194: Chapter 194 Star Core Transcendence: The Large Magellan and the Devouring Mother Source Vanguard

Section 1: Gathering of the Three Realms: Star Core Pulse Qi Successor and Intergalactic Equipment

The Chuanwu Starship mothership had just finished refueling at the Triangulum space station when a figure wrapped in dark red light drifted outside the hatch—it wasn't the silver of Stardust or the purple of Star Orbit, but rather as if the core of a star were draped over them. Clutching a fist-sized 'Star Core Crystal Nucleus,' as the figure approached the mothership, the ship's energy scanners flashed red frantically.

"I've finally caught up to you!" The figure pounded on the hatch, his voice urgent. "I am Leo, the successor of the 'Star Core Pulse Qi' from the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Alliance core you activated sent a signal to our galaxy—if I had arrived a step later, our Star Core Source would have been gnawed clean by the Spirit-Devourers!"

Ling leaned over and poked Leo's light layer, but retracted his hand immediately upon contact, as if burned: "Ouch! Why is your technique like red-hot iron?" Leo grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth: "Star Core Pulse Qi is driven by stellar energy, so the temperature can't be low—your equipment needs a 'Star Core Buffer Layer,' otherwise, as you get close to the Star Core Source, even your spacesuits will melt."

The equipment modification site immediately turned into a hive of activity. Leo broke the Star Core Crystal Nucleus into small pieces and distributed them to everyone: "Stuff these into the layers of your spacesuits. My Qi can make the nuclei generate heat and also prevent corrosion from the Dark Matter Spirit-Devourers." Lu Yu, holding a wrench, almost burned his fingers while stuffing a nucleus into the engine room: "This stuff is way too hot! Can't you make it a bit cooler?" Leo leaned nearby, handing out water: "If it's cool, it's useless. Bear with it; you'll have plenty of time to be cool once we reach the Star Core Source."

Xiao Juan's Nature Qi gloves were the most special; Leo embedded a living Star Core grain in her palm: "You can talk to Stardust and Star Orbit; this grain will let you sense the fluctuations of the Star Core Source, so you can find wherever the Spirit-Devourers are hiding." Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy pod was even livelier; Leo drifted a wisp of Star Core Energy into the pod, and Little Whale Spirit actually managed to wrap this hot energy into a small ball of light, tossing it around for fun—it could now use Stardust, Star Orbit, and Star Core energies simultaneously!

Chen Wu watched as the whole crew finished their equipment preparations and raised the fusion jade—the Stardust, Star Orbit, and Star Core energies on the jade intertwined, emitting a light woven of gold, purple, and red: "This trip to the Large Magellanic Cloud isn't just to save the Star Core Source, but also to find clues about the Spirit-Devourer Mother-Source. Remember, we are now the 'Three Realms Universal Martial Arts Alliance,' and we can't do without a single one of us."

The bullet comments on the global livestream were moving so fast they almost covered the screen: "Leo's Star Core Energy is so cool! It actually burned Ling!" "The part where Little Whale Spirit tosses the light ball made me cry from cuteness!" "Three Realms Alliance! This lineup is too hype!" News came from the Technical Department that nodes in the Solar System, Andromeda, and Triangulum were all transmitting energy to the mothership, and three pillars of light connected into a colorful line in the Universe.

Section 2: Star Core Navigation Channel: Dark Matter Trap and the Three Realms Breakthrough

When the Chuanwu Starship entered the 'Star Core Navigation Channel' of the Large Magellanic Cloud, the scenery outside changed completely—there were no stars, only patches of dark red Star Core clouds, with faint black 'Dark Matter Vortices' hidden within them, looking like mouths waiting to swallow the ship. Leo pointed at a vortex, his expression darkening: "These are traps set by the Spirit-Devourer Mother-Source. Dark matter can swallow Qi Energy; once a ship enters, it can forget about coming out."

Just as he finished speaking, the mothership was suddenly pulled toward a vortex by gravity! Half of the control console screen instantly went black, and A-Yue's Star Orbit lines pulled taut: "Not good! The dark matter is sucking our Star Orbit Qi!" The Star Orbit lines at her fingertips began to thin, looking as if they would snap at any moment.

"Use Star Core Energy to push back!" Leo shouted, his Star Core Energy surging as dark red light enveloped the mothership. "My Qi can burn dark matter! A-Yue, quickly recalibrate the navigation!" A-Yue nodded, her Star Orbit lines wrapping around Leo's Star Core Energy to carve out a narrow path between the vortices: "We can only pass through the middle! Everyone, hold on tight!"

As the mothership charged into the vortex cluster, everyone in the cabin was tossed around. Little Karim's Pyramid Force bracers lit up, a pale gold light shield protecting the control console: "Hold on! I can block the dark matter for a while!" Lyra suddenly pointed out the window and screamed: "What is that!"

