Chapter 152 The Star Core Returns to Its Place, the True Meaning of Annihilation

The moment Nightmare stepped into the starlight vortex, it was as if he had Transmigration through endless space and time. Surrounding him were rapidly flowing brilliant light bands and illusions of shattered stars. A vast, yet gentle and inclusive power enveloped him, drawing him towards the deepest part of the vortex.

The rule fragment within him vibrated at an unprecedented frequency, no longer mere joy, but more like the excitement and longing of a wanderer returning home, about to complete itself.

After a brief period of weightlessness and dizziness, his feet once again touched solid ground.

The scene before him suddenly opened up.

He seemed to be in the center of a miniature Universe. The surroundings were not walls, but an infinitely extending deep starry sky, with billions of stars slowly operating according to incredibly profound trajectories, emitting a hazy and eternal glow. Between the stars, countless dense, spiderweb-like Law divine chains, formed of pure halos, intertwined and flickered, forming the skeleton of this world.

There was no sound here, only a silent roar and tremor originating from the Origin of the Great Dao, solemn, sacred, and awe-inspiring.

And at the very center of the entire space, a ball of light, indescribable in words, floated.

It was not scorching, yet brighter than any star; it was not massive, yet it seemed to contain all the mass and Profound Truth of the Universe. The source of countless Law divine chains all originated from this. It was the heart of this miniature Universe, the core of the operation of all stars!

The Star Core! Or rather, the most core Origin remaining from the Star Core!

The rule fragment suddenly detached from Nightmare's body, floating before him, emitting an aura that was of the same Origin as the central ball of light but slightly incomplete, like a child who had left home finally seeing its mother.

The central Star Core Origin seemed to be stirred, its light slightly fluctuating, separating a gentle yet immensely vast stream of light, slowly injecting it into the rule fragment before Nightmare.

Buzz—!

The rule fragment suddenly burst forth with billions of rays of light. The tiny cracks on its surface were repaired at a visible speed, and the incomplete parts were rapidly filled. Its form became more complete, and the rule fluctuations it emitted surged exponentially, becoming deeper, vaster, and more complete!

Nightmare could clearly feel that his connection with the rule fragment became much closer and deeper. Countless previously obscure and difficult-to-understand rule Profound Truths surged into his Sea of Consciousness like a tide!

Annihilation, Stars, Space, Devour... various mysterious powers flowed, collided, and fused within his heart.

At the same time, the central Star Core Origin once again separated a finer, yet purer strand of light, ignoring all obstacles and directly submerging into Nightmare's glabella Sea of Consciousness!

Boom!

Nightmare's body violently shook, his consciousness seemingly thrown into a boiling sea of stars!

Countless complex and vast streams of information impacted his Divine Soul:

The complete chapter of the "Myriad Stars Dao Evolution Scripture"! A supreme method encompassing everything from Qi induction to touching the threshold of rules, profound beyond compare!

Divine Lord Xing Yan's insights and experiences regarding the operation of the stellar cycles, divination, and Formation Restrictions!

And... most crucially, the complete Legacy and insights regarding the "Annihilation" rule!

That was not simple text or images, but a direct, Origin rule infusion! It was Divine Lord Xing Yan condensing his understanding of the Annihilation rule into the most fundamental imprint, directly branding it deep within his Divine Soul!

In an instant, Nightmare seemed to transform into Divine Lord Xing Yan, personally experiencing countless years of exploration and comprehension of the Annihilation rule:

Annihilation is not merely destruction and death. It is the inevitable destination of all things, the ultimate manifestation of entropy increase, one of the ultimate Laws that allows the Universe to metabolize and cycle. Within extreme destruction, there also lies a faint glimmer of life that arises from extreme adversity... Stars will annihilate, turning into black holes, devouring everything, even light cannot escape... Worlds will annihilate, returning to Chaos, awaiting the next creation... Even the Great Dao has the tribulation of annihilation and re-evolution... All sorts of insights came in a continuous stream, vast and endless. The Power of Annihilation that Nightmare had previously comprehended and utilized was, in comparison, like a stream to a vast ocean, a firefly to a bright moon!

His body involuntarily sat cross-legged, suspended in the starry sky. The completed rule fragment floated above his head, showering down billions of starlight, reflecting the Annihilation rule imprint in his Divine Soul.

His magic power began to operate frantically on its own according to the route of the "Myriad Stars Dao Evolution Scripture," at a speed far exceeding before, becoming more refined and condensed, imbued with the vastness of the stars and the profundity of Annihilation. His Meridians were widened, his Dantian Qi Sea was churning and expanding, and both his Physical Body and Divine Soul were undergoing fundamental transformations under the dual cleansing of starlight and rule power!

