Ch. 261Nascent Soul Formed

Neji swallowed the Daoist True Elixir and transformed his Golden Core into a Nascent Soul, reaching the fourth cultivation realm. He began analyzing Kaguya and Isshiki Otsutsuki’s legacy before preparing to travel to the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld.

  • Neji formed a Daoist True Elixir from his origin, Ōtsutsuki Origin, Solar True Flame, Stellar Dao Fire, and Great Dao comprehension.
  • Neji swallowed the elixir, which shattered his Primordial Chaos Golden Core and transformed his body, soul, Dantian, and Sea of Consciousness.
  • Neji’s Golden Core became a three-inch Nascent Soul, and he officially entered the Nascent Soul stage.
  • Neji compared his new power with Kaguya Otsutsuki’s and concluded that his cultivation had greater purity, understanding, and potential.
  • Neji began examining the Karma, Kekkei Mōra, and spatial ocular techniques inherited from Kaguya and Isshiki Otsutsuki, intending to integrate them into his Dao system before traveling to the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld.

Ch. 262Disguise

After reaching the Nascent Soul realm, Neji used Kaguya and Isshiki's memories to create a False Karma and remake himself as a convincing Ōtsutsuki elite. With his disguise complete, he set his sights on the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld.

  • Neji studied the Karma memories of Kaguya and Isshiki to understand how it encoded and preserved information about life and existence.
  • Neji designed a False Karma based on Isshiki's Ōtsutsuki traits, removing its ability to overwrite wills or reincarnate others while binding it to his own will.
  • Neji reshaped his body into a white-haired Ōtsutsuki form and created Dual Pupils combining the Tenseigan and Rinnegan, while retaining his Daoist Divine Eye.
  • Neji checked his reflection and confirmed that his life source, energy, and soul fluctuations matched an Ōtsutsuki elite template.
  • Neji identified the direction of the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld and decided to visit it.

Ch. 263Setting Off Across the Stars

Neji traveled through the void toward the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld, using the journey to refine his Nascent Soul cultivation. He reached the Mother Star system and approached its entry port disguised as an Ōtsutsuki elite, leaving his identity untested by the starfield's defenses.

  • Neji used his Nascent Soul, Dual Pupils, and Chaos Divine Eye to create a protective spatial passage and began crossing the cosmos toward the Mother Star.
  • He endured asteroid belts, particle storms, and empty stretches of space while cultivating and improving his control over spatial traversal.
  • Neji detected distant spatial wake trails but ignored them, keeping his focus on reaching the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld.
  • The Bloodline Dao Beacon grew stronger, and Neji discovered the Ōtsutsuki Mother Star system, surrounded by artificial ecological planets and a powerful detection barrier.
  • Neji inspected his disguise, activated a simulated Ōtsutsuki identity-recognition signal, and flew toward the starfield's apparent entry port.

Ch. 264Mother Star Bastion

Neji infiltrated the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s heavily fortified homeworld by posing as Isshiki Otsutsuki, a Main House lord. After passing the clan’s scans, he entered the Mother Star and followed the guide toward Amaterasu Palace, taking in the scale of its civilization.

  • Neji examined the Mother Star’s layered defensive barrier and received a broadcast ordering him to declare his identity and undergo inspection.
  • Neji used the False Karma to imitate a pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki Main House member and entered through the Star Gate.
  • The Star Gate’s scans confirmed Neji’s disguise, and the system identified him as Lord Isshiki Otsutsuki.
  • Neji arrived at the interstellar port, where subordinate races worked under the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s control.
  • Neji followed the guiding stream of light across the energy bridges toward Amaterasu Palace, observing the clan’s artificial worlds and powerful members.

Ch. 265Amaterasu Palace

Neji arrived at Amaterasu Palace disguised as Isshiki and established himself as its master before the suspicious old retainer Senjumaru. After ordering a period of seclusion, Neji began searching the palace for Isshiki’s secrets and safeguards.

