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--- Chapter 531 ---
In the presence of the aloof, apathetic, heavenly star sovereign, everyone in the garden felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort. It felt as though they were no longer existing on the same plane of reality as him.
Gazing upon him was like staring directly into the heart of a dazzling star—so radiant that it nearly blinded their vision.
Simultaneously, deep-seated inferiority sank into their very souls, bringing forth a startling realization. The entity standing before them possessed an aura of true divinity, and they were merely mortals.
It was as if a being from a higher dimension was descending to this lower realm because of a minor inconvenience.
The divine sovereign raised his star sceptre slightly, muttering in a cool, echoed voice, "The energy consumption... is far too immense."
"This won't do..."
With that soft sigh, the Heavenly Star Sovereign dissolved into a pillar of fading starlight, splitting back into Han Yuan and the now-asleep Xu Xiaoyan.
Han Yuan caught the exhausted little girl before she hit the grass. Gazing down at her peaceful face, a gentle smile formed on his tired face. "You truly possess staggering potential, Xiaoyan."
"With me by your side, you won't ever be just another ordinary support system."
"You will become the absolute best."
As the Martial Soul Fusion ended, the domain that had frozen the garden dissolved, allowing time and movement to flow naturally once more. Everyone let out a gasping breath, as if given the right to exist again.
"W-What on earth was that?!" Mu Xi shouted, her voice trembling in sheer disbelief.
"It... it was terrifying..." Ouyang Zixin gasped and slowly wiped cold sweat from her forehead. However, deep inside, she couldn't help but recall the breathtaking, majestic visage of the Heavenly Star Sovereign, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Meanwhile, Xing Lan, Mu Chen, and Yuan Bao'er stood frozen with a look of indescribable shock etched across their faces.
This Martial Soul Fusion... they feared it had already far surpassed even the rumored strongest Spirit Fusion between the current leaders of the Tang Sect.
The Spirit Fusion so powerful that the Federation needed to separate them both to prevent them from ever using it.
Yet, even that Spirit Fusion is nothing to this.
The reason was glaringly obvious: an absolute, irresistible control domain that completely halted time and movement for everyone in its range was too unreal.
"Powerful" wasn't even the right word to describe it.
It was dreadfully, unnaturally overwhelming.
"Xiao Yuan..." Xing Lan took a deep breath, trying to process what she had just witnessed. "This Martial Soul Fusion of yours... what are its exact abilities and effects?"
Han Yuan, who was sitting cross-legged on the grass with Xu Xiaoyan resting comfortably in his lap, looked up calmly. "Our Martial Soul Fusion is called the Descent of the Heavenly Star Sovereign."
"As the name suggests, it draws upon the essence of the Star Liberation Crown as its foundation, supplemented by Xiaoyan's Starwheel Ice Staff as the ruling and wisdom component."
"It grants access to two interconnected abilities, both sustained and powered by the Gate of Stars."
"Though it still consumes a great deal of Spiritual Power."
"The first skill is called Everlasting Moment of Brightest Star—which is what you all just experienced."
"It functions similarly to a domain, but it operates on a different concept. It captures and freezes the precise moment targeted by the Heavenly Star Sovereign."
"And while time is frozen within that moment, the Sovereign can use the second skill: Dying Star's Decree."
"This skill imposes severe, conceptual debuffs based on the opponent's strength."
"The stronger the opponent, the harsher the debuffs applied, ranging from basic physical attributes like strength, defense, and speed, to higher concepts like sealing spiritual power, vitality, and even luck."
Han Yuan shook his head lightly. "Unfortunately, the debuffs inflicted by Dying Star's Decree are randomized."
"I cannot choose which specific attributes are weakened, though I can determine the duration of the effect. However, the star energy required to maintain it is still too much for us."
"On top of sustaining the fusion itself, our current energy reserves only allow me to apply basic attribute reductions."
"Even then... there is one essential detail," Han Yuan added, his silver eyes flashing with excitement. "Dying Star's Decree is absolute and irresistible."
