Actually, when Liu Zixuan invoked the Power of the Stars, Huang Youcai and Little Blue were already there.

They waited anxiously by the cave, not seeing Liu Zixuan return, worried that if he were truly injured or dead, they’d have no way to explain it to Liu Ruyan and others.

Huang Youcai hesitated, but Little Blue had already taken off, dashing towards their location. Seeing a leopard show such courage, how could he fall behind?

As they approached, they suddenly witnessed an extraordinary scene.

Under the dazzling sunlight, a star unexpectedly shone brightly, leaving Little Blue and Huang Youcai dumbfounded.

Moments later, a loud bang, and they saw Liu Zixuan flying backward, quickly rushing to his side after snapping out of it.

Huang Youcai hurriedly supported Liu Zixuan, asking urgently, "Zixuan, how are you?"

Liu Zixuan’s face was pale; the dying counterattack from the Blood Luminous Flood Dragon had left him seriously injured!

Dazed and confused, he pointed to another side: "Go check, is the Blood Luminous Flood Dragon dead?"

Huang Youcai quickly said, "It’s been dead for a while; its head exploded, only the body remains now."

"Phew..."

Liu Zixuan was vaguely happy and surprised; that was just a small array within the Star Map, yet it killed such a terrifying creature!

It seems the Star Map is truly a treasure; if he fully comprehends the Big Dipper Array, Liu Zixuan would gain another powerful trump card to preserve his life!

But little did he know that as he secretly rejoiced, a dragon roar reappeared within his Sea of Consciousness, spreading that familiar sensation through his body again!

Struggling to stay conscious, he shouted to Huang Youcai and Little Blue, "Move aside!"

Huang Youcai was completely bewildered, not understanding what was happening or why Liu Zixuan wanted them to move aside.

Before he could ask, he saw a red vertical stripe suddenly appear on Liu Zixuan’s brow, and his once deep eyes gradually turned crimson.

Murderous intent surged through him as if Demon Venerable had descended!

"Zixuan, what’s happening to you?"

"Move aside quickly!" Liu Zixuan, heavily injured, couldn’t resist the erosion of Dragon Vein Essence, only shouting with a thread of consciousness.

Huang Youcai, frightened by his appearance, collapsed to the ground, lacking the strength to run, desperately scooting backward, even more terrified than when he saw the Blood Luminous Flood Dragon.

On the other hand, Little Blue was different; it watched Liu Zixuan for a while, slowly walked toward the Blood Luminous Flood Dragon’s corpse, leisurely dug out the flesh with its paw, then started to eat.

Yes, Liu Zixuan was near death, yet it went to eat the flesh!

However, Liu Zixuan didn’t have the strength to curse at Little Blue.

He was now wrestling with the Dragon Vein Essence for control over his consciousness.

The Nameless Sword had not retreated; now, it floated in the air, ready to strike him.

Liu Zixuan was already tragically injured, and now the Nameless Sword aimed to attack him, compounding his misery.

"Young master has killed such a big creature; why should I fear a sentient Dragon Vein?"

Liu Zixuan snorted coldly, forming seals with both hands, and using the lingering power of the Star Map Array, manipulated two Ghost Gate Needles, forming seals that hovered above his head, blocking the Nameless Sword’s attack!

With the auxiliary power of the Star Array, Liu Zixuan, in such unstable conditions, forcefully sank Qi into the Dantian.

"Want to seize my consciousness? Then I’ll use your power to break through to Half-Step Emperor Realm!"

Indeed, Liu Zixuan intended to do the opposite; having already reached the Perfect State at the Peak of Imperial Realm, all he needed was a trigger to break through.

Actually, Liu Zixuan now dared to say breakthrough, and had to thank the Blood Luminous Flood Dragon.

Because during the battle with it, he learned some truths about the mutual restraint among Heaven and Earth Elements using the Star Array method.

As the ancestor of the Willow Association said, stepping from the Imperial Realm to the Emperor Realm was no longer about basic cultivation techniques, physical form, or Inner Strength, but required Heaven and Earth Elements as a foundation.

The Blood Luminous Flood Dragon was of the Fire Attribute, its counter being naturally Water Attribute, like the Cold Ice Pool, Water Attribute Star Array, all representing Heaven and Earth Elements.

This allowed Liu Zixuan to understand that the so-called elements were essentially things of the Five Elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth!

He didn’t resist the erosion and possession attempt by Dragon Vein Essence, instead he went with the flow.

He placed his hands calmly on his knees, slowly closing his eyes to quietly experience the surrounding Heaven and Earth Elements.

Gradually, the atmosphere around Liu Zixuan became complicated.

One moment filled with murderous intent, brimming with wrath, making Huang Youcai feel suffocated as if Death God descended.

Moments later, it turned incredibly gentle, as if an angel illuminated the entire land with its brilliance.

These sudden changes continued for over ten minutes.

Then, Liu Zixuan’s eyes suddenly opened, void of their usual look, his pupils entirely red, veins bulged on his arms and neck, murderous intent erupted.

"Ma... Mother!"

Huang Youcai, having just sighed in relief a few seconds ago, was scared into fainting upon seeing Liu Zixuan’s state.

Liu Zixuan’s frail consciousness mumbled stubbornly in his mind, "Is failure imminent now?"

In such a state, Liu Zixuan indeed missed the chance to advance to Half-Step Emperor Realm, while granting Dragon Vein Essence the opportunity to seize his consciousness and take over his body.

Although lacking confidence, Liu Zixuan certainly wasn’t a quitter.

He defied the injustice of Heaven and Earth, the tyranny by the strong, being manipulated; to be possessed by Dragon Vein Essence and become a weapon of slaughter, how could he ever accept!

With minimal consciousness, Liu Zixuan abruptly made a decision!

If, upon losing, he’d become an unfeeling slaughtering tool, then why not choose death!

If he could die along with Dragon Vein Essence, it would spare those around him from danger!

With this thought, Liu Zixuan waved to dismiss the Star Map Array.

Without the array’s defense, the Nameless Sword immediately charged at Liu Zixuan’s chest.

"Let this be the end." Liu Zixuan ceased to care, slowly shutting his eyes.

Pff! 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The moment Liu Zixuan’s words fell, Little Blue, having finished its meal nearby, leisurely walked over and spat Blood Luminous Flood Dragon’s blood directly onto Liu Zixuan’s face! But it didn’t stop there; Little Blue extended its paw towards Liu Zixuan’s brow...