C13 Star Shattering Claw

Upon returning to the Purple Flame House, Guu Tianyi wasted no time in honing his Star Shattering Claw technique. This peak Yellow Level martial skill wasn't overly complex to cultivate, yet to unlock its formidable potential, he had to channel the Power of Stars into his body. He aimed to store this celestial force within himself, ready to infuse it into his hands during combat to unleash a star-powered assault.

At its zenith, the Star Shattering Claw's might rivaled that of a Low Grade Profound Level Martial Skill, a testament to its fearsome nature.

The Power of Stars, an essence of the cosmos itself, was too intense for even a Martial Cultivator, let alone someone at the Martial Master Stage, to endure. Thus, the act of drawing this power into his body was agonizing.

Night descended, and after lulling Guu Linger to sleep, Guu Tianyi ascended to the rooftop of the tallest chamber in the Purple Flame House. There, he sat cross-legged with closed eyes, easing his mind and body as he absorbed the celestial energy.

Achieving Small Completion with the Star Shattering Claw created a unique space within a Martial Cultivator's body, akin to the Dantian. Seemingly minuscule from the outside, this space could hold an immense and formidable energy.

"Power of Stars, be seized!"

Guu Tianyi amassed a vast amount of the Power of Stars!

Suddenly, the heavens illuminated, with each star gleaming like an arrow piercing through Guu Tianyi's flesh. The Power of Stars not only filled him but also inflicted excruciating pain.

A chilling scream pierced the stillness of the night.

"Damn it! My body can barely handle the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth, much less the Power of Stars from beyond the Ninth Heaven. Yet, the Star Shattering Claw requires this celestial force as its foundation to unleash its full strength."

Left with no alternative, he abandoned the idea of using the God Level Snatching System to absorb the Power of Stars. He resolved to let the process unfold naturally, allowing his body to gradually assimilate the celestial power.

Otherwise, he risked being tormented to death before the Star Shattering Claw could achieve Great Completion.

In the moonlit night, several shadowy figures flitted toward the Purple Flame House.

They moved with such stealth that not a whisper could be heard, even in the hush of darkness.

But Guu Tianyi, having cultivated the Purple Polar Dragon Eye, possessed vision far beyond that of an ordinary person. Without resorting to Void Discerning, he could still detect any presence within a radius of thirty feet.

Clad in black and masked, each intruder carried a weapon. Their furtive advance in the dead of night, heading straight for the Purple Flame House, clearly signaled malicious intent.

"I must safeguard Linger first. I cannot allow her to come to any harm."

Guu Tianyi leaped from his perch and entered Guu Linger's room. He gently covered her mouth with his hand to wake her.

Bewildered, Guu Linger's eyes fluttered open to find Guu Tianyi's face mere inches from hers, his hand still pressed to her lips.

Her affection for Guu Tianyi sent her thoughts racing, and her cheeks flushed with color. Her eyes, wide and filled with a mix of emotions, remained fixed on him, her body frozen in place.

"Linger, no matter what unfolds, stay silent," Guu Tianyi urged, his voice laced with tension.

At his words, Guu Linger's cheeks grew even warmer, her face burning with a blush.

Despite her timidity, she gave a small nod.

Guu Tianyi then released his hand, gently taking Guu Linger's and leading her to the door. Peering through the crack, he surveyed the courtyard.

Doubts fluttered in Guu Linger's mind. What was Brother Tianyi up to? Had she misunderstood something?

Guu Tianyi had always seen her as a sister; surely, he couldn't harbor any impure thoughts about her. With that thought, Guu Linger shook her head, trying to clear her mind.

Suddenly, the door to the Purple Flame House burst open, and a group of men in black swarmed in.

The noise sent a shiver through the already anxious Guu Linger.

"Brother Tianyi," she gasped, quickly covering her mouth to stifle any sound.

"Yes, they're the same men in black who ambushed the Merciless Swordsman yesterday," Guu Tianyi whispered gravely.

"But this is the Purple Flame House, the heart of Guu Mansion. Why would they come here?" Guu Linger couldn't fathom.

"Right now, that doesn't matter. We need to break out of their siege and get out of the Purple Flame House," Guu Tianyi insisted.

