59: The divine secret is first formed

As the Chaos True Essence flowed along the path of the Star Moon Divine Art, Lin Yang realized that the Sect Master's “imparting of achievement” was by no means casual. The Moon-Drawing Realm required absorbing moonlight into the Dantian. Ordinary Disciples needed to meditate under the moonlight for seven days to draw in Qi, but as soon as the Chaos True Essence in his body touched the path, it spontaneously took on a silver-blue hue, circulating through his Meridians. In less than half an incense stick's time, a miniature “moon wheel” floated in his Dantian, its faint silver light subtly echoing the flame of the Star Moon Lamp.

"This..." Zhou Ming, who had been guarding the door at some point, was so startled by this scene that he almost dropped the teacup in his hand. Su Qingyue's mother had taken three full days to Cultivate the Moon-Drawing Realm back then. Lin Yang had only used half an incense stick?

The Sect Master's finger also paused at the edge of the jade cup, and silver-blue tea dripped onto the table, spreading a small wet stain. He had originally thought Lin Yang would take at least half a day to get started, but he never expected the Chaos True Essence's simulation ability to be so strong, instantly adapting even to the most obscure True Qi paths of the Star Moon Sect. This further solidified his determination to let Lin Yang enter the ancient land. Only such talent could survive the encirclement of Battle Souls in the ancient land.

Lin Yang did not stop, continuing to urge his True Essence to impact the Star Gathering Realm. The moon wheel in his Dantian suddenly shattered, transforming into countless silver star points, which condensed along the second layer path of the Star Moon Divine Art. Each star point was wrapped in a faint layer of Chaos aura, more solid and agile than the star points of ordinary Disciples. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the star points condensed into a mass of silver-white True Essence, slowly rotating within the Dantian, precisely the sign of Major Achievement in the Star Gathering Realm!

"Stop!" The Sect Master suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible tremor. "No need to try the Condensing Radiance Realm. You... indeed have the qualifications to be a Star Moon Secret Disciple." He stood up and walked to Lin Yang's side, his gaze falling on the silver-white True Essence in his Dantian, then added, "There's another reason why I can't accompany you into the ancient land. People from the Immortal Palace have been monitoring the outer perimeter of the Sect, and the Xuantian Sword Sect has also sent secret agents to watch. If I leave, the Sect will be leaderless, and they might seize the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on the inner Sect's Spiritual Vein. At that time, let alone saving your mother, the entire Star Moon Sect will be finished."

Lin Yang withdrew his True Essence, and the doubts in his heart completely dissipated. The Sect Master staying behind was to stabilize the Sect, not to shirk responsibility. He recalled Shen Shuanghua's mention of the “Immortal Palace's secret line” and asked, "What is the true strength of the ancient Battle Souls in the ancient land? Can a Junior with Innate Seventh Layer Cultivation contend with them?"

"Battle Souls are formed from the remnant souls of ancient Cultivators after death, and are most vulnerable to Divine Soul attacks and ice-type True Qi." The Sect Master walked to the bookshelf, took out a yellowed ancient book, and opened it to reveal a hand-drawn Battle Soul illustration. "Look, this is a 'Soul-Splitting Battle Soul'. It can tear apart a Cultivator's Sea of Consciousness. Previously, an Elder in the Spirit Sea Realm mistakenly entered and had their Divine Soul torn apart within three breaths. But Wanqing's 'ice soul pearl' can detect Divine Soul fluctuations, Qingyue's ice silk can freeze the Battle Souls' movements, plus your chaos star core can devour Battle Soul energy. With the three of you working together, you might not be without a chance."

He handed the ancient book to Lin Yang, then took out a jade token engraved with a Star Moon totem from his sleeve: "This is a Secret Disciple token. With it, you can enter and exit the Scripture Pavilion's Forbidden Ground. There are ancient texts inside that record the weaknesses of the ancient land's Battle Souls; you can consult them for these three days. Cultivation resources will be supplied at three times the rate of a Core Disciple. I have already sent someone to deliver the 'Moon Radiance Pill' outside your courtyard to help you stabilize your Divine Art Cultivation."

Lin Yang took the jade token, which felt cold to the touch. The Star Moon patterns on it had the same aura as the Moon-Drawing patterns on both sides of the stone steps earlier. This was not only a symbol of identity but also a key to opening the entrance to the ancient land. He looked at the Sect Master and suddenly asked, "Sect Master, besides finding the ancient starship, do you also want me to help the Star Moon Sect retrieve the lost chaos star core fragments when I enter the ancient land?"

The Sect Master did not deny it, but sighed instead: "Those fragments contain clues to the latter six layers of the Star Moon Divine Art. Without them, the Cultivation of the Sect's Disciples will always be stuck at the Spirit Sea Realm. But I also know that what you most want to find is your mother. If you find the complete star map within the starship, I will use all the Sect's teleportation arrays to help you pinpoint the Misty Forbidden Land. This is my promise to you."

When Lin Yang rose to bid farewell, the flame of the Star Moon Lamp had weakened by more than half. Walking out of the study, Zhou Ming came forward and handed him a brocade box: "This is the Moon Radiance Pill. The Sect Master specifically instructed you to take one daily. Three days later, at the hour of Mao, gather at the mountain gate behind the mountain."

Lin Yang took the brocade box, thanked him, and walked towards Wangyue Courtyard. In the night, he pulled out the space stone from his In my arms, its faint purple star patterns subtly echoing the silver patterns of the Secret Disciple token. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Su Qingyue holding her ice silk under the locust tree, and Bai Wanqing standing beside her, clutching the ice soul pearl. Clearly, the Sect Master had informed them in advance.

"The Sect Master has told us everything," Su Qingyue said first, a faint blue glow emanating from her ice silk. "I have Cultivated ice-type True Qi to 'Condensing Ice into Armor,' which can protect you and Wanqing; Wanqing's ice soul pearl has also been mostly refined, and its detection range can extend to fifty meters."

Bai Wanqing also nodded, handing over the ice soul pearl: "This pearl will heat up when a Battle Soul approaches. We can also use it to set up a 'Divine Soul Illusion Array' to temporarily trap Battle Souls. For these three days, we can practice our coordination to ensure everything is foolproof."

Lin Yang took the ice soul pearl, and warmth surged in his heart as he looked at the two people in front of him. The chaos star core slowly rotated in his Dantian, intertwining with the aura of the space stone and the Secret Disciple token. He knew that the Sect Master's arrangements were both for the Sect and to help him, and the companionship of Su Qingyue and Bai Wanqing gave him even more confidence for the trip to the ancient land three days later.

When the candlelight lit up again, Lin Yang spread out the Star Moon Divine Art and the ancient book on ancient land Battle Souls. His Chaos True Essence flowed along the pages, analyzing the path of the Condensing Radiance Realm while noting the weaknesses of the Battle Souls. He knew that only by preparing as quickly as possible could he protect his companions in front of the ancient Battle Souls of the ancient land, and also protect the only hope of finding his mother.