Devouring the Stars: The Lord of the Sky

Chapter 223 The Demon Clan's Plan: Only the Ultimate Secret Technique is Missing
Just as Lu Jin finished tallying up the results of the demon-hunting plan...

The rampant looting that occurred within the demon race's territory gradually became known to billions of races throughout the universe.

After all, when the demon race conducts its own investigation, it inevitably involves spies planted by other forces, as well as members of the demon race who have big mouths.

However, compared to Lu Jin, who had already tallied the approximate gains, the statistics on the losses suffered by the demon race were much more complicated.

We know the losses are significant, but the exact extent is still uncertain.

After the demon-hunting plan was halted, the demon race's communication network equipment was completely smashed to pieces by the demon servants within the enslavement network.

The coverage area is too large; it would be a huge undertaking for the demon race to restore the communication network.

If the communication network is not restored, how can the losses be accounted for?

Therefore, it wasn't until three months later, after the communication network system was restored and the statistics were completed, that the star lords of the various star regions of the demon race reported the approximate losses of this upheaval to the Demon God Palace.

The Secret Realm of Zhenzu, the Palace of the Demon God.

Inside the majestic Demon God Palace, there are twenty-four towering, enormous circular platforms, each occupied by a demon beast.

Two circular platforms are located at the head of the hall, with a serrated beast coiled on the left and a large silver-scaled serpent coiled on the right.

The remaining twenty-two circular platforms are arranged on the lower left and right sides.

These twenty-four figures represent the highest level of the demon race: two demon ancestors and twenty-two cosmic lords.

"Changjiu, tell me about the losses our demon race suffered this time."

The Silver-Scaled Serpent Dream Demon Ancestor 'Dream Tea' suppressed his anger and spoke to the figure of a flying beast with a blue beak, white feathers, and golden claws on the first platform on the right below.

The Lord of Changjiu said in a deep voice: "According to the statistics from various star regions, more than 90 billion star systems within the territory of my demon race have been plundered, covering nearly 10 million star fields and more than 1,200 star regions."

In these more than 90 billion star systems, the various races of demon beasts were either completely plundered or had as little as 70% captured. Moreover, almost all the demon beasts at the cosmic level and above were wiped out. The losses of our demon race are incalculable.

The only saving grace is that the countless life-bearing planets within these 90 billion galaxies were not destroyed by the perpetrator.

The monsters from the secret realms and the divine kingdoms will be relocated to inhabited planets within these star systems, and they will be able to recover in about ten eras.

However, only the quantity is restored; in terms of potential, it would take at least millions of epochs of reproduction to return to its original state.

It is foreseeable that within the next million epochs, compared to the past, the number of newly born non-royal and royal geniuses of our demon race will drop to a record low.

As soon as he finished speaking, the highest-ranking members of the demon race present were enraged.

Although the eighteen royal families and many other royal families were not harmed during this looting.

However, the advantage of bloodline will decrease as the life level increases.

Before reaching immortality, a strong bloodline signifies strong physical talent for cultivation.

However, the bloodlines of royalty and kings are not considered too strong, and they are not subject to the restrictions that make it even more difficult for beings with powerful bloodlines, such as the Golden Horned Beast or the Zerg Queen, to achieve immortality.

This makes it easier for monsters born into royal or royal families to become immortal than ordinary monsters.

However, once they reach the immortal stage, apart from the boost to strength from the life genes brought by high bloodlines, immortal-level royal and royal demon beasts no longer have much of an advantage over ordinary immortal demon beasts.

Even at the level of a Cosmic Venerable, the advantage of bloodline is completely erased. At most, they are demon beasts born into royal or royal families, whose divine bodies are generally larger than those of ordinary demon beasts.

The countless monsters that were captured may seem to be able to recover in a short time through the monsters in the secret realm and the monsters in the divine kingdom, but the series of adverse effects caused are far-reaching.

Most importantly, this time, the demon race is destined to become a laughing stock among billions of races in the universe.

