Stellar Transformation-Chapter 85 - 15 Sharp Turn

Within the secret retreat sought by a man and his eagle.

Qin Yu sat cross-legged, quietly refining.

The energy within the Golden Core Late Stage was immense, even surpassing the energy contained within Qin Yu himself. Fortunately, Qin Yu did not devour it directly like ordinary Demon Beasts would. Instead, he used True Star Fire to temper the Golden Core and in the end, he absorbed only the pure essence of the Golden Core.

Inside Qin Yu’s Dantian.

The True Star Fire continuously scorched strands of Golden Core energy to its utmost limit, and then the remaining essence was directly devoured by the Star Nebula vortex within Qin Yu’s Dantian, after which it was absorbed by the silver particles within the whirlpool of the Star Nebula.

...

As time passed day by day, the silver particles in the Star Nebula vortex inside Qin Yu’s body grew significantly larger. Suddenly—

As if a stone had shattered, those silver particles unexpectedly split in half, and then silver particles continued to divide one after another. In just a moment, all the layered silver particles within Qin Yu’s Star Nebula vortex had broken into halves.

Instantly, the number of silver particles in the Star Nebula within the Dantian doubled, and the density of the silver particles in each layer of the vortex also increased twofold.

"Star Nebula Middle Stage!"

Qin Yu felt a surge of wild joy in his heart, having finally reached the Star Nebula Middle Stage. He had entered the Early-stage Star Nebula after successfully cultivating at Thunder Mountain Residence. However, to advance to the Star Nebula Middle Stage solely through cultivation would require at least decades or even a hundred years.

Yet along the way, Qin Yu had battled numerous Demon Beasts, killed quite a few Golden Core Stage Demon Beasts, and absorbed a great deal of Golden Core Essence, including that of a Golden Core Late Stage. All of a sudden, he broke through the early-stage Star Nebula, reaching the Star Nebula Middle Stage.

The silver particles in the Star Nebula vortex within Qin Yu’s body were densely packed, forming spinning circles. However, Qin Yu continued refining the Golden Core Essence, ceaselessly absorbing it.

After an indeterminable amount of time, Qin Yu finally opened his eyes.

"Little Black has also reached the Golden Core Middle Stage," Qin Yu saw that Little Black was still refining his own Golden Core and did not rush him, waiting quietly in a seated position. The more formidable the Demon Beast, the slower its progression to a higher level, but likewise, their strength cannot be judged by appearance alone.

During its battle with Shen Yu, Little Black, still in the Early Stage Golden Core, relied on its ultimate move—Thunder Fire Attack—to defeat the Golden Core Late Stage Black Wind Leopard. Little Black, with its Inheritance Memory, was indeed very powerful.

"Big Brother," Little Black had also awakened by now, its voice excited as it entered Qin Yu’s mind.

Both Qin Yu and Little Black’s cultivation had advanced to a similar extent, now almost moving another step further.

"Little Black, let’s go, we’ll continue on our journey. Who knows what Demon Beasts lie ahead of us," Qin Yu and Little Black left their place of cultivation and began their journey anew. Cultivating in the Primordial Wilderness was indeed much faster than on the Hidden Dragon Continent.

However, the Primordial Wilderness was also much more dangerous. For example, Wu Xing and Wood—if they encountered those two Golden Core Late Stage Black Wind Leopards, they would probably be finished. And... there were Demon Beasts in the Primordial Wilderness even more powerful than the Black Wind Leopards!

Inside the Imperial Palace of the Ba Chu County Capital, within the Weiyang Palace.

"Master, everything has proceeded as you planned. This time, the twenty thousand-strong Xiang Family Iron Cavalry launched numerous assaults in succession, with various units coordinating support. Now, they have already taken over three cities in Thunder Blood County," Mr. Lan reported respectfully from beyond the beaded curtain.

Within the beaded curtain, on the jade bed that shimmered with specks of colored light, a blurred figure sat cross-legged.

"Hmm, very good. From now on, we must proceed step by step and not aim too high too quickly. As for the Northern Domain Two Prefectures’ plan, how is it going?" the voice of the elder ancestor came out, sounding very calm.

Mr. Lan respectfully said, "Master, we have now found a junior from the Shangguan Family’s side branches, and this youngster is completely obeying our commands. The next step is to kill Zhuang Jun."

"Hmm," the elder ancestor inside responded indifferently, and then fell silent.

Suddenly—

A green figure rushed in at high speed from the outside, shouting at the same time, "Master, something terrible has happened. Master, something terrible has happened!" This green-robed middle-aged man was also a disciple of this elder ancestor, just like Mr. Lan.

"Don’t be in such a panic—where’s your dignity!" an icy reprimand came from inside the beaded curtain.

The green-robed middle-aged man immediately froze, then said urgently, "Master, something terrible has happened. News has just arrived that Upper Sparrow County has fallen, Upper Sparrow County has been breached!"

"Bang!"

