Beyond the Blue Sky Sword Sea, millions of miles away.
A dead star was throbbing continuously, like the beat of a heart. The dust and ruggedness on its surface had long been smoothed by the constant pulsations, no longer looking like a dead star.
Not far away, a ferry was sailing through the starry void, as if purposefully heading straight for the dead star and stopping right in front of it.
Six people disembarked from the ferry in succession, led by a golden armored elder. They hovered above the dead star, and the elder frowned as he inspected it.
"Is this the anomalous dead star you observed?" The Golden Armor Elder asked, turning his head back.
Behind him, a three-eyed demon child quickly responded, "I discovered the anomaly with my celestial eyes and hurried to notify you, Elder."
"It is indeed anomalous," the Golden Armor Elder nodded. This was the first time he had seen a dead star throbbing like this, as if brewing some kind of life within.
"Have any of you seen something like this before? It's like the preparatory farts before taking a shit," the Golden Armor Elder asked again, his words somewhat crude.
"The ancient texts do contain some records," replied a tall woman in green robes. "When a dead star throbs before shattering, it signifies that a rare treasure is brewing within. The throbbing will accelerate as the treasure nears completion!"
"What level of artifact?" The Golden Armor Elder's interest was piqued as he crossed his arms and curiously asked.
"Given the size of this dead star, the rare treasure brewing within should at least be at the dao artifact level. And to qualify as a rare treasure, its mystic powers would have to be even more formidable than ordinary dao artifacts," the woman in green responded, her gaze fixed on the pulsating dead star, her tone full of anticipation.
"Good, good, good!" The Golden Armor Elder uttered 'good' three times in a row. Looking at the dead star, he was grinning from ear to ear.
"If there really is a dao artifact treasure inside, I'll definitely share the spoils with you guys after I get my hands on it."
"It is Elder who leads us well," the Three Eyes Demon Child quickly flattered.
"Ha ha," the Golden Armor Elder laughed loudly before turning to look at the demon child. "You have the greatest contribution in this treasure hunt."
The Three Eyes Demon Child was overjoyed and hurriedly cupped his fists in gratitude. "It is only due to Elder's wisdom. Otherwise, out of so many in the starry sea, why would Elder be the one to locate this treasure instead of someone else?"
"Well said, well said," the Golden Armor Elder's face glowed red, very pleased by the flattering words.
The other two cultivators looked worried, frowning as they asked, "Continuing ahead a few thousand miles is the Blue Sky Sword Sea's jurisdiction. Taking the treasure right under their noses, are we sure there won't be any issues?"
Hearing this, the others also started looking concerned, the gaze towards the dead star now tinged with apprehension.
The Golden Armor Elder let out a cold snort, "What's there to fear? The current Blue Sky Sword Sea is far from its former glory. In recent millennia, it has been harassed by the White Emperor and now faces the impending end of this cosmic epoch. "
"They struggle just to protect themselves, let alone mind our business. I heard the Blue Sky Sword Sea's sect master has been in closed door cultivation for centuries, aiming to break through to the Great Saint or Quasi-Emperor Realm."
"All the other top-level powers are also behind closed doors, using their own lives to get Blue Sky Sword Sea through the end of this epoch. They won't casually leave their doors, guarding against aggression from other major sects and the White Emperor."
The Three Eyes Demon Child's eyes lit up as his expression turned joyful. "So the Blue Sky Sword Sea won't have time to mind us?"
"Naturally!" The Golden Armor Elder nodded firmly, then added confidently, "Today's Blue Sky Sword Sea only has some Wave Constraining Realm elders acting. Even if they do show up, I won't fear them either!"
"Of course, with Elder's strength at the sixth layer of the Wave Constraining Realm, you are no inferior to the supreme elders of the Blue Sky Sword Sea."
The Three Eyes Demon Child seized the opportunity for more flattery.
The tall woman in green also nodded. "For the Blue Sky Sword Sea's standards, they may not even look upon such a dao artifact treasure, especially considering their current plight."
The corners of the Golden Armor Elder's mouth curled into a smile as he nodded heavily.
"The timing, location, people - everything favors me. This dao artifact is destined to be mine!"
The Blue Sky Sword Sea might not care for it, but that was by their standards.
What was the Blue Sky Sword Sea?
Even in its current decline, it was still one of the foremost sects in the starry sea, with incredibly profound foundations. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't even dare imagine.
And they had an immortal sword lying horizontally above the Sword Sea, which even the White Emperor had to avoid.
It was normal for such an existence to not care for a single dao artifact treasure.
But for the Golden Armor Elder at the Wave Constraining Realm, this one treasure could be extremely beneficial. If sufficiently formidable, it could boost his strength by at least 30%!
"Once I get this treasure and return to the sect, I can get rid of that dog vying for my position. Then I'll be one step closer to the peak!"
Standing by, the Three Eyes Demon Child stared covetously. If the Golden Armor Elder could take another step up, he, as number one bootlicker, would naturally reap many benefits too.
"Three Eyes, go down first to help me locate the exact position of the treasure," the Golden Armor Elder suddenly instructed plainly.
The Three Eyes Demon Child was taken aback, his forehead beading with sweat. "Elder, I can observe clearly from up here too."
