Chapter Sixteen: The Sea of Rebellion Among the Stars

Quietly wandering across the Tenglong Continent, Qian Kun had gained much, and then silently departed, employing the Great Shift to arrive directly at the core depths of the Endless Sea on the Purple Profound Star, within the Chaotic Star Sea.

The Chaotic Star Sea was a place of great peculiarity, a vast and special region forged by the laws of heaven and earth. Unlike ordinary seas, which were mostly tranquil, with barely a ripple and waves that seldom grew tall, the Chaotic Star Sea was entirely different. Its waters surged with towering waves; endless hurricanes raged, and even the spiritual energy of heaven and earth ran wild and tumultuous. Between the Chaotic Star Sea and ordinary waters, it was as if an invisible, immense barrier separated two worlds.

Upon entering the Chaotic Star Sea, those whose minds lacked stability would be seized by restlessness and agitation. In such an environment, fierce beasts—unique forms of life—were born. These creatures possessed little wisdom, but were savage and bloodthirsty, though they still managed to absorb spiritual energy to cultivate. Their cultivation differed from that of humans and demon clans; they absorbed spiritual energy only by instinct, producing inner cores rather than the Nascent Souls cultivated by humans and demons.

Amidst the towering waves, Qian Kun drifted, hands clasped behind his back, clad in azure robes, flying serenely as the wild spiritual energy swept toward him like a storm. Yet his body seemed a bottomless pit, endlessly absorbing this turbulent energy.

Arriving at the Chaotic Star Sea, Qian Kun felt the chaos of the spiritual energy and conceived the idea of refining his body with it. He began to practice the Ninefold Yuan Technique, and indeed, the results were remarkable for tempering his physique.

Thus, as he journeyed, he cultivated the Ninefold Yuan Technique, tempering and strengthening his body, occasionally striking down those fierce beasts that foolishly attacked him, refining their inner cores with heavenly fire and absorbing the pure energy into his dantian, for the transformation of the star within from a sun to a dark star.

Unknowingly, his journey brought him near the core region of the Chaotic Star Sea, inevitably leading to encounters and conflicts with some of the rogue immortals, demons, and monsters within, and battles were unavoidable.

Here, it is necessary to speak of the powers within the Chaotic Star Sea.

The Chaotic Star Sea is chiefly divided into two factions: one, the cultivators from the Tenglong Continent belonging to various sects; the other, a motley assortment—wild birds inhabiting the seas, rogue monsters with scales and armor distinct from dragon clans, a few beastly monsters not dwelling in the boundless wilderness of the Qianlong Continent, and solitary rogue immortals and demons.

Why are there so many rogue immortals, demons, and monsters in the Chaotic Star Sea? Mainly because its turbulent spiritual energy helps temper their power, allowing them to cultivate and grow stronger rapidly. For wanderers, the Chaotic Star Sea is a treasure ground for cultivation. Its unique environment also breeds rare treasures, attracting countless rogue cultivators. One might say that this sea is where the top experts of the cultivation world on the Purple Profound Star gather.

Within the Chaotic Star Sea, numerous factions formed by groups of rogue cultivators exist, but the strongest are the three great islands led by Peng Demon Island, the rest beholden to their authority.

Peng Demon Island's master, Zong Jue, is a twelve-tribulation rogue monster—a supreme divine beast, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the foremost expert of the Chaotic Star Sea.

One day, in the Golden Feather Hall of Peng Demon Island, Zong Jue, clad in pale golden robes, frowned as he faced the woman in black, Huyi, the twelve-tribulation rogue demon, who had come to him: "Second sister, you came in such haste. What has happened?"

"Big brother, it's grave—otherwise I wouldn't disturb your cultivation," Huyi replied, her expression solemn. "Suoli is dead, and Zhiqiao has disappeared."

Zong Jue's face changed slightly. "Suoli is dead? Zhiqiao missing? Second sister, explain—what happened?"

Besides the invincible Zong Jue, five other twelve-tribulation rogue cultivators existed in the Chaotic Star Sea, among them the rogue demon Suoli and the rogue monster Zhiqiao. Such cultivators were nearly the strongest in the mortal realm. Zong Jue could scarcely imagine what could lead to one killed and another missing.

"Big brother, the situation is unclear. It seems Suoli's subordinates were suddenly slain, enraging him so that he went to avenge them. Not long after, news came that Suoli's soul jade shattered. Zhiqiao's case is similar—her beloved disciple was killed, she set out to find the murderer, and never returned. Fortunately, her soul jade remains intact, so she likely isn't dead," Huyi explained.

Zong Jue's brows furrowed. "There are few who could kill Suoli, and I know them all—they wouldn't dare casually slay someone of the Chaotic Star Sea. That Suoli and Zhiqiao both suffered mishaps suggests the same hand. I'll investigate personally—let us see who dares act so wantonly in my Chaotic Star Sea."

"If big brother takes action, that person stands no chance—Suoli will be avenged," Huyi said, her eyes shining as she looked at Zong Jue, whose fierce aura filled the hall. His reputation as the foremost expert of the Chaotic Star Sea was not lightly earned.

...

In the depths of the sea, within a trench, lay a palace model no bigger than a palm, its aura subdued, barely noticeable.

Inside, however, there was ample space—like a villa, divided into the main hall, side halls, and several quiet chambers.

In one side hall, at its center stood a massive, dark red pill furnace as tall as a man, flames rising within and a searing heat pervading, turning the entire hall into a steaming chamber.

Qian Kun stood silently beside the furnace, his expression grave as he watched the flames rise, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

Suddenly, footsteps approached, and a tall, seductive woman in red arrived at the door, glancing nervously at the furnace before frowning at Qian Kun. "Hey, how long do you plan to keep me here? If you intend to kill me, just do it—why torment me like this?"

"Rest assured, I won't kill you," Qian Kun replied lightly, without turning. "When I've finished refining this batch of pills, I'll let you go."

Hearing him mention pill refining, the woman's face changed. She had witnessed Qian Kun throw the twelve-tribulation rogue demon Suoli into the furnace alive; Suoli's anguished, unwilling screams still echoed in her ears.

"This man is a lunatic, a devil!" she thought, convinced that Qian Kun was entirely abnormal.

After a moment's silence, she bit her lip. "You've killed Suoli. The Chaotic Star Sea won't let you go. Peng Demon Island's master, Zong Jue, is the foremost expert here. You may be formidable, but I doubt you're his match."

"Zong Jue? The supreme divine beast, the Golden-Winged Roc of twelve tribulations. I would indeed like to meet him," Qian Kun replied indifferently.

Seeing his casual attitude toward Zong Jue, the woman's expression changed, mouth opening to speak, but suddenly a voice rang from outside: "You dare kill a twelve-tribulation rogue cultivator of my Chaotic Star Sea, and still linger here? You have some nerve. Will you come out yourself, or shall I break open your shell and invite you out?"