Chapter 412: Chapter 412

Dao Yi was too far from Chen Jiuge, so the interlude with the Nine-Headed Clan did not really affect him—it was as if he had merely watched a grand performance.

Perhaps it was only for an instant, yet it seemed so distant. As an angry roar erupted, the oppressive presence in the sky also dissipated.

A drop of blood radiating purple light fell from the sky. It seemed like just a single drop, yet it was so massive, even larger than the body of the grey elephant ancestor.

The blood fell to the earth, and a purple pillar of light stood tall at the very core of the land.

"What’s this?" Chen Jiuge murmured.

"The blood of a Dao Yi from the Nine-Headed Clan," Xiu Wenfei said, a hint of longing on his face.

"Isn’t it from a Half-Step Dao Yi?" Chen Jiuge asked, puzzled.

Luo Wencheng looked at the nearby pillar of light with a complex gaze and remarked, "Being a Half-Step Dao Yi doesn’t mean they can’t break through to the Dao Yi realm; it’s merely for the sake of freedom."

"The difference between some Half-Step Dao Yi and actual Dao Yi is merely one step away from combining with the Dao," Luo Kuisan said, extremely excited. This was the blood of a Dao Yi, after all—the Dao contained within it was enough for an Immortal to take a great leap forward.

"What are we waiting for? Let’s grab it!" Luo Bing urged, reverting to his brazen demeanor, clearly impatient.

Chen Jiuge shook his head slightly. "We probably won’t be able to get it. If we really want to try, we’ll need to boost our own strength first."

"Let’s pick up the pace, collect Secret Treasures, and gather Law Crystals."

Chen Jiuge examined the two-headed wolf corpse before him, gently brushing its wound. A trace of confusion appeared on his face as he murmured, "Why does this feel like the work of the Netherworld King Clan?" The wound had been caused by Divine Skills and was still emanating a strong aura of death—a characteristic of the Netherworld King Clan.

"Elder Luo Bing, go scout ahead. I suspect members of the Netherworld King Clan are nearby."

Luo Wencheng furrowed his brow slightly. "Divine Son, if it really is the Netherworld King Clan, what will you do?"

Setting down the corpse, Chen Jiuge stood up. "I’m only cooperating with Ming Huayu. If it’s not her, then there’s no need to hold back. I don’t want to be backstabbed."

The massive grey elephant ancestor approached quickly, its long trunk covered with wounds of various sizes. Its once somewhat gentle demeanor had gradually turned fierce.

"City Lord, I’ve spotted enemies."

"Enemies? Where did you see them?" Chen Jiuge asked in surprise.

In the core of the Star Sea, Divine Sense was suppressed to such an extreme that it was almost unusable for reconnaissance. This was why Chen Jiuge had sent Luo Bing to scout; only an Immortal possessed enough strength to escape and report back if discovered.

"Just across the dense forest. I saw them while I was taking a dump," the grey elephant ancestor reported truthfully.

"Taking a dump?!?!" Chen Jiuge echoed, dumbfounded. You’re a Golden Immortal, and you’re telling me you went to take a dump?

"Well, I was a bit curious about the plants here, so I took a little taste. I didn’t expect them to have such a strong kick."

"Never mind that. Just lead the way."

After Luo Wencheng called Luo Bing back, Chen Jiuge had the grey elephant ancestor lead the way.

Passing through the gray-white forest, Chen Jiuge finally saw the enemies the grey elephant ancestor had described. They had green faces and sharp fangs, appearing like Evil Ghosts, with bony wings on their backs and Tridents in hand—these were members of the Yaksha Clan.

Yaksha? Chen Jiuge suddenly recalled the Yaksha clansman he had met among the Rat Bone Clan, the one who had mentioned cooperation.

The arrival of such a large group naturally put the Yaksha Clan members guarding outside the Light Gate on alert.

The tallest among them, who also possessed the highest cultivation, Yaksha Wen, narrowed his dark-green eyes. "Asura? What a coincidence!"

Chen Jiuge frowned uncomfortably. What’s with this Immortal Yaksha? Why does he keep staring at me?

"Hey, green-eyed fiends, what are you doing here?" Luo Bing asked, his tone unusually less arrogant.

