Deep Sea Starship Apocalypse

The soft, golden light within the Inheritance Hall flowed gently like melting snow in spring, slowly illuminating every inch of the space. The celestial map engraved on the dome, with its myriad twinkling stars, echoed the winding five-clawed dragon imperial pattern on the ground, completely isolating the outside world from the biting cold of the blizzard and the malevolent aura of the withered mountain corpse. The hall was filled with the refreshing scent of Qingxiao Spiritual Dew, the mellow aroma of Wanshu Solidifying Ointment, and the subtle fragrance of Chenhuang Soul-Protecting Liquid, cleansing the lingering evil within Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue, nourishing their crumbling souls and depleted sacred bodies. The towering, thousand-foot-high hall stood majestic and solemn, the air filled with the tranquil aura of ancient heritage, like a secluded imperial sanctuary, soothing the two from the near-death experience they had just endured.

Yu Moyan was the first to open her eyes.

His long eyelashes trembled slightly, and his eyes, which had been bloodshot and dull, had regained their former depth and sharpness. A glimmer of golden light flashed in his eyes, carrying the clarity and majesty of his restored divine body. He slowly propped himself up, his movements gentle, as if afraid of aggravating his still-unstable injuries. When he looked down at his body, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

The wounds, previously blackened and festering from the corrosive venom, had long since scabbed over and fallen away, revealing newly grown skin with a faint, lustrous sheen, delicate yet resilient, radiating the powerful self-healing ability of the Imperial Body. The severed meridians, nourished by the Myriad Pivot Essence-Nourishing Ointment, had been completely reconnected and unblocked. The depleted star energy flowed slowly within the meridians. Although not yet back to its peak state, it was no longer the wretched figure it had been, on the verge of death. The once tattered Imperial Dragon Scale Armor, still draped in tatters on its shoulders, was covered in spiderweb-like cracks, with many plates broken off entirely. Its former radiant imperial brilliance had long since faded, resembling abandoned scrap metal, devoid of any trace of its former treasured aura.

Jiang Duyue, who was beside her, also slowly woke up at almost the same time.

Dark silver star-like patterns faintly glowed on his body, like marks drawn by stardust—a sign of the restoration of the Origin of the Celestial Corpse Body. His previously rotten and blackened left arm had fully recovered, the skin firm and smooth, exuding the cold hardness of cosmic remains, indistinguishable from its intact state. The dented and cracked Celestial Corpse Armor still clung to his body, the cracks on the surface so deep that bone was visible, just like Yu Moyan's dragon scale armor, revealing the disheveled state and ruin after the great battle.

Jiang Duyue slowly sat up, a hint of relief at surviving a disaster flashing in his deep, starry eyes, which was then replaced by a heavy sense of solemnity. His voice was hoarse, weak from just waking up, but unusually clear: "Moyan, we... are still alive."

Yu Moyan nodded slightly, propped himself up to stand, and stretched his stiff muscles and bones. His bones made a slight cracking sound, but he felt no pain. The strength of his Holy Body was on full display at this moment. He looked at Jiang Duyue, his eyes filled with the same emotion: "We were lucky to escape with our lives, but it's a pity that those two sets of Emperor-level battle armor were so badly damaged by us."

As soon as the words were spoken, two ethereal white intelligent life forms slowly drifted out from the depths of the hall. They were surrounded by mysterious pale golden runes, their forms illusory yet their demeanor noble, their voices gentle yet solemn, like ancient temple guardian deities: "The vital signs of the two hosts have been detected to be stable, and the sacred body and divine soul have been basically repaired. Congratulations on successfully escaping danger."

Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue quickly turned around, bowed slightly to the two intelligent life forms, and said with sincere gratitude, "Thank you both for saving us. If it weren't for the treasures of the Inheritance Hall and the protection of everyone, we would have already perished under the pressure of the Corpse Lord of the Dry Mountain. We can never repay your kindness."

