Star Odyssey

Chapter 3087: The Nine-Star Civilization

Lu Yin's heart sank. The presence of an Aeternus Kingdom suggested that this universe had either already been occupied by the Aeternals or was being actively invaded.

The Aeternus Kingdom was home to Progenitor-level corpse kings, but Lu Yin’s group managed to avoid drawing attention as they continued further across the grassland.

Before long, they saw a fight taking place up ahead.

There were Aeternus’s corpse kings, which was no surprise, and they were fighting against a group of cultivators who were all dressed in white robes and oddly shaped hats. On top of that, they all held long, thin wooden sticks, and they employed a battle style that Lu Yin had never seen before: they were drawing. That was it, they were making pictures.

The cultivators used their wooden sticks to draw in the air in front of them, creating what looked like constellations that then released bizarre attacks.

None of the people engaged in close combat or even used battle techniques. All of them simply released the same energies in attack patterns. However, while the attacks all followed the same form, the power varied from one person to another.

Lu Yin and his companions did not rush to join the fight, as they wanted to observe the unknown civilization first.

The fact that they were able to fight back against Aeternus, and even deal with Progenitor-level corpse kings, meant that the civilization was quite powerful.

A Progenitor-level corpse king was on a rampage, and it tore right through the barriers that had been erected in its path. It instantly shredded one of the white-robed cultivators to pieces, and blood stained the grass below.

A woman suddenly appeared, and she tapped the air with her wooden stick. "Light-Piercing Arrow."

In an instant, she drew two constellations in the air, and then a beam of light shot at the corpse king.

The corpse king threw a punch. It only fought in the most brutal and direct manner, and its punch shattered the beam of light. However, another beam appeared after that, as well as several more. Each one stalled the corpse king's progress.

"Supreme Shield." The woman quickly drew five constellations in the air, which resulted in the formation of a barrier that shot towards the corpse king. The monster’s punches were unable to break this barrier. As the woman drew more constellations, the barrier transformed into multiple beams that pierced into the corpse king's body, leaving it severely injured.

It was at that same moment that several of the white-robed cultivators attacked in unison, all of them using the same Light-Piercing Arrow.

The countless attacks overwhelmed the corpse king.

The woman delivered the finishing blow as one of her Light-Piercing Arrows ended the corpse king's life.

Lu Yin watched the unusual battle play out. No one had used any impressive battle techniques, and every attack had been repetitive, if extremely effective, given their power.

"They've standardized their techniques. This civilization must have some incredibly powerful individuals," Leng Qing concluded.

Arch-Elder Zen added, "There are many strange civilizations scattered across the megaverse. This place is the polar opposite of how the Scourge Occupation's people use random means of attack."

"The more standardized the techniques, the more stratified this civilization views strength and power," Leng Qing noted.

The battle ended with corpses strewn across the grassland. They belonged to both corpse kings and the white-robed cultivators, and blood stained the ground everywhere.

Lu Yin and his companions still did not reveal themselves, adopting caution instead. Mister Mu had sent Lu Yin to this universe, but that did not mean that he was supposed to meet with the white-robed cultivators' civilization. Lu Yin needed to understand these people better before he initiated contact.

The battlefield extended far beyond the immediate surroundings, as it covered an endless portion of grassland. In fact, it seemed as though the battlefield covered the entire universe.

Lu Yin noticed that there were stars in some of the puddles on the grassland, as well as meteorites within the rivers. It was a very strange universe, and it appeared that the grassland had formed later on.

There was an intense war taking place between the universe and Aeternus, and it resembled the Endless Frontier. The woman who had killed the Progenitor-level corpse king moved from one fight on the battlefield to another. Aside from her Light-Piercing Arrow and Supreme Shield, the group from the Origin Universe also saw other techniques, but the Light-Piercing Arrow and Supreme Shield were the most effective against Progenitor-level corpse kings.

One day, a green-eyed corpse king appeared. Not only was the creature a Progenitor-level corpse king, but it also had an innate gift, and the woman struggled greatly against the monster.

Her Light-Piercing Arrows were ineffective, and her Supreme Shield was casually shattered. The woman was forced to use the most powerful technique she had revealed yet. It was called Senluo’s Light of Annihilation.

The technique was as beautiful as an aurora, and it illuminated the grassland and the distant faces of Lu Yin and the two Progenitors with him.

At that moment, the woman sensed Lu Yin and his companions, and she warily looked over.

Lu Yin knew that they had been exposed, though they had not truly been trying to hide.

"It's time to put on a demonstration of goodwill," Lu Yin commented.

Leng Qing immediately leaped forward, his blade slicing at the Progenitor-level corpse king. The appearance of the man’s Celestial Blade World startled the woman, though not terribly. She was also capable of releasing attacks with a similar level of power, and she simply viewed the Celestial Blade World as another kind of combat technique.

Leng Qing's actions also indicated to the woman that the three men were not her enemies.

All of the beams from the aurora-like attack converged and then stabbed into the corpse king.

By teaming up with Leng Qing's Celestial Blade World, he and the woman were eventually able to destroy the Progenitor-level corpse king.

Lu Yin observed things closely with Heaven’s Sight. The Senluo’s Light of Annihilation was a powerful attack, though it was not at the same level as Leng Qing’s Celestial Blade World. Without the Progenitor’s assistance, the woman would have never been able to kill the Progenitor-level corpse king with her own techniques.

Lu Yin also noted a rather peculiar trait of this civilization: their people’s power was very difficult to measure.

Even with Heaven’s Sight, Lu Yin was unable to determine the full extent of the woman's combat strength.

