196: Chapter 196 The Final War of the Universe: Galaxy-wide Resonance and Origin Purification

Section 1: Gathering of the Universal Alliance: The Successor of Star Vortex Qi and Five-Qi Equipment

The Chuanwu Starship interstellar mothership had just docked at a temporary space station on the outskirts of the Dark Matter Nebula when over a dozen clusters of light in various colors drifted from outside the hatch. There were successors of 'NGC 205' glowing with a faint green light, clutching longbows wrapped in astral vines; successors of 'M81' enveloped in pale blue light, with gravity-controlling discs at their waists; and most prominent was a figure wrapped in deep purple light. Tiny nebula vortices swirled around her body, and she gripped a 'Star Vortex Crystal Core' in her hand, generating bursts of small star vortices as she approached.

“We’ve finally been waiting for you!” the deep purple figure floated into the cabin, removed a monocular star-charting device, and revealed a face covered in nebula tattoos. “I am Suoya, the successor of 'Star Vortex Qi' from M82. Our galaxy's Source of Martial Tradition was almost swallowed by the Source. We only held on until now thanks to your signal—this Source is too bizarre after evolving; ordinary Qi techniques can't break its dark matter shield at all!”

Ling leaned in, wanting to touch Suoya’s star vortex, but as soon as he reached out, he was spun around by the vortex. “Ouch! Why is your technique like a tornado? It’s even crazier than Karen’s Storm Qi!” Suoya laughed, retracting the star vortex at her fingertips. “Star Vortex Qi can shred dark matter. When we fight the Source later, I’ll help you with crowd control—but your equipment needs a ‘Star Vortex Buffer Layer,’ otherwise no one will fish you out if you get sucked into my vortex.”

The equipment modification site suddenly looked like a cosmic bazaar. Suoya ground the Star Vortex Crystal Core into powder and mixed it into the previous coatings of Stardust, Star Track, Star Core, and Erosion Energy. The five types of Qi Energy intertwined, forming a faint rainbow pattern on the surface of the spacesuits. “This is called the ‘Five-Qi Resonance Layer.’ It will help you withstand the energy impact when we use the energy of the entire galaxy later.”

Lu Yu held a welding torch, welding a Star Vortex Crystal Core onto the energy interface of the Breaching Cannon. Halfway through, he suddenly cursed, “What’s going on! This crystal core can spin on its own? It almost sent my welding torch flying!” Suoya crouched down and guided the core with a star vortex from her fingertip, making it settle down obediently. “Silly boy, Star Vortex Qi must follow its direction of rotation; don't fight it head-on.”

Xiao Juan’s Nature Qi gloves gained a 'Star Vortex Induction Disc.' Suoya injected a wisp of Star Vortex Qi into the disc. “You can talk to the four types of Qi; this disc will let you sense the core fluctuations of the Source. You'll know exactly when it's about to erupt.” The Little Whale Spirit’s Qi Energy cabin was even livelier. Suoya floated a wisp of Star Vortex Qi inside, and the little fellow was actually able to entwine the five energies—Stardust, Star Track, Star Core, Erosion, and Star Vortex—into a small multicolored ball. It rolled the ball around the cabin, occasionally bumping it against the walls as if showing off a new skill.

Chen Wu held up the fusion jade, and the five energies on the jade twisted into a spiral, shining brightly enough to see through the cabin walls. “We are now the ‘Universal Martial Arts Alliance,’ and traditional martial arts practitioners from thirty-seven galaxies are all here. Once we go in, Suoya will use Star Vortex Qi to shred the outer dark matter, Xiao Kaya will use Erosion Energy to break the Source’s shield, and Leo, A-Yue, and Ling will be responsible for clearing the vanguards. The rest will guard the Breaching Cannon with me—remember, we are not just fighting a war; we are defending the Foundation of traditional martial arts for the entire Universe!”

