Chapter 82: The Stars Shift and the Heavens Turn (1)

With a single strike, Jiang Feng unleashed the Forest of Myriad Phantasms, enveloping Fang Ping within its grasp. At the same time, he sent forth an endless, devouring nether force that invaded Fang Ping’s mind, driving him to shriek in agony. Yet Jiang Feng did not pause; the nether force spun anew, and under his command the Forest of Myriad Phantasms shifted ceaselessly—at times transforming into blades of water, then into swords, then arrows, spears, crossbows, long lances, giant axes, halberds, whips, hammers… It even morphed into ropes and demonic visages leering with ghostly malice.

In less than three breaths, the usually ruthless and unblinking Fang Ping was utterly overwhelmed, battered senseless, unable to tell east from west. His body teetered on the brink of collapse, as though it might be struck apart at any moment.

Even his protective nether energy showed signs of being breached. Should it shatter, death was certain. To survive in the Forest of Myriad Phantasms with only flesh and blood was pure fantasy; even if Jiang Feng stayed his hand, the countless blades and weapons within would fell Fang Ping in an instant.

For an expert of the Nether Phantasm Realm, losing one’s protective nether force was tantamount to a tiger stripped of its fangs and claws—no threat remained.

Jiang Feng’s dazzling succession of techniques drew gasps of awe. In terms of wielding nether force, his mastery and skill were unparalleled in the entire Azure Pine Pavilion; aside from a scant few, none dared claim superiority over him.

“What is this nether art? So vicious! My mind, my spirit… The Fang family brought me in just to destroy me!” Fang Ping, assailed by the Forest of Myriad Phantasms, instantly felt his memories and spirit wounded, his consciousness blurring, on the verge of imbecility.

Masters above the Nether Phantasm Realm are keenly attuned to their own minds; the moment the foreign nether force invaded, Fang Ping sensed it. Gritting his teeth, he mustered all his nether energy, stabilizing his shattered spirit and forcibly halting Jiang Feng’s invasion. With a roar, he suddenly gathered his nether power, bursting open a rift in the Forest of Myriad Phantasms and hurling two waves of nether force at Jiang Feng. Twisting his body, he attempted to carve another breach from within.

Bang! Bang!

Contrary to his expectations, this time, no rift appeared. Instead, countless blades, spears, staves, and cudgels tore through his right arm and left leg, rendering him a cripple. He screamed in pain, though no sound escaped him, but the anguish etched on his face chilled all who witnessed it.

Fang Yichen’s complexion was ashen, as though he had just crawled from a sandstorm. He seemed to see Fang Ping’s utter defeat already, retreating step by step, muttering, “Alas, is the fate of the Fang family now exhausted?”

“What are you saying!” Fang Chuhan snapped, his anger icy. Witnessing the scene, he felt keenly distressed, and hearing Fang Yichen’s words only stoked his fury. “Hold your tongue! Fang Ping hasn’t lost yet. Jiang Feng is using our Fang family’s nether art—this contest is utterly outrageous!”

Their exchange drew no comments from onlookers; Jiang Feng’s relentless assault was simply too breathtaking to invite discussion.

Even Duan Xingyun, who had once witnessed the Forest of Myriad Phantasms, stood frozen in shock, speechless before this familiar yet astounding display.

“Boy, there’s a nether art within Infinite Devouring that’s even more domineering than direct absorption. Do you dare try it?” Jue’s eyes suddenly flashed with a chilling light as he realized Jiang Feng’s physique was extraordinary. He recalled a technique within Infinite Devouring.

Jiang Feng’s eyes brightened at once. “What is it?”

“Stellar Transposition. This nether art allows you to directly transfer your opponent’s nether force to yourself. He’s just ingested the Dragon Soar Pill; at minimum, he retains the nether force of the sixth stage of the Nether Phantasm Realm. If you succeed, you’ll gain at least the nether force of the eighth stage. However, the success rate is low. Should you fail and the foreign nether forces conflict, you’ll lose control, your power will run wild, and your body will explode—far more terrifying than a body-shattering catastrophe. Even your soul within your skull will instantly become nothing but blood and pulp. I only suggest this because, having survived the Frozen Soul Elixir and the body-shattering calamity, you now possess a body strong enough to endure torments that would destroy ordinary experts. Besides, Fang Ping’s mind and spirit are already in chaos from the Forest of Myriad Phantasms; in moments, he’ll be little more than a fool. This greatly increases your chances of success with Stellar Transposition.”

