Wu Kongxue led the way, taking with him the Fire Demon, Wu Hei, and Lady Lian Yue—three Eleventh Tribulation Independent Demons—as well as nearly twenty others, including Tenth Tribulation, Ninth Tribulation, and Eighth Tribulation Independent Demons. Such a formidable contingent flew out from the undersea depths in grand array and then went directly toward the Hidden Dragon Continent to the north.

These twenty individuals could be considered as the pinnacle forces of the Demon Path. Any one of them stepping out could obliterate the Mortal World’s Three Great Dynasties.

"Senior Wu Kongxue, that defense formation of the Star Pavilion..." Lady Lian Yue frowned as she spoke to Wu Kongxue.

Wu Kongxue was also inwardly shocked. This time they were preparing to go to the Star Pavilion to seize the treasured item from Qin Yu, but the defensive array of the Star Pavilion was extremely powerful—so powerful that even the combined forces of Wu Kongxue and several other experts could not shake the Complete Heaven Star Formation modified by Uncle Lan.

"It seems the rumors are very likely true—this Loose Cultivator behind the Star Pavilion has a truly formidable strength, at least in terms of formation-setting ability. I’ve never seen anyone else who could compare," Wu Kongxue said gravely.

The Fire Demon, Lady Lian Yue, and Wu Hei all felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

"However... just because he excels in formations doesn’t mean his own strength is necessarily that great. In the entire Chaotic Star Sea, there aren’t many who can defeat me. Unless his true form is a Super Divine Beast, why would I fear him?" Wu Kongxue then regained his confidence.

Lady Lian Yue and the other three relaxed their tense expressions, and the dozen Independent Demons behind them also eased up.

Does excelling in formations equate to powerful personal cultivation?

"According to our intelligence, Qin Yu’s experiences are indeed the stuff of legends. But one thing is certain—he places great value on his family. Let’s head to the Qin Dynasty on Hidden Dragon Continent now and directly capture his relatives, then threaten Qin Yu to hand over the Sky-breaking Map. Wouldn’t that settle it?" Lady Lian Yue proposed crisply.

This plan was devised by Lady Lian Yue. With the power wielded by the experts of the Demon Path, gathering information on Qin Yu was relatively simple.

Though the Star Pavilion was millions of miles away from the Hidden Dragon Continent, such a distance was nothing for these experts. In less than half a day, they all reached the vicinity of the Hidden Dragon Continent.

The group of Demon Path experts flew in a beeline toward their target—the Qin Dynasty Capital.

...

Not far behind Wu Kongxue, a faint shadow emerged—it was none other than True Master Ming Liang.

True Master Ming Liang’s "Dianxing Technique" was also one of the mighty cultivation methods of the Immortal Realm—quite unique. Once cultivated, the practitioner’s entire energy became extremely refined and restrained, focusing intense power at a single spot when attacking, resulting in mighty force. Relying on this cultivation method, True Master Ming Liang’s prowess was on par with Wu Kongxue.

Moreover, after cultivating this method, it would be difficult for other experts of the same level to detect his presence.

"As I expected, that Senior Lan’s strength indeed is formidable. Even the defense formation that Shan Qu and the others couldn’t withstand is now easily repelling attacks from Wu Kongxue and four others combined. Humph, Wu Kongxue, go on with your reckless actions. When that Senior Lan appears, it will be too late for you to cry," Ming Liang muttered coldly, almost sneering.

"That Senior Lan... could it be that he is an Immortal who descended from the Immortal Realm? A Golden Immortal, or perhaps a Profound Immortal?" True Master Ming Liang speculated in his mind.

Meanwhile, True Master Ming Liang took out a Communication Order, "Junior brothers, lead our forces quickly to the Hidden Dragon Continent. Those Demon Path experts have already arrived there, and according to my estimates, they’re likely heading to the Qin Dynasty Capital to capture Qin Yu’s relatives."

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. True Master Ming Liang and his peers wished to be the oriole, but could they truly become the oriole?

*******

The Primordial Wilderness is divided into the outer regions, the inner regions, and the core area. The outer regions are merely where the most basic of the Demon Cultivators reside, while the inner regions are considered to be the backbone of the Demon Cultivators. However, only the core area contains the mightiest forces of the Hidden Dragon Continent’s Primordial Wilderness, where Independent Demons are counted in the tens of thousands.

In the core area of the Primordial Wilderness, there lies a luxurious and colossal city, inhabited by numerous Independent Demon experts. Those who dwell within the city are at the very least of the Sixth Tribulation Realm, and the most central mansion is the residence of the Primordial Wilderness Core’s Controller.

The Controller of the core area is an Independent Demon of the Twelfth Tribulation, known as ’Yu Liang’.

The attendants inside the mansion all knew that ever since Yu Liang returned from his business outside the Primordial Wilderness with his three Giant Demons, the mood of the Controller of the core area—the true ruler of the entire Primordial Wilderness—had changed; he had become quiet, or rather... somber.

Yu Liang fiddled with a wine cup in his hand, but the terrifying scene he had witnessed surfaced in his mind.

