46: Upon entering the Starfall Pavilion, hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface.

Inner Sect Deputy Steward's voice carried a trace of imperceptible scrutiny, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, fixed tightly on Lu Qingxuan, who was disguised as Imposter identity. Logically, it was impossible for Imposter identity to return alone so quickly after leading a team to inspect an affiliated power, especially since an extremely subtle abnormal fluctuation had just been reported from the Crimson Flame Sect.

Lu Qingxuan's spirit slightly tensed, but he showed no flaws on his face. Instead, he frowned, adopting the usual demeanor of Imposter identity: the authority and impatience of an Outer Sect Law Enforcement Elder. He let out a cold snort, and the Star Power Divine Might belonging to the Mid-stage Spirit Transformation Realm subtly permeated the air, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand:

"Deputy Steward Zhao, since when do I need to report my actions to you? The Crimson Flame Sect only experienced a minor disturbance, which I have already suppressed. I have important matters requiring me to immediately see Elder Mu Yan. If I am delayed, can you bear the responsibility?"

His behavior perfectly matched Imposter identity's usual arrogant personality, looking down upon those "opportunists" in the Inner Sect Steward Hall. At the same time, he secretly activated the [Heaven Deceiving Star Talisman] and his simulated Star Power magic power, ensuring his aura and Divine Soul were flawless, while quietly scanning Inner Sect Deputy Steward with the System.

[Starfall Pavilion Inner Sect Steward Hall Deputy Steward (Inner Sect Deputy Steward)]

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul Great Perfection (Appearance), Actual: Early Soul Transformation Stage (Hidden)]

[Traits: Star Concealment Technique (Purple), Heart Confusing Demonic Seed (Black), Darkness Affinity (Black), Mental Control (Purple), Pain Transfer (Black), Starfall Pavilion Inner Sect Cultivation Technique (Purple)...]

As expected! Nascent Soul Great Perfection was just a disguise; his true Cultivation had reached the Early Soul Transformation Stage! Moreover, he possessed traits clearly related to dark power, such as the [Heart Confusing Demonic Seed] and [Darkness Affinity]! This person is definitely an important pawn of the Dark Forces infiltrating the Starfall Pavilion!

Inner Sect Deputy Steward was contradicted so impolitely by "Imposter identity." A sinister look flashed across his eyes and vanished, but upon sensing the genuine Soul Transformation Divine Might and familiar Star Power aura, his doubts slightly lessened. He forced out a slightly stiff smile: "Elder Li, you speak too seriously. How dare I question an Elder's actions? This was merely a routine inquiry as part of my duty. Since the Elder has important matters to discuss with Elder Mu Yan, please proceed."

He stepped aside to clear the path, but his eyes, like a venomous snake, remained vaguely glued to Lu Qingxuan's back.

Lu Qingxuan sneered internally, ignoring him. He controlled his Escape Light, passing directly through the massive starlight portal and formally stepping into the area of the Seven Star Islands where the Starfall Pavilion Sect gate was located.

Upon entering, dense Star Power Spiritual Qi immediately washed over him, hundreds of times purer than the outside world. Seven refined stars resembled seven floating continents, slowly moving along mysterious trajectories. On the Starlight Rainbow Bridges, many Disciples could be seen flying on artifacts, or absorbing starlight to Cultivate in specific areas, presenting a scene of prosperous immortal cultivation.

However, Lu Qingxuan's Exquisite Dao Heart and azure emperor edict keenly sensed a faint yet pervasive coldness and deathly stillness hidden beneath the vast starlight. This aura originated from the same source as the gray, hazy Qi emitted by the bronze fragment, and was also closer to the dark imprint he felt at the Crimson Flame Sect, merely cleverly concealed by the dense Star Power.

"It seems the Starfall Pavilion is being hollowed out from the inside," Lu Qingxuan realized, strengthening his resolve to finish the task quickly.

Following the path in Imposter identity's memory, he did not hesitate, flying directly toward the massive "Main Star" at the center, aiming straight for the Star Gazing Palace located at the star's summit.

