Swallowed Star: Lord of the Wolf

Twenty thousand merit points isn't a lot, but it's not a small amount either.

No sooner had Blood Shadow returned to Blood Shadow City than the mission was completed, and the merit points were credited to his account. With the overwhelming victory of this battle, Blood Shadow's name finally caught the attention of the upper echelons of the Thunder Kingdom.

The Chaos Realm is quite impressive, but not enough to make emperors flock to it.

The inheritor of the Devouring Thunder Dragon bloodline is excellent, but the bloodlines refined by the royal family are all no less than its, and are not enough to make the emperors condescend to take it as a disciple.

Only now, after Xueyin revealed his strength, enough to rank among the top ten in the Chaos Realm of the Origin Continent, has it finally reached the ears of the emperors of the Thunder Ancient Kingdom, thanks to the report from God King Jiayin.

The Chaos Realm transcends the top ten.

What does this mean? It means that Xueyin is no longer a Chaos Realm cultivator in the ordinary sense, but has truly reached the peak of the Chaos Realm, which is almost the theoretical limit that a life level can reach. His potential, his combat power, and his control over the laws have reached the God King Realm, and he even has the capital to contend with weaker God Kings!

If he breaks through to the God King Realm in the future, he will have a good chance of becoming another invincible powerhouse at the first level.

This is a variable powerful enough to influence the power structure of an ancient kingdom!
……

The uncharted territory of the Thunder Kingdom, the Eternal Thunder Domain.

This place cannot be described by ordinary concepts of time and space; it was forged by the Thunder Ancestor with boundless power, and only core members of the clan can enter.

Endless chaotic divine lightning flowed and converged like a gentle liquid, forming a boundless liquid sea of ​​lightning that shimmered with billions of purple lights.

Above the sea of ​​thunder, nine majestic thrones of different shapes, each exuding an aura that suppresses all heavens and the universe, float year-round.

Each throne represents a royal emperor who wields the power of thunder and possesses boundless might!

At this moment, not all nine thrones are solidified.

Three of them are suspended in mid-air, with no trace of the Emperor.

On the remaining six thrones, light flowed, and the auras were sometimes majestic, sometimes sharp, sometimes profound, and sometimes domineering.

At the very center, on the purple-gold throne, sat the current ruling monarch—Emperor Lei Xiao.

His figure was imposing, his face shrouded in layers of ever-changing, purplish-gold lightning runes, his gaze lowered as if looking down from the highest will, devoid of sorrow or joy.

The God-King Jiayin's reply manifested as a projection, slowly unfolding before his throne.

"Look at Xueyin... that little guy who forged the bloodline of the World-Devouring Thunder Dragon," Lei Xiaoyin said with a smile.

The first to speak was the Wind Punishment Emperor, whose throne on the left appeared to be formed from countless azure hurricanes and thunderstorms. He was surrounded by azure-purple winds and thunder that tore through space, and his tone carried a hint of scrutiny. "To rank among the top ten in the Chaos Realm is certainly talent. However, while the Devouring World Thunder Dragon is powerful, its devouring method is too domineering and extreme, inherently flawed. No one has ever successfully achieved greatness with it. Its future… I'm not optimistic." His words implied a lack of interest.

"Feng Xing, you're too rigid!" On another throne, which resembled an erupting volcano and flowed with crimson destructive lightning, Emperor Lei Fu's voice boomed like muffled thunder, fiery and direct. "Top ten is top ten, who cares about devouring! We don't always have to select fellow disciples when we recruit them. This kid, with more experience, might become a good weapon after breaking through to the God King realm!" Emperor Lei Fu's eyes flashed with lightning as he sneered.

The other monarchs either remained silent or communicated telepathically, without directly expressing their opinions.

While the top ten in the Chaos Realm are certainly dazzling, they are not enough for beings of their stature to lower themselves to actively recruit. Blood Shadow's potential is worth noting, but it seems that something crucial is still missing before he can truly catch their eye and become their personal disciple.

