Chapter 999 - 520: Fierce Battle with the Night Emperor (Part 1)

Chapter 999: Chapter 520: Fierce Battle with the Night Emperor (Part 1)

Hearing this, Li Mu couldn’t help but feel a flash of joy, along with a surge of pride. These two Nine Nether Whales had indeed played quite a role, saving him much effort during this Lost Course. Especially after he placed the Contract Seal on the other Nine Nether Whale as well, letting the two travel in tandem, their strength doubled, driving off many Star Beast Groups.

Next, Master Qingyang explained to Li Mu in detail the route of the flight to Qiling Star.

Just as Li Mu was listening attentively and committing Master Qingyang’s explanation to memory, a violent tremor suddenly came from beneath Dark Spirit Star. Immediately after, an unprecedentedly powerful surge of Yin Sha Power erupted forth; the Yin Sha Qi was thick and bone-chillingly cold, in an instant permeating the entire surface of the planet.

Li Mu and Master Qingyang’s expressions changed drastically at the same time; they immediately realized the abnormality of this Yin Sha Power.

Master Qingyang swiftly withdrew his remnant soul back into the Soul Realm Pearl, lest it be eroded by this power, while Li Mu urgently had the two Nine Nether Whales pull away from Dark Spirit Star, preparing to meet whatever danger might occur.

Li Mu’s mighty Divine Thought instantly covered the entire Dark Spirit Star, attempting to pierce through that heavy layer of Yin Sha Qi and seek out the origin of the tremor. However, that Yin Sha Power seemed to possess life, madly devouring and twisting his Divine Thought, making Li Mu’s probing incomparably difficult.

Just then, a low and ancient voice, as if rising from beneath the Nine Netherworld, pierced through the barrier of Yin Sha Qi and directly struck back at Li Mu’s Divine Thought’s prying: "Bold junior, you dare disturb this emperor’s cultivation in quietude? Leave your life here!"

Li Mu’s heart tightened. It seemed he had inadvertently angered an Integration Powerhouse hidden on Dark Spirit Star. He hurriedly withdrew his Divine Thought while driving the Nine Nether Whales to accelerate, intending to get far away from this dangerous place.

However, that Yin Sha Power clearly did not plan to let him go so easily. It condensed in midair into a giant hand, reaching straight for Li Mu and the Nine Nether Whales.

"Senior, please stay your wrath. This junior bears no ill intent, only strayed into this place by mistake, and will leave at once!" Li Mu sent a thought in reply. At the same time, with a wave of his hand, a Spirit Talisman flew from his body.

In an instant, taking the Spirit Talisman as its core, it turned into a five-colored vortex, gathering the scarce Spiritual Power existing throughout the Star Realm, and transformed into a Five Elements Light Shield, radiating multicolored light. It collided head-on with that giant hand condensed from Yin Sha Qi.

With a thunderous "boom," a heaven-shaking roar rang out. Dazzling radiance swept across the entire Dark Spirit Star; the scene was utterly vast and magnificent.

Inside the Soul Realm Pearl, Master Qingyang watched the situation outside. Seeing this, he was utterly stupefied.

Master Qingyang’s whole being trembled, his heart surging with indescribable shock and curiosity, muttering to himself: "This kid actually carries such a heaven-defying Spirit Talisman. Could it be an ancient relic? Or personally refined by some Great Power, born specifically to ward off evil spirits?"

As the Five Elements Light Shield and the Yin Sha Giant Hand clashed fiercely, the entire Dark Spirit Star seemed to be trembling, even Space itself twisted.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, that seemingly fragile Five Elements Light Shield actually displayed astonishing tenacity and strength at the crucial moment, forcibly keeping the Yin Sha Giant Hand outside, not allowing it to advance even an inch.

"Hmph, you think a mere Spirit Talisman can stop me?" That low and ancient voice sounded again, carrying a trace of anger and unwillingness. But this time, within that Integration Cultivator’s voice there was also a hint of gravity; he did not strike immediately, clearly somewhat apprehensive of Li Mu’s methods.

"Senior, this junior truly had no intention of disturbance. If you would raise your noble hand and allow me to leave, how would that be? I swear upon my Dao Path that I will never disclose to the outside world that you cultivate here in quietude." Li Mu lowered his stance, his tone full of sincere intent. He truly did not wish to provoke an unknown, powerful existence.

For Dark Spirit Star to have become so desolate, filled with Death Qi and saturated with Yin Sha Power, was clearly the doing of this Integration Demon Cultivator. Who knew what kind of Evil Technique he cultivated here, what unspeakable purpose he harbored? However, Li Mu only wished to return to Qiling Star smoothly, and did not want to be drawn into a dispute that had nothing to do with him.

Having spoken, Li Mu summoned the Spirit Talisman back and drove the two Nine Nether Whales to swiftly flee this place of right and wrong.

