37: Introduction to Star and Moon

The fog, like shredded cotton, wrapped the cool dampness of the bluestone slabs and spread to the front gate of the Lin Residence.

Three Snow-Treading Steeds snorted white vapor, their hooves leaving shallow indentations on the steps below.

Liu Qingluan was bowing her head to tie a knot on her luggage, her fingertips repeatedly stroking the edge of the Embroidered Pouch—inside, besides medicine, she hid the Tranquility Grass that Lin Yang taught her to recognize.

When the brothers from the Shadow Guard Camp slipped it to her last night, they specifically warned her to “guard against the Zhao family’s Fire Arts.”

Liu Hongluan crouched beside a horse, carefully separating and packing dried Blood-Stopping Grass into cloth bags, her movements so gentle she seemed afraid of breaking the leaves, yet her peripheral vision kept darting toward Lin Xingnan.

The old man stood on the stone steps.

The scales of his Dark Battle Armor were dusted with morning dew, reflecting the rising sun with a cold sheen.

He pressed a Jade Slip engraved with the Lin Clan crest into Lin Yang’s palm.

His fingertips trembled slightly due to an unhealed old injury, and the calluses on his thumb brushed the edge of the Jade Slip: “Zhang Yuan, the Outer Sect Steward of the Star Moon Sect, is the son of an old subordinate your grandfather saved back then.

However, in recent years, he has followed people from the Misty Immortal Palace.

If you encounter difficulties, show him this Jade Slip—it might save you some face.”

“Grandpa, take care.”

Lin Yang gripped the Jade Slip tightly, his knuckles white.

He could see the new white hairs at the old man's temples.

Last night, in order to forcibly stabilize his Gang Qi Realm cultivation, Lin Xingnan's old chest injury had bled again.

Now, a faint blue-gray mark was visible even through the battle armor.

Lin Hu walked over, leaning on a newly forged Refined Iron Staff.

His empty left sleeve flapped in the wind—it was the arm he lost years ago protecting Lin Xingnan, severed by a Misty Immortal Palace Cultivator.

“The Shadow Guard Camp has split into three groups and infiltrated the Star Moon Sect territory, disguised as Servants and Woodcutters, ready to be deployed at any time.”

He suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice until it brushed Lin Yang’s ear, “We intercepted a letter from the White Cloud Sect last night.

That old bastard Elder Zhao has a legitimate son named Zhao Kun, who is currently cultivating in the Inner Sect of the Star Moon Sect—he is the older brother of Zhao Lei, who died by your hand.”

As the sound of hooves broke through the morning fog, Lin Yang looked back one last time.

Lin Xingnan still stood straight-backed on the stone steps, the light of his Dark Battle Armor falling upon him.

He looked exactly as he had twenty years ago when he bid farewell to Lin Yang’s father as he left for the Secret Realm—back then, his father also rode a Snow-Treading Steed, followed by a camp full of soldiers, but that time, no one ever returned.

The Star Moon Sect’s Main Gate was even more magnificent than rumored.

A thousand-zhang-high Floating Island hung in the clouds, and a waterfall poured down from its edge, crashing into the pool at the foot of the mountain.

The resulting rainbow mist was wrapped in Spiritual Qi; taking a single breath made one's Dantian tremble.

New Disciples crowded in line before the Sword Testing Stone.

Behind the long registration table, Outer Sect Stewards were using Spiritual Measurement Plates to verify information.

Occasionally, someone tested positive for a Single-Element Spiritual Root, drawing gasps of envious admiration.

“Name, native place, recommender.”

At the end of the long table, Zhang Yuan splashed ink and wielded his brush without lifting his head, the tip scratching a harsh rustling sound across the rice paper.

A Dark Jade Talisman hung at his waist.

The Entwined Branch Pattern carved on the Talisman was extremely familiar to Lin Yang—it was the unique hidden pattern of the Misty Immortal Palace, identical to the token Lin Hongfeng had hidden in his sleeve back then.

“Lin Yang, Lin Family of Qingshi Town, recommender Su Qingyue.”

The brush tip suddenly stopped, and a thick black ink blot spread across the roster, like an indelible bloodstain.

