Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

“What kind of power is this?!” Long Chen roared.

The divine light was like a star smashing into him, shattering his protective divine light along with his bones. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent flying.

Long Chen had just escaped the elder’s domain, but the instant the divine light struck him, the domain’s power resurfaced. Though it was only residual shockwaves, they were still strong enough to injure him. Even with his speed, he couldn’t avoid it.

“Long Chen…”

A gentle hand suddenly pressed against his back, and a warm current surged into his body.

This warm current was brimming with pure life energy. Though it wasn’t as vast as the primal chaos space, in terms of purity, it surpassed it. It carried profound spirituality and even bloodline power. His shattered bones rapidly mended.

“Yao-er…” Long Chen turned around to see Chu Yao’s peerlessly beautiful face. Her eyes brimmed with pain and tenderness as she continued to pour life energy into him.

Suddenly, Long Chen wrapped his arms tightly around her. Her soft figure fell into his embrace, and her familiar scent filled his nose. At that moment, the battlefield faded away. The world narrowed to just the two of them.

Chu Yao let out a choked sob and clung to his shoulders. The man she had longed for day and night had finally returned. This time, she knew it wasn’t a dream.

“Sorry for making you suffer,” Long Chen whispered, his heart trembling with guilt.

“No… you’re the one suffering. Otherwise, you would’ve come for me long ago.”

Chu Yao slowly raised her head, looking at him through tear-blurred eyes. She gently caressed his cheek. She saw that Long Chen’s eyes carried a depth of weariness that hadn’t been there before. He had clearly endured so much.

Seeing the warmth in her gaze, Long Chen almost cried. Chu Yao was still the same kindhearted girl—always thinking of others before herself.

“Now’s not the time yet. Let’s help Ruyan!” said Long Chen.

“Does Ruyan need help?” Chu Yao wiped her tears and smiled.

That smile struck Long Chen like lightning—it was breathtaking. For a moment, he was dazed. When she noticed his stunned gaze, Chu Yao blushed and quickly turned back toward the battlefield.

Chu Yao said, “Ruyan has long since transformed. She is now the leader of the Undying Willow race’s junior generation. What you’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg of her power. Don’t underestimate her!”

“She’s that strong?” Long Chen blinked in disbelief. “This is just the tip?”

“She’s the future leader of her race. Among all the Sovereign sprouts we have, she’s the only one who managed to awaken a Sovereign sprout flame without cultivating in the Sovereign Vein Pool,” Chu Yao said, pride brimming in her voice.

“How many Sovereign sprouts are there?!” asked Long Chen.

“Hehe, the Devil Eye Water Lily race randomly produced two Sovereign sprouts. Do you think the Undying Willow race only has one?” Chu Yao giggled. “The others are in seclusion. They’re the race’s greatest secret. They need to cultivate in the Sovereign Vein Pool to stabilize their Sovereign sprout flames.

“For instance, that white-haired man’s Sovereign sprout qi wasn’t fully formed, so summoning his flame would harm his foundation. As for Aguta—he was a true Sovereign sprout, but his qi was scattered and unrefined. He would be considered below average among the Undying race’s Sovereign sprouts.

“But even so, he was still a Sovereign sprout. For you to kill him in just two moves… you really are amazing,” Chu Yao added with a smile, squeezing Long Chen’s hand.

Long Chen was speechless. It felt like she was trying to comfort him—as if defeating Aguta wasn’t much of an accomplishment, so she tossed in some extra praise to make up for it.

But how could Long Chen be that petty?

He laughed and said, “You really hid yourselves deeply. Especially you, my Sovereign sprout wife.”

Chu Yao’s blush deepened, but she also smiled.

Only now did Long Chen realize how well Chu Yao had concealed her power. If she hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have noticed the faint traces of Sovereign qi radiating from her. She was also a Sovereign sprout.

Even from this close, her Sovereign qi was so well-hidden that it could barely be sensed. From a distance, it was completely undetectable.

“Hehe, good, my wife can protect me in the future. No one will dare to bully me!” exclaimed Long Chen.

“If anyone dares to bully you, I’ll help you beat them up!” Chu Yao said, raising a small fist and shaking it with mock ferocity.

That playful gesture made Long Chen laugh aloud. She was still the same cheerful third princess he’d known back in the empire.

Memories of the Phoenix Cry Empire suddenly surfaced. Back then, they were just spirited youths, dreaming of the future.

Now… they’d grown up… hardened by the world. Time had carved scars into them, turning them into a weary blade. They could no longer laugh as freely, as the burdens on their shoulders were too heavy.

“Liu Xihua, do you really want to fight to the bitter end?!” roared an elder from the Daluo Azure Lotus race. “The great Undying Willow race wishes to wipe out an entire branch of a fellow vegetative demon race?! Aren’t you worried about gaining a reputation for tyranny?!”

The elder’s furious outburst became his downfall—he was instantly struck by a massive palm, sent flying as one of his arms exploded into a shower of azure mist.

The azure mist was essence blood containing pure life qi. Even from a distance, Long Chen could sense it. His eyes instantly widened.

“The old fogey’s whole body is a treasure!”

Just then, the mysterious vine within Long Chen started to sway eagerly. It was clearly drawn to the elder’s essence blood.

“Yao-er, Miss Xihua doesn’t seem like she wishes to kill him. Let’s go help her!”

With a chuckle and a glance at Chu Yao, the two of them vanished from their original location.