382: Reactions from all sides, Starfall's determination

Xuanming Continent, Yin Bone Mountain, Headquarters of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sect.

Inside the dim main hall, ghost fires flickered eerily.

The Sect Leader sat upon the Bone Throne, his figure shrouded in rolling, dense black mist, revealing only a pair of eyes flashing with an eerie green light.

He held a newly delivered intelligence Jade Slip in his hand, his raspy, low voice echoing through the hall, carrying a hint of subtle wariness:

"The Situ Family... such ruthless methods, such swift actions. The Zhou Family, a Family with a Heavenly Venerable presiding over it, was wiped out just like that..."

He paused, his green eyes scanning the Elders below, who also possessed an eerie aura. "Pass down the order: restrain the Disciples. They are not to approach the borders of Thunder Prison Prefecture for the time being, and they are absolutely forbidden from provoking anyone from the Situ Family! These waters are deeper than we thought."

"Also, keep a close watch on Rakshasa City. The Evil Spirit Cult has been carved up, and that old thing Ghostly Darkness has fled with heavy injuries... chaos is beginning to emerge in this East Region."

Blood Shura Continent, Blood Demon Hall.

A burly man with a hideous face and a crimson cloak finished listening to his subordinate's report and suddenly crushed the bone cup filled with crimson liquid in his hand.

"The Situ Family? Hmph! They're just relying on an old, undying Heavenly Venerable! That old trash from the Zhou Family was useless anyway!"

His voice was like a resonant bell, causing the blood pool to churn. "But by swallowing the fat meat that is the Zhou Family, the Situ Family's strength will surely soar... tell our people to restrain themselves for now and not to cross the Situ Family."

"Furthermore, investigate for me! I want the detailed account of the Zhou Family's destruction. I don't believe the Situ Family could have emerged unscathed!"

Dragon Locking Prefecture, the core of the East Region.

Deep within a majestic complex of palaces floating above the sea of clouds in the Nine Heavens.

This was the location of the East Region Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary was a powerful and mysterious ancient force.

An old man wearing a Starlight Dharma Robe, with an aura as deep as the sea, put down the intelligence Jade Slip in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Another second-rate Family is gone..." His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop made of Starwood, producing a crisp sound.

"The destruction of a Family with a Heavenly Venerable is no small matter. First, a Saint fell and a Holy Land bowed its head, and now a second-rate Family has been wiped out. The Law Enforcement Hall has also been making some restless little movements lately... these are troubled times."

"And that mysterious Di Clan, their rise is far too bizarre."

...Rakshasa City, Dark Merchant Guild.

Inside a quiet room on the top floor, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

Situ Qinsheng reclined on a large chair covered in soft sable fur, resting with her eyes closed.

Beneath those closed eyelids, an occasional flash of purple lightning indicated that the terrifying power contained within her body was not asleep.

The Formation Plate refined by Di Wushang had played a key role in dealing with the Ghost Saint, Feng Wuji had been successfully rescued, the Evil Spirit Cult's headquarters had been breached, and Ghostly Darkness had fled with heavy injuries... the primary goals of this trip had basically been achieved.

However, she knew this was only the beginning.

The remnants of the Evil Spirit Cult, the escaped Ghostly Darkness, and the Tu Family, Blood Moon Sect, and Blood Prison Arena who had taken the opportunity to carve up the Evil Spirit Cult's legacy, all meant that the situation in Rakshasa City would enter a more complex and treacherous new phase.

Situ Qinsheng opened her eyes, recalling the message she had just received from her brother.

"Purchasing Mystery-Grade and Heaven-Grade Spiritual Artifacts in bulk? Regardless of type? What is the Eternal Night Merchant Guild up to?"

"President Di... what is he trying to do? The Eternal Night Merchant Guild doesn't have enough people to use that many weapons. Are they hoarding for speculation? The profit margins for Mystery-Grade and Heaven-Grade Spiritual Artifacts aren't large enough to warrant such a massive undertaking..."

She stood up and walked to the massive glazed window, overlooking the chaotic yet vibrant Rakshasa City below.

On the streets, the flags of the Tu Family and the Blood Moon Sect were rising over properties that originally belonged to the Evil Spirit Cult, and the thunderous clamor of the Blood Prison Arena could be heard in the distance.

The rules of this city were being quietly reshaped amidst blood and fire.

"Pass down the order," Situ Qinsheng's voice returned to its usual coldness and decisiveness, carrying a hint of unquestionable authority.

"All recent actions of the merchant guild should prioritize stability. Retract some of our outer branches and strengthen our control over core industries and intelligence networks."

"Yes, President!" The maid took the order and quietly withdrew.

Godfall Di Clan, the Spirit Gathering Tower towered into the clouds.

Inside the tower, Di Jingzhe sat cross-legged, surrounded by dark gold lightning and crimson blood dragon patterns, faintly forming the phantom of a Primeval Kui Ox that let out low roars.

Under the violent operation of the Kui Thunder Shakes the World Art, the barrier of the Seventh Level of the Purple Mansion Realm had become as thin as a cicada's wing; every boom of thunder felt as if it would completely tear it apart.

He remained focused, accumulating power and waiting for the natural moment of Breakthrough.

Inside a quiet and elegant courtyard in the Eternal Night Divine Capital.

Feng Linger's slender hands lightly caressed the ancient zither that had accompanied her in the search for her brother. The strings did not move, but her gaze fell tenderly upon Feng Wuji, who was practicing his sword in the courtyard.

Feng Wuji's sword style was sharp, carrying the characteristic speed and ferocity of the Wind-Thunder Body. Each strike stirred up a subtle whirlwind, and his face held the relief of a survivor and deep gratitude toward the Di Clan.

Di Jingzhe had brought them back and arranged for them to stay in the Eternal Night Divine Capital. This protection finally gave their wandering hearts a stable harbor.

Meanwhile, in the Spirit Void Continent, Carefree Sect.

At the mist-shrouded peak of Xiaoyao Peak, Young Sect Master Di Xingyun leaned against the railing and looked into the distance.

At nineteen years old, with a cultivation of the Heaven-Reaching Realm Third Layer and the Star Body, he possessed the capital to look down upon his peers.

However, a lingering trace of solemnity was locked between his brows.

"A top Genius of the East Region..."

The greedy gaze of Cloud Void Jade Venerable, the vice holy lord of the Jade Void Sacred Land who had been killed by the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf, still made his heart turn cold when he thought of it.

Had it not been for the Family's deep foundation, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The fame of the Star Body was an honor, but even more so, it was a death-dealing Talismanic Incantation.

Compared to those geniuses who were at the ninth or tenth level of the Tongtian Realm, or even the Law Realm, his current cultivation was truly not enough.

"One thrives in adversity and perishes in ease. Within the Sect, although there is competition, it lacks the tempering between life and death and the pressure from truly powerful individuals."

His gaze became sharp as he looked toward the east, as if piercing through the endless sea of clouds.

"Starfall Continent... rumors say it is covered in extraterrestrial meteor craters, where the Power of Starlight is dense and violent, and it even contains Ancient Star God Ruins... perhaps that is the place where I can rapidly transform!"

A strong surge of Battle Intent and desire rose within his chest.

Greenhouse flowers can never grow into towering giant trees.

He needed the tempering of blood and fire, the baptism of the violent power in the land where stars fell! His determination to go to Starfall Continent for experience was incredibly firm at this moment.