The strange phenomena caused by the Seed of Stars were like a depth charge dropped on the peaceful Tianyan Sect!
The entire Starfall Peak was enveloped by a massive vortex of stellar energy covering an area of tens of miles. Vast stellar energy, like a celestial river cascading down, surged wildly into the small crater at the peak's summit. The peak itself glowed faintly, like a stellar embryo about to awaken. Within the Heavenly Evolution Sect's territory, the flow of spiritual energy subtly shifted, with strands of pure stellar energy being forcibly drawn towards Starfall Peak.
Such an unusual phenomenon is bound to attract attention!
Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King stood atop a cloud, gazing at the terrifying vortex of star power, his eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions. Behind him, Peak Masters Jianming and Piaomiao also wore solemn expressions. With the Emperor Ancestor personally protecting them and bestowing a divine seed, Xingyun Peak... was likely about to soar to new heights! Just what merits did Lin Yuan, that Qi Refining Realm Peak Master, possess?
At Dan Ding Peak, Lie Yangzi's face was ashen. He watched as the flames of his own Earth Fire Furnace seemed to be swayed by the suction of Starfall Peak, and felt a mixture of resentment and jealousy. That traitor Gu Chen was probably busy circling around that divine seed right now, wasn't he?
Outer and inner disciples alike craned their necks, murmuring amongst themselves. Starfall Peak, once a "waste peak," had now become the most mysterious and coveted place in the entire sect!
However, the atmosphere at the summit of Starfall Peak was somewhat... subtle.
After planting the Star Seed, Feng Qinghuang (Empress) sat cross-legged on the edge of the pit, closing her eyes to regulate her breathing. A vast aura of the Tribulation Transcending Realm flowed around her, subtly resonating with the immense life force gestating deep within the pit, as if they were breathing together. The absolute majesty of the Heavenly Emperor had diminished considerably, but her aloofness remained, like a frozen galaxy, deterring anyone from approaching.
The servant disciples were silent as cicadas in winter, even their breathing was careful. Under Gu Chen's command, they carried out routine maintenance from a distance, but their eyes couldn't help but glance at the miraculous pit in the center of the peak.
And our Master Lin...
"Gu Chen! Protect your master! Your master is going into seclusion to break through!" Lin Yuan stood on the stone platform on the other side, away from the pit, his face solemn with a "I'm about to do something big" expression. The system reward of the [Star Tempering Body Technique - Divine Treasure Chapter] had been unlocked, and he had over ten thousand Master's Points in hand. Coupled with this upgraded Star Spirit Guiding Array environment, if he didn't break through now, when would he? He couldn't possibly let his disciple leave him a hundred thousand miles behind, could he? What would become of his master's prestige?
"Rest assured, Peak Master! I will not allow any... uh, anything to disturb you!" Gu Chen patted his chest to assure him, but his eyes were a little unfocused, mainly because Lin Yuan's previous "monkey dance" had left him with a deep psychological shadow.
Lin Yuan sat down cross-legged, took a deep breath of the dense, almost choking star energy air, and focused his mind on the [Star Tempering Technique - Divine Treasure Chapter].
The Divine Treasure Realm unlocks the body's hidden treasures, unearthing the bodily riches! Compared to Qi Induction and Yuan Transformation, this technique is clearly several levels more profound and mysterious! The movements... are also far more bizarre!
Lin Yuan was seen:
Sometimes it resembles a giant bear in the starry sky, with all four limbs on the ground and its rear end sticking up high, making a "swallowing stars and spitting out the moon" gesture towards the void, emitting a low growl from its throat that is difficult to understand, causing the surrounding gravel to fall in a rustling sound.
At times, he resembled a mad frog in the starry sea, his legs bursting with astonishing jumping power (with the spiritual power of the Divine Treasure Chapter) as he hopped wildly on the stone platform, each landing making a thud on the ground as he tried to "vibrate the star core and open the secret treasure of the spring in the soles of his feet," leaving him drenched in sweat and his hair disheveled.
