Chapter 667: The Ultimate Emperor

Inside the Star-Picking Tower's main tower, Xu Jin was stunned.

The Star Spirit would be instantly shattered and become the key to activating the array—something Xu Jin had never imagined.

Neither had the Master Fenghua Emperor.

This was the artifact used by an Ultimate Emperor to achieve Tianyang Xingjun status, possibly even his life-bound artifact, so neither Xu Jin nor the Master Fenghua Emperor had ever considered the possibility of self-destruction.

They had expected the opponent to unleash immense power to seize it during the takeover.

They never imagined the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower would turn into something like a launcher, directly dragging Xu Jin out of Kunling Domain.

The destination, no need to guess, was most likely to deliver Xu Jin before the Ultimate Emperor.

Once delivered before the Ultimate Emperor, Xu Jin would be a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Xu Jin immediately began to save himself.

He instantly activated the Killing Sha Sha Xing Jian and slashed out.

Not slashing wouldn't matter, but this slash immediately triggered an internal transformation within the Star-Picking Tower—star power surged like a tidal wave from all directions.

Within a few sword strikes, Xu Jin felt as if he had fallen into an ocean of star power.

He slashed once—but the result left him nearly hopeless.

Without the life-bound enhancement, the Killing Sha Sha Xing Jian's power had plummeted; the star power consumed by a single strike was negligible—a mere drop in the bucket.

Within thirty breaths, Xu Jin unleashed a hundred strikes, yet the star power consumed remained utterly insignificant.

This reminded Xu Jin of what his Master, the Master Fenghua Emperor, had said earlier: that the Star-Picking Tower, as the Ultimate Emperor's artifact, had been nurtured in Kunling Domain for thousands of years, accumulating star power of terrifying magnitude.

Xu Jin had now witnessed this terror.

The accumulated star power was too immense to describe.

Xu Jin had previously thought: with the Can Dou Platform supporting him, he could fight a war of attrition, draining its star power from within to see if he could escape.

But this method carried a massive risk: if the Star-Picking Tower's star power were truly depleted, and if fortune favored him, it might drift into some star domain.

But if fortune turned against him, it might drift into the Star River.

Even a True Person like Uncle Youyu could only endure the chaotic star Gang within the Star River for one hour.

What about Xu Jin?

Only one word: death!

But if he did nothing and fell into the hands of the Ultimate Emperor, his fate might be even more horrific than death.

In despair, Xu Jin suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding like a war drum.

Indeed, between life and death lies great terror.

It was just that he had never reached such a desperate state before.

Yet now, having faced death, Xu Jin felt it only for an instant before returning to calm.

First, there was still hope of survival, because external forces existed.

Youryu, his Master's senior, stationed outside Kunling Domain, must have noticed the anomaly; once he alerted the Master Fenghua Emperor, he would surely find a way to rescue him.

Whether he could actually rescue him was uncertain.

But at least there was hope.

Second, the Ultimate Emperor's scheme had been laid over an extremely long time—so long that he had directly shattered the artifact's spirit just to transport Xu Jin.

This was likely the Ultimate Emperor's first use of such a method in three thousand years; something might go wrong along the way.

If something went wrong, there would be a chance to survive.

That was another layer of hope.

Third, he must save himself.

He must actively save himself.

Xu Jin's first method of self-rescue—draining star power from within—was essentially declared a failure.

Now he must wait to see whether the star power within the main tower would rapidly decrease due to external depletion; then he could make a desperate gamble.

Better to risk a chance than fall into the Ultimate Emperor's hands and suffer a fate worse than death.

The second method of self-rescue was seizing control of the main tower's authority.

Xu Jin held a vast number of authority tokens from the Star-Picking Tower's main tower, granting him some influence over the main tower.

Half a watch later, this method of self-rescue was declared a failure.

The authority tokens in his possession could not affect the main tower in the slightest.

"Looks like I can only prepare the third and fourth methods of self-rescue."

Xu Jin's third method of self-rescue was essentially a last-ditch stand.

If he was truly delivered before the Ultimate Emperor, Xu Jin would most likely be crushed by a single finger.

