157: Chapter 157 Breaking Through Seclusion, the Pavilion Master Tests the Waters

In the Grotto-Heaven, at the bottom of the time pool.

Time lost its meaning here.

Lin Yue sat cross-legged at the center of the pool, his star dragon nascent soul hovering above him. The Star (left hand) and Dragon Shadow (right hand) had completely solidified, emitting terrifying Origin fluctuations like two small suns.

The pool water churned, and fragments of the Law of Time danced like fireflies, being swallowed by the Nascent Soul like a whale.

Five days had passed in the outside world, while fifty days had passed inside the pool.

And Lin Yue's cultivation had also climbed to the limit of the Early Nascent Soul Stage.

“Master, the accumulation is sufficient. You may now charge the Bottleneck.”

Haotian's voice rang out in the Sea of Consciousness, carrying a rare solemnity: “However, a Breakthrough to the Middle Stage Nascent Soul requires triggering the 'Heaven and Earth Baptism'. Breaking through inside the Grotto-Heaven, although possible by using the World Tree to simulate the Laws, is ultimately not as genuine as the outside world.”

“If the Foundation is unstable, it might affect the future path to Soul Transformation.”

Lin Yue slowly opened his eyes, a galaxy revolving within them: “No need to worry.”

He raised his hand and pointed to the Void Realm above his head: “Although the Grotto-Heaven is the prototype of a Small World, it already possesses a complete Heavenly Dao framework. The World Tree can simulate eighty percent of the external Laws; the remaining twenty percent... I will supplement.”

As his voice fell, the star dragon nascent soul clasped its hands together.

The Star and Dragon Shadow slowly merged, transforming into a sphere of Chaos-colored light.

Within the sphere of light, one could vaguely see the rotation of the sun and moon, the evolution of mountains and rivers, and the proliferation of living beings... it was the prototype of a world!

“Using my Dao, I shall mend the Heavenly flaw.”

“Middle Stage Nascent Soul, Break through—now!”

Boom—!!!

The sphere of Chaos light exploded, turning into countless threads of Law that merged into the Grotto-Heaven's Void Realm.

An unusual phenomenon of the sun and moon shining simultaneously appeared in the sky, a Dragon roar-like pulsation came from deep within the earth, the flow speed of the Spirit River instantly tripled, and the seven great Mineral Veins trembled in unison.

And Lin Yue's Nascent Soul began its transformation at this moment.

The Nascent Soul, originally three feet tall, grew inch by inch until it reached five feet.

The Star patterns on its surface became more intricate, subtly forming a star chart. The Dragon Shadow solidified like a true Dragon, coiling around the Nascent Soul, its scales and claws clearly visible.

More crucially, the Eye of Rules on the Nascent Soul's glabella had completely opened!

There was no pupil in the eye, only a rotating galaxy. Wherever its gaze fell, the regulatory veins of all things were clearly visible.

The flow rate of time in the time pool, the growth cycle of the World Tree, the energy flow of the Spiritual Veins... nothing could hide from its sight.

“It's done...”

Lin Yue felt the surging power within his body.

Middle Stage Nascent Soul!

And not just an ordinary Middle Stage Nascent Soul.

The star dragon nascent soul's Foundation was already far superior to those of the same rank, and with this Breakthrough, his total Spiritual Qi increased fivefold, and his control over the Star and Dragon Soul Origin reached the subtle level.

If he were to face the White Bone Demon Venerable now, even if the opponent were at his peak, Lin Yue was confident he could... slay him within ten moves!

“Master, congratulations on your Breakthrough.”

Haotian's voice held satisfaction: “The Grotto-Heaven also benefited greatly from this Breakthrough. The World Tree absorbed the fragments of Law that dissipated during the Breakthrough, advancing its sentience and increasing its speed of rule analysis by thirty percent.”

“The time limit of the time pool has increased from tenfold to twelvefold.”

“The speed of Spiritual Vein creation has increased from one per month to two per month.”

A series of good news.

Lin Yue nodded with satisfaction.

The Grotto-Heaven was deeply bound to him; when he broke through, the Grotto-Heaven grew alongside him.

“How many days have passed outside?”

“Five days. The Star Track Pavilion Master arrived three days ago and has been waiting patiently in the Guest Courtyard.”

“Oh? He certainly knows how to wait.”

Lin Yue was somewhat surprised.

Given the status of the Star Track Pavilion Master, for him to be willing to wait three days for a Junior, this patience... is extraordinary.

“Did he say anything?”

“No. He just walks around the Sect every day, chats with the Disciples, and occasionally offers guidance on Formations or Cultivation. However, the purple-robed middle-aged man he brought seems very interested in the Sect's City Protecting Great Formation and has been studying it.”

A purple-robed middle-aged man?

Lin Yue's heart stirred.

The Star Track Pavilion Master personally traveled south and brought a stranger... “I should go out now.”

He stood up, and the star dragon nascent soul returned to his Physical Body.

The aura around him instantly retracted, like a deep pool or an ancient well—calm on the surface, but containing terrifying power within.

With one step, he arrived at the exit of the Grotto-Heaven.

Luoxia Sect, Guest Courtyard.

