Ji Wutian smirked before slowly disappearing into the void. The aura of the Star Emperor vanished in an instant, as if he had never been there. However, before he was completely gone, his voice echoed through the air.
"I will be waiting for you on Planet Xizhuang. See you soon."
His words carried a mocking tone, as if he was challenging them to follow him. Yuan Jin clenched his fists while Hu Xue let out a long sigh.
But there was no time to dwell on it.
ROOOAAARRR!!
The colossal monster, which had not been completely defeated, grew even more enraged. Its nearly shattered body began to reform, this time radiating an even more terrifying aura. Dark energy surged from its pores, forming a vortex that absorbed everything around it.
With a brutal movement, the monster swung its claws toward Yuan Jin and Hu Xue.
SWOOSH!
The sheer force of the attack was enough to uproot trees and create a massive crater in the ground. Yuan Jin and Hu Xue, still exhausted from their previous battle, barely had the strength to evade.
But before the monster's claws could strike them...
BOOM!
In an instant, Aether appeared in front of them, standing between them and the monster. She calmly raised a single finger and pressed it against the monster's forehead.
"You're truly a stubborn creature," Aether said flatly.
For a moment, the monster froze. But then, a mysterious sound echoed inside its mind.
DENGGG!!!
The monster let out a painful roar. The sound was not just any ordinary noise—it was a high-frequency wave that struck directly at its consciousness.
The dark energy surrounding the monster trembled violently. Its massive body shuddered as if unable to withstand the pressure from Aether's voice. Cracks started to form across its skin, and energy particles began to scatter.
"What's happening?! Did you kill it?" Yuan Jin asked in shock.
"No, I simply erased its existence," Aether replied while keeping her gaze on the monster.
CRACK... CRACK...
Within seconds, the monster's body completely disintegrated into dust, carried away by the wind. Its malicious aura vanished entirely, leaving no trace that such a battle had ever taken place.
Aether turned around, her gaze falling on Yuan Jin and Hu Xue.
"You did well," she said in a neutral tone.
Hu Xue grinned. "Thanks, system girl."
Aether blinked a few times before her expression darkened.
"What do you mean by calling me a girl?" she asked with clear irritation.
"Why? Is it wrong? So should I call you a man instead?" Hu Xue teased.
Aether scoffed. "I am the Supreme System, you fool!" she retorted in a frustrated tone before turning away from Hu Xue, sulking.
Yuan Jin, already used to their ridiculous exchanges, sighed before asking, "Aether, what should we do now?"
Aether raised an eyebrow. "Good question."
She then activated her system, and a holographic screen appeared in the air.
---
[NEXT MISSION]
Travel to Planet Xizhuang
---
Yuan Jin read the mission with determination.
"Alright… let's move now!" he said enthusiastically.
Aether sighed. "You're really full of energy."
Without wasting time, Aether raised her hand and tore open a rift in space. A massive crack formed as if reality itself had been sliced apart. Beyond the rift, countless stars sparkled in the vast cosmos.
"Hold my hand," Aether instructed.
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue exchanged glances before grabbing Aether's hand.
SWOOSH!
In the blink of an eye, their bodies were sucked into the space rift, disappearing without a trace.
Meanwhile, on Planet Xizhuang…
Ji Wutian sat on his golden throne, gazing at the sky with an amused smile.
"Finally....they have arrived."
---
The moment Aether, Yuan Jin, and Hu Xue stepped through the spatial rift, they found themselves surrounded by an unfamiliar yet breathtaking sight.
The vast cosmos stretched endlessly around them. Stars twinkled in the distance, and below them, a colossal planet loomed—Planet Xizhuang. Unlike any planet they had ever seen before, Xizhuang's surface was covered in shimmering golden clouds, its oceans glowing with a deep azure hue, and massive floating islands hovered in its atmosphere, connected by bridges of pure energy.
As they descended, Aether spoke, her voice calm yet filled with caution.
"This is Planet Xizhuang… home to one of the strongest factions in the universe. Be on your guard."
Hu Xue whistled. "For such a dangerous place, it sure looks beautiful."
"But don't let its beauty fool you," Yuan Jin said seriously. "Ji Wutian is here, waiting for us."
Aether narrowed her eyes as her system activated once again, scanning the planet.
[Planet Xizhuang Scanned]
Dominant Power: Star Emperor Ji Wutian
Population: 7.8 billion
Hostile Threats Detected: High
Current Status: Unknown Forces Mobilizing
Aether's eyes sharpened. "Something's wrong… Ji Wutian isn't just waiting. He's preparing something."
Just as she said that, a tremendous BOOM erupted from below. A powerful shockwave surged toward them, splitting the clouds apart. The golden sky turned crimson as energy cannons fired upward, aimed directly at them.
"They're attacking already?!" Hu Xue shouted.
Aether reacted instantly, raising her hand. In a split second, a translucent barrier materialized around them. The energy cannons struck the barrier but failed to penetrate. Instead, the impact sent ripples across its surface, dispersing the attacks harmlessly.
"We're not welcome here," Yuan Jin muttered.
Aether smirked. "Of course we aren't."
Then, another warning flashed across her system.
[Incoming Enemy Detected]
Name: Heavenly Spear Battalion
Strength: Elite Star Realm Warriors
Formation: 50,000 Soldiers
Commanding Officer: General Wu Long
From the horizon, countless figures clad in silver armor flew toward them at breakneck speed. They wielded long spears crackling with cosmic energy, and their formation was impeccable. Leading them was a man with an aura so overwhelming it seemed to distort space around him. His long black hair flowed behind him, and his cold eyes locked onto Aether's group.
"By the decree of His Majesty, Star Emperor Ji Wutian, you are trespassing on forbidden territory!" General Wu Long's voice echoed like thunder. "Surrender now, or be annihilated!"
Hu Xue scoffed. "Surrender? Not happening."
Yuan Jin gripped his sword. "We fight."
Aether, however, remained calm. She glanced at the system's display once more, then chuckled.
"You want to fight 50,000 warriors?" she said playfully. "That's cute."
Then, with a single motion, she extended her hand forward.
BOOM!!!
An enormous pulse of invisible energy exploded outward. The entire battlefield froze in an instant.
The soldiers in mid-flight halted as if time had stopped. Their spears trembled, their bodies unable to move. Even General Wu Long widened his eyes in horror as an unseen force crushed down on him.
Aether's voice was soft, yet it carried an absolute authority.
"Bow."
THUD!
One by one, the elite soldiers collapsed onto their knees, forced down by an immeasurable pressure. Even the mighty General Wu Long found himself unable to resist—his legs buckled, and he knelt, teeth gritted in humiliation.
Aether lowered her hand and sighed. "I wasn't in the mood for small fry, anyway."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue watched in awe. They knew Aether was powerful, but to single-handedly subdue an entire army without lifting a finger?
Even for a "Supreme System," it was terrifying.
Aether turned away, uninterested. "Let's move. Ji Wutian is waiting."
And with that, they descended toward the heart of Planet Xizhuang, where the true battle awaited.
To be continued…