But Xu Jin would not sit idle.

At that moment, he would unleash all 1,200 Divine Path Golden Pearls at once and see if he could harm the Ultimate Emperor.

If he could even slightly injure him—even for a few breaths—Xu Jin would have a chance to survive.

Of course, this was a final gamble of probability.

Xu Jin did not know how strong an Emperor truly was.

What he could do now was his fourth method of self-rescue.

Continuously activate the Thousand Star Talisman to see if he could reestablish contact with the outside.

Ever since the Star-Picking Tower burst out of Kunling Domain, Xu Jin had immediately sent a distress message and situation report via the Thousand Star Talisman to the Master Fenghua Emperor and Uncle Youyu True Person—but everything vanished like mud swallowed by the sea, with no response whatsoever.

In simple terms, the Thousand Star Talisman had no signal under these conditions.

Xu Jin's continuous activation of it was still a gamble.

After all, in his past life, when he entered a signal blind zone, sometimes climbing to a higher place might yield a faint signal.

Perhaps such an opportunity still existed now.

As long as there was the slightest hope, Xu Jin would never give up!

At the same moment, outside Kunling Domain, Uncle Youyu True Person was also stunned.

All his defenses had been prepared against the Ultimate Emperor descending immense power from beyond the heavens into Kunling Domain to interfere with Xu Jin.

But now, the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower had simply flown out of Kunling Domain, heading deep into the Star River.

According to the starlight message Xu Jin had sent him, Xu Jin had already entered it.

That meant Xu Jin had been carried away from Kunling Domain by the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower.

It was reversed!

Completely reversed!

Of course, under these circumstances, Uncle Youyu True Person was not powerless to stop it.

He could stop it.

If Uncle Youyu True Person was willing to go all out, a few sword strikes would surely shatter the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower.

After all, it was merely a Tianyang Xingjun's artifact—even if nurtured for three thousand years, what of it?

Its rank was fixed; it could not withstand him, a veteran True Person, and not just any True Person.

But the problem was, Xu Jin was inside.

If he shattered the main tower, even if Xu Jin somehow survived, once he drifted into the Star River, the chaotic star Gang would tear him into fragments instantly.

Under these circumstances, Uncle Youyu True Person could only watch helplessly as the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower carried Xu Jin away, directly into the depths of the Star River.

Of course, he did not do nothing.

He pursued it directly.

He had no choice.

Master Master Fenghua had finally taken a disciple he truly favored, and Master Master Fenghua treated this wastrel senior uncle with exceptional kindness, constantly filling his debts without a single complaint.

If he just stood by and watched Xu Jin being dragged away, he would never have the face to meet Master Master Fenghua again—even if Master Master Fenghua never said a word.

As he pursued, Uncle Youyu True Person immediately sent a plea for help to the Master Fenghua Emperor.

Under these circumstances, even if he caught up, he could not handle it.

Moreover, deep within the Star River, the chaotic star Gang was ferocious; even if he sacrificed his life, he could only chase for a little over an hour.

Within the Master Fenghua Emperor's Palace in the Star River Yuan Domain.

The Master Fenghua Emperor, who had been sitting cross-legged in quiet waiting, suddenly opened his eyes—divine light erupted from his gaze, piercing deep into the Star River.

Uncle Youyu True Person, as if sensing it, instantly surged his own aura to guide the Master Fenghua Emperor.

Within a few breaths, the Master Fenghua Emperor locked onto Uncle Youyu True Person's aura, and from Uncle Youyu's position, he saw the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower racing deep into the Star River.

【Uncle, lend me your divine perception!】

The token the Master Fenghua Emperor had left in Uncle Youyu True Person's possession instantly blazed with starlight; nearly one-third of the star power surrounding Uncle Youyu surged into it.

In the next instant, solidified star power erupted from the token, projecting directly toward the distant main tower of the Star-Picking Tower.

Inside the tower, Xu Jin suddenly felt the Thousand Star Talisman grow hot—then starlight flickered into view; he immediately recognized it with great joy.

It was a starlight message from the Master Fenghua Emperor.

