Chapter 764: Chapter 764

Li Pin immediately went into seclusion to focus on cultivating the battle techniques and secret arts First Galaxy had specially chosen and crafted for him. He was determined to solidify his foundation as a Cosmic Radiance.

While he remained in seclusion, word of his breakthrough began to spread.

The news caused quite a stir, but to say it sparked widespread celebration among allies or panic among enemies would be an overstatement.

Li Pin's rise had been far too swift. In the short time since his emergence, he had formed only a few connections, be it friends or enemies.

His range of activity had also remained limited. Though his advancement did create unease within certain circles, it wasn't nearly enough to shake the vast human domain.

At most, people would chuckle and say, "Another supreme prodigy has emerged among our kind," and leave it at that.

It was only because he intended to participate in the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War that his name even garnered attention.

Without that, what did a stranger's breakthrough to Cosmic Radiance matter to distant Starshine or Solar Flare cultivators?

It was like a city mayor in the mortal world. They possessed real status and power within his domain, but it was largely irrelevant outside it. Most people wouldn't even know his name, let alone care.

If the entire human race were likened to a nation, then a Cosmic Radiance or Tyrant would be no more than a mayor. Important, yes, but far from someone who could shake the foundation of the country.

Under such circumstances, even those who had once offended Li Pin began to feel a glimmer of hope. As long as they stayed far enough away, perhaps they could avoid his wrath.

The remaining Astral Gods of the Yuan and Ji Clans were prime examples.

Bloodsun City stood in the northern reaches of the Dragon Tears Continent. The land was founded by Sacred Monarch Long Qi. Though not as vast or secure as territories established by Heavenly Emperors, it had lower requirements for settlement and faced far less competition.

Naturally, Sacred Monarch Long Qi reigned as the highest authority across the continent. Beneath him were three empires founded by Tyrants, along with dozens of kingdoms ruled by Cosmic Radiance experts.

Bloodsun City was a small settlement within one such kingdom—the Blue Ocean Kingdom.

The city's founder was Xue Yang, an Eternal Solar Flare. Rumor had it he rose from humble origins, advancing step by step through sheer determination. He joined the Blue Ocean Radiance's Army and earned his fame fighting against alien races.

Three hundred years ago, Xue Yang achieved the rank of Solar Flare and used his military merits to claim land within the Blue Ocean Kingdom, establishing Bloodsun City.

Because of its relatively short history and the widespread belief that Xue Yang had already reached his limit under the burden of his Eternal Oblivion Force, Bloodsun City housed fewer than a hundred Astral Gods.

The rest of its tens of thousands of residents were merely ascendants hoping to make use of the Astral World's environment to achieve Astral Godhood.

Thanks to these ascendants, the city managed to maintain some liveliness.

At this moment, outside Xue Yang's private manor, six figures, including Yuan Clan's Astral God, Yuan Xianghai, and Ji Wudao, were lying in wait, cautiously observing the manor.

"Wudao, are you certain Xue Yang really left for the Blue Ocean Royal Capital? And that his most favored heir is currently in seclusion inside the manor, preparing to break through to Astral God?"

Yuan Xianghai's inner spirit fluctuation was suppressed to the extreme as he transmitted the message telepathically.

He added grimly, "If Xue Yang returns unexpectedly, we could all die here."

"Absolutely certain," Ji Wudao replied firmly. "I've stayed in Bloodsun City for three years. I know this place and this manor like the back of my hand."

"There are Astral Gods guarding the manor, but if we act fast, we'll be in and out before Xue Yang can even respond. And even if he realizes who we are afterward, what can he do? He's a Solar Flare on the verge of collapse from the Eternal Oblivion Force. How much strength does he even have left to chase us down?"

His eyes gleamed with a hint of madness as he continued, "Besides, how much longer can we keep living ? Scraping by with barely enough resources to cultivate? What's next? Risking our lives like the Zi Clan, diving into the Shattered Star Sea to fish for Astral World Fragments?"

"I'm in," another Astral God from the Yuan Clan growled. "Whether it's raiding Xue Yang's manor or braving the Shattered Star Sea, we're gambling with our lives either way. Might as well go for the one with the bigger reward."

He added coldly, "We were once Astral Gods from powerful noble clans. Our strength isn't something these nameless cultivators can compare to. Wuji alone climbed to the thirtieth step on the Supreme Ladder. Among Astral Gods, that puts him at the very top. Even if Bloodsun Manor has ten Astral Gods inside, we can still take them down and sweep the place clean."

At the mention of "noble clans," a heavy silence fell. The expressions of the gathered Astral Gods turned grim.

Indeed, the Yuan and Ji Clans had once thrived on the Cangjie Continent. As a land founded by a Heavenly Emperor, it was far grander in scale and quality than Dragon Tears Continent.

Back then, each of their clans had established their own cities up above, each one home to thousands of Astral Gods. Their scale surpassed Bloodsun City by more than tenfold.

Ji Wudao's voice grew cold. "As the saying goes, 'No madness, no survival.' At this point, we have no choice but to take risks and seize power for our own protection."

"Go!" Yuan Xianghai grunted, leading the group toward Bloodsun Manor.

