Yi Xingyin's body burst with dazzling starlight that pierced through the starry sky. For a moment, the stars sparkled brilliantly, then his body suddenly sank and plummeted toward the Flameyellow Continent.
The starry sky around him fluctuated like ripples. Layers upon layers of an illusory world enveloped him as the sky disappeared.
What appeared before his eyes was a world, vast and boundless. Since there was no end to it, naturally there wouldn’t be an exit. Even if Yi Xingyin’s star illuminated everything like the scorching sun, he couldn't escape this world.
"Li Caiwei, it's you!” Yi Xingyin's low voice echoed over the mountains and rivers.
"How do you know it's me?”
It was as if everything in this world—the mountains and trees—was speaking with a graceful voice at the same time.
"You’re the only one who can create the Dreamheart World left by the Biritual Fiendgod. This is a tribulation pattern formation that transcends the third-origin. It can be considered the work of a god. I didn’t think your attainments in formations had reached this level. You’ve certainly hidden yourself well. However, isn’t it overkill to use the Dreamheart World to deal with me? I’m but an unimportant man. Is there any need to use it to deal with me?”
In the current crisis, Yi Xingyin's voice remained calm. He was tough and handsome. Though he might look effeminate, he was in fact a heroic man.
"You’re right. You don’t deserve the Dreamheart World. But someone else does.” The woman's voice gradually grew closer and closer.
"What do you mean?”
Just as Yi Xingxin’s voice fell, a figure appeared in front of him. That figure was formed by a combination of stars that condensed into one body. Finally, they formed a dazzling person in front of Yi Xingyin. The man looked at him with a smile. "Don’t I look like you?”
Yi Xingyin was startled. This person was exactly the same as him, and even possessed the same aura. If the man didn’t make a move, many people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between this person and himself. They even sounded the same.
"Are you Li Caiwei?” Yi Xingyin frowned.
"That’s right. Have you ever heard of the Dreamdemon Arcana?” The man smiled.
Yi Xingyin shook his head.
"That’s not surprising. After all, this is a technique from two hundred thousand years ago,” the man said.
"So, you’re going to return to the Archaion Sect as me?” Yi Xingyin narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, but before that...."
The blazing starlight in the man's eyes shone upon Yi Xingyin's body. Then, the light dissipated. Her long hair fluttered in the wind and her eyes glowed. Like a goddess, a gorgeous woman stood before Yi Xingyin's eyes.
...
Ten days later, in the Fiend Palace.
"Twelve tribulation patterns.”
Without the interference of the Archaionfiend, Tianming was more efficient. With the Soul Tower guarding him, he was still considered to be doing alright despite the dizziness and exhaustion.
He still set aside some time for cultivation every day, and at the same time, an hour of cultivating at the Deepstar Pool. When Archfiend reached twelve tribulation patterns, his Ancient Deepstar Godbody had absorbed close to two thousand astralsources. This number was almost equal to some of the top elders in the sect.
In other words, Tianming’s physical strength had already caught up to those ninth-level samsaran elders. This was a beast-like physique.
There were less than three thousand astralsources in the Deepstar Pool. In fact, Tianming felt a little embarrassed. If he absorbed them all, no disciple in the Archaion Sect will be able to enter the Deepstar Pool for the next thirty years. The transformation of physical strength was his first step in increasing his strength. During the period after the Number One Summit, he had entered the second-level death phase.
"After entering the death phase, death tribulation energy has reappeared and is plundering my vitality, but the samsara rings of life tribulation energy have amplified and disappeared. That is to say, the power of the samsara rings has been transformed into death tribulation energy.”
Tianming once again felt the rapid aging of his body. This time, it was even more aggressive.
Without Omnisentient Will in the recent past, it would be difficult for him to keep up with his Aeonic Grandbane. Now that the whole world was turbulent, Tianming was competing with himself.
After his breakthrough, he continued cultivating hard.
Time quickly flew by. During this period of time, the Archaion Sect searched for Lin Xiaoxiao's whereabouts in the entire divine realm. In fact, the borders had already been sealed. With Lin Xiaoxiao's strength, there was no way she could escape.
However, they had yet to find her, which meant two things were possible. Firstly, she may still be in Archaion. Or, she had crossed the border with the Archaionfiend’s special methods.
It was impossible for Tianming to leave and personally search for her, thus he could only wait. He focused on the Archaionfiend Eye.
Finally, half a month later, the number of tribulation patterns on Archfiend had reached fifteen! Fifteen was the pinnacle of tribulation patterns. In other words, Archfiend had reached the level of the Sanguine Ferocity.
Tianming could feel how terrifying Archfiend’s power was. All of the energy within the Archaionfiend Eye had integrated with his weapon. In the Fiend Palace, the eye above Tianming's head had completely dimmed.
It was now an empty shell and all of its power was contained within Tianming’s chain.
What was terrible about the Archfiend wasn’t just its power, but also its intangible ability to strike fear. The power of the Archaionfiend Eye was sealed; otherwise, it would scare many the moment the weapon appeared.
"The problem is how to transfer the Archaionfiend Eye from the Archfiend to my eye…”
Although Tianming had tried many methods, they were all ineffective.
