The Star Core's First Cry and the Netherworld Overture

Within the Valley of Buried Soldiers, the air felt as heavy as solidified lead. The "Sower" projection, rising from the altar's peak, was no longer surrounded by mere black mist; the Breath of the End now churned into a viscous, ink-like liquid that dripped and corroded space. The aura of a Level 45 boss was like a tangible tsunami, crashing wave after wave against their minds, several times stronger than the projection encountered at the Mourning House! The bone staff in its hand, formed from countless twisted, wailing souls, had a dark red eye embedded at its tip, fixated on Su Yan. An icy, deathly will, like countless needles, pierced into Su Yan's sea of consciousness.

"Dust of fate... it's you again." The Sower's voice lost its madness, replaced by a chilling, condescending indifference. "You have repeatedly deviated from the predetermined path, interfering with the progression of The End. Your very existence constitutes an 'error.' You shall be purged."

Before its words faded, the eye atop the bone staff indifferently shifted. A dark red beam, only as thick as an arm but condensed to the extreme, shot out silently. This beam lacked the earth-shattering momentum of before, but its energy level was incredibly high. Where it passed, space seemed to be erased by an eraser, leaving a fleeting void in its wake, aimed directly at Su Yan's forehead!

"You can't block it head-on!" Yun Ji's voice was unusually urgent. Even with the chaotic Heavenly Mystery, she could sense the terrifying power within the beam, capable of annihilating the very origin of a soul.

Su Yan's hair stood on end. Shrink Ground into Inches was on cooldown, and the icy blue aura of Starlight Bodyguard seemed as fragile as paper before this beam. The shadow of death had never felt so clear!

At this critical juncture, the Compass in his embrace, with its repair at 57% and slightly warm from absorbing a large amount of scattered Breath of the End, suddenly vibrated on its own! It wasn't the burst of silver light from before when it protected its master, but a deeper hum, as if from the ancient starry sky! On its face, among the newly appeared, ancient and blurry constellation phantoms, one resembling "a tortoise and snake entwined" (a Xuanwu?) suddenly lit up, emitting a mountain-like steady glow.

Simultaneously, Su Yan felt nearly a third of the condensed and refined Star Power in his dantian, after his breakthrough, being instantly drawn out by the Compass! This Star Power didn't simply form a shield; guided by the Compass, it rapidly sketched and intertwined in an incredibly profound trajectory before him, forming a miniature Star Map barrier covered in starlight runes within a thousandth of a second!

"Hum--!"

The condensed dark red death ray struck the miniature Star Map barrier. Still no deafening explosion, only a heart-stopping erosion and confrontation at the level of laws. The Star Map barrier fluctuated violently, its starlight runes flickering as if on the verge of collapse, but it held firm, standing squarely in front of the death ray capable of annihilating everything, holding it back until its energy was depleted, and both vanished into nothingness.

Su Yan's face paled, not just from the weakness of his depleted Star Power, but from the exhaustion after intense mental strain. He looked at the Compass in his embrace with shock. This automatic defense was completely different from before; it no longer passively released energy but... guided and utilized his power, executing a precise, targeted defensive calculation!

"Preliminary synergy..." The Sower projection's indifferent tone finally showed a minuscule fluctuation, as if detecting an unplanned variable. "Target 'Order Relic' activity increased, threat level elevated. Execute highest priority purge protocol."

It stopped talking and waved its bone staff. The Breath of the End throughout the Valley of Buried Soldiers seemed to come alive, transforming into countless twisted, howling dark tentacles that wrapped around everyone from all directions. At the same time, dark light condensed before it, summoning three Buried Soldier Golems (Level 44, Elite) clad in tattered armor, their eye sockets burning with dark red soulfire, charging with overwhelming malevolence.

"He's drawing on the valley's residual malevolence! We have to interrupt him first!" Mo Hen shouted sternly, flicking his fingers. Dozens of unstable spiritual light-flashing Spirit Burst Mechanism Beans shot out like a scattering of flowers, detonating within the dark tentacles and temporarily clearing a small area.

Bai Zhi planted her Willow Branch into the ground, fully activating the area-healing effect of Willow Sweet Dew. Simultaneously, she chanted Buddhist verses, a gentle Buddhist light spreading from her, attempting to purify the pervasive vengeful death intent, but with little effect. Fine beads of sweat soon appeared on her forehead.