But, this was, after all, an Eternal Solar Flare's residence. Furthermore, these Astral Gods from noble clans were not trained in raids or covert operations. Within moments, the manor lit up as its defensive Astral Formation activated at full force.

Realizing their cover had been blown, the six Astral Gods immediately launched their assault.

Just as they had predicted, the local Astral Gods in this remote region were mostly aimless drifters, with strength generally below the twentieth step on the Supreme Ladder.

Bloodsun Manor housed ten resident Astral Gods, but against Yuan Xianghai, Ji Wudao, and the other four experts born of noble lineage, they were quickly driven into retreat.

The loud commotion caught the attention of other Astral Gods within Bloodsun City.

The so-called "Three Major Clans and Six Great Factions," formed by several Astral Gods joining forces, observed the scene closely but dared not intervene.

They lived in Bloodsun City, paying their taxes on time, essentially in exchange for protection. But that didn't mean they were willing to fight for the City Lord's Mansion under such uncertain circumstances.

The battle had barely lasted a moment when a powerful presence suddenly surged in from the distance, moving at an unbelievably fast speed.

"What is that...?" Yuan Xianghai, in the midst of looting the Bloodsun Manor, froze. His expression twisted. "Eternal Solar Flare? Xue Yang's back!?"

He shot an angry glance at Ji Wudao. "Didn't you say he went to the Blue Ocean Royal Capital?"

Ji Wudao looked just as confused, but quickly responded, "Now that things have gone this far, we need to retreat immediately. Xue Yang is carrying a massive amount of Eternal Oblivion Force. He likely wouldn't risk facing us head-on."

Reluctantly, the others followed suit, unleashing their full speed and rushing toward the outskirts of Bloodsun City. But they had barely gone a short distance when another overwhelming presence appeared ahead of them.

This figure didn't release any obvious aura, but the sheer pressure it exuded set their inner spirit on edge, causing their expressions to shift once more.

"Another Solar Flare!?"

"What's going on...? Did Xue Yang just go out to visit a friend, and now he's brought them back here for fun?"

"Change direction! Hurry!"

The group growled lowly and quickly veered off in another direction.

But before they could escape Bloodsun City, the terrifying pressure triggered by their inner spirit warning returned, sending tremors through their entire bodies.

A third one!? A third Eternal Solar Flare!?

"Quick! Head north! Break through to the north! That's our only shot!" Yuan Xianghai roared.

Hardly had his words fallen when their only shot was instantly crushed by a wave of despair.

There was another Eternal Solar Flare up north.

Not just one. There were at least three of them.

Break out? Charging into three Solar Flares wasn't an escape! It was suicide!

"Xue Yang! Go toward Xue Yang! He's finished! He's carrying all that Eternal Oblivion Force. How much strength can he possibly have left? We break out that way!"

Yuan Xianghai rallied the remaining Astral Gods and changed course once again.

But that brief hesitation cost them dearly. Not only were the other Astral Gods closing in, even the path toward Xue Yang... had suddenly become blocked by four more Eternal Solar Flares.

And it wasn't just that direction. More and more Solar Flares were converging from all three sides.

With a quick sweep of their senses, the group realized that the number surrounding them had already surpassed a hundred!

Despair filled Yuan Xianghai and Ji Wudao's eyes.

Over a hundred Eternal Solar Flares! What have we done?

We were just trying to plunder the estate of one Eternal Solar Flare! We haven't even succeeded! Yet somehow, we have ended up provoking over a hundred of them to come capture us? Newest update provıded by NovelHub(.)net

They were just six insignificant Starshine Astral Gods. Even the strongest, Ji Wudao, had only reached the thirtieth step on the Supreme Ladder.

This wasn't worth it. Not at all...

"Hahaha! As expected! They're here!"

"Good thing we're sharp enough to pick up on that conversation between Xue Yang and his friend!"

"Poor Xue Yang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He'd been hosting a peaceful banquet in Glory Tower when he sensed someone wanted by Lord Blue Ocean Radiance hiding right in his city.

"In shock, he cried out, alerting everyone upstairs. Now we're all getting a piece of this reward. Just capturing one of them gets you a Solar Flare Divine Weapon."

"What's a Solar Flare Divine Weapon worth? If we escort these people to the Sacred Flame Hall, we might even get the chance to meet the great Lord Light of Origin! Do you know who he is?

"He achieved Cosmic Radiance in just two hundred years! And he's a future Heavenly Emperor candidate! Just standing beside him and leaving behind a trace would become a family heirloom!"

"Hurry! Others are on their way too! If we delay any longer, even Lord Blue Ocean Radiance might show up! Then we'll be left with nothing!"

The Eternal Solar Flares constantly released their spiritual power outside Bloodsun City.

Each one was visibly excited, like cats spotting mice.

They pushed their speed to the limit, some even ignoring the risk of accumulating Eternal Oblivion Force. Desperate to be the first to capture the Yuan and Ji clan Astral Gods, they resorted to all kinds of forbidden techniques.

The excitement was palpable, almost fanatic—sending shivers down the spines of Yuan Xianghai, Ji Wudao, and the others, who were already surrounded by over a hundred Eternal Solar Flares.

Their screams were filled with nothing but despair.