After several months of meticulous refining, the three hundred and sixty Formation Puppets were finally completed. Each one seemed to contain the profundity of the night sky and the mystery of the stars, emitting a faint yet undeniable Star Power.
After Li Mu completed this feat in the Painting World Treasure Mansion, he did not linger for a moment. He immediately left the Treasure Mansion, then cast the Five Elements Escape Technique, his figure seemingly merging into the earth, silently departing from the heavily guarded Demon Palace and appearing on the outskirts of Volcano Ling Peak.
The night was as deep as ink, and inside and outside the Demon Palace, lights blazed, and the vigilance was so strict that not even a wisp of wind seemed able to penetrate. In the sky, patrolling Demon Cultivators like nocturnal eagles swept through, their sharp gazes vigilantly surveying every inch of land within a hundred miles of the Demon Palace.
Relying on his superb stealth techniques, Li Mu's figure moved like a ghost, weaving flexibly through the continuous mountain ranges, cleverly avoiding wave after wave of patrol teams. He strictly followed his meticulously planned route, placing the Formation Puppets, which contained Star Power, one by one in their designated hidden locations.
During the placement of the Formation Puppets, Li Mu displayed extreme caution and meticulousness, skillfully concealing the Formation Puppets in the crevices of peak tops and within hidden caves, ensuring that they would be difficult to detect even under the most rigorous inspection. These Formation Puppets were tightly connected by invisible threads of spiritual power, gradually outlining the Prototype of a vast and intricate Star Array, like a cosmic map about to awaken.
When the last Formation Puppet was securely placed, Li Mu quietly appeared on the summit of the mountain range, overlooking the sleeping Demon Palace with a commanding posture, his eyes deep, as if he could penetrate the night and gaze directly at the magnificent Sacrificial Spirit Demon Tower in the deepest part of the Demon Palace.
With a thought, Li Mu summoned the Puppet Spirit—Ming Yue. Little Ming Yue stood respectfully before Li Mu, holding the Sky Puppet Spirit Token, her nimble eyes sparkling with excitement, clearly eager to execute the upcoming task. As a Puppet Spirit in sync with Li Mu's thoughts, she deeply understood the importance of this operation.
“Ming Yue, are you ready?” Li Mu asked Ming Yue, signaling.
“Master, Ming Yue has memorized all the control commands for the Formation Puppets. The activation of the Star Array awaits only your command!” Ming Yue replied confidently, the Sky Puppet Spirit Token in her hand flickering softly with her words, emitting powerful Puppet Power.
Li Mu nodded in satisfaction, his gaze once again cast towards the distant Demon Palace complex. At this moment, the Demon Cultivators within the Demon Palace were immersed in Cultivating, and the Demon Cultivator guards were conducting their routine patrols, completely unaware of the impending storm. The patrol teams continued to move along their predetermined paths, not noticing that an unprecedented crisis was silently approaching.
“Then let’s begin!” Li Mu nodded, giving a low command.
“Yes, Master!” Ming Yue responded and moved, channeling Puppet Power into the Sky Puppet Spirit Token in her hand. The Sky Puppet Spirit Token suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, and an invisible wave of Puppet Power surged out like a tide, instantly establishing a connection with the three hundred and sixty Formation Puppets scattered throughout Volcano Ling Peak.
“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”
As Ming Yue fully activated the Sky Puppet Spirit Token, the three hundred and sixty Formation Puppets seemed like awakened stars. The Formation Flags of the Star Array in their hands lit up simultaneously, releasing unprecedented Star Power. Massive amounts of Star Power intertwined and converged in the air, forming a vast and brilliant star net that drew in the Star Power of the entire sky, setting up a magnificent Star Array that enveloped the entire Demon Palace.
As the Star Array's power gradually strengthened, Li Mu felt a majestic Star Power converging from all directions. He immediately connected with Ming Yue's Puppet Spirit, borrowing its power to control the Star Array's strength. He formed hand seals, and the spiritual power within his body surged wildly, merging with the power of the Star Array.
