Swallowed Star: Lord of the Wolf

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a suffocating, dull sound as if space itself was being crushed.

That enormous, ferocious mechanical phoenix, imbued with the power of three eternal true gods and countless minions, was as fragile as a cheap iron bird held in the palm of a giant in front of the white jade hand that flowed with chaotic energy and dark gold patterns.

Click... snap...

The piercing metallic groan lasted only a fraction of a second before being replaced by a more complete annihilation.

Crimson feathers, icy runes, hard alloy bones... all the materials that made up that mechanical creation, along with the three horrified figures on its back, were instantly decomposed, vaporized, and turned into the most primitive particles of dust under the raging chaotic airflow.

Without even a scream, the powerful force of the Black Feather Tribe chasing Jiu Wuye vanished completely above the swamp, as if it had never existed.

Only the terrifying aftershocks of the giant hand closing, like the collapse of a black hole, vibrated the muddy water of the boundless swamp below, stirring up silent, towering waves.

The giant hand dispersed.

An ancient-style flying boat, shrouded in misty clouds, emerged leisurely from the depths of the fog-shrouded swamp, as if a scroll had been torn open, and hovered in front of Jiu Wuye, who was stiff as if frozen in amber.

At the bow of the flying boat, a figure in black robes stood with his hands behind his back; it was Xu Yang.

His eyes were calm, as if he had just casually brushed away a speck of dust. His gaze fell on Jiu Wuye with a scrutinizing look.

The crazed smile on Jiu Wuye's face froze completely.

One second ago, he was burning his life force, preparing to perish together with the half-bucket of Starry Sky Jade Liquid containing deadly poison on his back, using the most dazzling explosion as the end of his million-epoch revenge journey.

The next second, the catastrophe that could have torn him to pieces a thousand times was just... gone?
It was easily and completely wiped out by a giant hand that suddenly appeared, as if from an ancient myth.

The overwhelming visual impact and the joy of surviving left his mind blank, and even the excruciating pain from his severe injuries seemed to temporarily disappear.

He looked at the figure on the airship, feeling the immeasurable aura emanating from the other person, like a chaotic abyss. A deeper and more primal fear than when he was being pursued by the Black Feather Tribe, like a cold tide, instantly overwhelmed the joy and relief of his recent successful revenge.

The immense emptiness that followed the ecstasy was replaced by a purer survival instinct.

He... doesn't want to die!
At the very least, I don't want to die right after fulfilling my life's dream!

If one can live, who would want to die?

Xu Yang's gaze swept over the huge brewing barrel on his back, which emitted a faint starlight, then over the delicate pastry patterns on his tattered brocade robe, and finally settled on his eyes, which were a mixture of endless exhaustion, lingering madness, and the intense fear and will to survive that were surging within him.

It's like watching a kaleidoscope of human experiences.

"A winemaker? A pastry chef?" Xu Yang's voice was calm, yet it carried a strange penetrating power, clearly resonating deep within Jiu Wuye's soul. "To be able to achieve eternal true godhood through this path, one is indeed a talent."

Jiu Wuye's throat bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but he found that he couldn't even utter a sound.

The opponent's aura was too vast; just a glance from him made his heavily injured body feel as if it were carrying the weight of stars, almost causing it to collapse.

"However," Xu Yang changed the subject, his tone not harsher, but it sent a chill down Jiu Wuye's spine, "enduring for a million years, born for revenge, the depth of your mind and the ruthlessness of your methods are astounding. With your blood feud avenged, your will to die is set, yet you are unexpectedly saved... At this moment, besides fear and the will to survive, I'm afraid there is also resentment and bitterness in your heart, right?"

Jiu Wuye's pupils suddenly contracted.

The other party's words were like a sharp sword, cutting through the chaotic thoughts deep within his heart that he himself had not yet fully sorted out.

The dark schemes of the Million Eras had already twisted his original nature into a poisoned dagger.