At this moment, the serrated beast Zhen Yaozu, located on the left side of the head of the hall, said, "The culprit behind the two great losses suffered by my demon race must be one of my demon race's enemies."

Let's investigate first. If we really can't find the culprit, let's choose one from the Terran, Zerg, or Mech races.

Otherwise, if we swallow our anger, it will make our demon race appear weak in the eyes of the billions of races in the universe.

As soon as Zhen Yaozu finished speaking, the divine power avatars of the other demon race universe lords present all spoke up.

"Through the images seen by time travel, it can be seen that the kings of my demon race who were previously enslaved have all been transformed into human form through the secret technique of divine body transformation. The mastermind behind this is most likely a human!"

"Otherwise, how shrewd is the Human Chaos City Lord?"

If the mastermind were truly human, why would they increase suspicion against humans? It's more likely a frame-up.

“That’s right. In my opinion, the mechanical race is the most likely suspect.”

Last time, Behemoth casually killed a Cosmic Venerable of the Machine Race in the Fifth Domain Battlefield. After the Cosmic Lord of the Machine Race retaliated in the Scarlet Light Secret Realm, we retaliated in kind as well.

"The machine race must have been unwilling to let this go and planned this retaliatory operation once again."

"Sirius is right. The mastermind behind this is most likely the mechanical race."

The perpetrators orchestrated such a massive raid, yet our demon race's spies planted within various clans received no tip-off. Only the mechanical race, where spies cannot be infiltrated, could maintain such secrecy.

"If we really can't find the murderer, I also agree to start a war against the machine race."

The three races are humans, insectoids, and machines. Although the humans have a virtual universe, they are poor, while the insectoids and machines are wealthy.

If we only consider the members of their own race, apart from the treasures on the Zerg Queen, the only spoils of war for the Zerg are Zerg corpses, which are practically worthless.

In contrast, the mechanical golem army of the Machine Race, even if they were just scrap metal, would be worth a considerable sum.

With each statement made, the various cosmic lords of the demon races within the Demon God Palace identified the mechanical race as the mastermind behind this abduction.

If the culprit is later identified as a member of the Machine Race, then taking revenge on the Machine Race is justified.

If it is not found out, among the three races of humans, insects, and machines, attacking the machine race is most advantageous for the demon race, so retaliating against the machine race is also not wrong.

The members of the Machine Race have no souls, so they cannot take in soul servants?

Members of the Machine Race cannot take in soul servants, but not all the strong members of the Machine Race are soulless.

Seeing that the clan's high-ranking members were targeting the Mechanical Race, the Silver Scale Serpent Dream Demon Ancestor said, "Targeting only the Mechanical Race is not enough. If my demon clan were to fight the Mechanical Race to the death, it would be too easy for the human and insect races."

How about this: our demon race will approach the human race and temporarily form an alliance against the machine race.

One against two, the Mechs are no match, and they will definitely bring in the Zerg.

This way, the humans and the Zerg won't reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

"The Dream Demon Ancestor is right!"

"Yes, yes, yes."

"We really can't let the Terrans and Zerg benefit from this."

The demon race and all the universe lords echoed this sentiment.

After discussing with Mengcha, Zhenjiao announced, "Since everyone agrees, let's prepare for battle with all our might. I'll head back to the original universe now."

Those of you still adventuring in the cosmic sea, come back!

Ten eras later, the human race joined forces to wage a full-scale war against the machine race.

However, during this period, we must also do our best to investigate the identity of the mastermind behind it all.

If it is found that the murderer is not a member of the Machine Race, then the focus should be shifted from the Machine Race to the faction behind the scenes.

If the perpetrator's forces are too insignificant and can be easily wiped out, then the original plan to wage war against the machine race will remain unchanged.

"Our demon race needs a great war to establish its prestige as the strongest and most powerful race in the primordial universe, so that even some Tom, Dick, or Harry will dare to target us in the future."

The meeting of the Demon God Palace ended shortly afterward.

With the notification issued, the entire demon race fell into a state of war preparedness.

