When the Hermit Emperor shouted, Xue Yang retreated thousands of meters back, taking Xue Mo with him.

The other imperial-level experts glanced over at the Hermit Emperor, and discovered that the links between stars in the diagram of the Milky Way were trembling violently.

The light seemed to dim, and the formation was already showing signs of imminent collapse.

Something seemed to repel the starlight surrounding Ye Zichens body, and the smile on his face faded, replaced with undisguisable pain.

Hermit Emperor! Xuan Ji cried out.

However, he, too, seemed utterly baffled. What exactly went wrong?

.

Meanwhile, within the river of stars, Ye Zichen laughed in delight. If youve been waiting for me, senior, please help me open my celestial eye. I.

However, before he could finish his request, the Emperor Stars tone shifted. It had been gentle all this time, but now it laughed. Ludicrous!

Senior.

Youre neither a demon nor a god, yet you want to obtain the celestial eye of the Emperor Star? Thats nothing but the ravings of a madman! Do you really think someone like you is worthy of it? Im going to strip you of your celestial fate and expel you from the Milky Way forever! The Emperor Stars sharp shout reverberated through the depths of Ye Zichens heart. Ye Zichen instantly realized that the countless stars, which mere moments ago had been radiating benevolence, were now full of murderous intent.

Their killing intent filled the sky, setting him on edge. He didnt understand why the Emperor Star would suddenly change its tune.

Senior!

The Emperor Stars chastis.e.m.e.nts echoed throughout Ye Zichens sea of consciousness. His eyes popped back open, and he saw that the countless stars of the Milky Way had all lit up. They all seemed like miniature Emperor Stars, each and every one of them repeating its rebuke: Youre unworthy, unworthy, unworthy.

Hah.. Ye Zichen knelt in the Milky May, covering his right eye. He looked up into the sky and howled in agony.

At the same time, the links between the miniature star diagrams scattered throughout the Xue Family Estate broke, then the diagrams themselves shattered, one after the other.

Hah. Ye Zichens physical body sat cross-legged in the center of the spiritual formation, when suddenly, he flung himself onto the ground and howled in agony. He curled up in on himself, his back heaving and bulging non-stop.

Hermit Emperor, whats going on? Xuan Ji couldnt stay out of this any longer. The others landed as well, then gazed at the visibly agonized Ye Zichen, their expressions grave.

All of you, go back! The Hermit Emperor roared urgently.

This isnt what you said would happen! shouted Xuan Ji.

Go back! the Hermit Emperor shouted, his eyes wide and his tone urgent. Hurry and set up a Sky-Obscuring Formation!

You Hurry! Unless you want to reveal the Emperor Stars presence!

However, just as they were about to set up the formation, the formation beneath Ye Zichens prayer mat collapsed.

Buzz!

A ring of light spread outward. In but a single breath of time, it had passed through the entire territory of the Sea of Innocence.

The Emperor Star is opening its celestial eye!

At practically the same time, the top experts of all three upper realms received the same signal, and countless divine senses swept outward.

All of this happened in an instant. The formations the great emperors in the Sea of Innocence had formed earlier that day were already starting to crack.

Hurry! The Hermit Emperors aura in turmoil. He was frantic, and the other great emperors were gnashing their teeth as well.

Its too late. Bian knit his brows. Weve already been noticed.

Obscure the skies! Xuan Ji shouted, and they started activating the formation. Although some people might have discovered them already, she and the other great emperors started pouring their divine power into the formation.

People will start finding this place within three hours.

Im not afraid of them showing up. Im afraid of someone like Zhou Wu wholl take advantage of the turmoil to seize Ye Zichens imperial celestial fate.

Should we retreat? Wed still best avoid letting anyone know the Emperor Stars current incarnation.

Hermit Emperor! Xuan Ji gnashed her teeth and shouted. Xue Yang didnt know what to do either.

The Hermit Emperors energy was in turmoil. He paid Xuan Ji no need, nor did he respond to anything any of the others said.

What exactly went wrong? He knit his brows in concentration and muttered to himself.

Ah.. Ye Zichen shouted, his voice raspy and even more pained. At that moment, the skin of his heaving, bulging back burst, and his wings unfurled. When they appeared, an illusory ten-thousand foot devil appeared behind him. His demonic energy overflowed, and yet, it intermingled with a starkly different, pure, holy aura.

I understand! The Hermit Emperor had a flash of realization. Then, he turned to the visibly furious Xuan Ji and shouted, His body contains demonic power and a demonic bloodline. Isnt he the Lord of Seven Stars son? Why does he have a demonic bloodline? And why didnt any of you tell me about this earlier? And thats not all! Why does he have a trace of the devils about him? They went extinct in the First Era!

I. I dont know. Xuan Jis lips quivered. She didnt know what to do.

Ah! Ye Zichen cried out, and his wings started beating furiously. They carried him up into the air, and his remaining eye lit up with terrifying purple light. Hideous black lines spread from his sockets.

He swung his fist.

The seals the great emperors had placed tore like paper; the fist went right through them. The force of the attack knocked down several of the surrounding buildings as well.

Hmph! He exhaled through his nostrils, then suddenly whipped his head around and stared straight up at the great emperors.

He disappeared.

When he next appeared, he was already right in front of Bian, and he directly swung his fist.

Boom!

Just the wind from his fists left several bloody streaks on Bians face. The others were in awe at the attacks shocking power.

Should we do something? The great emperors were all hesitant. After his demonic nature took over, Ye Zichen had no rationality left to speak of.

The great emperors hesitated. They didnt know whether they should attack and repress him or not. If they did, given Ye Zichens current state, theyd have to go all out, and odds were good theyd accidentally hurt him in the process.

The Xue clansmen had all been sent somewhere safe. Xue Beibei looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with anxiety. Just last night, everything had been perfectly fine, so why had this happened all of a sudden?

You. You always make people worry about you, said a soft voice from the sky. Everyone looked up and saw a slender figure in red racing through the skies. She landed before Ye Zichen, then said, If you cant even maintain your rationality, how can you even consider marrying me?