Stellar Transformations

+Previously on Stellar Transformations

After a decade, Yan Gao’s master – Yu Dian, resumed his hunt to avenge his disciple Yan Gao. Knowing the killer was a powerful figure, he had brought with him four late stage golden immortals to help him with the elimination task. After finding out the most likely suspect was Qin Yu, he led his group of five to Bamboo Garden, rained death upon the residents of the garden, to arrogantly announce his arrival…

…

Within a misty spatial pocket, a silently meditating Qin Yu was sitting in a cross-legged position. His hands deftly shifted from one hand seal to the next of the thirty-six different hand seals, with practiced ease. These hand seals belong to the art known as ‘3-in-9 Soul Refinement’ technique, whereas the thirty-six hand seals was only the first three movements – part of the first stage (human stage), of the soul refining art.

Consequently, the spatial pocket he was residing in wasn’t a normal space, but the spatial pocket manifested by his soul.

The thirty-six hand seals each consume a large and increasing amount of soul force, when made. At the beginning, Qin Yu found that later hand seals of the series were incredibly difficult to form, but now and over the course of his meditation, he could form them much more freely.

And just like that tireless training, Qin Yu had successfully made it through every one of the thirty-six hand seals. He felt his entire existence was immersed in the embracing comfortable and wondrous space, and in there the passage of time was non-existent, thus time outside flowed by endlessly.

A soft voice echoed in the depths of that soul space, waking Qin Yu like being doused in icy cold water.

…

Within the Jade Immortal Mansion.

A cross-legged statue jerked alive. The statue’s eyes flickered open. Before Qin Yu’s eyes was the familiar teal-green jade colour that was of the Jade Immortal Mansion. In his ears was the crystal clear sounds of splashing and sloshing of flowing water on the fountain nearby.

The same soft but anxious sounding voices rang in his head. “Master, the situation is terrible. The enemy has invade the garden intending to slaughter us.” The voice belong the two very nervous sounding Shuo Yan and Zang Yuan.

The two weren’t too worried about themselves, because they could just instantly return to the first layer world of the Atlas. They feared the worst for their master – Qin Yu. They feared that the enemy would’ve killed Qin Yu within the hidden cultivation chamber.

But what they didn’t know was that Qin Yu was meditating within the Jade Immortal Mansion.

“Hoh? The enemy?”

Qin Yu frowned at this, who would dare attack him right now? He instantly expanded his immortal spiritual powers out of the jade immortal mansion to investigate the disruption in the bamboo gardens. Ever since the fusion of his soul with the meteoric tear, his soul and soul force has undergone amazing transformations. Such as his ability to use greater teleportation when at the normal immortal stage and having extremely powerful passive and active detection capabilities of the soul.

“Hmm, the enemy consists of five people. The most powerful is at level 9 golden immoral stage.” A flicker of his thoughts, he could clearly perceive insightful knowledge about the enemy force. “All five are quite powerful.” He was startled with the information. In just that brief moment, he had his spiritual powers encompass the entire garden and the hell it was wrought into, and covered the entire Liu Feng city to discover his disciple – Liu Han Shu, currently present in the main hall of the Liu clan’s headquarters.

He instantly made his decision, “First. Shuo Yan, Zang Yuan, there’s no need to evade those sword waves anymore. Return to the Atlas, where you will be safe.” Without pause and a flicker of his thoughts, he withdrew Shuo Yan and Zang Yuan back into the Atlas of ten thousand beasts. With the Jade Immortal Mansion’s protection, he would not believe that the five opponents would be able to find and perceive through the contraptions and protections set by Emperor Ni Yang himself. “Well, first things first, I should calculate how long I’ve been undergoing this time’s closed-door training session.” After a short while, his eyes flickered with wisdom. “Ahh, whilst training, it did only seemed like a few months or years. In a blink of an eye, a decade had passed.”

He pursed his lips. “Oh that’s right, no wait…..ten years…..didn’t the Liu clan’s clan leader say, ten years ago, that the contest for the control of the teleportation arrays was going to be held in ten years’ time? I wonder if it was held already.” As soon as he thought of it, he put it aside, it wasn’t his problem nor the important matter at hand.

Carefully, he started to investigate the details of his progress with his latest training session. “Ha, I’ve wasted at least half a year’s time.” He found that he had already successfully achieved the complete ‘Human’ Stage of his Soul Refinement technique.