At the same time, through the extraterritorial battlefield and the Glory World of the Ancestral God Cult, two channels that are followed by billions of races in the primordial universe, the demon race issued a notice to the outside world.

—The 'looting incident' that occurred three months ago within the demon race's territory and the 'treasure gate incident' on the Twilight Continent, the fifth outer battlefield, were orchestrated by the same mastermind.

Any force or individual in the universe who can provide a clear identity for the mastermind behind this will be rewarded by the demon race with a top-tier treasure armor and a top-tier treasure weapon.

The moment the demon race issued this announcement, it caused an uproar among billions of races in the universe and countless powerful individuals who received the news.

These two incidents were actually orchestrated by the same mastermind?
You are so brave!

Similarly, countless powerful individuals regretted not knowing who the mastermind was.

These are two top-tier treasures!

Top-tier treasures are items that most cosmic overlords are not worthy of possessing.

Moreover, since the bounty is issued by the official ethnic group, they will not refuse to pay it once a price has been offered.

Otherwise, if a reward is offered again next time, no one will believe it because of the previous offense.

Moreover, a large demon race wouldn't stoop to cheating over two top-tier treasures.

Of course, it wasn't that no one knew that Lu Jin was the mastermind, or that they knew some important clues.

However, after learning of the demon race's announcement, these very few insiders would not tell the demon race.

Either they look down on two top-tier treasures, like the Lord of Chaos City.

Either it's impossible for it to be leaked, like the King of Tianshuang.

Either they know they are destined to receive it, but not to use it, like the Shadow Lord.

Lu Jin no longer paid attention to the storms in the outside world and devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation once again.

Whether it was the trap set up in the Fifth Domain battlefield last time or the plundering of the demon race's territory this time, they were just casual tactics to retaliate after being disgusted themselves.

Time flies, and sixty years later...

Ancestral God Sect, Bauhinia Island.

'Shuh! '

The Time Dragon, coiled within the crystal palace and radiating the fluctuations of the laws of light and time fusion, opened its eyes.

The next moment, the Time Dragon's clone disappeared inside the Crystal Palace.

Inside the World Ring, the Time Dragon's avatar stood suspended in the air.

"Teleport, blockade, strangle!"

Spatial fluctuations arose, and the Time Dragon clone teleported several meters forward. Then, the surrounding space solidified and finally shattered into turbulent currents.

"Speed ​​up, pause, rewind!"

As time began to fluctuate, everything around Lu Jin was slowed down several times in his perception, then stopped completely, and finally reflected the image of him entering the World Ring earlier.

Then, the enormous "Dawn Codex" materialized in front of Lu Jin.

"Time Torrent!"

With a flick of its claws, the surging power of the world surged forth, and the "Dawn Codex" shone with endless brilliance, transforming into a torrent that stretched for tens of thousands of kilometers, rushing rapidly forward.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Jin dispelled the secret technique, and the mighty torrent vanished, while the "Dawn Codex" transformed into a stream of platinum light and flew back to him.

'Eight lower-level laws, two higher-level laws, six profound mysteries, the third level of perfection in Water and Void, the third level of perfection in Light and Time. Only the ultimate secret method remains!'

As Lu Jin stroked the "Dawn Codex" with his platinum dragon claw, he thought to himself.

Sixty years outside, sixty thousand years inside the Time Palace—the five advanced mysteries that were previously uncomprehended—have now been successively grasped: spatial teleportation, spatial strangulation, time acceleration, time pause, and time reversal.

The Light-Time Fusion Law, which was originally only at the first level of perfection, has just reached the third level of perfection.

Even the six lower laws of metal, wood, fire, earth, wind, and lightning, which they had never encountered before, were gradually comprehended more than 20,000 years ago in the Time Palace.

It can be said that he is only one step away from becoming immortal, and only needs to create an ultimate immortal-level secret technique to break through the original core's shackles.

"What treasures will the third level of perfection bring?" Lu Jin wondered as he opened the "Dawn Codex" in his hand.

