At the bow of the starship, Li Mu stood with his hands behind his back, speeding through the vast Star Domain.
Xue'er stood a step behind him, her delicate hands tightly clenched, her fingertips slightly white from the effort. Her clear, Glass-like eyes were filled with struggle and confusion as they fixed on Li Mu's back.
Xue'er couldn't feel it; she couldn't feel a single emotional fluctuation from Li Mu.
Having slept for several centuries in the Spirit Beast Bracelet's space, Xue'er didn't know what had happened during those years. She only knew that after Li Mu awakened her, they had been speeding through the boundless Star Domain.
The Li Mu of the past had a profound aura. In front of her, his concern, gentleness, and even occasional strictness were like a clear stream under the warm sun, distinctly palpable. His joys, sorrows, and anger needed no words; with her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox Bloodline Divine Ability, she could always capture a ripple of his emotions.
But now, Li Mu stood there, seemingly within reach, yet separated by a vast Star River.
The flowing Chaos Qi, like the strongest barrier, isolated all human-like aura. Li Mu was like a deity overlooking the Star Domain, without sorrow or joy, only a terrifying, absolute indifference and transcendence.
This huge disparity made Xue'er's heart tighten, and an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity and subtle fear quietly grew.
"Li Dage... where are we... going?" Xue'er gathered her courage, asking with a barely perceptible tremor.
"Leaving this realm and heading to the Three Thousand Main Worlds!" Li Mu's voice remained gentle, his tone even carrying a hint of ease, as if he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.
This gentle speech, paired with those unruffled Chaos eyes, created an extremely bizarre sense of detachment.
"Leaving... this realm? Three Thousand Main Worlds?" Xue'er repeated.
Xue'er's heart sank completely. The Li Mu before her seemed to have been completely reshaped by the Chaos Qi, stripped of all emotional ties, leaving only a pure pursuit of a higher, more distant goal. She felt as if she were facing a completely unfamiliar being, wearing Li Mu's skin.
"Li Dage, aren't we going to care about Xiao Jin and Xiao Wa anymore?"
Xue'er's mind reeled. An uncontrollable impulse made her step forward, almost breaking through the invisible Star River barrier, stubbornly meeting Li Mu's indifferent Chaos eyes.
Xue'er's words carried a hint of sharp questioning, more like a call, attempting to penetrate that hard shell and awaken the person sleeping inside.
"Xiao Jin... Xiao Wa..."
Those familiar names, like stones thrown into a stagnant pond, caused Li Mu to pause slightly. The ancient indifference on his face finally showed a crack. His figure subtly halted, as if recalling something. The Chaos light in his pupils vanished, and the expression on his face gradually gained a human touch.
Li Mu's gaze, from the absolute detachment of overlooking the Star Domain, gradually focused, landing on the pale yet stubborn face before him.
Xue'er's tightly pursed lips, trembling eyelashes, and the alarm and worry in her Glass-like eyes clearly reflected in Li Mu's gaze.
Before long, Li Mu's gaze carried a dazedness, as if just awakening, like confirming the authenticity of a rare treasure found again. The coldness receded, and the human warmth, that gentle affection for Xue'er etched into his bones and blood, re-gathered and flowed in Li Mu's eyes.
The Chaos in Li Mu's eyes completely dissipated, replaced by a deep clarity. He saw Xue'er's tense body and anxious expression.
"Are you alright! Did I scare you!"
Li Mu's throat bobbed. He wanted to say something, but ultimately didn't, letting out a sigh of apology instead.
"Li Dage..." Xue'er felt Li Mu's emotions, like a lost child finally finding comfort. She threw herself into Li Mu's arms, excitedly saying, "You just... just now were so scary... it was like... like you became another person..."
"It's my fault!" Li Mu quickly reached out and pulled her into his embrace, apologizing, "Just now... I was too deeply immersed in the Dao Realm and forgot to restrain myself. The Great Dao is emotionless, but that was not my true intention..."
"Xue'er," Li Mu then recounted everything that had happened over the past few centuries: refining the will of the Netherworld's Strange Dao, using it as nourishment, and cultivating the Chaotic Dao Seed through Dao devouring.
"However, the Netherworld's will severed its tail to survive and vanished. After I achieved the Kind Dao Realm, my mind was uneasy, and I had a premonition of great disaster. If I don't leave, it might bring immense danger to the Three Realms. Therefore, I must leave immediately."
Xue'er was inexplicably shocked. She looked up at Li Mu, the water in her Glass-like eyes not yet gone, and asked with concern, "What about Xiao Jin and Xiao Wa...?"
"They're staying," Li Mu interrupted, his tone firm and decisive, allowing no room for doubt. "The path ahead is unpredictable and far more perilous than imagined. If they follow me, they will surely face certain death. In this realm, they still have a sliver of hope. If fate allows... we will meet again in the future."
As his voice fell, Li Mu thought of something. He formed the Spirit Control Contract Seal, his fingers flying, and Chaos Qi condensed at his fingertips, forming several faint blue marks.
"Contract Seal, release!"
