77: A conspiracy within the celestial palace, a deadly trap laid in the shadows.

While Lin Yang was in secluded cultivation aboard the starship, within the Star Moon Sect, a conspiracy against him was quietly brewing in the dark corners.

Late at night, deep within the Grand Elder's inner Sect hall, in a secret chamber isolated from all detection.

Candlelight flickered, illuminating the Grand Elder's grim and distorted face. Opposite him sat a woman dressed in the robes of a Misty Immortal Palace Elder, her face veiled. Though her full appearance was obscured, her exposed eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and her body exuded the subtle fluctuations characteristic of a Spirit Sea Realm expert.

"Elder Mu's late-night visit truly brings glory to my Star Moon Sect," the Grand Elder said with a forced smile, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible flattery.

The woman, referred to as Elder Mu, snorted coldly, her voice clear and crisp: "Grand Elder Lin, spare me the pleasantries. You urgently requested a meeting through secret channels. What is the matter? If it's about that 'Heavenly Treasure,' the Immortal Palace's high-ranking officials deemed your previous proposal too risky with unclear benefits."

A flicker of anger crossed the Grand Elder's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, lowering his voice: "Elder Mu, times have changed. That brat Lin Yang, today at the Sect meeting, actually condensed a 'Domain Prototype' while still in the Xiantian Realm!"

"What?!" Elder Mu's usually placid eyes suddenly widened in shock. "Xiantian Realm? Domain Prototype? Grand Elder Lin, is this true? Do you know the consequences of deceiving the Immortal Palace?"

"Absolutely true! All the Elders present can testify!" The Grand Elder's voice was agitated. "This child's terrifying talent far exceeds imagination! Now he has even been appointed Young Lord by the Sect Master, receiving preferential resources, and aided by that mysterious starship! If he is allowed to grow, within a few years, who in Qingzhou, or even the surrounding regions, could restrain his Star Moon Sect? By then, if the Immortal Palace still wishes to scheme, it will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens!"

Elder Mu fell silent for a moment, clearly processing this astonishing news, her eyes flickering. A Domain Prototype, even in the Misty Immortal Palace, was a threshold only the most outstanding individuals in the Spirit Sea Realm might touch. A Xiantian Realm brat... such talent could no longer be described as terrifying; it was simply Heaven-Defying!

"How powerful is that starship, exactly?" Elder Mu spoke again, her tone much more solemn.

"It is immensely vast, with an extremely high energy level. Even I, with my Spirit Sea Realm cultivation, feel a sense of dread before it," the Grand Elder truthfully stated. "It has recognized Lin Yang as its master, and others cannot control it. But precisely because of this, we must scheme against it as early as possible! This child and the starship must not be allowed to remain!"

Elder Mu lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, pondering: "This child has indeed become a major hidden danger. But he is within the Star Moon Sect, protected by the Sect Master, and with the starship hovering above. A direct assault is absolutely not the best strategy."

"Therefore, the opportunity is at hand!" The Grand Elder leaned forward, his voice extremely low. "The Trial of the Heavens will open soon, and Lin Yang, as the Star Moon Sect's chief disciple, will surely lead a team there. The Trial Grounds are not under the control of any single Sect, and it is incredibly chaotic within – it's the perfect time to act!"

A vicious glint flashed in his eyes: "As long as the Immortal Palace can dispatch experts to set up a deadly trap during his trial journey, or just as he enters the Trial Grounds before he can establish a firm footing, he can surely be eliminated in one fell swoop! By then, the starship will be without a master, and with the Immortal Palace's vast Divine Abilities, there will be a way to acquire it. As for me, I only need to cooperate from the inside, providing his travel route and exact timing."

Elder Mu stared at him with sharp eyes: "What do you want?"

The Grand Elder's face showed a greedy smile: "I only want the position of Star Moon Sect Master! Afterwards, the Star Moon Sect will pledge allegiance to the Immortal Palace and offer tribute annually!"

A brief silence fell over the secret chamber, broken only by the crackling of the candlelight.

After a long while, Elder Mu slowly rose: "I need to return to the Palace immediately to report this matter. But your proposal, the Immortal Palace accepts. Prepare Lin Yang's detailed itinerary. Remember, if even a hint of information leaks, or if the plan goes awry, the Immortal Palace's wrath will first fall upon you!"

"Elder Mu, rest assured, only heaven and earth, you and I, will know of this!" The Grand Elder quickly guaranteed.

Elder Mu said no more, her figure flickered, merging into the shadows like a ghost and disappearing.

In the secret chamber, only the Grand Elder remained. The fawning and excitement on his face gradually faded, replaced by cold ferocity.

"Lin Yang... Sect Master... Hmph, once the Immortal Palace succeeds, the Star Moon Sect will be mine for the taking! Let's see how long you can remain arrogant!"

He seemed to already envision Lin Yang's demise, the starship changing masters, and himself ascending to the Sect Master's throne, unable to suppress a low, smug sneer.

However, he never anticipated that outside the secret chamber, high in the clouds, in the main control room of that silently hovering starship, a faint, almost imperceptible energy fluctuation had just swept across the ship's surface – the chaos star core had a weak, instinctive sensing of the strong malice directed at its master.

Lin Yang, who was in secluded cultivation, frowned slightly, then relaxed, continuing to immerse himself in his cultivation.

A killing trap had been quietly laid. A storm was gathering.