Perhaps because he was a master craftsman specializing in treasures, the Lord of Dawn was not stingy with his disciple whom he had never met before.

When he reached the first level of the Law of Fusion of Light and Time, he obtained the ordinary treasure 'Myriad Transformations Dawn Pearl', which combined the effects of weapons, armor, and wings.

After reaching the second level of perfection, when he opened the second treasure space of the "Dawn Codex", he obtained a top-grade ordinary soul treasure that appeared as a white-gold round mirror, with the attributes of light and time fusion law, named "Dawn Divine Mirror".

The treasures in the third treasure space shouldn't be too cheap.

'Whoosh whoosh whoosh—'

The sound of pages turning rang out, and Lu Jin quickly flipped to the last page of the third section.

The moment the fourth layer of content was opened, a dazzling platinum light shone forth, and Lu Jin sensed the third treasure space within the "Dawn Codex".

"Shh!"

With a thought, Lu Jin took out the treasures from the third treasure space.

Two white-gold beads, hundreds of kilometers in diameter, covered with mysterious patterns.

A white-gold lotus platform, hundreds of kilometers in diameter, also covered with mysterious patterns.

"Two Myriad Transformation Dawn Pearls, a supreme treasure of the realm?"

Lu Jin raised an eyebrow.

Needless to say, these two Myriad Transformation Dawn Pearls, along with the Myriad Transformation Dawn Pearl he already possessed, were part of the Supreme Treasure Set.

Treasures shaped like lotus platforms are generally soul-type or domain-type treasures.

But since a soul treasure was already given when the second level of the Light and Time Fusion Law was perfected, it must be a domain treasure, since there is no need to give the same type and grade of treasure repeatedly.

When Lu Jin took out the existing Myriad Transformation Dawn Pearl, the three Myriad Transformation Dawn Pearls emitted a dazzling platinum radiance and then merged into one.

Subsequently, the Myriad Transformations Dawn Pearl, after being fused into the body, was absorbed into his body. As it shone with platinum radiance, Lu Jin, who had transformed into a dragon by using a secret technique, manifested armor, claws, and wings on his body.

"A top-grade treasure, acceptable."

After carefully considering it, Lu Jin nodded.

The damage reduction effect of the Dawn Armor remains unchanged; it can still reduce physical attacks to a maximum of one ten-thousandth.

Generally speaking, a supreme treasure armor that can reduce physical attacks to one ten-thousandth of its original value must be at least a peak supreme treasure armor, and even then, it must be a high-end version of the peak supreme treasure armor.

Otherwise, the maximum material damage reduction effect of the Supreme Armor would be reduced to one ten-thousandth.

However, the maximum damage reduction effect remains unchanged, but the limit value of the Dawnlight Armor has been greatly increased.

Top-tier high-grade treasure weapons, armor, and wings will never become outdated until one's strength reaches the level of a top-tier cosmic overlord.

Two days later, the treasure's recognition of its owner was completed.

As expected, this platinum lotus platform is a top-grade ordinary domain treasure with the attribute of light and time fusion law, named 'Dawn Divine Lotus'.

It's a pity that the Lord of Dawn probably didn't expect that her disciple, who was separated by countless years, would actually possess a top-grade ordinary domain treasure.

As early as 60,000 years ago in the Time Palace, Zi Ni Chang was already able to refine ordinary treasures.

Now, 60,000 years later, this ordinary treasure-level alchemist, who was at the level of a universe lord, has failed to create a high-grade treasure.

However, they were already capable of refining top-grade ordinary treasures of the domain, soul, and palace categories.

Furthermore, through the combination of sets, one can also refine a set of treasures comparable to top-grade high-level treasures.

Of course, to avoid being exposed, apart from the one he already had before joining the Ancestral God Cult and the ordinary soul treasure that the Time Dragon used before, Lu Jin did not update the treasures crafted by Zi Ni Chang for the Water Kirin clone and the Time Dragon clone.

