The main deity hall was the most incredible artifact, not only capable of absorbing chaotic cosmic power to grow, but also able to steal the essence of other worlds!
Buzz! Buzz!
As the main deity hall roared, Wu Ming seemed to see the Azure Illusionary World tremble slightly, expelling a tiny purple star.
“This is the condensed essence of a world. Even with an avatar’s power, this is already the limit!”
Wu Ming immediately ceased his actions.
The more chaotic the Heavenly Mechanism became, the more benefits the main deity hall could reap. The actions of his avatar were still far from Wu Ming’s standards. This was already the limit—going further might provoke immediate retaliation and hostility from the entire world.
The entire Illusionary World was like a massive vault. This time, with the cooperation of an internal traitor, a small gap had opened, allowing Wu Ming to just barely extract a few “coins.”
But the opening was too narrow. Until the vault door fully opened, he couldn’t acquire much.
Worse, too much noise could immediately draw the attention of the original owner!
“These…”
Wu Ming gazed at the purple star, a faint smile forming on his face. “Compared to what I obtained from the Divine and Ghost World last time, this is less than one-thousandth—just a drop in the ocean. Such a small amount of world essence isn’t worth much. I’ll invest it into my avatar instead!”
To gain massive profits naturally required prior investment—and the risk of losing everything.
“Exactly… my avatar is stuck at a bottleneck, right? World essence is the best resource, the best heavenly mandate! It can resolve everything, especially since it’s the original power of the Illusionary World, requiring no adaptation…”
Wu Ming waved his hand.
The tiny purple star, wrapped in Great Luo energy, pierced through the barrier of the Illusionary World and suddenly vanished.
After completing this, he leisurely turned and returned to Wu Manor.
“Announce that my elixirs from yesterday are to be served at a small banquet for my wife and the officials—civil and military!”
Wu Ming gave the order cheerfully.
The affairs of the Zhou Empire were handled by Wu Zhi. The resource issues of the main deity hall were managed by his avatar. As for himself, he spent his days reading, tending flowers, occasionally refining elixirs that fortified the foundation and prolonged life, and hosting banquets for his subordinates. He remained unfazed by external rumors and changes, living a life of utmost ease and contentment.
…
On a cliff within the Illusionary World.
Zuo Linling and Hou Yong exchanged glances as they gazed at Wu Ming, who had stood there motionless for a long time.
“Has our master been waiting for a while?” Hou Yong whispered. “What is he waiting for?”
“Master has his reasons. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t!”
Zuo Linling rolled her eyes. Ever since Wu Ming led her to find Jia Kongming’s laboratory and confirmed that the memory of the Book-devouring Rat contained ancient immortal techniques, she had become utterly devoted to him.
Hou Yong fell silent, then lazily looked up, suddenly narrowing his eyes.
“That’s…”
Zuo Linling raised her head and saw a flash of light in the daylight, like a purple meteor streaking across the sky and plummeting down.
“A meteor?”
Such faint light would be hidden by the sun unless one happened to be at their exact location.
Hou Yong slowly opened his mouth in astonishment, then turned his gaze upward toward the cliff’s summit.
There, Wu Ming stood, eyes gleaming with longing, arms outstretched as if embracing the heavens and earth, when suddenly the purple meteor struck him.
Boom!
In that instant, it seemed as though many things happened—or perhaps nothing at all.
Rubbing their eyes, Hou Yong and Zuo Linling found the cliff intact, but Wu Ming had already descended.
“Let’s continue the journey!”
He wore a faint smile, yet something about him had subtly changed.
“Master…”
Zuo Linling covered her mouth in shock, staring at Wu Ming’s forehead. Unbeknownst to her, a small purple mark had appeared there, resembling a star.
“Don’t ask, don’t speak. Let’s go!”
Wu Ming seemed to be in a particularly good mood.
This was a classic omen. Had it occurred in Zhou, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau would immediately report it as a “malevolent star falling to the mortal world.”
Although the Illusionary World had changed many customs, it still had astrologers.
Wu Ming had no interest in causing such a commotion. That’s why he deliberately chose daytime. At night, the purple meteor would be too obvious, inevitably drawing attention.
“As long as it’s world essence, it’s always purple. While it’s just a drop in the ocean for the main deity hall, for me personally, it’s terrifying…”
He wore a faint smile, lost in thought.
After all, as the fundamental source of all energy, world essence could be concentrated or diluted. Even in a green world—or even lower-tier worlds—the essence remained purple.
This primal essence could further evolve. Diluted further, it transformed into fortune, destiny, and other forces.
Take Dongfang Shuoming, for example. Originally, he was barely a background character in the Fire Continent, with extremely weak destiny.
In other words, the world’s primal essence paid him almost no attention.