Yun Ji suppressed the dizziness from the Heavenly Mystery backlash, her hands moving rapidly in seals. A beam of clear light shot out, not an attack, but landing on Su Yan. "Fellow Daoist Su, I will temporarily stabilize your spiritual flow with a secret art to help you recover faster! This fiend is connected to the valley's origin; we must inflict a devastating blow to its core instantly to break free!"

Pressure, immense pressure, weighed down on everyone's hearts. The Sower projection's strength far exceeded their estimations, and it was incredibly cunning, giving them no chance for close combat.

"Roar--!"

In this desperate adversity, Little Big Dipper, who had been guarding Su Yan's front and enduring immense pressure, let out a roar of pain and rage! On its dark purple carapace, the Star Spots, which had previously only flickered with faint light, now flashed with unprecedented brilliance, as if stimulated, extending outwards! Between the Star Spots, countless thread-like golden patterns began to appear. These patterns quickly connected and intertwined, faintly forming a complex and profound miniature Star Map network on its back, seemingly containing the ultimate principles of the universe!

The potential within its body, born from mutation and nurtured by the War God's will, the Power of Stars, and multiple absorptions of Breath of the End, finally broke through the last barrier under the external high pressure and internal boiling at this life-or-death moment!

A dazzling light of evolution, like a silver-purple cocoon, instantly enveloped Little Big Dipper! The cocoon pulsed violently, as if a powerful heart was beating within, and a heart-stopping pressure began to spread, even temporarily dispersing the dense Breath of the End around them!

"This is... evolution?!" Mo Hen's eyes burst with surprise.

"Such pure and ancient Dao Rhyme of Stars..." Yun Ji's eyes behind the mist also flashed with a hint of brilliance.

The Sower projection's movements faltered slightly. The indifferent eye truly turned towards the cocoon for the first time, a flicker of incomprehensible data-stream-like analysis flashing within: "High concentration of unknown star realm life response detected... Comparing against database... Judgment: High-value mutant, possesses research value for capture."

It actually abandoned its fierce assault on Su Yan for a moment, pointing its bone staff. Several dark shackles shot out like venomous snakes towards the cocoon, attempting to interrupt the evolution process and capture it!

"You wish!" Su Yan's eyes widened in fury. Although his spiritual power had not fully recovered, how could he allow the enemy to harm Little Big Dipper? He forced his spiritual power, unleashing Soul Chasing Talisman · Erosion and Lightning Talisman simultaneously, blasting towards the dark shackles. Mo Hen's mechanisms and Bai Zhi's purifying Buddhist light also provided support.

However, the dark shackles were incredibly resilient. Although delayed, they stubbornly reached for the cocoon!

Just as the shackles were about to touch the cocoon--

"Crack!"

The cocoon shattered like an eggshell, and a more agile, more majestic figure emerged!

Evolution complete!

The slightly bloated insectoid body became streamlined and powerful. Its length hadn't increased much, but the proportions were near perfect. The color of its carapace was as deep as a starless midnight, yet it subtly emanated a restrained starlight. The complete miniature Star Map on its back slowly flowed, exuding a mysterious aura. Its head became more ferocious, with a vertical eye-like silver crystal on its forehead shining brilliantly, as if it could see through falsehood. Its four limbs ended in sharp claws, radiating a cold light, exuding an invincible sharpness. Most striking was its tail, no longer just sharp, but condensed into a fist-sized, slowly rotating silver Star Vortex, the space around its edges showing subtle distortions!

[System: Your summoned beast 'Little Big Dipper' has broken its life's limitations and completed its first life leap - Evolution! - under extreme battle intent, potential burst, and external high-pressure stimulation!]

[Evolution successful! Sea Hairy Caterpillar (Mutant) -> Star Vortex Guard!]

[Level increased to 31!]

[Strength Aptitude, Stamina Aptitude, Speed Aptitude greatly increased! Spiritual Power Aptitude has seen a certain growth!]

[Learned new skill 'Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike' (Active: Guides the power of the tail Star Vortex to launch a super-high-speed thrust attack at a single target, dealing massive physical damage, with a very high chance to ignore some defense and inflict 'Spatial Tear' effect, causing continuous bleeding)!]

