Deep Sea Starship Apocalypse

The rain, fine as silk, weaves densely and obliquely across the ruined walls of the city. The leaden sunlight filters through the thin mist, breaking into a soft, light gray that covers the mottled bricks and stones, making the damp marks left by last night's cold rain even more gentle.

Inside, the embers of the campfire glowed a warm red, sparks flickering gently in the gaps between the firewood, mingling with the mist seeping in from outside. It was damp but not cold, as refreshing as spring water that had flowed through a mountain stream. The stench of decay in the air had long been washed away by the rain and mist, leaving only the faint scent of earth mixed with the warmth of the charcoal fire, enveloping one's entire body with a sense of heaviness. Yu Moyan leaned against the corner of the wall, his fingertips lightly twirling a fallen leaf that had drifted in through the window. He listened to the tinkling of raindrops hitting the bricks outside, like the gentle chimes of wind chimes on the eaves. His nerves, which had been taut for days, finally relaxed into a soft, yielding mass.

Jiang Duyue lay beside him, his breathing long and even, his brows relaxed, the wrinkles from the battle gone. The boy's cheeks glowed with a faint color in the dim light, no longer the paper-pale white, even the corners of his mouth in his sleep were slightly pursed in peace. Yu Moyan looked down at him, the coldness in his eyes replaced by tenderness. His fingertips gently brushed the stray hairs damp on the boy's forehead. The rain outside the window continued to fall, the cool breeze stirring the thin curtains in the room; everything felt so comforting, almost unreal.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Duyue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

He paused, still somewhat dazed from light sleep, then sat bolt upright, looking around, his voice hoarse from just waking up: "Brother Yu, where are we now? How did I get here?"

Yu Moyan leaned against the wall to stand up, walked to his side, patted his shoulder, and said gently, "Du Yue, we're in a temporarily safe house. You overexerted your star energy yesterday, and with the high stress these past few days, you fainted. It's alright."

Jiang Duyue looked down at his palm, still feeling the warmth of the flowing star energy at his fingertips. He looked up at Yu Moyan, his eyes filled with doubt and a hint of urgency: "Brother Yu, what about the star core of the bone dragon we killed yesterday? Why haven't you used it to improve your strength yet?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Moyan's lips twitched, and he scratched his head, laughing awkwardly, "Haha, can I say I forgot?"

The air fell silent instantly, and Yu Moyan's fingertips twitched slightly, a little uncomfortably. Jiang Duyue merely glanced at him, then shook her head, took out the shimmering white star core from her bosom, and handed it to him, her voice earnest: "Brother Yu, you can use this star core first. I'm already at Tier 3, that's enough for me. Once your strength improves, you can take me hunting."

Yu Moyan's heart warmed instantly. He reached out and pressed the star core, then pushed it back, his eyes filled with emotion: "No, let's absorb it together. Although this is a fourth-tier star core of the Spirit Realm, it is far less valuable than our friendship."

Jiang Duyue's eyes instantly reddened. He pursed his lips, no longer insisting, and simply nodded gently, placing the star core between the two of them.

Yu Moyan sat down cross-legged first, a faint silver mist gradually rising around him. The star core slowly floated in his palm, star power flowing into his body like water, reshaping every inch of his bones and muscles. In less than an hour, half of the fourth-tier star core had dissipated, and the faint silver mist also faded somewhat. Yu Moyan's aura suddenly surged, and the shackles around him loosened with a roar, allowing him to directly break through to the half-step fourth tier of the Spirit Illumination Realm. He looked inward at his dantian, where the meteorite star core was slowly rotating. The cracks and pits on its surface had long since disappeared, becoming warm and full.

Then, Yu Moyan pushed the star core in front of Jiang Duyue. Jiang Duyue also sat down cross-legged and absorbed the star core completely in less than an hour. The pale silver star power around him suddenly surged, like a galaxy pouring out of the sky, surging wildly from his dantian to his limbs and bones.

In the next instant, heaven and earth seemed to respond to a call.

The drizzle outside the city suddenly froze, the raindrops condensing into ice crystals in mid-air, drawn by an invisible force and converging around the boy. The hazy morning mist was abruptly torn open, creating a gaping hole in the sky. Lead-gray clouds surged like raging waves, and a silver-blue streak of light ripped across the heavens, as if the sky had been cleaved by a sword. Starlight poured down, transforming into a magnificent waterfall of light that cascaded down between the ruined buildings. The entire desolate, ruined city was instantly illuminated as if it were daytime, even the moss on the broken walls shimmering with silver light.

The wind arises from nothingness.

