Translator: CinderTL
Over a hundred Heart Demons.
Now that his Life Level had increased, the experience granted by Heart Demons had diminished. However...
If he could annihilate all hundred of them, it would still push his Life Level more than halfway to the next tier.
As expected, reaching Life Level 34 would propel him into the Dharma Manifestation Domain.
In this realm, both Mind Power and the power of laws would grow exponentially. Using Divine Sense, Qi, Mystical Powers, and the laws themselves, cultivators could construct their own unique Dharma Manifestation, then manifest it into reality by anchoring it with their Mind Power.
A Great Power who achieved this step would see their offensive and destructive capabilities reach a new pinnacle.
Previously, a Void Refinement cultivator who had only recently grasped the power of laws might face backlash from the Dao Rhythm of a top-tier Lesser Thousand World, even risking death upon entering.
But now, a Void Refinement expert who had mastered the Dharma Manifestation could easily shatter the Dao Rhythm of any Lesser Thousand World, regardless of its intensity. By simply unfurling their Dharma Manifestation, they could crush the Dao Rhythm's resistance, tearing the entire Lesser Thousand World apart and plunging it into destruction.
Having reached this stage, he believed his already rapidly advancing comprehension of laws and his Mind Realm would undoubtedly ascend to an entirely new level.
"Over a hundred Heart Demons... The Hong Clan likely has only two or three True Monarchs who have comprehended Mind Power, like Hong Yan, right? Even if they're concealing some or possess hidden reserves, let's assume they have four or five Mind Power-level True Monarchs. Can they withstand the counterattack of over a hundred Heart Demons?" Li Chunjun asked.
"That's currently unclear. But based on our observations, the Hong Clan is consolidating its forces," True Monarch Huang Tian replied. "It's similar to how the Wood Spirit Empire is withdrawing its elite troops to the Imperial Capital."
Then... they were trapped and overwhelmed by the Heart Demons.
If the Azure Star Minor Realm hadn't intervened to provide reinforcements, they would have been completely annihilated.
"Has the Hong Clan requested our assistance?" Li Chunjun inquired.
"Um... no, they haven't."
"Hmm." Li Chunjun nodded slightly. "The Hong Clan is ultimately part of the Human Race. Moreover, we both originated from the Azure Sea Domain. In a sense, we're compatriots stranded in foreign lands. We must treat them with due respect."
"Respect?" True Monarch Huang Tian paused, puzzled. "Sword Master, what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Since we must respect the Hong Clan's sovereignty over their Lesser Thousand World, we cannot rashly deploy troops to interfere in their internal affairs without their permission," Li Chunjun stated.
"Uh..." True Monarch Huang Tian was taken aback by this, but then he realized...
Maybe this isn't so bad after all?
After all, when they had previously visited the Hong Clan's Lesser Thousand World, the Hong Clan themselves had refused their assistance.
"You should focus your time and energy on repairing the Golden Crow Battleship and honing your mental fortitude," Li Chunjun continued. "Prepare yourself to continue your breakthrough into the Mind Realm as soon as possible."
"Prepare to continue my breakthrough into the Mind Realm?!" True Monarch Huang Tian's heart skipped a beat, and an uncontrollable surge of joy welled up in his eyes. "Swordmaster Li, are you saying... I still have a chance?"
"While Heart Demons are precious commodities in the outside world—most Primordial Spirit True Monarchs consider it a monumental stroke of luck to obtain even one for their cultivation—we're currently in the heart of Heart Demon territory, essentially their natural breeding ground. Do you really think we'll run short of Heart Demons here?" Li Chunjun chuckled.
Hearing Li Chunjun's words, True Monarch Huang Tian nodded emphatically. "I will not disappoint the Sword Master again."
Li Chunjun quickly put the Hong Clan's affairs behind him.
He devoted his time and energy to comprehending the profound mysteries of the Spatial Laws while awaiting news from Su Fang.
However, before Su Fang's report arrived, Yu Jin and his group had already reached the Azure Star Minor Realm.
Simultaneously, dozens of Fifth-Tier Wood Spirits arrived, ready to join the repair efforts for the Golden Crow Battleship.
These Wood Spirits would also awaken Ancient Trees and reshape the Azure Star Minor Realm's climate, allowing ordinary beings in the sheltered cities to venture beyond the protective arrays.
As every moment counted, Su Fang's team also reached a new Lesser Thousand World.
But the message Su Fang sent back left Li Chunjun with a grave expression.
Within the holographic projection cast by specialized equipment, Su Fang piloted his warship through the Lesser Thousand World at breakneck speed, exploiting its superior velocity to swiftly traverse the desolate realm.
The entire Lesser Thousand World was eerily silent, devoid of any discernible signs of life. The landscape was littered with cracks and shattered ruins, their weathered appearance suggesting they had been there for at least a month or two.
"This Lesser Thousand World suffered catastrophic losses," Su Fang explained grimly. "Most of these marks were left by the Cosmic Quake. In other words, they couldn't withstand it. Their arrival in this starry sky was purely due to luck, as evidenced by the near-total fragmentation of the realm."
"But surviving the Cosmic Quake exhausted their luck," he continued. "Upon reaching this Starfield, they were immediately assailed by Heart Demons. The already decimated civilization was swiftly driven to annihilation."