Jue spoke with utmost gravity, not forcing Jiang Feng to learn such a terrifying technique, but laying out its risks and benefits.

“But can’t my Infinite Devouring already absorb his nether force?” Jiang Feng was confused, all while juggling both Infinite Devouring and the Forest of Myriad Phantasms.

“You are truly dense. The nether art you’re using merely stores his nether force in your Rivers and Mountains Vessel—it can’t be used immediately. Worse, when you face future calamities, they’ll be even more dangerous. If you master Stellar Transposition, you can instantly make your opponent’s nether force your own, without accumulating foreign power inside you. In other words, you break one great calamity into many smaller ones.” If Jiang Feng could not understand even this, Jue would not bother teaching him.

“I’ll learn it! If I don’t take risks, how can I expect great fortune? I must reach the Nether King level within ten years—already nearly a year has passed. If I refuse to take chances, how can I hope to succeed?”

Jiang Feng made his decision at once, his face as unyielding as weathered granite—no one could sway him.

Transferring nether force—Stellar Transposition!

At present, Jiang Feng’s own nether force was about equivalent to the third stage of the Nether Phantasm Realm. If he absorbed Fang Ping’s, he would reach at least stage eight—a terrifying power for someone whose cultivation base was only at the first stage. In terms of raw nether force, not even Duan Xingyun could compare.

Yet as soon as he agreed, a trace of doubt crept into his heart.

“If this is possible, then every time I kill a Nether Phantasm Realm cultivator, I could transfer their nether force to myself. Wouldn’t I become invincible?”

It was not that Jiang Feng regretted his choice, but that Stellar Transposition seemed utterly unbelievable—almost beyond the logic of cultivation. If it were merely Infinite Devouring—killing Fang Ping, absorbing his nether force, and slowly refining it within the Rivers and Mountains Vessel—that he could accept. But to transfer all of it instantly? If such a nether art truly existed, why had Jue not advanced beyond Nether Saint?

Nether force is much like physical strength—it is a person’s essential energy.

It’s like slaughtering a cow. To eat its meat and drink its broth to supplement your body is normal, but to claim you could transfer the cow’s strength directly into your own body is absurd.

In essence, as Jue said, Stellar Transposition flies in the face of common sense and natural law.

“Stellar Transposition is a unique skill within Infinite Devouring, but it’s not easily mastered. Once you succeed, you’ll understand. I guarantee that after today, you’ll never approach it with the same excitement. Moreover, above the eighth stage of the Nether Phantasm Realm, every expert possesses a vast ocean of nether force. Even if you could transfer it, the risk of catastrophic backlash is immense. If your mind wavers, your spirit fractures, your body will certainly explode and you will die. This nether art is merely a shortcut, a way to build a foundation by gambling with fate and life itself.”

Jiang Feng, hearing this, felt his doubts melt away. “Cultivation is like business. The greater your capital, the greater your profit. If I seek to become Nether King in ten years, I must constantly build my foundation. If I lack even this courage, how can I succeed?”

Jue was somewhat comforted by this response; he greatly admired Jiang Feng’s decisive, ruthless nature. Without such resolve, one would surely be doomed when facing the great calamities to come.

Jiang Feng then quietly pondered the technique of Infinite Devouring, learning as he simultaneously manipulated the Forest of Myriad Phantasms. The agony of dividing his mind in this way beaded his brow with cold sweat, but he soon regained composure, closed his eyes, and gathered his nether force into his mind. His face twisted in pain, as if entering a deep state of cultivation.

“It seems Jiang Feng is suffering immense backlash as he casts his art. Hmph, how can one of his junior status possibly comprehend the mysteries of our Fang family’s Forest of Myriad Phantasms? One as ruthless, cold, and inhuman as he is bound to suffer a backlash a hundred times more agonizing than a body-shattering catastrophe!” Fang Chuhan laughed wildly, arrogance on full display. Yet no one at the scene paid him any mind; all eyes were fixed intently on Jiang Feng. As for Xuan Xingzi and the Jiang, Liu, and Wang families, whatever poor reputation Jiang Feng might have did not matter—after all, he was still just a youth, and these elders had countless ways to shape his temperament.

Even Fang Yichen stared motionless at Jiang Feng, his eyes betraying a trace of panic.

“Stellar Transposition, the art of shifting flowers and grafting trees!” Jiang Feng’s voice cut through Fang Chuhan’s manic laughter, its resonance echoing throughout the Azure Pine Pavilion.