What began as a barely perceptible tremor instantly transformed into a raging torrent sweeping across the heavens and earth. Invisible winds surged in from all directions, swirling wildly around Jiang Duyue, whipping up the crimson water on the ground, sweeping away the dust from the broken walls, and scattering the rain and mist that filled the sky, condensing around him into a towering, spiraling pillar of wind. On the outer layer of this pillar, starlight and wind intertwined like scales, layers of silver-blue light overlapping, each layer trailing a magnificent tail of light, like a dragon's tail or a phoenix spreading its wings. Countless wind blades, condensing into myriad starlight, roared and weaved through the pillar, cutting through the air and creating visible ripples in space—a breathtaking spectacle, so violent that even the bricks beneath their feet trembled slightly.

Jiang Duyue stood in the eye of the storm, his clothes fluttering wildly, his black hair whipping in the wind. Pale silver starlight surged from his body, merging with the cascading starlight above, condensing into a miniature galactic vortex above his head. The starlight flowed, silver light scattered, and specks of starlight swirled and danced like living things, landing on his shoulders to form star patterns, and covering his palms to condense into sharp edges. The wind amplified the starlight's power, and the starlight drew upon the wind's momentum; wind and starlight circulated throughout his body. With each circulation, the shackles of the third level of the Spirit Illumination Realm loosened a little, and his aura surged dramatically.

On the distant, broken walls, moss and bits of grass were gently lifted by the starlight and swayed in the rain of light, as if in silent worship. The clouds in the sky were dyed silver-blue by the starlight, and the raindrops were cut into silver threads by the wind blades, falling like snow falling from the heavens, like shattered jade in a sea of ​​stars. The entire city, which had become a hellish place, had shed some of its desolation and barrenness, and was illuminated by this extraordinary breakthrough, appearing dreamlike and magnificent, as if a divine realm had descended.

The wind howls, shaking the heavens; starlight illuminates the ruined city.

Jiang Duyue's aura surged, shattering the shackles of the third level of the Spiritual Illumination Realm. A fourth-level Star Power, far more powerful, condensed, and sharper than before, exploded from his dantian, sweeping across his entire body. A silver-blue phantom of a wind dragon rose into the air behind him, its head held high, howling at the moon, its scales and claws gleaming, resonating with the starry sky and playing a symphony with the wind and rain that filled the city.

A silvery-blue light shot into the sky, piercing the clouds, as if to tear apart the gloom of this apocalypse.

However, just a few breaths later, a sudden change occurred.

From the distant, towering mountains, a deafening roar suddenly erupted, like the wrath of a god, like a thunderbolt crashing down, causing Yu Moyan and Jiang Duyue's eardrums to ache, and even the strange star-like phenomena before them to tremble slightly. Immediately afterward, a gale arose, and the previously gentle rain suddenly turned into a violent, whip-like lash. Large raindrops pounded against the broken walls, creating a deafening crackling sound. The air between heaven and earth suddenly became thick and suffocating, even breathing carried a putrid stench.

That was not the wrath of the gods, but the fury of an extremely ugly monster.

Yu Moyan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately summoned the system, his voice cold and deep: "System, sign in."

The system's voice, tinged with a touch of smug excitement, rang in my mind: "Host, what's wrong? Missed me?"

Yu Moyan frowned, suppressing his irritation, and repeated, "System, didn't you hear what I said?"

The system's tone instantly turned awkward, and it stammered, "What? Host, I didn't hear you just now..."

"I said, system check-in." Yu Moyan's voice was cold and unquestionable.

"Congratulations, host! You have received 2,000 Star Crowns and a [Star River Moon - Shattered Sky] weapon for signing in!"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Yu Moyan's eyes as he pressed for an answer: "What is [Star River Shining Moon - Shattered Sky]?"

"Host, this knife has quite a background!" The system's tone instantly became solemn. "This knife is no ordinary weapon, nor is it a phantom formed from stellar power. It is the innate sacred weapon that comes with the 'Star River Divine God - Silver Starry Sky Sacred Body Technique' that you cultivate. It originates from the ancient star river source and was born with the Sacred Body."

"Legend has it that when the heavens were not in chaos and the starry sea was intact, a Silver Star God sat in the center of the Heavenly Ruins, in charge of purification and judgment, suppressing all evil and corruption with holy radiance. After the Star God fell, his original divine bones and the essence of his soul transformed into a wisp of immortal star river Daoist rhyme, drifting in the chaotic void for eternity. Until the end of the world came, Cang Yuanmi emerged, and the world returned to chaos, this wisp of Daoist rhyme followed its destiny and fell into the mortal world, merging with your soul and transforming into this supreme holy body cultivation technique."