"Extinct."
Li Chunjun, along with Huang Tian, Zuo Cheng, and others who had gathered before the holographic display, watched the warship's reconnaissance footage in solemn silence.
The entire Lesser Thousand World was scarred by the marks of its near destruction, as if the very fabric of reality had been rent asunder.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and hurricanes ravaged the Lesser Thousand World. Massive continental plates slid into the oceans during the seismic onslaught. Countless rivers of magma, miles wide, flowed across the land like the world's own spilled blood.
Amidst the crumbling ruins, traces of a once-flourishing civilization could still be seen. Grand architectural complexes, bearing striking similarities to Human designs, testified to the civilization's former glory. But now, all that remained was history.
As Huang Tian, Zuo Cheng, and the others gazed upon this Lesser Thousand World, they couldn't help but imagine their own fate. If they didn't have the Golden Crow Battleship, if Swordmaster Li hadn't been with them... would they ultimately share the same fate as this doomed world?
The Dao Resonance Barrier had been torn apart by spatial storms. Even if the Lesser Thousand World had miraculously survived its fall into this Starfield intact, the relentless corruption of the Heart Demon would have extinguished all life. Just as it had here.
Once the last traces of Dao Rhythm dissipated from the Lesser Thousand World, leaving its shattered barrier behind, it would be completely exposed to the harsh environment of the Cosmic Void. Subjected to relentless cosmic radiation and meteoroid impacts, it would gradually transform into a barren, lifeless husk.
Apart from some mineral resources useful to low-level cultivators, the Lesser Thousand World would never warrant a second glance from anyone.
Fortunately, they had endured. Under Swordmaster Li's leadership, they had weathered the most perilous period.
Now, everything was improving.
After observing the projected images for a long while, Li Chunjun finally asked, "Are there still Heart Demons in this Lesser Thousand World?"
"Yes, but their density is extremely low," Su Fang replied. "My warship has swept the planet three times and detected only ten Heart Demons. They've already caught up to us and are giving chase."
He added, "It seems these Heart Demons have completely devoured all surviving lifeforms on the planet. With no suitable hosts left, they ventured into the starry sky in search of new targets."
"New targets?" Zuo Cheng's expression turned grave.
"Exactly. This species was also capable of building warships. They assimilated the most powerful individuals of the original civilization, commandeered their vessels, and fled into deep space. Judging by the traces they left behind..."
Su Fang swiped his hand, and a simple star map appeared. "Their new target is the Hong Clan's Lesser Thousand World!"
"The Hong Clan's Lesser Thousand World..." Zuo Cheng and Huang Tian exchanged peculiar glances.
They were well aware of the dire straits of the Hong Clan's Lesser Thousand World. If this new wave of Heart Demons were also to descend upon it...
Would the difficulty suddenly escalate from hard to hellish?
No!
It would surge from hellish to apocalyptic!
The Hong Clan's Lesser Thousand World, already besieged by hundreds of Heart Demons, was showing signs of buckling.
"Wait! This architectural style..." True Monarch Huang Tian suddenly seemed to recognize something.
He abruptly turned to Li Chunjun. "Sword Master, could you summon Princess Elsa of the Wood Spirit Clan? I've been delving into their databases these past few days to better understand their culture and customs. These structures... they resemble those of the Immortal God Race."
"The Immortal God Race?" Li Chunjun asked, surprised. "The overlords of this starry sky?"
"I can't be certain, but the architectural similarities are striking."
"The Wood Spirit Clan should know more about this," True Monarch Huang Tian said.
Li Chunjun immediately spread his Divine Sense, quickly locating Elsa.
Before long, the Wood Spirit Empress arrived swiftly, showing no signs of delay.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Elsa said, bowing respectfully as she approached.
Li Chunjun waved his hand. "Examine the architectural style and the remnants of this Lesser Thousand World. Can you identify the race that built it?"
"The Immortal God Race!" Elsa declared without hesitation after a brief glance. "Your Majesty, this is a Lesser Thousand World under their control!"
"So it really is the Immortal God Race," Li Chunjun murmured, surveying the ruined Lesser Thousand World. He was surprised, yet it made perfect sense.
The Starquake had involved three Great Worlds. With Lesser Thousand Worlds belonging to both the Human Race and the Divine Race having fallen, it was only logical that one from the Immortal God Race would be among them.
"If it's the Immortal God Race," Zuo Cheng suddenly remarked, "there might still be survivors in this Lesser Thousand World. After all, they should be very familiar with the Land of Buried Demons and have their own methods for evading Heart Demons."
Li Chunjun nodded in agreement. If there were survivors, it would simplify matters considerably. The Immortal God Race remained the overlords of this starfield, possessing the most comprehensive understanding of the region. Their assistance would be invaluable for escaping the Land of Buried Demons, traversing the starry sky, crossing the Great World of the Gods, and returning to Human Territory.
Without hesitation, he instructed Su Fang, "Scour the Lesser Thousand World again. Draw out every last Heart Demon. Liu Feng, position yourself outside the realm and provide me with a descent point. I'll handle these Heart Demons myself."
He paused, adding, "And... I'll have a word with the Immortal Gods."
(End of the Chapter)
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