Yu Liang, the Controller of the Primordial Wilderness, along with his three Giant Demons struck a joint blow; such was the terrible force that Yu Liang believed even Zong Jue, the foremost figure in the Chaotic Star Sea, might not be able to withstand it. Yet that seemingly benevolent middle-aged man easily caught it, and with a wave of his hand, all four experts were sent sprawling.

Far too strong.

Not on the same level at all.

"Three Eleventh Tribulation Divine Beasts, along with myself, joined forces for a full-powered attack and yet couldn’t even scratch the opponent. Luckily, the Demon Emperor of the Demon World was reasonable and didn’t force me," Yu Liang sighed.

Yu Liang had no idea that before his attempt to seize the Ink and Wash Painting from Star Pavilion under the orders of the Demon World’s Demon Emperor, the four members of Qingxu Temple’s Shan Qu had just attacked the Star Pavilion. By the time Yu Liang and his followers arrived, Uncle Lan was still in the Star Pavilion.

With a wave of his hand, the four experts tumbled embarrassingly. The dignified Controller of the Primordial Wilderness shamefully fled back home. No matter what, he dared not covet the Ink and Wash Painting anymore.

"Hmm?"

Yu Liang flipped his hand and a Communication Order appeared.

"A Demon Path expert has arrived in the Qin Dynasty Capital?" Yu Liang’s eyes lit up; the one who sent him the message was the Divine Beast ’Nine-Headed Snake’—Kong Cao, one of the three Giant Demons under his command. Kong Cao was Yu Liang’s top expert, and even though he was an Eleventh Tribulation expert himself, his Soul Cultivation was nearly on par with Yu Liang’s.

After the failure to obtain the Ink and Wash Painting, Yu Liang, having learned his lesson painfully, ordered Kong Cao to monitor everything in the Qin Dynasty.

He, the Controller of the Primordial Wilderness, didn’t dare to snatch the Ink and Wash Painting under the pressure from Uncle Lan; however, if Independent Immortals or Independent Demons managed to seize it, then they, the experts of the Primordial Wilderness, could fight to take it from the Independent Demons and Immortals. Now, it seemed that the mysterious Senior Lan wouldn’t blame them for that.

"Kong Cao, remember, do not make a move. Do not harm any member of the Qin Family, as for those from the Tenglong Continent who are killing, that is none of our concern. What we need to do is... wait for them to obtain the Ink and Wash Painting, and then we will take it from their hands," Yu Liang immediately issued an order to his subordinate.

Yu Liang and his group had not the slightest courage to confront the mysterious Senior Lan, yet they were not at all fearful of the Loose Cultivators from the Tenglong Continent. If there were anyone in the world who could make Yu Liang back down, it was probably only the Patriarch of the Dragon Clan and Zong Jue, the foremost figure in the Chaotic Star Sea.

"Yes, master," Kong Cao was watching in the Capital.

With the distance between the core area of the Primordial Wilderness and the Qin Dynasty Capital, only a few instances of Instantaneous Movement were needed to arrive. There was no need to worry about their own forces not arriving in time.

******

Qin Zheng was reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study Room. Although Qin Yu had ordered Guardian Yang to tell Qin Zheng about the Sky-breaking Map, Qin Zheng was not worried at all. According to his understanding, handing over the Sky-breaking Map to the other party, while using Uncle Lan’s intimidation, would presumably ensure that after obtaining the Sky-breaking Map, they wouldn’t harm him.

"Phew..." Qin Zheng stretched lazily.

He had finally finished reviewing the thick stack of memorials. Luckily, with the Foundation Establishment Pill from Qin Yu, he, a man of mediocre talent, was able to reach the Innate Realm. As an Innate Expert, staying awake for days and nights was a trivial matter.

"Big Brother reached the Golden Core Stage long ago, and the cultivation of our third brother has reached an astonishing level. Only I have relied on the second brother’s Foundation Establishment Pill to attain the Innate Realm. However, there’s still a long way to go. Once Guan’er has matured, I will pass the throne to him and then I will be able to focus on cultivation."

Thinking of his son, who was also the current Crown Prince Qin Guan, Qin Zheng felt a deep affection.

Qin Guan was extremely benevolent, and at the same time, his mind was sharp; he was not the kind of person who resisted change. Qin Zheng believed that once the Qin Dynasty unified the entire Hidden Dragon Continent, entrusting the vast dynasty to his son would bring the dynasty to a pinnacle, possibly even surpassing the Qin Dynasty of Emperor Qin Shi Huang a thousand years ago.

"You’re the Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, the Second Brother of Qin Yu?"

A voice came from in front of the Imperial Study Room.

Qin Zheng was startled and looked up.

In the heavily guarded Imperial Palace, especially the Imperial Study Room, where security was layered upon layers, nearly twenty people now stood outside the study without having alerted any guards. The aura of each of these twenty people was terrifying to the point of being suffocating.

The guards of the Imperial Study Room were sweating profusely from their foreheads.

It was too terrifying.

