Chapter 435 Astral City in Chaos - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

Starlight Burst! Boom! The torrent of starlight descended, utterly annihilating the two Demon Gods without a trace. It was remarkably tidy. Having dealt with the two Demon Gods, Su Miao tucked away her Luminous Staff, dissolved the domain, and continued on her journey. The appearance of Demon Gods from the Astral Sea here indicated that the sea itself was near. However, the fact that these Demon Gods were so weak was unexpected. Moreover, these two were quite destitute. Their spatial storage vessels were filled only with stones. These stones might have been treasures to ordinary gods and demons, but to Su Miao, they were burdens with little value. The only useful items were a few sparkling stones, harboring rich energy and hints of laws. Yet, having witnessed the vastness and terror of the River of Chaos, these laws seemed trivial. As for celestials or divine herbs, Su Miao found none. Perhaps the two Demon Gods had exhausted everything in battle. Su Miao continued her walk through the void, and after a while, a towering demonic silhouette appeared ahead. Noticing Su Miao's approach, the silhouette blocked her path. "Friend, have you seen a Demon God being pursued? He looks like this... this... this..." Ah, a friend of that hunted Demon God. Su Miao replied, "No." ... In an instant, the surrounding chaotic space transformed into a Demon God's hell. The terrifying Demon God was furious, "Witch, you lie! You have seen him! Why deceive me?! I know, you must be an Astral Sea lackey! All you who wish to enter the Astral Sea shall die miserably! I shall—" Before he could finish, a multi-layered destructive law erupted, intent on obliterating Su Miao and leaving only her soul remnants for memory extraction. Su Miao made no extra movement, merely pointing her Luminous Staff forward with elegance. The void shattered. Without any warning, the terrifying Demon God’s attack disintegrated, along with his manifested "Heaven and Earth Laws" and hellish domain. "Spare me..." The frightened Demon God pleaded while attempting to flee. He never imagined that the witch he casually encountered could be so terrifying. He thought she would be just like the weak deities previously seen trying to enter the Astral Sea, all easily vanquishable. However, this witch was immensely beyond expectations. What kind of attack was that just now? He felt as if he were facing the Chaos River directly. The Chaos River, yes, exactly like it. Ten thousand years ago, he had the fortune of approaching the Chaos River. But just nearing it nearly caused him to perish. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became. Having long forgotten the fear of death, the Demon God experienced it at this moment. Yet, nothing could be done now. The void collapse released by the witch resembled a dimension-devouring black hole. No matter how far he thought he had escaped, he remained trapped within its range. In the blink of an eye, the collapsed void returned to chaos, and the misguided Demon God left no trace. "Has the void collapse's power grown so vast?" Gazing at the chaotic void, Su Miao felt a complex mix of emotions. The enemy’s godhead was utterly destroyed, making the destructive power seemingly greater than the starlight burst, yet consuming very little magic. Su Miao continued her journey. After traveling for over a month, she beheld a city within the chaotic void. More accurately, it was a vast expanse of land. Judging by its condition, it appeared to be formed by the fusion of multiple planets. At the center of this landmass stood sixty-four sky pillars, supporting the heavens and earth. These pillars were, in essence, the array bases for protecting the entire land. Complex fluctuations of laws were present on each pillar. Once fully activated, the manifested power would be terrifying. Surveying the city, Su Miao contemplated briefly and decided to explore it. Since her last experience, Su Miao no longer considered herself socially anxious. Besides, witnessing such a grand city in the vast chaos sparked her curiosity. Missing the chance to see it would be a pity unless it somehow vanished. Moreover, based on the intelligence previously gathered, Su Miao hypothesized that this city housed many gods aiming to enter the Astral Sea. Driven by curiosity, Su Miao approached the city. This was the Astral City. At the city gate stood two level-seven Demon Gods, seemingly guards. They cast a glance at Su Miao and didn't react further. Entering the city required no registration. They could never predict what kind of presence might arrive here. If spoken incorrectly... No, sometimes even an inadvertent glance could result in death. Moreover, being