Annihilation of the Star Core, Void Whale Fall

The Chaotic Star Domain was ravaged by energy, and space was distorted.

Nightmare carried Su Wanqing, protected by the rule fragment, rushing toward the intense source of resonance in the southeast like a black lightning bolt swimming upstream, moving with difficulty but determination.

The closer they got, the more violent the surrounding energy currents became. Spatial fissures constantly tore open like black lightning, and massive meteorites were agitated by unseen forces, colliding and shattering at terrifying speeds. Occasionally, they could even see strange Void Creatures adapted to this extreme environment; they were grotesque and emitted dangerous auras, but upon sensing Nightmare's unfathomable Annihilation Domain, they instinctively steered clear.

A distance of thirty million li would normally be covered in an instant for Nightmare, but here, it took several times the anticipated time and effort.

Finally, the resonance from the rule fragment reached its Peak intensity!

The scene ahead suddenly opened up, yet it was even more shocking.

It was the unimaginably massive remnant of a star that had extinguished countless millennia ago. Its entire body was a deathly dark red, covered in enormous cracks and craters, looking as if it could completely disintegrate at any moment. At its core, a point of ultimate, pitch-black light, seemingly capable of devouring all light and heat, pulsed faintly like a heart!

Every pulse stirred the Void Realm energy tides across hundreds of millions of li, emanating a terrifying Concept of Annihilation and End.

That was the nirvana star core! The ultimate product condensed after a star completed its life journey, containing the essence of its entire existence and its final destination!

Its value, for Nightmare who Cultivates the Great Dao of Annihilation, was even more precious than the world tree seedling!

“It's right there!” Nightmare's eyes flashed with brilliance, and the rule fragment conveyed an intense desire. He could feel that by absorbing this star core, his nirvana dao seed would undergo a world-shaking transformation!

However, just as he prepared to approach, sharp warnings came simultaneously from the rule fragment and the System!

[Warning! Detecting ultra-high-energy life form approaching rapidly! Target: Void Whale (Ancient Species)! Energy Rank: Peak Hedao (Dying Frenzy)!]

[Warning! The target of this life form is also the nirvana star core! Estimated arrival in thirty seconds!]

[Warning! Forcibly taking the nirvana star core will trigger the final collapse of the Star Remnant, causing a massive Void Annihilation Effect!]

Almost the instant the alarm sounded, Nightmare's Divine Sense also detected a vast, ancient aura, filled with deathly silence and madness, rushing toward them from the side-rear Void Realm currents at an astonishing speed!

He turned sharply, only to see an indescribably massive whale-like creature tearing through the energy storm and charging toward the Star Remnant!

The whale was entirely grayish-white, its skin shriveled and wrinkled, covered in the marks of time and huge scars; in many places, stark white bones were exposed. Its eyes were cloudy, filled with pain and unwillingness, and its life force was like a candle in the wind, yet it burned with a final, hysterical madness!

It was clearly at the end of its life, and this nirvana star core was its only hope for prolonging life or... seeking final rest!

This was a Void Whale Fall! The final elegy of a powerhouse!

“Senior Brother!” Su Wanqing also saw the terrifying giant whale and paled as she felt its dying but even more dreadful pressure.

Nightmare's expression was extremely solemn. An ancient Void Whale at the Peak Hedao stage, clearly acting recklessly, possessed absolutely terrifying strength! Moreover, forcibly taking the star core would trigger the collapse of the Star Remnant, a massive risk!

The rule fragment frantically calculated all possibilities.

Fight head-on? The chance of success was less than thirty percent, the probability of mutual destruction was extremely high, and they would also be affected by the collapse.

Retreat? The nirvana star core was crucial to him; missing this opportunity meant he might never encounter one again.

Seize it first? How to deal with the whale's frantic counterattack and the ensuing great collapse?

In a flash of lightning, the rule fragment combined the insights into the Law of Life he had just obtained with the aura of the world tree seedling, deducing an extremely risky plan!

“I'll take a gamble!”

A trace of determination flashed in Nightmare's eyes! His rule fragment instantly communicated with the world tree seedling inside, transmitting an intent of request.

The world tree seedling seemed to understand the external situation. Its branches and leaves gently swayed, separating out a small drop of emerald-green sap, dripping with potent Life Essence.

Nightmare carefully wrapped the drop of sap with the rule fragment, and simultaneously directed a unique fluctuation, containing life pacification and the True Meaning of Annihilation, via Divine Thought toward the frantically approaching Void Whale:

“Ancient existence... This star core is not salvation for you... Accept this vitality... Perhaps... you may find a sliver of peace...”

