Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Fullmoon Peak was the Fullmoon race’s ancestral land.

It was said that their ancestor had once comprehended the Dao on this mountain, obtaining the karmic luck of heaven and earth. As they had broken free of the limits of the ten thousand beasts, they ascended to the pinnacle of the demon race.

At the peak stood a divine statue of a Fullmoon Rhinoceros. It had been erected by later descendants to imitate the scene of their ancestor comprehending the Dao. The Fullmoon race itself had gotten its name from this place.

As the three of them stood before the statue, Long Chen murmured, “Such dense Dao-charm... and such a powerful remnant will. It’s been waiting patiently all this time.”

Jin Ming showed no reaction, but Li Wangshu’s heart trembled. Among the entire Fullmoon race, only he, as the race leader, knew the secrets hidden within this statue.

However, Long Chen had noticed something the instant he arrived.

Since Jin Ming was present, Li Wangshu quickly changed the subject. “Let’s head inside the palace.”

The three of them went around the statue.

When they arrived at the palace, people had long since arranged some refreshments. As the three of them sat down, Long Chen directly got to the point.

“How long has your Golden Horn race been accepting medicinal pills from the Brahma line?” Long Chen asked.

Li Wangshu was shocked again, turning to Jin Ming in disbelief.

“You... you used Brahma line pills to enhance your strength? Brother Jin Ming, that was extremely foolish!”

Jin Ming let out a bitter sigh. “At first, we didn’t know they came from the Brahma line. It was the Rock Crystal race who provided them. They claimed that their race had produced a generation of alchemy geniuses, causing their overall strength to soar.

“We were deeply suspicious at first, but they invited us to observe personally. When we saw a Rock Crystal race alchemist refine a top-grade spirit pill with our own eyes, we finally believed them.”

Due to their bloodlines, the demon race was almost incapable of refining pills. Their bloodline power was far too violent, so controlling a Pill Flame was hundreds of times more difficult for them than for humans.

However, thanks to the Human Emperor realm, the demon race gradually gained some aptitude in alchemy. However, it was only a little bit. Their medicinal pills were mostly viewed as trash in the eyes of the human race.

Thus, seeing Rock Crystal disciples capable of refining top-grade spirit pills was profoundly shocking to the Golden Horn race.

Later, the Rock Crystal race even gifted them several pills. The Golden Horn race remained cautious, examining them repeatedly before allowing a few ordinary disciples to consume them.

The result was astonishing, shaking the entire Golden Horn race.

Even so, the demon race had always been wary of medicinal pills. In the end, they did not request more, nor did they raise the matter again.

Every year, the two races held friendly competitions among their disciples. Gradually, the Golden Horn race realized that the gap between them was growing wider and wider—until they were completely left behind.

Seeing the Rock Crystal race’s growing power, the Golden Horn race grew frantic. After investigating, they learned that the Rock Crystal race’s disciples had grown far stronger thanks to these medicinal pills, and there seemed to be no side effects.

Unable to remain calm any longer, the Golden Horn race proposed a trade. The Rock Crystal race initially refused, claiming they barely had enough pills for themselves.

The Golden Horn race had to wear them down through constant coaxing, even secretly bribing some higher-ups to make the Rock Crystal race loosen their grip and sell some medicinal pills.

“No wonder your two races had such powerful junior generations!” exclaimed Li Wangshu.

Li Wangshu had never been able to understand how the Fullmoon race only had two divine sons—plus Xu Changchuan, thanks to an elder’s final legacy—but the other two races had eight each. Yan Wuxin in particular had the incredible ability to summon his future self.

Now, Li Wangshu knew that it was thanks to medicinal pills.

Jin Ming sighed. “It’s my fault. I caused the Golden Horn race to grow dependent on medicinal pills. Our disciples grew stronger, and even some Divine Sovereigns managed to become acquired Divine Sovereigns. However, we paid a painful price. Those who consumed medicinal pills were all consumed by pill toxins.

“They are usually fine, but every now and then, their souls twist in pain and they see illusions. Then, they would lose their minds and attack anyone around them. It was at this time that the Brahma line revealed themselves to us. The truth was that the Rock Crystal race had long since fallen. They were merely a tool used to ensnare us.

“By then, it was too late for us to resist. Those who consumed the pills must rely on the Golden Wheel’s karmic luck to suppress the poison. Without it, they would slowly go mad...”

Jin Ming let out a long, regret-filled sigh.

Li Wangshu could only sigh as well. There was nothing left to say.

According to Jin Ming, anyone who had consumed the pills was essentially crippled. They survived only by relying on the Golden Wheel. Hence, they would have to place their hopes on the next generation.

However, the Brahma line had set their sights on them. How could they possibly let them off?

“Let me see the medicinal pills,” said Long Chen.

Jin Ming took out two medicinal pills and placed them before Li Wangshu and Long Chen.

“Here. It’s called the Heavenly Mark Barrier Breaking Pill.”

Long Chen picked it up. He examined it closely and then sniffed it.

A flame burst out of Long Chen’s fingers, enveloping the pill. It slowly melted. Just then, a clump of black qi shot out of the flames, condensing into an ominous figure.

It was a fierce bug. It flapped its wings and hissed at Long Chen. Its ferocity shocked the other two.

Just then, a tiny tentacle stretched out of space and slapped it, killing it.

Long Chen was speechless. Zhi Zhi actually killed it, saying that its voice was too similar and felt like a provocation.

“What was that?” asked Jin Ming in shock.

“The resentful spirit of a poison bug. While refining this pill, its soul was sealed inside. It is also a particular poison bug whose soul contains flame energy. It was able to escape your spiritual examinations. Furthermore, it does not react after being consumed. It will only awaken when someone uses a special method to do so. Once awoken, unless you can restrain it with medicine, it will drive a person insane.”

Jin Ming excitedly asked, “Senior Long Chen, do you... do you have a way of extracting it?”

“Of course!” Jin Ming was overjoyed.

But before he could even ask, Long Chen said, “Do you have direct contact with anyone from the Brahma line?”

“Yes, we do!”

“What level are they?”

“It’s one of the eight divine commanders, a woman surnamed Long. But we don’t know her full name.”

“A woman surnamed Long?” Long Chen raised his eyebrows.

That couldn’t possibly be a coincidence... could it?