Unyielding Pursuit

Whoosh!

Long Chen’s soul returned to his body, and in an instant, a splitting pain tore through his mind. His battle with Bing Yi had drained him immensely.

And now, having forcibly gathered what little remained of his star power to infiltrate Bing Yi’s natal rune and pry into her secrets, his soul force was completely overdrawn.

"You wouldn’t be in this much pain if you hadn’t slapped that old man," Kun Ding sighed. This guy was truly impossible.

"If I didn’t slap him, my heart would feel worse!" Long Chen grinned.

Just thinking about how that old bastard had taken a solid slap across the face filled his heart with satisfaction. Somehow, even the pain felt lighter.

Who knew where that old geezer was now? Perhaps he was in some empty chamber, smashing tables and chairs while cursing his lungs out.

Though Long Chen’s slap had left no real damage to the body, the humiliation it inflicted was far worse.

Especially for those of high status—sometimes, a mere slap was harder to endure than an actual blade.

"Long Chen, are you alright?"

Seeing him struggling to stand, Yue Xiaoqian rushed to support him, and Fei Shuang hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward to help as well.

Long Chen’s face was deathly pale, devoid of any trace of blood. The power of his Three Bloodlines was completely depleted, leaving him on the verge of collapse.

Still, he forced a faint smile, signaling that he was fine, and spoke weakly:

"Xie Yue..."

In an instant, Xie Yue transformed into a storm of blood-red petals, enveloping everyone before vanishing into the distance.

Not long after their departure, strange fluctuations rippled through the void. Powerful figures, drawn by the battle’s aftermath, silently approached to investigate.

However, the residual battlefield aura sent chills down their spines. None dared to get too close, let alone reveal themselves.

Only after confirming that the combatants had truly left did the bolder ones step forward.

One after another, figures emerged from the void—each from different factions, different races—yet all wary of one another. After quickly scanning the battlefield, they fled without lingering.

Among them were powerful beings from the Chaos World, who were well aware of the Nine Star lineage.

In the Heavenly Domain Battlefield, few would dare provoke a Nine Star warrior—except for the absolute titans.

Long Chen had left Bing Yi’s corpse where it lay. Strangely, none of the arriving experts dared to touch it.

Even those who stood against the Nine Star lineage wouldn’t risk it. After all, disturbing the body could easily be seen as an act of aggression—one that would invoke endless retaliation.

But while they wouldn’t move the corpse, they did capture everything. The entire battlefield had been recorded using Memory Stones.

When the footage spread, countless figures were left in shock.

Because someone had recognized her.

One of the three strongest figures of the younger generation in the Nine Star lineage—Bing Yi.

Some factions had even suffered devastating losses to her in past battles over treasure.

She was an overwhelming force—feared, untouchable.

And now, she was dead.

Her death sent shockwaves across the Heavenly Domain Battlefield.

"Bing Yi is dead? Hmph, big attitude, little ability. She had it coming."

On the peak of a towering mountain, a young man held a Memory Stone, sneering at the recorded image of Bing Yi’s lifeless body.

His aura was utterly restrained, making it impossible to gauge his strength. Yet, with every movement, starlight flickered around him, an unintentional pressure emanating from his very being.

"Senior Brother Lu Ze, Bing Yi’s death isn’t a small matter. The higher-ups might suspect either you or Blood Shadow."

A woman standing behind him voiced her concern.

This man—Lu Ze—was one of the monstrous figures within the Nine Star lineage, standing at the same level as Bing Yi herself.

Lu Ze casually tossed the Memory Stone behind him and said indifferently,

"Not necessary. The Sky Pupil Clan is nothing. They chose to side with us.

They act like tyrants, thinking their pupil arts make them special. But they’ve forgotten who the true heirs of the Nine Star lineage are.

The Son of the Star Lord will awaken soon. When that happens, their days of unchecked arrogance will come to an end."

The woman caught the Memory Stone, worry flickering in her eyes.

"But... the Son of the Star Lord has yet to awaken. I fear the Sky Pupil Clan may cause trouble for you. After all, Bing Yi was just one of their top talents."

She hesitated before adding,

"The Star Lord’s Shrine will soon hold its Inheritance Ceremony. You are a strong contender for it. If the Sky Pupil Clan plays dirty, it could be dangerous."

Lu Ze smirked.

"Relax. Bing Yi wasn’t killed by me. Even if she was—so what?

If they can’t produce evidence, they can’t touch me.

And if they want to pick a fight over this, well… let them come."

He showed no concern.

Bing Yi’s death had surprised him, but it didn’t particularly interest him.

As for the Sky Pupil Clan, they were nothing to fear. He had his own backing.

Lu Ze’s gaze sharpened.

"In the time I was in seclusion, how has the battlefield situation changed?" His tone grew heavier. "More importantly—what about the mission I assigned before I left?"

At his words, the surrounding figures visibly tensed.

"Senior Brother… the Primordial Demon Race has proven extremely cunning. Despite our efforts, we haven’t been able to locate them.

And… w-we also had a small conflict with Blood Shadow’s forces while searching." The woman’s voice wavered slightly.

"Blood Shadow?"

Lu Ze frowned, contemplating for a moment before his expression turned cold.

"Capturing the Primordial Demon Race is a priority. Do not let up.

And one more thing… find Long Chen.

I need to locate him before Blood Shadow emerges from seclusion. That Kun Ding belongs to me."

"Senior Brother, we’ve already pinpointed Long Chen’s general location."

She hesitated before handing over a map.

Lu Ze’s eyes narrowed the moment he saw it.

"He’s that close to where Bing Yi died?" His gaze flickered dangerously.

"Coincidence?"

He wasn’t sure.

But there was only one way to find out.

"You keep tracking the Primordial Demon Race.

I will hunt down Long Chen myself."

Whoosh!

Before his words fully faded, Lu Ze had already vanished.

Only a faint trace of starlight lingered in the empty air.

Final Thoughts:

The battlefield shifts once again.

Long Chen may have barely survived, but new threats are already descending upon him. Unseen eyes watch his every move, powerful figures scheme in the darkness, and now—one of the Nine Star lineage’s greatest monsters is on his trail.

Lu Ze is coming.

But Long Chen is not one to be hunted so easily.

What will happen when these two forces finally collide?

The answer lies ahead… in blood and fire.