He had been able to estimate the strength of the people from the Scourge Occupation, but this woman who had just fought against a Progenitor-level corpse king appeared to be just as fragile as an ordinary human.

"You must be from another universe," the woman commented to Leng Qing, but the Progenitor glanced over at Lu Yin, who was approaching.

Lu Yin answered the question. "Yes, we are from another universe. We have no desire to antagonize your people."

The woman looked surprised at Lu Yin. "Are you the leader?"

"Is there a problem with that?" Lu Yin smiled.

The woman scrutinized Lu Yin. "You are very young."

Lu Yin chuckled. "So are you. May I ask if your civilization is the ruling power of this universe?"

The woman nodded. "My name is Mimina, and I come from the Nine-Star Civilization, which is the most powerful people in this universe. What are your names?"

"Lu Yin."

"Leng Qing."

"Arch-Elder Zen."

Mimina glanced at the three men. "Why did you help me?"

Lu Yin answered in a straightforward manner. "Aeternus is our enemy as well, so it’s only natural that we would help you."

Mimina showed no surprise at all. "Aeternus has enemies in many parallel universes, so that’s not unusual. However, you seem to be quite powerful, to the point where you would be regarded as among my Nine-Star Civilization’s most powerful experts. May I ask why you came to this universe?"

Lu Yin instantly grew serious. "To form an alliance against Aeternus."

"An alliance?"

"Yes. We are in the process of seeking out powerful civilizations to join forces with us to fight against the Aeternals. Only by working together can we humans have any hope."

Mimina shook her head apologetically. "Thank you for your assistance, but I'm sorry. Our Nine-Star Civilization will not ally with you."

"Why not?" Lu Yin was puzzled.

"We don't trust you."

Lu Yin’s confusion only increased. "You don't trust us?"

Arch-Elder Zen was similarly puzzled. "What reason is there to not trust us? We are merely looking for allies in the fight against Aeternus."

Mimina shrugged. "The Aeternals are exceptionally cunning, and we can’t know if you are actually their enemies or not. I might as well tell you that Aeternus has planted traitors within our people, and they have managed to cause incredible harm on multiple occasions. You should never underestimate the Aeternals. They might be emotionless monsters, but they are extremely intelligent.

"Do not underestimate Aeternus."

Lu Yin found it ironic to hear this warning, as Mimina was speaking the same words that Lu Yin himself frequently used to caution others, only this time they were being directed towards him.

"May I ask if you are the leader of your Nine-Star Civilization?" Lu Yin asked.

Mimina shook her head. "I’m not, but I can assure you that my people will not agree to form an alliance with you, so you shouldn’t waste your time. I can treat you as guests as thanks for your assistance, but that is all."

Lu Yin politely replied, "Regardless, since we are your guests, it would only be appropriate for us to pay a visit to the leader of the Nine-Star Civilization, wouldn't it?"

Mimina hesitated.

Lu Yin added, "It’s certainly reasonable for you to refuse an alliance due to your concerns and lack of trust. It’s a valid concern that we could be part of the Aeternals’ plot, which is why we approached you. However, it's far more likely that we are also enemies of Aeternus. Even if we don't agree to an alliance, we aren't your enemies. There might even come an opportunity in the future for us to help each other out.

"We have never underestimated Aeternus, not in the past, not now, and not in the future. They are extremely powerful."

Mimina took a moment to consider Lu Yin’s request. "Alright, I can take you to see Mentor Kakawen, but first, we need to finish up this battlefield. There’s also a distant Aeternus Kingdom that I need to deal with, as it poses a significant threat."

Arch-Elder Zen was taken aback. "We saw an Aeternus Kingdom, but it only had a single Progenitor-level corpse king. How is that a threat?"

"A Progenitor-level corpse king? Is that what you call them? We call the strongest corpse kings Seven-Star corpse kings. Yes, that Aeternus Kingdom only has a single Seven-Star corpse king, but the Aeternus Kingdom itself needs to be destroyed. Its very existence undermines humanity’s very foundation," Mimina stated firmly.

Arch-Elder Zen glanced at Lu Yin in surprise, but the younger man was staring at Mimina. "Are you referring to the humans born in the Aeternus Kingdoms?"

For the first time, Mimina showed genuine surprise, and she stared intently at Lu Yin for a moment. "So you are also aware of that threat."

Lu Yin took a deep breath. "Please, take me to see the ruler of your universe."

The fact that these people had seen the true nature of the Aeternus Kingdoms meant that this Nine-Star Civilization had a very profound understanding of Aeternus. This meant that they had been at war with the Aeternals for a long time.

With the assistance of Lu Yin’s companions, the battlefield was quickly dealt with.

Lu Yin, Mimina, and the other two men stood in the air above the Aeternus Kingdom, gazing down at it.

The Progenitor-level corpse king roared as it shot into the sky, its pupils turning red as it waved a hand and tore space to shred.

For the first time, Lu Yin took personal action, and he threw a punch. It was a hundred punches confined with the power of time.

Mimina had been ready to attack, only to see the Progenitor-level corpse king be completely obliterated by a single punch from Lu Yin. The creature had been utterly incapable of putting up the slightest resistance, and it did not even have a chance to struggle.

Mimina was stunned, and she finally realized that the young man was actually the strongest of the three men, which was why he was the leader.

His punch had been so quick that Mimina had to admit to herself that she would not have been able to do anything. She would not have had any time to prepare or use a battle technique, unless she acted first.

If that punch were directed towards her, death would be her only option.

"Mr. Lu Yin, your strength is quite impressive," Mimina exclaimed.

Lu Yin smiled. "I've previously killed at least twenty similar Progenitor-level corpse kings. Dealing with one is not particularly difficult."