Chapter 583 - 487: Shifting Situation, Merit Golden Lotus

"What is that?!"

Veins bulged on Ye Fei's forehead, and the Flying Sword behind him roared out, spiraling protectively. This was an instinctual defense upon sensing danger.

A nameless despair surged within him. Ye Fei was familiar with this feeling—it was the horrifying aura emitted by Immortal King Chi Chong when he fled the Longevity Star Realm, instilling dread in all living creatures.

"The power of an Immortal King..."

Zhu Sheng, standing beside him, furrowed his brows slightly. In an instant, his body shot into the sky, transforming into a stream of light heading towards Kunlun Mountain.

Ye Fei followed closely behind through Sword Flight, speaking in a deep voice, "Master, after the Sect Leader returned, he forbade us from approaching the Colorless Star Realm. What's happening over there?"

"I don't know either."

Zhu Sheng's mood was heavy as he turned to look back.

All around the Celestial Essence Star Realm, streaks of light soared into the sky, with countless starships swirling upward, flying into the vacuum defenses.

In the cities of the Spirit Mountain on the ground, the common people of the Divine Dynasty all stepped outside their homes, watching the streaks of light dancing in the azure sky. Yet, no one appreciated the splendid view, for the looming storm brought a sense of oppressive tension.

...

The joy of progress in cultivation from the Spirit Qi Frenzy vanished, and the entire Celestial Essence Star Realm immediately began preparations.

In the dark void, the Earth Evil Silver Lotus shone brightly, with starships lining up in formation like countless stars entering the All Heaven Star Array.

At the same time, the Star Shining Thunderfire Shuttle and the newly refined Sunfall Star Realm were activated simultaneously. The rotation of the sun and moon exuded endless murderous intent, integrating with the All Heaven Star Array.

Once the defensive array was set up, the upper echelons of the Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty finally breathed a sigh of relief. With this grand array as a shield, they could hold out for a while even against the Starry Sky Dominator.

"Divine Venerable Taishi, hasn't the Sect Leader emerged yet?"

The leaders of the Divine Dynasty inquired through the Divine Path network.

Since Zhang Kui secluded himself, the terrifying aura of the Immortal King Tower had shrouded Kunlun Mountain. Apart from Taishi and Fatty Tiger, no one could approach.

"The aura of the Immortal King Tower is unchanged..."

Taishi's words reassured everyone.

The Dragon Demon, Wu Tianya, furrowed his brows, "Something significant must have happened in the Colorless Star Realm. The Sect Leader should have sensed it but hasn't issued any decrees. Could it be his seclusion hasn't ended yet?"

"Don't let wild guesses disturb the troop's morale!"

Yuan Huang snorted coldly, "Everyone, guard the core of the array carefully; do not be careless..."

While chaos reigned outside, the Immortal King Tower's grand hall was similarly a hub of activity.

Within the profound hall, visible Spiritual Qi formed a vortex of streaming light, continuously rotating. Zhang Kui sat cross-legged, his hands maneuvering spell light while his eyes enveloped in Divine Fire, his face full of anger.

"Hmph, almost fell into the trap!"

In the whirlpool of Spiritual Qi, the Cosmic Membrane left behind by the Blood God upon his fall had completely turned golden, seeming both real and illusory, shining with enchanting brilliance—a clear Supreme Treasure.

Yet, this treasure of exceptional Spirit Charm constantly emitted ominous Evil Light.

Some of this Evil Light appeared blood-red, vaguely revealing the twisted face of an old man with white beard, silently screaming at Zhang Kui.

Others were like continuously writhing bone spurs, their reverberating metallic sound as they swirled, seemingly ready to coalesce into an egg.

Luo Changsheng, similarly suspended in mid-air, waved his hand, dispersing clusters of transparent Fire of Time, igniting all the Evil Qi.

"Blood God, Chi Chong, quite the calculation indeed!"

Zhang Kui's expression darkened; he hadn't anticipated that the Cosmic Membrane concealed the Qi Mechanism of the Starry Sky Dominators, which erupted just as he was about to refine the Divine Power lake.

Beside him, Luo Changsheng maintained a calm demeanor, "It's not surprising. The Starry Sky Dominators possess such creation secrets that even when split to pieces, they can be reborn from a drop of blood or a Qi Mechanism. You will be like that in the future."

As they spoke, the Evil Qi of the Blood God was completely extinguished, and the blood and flesh Qi Mechanism of Immortal King Chi Chong was on the verge of dissipating.

Soon, the golden Cosmic Membrane materialized into a golden veil, slowly falling into Zhang Kui's hand.

Though it seemed to be purified and ready to be integrated into the core of the Earth Evil Silver Lotus, neither Zhang Kui nor Luo Changsheng appeared relieved.

"Shall we continue?"

Luo Changsheng's eyes narrowed as he asked.

Though terrifying, the Starry Sky Dominators were not as fearsome as the hidden hands behind the scenes, who had merged with heaven and earth. Luo Changsheng could never forget the shadows of black mist expelled from Zhang Kui's body during cultivation.

If it weren't for Zhang Kui's Nine Breaths Qi Cultivation method, which enabled expulsion, and the Fire of Time obliterating all traces, who would have thought that those behind-the-scenes hands were hidden within the very laws of heaven and earth?

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Kui shook his head, "Those hidden hands are in slumber. Acting alone won't draw attention, but expelling the entire Star Realm is like establishing a new heaven and earth, likely alarming them. The time is not ripe yet."

"Very well."

Luo Changsheng nodded in agreement.

Their plan was to conquer heaven and earth, occupying enough life star reincarnations, and now it was just the beginning, so it was wise to be cautious.

