45: Secrets of the Soul-Searching and Consciousness-Refining Star Pavilion

The Elder in the star robe, named Li Beichen, was the Starfall Pavilion's Outer Sect Law Enforcement Elder. At this moment, he and his two Early Soul Transformation Stage companions behind him felt a sudden surge of alarm in their hearts the instant Lu Qingxuan's words, "Why don't I 'tell' you myself?" fell. It was as if they were targeted by an ancient beast from the starry sky, and a chill shot up from their tailbones straight to their heads!

"Not good! Form the Three Talents Star Formation!"

Li Beichen's reaction was undeniably swift. He roared, and the Star Power of his Mid-stage Spirit Transformation Realm cultivation erupted without reservation. He formed hand seals, drawing upon the surrounding Star Power, intending to condense a star-light shield and offensive techniques. The two Elders behind him were also experienced, instantly shifting their positions. Their Qi mechanisms connected, and brilliant starlight surged from their bodies, interweaving into an abstruse triangular Formation diagram that emitted an incomparably sharp Killing Intent.

However, Lu Qingxuan's movements were faster than their thoughts.

He didn't even make any obvious casting gestures; he just stood there quietly, uttering two words:

"Return to Ruin."

Buzz—!

Centered around him, a hazy Chaos Domain silently expanded, instantly enveloping a thousand-mile radius of the starry sky. The Chaos Return to Ruin Dao Domain (Prototypical Form) unfolded completely for the first time in the extraterrestrial starry sky!

Within the Dao Domain, the Laws were altered!

Li Beichen and the two others were horrified to find that the surrounding Star Power they had just drawn upon was like mud oxen entering the sea, instantly swallowed, assimilated, and reduced to nothingness by the chaotic currents. The Star Power surging within their bodies abruptly slowed down by more than ten times, becoming obscure and heavy, as if they had fallen into an endlessly viscous swamp. The 'Three Talents Star Formation' that had just taken shape rapidly dimmed, and the Formation's structure let out an unbearable wail under the erosion of the chaotic Qi, on the verge of collapse.

"This... what kind of Domain is this?! It can suppress the Great Dao of Stars!" An Early Soul Transformation Stage Elder exclaimed in horror, his face filled with fear. The Cultivators of their Starfall Pavilion relied heavily on drawing upon the power of the stars for their cultivation, but now they were completely suppressed, their strength less than one-tenth of what it was!

"Words become Law... severing all techniques... who exactly are you?!" Li Beichen's heart churned with tumultuous waves. He had lived for thousands of years and had never seen such an overbearing, unreasonable Domain power! This had already touched upon the level of the Origin of Laws!

Lu Qingxuan ignored their horror. He pointed his two fingers like a sword, aiming them at the three from afar.

"Bind."

Within the Dao Domain, words became Law! Countless hazy chaotic currents, like living tentacles, instantly coiled around the three struggling figures, binding them tightly. No matter how they urged their Magic Power, burned their vital blood, or even attempted to self-destruct their Natal Star Magic Treasure, all their power, upon contact with the chaotic currents, melted like ice and snow, unable to budge an inch.

Absolute suppression! Complete annihilation at the Realm and Law levels!

Lu Qingxuan's figure flickered, appearing before the despairing Li Beichen. He extended his right hand, his index finger lightly touching Li Beichen's glabella.

"No! Soul searching techniques are a great taboo in the cultivation world! I am an Elder of the Starfall Pavilion; if you harm me, the Pavilion Master will never let you go! The entire Starfall Pavilion will be at war with you until death!" Li Beichen roared, his voice outwardly fierce but inwardly weak, attempting a final struggle.

Lu Qingxuan's eyes were indifferent, without the slightest fluctuation: "Starfall Pavilion? It won't exist for long."

The moment his fingertip touched the glabella, a domineering Divine Thought, like a bursting flood, fiercely surged into Li Beichen's Sea of Consciousness!

"Ah—!"

Li Beichen let out an incomparably shrill scream, his body violently convulsing, his eyeballs bulging and bloodshot. His thousands of years of memories, like pages of a book forcibly ripped open, were laid bare before Lu Qingxuan.

