In the shattered realms of the Allied Star Clusters, amidst a desolate expanse of asteroid fields, three warriors clad in saffron tunics struggled onward. They were a sorry sight, each bearing the grim testament of battle. One limped, a vicious gash exposing bone in his right leg, the bandage soaked crimson, draining the color from his face.

His companions fared little better. The warrior in the center, clutching a smoldering censer, was supported by another, a gaping wound marring his right breast, from which blood gushed freely. He gritted his teeth, a testament to his resolve.

Trailing them, a pack of monstrous mosquito beasts, a dozen strong, stalked their prey. Though bearing minor wounds, their advance remained relentless, their crimson eyes fixed upon the fleeing figures. Yet, they were tethered, drawn by the allure of the burning incense, compelled to follow.

“Damnation! That fledgling Venom Monarch escaped! Had we delivered it to the Azure Sea, the Darkstar Sect would have paid handsomely in Celestial Decay Elixir!” the wounded warrior hissed, his voice laced with frustration.

“Silence! The Monarch must be the possession of some powerful being. Only a master of immense skill could command such beasts in these Star Clusters, subjugating even a Venom Monarch. We must rendezvous with the elders swiftly, lest we face the wrath of this sorcerer!” the warrior with the chest wound spat, his words laced with urgency.

“We thought it would be a simple capture, so we were lead smoothly from the Eastern Alliance. That Venom Monarch was almost through, so it suddenly broke free causing all of the other beasts to follow. Had we not burned two vials of Mosquito Soul Incense, these beasts would have devoured us,” but now we have 19 to claim as our own. We’ll have all the favors of all the land when we get back to the order.” The last warrior spoke with greed as he eyed the insects.

They pressed deeper into the asteroid field, toward a swirling halo of azure light. As they neared, each warrior retrieved a jade token from his pouch, biting his tongue and offering a crimson tribute upon its surface.

The tokens blazed with cerulean light, piercing the shimmering barrier, creating a vortex of energy. Without pause, the trio plunged into the swirling portal, the monstrous insects dragged in their wake.

Emerging within the barrier, a palpable relief washed over the warriors. The incense-bearer exhaled, “Strange indeed, to find Venom Beasts in these parts. Fortunate their numbers are few. Were they as countless as in the Windswept Immortal Realms…” He shuddered, fear flickering in his eyes.

“Enough idle speculation. We’ve secured a portion of our mission, it is time to make haste and leave,” I have a very bad feeling about all of this.”

The trio exchanged a look, then forged ahead, toward a colossal array of asteroids, fused together into a formidable bastion.

Emerald light pulsed from the fortress, and a host of a hundred warriors in saffron robes toiled to reinforce it, adding asteroids according to some intricate design.

Above them, two elders in violet robes stood sentinel, their white hair a stark contrast to their piercing gazes. They spoke in hushed tones, gesturing toward the construction.

The arrival of the trio drew the attention of the assembled warriors, yet their gaze lingered upon the monstrous beasts in tow. Murmurs of fear rippled through the ranks, some recoiling in horror, haunted by past encounters with such creatures.

“Venom… Venom Beasts!”

A wave of panic threatened to overwhelm the warriors, their tasks forgotten, their eyes wide with disbelief.

The saffron-clad warriors reveled in the reaction, remembering their own terror upon first encountering the beasts.

Two bolts of violet energy shot out from a portal, as the elders swiftly descended, their presence commanding order. The lead elder scrutinized the Venom Beasts, then turned to the assembled warriors, bellowing, “Compose yourselves, and return to your posts!”

His words cut through the chaos, and the warriors reluctantly resumed their labors, their eyes still drawn to the monstrous insects, their gazes now tinged with greed.

“Su Xin, what is the meaning of this menagerie?” the elder demanded, his gaze settling upon the saffron-clad warriors.

The wounded warrior stepped forward, offering a respectful account of their journey, finally confessing the escape of the Venom Monarch.

The elder’s face darkened, and he exchanged a worried look with his companion. “If these Venom Beasts were untamed, it would be one thing, but this Venom Monarch has an owner… someone powerful to be sure. It would not be wise to anger them,” he said.

“Venom Beasts are worth a fortune in the Azure Sea! These beasts are often found in swarms of thousands, that are nearly impossible to capture. Even sixth level sects must spend greatly to try, these nineteen beasts are a large sum for us!”

A shared look passed between the elders, a silent understanding of greed and resolve.

“With the Azure Light Array, these Alliance fools will not be able to penetrate! Even a shattered nirvana martial, would not be able to get through the 8th ranked spell, which was given to us by the Tianmen sect. We can hold them off as we escape back to the Azure Sea! And then we will turn the tides on them,” said the Elder.

“Activate the array’s defenses!” The elders bellowed their command.

The three young warriors now were filled with joy, knowing they will get to return to the sect, safe and sound with the help of the elders.

“Ha, I would like to see whoever owned those beasts to try and go through this formation to see us take them back home.” The wounded warrior mocked, with a smug look.

At that moment, the warrior’s owner was raising his right hand from the head of one of his own, his eyes filled with a chilly demeanor. Those familiar would know that he was filled with anger.

Wang Lin had his own principles, do no wrong and be left alone! And that was that he should never have involved himself with the Totem! That he should never be set free! He could never let the Totem off his hands. And these warriors, that have never seen any of his abilities had hurt one of his own and he needed to seek some form of action.

He tightened his right hand and looked up to the sky. He was about to be a cleansed nirvana, for he felt the tribulations in him, waiting to be released.

He was in the Vermillion bird sect, and if his tribulations went off, then it would create unimaginable harm to the sect!

If it was any other case, Wang Lin would not know how to control when tribulations came, but he had learned from the Vermillion bird sect with the 9th Xuan spell.

So in order to reach the nirvana he had used the ninth Xuan seal so he can seal his abilities from his nirvana tribulations.

Wang Lin knew that if he wanted to go forth, it would activate his nirvana, and he could not delay it any longer.

Originally he wanted to be a part of the Vermillion bird sect in the Eastern Alliance, for he was looking for a quiet place for his tribulations. But the capture of his pets changed his mind.

With a wave of his right hand, he placed the injured insect back into the spatial tear, he followed the other insects and walked forward.

He instantly stepped forward and vanished from sight.

Contract the lands into inches!

In the eastern side of the Alliance Star Domain, chaos appeared, a vortex over one hundred meters in diameter! Waves scattered around in a pond!

The vortex cleared to the view of Wang Lin, with a chilly and evil look in his eyes.

The area was quiet as Wang Lin looked around him, and he could see where the insects and the warriors had fought. Killing intent grew within him and started walking forward!

He vanished in front of him.

The booming in the sky was the result of Wang Lin going to fast. It was as snow as he went forward and reached his hand out to see that the insects had healed somewhat after eating his pills. The beast released a chilling hmmm! To show Wang Lin that he did not like this!

The Beast was filled with rage, for it had been captured. Wang Lin took a few steps forward with volcanoes spawning all around him!