Stars Blanket the Plains.

A cool breeze swept through the night, carrying a damp, fresh scent.

Luyi walked slowly across this starry wilderness.

The Illusory Star Field.

Domain of the Star Devouring Demon Emperor’s contracted Illusion Beast—the slumbering Ancient Star Beast.

From afar, a colossal silhouette emerged. Centuries of weathering had fused the Ancient Star Beast’s body with the earth itself.

Its form held a dull crystalline sheen, layered thick with dust and rock. Trees rooted in the soil grew atop its back.

At a distance, it resembled a strange, majestic mountain range.

Its massive, long-hardened wings draped toward the ground, encircling the area before it.

That space was the heart of the Illusory Star Field.

One of Stellar Abyss Academy’s forbidden zones—the dwelling place of the Ancient Beast’s descendants.

“So huge…”

Luyi murmured.

The Ancient Star Beast’s size nearly matched a mid-game boss from *Dusk*.

But sometimes, bigger wasn’t better.

Such colossal forms became easy targets for certain powerful beings—living punching bags.

She lifted her gaze. The starry river glittered above.

Far from light pollution, far from worldly clamor, this was likely the clearest night sky in the entire Abyssal Demon Realm.

The Ancient Star Beast’s presence had mutated the local demon beasts to varying degrees.

Many could manifest special powers under the night sky:

Amplifying a specific attribute for themselves and their contractors when the stars descended.

Restoring themselves to full condition.

Gaining immense boosts to all abilities…

Powers no demon beast elsewhere possessed.

Thus, many students came here seeking luck, hoping to contract a suitable Illusion Beast.

But most visited only by day—none dared enter alone at night.

Beneath the veil of darkness, these demon beasts reached peak strength. Dangerous predators roamed freely.

Of course—

For Luyi, no such danger existed.

Even fierce hunters fled the moment they saw her, tucking their tails and retreating. Their crimson eyes flickered with fear in the dark.

The timid ones convulsed and collapsed on the spot from sheer panic.

“Illusion Beasts…”

Luyi sighed softly to herself.

Yet, arriving at the Illusory Star Field had sparked a trace of interest in the Ancient Star Beast.

It bore draconic traits.

It could channel Star Power.

It felt… almost like an imitation of the Constellation Dragon.

“Was this the Illusion Beast the Star Devouring Demon Emperor sought for his ultimate ambition?”

Standing before the area guarded by the beast’s wings, Luyi stepped forward.

The barrier meant nothing to her.

A closer look revealed a corner of the barrier had been tampered with—recently breached by a trespasser.

…

Inside the barrier, the world differed.

The flowing Source of Magic here was purer, gentler than outside.

More importantly—

“The sky has changed.”

Luyi looked up. The Ancient Star Beast’s wings cast no shadow below.

Instead, through the space beneath those wings, she saw… a starry sky utterly unlike the outside world.

A rift existed between the barrier’s interior and exterior.

Outside: scattered stars.

Inside: the stars orbiting within the giant wings were clearer, larger.

Closer to Luyi.

The wings resembled ancient gateways flung open, connecting this sanctuary to a distant starfield unknown to denizens of the Abyssal Demon Realm.

Anyone here would feel the stars’ grandeur and their own insignificance.

Only—

This starry sky held no antiquity or vastness for Luyi.

The Constellation Dragon perceived stars far deeper, far more distant than this winged expanse.

The tier of Star Power under Luyi’s dominion vastly surpassed the stars within these wings.

She sensed the Star Power flowing through the barrier.

A mere gesture would make it obey her command, gathering into her palm.

Countless bloodline auras drifted across the starry field.

But Luyi sought only the strongest one.

As her perception spread fully, she sensed the myriad auras of the Ancient Star Beast’s descendants:

Gentle ones. Profound ones. Frenzied ones…

“There?”

Her gaze settled on a lake far in the distance—its center.

The purest bloodline aura resided there.

But its owner seemed gravely wounded long ago, its life flame flickering weakly.

Moreover, it had just endured a battle.

…

Lake Island.

Isolated Space.

“Huff… huff…”

The girl knelt on the ground, gasping.

Blood soaked her torn uniform. Her once-proud silver hair lay tangled and crimson-stained.

Some blood belonged to the towering figure before her. Most was her own.

Opposite her, the colossal form sat kneeling, its oppressive golden-red slit pupils fixed on her.

“Damn it… just a little more…”

Louise whispered.

Just a little more, and she could have sliced off a scale.

Essential material to repair her life-bound weapon.

Since enrolling, she’d spent nearly all her time plotting how to obtain it—sneaking through the barrier repeatedly to observe the Illusory Star Field’s interior.

After confirming the Ancient Star Beast’s strength had inexplicably plummeted, she’d prepared meticulously before entering this isolated space.

Yet she’d miscalculated one thing—

The terror of Star Power far exceeded her calculations.

If only she weren’t limited to using thirty percent of her strength…

“Pathetic creature. Do you now grasp the gap between us?”

A cold female voice echoed through the space.

The Ancient Star Beast gazed down at the increasingly small Louise. “How amusing. You’re the first demon in centuries bold enough to trespass on my territory and covet my scales.

And your tone… displeases me.”

“…”

“You’re a student of Stellar Abyss Academy, aren’t you?”

The Ancient Star Beast continued. “For the Academy’s and the Domain Lord’s sake, I’ll spare your life. But for your insolence, you’ll pay a price you’ll never forget.”

Dark blue light flickered within its golden-red pupils.

Simultaneously, the isolated space turned translucent. The starry sky above them materialized.

Star Power converged toward the Ancient Star Beast, coalescing into a sharp, jagged horn.

Louise sensed it locking onto her chest—brimming with destructive and sealing energy.

A direct hit would cripple her further, severely damaging her cultivation base.

“…”

But she had nowhere to run.

*How many times have I failed now?*

The thought surfaced suddenly.

After reincarnating a century later, she’d initially known only success, only gain.

She’d believed her life would soar like those ancient novels—ultimately placing the emperor’s head beneath her boot.

But fate shifted upon entering Stellar Abyss Academy.

All because of Luluie.

Looks. Talent. Combat prowess. Even dominance and submission.

Luluie effortlessly surpassed her in every aspect, making Louise feel like a comic relief side character while Luluie played the true protagonist.

So what now?

Beg for mercy?

Wriggle on the ground like maggots?

Enough.

A self-mocking smile touched her lips.

“I refuse to lose myself again…”

To the Ancient Star Beast’s surprise, she forced herself upright against the ancient pressure, ignoring the fresh blood flowing from her wounds.

“Demon, you—”

She met the beast’s slit pupils head-on, then slowly smiled.

“I’ll never show that pitiful face to anyone but Luluie again.”

Better to accept the fear.

Accept it. Endure it.

Then, someday, repay it tenfold. A hundredfold!

*This* was her true self—the former imperial princess!

“Come then… let this pain and shame burn deeper. Make it unforgettable…”

*Madwoman.*

Even the Ancient Star Beast silently remarked.

Finally, it intoned coldly: “As you wish.”

The horn blazed brighter.

The Ancient Star Beast gathered the heavens’ Star Power.

Louise faced the horn’s overwhelming might—strangely calm.

One day, she’d crush this giant beast underfoot.

And Luluie would…

*Crack—*

A sound of shattering space echoed abruptly.

Both figures snapped their attention toward the rupture.

A girl stepped leisurely into the conflict.

It was Luyi.