Following the last strand of Karma, Li Mu, the Azure Emperor, and the Star Dome Old Ancestor traversed the Star Domain and finally arrived at a desolate Starry Sky.
However, what they saw instantly changed their expressions!
"We're too late..." The Azure Emperor's eyes darkened, and his tone was grave.
This Star Domain was originally vibrant, with several ancient life stars orbiting, nurturing countless Yao Beasts, giant beasts, and even several ancient Immortal Cultivation Sects located within it.
But now, the entire Starry Sky was shrouded in a layer of grayish-white Strange Mist, the stars were dim, and Spiritual Qi was depleted, as if it had been completely corroded by some indescribable power.
The Star Dome Old Ancestor's gaze swept across, and he saw that on one of the ancient life stars, the originally towering mountains had twisted into bizarre tree shapes, and the surface of the rocks showed woody textures, as if the entire mountain range was "growing."
On another planet, the giant beasts that should have been ferociously powerful were now covered in grayish-white vines, their beast eyes unfocused, their bodies stiff like withered wood, having long lost the aura of life, with only a strange "vitality" remaining.
Even more terrifying was that those strange Yao Beasts and giant beasts were still "moving"—their flesh and blood had long since turned woody, yet they still crawled and roared slowly, as if driven by some will, becoming Puppets like walking corpses!
"The Strange Tree's will has spread here!"
The Star Dome Old Ancestor's face was grim, and his withered fingers in his sleeve suddenly formed a star-art, as wisps of silver starlight emerged from his Star Domain, interweaving into a Nine Palace Star Map in the Void Realm.
"Stars of the Heavens, heed my command!"
With an ancient Royal Decree, the Star Dome Old Ancestor bit the tip of his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of his Essence Blood.
The moment the blood mist touched the Star Map, the entire Star Domain suddenly trembled violently. The stars shrouded in the Strange Mist simultaneously lit up with faint glows, outlining a vast astronomical chart on the dim sky.
The Azure Emperor's pupils constricted upon seeing this: "Burning Lifespan to activate a grand star summoning art? Old Friend, you..."
"It's fine." The Star Dome Old Ancestor's white hair wildly danced, and star patterns appeared on his wrinkled forehead: "In the face of such a calamity, a mere Lifespan is not worth mentioning!"
Before he finished speaking, the suspended Star Map suddenly exploded, turning into thousands of meteors shooting in different directions. Each stream of light carried a star-rune, which was the unique cross-realm communication art of the Star Dome lineage.
Three breaths later, the entire Starry Sky suddenly resounded with continuous roars; the Blood Sea surged in the east, white bones paved the way in the west, and Sword Qi soared into the sky in the south—these were the various powerhouses who had rushed over after receiving the star-message!
Before long, the Void Realm trembled, and terrifying auras descended!
"Boom—" The Blood Sea surged, and the Blood Prison Demon God stepped through the air, endless blood waves rolling beneath his feet, but as he approached the Strange Mist, he was corroded by the grayish-white aura, and the blood gradually solidified, turning into grayish-white crystals!
"Hehehe... found it!" The Blood Prison Demon God let out a sinister laugh, but a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!" The Bone Emperor Demon God tore through the Void Realm and arrived, his white bone throne eerie behind him, but when his gaze swept over the strange giant beasts, the white bone throne trembled slightly, as if resisting some kind of erosion.
"The Strange Tree's will... is more terrifying than we imagined!" The Bone Emperor Demon God said coldly.
Immediately after, Celestial Venerable Fentian, Grand Profound Sword Revered, Eternal Night Demon God, and other powerhouses descended one after another. They looked at this strange Star Domain, their expressions extremely solemn.
"These Yao Beasts, giant beasts, and even the Spiritual Qi of the entire Star Domain, have been assimilated by the Strange Tree's will..." Grand Profound Sword Revered's eyes were sharp, and the ancient sword in his hand trembled slightly, seemingly sensing the presence of a great terror.
"That fellow Yan Xiao, I'm afraid he has completely become the Strange Tree's nourishment." The Golden Crow Lamp in Celestial Venerable Fentian's palm flickered, and the firelight was subtly suppressed by the grayish-white mist, appearing somewhat dim.