"Red-haired devil, this isn’t Asura territory. Isn’t it perfectly normal for us to be here?" Yaksha Wen retorted unceremoniously.

Luo Kuisan clenched his fists. "It might not be good to kill you, but I think a beating is definitely doable."

Yaksha Wen shook his head. "Normally, I’d be up for a fight with you. But right now, I think we should clarify the situation first."

"Are you the newest Divine Son of the Asura Clan?" The ferocious-looking Yaksha clansman was surprisingly polite.

Seeing Chen Jiuge remain silent, Yaksha Wen was not offended and continued to explain, "Divine Son of Asura, I am Yaksha Jing’s Guardian. Our Divine Son mentioned he had some interaction with you in a remote region and spoke of cooperation."

Chen Jiuge said in surprise, "Such a coincidence?"

"Hahaha, indeed, such a coincidence!" From within the Light Gate, Yaksha Jing emerged, laughing heartily. "I didn’t expect we’d meet so soon! Truly, we are fated. This is my greeting gift for you."

Chen Jiuge caught the cloth bag tossed by Yaksha Jing. A brief glance inside left him astounded—it was filled with Law Crystals, all of decent quality judging by their luster.

"My name is Yaksha Jing. I’ve looked into your background—Chen Jiuge, right? I also became my clan’s Divine Son not long ago. Those old fossils in my clan don’t involve me in much, and I believe the same is true for you."

"So, let’s cooperate," Yaksha Jing said, extending his large, pale-green hand.

Chen Jiuge hesitated for a moment before reaching out and clasping Yaksha Jing’s large hand. "How shall we cooperate?"

Yaksha Jing also had a Heavenly Immortal Cultivation, and his retinue included four Immortals as Guardians, similar to Chen Jiuge’s. However, Chen Jiuge had Xiong Qing, giving him a slight edge in top-tier combat strength.

However, when it came to Golden Immortals, Heavenly Immortals, and True Immortals, Chen Jiuge’s contingent was significantly smaller, and likely weaker overall.

At this, Yaksha Jing lamented, "The treatment for a biological son versus an adopted one truly is different."

The four Immortals from the Asura Clan looked extremely displeased but could not refute his words. Chen Jiuge was not a true-blood Asura, and indeed, many elders within the clan opposed him. Fortunately, the Great Leader held significant prestige.

"Brother Chen, are you interested in the blood of that Dao Yi?" Yaksha Jing asked, looking at the distant pillar of light.

"Of course, I’m interested. But do you think just our two groups stand a chance?"

"If it were just one of our teams, then definitely not. But together, there’s a sliver of a chance." Yaksha Jing’s expression suddenly turned fervent. "Isn’t this kind of thrill what cultivation is all about?"

Another thrill-seeking madman, Chen Jiuge thought to himself.

Seeing Chen Jiuge’s lack of response, Yaksha Jing continued, "Brother Chen, I’ve read your file. Although you’re now the Divine Son of the Asura Clan, you originated from the Human Clan of the Heavenly Realm. I imagine things aren’t easy for you on either side."

"Nearly half of your team consists of cultivators from other races. You must have realized by now that you need to develop your own power base."

Chen Jiuge looked at Yaksha Jing with some surprise. This madman actually has such keen observational skills.

Yaksha Jing turned his back to Chen Jiuge. "Cultivators are inherently selfish, Brother Chen. I believe that one day you’ll leave both the Asura Clan and the Myriad Beasts Sect to establish your own independent force. And I can help you with that."

"After all, I am the Divine Son of the Yaksha Clan. If nothing else, my name alone can deter many races. I can even dispatch Immortals to assist you."

"Why? Just to contend for the blood of that Dao Yi?" Chen Jiuge asked, puzzled. That’s a significant commitment.

"Of course not. I’m doing it for the sake of affinity," Yaksha Jing said, a grin revealing his sharp canine teeth, his eyes turning somewhat solemn.

Yaksha Jing’s words caused a flicker of emotion in Chen Jiuge. Moreover, what Yaksha Jing had proposed was exactly what Chen Jiuge had been considering. If he truly were to take that step, Yaksha Jing’s help would be crucial.

"A pleasure cooperating with you."

