The Beidou Realm, shattered into countless fragments, drifted towards distant realms—some rising, some sinking, and others… flying into the void of unknown universes.

Even the smallest fragments, under the laws of the Heavenly Dao, transformed into innumerable stars. Large or small, their numbers were immeasurable. Beyond reckoning.

Amidst the remnants of Heaven and Earth, only the circular luminous defense formed by the Supreme Artifact, Heaven's Vault Mirror, remained, surrounding Chu Mo as he underwent his Heavenly Tribulation.

This strike… destroyed an entire realm, yet failed to yield even the slightest effect!

The defense of Heaven's Vault Mirror didn't even ripple… not even the faintest oscillation!

Patriarch Beidou was utterly dumbstruck. He did not make another move. That previous strike had already pushed him to the brink of his strongest attack. In other words, even if he unleashed an even more powerful assault, this defense… would still remain steadfast between him and Chu Mo, absolutely unbreakable!

"This… how is this possible?" Patriarch Beidou's face was filled with shock and disbelief.

The ruler of the Beidou Realm, infinitely close to the ancestral realm, displayed an expression of utter incredulity. He was genuinely shaken.

At this moment, several traces of divine sense extended towards the Beidou Realm without any attempt at concealment.

Patriarch Beidou offered no resistance; he knew well that those were supreme entities of the Luotian cosmos, the true titans, alarmed by the commotion here. They wanted to discern what had transpired.

For reasons unknown, Patriarch Beidou no longer felt any anger. Instead, he hoped that those traces of divine sense would condense into killing intent to strike at Heaven's Vault Mirror's defense!

For the first time in his life… he fervently wished that those true titans would pay a visit to the Beidou Realm!

But unfortunately, those divine senses, after briefly scanning him… then the defense radiating from Heaven's Vault Mirror, departed in unison!

Without any unnecessary pause, as if they'd merely glanced casually, found nothing interesting, and left directly.

Just like that, they were gone!

"No, you cannot leave! Chu Mo is here!" Patriarch Beidou suddenly let out a cry resonating with the sound of the Great Dao, rumbling across the entirety of the Beidou Realm.

Simultaneously, Heaven's Vault Mirror unleashed a ray of light, instantly shattering Patriarch Beidou's resonating voice of the Great Dao.

At this moment, Patriarch Beidou was struck by a powerful sense of helplessness. A thought arose in his mind: This… is the might of an ultimate divine artifact from the Tunnel, isn't it?

Years ago, the ancient text he destroyed contained vague mentions of Heaven's Vault Mirror. It described it as a true divine artifact. As for the Heaven Slaying Saber, it claimed it was a peerless sinister blade, the embodiment of Heavenly Dao's killing intent.

Patriarch Beidou had always harbored doubts about the veracity of that ancient text. He hadn't fully trusted its record.

But now, it seemed he was wrong.

Everything recorded in that ancient text must have been true!

The question remained: Why had these divine artifacts from the Tunnel all converged upon Chu Mo? How powerful must his qi movement be? Was it unparalleled throughout the entire Luotian cosmos? Even the Supreme of days past… perhaps did not wield fortune this boundless?

How could this be?

Suddenly, Patriarch Beidou made a decisive move!

He pulled out three stars from his body—the ones he had not yet refined!

He intended to refine them immediately!

For he had already been gripped by a profound and ominous premonition: once Chu Mo completed his Great Saint Heavenly Tribulation, he would no longer be able to contend with him!

Therefore, no matter what, he could not afford to fall behind at this critical juncture.

Even if this act attracted the scrutiny of those supreme entities once more, even if he couldn't ascend directly to the ancestral realm because of it… he no longer cared.

The moment the three stars were drawn forth, they burst forth with boundless star essence energy, instantly flooding the entirety of the Beidou Realm. Then, something entirely unexpected occurred!

These three stars, upon emerging, flew directly towards the defense released by Heaven's Vault Mirror.

"Stay with me!"

