This—this was the core of the Stargate.
Compared to the earlier meteorite fragments, the Stellar Core was the true essence, whereas the fragments were mere dregs—there was simply no comparison. Every Stellar Core was a priceless treasure. If an ordinary cultivator obtained one, they could rapidly grow in power, surging forward at lightning speed. In the shortest time, they could become a powerful expert—perhaps even ascend to the level of a mighty being.
That was how precious the Stellar Core was.
The Stellar Core Yi Tianxing had acquired in the past had been used to nourish the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, and even played a crucial role during the promotion to a Middle Thousand World. The value it created was immeasurable.
The destruction of the Stargate was of little consequence. As long as the Stellar Core remained, a new gate could be rebuilt—at most, it would cost some resources. For Eternal Night, that was no great matter.
Upon witnessing the appearance of the Stellar Core, the powerful figure emerging from the Stargate wasted no time and reached out to seize it. Being closest to it, he naturally wouldn't let it escape.
It was immediately restrained.
"Yi Emperor, destroying my Stargate—you're courting death!"
The arrogant cultivator's expression turned icy. Without hesitation, he swallowed the Stellar Core whole, then turned a cold gaze toward Yi Tianxing. With a barked command, his figure flickered and shot toward White Crow City at blinding speed—like thunderbolt in the black of night.
Boom!!
Above his head, a black unicorn horn crackled with lightning. Invisible ripples radiated rapidly in all directions. The entire area fell into a strange, eerie state.
Bolts of black lightning began appearing in the dark.
These were Dark Thunder—silent and invisible in the night, with no thunderclap, no warning flash. One wouldn't notice them until they were already upon them, making them impossible to dodge. Terrifying and strange.
Another one—a True Spirit Realm expert.
And once a True Spirit cultivator used a divine ability, that ability became sentient.
Dark thunder transformed into countless pitch-black thunderblades, ripping through the air and cascading toward White Crow City. The densest concentration, of course, was aimed directly at Yi Tianxing's location, intending to completely engulf him.
Caw caw caw!!
From the city walls, a flock of White Bone Ghost Crows suddenly appeared. Their cold eyes glared at the sky as they let out shrill cries. Instantly, a dark protective barrier emerged, enveloping the entirety of White Crow City. The barrier radiated an icy aura.
The thunderblades slammed into the shield, causing ripples of light to shimmer across its surface. But none managed to break through. It was truly a mysterious defense.
"Courting death. Yi Emperor, today next year will mark your death anniversary. Let I, the Thunder Emperor, escort you on your final journey."
The arrogant Eternal Night cultivator sneered coldly, now standing before the city gates.
He was no ordinary being—he hailed from the top-tier Dark Thunder Blackhorn Clan of the Eternal Night World. Born with a black unicorn horn, he naturally wielded the terrifying power of dark thunder. In the darkness, he could summon endless Dark Lightning, capable of annihilating all and sundry. Even in silence, he could kill.
And of course, as a chosen one, he possessed a powerful treasure.
His Innate Lifebound Treasure was a Innate Spirit Treasure, known as the Eternal Night Thunder Gourd.
At that moment, it had appeared in his hand. It resembled an ancient, odd-looking cauldron, though it was clearly no furnace. Its surface was etched with mysterious patterns—Bagua trigrams and Nine Palace formations intertwined in strange formation.
"Thunder Emperor, trying to hog the kill? You think you can devour Yi Tianxing alone? Don't forget how he destroyed the Stargate with a single arrow. Underestimating him is courting your own doom. The bounty on his head may be immense—but no one can claim it alone."
"Agreed. We all want his life, but we must work together. Intelligence confirms he's a freak of nature—not to be judged by conventional standards. Don't be reckless. We'll be there shortly—just stall him. Do not let him shoot another arrow like before. We can't withstand it."
"Relax. The Stargate transference formation is almost complete. Once it is, we'll seal off all escape routes. Just keep him busy until then."
Voices echoed through the void—each one coming from the moving star formations. These were other Eternal Night elites, surrounding White Crow City in a tight net, leaving no gaps—this was a full-scale encirclement, meant to ensure one fatal strike.