The Star Gazing Palace was a Forbidden Ground of the Starfall Pavilion, where ordinary Disciples and even regular Elders were forbidden to approach. The closer he got, the higher the Cultivation of the patrolling Disciples, and the stricter the guard. He encountered several patrol teams along the way; seeing "Elder Imposter identity," they all respectfully saluted and let him pass without excessive questioning.

Finally, the colossal hall, towering high and seemingly connecting the Universe to the sea of stars, was close at hand. The entire Star Gazing Palace was forged from dark gold Star God Iron, its surface flowing with mercury-like starlight. Countless complex Star Runes flickered on the hall walls, emitting an ancient and powerful aura.

Outside the main entrance of the Star Gazing Palace, a visible giant light barrier, composed of countless intricate Star Runes, enveloped the entire hall like an inverted glass bowl. Above the barrier, the illusory shadows of the surrounding stars flowed ceaselessly, emitting a terrifying power of Sealing and defense—it was the "Great Array of Star Sealing and Locking"!

This Array not only had astonishing defensive power but could also lock and refine the magic power and Divine Souls of intruders. It could even distinguish auras; without being a core Elder of the Starfall Pavilion, one couldn't approach it. Imposter identity's memory showed extreme apprehension toward this Array.

Lu Qingxuan stopped before the Array, clearly feeling the power of rejection and scrutiny emanating from the Great Array. Without changing his expression, he secretly activated the effect of the [Heaven Deceiving Star Talisman] to its maximum, while simultaneously simulating Imposter identity's unique Divine Soul fluctuations and Star Power magic power characteristics, which were recorded by the Great Array.

He raised his hand and, following the method in Imposter identity's memory, cast a specific Star Power spell Seal toward the light barrier.

Buzz... The light barrier rippled, and the scrutinizing power lingered on him for a moment, seemingly confirming something. After a few breaths, the ripples subsided, and a gap just large enough for one person to pass through silently opened in the light barrier.

Success! The [Heaven Deceiving Star Talisman], combined with his perfect simulation, successfully deceived this Guardian Great Array!

Lu Qingxuan felt relieved. He stepped inside the light barrier, officially entering the range of the Star Gazing Palace.

The space inside the hall was extremely vast. The dome was not solid but a real, scaled-down projection of the starry sky. Countless stars moved along mysterious trajectories, casting down cold, bright light. The interior of the hall was empty and silent, with only a massive Star Compass standing in the center, slowly rotating and deducing changes in the Heavenly Mystery.

"Senior Brother Li? Why have you returned early? Is the inspection finished?"

A slightly aged but vigorous voice came from the depths of the hall. Immediately, an old man, dressed in a crimson Daoist robe inlaid with star patterns, with white hair and beard and a ruddy complexion, slowly walked out, leaning on a Coiling Dragon Starwood Staff. His aura was deep and vast—he was clearly a Great Cultivator of the Spirit Transformation Late Stage!

This was the other Hall Guardian Elder who rotated duties with Imposter identity in guarding the God-Sealing Chamber—Elder Mu Yan!

Lu Qingxuan (Pseudo-Imposter identity), following the courtesy in his memory, slightly cupped his hands: "Senior Brother Mu Yan. A small mishap occurred at the Crimson Flame Sect; a few blind juniors caused trouble, and I dealt with them casually. However, I recalled something concerning the item inside the God-Sealing Chamber, which made me uneasy, so I returned early to consult with Senior Brother."

His explanation was reasonable, and his expression and tone were exactly the same as Imposter identity's usual demeanor.

Hearing this, Elder Mu Yan's ruddy face showed a hint of surprise. He walked closer: "Oh? Concerning the bronze fragment? What did Senior Brother Li discover?"

He approached seemingly casually, but Lu Qingxuan's Exquisite Dao Heart keenly captured a trace of extremely hidden vigilance and scrutiny flashing deep within Elder Mu Yan's eyes! Moreover, the instant Elder Mu Yan approached, the azure emperor edict inside his body produced an extremely faint, almost imperceptible tremor!