Following his Divine Thought, he mixed the drop of World Tree sap with a thread of pure Annihilation Origin (representing end and rest), transforming it into a soft ray of light that shot toward the Void Whale's forehead.

The whale, which had been charging frantically, showed a flicker of confusion in its cloudy eyes. From that ray of light, it simultaneously sensed two completely opposite yet strangely fused powers: one was the potent vitality it had long desired, capable of easing its endless suffering; the other was the Annihilation Concept of its final destination, representing rest and conclusion.

Its charge abruptly halted!

For an ancient existence like it, having survived endless years, death might not be terrifying. What was terrifying was the endless torment of pain and the hopeless struggle for survival. The choice Nightmare offered, vitality coexisting with rest, precisely struck a chord with the deepest desire in its heart.

In that instant of hesitation!

Nightmare moved!

The rule fragment burned! All his power erupted without reservation! He immediately unleashed the strongest spatial Divine Ability he currently controlled!

“Great Void Teleportation!”

His body seemed to turn into nothingness, instantly crossing the final distance to the nirvana star core. The rule fragment transformed into an invisible great hand, not forcibly grabbing it, but gently “cupping” the faintly pulsing black star core using an extremely subtle method of Homologous Resonance!

The moment the star core separated from the core of the Star Remnant!

BOOM RUMBLE RUMBLE—!!!

The entire massive Star Remnant, as if losing its final support, let out an earth-shattering wail and began to violently collapse inward! Unimaginable destructive energy was about to erupt!

And the Void Whale finally made its choice. It opened its massive mouth and swallowed the ball of light containing the Concept of vitality and rest. A look of relief flashed in its cloudy eyes, and after gazing deeply at Nightmare, it suddenly reversed direction, using its immensely vast body to fiercely crash into the collapsing Star Remnant!

It intended to use its final strength to buy Nightmare precious time! This was both repayment for the gift of a sliver of vitality and rest, and perhaps a choice for the most magnificent end for itself!

“Go!”

Nightmare did not hesitate at all. The rule fragment enveloped the nirvana star core and Su Wanqing, and he once again activated the Great Void Teleportation at all costs, frantically fleeing away from the center of the collapse!

Behind him, the Void Whale's massive body violently collided with the collapsing Star Remnant!

An indescribable, terrifying light and energy shockwave suddenly erupted, instantly swallowing everything!

Even though Nightmare had fled extremely far, he was still grazed by the edge of the terrifying shockwave. The rule fragment Shield vibrated violently, he let out a muffled groan, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but his speed did not decrease as he continued to escape further away!

After fleeing an unknown distance, the terrifying light behind him gradually diminished.

Nightmare stopped, looked back, and saw that the area where the Star Remnant had been located had turned into a region of absolute energy Chaos and nothingness, with only subtle spatial fissures slowly closing up.

The ancient Void Whale was nowhere to be seen, having turned into nothingness along with the Star Remnant.

A tragic and grand Void Whale Fall concluded in the most intense manner.

Nightmare remained silent for a moment, giving a slight nod toward the nothingness. Regardless of the whale's motivation, its final action had indeed bought him time.

“Senior Brother...” Su Wanqing was still shaken, looking at the blood stain at the corner of Nightmare's mouth with worry.

“I'm fine, just a minor injury.” Nightmare waved his hand. After the rule fragment scanned the surroundings and confirmed they were temporarily safe, his gaze fell upon the nirvana star core still faintly pulsing in his hand.

The pitch-black star core was cold to the touch, yet it contained terrifying energy capable of destroying stars. What was even more captivating was the pure, ultimate Profound Mystery of the Annihilation Origin within it!

With this item, Late Stage Hedao was within reach! He might even have a chance to glimpse the Mahayana realm!

“We need to find an absolutely safe place for Secluded Cultivation,” Nightmare said solemnly. Refining the nirvana star core was no small matter and absolutely could not be interrupted.

The rule fragment scanned this Chaotic Star Domain and quickly located a relatively stable, hidden corner enveloped by a massive Cluster of Meteorites.

Taking Su Wanqing, he activated the Shuttle again, arriving deep within the Cluster of Meteorites. The rule fragment exerted its full power, carving out a more sturdy and deeply hidden Immortal Cave, and setting up layers of Restrictions.

“Wan Qing, be my Protector. This Secluded Cultivation is crucially important.”

“Senior Brother, rest assured!” Su Wanqing nodded solemnly, summoned her Magic Treasure, and guarded the entrance with a serious expression.

Nightmare stepped into the deepest part of the Immortal Cave, sat down cross-legged, with the rule fragment hovering above his head. The nirvana dao seed hummed with desire within his Dantian.

He took a deep breath and slowly cupped the nirvana star core in his hands.

The true transformation was about to begin!