Chapter 1180: Annihilate a Clan!

Chapter 1180: Chapter 538: Annihilate a Clan!

Section 538

“Good.” Xu Ran spat out a single word; his figure blurred, and he was already standing before that colossal Gui Xu Ark.

He gazed at this masterpiece that had condensed the blood and toil of the entire Gui Xu Domain, and a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

“An ark without a ‘spirit’ will, in the end, always be a dead thing.”

He extended his right hand, palm facing upward.

Buzz!

That ancient, simple bronze fragment slowly emerged.

Compared to ten years ago, the illuminated region on the bronze fragment had expanded by another sliver. That complex Star Map grew clearer, and the radiance flowing upon it became even more profound.

“With the War Seal of the Divine Court, I bestow upon you the Soul of Battle!”

“With the Dao of Gui Xu, I bestow upon you the Animus of Life!”

“With my Daoist Monarch imprint, for you… I awaken the spirit!”

Xu Ran’s voice was like heavenly law, resounding throughout the cosmos.

He held two fingers like a sword and lightly drew across that bronze fragment!

Chi!

A wisp of nearly undetectable, yet supremely warlike primordial aura was stripped out from the fragment by him. It was a sliver of the Divine Court’s own will, captured when he comprehended the vision of the “War that Buried the Heavens”!

Right after, his glabella shone, and a wisp of the “Gui Xu Heavenly Heart Imprint” containing his half-step Daoist Monarch insights flew out as well.

Under his guidance, the two streaks of light, like two Yin and Yang fish, chased and circled one another, finally fusing perfectly into a single gray-gold rune of indescribable profundity.

“Go!”

Xu Ran flicked his finger, and that rune instantly sank into the prow of the Gui Xu Ark.

Rumble—!

In that instant, the entire Gui Xu Ark was like a giant beast awakening from slumber, letting out a roar that shook the whole world!

A majestic will was born upon the ark, then grew and surged!

On the hull, countless passages of the “Primordial Gui Xu Sutra” lit up one after another, forming chains of gray divine light that threaded through the entire ark. A unique aura spread out, bearing both the iron-blooded battle intent of the Primordial Divine Court and the unending vitality of the Gui Xu Dao.

It lived!

“From this day forth, your name is ‘Pioneer.'” Xu Ran bestowed its name.

“Buzz—!”

The Pioneer let out a resonant, joyful hum, as if answering its creator.

“Transmit my decree!” Xu Ran’s voice spread to every corner of the Gui Xu Domain.

“Heaven-Stone Divine Monarch Cang Shi, Prison Suppression Bone King Zhen Shan, heed my order!”

“Disciple/Subordinate here!”

“I command you two to each select ten of your most elite Dao Kings, one hundred Dao Generals, and three thousand Dao Soldiers, to form the ‘Pioneer Guard.’ Board at once and follow me… on expedition!”

At these words, the entire Gui Xu Domain instantly boiled over!

Expedition!

This day had finally come!

Countless Dao Soldiers lifted their heads, eyes filled with endless yearning and battle intent. Those chosen were all the most valiant and meritorious of the past ten years. They held their heads high and chests out, and under the envious gazes of countless comrades, turned into streaks of flowing light, flying in perfect order toward the “Pioneer” hanging high in the firmament.

“Zi Dian, after I leave, the Gui Xu Domain will be guarded by you. The Asking-the-Dao Ladder and the merit system must not slacken for even a single day. When I return, I wish to see a stronger Gui Xu!”

“Zi Dian will not fail the trust of my lord!” Zi Dian bowed deeply; he knew his task was equally vital.

When the last Dao Soldier stepped onto the deck, Xu Ran’s figure also appeared at the prow of the “Pioneer.” He turned back to look at this world he had personally opened up, and saw those faces brimming with hope and trust.

He did not say anything more, only slowly raised his hand.

“Pioneer, set sail!”

“Target—the Divine Court’s Seventh Outpost!”

Boom!

The colossal Pioneer spewed dazzling chaotic flames from its stern, pushing its mountain-like body as it slowly rose into the sky.

With a single thought, Xu Ran opened a massive rift once more in the firmament of the Gui Xu Domain.

This time, it was no longer a bedraggled welcome of an invasion from outside, but initiative—sailing forth as conquerors toward that unknown dark sea of stars!

…

Cold, deathly silent, vast.

These were the eternal themes of the dark cosmos.

The Pioneer voyaged through the boundless void, its whole body shrouded in a faint gray halo—that was the Gui Xu Grand Array operating on its own, completely isolating the chaotic cosmic energy and lethal void rays of the outside.

On board, the 3,322 members of the Pioneer Guard felt neither novelty nor fear at their first entry into the sea of stars. Some sat cross-legged in meditation, some polished their blades, some practiced Combat Skills; the entire deck was filled only with a killing calm and solemn stillness.

This was the iron-blood discipline of the Gui Xu Domain, long since branded into the soul of each one of them.

Xu Ran stood at the prow, his gaze piercing endless darkness as he looked toward the direction indicated by the Star Map. That bronze fragment hovered before him, emitting a faint light to guide their way.

“My lord,” Heaven-Stone Divine Monarch Cang Shi came up behind him, “at our current speed, we’re still about three ‘Star Months’ away from the ‘Seventh Outpost’ marked on the Star Map.”

A Star Month was a rough time unit in the dark cosmos, calculated by the orbital cycles of certain giant celestial bodies possessing stable tidal power. One Star Month was roughly equivalent to a year in the mortal world.

“No rush.” Xu Ran’s voice was very calm. “This Star Domain is not as peaceful as it appears. The Disaster Monarchs are merely the weakest pack of jackals wandering this dark forest.”

His words made Cang Shi’s heart tighten.

Sure enough, after they had sailed for about half a Star Month, a bizarre region appeared in the darkness ahead.