"Even if the opponent were a Quasi-God—no, even Divine Beings... they would not escape unscathed."
He let out a small, helpless sigh. "Ultimately, my cultivation and Xiaoyan's are still far too low. If I were a Title Douluo, I could lock someone under Dying Star's Decree indefinitely."
"Fuck!" Mu Chen cursed right on the spot, completely abandoning his usual manners. "What kind of broken, rule-based Martial Soul Fusion is that?! Are you sure you didn't just manifest an innate God-level Divine Ability?!"
"Indeed, Xiao Yuan..." Yuan Bao'er murmured, her eyes wide. "A Spirit Fusion possessing irresistible effects completely erases the concept of cultivation levels. It's not just abnormal—it's terrifying."
Xing Lan took a moment to calm her turbulent, aged heart before an odd realization struck her. "Wait... you mentioned that Xiaoyan's Starwheel Ice Staff serves as a supplementary component to your Star Liberation Crown..."
"Does that mean this fusion could evolve further if you ever encountered another star-attributed Martial Soul that resonates with you?"
Han Yuan pondered for a moment, recalling records of a certain sword-wielding prodigy of this era, before nodding calmly. "In theory, yes."
"However... finding someone whose spirit can naturally harmonize with both Xiaoyan and me is extremely rare."
"It might not be as impossible as you think," Xing Lan replied softly. "Tianxing Academy has preserved extensive records regarding rare star-attributed spirits over thousands of years."
"I will personally look into it. Because if a two-person fusion between you and Xiaoyan is already this terrifying, I can hardly imagine the world-bending power a three-person fusion would unleash."
"Me! Me! I'll definitely be able to fuse with Xiao Yuan in the future!" Mu Xi chimed in suddenly, a mischievous grin gracing her lips.
"What are you blurting out now?!" Ouyang Zixin gave her friend a quick, exasperated slap on the back.
"What?!" Mu Xi rubbed her sore back, pouting. "You don't get it! Xiao Yuan and I are already spiritually connected... I just haven't met the cultivation threshold to unleash our resonance yet!"
Han Yuan chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Mm, once Sister Xi reaches the Spirit King realm, we should be able to do our Martial Soul Fusion as well."
"After all, my Star Liberation Crown and her evolved Martial Soul are currently in a passive bonding phase."
"WHAT?!"
This time, both Mu Chen and Yuan Bao'er gasped in shock. At the same time, Mu Chen's eyes lit up with glee—he hadn't expected his daughter to have a 'Spirit Fusion' as well!
'Hahahaha!' Mu Chen roared silently in his mind. 'The Han-Mu Ship is far from sunk! We're still winning this!'
'Fuck you, Tianyi!'
Meanwhile, back at the Xu Family residence, Xu Tianyi sneezed and then rubbed his nose in confusion, letting out a soft sneeze. '
Is someone talking about me...?' He shook his head, assuming he was catching a cold.
"Also... Xu Xiaoyan's Starwheel Ice Staff isn't a completely star-attributed spirit yet," Han Yuan added calmly, bringing the conversation back to the task at hand. "Once her Martial Soul fully evolves, I reckon our Spirit Fusion will become significantly more stable."
"Like Sister Xi's case, however, I am afraid we will need to use the Heavenly Star Observation Platform again."
"I will start making preparations immediately," Xing Lan said decisively.
Han Yuan smiled faintly. "Calm down, Auntie. We shouldn't rush things, as Xiaoyan is currently in a critical phase where she needs to build a solid foundation first."
"Unlike Sister Xi, Xiaoyan's specific condition needs to be carefully studied beforehand."
"Thankfully, Grandpa Han should be arriving tonight." Han Yuan recalled a recent message from Han Tianyi confirming his upcoming visit.
"That old guy, huh?" Xing Lan mumbled helplessly, a hint of nostalgia softening her eager expression. "Alright... let's wait until he arrives."