"Protecting the inheritor is our mission, no need for thanks." The intelligent life form on the left spoke slowly, a gentle light flashing in its runic eyes. "The Clear Sky Dew and Myriad Pivot Essence-Strengthening Ointment stored in the Inheritance Hall are all Emperor-level healing treasures personally selected by Emperor Lingyao. Their medicinal effects far surpass ordinary rare and precious materials. If it weren't for this, given your injuries at the time, where you were burdened with Soul-Eating Evil Power and your sacred bodies were almost completely depleted, even with the protection of your sacred bodies, it would have been difficult to save you."

"Your injuries are now under control. You only need to rest for three more days to fully recover to your peak condition, with your star essence abundant and your sacred body's origin returning to perfection," the intelligent life form on the right added, its gaze sweeping over the two with a hint of relief.

Yu Moyan nodded, his gaze involuntarily falling on the tattered Imperial Dragon Scale Armor he wore. His fingertips gently traced the hideous cracks on the armor's surface, his heart filled with regret and heartache. This armor was a divine artifact of the Imperial Rank left behind by Emperor Lingyao, sharing the same origin as his Imperial Sacred Body. When it first appeared in the world, its vast imperial might shook the four directions, impervious to all evil. But now it was shattered to pieces, its imperial markings dimmed, no longer possessing any of its former glory.

"It's just a pity about this Emperor's Armor." Yu Moyan sighed softly, raised his hand, and slowly removed the tattered dragon scale armor from his body, which floated in mid-air. The golden armor swayed gently in the soft light. The armor plates were incomplete and covered with cracks. The original engravings of the celestial constellations and the True Dragon Emperor's patterns had become blurred and dim, like a treasure covered in dust, having lost its due luster.

Seeing this, Jiang Duyue also raised her hand and removed her tattered Celestial Remains Armor. The dark silver armor and the dragon scale armor floated side by side, their surfaces cracked as deep as ravines, with many plates broken and fallen off, exuding the cold aura of the origin of cosmic stellar remains, yet also showing signs of utter ruin. The two pieces of Emperor-level divine armor were now like ordinary scrap metal, a sight that evoked sighs of pity.

Just as the two tattered suits of armor hovered in the center of the hall, emitting a faint and dim aura, a clear yet intensely angry and reprimanding childish voice suddenly rang out from the depths of the inheritance hall, breaking the peace and tranquility within.

"What a terrible waste! A precious treasure! Utterly foolish!"

As the voice faded, a palm-sized, illusory intelligent life form swiftly floated before the two tattered suits of armor. Its entire body was enveloped in iridescent light, its form resembling a delicately carved child, yet it exuded an undeniable majesty and nobility. It was none other than the core intelligent entity that held sway over all the treasures and inheritances of the Inheritance Hall—the Young Master.

The little master's small body trembled slightly with anger, seven-colored runes flashing and leaping around it. Filled with heartache and fury, it turned to glare at Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue, sternly rebuking them: "Do you know what kind of treasures these two sets of armor are? The Emperor's Dragon Scale Armor was forged by Emperor Lingyao using his own Emperor's Sacred Body origin, billions of star dragon scales, and the profound mysteries of the Zhou Tian Star Chart. It is naturally compatible with the Emperor's Sacred Body, capable of suppressing fortune, warding off evil spirits, and protecting the soul; the Celestial Star Remains Armor was also forged by the Emperor using the core of cosmic star remains, black hole refined iron, and the power of the universe's origin. It shares the same origin as the Celestial Star Remains Sacred Body, capable of resisting all laws, breaking through the void, and protecting the physical body!"

Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue were both stunned, their faces showing astonishment. They had never imagined that these two seemingly ruined Emperor-level battle armors would have such a profound origin and mystery. For a moment, they didn't know how to respond to this sudden rebuke.