【Jin'er, do not panic. Your master is devising a way to rescue you.

Two things you must remember: First, do not damage the Star-Picking Tower from within. If you damage it from inside, you will drift into the Star River—your cultivation level cannot survive exposure to chaotic star Gang for even one breath; your soul and spirit will be obliterated instantly!

Second, your Thousand Star Talisman cannot connect to the outside, but you must continuously activate it and your senior's Uncle Youyu Sword. When I find a way to rescue you, I will need to locate your position through their auras.

Remember: never give up until the very last moment. Even if I fail to rescue you before you are captured by the Ultimate Emperor, I will send someone to plead with him on your behalf.】

He received only this one starlight message; when he tried to reply, he could not send anything again.

But even this single message calmed Xu Jin's heart and gave him another thread of hope.

At the same moment, in the Emperor's Palace of the Ultimate Emperor, who was fully focused on activating the true core of the Star-Taking Tower's main tower, the Ultimate Emperor suddenly furrowed his brow.

Just now, he had faintly sensed an extremely powerful aura sweep past his Star-Taking Tower's main tower.

"Did a powerful cultivator accidentally scan it? Or does this boy have support from other Emperors?"

After frowning for several breaths, the Ultimate Emperor's expression turned icy. "Even if other Emperors support him, it's useless. My three-thousand-year scheme and the Star-Taking Tower's three-thousand-year accumulation in Kunling Domain—no single Emperor or True Person, not even two or three Emperors, can stop it."

"This is my grand plan, laid out over three millennia. If it succeeds, I will leap from carp to dragon." As he murmured, the Ultimate Emperor's gaze turned toward the Great Luo Ancestral Court.

【Uncle, keep watching. I'll go find help. With just you and me, we can't rescue Jin'er. Once I find someone, I'll need your guidance.】

【Ah, Master Fenghua, I could've held out another hour and a half. That move of yours just halved the time I have left to chase through the Star River.】

【Uncle, do your best. Just as I support you—though when you're about to collapse, let me know ahead of time. I'll find help immediately.】

Seeing this starlight message, the True Person of the Swimming Fish frowned, his old face wrinkling like a dried tangerine. "Ah, this kid is so damn cruel. With Master Fenghua saying that, I've got no choice but to bleed heavily."

"This kid has never once let Old Fish have an easy time."

Inside the Master Fenghua Emperor's Palace, figures flashed through Master Fenghua Emperor's mind like a revolving lantern.

At this moment, he no longer considered how great a debt he'd owe.

He was only asking: among his friends or acquaintances, who had the power to rescue Xu Jin?

Pulling someone out of the Star River wasn't something just anyone could do.

Even he, though his combat power was absolute, couldn't pull Xu Jin out.

After cycling through the figures in his mind, his thoughts settled on one female silhouette.

"Ah, I've no choice but to ask her."

The next instant, Master Fenghua Emperor directly used the Thousand-Star Token to send a message to the Lone Moon Emperor: 【Lone Moon, I need you to help me with something.】

【Oh? What merit do I have to assist the peerless Master Fenghua?】

Seeing this reply, Master Fenghua Emperor's famously devastatingly handsome face twitched. His relationship with the Lone Moon Emperor was slightly unusual.

But Master Fenghua Emperor's experience had already told him: the only ones capable of rescuing Xu Jin were likely Emperor-level cultivators skilled in Spatial Star Arts.

Emperors were common, but those skilled in Spatial Star Arts were rare—and among those, none were closer to Master Fenghua Emperor than this one.

The only one he could possibly ask was the Lone Moon Emperor.

Of course, he knew of another Emperor skilled in Spatial Star Arts—but only by reputation.

Paying a price to ask him wouldn't matter.

The problem was, the man would almost certainly refuse.

Because helping would anger a powerful Emperor.

And that was merely one cost.

In contrast, though the price with the Lone Moon Emperor might be high, her willingness to help was the highest.

