novelraw Chapter 768 762: Candle Abyss Demon Pupil, Star Shark's Fierce Assault_1
Chapter 768 762: Candle Abyss Demon Pupil, Star Shark's Fierce Assault_1
The Starstream Divine Vessel sped along the Star River, racing towards the southwest.
There were not many Immortals from the Starflow Sect aboard; there was only one Golden Immortal Realm powerhouse.
This person never showed their face and remained hidden within a cabin.
More than thirty Immortals and Demon Immortals were quite nervous. They carefully observed the polluting force, only relaxing once they confirmed it couldn't invade the Star River.
Jia Ren gazed into the distance, a hint of purple-gold light flashing in his eyes.
The Silver Star River is a remnant of power left behind by battles between supreme experts, a form of residual 'pollution'. Those at the Supreme Jade Immortal Realm cannot traverse it. However, cultivators at the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm and above are unaffected. It's unknown what relationship the Starflow Sect has with the powerful individuals who fought here, but their Starstream Divine Vessel navigates the Silver Star River safely, unaffected by its influence.
Maintaining passage between the Black Death Demon Realm and the Donghua Immortal Domain had become the Starflow Sect's exclusive business.
This long-standing enterprise had earned them an astonishing fortune.
The leaders of the Starflow Sect were no fools; they wouldn't be shortsighted enough to engage in robbery and murder—a brutish, one-off deal.
"Fellow Daoists, please enter the cabins to rest. We shall arrive in half a month," an Immortal from the Starflow Sect announced to the group on deck.
He led the way, guiding everyone into the forward cabins.
The interior of the vessel was surprisingly spacious, a self-contained area.
Walking along the corridor, one could clearly see rows of hundreds of cabins, each marked with a number.
"The number on your Token corresponds to your cabin. You may enter by presenting your Token," he explained.
The passengers did not linger, each taking out their Token and entering their assigned cabin.
Jia Ren found cabin number nineteen and presented his Token.
The cabin's restrictive enchantments flickered, and the Formation's light screen vanished, revealing an entrance just large enough for one person.
The space inside was adequate, equipped with a Cultivation Room and an Earth Fire room.
The Token controlled the cabin's enchantments and Formation, which were strong enough to withstand an attack from a Loose Immortal Realm cultivator and, more importantly, to prevent disturbances during cultivation.
Half a month's journey was not considered long. The guests immersed themselves in their practices without much interaction.
Jia Ren studied the Bizarre Demon Immortal Path secret techniques, increasing his Proficiency Level in the Heavenly Mystery Divine Omen.
The Heavenly Mystery Divine Omen shares some similarities with the Linghuan True Heart; both grant the ability to sense danger. In terms of grade, the Heavenly Mystery Divine Omen even surpasses the Linghuan True Heart. Besides Danger Perception, the Linghuan True Heart can also detect lies and discern truth from falsehood. The Heavenly Mystery Divine Omen, however, has a different focus, allowing one to perceive the profundities of the Heaven and Earth Qi Mechanism. Combining these two Immortal Dao Secret Techniques elevates my danger-sensing capabilities to a new level.
Beyond that, there were also the Demonic Path Divine Skills obtained from the Devil Monarch of the Deceiving Scripture Hall.
Of greatest interest was the Candle Abyss Demon Pupil.
The left eye is like a candle, crimson as blood, capable of seeing through illusions and revealing truth. The right eye is like an abyss, unfathomable, able to drag targets into an endless abyss formed by Illusion Techniques. This Divine Skill, inspired by the profound abyss Candle Jiuyin, is a special Demon Immortal Dao Secret Technique possessing a modicum of time power. This also explains why, during the transaction at the Bizarre Hall, the Immortal Monarch who tried to flee strangely returned to his original position. After the Devil Monarch of the Deceiving Scripture Hall surnamed Lu acquired this Divine Skill, he hadn't mastered its essence; using it still required time to gather power. The battlefield changes in the blink of an eye. Before he could last long, he was taken into the Profound Heaven Suppressing Immortal Demon Pagoda and, from beginning to end, never found the opportunity to use the Abyssal Demon Eye against me.
Because the Candle Abyss Demon Pupil can influence time, it stands out among many Immortal Path Divine Powers, second only to Supreme Divine Abilities.
The Ziyuan Divine Demon Pupil was far inferior to the Candle Abyss Demon Pupil. Jia Ren, without hesitation, upgraded his arsenal, beginning to cultivate this Pupil Class Divine Ability.