"As hosts of the Sacred Body, possessing the unparalleled Imperial Sacred Body and the Celestial Star Remains Sacred Body, you should be the pride of all realms. But what have you done?" The young master grew increasingly angry, her tiny fingers pointing at the two tattered suits of armor. Multicolored light continuously burst from her fingertips, landing on the armor, only causing a weak tremor. "Such supreme treasures, placed before you, and you don't even know the most basic method of recognizing a supreme treasure as its master! You've utterly destroyed two sets of Emperor-grade divine armor, reducing them to scrap metal. This is utterly a desecration of the Lingyao Emperor's legacy, a waste of the Sacred Body's essence!"

Yu Moyan looked ashamed, lowered his head slightly, and felt guilty and remorseful. He had never truly investigated the method of the armor recognizing its master, only considering it an accessory inherited from his lineage that could be used directly, unaware of its profound mysteries. Jiang Duyue, standing beside him, also had a solemn expression and said in a deep voice, "It was indeed our negligence that led to this defeat. We failed to understand the armor's essence and how to use it. Please forgive us, Young Master."

"Forgive me?" The young mistress snorted, her small brows furrowing with a hint of reproach. "Can forgiveness restore the shattered armor? Can forgiveness make up for the missed opportunity to save your lives?"

It turned to look at the two tattered suits of armor, a seven-colored light slowly enveloping them. Its fingertips gently touched the cracks in the armor, a hint of heartache flashing in its eyes: "The Imperial Dragon Scale Armor and the Celestial Star Remains Armor are deeply bound to your sacred bodies. You only need to nurture them with your own sacred star essence, activating the imperial runes and essence within the armor, allowing the armor to completely recognize its masters, connecting with your souls and bloodlines, and then you can awaken the armor's hidden power."

The young master paused, his tone softening, but with a hint of solemnity in his reminder: "Even though your injuries haven't healed and your star essence is depleted, preventing you from fully nurturing and recognizing your master, just activating one percent of your defensive power is far beyond what that peak fourth-tier Moon Clarity Realm level corpse master could easily destroy! If you had known this method back then, how could you have been blasted away by the corpse master's attack, nearly dying?"

"One percent..." Yu Moyan murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with extreme astonishment and regret.

He had never imagined that these two seemingly broken suits of armor possessed such incredible potential. One percent of their defensive power might sound insignificant, but for a peak fourth-tier Moonlit Realm cultivator, that one percent might be enough to withstand a fatal blow, preventing them from ending up in such a wretched state. If he had known the method of recognizing a master back then, perhaps Jiang Duyue wouldn't have been ripped open by the tentacles with a wound so deep it exposed bone, and he himself wouldn't have suffered broken meridians and depleted star essence.

"You possess supreme treasures, yet you're like ordinary mortals wielding peerless divine weapons, unsure how to use them. You merely brandish them, failing to nurture or cultivate them, ultimately allowing the weapons to become dusty or even destroyed—a utter waste!" The young master spoke again, her tone filled with disappointment and frustration. "The Inheritance Hall holds countless treasures and secret techniques, yet you refuse to learn the fundamental method of armor recognizing its master, insisting on venturing into those dangerous and unknown things. You're simply courting death!"

Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue exchanged a glance, both seeing deep self-reproach and realization in each other's eyes. Yu Moyan took a deep breath, cupped his hands to his young mistress again, and said sincerely, "It was our ignorance and lack of understanding of the mysteries of the armor and its inheritance that led us to make such a grave mistake. Please, young mistress, guide us on how to restore the damaged armor to its power and even make it recognize and resonate with its master."

Jiang Duyue quickly echoed, "Please enlighten us, Your Highness. We will remember this and never make the same mistake again."

Seeing their sincere attitude, the young master's anger subsided slightly. Her small body floated between the two suits of armor, and a seven-colored light slowly gathered in her palm: "Very well, since you both know you've made a mistake, I'll give you some pointers. However, don't even think about the clone technique; you must never touch it!"