After putting away the cosmic membrane, Zhang Kui wasted no words, immediately flying out, landing atop the boundless snow-capped peaks, and gazing into the endless void.

While refining the cosmic membrane before, he had already noticed the terrifying aura emanating from the Colorless Star Region, but the situation was urgent and he couldn't afford to pay attention to it.

As soon as he appeared, the high authorities of the Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty immediately received the message, and figures manifested through the Divine Path network.

"Sect Leader, are you alright?"

"Sect Leader, that Colorless Star Region..."

Zhang Kui waved his hand to stop everyone's inquiries and said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, fellow Taoists, I am fine. As for the Colorless Star Region, it's not targeting us..."

Previously uncertain, now with the cosmic membrane refined, Zhang Kui no longer concealed and informed the high authorities of his findings from the previous exploration.

"Black Ming King is actually Qianwu Immortal Monarch?"

"The Emperor's Treasure, Thousand-Killing Illusion Lotus?"

Everyone was dumbfounded. Just from Zhang Kui's description, one could imagine the terrifying might of that immortal treasure annihilating everything.

Even Yuan Huang felt a chill in his heart, smiling wryly, "Sect Leader, the Black Ming King has reincarnated with momentum. According to you, the Thousand-Killing Illusion Lotus is the nemesis of the Divine Path network. It's better for us to avoid it sooner."

"Do not panic."

Zhang Kui smiled faintly, "I have a plan. Once the Celestial Essence Star Realm is fully enhanced, even the Starry Sky Dominator can contend. But refining the Star Realm takes time. With the changing situation in the Colorless Star Region, who is willing to go and investigate?"

Upon hearing this, everyone cupped their hands and said:

"Sect Leader, I am willing to go."

"Sect Leader, let me go instead..."

Though the path of investigation was perilous, everyone had long vowed alongside Zhang Kui to change the world. Moreover, with a sliver of their Divine Soul left behind, even in death, they could eternally remain in the Divine Path, naturally eager to volunteer.

Zhang Kui thought for a while and said, "Taoist Friend Yuan Huang has deep cultivation and is cautious, while Cyan Flood Dragon Wu's Earth Evil Detection Immortal Skill has achieved great success, so I entrust you two Taoist friends, the Chaos Heaven being the fastest, to you for the time being."

"Remember, this trip is only to investigate the situation in the Colorless Star Region, and you must not delve deeper into danger."

"We obey the Sect Leader's decree."

Yuan Huang and Mr. Cyan Flood Dragon Wu cupped their hands in unison. Once Zhang Kui waved to release the Chaos Heaven, they instantly stepped in and transformed into a stream of light, plunging into the boundless void.

"Everyone, guard the Grand Array vigilantly!"

After the two left, Zhang Kui gave a word of caution and then flashed into Kunlun Mountain, employing the Earth Escape Immortal Technique to delve continuously towards the core of the Celestial Essence Star Realm.

Like the many cycles of life star reincarnations, the core of the Celestial Essence Star Realm was also between the Yin and Yang Realms. Zhang Kui swiftly shuttled, within the endlessly dark void, one silver light membrane after another flickering with enchanting brilliance.

This was the protection of the Star Realm core, fused with the power of the Earth Evil Silver Lotus and the All Heaven Star Array, inaccessible to anyone but him.

Soon, the core of the Star Realm was in sight.

A crystalline Silver Lotus bloomed in the void, surrounded by starlight, serving as the hub of the All Heaven Star Array, and above the Silver Lotus, there were also sun and moon rotating, controlling the Sunfall Star Realm Cannon and the Star Shining Thunderfire Shuttle.

Moreover, a faint blue River of Souls descended from the dark void, countless souls drifting into the core of the Silver Lotus.

Zhang Kui shook his head slightly. The core of the Star Realm also bore the task of reincarnation. However, with the collective cultivation of the Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty's beings, even if they couldn't become immortals, their lifespans would greatly increase, thus, it didn't possess the spectacular sight of countless Rivers of Souls like other life stars.

"Welcome, Sect Leader."

A black silhouette then manifested in the void, clad in an Emperor's robe, with a stern expression—it was the Divine Spirit Youxuan nurtured by reincarnation.

The Celestial Essence Star Realm, a supreme treasure personally refined by Zhang Kui. Youxuan was like the Artifact Spirit, making this place's guard most reassuring.

Zhang Kui nodded slightly, "The Celestial Essence Star Realm is about to be upgraded, you and the Taishi Gods are to jointly protect it. If the refinement is successful, the Human Race Divine Path will thoroughly integrate with the Celestial Essence Star Realm. You must not be careless."

"I obey the decree."

Youxuan respectfully cupped his hands and then vanished.

Soon, the entire core of the Star Realm quieted down, even the River of Souls ceased to descend.

Zhang Kui took a deep breath, raised his hand to sprinkle the golden cosmic membrane, gradually enveloping the entire core. The originally silver Earth Evil Silver Lotus gradually turned to gold.

It wasn't without reason that he was cautious. This refinement, enveloping the entire Star Realm with the cosmic membrane, was akin to creating a feat similar to the Netherworld Realm. Even if it didn't compare to an affiliated cosmos, it was still a Starry Sky Dominator-level existence.

And this time, the upgrade would also fuse the Earth Evil Silver Lotus with the Human Race Divine Path, thus renaming it: Merit Golden Lotus.

"Look quickly!"

On the Celestial Essence Star Realm's orbit, countless cultivators were dumbfounded, laying against the windows to observe. In the void, the silver light lotus surrounding the Celestial Essence Star Realm was also gradually tinged with a layer of gold...