"And this Shattering Sky Tang Blade is the prototype of the Dao Foundation that was transformed from the Star God's natal blade. The blade contains half of the Star Core Origin, the blade pattern is engraved with the judgment mantra of the ancient Star God, the moon-like luster is the last remaining divinity of the Star God, and the flowing starlight is the afterglow of the stars before they fell."

"Normally, it remains hidden deep within your dantian, its form unseen. Only during life-or-death battles, breakthroughs in cultivation, or when the power of the Sacred Body is activated, does it manifest with the power of the stars. This blade is naturally able to suppress all corruption, aberrations, corpse evil, and the power of Cangyuanmi. It shines brightly when it encounters evil, and burns fiercely when it encounters turbidity. The more filthy and terrifying the monster it faces, the more brilliant and holy its light becomes, possessing the three divine qualities of judgment, purification, and slaying calamity."

"The system once left a secret whisper deep within the check-in system: 'The day this sword is drawn will be the day the Star God returns to his place. Once you have repaid your debt to the Star Crown and reforged the Star Core, this sword will be fully awakened, shattering the Abyss and reopening the Milky Way.' It is not a weapon, but your other half of your soul, the divinity and dignity you were born with in this apocalyptic world."

Upon hearing this, Yu Moyan's eyes instantly ignited with a burning passion, all the oppression and irritation surrounding him vanished, replaced by boundless enthusiasm. He reached out and patted Jiang Duyue, who was still stunned in the pillar of wind, dazed by the strange phenomenon before her, and said in a loud voice, "Duyue, let's go, let's go hunt monsters!"

Jiang Duyue snapped out of her daze, her eyes flashing with excitement. She clenched her fist and said with the joy of having just broken through, "Okay, Brother Yu! I just broke through, so I'll test my current strength!"

The two leaped out of the window, large raindrops pelting down on them, instantly soaking their clothes. The icy touch clung to their skin through the fabric, but it couldn't extinguish the passion in their hearts. They headed towards the city center. The rain intensified, and the streets of the ruined city were flooded. Broken wood and shattered bones floated on the murky water, emitting a nauseating stench.

Several hours later, several monsters at the Spirit Realm level appeared in the broken alley ahead. The strongest was a third-tier Spirit Realm Bone-Rotting Demon, followed by three second-tier Bone-Eating Corpse Monsters and two first-tier Rotten Claw Corpses. These monsters were covered in blackened, rotting flesh, their skin festering and peeling away to reveal stark white bones. A murky star core was embedded in the Bone-Rotting Demon's chest, constantly dripping dark green corrosive liquid that sizzled and melted into deep pits on the ground. The Bone-Eating Corpse Monsters' faces were covered in rotting flesh, and black blood flowed from their empty eye sockets. The Rotten Claw Corpses' claws were still covered in bits of flesh, making them look ferocious and terrifying.

Jiang Duyue looked at the monsters with a hint of disdain in her eyes, then turned to Yu Moyan and said, "Brother Yu, I can take on all of these by myself."

Before Yu Moyan could reply, he charged forward with his conjured battle blade, the blade's light accompanied by a gale, instantly slashing at the two first-tier Rotten Claw Corpses. The blade struck, and the two Rotten Claw Corpses didn't even have time to roar before being cleaved in two, their dark green, rotten blood splattering all over Jiang Duyue.

The other monsters were instantly enraged. The Bone-Rotting Demon let out a sharp screech, and the Bone-Eating Corpse Monster roared and pounced, its rotting claws dripping with corrosive liquid, slamming down on Jiang Duyue. Jiang Duyue parried with his sword, the blade clashing against the rotting claws with a piercing scraping sound. His arm went numb from the impact, and several wounds quickly appeared on his body—the corrosive liquid scorched his skin, instantly leaving charred marks, and bone spikes pierced his clothes, embedding themselves in his flesh. Blood mixed with the corrosive liquid, leaving him in a wretched state.

Seeing that Jiang Duyue's wounds were multiplying and the Bone-Rotting Demon's attacks were becoming increasingly ferocious, Yu Moyan knew he couldn't delay any longer. He immediately conjured a Tang sword, his figure like an arrow, and charged towards the Bone-Rotting Demon. The sword light, infused with star power, slashed fiercely at the Bone-Rotting Demon's chest.

"Pfft—"

The blade embedded itself in the Bone-Rotting Demon's chest, striking its star core right at its heart. The Bone-Rotting Demon instantly went berserk, violently swinging its body and throwing Yu Moyan away. At the same time, two second-tier Bone-Corroding Corpse Monsters seized the opportunity to pounce, their rotten claws dripping with corrosive liquid, slamming heavily into Yu Moyan's chest.