“Activate the Earth Vein Divine Fire!” Li Mu shouted, silently immersing the Star Array's power into the base of the volcano, completely encircling the Earth Vein Divine Fire, releasing a wisp of imprisonment intent.
Suddenly feeling the Star Power wrapping around it from all directions, and the intent of imprisonment, the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire, having just been freed from the Ten Thousand Year Seal Grand Formation, was like a startled bird. It immediately awoke from its slumber, and the power of the ninth-rank fire spirit erupted.
“Boom—!”
With the awakening of the Earth Vein Divine Fire, the sea of magma at the bottom of the volcano seemed to be stimulated, trembling violently. The slumbering magma churned fiercely, like a giant beast awakened, emitting a low roar. Scorching magma rolled at the bottom of the volcano, and terrifying heat waves spread to the surface, causing the entire Demon Palace to crack apart.
“Rumble—!”
The Earth Vein Divine Fire at the bottom of the volcano completely erupted. The scorching magma instantly transformed into a several-thousand-zhang fire Dragon, soaring into the sky like an enraged Dragon, instantly engulfing the entire volcano crater. Terrifying firelight shot straight into the clouds, instantly piercing the sky... Scorching magma flowed down the mountain, incinerating everything in its path.
The magnificent, grand, and tragic scene was incomparably shocking. Li Mu witnessed this firsthand and gained a deeper understanding and reverence for the power of the nine-rank divine object, the Earth Vein Divine Fire.
Li Mu stood on the mountaintop, letting the fierce wind carry the scorching heat waves against his face, yet his eyes showed no wavering. This power was both destruction and Rebirth. Only by completely controlling this power could he win a glimmer of hope in this grand game of chess.
“Ming Yue, fully maintain the Star Array, do not let the Earth Vein Divine Fire break free!” Li Mu urged Ming Yue with his gaze.
“Yes!” Ming Yue unleashed her full spiritual power, and the Sky Puppet Spirit Token in her hand shone brightly, linking with the three hundred and sixty Star Formation Puppets. It perfectly fused with the spiritual power fluctuations of the Star Array, forming extremely tough Star Power nets that tightly coiled around the fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire, trapping it within a certain area.
However, how could the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire be easily tamed? Even under the suppression of the Star Array's power, it still displayed astonishing resistance. The fire Dragon churned and twisted in the air, each struggle tearing the heavens and earth apart. Terrifying flames splashed everywhere, igniting the surrounding air and forming patches of fire sea.
The sudden eruption of this power was extremely fatal to the Demon Cultivators of the Demon Abyss in the Demon Palace.
The Demon Cultivators, who were originally immersed in Cultivating, were completely awakened by this sudden change in heaven and earth. They looked up at the sky, only to see a fire Dragon spanning the horizon. The scorching flames and magma, like the fire of doomsday, dyed the night sky crimson. The entire Demon Palace seemed to be enveloped in a sea of fire.
“What?!”
“The volcano on Hellfire Peak has erupted!”
“Quick! Quickly strengthen the Palace Protection Array!”
Terrified shouts echoed through the Demon Palace. The Demon Cultivators panicked and fled in all directions. They had never seen such a terrifying sight. The power of Hellfire Peak here was beyond imagination. Even the sturdy defensive barrier of the Demon Palace seemed fragile in the face of this power.
“Boom—!”
With a loud bang, the light of the Palace Protection Array instantly dimmed under the impact of the fire Dragon, as if completely swallowed by this power. Wherever the fire Dragon passed, whether buildings or Demon Cultivators, they were instantly consumed by the scorching flames and turned to ash.
“No—!”
Desperate cries rose and fell, and the Demon Cultivators in the Demon Palace fell into unprecedented panic. They had never imagined that they would face such a desperate situation. The power of Hellfire Peak's eruption far exceeded their imagination.
