Chapter Ninety-Four: Moon’s Retribution

Bang!

A vast teal rift tore open in the void.

A golden Daoist ship, a hundred zhang long, surged forward at an astonishing speed, bursting out with a thunderous roar. Its splendid golden light illuminated the surrounding darkness, while countless cosmic wind currents swirled upward, trailing streaks of white behind.

Long after, these white streams dispersed broadly into the starry expanse.

“Finally out. The spatial currents were so dull and monotonous. It felt unbearable,” Feng Shang said, standing at the prow, gazing far into the dazzling celestial bodies scattered across the sky. Their multitude and clarity, their magnificent yet eternal aura, eased his spirit.

“This should be the eastern part of Guchu, right? The region most ravaged by the Shrine Calamity,” Qing’er mused.

“Yes, the eastern Guchu is thriving, filled with Daoist sects and sprawling star megacities everywhere. The most infamous is the Hurricane World, the foremost forbidden zone in the Guchu cultivation domain. Its danger level is immense, famed even across the Thousand Domains.

“Legend says it harbors a nest of great calamities, an unparalleled disaster ground, home deep within to tyrant-class star beasts of evil. Of course, numerous ancient relics are buried there—artifacts left from antiquity. Every year, hundreds of millions of cultivators flood in to explore...” Qing’er spoke clearly, her eyes sparkling with crystalline brilliance, serene and detached as she recounted the situation in the east.

“Qing sister is truly wise,” Xiao Huang admired.

“That’s why reading is useful—at least you’re never without a guide wherever you go,” Feng Shang added.

Qing’er rolled her eyes at Feng Shang, then asked a young man nearby, “Master Wuming, do you know where the Shrine Calamity is most severe in the east?”

“I just received word. The Starsea Sacred Mansion has issued orders, and nearly ten Light Lords have responded with strikes. The situation in the east is now basically stabilized. The remaining star beasts possessing shrines have fled into the Hurricane World, as it’s harder to detect them there,” the young man replied with a smile.

“What? The eastern calamity is nearly quelled?”

Feng Shang was stunned. After such a hard crossing, the turmoil was almost over. He pondered briefly: “In that case, let’s head to the Hurricane World.”

Suddenly, a small wolf with fiery fur and silver eyes darted out from the void. It looked around, then spotted the golden Daoist ship ahead and excitedly howled.

In a flash, it leapt forward.

The fire wolf rushed alongside the golden ship, tilting its head to peer aboard. First came three graceful young maidens, then a white-robed youth, and finally, a boy with clear cyan eyes yawning in boredom!

This boy was exactly like the one depicted on the mysterious woman’s scroll!

“Howl!”

The fire wolf found its target and howled excitedly. A red mark on its brow glowed as it immediately emitted a wave of telekinetic power.

“Who’s following us?”

Xiao Huang and Ying’er, standing on the ship’s right side, were the first to hear the howl. Blinking, they saw a beautiful little fire wolf.

Ying’er said curiously, “Wow, it’s a little animal! It can even keep up with the ship’s speed.”

“Feng Shang brother, that little wolf is so cute. Can we let it come aboard?”

“Sure.”

Feng Shang glanced at the fire wolf with its fiery coat and silver eyes, then summoned the void essence.

The fire wolf tried to flee but couldn’t outrun the summoned energy. In an instant, it was enveloped in divine energy and transported onto the ship’s deck.

“This little creature looks so well-behaved,” Xiao Huang said, eyes shining as she gently cupped it.

The fire wolf, held by the girl, seemed dazed, confused at how it failed to escape. Uneasily, it glanced at Feng Shang, then suddenly a spark of cunning flickered in its eyes.

“Howl… howl…”

The little fire wolf behaved obediently and gently rubbed against Xiao Huang, resting its head on her smooth shoulder, inhaling the faint, delicate fragrance of her neck—comforting indeed.

Xiao Huang smiled happily, stroking the wolf’s silky fur. “Little wolf, where did you come from? Why are you following our ship?”

The fire wolf said nothing, nuzzled Xiao Huang affectionately, then leapt into Ying’er’s arms. Ying’er hurried to catch it, shy at first, then, like Xiao Huang, began to dotingly pet it.

“It seems to have followed us for quite some time,” Qing’er closed her book and looked at the wolf, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of golden light. She recalled the sensation she’d felt earlier in the spatial currents.

Could it be this little wolf that had been following them?

“Followed us for a long time?” Xiao Huang asked in surprise. “Our Daoist ship moves very fast. Can you keep up?”

The fire wolf hesitated, looked at Qing’er, seemingly a little fearful, but finally nodded.

“This little wolf is probably a different breed. In the spiritual energy cosmos, some ancient fierce bloodlines are born able to traverse the void and seek out all manner of precious treasures to enhance their strength,” Feng Shang said casually.

“Really?”

Xiao Huang laughed and playfully teased the little wolf.

Feng Shang paid no mind to the extra little wolf. He turned the ship’s course and announced, “We’re headed to the Hurricane World.”

Qing’er withdrew her gaze and returned to her book. A small star beast pet was no hindrance; since Xiao Huang and Ying’er liked it, it could keep them company on the journey.

...

Qiguang Star Realm.

A golden crescent moon shone bright and sacred, radiating a wondrous light that bathed the starry sky. Faint, melodious divine music trickled softly from it.

A mysterious woman named Xia stood upon this crescent moon. Bathed in moonlight, her white robes were purer than snow, surrounded by a faint silver radiance.

Her face was veiled lightly; with flowing hair and graceful poise, she looked ethereal and otherworldly.

“I am heading to the Hurricane World...” she whispered. Soon, she let out a soft hum, devoid of any feminine coyness, only icy cold intent.

With a gesture of her sword qi, a profound void passage instantly appeared before her.

“Saves me some effort,” she remarked.

As she spoke, her white skirt fluttered. Around her floated 663 multicolored realm stones, each imbued with potent world energy and mysterious properties.

Any divine lord witnessing this would be astounded—this was the highest-level ensnaring and killing formation, capable of erasing even divine lords. If combined with certain special star domain terrains, its power would be terrifying beyond measure!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

One by one, the powerful realm stones shot swiftly into the void passage. The other side, no doubt, was the Hurricane World where Feng Shang was headed.

Deploying all 663 realm stones to manifest such a formation required great effort. She needed to prearrange it in advance.

Boom!

After all the realm stones were cast into the passage, she stepped in as well.

At the same moment, the golden crescent moon she stood upon, radiant and pure, trembled violently, shrinking rapidly from tens of thousands of zhang before shattering into starlight that converged into a long sword.

The blade was slender, crystal-clear, and shimmering. At the hilt, a beautiful crescent moon mark was engraved.

This was the ninth sword in the Cosmic Sword Manual: Moon Execution.