Though the Lone Moon Emperor spoke with barbs, Master Fenghua Emperor didn't mince words—he immediately sent her the full current situation: 【Lone Moon, tell me: can you save my disciple or not?】

【Master Fenghua, you've only had this disciple for half a year. Is it really worth such a sacrifice? Even if he's talented, isn't the entire Star Realm full of talented cultivators?】

Let him die!

If you pay attention, in a few years you'll find another disciple just as good.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

【That's true—but my lineage demands extreme standards from disciples, and we uphold: once a master, always a father. How can a father abandon his son?】

Just tell me: can you save him or not?】

【I have a fifty to sixty percent chance—but it still depends on luck.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

【That's excellent! Lone Moon, thank you—hurry and act! That Ultimate Emperor is hiding somewhere unknown. Once my disciple is taken to a star domain near him, rescue will become impossible.】 Master Fenghua Emperor urged.

【Thank me?】 The Lone Moon Emperor's expression turned icy. 【You don't mean to just say that, do you?】

Inside the Emperor's Palace, Master Fenghua Emperor's throat bobbed. He sighed. 【Then tell me—what do you want?】

【Three months.】

【Choose something else!】

【Three months only!】

【Really, pick another.】

【Then forget it!】

Inside the Master Fenghua Emperor's Palace, Master Fenghua Emperor's chiseled face trembled slightly. Finally, his eyes slowly lowered. 【Fine. Three months it is.】

But you must succeed in saving him!

If you fail, we cut ties.】

【Alright. I'll do my best.】

In another Emperor's Palace, the Lone Moon Emperor's frosty face instantly bloomed into a radiant smile. In that single moment, her entire Emperor's Palace seemed to come alive.

A few breaths later, the Lone Moon Emperor's spiritual sense, through the Master Fenghua Emperor's token carried by the Swimming Fish True Person, faintly perceived the starlight of the Star-Taking Tower. Soon, she made her judgment.

【Master Fenghua, the artifact imprisoning your disciple isn't terrifying. If you and I combine our strength, with the Swimming Fish's assistance, we could shatter it.】

【But your disciple surviving? That's difficult.】

【So if you want to save him, the difficulty is immense.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

【What must we do?】 Master Fenghua Emperor asked.

【Just now, using your token, I observed the starlight aura emitted by the Star-Taking Tower. I've gained insight. To propel an artifact carrying a living person across the distant stars into the deepest Star River isn't the artifact's own power—it's using celestial power.】

【I suspect the power of the star your disciple is on, and the star controlled by the Ultimate Emperor, both contributed.】

【This is invoking the power of Heaven and Earth.】

【Under normal circumstances, among cultivators of the same realm, only the power of Heaven and Earth can oppose the power of Heaven and Earth.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

【I know this—but the problem is, even if I activate the star power I control to re-attract it, I can't catch up to this starlight. Can you?】

【I can't either. The Star River is vast—tens of thousands of miles vanish in an instant. It's impossible to lock onto and intercept so easily.】

【Then what do you mean?】

【I mean: borrow a path. This is why I said earlier that saving your disciple requires luck.】

【Explain clearly.】

【We're too slow. Launching star power from behind, with such a faint and drifting target signature—it's impossible.】

【But if along its path, another star domain is currently using similar celestial power, I can subtly trigger a ripple—enough to divert the Star-Taking Tower carrying your disciple into another star domain.】

【But after that, his survival is beyond my control.】

【In any star domain, anything is possible.】

【He might escape this crisis only to fall into another. After that, it depends on your disciple's luck and his own actions.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

After only one breath of thought, Master Fenghua Emperor agreed: 【Then hurry and search. As long as he doesn't fall into the Ultimate Emperor's hands, there's hope. My disciple's fortune shouldn't be too poor.】

【Good. Such long-distance star travel is usually straight-line. I've already mapped the trajectory. Now I'll go along that path to find a place I can borrow power from.】

【Good.】

The next instant, within the Lone Moon Emperor's Palace, silver light flashed—and she appeared on a solitary island in the Star River.

After sensing for a moment, she shook her head. The silver light vanished, and her figure reappeared on another Star River island, where she closed her eyes and focused intently.

Faint, faint silver light rippled outward in all directions, spreading far into the distance.

