“Master! What heaven-defying artifact did you just take out?” Ye Chen’s voice was filled with excitement.
Lu Xuan said lightly, “Old Third, you can come take a look.”
Chen Changsheng’s true body instantly materialized in Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling.
Boom! He saw the fist-sized Lower Origin Star Core in Lu Xuan’s hand and was instantly dumbfounded. What in the world is that?
The next instant, the world changed. A terrifying will seemed to descend upon the Grand Dao Sect from the depths of the void. Boundless Divine Radiance erupted across the sky, and the Grand Dao Sect’s protective formation was instantly activated.
Dong! The Grand Dao Bell, the sect’s supreme treasure, chimed, its sound echoing throughout the Grand Dao Sect. The ancient bell manifested above the void, vast and boundless like a small mountain. Dao patterns intertwined across its surface like lightning, and the profound, ancient Dao and Stance were instantly activated.
In hidden, secluded areas, many Emperor Realm Expert Old Ancestors of the Grand Dao Sect were jolted awake. They stared at the sky in shock. “The Heavenly Dao Will has descended!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor immediately looked toward Azure Mystery Peak, pinpointing the source of this world-shaking anomaly! A power that should not exist in this world had appeared on Azure Mystery Peak! A power that even the Heavenly Dao craved!
From countless ancient tombs, ancient voices boomed, “Fellow Daoist of Azure Mystery Peak, quickly withdraw your profound technique!” The voices, like thunder, were instantly annihilated by the vast power of the Heavenly Dao Will.
At this moment, it was as if destiny itself had descended! This power transcended all beings in the Southern Wilds. Time seemed to freeze. Not only the Grand Dao State, but the entire Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds, and even forbidden zones like the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, were utterly stunned.
“The power of the Heavenly Dao!” They all looked toward the Grand Dao Sect. Time seemed to slow down; their Divine Sense could not extend, their bodies were paralyzed, and their souls trembled. This was a cosmic terror!
The Xuanji Holy Lord, the Silent Destruction Old Man, and others were utterly horrified. The Supreme Path hadn't even opened yet—how could such power manifest now?
All living beings in the Southern Wilds were paralyzed. And then! Above Azure Mystery Peak, the Heavenly Dao Will formed a massive, illusory hand, reaching directly for the Lower Origin Star Core in Lu Xuan’s grasp.
Chen Changsheng turned pale with fright, urgently warning Lu Xuan, “Master, quickly put that thing away! Otherwise, it might cause a catastrophe!”
Lu Xuan replied calmly, “Don’t panic.”
Chen Changsheng’s heart was churning like a tidal wave. “Master, this object does not belong to the Five Domains of this world! Logically, it shouldn’t exist here! That’s why the Heavenly Dao Will is so desperate for it! I have cultivated in the Southern Wilds for endless years, and I have never seen such a thing!”
Lu Xuan curled his lip. “Old Third, I told you you’re an old fossil.”
Chen Changsheng was frantic. Watching the giant hand descend upon the Star Core, Lu Xuan remained completely unperturbed.
Swoosh! Just as the Heavenly Dao Will’s hand was about to touch the Lower Origin Star Core, Lu Xuan casually tossed it into the System space.
The illusory hand missed, freezing in mid-air, dumbfounded.
Lu Xuan frowned and asked, “What are you doing?”
The illusory hand offered no response. Suddenly, boundless starlight scattered across the heavens and earth.
Chen Changsheng was terrified, pulling out an Ancient Jade Slip to try and record the phenomenon, but at that moment, his Dao patterns vanished, and all his myriad profound techniques failed!
Meanwhile, the vast starlight entered countless living beings. An incomparably profound power surged—a power that transcended Emperor Realm Experts, Half-step Supreme, and Quasi-Dao Supreme. All beings, strong or weak, felt a power draining from their bodies. Their memories were being erased!
Even mighty forbidden zones like the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, and small worlds yet to emerge, were affected. The Half-step Supreme and Quasi-Dao Supreme figures sleeping in ancient tombs all trembled slightly!
In a flash, which felt like eternity, everything returned to calm. Above the Grand Dao Sect, the Grand Dao Bell vanished, and the Old Ancestors and disciples returned to normal.
Chen Changsheng looked at Lu Xuan with a blank expression. “Huh? Master, why am I in your cave dwelling?”
Lu Xuan explained what had just happened. Chen Changsheng was utterly stunned. What immense Causality/Karma is this? Even the Heavenly Dao had interfered!