closest to the Astral Sea's entrance, offending a high-ranking individual emerging from it would guarantee a swift demise. Su Miao entered the city. The city's concept here differed slightly from those on Earth. Given that only powerful deities could tread here, most of the architecture was opulent palaces. From a high point, palace complexes were visible in clusters, separated by at least 50 kilometers, most often over a thousand kilometers apart. However, there was a conspicuously clear palace complex designed specifically for receiving the gods desiring entry into the Astral Sea. The Palace of All Heavens stood out clearly, bearing a sign: Astral Sea Reception, report here to join the Astral Sea. Noticing the reception, Su Miao decided to investigate. Though it was a reception point, there were few gods to be seen. "The Astral Sea envoy only visits every six hundred thousand years, witch, you’ve come too early," kindly reminded an old man sitting in a corner of the palace. Every year, many gods arrived to report, and he took it upon himself to caution each one. Whether they heeded him was not his concern; merely delivering the warning sufficed. Su Miao glanced at the old man and began exploring the Palace of All Heavens. A few minutes later, she saw a stone wall listing the requirements for joining the Astral Sea. 1. Magical girls are not allowed to enter the Astral Sea. 2. Immediately report sightings of magical girls. 3. Unqualified individuals should not attempt to enter the Astral Sea. 4. Those who do not meet combat standards should not attempt entry. 5. The submission of the divine soul is required upon entering the Astral Sea. … Upon reading the fifth point, Su Miao realized that pursuing a normal entry into the Astral Sea was impossible. Thus, she would have to consider alternative methods. Her heart suggested a few options: First, find the passageways used by the Astral Sea to collect resources from various universes. Traveling these routes could grant entry, but they were heavily guarded, making them perilous and easy to be discovered. Caution was paramount. Second, find a way to breach the Astral Sea's barrier, creating a direct entrance. However, this method would cause considerable commotion, attracting many powerful beings. Immediate elimination of any discovered Demon Gods would be necessary to prevent pursuit. Third, sever the "roots" through which the Astral Sea draws resources from various universes, forcing the gods of the Astral Sea to emerge, ready to be slain individually. Yet, this approach demanded careful attention to conceal her identity to avoid retaliation against her universe from the Astral Sea. These schemes were indeed promising. Particularly the second, supported by a documented case of a magical girl breaking through the crystal barriers of the gods, could serve as a reference. However, after traversing the chaotic void outside the universe for so long, Su Miao envisioned an even better approach. If the Chaos River were redirected to directly clash with the Astral Sea, could it break it open? With luck, it might even obliterate the Astral Sea entirely. Yes, it was worth researching. Su Miao continued to explore the Palace of All Heavens, gathering as much intelligence on the Astral Sea as possible. After a thorough tour, Su Miao left the palace. The elderly informant watched her departure, shaking his head. Another fruitless endeavor. Long ago, he had arrived here, decisively abandoning the opportunity to enter the Astral Sea upon seeing the requirements. Yet, as time passed, spanning hundreds of thousands of years, he suffered grave injuries, his hopes of a breakthrough dashed. Now, he could only pin his aspirations on entry, despite the necessity of surrendering his soul. Exiting the Palace of Gods, Su Miao planned to wander the city, seeking more information, suspecting the various universes had many strong beings gathered here. Acquiring intelligence on the Astral Sea shouldn't be too challenging. However, after several days of roaming the city, Su Miao gathered no unique information. Thus, she decided to approach the Astral Sea for a direct observation. Departing the city, Su Miao flew swiftly in the direction of the Astral Sea. After a while, she encountered a gargantuan Demon God standing on her path. "Witch, are you heading for the Astral Sea?" the Demon God inquired. Su Miao paused momentarily, responding, "Do you have business with me?" The Demon God suggested, "I’m also planning to go to the Astral Sea. How about we travel together?" Su Miao blinked, detecting an underlying malice emanating from him. The Palace of All Heavens had a map, clearly marking the coordinates of the Astral Sea, so finding it independently was no issue. Why