This vibration lasted a full quarter-hour—then the Lone Moon Emperor suddenly opened her eyes and immediately sent a starlight message to Master Fenghua Emperor.

【Found it—but it's not ideal. One star domain is emitting similar celestial power fluctuations—it must be hosting some event. Unfortunately, this domain lies within the Great Luo Ancestral Court's territory. You said the Ultimate Emperor belongs to the Great Luo Ancestral Court.】

【How far is it from the Ultimate Emperor? Is there any chance he'll detect and track it?】 Master Fenghua Emperor asked.

【I don't know the distance—the Great Luo Ancestral Court's domains are vast. But the chance he'll detect it? Extremely low.】

【And even if he comes to this domain, once he's lost in the crowd, finding him will be nearly impossible.】

【Good. Then act.】

【Good. I need to wait another quarter-hour—that's the optimal moment to act and borrow power. Also, I need the Swimming Fish True Person to fully assist me with targeting.】 said the Lone Moon Emperor.

A few breaths later, the Swimming Fish True Person, alone chasing through the Star River, received Master Fenghua Emperor's message.

At the sight of the message, he first exhaled in relief—then his old face twisted into a grimace. 【I have to unleash once, briefly reconnect with Xu Jin, and guide him.】

【So far away... Ah, here we go again—Old Fish has to push himself to the limit.】

【Ready. Tell the Swimming Fish True Person to unleash and give me the target's location.】 As the Lone Moon Emperor spoke, a moon-like star suddenly emerged behind her, instantly making the Star River appear to hold one more star. Silver moonlight, like starlight, shot instantly toward a distant star domain.

In the Star River, starlight projection was utterly normal.

Every moment, billions of stars projected their light—some strong, some weak—hardly noticeable to anyone.

The silver starlight entered this star domain and immediately merged with the artificially summoned celestial power within.

Beneath this artificial celestial power, countless beams of light surged upward from stars in all directions, crossed the Star River, and fell into this domain.

At that same instant, the Swimming Fish Sword of the Swimming Fish True Person blazed with starlight. His spiritual essence's star force flooded into the sword in an instant. As his aura weakened, he activated the Thousand-Star Token.

He could no longer drift through the Star River.

At that same instant, Xu Jin, trapped inside the Star-Taking Tower, who had been continuously activating his Swimming Fish Sword, suddenly saw the sword blaze with starlight, its aura spilling out.

In the star domain the Star-Taking Tower was about to pass through, the aura of the Swimming Fish Sword being activated suddenly triggered a ripple in the summoned celestial power.

On the Star River island, the moon-wheel behind the Lone Moon Emperor blazed to its maximum!

As if a finger had drawn a line across water, a wave surged upward and wrapped around the Star-Taking Tower.

After prolonged flight, the Star-Taking Tower's star power had already been heavily depleted.

Now, as celestial power wrapped around it, it instinctively resisted.

But fundamentally, it was only a Rank-10 artifact.

Its core power was rapidly consumed—within an instant, it was entirely drained. As its starlight faded, it was pulled by the celestial power toward that star domain.

Inside the Star-Taking Tower, Xu Jin watched as starlight surged wildly—previously, the boundless, ocean-like starlight was rapidly diminishing.

In a single breath, those starlights vanished completely, and the radiance and spiritual essence of the entire Tower of Plucking Stars faded at breakneck speed.

Deep within the Star River, inside the Ultimate Emperor's Palace, the Ultimate Emperor who had been activating the Tower of Plucking Stars suddenly opened his eyes, staring in shock and fury at the core of the tower as its radiance drained away.

Golden light, as solid as substance, surged into the core of the Tower of Plucking Stars, where the starlight was dissipating.

But it could not stop the core's starlight from continuing to scatter.

In an instant, he understood.

It was not consumption!

It was destruction!

His sacred artifact had its foundation worn away by a terrifying force, draining all its power outright.

"How is this possible? Even two or three Emperor-level cultivators couldn't accomplish this!"

And why would they do this—don't they care whether that boy lives or dies?

Could that boy possibly survive under such conditions?