The barrier of Mid-stage Soul Transformation instantly shattered. His cultivation Realm smoothly entered Late Stage Soul Transformation, and was still steadily rising, pressing directly towards Peak Spirit Transformation!

But what he improved the most was not simply the accumulation of magic power, but his understanding and application of rules! At this moment, with every move, he could invoke a trace of true Annihilation rule power, its might incomparable to before!

This was a process of complete rebirth!

He didn't know how much time had passed, perhaps an instant, perhaps ten thousand years.

When Nightmare opened his eyes again, deep within his pupils, countless stars seemed to be born and extinguished, and a hint of the Annihilation intent, the end of all things, that made one's heart tremble, flashed and disappeared.

He slowly raised his hand, and a wisp of faint black lightning flickered at his fingertips. The surrounding space actually twisted and collapsed slightly on its own, light was devoured by it, emitting a terrifying Dao charm that made all things return to nothingness.

This was the true Power of Annihilation!

With a thought, the completed rule fragment above his head gently rotated, and the trajectories of the stars in the surrounding starry sky seemed to be subtly affected. At this moment, his connection with the Star Core Origin of this place was incredibly clear, as if he could mobilize a portion of the power of this miniature Universe if he wished.

The Legacy had been received.

The light of the central Star Core Origin was noticeably much dimmer, clearly indicating that this Legacy had consumed a considerable amount of the power it had accumulated over countless years.

A residual message flowed into Nightmare's mind: This place is the last core of the Star Palace. After this Legacy, it will once again fall into a long period of dormancy to recover its power, awaiting the next fated person, or... awaiting the day he truly reunites the Star Palace and awakens it.

Nightmare rose and bowed slightly to the Star Core Origin. Regardless of the purpose, the grace of this Legacy was truly immense.

He sensed that several auras outside were attempting to assault the Restrictions on the periphery of the main hall. Clearly, the previous commotion had attracted some prying eyes.

It was time to leave.

He swept his gaze across this miniature Universe, raised his hand, and the completed rule fragment transformed into a stream of light, submerging into his body, closely integrating with his Divine Soul, no longer separate.

Taking a step, space automatically twisted, sending him away from this core area.

The next moment, he had already appeared outside the shattered main hall entrance.

His aura was now restrained, appearing not much different from before he entered, but only he knew what earth-shattering power was contained within him.

Almost the instant he appeared, several powerful Divine Senses fiercely locked onto him!

"He's out!"

"The Legacy must have been obtained by him!"

"Hand over the Treasure!"

Not far away, led by Money Maple and the withered old man, seven or eight Deity Transformation Cultivators had gathered, including Poisonous Old Man, Thousand Machines Child, and several other unfamiliar Deity Transformation Cultivators who had arrived later. They seemed to have temporarily reached some kind of tacit understanding, jointly attacking the Restrictions on the periphery of the main hall. Seeing Nightmare appear alone, their eyes immediately turned red with covetousness.

Especially after sensing Nightmare's unfathomable aura, which seemed to merge with the surrounding environment, they became even more convinced that he had gained immense benefits!

Nightmare's gaze coldly swept over the crowd, finally resting on Money Maple. This woman had a deep mind, had guided them all the way, and now united everyone to surround him; her intentions were definitely not simple.

"Get lost." Nightmare's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling coldness that made one's heart tremble.

"Hmph! Arrogant! Do you think you're invincible just because you got the Legacy? Fellow Daoists, let's attack together and capture him first!" Poisonous Old Man shrieked, taking the lead. The black banner in his hand swayed, and a monstrous poisonous mist transformed into a ferocious giant python, lunging towards Nightmare!

Thousand Machines Child simultaneously flicked his abacus, and countless golden abacus beads shot out like a torrential storm, blocking all of Nightmare's escape routes.

The other Deity Transformation Cultivators also unleashed their Magic Treasures and Spells one after another. For a time, various colored lights shone, and terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations swept in all directions, all booming towards Nightmare!

Money Maple and the withered old man, however, retreated half a step, their eyes flickering, seemingly wanting to first ascertain Nightmare's true strength.

Facing the combined attack of so many Deity Transformation Cultivators, Nightmare stood still, not moving at all.

He merely slowly raised his right hand and gently pressed it towards the Void Realm in front of him.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, only an invisible and intangible Law fluctuation, seemingly originating from the ultimate of the Universe, quietly spreading out with him as the center.

