Chapter 763: A Turning Point
Hearing the Chaos Divine Emperor's explanation, Xiao Ze frowned slightly.
The Chaos Divine Emperor was indeed in a predicament.
If the Zhou Tian Star Map were to be passed on to Xiao Ze, there would be no power to suppress the four Heavenly Demon Emperors during the transfer process. Such a move would undo the hard fought stalemate that had been maintained for countless years.
At least for now, under the suppression of the Four Sacred Star Constellations, the four demon emperors showed no signs of escaping. As long as the immense stellar energy continued to wear down their power over time, they would eventually weaken to the point of destruction.
Even a Heavenly Demon Emperor couldn't create demonic energy out of nothing.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Ze couldn't help but feel disappointed.
He had taken immense risks and braved the dangers of the chaotic depths of the Chaos Continent to try and inherit the Zhou Tian Star Map. Yet, upon reaching the Chaos Divine Hall, the Chaos Divine Emperor informed him that the inheritance was impossible.
Observing the Zhou Tian Star Map
Though the setback weighed on him, Xiao Ze's resolve didn't falter.
His gaze turned toward the Zhou Tian Star Map itself.
Even if he couldn't inherit it, at the very least, he wanted to closely observe the legendary creation both an Absolute Divine Ability and an absolute formation of unmatched power.
Earlier, the Chaos Divine Emperor had dispersed the shroud of the Four Sacred Star Constellations, revealing the true form of the Zhou Tian Star Map.
At first, Xiao Ze's attention had been entirely consumed by the four demon emperors, their terrifying forms reminiscent of ancient gods of destruction.
Now, as he shifted his focus, he realized that the Zhou Tian Star Map was composed of countless stars of varying sizes, each radiating an inexhaustible amount of stellar energy.
The formation itself wasn't static the stars shifted constantly, responding to the movements of the suppressed demon emperors, creating a dynamic dance imbued with indescribable rhythm and intent.
An Imperfection
Using the feedback of his Three Colored Nether Serpent Pupils, Xiao Ze delved deeper into the Zhou Tian Star Map's inner workings.
Through the overwhelming stellar energy, he observed the stars' intricate trajectories, noting how their positions adjusted in response to the demon emperors' struggles.
But amidst the majestic design, Xiao Ze noticed something strange a subtle sluggishness in the formation's movements.
This was unthinkable for a formation of this caliber.
Even ordinary formations rarely exhibited such inefficiencies, let alone an Absolute Divine Formation.
"Could it be that the Zhou Tian Star Map is incomplete?" Xiao Ze murmured, a frown deepening across his face.
He turned to the Chaos Divine Emperor.
"Senior, is the Zhou Tian Star Map missing a part?"
The Chaos Divine Emperor's Surprising Reaction
The Chaos Divine Emperor's gaze sharpened as a trace of intrigue appeared in his eyes.
"You noticed that?"
His tone betrayed a hint of astonishment. The Zhou Tian Star Map's imperfections were nearly imperceptible. Even ordinary Heavenly Sovereigns would struggle to identify them.
"I've dabbled in the arts of formations and battle formations, which allowed me to discern a slight irregularity," Xiao Ze replied humbly.
The Chaos Divine Emperor's previously composed demeanor shifted. His eyes, reminiscent of an ancient starry sky, bore directly into Xiao Ze.
"You're a battle formation master?"
"Yes, Senior. My accomplishments in the path of battle formations allow me to contend with Earthly Sovereign Perfection opponents."
The Chaos Divine Emperor's expression turned contemplative.
"Interesting… Tell me, how much do you know about the Zhou Tian Star Map?"
Xiao Ze shook his head. The Master of Yaoguang had spoken little of the Star Map, and what little he knew came from fragmented accounts.
The Zhou Tian Star Map's Origins
"The Zhou Tian Star Map is my creation," the Chaos Divine Emperor began, his voice tinged with a trace of nostalgia. "When I designed it, my vision was grand."
"Though it is classified as an Absolute Divine Ability, my intent was to merge it with the principles of battle formations, using formation techniques to simulate the effects of a battle array."
The Chaos Divine Emperor gestured toward the sprawling constellation based formation.
"In its peak state, the Zhou Tian Star Map was to comprise 365 primary stars and 36,500 auxiliary stars. The primary stars would be commanded by Earthly Sovereigns, while the auxiliary stars would be manned by Sovereigns."
"At its heart, I, as a Saintly Heavenly Sovereign, served as the array's core, with seven Heavenly Sovereigns, wielding treasures like the Struggle Platform and Calamity Purging Pearl, anchoring the Seven Stars. Together, the formation would unleash a power capable of contending with multiple late stage Saintly Heavenly Sovereigns!"
The Star Map's Power
Hearing the Chaos Divine Emperor's description, Xiao Ze couldn't help but gasp.
Even the mere outline of the Star Map's potential suggested it was the greatest battle array in the Great Thousand World's history.
If fully operational, its ability to withstand several late stage Saintly Heavenly Sovereigns was nothing short of astounding.
While the number of participants required was significant 365 Earthly Sovereigns, 36,500 Sovereigns, the Chaos Divine Emperor, and seven other Heavenly Sovereigns the result was nothing short of extraordinary.
At the time, Saintly Heavenly Sovereigns represented the pinnacle of power in the Great Thousand World. Before the rise of the Immortal Emperor, who surpassed the Saintly realm, the Zhou Tian Star Map would have been a force that could redefine the course of any battle against the Heavenly Demon Army.
A Glimmer of Hope
"Unfortunately, when the Heavenly Demon Army attacked, their assault was sudden," the Chaos Divine Emperor continued. "The Chaos Divine Hall was caught off guard. Many of my disciples fell before the Star Map could reach its full potential."
"Yet, your identity as a battle formation master brings new hope."
The Chaos Divine Emperor's voice grew steadier, his gaze sharp.
"Tell me, do you command an army?"
Xiao Ze nodded. With a wave of his sleeve, a golden cloud emerged within the starry expanse.
The Holy Flame Legion, forged from Xiao Ze's essence, stood tall and radiant.
The Chaos Divine Emperor's eyes lit up as he examined the legion.
"A formidable force," he muttered, though his expression soon turned to astonishment.
Peering deeper, he discovered the legion's aura intertwined seamlessly, as if sharing the same origin.
"This army… Did you create it yourself?" The Chaos Divine Emperor's voice trembled slightly.
"No," he corrected himself almost immediately. "This legion… is you!"
Even with his vast knowledge and experience, the Chaos Divine Emperor could not conceal his shock.
(End of Chapter )
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10