"How can you see clearly from up here?" The Golden Armor Elder shook his head. "You have to go down for a closer look. Don't argue, just do as I say."
The Three Eyes Demon Child swallowed nervously, looking pleadingly at the others but receiving only cold stares in response.
His expression darkened as he shook his head. This is the interpersonal way of cultivators, it seems.
The Three Eyes Demon Child delayed no further. Gritting his teeth, he charged towards the dead star and landed on its surface, bobbing up and down with the pulsations.
Three hours later.
The Golden Armor Elder finally descended onto the dead star's surface with a smile. "Have you located the treasure?" He asked the Three Eyes Demon Child.
"It's right beneath your feet, Elder," the Three Eyes Demon Child fawned. Not showing any displeasure from before at all.
"How do we extract this treasure then?" The Golden Armor Elder turned to ask the rest.
"Just digging it out should work. For treasures like this, it's usually first come, first served," the tall woman replied.
The Golden Armor Elder nodded. "Then I'll have to ask you all to leave first and guard for me from afar. There will be rewards when we succeed."
They nodded expressionlessly, cursing inwardly, "What a sly old fox, finding an excuse to shoo us away in case we snatch the treasure."
After the others left, the Golden Armor Elder no longer hesitated. Gathering spiritual energy in his hands, he carefully started digging, ready to welcome the treasure's emergence.
He was halfway through when an icy aura suddenly came from behind. His soul shook in fright, instantly materializing a tiger head guardian.
Boom!
A heavy blow struck, rocking the entire dead star and sending the Golden Armor Elder flying.
"How could you search for treasures without notifying me?" An effeminate voice rang out, followed by a gaudily dressed, swaying figure emerging.
The Golden Armor Elder's hair was disheveled, the corners of his mouth bleeding slightly. He gnashed his teeth and cursed, "You sexless freak, always using such despicable tricks!"
"Yet you just can't defend against them, ha ha," the effeminate figure ridiculed. "Truly useless."
The Golden Armor Elder took out a spirit pill from his storage artifact that swiftly healed injuries. After rapidly consuming it, his gaze turned towards the few people not far away, his expression ominous as he cursed.
"Which dog betrayed me!"
The few exchanged glances but no one spoke.
The effeminate figure pinched his fingers coyly, chuckling. "What's there to fear? From now on, you'll follow me. Are you really worried I can't beat him later?"
They looked at each other again. Then, except for the Three Eyes Demon Child, the other four flashed behind the effeminate figure together.
"Good!" The Golden Armor Elder clenched his teeth fiercely, his gaze vicious. "This is great, you ungrateful wretches!"
The tall woman shook her head. "There was never any gratitude to begin with, so where's the betrayal?"
The effeminate figure burst out laughing, his shrill voice continuing, "You old fogey, it's your own fault for not gaining the hearts of your subordinates. No wonder they're betraying you."
The Golden Armor Elder looked towards the remaining Three Eyes Demon Child, comforted to have this vestige of loyalty. "Three Eyes, you at least remain faithful. I really didn't judge wrongly."
"No... I... how..." The Three Eyes Demon Child hadn't recovered from the sudden twist. He couldn't even speak properly, only one thought in mind.
Was it still possible to defect now?
How could the others just leave without telling him anything?
"Today this treasured artifact will be mine, and this Death Star will become your grave!" The sinister figure sneered as spiritual energy surged in their hand, poised to strike.
"Even if I die today, I'll make sure to kill all you damn dogs first!" The Golden Armor Elder's expression turned fierce as he struck his golden armor with one hand, summoning a gigantic tiger's head divine image that let out a thunderous roar.
As the two faced off, the pulsations of the Death Star gradually ceased.
"The pulsations have stopped. The treasured artifact must be about to emerge!" The tall woman quickly said.
The Golden Armor Elder instantly clenched his fist and smashed it into the surface of the Death Star, creating a huge crater. He then crashed his body in, rushing swiftly into the interior of the Death Star.
If he could obtain the treasured artifact, he would have a chance to turn the tables.
The sinister figure closely followed, unwilling to fall behind.
In a flash, the two Great Sea Realm cultivators had smashed through thirty percent of the Death Star, continuing to dive towards the center.
Eventually they collided with each other and were blasted back thousands of meters, tense and on guard.
"Struggling is futile." The sinister figure laughed disdainfully.
The Golden Armor Elder clenched his fists tightly, saying nothing.
The other cultivators arrived in succession, preparing to observe.
The entire Death Star suddenly trembled.
The solid layers at the center began to fracture, cracks appearing.
Boom!
An arm abruptly stretched out, followed by half a body slowly crawling out. The tone carried a hint of anger.
"Can't a guy get some sleep around here?"
Still somewhat groggy, once he had crawled halfway out he opened his eyes. Seeing half the Death Star gone, his expression froze.
After a few moments, Chen Xia's tone grew even angrier.
"Goddamnit, you wrecked my house?!"
Let me explain why there have been fewer updates recently. I live in Hechuan district, some may know it.
There have been positives, so the entire city is sealed off now, including my neighborhood.
Did four nucleic acid tests in three days.
F*ck!
Also, there's an annoying event on Tomato Novel. My good brothers who think I'm annoying, please go to my profile and follow Little Sour.