No, I must find a way to lock onto his location!"

The Ultimate Emperor frantically pushed his power, but in the next instant, the core of his sacred artifact, the Tower of Plucking Stars, lost all its starlight.

Yet the Ultimate Emperor followed the last lingering ripple of energy, like searching for a needle in an ocean, seeking the final location.

At the same moment, in the Eastern Chu Xuan Star Realm, Commander Tian Zhang True Person, who had been activating the Celestial Authority, suddenly frowned—he faintly sensed an unusual energy fluctuation, a deeply unsettling feeling of being watched.

Yet beneath the power of the Celestial Authority, he detected nothing.

But that uneasy sensation surged like a tide, growing even clearer under the Celestial Authority's enhancement.

"Could someone be secretly sabotaging this grand event?"

With a thought, starlight shimmered behind him; instantly, a seal appeared before Commander Tian Zhang True Person, and he flicked his finger lightly.

Hum!

As the seal vibrated, the star energy across the entire Eastern Chu Xuan Star Realm began to tremble.

This was the Celestial Authority's counterstrike.

The Emperor Du Han Yue Emperor, who had stealthily infiltrated via starlight, was instantly rebuked.

The seal trembled lightly, but the force of the vibration cut through her invading power like a torrent—and, using the Celestial Authority, it even struck back at the silver moon behind her.

Puff!

Her face turned pale; blood trickled from her lips—but her eyes locked fiercely onto the Tower of Plucking Stars, now wrapped in the might of the Celestial Authority.

When she saw the star realm's celestial power enveloping the Tower of Plucking Stars, just like other summoned ones, drawing it deep into the star realm, Emperor Du Han Yue Emperor finally exhaled in relief and slowly withdrew her gaze.

Only then did she notice that the silver moon behind her had dimmed to near darkness, utterly lost its former brilliance like a star.

【Master Fenghua, it's done. I've intercepted your disciple and guided the Celestial Might toward that star realm. This star realm seems to be summoning many at once—it shouldn't be noticed.】 Emperor Du Han Yue Emperor sent a starlight message.

But what follows is up to your disciple's destiny—I've done all I can.】Emperor Du Han Yue Emperor Lord sent a starlight message.

Inside the Emperor's Palace, Master Fenghua Emperor fell silent for a breath before sending another message: 【As for that matter, send me a message once I've confirmed my disciple's condition.】

【No rush—it'll take at least half a year.】

Inside the Emperor's Palace, Master Fenghua Emperor frowned suddenly, realizing something was wrong: 【Emperor Du Han Yue, are you injured?】

【Mind your own business! Clean yourself up and wait for my message!】

Inside the Emperor's Palace, Master Fenghua Emperor stared at the starlight message, a wry smile on his face—her temperament hadn't changed one bit.

Inside the Tower of Plucking Stars, Xu Jin was surrounded by starlight, watching helplessly as the main tower enclosing him crumbled like ash.

Inside the Star-Picking Tower, Xu Jin was surrounded by starlight, watching helplessly as the tower's main structure enveloping him began to crumble rapidly like ash.

After one breath, Xu Jin noticed a layer of utterly unfamiliar starlight surrounding and protecting him.

Xu Jin realized—he might be saved.

Though he could not reach Master Master Fenghua Emperor or his uncle, Uncle Youyu, the sudden, abnormal surge of the Uncle Youyu Sword and the rapid disintegration of the Tower's main tower told him that external forces had intervened.

Although he could not reach his master, Master Fenghua Emperor Lord, or his uncle-teacher Uncle Youyu, the extraordinary surge of the Uncle Youyu Sword just now, and the rapid disintegration of the Star-Picking Tower's main structure, made Xu Jin realize that an external force had intervened.

But in the next instant, Xu Jin's gaze shifted—the final moment before the main tower dissolved entirely into ash, a peculiar, chaotic starlight suddenly emerged.

Xu Jin's expression changed instantly.

What is this?

Could it be the core essence of the Tower of Plucking Stars?

Xu Jin's mind flashed with thought!

(End of Chapter)

(End of Chapter)