The bullet-chat on the global livestream almost turned the screen into a rainbow: “Thirty-seven galaxies! This lineup is too awesome!” “The Little Whale Spirit’s multicolored ball is so cute it’s making me cry! When can we get merchandise?” “Sister Suoya’s Star Vortex Qi is so cool! I burst out laughing when Brother Ling got spun around!” News came from the Technical Department that the traditional martial arts nodes of the thirty-seven galaxies were all funneling energy into the mothership. Thirty-seven pillars of light connected in space to form a massive light net, encircling the Dark Matter Nebula.

Section 2: Dark Matter Nebula: Source Traps and Five-Qi Breakthrough

The Chuanwu Starship led the warships of the thirty-seven galaxies, slowly entering the Dark Matter Nebula—there were no stars inside, only an endless black nebula. Hidden within were countless 'Source Traps,' dark matter vortices created by the evolved Source that would drag any warship toward their center upon contact.

“Ahead is the Source’s ‘Vanguard Array,’ filled with Evolved Vanguard units!” Suoya’s Star Vortex Crystal Core suddenly lit up, and her fingertip pointed to the front left. “They’ve turned dark matter into a barrier; we have to shred the barrier before we can get close to the Source!”

Just as she finished speaking, dozens of 'Evolved Vanguards' suddenly rushed out of the nebula—they were larger than the previous Commanders, their bodies made of dark matter wrapping around metallic bone spikes, with wings on their backs that could spray dark matter. As they approached, they spewed black Qi Energy, heading straight for the Chuanwu Starship at the front!

“Suoya! Use Star Vortex Qi to shred the Qi Energy! Xiao Kaya! Prepare Erosion Energy to break the barrier!” Chen Wu shouted. The star vortex around Suoya surged, forming a barrier of deep purple vortices in front of the warship; the black Qi Energy was shredded the moment it touched them. Xiao Kaya’s Erosion Energy condensed into a giant axe, its blade wrapped in dark silver light, waiting for a crack to appear in the barrier.

However, the Evolved Vanguards suddenly formed a circle, and dark matter condensed between them into a 'Dark Matter Wall,' its surface emitting a black mist that corroded everything. “This wall is too hard! The Star Vortex Qi can’t shred it!” Suoya was sweating with anxiety as her star vortex began to destabilize. “We need to use Star Core Energy to burn its Foundation! Leo! It’s your turn!”

Leo immediately rushed out of the cabin, his Star Core Energy condensing into a giant hammer. Dark red light wrapped around the hammer’s body as he slammed it against the Dark Matter Wall—a small hole was instantly burned into the surface, but it was patched by dark matter within seconds. “No! My Qi alone isn't enough!” Leo shouted, his arms beginning to tremble. “I need Star Core Energy support from the other galaxies!”

At that moment, a successor from the M81 galaxy suddenly shouted, “We’ll help you!” Over a dozen pale blue lights shot toward Leo, intertwining with his Star Core Energy. The giant hammer instantly tripled in size, and with another strike—the Dark Matter Wall finally cracked open with a massive fissure! “Charge! Don't let it repair itself!” Ling shouted, his Stardust Energy condensing into a longsword as he was the first to rush into the crack, with the warships behind following in single file.

The global audience watched with sweaty palms, the bullet-chat filled with: “Thirty-seven galaxies working together is so hype!” “I got goosebumps when Leo’s giant hammer cracked the wall!” “Suoya, hold on with that Star Vortex Qi!” The Little Whale Spirit hopped around in the cabin, its multicolored ball bouncing off the walls as if cheering everyone on.

Section 3: The Source Core: Outer Battle and the Little Whale Spirit’s Highlight

Passing through the Dark Matter Wall, the core of the Source was finally revealed—it wasn't a Vanguard or a Commander, but a 'Dark Matter Sphere' suspended in the center of the nebula. It was as large as a football field, its surface wrapped in a thick layer of dark matter, through which countless tiny Spirit-Devourer offspring could be seen, like a breathing black heart.

