Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

As Long Chen received news from Zheng Wenlong and started gathering the elites of the Tiger Venerate line, far away, in the depths of an endless darkness, a black-haired man opened his eyes.

If Long Chen saw him, he would instantly recognize the calamity who once plunged the nine heavens and ten lands into chaos.

The Dark Master.

His eyes, cold as black obsidian, flickered in the night with a chilling light. Like a viper lurking in shadow, his gaze drew terror from the depths of one’s soul.

“Where is that strand of my soul? Have you investigated?” The Dark Master asked, his cold voice cutting through the darkness.

“Reporting to the great Dark Master, someone has snuck into the divine altar space and disturbed a strand of your soul. There were no signs of battle, only subtle fluctuations. We believe your soul fragment followed the intruder to kill them, but it never returned. We have discovered the faintest fluctuations of a primal chaos divine item... as well as astral laws.”

A mechanical voice echoed from the darkness, lacking any emotion, as if spoken by a puppet.

“A primal chaos divine item and astral laws? Was it the Star Master’s son, Xiao Yin? If so, he will be easy to deal with. Has there been any change with his faction?” asked the Dark Master.

The mechanical voice answered, “After the Star Master died, Xiao Yin abandoned the old inheritance and took up the path of god cultivation. The Starlight Heavenly Sovereigns had a falling-out with him, which fractured the nine star line. The four Starlight Heavenly Sovereigns soon perished, leaving behind only fragile legacies.

“On the other hand, Xiao Yin gathered the elites all over the world and transmitted the secrets of the nine stars to them. In recent years, their foundation has solidified. With his amassed faith energy, Xiao Yin may not rival Lord Brahma, but he now stands at a similar level.”

“As expected of the Star Master’s son. Xiao Yin is bold—he turned from immortal to god cultivation despite his line’s collapse. His path is not wrong. It was the only way his people could rise so quickly. Still, it is meaningless. The qi flow of the nine heavens is weakening. Yang recedes; Yin invades. Their destruction is set in stone,” the Dark Master said.

“Xiao Yin’s Star Palace is now the orthodox nine star line, and tensions run high with the remaining factions. Since the passageways between the nine heavens and the Primal Chaos World are open, many nine star disciples are summoned to arrive here as fast as they can. The Star Palace is competing with the other nine star factions for these disciples. Several secret clashes have already resulted in significant casualties,” continued that mechanical voice.

“The Star Master’s death fractured the nine star line. So much for seeds of vengeance. The Nine Star Master’s final words were nothing but fantasy,” the Dark Master sneered.

“Ah...” The mechanical voice hesitated.

“Speak.”

“It is said Xiao Yin, after establishing the Star Palace, now calls himself... the Star Divine Master.”

The darkness thickened. After a long silence, the Dark Master snorted.

“He seeks to stand beside the Star Master? Arrogant. He knows nothing of what it means to be a Master. How foolish.”

This title was not just an echo of the Star Master, but a challenge to the Dark Master himself. That was why the voice had hesitated.

“Pay special attention to Xiao Yin’s movements. I want to know if he is the one who stole my strand of soul. If he is, we will crush him.”

“Yes.”

Just as the owner of the mechanical voice was about to leave, a cold glint appeared in the Dark Master’s eyes.

“Wait. Pay a visit to Yan Xu on my behalf. I have raised him for years; it’s time for him to do some work for me.”

...

Elsewhere, within a grand palace, a giant translucent divine furnace floated in the air.

Blood-colored flames swirled in the furnace. Inside, a woman sat cross-legged. With her hands in a seal, she was absorbing the divine energy of these flames. Outside, a man stood with hands clasped behind his back, watching.

The woman was Long Can. The observer was Lord Brahma, his attention fixed on her.

The space within the palace twisted ever so slightly. A ripple spread, and a muscular figure in battle armor emerged.

“Divine Venerate, eighty percent of our factions have gathered. I estimate that everyone will arrive in three days,” that muscular man reported.

Lord Brahma nodded, seemingly satisfied with this efficiency. Without looking back, he said, “Wuzhuo, I remember that you joined my ranks alongside the Silver Hair Void Crusher, did you not?”

“Divine Venerate, I owe you everything. I joined when he did, but the Silver Hair Void Crusher’s talent quickly left me behind. I am ashamed.”

Slowly turning around, Lord Brahma said, “Life is like climbing a mountain. Some climb quickly and fall, others stall midway. Some start slow, then soar. You are the last type. Oftentimes, the process is not important. What’s important is the result.

“Over the years, you completed every mission without complaint, never seeking reward, never complaining when I rewarded others instead of you. I saw it all...”

Wuzhuo trembled. At last, all his silent years had been seen.

“Even when I didn’t give you the Silver Hair Void Crusher’s position, you didn’t say anything. I value such restraint. You have passed my trial. Le Xing’s position is now open. Do you understand?”

Wuzhuo knelt, voicing his vow.

“All I have is due to the Divine Venerate’s grace. Status means nothing to me. Serving you is my greatest honor. Even if it costs my life, I will claim the Tiger Venerate Scepter for you!”

Lord Brahma smiled slightly and then shook his head.

“Your mission is not the Tiger Venerate Scepter. What I want... is Long Chen’s head.”