High Martial Arts: I Awaken a Low-Tier Martial System Chapter 788 - 400: The Origin of the Shadow Disaster! If I Ascend to Divinity

"Let's discuss that later."

Jiang Ye offered a slight smile. "For now, we must focus on how to navigate our current predicament."

Qingmei's expression also turned grave upon hearing this.

"Beyond us lies the insurmountable Tongtian Pot."

"And within our grasp, the Cangxu and Haisan coalitions observe us like hungry tigers." Qingmei furrowed her brow. "With our present power, I fear we cannot stand against them."

"Furthermore!"

"Your use of that extraordinary body to challenge a prodigy will undoubtedly ignite a tempest within the Cangxu and Haisan Civilizations." Qingmei stated with utmost seriousness. "If my estimation is correct, both coalitions have likely already dispatched their forces, converging towards the Initial Realm."

Jiang Ye gave a subtle nod.

This very point had been a source of his concern.

Within the Initial Realm, the Huanglong Civilization was already facing considerable opposition. If the enemy continued to dispatch reinforcements, the circumstances would only grow more dire.

"What about the Starry Sky Corridor? Is it also inaccessible?" Jiang Ye inquired.

The Starry Sky Corridor was known for its profound mystery.

It wove through the cosmic expanse, its termini capable of spanning thousands, even tens of thousands, of light-years. Such immense power far surpassed the capabilities of a mere secondary Starry Sky Civilization.

In theory, it should be beyond anyone's power to blockade.

"It is true that the Tongtian Pot cannot obstruct the Starry Sky Corridor."

"However, given the Cangxu Civilization's arrangements here, we cannot utilize the Starry Sky Corridor." Qingmei shook her head. "To do so would be to walk directly into their snare."

"How so?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but feel perplexed.

"The Cangxu Civilization has conducted extensive research into the Starry Sky Corridor."

"While they cannot construct one themselves, they possess the ability to manipulate the destinations of the Star Array." Qingmei elaborated. "For instance, the Starry Sky Corridor within the Initial Realm might not lead to the outer world, but rather to the coalition's main stronghold."

Jiang Ye was taken aback.

Did the Cangxu Civilization truly possess such capabilities? It was indeed peculiar and difficult to fathom.

"Based on what I understand."

"The Cangxu Civilization employs this very tactic to plunge numerous allied civilizations within their domain into prolonged conflict." Qingmei explained. "Through this, they meticulously sift out the truly formidable cultivators."

"Prolonged conflict?" Jiang Ye's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"For example, redirecting one civilization's Starry Sky Corridor to intersect with another."

"In this manner, war between the two civilizations becomes unavoidable," Qingmei stated. "Only those who emerge victorious from such strife earn the recognition of the Cangxu Civilization."

"Moreover, within the Cangxu Civilization, there exists an unusual race known as the Shadow Race."

"These beings are virtually immortal; their destruction is only possible by eradicating their primary nests." Qingmei lamented, shaking her head. "Consequently, countless low-tier civilizations under the Cangxu Civilization endure immense suffering."

Jiang Ye nodded slowly, yet a maelstrom of thoughts churned within him.

So that was it.

The catalyst for the Shadow Disaster that befell Blue Star, resulting in untold casualties, was none other than the Cangxu Civilization!

"Bai Gui's conjecture was indeed accurate."

"However." A shiver coursed through Jiang Ye's heart. "The Blue Star Civilization, strictly speaking, does not fall under the Cangxu Civilization's direct jurisdiction, but merely neighbors their subordinate territories."

"Thus, the Shadow Disaster on Blue Star might have been a mere trifling act by the Cangxu Civilization..."

To put it plainly.

The Cangxu Civilization's method of cultivating powerhouses was akin to nurturing venomous insects.

Any entity in proximity to their subordinate territories would be affected; the Shadow Disaster would be unleashed, and they would be left to fend for themselves.

Much like Blue Star.

Although Blue Star was not a possession of the Cangxu Civilization, if it managed to survive the Shadow Disaster's devastation and catch the attention of certain 'prominent figures' within the Cangxu Civilization, there was a possibility of its annexation.

"If that scenario were to materialize."

"What significance would the billions of lives lost on Blue Star truly hold?" Jiang Ye's eyes blazed with icy fury. "And the countless Martial Arts Masters who perished, what value would they possess?"

Blue Star was never destined to endure such ravages!

It was simply too proximate to the Cangxu Civilization.

Even if it miraculously weathered the Shadow Race calamity, what if the Cangxu Civilization decided to annex it then?

Refuse?

That would be the act of a secondary Starry Sky Civilization!

"Aligning with the Huanglong Civilization?"

"I suspect the Huanglong Civilization would not welcome such an arrangement either," Jiang Ye mused inwardly.

The Huanglong Civilization was exceedingly distant from Blue Star, separated by an immeasurable expanse of space.

Furthermore, from Jiang Ye's understanding, no Starry Sky Corridor connected to Blue Star within the Huanglong Civilization's domain.

It seemed improbable that any paramount expert would undertake the arduous journey across the cosmos solely to oversee such a remote and insignificant location.

"Jiang Ye, there is no cause for concern,"

Bai Gui's voice resonated within Jiang Ye's mind. "Should Blue Star manage to ascend during the Civilization Struggle, it will inevitably attract the attention of major secondary Starry Sky Civilizations. By then, the Cangxu Civilization would not dare to act rashly."

"After all, under the cosmic regulations, Blue Star is still classified as an unclaimed planet."

A wave of emotion stirred within Jiang Ye.

Ascending in the Civilization Struggle—that was an event two years away.

"However,"

Bai Gui continued, "For Blue Star to capture the notice of higher-tier civilizations, it must demonstrate exceptional performance in this upcoming event. If it can advance to a level 1 civilization, it is highly probable that it will be acknowledged."

"Ascending to a level 1 civilization?" Jiang Ye exclaimed, taken aback.

Currently, Blue Star Civilization was merely a level 0.7 civilization.

"The prerequisite for a level 1 Starry Sky Civilization typically involves possessing at least one God, correct?" Jiang Ye inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"The Civilization Struggle has distinct ascension criteria," Bai Gui explained. "You need not trouble yourself with such details."

Jiang Ye offered a slight nod.

Ultimately, everything hinged on achieving sufficient prominence!

A thousand pleas held less weight than a single divine palm strike.

If he were to achieve divinity, what troubles would even dare to surface?

...

Soon, all the lingering distractions within Jiang Ye's heart vanished completely.

"Qingmei."

Jiang Ye gazed at the strikingly beautiful woman before him. "When Prince Zijun and I, along with the others, arrived earlier, why did you not seize the earliest opportunity to withdraw?"

This was a question that had persistently puzzled him.

With Prince Zijun providing cover, if Qingmei had retreated immediately, the ensuing casualties would not have been so devastating.

"Because, originally, there were only three of them."