They were more arrogant and selfish than the emperor of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom.

Just then, on a throne positioned relatively close to the center, seemingly formed entirely of the purest "purifying lightning," a figure slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was not as vast as Lei Xiao's, nor as sharp as Feng Xing's, nor as violent as Lei Fu's. Instead, it was like the first rays of dawn piercing through the clouds—gentle, clear, yet containing a profound insight into the essence of all things.

It was none other than the Heavenly Emperor.

His gaze fell upon the battle report.

"The Path of Devouring is domineering and unparalleled, yet it is also extremely dangerous, easily leading to self-loss and becoming a puppet of power." The Heavenly Light Emperor's voice flowed like a clear spring, gently caressing the sea of ​​thunder, yet clearly reaching the ears of every monarch. "However, this young man, Xue Yin, has forged the bloodline of the Devouring World Thunder Dragon, yet he has not been completely assimilated by it. Observing his actions, his goals are clear, his will is unwavering, and what is even more remarkable is that he can perfectly integrate this Devouring power into his own control over power."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through endless space. "Armor protects the body, divine weapons vanquish enemies. Both defense and offense are not simply reliant on bloodline instincts, but rather on their own understanding and mastery of the 'Dao.' Especially that 'Abyss Devourer,' the devouring law it contains has already faintly touched upon the rudimentary form of 'all laws returning to nothingness, nourishing oneself'... This is not bestowed by bloodline, but rather an anomaly born during the forging process, guided by his own will and in cooperation with the weapon-forging master. This comprehension, this control over power, this will to remain clear-headed and actively shape oneself amidst the torrent of bloodline... these are the fundamental reasons why he can rank among the top ten."

The Heavenly Emperor's voice carried a hint of appreciation: "The Ancestor once said that the Way of Thunder is not merely about destruction and rebirth, but also about 'transformation' and 'acceptance.' We, the royal family, though noble in bloodline, are easily confined by it. This child, born of lowly origin, has forged a high-level bloodline, yet he has been able to forge his own path, transforming the 'abnormalities' he devoured into the 'sharpness' of thunder... This 'adaptability,' this 'acceptance,' is quite in line with our Way. His potential may extend beyond the top ten of Chaos."

Upon hearing this, the gazes of the other monarchs subtly shifted.

Emperor Tianguang, though gentle in nature, possessed extremely high standards and would not easily offer such a judgment to a junior. His mention of the Ancestor's emphasis on "change" and "acceptance" was particularly thought-provoking.

Emperor Lei Xiao's face, shrouded in runes, obscured his expression. Only a calm thought emanated from him: "What Tian Guang said makes sense. This child is indeed extraordinary. However, whether he is worthy of your personal patronage remains to be seen."

Emperor Fengxing snorted coldly and did not refute further, but he clearly still held his opinion on the "Devouring Blade".

Emperor Leifu grinned and said, "Hey, since you've taken a liking to him, then just accept him! Anyway, it won't cost much. Isn't it good to gain a mature and loyal disciple by giving him some secret manuals? If it weren't for the ancestor's disapproval that I've accepted too many disciples and forbidding me from accepting any more, I would have been genuinely tempted by this Blood Shadow."

Emperor Tianguang smiled slightly, his gaze gentle yet firm: "Since that's the case, I will take the plunge. If this boy's temperament and comprehension are truly as the battle report says, taking him as a disciple and guiding him to glimpse the deeper 'change' and 'acceptance' of the Great Dao of Thunder would also be a fortunate turn of events." As his voice fell, his body, condensed from pure, world-cleansing lightning, slowly became transparent on the throne, eventually transforming into an invisible and intangible light that seemed capable of illuminating the very origin of everything, silently piercing through the Eternal Thunder Domain and disappearing without a trace.

……

Blood Hidden City.

Blood Shadow sat cross-legged, Abyss Devourer lying across his knees like a sleeping ferocious beast. Three reverse scale vortexes slowly rotated, digesting the World-Burning Flame Lizard's essence that it had devoured from Floro.

