A sharp, unprecedented pain shot through [Void-Piercing Divine Eyes], as if it were being torn apart by this will!
Xiao Han grunted, and the [Soul Origin Treasure Jade] in his sea of consciousness shone brightly, protecting his soul's origin with all its might. He was shocked to discover that this crucial Star Core Ancient Key had already been deeply corrupted by a higher level of void power! Inside, it seemed, was sealed a being far more terrifying than the Void Polluter before him!
"Heh--heh--"
Almost simultaneously, the Void Polluter sensed the awakening of the will within the Ancient Key and abruptly ceased its attack on Qin Yueyao and the others. Its head, covered in compound eyes, turned towards the Star Core Ancient Key, emitting a series of sharp howls filled with both awe and boundless ecstasy:
"Welcome, Master, to your awakening! The blood sacrifice... is ready!"
Before he could finish speaking, the Void Polluter suddenly turned around, and dozens of thick tentacles extending from its body pierced into the bodies of the two remaining Qin Family and the attacker who was bound by Xiao Han, as if by lightning!
"Ah!"
A series of shrill screams rang out, and the three bodies withered away at a visible speed. Their immense life essence and soul power were frantically absorbed, transforming into streams of energy interwoven with blood and black mist, which continuously poured into the Star Core Ancient Key at the center of the altar!
The already flickering Starfire on the altar dimmed suddenly, as if it would be extinguished completely in the next instant!
The terrifying will that awakened from within the Star Core Ancient Key, solidified as a tangible substance, carrying boundless malice, surged fiercely towards Xiao Han's sea of consciousness, attempting to forcibly seize his body! Almost simultaneously, the Qin Family members on the altar, whose life essence had been drained, including the Martial Artist who had previously ambushed Xiao Han, visibly withered away, turning into horrifying desiccated corpses. Their dissipated soul energy twisted and converged towards the Star Core Ancient Key, above which a blurry yet ferocious demonic shadow slowly coalesced, radiating a chilling pressure.
"Get out!" Within Xiao Han's sea of consciousness, the Chaos Green Lotus and the Eternal Night Void Emperor Martial Soul seemed to sense an unprecedented threat, simultaneously unleashing a strong will to resist. The [Soul Origin Treasure Jade] suspended in the center of his sea of consciousness shone with unprecedented brilliance, like an eternally undying sun, struggling to resist the frenzied invasion of the Demon General Soul Fragment.
At the center of the altar, the already flickering Starfire seemed to sense the impending doom. Unwilling to perish, it trembled violently and spontaneously separated a wisp of its weak yet incredibly pure primordial flame, which, like a shooting star, directly merged into Xiao Han's brow. A tragic and resolute will, a willingness to shatter rather than surrender, accompanied the flame and clearly reached the depths of Xiao Han's heart.
[Ding! Host is facing an ultimate life-or-death crisis. God-Level Choice System activated!]
[Option A: mutual destruction! Forcefully ignite the source of the Starfire, perishing together with the Void Demon General Soul Fragment and the Void Polluter. The host has a 30% chance of surviving thanks to the protection of the World Tree Heart Fragment, but the future path is uncertain.]
[Option B: Devour the Fire to Attain the Dao! At any cost, risk activating the nascent [Chaos Nether Lotus] to forcibly devour and fuse the essence of the Starfire and the Star Core Ancient Key (including some of the Void Demon General Soul Fragment power within it). This is a perilous undertaking; if successful, one's strength will undergo a radical transformation; if it fails, the host will be completely corrupted, reduced to a Void Puppet, and eternally condemned!]
Xiao Han's eyes were bloodshot, flashing with an almost crazed light. "My life is my own to decide!" He let out a suppressed roar, his voice hoarse, yet filled with an undeniable determination. Crisis is also a tremendous opportunity! Without hesitation, he chose B! He would turn this seemingly hopeless situation into a stepping stone for his meteoric rise!
"Swallow it!" Xiao Han suddenly stretched out his trembling right hand and pressed it firmly against the violently trembling Star Core Ancient Key, which exuded an evil aura. Within his dantian, the still immature [Chaos Nether Lotus] bud sensed its master's will and instantly began to spin wildly. A domineering devouring power far exceeding anything before suddenly erupted, actually beginning to draw in the origin of the Starfire and the complex and powerful energy within the Star Core Ancient Key!
"Insect! How dare you!" The Demon General Soul Fragment within the Star Core Ancient Key sensed Xiao Han's intention and roared in extreme shock and rage. The key's light surged, releasing an even purer and more violent demonic power that lashed out at Xiao Han. On Xiao Han's body, brilliant star patterns and eerie demonic patterns flickered alternately, their brightness shifting unpredictably. His skin cracked inch by inch, and blood instantly stained his robes. He screamed in agony, dark red blood oozing from all seven orifices, his appearance utterly wretched.
"Xiao Han..." Not far away, Qin Yueyao, severely injured by the Void Polluter, struggled to raise her head, gazing at Xiao Han struggling in agony. A sorrowful smile appeared on her pale face. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes, and the thin phoenix bloodline within her burned fiercely at that moment! "Pfft!" A mouthful of vital blood spurted out, Qin Yueyao's body suddenly erupted with dazzling flames. She transformed into a burning phoenix phantom, carrying an indomitable and tragic grandeur, and slammed into the Void Polluter who was about to launch a fatal blow at Xiao Han!
"Boom--!" A violent explosion resounded through the altar. The Void Polluter let out a painful howl, its massive body being blasted back several steps by the sudden power of the Phoenix True Flame, its attack momentarily halted. The flame that Qin Yueyao had transformed into, after bursting forth with its most brilliant light, quickly dimmed like a shooting star, ultimately dissipating completely into the air, leaving only a faint trace of burnt and fragrant smoke. She had actually sacrificed her life to buy Xiao Han precious moments!
Enraged by Qin Yueyao's dying counterattack, the Void Polluter steadied itself, its countless tentacles flailing wildly as it lunged at Xiao Han with even greater fury. At this moment, Xiao Han was simultaneously battling Demon General Soul Fragment within his sea of consciousness, forcibly devouring the mixed energy of the Star Core Ancient Key and the Starfire, and also having to defend against the Void Polluter's deadly attacks. He was truly in a perilous situation, where the slightest mistake could lead to utter destruction!
To make matters worse, the [Primordial Demon Finger Soul-Splitting Curse Seal] on Xiao Han's left ankle and the [Primordial Demon Fiend Qi] that he had previously forcibly suppressed in his back were now being intensely stimulated by the pure Demon General Soul Fragment aura within the Star Core Ancient Key. They simultaneously became restless, like two ferocious beasts awakened, wanting to seize control of Xiao Han's body while he was distracted! The situation was on the verge of completely spiraling out of control!
At this critical moment, deep within Xiao Han's sea of consciousness, on the Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul that had been silently guarding him, the blurry phantom of the World Tree suddenly shone brightly! A vast and boundless life force and suppressive power swept out, forcibly suppressing the restless [Primordial Demon Finger Soul-Splitting Curse Seal] once again!