Even if they are only at the realm lord level, their existing treasures are more than enough for their two clones, no matter how extraordinary their strength is.

'Hmm? Luo Lao Er is looking for me?'

Suddenly, Lu Jin raised an eyebrow.

Virtual Universe, Yuxiang Mountain Primitive Area, Manor No. 114.

Inside the attic, Lu Jin and Luo Feng sat facing each other, enjoying delicious food and drinks.

"Brother Jin, I'm about to break through."

While eating, Luo Feng said to Lu Jin.

Lu Jin asked, "Have you passed the Primordial Tongtian Mountain, which is at the cosmic level?"

Luo Feng nodded and said, "Passed! Decades ago, I obtained a golden beast god statue in the Blood Luo World. Combined with the increased affinity for laws after fusing with the Blood Luo Crystal, my speed of comprehending laws is very fast."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin raised an eyebrow.

So the Golden Beast God Statue ended up in your hands, kid?

Lu Jin asked, "Are you still in the Blood Luo World?"

"No, it's already out and is returning to the Wuchen spacetime."

"You haven't been to the Demon Mountain in the Primordial Realm, have you?"

Luo Feng shook his head: "No, what, is there some great opportunity in this Demon Mountain Secret Realm?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Without the inheritance of the Demonic Sound God General, the amplitude of your mental power certainly wouldn't be a hundred times. How could you possibly break through the cosmic-level Primordial Tongtian Mountain?
It should be noted that, aside from strong consciousness and will, as well as factors such as soul amplitude, in order to cross the primordial Tongtian Mountain of the universe, one's understanding of the laws must be at least at the level of the twelfth level of the Tongtian Bridge.

Moreover, unlike the three choices at the Tongtian Bridge, you can choose the illusionist who poses the least threat to Luo Feng, who is of Earth origin.

The opponents in Tongtian Mountain are a fixed combination. They can have strengths, but they cannot have obvious weaknesses, otherwise they will not be able to pass.

'Could it be that I put too much pressure on him, and this kid's hidden potential exploded?'

Lu Jin thought to himself.

Throughout the original novel, Luo Feng is portrayed as indomitable, and the greater the pressure he endures, the stronger his potential becomes.

Especially when recognizing the master of the Star Tower, it undergoes transformations time and time again on the edge of a cliff.

It could be said that it was almost ruined all along, but it never was.

Luo Feng's growth rate is now much faster than in the original story at the same time, and the factors he brings are probably significant.

Lu Jin nodded and said, "There is an opportunity. Never mind, what can I do? After breaking through to the Domain Lord level and being released to the outside world, come to Guanghan Star."

The Demonic Sound God General's legacy, Luo Feng went there, at most he could only get a soul amplitude of several dozen times.

The transmission of Luo Feng's "Innate Dao Body" would make him no less capable than a true god in terms of amplitude-based secret techniques.

Whether they are veteran cosmic overlords or true gods, their limits in terms of amplitude secret techniques are a hundredfold.

"Hehe~, then thank you very much, Brother Jin."

Luo Feng smiled and raised his glass.

Since Lu Jindu said so, he must have something good for him.

The opportunity Lu Jin mentioned last time was the Blood Crystal. He experienced the effects of the Blood Crystal, and it was incredibly powerful.

His ability to conquer the Primordial Tongtian Mountain, a cosmic-level feat, owes much to Xue Luojing.

He didn't manage to fuse many with his human body, but he fused quite a few with his Golden Horned Beast body.

In addition, the Golden Beast God Statue, which he obtained by chance decades ago, has made his speed of comprehending the laws far beyond what he could have achieved when he first entered the universe level.

An opportunity comparable to the Blood Crystal, or even if not as good, is certainly a rare and precious find.

"By the way, Brother Jin, for those seeking to be released at the Domain Lord level, which cosmic country do you think I should choose?"

Thinking about the matter of being transferred out, Luo Feng asked.

The Guanghan Star Region of the Tianshuang Universe Kingdom is not his home. Except for the Qianwu Universe Kingdom, which cannot be selected, all other universe kingdoms are the same.