  • Neji followed a guiding light through the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld and reached Amaterasu Palace, Isshiki’s austere residence.
  • Senjumaru and the palace servants welcomed Neji, and Senjumaru reported that Prince Longshi had requested Isshiki report to him upon returning.
  • Neji took the throne and listened as Senjumaru described the palace’s affairs and the growing conflicts among the clan’s factions.
  • Neji tested Senjumaru by asking whether he seemed different; Senjumaru acknowledged the change but accepted Neji’s authority as Isshiki.
  • Neji ordered Senjumaru to continue managing the residence and keep everyone away while he went into seclusion.
  • After Senjumaru left, Neji used his Divine Eye and spiritual sense to inspect the palace for hidden rooms, resources, and secrets Isshiki had left behind.

Ch. 266Power Rankings

Neji studied Ōtsutsuki records and mapped the clan’s peerage ranks to cultivation stages, confirming that his assumed Earl status fit his cover as a weakened Isshiki. He assessed the dangers and opportunities around his return, then began reviewing Isshiki’s old connections to plan his next moves.

  • Neji examined the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s laws, genealogies, power records, and Isshiki’s cultivation notes to understand the clan’s hierarchy.
  • Neji matched peerage ranks to cultivation stages, from Retainer and Viscount/Baron through Earl, Marquis, Duke, King, and Emperor.
  • Neji recognized that he was posing as an early Earl after his supposed injuries, while Isshiki had once reached the peak of Marquis Rank.
  • Neji reviewed the Borderlands Starfield Development Plan and concluded that routine conflicts mostly involved Earls and Viscounts, while higher ranks acted as decision-makers or deterrents.
  • Neji considered how Prince Longshi might respond to Isshiki’s apparent failure and loss of strength, and planned to use seclusion to improve his cultivation.
  • Neji turned to Isshiki’s notes on personal connections to identify allies, enemies, and potential neutral parties.

Ch. 267Longshi

Neji, disguised as Isshiki, reported the Divine Tree mission’s failure to Prince Longshi and blamed Kaguya for the disaster. Longshi spared him harsher punishment but ordered him to develop a newly discovered starfield, leaving Neji resolved to use the assignment as an opportunity.

  • Neji dressed as Isshiki and traveled to the Divine Tree Palace to answer Prince Longshi’s summons.
  • Longshi questioned Neji about Kaguya, the destroyed Divine Tree, and his diminished strength.
  • Neji claimed Kaguya had betrayed the clan, consumed the immature fruit, and caused the planet’s energy backlash that destroyed the Divine Tree.
  • Longshi retained Neji’s Marquis Rank but halved his stipend and territorial authority as punishment for the failed mission.
  • Longshi assigned Neji to the Borderlands Starfield Development Plan, and Neji agreed to redeem himself through service.
  • After leaving the palace, Neji considered the Frontier Starfield a chance to gather resources, grow stronger, and pursue his own plans.

Ch. 268Factions

Neji assessed Longshi’s plans and the rivalry between the Radical and Conservative Factions, then questioned Senjumaru about the upcoming Star-Appreciation Gathering and the clan’s political situation. He planned to use the gathering and his journey to the Frontier Starfield to gather intelligence while consolidating his cultivation and maintaining Isshiki’s identity.

  • Neji concluded that Longshi had sent him to the Frontier Starfield as a useful but expendable tool, and recognized that the assignment had tied him to the Radical Faction.
  • Neji summoned Senjumaru and learned that Ōtsutsuki Huiyao was a powerful young Conservative Faction noble, while Prince Phoenixfeather’s faction was seeking allies and had limited past contact with Isshiki.
  • Senjumaru reported that visitors with possible Conservative or neutral ties had approached Amaterasu Palace and that activity around the residence had increased since Neji returned.
  • Neji ordered Senjumaru to monitor the Black Crow Steward’s upcoming visit and compile intelligence about the Borderlands Starfield Development Plan, including its dangers, resources, teams, casualties, and merit records.
  • Neji decided to use the Star-Appreciation Gathering and his journey to gather information and refine his cultivation under the cover of recovering, then began consolidating his realm and practicing Ōtsutsuki techniques.