“Damn it!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was terrified and furious. He suddenly looked towards Li Mu's direction, having already sensed Li Mu's presence. A hint of shock and anger flashed in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected someone to be able to set up such a massive Formation right under his nose, and even ignite the Earth Fire of Hellfire Peak.
“How dare you! Who are you?!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator roared, his voice echoing like thunder between heaven and earth. His figure instantly vanished from his original spot, appearing above the mountain where Li Mu was. Devilish Qi surged around him, as if a Demon God had descended.
Li Mu looked up, his gaze cold as he met the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's eyes, yet he felt no fear. He had long anticipated this moment. The Star Array was complete, and the Earth Vein Divine Fire had been activated. Even if the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator personally arrived, he could not reverse the situation.
“The Demon Abyss has ravaged the Spirit Realm, slaughtering the Human Race. Today is your doomsday!” Li Mu's voice was cold, his tone carrying an undeniable resolve.
“Arrogant!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was so enraged he laughed instead. With a wave of his hand, a jet-black Devilish Qi transformed into a giant palm, smashing down fiercely towards Li Mu. The palm contained terrifying destructive power, as if it wanted to crush the entire mountain into dust.
However, Li Mu was already prepared. He formed hand seals, and the power of the Star Array instantly converged, forming a brilliant Star Power barrier that blocked in front of him.
“Boom—!”
The Devilish Qi palm collided with the Star Power barrier, erupting in a deafening roar. Terrifying energy fluctuations swept all around, mountains collapsed, and the earth cracked. Yet, Li Mu remained motionless, the power of the Star Array steadily blocking his full-force strike.
“What?!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's pupils constricted. He clearly hadn't expected Li Mu's Formation to possess such power. He snorted coldly, rapidly forming hand seals. Purple demonic flames surged wildly around him, transforming into a purple fire Demon Blade, about to slash towards Li Mu.
However, before the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator could unleash this strike, the Earth Vein Divine Fire at the bottom of the volcano had already completely erupted. Scorching magma, like an enraged Dragon, soared into the sky, instantly engulfing the entire volcano crater. Terrifying firelight shot straight into the clouds, and scorching magma flowed down the mountain, incinerating everything in its path.
“Rumble—!”
The violent power of the Earth Vein Divine Fire swept across heaven and earth. The entire Demon Palace instantly fell into a sea of fire. Buildings within the Demon Palace collapsed in the scorching magma, and the massive Sacrificial Spirit Demon Tower also crumbled. Countless Demon Cultivators let out shrill screams, instantly consumed by the flames and turned to ash.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's face instantly changed. Feeling the terrifying power contained within the Earth Vein Divine Fire, even he dared not resist it head-on. He quickly withdrew his purple fire Demon Blade, and Devilish Qi surged wildly around him, transforming into a jet-black barrier, attempting to resist the invasion of the Earth Vein Divine Fire.
“Damn it! What kind of flames are these? How can they be so terrifying?!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was utterly horrified. He had never imagined that such a terrifying mass of flames was hidden beneath this volcano, and that it would go out of control at this moment. He had originally thought it was just an ordinary Formation, but he never expected the opponent to be able touate such terrifying spiritual fire!
The fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire instantly swept through everything, burning everything. Even the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's Devilish Qi barrier gradually collapsed under the scorching flames.
“Ah—!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator roared, not hesitating to consume his Demonic Essence, activating his Great Ascension Demonic Domain to form a barrier and resist the invasion of the flames.
However, the power of the Earth Vein Divine Fire far exceeded the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's imagination. Even with his full resistance, he could not completely withstand this terrifying power, being forced to dodge everywhere, looking utterly disheveled. The spiritual nature of the Earth Vein Divine Fire was extremely violent, like an enraged ancient Vicious Beast, frantically devouring everything around it. The flames contained the purest destructive power between heaven and earth; even a Great Ascension Demon Cultivator could not easily resist it.
“Boom, boom, boom—!”