[Existing skill 'Starfire' has advanced to 'Starlight Breath' (Breathes out a breath containing more refined Power of Stars, base damage increased, and a low chance to inflict one of the following negative statuses based on target's resistance: 'Soul Burn', 'Lag', or 'Spiritual Power Disorder')!]

[Talent 'Starlight Resonance' effect enhanced, stronger synergy with the host's Star-type skills.]

[Title updated: Star Vortex Guard (Initial Stage)]

"Star Vortex!" Su Yan felt the majestic power and clearer battle intent surging from the other end of the soul link, his heart filled with excitement. The evolved Star Vortex's aura had firmly entered the Level 35 boss tier, carrying a unique sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through space!

"Guard... is it to guard the stars?" Yun Ji murmured softly, as if pondering the meaning behind the title.

The Star Vortex's first gaze after evolving locked onto the dark shackles that had tried to bind it. A cold silver light flashed in its newly formed vertical eye crystal. It didn't even make a significant movement; the rotation speed of the Star Vortex at its tail simply surged!

"Whoosh--!"

A subtle, almost invisible silver thread flashed from the Star Vortex's tail.

The next moment, those resilient dark shackles, as if cut by invisible blades, instantly disintegrated into primordial dark energy!

Such speed! Such cutting power! Everyone's hearts tightened.

The Sower projection's eye flickered with data streams again: "Attack pattern updated: High-frequency spatial cutting attribute. Re-evaluating threat... Prioritize capture or destruction."

It abandoned simple ranged attacks and slammed its bone staff heavily onto the ground!

"Rumble!"

The entire Valley of Buried Soldiers seemed to fully awaken. The earth cracked open, and more Buried Soldier Golems and Vengeful Souls surged out like a tide. Simultaneously, the dark red tumor at the altar's peak pulsed more intensely, emitting a strong suction. The deathly stillness from the countless weapon remnants within the valley was absorbed like rivers flowing into the sea. The tumor's volume visibly increased by a circle, its surface's vein-like patterns writhing violently, as if something terrifying was about to break out.

"He's accelerating the formation of the anchor point! We have to interrupt him quickly!" Yun Ji said urgently.

The situation was still critical, but Star Vortex's evolution brought hope for a breakthrough!

"Brother Mo Hen, Miss Bai Zhi, clear out the stragglers and disrupt the altar's absorption! Fellow Daoist Yun Ji, please continue to stabilize the spiritual energy for me and guide the core!" Su Yan quickly issued commands, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. He exchanged a glance with Star Vortex, who emanated a cold starlight beside him. No words were needed; their understanding was already achieved through their soul link.

"Star Vortex, let's go!"

Su Yan pushed his Star Refining Body Art to its limit. A faint starlight appeared on his body, and the ice-blue halo of [Starlight Bodyguard] reappeared. He actively charged towards the three Buried Soldier Commanders. He no longer pursued an instant kill, but instead used [Shrink Ground into Inches] and exquisite footwork to maneuver. [Armor Shattering Talisman] and [Soul Chasing Talisman · Erosion] continuously weakened them, creating the best output environment for Star Vortex.

Star Vortex let out a long cry, transforming into a true phantom of the starry sky. Its speed was more than double what it was before evolution! [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] was launched ferociously! The Star Vortex at its tail glowed intensely, its entire body seeming to merge into a distorted silver thread. It instantly crossed dozens of meters, appearing directly behind a Buried Soldier Commander!

"Pfft!"

With a light sound, the Buried Soldier Commander's heavy armor was easily pierced as if it were made of paper! A massive damage number floated up, and simultaneously, a hideous spatial rift appeared at the wound, constantly eroding its body and causing continuous bleeding damage!

A critical hit!

The attacks from the other two commanders arrived, but Star Vortex easily dodged them with its ghost-like speed, searching for another opportunity to launch a fatal thrust. Its posture on the battlefield perfectly embodied the word "Guard"—swift, precise, and deadly!