Each of the dozen men in black was as formidable as the trio that had attacked Lo Chenfeng the day before.

"You, go next door and grab that girl. The rest of you, with me. We're going to take down Guu Tianyi! The Young Master wants Guu Tianyi to watch Guu Linger be violated before he dies, to taste despair in his final moments," commanded the leader of the men in black, his voice chilling.

"Understood!" They all responded with a salute.

Witnessing this, Guu Tianyi's intent to kill was ignited. He wondered, "Who sent these ruthless men in black?"

The door to Guu Linger's room was kicked in.

"Flame Dragon Transformation!"

"Star Shattering Claw!"

Channeling his Genuine Qi, Guu Tianyi became one with the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon that had formed within him, transforming into a cold, unyielding warrior.

The man in black didn't have time to react as a luminous dragon claw struck his head.

"Die!"

The man's skull shattered with a thunderous crash, his blood and brains scattering as his headless body collapsed. The Star Shattering Claw had drained all the Power of Stars Guu Tianyi had absorbed.

Guu Linger, witnessing such carnage up close for the first time, turned deathly pale.

"Linger, we need to move!" Guu Tianyi grabbed her hand and they dashed from the room. The other men in black, alerted by the noise, poured out to confront Guu Tianyi in the courtyard.

The lead man in black, spotting the headless corpse in Guu Linger's room, smirked derisively. "And here I thought Guu Yuntian's offspring were upright. Who would have guessed you two would be up to such filth in the dead of night?"

"That's a lie! Don't you dare speak ill of Brother Tianyi!" Guu Linger, from behind Guu Tianyi, shot back at the man's accusation.

"Little girl, I've done more than just speak ill—I'm here to end both of you!" The man in black's Genuine Qi erupted, his speed incredible as he closed in on Guu Tianyi in an instant.

"He's reached the Martial Master Stage!"

"I have no choice but to fight with everything I've got!"

"God Level Snatching System, harness the Power of Stars—snatch!"

"Host, you've amassed a significant amount of the Power of Stars!"

"Star Shattering Claw!"

Instantly, the heavens blazed with starlight. As the celestial glow fused into Guu Tianyi's being, it concentrated into his draconic claws. These dark purple claws shimmered with a dazzling radiance, their power now eclipsing that of a Grade Two Spirit Treasure!

Amidst Guu Tianyi's agonized cry, palm met claw in a devastating clash. The Star Shattering Claw sliced through the assailant's Genuine Qi as effortlessly as it would through tofu, before impaling his entire palm.

Dark purple Genuine Qi roiled violently. The attacker's palm detonated into a cloud of blood mist, and his form became a retreating shadow.

Guu Tianyi wasn't unscathed, however. Launching his attack with no guard left him vulnerable. The backlash of Genuine Qi wounded him, and blood quickly stained his lips.

The sight left the black-clad assailants stunned. Their comrade, a Level One Martial Master, should not have faltered so against a mere Level Seven Martial Cultivator, even with underestimation at play.

Moreover, that piercing scream had indeed come from Guu Tianyi. Yet, it was only the residual force of the Genuine Qi that had harmed him, and still, he had cried out so vehemently.

"Together, we end them!" the wounded Martial Master commanded.

A dozen men in black surged forward at his call.

"I'm done toying with you," Guu Tianyi said with a light laugh, sweeping his hand dismissively. The Flame Dragon Transformation faded, revealing the majestic Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon, stretching three meters long.

With all eyes upon him, Guu Tianyi swept Guu Linger into his embrace and seized the dragon's claw, soaring into the sky.

"What are you waiting for? After them!" the Martial Master barked, stemming his bleeding with Genuine Qi.

"But our Martial Souls can't fly," someone protested.

"He's only at Level Seven as a Martial Cultivator. His Martial Soul can't sustain manifestation for long. Besides, with both the Grand Elder and Second Elder of Guu Mansion in seclusion, he's got nowhere to run but to the City Lord's Mansion for Hsing Wenruo," another reasoned.

"I'll cut off the route to the City Lord's Mansion. The rest of you, pursue and eliminate them!"