Strands of pure flame law fragments and life essence were stripped away and transformed, merging into Xue Yin's divine body and his understanding of the Dao of Thunder Devouring. Covering his entire body, the Myriad Calamities Thunder Scale Armor silently absorbed the rich thunder energy within the meditation room, repairing minor damage, and the luster on the armor plates became increasingly restrained and profound.

He had long since ignored the notification that 20,000 merit points had been credited to his account.

His mind was completely immersed in the insights gained after the battle and the feedback from the Abyss Devouring. Fro's World-Burning Flame was domineering and ruthless, and its annihilating nature, from the opposite perspective, confirmed the inclusiveness and higher level of domineering nature of the Abyss Devouring Path.

That exhilarating strike was not only a release of power, but also a profound testament to one's own path.

Just as his mind became clear and his understanding deepened—

Inside the quiet room, despite the absence of any spatial fluctuations, the light underwent a subtle, imperceptible change. It wasn't a brightening or dimming, but rather as if the very "essence" of the space had been briefly "wiped" clean by some higher-level force, becoming more transparent and closer to the origin of the laws.

Blood Shadow's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open!

Within his abyssal pupils, two extremely condensed purple bolts of lightning flashed and disappeared. His entire body tensed instantly, and the pale purple lightning on the surface of his Myriad Tribulations Thunderscale Armor flared up in response, forming a powerful force field. The Abyss Devourer before his knees emitted a low hum, and the three Reverse Scale vortexes suddenly accelerated their rotation, releasing a ferocious and wary aura of devouring, locking onto the source of the changing light!

No enemies!

A sweep of divine sense revealed that the quiet room remained unchanged, the array intact. However, the sense of transparency that the space had been "wiped clean," along with an indescribable, gentle yet supreme sense of being watched over, enveloped the entire quiet room like an invisible tide.

Blood Shadow's back stiffened instantly, and cold sweat almost seeped out.

It could directly affect the essence of his quiet room without him even noticing, and even his proud will and the spirituality of the Abyss Devourer could only react passively and could not lock onto the target... This was definitely not the method of an ordinary god-king!
He forcefully suppressed the turmoil in his heart, took a deep breath to calm the agitation of the Abyss Devourer, and withdrew the lightning from his armor before slowly standing up.

He bowed respectfully to the light-filled void that seemed to hold infinite possibilities, his voice steady yet neither humble nor arrogant: "Junior Xueyin welcomes the Emperor's arrival. I am humbled as to which Emperor has graced us with his presence."

The sense of openness in the quiet room rippled slightly. A gentle and peaceful voice, yet seemingly containing the Daoist principles of the creation and destruction of thunder and the beginning of the universe, resounded directly in Xue Yin's heart. It was devoid of any worldly concerns, yet it carried the power to soothe all restlessness: "Do not be afraid. I am the light of heaven."

As the sound faded, in the most "transparent" space in the center of the quiet room, specks of pure, flawless, purifying lightning, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul, appeared out of thin air, converged, and finally condensed into a long, slightly blurry beam of light. The light was not solid, but it exuded a wisdom that penetrated all things and a gentle aura that encompassed all laws.

It was a wisp of the Heavenly Emperor's will incarnation.

"Emperor Tianguang!" Xueyin's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed again, his posture even lower. In an instant, rumors about this emperor flashed through his mind: gentle in nature, with extremely high standards, wielding the "Purifying Lightning", and although not the strongest in combat among the nine monarchs, he was recognized as the most tolerant.

"In the battle at the Thunderfire Crystal Forest, you, with your chaotic body, wielded the Devouring Blade, shattered the World-Burning Flames, injured the enemy nation's transcendence, and enhanced our nation's prestige. I have already read Jia Yin's battle report." The Heavenly Light Emperor's thoughts came calmly, revealing little emotion. "However, what the battle report says is ultimately just an outward appearance. I have come here to see your origin, your weapon, and your Dao heart."

