CHAPTER 398: CHAPTER 339: 8TH EXTREME LORD! [THANKS TO ’ROLLING DADDY’ FOR THE 10000 REWARD!]

Waiting patiently.

Suddenly.

The black-robed elder’s heart tightened. Before he could react, a streak of azure light shot directly toward him.

"Damn it!"

The black-robed elder hurriedly circulated his mana, condensing twenty-three shields to protect his entire body.

But—

BOOM!

The azure light collided, instantly shattering all twenty-three mana shields.

Then, in the blink of an eye, it also obliterated his body.

"Hmmph!"

In the starry sky, the black-robed elder let out a muffled grunt as his body reformed. His Qi-Blood surged, his mana ran wild—clearly, he had suffered significant damage.

He didn’t dare to underestimate the enemy.

"Rise!"

Hurriedly pointing his finger, he summoned a golden bell that descended atop his head.

BANG!

The golden bell emitted countless silk threads.

Enveloping and shielding the black-robed elder.

Just moments ago, the azure light had abruptly appeared, colliding with the mana shields. It instantly transformed into icy stars.

Some infiltrated his body.

Some were blocked outside by the golden bell.

On the outside, the icy stars repeatedly slammed against the golden bell—

CLANG!

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

The bell rang out as it resisted the icy stars.

Golden light radiated, forcing out the icy stars lodged within his body bit by bit.

However, these icy stars—similar to the azure light—shattered upon contact, multiplying endlessly. In an instant, they surrounded both the golden bell and the black-robed elder, sealing off every last gap.

CLINK CLINK CLANK CLANK CLANK!

The ringing was incessant.

"Perish!"

The black-robed elder pulled on the flames of his lamp, attempting to obliterate the azure light and icy stars. Instead, the more he burned, the more they multiplied, eventually extinguishing the flames and even showing signs of infiltrating against the current through the lamp’s fire.

Terrified, the black-robed elder hurriedly dispersed the flames outside.

"This—"

His mind grew restless. The azure light transformed into a swarm of icy stars, pursuing him relentlessly, attacking on all sides. A moment of carelessness would surely spell disaster.

"What kind of technique is this?"

The black-robed elder never expected that his "Capturing Form and God Lamp," used to ambush a junior, would land him in such a predicament.

...

"Witch Bone Demon."

"You are an Independent Immortal, yet you resort to such dishonorable methods to deal with a junior. Aren’t you ashamed?"

In the starry expanse.

Chen Jichuan’s voice rang loud and clear, masking no trace of his presence.

"You discovered me earlier?!"

The black-robed elder’s expression turned grim.

A distance away, in secret.

The red-robed middle-aged man chuckled coldly upon hearing this, thinking to himself: "The Witch Bone Demon’s hiding methods are barely average, far inferior to mine. It’s not surprising to be exposed."

For example, he.

Hid in the shadows, almost impossible to discern.

"Still, this Xu Ning does have some skill."

The red-robed middle-aged man glanced at Chen Jichuan and silently noted his observation.

He made no outward display, continuing to watch silently.

Elsewhere.

"Hahaha!"

"Witch Bone Demon, you’ve ruled the Star Sea for years, yet your concealment skills remain lacking."

"And you dared to use the ’Capturing Form and God Lamp’ to harm me? How could Xu fail to notice?"

Chen Jichuan laughed heartily.

He had indeed detected the black-robed elder’s presence long ago.

With his Insight Skill, countless magical techniques, and an exceptionally sensitive and powerful Primordial Spirit, who could hide securely under his watch?

Even back when he left the sect, the black-robed elder lurked in the dark, activating his "Capturing Form and God Lamp" against him. Chen Jichuan had already seen through him and uncovered his identity—

"Witch Bone."

"Capturing Form and God Lamp."

Chen Jichuan had heard of this man’s notoriety.

The Witch Bone was also somewhat infamous.

Years ago, he was subjugated by one of Netherworld Mansion’s three Lords, the "Heavenly Dragon Venerable." Later, when the Heavenly Dragon Venerable was severely injured by the Aria Ancestor, and subsequently betrayed and killed by the "Seven Repair Sword Master" and "Blood Cloud Prison Master," the Witch Bone regained his freedom.

He kept a low profile for several years.

Unexpectedly, he cultivated into an Independent Immortal with considerable abilities.

Riding on the Netherworld Mansion’s name, he gathered many vicious outlaws under his command, roaming the Star Sea doing evil—burning, killing, pillaging, doing every wicked deed imaginable.

He earned the title "Witch Bone Demon."

This time, he had set his sights on the Wuhe Immortal Sect and Chen Jichuan.

