After mastering the Yin-Yang Formation, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue finally faced their true test—battling a 200-meter-tall giant monster. Its body was covered in pitch-black scales, and its glowing red eyes radiated a bloodthirsty aura. Every step it took shook the ground, creating waves of destructive energy that shattered trees and stones around it.
"We have to defeat it together!" Yuan Jin declared with unwavering determination.
Hu Xue nodded. "I'll hold off its attacks. You find an opening to strike!"
They both activated the Yin-Yang Formation, synchronizing their energy in perfect harmony. Yuan Jin dashed forward, his sword unleashing waves of freezing energy, while Hu Xue breathed a scorching stream of fire at the monster's head.
The monster roared in fury, swinging its colossal arm. Yuan Jin swiftly dodged, while Hu Xue leaped backward, forming a massive fireball in her hands.
But just as the battle intensified, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
A chilling wind swept through the battlefield, bringing with it an overwhelming pressure. In the distance, a figure in black robes hovered in the air, arms crossed. His presence alone was enough to distort space.
Aether immediately activated her system, and a stream of data appeared before her.
[System Detected]
Name: Ji Wutian
Classification: Star Emperor
Age: 1.500 years
Origin: Planet Xizhuang (1 million light-years away)
Aether narrowed her eyes. "So you've finally shown yourself, Star Emperor."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue froze at the name. Ji Wutian, the Star Emperor, was a living legend—one of the most powerful beings in existence, rumored to have the strength to shatter stars with a single strike.
Ji Wutian smirked. "I was just curious… about the so-called Supreme System."
Aether remained calm. "And you chose to disrupt my students just to satisfy your curiosity?"
Ji Wutian folded his arms. "Think of it as a test."
In an instant, an immense energy wave erupted from Ji Wutian's body. The sky darkened, swirling with ominous black clouds, and the entire space trembled beneath his power.
But Aether simply sighed and raised a single finger.
BOOM!
A formless shockwave exploded from her body, instantly nullifying Ji Wutian's pressure as if it were nothing more than a light breeze.
Ji Wutian frowned. "Hmph. As expected… you're a monster."
Without hesitation, he shot forward at unimaginable speed, his palm radiating stellar energy powerful enough to annihilate galaxies. But just before his attack could reach, Aether stopped it with a single finger.
CLANG!
A deafening sound echoed across the battlefield, but Aether didn't even budge.
Ji Wutian grinned. "Looks like I need to get serious."
Meanwhile, down below, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue executed their final attack. Their combined formation delivered a devastating blow, obliterating the giant monster in a burst of energy particles.
They exhaled in relief, believing the battle was over.
But their victory was short-lived.
From the void, dark energy began to gather. The scattered particles quickly merged, reconstructing the monster's body even faster than before. This time, its glowing red eyes burned with an even more terrifying rage.
Yuan Jin's eyes widened. "What… impossible!"
Hu Xue clenched her fists. "That's not possible! We already destroyed it!"
The monster let out a deafening roar, shaking the earth beneath them.
With those final words, his body vanished into the void, leaving behind Yuan Jin and Hu Xue, still stunned by the monster's revival.
---
Aether and Ji Wutian stood face to face, their energies clashing in the air. Without warning, Ji Wutian shot forward at an incredible speed, his palm filled with star energy capable of annihilating galaxies.
Yet, Aether remained calm.
CLANG!
With a single finger, Aether stopped Ji Wutian's attack without flinching. The shockwave from their clash devastated the battlefield, creating a massive crater in the ground.
Ji Wutian smirked. "Looks like I'll have to get serious."
Without hesitation, his body glowed with golden light. In an instant, his figure split into two... then four... then ten... until finally, ten thousand clones filled the sky.
Each clone possessed the same power as the original!
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue were shocked by the sight.
"What the hell is this?" Yuan Jin exclaimed.
Hu Xue swallowed hard. "So this is the power of a Star Emperor…"
Aether remained unfazed. Calmly, she activated her system.
[System Detected]
Technique: "Ten Thousand Void" – the ability to create clones with the same strength as the original body.
Aether smirked. "Ten thousand clones? That just means I'll defeat you ten thousand times faster."
Ji Wutian laughed. "We'll see about that!"
In an instant, ten thousand Ji Wutians attacked Aether simultaneously, creating a storm of star energy powerful enough to tear through dimensions.
At the same time, the giant monster, which had just been defeated by Yuan Jin and Hu Xue, roared in fury once more. Swinging its massive arm, it shattered the ground below, unleashing waves of destruction.
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue knew they had to defeat the monster before it grew stronger.
"Aether can handle the Star Emperor," Yuan Jin said firmly. "Our job is to destroy this monster... for good!"
Hu Xue nodded. "Alright! Let's finish this!"
Meanwhile, in the sky, ten thousand Ji Wutians and Aether clashed in a battle that shook the entire world.
To be continued…