The Star Dome Old Ancestor took a deep breath, looked at the powerhouses, and said, "We can't delay any longer, we must find the Strange Tree's true Body, otherwise... the entire Immortal Spirit Realm will be spread and invaded by it!"
"The top priority is to find the Strange Tree's true Body! We cannot let it continue to expand." Li Mu reminded.
The crowd exchanged glances, all seeing determination in each other's eyes.
"Charge in!"
The Blood Prison Demon God let out a wild laugh, taking the lead, and the boundless Blood Sea surged, forcibly opening a blood path through the Strange Mist!
The other powerhouses no longer hesitated, each employing their own methods, rushing into the depths of the strange Star Domain. They spread out, clearing those strange planets.
However, they did not notice that those strange Yao Beasts and giant beasts were now... slowly raising their heads, their grayish-white pupils reflecting the figures of the crowd.
It was as if they... were waiting for their prey to walk into the trap!
"Eternal Night, descend!"
The Eternal Night Demon God made the first move, and with a flip of his hand, his entire being transformed into an absolute darkness that devoured light, enveloping an entire strange planet.
The entire planet, wrapped in Strange Mist, instantly solidified, and the strange giant beasts remained frozen in their pouncing postures, the grayish-white bark on their bodies withering and cracking at a visible speed.
"Boundless Blood Sea!"
The blood waves beneath the Blood Prison Demon God's feet suddenly boiled, and countless ferocious demonic figures formed from Essence Blood crawled out of the Blood Sea, dyeing the entire strange planet red with blood. Countless blood shadows pounced on the strange objects, carrying the blood-fiend Qi that corroded all things, turning all strange creatures into part of the Blood Sea.
"Profound Fiend Dragon, appear!"
The Profound Fiend Demon God shouted in a low voice, suddenly forming a hand Seal, and black mist surged around him like an abyss!
In an instant, the entire Starry Sky suddenly twisted, and an aura even colder than the Strange Mist swept out, the Void Realm collapsing inch by inch, as nine pitch-black Dragon shadows roared out from the cracks—nine Profound Fiend Dragons!
Each Profound Dragon's body was as vast as a mountain range, with blood-colored runes flowing on their pitch-black scales, and their Dragon eyes were crimson, like spirits of destruction crawling out of the abyss. Their Dragon roars shook the Starry Sky, enveloping another strange planet and washing it away.
"Soul Banner, appear!"
The Soul Devouring Demon God unleashed his Soul Banner, and as the banner unfurled, it formed a terrifying Soul-absorbing vortex. Countless grayish-white spiritual bodies were forcibly pulled out from within the strange objects, and in their mournful wails, they were devoured by the Soul Banner. With each strange spirit devoured, a grayish-white pattern appeared on the vengeful Soul of the Soul Banner.
"Golden Crow Purifies the World!"
The Golden Crow Lamp in Celestial Venerable Fentian's hand surged, and the phantom of a three-legged Golden Crow spread its wings and cried out. The scorching true Sun Fire transformed into nine fire Dragons, burning away all the Strange Mist along the way. The Strange Tree remnants affected by the flames twisted frantically, emitting screams similar to living beings.
Grand Profound Sword Revered pointed his fingers like a sword, and the Grand Profound Ancient Sword in his hand emitted a clear sword cry: "Break!"
With a simple direct thrust, the sword light split into thousands, each Sword Qi precisely hitting the core of the strange object's annual rings, completely annihilating an entire strange creature.
Mind Clarity Holy Monk sat cross-legged in the Void Realm, the Buddha Wheel behind his head illuminating all directions: "Om Mani Padme Hum!"
The Six-Syllable Mantra transformed into golden Sanskrit characters and suppressed them. The Strange Mist of an entire planet was enveloped by the Buddha Domain, and the grayish-white bark on its surface continuously peeled off, revealing its original form that had not been completely corroded inside.
"Stars of the Heavens, stabilize!"
The Star Dome Old Ancestor held up a star disk with both hands, and countless star-light chains descended from the Void Realm. The starlight condensed into chains, wrapping around the Strange Mist attempting to escape, forcibly suppressing the will within the Strange Mist.