First, he arranged for his forces to ambush Wuhe Immortal Sect’s Divinity Transformation Venerables outside the sect, intentionally allowing them to seek refuge back at the mountain gate. Using this, he lured Chen Jichuan out, aiming to ambush him.

His plan to lure Chen Jichuan out meant avoiding Wuhe Immortal Sect’s mountain-protection formation.

The plan was indeed well-thought-out.

Unfortunately.

Chen Jichuan had strategies of his own. Holding the "Taiyin Qingling Bamboo Leaf Divine Talisman," he was least afraid of evil techniques.

He gladly played along—

Following Witch Bone Demon’s plan, leaving the mountain gate to rescue Wuhe Immortal Sect’s Divinity Transformation Venerables.

Then returning normally.

By the time Witch Bone Demon intercepted him mid-route and activated the "Capturing Form and God Lamp," the "Taiyin Qingling Bamboo Leaf Divine Talisman" Chen Jichuan had obtained from Sumeru Mountain already retaliated instantly.

A streak of azure light struck straight at Witch Bone Demon.

Sure enough, it immediately severely injured the demon, scattering his Independent Immortal body and depleting his Primordial Qi immensely.

The next Independent Immortal Tribulation would be challenging to overcome.

Unfortunately, this demon had roamed the Star Sea for years and was no easy adversary. His magical treasures and techniques were formidable.

Though injured.

He still retained the strength to fight.

Nonetheless, Chen Jichuan had recently broken through and was eager to spar. For him, Witch Bone Demon—a Second Tribulation Independent Immortal—was the perfect opponent.

"Come!"

"Fight me!"

As he spoke, his hands remained active.

CLING CLANG CLANG!

The Sword River swept forward.

Unfolding the Seven-star Sword Diagram.

With his current level of cultivation and mana, this move had grown exponentially stronger.

The Sword Diagram stretched across 100,000 miles.

The seven stars flickered.

Witch Bone Demon was instantly trapped within.

...

"This boy—"

Witch Bone Demon struggled mightily as the golden bell over his head defended against both billions of icy stars and billions of sword qi.

Feeling increasingly strained.

Before he could unleash another technique—

Suddenly.

Witch Bone Demon felt a tremendous force strike—

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

The golden bell quaked.

"This is bad!"

Alarmed, Witch Bone Demon tried desperately to control the bell but couldn’t hold on.

Three consecutive tremors.

The golden bell was seized, no longer under his control.

"What a move!"

Shocked and furious, Witch Bone Demon threw out his hand, launching a fiery ring.

Like a stream of starlight, the attack raced fiercely forward.

If it struck its target, even survival wouldn’t spare heavy injuries.

"Vermilion Bird Ring!"

"A fine treasure!"

Waving his broad sleeves, Chen Jichuan, who had just seized the golden bell and was rejoicing in his gain, happily welcomed another treasure.

His sleeve flicked, and the treasure immediately fell into it, becoming his own.

"Unacceptable!"

Seeing his treasure useless, Witch Bone Demon hurriedly concealed the "Capturing Form and God Lamp" within his sleeve, unleashed his mana, and enveloped himself in a pervasive aura of fiery calamity.

In an instant.

Firelight.

Malice.

Layer upon layer filled the surroundings, shielding Witch Bone Demon within.

Just as Chen Jichuan thought the demon would engage in a deadly fight, he saw a flash of thunderfire as Witch Bone Demon leaped upward, breaking through the Seven-star Sword Diagram, and fled straight away.

Escaped?!

...

"Treasure rendered useless."

"Severely injured Primordial Qi."

"Half of my techniques nullified; fighting this boy further would be hard-pressed to kill him. Better to leave early!"

Witch Bone Demon transformed into thunderfire, carrying the swarm of icy stars clinging to him as he quickly accelerated to his maximum speed.

Throughout his life in the Star Sea, he was naturally cautious, adept at weighing risks and benefits.

He came to ambush Chen Jichuan for the wealth accumulated by Wuhe Immortal Sect in recent years.

But upon failing his initial strike, he saw no reason to stay entangled.

Having provoked countless enemies, lingering too long after being exposed could bring his foes down on him. Leaving promptly was his wisest option.

...

"Truly a product of Netherworld Mansion. That temperament—"

Chen Jichuan watched Witch Bone Demon flee into the distance and shook his head with a chuckle.

He had no intention of pursuing.

After all, this was a Second Tribulation Independent Immortal, skilled and well-resourced.

Pushing him too far would yield no benefit.

Getting two treasures unexpectedly was already a victory.

"The Divine Talisman will entangle him for thirty-six days."

