Chapter 351: Star Domain Vanguard, the Arrival of Alienation

"Or hand these fragments over to the extraterrestrial civilization." Li Yan took up the thread, "We must find the core answer before they do."

Ling Bo looked at Xuanwu: "We need to protect the remaining Houxuanzhe well, especially Mo Yun. Judging from the fragment fluctuations within her body, she may possess the most critical piece."

"At the same time," Lin Xuan added, "we must hurry to find a way to re-aggregate these fragments. According to the Guardian's arrangements, this method must exist."

The three reached a consensus and formulated a new action plan. Lin Xuan and Li Yan would focus on protecting the remaining Houxuanzhe, while Ling Bo would delve into researching the spiritual bond to find the key to reorganizing the Qi Luck Power.

Ling Bo returned to the Qiyun Mishì and unfurled the scroll once again. This time, she noticed a special record at the end of the scroll, mentioning a mysterious device named the "Heaven Origin Instrument."

"Heaven Origin Instrument..." Ling Bo muttered to herself, "Could this be the key to reorganizing the Qi Luck fragments?"

Just at this moment, a faint call suddenly came from Mo Yun. Ling Bo hurried to her side and found that she had already awakened, her eyes filled with tears.

"I remembered..." Mo Yun said weakly, "I know where the Heaven Origin Instrument is..."

The Northwest Wasteland, a place of desolation.

Thick, dark clouds seemed to press down upon the earth, making the already barren land appear even more oppressive. A gust of abnormal wind swept past, carrying an indescribable sense of suppression. A few wild rabbits foraging nearby suddenly raised their heads in alarm, and the next moment, they scattered and fled as if terrified.

Just then, the center of the cloud layer suddenly split open, and a blinding silver-white beam of light pierced straight through heaven and earth. This radiance was so intense that it was clearly visible within a radius of a hundred miles. The beam lasted for about a quarter of an hour before slowly dissipating.

After the light faded, a tall figure clad in silver battle armor hovered in mid-air. His appearance was no different from an ordinary person, yet he gave off an unusually detached feeling. Strange energy patterns flowed across the surface of the silver armor, occasionally flashing with a ghostly blue light.

"Diqiu, truly a planet full of potential." This uninvited guest scanned his surroundings, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "The time for screening has matured."

In less than half a day, this anomaly attracted the attention of several nearby Practitioner sects. Xuan Qingzi of Taixu Temple arrived first, seeing the figure hovering in mid-air from afar.

"Who are you, Excellency? Why do you perform strange arts here?" Xuan Qingzi, dressed in a Daoist Robe and holding a horsetail whisk, questioned him with a stern expression.

The silver-armored man turned around, scrutinized Xuan Qingzi, and spoke with a hint of arrogance in his tone: "Star Domain Vanguard Saide, envoy of the extraterrestrial civilization."

"Extraterrestrial civilization?" Xuan Qingzi's expression changed; he was clearly no stranger to this term, "What is your purpose in coming here?"

Saide did not answer directly but raised his hand slightly. An invisible force suddenly bound Xuan Qingzi to the spot, and no matter how he circulated his cultivation, he could not break free.

"An interesting way of using energy, but too primitive." Saide evaluated, then flicked his hand casually. Xuan Qingzi was struck as if by some immense force, sent flying dozens of yards away, and fell heavily to the ground, vomiting blood.

Not long after, several experts from Qingcheng Mountain also arrived upon hearing the news, only to be easily defeated by Saide as well. Their sword Qi and Talisman seemed to lose their effectiveness in front of Saide; some were even deflected by an invisible barrier before they could touch him. Even more shocking was that Saide seemed capable of distorting the surrounding space out of thin air, causing attacks to deviate from their trajectory or directly decomposing them into pure energy.

Upon learning this news, Lin Xuan set off immediately for the Northwest Wasteland. When he arrived, the scene before him made his heart sink. The wasteland was littered with defeated Practitioners, some of whom were severely injured, their expressions filled with disbelief and fear.

"The situation is even worse than imagined." Lin Xuan said to the Qingbai Jushe beside him.

The Qingbai Jushe flicked its tongue, "This aura... is very ancient and powerful, yet different from any power I have felt before. He should not be at the highest level of the extraterrestrial civilization, but he is definitely no ordinary character."

Saide stood on a giant boulder, his gaze sweeping over the newly arrived Lin Xuan, then he smiled slightly: "Another Child of Luck. Your appearance is exactly part of the screening process."

"Screening?" Lin Xuan asked vigilantly, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Very simple," Saide's voice was calm and cold, "The screening has begun. All the Houxuanzhe are part of our layout."

He pointed to the injured Practitioners in the distance and continued: "This screening is not just aimed at the Houxuanzhe, but a test for the entire world. Those lives unable to adapt to the extraterrestrial energy will eventually be eliminated. This is the necessity of evolution."

A surge of anger rose in Lin Xuan's heart: "You have no right to decide who should be eliminated!"

"Right?" Saide smiled, "This is not a question of right, but the law of Nature. Just like your theory of evolution, survival of the fittest. It is just that we have accelerated this process."

Before the words had even faded, Lin Xuan had already struck. The Qingbai Jushe transformed into a streak of light behind him, perfectly merging with Lin Xuan's Qi Luck Power. In the initial stage, relying on his exquisite control over Qi Luck Power, Lin Xuan was actually able to contend with Saide.

He discovered that although Saide's power was formidable, it seemed to be subject to certain limitations. Every time he used that ability to distort space, Saide required a brief recovery period. Lin Xuan seized these tiny gaps to launch continuous attacks.

"Worthy of being a Child of Luck," Saide evaluated, "but this is far from enough."

As the battle deepened, Saide began to display more and more methods that defied common sense. He could predict the trajectory of Lin Xuan's attacks, reacting even as the thought first arose in Lin Xuan's mind. Even more terrifying was that he seemed capable of analyzing and imitating Lin Xuan's Qi Luck Power; although the intensity was inferior, it was enough to disrupt Lin Xuan's rhythm.

"Your abilities are quite special," Saide said while blocking Lin Xuan's attack, "but in front of a true cosmic civilization, they are nothing more than a beginner's tricks."

During an exchange of blows, Saide suddenly accelerated and struck Lin Xuan's chest with a palm. Lin Xuan felt a strange energy instantly pierce through his entire body, his internal organs aching as if burned by fire. He fell heavily to the ground, blood continuously gushing from his mouth.

"Lin Xuan!" The Qingbai Jushe coiled anxiously around Lin Xuan.

At this critical moment, the Qingbai Jushe suddenly let out a long hiss, its scales flashing with unprecedented radiance. Its body began to change; two small horns grew on its head, and a row of tiny wing-like appendages bulged on its back, making it look more majestic and mysterious overall.

"This is..." Lin Xuan looked at the giant snake's transformation in surprise.

"Not yet fully mature, but enough to handle the current situation." The voice of the Qingbai Jushe also became deeper and more powerful.