Several 'Dark Matter Spirit-Devourers' emerged from the Dark Matter Vortex—they had no physical form, just clouds of black mist. As soon as they touched the mothership's Star Core Buffer Layer, they made a 'sizzling' corrosion sound. "They can swallow Star Core Energy!" Leo stomped his feet in anxiety, replenishing the Star Core Energy in the buffer layer, but no matter how much he added, it was swallowed up.

Xiao Juan suddenly closed her eyes, and the Star Core grain on her glove lit up: "Five hundred meters to the front-left! There's a gap with no dark matter! We can burst out from there!" She projected the Star Core Source's fluctuations onto the screen, showing a narrow, clear safety passage. Chen Wu immediately shouted: "Karen, use Storm Qi to block the Spirit-Devourers! Ella, use Earth Pulse Force to reinforce the buffer layer! Let's go!"

Karen's Storm Qi began to spin, silver-gray wind forming a barrier around the mothership, blowing away any Spirit-Devourers that approached. Ella injected Earth Pulse Force into the buffer layer, the pale green light slowing down the corrosion. The mothership followed the path Xiao Juan indicated, shooting out like a red and purple light arrow. The dark matter vortices behind them chased frantically but couldn't even touch the light of the ship's tail.

The global audience watched with their hearts in their throats. The bullet comments were full of: "Xiao Juan is so amazing! She actually found the gap!" "Leo's Star Core Energy, hold on!" "Karen's Storm Qi is always reliable!" Fortunately, within a few minutes, the mothership exited the channel, and the distant 'Star Core Source' finally revealed itself—it was a stellar fragment floating in the Star Core clouds, its surface engraved with Alliance runes, though it was mostly enveloped by dark matter.

Section 3: Star Core Source: Spirit-Devourer Vanguard Raid

The Star Core Source was in worse shape than anyone imagined—the stellar fragment that should have been blindingly bright now had only a small portion still glowing. The surrounding Star Core clouds had been dyed black, and several 'Dark Matter Spirit-Devourer Vanguards' were perched on the fragment, gnawing on it. With every bite, the fragment's light dimmed.

"Don't touch them!" Leo shouted, his Star Core Energy condensing into a large axe. "These vanguards can swallow Star Core Energy; normal attacks are useless! We must use Star Orbit Qi to bind their dark matter, then use Stardust Energy to shatter them!" A-Yue coordinated immediately, her Star Orbit lines wrapping around a vanguard, the pale purple lines binding its dark matter like ropes. Ling's Stardust Energy condensed into a dagger, which he plunged into the vanguard's core, causing it to instantly disperse into black mist.

Chen Wu immediately assigned tactics: "Leo, A-Yue, and Ling, as one group, clear the vanguards; Ella and Karen, as another, use Earth Pulse Force plus Storm Qi to stabilize the Star Core Source; the new generation, follow me to protect the fragment and prevent the Spirit-Devourers from gnawing on it!"

Leo's group had the most intense fight—Leo's Star Core Energy burned the dark matter, A-Yue's Star Orbit Qi bound the vanguards, and Ling's Stardust Energy delivered the finishing blows. Three vanguards were cleared within minutes. Ella injected Earth Pulse Force into the Star Core Source, the pale green light making the fragment brighten slightly. Karen's Storm Qi spun up, blowing away the surrounding dark matter clouds to make room for the Star Core Source.

But just then, the Star Core clouds surged, and a 'Dark Matter Vanguard King,' ten times larger than the others, emerged. It was wrapped in thick dark matter, and with one opening of its mouth, it spat out a clump of black Qi Energy, heading straight for Little Whale Spirit's Qi Energy pod! "Watch out!" Xiao Juan immediately rushed over, her Nature Qi wrapping around the Star Core grain to block the energy. But the energy was too strong; she was knocked back several steps, and a crack appeared on her glove.

The Vanguard King took the opportunity to pounce on the Star Core Source, but its claws were blocked by Leo's Star Core Energy: "You want to touch my Star Core Source? You'll have to get through me first!" But the Vanguard King's dark matter was too thick; the Star Core Energy was swallowed as soon as it made contact. Leo was knocked back, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth: "This thing is even stronger than the King's Nest in Triangulum!"

A-Yue suddenly shouted: "Use the Three Realms technique Fusion! Stardust plus Star Orbit plus Star Core can break dark matter!" Ling immediately moved closer, his Stardust Energy intertwining with Leo's Star Core Energy. A-Yue's Star Orbit lines also wound around them. The three energies twisted together, glowing with gold, purple, and red light like a tricolor lightning bolt, heading straight for the Vanguard King's core!

Section 4: Climax: Three Realms Resonance and the Vanguard King Breakthrough

"Everyone, transmit your Qi Energy to us!" Leo shouted, the three energies condensing into a giant axe in his hands. "Chen Wu! Lead the new generation to stabilize the Star Core Source! We're going to split this thing open!"