"hiss--"

Yu Moyan's clothes were instantly corroded, creating holes, and the corrosive liquid burned his skin, causing excruciating pain. Seeing this, Jiang Duyue's eyes flashed with anxiety. Ignoring his own injuries, he swung his blade fiercely at the neck of a Bone-Eating Corpse Monster. The blade flashed, and the Bone-Eating Corpse Monster's head rolled off, black blood splattering. Seeing this, another Bone-Eating Corpse Monster turned to flee, but Jiang Duyue immediately gave chase, delivering a finishing blow and killing it.

Yu Moyan clutched his chest wound, battling the Bone-Rotting Demon while mentally asking the system, "System, where are the star cores of those two second-tier monsters?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the Bone-Rotting Demon's giant claw slammed down. Yu Moyan had no time to dodge and took the blow head-on. The immense force dislocated his arm instantly, tearing his muscle tissue apart. The Bone-Rotting Demon's corrosive liquid seeped into his body through the wound, causing him to convulse in pain.

Jiang Duyue, using the last of her star power, swung her blade fiercely, aiming for the Bone-Rotting Demon's eye socket. The Bone-Rotting Demon cried out in pain, its movements faltering. Taking advantage of this, Jiang Duyue broke free, dragging her injured body, and pulled Yu Moyan along as they turned and ran. The two stumbled and staggered out of the alley, heading towards the temporary base.

Back at the temporary base, the atmosphere inside was oppressive and suffocating.

The campfire had long since died down, leaving only a pile of cold ashes. Outside, the raging storm continued, raindrops pounding against the windowpanes with a dull thud. The air inside was thick and damp, thick with the stench of blood and decay emanating from the two men. Yu Moyan leaned against the wall, a sharp pain shooting through his dislocated arm, blood still seeping from his chest wound, his face ashen. Jiang Duyue sat on the floor, blood still flowing from his wounds, his head bowed, trembling all over, his breathing heavy and nasal.

After a long while, Jiang Duyue slowly raised her head, her voice low and hoarse, filled with deep self-reproach: "I'm sorry, Brother Yu..."

Yu Moyan took a deep breath, shook his head, and said in a calm voice, "It's nothing. I was careless this time."

Jiang Duyue's tears welled up instantly. He looked at his hands, which were covered in wounds, and then at Yu Moyan's injuries. His voice choked with emotion, filled with endless frustration: "Brother Yu, am I really useless? I'm always dragging you down. Am I too weak?"

These words were like a thorn, piercing deep into Yu Moyan's heart. He suddenly looked up, a flash of anger in his eyes, and raised his hand to slap Jiang Duyue hard across the face.

"Snap—"

The crisp sound echoed in the small room. Blood instantly seeped from the corner of Jiang Duyue's mouth, and his cheeks burned with pain. He turned his head to the side after being hit, and the confusion and grievance in his eyes were even more pronounced.

Yu Moyan's chest heaved violently, her eyes slightly reddened, and her voice, filled with suppressed anger and heartache, uttered each word with a sharp rebuke: "Jiang Duyue, are you out of your mind? I've never looked down on you from beginning to end! If I looked down on your weakness, would I have taken you along? Would I have taught you my martial arts? Would I have given you half of Jiyuan?"

After speaking, he turned his head away, took a few deep breaths, and suppressed the anger and bitterness in his heart. Ten minutes passed, and Jiang Duyue still kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly, without saying a word.

Yu Moyan slowly walked to his side, gently lifted his chin, looked at his swollen cheeks, and softened her tone, gently advising him: "Du Yue, true strength is not about being fearless, but about facing fear and still choosing to move forward. You don't have that mindset yet, but I will help you cultivate it slowly."

After saying that, he reached out his undislocated hand and hugged Jiang Duyue tightly. Jiang Duyue buried her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking violently, and tears quickly soaked Yu Moyan's clothes.

Yu Moyan felt the trembling of the boy in his arms and gently patted his back, a pang of sorrow rising in his heart. The recent attacks by the Bone Dragon and the Half-Heavenly Skeleton Cang Yuanmi, followed by this crushing defeat, were undoubtedly a devastating blow to Jiang Duyue, who was already burdened by trauma. He looked out the window at the desolate city amidst the raging storm; the broken walls swayed precariously in the wind and rain, rotting bones and pieces of flesh floated in the floodwaters, and the stench of decay grew increasingly heavy. The humiliation of this crushing defeat weighed on their hearts like a boulder, almost suffocating them.

The rain continued to fall, the wind continued to howl, and the night in the ruined city grew increasingly oppressive and despairing.