At times, it seemed as if he was performing an extremely ancient sacrificial war dance, his arms waving like windmills, his body twisting like a pretzel, and he chanting incantations (actually, he was howling in pain). The sparse spiritual energy around his body, under the pull of the violent movements, formed tiny vortexes of star power, tearing at his skin and bones!
"Starry Sky Disco! Is this the Peak Master's newly created peerless divine skill?" Xiao Cui looked from afar, her mouth agape in an "O" shape.
"Shh! Shut up! The Peak Master's divine might is unfathomable, how dare we presume to speak of him?" Li Tie quickly covered her mouth, but his eyes were also filled with awe (and a hint of unbearable to look at).
Elder Gu Chen clutched his eyes in anguish, feeling his aesthetic understanding of alchemy severely shaken. He could only repeatedly tell himself: The Peak Master's actions must have a deeper meaning! There must be a deeper meaning!
Although Feng Qinghuang's eyes were closed, her powerful divine sense naturally took in Lin Yuan's "heroic figure." Her cool lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but she quickly calmed herself, focusing on the resonance between herself and the Seed of Stars. However, in a corner of her sea of consciousness, the fragments of memory belonging to "Feng Qinghuang" seemed to be stirred by this familiar "noise," revealing a faint...helpless smile?
Just as Lin Yuan was jumping around happily, his whole body groaning in protest—
Boom!
A terrifying imperial might, far more majestic and vast than before, carrying the intent of judgment and killing, instantly enveloped the entire Tianyan Sect like an invisible curtain!
This imperial might did not originate from the depths of Starfall Peak, but rather from the direction of the Punishment Hall!
Immediately afterwards, a cold and ruthless voice, like a decree of heaven, resounded throughout all the spiritual peaks:
"The Zhao family, Zhao Hao!"
"Colluding with the Shadow Eclipse assassin organization, plotting to harm the sect's prodigies, and attempting to undermine the Emperor Ancestor's protection—the evidence is irrefutable!"
"According to clan rules, multiple crimes combined warrant execution!"
"The Zhao family, for their cover-up and indulgence, and for failing to report what they knew, shall be punished as accomplices!"
"Hall of Punishments, heed my command! Arrest the ringleader, Zhao Hao, immediately! Seal off the Zhao family's sacred peak! All clansmen involved in the case, imprison them in the Black Prison to await their fate! Anyone who dares to resist will be executed without mercy!"
The sound fell like a thunderclap from the heavens!
The entire Tianyan Sect fell into a deathly silence!
From the direction of the Punishment Hall, dozens of enforcement team streaks of light, radiating a chilling killing intent, soared into the sky like arrows, heading straight for the Zhao family's "Blazing Sun Peak" (adjacent to Pill Cauldron Peak)! Leading them was Wu Zhen, his face ashen, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and fear! With the Emperor himself issuing the decree, how could he dare show any favoritism? At this moment, he only sought to atone for his crimes through meritorious service!
"No—!!! Ancestor, save me!!" A desperate and shrill roar echoed from the Zhao family's spiritual peak! He never dreamed that Shadow Eclipse's failure would be exposed so quickly! He never expected that the Emperor Ancestor would personally intervene and take swift action!
"Emperor Ancestor! My Zhao family is innocent! It was that Shadow Erosion who slandered us! Elder Wu..." From deep within the Zhao family, an aura of a peak Immortal King erupted, attempting to defend and struggle.
"snort!"
A cold snort, seemingly coming from the heavens above!
A beam of starlight, indescribably brilliant and incredibly fast, seemed to transcend the boundaries of time and space, ignoring all defensive restrictions, and shot out with unparalleled precision from the direction of the Punishment Hall, instantly piercing through the depths of the Zhao Family Spirit Peak!
puff!
A soft sound, like a bubble bursting.
The aura that the Zhao family patriarch had just unleashed vanished instantly, like a punctured balloon! He couldn't even utter a scream! The entire Zhao family's spiritual peak was shrouded in a deathly silence and despair!
