The dawn slowly approached the Island of Life. The closer it got, the stronger the contradictory sense of vitality intertwined with deathly stillness became.

The edges of the island were lush with greenery, and waterfalls cascaded from thousand-meter-high cliffs, vaporizing into iridescent clouds mid-air.

The air was thick with dense life energy; with every breath, one could almost feel the rhythm of all things growing.

However, as soon as one cast their gaze toward the center of the island, that vibrant feeling was instantly replaced by a chilling, deathly silence.

In an area about ten kilometers in diameter, the vegetation took on an unnatural dark purple hue, with branches and leaves twisted like the struggling arms of the dying.

At the core of that area, a translucent dark purple giant cocoon over five hundred meters in diameter floated quietly, its surface slowly writhing like a breathing malignant tumor.

“Highly distorted Law of Life detected.”

Data streams flashed rapidly through Leng Ningxue's icy eyes. “There are two opposing energy cores inside the giant cocoon.

One is a pure, ancient source of life, and the other is... some kind of highly corrosive alien law that is slowly devouring the former.”

The pure heart vine in Yu Nian's arms suddenly trembled violently—not out of fear, but... sadness.

“It's calling for help.” Yu Nian gently stroked the vine, her eyes slightly red. “That pure source of life is calling for help.”

Bai Cheng stood at the bow, her silver eyes staring at the giant cocoon.

The emperors imprint and the Scales' pattern glowed faintly at the same time, allowing her to hear a clearer resonance.

It was an ancient, distant song of life carrying divine majesty, being gradually drowned out by another raspy, greedy, and resentful devouring sound.

“This is the Life-Devouring Cocoon.”

Bai Cheng spoke slowly.

“It wasn't the Shadow of Protection attacking us; rather, we need to rescue the being trapped within the cocoon while purifying or expelling that alien law.”

“How do we solve it?” Zi Yuan frowned. “Just split it open?”

“No.” Lu Duo shook her head as emerald radiance condensed in her palm into a miniature plant model of the same origin as the dark purple vegetation on the cocoon's surface.

“This distorted vegetation and the giant cocoon itself have already formed a symbiotic structure.

Forcing its destruction might result in the destruction of the life source inside as well.”

Qingniao looked at Bai Cheng: “Miss, do you have a plan?”

Bai Cheng pondered for a moment. “Ning Xue, analyze the energy fluctuation patterns of the giant cocoon.”

“Periodic fluctuations captured. Every three hundred seconds, seventy-two law nodes will briefly appear on the surface of the cocoon, twelve of which will emit a pure life aura for about three seconds.

It is hypothesized that these twelve nodes are distress signals and purification channels sent by the life source to the outside world.”

“Twelve nodes...” Bai Cheng's eyes shifted slightly. “Corresponding to the twelve terrestrial branches? Or...”

“There is an 89.7% correlation with the law frequencies of the Twelve Divine Pillars of the Kingdom of Gods recorded in ancient texts.”

Leng Ningxue pulled up fragmented data obtained from the Cloud Hidden Clan.

“The Kingdom of Gods once used the Twelve Divine Pillars to maintain the balance of heaven and earth.

If the life source is a remnant of the Kingdom of Gods, then it is likely trying to reconstruct the destroyed law network through these twelve nodes.”

Bai Cheng formed a plan in her mind.

“We need to purify these twelve nodes simultaneously. During the three-second window when they all open, we must inject enough pure life energy and order laws to help the life source suppress the alien law, and even turn the tables.”

She turned to her companions. “But this requires precise cooperation.

The twelve nodes are distributed at different locations on the cocoon's surface. We must split into six groups, each responsible for two nodes, and complete the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) purification at the exact same moment.”

“Six groups?” Zi Yuan counted. “There are only six of us.”

“No.” Bai Cheng raised her hand, and the Sword of Conviction emerged, its six Star Lord marks lighting up in sequence. “There are also these.”

Han Yuan, Forest Whisper, Chaos, Mirror Heart, Cinder City, Echo.

The phantoms of the six laws separated from the sword's blade, condensing into six blurry humanoid silhouettes in mid-air.

Although they were only law projections, they possessed basic autonomous action and power transmission capabilities.

“I will temporarily separate the law authorities of the six Star Lords. Each projection can independently complete the purification task of one node.”

Bai Cheng looked at her five companions. “And for the six of us, each will be responsible for one node while simultaneously commanding a projection to handle another. This way, all twelve nodes can be processed at once.”

Qingniao's eyes lit up. “Smart! This is the most efficient way!”

“But it also carries the highest risk,” Leng Ningxue added calmly.

“Simultaneously controlling one's own body and a projection places an extremely high load on the mind.

Furthermore, if we encounter a backlash from the alien law during the purification process, we will need to maintain the purification while defending ourselves.”

Yu Nian gently hugged the vine. “I can set up a Pure Heart Domain in advance to cover the entire cocoon area, providing everyone with continuous mental recovery and protection.”

Lu Duo nodded. “My emerald radiance can weave a life network, connecting all Purifiers to ensure stable energy transmission.”

Bai Cheng looked around at everyone. “Does everyone understand the task?”

“Understood!”

“Then, the groupings and node assignments are as follows.”

Bai Cheng quickly designated the node positions for each person and assigned the six Star Lord projections to Zi Yuan, Qingniao, Lu Duo, Yu Nian, Leng Ningxue, and herself (controlling one extra).

“The dawn will hover directly above the giant cocoon, serving as the command center and energy relay.”

Bai Cheng gave her final order. “In one minute, the node opening cycle will begin. To your positions.”

The six figures and six projections simultaneously turned into streaks of light, flying toward the twelve predetermined positions on the giant cocoon's surface.

Bai Cheng landed at a node on the very top of the cocoon. This was the Eye of the Zenith, the most important of the twelve nodes and the core hub connecting all others.

Beneath her feet, the dark purple shell was warm and clammy, like the skin of a living creature.

She could clearly feel the intense struggle between the two forces below: the holy warmth of the life source and the icy greed of the alien law.

“Thirty seconds countdown,” Leng Ningxue's voice came through the communication network.

Bai Cheng closed her eyes, fully activating the emperors imprint and maximizing the remote resonance with the Emerald Sea's star track network.

What she intended to borrow was not just her own power, but the laws of vitality currently reviving across the entire Emerald Sea.

“Ten seconds.”

Yu Nian's Pure Heart Domain quietly expanded, a milky-white halo enveloping the entire cocoon area like a veil.

Lu Duo's life network was also woven, with emerald energy threads linking all the Purifiers together.

“Three, two, one. Nodes opening!”

The twelve dark purple nodes suddenly flashed with golden light simultaneously!

At that very instant—

“Purification, begin!”

Bai Cheng pressed both hands onto the Eye of the Zenith. A dark-gold Torrent of Order, mixed with the vital power of the Emerald Sea, poured into the node like a waterfall!