66: Starlight sweeps away hordes of enemies, love blossoms on the ancient warship.

Before the Chaos Crystal Pillar, Lin Yang was surrounded by gray-gold Chaos Qi. Liquid True Essence rapidly circulated within his Dantian, steadily advancing towards the Gang Qi Realm. But just then, dense footsteps and the clang of weapons suddenly came from outside the Core Cabin. Su Qingyue's ice silk instantly tensed: “Not good! Elder Yun Song has brought reinforcements! And people from Xuantian Sword Sect and White Cloud Sect!”

Lin Yang opened his eyes. The Chaos True Essence in his body was even more solidified than before. Although he hadn't broken through to the Gang Qi Realm, he had reached the Peak of the Eighth Layer of Innate Realm, and the power of his liquid True Essence was 30% stronger than before. “Senior Sister Qingyue, guard the cabin door. Wanqing, use the ice soul pearl to pinpoint the enemy's location. I'll activate the starship's defensive weapons!” He quickly walked to the control panel of the Core Cabin. From here, he could operate some of the starship's functions, including the Star Radiance Cannon at the bow.

The buttons on the control panel glowed with a faint golden light. Lin Yang, following the starship's Meridians analyzed by the star core, pressed the button labeled “Star Radiance Cannon.” “Buzz—” The starship vibrated violently, and the Star Radiance Cannon at the bow began to gather energy. A faint golden beam of light formed at the bow, carrying an aura of world-ending destruction.

The Core Cabin door was pushed open with a “boom,” and Elder Yun Song rushed in with more than ten people, including Elder Zhou Chen of Xuantian Sword Sect and Protector Zhang of White Cloud Sect. “Lin Yang, where will you run this time?!” Elder Zhou Chen unleashed his Azure Phoenix Sword Domain. The azure Sword Qi, tinged with blood, enveloped Lin Yang's Dantian, attempting to seal his True Essence.

Protector Zhang, meanwhile, swung his rift seal blade. The blade glowed with a dark purple poisonous light, slashing towards Bai Wanqing: “First kill these two girls, let's see how you can still be distracted!” The black light of the rift seal blade grazed Bai Wanqing's back, instantly reopening her unhealed wound. Blood soaked her light blue dress. She let out a muffled groan, but still held the ice soul pearl in front of Lin Yang, preventing the enemy from approaching the control panel.

Su Qingyue's ice silk unfolded, coiling around Protector Zhang's rift seal blade. Ice True Essence flowed along the blade, freezing his wrist: “Wanqing is injured, and you still dare to sneak attack? Do you think our Star Moon Sect has no one?” The ice silk collided with the rift seal blade, sending ice shards flying. However, Su Qingyue, due to her previous injuries, was shaken back half a step, and blood seeped from her waist and abdomen.

Watching his two female companions get injured one after another to protect him, a hint of crimson flashed in Lin Yang's eyes. His Chaos True Essence completely boiled: “Star Radiance Cannon, fire!” He pressed the launch button, and the faint golden beam from the bow shot towards the Core Cabin door like a meteor. The air was torn open by a golden rift, and the enemies in its path, unable to dodge, were instantly hit by the beam and turned to dust.

Elder Yun Song, Zhou Chen, and Protector Zhang narrowly avoided it, but were also shaken by the beam's residual power, their blood and Qi surging. “This is the starship's main cannon?!” Elder Yun Song's face turned pale. He hadn't expected Lin Yang to be able to control the starship's weapons. “Retreat! Get out of the starship first, then we'll make a plan!” With that, he led the remaining people in a disheveled escape towards the outside of the starship, not daring to utter another harsh word.

Lin Yang didn't pursue. Instead, he quickly walked to Bai Wanqing's side and supported her as she swayed: “Wanqing, how are you? Your wound has reopened!” He took out his last Moonflower Pill from his In my arms, crushed it, and applied it to her wound, his movements so gentle he was afraid of hurting her.

Bai Wanqing endured the pain and reached out to hold Lin Yang's hand: “I'm fine... Don't worry, the Star Radiance Cannon repelled the enemies, we're safe for now.” Her fingertips accidentally brushed against Lin Yang's palm. Both of them paused instinctively. Bai Wanqing's ear tips turned red, and she quickly withdrew her hand, but Lin Yang held it back.

“Don't get hurt for me again. Next time, I'll protect you all.” Lin Yang's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness. He looked at Bai Wanqing's pale face, his heart full of self-reproach. If only his strength were sufficient, she wouldn't have suffered so much.

Su Qingyue leaned against the cabin door, watching their interaction, a faint smile on her lips: “Alright, the enemies have retreated. Let's find a safe place to heal first. Although the Chaos Qi in the Core Cabin is dense, there isn't a dedicated healing Formation. The Vein Nurturing Chamber within the ship is the best choice—it has an ancient Vein Nurturing Formation, which can accelerate wound healing and help Lin Yang stabilize his True Essence.”

Lin Yang nodded, supporting Bai Wanqing, and followed Su Qingyue towards the Vein Nurturing Chamber. The starship's interior corridor was still dim, but felt a bit safer after repelling the enemies. Lin Yang held Bai Wanqing's hand, the warmth from his fingertips transferring to her, alleviating much of her pain. Bai Wanqing leaned against Lin Yang, feeling his protection, and a warmth spread through her heart. All the previous hardships seemed to have gained meaning.

Arriving at the Vein Nurturing Chamber, it was much smaller than the Core Cabin. In the center was a circular ancient Vein Nurturing Formation. The Formation Plate's surface was covered with faint golden Vein Nurturing Runes, emitting a gentle Spiritual Qi. Su Qingyue helped Bai Wanqing sit within the Formation. Spiritual Qi flowed into Bai Wanqing's Meridians, and her complexion gradually returned to rosy: “This Vein Nurturing Formation is truly effective; the pain from the wound has lessened considerably.”

Lin Yang also sat in the Formation, circulating his Chaos True Essence to absorb the Spiritual Qi. The turbulence of his liquid True Essence gradually calmed under the nourishment of the Spiritual Qi. He looked at Bai Wanqing, then at Su Qingyue, understanding in his heart: this journey to the ancient land not only granted him star map fragments and clues to the Chaos Legacy but also deepened his bonds with his companions. Su Qingyue's reliability and Bai Wanqing's gentleness further strengthened his resolve to protect them.

Su Qingyue walked to the window of the Vein Nurturing Chamber, looking at the Meteorite Crater outside, and said softly: “This starship not only hides the Chaos Legacy but can also control the Star Radiance Cannon and warp jumps. Perhaps... it is our key to dealing with the Immortal Palace and the Trial of the Heavens. As long as we can fully control the starship, even against stronger enemies, we will have a fighting chance.”

Lin Yang nodded, his eyes filled with determination: “No matter how many dangers the future holds, as long as the three of us are united, there will be no difficulty we cannot overcome. Once we finish healing, we will go to the starship's Core Cabin, obtain the Chaos Legacy, and then return to Star Moon Sect to prepare for the upcoming challenges.”

Bai Wanqing looked at the light in Lin Yang's eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips. The blue light of the ice soul pearl intertwined with the Spiritual Qi of the Vein Nurturing Formation, illuminating their three figures. In the Vein Nurturing Chamber of this ancient starship, there was not only the tranquility of healing but also affection quietly blossoming, and an anticipation for the future—their journey had just begun, and this starship would be their most powerful aid.