Seventy-two leaves flew out from the Azure Emperor's sleeve, forming an Innate Azure Wood Great Array in the air. Wherever the vibrant green light reached, the grayish-white bark peeled off, revealing the decaying earth veins beneath.
But soon, everyone discovered that the purified areas would quickly be covered by new Strange Mist. After countless strange objects died, they gathered together, forming a strange sea, each drawing power from the earth veins to achieve Rebirth.
"No, this Star Domain has been made strange by it. If we can't find the location of its true Body, it will be able to be reborn endlessly!" The Star Dome Old Ancestor's face was grim, and he said painfully.
"Then what should we do? If this continues, we'll just be worn to death!"
The Blood Prison Demon God retracted his Blood Sea, his face grim. He stared at the endlessly regenerating Strange Mist, his eyes flashing with ferocity, yet also with a hint of fear.
The Bone Emperor Demon God's white bone throne floated in the air, and he said eerily, "Since it cannot be completely destroyed, then Seal it directly! We will join forces to cast another Seal and completely suppress it!"
"No!" The Azure Emperor immediately rejected, "The Strange Tree's power can corrode all things. No matter how strong the Seal, it will eventually be assimilated by it, and then it will instead become its nourishment!"
"Then what do you suggest?!" The Bone Emperor Demon God roared angrily, his white bone throne trembling, clearly having lost patience.
"Burn everything!" Golden flames flickered in Celestial Venerable Fentian's eyes, and he said coldly, "Since it can be reborn, then burn this entire Star Domain to ashes! I will use the 'Great Sun Golden Crow True Flame' as a guide, activating the power of the Sun Star Core, turning this place into a sea of fire, and see how it can regenerate!"
"Absurd!" Grand Profound Sword Revered coldly interrupted, "The Strange Tree has taken root in the Star Domain; burning it will only accelerate its spread! Moreover, if the Sun Star Core is detonated, the Laws of the entire Immortal Spirit Realm will be affected, and it might even trigger a chain collapse!"
"Do you have any other methods? Are you all helpless against this?" The Blood Prison Demon God roared impatiently, the Blood Sea beneath his feet churning, clearly unable to restrain his killing intent.
"Hehehe... helpless? Not necessarily." A cold voice, as if countless Soul fragments were rubbing against each other, sounded. The Soul Devouring Demon God retracted his dim, grayish-white patterned Soul Banner, his crimson eyes sweeping over the constantly surging and regenerating sea of Strange Mist, "This thing is neither alive nor dead, existing between reality and illusion, more like a... twisted will aggregation. Physical destruction, energy burning, Law Sealing, are all like scratching an itch. Perhaps 'will' needs to break 'will'!"
"Old Ghost Soul Devouring, what is your brilliant idea?" The Bone Emperor Demon God's white bone knuckles tapped the armrest of his throne, making a hollow clicking sound.
"I wouldn't dare call it brilliant." The Soul Devouring Demon God licked his lips, Soul fire flickering in his eyes, "My Soul Banner devours thousands of vengeful Souls, and is best at eroding and twisting consciousness. Although this Strange Tree's will is strong, as it corrodes all things, it must also be tainted with the Random Thoughts of all spirits, not a solid block. If we can find a weak point in its core will, and attack it with the resentful thoughts of ten thousand Souls, perhaps its will can be temporarily confused and delayed, revealing a flaw!"
"Hmph, easy for you to say!" The Golden Crow Lamp in Celestial Venerable Fentian's palm flickered, trying to dispel the increasingly viscous Strange Mist around him, "You just activated the Soul Banner, and it was instead corroded by that strange spirit, and the vengeful Souls on the banner were all tainted with strangeness! If you try again, I'm afraid you, old ghost, will be assimilated into a strange Puppet first!"
The Soul Devouring Demon God's face sank, but he couldn't refute. With his Soul Banner damaged, he had indeed suffered a backlash.
"Amitabha." Mind Clarity Holy Monk's body was enveloped in Buddhist light, resisting the pervasive corrosion of the Strange Mist: "This object contains great terror and great annihilation; it is not comparable to mere resentment."