Zhang Yuan finally looked up, his triangular eyes sweeping over Lin Yang, then lingering briefly on the pale faces of the Liu sisters, before a sneer curled his lips: “Someone recommended by Senior Sister Su must also have their Spiritual Root tested according to the rules—we can’t just let a Trash sneak into the Sect, can we?”

Whispers immediately broke out in front of the Sword Testing Stone.

Who didn't know that Su Qingyue was the Sect Master's personally taught Saintess, and that anyone she recommended usually entered the Inner Sect directly?

This Steward Zhang was clearly making things difficult on purpose.

Lin Yang pressed his palm onto the cold Sword Testing Stone.

The chaos star core rotated gently in his Sea of Consciousness.

Just as the Five-Colored Streamer was about to pour into the stone through his palm, he suddenly suppressed the star core's fluctuations—allowing only the faint light of a Five Elements mixed Spiritual Root to leak out.

The next second, the Sword Testing Stone trembled violently, and fine cracks exploded across its surface, as if it couldn't withstand the heterogeneous Spiritual Qi.

“Hmph, a Five Elements mixed Spiritual Root, as expected.”

Zhang Yuan tossed three rough Wooden Plaques over.

The characters "Ding-zi Courtyard" were crookedly carved onto them.

“The Servant’s Quarters happens to be short on people.

You go report to Ding-zi Courtyard.

As for these two young ladies—” He glanced at the cloth bag clutched tightly by Liu Hongluan, “The Laundry Room needs hands.

Go now.

You must finish washing the Inner Sect Disciples’ clothes tonight.”

“Senior Sister Su clearly said we could…” Liu Hongluan couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with grievance, but Zhang Yuan sharply interrupted her.

“The rules of the Star Moon Sect are paramount!

Even Senior Sister Su must obey the rules!”

Zhang Yuan flicked an invisible Protective Aura from his fingertips hidden in his sleeve.

It was as fast as a gust of wind, stabbing straight toward Liu Hongluan’s throat—he intended to injure her amid the Chaos, ensuring they couldn't even serve as Servants.

Lin Yang was quick, raising his hand to crush the wisp of Protective Aura.

The chaos star core captured the faint light flashing from the Jade Talisman at Zhang Yuan’s waist—it was a signal transmitting a message, most likely to Zhao Kun.

He pressed Liu Hongluan’s wrist, shaking his head, but the cold light in his eyes was like tempered ice: “The Laundry Room, is it? We’ll go.”

Ding-zi Courtyard was hidden on the shady side of the mountain.

Moss covered the damp corners of the walls, and even the window paper was torn.

Just as Liu Qingluan lit the Insect-Repelling Incense, a delicate laugh came from outside the window, grating on the ears like shattered glass: “Oh, isn’t this the ‘Genius’ with the Five Elements Spiritual Root? Why are you staying in such a dilapidated place?”

A girl in fine clothes leaned against the doorframe, the Golden Bell on her wrist jingling.

Her fiery red dress was particularly jarring in the dull gray courtyard.

She toyed with the Pearl Hairpin in her hair, but her gaze raked over Lin Yang like a knife: “My name is Zhao Meier, and I am from the Zhao family.

I kindly warn you—stay away from Su Qingyue, or else... your end will be ugly.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly flicked her finger, shooting out a Line of Fire that lunged straight for Liu Hongluan’s made bed.

The blue flames instantly erupted.

Liu Qingluan reacted extremely fast, condensing pale green Wood Element True Essence on her fingertips.

Vines drilled out from the cracks in the floor, moving like flexible snakes, instantly extinguishing the flames.

Liu Hongluan also formed a hand seal, and more Vines wrapped around the bed frame, tightly covering the remaining sparks—this was the talent they Awakened in the Qingmeng Mountain Secret Realm.

Although weak now, it was enough for self-defense.

“You do have some ability.”

Zhao Meier raised an eyebrow, and her Golden Bell shook louder.

“Too bad, no matter how powerful you are, you won’t be able to protect yourselves.”

The second Fire Arrow was fiercer than the last, heading straight for the sisters' faces, but it was suddenly swallowed cleanly by a gray Vortex of Qi mid-air.