A terrifying surge of Qi Force burst forth from within the beaded curtain, sending all the beads flying off the strings. The elder ancestor with flowing hair stood unmoving yet had already flown out of the room, casting a shadow of great oppression over Weiyang Palace.

With cold stars seemingly flickering in his eyes, the elder ancestor stared at the green-robed middle-aged man, who had beads of cold sweat continuously seeping out on his forehead.

"Say it again!"

The green-robed middle-aged man rushed to say in panic and fear, "Elder Ancestor, the message just received states that Upper Sparrow County has indeed been breached, and tens of thousands of Qin Army troops from the south have completely broken into Upper Sparrow County. There was no resistance from the small number of soldiers defending Upper Sparrow County!"

Anger began to gather around the elder ancestor, the entire atmosphere seeming to vibrate.

"What has the Mu Family been doing?" the elder ancestor shouted coldly.

Given that the southern part of Upper Sparrow County was adjacent to the Mu Family’s Southern Domain Three Counties, that area had only thirty thousand defending troops, hardly any real defense. No one expected that what seemed to be the safest location would reveal such a huge oversight.

"The Mu Family? The Mu Family has turned its cloak to the Qin Family!" the green-robed middle-aged man immediately said.

The elder ancestor’s entire figure shook, his expression changing several times in an instant, then a smile appeared on the elder ancestor’s face, "Ha ha... Qin Family, what a move by the Qin Family. When the Xiang Family used the Shangguan Family to pretend to side with the Qin Family, it turns out the Qin Family also used the Mu Family to feign allegiance to my Xiang Family!"

The elder ancestor almost instantly understood everything.

The Mu Family, previously the most loyal, had somehow completely switched allegiance to the Qin Family at some point. At the most critical moment for the Xiang Family, they suddenly rebelled and even captured Upper Sparrow County, entering deep within its territory.

Back then, with the Mu Family, the Xiang Family, along with the Mu Family, controlled six counties of the Chu Dynasty and had half of the military strength, which was enough to continue battling with the Qin Family. Now that the Mu Family had suddenly turned, and also breached the defense gates of Upper Sparrow County.

This put the Xiang Family at an absolute disadvantage.

The Xiang Family had no idea just how many soldiers of the Qin Family Army were currently in Upper Sparrow County. The forces that had invaded Upper Sparrow County included three hundred thousand from the Black Water Army and another three hundred thousand from the armies of the Southern Domain Three Counties. That made a total of six hundred thousand, a sweeping force that had shattered resistance along the way, conquering city after city either through surrender or rapid assault.

At the same time, three hundred thousand soldiers from the Qin Family Army in the Northern Domain Two Prefectures combined with another three hundred thousand from the original four hundred thousand forces there, making a total of six hundred thousand soldiers, had also begun their attack on Zhenyang County.

"Haha... Qin Family, what a Qin Family, I admire, truly admire," the old ancestor laughed heartily before sweeping his sleeves, his robe billowing, as he himself broke space and left Weiyang Palace directly.

Mr. Lan and the middle-aged man in green clothes exchanged glances.

"Master, are you going to resort to absolute martial power?" the middle-aged man in green clothes asked in shock.

Mr. Lan, watching the disappearing figure of the old ancestor, slowly nodded, "We’ve reached such a point that relying on the Xiang Family’s army is utterly hopeless; it can only be the astonishing strength of Master now. It’s been nearly a thousand years; I wonder what realm Master has reached. I’m really looking forward to it," Mr. Lan said, his eyes blazing with ardent anticipation.

"If Master makes a move, then..." the middle-aged man in green clothes also had a look of eager expectation in his eyes.

...

Hovering in the air, the old ancestor in black robes called out indifferently to the figure below, "Wood, old friend, come and meet me, won’t you?"

The door to the house below was pushed open, and Wood, dressed in blue, looked up at the sky, then turned into a meteor, soaring upward before flying to face the old ancestor. After looking at the old ancestor carefully several times, Wood sighed, "Brother Xiang Yang, we have known each other for nearly a thousand years. When we first met, you were merely at Innate Great Perfection, while I had already reached the Early Stage Golden Core; and now I am at the very limit of Golden Core Late Stage, yet you have reached the Nascent Soul Stage."

Xiang Yang, the son of the Overlord of Western Chu Xiang Yu. After Xiang Yu fell in battle, Xiang Yang founded the Chu Dynasty, becoming the de facto first Emperor. During his reign, he managed the Chu Dynasty with great order, making it the premier state amongst the three countries on the Hidden Dragon Continent.

In terms of martial potential, Xiang Yang was even more formidable than his father, Xiang Yu. While governing the nation, he continued his cultivation, and like his father, stepped into the Golden Core Stage. He then abdicated to quietly cultivate in Weiyang Palace, and over the years, Xiang Yang had reached the early stages of the Nascent Soul.

In the hearts of the younger generation of the Xiang Family, in terms of status, Xiang Yang, the founder of the flourishing Chu Dynasty, even surpassed his father, the Overlord of Western Chu Xiang Yu.