Countless fragments of information rapidly flowed: the Starfall Pavilion's Sect structure, hidden Cultivation Techniques, the layout of various Restrictions, the cultivation and temperament of the Elders, the discord among Disciples... and detailed information about the 'bronze fragment'!

[...The bronze fragment was accidentally obtained a thousand years ago by True Lord Xing Lan, the Pavilion Master, in a dangerous area on the outskirts of Godfall Star... Its material is unknown, it's indestructible, and it contains a peculiar Dao rhyme that can resonate with a distant, unknown place... Initially, there were no abnormalities, but in the past century, it has often vibrated on its own, emitting a hazy Qi. Those who come into contact with it suffer from mental disorientation in mild cases, and damage to their Dao foundation in severe cases... It has been listed as the highest taboo item, sealed in the God-Sealing Chamber on the bottom floor of the Star Gazing Palace, guarded alternately by this old man and Elder Mu Yan, with a rotation every ten years... Outside the God-Sealing Chamber, there is a 'Grand Formation of the Heavens' Star-Locking Spirit Formation', which cannot be opened without the combined efforts of the Pavilion Master and the two temple-guarding Elders...]

[...In recent decades, Pavilion Master True Lord Xing Lan's behavior has become increasingly strange. He has lived in seclusion, becoming more indifferent to internal affairs, yet he has secretly traveled towards Godfall Star multiple times... This is suspected to be related to the fragment's abnormal activity...]

[...Regarding the 'Dark Star Project'... I don't know much; it's the highest secret within the Pavilion, and only core Elders know a little... It seems to be related to an ancient ruin deep within Godfall Star, involving... drawing in... power... Li Beichen's authority is insufficient, only having occasionally overheard the Pavilion Master mentioning it during a conversation with a mysterious black shadow... That black shadow's aura was cold and terrifying, somewhat similar to the hazy aura emitted by the bronze fragment, but even deeper...]

[...The one responsible for liaising with the Crimson Flame Sect and other affiliated forces is the Inner Sect Deputy Steward, Zhao Qianshan... This person's cultivation has rapidly improved in recent years, and his behavior has also been somewhat abnormal...]

A large amount of information, especially regarding the bronze fragment's sealed location, the guarding Grand Formation, True Lord Xing Lan's abnormality, and the existence of the mysterious black shadow, was quickly extracted and assimilated by Lu Qingxuan.

A moment later, Lu Qingxuan withdrew his finger. Li Beichen's eyes were unfocused, foam at his mouth, his Divine Soul already severely damaged. Even if he didn't die, he had become an idiot.

Lu Qingxuan didn't even look at him. With a casual wave, the chaotic currents swept over, reducing him to cosmic dust. The other two bound Early Soul Transformation Stage Elders, witnessing this scene, were scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, unable to even utter a plea for mercy before Lu Qingxuan dealt with them in the same manner, searching their souls and then annihilating them with a wave of his hand.

He would not show the slightest pity for these beings who might have been tainted by dark aura or were destined to be enemies.

[Ding, killed 1 Mid-stage Spirit Transformation Realm Cultivator, 2 Early Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators, obtained cultivation feedback...]

[Ding, replication successful, obtained entries: [Star Dao Body (Incomplete) · Purple], [Star Splendor Soul Tempering Art · Purple], [Insight into the Grand Formation of the Heavens' Stars (Partial) · Gold]...]

[Ding, detected a large number of star dao rhyme fragments, automatically absorbed and fused. [star dao rhyme fragments] storage increased.]

After dealing with these three 'tongues,' Lu Qingxuan had a clear understanding of the Starfall Pavilion's internal situation, especially the protective forces around the bronze fragment.

"Grand Formation of the Heavens' Star-Locking Spirit Formation... guarded by two Spirit Transformation Late Stage Elders... that's a bit troublesome." Lu Qingxuan pondered slightly. If he were to attack forcefully, it would inevitably alert the entire Starfall Pavilion, especially the eccentric Pavilion Master True Lord Xing Lan, who was suspected to be involved with darkness. Although he was fearless, he didn't want to startle the snake, causing the 'Dark Star Project' to be initiated prematurely or the bronze fragment to be moved.

"It seems a clever approach is needed."

