The Burning Starfire

As the colossal, sky-covering blade descended, an overwhelming killing intent locked onto Bing Yi. In that instant, her body stiffened as if her very soul was about to be torn from her flesh.

"What kind of technique is this?!" For the first time, a trace of shock surfaced on Bing Yi’s face.

Long Chen had just unleashed his Dragon Blood Emperor Flame, but before its power could spread, it was instantly absorbed by Dragonbone Evilmoon.

The Dragon Blood Emperor Flame was too wild and untamed. Since Long Chen had yet to assimilate it with his Violet Blood, controlling it was extremely difficult. However, by channeling it into Dragonbone Evilmoon, he could make use of its destructive force.

Dragonbone Evilmoon wielded the Dragon Blood Emperor Flame, while Long Chen wielded Dragonbone Evilmoon. This was the advantage of true man-blade unity.

"I don’t care what kind of technique it is. I’ll break it with sheer force!"

Seeing the sky-splitting blade falling toward her, Bing Yi clapped her hands together. The celestial diagram behind her trembled violently, forming an enormous gateway. As the gateway slowly opened, an immense hand, shimmering with starry light, extended from within.

When that hand appeared, the entire world seemed unable to contain its existence. The heavens quivered, and the cosmos trembled in response.

“Heavenly Star Fist!”

With a chilling shout, Bing Yi threw a punch. The moment she struck, the starry hand within the celestial gateway followed suit, mirroring her movements as it smashed toward Dragonbone Evilmoon.

BOOM!

Dragonbone Evilmoon clashed with the celestial hand, two titanic forces colliding like a cosmic explosion, filling the sky with dazzling brilliance.

SWOOSH!

Just as everyone thought the attacks had neutralized each other, the massive Dragonbone Evilmoon tore through the void, its savage edge slicing toward Bing Yi.

"What?!" The experts of the Nine Star lineage were stunned—Bing Yi’s divine ability had failed to stop the blade!

“Nothing but a spent force!”

With a cold snort, Bing Yi’s star-imbued arm flared with divine radiance as she punched out again.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rang out as Bing Yi was sent flying, rolling through the air in a rather ungraceful fashion. Ripples spread through the void where she was struck.

"Now THAT was a satisfying strike! Long Chen, how are you holding up?" Evilmoon’s excited voice rang in Long Chen’s mind, exhilarated after such an intense clash.

"I’m perfectly fine. The real question is, can you keep enduring such chaotic energies?" Long Chen asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

The Dragon Blood Emperor Flame was incredibly violent, and since Dragonbone Evilmoon was the one suppressing it, it bore the brunt of the strain. Long Chen wondered if it could hold out.

"No problem at all! Keep going!" Evilmoon roared enthusiastically.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Long Chen strode forward with Dragonbone Evilmoon on his shoulder, emerging from the twisted void. In the distance, Bing Yi had just stabilized herself, her once-pristine hair slightly disheveled, making her appear somewhat ragged.

"You truly have some skill, but in just three moves, you've burned through three different bloodline powers. What else do you have left? Show me!" Bing Yi shouted angrily.

RUMBLE!

Behind her, the celestial stars ignited, their flames roaring as her aura surged to new heights.

"Heavens! Lady Bing Yi has actually ignited her Stellar Emperor Flame! Has Long Chen truly forced her to such an extent?!"

The Nine Star lineage experts were utterly shaken. The fact that Bing Yi had resorted to burning her Stellar Emperor Flame meant she was bringing out her final trump card.

What they didn’t realize was that Long Chen’s three consecutive strikes had each been fueled by the full power of his Violet Blood, Supreme Blood, and Dragon Blood Emperor Flames. They had only sensed a portion of his energy, but Bing Yi knew just how terrifying those three strikes were.

Long Chen had completely enraged her. She no longer cared that her divine markings were incomplete—she recklessly burned her Stellar Emperor Flame, forcibly amplifying her Innate Divine Flame despite the risks.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the flames pulsed rhythmically, the entire world quaked. The powerful experts from the Primordial Devil Race fared slightly better, protected by Kun Ding’s power, but even they felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing their hearts, threatening to crush them.

Meanwhile, Long Chen took a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling slightly. Burning through three different bloodline powers in an instant—this was something he had never experienced before.

That feeling of being utterly drained in a split second was agonizing. If not for his incredibly powerful physique, the sudden shift from fullness to emptiness would have been unbearable.

“Are you out of strength, insect?”

Bing Yi’s icy gaze was filled with contempt. "If that’s all you have, then I must say—I’m thoroughly disappointed. I even ignited my Stellar Emperor Flame just for you. The real battle is only beginning."

Long Chen rested Dragonbone Evilmoon on his shoulder, taking another deep breath. His once-labored breathing gradually steadied.

"You’re right," he said coldly. "The real battle is just beginning."

At his words, a storm of emotions surged through everyone—be they from the Nine Star lineage or the Primordial Devil Race. They had assumed Long Chen was nearing his limit, yet his confidence remained unwavering.

With his back straight as a javelin, his aura suddenly transformed. His long hair billowed, and a vast energy surged within him.

One by one, glimmering stars emerged behind him. As they continued to manifest, his presence became increasingly divine, his aura more majestic.

Then, in a voice like the solemn tolling of a divine bell, Long Chen spoke—

"As a successor of the Nine Star lineage, I may not have inherited your so-called supreme techniques, but I have inherited the indomitable will of the Nine Star Master and the unyielding spirit of the Pill Emperor.

You so-called 'orthodox' Nine Star successors… your hearts are filled with greed and corruption. You have disappointed me beyond measure.

To me, the light of the stars exists to shine in the darkest of nights, guiding those lost in the shadows so they do not fall further into darkness.

But your star power has been tainted. Your hearts are no longer pure. You have strayed from the path."

As the radiant stars behind Long Chen shone brighter, the experts of the Nine Star lineage felt an inexplicable pressure. Though his full power had yet to be unleashed, they could already feel their own star energy being suppressed.

“Strayed from the path?”

Bing Yi burst into laughter, as if she had just heard the most absurd joke in the world.

"Hahaha! A mere wandering beggar of the Nine Star lineage dares to lecture a Heavenly Rank Successor like me? I’d love to see where your confidence comes from!"

Though she acknowledged Long Chen’s strength, she remained utterly dismissive. In fact, she hoped he would be even stronger—only then would her Stellar Emperor Flame truly be worth burning.

"Then allow me to show you exactly where my confidence comes from."

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As a boundless starry sea unfolded behind him, sealing off the heavens, one starry gate after another began to open…

Final Thoughts: The battle reaches a new peak as Bing Yi pushes herself beyond her limits. But just when it seems Long Chen is faltering, he unveils yet another astonishing transformation! Just what kind of power lies within those starry gates?!

Author’s Summary: The clash between star and flame continues! Who will emerge victorious as their final cards are revealed?