Ten years ago, his soul was at the level 8 normal immortal stage, and half a year ago he was already at level 1 golden immortal stage, which wasn’t much of a surprise. It was just that Qin Yu was fully immersed in that transient realm so he did not notice his ‘Human’ stage soul was already achieved, and he could’ve started on the next step – the ‘Earth’ stage of his soul refinement arts.

Feeling quite happy with his progress, a smile surfaced on his face. “Hah, my soul has reached level 1 golden immortal stage. Refining one or two level 1 golden immortal yuanying shouldn’t be difficult now.” He was confident in his success to refine such yuanying, and yet he did not start refining.

Now was not the sort of situation where he wanted to start refining, because five powerful experts who were here to kill him was outside. So if he did not come out of hiding, the five intruders would continue to wreak havoc on the surroundings including the city. Along that line of thought, Qin Yu wasn’t……too worried about confronting the five intruders as well. “My immortal sword puppet may just be one level 9 golden sword immortal, but he wields and uses the most powerful sword style in all of the immortal planes – the ‘Heaven Sundering Sword style’, and its body is nearly indestructible. Simply considering the toughness and defence of the puppet, it is alone, powerful enough, to face a level 1 mystic sword immortal’s assault. If not wiping the floor of these fools, at least I will not lose.”

There isn’t another sword immortal with toughness comparable to the sword puppet, nor there another sword immortal with offensive power as one who uses the supreme sword art – Heaven Sundering Sword. Simply by these two factors, Qin Yu’s sword puppet was at least one level higher than sword immortals of the same level as it.

He knew the battle wasn’t going to be an easy one at that. “Those five experts outside have peak powers of this stage, I cannot be careless. Best I control the sword puppet myself then using my thoughts to remotely control it.” His soul quickly separated itself from his body. As it flew it, the sword puppet also appeared in the courtyard of the jade immortal mansion, where the soul directly entered the sword puppet without hesitation.

Normally, to control one’s precious equipment involve using thoughts, but in actual fact, precise control of the equipment uses soul force, and with an equipment directly possessed by the master’s soul, control is most articulate.

Once his soul had entered the puppet, a flash of an idea happened on him. He instantly moved the Blazing Ice Ring into the puppet’s interior, then altogether, exited the jade immortal mansion.

In the air above the bamboo garden, the five invader still levitated in the five primary vertices of a star. They were Yu Dian’s group of avengers consisting of four disciples of the third generation jade sword school descendants. Instead of delightful faces having relieved themselves by massacring all in the bamboo garden, they were serious but somewhat disappointed faces.

The one called Feng Lian opened his mouth and wondered aloud, “Master, there isn’t a shred of life force in the bamboo garden below, do you suppose that……honoured guest of the Liu clan has also been killed?”

Yu Dian only frowned but did not reply.

The ‘five point chain sword formation’ was a formation with the five of them standing at the five vertices of the formation, with their hands contorted into the hand seals belonging to the Imperial Spirits style. The formation is merely for skimming out the ‘fat’ or the weak over a large area with an area-of-effect technique. Though, countless sword waves filled the large area the technique encompasses, it could be quite easily shrugged off by powerful golden immortals.

Who would have thought that the formation, which is completed their hand seals, would not leave a single speck of life force in the entire bamboo gardens. Even Lu Cao agreed with this juncture. “Master, if you take the size and location of this puny amber moon planet, and the size of the Liu clan, it is obvious that the strength of the honoured guests of the Liu clan is comparable to the total power of the Liu clan. I’d say that the honoured guest is but a level 9 normal immortal. Maybe the man had already died from our formation attack just then.” Lu Cao’s lips curved upwards into an eventual smile.

If the suspect, which is the Liu family honoured guest, was just an ordinary level 9 immortal who was killed in one move by their formation, and if this got out, they would be a laughingstock for overkilling such a weak target. Yu Dian felt slightly ashamed to bring five late stage golden immortals, including himself, to take out a level 9 immortal. He pondered for a short while then looked at Heng Yu. “Martial nephew, your soul force is the most powerful of us, could you……check if there are any more human beings in this bamboo garden?”

“Of course, martial uncle.”

