76: The gods are coming; prepare your horses and sharpen your weapons.

Although the turmoil in the Star Moon Sect's main hall was forcibly suppressed by the Sect Master, the tension and hostility lingering in the air did not dissipate. The Grand Elder's faction returned defeated under the watchful eyes of everyone, especially the Grand Elder himself. His face was so gloomy it seemed to drip water, and the undisguised resentment in his eyes as he left indicated that the matter would certainly not end there.

After the meeting, the Sect Master summoned Lin Yang alone to a quiet room in the back hall.

"You handled today's matter very well," the Sect Master said, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze passing through the window lattice to the indistinct outline of a starship in the distant sea of clouds. His tone held a hint of relief, but also a deep solemnity. "When your brilliance should be shown, show it. A nascent Domain... even I, at your Realm, would never have dared to imagine it. You are qualified to guard this starship."

Lin Yang stood respectfully: "Thank you, Sect Master, for your protection."

The Sect Master turned around, his eyes sharp: "But you must also understand that today you have thoroughly offended the Grand Elder. His desire for the starship remains, and he fears your rapid growth, which threatens his status. This person has managed the Sect for many years, has many cronies, and... is by no means one to stick to old ways."

Lin Yang's gaze narrowed slightly: "Does the Sect Master mean...?"

"What he said earlier about 'attracting covetous eyes from all directions' was not entirely false," the Sect Master said gravely. "According to my secret investigation, the Grand Elder seems to have unclear connections with external forces, especially the Misty Immortal Palace. Today, you revealed the starship and your potential. Under desperation, it's hard to guarantee he won't invite wolves into the house."

Lin Yang's heart tightened, and he instantly understood. If the Grand Elder felt he couldn't succeed within the Sect, he might very well use external forces to deal with him, even at the cost of damaging the Sect's interests.

"I will intensify surveillance on him, but an open spear is easy to dodge, while a hidden arrow is hard to guard against. Especially..." The Sect Master paused, lowering his voice slightly, "The Trial of the Heavens is about to begin, and as the chief Disciple of this Sect, you will certainly lead a team there. The Trial Grounds are not in Qingzhou, nor even on our continent. The risks there are unpredictable, and if someone conspires from within and without, it will be an excellent opportunity to strike."

Lin Yang's expression was solemn: "This Disciple understands."

"Good that you understand," the Sect Master nodded, then flipped his hand to produce a Storage Ring and a token. "Here are the resources the Sect has prepared for you, including Medicinal Pills to stabilize your Realm, heal injuries, and save lives, as well as some protective Talismans. This token allows you unlimited access to the top floor of the Sect's 'Cultivation Tower,' where there is a small Spiritual Vein branch. The Spiritual Qi is rich enough to support your Cultivation to the Gang Qi Realm. The Trial of the Heavens is extremely dangerous; an extra bit of strength means an extra bit of security. Before you depart, you must enhance your strength as much as possible."

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Lin Yang took the ring and token, feeling the immense energy contained within them and the Sect's earnest expectations.

"Go," the Sect Master waved his hand. "The future of the Star Moon Sect rests on you."

Lin Yang bowed deeply and exited the quiet room.

Leaving the main hall, Lin Yang did not return to his new Immortal Cave. Instead, he used the Core Cabin key to teleport back into the starship hovering above the Sect.

In the starship's main control room, light flowed, and the star map on the surrounding walls seemed to come alive, slowly operating. Bai Wanqing and Su Qingyue were adjusting their breath; seeing Lin Yang return, they immediately came forward to greet him.

"Brother Yang, are you alright?" Bai Wanqing asked with concern. Her shoulder injury was mostly fine now.

"Did the Sect Master make things difficult for you?" Su Qingyue was more concerned about the subsequent handling.

Lin Yang briefly informed the two women about the conversation in the back hall and took out the resources given by the Sect Master.

"The Grand Elder actually dared to collude with external enemies!" Su Qingyue's beautiful eyes flashed with killing intent, her ice silk moving without wind. "His heart deserves to be punished!"

"The Trial of the Heavens... is indeed full of dangers," Bai Wanqing was more worried about the trial itself.

"No matter," Lin Yang's eyes were sharp and full of confidence. "When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll cover it with earth. If they dare to come, they'll just become nourishment for my chaos star core." He looked at the gray-gold secret key in the center of the control console. "The most urgent task is to use all resources to raise our strength to a higher level before the trial begins."

With a thought, the starship trembled slightly, and a sealed cabin below the main control room slowly opened, emitting an extremely rich Chaos Spiritual Qi—this was precisely the "Cultivation Chamber" that the starship had condensed using chaos origin after self-repair, its effects far surpassing the Star Moon Sect's Cultivation Tower.

"For the next period, we will enter seclusion here," Lin Yang decided. "Wanqing, you primarily Cultivate the Clear Heart Art, stabilize your Realm, and try to break through to the Peak of Innate Ninth Layer. Senior Sister Qingyue, your injuries have just healed. Use this Chaos Spiritual Qi to solidify your Foundation and strive to Cultivate the Star Moon Vein Nurturing Art to a higher level."

"What about you?" the two women asked simultaneously.

Lin Yang's mouth curved into an arc. With a flip of his palm, several demon cores and strange metals, obtained from the Ancient Land of Starfall, appeared. They contained immense energy but had not been absorbed due to their violent properties. "Me? Naturally, I'll try to break through to the Gang Qi Realm!"

The door of the starship's Cultivation Chamber slowly closed, temporarily isolating all external disturbances. Lin Yang and the two women immersed themselves in Cultivation, using the massive resources provided by the starship and the Sect to race against time to enhance their strength.

The massive gray-gold starship, like a silent guardian beast, hovered above the Star Moon Sect, silently accumulating power, awaiting the moment to soar into the sky and conquer the heavens.