“That is the Source Core!” Suoya’s Star Vortex Crystal Core throbbed wildly. “It’s absorbing dark matter from the nebula to grow stronger! We have to shatter the dark matter layer before it fully evolves!”

The successors from the thirty-seven galaxies immediately fanned out. Suoya’s Star Vortex Qi formed vortices around the Source, shredding the approaching dark matter; Xiao Kaya’s Erosion Energy condensed into countless daggers that stabbed into the dark matter layer, corroding dense clusters of small holes; Leo’s Star Core Energy condensed into fireballs that smashed into the holes, burning the offspring inside; A-Yue’s Star Track lines wrapped around the Source to prevent it from moving; and Ling’s Stardust Energy condensed into a net to catch the falling dark matter fragments.

But the Source suddenly erupted, and over a dozen black tentacles surged from the dark matter layer, entangling the foremost warships and corroding large holes in their hulls with a single pull! “Let go! These tentacles can rot metal!” Xiao Kaya shouted, her Erosion Energy daggers hacking at the tentacles, but new ones grew back as soon as they were cut. “It can regenerate using dark matter! Our Qi isn't enough!”

Xiao Juan suddenly closed her eyes, the Star Vortex Induction Disc on her glove lighting up: “The Source’s core is in the lower right! The dark matter layer is thinnest there! We have to concentrate our Qi to strike that spot!” But just as she finished, the Source’s tentacles lunged toward Xiao Juan at a speed that was impossible to dodge!

“Watch out!” The Little Whale Spirit suddenly rushed out of the cabin, its multicolored ball smashing into the tentacles—the ball actually dissolved the tentacles upon contact with the dark matter! The little fellow wasn't done; the five energies formed a light shield around it as it charged to the lower right of the Source, headbutting the dark matter layer, which immediately caused a crack to appear!

“The Little Whale Spirit can neutralize dark matter!” Xiao Juan shouted in surprise. “Everyone, funnel your Qi to the Little Whale Spirit! Help it expand the crack!” The Qi from the thirty-seven galaxies converged instantly, like a river of color pouring into the fissure—the dark matter layer began to melt, and the offspring inside the Source Core throbbed frantically as if in fear.

The global livestream bullet-chat exploded: “The Little Whale Spirit is too powerful! It actually headbutted the dark matter layer open!” “The Qi of thirty-seven galaxies merging together—I could watch this ten times over!” “The Source is finished! Go for it!” Chen Wu watched as the crack grew larger and suddenly shouted, “Prepare the Breaching Cannon! Fire as soon as the dark matter layer thins further!”

Section 4: Climax: Universal Resonance and Source Purification

Seeing its dark matter layer about to break, the Source suddenly began absorbing dark matter from the nebula frantically. The tentacles on its surface grew thicker, entangling more warships, and even Suoya’s star vortex was nearly shredded by it. “No! It’s desperate! Our Qi is about to fail!” Suoya’s star vortex began to shrink, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. “We need energy support from all the galactic nodes! Or we’ll all die here!”

Chen Wu immediately grabbed the communicator and shouted to the Technical Department, “Transmit all the node energy from the thirty-seven galaxies! No matter the cost!” A few seconds later, thirty-seven pillars of light surged from the depths of the Universe like thirty-seven colored dragons, entering the bodies of the practitioners around the Source—Suoya’s star vortex instantly tripled in size, Xiao Kaya’s Erosion Energy daggers doubled, and Leo’s Star Core Energy fireballs burned even brighter!

“Breaching Cannon, ready!” Chen Wu shouted. Lu Yu immediately pressed the launch button, and the pale blue cannon light, wrapped in the Qi of thirty-seven galaxies, went straight for the Source’s crack—the moment the light touched the dark matter layer, it blew it to pieces. The Source Core was exposed to everyone, and the offspring inside fled frantically, only to be caught by the Stardust net.