Just as the young mistress finished speaking, a soft, sweet, and slightly aggrieved voice suddenly rang in Yu Moyan's mind. The voice sounded like a little girl who had just been wronged, complaining angrily, which instantly attracted Yu Moyan's attention.

"Waaaah—Yu Moyan! You still remember I'm part of the system!"

Yu Moyan froze, then silently spoke in his mind, with a hint of surprise and apology: "System? Why did you suddenly speak? I thought you were still dormant in your sea of ​​consciousness."

"Of course I've been dormant in your sea of ​​consciousness!" The system's loli voice, thick with nasal tones, began to grumble incessantly, its soft, sweet voice full of grievance and dissatisfaction. "From the moment you entered the Land of the End, slayed the Ancient Corrupted Beast, encountered the Lord of the Withered Mountain Corpse, and barely escaped with your life to reach the Inheritance Hall, from beginning to end, you never thought of me! You never said a word to me, never asked me a single question!"

"I thought you'd long forgotten about me, this system! You thought that with the Inheritance Hall, these intelligent life forms, and your friend Jiang Duyue, you wouldn't need me anymore!" The system's voice grew increasingly aggrieved, tinged with a sob. "I've been stuck in your consciousness for so long, watching you get beaten by monsters, watching your armor get destroyed, watching you almost die! I was so worried I almost cried! And you didn't even say a word of concern! That's too much!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Moyan felt a surge of guilt and heartache. He quickly and softly coaxed her in his mind, his tone extremely gentle: "Good system, good system, it's my fault, I was negligent. The situation has been too dangerous lately, with battles, escapes, and dealing with that terrifying corpse master. I simply couldn't keep up with communicating with you. I really didn't mean to forget you."

"It's on purpose! You've found a new partner and now you don't want me anymore!" the system grumbled, still fuming. "And there's the Star Crown debt from before! You owe me a whole million Star Crowns to exchange for the Emperor's World-Suppressing Technique. I finally gave you an extension, and you only paid back 1,500 Star Crowns before turning your back on me. You even forgot to sign in! Now you can barely remember my name. You're such an irresponsible host!"

"I watch over you in my mind's eye every day, worrying about you and missing you, but you ignore me completely, sob sob sob..."

The system's complaints exploded in Yu Moyan's mind like a machine gun. The soft, sweet loli voice was full of grievances, leaving Yu Moyan at a loss. He could only apologize repeatedly and patiently coax her.

"No, no, absolutely not. In my heart, System, you are the most important, no one can compare. The Emperor Chenhuang's World-Suppressing Technique is the key to improving my strength, which is why I had to incur the Star Crown debt. I've always remembered the Star Crown I owe you, but I haven't had time to repay it yet." Yu Moyan explained softly, "Don't be angry, okay? It's my fault. I shouldn't have forgotten to communicate with you, and I shouldn't have ignored your feelings. I apologize to you, I make amends to you, please don't feel wronged."

Yu Moyan patiently coaxed the system in her mind for several breaths before it gradually calmed down. Its soft, sweet voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance, snorted, "Hmph, that's more like it! Since your attitude was somewhat sincere, I'll forgive you this time! However, if you dare forget me again, I'll never talk to you again! I'll tell your enemies about your star element's trajectory, and you'll be beaten to death by monsters!"

"Okay, okay, I promise I won't do it again. I'll always remember the system and communicate with you every day. I'll never neglect you." Yu Moyan quickly promised, feeling relieved. Then, remembering the important matter, she spoke in her mind, "System, today's check-in. Please help me complete the check-in and claim the reward."

"Hmph, just sign in! Not proactive at all!" The system's voice carried a hint of arrogance, followed by a crisp notification sound: "Sign-in successful today! Congratulations, host, you have received a reward of 5,000 Star Crowns! This will automatically offset your previous Star Crown debt. Current outstanding balance: 985,000 Star Crowns!"