Revenge was the only belief that kept him alive. Now that his belief has been fulfilled, the support has collapsed, leaving only a twisted emptiness and a deep wariness of the world.

The moment I was rescued, it was indeed the instinct to survive, but what followed was resentment at fate mocking me again, and a strong sense of unwillingness to be unable to control my own destiny against this ridiculously powerful being in front of me!
He longed for life, but feared fate even more, feared falling into another unknown abyss!

This contradiction almost tore his true God's heart apart.

Xu Yang has climbed his way up from an ordinary being to his current level. Compared to these 'greenhouse flowers' who become true gods upon adulthood, how much richer is his experience?!
Therefore, he saw through Jiu Wuye's inner struggle and confusion at a glance.

He admired the man's craftsmanship; his brewing and pastry skills, honed over millions of years, were unparalleled and a rare treat for him.

But having such an eternal true god, whose mind has long been twisted by revenge, who is as deep as an abyss, and who has just completed the poisoning of his enemy, by your side is tantamount to a bomb that could explode at any moment.

Fine wine and delicacies are tempting, but life is more important.

"I'm taking action for two reasons: first, it's fate that brings me here, and second, it's because of your skills in brewing wine and making cakes." Xu Yang's voice remained calm, yet carried a coldness that seemed to decide his fate. "I'll give you two choices."

He slowly raised a finger, a wisp of chaotic energy swirling around its tip: "First, give up resistance, release your true god's heart, and let me plant a mark on your soul. From then on, your body and mind will be my followers. Your skills will be at my disposal."

"Secondly..." The wisp of chaotic energy at Xu Yang's fingertip suddenly dissipated, but the invisible killing intent was even more condensed than when he crushed the mechanical phoenix earlier, like a cold blade pressed against Jiu Wuye's brow. "I will send you down to reunite with your enemy leader. He will surely 'like' this half-bucket of Starry Sky Jade Liquid soaked in your 'Soul-Devouring Dove'."

choose?

This is not a choice at all!

It is a way to survive, but it is a way to live as a slave, a way to completely lose oneself.

It is a dead end, a dead end where both body and soul are destroyed.

Jiu Wuye's body began to tremble violently and uncontrollably.

Looking into Xu Yang's calm, seemingly undisturbed eyes, which appeared to contain the destruction and rebirth of an endless galaxy, the last trace of unwilling struggle in his heart was extinguished in an instant, like a candle flickering in the wind.

His years of patient revenge had long since exhausted all meaning in his life.

The hatred that had sustained him had vanished, leaving only boundless exhaustion and uncertainty about the future.

If there's anything I still can't let go of...

He instinctively hugged the cold brewing barrel.

This contains not only his tools for revenge, but also the "Dao" he has condensed over millions of years! It is the blood-red, yet dazzlingly brilliant flower of his Zhe Clan brewing heritage blooming in his hands!
die?
He had just tasted the ultimate pleasure of revenge, just felt a sliver of emptiness after vengeance... when the cold shadow of death loomed over him again, and the fear stemming from the most primal instinct of life was so intense.

To be a slave? This being is so powerful that he regards the Eternal True God as an ant... to follow him... perhaps... perhaps I can continue to study my own path?
Perhaps... that could be an option?

The resentment and unwillingness in my heart were like boiling magma, almost overwhelming my reason.

But in the end, the instinct for survival and the deep-seated attachment to his own brewing and pastry-making tradition overcame everything.

“I…” Jiu Wuye opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and dry like sandpaper, “I… choose… to live…”

He slowly closed his eyes, and a tear mixed with blood slid down from the corner of his eye, which was then quickly evaporated by divine power.

He completely abandoned all defenses against the Heart of the True God. The core, which carried his eternal Godhood and embodied all his soul and will, was exposed to Xu Yang's will without reservation, like a fruit with all its shells peeled away.

They willingly surrendered, merely to survive.