"My father clearly tricked me. He might’ve given me the Archfiend but he certainly hasn’t explained how to use it. Dammit!”
Staring at the dim eye above his head, Tianming was at a loss for words. However, the good news was that he didn’t have to enter the Fiend Palace again. Now, he could place all his energy into cultivating. If his progress was delayed any longer, their enemies would come knocking.
As he cultivated, he continued contemplating on how to transfer the Archaionfiend Eye. No one would enter the Fiend Palace for the time being. Therefore, Tianming didn't inform the sect about taking away the eye. Because the eye was a symbol of disaster, the Heaven Cauldron was used to suppress it. Tianming considered it as eliminating evil for the people.
He paid close attention to the latest information regarding three matters—first of all, the general direction of the five divine realms; secondly, Lin Xiaoxiao's whereabouts; and lastly, news of the Kilostar Domain. Although he hadn’t heard anything about the first two, there was news about the last matter.
Yi Xingyin was back. Tianming headed to Tribulation Peak, led by Jian Wufeng and Xuanyuan Yu. The tribulation elders occupied Tribulation Peak, the place where the sect discussed important matters.
When Tianming arrived at the Tribulation Hall, Yi Xingyin stood there, informing the others about the Kilostar Domain.
"I stayed there for about a month and searched all over. I didn’t find anyone from the five divine realms. When our people from the Deepstar Hall have controlled the way in, we’ll have a full view of everything. If the enemy appears, we’ll have time to retreat. Of course, whether or not we bring Tianming over depends on what you all decide,” said Yi Xingyin.
"There must be something wrong. I think it’s strange,” said Fang Taiqing.
"The question is, where’s the irregularity? The Deepstar Hall palace lord searched for a month. Our manpower is also in place,” said Jian Wuyi.
"How amusing! We can’t go whether or not our enemies set up an ambush? Our people are in place. Why are you still afraid of the enemy’s deceit?” asked a white-haired third-origin tribulation elder.
"That's not true. Forget the ultimate tribulation manna, there’s certainly no way they’ll ignore whatever’s inside the Kilostar Domain. They should at least take a look, shouldn’t they?” said Fang Taiqing.
"It might just be a rumor that the ultimate tribulation manna is the key to the Kilostar Domain. Could they be diverting our attention and planning something else?” asked Yi Xingyin.
"I think we’re scaring ourselves,” someone else chimed in.
Turning to Yi Xingyin, Fang Taiqing said, "The imperial son’s identity is important. The Kilostar Domain cannot fall into the hands of the enemy. I think we should let it go for now.”
"Sect Master, the question is, assuming there really is treasure in the Kilostar Domain and the ultimate tribulation manna is indeed the key, wouldn’t it be a waste of an opportunity if we don’t enter, despite having the imperial son?”
"Since our men are in place and we can retreat at any time, we should give it a try. What if our enemy’s intelligence is inaccurate?”
Everyone was talking at once.
"How about this? We’ll send a few more people. Five third-origin tribulation elders and Palace Lord Yi Xingyin can do another search and confirm the situation.” Fang Taiqing looked around and asked, "Who’s going?"
Six elders stood up. Glancing at them, Fang Taiqing told them to sit down and pointed at five tribulation elders who hadn’t volunteered.
"Sect Master Fang, what do you mean? Don't you believe us?” asked one of the tribulation elders who had volunteered.
"Don't overthink it. This is an important matter. Please understand, I’m doing this to be on the safe side,” said Fang Taiqing.
His method of selection had left many speechless. But on the whole, it was clear that it was the right thing to do.
"If you decide to take the imperial son there, I’ll escort him,” said Jian Wuyi.
Fang Taiqing oversaw the sect, while Xuanyuan Dao protected Her Eminence. Jian Wuyi was indeed the best candidate.
"Alright.” Fang Taiqing nodded.
He looked at Tianming. "What do you think, Imperial Son?”
"I don't know the enemy, so I’ll follow your arrangements,” Tianming replied.
"Alright. We’ll wait for news,” said Fang Taiqing.
With that, they left the Tribulation Hall. Tianming felt like someone was looking at him. When he turned in that direction, he realized it was Yi Xingyin.
"You’ve worked hard, Palace Lord,” said Tianming.
"It's nothing, but it looks like I’ll have to leave again.” Yi Xingyin shook his head.
"Do you feel like they don’t trust you?” Tianming asked.
"Not at all. After all, the Kilostar Domain is very important, and it’s very likely there’s a treasure hidden there. If that’s true, it may indeed solve our problems. Treating this matter with caution is the best move,” said Yi Xingyin.
Tianming nodded.
"I’m heading out now.” Yi Xingyin and the five tribulation elders selected by Fang Taiqing left together.
"Wait for my good news.”
Meanwhile, Tianming went back to cultivating.
A fortnight passed. It had been a month since Tianming had broken through to the second death phase, and after cultivating hard day and night, he had finally progressed to the third life phase. Having recovered his youth once more, he felt rejuvenated.
The improvement in strength gave him a lot of confidence. In fact, he was now able to fight one on one with many hundred-year-old elders.
While he was cultivating and studying the Archaionfiend Eye, he heard that Yi Xingyin was back again, and with good news.