With a low shout from Li Mu, the marks silently shattered, turning into specks of starlight and dissipating. A profound Dao power, seizing the opportunity of the contract's dissolution, instantly pierced through the endless Void Realm, reaching deep into the Sea of Consciousness of the four beasts.
On Qi Ling Star, deep within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, ancient trees towered, and miasma swirled.
Xiao Jin was on a steep cliff, his golden eyes sharply scanning the deep ravine below, trying to find the cunning Wolf Demon Emperor to avenge his previous trickery.
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix perched atop an ancient phoenix tree burning with Nirvana Fire, its eyes slightly closed, refining the Origin of the Fire Dao.
The Azure Moon True Dragon was coiled on the peak of a solitary mountain, bathed in the cool moonlight, silver light flowing over its scales as it silently cultivated its Cultivation Technique.
At that very instant, the four beasts simultaneously felt a violent tremor deep within their Divine Soul Origin!
That "Spirit Control Contract Seal," like a life imprint, closely connected to Li Mu, had—snapped without warning!
"Aooo—!" Xiao Wa let out a shrill, distorted roar, suddenly springing up from the swamp. The mud clinging to its body was instantly shaken off by the violent Demonic Qi. Its eyes, always filled with dependence and agility, now held only extreme panic and bewilderment, staring fixedly in the direction from which the contract had broken, as if the entire world's support had crumbled.
"Roar!!!" Xiao Jin on the cliff reacted violently, his golden fur standing on end. Savage Demonic Qi surged skyward, shaking the surrounding hard rock walls into spiderweb-like cracks.
Xiao Jin roared to the sky, the sound waves rolling, filled with the anger of abandonment and endless bewilderment: "The Contract Seal! The Master's Contract Seal shattered? Why?!"
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix let out a sharp Phoenix cry that could pierce metal and shatter stone. The flames on the ancient phoenix tree suddenly surged, turning into a raging sea of fire. Its wings flapped rapidly, its crimson eyes fixed on the direction of the Star Domain where Li Mu had departed.
On the peak of the solitary mountain, the Azure Moon True Dragon's massive Dragon body trembled violently. Its coiled posture instantly tensed like a bow. It suddenly raised its head, its majestic Dragon head looking into the deep night sky. The moonlight in its Dragon eyes flickered wildly, and a low, suppressed Dragon roar, filled with disbelief and deep sorrow, echoed like muffled thunder through the mountains: "Release the contract, why, why, why forcibly release the contract?"
Following the breaking of the Contract Seal was Li Mu's final message, which, using the burst of Chaos Dao power at the moment of release, forcefully penetrated endless spatial barriers and directly imprinted itself deep within their Divine Souls: "A powerful enemy is approaching, and the danger is unpredictable. I intend to leave this realm temporarily to avoid the storm. You all will have a chance to survive if you remain in this realm. Cultivate diligently, reach Perfection, and we shall meet again if fate allows."
The message was clear, cold, and resolute, allowing no room for questioning or reversal.
"No! Master! Don't leave me!" Xiao Wa went completely mad, pawing at the ground, charging desperately in the direction the message came from. Its immense strength shattered ancient trees and giant rocks along the way. It only wanted to catch up, to grasp that ethereal starlight trajectory.
Xiao Jin's furious emotions, after the message entered its Sea of Consciousness, were like being doused with ice water, instantly turning into immense disappointment. Its massive body hunched slightly, its golden eyes losing their usual luster. It murmured, "Powerful enemy... even Master feels... he can't protect us anymore...?"
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix reined in its towering flames. The fire in its crimson eyes flickered violently, finally turning into a suppressed screech, filled with unwillingness, anger, and deep apprehension towards that unknown "powerful enemy."
The Azure Moon True Dragon's Dragon claws dug deep into the mountain rock. Its massive Dragon eyes looked in the direction of the other three beasts, letting out a low, drawn-out summoning Dragon roar. Four powerful Demonic Qi surged skyward, tearing through the miasma, rapidly converging towards a designated spot deep within the mountain range.
Moments later, in a hidden valley.
Xiao Wa lay on the ground, its huge head buried between its front paws, its shoulders subtly heaving, emitting suppressed whimpers. Xiao Jin paced restlessly, its tail sweeping the ground, plowing deep furrows. Golden light flickered in its eyes, filled with savagery and unease.
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix folded its wings, its crimson eyes coldly scanning the Void Realm, as if searching for the unseen threat. The Azure Moon True Dragon coiled in the center, moonlight flowing around its body like water, attempting to stabilize the situation, though deep in its Dragon eyes, a grave expression was undeniable.
"Why? Why did Master do this?" Xiao Jin suddenly stopped, growling, its voice hoarse with anger: "Just because of some damn powerful enemy? We're eighth-rank! We can help! Even if we die, we should die together!"
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix spoke coldly, its voice like clashing metal and stone: "Help? What level of Cultivation does Master possess? If even he feels he must break the contract to secure a sliver of life for us, then that enemy... is likely beyond imagination. If we stay, we might only be a burden, a hindrance to Master."
