Chapter Fifty-Eight: Shrine Calamity
Thunder rumbled!
The silver waterfall surged forth, whirlpools twisting in all directions.
The ocean, once as calm as a mirror, erupted into waves, the water rising in a swelling arc.
A man, towering a hundred feet tall, his skin shimmering with silver flames, appeared in the Fifth Realm. His formidable aura spread out forcibly, distorting the surrounding void.
“Lord Nine Sovereigns.”
The silver-flame man bowed toward Da Jiuxing.
“Mm. Shanger and the three girls are heading to the Ancient Prime Domain. Protect them in secret; do not let anything happen to them.” Da Jiuxing spoke with authority, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Rest assured, my lord.” The silver-flame man’s physique was resilient and powerful, strands of divine power coiling around his body. A vivid crimson lightning scar marked his brow.
He was the guardian of the fifth level of the Star Heaven Tower, a peerless cultivator once saved by Da Jiuxing, who now followed him willingly.
“The Sky-Shaking Halberd is yours to wield for now. With your strength, and this half-divine weapon, even the strongest Divine Lord would not dare challenge you.”
With these words, Da Jiuxing tossed a jet-black, flawless celestial halberd to the silver-flame man.
“Thank you, my lord.” He caught it, divine power pouring in, the halberd rang with a resonant clang, a surging pressure of law radiating outward.
…
Feng Shang and his companions arrived at the Gate of Nine Stars City.
Across the vast starry sky, even the lives of countless beings would not suffice to cross its expanse. But through the domain gate, the monotonous, endless journey was shortened, allowing them to traverse the stars over immense distances.
Nine Stars City, renowned as the most prosperous divine city in the Aura Universe, possessed the highest-grade domain gate, capable of reaching any starry expanse in the cosmos.
Of course, activating such a gate required astronomical resources, far beyond what ordinary people could afford.
“Greetings, young master.”
An elderly man in a gray-black robe, his hair white as snow and a mouthful of yellowed teeth revealed when he smiled, exuding an air of deep age—he was Hu San, the Domain Envoy of Nine Stars City and an old acquaintance of Feng Shang.
“Old Hu, we need to travel to the Ancient Prime Domain.”
“I will prepare it for you at once, young master.”
Old Hu bowed respectfully.
Normally, the domain gate was only opened when someone had the wealth to pay all the costs at once, or when enough people had gathered to meet the requirements.
But Feng Shang’s status was exceptional; each time, the gate opened just for him.
A cascade of cosmic crystals, dazzling and innumerable, filled the various recesses of the domain gate.
---
Each of these recesses was as large as a room, numbering in the thousands. Only when all were filled could the intricate space runes ignite, enabling cross-domain transmission.
The consumption over the years by Feng Shang was an astonishing sum.
“The Ancient Prime Domain produces spirit crystals, but stars are plagued by evil, and myriad factions compete for territory, friction never ceasing. It’s said to be one of the most chaotic domains for cultivation,” Qing whispered.
“Indeed, in the Ancient Prime Star Domain, star evils and star pirates pillage everywhere, and ferocious beasts attack from time to time, leaving many domains desolate.”
“Though impoverished and fraught with danger, many famed warriors have emerged from there.” Qing’s eyes shone with longing. “Once, a female sage named Linglong rose from the most chaotic domain, peerless in her beauty, ascending step by step to stand atop the starry sky!”
“A female sage?”
They discussed some cosmic history, speaking of extraordinary beings. Feng Shang, though not well-versed, was nonetheless drawn into the conversation, listening intently.
“I’ve heard that Linglong, moved by the fate of the heavens, left behind a divine trove in the Aura Universe, brimming with fortune and destiny. Yet, to this day, none has found it,” Qing explained.
“What treasures might a female sage’s trove hold?” Feng Shang mused, longing.
He speculated whether Linglong might have left her divine trove in her homeland, blessing future generations.
Qing disagreed, noting that her memories of home were not pleasant.
…
As they chatted, time flew swiftly.
“Young master, the domain gate to Ancient Prime Domain is ready.”
Soon after, Old Hu returned with the news.
The domain gate towered, soaring into the starry sky. In the recesses, vast quantities of cosmic crystals burned, transforming into the purest aura, flowing into the intricate space runes.
A deep vortex formed within the gate, leading to a distant time and space.
“Let’s depart.”
Feng Shang was about to step through when he noticed Ying’er standing nearby, blinking at the pitch-black passage, hesitant and timid.
“I’ll pull you along.”
Feng Shang smiled gently, taking Ying’er’s slender hand. Her clean, delicate cheeks flushed with a hint of red, and she softly murmured assent.
“I want to join too.”
Huang’er, seeing this, immediately clung to Feng Shang’s other hand, smiling brightly, refusing to let go.
“Then, let us depart.”
---
Feng Shang stepped forward, suddenly feeling a tug from behind. It was Qing, usually the most reserved, her exquisite face flushed, eyes sparkling, her slender fingers half-hooked onto his robe.
The youth couldn’t help but smile.
“How harmonious their feelings,” a young man commented, stepping into the deep, dark passage behind them.
…
Ancient Prime Cultivation Domain.
“Have you heard? Whoever obtains a divine shrine can instantly become a powerful star cultivator! The demon Chi from Dongshan Star destroyed several old enemies thanks to a dark shrine!”
“On Tianmu Star, a shrine appeared, and several star villains battled fiercely over it—even members of the Frost Boat and Xuan Realm aristocratic families got involved.”
…
In recent days, rumors and debate swept through this cultivation domain.
Dozens of shrines had appeared; those who worshipped at them erupted with overwhelming power, inciting fervor among some.
“Shrines are a disaster, don’t pursue them. Haven’t you heard that some who worshipped shrines went mad, searching everywhere for life stars to sacrifice?” someone warned.
“The Eastern Ancient Prime Domain is soaked in blood; many star clans are migrating. It’s said that mysterious beings dwell in the shrines, absorbing the strength of worshippers as nourishment!” someone revealed.
“What?!”
…
It was a catastrophe. Since the shrines appeared, thousands of life stars had vanished—chilling news.
A magnificent divine vessel, golden and radiant, shimmering with holy light and stretching a thousand feet, sped across the cosmic starry sky at breathtaking speed.
Onboard were Feng Shang and his companions.
Upon arriving at the Ancient Prime Domain, Feng Shang produced this priceless treasure—a divine vessel for travel, drawing awestruck, reverent gazes from countless star cultivators.
Such vessels, imbued with Dao and spirit, were of immense worth.
“What do the shrines truly look like?” Feng Shang wondered, deeply curious.
Along the journey, they heard endless rumors about the shrines—some claimed they were opportunities for meteoric ascent, others warned of lurking calamity.
This upheaval was clearly extraordinary.