Chen Wu nodded immediately. His Dual-Qi, wrapped with Little Karim's Pyramid Force, Lyra's Shamanic Martial Force, and Mei's Ninja Qi, formed a colorful barrier around the Star Core Source. Ella and Karen also transmitted their Earth Pulse Force and Storm Qi. The barrier shone blindingly bright, blocking the Vanguard King's energy attacks.

Leo, A-Yue, and Ling exerted their power simultaneously, the Three Realms giant axe cleaving toward the Vanguard King's core. As the blade touched the dark matter, it made a 'sizzling' sound, and the dark matter began to melt! The Vanguard King roared, its claws swiping at the three, but A-Yue's Star Orbit lines bound the claws, Ling's Stardust Energy shattered the tips, and Leo took the chance to push the giant axe in further, nearly reaching the core!

Suddenly, the Vanguard King's dark matter surged, blasting the three back—Leo crashed into the Star Core Source, a piece of his Star Core Crystal Nucleus shattering; several of A-Yue's Star Orbit lines snapped, and she bled from her mouth; Ling's Stardust armor was broken with a large hole, and he couldn't get up for a long time. "No! Our energy isn't enough!" Leo pounded the ground in frustration. "We need energy support from the Three Realms nodes!"

Chen Wu immediately grabbed the communicator and shouted at the Technical Department: "Transmit all the energy from the Solar System, Andromeda, and Triangulum! Now!" A few seconds later, three pillars of light shot from the depths of the Universe and landed on the three—the golden light of the Solar System, the purple light of Andromeda, and the green light of Triangulum. They intertwined with the trio's Qi Energy, and the giant axe instantly tripled in size!

"Again!" Leo roared, and the three raised the giant axe once more, their Qi Energy now ten times stronger than before! The Vanguard King tried to dodge, but Xiao Juan's Nature Qi, wrapped with the Star Core grain, pinned its dark matter down. Little Whale Spirit suddenly rushed out of its pod, Stardust, Star Orbit, and Star Core energies condensing into a ball of light that smashed into the Vanguard King's core—the Vanguard King's dark matter instantly went into chaos!

"Now!" The giant axe of Leo's trio cleaved into the Vanguard King's core. The tricolor Qi Energy exploded inside, and the dark matter receded like a tide as the Vanguard King dispersed into black mist. The fragment of the Star Core Source suddenly lit up, and the Alliance runes on its surface all glowed, projecting an image—it was the founder of the Universal Martial Arts Alliance. He pointed at the 'Dark Matter Nebula' outside the Large Magellanic Cloud and said: "The Spirit-Devourer Mother-Source is there. it thrives on dark matter and wants to swallow the Source of Martial Tradition of all galaxies..."

The bullet comments on the global livestream had already exploded: "The Three Realms resonance was too hype! I have goosebumps!" "Little Whale Spirit's light ball was such a surprise! It actually pinned the Vanguard King!" "Finally we know where the Mother-Source is! Next stop, take it down!" Leo leaned against the Star Core Source and said with a smile: "Thank you... our Star Core Source is saved."

Section 5: Ending: Mother-Source Clues and the Next Stop

After the Star Core Source was completely stabilized, the runes projected a clearer map—the center of the Dark Matter Nebula was the location of the 'Spirit-Devourer Mother-Source.' There was also a mark next to it: "The Small Magellanic Cloud has an 'Dark Matter Breaker Cannon' left by the Alliance, which can break the Mother-Source's defenses." Leo pointed at the map and said: "We have to go to the Small Magellanic Cloud. Without that cannon, even with the Three Realms Qi, we won't be able to defeat the Mother-Source."

Chen Wu nodded and looked at the whole crew: "Next stop, the Small Magellanic Cloud. This time, we're not just going to get the Breaker Cannon, but also to find all the traditional martial arts practitioners from every galaxy to fight the Mother-Source together." A-Yue wiped the blood from her mouth and said with a smile: "It should have been like this long ago. I've had enough of the days of fighting alone."

Little Whale Spirit floated to Leo's side and handed over the small ball of light it had been tossing—the ball was wrapped with a fragment of the Star Core Crystal Nucleus. Leo took the ball, his eyes reddening slightly: "Thanks, little guy." Ling patted his shoulder: "We're family from now on, don't mention it."

As the Chuanwu Starship prepared to leave, the Star Core Source shot out a wisp of dark red Star Core Energy, wrapping around the fusion jade—it was the traditional martial arts token of the Large Magellanic Cloud, which could sense the signal of the Breaker Cannon in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Leo looked at the Star Core Source and said softly: "Brothers, wait for us. We'll be back soon to shatter the Mother-Source and make you shine again."

The final scene of the global livestream was the Chuanwu Starship sailing toward the Small Magellanic Cloud along the Star Core clouds, followed by the pillars of light from the Three Realms. Chen Wu said to the camera: "No matter how terrifying the Dark Matter Nebula is, or how strong the Mother-Source is, as long as we Three Realms traditional martial arts practitioners stand together, there is no hardship we cannot overcome."