His eyes flickered, and he instantly had a plan. With a thought, the star dao rhyme fragments obtained from Star River Daoist and the three Elders earlier, located in his System space, began to burn intensely and undergo deduction.

[Ding, consumed a large amount of [star dao rhyme fragments], deduction successful, obtained the refining method for the secret technique [Heaven-Deceiving Star Talisman].]

[Heaven-Deceiving Star Talisman]: Using pure Star Dao rhyme as its core, it simulates the Star Aura and Divine Soul fluctuations of a specific Cultivator, capable of briefly deceiving Formations and detection of the same Origin. The effect lasts for one hour. (Note: Its effectiveness is reduced against higher-level Law power or special detection methods.)

At the same time, he activated the Chaos Myriad Transformation Divine Art, and the aura around him began to change drastically. His originally chaotic, unified, and unfathomable aura rapidly converged, replaced by a Star Power fluctuation of the same Origin as Li Beichen, but purer and more vast. His appearance also changed with a slight clatter of bones, transforming into Li Beichen's likeness, even perfectly mimicking the arrogance and vicissitude in his eyes that belonged to a Starfall Pavilion Elder.

[Entry [Thousand Illusions Transformation] (Purple) equipped.]

[Entry [Star Dao Body (Incomplete)] (Purple) equipped.]

At this moment, Lu Qingxuan, whether in aura, appearance, or Divine Soul fluctuation, was identical to the deceased Li Beichen! Unless it was a True Immortal Rank existence with cultivation far surpassing his, or possessing special eye techniques, it would be extremely difficult to detect any flaws.

"One hour is enough."

He identified the direction, and starlight illuminated his body, transforming into a brilliant meteor, speeding towards the depths of the Meteor Star Sea where the Starfall Pavilion's mountain gate was located. This time, he no longer concealed his tracks; instead, he deliberately emanated the Mid-stage Spirit Transformation Realm pressure belonging to 'Li Beichen'. Some Starfall Pavilion patrol Disciples encountered along the way, sensing this familiar powerful aura, respectfully saluted one after another, no one daring to step forward to question him.

After flying for about half a day, the scene ahead became increasingly spectacular and perilous. Countless colossal star fragments floated, forming a natural labyrinth, with violent Star Power turbulence everywhere. Occasionally, strange starry sky creatures could even be seen darting between the fragments. In the deepest part of these fragments and turbulence, an archipelago composed of seven colossal stars, artificially refined and emitting a soft, stable starlight, appeared in Lu Qingxuan's vision.

Between the seven stars, colossal star-light rainbow bridges connected them, upon which palaces stood in great numbers, with pavilions, towers, and upturned eaves, all displaying an Immortal Rank aura. Furthermore, an incomparably magnificent grand hall, seemingly carved from an entire star's core, stood on the central and largest star. The hall's roof seemed to directly connect with the Universe's starry sky, drawing down endless starlight.

That was the core stronghold of the Starfall Pavilion—the Star Gazing Palace!

And the bronze fragment was on the lowest floor of the Star Gazing Palace!

Lu Qingxuan (fake Li Beichen) suppressed a ripple deep within his eyes and controlled his escape light, flying towards the entrance light gate on the periphery of the Seven Stars Archipelago. He knew that the real test was just beginning. He not only had to deceive the guarding Disciples and ordinary Elders but also the 'Grand Formation of the Heavens' Star-Locking Spirit Formation' outside the Star Gazing Palace, and another Spirit Transformation Late Stage Palace-guarding Elder inside—Elder Mu Yan!

Just as he approached the entrance light gate, preparing for the routine inspection, a powerful Divine Sense suddenly swept over without ceremony, carrying a hint of scrutiny and arrogance:

"Elder Li, didn't you lead a team to patrol the Crimson Flame Sect's side? Why have you returned early alone?"

Lu Qingxuan looked up to see a middle-aged man within the light gate, dressed in a luxurious star robe with a slightly sinister expression, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharply fixed on him.

According to Li Beichen's memories, this person was precisely the Inner Sect Deputy Steward, Zhao Qianshan, who was responsible for liaising with the Crimson Flame Sect and other affiliated forces!

And he was also the one most suspected of being involved with the dark corruption!