Chapter 83: Star Monument

Boom—!

With four thunderous detonations echoing across the sky, four obsidian monoliths—veined with crimson, pulsating like living arteries—suddenly tore through the clouds.

Like spears hurled by divine hands, they plunged into the coastal sands surrounding Yujin Base with earth-shattering force.

As the four monoliths struck the ground, a peculiar high-frequency hum spread silently outward, imperceptible at first but soon growing palpable.

Moments later, the once-calm sea around Yujin Base began to churn violently.

Inside the base, the Stellar Prodigies were not spared from the phenomenon. Each felt the strange resonance in their bones, their minds, their cores—disturbing, invasive.

"Tian Dao," Chen Xing gritted, pressing hard against the hilt of his Yao Dao, forcing the blade back into its sheath after it had already sprung half an inch. "My Stellar Core is going wild."

"Ugh!" Jing Ruli’s pale violet irises flickered uncontrollably. Her Dream Pillow, which had floated steadily beneath her, now wobbled like a drunkard’s step. Her body trembled—then collapsed inward.

She would have fallen straight off if not for Tian Dao’s swift intervention. One hand shot out, catching her shoulder just in time.

"..." Tian Dao stared beyond the base’s perimeter, his expression darkening.

He had anticipated the effects of the Star Monument, but apparently, he had underestimated just how deeply it would affect Stellar Beasts and Stellar Prodigies alike.

"AAAAA—!"

Just as Chen Xing and the others struggled to make sense of their sudden unease, a cry erupted from the crowd.

A Stellar Prodigy screamed—then convulsed.

His body twisted unnaturally, spine bending forward as a jagged rip tore open his back. From the wound, dozens of sharp, emerald-green blades erupted—glistening with an oily, insect-like sheen.

They interlocked, fusing into a single, delicate, blade-like wing—thin as a cicada’s membrane.

On his forehead, two green antennae sprouted. His arms were now covered in intricate green patterns, hardened into a pale green chitinous shell, and sprouted long, scythe-like limbs—resembling the forelimbs of a mantis.

"Sak!"

One of the nearby Prodigies dashed forward, desperate to calm the man’s raging Stellar Core — Thousand Blade Mantis. He had to stop the transformation before it spiraled out of control.

But Sak, already lost in the throes of Stellar Core Overload, was no longer human.

With a snarl, he swung his blade-wing in a vicious arc—aimed to cleave the approaching friend in half.

The Prodigy hadn’t expected it. Not with Sak—ranked No. 11 in the Stellar Rankings—whose Thousand Blade Mantis was famed for speed and lethality.

All he saw was a flash of silver slicing toward his face.

Clang!

At the last possible moment, Tian Dao vanished—and reappeared in front of the Prodigy, his hand locking onto the edge of Sak’s blade-wing.

Staring into Sak’s wild, feral eyes, Tian Dao spoke coldly.

"Stay calm, Sak. Don’t let your core take over. Remember—you’re human. Not an animal."

But Sak was beyond reason.

Ignoring the warning, he raised his mantis-arm—now fully a blade—and swung with brutal ferocity, aiming for Tian Dao’s waist.

Tian Dao blurred into motion, vanishing behind him.

Crack—!

The ground split beneath Sak’s fall as Tian Dao slammed his palm into the back of his skull, driving him face-first into the concrete. One knee pressed down onto the blade-wing, pinning it. His left hand seized both scythe-arms at their intersection, locking them in place.

Even so, Sak writhed, blood streaming from his head, screaming in rage.

But his strength was nothing against Tian Dao’s.

"Ruli," Tian Dao called.

Jing Ruli, still dazed but recovering, snapped back to attention. She guided her Dream Pillow forward, hovering beside him.

"Tian Dao… what is it?"

"Put this fool to sleep."

"Y-yes!"

She raised her hands. From the sleeves of her nightgown, a swarm of ethereal, violet moths fluttered out, drifting toward Sak. A fine, glowing powder fell onto his face.

Within seconds, the madness in his eyes faded. His body relaxed. His breathing slowed.

Then, with a final sigh, he fell into deep, peaceful slumber.

As unconsciousness took him, the grotesque mutations—his blade-wing, chitin, antennae—began to retract, dissolving back into his normal form.

Tian Dao stood, shaking his wrist.

Then he turned to the Prodigy who had narrowly escaped death.

"You," he said. "Take him down to the underground core chamber. Stay there. Don’t come out."

"The Doctor installed a high-tier Stellar Energy shielder down there. It’ll block the influence of the Star Monument, prevent your core from spiraling."

"O-okay… yes, sir!"

The survivor heaved Sak onto his shoulders and sprinted toward the base’s entrance.

With the crisis contained, Tian Dao turned to survey the remaining Stellar Prodigies.

Only Sak had fully lost control. But that didn’t mean the others were unaffected.

Every Prodigy who had undergone Star Core Surgery was, in essence, half-human, half-Stellar Beast—a true little monster.

And aside from the departing Sak and his companion, and Chen Kong—the No. 36 in the Stellar Rankings—those still present were all among the top ten in the Stellar Plan.

Yet even these prodigies of extraordinary talent were beginning to show signs.

Some grimaced, faces twisted in silent agony—fighting an invisible war within.

Others sweated profusely, their bodies trembling, their wills fraying at the edges.

Tian Dao’s voice cut through the tension, firm and unyielding.

"Except for Kong, everyone ranked below No. 5—get to the core chamber. Now."

"Your presence here only hinders. You’re not helping—just getting in the way."

"Yes."

"Understood."

No questions. No hesitation.

The lower-ranked Prodigies moved instantly—trust and obedience etched into every step.

Once they were gone, only four remained beside Tian Dao:

No. 2 — Chen Xing

No. 3 — Jing Ruli

No. 5 — Yezhen Lin

And No. 36 — Chen Kong.

Tian Dao exhaled, pressing a finger to his temple.

"Damn. If Kalolin were here… her Heavenly Insight Base Station could block Stellar Core Resonance within a 100-meter radius."

"It wouldn’t cure them," he admitted. "But it’d stop them from having to hide in the core chamber. We wouldn’t lose so much combat potential."

Jing Ruli, now recovered from the resonance, tilted her head curiously.

"Tian Dao… what is Stellar Core Resonance?"

The world of Stellar Energy was full of wonders—dozens of advanced applications, countless mysteries.

But even the Prodigies, despite their training, didn’t know everything.

And clearly, the question wasn’t just hers.

Chen Xing, Lin, and the others all listened intently.

Tian Dao didn’t keep them waiting.

He began to explain—what the Star Monument was.

And what Stellar Core Resonance truly meant.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end