Their conversation was protected by a Soundproofing Array, so the Immortals of the Asura Clan could not stoop to eavesdropping.

"Then our target is the blood of that Dao Yi!"

The saying, "Mountains look close but are far to travel, tiring people to death," also applied in the Cultivation World.

The purple pillar of light looked close but was actually very far. After the two groups converged, they traveled for a full ten days, yet the pillar still seemed just as distant.

Yaksha Jing grumbled, "I didn’t expect our landing spot to be so remote!"

"Is there some significance to that?" Chen Jiuge tilted his head.

"Of course. Directions in the Star Sea Realm are unreliable. The area we descended into must be a peripheral zone. Not only are Secret Treasures scarce there, but one also encounters other races less frequently."

"Hm? Looks like some fun ahead," Yaksha Jing said, his eyes flickering with a green glint.

Before their massive combined force, potential new allies appeared. Upon closer inspection, Chen Jiuge exclaimed in surprise, "Ming Huayu?"

A faint smile playing on her lips, Ming Huayu stepped forward. "What a coincidence. But why are you mixed up with these green-eyed fiends from the Yaksha Clan?"

Yaksha Jing curled his lip disdainfully. "Gray-skinned bird."

"It’s a long story," Chen Jiuge replied. "But right now, I’m cooperating with the Yaksha Clan. We plan to contend for the blood of that Dao Yi. Interested in joining us?"

Ming Huayu’s sensuous red tongue licked her lips. "Sounds very interesting."

The Netherworld King Clan, the Asura Clan, and the Yaksha Clan—these three great Hell Races—were, after countless eons, converging once more. If the Star Sea Realm had a news service, this event would undoubtedly be a headline story. This update ıs available on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

「The unfortunate leader of a Winter Wolf Clan branch, Dong Guan, stared at the three Hell Races surrounding his group, his face a mask of despair mixed with disbelief.」

"You... you’ve actually joined forces?"

"No, no! I clearly saw the Asura Clan and the Netherworld King Clan fighting to the death just a while ago!"

"It seems we’ve found a group that fled from the core region," Yaksha Jing said with a grim smile.

"Tell us what you know, and we might spare your lives," Ming Huayu said coolly.

"Naturally. The Winter Wolf Clan is a major clan, after all." Ming Huayu shook her head. "Judging by the strength of your contingent, your clan’s territory must be deep within Winter Wolf lands. It wouldn’t be worth antagonizing your entire clan for some Law Crystals and a few resources; the gain wouldn’t justify the loss."

Dong Guan, having barely escaped death, readily spilled everything he knew.

The gist of it was: the appearance of the Dao Yi’s blood had driven the powerful factions into a frenzy. Slightly weaker groups could barely survive a single day in the core region.

After letting the pitiful Dong Guan and his group go, Chen Jiuge frowned. "The core region seems even more dangerous than we imagined. That Winter Wolf Clan contingent had six Immortals, yet they still fled in such a sorry state."

Yaksha Jing gestured emphatically. "But now we have a total of fifteen Immortals!"

"And our individual strength isn’t something ordinary Immortals can compare to," Ming Huayu added.

"What’s there to hesitate about? The worst that can happen is death, right?" Yaksha Jing said nonchalantly.

"True," Chen Jiuge mused, still puzzled. "But why did Ming Huayu let that Winter Wolf Clan group go earlier?" I was hoping to use their Law Crystals to enhance my subordinates’ strength.

It was well-known that for races participating in the Star Sea Sky Battle, Law Crystals would condense if a significant portion of their forces were eliminated, unlike the usual requirement of complete annihilation. This was a rare opportunity.

"Because it’s simply not feasible, obviously," Ming Huayu explained. "Those major clans with Dao Yi experts aren’t fools. Every loss of Law Crystals diminishes their clan’s overall potential. Their Dao Yi would surely be recalled if we started wiping out their members. I, for one, don’t want to be pulverized by a Dao Yi."

"Ah, I see," Chen Jiuge said, somewhat disappointed.

"However, I do have an excellent target in mind," Ming Huayu said, a smile touching her lips as she recalled the Ghost Shark Clan they had encountered earlier. "I wonder if you’d dare to take them on!"

"The Ghost Shark Clan!"