This tremor was not directed at Elder Mu Yan's Star Power aura itself, but rather at... a wisp of dark deathly stillness hidden beneath his immense Star Power magic power... a wisp that was almost perfectly integrated with the surrounding environment!

Elder Mu Yan has also been corroded by darkness?! And he is hidden even deeper than Inner Sect Deputy Steward! If not for the supreme sensitivity of the azure emperor edict to dark power, even Lu Qingxuan would have been fooled!

Lu Qingxuan's heart trembled violently, but his face remained impassive. He even went along with the other party's words, deliberately guiding the conversation: "That's right. While handling matters at the Crimson Flame Sect, I vaguely sensed a subtle aura fluctuation that originated from the same source as the item in the God-Sealing Chamber, but was colder and more sinister. It seems... related to the legendary 'source of darkness.' I worry that the fragment might not be inanimate, but is secretly communicating with something, which could be detrimental to our Starfall Pavilion."

As he spoke, he secretly operated the chaos immortal infant at full power, keeping the strength of the Chaos Return to Ruin Dao Domain concealed and ready to strike. At the same time, the System instantly locked onto Elder Mu Yan.

[Starfall Pavilion Hall Guardian Elder (Mu Yan)]

[Cultivation: Spirit Transformation Late Stage]

[Traits: Star Law (Gold), Blazing Sun Star Art (Gold), Starwood Symbiosis (Gold), deep darkness parasitism (???), Thought Synchronization (Black), Master of Disguise (Purple)...]

deep darkness parasitism! And it's a question mark level trait! This means Elder Mu Yan was not simply controlled or imprinted, but is likely parasitized by some higher-level dark entity! His thoughts might even be synchronized with the source of darkness!

Hearing Lu Qingxuan's words, Elder Mu Yan's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but his face showed contemplation: "Senior Brother Li's concerns are not unfounded. That fragment has indeed shown frequent anomalies in recent years, and the Pavilion Master also mentioned its huge implications... However, with the Great Array of Star Sealing and Locking and the two of us guarding it, there should be no major problem. Since Senior Brother feels uneasy, why don't we join forces and reinforce the Seal with another layer?"

His words seemed agreeable, and his suggestion was reasonable, but Lu Qingxuan caught a fleeting killing intent deep within his eyes!

This old fellow wants to use the pretense of reinforcing the Seal to lure himself into the God-Sealing Chamber, and then... join forces with the potential dark parasite, or activate some kind of trap, to eliminate "Imposter identity," who might have sensed the truth!

"That suits me perfectly." Lu Qingxuan (Pseudo-Imposter identity) showed an expression of "deep agreement." "Matters concerning the Sect's safety must be thoroughly investigated. I will trouble Senior Brother to open the God-Sealing Chamber."

He sneered inwardly. This was the perfect opportunity to use their plan against them! The God-Sealing Chamber was his original target! Acting outside would inevitably alert the Great Array and the entire Starfall Pavilion, but inside the God-Sealing Chamber... it would be like catching a turtle in a jar!

Seeing "Imposter identity" being so "cooperative," a trace of sinister triumph flashed in Elder Mu Yan's eyes, but his smile broadened: "Good! Senior Brother, please follow me."

He turned, holding the Starwood Staff, and tapped the massive Star Compass a few times in a specific sequence. Instantly, a brilliant starlight shot out from the center of the compass, shining toward a seemingly perfectly smooth wall at the back of the hall.

The wall silently slid open, revealing a deep staircase extending downward, dotted with starlight. An even denser scent, mixed with the aura of ancient bronze and obscure dark fluctuations, permeated from the depths of the stairs.

That was the entrance to the God-Sealing Chamber, where the bronze fragment was sealed!

Elder Mu Yan led the way, and Lu Qingxuan followed closely behind.

The two, one in front and one behind, stepped onto the starlight staircase leading underground. Killing intent quietly permeated the depths of the silent Star Gazing Palace.

Who the true hunter was would soon be revealed.