When the star core floated out of the Ox-Head Commander's mouth, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for an instant. It was a round crystal about the size of a fist, its surface flowing with dim light while dense mist slowly churned within.
The moment it left his lips, it brought out a wisp of thin white vapor that scattered in the wind. Rather than dropping straight down, the star core hovered in midair, trembling faintly like a living thing trying to identify its direction. Then it began moving forward, so slowly it seemed almost clumsy, inching closer to San Mu standing opposite it.
San Mu remained where he was, watching the star core approach. The irregular reflections from the crystal's facets were mirrored across his pupils. In the end, the star core stopped about a foot before his chest. It neither advanced nor retreated, merely hovering silently as it waited.
San Mu raised his right hand, and a drop of blood essence flew from his fingertip, slowly descending toward the star core.
The Xuanwu Warship hung high above Exploding Star City, the shadow cast by its hull resembling a massive blotch that covered part of the city walls and streets below.
Xie Fanghua stood within the observation platform at the bow. Through an entire crystal-polished window, she took in the scene below. She saw the star core emerge, saw it move, and saw San Mu ultimately enslave a star beast stronger than himself.
Her nostrils twitched almost imperceptibly, and one corner of her mouth curled to the side. There was no ripple in her gaze, only a coldness sinking ever deeper.
Once a person carried something in their heart, they gained a weakness. From then on, cultivation was no longer what determined their strength. What determined how high and