Li Xiaofei was surprised to find that two-thirds of the Black Jade had turned silver-white.
Energy of Life! When did so much Energy of Life accumulate?
Li Xiaofei remembered that it had been less than a quarter of the jade when he had played with it earlier that morning.
Li Xiaofei stared at the shattered planet before him and the blade mark stretching for millions of miles. He suddenly made a bold guess. Could the Black Jade have absorbed the energy contained within the saber intent while he had been comprehending it?
Could the Energy of Life actually be the power of saber intent?
This discovery made Li Xiaofei ecstatic.
After all, the Cemetery of the Ancestors lay within the Black Jade, and the countless soul remnants within it were all top-tier beings who had once dominated their regions. They were tens of thousands of times more powerful than those so-called Three Origin Realm cultivators.
Once he filled the jade with the Energy of Life, he would be able to call forth one of the ancient souls. At that time, he would definitely be able to sweep away all enemies. It would be equivalent to holding a massive trump card.
Li Xiaofei no longer hurried back to the Shennong, but instead remained on the outer edge of the shattered star, observing the Black Jade to see if it could absorb more Energy of Life.
Soon, three days passed.
“It’s absorbed a bit more, but the amount is limited...”
Li Xiaofei noticed that once the Black Jade was four-fifths silver-white, the transformation slowed down drastically and returned to its usual pace. There wasn’t much effect even when Li Xiaofei took the risk of approaching the blade-scarred region. It seemed that the Energy of Life left behind by that slash from the Three Origin Realm powerhouse was limited.
Li Xiaofei put the jade away and returned to Shennong. The ship resumed its voyage, carefully avoiding the region from afar.
The old Chancellor smiled and asked, “Looks like Brother Li has gained something?”
Li Xiaofei sighed. “The saber intent mark left by that senior was indeed astonishing. I comprehended it for a long time, but could only catch a faint glimpse of its essence. It remained obscure and elusive, offering little benefit to my cultivation. Alas... my realm is too shallow. In the end, I still can’t perceive the true martial essence of those above.”
The old Chancellor said, “It’s indeed difficult for those of lower realms to peer into the realm of those above. What’s more, the true essence of Martial Arts isn’t merely a secret technique or cultivation method. It can’t be grasped by sight or reflection alone. It is only through inheritance and direct transmission that one can hope to comprehend it. That planet was shattered by a Three Origin Realm powerhouse, a being far beyond our imagination. To glimpse their Martial Arts essence is an almost impossible task.”
Li Xiaofei’s eyes lit up as he seized the opportunity to ask, “Senior, the Yin-Yang Realm, and the Three Origin Realm that you previously mentioned, what kind of realms are they exactly? Are they existences beyond the peak of cosmic lifeforms?”
The old chancellor smiled and said, “Very well. Since we’ve already left Chongque City, it’s time I share these things with you.”
After a brief pause, he began to explain the details to Li Xiaofei.
“There are one hundred thousand Earth colonies. Due to their different evolutionary paths, each has its own classification system for Martial Arts Realms. These naming conventions and structures vary widely and aren’t worth memorizing in detail.
“However, once you leave the colony stars and arrive at Chongque City, also known as the Outer World, there exists a unified nine level classification system. It’s based on vitality levels and ranges from Meteor level to Black Hole level.
“These nine levels are collectively known as Cosmic Lifeforms.
“Once a being from a colony star ascends into the level of a Cosmic Lifeform, they become eligible for conscription and are taken aboard military vessels to the Star Battlefield.
“But in the Star Battlefield, there exists another classification system for Martial Arts Realms. As I mentioned before, a Black Hole level lifeform is equivalent to a Yin-Yang Realm cultivator in the battlefield’s system.”
“Above the Yin-Yang Realm lies the Three Origin Realm, then the Four Extremes Realm, Five Dragons Realm, Six Gods Realm, and so on. The ultimate pinnacle is the Immortal Emperor Realm. To become an Immortal Emperor is to stand at the apex of this dimension.
“The strongest of our human race in the universe belongs to this tier. Figures like the Blade and Sword Supreme, the Heavenly Emperor, and the Sacred Martial Emperor, are all of this realm.
“They are the pillars of the human race, standing tall against the Reapers.
The old chancellor gave a succinct yet comprehensive explanation.
Li Xiaofei suddenly found that many things were now clear. None of this information had been recorded in the databanks of Chongque City. If someone like the old Chancellor hadn’t mentioned it, Li Xiaofei would never have known.
On the other hand, Song Yu didn’t seem particularly surprised. She was more concerned about the upcoming flight route.
“Once we enter the Star Battlefield, we’ll be in constant danger. We don’t have an official conscription pass. Even if we run into human forces, they won’t treat us kindly. We’ll have to be extra cautious,” Song Yu reminded them.
Entering the Star Battlefield without an official order and military designation was punishable. If they were mistaken for spies or infiltrators, the consequences would be dire.
The old Chancellor, however, responded calmly, “No worries. We’re prepared.”
As he spoke, he instructed Luo Ge to make arrangements. Moments later—
The entire Shennong underwent a transformation. A military designation number was sprayed across its exterior, and several hidden decryption patterns were added. These would allow allied forces to verify the number’s authenticity, much like a digital identification system.
“Where did this number come from?” Song Yu asked in shock.
The old Chancellor replied, “It’s from five hundred years ago.”
“Of course not. On the Star Battlefield, a hundred years is but an instant. Some mission designations can be used for thousands of years. No need to worry.”
The old Chancellor was full of confidence. The Shennong continued its journey forward under his direction.
Li Xiaofei was truly awestruck as they continued to travel. He finally began to understand why this was considered the outer fringe of the Star Battlefield. They had yet to find a single intact planet. Every celestial body they passed was in ruins; they were either ground into powder, or shattered into hundreds of fragments, burning or frozen in space.
In addition to that, there were even more terrifying dangers. Some seemingly calm stretches of cosmic vacuum concealed hidden currents of Martial Arts intent. These were currents invisible to the naked eye and even undetectable by divine sense. If one accidentally entered them, they would be instantly shredded into dust!
Such perilous environments left everyone on edge. Li Xiaofei, especially, didn’t dare to be careless.
Nearly half a year passed in this manner. Suddenly, firelight flared ahead.
They saw terrifying energy fluctuations emanating from a star system composed of a dozen or so planets. One could faintly make out transport ships of various tiers, swarming in like locusts, descending upon different planets like fish spawning in unison.
A massive battle was erupting in that starfield. A dark, sinister energy spread throughout and beyond the star system.
At the same time, the Shennong received an emergency conscription order from the forward fleet command, demanding immediate participation in the battle. They were charged with exterminating the Reapers within the star system, destroying the teleportation wormholes, and preventing the system from becoming a strategic stronghold for the enemy...
“We’ve been drafted for battle. What should we do?” Even the old Chancellor showed a trace of hesitation on his face.
A wartime emergency conscription was equivalent to a military order; it could not be defied. Otherwise, serious consequences would follow. For original chapters go to Nove1Fire.net
But a mere non-combat vessel like theirs had no meaningful role to play in such a conflict. It appeared that the situation here was extremely unfavorable for the human forces.