With Star Vortex tying down the three strongest commanders, Su Yan's pressure greatly reduced, allowing him to focus more energy on the Compass. He could feel that as the battle continued, the Compass's absorption speed of the surrounding Breath of the End was accelerating, and its repair progress was steadily advancing towards 58%. The Star Map in his mind, with the marker for [Netherworld Beacon], also became clearer.

"Now!" Yun Ji's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of exhaustion but an undeniable firmness. "The energy connection between the altar and the Sower has become momentarily unstable due to Star Vortex's attack and the tumor's accelerated absorption! Attack the eyeball at the top of its bone staff; that's its energy transfer core with this world's anchor point!"

The opportunity was fleeting!

A sharp light shot from Su Yan's eyes. The [Lightning Talisman], which he had held back until now, was unleashed again. However, its target was not the Sower itself, but the invisible energy connection line between it and the altar's tumor, attempting to further widen that momentary instability!

At the same time, he sent the strongest thought to Star Vortex through their soul link: "Star Vortex! Sky Rend Strike, target—the eyeball!"

Star Vortex instantly abandoned the Buried Soldier Commander it had already battered into a wreck. The Star Vortex at its tail spun madly with unprecedented speed, even emitting a faint hum that seemed to cut through space! The Star Map veins all over its body and the crystal on its forehead lit up simultaneously, gathering all its power for the next thrust!

"Hummm--!"

A silver stream of light, condensed to the extreme, as if capable of piercing the void, tore through the pervasive darkness, ignoring the distance of space. Before anyone, including the Sower, could react, it accurately struck the dark red eyeball at the top of the bone staff, which was constantly rotating and analyzing the battle!

"Crack... Pfft!"

A sound like shattering crystal rang out, followed by a strange noise of something liquid evaporating completely.

The indifferent eyeball instantly covered with cracks, then exploded completely! Dark red energy erupted from the shattered eyeball like an uncontrolled torrent!

"Aaaargh—!!!" The Sower's projection let out its first roar, filled with pain and shock! The liquid darkness around it churned violently, its aura instantly dropping significantly, and its connection with the altar's tumor was forcibly severed!

Backlash! A severe backlash!

The expansion of the altar's tumor halted abruptly. It even convulsed violently due to the energy backlash, with several cracks appearing on its surface, oozing foul black blood.

"We succeeded!" Bai Zhi exclaimed in surprise.

However, before they could rejoice for long, the dark red energy that had not completely dissipated from the shattered eyeball suddenly contracted, transforming into a rapidly spinning, ominous dark rune.

The Sower's projection used its remaining strength to steady itself, its voice becoming hoarse and filled with bone-chilling venom: "Error... must be corrected! Coordinates recorded... the will of the 'Well of Guixu'... will descend... in the Netherworld... wait for you..."

Before it finished speaking, the dark rune shot out a faint beam of light. It wasn't an attack on them, but instantly entered the Compass in Su Yan's hand!

The Compass trembled violently, emitting a bright silver light, as if fiercely resisting this invading force. Su Yan felt a cold, deathly intention trying to erode his mind, but it was quickly dispelled by the Compass's Power of Order and his own Star Power.

Finally, the Compass calmed down, and its repair progress jumped to 59%! Next to the [Netherworld Beacon] on the Star Map in his mind, a small, constantly flickering black skull marker appeared, like a malevolent curse, or perhaps a forcefully branded tracker.

After uttering its final curse, the Sower's projection could no longer maintain its form and dissipated like burnt ashes in the wind.

Although the altar's tumor stopped expanding, it did not collapse immediately. It continued to pulse slowly, but its light had dimmed considerably. The remaining monsters in the valley, having lost their leader, began to fall into chaos.

The battle had temporarily ended. But the Sower's dying words struck everyone's hearts like the coldest ice picks.

Well of Guixu? What is that? The will of the Netherworld? Coordinates recorded... does that mean they've attracted the attention of something even more terrifying?

Su Yan gripped the Compass, which had greatly increased its repair progress but was now branded with an ominous mark. He looked at the crystal-clear [Netherworld Beacon] on the Star Map and the glaring black skull beside it, his mood incredibly heavy.

The chaos in the Valley of Buried Soldiers had temporarily concluded, but a larger, more terrifying vortex had already opened its abyssal maw towards them. Traveling to the Netherworld no longer seemed like a distant plan, but an imminent battle for survival.