The Battle for the Star Arm: A Clash of Will and Fate

"Feishuang, have you thought this through? I only have a thirty percent chance of success. If this fails, you will perish, body and soul."

Within the independent space created by the Kunyuan Cauldron, Long Chen's expression was solemn as he gazed at Feishuang.

"Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I would still try. Lord Long Chen, please proceed. No matter the consequences, I will bear them alone." Feishuang’s voice was unwavering, her eyes filled with resolute determination.

Moments ago, Long Chen had revealed his daring plan—to replace Feishuang’s severed arm with Bing Yi’s Star Arm.

When he first spoke these words, everyone was stunned. Only then did they realize that Long Chen’s meticulously planned strike, severing Bing Yi’s arm in its entirety, was not merely an act of revenge for Feishuang.

Feishuang was left speechless with emotion upon hearing this proposal, while Yue Xiaoqian’s heart filled with worry.

The Star Arm was inscribed with boundless stellar runes, containing an earth-shattering power. More terrifyingly, it still carried Bing Yi’s will. A single misstep, and Feishuang would either be torn apart by its immense power or have her soul obliterated by Bing Yi’s lingering consciousness.

Yet, seeing Feishuang’s eager anticipation, Yue Xiaoqian ultimately remained silent.

She understood that for someone as proud as Feishuang, being continually surpassed by others was a fate worse than death itself.

Without hesitation, Feishuang accepted Long Chen’s proposal, and now, Long Chen had to ensure she understood the risks.

But when Feishuang heard that there was a thirty percent chance of success, rather than fear, she was overjoyed.

Seeing her unwavering resolve, Long Chen nodded. Since Feishuang was fearless, the chances of success had just increased slightly.

"I can suppress the power within the Star Arm, but the will it carries—that, you must conquer yourself. Only by subduing and refining Bing Yi’s residual will can you wield the divine stellar runes embedded within."

"Bing Yi poured her life’s essence into this arm. She never wielded divine weapons because she believed her arm itself was the greatest weapon. It has also been reinforced by her natal divine runes, making her willpower incredibly strong."

Feishuang lifted her head, her eyes burning with resolve. "Lord Long Chen, I have walked a lonely path since childhood. Every skill I possess was bought with blood and life. Perhaps my talent is not as great as Bing Yi’s, but my will—no matter how many times I have stood at death’s door—has never wavered."

"Good. Then let’s begin."

Long Chen nodded, retrieving Bing Yi’s severed arm. By now, it had completely transformed into a stellar form, hard as divine steel. Stellar runes pulsed across its surface, radiating a violent and oppressive aura.

This arm was unimaginably powerful, no weaker than any Divine Emperor Artifact. To the Nine Star lineage, it was even more significant—if they reclaimed it, they could potentially resurrect Bing Yi’s soul.

As the arm was aligned with Feishuang’s severed shoulder—

Hiss...

A searing heat erupted as Feishuang’s blood and flesh sizzled, giving rise to wisps of smoke. Blazing stellar flames instantly engulfed her body.

Feishuang trembled involuntarily at first but clenched her teeth, refusing to make a sound.

Long Chen admired her resilience. Feishuang was a true warrior, forged through endless battles of blood and fire. Without such a steadfast will, she could never have reached this point.

Watching her struggle, Long Chen was suddenly reminded of his brothers in the Dragonblood Legion. He often lamented the unfairness of the world, cursed his fate, and mocked his unending misfortunes. Every step he took was fraught with hardship. But perhaps that was why each step was solid and unshakable, building the foundation that led him to where he stood today.

"You are undergoing stellar tempering right now. I am using the flames of the stars to awaken the stellar power within the arm, initiating the process of fusing your body with the stars."

"I will turn your body into a battlefield, a familiar ground where you will fight Bing Yi’s will. This is your only advantage. Are you ready? The fusion is complete—now, the true battle begins."

Feishuang’s eyes remained closed, her expression unwavering. She was surrounded by shimmering starlight, radiant and mysterious.

"Come!" she declared.

Buzz!

The Star Arm trembled, exuding a terrifying aura that caused the surrounding space to shudder violently. Then, a furious voice resounded:

"You dare covet my Star Arm? Die!"

Boom!

Feishuang’s entire body jolted as a violent explosion of starlight erupted within her. Thunderous roars echoed from her very core.

Pfft!

She suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The moment her consciousness clashed with Bing Yi’s will, she had been injured.

Long Chen’s expression darkened. Bing Yi’s Star Arm was even more formidable than he had anticipated. Not only did it contain her will, but also a fragment of her soul—one that had eluded even his scrutiny.

Clearly, Bing Yi had planned to use this remnant soul to seize a new body and be reborn.

However, now that Long Chen was forcing Feishuang to refine the Star Arm, Bing Yi’s hidden soul could no longer remain concealed.

This was now a battle to the death—Feishuang sought to refine the Star Arm, while Bing Yi sought to claim Feishuang’s body. And in this fight, Long Chen could not interfere.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions erupted within Feishuang as starlight flashed violently. The battle was fierce beyond imagination.

Time crawled by. Even Long Chen began to sweat as an incense stick’s worth of time passed, and the fight raged on. He exhaled slightly in relief.

After half an hour, he grew even calmer—because the longer the battle lasted, the better Feishuang’s chances.

If she could endure the initial onslaught, Bing Yi’s soul power would rapidly diminish. Though her soul was stronger, it was but a fragment, a rootless entity that would be quickly exhausted.

Three hours later, the flashing stars around Feishuang finally dimmed. Bing Yi’s presence had utterly vanished.

Feishuang opened her eyes, elation lighting her features. "Lord Long Chen, I did it!"

She slowly raised her right arm, flexing her fingers with disbelief. The Star Arm was now fully under her control. It felt unreal, like a dream.

Long Chen reached out a single finger and lightly tapped Feishuang’s forehead.

Feishuang blinked in confusion. "Lord Long Chen...?"

Buzz!

Stellar energy surged from Long Chen’s fingertip, and in the next instant, Feishuang’s soul seared with pain as a powerful force attempted to extract it. She panicked, not understanding Long Chen’s intentions.

"This petty trick... come out!"

With a cold snort, Long Chen’s finger glowed brilliantly, forcibly drawing out a shadowy figure from Feishuang’s soul sea.

"Long Chen, I curse you to die a miserable death!"

From the writhing mass of darkness came Bing Yi’s shrill, venomous scream.

Final Thought:

Feishuang had won, but victory came at a cost. She had endured a battle of soul and will, standing at the precipice of destruction, yet she emerged stronger than ever. Her Star Arm now belonged to her alone.

But fate was never that simple. In the shadows, vengeance still brewed…