The Emperor Ancestor pointed a finger from afar! Even a peak Immortal King was annihilated, body and soul destroyed!
Resist? A joke before the Emperor's might!
With no further obstacles, the enforcement team charged into the Zhao family's sacred peak like tigers among sheep. Cries, pleas for mercy, and the clanging of chains mingled together. The once-powerful Zhao family crumbled in an instant!
Starfall Peak.
Lin Yuan was so shocked by the terrifying imperial might and the voice of judgment that he almost stumbled and fell flat on his face. He steadied himself, looked towards the chaotic scene in the direction of Blazing Sun Peak, which was rapidly being enveloped by the light of law enforcement, and spat fiercely: "Pah! Serves you right! Serves you right for poisoning! Serves you right for attempting assassination! Retribution comes swiftly!"
A surge of exhilarating satisfaction welled up within him! That persistent ghost Zhao Hao is finally finished! The greatest external threat to Starfall Peak has been eliminated!
Elder Gu Chen trembled with excitement: "The Emperor Ancestor was wise! Retribution is swift! These parasites of the Zhao family should have been eliminated long ago!"
The servant disciples cheered with joy, feeling triumphant! With the Peak Master, even the Emperor Ancestor was backing them up!
Feng Qinghuang slowly opened her eyes, gazing in the direction of Lieyang Peak with an indifferent expression, as if she had merely crushed an ant. In her previous life as an empress, she had witnessed far too many such purges. However, Lin Yuan's smug expression (in her view) seemed to melt a tiny bit of the frozen lake of her heart. This master… though unconventional in his actions, was undeniably protective of his own.
"Master," her clear, cold voice rang out, "the Zhao family has been destroyed, and the source of the poison has been eliminated. This disciple observes that you... are deeply engrossed in your 'Cultivation Chain,' perhaps you wish to... continue?" Her gaze fell upon Lin Yuan's disheveled hair and sweat-soaked blue robe, her tone flat, yet carrying a barely perceptible hint of... teasing?
Lin Yuan blushed and quickly straightened his appearance, coughing twice: "Ahem, the way of cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation. As your teacher... well, I've gained some insights, but I need to consolidate them! Consolidate them!" He didn't want to continue performing his "starry sky disco" act in front of the Empress's disciple.
Just then—
Thump!
A faint, yet seemingly heart-wrenching sound emanated from the core of Starfall Peak without warning!
The sound was soft, yet it carried an indescribable weight and vastness! Like a sleeping star, nourished by countless stellar energies, it finally... stirred!
The entire Starfall Peak trembled slightly!
The spinning speed of the enormous stellar energy vortex at the summit seemed to have increased slightly!
The primordial energy emanating from the depths of the crater, emanating from the chaotic star core, became clearer and more active!
Everyone felt the pulse! Their hearts involuntarily skipped a beat!
A dazzling starlight burst forth in Feng Qinghuang's eyes! She clearly felt that the connection between her newly formed Dao Foundation and the thing that was giving birth to her had become even closer! An indescribable joy and anticipation quietly welled up in her heart.
Lin Yuan's eyes widened as he stared at the bottomless pit: "Holy crap? So fast? It's...it's really going to sprout?!"
Gu Chen was so excited he almost lunged at the edge of the pit: "Pulse! It's the pulse of life! A divine object! It's absolutely a divine object!"
At the summit of Starfall Peak, the initial elation brought by the destruction of the Zhao family was quickly replaced by a grander and more unknown anticipation brought by the mysterious "Star Core Pulse".
Lin Yuan looked at the pit, then at the Empress's disciple beside him whose aura was unfathomable and whose eyes seemed to have warmed up a bit, and then felt his muscles aching from "starry sky dancing". He suddenly felt that the position of the peak master of Starfall Peak, although exciting, seemed to be getting more and more promising?
I wonder what will grow into once those seeds actually "sprout"? Surely a monkey won't actually jump out, right?