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

During the initial scouting mission, it hadn't seemed particularly noteworthy. However, it was now clear that the gray mist energy first identified within the tomb clusters was ubiquitous across these Immortal Domain Continent ruins, manifesting every few dozen or hundred light-years.

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

Song Chi transmitted the order via the Ethereal Body.

A vibrant, seven-colored halo immediately radiated from the warship's hull, establishing a purification zone in the surrounding space.

As the encroaching gray mist made contact with the field, a sharp "sizzling" noise erupted as the mist was instantly refined into benign energy particles.

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

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

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

The mirror image warship lunged toward the coordinates. As they drew closer, the gray mist thickened significantly. Even protected by the purification field, the ship's various systems faced noticeable performance suppression.

Even more unsettling were the faint glimpses of irregular floating land masses suspended in the high heavens. Clinging to these fragments within the fog were the twisted outlines of countless biological horrors.

These distorted gray mist energy entities remained oblivious to the mirror image warship only because of the potent concealment granted by the replicated [Three Realms Five Elements Certificate].

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

[High-intensity spatial energy fluctuations detected! An unidentified object is closing in on the warship at high speed!]

Song Chi immediately opened the holographic display. He watched as the gray mist ahead churned violently, giving rise to a colossal, rapidly forming shadow.

It was a terrifying, indescribable monster. Its form was composed entirely of gray mist, radiating a pressure that felt suffocating.

"A Mythical-grade gray mist lifeform!"

Song Chi’s pupils narrowed. He had mentally prepared himself before choosing to resume the exploration of the Immortal Domain Continent ruins, yet encountering a tenth-rank mythical gray mist lifeform so early still left him deeply shaken.

However, he did not hesitate. Upon locking onto the tenth-rank gray mist energy entity, the massive weapon batteries of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong Image Warship were primed. The White Hole Halo Shield erupted in brilliant radiance as the mirror image warship transitioned into combat mode instantly.

Simultaneously, the gray mist creature let out a silent scream. The gray mist energy across thousands of light-years began to boil, signaling the imminent start of an epic confrontation.

As the mist surged, the mythical-grade gray mist lifeform’s silhouette fully solidified. Though formless, it sprouted six translucent, twisted tentacles, each tipped with a cluster of razor-sharp blades.

Its head lacked any features, consisting only of a perpetually spinning gray mist vortex that radiated an overwhelming aura of oppression.

Song Chi, however, was focused on something else. More than ten millennia ago, deep in the Immortal Tomb Mountain Range, he had witnessed a different unknown mythical entity in battle. Comparing that memory to the present scene, the two were entirely distinct; he could find no common ground between them.

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

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

"Or was the entity from back then a former myth of the Immortal Domain, while this one represents the true power behind the scenes?"

...

Countless theories raced through Song Chi’s mind, but he quickly forced his attention back to the immediate crisis.

Regardless of the truth, surviving this battle was the priority.

Woo woo woo!

The six translucent tentacles of the gray mist mythical lifeform were thrust upward. The countless blades forged from gray mist energy clashed together, creating a soul-piercing, explosive screech.

Such an assault might have troubled Song Chi in the past. However, with the protection of the colorful extreme quality replicated [White Hole Halo Heaven-Supporting Shield], the shield naturally neutralized energy, physical, and soul attacks with equal efficiency. The soul-targeting shriek failed to bypass its defenses.

The gray mist entity noticed this failure immediately. To Song Chi’s astonishment, it abruptly shifted its method of attack.

Amidst the swirling energy, the tenth-rank gray mist entity vanished into the depths of the fog. Just as Song Chi braced for a stealthy strike, the distant mist was suddenly torn asunder.

"What is that..."

Song Chi’s heart hammered against his ribs as a new black shadow emerged.

This new figure was nothing like the previous energy-based phantom. The shadow that reappeared was a massive, three-headed canine beast, its body a deep, pitch black.

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

He felt a wave of pure confusion.

He could not comprehend how an energy-type lifeform in a phantom state could instantaneously transform into a carbon-based divine beast.

Had the replicated [Eye of Truth] not confirmed that the energy signature of the Hell Three-headed Dog was identical to the previous gray mist entity, Song Chi would have assumed they were two entirely different creatures.

But what could cause such a transformation?

"Soul egression?"

"Could it be parasitism, body snatching, or perhaps some form of symbiosis?"

...

For a fleeting second, a spark of understanding flickered in his mind, as if he were on the verge of a breakthrough. However, before he could pursue the thought, the mythical Hell Three-headed Dog launched a ferocious assault on the mirror image warship.

Forced to react, he suppressed his curiosity and focused entirely on piloting the ship against the Hell Three-headed Dog.

The physical form of the Hell Three-headed Dog proved far more dangerous than its previous energy state, requiring his absolute concentration.

Furthermore, the Hell Three-headed Dog possessed a rare high-rank divine beast bloodline. Its physical strength was immense, and when combined with its formidable bloodline divine abilities, its combat prowess was elite even among its peers.

Fully aware of the danger, Song Chi did not underestimate his foe. He immediately deployed the Skeleton Giant.

With a mental command, the ventral armor of the mirror image warship slid open. A Skeleton Giant, only slightly smaller than the Hell Three-headed Dog, stepped into the void.

"Roar—!"

The Skeleton Giant unleashed a thunderous roar. Its skeletal right arm gripped the five-colored [Rakshasa Heaven-Slaying Sword], swinging it down with violent force. The blade, wreathed in destructive energy, tore through the air toward the Hell Three-headed Dog.

The two mythical beings collided, the force of their clash shattering the surrounding space.

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

Just as the main batteries were ready to fire, the replicated Eye of Truth caught a series of anomalies:

[Abnormal energy fluctuations detected within the target!]

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

Song Chi’s eyes sharpened as he pulled up the Eye of Truth’s raw data.

The holographic scan revealed a ghostly gray mist silhouette residing inside the Hell Three-headed Dog—it was a perfect match for the original form of the gray mist entity!

Yet, positioned next to this entity was another cluster of gray mist energy.

Inside this second cluster was yet another gray mist lifeform, though its energy levels were lower, fluctuating between ninth-rank and a half-step into the mythical realm.

Even more peculiar was a thin thread of gray mist extending from this second energy cluster, acting as a tether directly to the heart of the Hell Three-headed Dog.

The discovery filled Song Chi with an eerie sense of dread. He could not yet grasp the true significance of what he was seeing, and there was no one left in these ruins to give him the answers he sought.