The Star Track Pavilion Master was currently playing a game of Go with Lin Cang.

Black and white pieces crisscrossed the board; it seemed peaceful, but concealed killing intent.

“Elder Lin, this 'Starfall Opening' move has quite the style of Young Friend Lin.”

The Pavilion Master placed a piece and smiled: “It seems Young Friend Lin has begun passing on his comprehension of the Dao of Stars to his Sect members.”

“The Sect Master often says that being strong alone is not true strength; a strong Sect is true strength.”

Lin Cang respectfully replied, placing his piece carefully: “Before entering seclusion, the Sect Master specifically instructed that the Star Legacy be systematically organized, and its essence be selected and taught to the Disciples. This Starfall Opening is merely the absolute Foundation.”

“Foundation...”

The Pavilion Master looked at the star chart gradually forming on the board, a hint of profound meaning flashing in his eyes: “This Foundation is more profound than the core Legacies of many Sects.”

Before he could finish speaking.

Footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Lin Yue, wearing a plain white Daoist robe, walked in slowly.

“Junior Lin Yue greets the Pavilion Master. I ask for forgiveness for neglecting the distinguished guest while I was in seclusion.”

He bowed and saluted, his expression respectful but not subservient.

“No matter.”

The Pavilion Master put down his chess piece and carefully scrutinized Lin Yue.

Three breaths later, a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.

Middle Stage Nascent Soul!

Furthermore, his Foundation was as solid as bedrock, and his aura was as complete as a full moon, completely lacking the instability associated with a recent Breakthrough.

What startled him even more were the two mighty Origin fluctuations within Lin Yue's body—the Star was vast as the sea, and the Dragon Soul was majestic as a mountain. The two perfectly merged, faintly touching... the Law level.

“Young Friend Lin, your speed of Breakthrough... makes this old man feel ashamed of his inadequacy.”

The Pavilion Master sighed with emotion.

“It was merely luck.”

Lin Yue sat down opposite him and got straight to the point: “The Pavilion Master has personally come here, so there must be important matters. This Junior is ready to listen.”

“Indeed, there is something.”

The Pavilion Master also dropped the pleasantries and said seriously: “First, regarding the Spirit Devouring Clan. I have personally analyzed the Evil Seed that Xingchen brought back. The essence of that thing is not a simple Parasite, but a 'Seed'.”

“Seed?”

“Correct.”

The Pavilion Master raised his hand and outlined an image in the Void Realm—it was a vast starry sky, where countless dark red light spots drifted like seeds, falling into various worlds.

“The Spirit Devouring Clan invaded this realm ten thousand years ago and was Sealed by the Star Lord and other great powers. But before they retreated, they scattered countless 'Spirit Devouring Seeds'.”

“These Seeds will seek out suitable hosts to Parasite, devour their Divine Souls, occupy their Physical Bodies, and simultaneously slowly convert the Spiritual Qi of the world they are in, preparing for the arrival of the Spirit Devouring Clan army.”

“The one inside that Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect was a mature Seed. And those four Evil Seeds you found... are 'Secondary Pollution Sources' cultivated by the Seeds.”

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed.

Secondary Pollution Sources?

“Does that mean the mission of those four Evil Seeds is not to directly destroy the Seal, but... to pollute the Spiritual Veins, making the Spiritual Qi of the entire Southern Territory carry the Spirit Devouring attribute?”

“Precisely.”

The Pavilion Master nodded, his tone solemn: “Once the four great Spiritual Veins are completely polluted, the Spiritual Qi of the Southern Territory will become 'nourishment' for the Spirit Devouring Clan. When they break the Seal and emerge, they will quickly recover their strength, or even... directly reproduce in this realm.”

The hall fell into complete silence.

This truth was far more terrifying than previously speculated.

“The second matter.”

The Pavilion Master continued: “Regarding the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal. Before I came, I used the Star Gazing Technique to deduce the situation. The Seal's collapse speed is faster than anticipated.”

He took out a crystal ball flowing with starlight.

Inside the ball, the phantom of the Burial Dragon Abyss appeared. The rift, which was originally only three inches wide, had now spread to... seven inches!

“At this rate, the Seal will completely collapse in ten months at most.”

Ten months!

Lin Cang's expression suddenly changed.

That was two months less than the previous estimate!

“The third matter...”

The Pavilion Master looked at Lin Yue, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes: “It concerns you, Young Friend Lin.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

The Pavilion Master slowly said: “The star dragon nascent soul, in ancient legends, is the symbol of the 'Savior'. Star represents order, and Dragon Soul represents protection. Their union signifies the person chosen by this realm's Heavenly Dao... the Calamity Responder.”

“This old man came south, first, to confirm this matter, and second, to... lend you a hand.”

Behind him, the previously silent purple-robed middle-aged man stepped forward.

“This is Heavenly Craftsman, the Star Track Pavilion's Chief Formation Master, Fifth-Tier Peak, and Half-Step Soul Transformation cultivation.”

The purple-robed middle-aged man nodded slightly toward Lin Yue.

A Fifth-Tier Peak Formation Master!

Lin Yue's heart trembled.