Patriarch Beidou roared in fury, a burst of supreme cultivation erupting from him as he tried to suppress the three stars.

However, an astonishing turn took place.

The three stars, which should have been subjugated effortlessly, showed no response. Without hesitation or pause, they flew away—entirely unaffected by his supreme cultivation!

They immediately pierced through the defense and merged into Chu Mo's body.

Patriarch Beidou watched helplessly as two more stars emerged briefly from Chu Mo's form, swirled around, and re-entered his body.

BOOM!

The Heavenly Tribulation above the heavens intensified, becoming even more terrifying!

This tribulation's magnitude caused even Patriarch Beidou's expression to change dramatically. Its power was now nearly equivalent to the ancestral realm tribulation he had calculated!

"This… what in the world is happening?"

Patriarch Beidou's face turned ashen.

This was a phenomenon that should never have transpired, something utterly impossible. He knew well that stars possessed their own life force. He also understood the unimaginable energy contained within them. But what he couldn't comprehend was why these stars were, inexplicably, drawn towards Chu Mo!

Why?

At that very moment, even the star he had refined over countless years began to stir within his body, as though it too wished to escape!

"You dare betray me too?" Patriarch Beidou was overcome by rage, descending into madness. With a roar, he poured his supreme cultivation into suppressing the star within him.

Yet, with a sudden flash, that refined star broke free, shot out of his body, and, at unbelievable speed, pierced through Heaven's Vault Mirror's defense, vanishing into Chu Mo's body.

Patriarch Beidou coughed up a mouthful of blood, his hair and beard standing on end as he was driven to the brink of insanity!

Years ago, he acquired a star and refined it, stumbled upon ancient texts and the Seven Stars Array Map, and ascended to the apex of his life's journey. The Great Saint was merely a stepping stone; ancestral realm was but a milestone. His true goal was to complete the Beidou Star Array, securing the chance to become a deity!

Even if he couldn't reach the Supreme's level, when the Investiture of the Gods descended, he could at least leave this world and enter the Tunnel.

To become a true divine being!

Across endless ages, he evaded even the gods' scrutiny, leaving countless contingencies and orchestrating this extraordinary chess game. Even the titans of the Luotian cosmos were deceived by him. Success seemed but a step away. Everything… was within his grasp.

But within mere years, all of it had turned into nothingness—a mirage, a dream shattered! It all fell apart!

Until today, he had never believed a mere saint could pose any threat to his grand plan. Even moments ago, although plagued by premonitions, he had little concern. Heaven's Vault Mirror, no matter how mighty, was merely a defensive dharma instrument. Chu Mo couldn't maintain defense forever. Once his tribulation was over, he would have to confront him!

But the instant the three stars he had sealed for years flew towards Chu Mo, Patriarch Beidou finally understood: his endless preparations, his years of anticipation… were merely laboring for another!

No matter how his convictions denied Chu Mo's fathomless qi movement, the reality… was undeniable!

His qi movement was so powerful it could effortlessly evade even the scrutiny of titans at crucial moments!

Staggering backward, Patriarch Beidou's once-unyielding presence began to weaken. He now barely held on to the Seven Stars Array Map in his possession. But deep down, he knew that if he stayed here, even this map would soon abandon him!

For the strength emanating from Chu Mo… was simply overwhelming!

Only now, at last, did Patriarch Beidou understand that from beginning to end… he had never truly refined that star, which had accompanied him for countless years, fueling his aspirations.

"So… I was merely a temporary custodian."

"So… I was never its rightful owner!"

"So… everything was but a dream!"

Patriarch Beidou spat blood repeatedly, overwhelmed by a despair that consumed his very soul. Though he had come so close to becoming a titan, losing those seven stars and the opportunity to gain the divine star mnemonic had stripped him of all hope.

He would never again have a chance to step into that realm!

Thud! Patriarch Beidou coughed up another mouthful of blood, his spirits utterly collapsed. Despair greater than death filled his being.

Patriarch Beidou's essence energy, spirit, and soul crumbled completely at this moment.

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