“Universal Resonance! Purify the Source!” Chen Wu held up the fusion jade, and the Qi of thirty-seven galaxies condensed into a massive multicolored light ball in his hand. “The original intent of traditional martial arts is to protect, not to destroy! We will purify it, not shatter it!”

The successors of the thirty-seven galaxies simultaneously shouted their declarations of protection: “Solar System! Protecting the Earth Veins!” “Andromeda! Protecting the Star Tracks!” “Triangulum! Protecting the Star Cores!” “M82 Galaxy! Protecting the Star Vortices!” ... The light ball grew brighter and brighter, slowly approaching the Source Core—the dark matter inside began to melt, and the offspring turned into pale gold Qi Energy, as if purified.

The Source suddenly emitted a soft light, no longer black but a pale gold. The tentacles on its surface turned into golden ribbons of light, circling the warships of the thirty-seven galaxies once—as if in thanks, or perhaps a farewell. Then, the Source slowly dissipated, turning into countless golden specks of light that merged into the nebula, and the previously polluted galaxies began to regain their brightness.

“We won!” Ling shouted, his Stardust Energy condensing into fireworks that exploded in the nebula. Suoya’s Star Vortex Qi wrapped around the golden light specks as if performing a cosmic dance; the Little Whale Spirit’s multicolored ball also turned gold, rolling around happily among the light specks.

The global livestream bullet-chat was full of: “I’m crying! We finally won!” “The Universal Resonance was so hype! I’ll never forget this scene as long as I live!” “The original intent of traditional martial arts is to protect—that was so well said!” News came from the Technical Department that all polluted galaxies were recovering, and the energy of the Source of Martial Tradition was ten times stronger than before.

Section 5: Ending: New Universal Order of Martial Arts and Foreshadowing

After the Source was purified, the successors of the thirty-seven galaxies established the “Universal Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters” in the Dark Matter Nebula—the headquarters was a metallic platform suspended in the nebula, with a “Universal Martial Arts Stone Tablet” erected in the center, inscribed with the martial arts runes of the thirty-seven galaxies and the four large characters: “Protect and Coexist.”

Standing before the stone tablet, Chen Wu spoke to the successors of the thirty-seven galaxies: “Though the Source is gone, there are still many unknown dangers in the Universe. Our mission is not over. From today, the Universal Martial Arts Alliance is officially established. Every galaxy must train traditional martial arts practitioners and pass down the original intent of protection.”

Suoya, Xiao Kaya, Leo, A-Yue, Ling, and the others nodded. Suoya suggested, “We can establish a ‘Universal Chuanwu Academy’ so that young people from every galaxy can learn different Qi techniques; that way we can better protect the Universe.” Xiao Juan smiled and said, “I’m going to take the Little Whale Spirit to visit every galaxy and let it say hello to all the Sources of Martial Tradition!”

As the Chuanwu Starship prepared to return to Earth, the Little Whale Spirit suddenly cried out twice toward the depths of the nebula, its multicolored ball pointing that way—there, in the nebula, was a faint blue speck of light, like a new Source of Martial Tradition, or perhaps some unknown signal. “What is that?” Chen Wu frowned, the five energies on the fusion jade also beginning to throb as if sensing something.

Suoya’s Star Vortex Crystal Core also lit up: “It seems to be a new galactic signal, one I’ve never seen before—perhaps there are other traditional martial arts civilizations in the Universe that haven't joined the Alliance yet.” Chen Wu nodded, looking in the direction of the light speck. “It seems our journey of cosmic exploration has only just begun.”

The final scene of the global livestream showed the Chuanwu Starship heading toward Earth, followed by the warships of the thirty-seven galaxies, with golden light specks circling them as if escorting them home. Chen Wu spoke to the camera: “The Universe is vast and full of danger, but as long as we hold onto the original intent of traditional martial arts and work together, there is no Universe we cannot defend, and no civilization we cannot protect.”