「More than ten days swiftly passed by.」
The hull of the Starstream Divine Vessel shook violently, struck by some unknown impact.
Jia Ren slowly opened his eyes; his left eye was crimson red, his right eye like a bottomless abyss.
He found himself quite compatible with this Demonic Path Divine Skill, having already achieved significant progress without expending too much effort.
Once this Divine Skill is elevated to the Technique-Nearing-Dao Level, its power won't be much inferior to a true Supreme Divine Ability. Unfortunately, I have yet to encounter the Time Law, reputed to be the supreme among Laws. If I could transform the Thousand Transformations Rule into the Time Law and combine it with the Candle Abyss Demon Pupil, the resulting divine might would undoubtedly be terrifying.
The crimson and abyssal depths in his eyes faded, returning to normal.
Jia Ren stepped out of his cabin and flew to the deck.
A considerable number of Immortals and Demon Immortals, alarmed by the anomaly, had left their cabins to observe the situation outside.
A silver-white giant shark emerged from the Star Origin River, its eyes glinting with a blood-red hue. With a mighty CRASH, it smashed towards the vessel.
The Starstream Divine Vessel projected a silvery star screen, firmly protecting its hull.
The shark's massive body, wreathed in the waters of the Star Origin River, twisted and deformed the silver star screen. The vessel veered off course, drawing perilously close to the polluted area outside the Star Origin River.
"Star Shark!"
"Who released a Star Shark into the Star Origin River? This is targeting the Starflow Sect!"
Star Sharks were stellar beasts, exceedingly rare, with long and demanding gestation periods.
Perhaps in tens of thousands of years, the Star Origin River might naturally birth a stellar beast, but definitely not now.
And it certainly wouldn't be a terrifying existence comparable to the Immortal Monarch Level!
This is a deliberate act, aimed solely at sabotaging the Starflow Sect's business. The passengers are just unlucky, caught in an undeserved disaster.
"I implore you, fellow Daoists, to join forces with me, Wu! If the Starstream Divine Vessel is destroyed, we will all be buried in the Star Origin River!" The Guardian of the Starstream Divine Vessel, a Golden Immortal surnamed Wu, stood at the bow. The moment he saw the Star Shark, he had decisively notified the Starflow Sect for reinforcements.
However, rescue would take time to arrive; the immediate priority was to hold out.
He manipulated a silver stellar cone, and the starlight generated from its impact lanced towards the Star Shark.
The shark's skin was incredibly tough. A single strike only inflicted a shallow wound and couldn't penetrate its body.
Though both wielded star-aspected power, the disparity in their strength was staggering; Wu's attack was insufficient to harm the Star Shark.
Jia Ren's gaze swept over the crowd, and he couldn't help but frown.
Although many aboard the Starstream Divine Vessel had concealed their Cultivation Levels, the strongest among them were only at the Golden Immortal level. Even if they joined forces, they would not be enough to deal with the Star Shark. To save my own life, I'll have no choice but to reveal my true strength.
Various Immortal and Demon artifacts struck the Star Shark, but its hide was tougher than imagined; none could pierce its skin, and all were sent ricocheting away.
Once these artifacts fell into the Star Origin River, all connection with them was lost, and they could not be retrieved.
Even with their utmost efforts, these people could not alter their collective fate.
"COUGH, let this lord take over! I hope Star Brilliance Immortal Lord reacts quickly enough."
A female Immortal strode forward, her figure flickering. In an instant, she transformed into a gaunt man exuding the aura of the Supreme Jade Immortal Realm.
His skin had a pale cast, giving the impression of unhealed injuries.
"Profound Underworld Water Divine Thunder!"
Dark beads coalesced between his fingers, flickering with threads of lightning, then suddenly shot out.
The Black Pearl, seemingly as heavy as a mountain, struck the Star Shark, sending it flying backward.
BOOM!
The Black Pearl exploded, and the dark, thunderous light roared deafeningly.
The torrent of lightning and water tore through the shark's skin, blasting a charred wound dozens of feet deep. A faint burnt odor drifted through the air.
Silver-white shark blood streamed out, staining the Star Origin River red.
An Immortal Monarch-level expert had acted, turning the tide of battle with a single move.
Jia Ren stared. It's him?! His concealment technique is truly extraordinary; even I hadn't detected it.