"Cultivation has its own fortunes, Brother Wood, you may break through the limits of the Golden Core Stage and reach the Nascent Soul Stage at any time. After this matter is resolved, I will share some of my experiences in reaching the Nascent Soul Stage with you, Brother Wood, would that be agreeable?" Xiang Yang said with a smile.

Wood’s eyes lit up.

For Cultivators, advancing from the Golden Core Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage requires enlightenment to break through, and from the Nascent Soul Stage to the Cave Void Stage is even more difficult; achieving such breakthroughs without a predecessor’s guidance is incredibly challenging alone.

Having left his sect to cultivate on his own, it was very difficult for Wood to make such a breakthrough. With guidance from Xiang Yang, it would naturally be much easier.

"Oh? Then I thank you, Brother Xiang Yang. What is it you need? If there’s anything Wood can do to help, just say the word." Wood knew that Xiang Yang wouldn’t offer such benefits without reason, and considering that Xiang Yang was much stronger than him, he couldn’t really refuse.

Xiang Yang nodded slightly while also turning his gaze toward the east, his eyes flashing coldly as a chilling aura began to emanate from him.

Wood was taken aback, "What is this freak up to? That killing intent is too intense."

"Come with me to the east. I want to have a proper talk with that Qin De. I hear he just entered the Early Stage Golden Core. An Early Stage Golden Core practitioner and a Middle Stage Golden Core practitioner like Feng Yuzi, hmph..." Xiang Yang spoke with a tone full of condescension.

For someone at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, dealing with practitioners at the Early Golden Core Stage was naturally beneath him.

"Since Brother Xiang Yang is requesting, then naturally, I am willing to accompany Brother Xiang Yang on a trip," Wood said with a smile. It’s only Qin De and Feng Yuzi. Following Xiang Yang over there, why would I fear two small Golden Core Stage Cultivators?

Xiang Yang gave Wood a slight nod, "Then let’s go!"

Afterward, Xiang Yang and Wood immediately flew shoulder to shoulder toward the east at high speed, their black robes swirling and their blue robes billowing in the wind. Two great masters were heading directly to the east!

Within the Primordial Wilderness.

Qin Yu and Little Black were shuttling through the Primordial Wilderness at high speed. On their way, they encountered many weak Demon Beasts that dared not approach Qin Yu and Little Black. They had encountered a Late Stage Golden Core Fierce-eyed Bear and a Late Stage Golden Core Red Blood Wolf on the road, both of which Qin Yu and Little Black had easily taken care of.

After resting for a night, Qin Yu and Little Black embarked on their journey again.

"Little Black, this prairie is so vast," Qin Yu suddenly stopped and looked forward. A gigantic prairie appeared in front of Qin Yu, unlike any he had ever seen before, stretching beyond the reaches of his sight.

Little Black was also astonished. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Big Brother, let’s not worry about that and keep going," Little Black said to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu nodded, "Let’s go!"

The two of them then shuttled across the prairie at high speed. Although they were above the grassland, Qin Yu and Little Black were essentially flying, just about half a meter off the ground. Some parts of the grassland had very tall weeds, and speeding over them felt rather pleasant.

"The strength of the Demon Beasts on this prairie is not bad," Qin Yu’s Spiritual Sense fully covered tens of thousands of kilometers.

"Just average, it’s been so long and we’ve only encountered an Early Stage Golden Core Demon Beast. It fled far away before even getting close to us," Little Black communicated telepathically, clearly holding ordinary Demon Beasts in contempt as their flying time increased.

Qin Yu and Little Black became increasingly amazed at the vastness of this prairie, which was at least thousands of kilometers in length.

It had been a long time since Qin Yu and Little Black had flown so freely, without a care in the world, spanning thousands of kilometers. The feeling was indeed good. Suddenly Qin Yu’s expression changed, and he telepathically conveyed to Little Black, "Something’s weird, Little Black. There are no Demon Beasts within the tens of thousands of kilometers ahead!"

Qin Yu’s figure suddenly stopped, and Little Black stopped as well.

"Big Brother, I have a bad feeling," Little Black also noticed that there was not a single Demon Beast ahead, not even an ordinary wild animal. This was too strange. On such a lush prairie, there should be Demon Beasts.

Qin Yu frowned and said, "We are only more than ten thousand kilometers away from leaving the Primordial Wilderness. If we go back, with the prairie stretching as far as the eye can see, who knows how much we’ll have to detour. Moreover, this is not deep into the Primordial Wilderness; there shouldn’t be very powerful Demon Beasts. What’s there to worry about?"

"Right, why worry? We’ve even encountered a Nascent Soul Stage Golden Flame Eagle; what is there to fear," Little Black’s innate pride made him utterly indifferent to danger.

"Alright, let’s go!"

Qin Yu and Little Black once again traveled close to the ground, shuttling through the prairie where not a single Demon Beast was in sight.