Translator: CinderTL
This time, the aurora special forces searched for Li Chunjun with an almost earth-shattering intensity. They even contacted numerous Supreme Sages and experts in tracking Dharma Aspects to figure out how he had escaped their encirclement.
The result?
Still very few useful clues.
Of course, this was due to the limited time.
If these Supreme Sages and Dharma Aspect experts had been given more time, they would have realized that Li Chunjun's ability to move freely through the Star Abyss was related to the Star Abyss itself.
But for now...
On one hand, they had never encountered such a situation before. On the other, their information was limited, and their time for divination was short. As a result, no one could explain Li Chunjun's repeated disappearances. They could only assume he possessed a Dao Artifact even more special than the aurora special forces' own, allowing him to traverse and conceal himself within the Star Abyss even faster.
Just like how he had accelerated the ripening of the Profound Yellow Dao Fruit in the Profound Yellow Vast Land back then.
Star Abyss.
The six members of the Aurora Special Forces, covered in dust and grime, stared at the projection of Sect Master Yuan Taiji emanating from the communication artifact.
Even before he spoke, they could sense the deep disappointment in his expression.
Yuan Taiji seemed to want to say something.
To reprimand them.
But the words caught in his throat.
After a long silence, he finally said, "Suspend all operations."
A flicker of helplessness crossed the eyes of the Supreme Sage-level Sect Master of the Wu Ji Sect. "The Star Abyss's constraints severely limit our sect's power. From now on, we will cease our attempts to intercept Li Chunjun and focus solely on defense."
"Forgive us, Sect Master. We have failed you."
The six members of the Aurora Special Forces bowed their heads in shame.
"No! This has nothing to do with you. It's simply that Li Chunjun's strength exceeded our expectations, and he proved far too cunning and treacherous."
Yuan Taiji shook his head. "I will coordinate with the Heavenly Principles Sect to send a Supreme Dharma Aspect into the Star Abyss. After sacrificing so many Void Refining cultivators, we should have realized long ago that using them against him was nothing more than sending our sect's core strength to their pointless deaths."
Although void refining cultivators weren't part of the wu ji sect's decision-making core, they were the most crucial element in expanding the sect's influence.
Any realm region, any perilous land, any resource point—as long as a void refining cultivator was stationed there, security was guaranteed.
That stability and reliability far surpassed what tens of thousands, even tens of thousands of primordial spirit true monarchs could offer.
"Isn't the heavenly principles sect's stance rather firm? What if they refuse to agree? He killed so many of our people—are we just going to let it go like that?"
A member of the aurora special forces spoke, his voice tinged with resentment.
"Let it go? How can we just let it go!"
Yuan Taiji said heavily, "With so many void refining cultivators dead or injured, even if I wanted to let it go, the forces behind them would never allow it!"
He paused, his eyes filled with gravity. "The key issue is... at this point, even if we wanted to let it go, it's probably too late."
"Too late?"
The aurora special forces members were slightly stunned.
What did he mean by "even if we wanted to let it go, it's probably too late"?
"Li Chunjun's growth rate!" Yuan Taiji said.
Recalling the information Li Chunjun had revealed, even the Wu Ji Sect's Sect Master, a Supreme Sage just one step away from the Dao of Separation and Union, couldn't help but shudder.
"Too fast!" he said heavily.
Then, unable to resist, he repeated, "Li Chunjun's growth is too fast! Before the Void Refinement Realm, I won't even mention it. But after entering the Void Refinement Realm, how long did it take him to go from a novice to possessing peak void refining combat power? Three years? Five years? And now that he's entered the Star Abyss... If you observe closely, you'll see he's growing stronger every single moment!"
Hearing their Sect Master's words, the Aurora Special Forces members recalled the information they had on Li Chunjun and the changes they had witnessed during their two brief encounters with him. Their pupils suddenly contracted.
Growing stronger every single moment!
At first, he hadn't even dared to confront Zhuo Long's team head-on!
Then, he had nearly fought Mo He's team to a mutual defeat!
Later, a team of over a dozen Void Refining cultivators had been completely unable to touch him, and he had hunted them down at will.
Even now, a team of over thirty void refining cultivators could be instantly defeated by him!
This growth...
Was visible to the naked eye!
Before, they had suspected that li chunjun might have been hiding his true strength, feigning weakness to lure them into a trap.
But now...
They no longer believed that.
Considering li chunjun's astonishing, almost unbelievable growth trajectory...
The theory that he was constantly growing stronger seemed the most plausible.
At this thought, even the members of the aurora special forces, each once a Heaven's Chosen and a peerless void refining cultivator aiming for the supreme dharma aspect, felt a chill run down their spines.
"How is this possible..."
"How could such a genius exist in this world?"
"Is this growth something a normal human prodigy could achieve?"
Several members of the aurora special forces couldn't help but speak.
They were already considered the brightest stars in the entire sect, shining brightly even across the profound yellow great world. Yet before li chunjun...
They were like fireflies compared to the bright moon!
Like mayflies gazing at the vast sky!
Can the gap between people really be this vast?!
Yuan Taiji remained silent.
In the past month, he had repeatedly reviewed Li Chunjun's information countless times.
A theory had formed in his mind.
Li Chunjun's recent reappearance had solidified his conviction in this theory.
It had even reached the point where...
it was worth risking everything for.
