Global Era of Star trekking Chapter 1780 - 868: Return to the Immortal Domain Continent Ruins (2)

During the initial exploration, the significance of the gray mist energy found within the tomb clusters wasn't entirely clear. Now, however, it is obvious that this substance permeates the ruins of the Immortal Domain Continent, manifesting every few dozen or hundred light-years.

"Activate [Alien Species Energy Purification Sculpture] replica at maximum capacity."

Song Chi issued the command through his Ethereal Body.

A brilliant heptachromatic halo immediately radiated from the warship's hull, establishing a purification zone in the surrounding space. The moment the encroaching gray mist made contact with this field, a sharp "sizzling" sound erupted as the mist was refined into harmless particles of energy.

[Sky Patrol Radar indicates a massive energy signature 30,000 light-years ahead; potential gray mist energy entity of eighth rank or above.]

A sharp glint appeared in Song Chi’s eyes as the notification from the replicated Dome Sky Wisdom Brain echoed.

"Advance at full speed. Maintain maximum combat readiness."

As the mirror image warship accelerated toward the designated coordinates, the fog grew increasingly thick. Even under the protection of the purification field, the ship's various systems experienced noticeable suppression. More disturbing were the faint silhouettes of irregular floating landmasses drifting in the firmament, their surfaces crawling with twisted biological shapes obscured by the haze.

It was only thanks to the powerful concealment of the replicated [Three Realms Five Elements Certificate] that these distorted gray mist energy entities failed to detect the mirror image warship's approach.

After several hours of steady progress, the replicated Dome Sky Wisdom Brain suddenly triggered a loud alarm:

[High-intensity spatial energy fluctuations detected! Unknown object closing in rapidly!]

Song Chi instantly pulled up the holographic display, watching as the gray mist ahead churned violently until a massive shadow coalesced. It was a terrifying, indescribable horror—a creature formed entirely of gray mist that radiated a suffocating pressure.

"A Mythical-grade gray mist lifeform!"

Song Chi’s pupils narrowed into slits. Although he had anticipated danger when he chose to resume the exploration of the Immortal Domain Continent ruins, encountering a tenth-rank mythical gray mist lifeform so early was still a shock.

However, he did not hesitate. Once the tenth-rank energy body was locked on, the massive weapon arrays of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong Image Warship were primed. The White Hole Halo Shield erupted in a blaze of light as the mirror image warship transitioned into full combat mode instantly.

Simultaneously, the gray mist creature let out a silent scream. This caused the gray mist across thousands of light-years to boil frantically, signaling the start of an epic confrontation.

The fog swirled as the mythical-grade gray mist lifeform fully materialized. It was formless and shifting, yet possessed six illusory, twisted tentacles, each tipped with a swarm of jagged cutting blades. Its head lacked any features save for a rotating vortex of gray mist that projected a crushing sense of dread.

Song Chi, however, was focused on something else. More than ten thousand years ago, deep in the Immortal Tomb Mountain Range, he had witnessed another unknown mythical lifeform. Comparing that memory to the scene before him, he found them to be entirely different; there wasn't a single trace of similarity between the two.

While he maneuvered the mirror image warship to evade and counterattack, Song Chi was plagued by suspicion.

"Is it possible there is more than one mastermind hiding within these Immortal Domain Continent ruins?"

"Or was the creature from back then an ancient myth of the Immortal Domain, while this one is the true perpetrator?"

...

Countless theories raced through Song Chi’s mind, but he quickly forced his attention back to the present. Regardless of the truth, surviving this battle was the priority.

Woo woo woo!

The six illusory tentacles of the gray mist mythical lifeform rose high. Myriad blades condensed from gray mist clashed together, creating a soul-piercing explosion of sound. In the past, such an assault might have troubled Song Chi, but with the replicated colorful extreme quality [White Hole Halo Heaven-Supporting Shield], the barrier provided equal protection against energy, soul, and physical strikes. The soul-shaking shriek failed to bypass its defenses.

The gray mist entity noticed this immediately. To Song Chi’s astonishment, it abruptly altered its method of attack. Amidst the raging energy, the tenth-rank entity vanished into the depths of the fog. Just as Song Chi prepared for a stealthy ambush, the distant mist was violently shredded apart.

"This is..."

Song Chi’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the new shadow. Unlike the previous phantom-like energy body, this black shadow possessed a solid form—a gargantuan, three-headed dog-like beast of absolute pitch-black.

"A mythical-grade Hell Three-headed Dog?"

He was momentarily bewildered. He could not comprehend how an energy-type lifeform in a phantom state could instantaneously transform into a carbon-based divine beast. If the replicated [Eye of Truth] hadn't confirmed that the energy signature of the Hell Three-headed Dog was identical to the previous gray mist entity, Song Chi would have believed they were two different creatures entirely.

But what was the cause of this transformation?

"Soul egression?"

"Parasitism? Or perhaps body snatching or symbiosis?"

...

For a brief second, a spark of insight flickered in his mind as if he were close to the truth. However, before he could pursue the thought, the mythical Hell Three-headed Dog launched a ferocious assault on the mirror image warship.

Forced to set aside his doubts, he focused entirely on piloting the warship against the beast. Compared to its previous misty form, the physical body of the Hell Three-headed Dog was far more dangerous, requiring his full concentration. Furthermore, the Hell Three-headed Dog carried a rare high-rank divine beast bloodline; its physical strength was immense, and its bloodline divine abilities made it a top-tier combatant among those of the same rank.

Knowing he couldn't afford to be overconfident, Song Chi immediately deployed the Skeleton Giant. With a thought, the belly armor of the mirror image warship retracted, and a Skeleton Giant—nearly as large as the Hell Three-headed Dog—stepped into the void.

"Roar—!"

The Skeleton Giant let out a thunderous roar. Its skeletal right hand gripped the five-colored [Rakshasa Heaven-Slaying Sword], swinging it down with devastating force. The sword, wreathed in destructive energy, cleaved toward the Hell Three-headed Dog. The two mythical entities collided, shattering the surrounding space with every exchange.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Song Chi moved the mirror image warship to the flank, initiating the charge sequence for his most powerful main cannons: [Judgment Light], [Blood Erosion Destruction Cannon], and the [High-dimensional Particle Collapse Cannon].

Just as the main cannons were prepared to fire, the Replicated Eye of Truth captured a strange set of data:

[Abnormal energy fluctuations detected from the target!]

[Dual energy signatures identified within the Hell Three-headed Dog!]

Song Chi’s expression turned grim as he accessed the Eye of Truth’s findings. The holographic projection revealed a phantom gray mist silhouette inside the Hell Three-headed Dog, perfectly matching the original form of the gray mist entity! However, alongside this entity was another cluster of gray mist energy. This second cluster contained yet another gray mist entity, though its fluctuations were weaker, hovering between ninth-rank and half-step myth.

More curiously, this second light group was linked to the heart of the Hell Three-headed Dog by a thin, wispy thread of gray mist. This discovery filled Song Chi with a sense of dread; the situation was becoming increasingly bizarre, yet there was no one to provide the answers he sought.