Ch. 269Star-Appreciation Gathering

Neji attended Ōtsutsuki Huiyao’s Star-Appreciation Gathering at Tsukuyomi Villa, where Ōtsutsuki Huang tried to humiliate him over his supposed fall from power. Neji effortlessly restrained Huang with gravitational control, earning Huiyao’s welcome and changing the nobles’ view of him as the gathering began.

  • Neji arrived at Tsukuyomi Villa and drew curious attention from the young Ōtsutsuki nobles.
  • Ōtsutsuki Huang blocked Neji and taunted him as a defeated former Marquis whose realm had fallen.
  • Neji used the Tenseigan to control gravity and immobilize Huang without effort.
  • Ōtsutsuki Huiyao welcomed Neji and asked him to spare Huang, and Neji released his hold.
  • Huiyao led Neji to a seat as the gathered nobles regarded him with greater caution and respect.

Ch. 270Borderlands Plan

Neji attended the Star-Appreciation Gathering, then studied the dangerous Nether Ruins exploration mission and received Prince Longshi’s orders for the expedition. With five days before departure, he prepared to strengthen himself and secured Amaterasu Palace’s affairs before entering seclusion.

  • Neji impressed Ōtsutsuki Huiyao and the younger Conservative Faction nobles with his knowledge at the gathering, while leaving Huiyao’s recruitment overtures unanswered.
  • Neji studied the Nether Ruins plan and recognized the three-year mission as a deadly competition involving exploration, resource plunder, and uncertain support.
  • The Black Crow Steward ordered Neji to assemble in five days at the Third Interstellar Port and assigned him to the Third Exploration Squad aboard the World-Devourer.
  • Neji discovered that the black-beetle spatial beacon also contained a surveillance rune, then concealed it with Chaos True Essence.
  • Neji told Senjumaru to keep Amaterasu Palace running quietly and use the Dark Cache for emergencies while he was away.
  • Neji entered the secret chamber to prepare for departure.

Ch. 271Hidden Hand

After stabilizing his cultivation, Neji created hidden soul-link seals and nourishing pendants to build a controllable force within Amaterasu Palace. He planted the seals in five servants, left Senjumaru in charge, and departed for the Third Interstellar Port aboard the Void Carriage bound for the World-Devourer.

  • Neji stabilized his Early Nascent Soul realm and crafted Chaos Seed Seals that let him monitor and command their bearers, along with Starlight Pendants that gently nourished their wearers.
  • Senjumaru gave Neji a roster of Amaterasu Palace’s servants, and Neji selected two guard captains and two young attendants, along with a fifth servant, for greater responsibility.
  • Neji gave the five servants Starlight Pendants and secretly implanted Chaos Seed Seals in their souls while displaying his power.
  • Neji warned the five to remain loyal, appointed Senjumaru to manage the estate, and gave him a pendant and instructions to use the Dark Cache if needed.
  • Neji left Amaterasu Palace aboard a Void Carriage bound for the Third Interstellar Port and the World-Devourer.

Ch. 272Starship Sets Sail

Neji boarded the World-Devourer for a dangerous three-year expedition into the Nether Ruins starfield, where he was assigned to the Third Exploration Squad. The ship set out with Neji determined to survive, grow stronger, and find an opportunity of his own.

  • At the Third Interstellar Port, Neji met Ōtsutsuki Xuan and Ōtsutsuki Jiqiao, and the three discussed the World-Devourer's design and vulnerabilities.
  • Marquis Kisame Hoshigaki addressed the expedition members, announced strict orders, and sent them to their assigned squads.
  • Captain Rhino gathered Neji, Huang, Xuan, Jiqiao, and the other members of the Third Exploration Squad, then briefed them on their mission in the Shattered Star Belt aboard the Shadowrider.
  • Neji returned to his cabin and sensed the World-Devourer's unstable energy furnace and the varied souls aboard as the ship prepared to depart.

