The Heavenly Stellar Stream was like a miniature starry river, with many clusters of bright starlight that looked like nebulae in it.
Experts from different human sects couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment, “What’s going on?!”
Even many Demon, Phantasm, and Bonebrute experts looked unblinkingly at it from afar with confused looks on their faces.
They were all surprised that the Heavenly Stellar Stream was flying towards Sikong Cuo instead of Nie Tian.
Spirit Channeling grade spiritual tools normally had their own souls, not to mention Immortal grade divine tools.
As an Immortal grade divine tool, the Heavenly Stellar Stream seemed to come to its own decision as to its future master as it approached the Sons of the Stars.
Apparently, it deemed that Sikong Cuo was its best choice.
Facing Dou Tianchen’s stern questioning, Sikong Cuo exclaimed with all seriousness, “I’m not trying to take it! It’s only approaching me because it’s somehow attracted to my aura.”
Chu Rui, Wei Lai, and the other elders of the Ancient Fragmentary Star Palace looked at him with knitted brows.
The Heavenly Stellar Stream had been masterless since its last master’s death. The Demons had sealed it away since they had gained it.
However, its soul had endured. It wouldn’t die with its master’s.
Now that it was finally free again, it subconsciously looked for a new master as it approached the few Sons of the Stars.
It understood that this was its fate.
Only by choosing a Son of the Stars would it be able to maximize its value and purpose.
However, it didn’t know that Nie Tian was to be its new master.
It examined its choices, and discovered that not only was Sikong Cuo young and enjoyed a high cultivation base, but his inner star power was exceptionally pure.
Dou Tianchen was much older than it would like its new master to be.
Nie Tian, on the other hand, was the first it ruled out.
That was because, aside from star power, he also practiced flame power and wood power. His mixed attributes made it uneasy and insecure.
After serious consideration, it chose Sikong Cuo, and flew towards him in an attempt to merge with him right away.
“No!” Chu Rui shouted. As he swung his large hand, a large nebular curtain flew over.
He was hoping to stop the Heavenly Stellar Stream from merging with Sikong Cuo, as he knew that once they did, separating them would be rather troublesome.
However, he was too late.
Before his nebular curtain could reach Sikong Cuo, the Heavenly Stellar Stream, which looked like a miniature starry river, morphed into a falling star and shot into Sikong Cuo’s chest, where it instantly started merging with his fragmentary star marks.
Ji Yuanquan and Ye Wenhan, who were also at the God domain, were nearby.
However, they simply watched. Neither of them did anything. After all, this was the Ancient Fragmentary Star Palace’s internal affair. They didn’t want to meddle.
Sikong Cuo went blank. “I… This is not what I want…”
In the next moment, his eyes lit up as he realized that a close connection had already formed between the Heavenly Stellar Stream and the fragmentary star marks in his chest.
He was overwhelmed by a curious feeling that it agreed with him perfectly, and that he now had access to power he had never had before.
Such a feeling made him reluctant to strip the Heavenly Stellar Stream from himself.
Nie Tian, who had consumed a significant amount of power and still had yet to calm his flesh aura, grew grimmer and grimmer as he watched this happen. His icy eyes ran up and down Sikong Cuo.
Since Sikong Cuo had only come to observe the duels, he hadn’t brought any of his subordinates with him.
If this had been before Nie Tian won his duel against Ophelia, Nie Tian’s cold stare wouldn’t have worried him at all. However, he now knew that he was in the wrong, and thus said with an embarrassed smile, “As you can see, Seventh Martial Brother, this Heavenly Stellar Stream chose me. I didn’t do anything.
“But don’t worry. I’ll try and see if I can communicate with it and find a way to separate it from me.”
The eyes of Chu Rui, the sect elders, and powerful experts from the other sects were all fixed on him at this moment.
No matter how much he wanted the treasure, he knew that if he tried to keep the Heavenly Stellar Stream to himself, he would instantly become the target of everyone’s arrows. (Idiom: a target of public criticism)
“As long as you give it up,” Nie Tian said with an unpleasant expression.
“Of course,” Sikong Cuo said as he sat down and closed his eyes. He attempted to gather his soul awareness in order to establish a soul communication with the Heavenly Stellar Stream, and persuade it to leave him.
At this moment, Fang Yuan approached Nie Tian. “You may want to have a rest, Nie Tian.”