"He likely won’t dare return anytime soon."

Another thing.

Caught by the Divine Talisman and severely injured, his wounds would linger. Witch Bone Demon might not survive his next Independent Immortal Tribulation. Chen Jichuan simply had to calculate his tribulation day, curse him from home—when the tribulation struck, Witch Bone Demon would be doomed to death. Thus, there was no need to exert undue effort to personally kill a Second Tribulation Independent Immortal.

"Witch Bone Demon is bound to die!"

"However—"

After driving away Witch Bone Demon, Chen Jichuan continued to command the Sword River without retracting it. Instead, he pointed forward, directing the sword qi from the river to obliterate a portion of the void, exposing a hidden figure.

"Guxian."

"Eight Extremes Venerable."

"Did you enjoy the theater performance just now?"

Chen Jichuan stared coldly at the red-robed middle-aged man staggering forward from his hiding spot.

After driving away ’Witch Bone Demon,’ he finally had the hands free to deal with this mastermind!

"Xu Ning!"

Eight Extremes Venerable’s heart sank.

He had hoped to incite a tiger to eat a wolf, but he hadn’t expected the infamous Witch Bone Demon to fall so easily, nor had he anticipated the terrifying strength of the man before him.

Not only did he heavily injure Witch Bone Demon, but he also successfully uncovered Eight Extremes Venerable’s concealment.

Earlier, he had mocked Witch Bone Demon for his lackluster hiding skills, but ironically, karma had struck sooner than expected.

"Indeed a fantastic display."

"A pity you didn’t manage to kill Witch Bone Demon and rid the world of that scourge."

Eight Extremes Venerable smiled at Chen Jichuan.

"Heh!"

"Save the idle chatter. Fight me!"

Chen Jichuan had no patience for words. With a smirk, he pressed his hand down, manipulating the sword diagram to attack Eight Extremes Venerable.

"Hmm?!"

"Such audacity!"

Eight Extremes Venerable’s face turned sour. He was about to deploy magical treasures to retaliate but suddenly hesitated, recalling how Witch Bone Demon had lost two treasures earlier. Finally, he opted instead to use a long spear.

Spear in hand, flames surged.

The two promptly clashed.

...

Zone 8.

BANG BANG BANG!

CRACK CRACK CRACK!

In the starry sky, two streaks of light chased each other fiercely in battle.

The fight was earth-shaking.

Every motion crushed countless stars.

One fighter wielded blazing flames, radiating like a scorching sun. He burned and twisted the fabric of spacetime.

Gripping a long spear, he seemed ready to challenge heaven itself.

Opposed to him.

Stood a figure in cyan robes, one hand behind his back, surrounded by a galaxy of sword qi. The sword aura, akin to a Sword Qi River, overpowered everything in its path.

Fire, stars—all scattered into smoke under his blade!

With a single hand raised, the spear-wielding adversary stumbled backward repeatedly.

Fighting while retreating.

Battling while fleeing.

The battlefield edged closer to the Ten Wheel Star.

Nearby cultivators in the Divinity Transformation Stage began gathering to watch this intense battle unfold.

Upon closer examination.

Excitement surged!

"What powerful Fire Skills! Transforming oneself into a blazing sun—too terrifying!"

"Who is this? Could he be from Burning Heart Palace?"

"The robed figure is Wuhe Immortal Sect’s ’Seven-star Sword Lord,’ one of the Zone 8 figures unparalleled beneath Divine Transformation Stage!"

"Xu Ning Ancestor?!"

"Hiss!"

"He’s trouble incarnate!"

"The other one seems to be using the ’Nine Revolutions Gang Flame.’ Given his style, he might be from Starfall Pavilion. But battling Wuhe Sect’s Xu Ancestor—what’s going on?!"

...

As more and more Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators gathered, gradually the identities of the fighters came to light.

One of them.

Was none other than the recently risen powerhouse of Wuhe Immortal Sect in Zone 8—

Xu Ning.

Known as the ’Seven-star Sword Lord.’

With unmatched swordsmanship and his famed Seven-star Sword Technique.

His sword dao was astounding; his mastery of formation arts even more so—

The Inverted Eight Gates Formation suppressed entire Immortals!

Harnessing Eight Immortal Flags, he could deploy the Inverted Eight Gates Immortal Suppression Formation, powerful enough to subdue even Divine Separation peers, standing firm against Divine Transformation Great Powers.

With this ancestor presiding, Wuhe Immortal Sect swiftly rose to prominence, seizing significant pill business from Four Directions Sect and Starfall Pavilion.

For unknown reasons, he was now at odds with someone from Starfall Pavilion.

...