Ch. 273Silicon-Based Planet

After a month aboard the World-Devourer, Neji’s squad reached Resource Planet G-77 to assess its resources, but the supposedly primitive Silicon-Based Civilization ambushed them with a coordinated defense. Neji secretly disrupted the enemy’s energy network, helping the Shadowrider survive its emergency landing, and the squad began preparing to attack the firing nodes.

  • Neji continued cultivating during the voyage and observed the dynamics among Ōtsutsuki Xi, Xuan, Jiqiao, and Ōtsutsuki Huang.
  • Marquis Rank Commander Kisame Hoshigaki ordered the Third Squad to reconnoiter Resource Planet G-77, and the squad departed aboard the Shadowrider.
  • Scans revealed a Silicon-Based Civilization, three Starlight Crystal veins, and planetary defenses, so Captain Xi ordered an orbital bombardment.
  • The planet’s inhabitants launched a coordinated barrage that damaged the Shadowrider and forced Captain Xi to order an emergency landing.
  • Neji used Chaos True Essence to disrupt key nodes in the enemy’s defense network, opening a gap that let the Shadowrider land relatively safely.
  • Captain Xi led the squad out of the damaged ship and ordered them to spread out and destroy the firing nodes.

Ch. 274Mysteries of the Ruins

On Planet G-77, Neji and the Third Squad discovered an ancient underground structure as the Silicon-Based Lifeforms launched a massive attack. The ruins awakened, opening a vast pit that pulled the warriors and their enemies into the darkness below.

  • Neji sensed an ancient rhythm beneath the planet, and Jiqiao's scanner revealed a geometric structure buried under Energy Concentration Point Three.
  • The Silicon-Based Lifeforms recovered their coordination and charged the Third Squad, forcing the warriors into a desperate fight.
  • Neji noticed the ancient rhythm growing clearer and absorbing energy and soul fragments from the battlefield.
  • Xuan detected the underground structure activating just before a huge area of ground collapsed into a deep pit.
  • The pit's suction dragged the Third Squad and the Silicon-Based Lifeforms into the abyss, while Neji controlled his descent and saw the ruins' rule fluctuations intensify.

Ch. 275Breaking the Restriction · Dao Arts Reveal Their Divine Might

After surviving a deadly fall into ancient ruins, Neji identified and opened the restriction protecting a giant stone door by guiding its energy rather than breaking it. The group descended a newly revealed staircase, while Neji sensed the Vast Heaven Sect inheritance resonating more strongly below.

  • Neji and the survivors landed in a vast ruin beneath the battlefield, where only ten squad members remained able to move.
  • Xuan and Jiqiao examined the ancient carvings and energy patterns, while Captain Rhino warned the group not to act rashly.
  • Neji recognized the ground patterns and stone door as a dangerous restriction after a white ray killed a Silicon-Based Beetle that stepped onto it.
  • Neji used his Chaos Divine Eye to find the restriction’s path of life and tapped seven nodes with Chaos True Essence, opening a spiral staircase.
  • Captain Rhino led the group down the staircase, and Neji sensed the Vast Heaven Sect inheritance growing clearer as they descended.

Ch. 276Relic Gains and Hidden Dangers

Neji recognized the hall as an ancient Vast Heaven Sect outpost containing three Elder Spiritual Seeds, but the group triggered its deadly defenses. He seized the seeds and escaped with Xuan and Jiqiao as the hall began to collapse, while Captain Rhino fled with Huang and the other survivors.

  • Neji identified the three orbs as Elder Spiritual Seeds and recognized the altar and floor runes as part of a Trans-Starfield Teleportation Array.
  • A team member triggered a petrification curse near a metal door, and the ceiling crystals unleashed deadly beams across the hall.
  • Huang ignored Neji's warning, stepped onto the altar, and was gravely injured by its first layer of defenses.
  • Neji used the Spirit-Sealing Art to disrupt the formation, swallowed the three Elder Spiritual Seeds, and escaped with Xuan and Jiqiao.
  • Captain Rhino carried Huang toward the staircase as the survivors fled and the relic hall collapsed behind them.