the need to travel together? Was there some peril lurking at the Astral Sea's periphery? Regardless of the reason, the Demon God before her clearly harbored ill intent. Su Miao considered extracting some information first, but suddenly, the Demon God attacked. Endless lightning appeared in the chaos, entrapping Su Miao in its center. The thunderstorm formed a terrifying domain of destruction. Lightning laws and destruction laws intertwined, creating an extremely robust barrier. "Hahaha, I've caught the witch!" the Demon God exclaimed loudly. "Witch, you’ve killed in the realm outside the Astral, yet you dare waltz in and out of the city as if no powerful entity is keeping tabs on you?" Su Miao didn't bother looking at him, instead focusing on the lightning domain before her, and pointed her Luminous Staff forward. Void Collapse. In an instant, the seemingly impregnable lightning domain shattered, reduced to mere chaos. Caught off guard, the triumphant Demon God had half his body destroyed, and the remaining part turned into lightning, fleeing into the chaotic depths. What just happened here? Why did the lightning prison fall apart without holding the witch for even a second? Had he not fled quickly, his life might have been forfeit. He was a peak-level seven strong entity! He frantically escaped for his life. Had he known the witch was so powerful, he surely wouldn’t have meddled, nor dared to attack her. Yet, as he kept fleeing, he realized the surroundings were no longer chaotic but an infinite starry sky. Did he stumble into some universe? No, he hadn't! He vividly recalled not entering any universe. His body crackled with lightning as he watched intently ahead. Su Miao sat side-saddle upon her Luminous Staff, slowly descending from the void. "Is there anything you wish to confess?" "It's all a misunderstanding! Your Highness, it's all a misunderstanding!" the Demon God pleaded. Every doomed Demon God seemed to say this. Su Miao gripped her Luminous Staff with both hands, awaiting his confession. The Demon God hurriedly explained, "It's all a bounty issued by the Palace of Astral. The bounty claims you killed a messenger of the Astral Sea, and capturing you grants a qualification to enter the Astral Sea." Puzzled, Su Miao recalled dispatching those Demon Gods discreetly. How was she discovered, let alone put under a bounty? Yet, what's done was done; it was too late for remedy. "Your Highness, the Palace of Astral are lackeys of the Astral Sea, desperately wanting entry. To gain access, they'd commit any heinous act." Seeing that the witch wasn’t attacking, the Demon God hastily revealed more: "They act so madly to avoid surrendering their divine soul upon entering the Astral Sea." "Because at this level, no god wishes to be controlled." "Oh, the Palace of Astral knew it was you because they have a Chaos Divination Artifact, capable of reflecting all heavens, unveiling various secrets in the chaos." The Demon God soon found himself running out of intel to offer. "Your Highness, these are the precious items I've risked my life in the chaos to gather. Please accept them," he said, handing over his spatial storage bracelet. Su Miao glanced at the bracelet—it was still sealed with restrictions. "Your Highness, I will immediately remove the restrictions," he stuttered, flustered and fumbling. Constrain! Su Miao pointed her Luminous Staff at the Demon God. In a flash, his mangled remains were bound in place, unable to move. His face showed absolute terror, "Spare me, Your Highness! I know where the Palace of Astral’s treasure is hidden. Please, Your Highness…” Unnecessary now. Su Miao pointed her Luminous Staff at him, and a torrent of starlight obliterated his remnants, erasing him completely. This time, Su Miao controlled her strength, ensuring the preservation of the Demon God's godhead. Upon his annihilation, the godhead was left glowing with the laws of thunder, looking quite splendid to Su Miao. As for the spatial bracelet with restrictions, Su Miao lightly tapped it with her Luminous Staff, breaking the seals open. Inside were three high-grade energy mineral veins. Who knew where this Demon God sourced them from. In addition to these, there were three distinct cosmic origins. Undoubtedly, these origins were intended for the Astral Sea. These origins implied the destruction of three universes, marking the Demon God as righteous prey. Su Miao turned her gaze towards Astral City, pondering the means to resolve the current situation. Based on the information from the Demon God, the Palace of Astral was the ruler of Astral City, representing the Astral Sea, with their troublesome Chaos Divination Artifact. Should she deliver a Starlight Burst directly to Astral City? (End of Chapter)