At this moment, his gaze toward Lu Xuan was filled with profound reverence and respect. Previously, Chen Changsheng had been skeptical of Lu Xuan’s claims of being “from the River of Time,” only “half-convinced.” But now, he increasingly felt Lu Xuan’s terror! His Master was likely not a being of this world!
Lu Xuan asked, “That thing is called the Lower Origin Star Core. Want to see it? I can take it out again.”
Chen Changsheng quickly waved his hands. “Master, please don’t take it out again! This world might not be able to bear it!”
Lu Xuan, Calm and Collected, replied, “Alright then.”
Chen Changsheng immediately took his leave, returning to his own dwelling, where he set up endless seals and Restrictions, and began performing Divination.
Lu Xuan asked the System, “What is the use of the Lower Origin Star Core?”
The System replied, “The Lower Origin Star Core is the essence of a world. For example, this world, comprising the Southern Wilds, Eastern Barrens, Western Desert, Northern Plains, and Central Domain—the Five Domains—is one world, and it possesses its essence. The Lower Origin Star Core is the lowest grade of Star Core; there are also Middle Origin and Upper Origin Star Cores. A world can consume a Lower Origin Star Core to enhance its Star Rank.”
Lu Xuan nodded. No wonder the Heavenly Dao Will descended! But just now, the Heavenly Dao seemed to have erased everyone else’s memories.
The reward for breaking through the Saint King realm was extremely generous because Ji Fuyao had surpassed the milestone by reaching Quasi-Emperor, over-fulfilling the quest.
Lu Xuan recalled carefully. When the illusory hand retreated, there seemed to be a faint sigh from a woman.
He muttered, “Looks like I can’t just take the Lower Origin Star Core out casually, or it will cause world-shaking anomalies. Things are getting interesting. It seems the Heavenly Dao might need something from me now, hehehe...” He wasn’t in a rush.
Lu Xuan asked, “What lies beyond this world?”
The System said faintly, “A vast universe, endless races! Ancient castes, boundless starry rivers! Supreme Divine Halls, mysterious plateaus! The River of Time, the deep Yellow Springs! Samsara and Silent Destruction, without beginning or end! Host, you still need to continue lying flat and working hard.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “That’s interesting. I’ll stick to lying flat then. I’ll just take on a few more disciples, and in my name, we shall be Treading the Starry Sky!”
But that was still a bit far off for now. He was only a Four-star Great Emperor; he hadn't even left the Southern Wilds, let alone the outside world.
Lu Xuan told the System, “The reward this time was good. I commend you.” System: “...”
Rumble! Lu Xuan rubbed his stomach. It was time to eat. He slowly walked out of his cave dwelling and lay down in front of the thatched hut.
Chen Changsheng had already started cooking in the hut. Smoke curled upwards. Chen Changsheng cooked while deep in thought, still reeling from the shock.
Before long, Chen Changsheng called Ye Chen out and placed the steaming dishes on the stone table. Red-braised Fire Dragon Meat and Fire Dragon Ribs.
Lu Xuan looked at Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, after we eat, I’ll complete your Desolate Heaven Art for you. I’ll upgrade it to Nine-star Emperor Tier this time.”
Ye Chen was slightly surprised. “Thank you, Master. Is Nine-star Emperor Tier the limit of the Desolate Heaven Art?”
Lu Xuan said lightly, “You’ll know when the time comes.”
Ye Chen murmured an “Oh,” his eyes burning with anticipation.
Several hours later, Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng finally finished eating. Chen Changsheng went into the hut to wash the dishes, while Ye Chen, slightly agitated, approached Lu Xuan’s lounge chair and handed him the Desolate Heaven Art technique slip. “Master, this is the original technique slip.”
Lu Xuan took it and immediately activated the Dao Derivation Jade Slip.
Boom! An incomparably profound aura surged out, seemingly formless yet ethereal, tangible yet illusory.
Lu Xuan slapped his hand down. Brilliant golden light flowed ceaselessly. Countless dense, ancient characters appeared around the lounge chair, floating around Lu Xuan. Each character was minuscule, yet they resembled individual stars, radiating overwhelming Divine Radiance.
Ye Chen was utterly stunned. What kind of Creation Hand is this?
Chen Changsheng poked his head out from the hut, awestruck by Lu Xuan’s heaven-reaching technique. Upgrading a technique’s grade is this simple? Purely manual? This is ridiculous.