Nirvana Field.

The next moment, a scene that made all the attackers' souls fly out occurred!

The surging poisonous mist giant python, golden abacus beads, Magic Treasure light, and fierce Spells... upon entering a three-zhang radius around Nightmare, they seemed to be thrown into an invisible black hole, rapidly becoming dim, decaying, and disintegrating!

The poisonous mist dispersed, the abacus beads turned to dust, the Magic Treasure's spiritual light was completely lost, falling like ordinary iron, and the Spell structures disintegrated and annihilated silently!

All attacks, before even getting close, had completely returned to Annihilation!

"What?!"

"This is impossible!"

"Law power?! He has mastered complete Law power?!"

The Deity Transformation Cultivators were terrified, their livers and guts splitting, simply unable to believe their eyes! What kind of incredible power was this?!

Nightmare's indifferent gaze swept over the crowd, and the five fingers of his right hand, which had been pressing, slowly tightened.

"Ugh!"

"Ah!"

All the Deity Transformation Cultivators who had attacked, including Poisonous Old Man and Thousand Machines Child, simultaneously felt an irresistible Power of Annihilation acting on their own magic power, and even their Divine Souls!

Their cultivation Realms actually began to become unstable, their magic power collapsed like an avalanche, and their Divine Souls experienced excruciating pain from being torn and annihilated! Their skin lost its luster, their hair became withered, as if they had aged hundreds of years in an instant!

"No! Spare me!"

"Senior, spare us! We know our mistake!"

The shadow of death instantly enveloped them. They screamed in terror and begged for mercy, no longer caring about any Treasure Legacy.

Nightmare snorted coldly and dispelled the field. Having just received the Legacy, he didn't want to go on a killing spree; a slight punishment would suffice.

Those Deity Transformation Cultivators immediately collapsed to the ground, spitting up blood. Their cultivation had clearly dropped by a minor Realm, and their Origin Qi was severely damaged. Their gazes towards Nightmare were filled with endless fear.

Nightmare didn't even look at them, turning his gaze to Money Maple, whose face was slightly pale, and the withered old man, who looked as if he was facing a formidable enemy.

"You, too, want the Legacy?" Nightmare asked indifferently.

Money Maple took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in her heart, and forced a smile onto her face: "Fellow Daoist Ye misunderstands. This little sister has no such intention, merely glad to see Fellow Daoist emerge safely. Congratulations to Fellow Daoist for obtaining the true Legacy of the Star Palace."

The withered old man also bowed slightly, indicating no hostility.

Nightmare gave Money Maple a deep look. This woman had many secrets, but now was not the time to delve into them.

He sensed a faint, extremely weak connection from the purified wound on his left shoulder to a certain place far to the north, possibly due to the dense Power of the Stars here and the recent rule baptism.

Is it Su Wanqing? Or the Supreme Art of Forgetting Emotion?

The matter of the Ice Soul Immortal Palace could no longer be delayed.

He no longer paid attention to the crowd. His figure flickered, transforming into an ethereal starlight, instantly vanishing from the spot. His speed was far greater than when he arrived, directly rushing out of the Star Palace main hall's range and heading towards the periphery of the Star Palace Ruins.

Leaving behind a ground full of injured and lingering fear.

Money Maple watched the direction Nightmare disappeared, her beautiful eyes sparkling. She muttered to herself, "Annihilation rule... he has actually initially mastered it... perhaps the plan can be advanced..."

The withered old man's voice was hoarse: "Young Miss, this child has grown formidable; he may be difficult to control."

"It's fine," Money Maple smiled faintly, "What we need is his power, not to control him. Let's go, this place is meaningless now, it's time for the next step."

Nightmare encountered no further obstacles along the way. With his profound understanding of rules and initial application of space, he easily avoided all remaining Restrictions and dangerous areas, quickly rushing out of the starlight vortex entrance and leaving this Star Palace Ruins.

Returning to the Black Water Swamp, he did not stop, transforming into a streak of light and shooting straight north.

His target was clear—the Extreme North Eternal Ice Field, Ice Soul Immortal Palace!

Su Wanqing, no matter where you are, no matter if that Ice Soul Immortal Palace is a Dragon's Pond or a Tiger's Den, This Sovereign has arrived!

Not long after he left, the starlight vortex at the entrance of the Star Palace Ruins gradually became unstable, finally contracting sharply and completely disappearing into the Void Realm, as if it had never appeared.

Leaving behind only countless legends about Star Palace Treasures and mysterious powerhouses, slowly circulating throughout the Central Plains.