Chapter 182: Demon Frog (1/2)

The man in gold had lain in wait all this time, hiding so well that Lu Yun and Qing Han were oblivious to his presence. However, the sight of the starstones was too tempting for him to remain hidden. He showed himself, threatening Qing Han with his best friend.

A starstone was formed of celestial energy gathered over the span of countless centuries, a treasure valuable beyond compare. The sword light inched closer and closer to Lu Yun’s brow.

Qing Han froze in place with worry, simultaneously preoccupied with the resurfacing of the large tadpole he’d sent back down. The combined power of two starstones had sunk it into the deep, but it’d sustained no lasting injuries.

“What? Are the starstones worth more to you than his life?” the man in gold snickered when the young man didn’t move.

“Alright, you can have the starstones.” Silvery light receded from Qing Han’s body and his sterling locks returned to their usual black. He tossed the two starstones—two glittering points of light—into the man’s hands.

“Hahahaha!” Starstones in hand, the man in gold cackled loudly. “Now that I have these, I don’t need to go looking for some noble’s tomb any longer. You two… can die!”

His sword light expanded malevolently, thrusting toward the middle of Lu Yun’s head.

“Heh.” It was Qing Han’s turn to snicker.

Hum.

The starry stones in the man’s hands burst forth with blinding radiance, accompanied by a terrifying force that sent him flying. His sword light disintegrated as soon as it touched Lu Yun’s brow.

“How stupid are you? Or should I say, naïve? Taking my starstones barehanded like that….” Starlight returned to Qing Han as he spoke. A simple backhand slap repelled the enormous tadpole once again.

“How is this possible!” the man in gold gaped. “The stellar energy from starstones can’t possibly be refined, it can only be borrowed… how did you do it?!”

Anyone could borrow an endless stream of power from a starstone, but it was practically impossible to make it a personal item.

When Qing Han had drawn upon his starstone’s power in the past, he’d needed to remove his disguise in the process. But thanks to the Imperial Star and Empress Myrtlestar’s assistance, he’d made it entirely his.

Formed by the heavenly body that was its namesake, the Imperial Star was no ordinary starstone. Its sovereign status over the stars commanded mastery of the real Polar and Fire Stars, much less their starstones.

Although the man in gold had gained temporary possession of them, their power remained attached to their rightful owner. Qing Han once again blasted the tadpole back with one hand and hurled the man away with the other. The exchanges took place in the span of a breath.

Silver starlight flooded everywhere. Spreading from Qing Han’s hair, it cascaded into the water and filled the firmament above. Even Cloudwater was plated with a layer of brilliance.

“This is the power of a starstone!” Fervent recognition seized Yue Cheng. “Its power is that of a connate-grade treasure! A starstone, under Cloudwater Lake!!! Move!” He couldn’t sit still any longer. He had to get his hands on it!

Zhu Yu turned serious as well. “A starstone… if I could have that, I might be able to become a dao immortal.”

“Avast!” Yuchi Hanxing and her lance were both aloft in the air. Nearby, soldiers of the Dusk Phalanx clumped up into the Heavenly Formation of the Black Tortoise again. The beast’s clamorous image and terrifying momentum pressed upon everyone’s heart.

“Don’t bother stopping them. If they want to die, they can come all they like.” Qing Han’s voice cut through the air.

Yuchi Hanxing blinked, then retracted her weapon. Though she moved out of the way, the image of the Black Tortoise didn’t disperse.