Heng Yu immediately spread his spiritual power to sweep over every nook and cranny of the bamboo garden belong. His spiritual powers even swept over the speck of gravel, which was the jade immortal mansion. Even if he probe every aspect of the surroundings, the jade immortal mansion included, how could this fellow even imagine breaking passed the illusionary and defensive spells placed by emperor Ni Yang, himself, on the jade immortal mansion.

“Martial uncle, I’ve just swept the entire gardens with my spiritual power and did not find a single person ali…” ––––––– Before Heng Yu could finish his sentence, be choked on his words and ‘coughed’, an expression of shock adorned his previously aloof figure, because…

A shadowy figure emerged out from behind some, still standing, bamboo shoots.

The figure resembled a young man whom was dress in a flowing black robe, with the hilt of a long sword strapped to his back.

The five intruders instantaneously flicked their gaze to rest on this newcomer.

In that instant, they all had one thought: “It’s a true expert!” They were shocked to find they couldn’t perceive even a little of the spiritual powers of this newcomer, so the next most possible answer is that this man was much stronger than them.

In a majestic and yet arrogant manner, the newcomer lifted his head and swept an icy gaze over the five floating intruders, and in an equally icy voice, he said: “Who are you, and why would you dare come to my bamboo garden and cause mayhem?”

At this instance, the leader of the five – Yu Dian, could not quail the easiness pressing down on his heart. At first, he had hoped the opponent was no more than a level 8 golden immortal, and at worst a level 9 golden immortal, but not someone with……powers greater than theirs.

Yu Dian could only answer in a lighter tone than his previous challenging tone. “I am called Yu Dian, the master of Yan Gao. And who are you? What kind of relationship do you have with Qin Yu?” The other four may be slightly hesitant in front of such adversary, but Yu Dian was the subordinate under the leadership of emperor Yu. What could he be afraid of? Even in the face of other peak experts and powers in the immortal realm, mowing down a few was fine and dandy, but he would not be allowed to lose face for his ruler, emperor Yu.

“The martial arts master of Yan Gao?”

It all made sense now. Qin Yu was mildly surprised that they could immediate pinpoint the location and the relationship between him and the murderer so easily. Unknown to him, the other side wasn’t completely sure he was the culprit.

“Who am I, you say?……normally, you’re not qualified to know, and yet you wish to know about my relationship with Qin Yu?” A crafty smile grew on the man’s face, “I’ll tell you: I am Qin Yu’s martial uncle.” He was currently in the body of his immortal sword puppet. If the mortal plane emissaries were here, they’d instantly recognise this quirky and aloof sword immortal. It was Lan Feng.

“Martial uncle?” Understanding flashed through the eyes of the floating Yu Dian, who instantly had an epiphany about the situation at hand. The honoured guest of the Liu clan is Qin Yu, whose strength is poor, but to be able to kill Yan Gao the murderer must have been this martial uncle by Qin Yu’s request.

Without beating around the bush, Yu Dian looked pointedly at the man below. “So did You kill Yan Gao?”

“Yeah, so what? What of it?” the man answered in a dismissive and condescending tone. “And what are you going to do about it, eh?” The expression on the man’s face displayed how much disdain as he looked at the five intruders.

The five’s expression all grew ugly and menacing, in front of five powerful golden immortals, the man dares to trample their faces. Though, Yu Dian was an avenger, he was by far, not a rash person. “Hoh? And are you a mystic immortal stage expert? If you are, then you must be in the same generation as my school master, and only then you could have show such disdain towards us. But if you’re just a poser……trampling on our faces and insulting us in such rambunctious way, we’d need to at least give you a piece of your own medicine.” Yu Dian’s voice was soft but there was some steel in his tone.

“Oh, a mystic immortal stage? ‘sigh’ I am, but a step from that stage.” Qin Yu laughed gleefully, “No need to beat around the bush any more, allow me to inform you fools. I am a simple man at level 9 golden immortal stage, but am I afraid of you…? Ha ha!” Qin Yu looked these people as if they were a bunch of clowns in front of his eyes, so he joked about them.

Yu Dian’s face twitched with rising anger.

But that didn’t stop Qin Yu from continuing his monologue. He turned to glance at the surrounding scattered bamboo shoots, and said with a dramatic flourish of his hands, “Ah! My dear bamboo garden, I have lived among you for nearly a decade! To all the greenery and tall bamboo groves, I feel slightly disheartened at your current and……sorrowful outlook, it brings a tear to my eye. And woe to my servant girls and my beautiful maids!” He turned his body and waved his hands in a conductor’s pose at the bloody remains of his servants. “Since you don’t wish to act first, I must avenge my fallen comrades of my bamboo garden. For every plant, I’m so emotionally attached, I must reap your lives for your underhanded actions!”