Thirteen in total.
All of them True Spirit Realm geniuses.
It would be a terrifying assault.
But fear gripped even them. That earlier arrow—obliterating the Stargate—had left a deep impression. They knew all too well how exposed a moving Stargate was. Without the protection of interdimensional power, a strong enough strike could destroy it outright.
That's why they feared Yi Tianxing firing again.
Now that the Thunder Emperor had reached White Crow City, all he needed to do was pin Yi Tianxing down, giving the others time to complete the transference formation.
They didn't want a head-on clash—yet.
"Yi Emperor, let me show you what I'm capable of."
The Thunder Emperor snorted coldly. Though furious, he didn't immediately attack. He lacked the confidence to face Yi Tianxing directly. With reinforcements arriving soon, caution trumped impulse.
"Eternal Night Thunder Gourd – Thunder Curtain Over Heaven!!"
He didn't hesitate.
The gourd soared into the sky. Black light surged from its mouth, and—
Caw!!
A piercing cry, like a rooster's crow, echoed through the air.
It came from the gourd.
Emerging from it were pitch-black strange chickens—but these weren't normal. Their feathers were dark as ink, and their heads sported not combs, but single black unicorn horns, with lightning crackling around them.
They were Dark Night Blackhorn Chickens.
In the Eternal World, a rooster's crow heralded the coming dawn. But these chickens—their crow signaled the coming of night. Their cries were thunder itself. With them came endless dark thunder.
Each of them could unleash devastating power.
Each of them possessed shocking sentience. As they flew, dark clouds spread across the sky, surging toward the city's barrier.
"Divine Godslaying Crossbows—Fire!!"
Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan and gave a decisive command.
Swish swish swish!!
A storm of bolts shot out like lightning, cutting through the air toward the oncoming Blackhorn Chickens. But these creatures were agile—they dodged with ease, and their horns shot out Dark Thunder Light, shattering the bolts midair.
Not a single bolt landed.
Each chicken's power rivaled that of a Yang God Realm cultivator.
It was said they could form the Dark Night Thunder Net Array, turning entire regions into thunderfields where all living things would silently perish—devastated, disintegrated.
"Excellent. With these chickens in play, we can proceed with the Stargate transfer in peace."
The other Eternal Night elites visibly relaxed. With the Eternal Night Thunder Gourd suppressing the field, they could rest easy.
"Who gave you the guts to provoke me in my presence?"
Yi Tianxing stood atop the wall. His gaze swept toward the Thunder Emperor.
Calm.
Unshaken.
He slowly spoke.
"I have a blade—it is called Godslayer. Samsara draws near. Let me send you off."
As the words fell—
With a mere thought, Yi Tianxing's Sea of Consciousness surged. Endless spiritual energy gathered into a golden ocean, within which a golden flying blade darted back and forth.
This blade glowed with a strange brilliance—on its surface, wisps of divine light flickered. The blade had eyes, eyebrows—it lived. It radiated wisdom and razor-sharp intent.
"Kill!!"
As the killing intent exploded, a golden flash shone on Yi Tianxing's forehead.
A golden blade appeared—glimmering with divine light.
This was the Godslayer Blade.
Shua!!
As it emerged, the Thunder Emperor felt a chill of terror. A mortal threat. His soul trembled.
"Not good!!"
Sensing the deadly intent from the blade, he panicked. Just as he tried to resist—
The Godslayer Blade carved an imperceptible arc through the void and, in a golden flash, appeared before him. With a single swipe—
Crack!!
A crisp sound rang out.
"Good blade," said the Thunder Emperor, admiringly, as he looked at Yi Tianxing one final time.
Then his head rolled.
He was decapitated in a single stroke.
A flash of black light—and the Thunder Emperor transformed into a massive, three-legged Dark Thunder Chicken.
"Winner winner, chicken dinner."
Yi Tianxing recalled the Godslayer Blade, eyeing the chicken with a hungry gleam, saliva glistening at the corner of his mouth, as he murmured calmly.