Ch. 277Internal Strife

After escaping the collapsing ruins, Neji faced accusations that he had taken the three orbs from the altar. When Captain Rhino sided with Huang and demanded a search, Neji killed Huang with a gray wisp of energy, leaving the squad stunned.

  • Captain Rhino led the seven survivors out of the ruins and toward their rendezvous point as the underground structure collapsed.
  • Huang accused Neji of taking the three altar orbs, stirring suspicion and greed among the survivors.
  • Captain Rhino asked Neji to let the squad inspect his storage equipment, and Neji challenged his authority to do so.
  • Huang urged the squad to subdue Neji, while Captain Rhino pressured Neji and Xuan and Jiqiao fell silent.
  • Neji pointed at Huang and sent a gray wisp into his brow, turning Huang's head, brain, and soul to dust.

Ch. 278Homeward Voyage and Rewards

Neji killed Huang after Huang tried to inspect his storage equipment, then led the surviving team to safety and concealed most of his gains in his report. After the mission, Neji received five thousand merit points and a new order from Prince Longshi to prioritize ancient ruins and foreign civilizations.

  • Neji killed Huang with a mysterious technique, forcing Captain Rhino and the others to abandon their demands to inspect his storage equipment.
  • Neji's group reached the rendezvous valley, joined survivors from the Fourth and Seventh Squads, and returned aboard a rescue ship to the World-Devourer.
  • Neji submitted a report describing an unknown energy crystal and ruin records while keeping his battle and other gains secret.
  • Three months later, Marquis Kisame Hoshigaki announced the mission rewards, awarding Neji five thousand merit points and reporting his discovery to Prince Longshi.
  • The Black Crow Steward relayed Longshi's order for Neji to prioritize future ruins and foreign civilizations in exchange for possible pardon and further rewards.

Ch. 279Bloodline Baptism Pool: The Secrets of Bloodlines

After surviving the Nether Ruins expedition, Neji earned formal recognition as an Earl, the territory of Azuremist Star, and entry to the Bloodline Baptism Pool. He absorbed its life energy while filtering out its controlling bloodline shackles, then left stronger and prepared to use his new territory as a base.

  • The World-Devourer completed its three-year expedition, and Neji returned with the surviving crew to the Mother Star.
  • Neji concealed his cultivation relics while submitting maps and samples, and the merit review ranked him among the best surviving Earls.
  • Prince Longshi formally confirmed Neji's Earl title and granted him Azuremist Star and a Bloodline Baptism Token.
  • Neji entered the Bloodline Baptism Pool and used his Chaos True Essence and Divine Eye to absorb its life energy while breaking down its will imprints and bloodline shackles.
  • Neji completed the baptism at the Middle Earl stage and left the Divine Tree Palace intending to make Azuremist Star a base for his plans.

Ch. 280Hidden Schemes in the Territory

Neji returned to Amaterasu Palace, then traveled to his barren territory on Azuremist Star and established a concealed underground cultivation base. He left Senjumaru in charge of the planet’s public affairs and returned to the Mother Star, keeping his secret foundation hidden.

  • Neji returned to Amaterasu Palace and learned that Senjumaru had managed the estate well during his absence.
  • Neji reviewed Azuremist Star’s records and departed for the planet three days later with Senjumaru and selected attendants.
  • Neji explored Azuremist Star and found an exhausted spiritual vein beneath a remote rift.
  • Neji built a concealed underground base using a Voidspace Stone, Divine Tree Origin Essence, and a strand of an Elder Spiritual Seed’s origin.
  • Neji entrusted Senjumaru with managing the mines and delivering a portion of their output, then returned to the Mother Star.
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