Lu Jin said, "Let's choose the Qianwu Universe Kingdom. The creator of the Divine Weapon, Hirodo, came from the Golden Horn Clan, which is one of the ordinary clans affiliated with our human race. Their territory is within the Qianwu Universe Kingdom. There should be something there that can help you."

"Qianwu Universe Kingdom? Didn't you say..."

Luo Feng was stunned for a moment, then said with a look of surprise.

Lu Jin waved his hand: "It's okay, as long as you don't bring it up."

In the past, the Earth would never have been exposed.

But now, although it's not the right time yet, Lu Jin doesn't care about being exposed or not.

If anyone tries to forcibly take it, hmph~, do they really think I, a benevolent philanthropist, am made of clay?

If we were to go back to 60,000 years ago in the Time Palace, Hong'er and her six companions, with their army of 100,000 top-tier overlord warriors, would clearly still be no match for a fourth-tier or higher Universe Lord due to their weakness in secret techniques.

But now, if a cosmic lord were to fight the Heavenly Court to the death, unless there were top-tier palace treasures, even a fifth-tier cosmic lord would have to kneel.

Without even a top-tier soul treasure, it would have to be transformed into a divine spark of the laws of time and space.

Like the Lord of the Insectoid Nether Lotus in the original work, who controls a thousand top overlord warriors to unleash the strongest secret technique combined attack, he has the combat power of a fourth-tier warrior.

The quantitative change of the legion's combined attack can lead to a qualitative change. If the number of warriors participating in the combined attack increases by a hundredfold, the power can increase by a thousandfold.

If the Lord of the Nether Lotus had 100,000 top-tier overlord warriors and was not restricted by the primordial universe, the combined power of the strongest secret technique would increase by three levels, and his strength would reach the seventh level of combat power.

If all 100,000 top-tier overlord warriors were replaced with ultimate universe master warriors whose genes were enhanced ten thousand times and whose amplitude secret techniques were also a hundred times greater.

The combined power of the Lord of the Nether Lotus's strongest secret technique can be increased by two levels, reaching the ninth level of combat power.

However, Hong'er and the others had limited cultivation time.

Although in terms of arcane techniques, it is still far from the strongest arcane techniques, and it has not even created the ultimate arcane techniques, only the peak arcane techniques.

But even the highest level of secret techniques is enough.

Under the same level of understanding of the laws, the peak secret technique is two levels lower than the strongest secret technique, and the combined attack of secret techniques is only seven levels lower than the ninth level.

However, we'll have to wait another 40 years for the outside world to reach seventh-tier combat power.

After all, only 60,000 years have passed in the Time Palace. The number of Limit Universe Master Warriors cultivated by Hong'er and the other seven is only 60,000, which is 40,000 short of the full target of 100,000.

Moreover, the maximum strength that a seventh-tier combatant can unleash in the primordial universe is only at the peak of the sixth tier.

A typical combined attack is not limited by the fact that the strongest in the original universe is no more than the sixth-tier top level.

However, the secret technique combined with the combined attack of the legion warriors controlled by Hong'er and the other seven was multitasking, which was within the limits of the strongest power in the original universe.

Of course, if the quota of 100,000 Limit Universe Master Warriors is full, then Hong'er and the others cannot be considered true top-tier sixth-order warriors either.

It's not enough to just achieve offensive capabilities; other shortcomings also need to be addressed.

To truly reach the pinnacle of the sixth tier, one would need at least a top-tier palace treasure and a top-tier domain treasure.

The former provides a safe environment for output within the original universe, while the latter restricts the actions of the opponent.

Although their own high-end combat power still has certain shortcomings, Lu Jin believes it is enough to suppress the spying people within the human race.

You can apply to the Heavenly Court to purchase a spot to give birth on Earth.

However, if someone tries to forcibly take it, even if the other party is one of the 18 human universe masters, Lu Jin will not hesitate to announce the expulsion of the other party from the human race and then kill them.

(End of this chapter)