The Flaming Phoenix Bloodline...
Thoughts raced through his mind.
It was the "Flaming Phoenix Bloodline" that had sparked his theory.
Could Li Chunjun's talent truly still be described as "human"?
No!
No human could achieve such feats!
Not even a Special Life could be this extraordinary!
Coupled with the early revelation of the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline's divine properties, one couldn't help but wonder: Was the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline in his veins truly just a bloodline power?
Or perhaps...
a descendant of the Undying Flaming Phoenix!
Or even...
a newly emerged Innate Divine Being!?
Though this Innate Divine Being had yet to reach its peak.
"Regardless, the Wu Ji Sect has suffered such heavy losses in Void Refining cultivators. The sect cannot let this matter rest! As the Sect Master, I bear ultimate responsibility for this major misstep during my tenure. To bring this matter to a complete resolution, I will personally journey to the Star Abyss to settle accounts with Li Chunjun!"
Yuan Taiji turned to the six sons of Aurora: "But before that, I need you to keep Li Chunjun under constant surveillance, ensuring his movements remain within your control."
At these words, the six members of the Aurora Special Forces were visibly shaken.
"Sect Master, you're going to the Star Abyss!?"
"This... could escalate the situation into an all-out war between the Wu Ji Sect and the Profound Yellow Sect!"
"Why would we need the Sect Master to personally intervene for a mere Li Chunjun?"
While they, too, resented the sect's losses in Void Refining cultivators and yearned for revenge, they understood that Yuan Taiji's involvement and direct confrontation with Li Chunjun would raise the probability of war between the Wu Ji Sect and the Profound Yellow Sect to nearly ninety percent!
Even though the Wu Ji Sect was stronger than the Profound Yellow Sect, crushing the Profound Yellow Sect's main forces would inevitably leave the Wu Ji Sect severely weakened, potentially leading to its complete withdrawal from the historical stage of the Profound Yellow Great World.
To risk the sect's future for a mere Li Chunjun...
It's not worth it!
"Everyone assumes the Wu Ji Sect wouldn't dare strike decisively to eliminate Li Chunjun with thunderous force. But we will do exactly that."
Yuan Taiji spoke calmly. "Besides... don't forget, compared to the Profound Yellow Sect, we are the stronger party. When did the desperate last stand of the weak ever force the powerful to retreat step by step?"
The six sons of Aurora exchanged glances.
"I trust you, which is why I entrusted you with monitoring Li Chunjun's movements."
Yuan Taiji looked at them sternly. "You failed to kill him, but merely tracking his movements... I trust you won't disappoint me again, will you?"
Seeing the Sect Master's unwavering trust and fueled by their own resentment from being repeatedly outmaneuvered by Li Chunjun, they didn't hesitate. They replied firmly, "We will do our utmost! Once Li Chunjun appears, we'll pull out all the stops to mark him, ensuring we can track his movements no matter where he hides."
"Good."
Yuan Taiji nodded.
The sect master ended the communication and began preparations for a potential all-out war with the Profound Yellow Sect.
Meanwhile, in the Star Abyss, the six sons of Aurora...
Shortly after the communication ended, one of the team members suddenly pulled out a message jade talisman and said urgently, "Li Chunjun has appeared again!"
This news stunned the captain of the Aurora Special Forces. "To avoid losses, we've gathered all our squads, over a hundred Void Refining cultivators in one place. How dare he show up here?!"
"No! He didn't attack our Wu Ji Sect team! This time, his target is the Heavenly Palace!"
The team member quickly added, "This is a distress signal from the Heavenly Palace!"
He then added, "They've been battling Li Chunjun for dozens of breaths, and over a dozen Void Refining cultivators have fallen. They're only asking for our help because Li Chunjun's power is simply overwhelming!"
"Fools!"
The Aurora Special Forces captain couldn't help but curse.
While the Wu Ji Sect and the Heavenly Palace had agreed to cooperate in hunting down Li Chunjun, they had been acting independently.
Moreover, compared to the Wu Ji Sect, which had clashed with Li Chunjun multiple times and deeply understood his terrifying power, the Heavenly Palace's understanding of his strength...
News from the Wu Ji Sect had been shared with them.
While this allowed them to receive Li Chunjun's battle records immediately, it was ultimately hearsay. How could it compare to firsthand experience in terms of deterrence?
Refusing to believe the rumors, they had needlessly sacrificed so many Void Refining cultivators.
But the Heavenly Palace's heavy losses were welcome.
If the Wu Ji Sect were to go to war with the Profound Yellow Sect later, the Heavenly Palace, fueled by the accumulated resentment of the Void Refining Elder Council, would undoubtedly stand firmly on their side.
Even if they lacked powerful cultivators in the Profound Yellow Great World, their immense influence within the Immortal Alliance would grant them significant moral and political advantages.
Thinking this, the Aurora Special Forces captain sneered, "No need to rush. Let them suffer even greater losses first!"
"We shouldn't delay too long, though. If our reinforcements arrive even slightly late, the Heavenly Palace might resent us."
A team member reminded him.
The Aurora Special Forces captain nodded, understanding the delicate balance at play.
After a slight delay—presumably after the Heavenly Palace had suffered heavy losses—they finally feigned a full-speed rescue operation, charging out of the Star Abyss and hurtling towards the Heavenly Palace team's coordinates.
(End of the Chapter)
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