The Unyielding Star

No one expected Lu Ze to appear at this critical moment, and even less did they anticipate that he could track them down with such precision.

Long Chen had gone through great lengths to conceal his trail, changing locations multiple times and erasing all traces. Yet, despite his careful maneuvers, Lu Ze still found them.

At this moment, Long Chen was inside the Kun Cauldron, at his weakest state, completely unable to fight.

"Whoosh!"

Fire Spirit Huo Ling'er, Thunder Spirit Lei Ling'er, and Cang Lu materialized at the same time, standing guard around the Kun Cauldron. The space around them twisted and churned, and ghostly vines coiled like serpentine shadows, poised to strike.

Long Chen was at his most vulnerable, and they assumed their strongest defensive stance. However, against the massive celestial hand descending upon them, they did not attack.

"Boom!"

The celestial hand shattered into a thousand fragments, dispersing into the void. From within the debris, a graceful figure emerged—clad in black robes, a massive sword strapped to her back.

It was Fei Shuang.

Her long hair, once flowing freely, was now tied into a sharp high ponytail. The white dress she once favored was replaced by a battle-ready black robe, cinched at the waist with a silver sash. Her aura radiated confidence and power.

After replacing her arm, Fei Shuang had transformed. Stars flickered around her as she raised her single palm—she had destroyed Lu Ze’s celestial hand with just that one strike.

"The power of the stars? Who are you?"

Lu Ze's pupils shrank as he sensed the vast cosmic energy surging from Fei Shuang.

Since when had the Nine Star lineage produced such a terrifying expert? But soon, his gaze locked onto her star-imbued arm, and his shock turned into a deafening roar of rage.

"Bing Yi’s arm?! You wretched fiend! How dare you desecrate the sacred Nine Star lineage in such a way?!"

Fei Shuang sneered. "The Nine Star lineage lost its greatness the moment people like you tainted it."

She continued, her voice unwavering. "Lord Long Chen had already foreseen this. Our deception could fool others, but it would never escape the senses of those from the Nine Star lineage. You followed Bing Yi’s celestial energy here, didn’t you? As long as her residual soul exists, you had a way to track us."

Her eyes turned cold. "Tell me, what is your true purpose here? Do you seek to rescue Bing Yi’s lingering soul? Steal the Kun Cauldron? Suppress the Primordial Demon Clan? Or do you actually wish to challenge Lord Long Chen?"

Fei Shuang stood alone before Lu Ze, an immovable force, her presence radiating the aura of an indomitable warrior. Even when facing an opponent of Lu Ze’s caliber, her momentum never faltered.

Behind her, Yue Xiaoqian and the others had already formed their battle formation, standing as the second layer of defense. Watching Fei Shuang’s silhouette, the warriors of the Primordial Demon Clan felt their blood boil with excitement.

The invincible Fei Shuang had returned.

And now, with the power of the stars, she was even stronger than before.

"Hahaha!"

Lu Ze laughed, his anger boiling over. "Do you really think that by fusing with Bing Yi’s arm, you can control the true power of the Nine Stars? Ridiculous! You’re nothing but a fool!"

His gaze sharpened. "Let me tell you something. Even Bing Yi herself was never my match. And as for your questions—aside from Bing Yi’s last remaining soul fragment, I want everything."

Fei Shuang scoffed. "No wonder Lord Long Chen calls you lot worthless scum. When did the power of the stars become the sole property of the Nine Star lineage?"

She raised her arms, and celestial light swirled around her, wrapping her in a divine radiance. In that moment, she looked like a goddess of the cosmos.

"Lord Long Chen taught me the truth about the power of the stars," she continued. "The stars, like the sun and the moon, shine upon the heavens, nourishing all life, guiding all paths. They belong to no one. They are a gift from the cosmos to all who dare to reach for them."

She stared him down. "If the power of the stars was meant for the Nine Star lineage alone, then what do you make of me?"

Lu Ze's face twisted in fury. "Nonsense! The power of the stars has existed since the beginning of time, yet no one has ever truly controlled it! Only the great Star Lord, who created the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art, has ever mastered it!"

His voice grew darker. "Your so-called celestial power is stolen. The Primordial Demon Clan has always been our vassals. And now, you dare steal from your masters and spout such arrogant drivel?! You disgrace the legacy of the Nine Stars!"

His anger erupted, his rage palpable.

The warriors of the Nine Star lineage were proud beings. They believed themselves to be the sole rightful wielders of the celestial forces. The fact that Fei Shuang could command those very powers was a direct affront to their ideology.

Fei Shuang smirked coldly. "The true disgrace is you. We of the Primordial Demon Clan may have once been outsiders, but we never harmed the innocent of the Nine Heavens World. Instead, we dedicated our very existence to its protection."

Her voice turned sharp, like a blade cutting through the void. "The Star Lord entrusted us with the Divine Seal of Demon Suppression, and we were eternally grateful. But even if he had not, we still would have fought for righteousness!"

She took a step forward, her presence overwhelming. "Yet you—you do not carry the Star Lord’s benevolence. You do not uphold his will. Instead, you betray your former allies with despicable schemes, using the most cowardly tactics imaginable."

Her voice boomed. "You dare utter the Star Lord’s name? You are unworthy!"

Her words struck Lu Ze like thunderclaps. He trembled with fury, unable to find a retort. His fists clenched as killing intent surged from him.

The warriors behind Fei Shuang cheered silently, their hearts surging with admiration. Even Yue Xiaoqian couldn't help but marvel. Fei Shuang had grown—not only in strength but also in her sharp wit.

Lu Ze snarled. "Enough! You stole from us, and now you dare act righteous?! You filthy traitors all deserve to die!"

"Boom!"

Lu Ze's fury erupted. Unable to win the verbal battle, he roared, celestial flames bursting from his body as he unleashed an overwhelming pressure upon the battlefield.

"Rumble..."

An even more terrifying force than Bing Yi’s spread across the sky.

"You think mastering a fraction of the stars' power makes you invincible? Let me show you the true might of—"

"Boom!"

Before he could finish, a star-infused fist slammed into his chest.

With a deafening explosion, Lu Ze's chest caved in, his body rocketing backward like a shooting star.

"Starcloud Step?"

As blood spewed from his lips, Lu Ze gasped in disbelief, his eyes filled with utter shock.

Final Thoughts:

In this electrifying clash, Fei Shuang stands tall, defying the supposed supremacy of the Nine Star lineage. With each battle, the lines between destiny and free will blur, as the power of the stars proves to belong not to those who claim it by birthright, but to those strong enough to wield it. Will Lu Ze recover and strike back, or has Fei Shuang shattered his arrogance for good? The battle has only just begun...