Jia Ren recognized the person. It was the unfortunate soul from the Bizarre Hall who had disguised himself as a Bizarre Immortal with little lifespan remaining and, after his identity was exposed, was miserably besieged by six Demon Monarchs.
This fellow is still alive? Come to think of it, I indirectly saved this person's life. When I fled, I drew away the Devil Monarch of Book Cunning Hall surnamed Lu and the terrifyingly powerful Master of the Bizarre Hall. With two powerful enemies gone, his chances of survival must have increased significantly.
"Thank you, Senior, for taking action! I didn't expect Senior to know our sect's Elder. After this matter is resolved, a generous reward will certainly be offered," the Golden Immortal surnamed Wu said, wiping sweat from his brow and sighing in relief.
If they can't dispose of this Star Shark, the Starflow Sect can forget about continuing this ferrying business. This Star Shark cannot be dealt with by one person alone. If the Starstream Divine Vessel breaks apart, everyone will perish in the Star Origin River.
"COUGH, this lord is gravely injured and, at best, can only entangle this beast," the man said. "Have you notified Star Brilliance Immortal Lord yet?"
Vast quantities of dark Profound Water flew out from the Slim Immortal Lord's body, forming chains of Profound Water that snaked towards the Star Shark.
While battling, he did not forget to ask the Golden Immortal surnamed Wu.
"Senior, hold on! The Elder is currently piloting another Starstream Divine Vessel towards this location."
BOOM!
The Star Shark's body fell into the Star Origin River, and the chains of dark Profound Water were also dragged in with it.
The Slim Immortal Lord's face turned ashen as he retracted the water chains; all the links that had touched the Star Origin River had corroded away.
Although the Starstream Divine Vessel could withstand the erosion of the Star Origin River, that didn't mean other powers could.
The Star Shark, having learned its lesson from the Profound Underworld Water Divine Thunder, no longer attacked from the side. Instead, it dove deep into the river to strike at the vessel's keel.
The silver light barrier formed by the Formation was under relentless assault, its glow dimming at a visible rate.
Once the Formation's protection is lost, how can the Starstream Divine Vessel possibly resist this monster?
"Rise!"
The Starstream Divine Vessel lifted out of the Star Origin River, hovering in the air, propelled forward by wind.
The Divine Vessel dared not fly too high, lest it come into contact with the external pollution.
The Star Shark opened its massive maw. A vortex funnel visibly formed on the water's surface, drawing the waters of the Star Origin River into it.
Moments later, a colossal torrent of river water, like a segment of the galaxy itself, surged upwards, connecting heaven and earth.
The instant the Starstream Divine Vessel was caught in this torrent from the Star Origin River, the Star Shark reappeared as if by Instantaneous Movement, slamming into it once more.
The Slim Immortal Lord controlled the Profound Underworld Drowning Water to form a massive black curtain-like shield, attempting to block the impact.
BOOM!
The black curtain shield couldn't withstand the waters of the Star Origin River and corroded away in an instant. The Star Shark crashed into the Starstream Divine Vessel unimpeded.
The Starstream Divine Vessel was sent flying, nearly out of control. The Formation's light screen, already on the verge of collapse, shattered.
With no protection left, everyone was exposed.
Now, if they were touched by the Star Origin River water, not even the sole Immortal Monarch present could withstand it, let alone the Immortals and Demon Immortals at the Golden Immortal Realm and below.
"Damn beast!" the Slim Immortal Lord couldn't help but curse, feeling an intense wave of danger.
When facing six Demon Monarchs, at least there was a chance of escape. But here, there's nowhere to run!
After its attack, the Star Shark used some unknown method to retreat to the bottom of the Star Origin River. The vortex funnel reappeared.
With the next surge of Star Origin River water, regardless of whether the Starstream Divine Vessel disintegrated or not, at least ninety-nine percent of the people aboard would die.
Jia Ren stared intently at the Star Origin River water. I have no intention of testing it with my own body; I know I wouldn't be able to hold on for long. Otherwise, why would I have bothered traveling with the Starflow Sect? It's easy to enter the Star Origin River, but hard to leave. My Third Layer Pass body could probably withstand it for a few breaths, but if I were caught by the Star Shark, death would be certain.
Jia Ren seemed to have thought of something. He raised his hand toward his own spine.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he forcefully extracted his own spinal column from his body.
Is he trying to deter the Star Shark by self-mutilation?