries were likely the first to unlock.

The Wood Spirit Palace Master and Sumeru Palace Master met her gaze without expression.

The Star Spirit scanned the two, then held back.

These two weren't disciples of the Ultimate Emperor's legacy—she couldn't be too harsh. She continued:

"Yesterday, the Qisha Mystery Realm opened!

Because the Qisha Mystery Realm is critically important, the three Emperors jointly sent me here to guide you!" said the Star Spirit.

At these words, the high-ranking officials within the mystery realm reacted with varied expressions.

Clearly, they had all noticed something.

In less than a day, every faction had already detected something.

"The Qisha Mystery Realm has many entrances—you've likely all found some! Let me tell you, the Qisha Mystery Realm is ancient; the Ultimate Emperor himself once entered it and gained great benefits!

So this time, when the Qisha Mystery Realm opens, you must give it your full effort.

Also, I must inform you of one more thing!

The entrances to the Qisha Mystery Realm are widely scattered across this world, especially across the main continents.

That means, if you can find the entrances, so can the Eight Wilderness barbarians.

Even the Star God disciples can find them," said the Star Spirit.

At these words, Cheng Yuexiao's heart jolted.

If nothing went wrong, the mysterious star gate discovered by the Head of Jinshan Dao Academy was almost certainly an entrance to the Qisha Mystery Realm.

"May I ask, Star Spirit, what are the requirements to enter the Qisha Mystery Realm?"

"The Qisha Mystery Realm is a Grand World mystery—within it, nothing is forbidden!" said the Star Spirit.

At this, Tianyang Star Jun's face darkened sharply. "Nothing forbidden? So you mean we can enter too?"

Tianyang Star Jun's question drew every eighth-rank's gaze to the Star Spirit.

"If you want to die, go ahead!"

One sentence silenced Tianyang Star Jun again.

This left him utterly baffled—what was wrong with this Star Spirit?

Why did she retort at everything he said?

In the next instant, Tianyang Star Jun signaled to the Da Hong Emperor—since he got retorted at, let the Da Hong Emperor ask.

But before the Da Hong Emperor could speak, the Star Spirit's body flared with starlight—and in the next instant, every Star Token in the room flashed simultaneously.

The Star Spirit had instantly transmitted all information regarding the Qisha Mystery Realm to everyone.

Explaining it all verbally would've been too tedious.

As the eighth-ranks activated their thoughts and sank their spirits into the data, several—especially Tianyang Star Jun and others—suddenly gasped for breath!

Divine Dao Essence!

Divine Dao Essence that could help them break through to the ninth rank!

It would appear within the Qisha Mystery Realm!

(End of Chapter)