“Now is the time!”

A single phrase from Yu Dian, via voice transfer, echoed in the minds of Heng Yu, Feng Lian, Heng Feng and Lu Cao, followed by a quick decision: “Go all out! Use our ultimate move now!”

With the level 9 golden immortal – Heng Yu, as the head of the formation and four supporters, each immortal knotted their hands through a series of hand seals. Golden light rushed out from their bodies, as their swords levitated free of their scabbards and floated above their heads, pointing inwards.

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes against the blinding light from these five opponents.

Amidst this dazzling but cold harsh light, Qin Yu smiled a devil’s smile. “Whoa…they come here and immediate use such a cruel and fierce technique.” Without losing a hint of his darkly smile, he straddled the air and climbed upwards, as if walking on celestial heavenly stairs, at a leisurely pace, completely at ease when confront with the opponent most powerful mystic art.

Qin Yu ascended the ‘heavenly stairs’ under the watchful gaze of the five attackers. Seeing Qin Yu’s bravado, arrogant and aloof expression, they laughed and jeered in their hearts, because they knew their attack was incredibly powerful.

“Five Point Chain Sword Formation ––––– Five Points, Break!”

“Riiiip! BOOOM!!”

The immediate space in front of the five rumbled like heavenly thunder, five streams of golden streams escape from the mouths of the five and into their respective immortal swords, which were floating above their heads.

Qin Yu felt the word light up like lit magnesium flares, sleek bolts of lightning descended on the world below, which combined to strike at Qin Yu. If there was an immortal emperor present, they would notice that this lightning bolt is, in fact, a massive long sword.

Qin Yu looked up at the descending lightning bolt, as if to admire its beauty as it cleaved through the air.

Under the glow and super heating of the oncoming lightning bolt, Qin Yu stood there in mid-air, motionlessly watching the spectacle.

“KABOOOMM!! HONGG! HONGG!”

An earth-shattering crash and explosion was heard, followed by a tremendous shockwave of resonating air and smashed against whatever buildings currently standing in the surroundings. With Qin Yu at the epicentre, the crater with a radius of one kilometre was made from the explosive impact of the descending lightning bolt. Everything within that crater was blasted into smithereens; buildings, trees and rocks were transformed into fine powder. What are previously a bloody hell was instantly transformed into a lifeless ruin, where the ground was immaculately clear from a single drop gore.

In an instant, the world within the bamboo garden was remade into a new scenery.

The actions of this ‘martial uncle’ had completely baffled the five attackers, even the taciturn Yu Dian was puzzled. Why did this ‘martial uncle’ not resist nor dodge the attack?

As the fine powder of everything had settled, a silhouette appeared in front of them.

The silhouette resembled someone they were familiar with.

‘That martial uncle’ had appeared in front of their very eyes.

“You, yo……” Yu Dian and the others were completely mystified and made slack-jawed by Qin Yu’s appearance.

They could not believe what their eyes were seeing!

How could a level 9 golden immortal under the direct assault of their ultimate technique survive that attack??? Even the jade sword school master – Yu Qing Zi, would try to dodge the attack, desperately, as if their life depended on it.

Qin Yu smiled devilishly at the five fools. “That sword formation technique was indeed quite powerful, but it’s still far from hurting me. Well, that attack was your move, now it is time for my turn.”

He moved his hand and gripped the long sword behind his back, just as the five snapped awake from their stupor.

But it was too late.

Escape is but a dream!

Deadly cold light flashed through Qin Yu’s eyes –––––––––

Heaven Sundering Sword Style! Eighth Movement!

Omni Slash!

Sword Drawing!

With the immortal sword facing the heavens above, eight slender waves of heaven sundering sword waves flew outwards in all directions. Six of which fused into three extremely powerful sword waves and all heading in the direction of the five fools’ heads.

The waves may have looked like they moved slowly, but their targets did even move so much a muscle, before the waves had arrived.

The three fused waves had arrived in the faces of Yu Dian, Heng Feng and Feng Lian and the weaker two waves arrived in the faces of the remaining level 7 and 9 golden immortals – Lu Cao and Heng Yu.