Xiao Wa suddenly lifted its head, tears streaming down its face, crying out, "Burden? How can we be a burden! Master... Master, does he not want us anymore?!"
"Fool!" Xiao Jin glared furiously at Xiao Wa, but seeing the reluctance in its eyes, it forcibly suppressed its anger, letting out a frustrated growl, and fiercely clawed at the nearby mountain wall, sending shattered rocks flying.
The Azure Moon True Dragon said in a deep voice, "Xiao Wa, calm down. If Master truly intended to abandon us, why would he specifically send a message? Why would he instruct 'Perfection'? Releasing the contract is severing a tail to survive, it's protection! This is Master enduring the contract's backlash himself, severing the Karma connection for us, to prevent that 'powerful enemy' from tracing us through the contract mark!"
The valley fell into a dead silence. Xiao Wa's whimpers stopped, Xiao Jin's anxious pacing also ceased, and even the coldness in the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix's eyes melted a little, a complex emotion appearing on its face.
They all understood the profound meaning in the Azure Moon True Dragon's words. The enemy Master faced was so powerful that even a faint thread of contractual Karma could become a clue for pursuit.
"Contract backlash..." The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix murmured, the flames in its crimson eyes flickering: "Master... he must not be feeling well right now."
The Azure Moon True Dragon's massive Dragon head lowered slightly, its Dragon roar carrying an unprecedented resolve: "Master used his own Cultivation as a guide, to sever our shackles and open a path to life. We... must not fail his expectations!"
The Azure Moon True Dragon raised its head, the moonlight in its Dragon eyes brighter than ever, as if to illuminate the entire valley: "Cultivate diligently, reach Perfection! Within a millennium, we shall achieve it!"
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix was silent for a moment, then Nirvana Fire ignited on its wings again, and star trails flowed within the flames: "Perfection, then seek out Master! Even if powerful enemies surround us, through seas of fire and mountains of blades, we will carve a path!"
The savagery and disappointment in Xiao Jin's eyes were finally replaced by a resolute Battle Intent. It let out a low roar, golden light surging around its body, subtly distorting space: "Become stronger! Become stronger than that damn powerful enemy! Then, bring Master back!"
Xiao Wa fiercely wiped its face with a paw, stood up, and though tears still glistened in its eyes, it showed an unprecedented ferocity, its voice choked but exceptionally clear: "Cultivate! I want to Cultivate the Perfection-Extreme Dao Realm the fastest! Master... wait for me!"
Four powerful Demonic Qi surged and intertwined in the valley, not with confusion or panic, but with the resolve of a heavy mission, gazing in the direction of Li Mu's vanished Star Domain, as if to brand that invisible burden deep within their hearts.
— — — —
Meanwhile, on the starship, Li Mu comforted Xue'er and motioned for her to sit still.
Before his words finished, Li Mu's eyes narrowed. The Chaos Qi around him suddenly surged. He pointed his finger like a sword at the Void Realm in front of him.
Buzz!
A deep, faint light exploded at his fingertip, instantly expanding and spinning, transforming into a massive vortex that devoured light.
At the center of the vortex, countless hazy Chaos currents surged and intertwined. A blurry phantom of a giant tree could vaguely be seen rooted within, its roots piercing into the endless Void Realm, its branches stirring stardust.
The aura emanating from the vortex was ancient and wild, carrying both the annihilation that dissolved all things and the vitality that nurtured all things, two diametrically opposed forces perfectly fused. A violent suction pulled at the starship. The surrounding starlight was distorted and swallowed, and space groaned under the immense strain.
The starship violently shook, transforming into a streak of light, plunging resolutely into that Chaos vortex!
The scene before them instantly collapsed and reassembled, presenting a bizarre, color-distorted Chaos passage. Violent temporal and spatial turbulence, like solid blades, fiercely cut at the starship's shield, emitting a piercing shriek. Countless shattered stellar debris and solidified Law fragments whistled through the passage, colliding and sparking dazzling energy fireworks.
Xue'er's face was slightly pale. She gripped the edge of her seat tightly. The Nine-Tailed Sky Fox's keen sense of crisis made her feel small and terrified in this Chaos. Only Li Mu's figure ahead remained as stable as a mountain on the violently shaking starship, his Chaos Dao power like the most resilient anchor, firmly protecting the starship's core.
Who knows how long passed, perhaps an instant, perhaps a century. The Chaos currents ahead suddenly thinned, and a dazzling bright spot rapidly enlarged!
Boom!
The starship violently broke through the Chaos barrier, like an arrow released from a bow, shooting into a brand new Star Domain.
The view suddenly opened up.
In the boundless Star Domain, the density of stars far exceeded that of the Qi Ling Star Domain. Large stars were like dippers, small stars like sand, densely packed, weaving into a brilliant tapestry of Star Rivers. The starlight here was extremely bright, emitting a vast Law aura distinct from the Spirit Realm—heavy, ancient, with a primitive sense of oppression.
Distant nebulae displayed magnificent and peculiar colors, as if containing endless mysteries. Further away, vague outlines of unimaginably massive celestial bodies could be seen, emanating a terrifying pressure. (End of Chapter)