Yu Mo said: "..."

Upon hearing the number "985,000 Star Crowns," Yu Moyan was speechless for a moment, his lips twitching slightly, and his mind fell into a long silence.

He originally thought he could quickly pay off the debt of one million Star Crowns by signing in and slaying monsters, but now he was only paying off five thousand Star Crowns per sign-in. The debt of nine hundred and eighty-five thousand Star Crowns was simply an astronomical figure. At this rate, how long would it take him to pay it off? For a moment, Yu Moyan's heart was filled with helplessness and a bitter smile. He felt that the road ahead was long and the pressure was immense.

The intelligent lifeform and the young master beside him, seeing Yu Moyan suddenly fall silent and his expression shift, both looked puzzled. The intelligent lifeform on the left spoke with concern, its rune-filled eyes full of worry: "Host, are you still recovering from your injuries? Are you feeling unwell? Or is something on your mind?"

Yu Moyan snapped out of his reverie, shook his head, suppressed the system's muttered complaints in his mind, and looked at all the intelligent life forms present. His expression was solemn and serious as he spoke: "Everyone, after this battle, Du Yue and I have come to a deep understanding of our own inadequacy. In this perilous Land of the End, with our current cultivation and sacred bodies, it is difficult to gain a foothold, let alone explore the inheritance and resolve the crisis of the Land of the End."

"Therefore, I would like to ask you all if there is a secret technique for creating clones hidden in the Inheritance Hall? Du Yue and I wish to cultivate the secret technique for creating clones to train, explore, and fight, so that we can avoid risks, quickly improve our strength, and increase our chances of survival."

Upon hearing this, the Inheritance Hall fell into an instant silence.

All intelligent life forms, whether ancient guardians of the temple or young masters wielding the treasures, spoke simultaneously, unanimously rejecting the idea, their voices filled with determination and worry:

"No! Absolutely not! The clone technique is extremely dangerous; the host must never touch it!"

"The technique of creating clones is an evil art, absolutely not a righteous cultivation method. The practitioner must sever their soul and separate their origin. If they are not careful, their soul will shatter and their sacred body will be destroyed, ultimately leading to their death and the dissipation of their cultivation!"

"The Imperial Body and the Celestial Corpse Body are both rare Emperor-level bodies, their divine souls and origins highly fused and inseparable, impossible to sever. Forcibly cultivating the clone technique will only backfire and ruin one's future!"

One after another, intelligent life forms stepped forward and surrounded Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue, offering their advice in anxious and sincere tones, full of worry.

"Host, you possess the Holy Body of the Emperor, your soul is pure and powerful, and it is fused with the essence of the Holy Body. If you forcibly sever your soul to cultivate an avatar, it will only lead to the chaos of your soul, the dissipation of your essence, and ultimately the shattering of your Holy Body, resulting in your death and the annihilation of your Dao! This is not an exaggeration, but a taboo clearly recorded in the ancient inheritance!"

"Jiang Duyue's host, the Celestial Corpse Sacred Body, originates from the essence of cosmic stellar remains. It is a single body with a single soul, and the essence of stellar remains is closely connected to the divine soul. The clone technique is nothing short of a death warrant for you! Cultivating clones will only cause your essence of stellar remains to be lost, your sacred body to degenerate, and you will ultimately become a cripple!"

"The Inheritance Hall contains countless ancient secret techniques and cultivation methods, covering many aspects such as combat, body tempering, alchemy, and weapon crafting, but there is not a single secret technique for creating clones! Emperor Lingyao once issued a prohibition that the host of the Sacred Body must never cultivate the secret technique for creating clones, otherwise they will be punished by heaven. This is the Emperor's protection for future hosts of the Sacred Body!"

"In the End Land, evil spirits run rampant, and the void is in chaos. My clones are extremely vulnerable to being corrupted by evil spirits."