"This poor monk observes that its 'will' to corrode all living things and twist Laws is closer to 'nothingness' and 'returning to stillness'. Fellow Daoist Soul Devouring's method may not be the right path. Perhaps it requires the power of great vows and great compassion to awaken the remaining trace of true spiritual light within the corroded objects, attacking from both inside and out..."
"Bald donkey! By the time you awaken the last bit of spiritual light in those wooden lumps, the Immortal Spirit Realm will have become a strange forest!" The Blood Prison Demon God interrupted impatiently.
Grand Profound Sword Revered remained silent for a moment, the ancient sword in his hand humming more rapidly. His gaze was like lightning, scanning the depths of the Strange Mist: "Its regenerative power originates from the earth veins, and even more so from the entire assimilated Star Domain. Cutting off its source of absorption might weaken it."
"How do we cut it off?" The Star Dome Old Ancestor gasped, having expended a great deal of energy activating the grand star summoning art and forcibly suppressing the Strange Mist, "The starlight Spiritual Qi here is all polluted, and the earth veins have been occupied by its root system, becoming part of its power! Our attacks are tantamount to damaging its 'body', and it can naturally quickly absorb nourishment from its 'body' to recover!"
The debate reignited, and the absolute darkness that the Eternal Night Demon God had transformed into quietly hovered, as if observing and thinking, not participating in the discussion.
Celestial Venerable Fentian's golden flames fiercely contended with the Strange Mist, emitting sizzling sounds of dissolution. The eerie Death Qi emanating from the Bone Emperor Demon God's white bone throne even began to be slowly permeated by the Strange Mist.
Despair and anxiety spread like an invisible plague among the powerhouses standing at the peak of the Three Realms. Their methods were heaven-reaching, yet at this moment, they were powerless, as if they had fallen into an invisible quagmire, the more they struggled, the deeper they sank.
Just as the stalemate persisted and the atmosphere was suppressed to the extreme, Li Mu, who had been silently observing with a tight frown, suddenly turned his gaze to the Azure Emperor beside him.
The Azure Emperor's body was enveloped in green light, and the Innate Azure Wood Great Array composed of seventy-two leaves had not been withdrawn. Instead, under his full activation, the light became even purer, filled with the most fundamental power of creation.
Li Mu's gaze penetrated layers of Strange Mist, firmly locking onto a planet that had just been washed by the Blood Prison Demon God's Blood Sea and was now covered by new Strange Mist. Beneath the grayish-white surging surface, the Azure Emperor's Azure Wood Origin power seemed to have captured an extremely faint, extremely hidden... pulsation?
However, the Strange Mist was so dense that the entire Star Domain seemed to be alive, and even Li Mu's Chaos Law Eyes found it difficult to locate its true Body.
"Everyone, can you find a way to lure its true Body out? Perhaps I have a way to cut off its root source!"
Just as the powerhouses were endlessly debating and at their wit's end, Li Mu suddenly spoke. His voice, though soft, was like a thunderclap exploding in everyone's hearts.
Li Mu's voice was not loud, but it was like a thunderclap tearing through the fog of despair, instantly bringing all arguments to a halt. Gazes, whether surprised, scrutinizing, or carrying a last ray of hope, all simultaneously focused on him.
"Little Friend Li! Is that true!"
"Lure it out?" The Blood Prison Demon God's blood-red eyes flickered, and he licked his chapped lips, the surging Blood Sea beneath his feet even slowing slightly: "What evidence do you have for this? That ghost is extremely cunning, hiding its head and showing its tail; even the Star Dome Old Ancestor's star disk couldn't lock onto it! The cost of luring its main body out is not small, so don't waste our efforts."
"Cut off its root source? Even Celestial Venerable Fentian's Golden Crow True Flame couldn't burn away its regeneration. What method do you have to cut off its root source? Are you just talking nonsense?" The Bone Emperor Demon God looked at Li Mu with suspicion, asking with some disbelief.
"Amitabha." Mind Clarity Holy Monk clasped his hands, a hint of inquiry in the flowing Buddhist light: "Donor Li's methods are extraordinary. Do you already have a plan? We will fully cooperate with the method of luring the enemy!"
"The bait needs to be 'tempting' enough to stir its core will." The Eternal Night Demon God said solemnly. (End of Chapter)