The flames of the Earth Vein Divine Fire, like raging waves, instantly swept through the entire Demon Palace. The scorching magma transformed into countless fire Dragons, rampaging everywhere. Wherever they passed, whether buildings, Formations, or Demon Cultivators, all instantly turned to ash. The Demon Cultivators had no time to react before being consumed by the flames, not even managing to scream before being annihilated.
“No—! Save me!” A Void Refining Stage Demon Cultivator tried to cast an escape technique to flee, but his body had just risen into the air when a fire Dragon caught up to him, instantly consuming him in flames and turning him to ash.
“Run! We can't resist these flames!” Another Body Integration Stage Demon Cultivator roared, summoning a defensive demonic artifact, attempting to resist the invasion of the flames.
However, as soon as that demonic artifact touched the flames of the Earth Vein Divine Fire, it instantly melted and vanished. Before he could react, he was engulfed by the flames and turned to ash.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's face was ashen, and he was utterly horrified. He had never seen such terrifying flames. Even his Purple Flame Demonic Fire, which he had Cultivated for thousands of years, could not completely resist this power. His Great Ascension Demonic Flames were rapidly consumed by this mysterious spiritual fire, and even with his full activation of Demonic Essence, he could not fully restore them.
“Boom—!”
The fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire swept over again, attempting to completely engulf the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator, who had no choice but to cast a spell to dodge and evade the fire Dragon's invasion. However, the fire Dragon's speed was extremely fast, instantly catching up to him. The scorching flames burned his Great Ascension Demonic Flames, making sizzling sounds, as if mocking his powerlessness.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was on the verge of tears. He wanted to cast a spell to flee, to escape far away from the engulfment of this mysterious spiritual fire. However, because the power of the Star Array had trapped him, he simply could not easily escape this area. The power of the Star Array was like an invisible giant net, firmly sealing off the entire Demon Palace. Even a Great Ascension Cultivator would find it difficult to Break through this barrier in a short time.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator could only engage in a life-and-death struggle with the Earth Vein Divine Fire within this limited area.
“Damn it! What kind of Formation is this?!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator roared, his eyes filled with anger and unwillingness. He had never imagined that he, a dignified Great Ascension Demon Cultivator, would be forced into such a predicament by a Body Integration Human Race Cultivator.
“Boom—!”
The fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire swept over again, the scorching magma lunging at him like an enraged Dragon.
“Ah—!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator let out a roar, his body trembling violently in the flames. His Devilish Qi barrier gradually collapsed under the scorching flames, and his Great Ascension Demonic Essence rapidly depleted. His face turned incomparably pale, clearly having reached his limit.
“Kid, who exactly are you?! Why do you want to be enemies with my Demon Abyss?!” The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator gritted his teeth, looking at Li Mu with eyes full of venom.
Li Mu stood at the core of the Star Array, coldly watching the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's struggle, his heart filled with satisfaction. He was avenging the countless Human Race Cultivators who had died from Possession.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's face was ashen. He still wanted to say something, but the fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire had already completely surrounded him. The scorching flames burned his body. Even with his Mahayana Stage cultivation, he could not resist the terrifying power of the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire.
“Boom—!”
The fire Dragon formed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire completely erupted. The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's body gradually disintegrated in the flames, finally turning to ash. His source of Great Ascension Demonic Flames was completely swallowed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire.
Watching the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator being consumed by the Earth Vein Divine Fire, Li Mu let out a long sigh of relief, yet he felt no relaxation. The fall of the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was only the beginning; the true crisis was far from over.
“Next, it's time to Seal the Earth Vein Divine Fire.”
Li Mu murmured to himself, forming hand seals again. The power of the Star Array rapidly contracted, gradually suppressing the violent power of the Earth Vein Divine Fire. At the same time, the Chaos Zhenyuan Disk emerged, and Xue'er, Green-Eyed Golden Ape, and Azure Moon True Dragon all appeared. (End of this chapter)