An existence of this caliber is someone who could stomp their foot and shake the Central Territory three times.

“Fellow Daoist Heavenly Craftsman will stay at Luoxia Sect for three years to assist you in setting up the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array. This Formation uses the stars as its base and the Dragon Veins as its guide. If successfully deployed, it can suppress the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal for at least... fifty years.”

Fifty years!

This amount of time is enough to do too many things.

“What is the price?”

Lin Yue showed no joy, asking calmly instead.

There is no free lunch in this world. The Star Track Pavilion must have demands if they are paying such a price.

“There are two prices.”

The Pavilion Master did not hide anything: “First, a complete copy of the Star Lord Inheritance must be given to the Star Track Pavilion. Of course, this old man can swear a Heavenly Dao Oath never to leak it, using it only for research.”

“Second, should the Spirit Devouring Clan launch a massive invasion in the future, the Luoxia Sect must fight alongside the Star Track Pavilion to jointly resist the Great Calamity.”

Lin Yue pondered for a moment.

The first condition was acceptable. Although the Star Lord Inheritance was valuable, exchanging it for a Fifth-Tier Formation Master stationed here for three years was worth it.

The second condition was only right and proper. If the Spirit Devouring Clan truly broke the Seal, they would be the enemy of the entire Human Race, and fighting side by side would be inevitable.

“Agreed.”

He nodded in agreement: “However, the copy of the Star Lord Inheritance must be delivered in stages. I will provide the complete Legacy over the next three years.”

“Reasonable.”

The Pavilion Master did not press the matter: “Then it is settled. Heavenly Craftsman will begin surveying the terrain and designing the Great Formation tomorrow. As for the required Materials, the Star Track Pavilion will provide seventy percent, and the Luoxia Sect will provide thirty percent. How does that sound?”

“Acceptable.”

Lin Yue agreed, then asked: “Pavilion Master, what is your view on the internal infiltration of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?”

“As expected.”

A hint of coldness flashed in the Pavilion Master's eyes: “The Spirit Devouring Clan's Seeds are scattered across all realms. How could the Central Territory be spared? The Ten Thousand Swords Sect is not the first, nor will it be the last.”

“This old man has already sent messages to the other major Sects, reminding them to self-examine. But how many they can root out... depends on their own fortune.”

He paused: “However, Young Friend Lin, by exposing the traitor in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect this time, you have essentially slapped those Seeds in the face. Their subsequent retaliation will likely be... more intense.”

“When the soldiers come, the general will block.”

Lin Yue's tone was calm: “Since the Luoxia Sect has stepped onto the stage, we never planned to retreat.”

“Good spirit.”

The Pavilion Master praised him, then stood up: “Then this old man will not stay any longer. The Star Track Pavilion still has matters to handle. I entrust Heavenly Craftsman to Young Friend Lin's care.”

“Safe travels, Pavilion Master.”

Lin Yue stood up to see him off.

After reaching the courtyard entrance, the Pavilion Master suddenly stopped and looked back at Lin Yue.

That look seemed to penetrate everything.

“Young Friend Lin, your 'Secret Realm'... is very interesting.”

He said something meaningful, then transformed into starlight and dissipated.

Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat.

But his expression remained calm.

He knew that with the Star Track Pavilion Master's cultivation and insight, he might have already sensed the anomaly of the Grotto-Heaven.

But as long as there was no conclusive evidence, the other party would not expose it.

After all... who doesn't have their own secrets?

“Sect Master.”

Lin Cang stepped forward and whispered: “How should we arrange things for Senior Tiangong?”

“Treat him with the highest protocol, but do not overly disturb him.”

Lin Yue instructed: “Whatever Materials he needs, give them. Wherever he needs to survey, cooperate. Whoever he wants to see... anything except core secrets, is fine.”

“Understood.”

Lin Cang complied.

Lin Yue then looked toward the direction of the Burial Dragon Abyss.

Ten months.

Only ten months remain.

“Haotian.”

He called out in his Sea of Consciousness.

“Present.”

“The third batch of special training will start early. Increase the number of participants to twenty, and double the resource supply.”

“Master, this will overdraw the Grotto-Heaven reserves...”

“If it overdraws, so be it.”

Lin Yue's gaze was firm: “Within ten months, I want the Luoxia Sect to have at least fifty Golden Cores and five hundred Foundation Establishment Peaks.”

“Also, have Little Star follow Heavenly Craftsman to study Formations. An opportunity for personal guidance from a Fifth-Tier Formation Master is rare in a thousand years.”

“Yes.”

Haotian stopped trying to persuade him.

It knew that Lin Yue was about to... fight with all his might.

Meanwhile, far away, deep within the Burial Dragon Abyss.

A black shadow sensed Lin Yue's Breakthrough aura, and the faint green flames in its eyes leaped wildly.

“Middle Stage Nascent Soul... star dragon nascent soul...”

“Very good, very good.”

“The more perfect he is, the more worthy he is to become... the Main Body's Clone.”

It raised its hand, and another dark red rune sank into the rift.

The rift expanded by another fraction.

The ten-month countdown has begun.

And the storm is getting closer.