Blood Shadow felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the real test had arrived.

Emperor Tianguang's gaze fell upon Xueyin, his eyes gleaming with pure lightning, like a mirror reflecting the vast universe. He did not attempt to forcibly interpret Xueyin's spirit, but instead used cause and effect, and the Great Dao, to perceive something deeper.

A moment later, Emperor Tianguang withdrew his gaze.

"Not bad." The Heavenly Light Emperor's voice carried a hint of approval. "In refining the World-Devouring Thunder Dragon, his will did not falter. Instead, he used its power to build his own path. In the Chaos Realm, he was able to comprehend the principle of 'devouring as a blade and feeding back as a tool,' and he was able to initially integrate it into the Great Dao of Thunder, forming a unique domain... This comprehension, this mindset, is more than just among the top ten in the Chaos Realm."

Blood Shadow felt a slight sense of relief, but still maintained a respectful listening posture.

The aura of the Heavenly Emperor seemed to be "watching" over Blood Shadow, the pure lightning containing all-knowing wisdom: "However, the path of devouring is ultimately not the true path of thunder. It is a shortcut, an incomparably sharp double-edged sword. Used well, it can break all laws and nourish oneself; used poorly, it will devour one's soul, turning one into a gluttonous beast, forever losing oneself."

His voice suddenly became deep and solemn, each word like a purifying thunderclap striking Xueyin's Dao heart: "Do you know that the Dao of Thunder is vast and boundless? Destruction is merely one of its manifestations. Creation and destruction, the interplay of strength and gentleness, the rotation of light and darkness, the interweaving of time and space... all are contained within it. I observe your 'blade,' its sharpness already revealed, but where is its 'sheath'? Where is its 'world of thunder,' encompassing all things and evolving infinitely?"

"Devouring without restraint will eventually come to an end. When your devouring power reaches its limit, when you face a higher level of power that you cannot devour and that even backfires on you, how will your path continue? At that time, will you transform into an even more powerful devouring beast, or... be burst apart by the backlash, your path extinguished and your soul destroyed?"

The words of the Heavenly Emperor were like a sudden awakening, or a wake-up call.

Xue Yin's body trembled violently, as if a thunderclap had exploded in his sea of ​​consciousness!

Cold sweat silently soaked through Xueyin's back.

For the first time, he saw so clearly the abyss ahead of his path. The fear of losing control of his power and being devoured by the backlash was far colder and more chilling than any deadly threat from a powerful enemy.

Seeing the shock, contemplation, and barely concealed trepidation flashing in Xue Yin's eyes, Emperor Tianguang's gentle voice rang out again, like a beacon in the darkness: "Your 'blade' is sharp, but your 'way' is still incomplete. Thunder is not merely about the sharpness of the blade, but also about the 'world' that encompasses the universe and evolves all phenomena! Destruction is the beginning, not the end. The true path of thunder should be able to absorb all laws and transform all forces into thunder! Devouring can be one 'sharpness,' but it is by no means the whole. You need to find the 'sheath' that can bear your sharpness and evolve your world, find the 'power of creation' that gives birth to new life after destruction, and find the 'principle of ultimate gentleness' that flows endlessly beneath the unparalleled ferocity."

The pure lightning within his light and shadow flowed slightly, carrying a guiding meaning: "Would you be willing to cultivate with me? With your 'devouring' as a guide, may you glimpse the true meaning of 'transformation' and 'absorption' in my Great Dao of Thunder? I can bestow upon you the guide of 'Purifying Thunder Light' to help you cleanse the malevolent energy of devouring and stabilize your Dao heart. I can instruct you on how to use devouring as a foundation to comprehend the mysteries of thunder's creation and the interplay of strength and gentleness, and find a 'world sheath' for your gleaming 'blade' that can bear its power and evolve its transformations."

Xueyin abruptly raised his head, his eyes, as black as holes, blazing with a mixture of shock, understanding, and longing. (End of Chapter)