Her hand reached toward the heavy, illusory sky.
To both Louise and the Star Beast, this was utterly incomprehensible.
Star Power would tear that slender hand apart—blood would drench the girl’s entire body.
Yet Luyi’s hand slipped into it effortlessly.
Without hesitation. Without fear.
Her single hand plunged into the starry sky like it had dipped into a calm lake.
Ripples spread outward—and the entire sky shattered into chaos!
“!”
The Star Beast could feel it clearly: her ultimate technique, the stable and serene illusory sky, was now in disarray.
Her absolute control over that sky, over the Star Power, was slipping away bit by bit.
As if some older, mightier, more savage will was awakening within it.
“What… is that…”
She was stunned.
Since her birth, she had been the true master of Star Power beneath these vast wings.
In a hundred years, nothing like this had ever occurred.
The girl’s hand gently traced the illusory sky.
*Crack—crack—crack—*
Shattering sounds erupted instantly.
Before Luyi’s hand, deep within the illusory sky, cracks appeared under Louise and the Star Beast’s horrified gazes.
An abyssal darkness, deep enough to devour all light, bled into the starry expanse.
As the cracks spread, the entire sky plunged into disorder!
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
The vast Star Power contained within the illusory sky now surged uncontrollably toward those dark fissures!
Stars veered wildly from their paths, drawn by the profound darkness, falling into the cracks—swallowed whole!
The fissures expanded wildly, becoming rivers of darkness that finally… spanned the entire illusory sky!
Everything within was devoured, leaving only a frail outer shell!
From outside, the cracks resembled a claw mark erasing all creation.
Instilling deep dread.
And deep… familiarity.
A claw mark. An abyss.
The Stellar Abyss Pillar.
Yes—the Stellar Abyss Pillar!
That dark fissure devouring the illusory sky mirrored the iconic structure of Stellar Abyss Academy—the ancient technique left by the Star Devouring Demon Emperor!
“How is this possible?!”
Louise was utterly dumbfounded.
“Demon Race, you—”
The Star Beast’s heart pounded wildly. She started to speak—but in the next instant, Luyi tore her hand toward the beast.
The dark fissure shattered the barrier of the illusory sky and slashed straight at the colossal creature.
Simultaneously, the pressure of the Constellation Dragon crashed over the beast!
*BOOM—*
The suppression of rank stripped her of control over Star Power instantly.
That pressure also awakened a primal fear buried in the Star Beast’s bloodline.
As if she’d been thrown back to the Primordial Age.
She stood in an endless starfield.
Before her… loomed a figure so vast it dwarfed galaxies.
Its eyes were eternally burning ancient stars; its wingspan stretched across infinite star rivers.
A single gaze from it could annihilate her body and soul!
Her spirit shattered under the impact of the Stellar Abyss Claw.
In reality, the dark claw struck the beast’s body—ripping off its scales!
Shattered scales and flesh rained down like crimson petals!
Under Louise’s stunned gaze, the colossal beast collapsed heavily.
Luyi stood before the fallen, bleeding form. Invisible Star Power deflected the blood trying to stain her.
Amidst the gore, she remained untainted.
Meow? Meow? Meow?
Louise felt the world might have gone mad.
Luyi had crushed the Star Beast at its peak strength?
And she’d used a technique that resembled the Star Devouring Demon Emperor’s?!
What was happening?!
“Well then,” Luyi said calmly, walking toward the fallen Star Beast. “Can we talk properly now?”
The once-fierce beast, regaining faint consciousness, was now barely clinging to life.
As Luyi approached, its body trembled violently.
Its vertical pupils held no arrogance now—only terror.
It didn’t dare respond.
The beast’s blood gathered slowly before the golden-haired girl.
Sensing the aura within it, Luyi frowned slightly.
This blood differed from the special blood she’d sensed upon entering this independent space.
But its quality was still acceptable.
“I need your soulblood—”
Luyi repeated her earlier demand. The Star Beast could only listen obediently, awaiting judgment.
“—and the soulblood from your evolved form.”
She added, “That’s my condition.”
Space twisted. A vortex formed—and an object fell into Luyi’s hand.
A crystal core.
Within it slumbered an ancient dragon soul.
*[Dragon Monarch Core]*: 50% chance to upgrade an Illusion Beast’s tier by one.
Only effective on low-tier beasts—too weak for elites, too expensive for average players.
Luyi had tossed it into her inventory corner long ago, where it gathered dust for ages.
Now, it served a purpose.
“!”
The Star Beast’s breath hitched at the sight of the core.
Merely sensing its aura triggered an instinctive reaction in her body.
*Want.*
*Need it.*
Numb, injured parts tingled as if ants crawled beneath her scales.
Her throat went dry. She swallowed hard.
Her thoughts shifted subtly.
Anger and pride faded. Regret crept in.
Why had she chosen Luyi as an enemy?
Why hadn’t she listened to Luyi’s offer earlier?
Even after provoking her… was the demon still willing to trade?
“A trade?”
Luyi asked calmly again.
For the Star Beast, this was both an evolution opportunity and a lifeline.
A choice with only gain, no loss.
“I… accept.”
Struggling to rise, the beast slowly lowered its head to Luyi.
“Great one of the Demon Race… thank you for your mercy… and this gift!”
“The deal is sealed.”
Luyi tossed the core toward the beast like discarding trash.
The beast caught it with trembling, careful energy—afraid a single scratch might ruin her fate.
Losing it now would haunt her forever.
“I will return.”
“Rest assured, great one—I will honor my promise.”
“…”
Luyi still sensed the space’s aura.
Beyond the Star Beast’s blood, another special blood here could greatly aid her.
Its rank’s aura was unique, yet buried under chaotic energies—elusive, hard to pinpoint.
*Huff—*
Pushing her perception further, Luyi finally located its source.
She turned.
Her gaze landed on Louise, crouched on the ground, carefully collecting fallen Star Scales without a sound—ready to bolt at any moment.
When their eyes met, Louise’s nervous smile froze on her face.
“Eh?”
…