Xu Yang remained expressionless; he was not surprised by Jiu Wuye's choice.

A touch of dark gold light condensed into an extremely complex mark, flowing with a chaotic aura, and went straight into Jiu Wuye's brow, imprinting itself on the deepest part of his true god's heart.

In an instant, Jiu Wuye's body trembled violently, and a strange light appeared in his eyes, a look of absolute submission and awe to Xu Yang that originated from the very essence of his soul.

"Master." He lowered his head, his voice filled with pure respect.

Xu Yang nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his lips. Although his actions seemed somewhat villainous, the real world isn't simply black and white. Among the powerful figures chasing Jiu Wuye, and Jiu Wuye himself, who could truly be a pure lotus rising from the mud?
Strength is the foundation, and strength is the key to having a voice!

If his current divine body weren't comparable to that of a Chaos Ruler, Xu Yang wouldn't have gotten involved in this matter when he first arrived on the Origin Continent.

The flying boat crushed the thin mist above the swamp, like a sharp blade slicing through silk, and sped toward the frontier.

Xu Yang lay on his back at the bow, his black robe fluttering in the strong winds whipped up by the high speed of the ship.

Beside him, Jiu Wuye stood respectfully with his hands at his sides.

"Tell me about the Black Feather Tribe, and about your million-epoch history."

Jiu Wuye's body trembled almost imperceptibly. The soul imprint prevented him from having any thoughts of resistance or concealment. The past unfolded in his soul like a cold scroll.

"Yes, Master. The Black Feather Tribe, inhabiting the Dark Feather Domain, is renowned for its bird-raising and control, and is the largest tribe in the region. The tribe has a strict hierarchy, and its leader, Black Feather Lie, is a peak Eternal True God..."

Xu Yang listened quietly, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the flying boat, showing little reaction to these deep-seated blood feuds.

Upon learning that the Black Feather Tribe didn't have any significant background, his interest waned. He was more interested in Jiu Wuye's craftsmanship.

“Since you’re the chief, you must have something you’re good at,” Xu Yang said with interest.

"Yes." Jiu Wuye responded immediately, quickly taking out several items.

The crystal-clear jade box, once opened, revealed several small and exquisite pastries, seemingly formed from solidified light, emitting a cool and delicate fragrance. Upon closer inspection, tiny star-like vortices appeared to slowly rotate inside the pastries.

"This is 'Stardust Truffle Pastry,' made primarily from the Chaos Fruit Tree cultivated on the edge of the Chaos Ruins, supplemented with seven kinds of rare fruit preserves containing different starlight powers, and refined through nine cycles of processing. It melts in your mouth, transforming into pure starlight to nourish your divine body, cleansing impurities in your divine power and aiding in communication with the laws," Jiu Wuye explained, his tone regaining the focus and pride of a craftsman.

Xu Yang picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.

The pastries melted instantly, transforming into a cool, pure stream that instantly soothed the body. The divine body felt as if it were immersed in clear spring water, every particle of divine power emitting a soothing hum, and the slight fatigue from the long journey vanished completely.

Even more remarkably, it invigorated everyone's spirits.

"Very good." Xu Yang's eyes lit up, and he nodded in praise. The fact that it could work on his current divine body meant it was already of very high quality.

Immediately afterwards, Jiu Wuye presented a palm-sized crystal bottle filled with a semi-transparent liquid that changed color constantly, sometimes as dazzling as the aurora borealis, sometimes as deep blue as the ocean, with a dreamlike mist rising from the bottle's mouth.

"This is the 'Aurora Elixir,' which requires capturing the most brilliant moment of the sunset at the turn of day and night, using a special secret method to extract a wisp of 'light essence,' and then blending it with the essence of a cold spring. It must be sealed for a decade to obtain this pot. Drinking it can temporarily enhance the clarity of one's soul." He carefully poured out a cup and respectfully offered it to the user.