But it didn’t matter. Wu Ming artificially boosted him, and suddenly he became a person of great fortune, rivaling any chosen one.
“I’ve never felt better…”
Wu Ming sensed his body, that overwhelming vitality and boundless confidence, as if the entire world was within his grasp. It was intoxicating.
“Anyway… thresholds like Lord or King class—those no longer exist for me. Perhaps even…”
He glanced at his Illusionary Creatures.
Besides Lava Tyrant and Divine and Ghost Celestial Star, Azure-eyed Evil Wolf and Iron-winged Golden Eagle were exceptional breeds. To ascend to Lord class, they’d need to elevate their species’ hierarchy, requiring unimaginable resources.
But now, all of that was no longer a problem.
After all, everything in the world was forged from primal essence. What rare resource could surpass the essence of the world itself?
“Now… I’ve basically reaped all the greatest benefits available in the Fire Continent…”
“As for the rest… the Divine Illusionary Creatures aren’t ready to appear yet. After this incident, Jun Xuanming will surely be more cautious, perhaps even following a King-class Illusionary Master at all times. There won’t be any opportunity…”
“Seclusion! Find a quiet place, avoid the initial chaos… quietly accumulate strength. Only when numerous King-class Illusionary Creatures emerge, and the Fire Elemental army appears, will that be my true battlefield!”
Gazing into the distance, Wu Ming immediately made his decision.
He had already reaped all the benefits. Next, it was time for secluded cultivation—researching ancient immortal techniques, nurturing Illusionary Creatures, breaking through levels, and patiently waiting for the Divine Illusionary Creatures to appear and the right opportunity to come.
“Right… I should also focus on cultivating these two subordinates. I can’t treat them merely as errand runners. That would be too wasteful…”
Unbeknownst to them, Hou Yong and Zuo Linling suddenly felt a chill down their spines, as if some terrifying fate awaited them. Their scalps tingled, yet they could do nothing but shudder involuntarily.
…
In the Wind Continent, at the Star-Moon Empire.
Inside the tallest national Astronomical Academy, atop the towering and majestic Astral Tower, the empire’s most accomplished astrologers gathered.
Outside, imperial troops had taken over all security. A Master-class Illusionary Master stood guard with strict discipline, while the auras of Lords and Kings occasionally leaked through.
“Esteemed masters, you are all the most accomplished astrologers in our empire. After years of joint efforts, how is the progress of our great project?”
At the highest level of the Astral Tower, the grand doors suddenly swung open. A group of Illusionary Masters escorted a regal figure wearing a starry crown into the chamber.
“Your Majesty, the movement of celestial destinies is the most solemn matter in the world…”
Among the astrologers, an elderly one clad in a blue robe slowly spoke. His white beard was so thick it covered his cheeks, trailing all the way to the floor. He seemed to hold the highest status here; as soon as he spoke, the entire hall fell into absolute silence.
“An ancient celestial prophecy revealed to our first astrologer… the emperor who destroys everything was never truly slain, but sealed beyond the heavens by the power of the Creator God…”
The elder spoke slowly, yet each word was crystal clear: “Divine power is a realm mortals shouldn’t recklessly intrude upon. Even though our empire has prepared for a thousand years… Your Majesty, are you truly ready?”
“With the celestial decree that ‘I am the nation,’ and the belief of all past kings, I am ready!”
The Star-Moon Emperor’s expression was firm. He clenched his right fist against his chest: “This is the inescapable mission of every emperor in our dynasty… For this, I have mobilized the empire’s finest elite, the greatest astrologers, the strongest Illusionary Masters—all ready to give their lives!”
“According to the celestial decree, the Wind Emperor’s seal will fully break in three years. After that, everything will be beyond salvation. Our only hope is to find it before then! Subdue it! Make divine power truly serve humanity!”
The elder astrologer’s murky eyes seemed to pierce through everything as he gazed directly at the emperor: “As you wish, Your Majesty! May the celestial decree protect you, preventing the ancient tragedy from repeating!”
“May the celestial decree be with you!”
The gathered astrologers bowed in unison.
They all understood clearly—if the sealed Wind Emperor were to return, it would bring an unimaginable catastrophe!
Back then, the enraged Wind Emperor had once destroyed half the continent! The repercussions still lingered to this day.
This time, there would be no Creator God to play the savior. The only ones who could save humanity were humans themselves!
Their eyes burned with determination. For this great cause, they were even willing to give their lives…
“Begin!”
The Star-Moon Emperor’s face flushed with excitement, his voice resolute and powerful: “With the empire’s five strongest King-class Illusionary Masters, your support, and finally the Astral Tower—forged with the full might of our empire—as our safeguard, we will surely defeat the gods!!!”
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