Lin Yang stood in the courtyard, the Chaos True Essence in his palm slowly rotating like a shredded nebula: “The Zhao family’s way of treating guests seems to be inherited from the White Cloud Sect—is that how Zhao Lei taught you?”

“How dare you mention my brother!”

Zhao Meier’s face instantly flushed red, and the Golden Bell on her wrist clanged wildly.

Scorching waves of Qi surged out from around her, causing the leaves of the old locust tree in the courtyard to curl up.

Just then, a crane cry sounded in the distance.

A snow-colored Immortal Crane swooped down from the clouds.

Su Qingyue stood on the crane’s back, her plain white skirt fluttering in the cloud vapor, like a descending cloud.

“The Law Enforcement Hall records Zhao Meier's offense of assaulting a fellow Disciple.

She is penalized by copying the Sect Rules one hundred times and confined for three months.”

Su Qingyue lightly tapped the crane’s head, and the Immortal Crane landed in the courtyard.

Her gaze swept over Zhang Yuan’s pale face in the distance, her voice clear as ice, “The Outer Sect Grand Competition will start three days early.

Lin Yang is personally recommended by me to participate and is exempt from Servant duties.”

When the Immortal Crane flapped its wings, it raised a strong gust of wind.

Su Qingyue’s voice suddenly pierced Lin Yang’s Sea of Consciousness: “Zhang Yuan is a Spy for the Misty Immortal Palace, be careful.

On the day of the Grand Competition, Zhao Kun will emerge from the Inner Sect.

He is Zhao Lei’s older brother and will definitely use his authority as a Referee to make trouble for you—he possesses a Magical Artifact capable of suppressing Chaos True Essence.

You must be wary.”

As she finished speaking, her long sleeve brushed past Lin Yang’s wrist, and an Ice Crystal Talisman silently landed in his palm, cold to the touch.

In the middle of the night, Lin Yang sat at the table, using his Divine Thought to probe the Ice Crystal Talisman.

Su Qingyue's clear, cold voice sounded in his Sea of Consciousness, carrying a hint of seriousness: “Zhao Kun met with an Envoy from the Misty Immortal Palace three days ago.

They seem intent on making a move against you during the Grand Competition—Elder Zhao gave him half of a ‘Chaos Suppression Talisman,’ which can temporarily seal your Star Core Power.

You absolutely must not fall for it.”

The window lattice was suddenly tapped lightly.

Liu Qingluan walked in, carrying a bowl of Medicinal Food.

The moonlight fell on her face, reflecting the deep worry in her eyes: “The Shadow Guard Camp sent news that Zhao Kun went to the Laundry Room tonight and bribed the Steward—he wants Hongluan to rush work tomorrow and miss the Grand Competition.”

Lin Yang stirred the Ganoderma Slices in the bowl.

The chaos star core suddenly began to tremble gently—Spiritual Qi was being drawn by a Formation three hundred zhang to the southeast.

That fluctuation was identical to the "Spirit Devouring Formation" he had seen in the Qingmeng Mountain Secret Realm.

“It seems someone doesn’t want me to participate in the Grand Competition.”

He pushed open the window.

A star suddenly fell in the night sky, tracing a faint blue trajectory like a descending chain.

Liu Hongluan rushed into the courtyard, night dew still clinging to her hair, clutching a piece of scorched cloth in her hand: “The Laundry Room Steward said we have to rush to wash the Inner Sect Disciples’ clothes tonight, or they’ll deduct our Rations—it’s clearly Zhao Meier’s doing!”

“Ignore them.”

Lin Yang raised his hand and pressed it onto the old locust tree in the courtyard.

The power of the chaos star core poured through his palm into the trunk.

The dead branches suddenly grew wildly, weaving into a thick Barrier that protected the entire courtyard.

“Tonight, let’s see who loses patience first.”

A short whistle suddenly sounded in the mountain wind, three short and one long—the Shadow Guard Camp’s warning signal for detecting enemy traces.

Lin Yang condensed a ball of Chaos-colored Lightning in his fingertips.

The Lightning illuminated the cold, severe curve of his lips—Zhao Kun, Zhao Meier, and Zhang Yuan hidden in the dark.

This Outer Sect Grand Competition was destined to be anything but peaceful.