91: Starlight guides the way, and the heart opens slightly.

The star map in the secret hall of the Starfall Pavilion slowly dissipated, and the light of the immortal abode pivot token retracted, settling back into Lin Xuan's palm. However, the newly copied coordinates, pointing to several ancient ruins deep within the Desolate Sea, were clearly branded into everyone's Divine Sense.

"Let's go!" Lin Xuan didn't hesitate, immediately darting toward the blue halo at the entrance of the secret hall. Time was pressing; the shadow of the Guixu Cult was like a maggot clinging to bone—no one knew when they would break through the Starfall Pavilion's outer defenses.

Wangshu followed closely, her moon-white figure flickering as she led the way. Su Wanqing, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu immediately followed suit.

Passing through the blue halo, they returned to the ruined main hall. The external pressure still existed, but perhaps because the star core fragment had been collected by the cardinal edict, the Formation suppression across the entire Starfall Pavilion ruins had lessened significantly, making the circulation of magical power much smoother.

"This way." Wangshu was extremely familiar with the Starfall Pavilion's layout, guiding the group through the broken walls and ruins, avoiding the scattered Restrictions and Spatial Folds that were still active. Her steps were light, as if she could predict the safe landing spot for every step.

Lin Xuan followed Wangshu closely, his Divine Sense fully extended, alert for possible attacks from any corner. He could feel Su Wanqing slightly behind and to his side; her cool Qi was like a shadow. Although her Ice Sword remained sheathed, her Sword Intent was already coiled, ready to unleash a fierce strike at any moment. After the healing and the star map manifestation in the secret hall, she seemed to have buried certain emotions deeper, focusing solely on the immediate crisis.

Qu Feiyan lagged slightly behind. Her charming eyes swept over the backs of Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing, who were walking almost side-by-side. Her red lips were pursed, and a wisp of Blood-colored Seductive Essence quietly circulated on her fingertips, serving both as caution and a trace of indescribable restlessness. The effect of the Star Marrow Spirit Liquid was excellent; her injuries and hidden dangers were temporarily suppressed, and she even felt her cultivation subtly improving. However, the fleeting warmth and peace she experienced in Lin Xuan's arms made her heart difficult to calm.

Gongsun Yu followed closely beside Qu Feiyan, her small face filled with nervousness. She held a protective jade talisman given by Lin Xuan, and faint streaks of lightning shimmered around her body.

Just as the group was about to pass through a narrow passage formed by the wreckage of huge star metal, a sudden change occurred!

On the metal walls on both sides of the passage, the previously dim star patterns suddenly lit up with blinding white light! A powerful Repulsive Force Field instantly generated, squeezing inward like two invisible walls. Simultaneously, several scorching white Star Rays shot out from the walls, covering the entire passage indiscriminately!

"Be careful!" Wangshu cried out sharply. Her jade hairpin glowed brightly, transforming into a Moon Glory Barrier in front of her, but the Repulsive Force Field was so powerful that it actually caused her body to pause.

The Star Rays were extremely fast, carrying the power to pierce metal and stone!

Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing, who was right behind him, bore the brunt of the attack.

Lin Xuan reacted incredibly quickly. The power of the Vast Sea Asura Golden Body erupted, and he punched toward one of the incoming scorching white rays. The golden-red Fist Aura collided with the ray, making a sizzling sound as both were annihilated. But there was more than one ray; another shot cunningly toward his ribs.

In that flash of lightning and flint, a cool Sword Rainbow struck first, arriving after he had initiated his move!

"Clang!"

Su Wanqing had stepped forward without warning. Her Ice Sword was unsheathed, striking the ray with perfect precision! The extremely cold Sword Intent instantly froze and shattered the scorching white star energy! She slightly rotated her wrist, her sword momentum flowing like moonlight, weaving a cold Sword Net that blocked all subsequent rays aimed at Lin Xuan and herself!

The sword light was pure and cold, reflecting her focused profile. In this moment, she was no longer the woman whose heart was stirred by affection, but the battle-hardened Genius of the Qinglan Sect with a Clear Sword Heart. Her movements were fluid and seamless, possessing an almost artistic beauty and absolute reliability.

Lin Xuan seized the moment to breathe, immediately circulated his magical power, combined it with his Golden Body Strength, and let out a low shout. He abruptly pushed his palms forward, and a massive force forcefully resisted the invisible force field squeezing from both sides, carving out space for the people behind him.

"Hurry through!" Lin Xuan yelled.

A strange light flashed in Qu Feiyan's eyes. Without hesitation, she pulled Gongsun Yu and swiftly darted through the gap Lin Xuan had created. Wangshu also seized the chance, flashing with moonlight to escape the force field's range.

However, the Star Rays seemed to have triggered a chain reaction, and more rays burst forth from the walls like a sudden storm!

Su Wanqing's sword dance accelerated. The Moon Glory Sword Curtain protected her and Lin Xuan completely, but the rays were too dense. A stray ray grazed her left arm, instantly burning a charred hole through her plain white sleeve and leaving a shallow blood mark on her snow-white skin, from which tiny drops of blood seeped.

Lin Xuan's gaze sharpened, and his heart tightened inexplicably. He abruptly urged his magical power, forcibly shaking the force field open for an instant, grabbed Su Wanqing's wrist, and shouted, "Go!"

The touch was cold and delicate. Su Wanqing paused slightly but did not pull away. Using Lin Xuan's momentum, the two shot out of the passage like arrows released from a bow.

Behind them, the glow of the star patterns in the passage gradually faded, and the force field and rays subsided.

They were safe.

Lin Xuan released her hand and looked at the injury on Su Wanqing's left arm, frowning slightly: "Senior Sister Su, your injury..."

Su Wanqing subconsciously pulled her arm back. No expression was visible on her cool face, though her earlobes were slightly flushed: "It's nothing, just a superficial wound." She had been completely focused on dealing with the crisis just now, and only belatedly felt the lingering warmth and strength on her wrist from Lin Xuan's palm—a feeling she... did not dislike.

Qu Feiyan walked over, her gaze sweeping between the injury on Su Wanqing's arm and Lin Xuan's face. Her charming eyes curved, and her tone carried a hint of ambiguity: "Sister Su truly has excellent swordsmanship. You protected Junior Brother Lin completely." She deliberately emphasized the phrase "protected Junior Brother Lin completely."

Su Wanqing glanced at her indifferently and did not reply, simply circulating her Taiyin Power. The burn on her arm healed at a visible speed.

Lin Xuan lightly coughed, changing the subject: "Thanks to Senior Wangshu for leading the way, we seem to be close to the exit."

Wangshu pointed to a sloping, partially concealed cave entrance nearby: "If we exit through there, we will leave the Starfall Pavilion area."

The group arrived at the entrance. Outside was the Void Realm, even more fragmented and floating with countless Star Remains. In the distance, unsettling fluctuations faintly emanated from the direction of the ancient ruins indicated by the star maps.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and stepped out of the entrance first. Su Wanqing watched his resolute back; a fleeting trace of gentleness flashed in her icy eyes. The sensation of his hand gripping her wrist seemed to linger. She lightly clenched her fist and followed him. Some emotional knots might not be untied overnight, but the trust forged in battle and the affection quietly budding were, little by little, weaving a deeper bond throughout this perilous journey.