He took out some medicinal pills and stuffed them in Nie Tian’s hands. Though he was talking to Nie Tian, he fixed his eyes on Sikong Cuo. “Don’t worry. So many people are watching. He has to give that Heavenly Stellar Stream to you.”
Nie Tian smiled. “I know.”
At the same time, Grand Monarch Primal Demon’s resounding voice once again came from the Demons’ floating stronghold. “It’ll take some time for me to get here. My duel with you will take place seven days from now.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Mo Heng’s voice echoed out from the Ancient Fragmentary Star Palace’s berthed starship.
Just like that, the two of them reached a mutual understanding.
After that, Grand Monarch Blood Axe flew out of the dead realm and headed back towards their stronghold with the begrudging Ophelia and the other Demon observers.
The other observing Phantasms, Fiends, and Bonebrutes also left successively.
However, all of those outsider grand patriarchs and talented young lords, who carried powerful bloodlines, fixed Nie Tian with grim looks as they left. Apparently, they all viewed Nie Tian as a rising star of the human race now.
After this duel, not only would Nie Tian become famous in the human world, but throughout the outsider and Ancientspirit heaven and earth as well.
This duel arranged by Mo Heng had lifted Nie Tian’s reputation over all of the other Sons of the Stars.
Many sect elders, who had been on the fence before, now looked at Nie Tian with unprecedented warmth in their eyes.
Even Han Wanrong, who had long since sided with Fang Yuan, glanced at Nie Tian from time to time.
Somewhat envious and bitter, Fang Yuan said, “It seems that you’ve replaced Sikong Cuo, and become the one with the best chance at becoming the next sectmaster. It’s really unbelievable that you managed to build up your reputation within such a short time. I mean, how long has it been since you finished your path of stars?”
Seeing the outsiders retreat, many experts from different sects finally relaxed and rushed over to congratulate Nie Tian with unprecedented warmth.
“Congratulations, Nie Tian!”
“You’ve really earned us face by defeating Ophelia! Great job!”
Some presented him with medicinal pills. Some introduced themselves to him. Some invited him to visit their domains, while others expressed their intent to strengthen their connections and increase trades with his subordinate domains and forces.
At this moment, Nie Tian was like the moon surrounded by countless stars.
He put on perfunctory smiles as he nodded at the people around him.
Only when facing Hou Chulan and the others from the Five Elements Sect did his smile become sincere. After all, the people from the Five Elements Sect were the only ones who hadn’t given his subordinate forces a hard time when the Ancient Fragmentary Star Palace’s prestige had plunged.
“I’m afraid I’ll need a bit more time, Seventh Martial Brother.” Sikong Cuo’s voice suddenly echoed out.
Nie Tian frowned. “Problem?”
Sikong Cuo nodded. “A bit, yeah, but I should be able to fix it.”
Chu Rui jumped in and said, “Don’t worry, Nie Tian. I’ll be here. As we said long ago, the Heavenly Stellar Stream will be yours.”
His words put Nie Tian’s heart at ease. “Okay,” he said, “I’ll find a quiet place to recover.”
Then, he steered his Star Boat towards the berthed ancient starship. As he approached, he saw Dong Li from afar, who was looking excitedly at him, enveloped in the black tortoise’s flesh aura.
His duel against Ophelia had taken place in the dead realm. Dong Li’s strength hadn’t allowed her to get a clear view of it.
She had been worried since the moment their duel had started. Only upon hearing Grand Monarch Primal Demon’s call had she realized that Nie Tian had won, and become relieved.
Dong Li’s lips trembled as she said, “I, I’m so glad that you’re fine.”
Nie Tian laughed broadly. “You can keep that dark stone now. And I won an Immortal grade divine tool that agrees with my cultivation attribute.”
At this moment, Mo Heng’s voice suddenly echoed in his ears. “Nie Tian, do you think you can give the Heavenly Stellar Stream to Sikong Cuo?”
Dong Li didn’t hear a thing.
Nie Tian was dumbfounded. “Why?”
“Why what?” Dong Li asked, looking confused.
“The Heavenly Stellar Stream doesn’t really suit you. That bone of yours does.” Mo Heng explained. “Of course, if you agree to this, I’ll make sure that Sikong Cuo gives you treasures of the same value in return.”
