Starforce Warriors

In that very instant, Li Xiaofei suddenly understood why he had never been able to break through to the Black Hole level. His understanding of that level had simply been insufficient.

He had believed that so long as one gathered enough energy to surpass the limits of the Pulsar level, one could ascend directly to the Black Hole level. But now he realized, the Black Hole level, as defined by Chongque City, was fundamentally different from other levels. It was not merely a matter of accumulating energy. It was a qualitative transformation of life itself. This transformation meant rebirth through destruction.

What was a Black Hole? According to Li Xiaofei's understanding, which was compiled from nine years of compulsory education, three years of high school, and four years of college, it was the implosion of a star. When a star began to die and collapse, its core would rapidly contract under the pull of its own gravity, triggering a massive explosion. When all the matter in the core compresses into neutrons, the collapse would halt and a dense stellar object that warped space and time within it would be born.

He had come across this information before during his cultivation journey. But he had overlooked a critical prerequisite. It was death and destruction. In other words, the formation of a black hole required the complete demise of its previous form.

Li Xiaofei tapped his temple with his knuckles.

Does that mean... in order to advance to the Black Hole level, one had to die once? Or perhaps go through a life-and-death tribulation?

He examined Ishihara Masami's condition more carefully. He quickly discovered that the intense repulsion between martial arts energy and superpowers within her body had created a state resembling that of a dying star at the end of its life. It was constantly collapsing and contracting. She was, quite literally, in the midst of becoming a Black Hole level being.

It was truly difficult to imagine what kind of belief and strength had supported her, what had kept Ishihara Masami going for so many years without succumbing to death. However, what was even more astonishing was that, even as her life approached its end, she never gave up cultivating.

She had known full well that cultivating both martial arts and superpowers at the same time would inevitably lead her to death, yet she still pressed on with unwavering determination. It was like knowing the wine was poisoned, and still raising the cup to drink without the slightest hesitation.

Why? Li Xiaofei had a vague sense of the reason. The appearance of Tōan Ritsu and that otherworldly god had shattered the final fragile balance within Ishihara Masami's body, pushing her life force to the brink of collapse. And so, death descended.

But perhaps, just perhaps, this aligned with the very essence of what it meant for a Black Hole level existence. And so, at the very moment her life force was about to vanish entirely, the two conflicting energies within her reached a strange equilibrium, halting the collapse of her body.

It was like a black hole, completing its massive explosion and then ceasing its contraction. It was finally stabilizing. Now, Ishihara Masami existed in a state between life and death.

But even though Li Xiaofei had pieced all of this together, he still couldn't bring her back to life. At least, not with his current realm and strength. To awaken a being who had potentially touched the edge of Black Hole level life from slumber was simply beyond his reach.

What's more, Li Xiaofei doubted that Ishihara Masami had truly reached the Black Hole level. After all, she had never even left Earth No. 1818. She had not yet become a complete cosmic lifeform. Without proceeding through the levels of Planet, Star, Neutron Star, and beyond, becoming a true Black Hole level being was absolutely impossible.

Li Xiaofei sat beside Ishihara Masami's body, placing one hand gently on her back, carefully sensing the flow of energy within her. He could feel those two distinct forces, once violently opposed, now merging in a delicate balance, initiating a strange kind of neutralization.

However, a new and wondrous power was being born from that neutralization. A power that transcended both martial arts and superpowers. Even though it existed only as the faintest trace within Ishihara Masami, it was enough to shock Li Xiaofei to his core.

Three full days and nights passed, but Li Xiaofei remained completely still. Shin Koharu watched this scene unfold from the entrance to the quiet chamber. Her heart felt a faint sense of comfort. At the very least, the grandmaster truly did care for her master. Her master's years of waiting and perseverance had not been in vain.

At the same time, curiosity grew in her heart.

What kind of person is my master's master really like? He seems so utterly ordinary at a glance, yet why had my dazzling, extraordinary master been so devoted and so obsessed with waiting for him?

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed. Li Xiaofei slowly withdrew his palm and stood up. His eyes were calm and crystal clear. There was nothing he could do at the moment when it came to Ishihara Masami's condition. He would have to wait until his level advanced further before he could try again.

But Ishihara Masami had still fulfilled his hopes. She had found a path to integrate martial arts and superpowers. And after observing the evolution of energy within her body, Li Xiaofei had finally grasped the principles behind it.

The greatest obstacle standing in his way had at last been overcome. The path of evolution for Earth No. 1818 had opened a brand new chapter.

A chill swept through the chamber as Ishihara Masami was once again sealed in ice. The crystal-clear ice would ensure she remained undisturbed by any external force as the Black Hole level transformation continued within her. Perhaps, one day, she would awaken from her slumber without Li Xiaofei lifting a hand.

Li Xiaofei stepped out from the quiet chamber.

"Grandmaster," said Shin Koharu, bowing respectfully.

Li Xiaofei gently patted her head and said, "Pack up. We're moving to a new place."

Shin Koharu was a little surprised and asked, "Huh? Why? Master really loved it here."

"Your master isn't dead," Li Xiaofei said with a gentle smile, then explained, "The outer gods have found this place. They could still pose a threat to your master. We're moving her somewhere they can't find, somewhere where she'll be safe. Then, I'll take my time hunting them down."

But Shin Koharu barely heard a word he said. Only one sentence echoed through her mind, 'Your master isn't dead.'

"Really?" Her voice trembled as she asked, "Grandmaster... my master, she really...?"

"Don't worry. She'll return," Li Xiaofei said softly.

He could tell that this thin, dark-skinned young girl understood gratitude and loyalty. She was a good child. Li Xiaofei decided to nurture her carefully. In his heart, he had already begun considering what martial techniques would best suit her cultivation.

A short while later, all preparations were complete. Li Xiaofei took Ishihara Masami and Shin Koharu and left Mount Hakutou. He did not return to Great Xia. Instead, he teleported to the highest peak on the continent of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. There, he found a secluded and tranquil canyon.

He carved out a cave dwelling in the cliffside, settling the master and disciple within. Then, using Great Xia's arcane Qimen Dunjia techniques, he laid down a series of hidden protective formations to shield the place from detection.

Li Xiaofei directed the debt he felt toward Ishihara Masami into caring for Shin Koharu. He left behind cultivation techniques and ample resources for her. He spent three full days personally guiding her in her training.

It was only after witnessing this series of divine abilities firsthand that Shin Koharu truly understood that her grandmaster was indeed a being akin to a deity. No wonder her master had been so devoted and infatuated with him.

It was only after settling everything that Li Xiaofei finally returned to Great Xia. There, he summoned Daoist Sanjue, Qi Honglei, Li Baoguo, and several others, and passed on to them the method of fusing martial arts energy with superpowers.

These individuals all possessed martial cultivation foundations and had awakened superpowers. They were the perfect candidates for the initial trial. As expected, under Li Xiaofei's guidance, they quickly completed the first stage of harmonization between the two forces.

A new, powerful, and utterly extraordinary energy began to emerge within their bodies. Li Xiaofei named this force, Immortal Force. The success of this initial trial greatly strengthened Li Xiaofei's conviction in his plans.

But it was at that very moment that he received an urgent message from Chongque City. It was labeled with the highest level of priority.

Return immediately.