The two Nine Nether Whales seemed to sense their master’s urgency as well, and with tacit understanding swung their enormous bodies, tracing brilliant trajectories through the Starry Sky, their speed so great that they were almost impossible to track.

However, the other party clearly did not intend to let Li Mu have his way. A group of Dragon Corpses suddenly shot out from Dark Spirit Star, with lightning speed surrounding Li Mu and the two Nine Nether Whales, locking them in and giving chase in entangled battle.

The speed of the two Nine Nether Whales dropped sharply. Each True Dragon Corpse was wreathed in dense Yin Sha Qi, its eyes flashing with ghostly green light, like terrifying creatures awakened from some ancient abyss. Though they were dead, under the drive of some Evil Power they retained the formidable might they possessed in life, and even surpassed it, fearing no death and no pain. The whales simply could not shake them off.

Not long after, a middle-aged cultivator in a black Emperor’s Robe rode upon a massive Dragon Corpse, slowly flying out from the shadows of Dark Spirit Star. His features were stern, his gaze revealing unquestionable authority and cold ruthlessness.

With the appearance of the Emperor’s Robe Integration Demon Cultivator, even the surrounding Space seemed to solidify for an instant. Those ferocious Dragon Corpses became even more frenzied at his presence, yet also more orderly as they encircled the two Nine Nether Whales, like a pack of hounds hemming in their prey, awaiting their master’s kill.

"Hmph, a mere Void Refining Cultivator, daring to trespass upon this emperor’s domain, and you wish to leave without leaving anything behind?" The Integration Demon Cultivator gazed at Li Mu with disdain, as though looking at an ant.

"Night Emperor - Di Tianxing?"

With the Integration Demon Cultivator’s emergence, the remnant soul of Master Qingyang within the Soul Realm Pearl unleashed a violent Divine Soul fluctuation, transmitting to Li Mu with disbelief and shock.

"Hm?"

Di Tianxing’s eyes narrowed, fixing upon the Soul Realm Pearl floating before Li Mu. Sensing Master Qingyang’s Divine Thought fluctuations, he ordered Li Mu: "Interesting. You actually know my origins. Boy, toss that Soul Stone over here, and this emperor can spare your life."

Master Qingyang had once been an Integration Great Power, an Alchemy Saint Master. After his fall, his remnant soul slumbered within the Soul Realm Pearl for ten thousand years. That he could recognize the other’s identity at a glance, at this moment, how could Li Mu not realize that the opponent was an old monster whose name had already been no small thing ten thousand years ago?

"Senior, this junior intended no offense. This item cannot be lightly handed over to another. Moreover, there is no grievance between us; I merely stumbled here by mistake. I beg senior to raise your noble hand and spare this junior a path of survival." Li Mu politely refused, speaking earnestly.

"Very good. It has been many years since anyone dared defy me. Go die!"

Di Tianxing let out a cold laugh, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he was extremely displeased by Li Mu’s refusal. He lightly waved his hand, and the surrounding Yin Sha Qi instantly went into Frenzy, transforming into countless black chains which, as though alive, rushed to coil around Li Mu, arriving in an instant.

Facing this sudden attack, Li Mu’s expression shifted slightly, yet he did not panic. With a broad sweep of his hand, nine Tier Seven Combat Puppets appeared. Each held a Spirit Sword, their bodies surrounded by a faint halo of Spiritual Power, clearly products refined and reinforced with utmost care.

The instant the nine Tier Seven Combat Puppets appeared, they immediately acted according to Li Mu’s will, soaring into the air. They spread out, each occupying a favorable position, forming a solid line of defense.

"Nine-Star Sword Array, activate!" Li Mu rapidly formed Sealing hand signs with both hands, murmuring in a low voice:

In accordance with Li Mu’s command, the nine Tier Seven Combat Puppets seemed to be Awakening by Star Power. They rose into the sky, each occupying one of nine positions corresponding to the arrangement of the Nine Heavens stars. The Spirit Swords in the hands of each Puppet radiated brilliant light; these rays intertwined, forming a complex and mysterious Sword Array pattern, like the most dazzling star map in the night sky.

Within the Nine-Star Sword Array, sword-light wove like threads, Sword Intent rampaged. Every beam of sword-light contained Star Power: some rotated like wheels, slicing through Space; others converged into rivers, crashing against the enemy formation. They cooperated with perfect tacit understanding, Sword Techniques flowing endlessly, unleashing the Sword Array’s power to the utmost. Interlacing into a complex and exquisite Sword Net, they intercepted each of those black chains one by one, ringing out with peals of Gold Iron clashing.

Amid the flicker of sword-light, not only did they effectively ward off the invasion of the Yin Sha Qi, there was even a faint tendency toward counterattack.

Seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Di Tianxing’s eyes, and he fell briefly silent. He had clearly not expected Li Mu to possess such a trump card, nor that a few Puppets could so easily break his Technique.