Chapter 179: The Power of the Star Realm

Heavenly Star Mountain Range – Star Realm.

A towering surge of black flames suddenly erupted above the Star Realm, its rippling heat waves blotting out the starlight overhead. In just moments, the sky was engulfed in a dome of black fire.

The flickering black flames emitted a terrifying suction force, greedily devouring the energy within the Star Realm. In the blink of an eye, those within the realm sensed a faint devouring pressure descending from above.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…"

From atop a high tower, several figures burst into the sky. At the forefront stood a brawny middle-aged man, nearly three meters tall, with muscles like forged steel. Raw, terrifying power radiated from his form.

Trailing behind him were six others—five men and one woman—each exuding overwhelming energy fluctuations.

"Hah!"

Upon spotting the figure within the black flames above, the middle-aged man wasted no words. With a shout, he unleashed a surge of vast Dou Qi, which instantly condensed into a massive glowing energy palm. Shimmering with a radiant light, it struck toward the black-flame intruder.

An unauthorized intrusion into the Star Realm—especially one siphoning away its energy—required no deliberation. Capture on sight.

Power gathered in the sky above, coalescing almost immediately into an energy storm. The enormous luminous palm unleashed such immense force that the very void of the Star Realm rippled, a shockwave of energy spreading outward in concentric waves.

"Oh no! Lord Gao Yuan has made a move—this really is an invasion!"

"For Lord Gao Yuan to act personally, the enemy must be formidable! Could it be someone from the Soul Clan?"

"Looks like it—those people over there… their aura feels just like members of the Soul Hall."

"…"

All throughout the Star Realm, cultivators looked skyward in awe at the immense power radiating from the glowing giant hand.

Over the years, the Star Realm had flourished. Lured by Chen Xiaoming's alchemical creations, many powerful cultivators from the Central Plains had joined. The most formidable among them was Gao Yuan, who had reached the level of an Eight-Star Dou Saint.

"Hmph. You dare strike at me?"

A cold voice rang out from the black flames. In response, black fire surged forward, condensing before him into a massive black vortex. A dreadful devouring force erupted from within, pulling in surrounding energies as nourishment.

The glowing palm slammed into the black vortex, causing it to tremble violently as if on the verge of collapse.

"Hmm? Eight-Star Dou Saint."

The black-flame figure gave a surprised grunt. With a casual flick of his right hand, he shot a stream of black flame into the vortex. Instantly, the black vortex stabilized, and the glowing palm was slowly consumed—completely devoured within moments.

Within the vortex, turbulent energy gathered, and streams of black flame surged, scorching the void itself.

"Didn't expect to find someone of your level in the Star Realm. A shame, really."

The black-flame figure gazed at the middle-aged man. An Eight-Star Dou Saint at the mid-stage—a force to be reckoned with even in the Soul Clan. That such a powerhouse existed within the Star Realm came as a surprise.

His gaze swept past the man's companions—and his expression shifted.

"Six… Seven-Star Dou Saints?!"

Behind the middle-aged man stood six others, all at the Seven-Star Dou Saint level. The sole woman among them had even reached the late stage.

Even the black-flame figure was taken aback by the lineup.

"Looks like I'll have to eliminate you all."

Murderous intent flickered in his eyes. If the Star Realm possessed this level of strength, then this was the perfect opportunity to eradicate them completely.

A low hum echoed from within the black vortex. Energy surged, growing more terrifying by the second.

Nearby, Gao Yuan and his companions grew increasingly grave. Vast Dou Qi surged from within, and Gao Yuan in particular stood ready, every muscle taut in preparation.

He had underestimated their foe. The invader had easily neutralized his attack.

Over the past few years, Gao Yuan had secluded himself in the Star Realm, using medicinal pills to push his cultivation to the peak of mid-stage Eight-Star Dou Saint. He was only a step away from the late stage. On the entire continent, fewer than twenty cultivators could claim superiority.

"Boom."

Just as Gao Yuan assessed the situation, a flaming black palm burst from the vortex. In that instant, black fire engulfed the sky, rending the heavens. Cracks appeared in the fabric of space, and a crushing aura swept across the realm.

"That's… a Nine-Star Dou Saint!"

Gao Yuan's eyes widened in shock. The terrifying energy—unmistakable. Only a Nine-Star Dou Saint could wield such might.

"Join me—now!"

He bellowed to those behind him. The six understood the gravity of the situation and surged forward with their own attacks.

Dou Qi surged through Gao Yuan, gathering in his right fist. A brilliant burst of light erupted as he unleashed a punch so powerful it made the void tremble.

Various attacks streaked toward the oncoming black-flame palm. Yet as they met its overwhelming devouring force, they were absorbed one by one.

Only Gao Yuan's punch managed to slightly hinder its advance. The rest were swallowed without a trace.

The group could only watch in bitter awe as the black palm bore down.

So this… was the power of a Nine-Star Dou Saint.

And yet, even in the face of such devastation, they showed little despair.

"ROAR!"

A furious roar echoed from the starry sky above. The soundwaves ripped through the realm, shaking the dome of black fire apart.

A streak of violet-gold light blazed across the heavens, appearing before Gao Yuan and his group in an instant.

As the light faded, a colossal Violet-Gold Lion King stood suspended in the air. An overwhelming aura radiated from its body. Its violet-crystal eyes surveyed the world with disdain, and its gleaming, scaled armor shimmered with brilliance. Lifting its noble head, it unleashed a violet-gold divine beam from its brow.

"Break."

The divine beam split the sky. In the blink of an eye, it reached the flaming palm. The devouring pressure surged to meet it—but the divine light merely flickered.

Then, it pierced clean through the black palm.

A burst of divine radiance erupted. It was like a star piercing the night, illuminating the entire Star Realm.

The terrifying energy within the black-flame palm dissipated instantly. Scattered fragments of black fire floated downward, only to be erased by the divine beam before they could fall.

Above, the black-flame figure froze, stunned by the sudden appearance of the Violet-Gold Lion King.

This… wasn't right. According to Soul Clan intelligence, wasn't this beast just Chen Xiaoming's mount?

How could it possess power of this magnitude?

"Lord Zi Jin!"

Beneath the void, Gao Yuan and the others gazed upon the intervening Violet-Gold Lion King, a wave of relief washing over them. Bowing respectfully, they greeted him with reverence.

The Violet-Gold Lion King gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over them with calm indifference. As one who had inherited the true teachings of Chen Xiaoming, he understood well that true power always made its entrance last—for only then could it command awe.

"You may step back," he said coolly. "These people are just my appetizers."

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