The mere presence of these twenty was enough to make the guards feel as if doomsday had come, with a sense of horror as if dark clouds blanketed the entire Imperial Palace with no escape. Not a single guard could utter a sound, and even Guardian Yang, who was stealthily protecting the Emperor at the Late-stage Cave Void, was frightened into silence.

"Who are you..." Qin Zheng spoke out.

Luckily, these experts did not use their presence to oppress Qin Zheng; after all, they needed to question him.

Lady Lian Yue coldly said, "You don’t need to ask these questions. I just want to know where your third brother, Qin Yu, has gone."

Wu Kongxue also spoke, "The Sky-breaking Map, we just want the Sky-breaking Map. Tell me where your third brother is?" Wu Kongxue was not at all worried about the leak of this information; with his status, was he afraid of making this mortal world Emperor aware of the Sky-breaking Map?

"The Sky-breaking Map, it’s them indeed," Qin Zheng definitively concluded in his heart.

He had been notified in advance by Qin Yu and was naturally confident about the situation.

"Respected seniors, my name is Qin Zheng. The Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, entrusted by Senior Lan..."

Those like the Fire Demon, who were initially impatient with Qin Zheng’s self-introduction and about to scold him, paused upon hearing the words ’Senior Lan’ and decided to continue listening.

"Entrusted by Senior Lan, I am to give the Sky-breaking Map to those who come looking for Qin Zheng. Presumably, you are the people referred to by Senior Lan. Senior Lan is indeed divinely calculative," Qin Zheng said with a smile, his words filled with respect for Uncle Lan.

Wu Kongxue was taken aback.

Lady Lian Yue, Fire Demon, Wu Hei, and the other dozen Independent Demons were stunned.

The mysterious Senior Lan had actually handed over the Sky-breaking Map so readily?

Not only were they shocked, a True Master Ming Liang, who had already hidden behind a wall in the Imperial Study Room, was also utterly surprised.

"What’s going on? Why isn’t Senior Lan taking action against these Independent Demons, instead of giving the Sky-breaking Map to them?" True Master Ming Liang simply couldn’t believe it, and according to his prediction, as well as the saying ’I only recognize Little Golden Roc,’ he inferred that Uncle Lan was an extremely powerful expert.

But now, it seemed like everything was wrong.

"No matter, regardless of what’s actually happening, since Senior Lan said to give the Sky-breaking Map to those looking for Qin Zheng, without explicitly mentioning giving it to Wu Kongxue and his group, it seems that anyone who gets it can keep it. Should I still hold back?" True Master Ming Liang completely concealed his aura, ready to act.

At this moment, Qin Zheng had already taken out the Sky-breaking Map from his bosom.

"Esteemed guests, this is the Sky-breaking Map left by Senior Lan."

Wu Kongxue and the others exchanged glances. The Sky-breaking Map in Qin Zheng’s hands looked very similar to the one Lady Yan Ji had obtained; it might indeed be the real one.

Lady Lian Yue crisply said, "Senior Lan is truly noble and admirable, not caring for the location of the Immortal Mansion. I am impressed. Well then, we will take this Sky-breaking Map. Should there be an opportunity in the future, we shall definitely repay this great favor." After a pleasantries, Lady Lian Yue reached out to take the Sky-breaking Map.

The eyes of Wu Kongxue, Wu Hei, Fire Demon, and the dozen Independent Demons were filled with excitement.

However, just at the last moment—

A blur suddenly appeared beside Qin Zheng.

Instantaneous Movement!

Grabbing the Sky-breaking Map, the blur immediately disappeared again, but just as the blur was about to escape, Wu Kongxue was the first to act.

All the Independent Demons present were experts.

The moment True Master Ming Liang appeared, they realized what was happening—an ambush. To have the Sky-breaking Map snatched from their grasp just as it was within reach was intolerable, wasn’t it?

However, their strength was no match for intercepting True Master Ming Liang, but Wu Kongxue had the quickest reaction. With a low roar from Wu Kongxue, the surrounding space immediately began to shake, and True Master Ming Liang, who wanted to use Instantaneous Movement, dared not do so anymore.

Instantaneous Movement required a stable space; otherwise, one could easily enter spatial rifts and be shredded.

But with just one low roar, a ripple spread out from Wu Kongxue, enveloping half of the Imperial Palace. Buildings, flora, rock gardens, and strange stones in the Imperial Palace instantaneously turned to dust, and palace maids, princes, and concubines were immediately shredded, their blood staining the grounds of the Qin Dynasty’s Imperial Palace red.

From this point, a bloody storm finally began...

(Chapter two ends here, and starting from today’s noon, Fang Qie’s update schedule changes to one Chapter at noon and another at seven or eight in the evening. Haha... At the same time, I wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. A new climax in "Star Transformation" is about to begin... with Demons, Immortals, and experts from the Immortal Demon Realm, in short, a bloody storm that sweeps throughout the entire Mortal World is about to start...)

(To be continued, for future updates, please log in to WWW.CMFU.COM. The site offers more Chapters, supports the author, and promotes legal reading!)