Xu Yang took the glass, and the liquid inside seemed to flow with a halo as if it were alive.

Taking a light sip, an indescribable coolness rushes into the mind, not stimulating, but rather an ultimate clarity.

"A divine delicacy!" Xu Yang put down his cup and looked at what was left in the pot. Even though he wasn't a big drinker, he wanted to drink it all in one go.

Jiu Wuye noticed Xu Yang's gaze and thought he wanted something even better: "Master, you are wise. The Starry Sky Jade Liquid that was in the barrel earlier is of the purest and cleanest nature. It is a supreme brew that can cleanse the mind and clarify one's thoughts."

He raised his head, a rare glint of almost pious reverence in his eyes, typical of a master brewer: "As for 'Soul-Devouring Dove,' this poison is colorless and odorless, its nature extremely yin and obscure. It doesn't act on the divine body, but rather slowly erodes the heart of a true god, like a maggot clinging to a bone. Both of these are of the highest quality when consumed. Starry Sky Jade Liquid cleanses the Dao heart, and Soul-Devouring Dove, under certain circumstances, can even help temper the resilience of the mind..."

Immediately afterward, Jiu Wuye's voice continued, filled with hatred and smugness: "But if one first drinks 'Firefly Intoxication' for a long period—a secret of my Zhe clan, and the reason why Hei Yulie forcibly seized it back then—and then drinks 'Starry Sky Jade Liquid' mixed with 'Soul-Devouring Dove'... the three meeting is like pouring cold spring water onto burning kerosene, instantly igniting it! The fiery nature of Firefly Intoxication will completely activate the insidious poison of Soul-Devouring Dove, while the pure power of Starry Sky Jade Liquid will become the perfect catalyst and cover-up... the combined power of the three is enough to defile and disintegrate everything of the Eternal True God in an instant! Hei Yulie... he drank my concocted Firefly Intoxication for millions of epochs, an incurable 'deadly poison' within the Eternal True God's realm!"

His tone was resolute, carrying an absolute confidence forged in the crucible of blood and fire.

Xu Yang looked at the wine barrel, a knowing glint in his eyes.

No wonder he could poison a peak Eternal True God; it turns out it was a plan spanning millions of epochs, using wine as a weapon, advancing layer by layer, culminating in a single, decisive blow. This level of cunning, this mastery of the art of wine and poison, is truly unparalleled.

"You seem quite confident in your skills."

"I wouldn't dare." Jiu Wuye immediately suppressed the strange light within him, resuming his submissive demeanor. "However... this wine recipe is indeed the culmination of my painstaking efforts. The brewing process itself is also the pinnacle of winemaking in the Eternal True God Realm. If it weren't for the long prelude of the Flowing Firefly Intoxication, just considering the fusion of Starry Sky Jade Liquid and Soul-Devouring Jiu, its taste..."

He hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words, "Its taste is absolutely exquisite. It's not poisonous, but a true 'intoxicating' wine!"

"Oh?" Xu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes!” Jiu Wuye affirmed. “Any Eternal True God who drinks this will fall into the deepest state of ‘drunkenness,’ with their mind and spirit clear and pure as if washed clean. Past obstacles in cultivation and confusions about the laws will often be suddenly resolved at this moment. This is an unparalleled treasure for cleansing the Dao heart and aiding in enlightenment! However… if there are traces of the Firefly Intoxication in the body, this ‘drunkenness’ will instantly turn into a deadly poison in the extreme clarity!”

His eyes shone with that almost obsessive craftsman's brilliance once again: "I am confident that the wine brewed by this master, even without the 'Firefly Intoxication' ingredient, is the best in the Eternal True God Realm in terms of taste and efficacy!"

Xu Yang remained silent for a moment. The number one Drunken Dao Wine in the Eternal True God Realm? This self-evaluation was undeniably high.

"Give me some to try!" Xu Yang said. (End of Chapter)