189: Star River Elder

[Ding! pink gold summoning card used successfully! Drawing in progress...]

[Congratulations, Host, you have drawn a Peak Taiyi Golden Immortal powerhouse—Star River Elder]

The System's notification sound echoed in Lin Chen's mind.

"Peak Taiyi Golden Immortal?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Didn't draw a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, so the luck is average. However... it's enough."

Almost the moment his thought settled, an anomaly suddenly appeared above the Wending Sect!

There was no earth-shattering loud noise, but the entire firmament seemed to have a curtain slowly pulled back by an invisible giant hand.

A River of Time spanned the sky above the Wending Sect.

"It's happening again, it's happening again!"

"The Sect Master's Heaven-Defying methods are recalling powerhouses who are traveling abroad!"

"For us to join the Wending Sect, we must have truly accumulated good fortune over three lives!"

"I wonder what kind of powerhouse will be recalled this time?"

"..."

Everyone in the Wending Sect looked up.

Inside the River of Time, a vast, ancient, all-encompassing Star Dao Rhyme diffused, enveloping the surroundings.

This anomaly was not violent, yet it carried a profound and magnificent aura that pointed directly to the Origin of the Great Dao, instantly startling countless old monsters cultivating in seclusion across the Qinggu Heaven Domain.

"This aura...!"

Deep within an ancient Ten Thousand Year Ice Cave, a pair of murky eyes suddenly opened, reflecting the starry anomaly, filled with shock. "It surpasses a True Immortal! It's at least the Ninth Layer of Half-step Golden Immortal! Perhaps... it has even touched the threshold of a Golden Immortal!"

"Impossible! The Heavenly Dao of the Lower Heaven is incomplete and its rules are flawed. How could the aura of a Golden Immortal manifest?" In another Immortal Mountain Blessed Land, an old man in hemp robes cried out in surprise, and the chess piece in his hand dropped onto the board with a 'pat.'

"The Upper Realm! A Great Power from the Upper Realm must have used Heaven-Defying methods to descend upon the Lower Heaven!"

An old monster with broader knowledge spoke with a trembling voice, filled with endless awe and fear. "Such an existence can decide the life and death of billions of beings with a single thought! Do not spy on them, and do not provoke them!"

"Quick! Activate the Mountain-Protecting Formation! Seal the Mountain Gate! All Disciples must not leave!" Many factions immediately chose the safest method—hiding.

Inside the Wending Sect, the Disciples and Elders were also shocked by the sudden, vast stellar phenomenon.

They looked up at the sky, feeling the pressure that seemed to originate from the Origin of the Universe, and their reverence and sense of belonging to the Sect reached new heights.

"Just how many old monsters are traveling outside our Sect?"

"This foundation... is unfathomable!"

"With such a powerhouse presiding, why worry about the Sect not flourishing!"

At Lin Chen's feet, Little White raised its head, staring intently at the phantom of the Star River in the sky.

It let out a low whimper from its throat, filled with disbelief.

"Nine Revolutions of Half-step Golden Immortal... No! This is not pure Origin power, this is... a higher level of Primordial Immortal Power!"

"He is suppressing his Cultivation!"

"What is currently displayed is only the limit the Heavenly Dao of the Lower Heaven can withstand, absolutely not his true limit!"

Its voice was extremely surprised.

Primordial Immortal Power is a level of strength that only the Golden Immortal Realm can initially touch!

This newcomer must definitely not be an unknown person in the Upper Realm!

The starry anomaly slowly receded, finally transforming into a dazzling starlight that cascaded down like a waterfall, condensing into a figure on the plaza in front of the Wending Sect's Main Hall.

That was an old man who looked utterly ordinary.

He was tall and thin, slightly hunched, wearing a simple, faded grey robe. His hair and beard were white, and the wrinkles on his face were like dry land. Only his eyes were clear and bright, seemingly reflecting an endless Star River, so profound that people dared not look directly at them.

He appeared silently, without the slightest oppressive coercion, like an old man next door.

But when his gaze swept past, whether it was the Disciples secretly peering from afar or the Sect Elders nearby, they all felt a chill in their hearts, as if all their secrets had been seen through by those starry eyes.

The old man's gaze finally landed on Lin Chen in the Main Hall.

Then... he smiled.

He took a step and arrived in front of Lin Chen.

"This old man, Star River, greets the Sect Master."

Lin Chen looked over—

[Name: Star River Elder]

[Talent: Star Immortal Body]

[Realm: Peak Taiyi Golden Immortal (Suppressed by the Heavenly Dao of the Lower Realm, currently displayed as the Ninth Layer of Half-step Golden Immortal)]

[Background: Born in the Ruins of the Star River's Destruction, accompanied by the birth of a Star Core, entered the Dao through the stars. Proficient in Star Law, Heavenly Mystery deduction, Formation Restrictions, especially skilled in setting up Formations using the Stars of the Great Circle, unparalleled in defense, trapping enemies, and Formations. Temperamentally indifferent, dislikes conflict, and has nearly reached the 'Dao' in the Path of Formations.]

Star Immortal Body?

Formations are invincible?

Lin Chen's eyes lit up. How could this be bad luck? This was clearly drawing a treasure!

A Taiyi Golden Immortal with maxed-out Formation skills!

Tell me, in this Lower Heaven, who else can fight?

Even if that Domain Lord came, he would probably only be able to kneel and sing 'Conquer'!

"No need for formalities."

Lin Chen's tone was calm. "Since you have entered my Wending Sect, you are family. The Sect has just been established, and everything is waiting to be done, especially the Mountain-Protecting Formation and the Sect's Defense System, which need improvement."

"Since you are proficient in the Path of Formations, you shall take the position of Hall Master of the Tian Shu Hall!"

"Be responsible for all Formation arrangements in the Sect, and ensure that my Wending Sect is built to be impregnable!"

Star River Elder's smile grew wider upon hearing this.

"This old man accepts the order. I will certainly do my best to share the Sect Master's burden and forge an unbreakable foundation for the Sect!"

"Good." Lin Chen nodded. "Familiarize yourself with the environment in the Sect first. The location selection and personnel configuration for the Tian Shu Hall can be decided by you! I will have Chu Nansheng fully cooperate with you! You may leave for now. If you need anything, This Sect Master will transmit a message to you."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Star River Elder responded, bowed to Lin Chen, and his figure slowly disappeared... Taiqing Academy, ancient Dao Altar.

The Heart-Cleansing Incense burned quietly, and the smoke remained straight, but the state of mind of the three Grand Elders on the Dao Altar was completely different from half a month ago.

"...I didn't expect it, truly I didn't expect that such a terrifying existence would descend upon the Wending Sect."

"That day, Sect Master Lin did not immediately agree to the alliance. This Seat thought he had concerns, or perhaps was waiting for a better price..."

Jade Dragon Son gave a wry smile. "Thinking about it now, how could he possibly fear that Domain Lord? Clearly... the weight of our proposal in their eyes might not be as heavy as we thought."

The Old Woman's eyes still held a trace of shock. "Indeed, with such a powerhouse presiding, there is truly no need to overly fear the might of the Domain Lord. It is us... whose horizons were too narrow, judging the depth of the Wending Sect only by the power of the Three Great Academies."

"That's good too."

"Since the Wending Sect is so powerful, when the Domain Lord descends two and a half years from now, our chances of winning will be much greater."

Jade Dragon Son and the old man both nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The old man said, "Although that is true, our relationship with the Wending Sect is ultimately one of cooperation, not subordination. The stronger their power, the more cautiously we must act. We must both show sincerity and maintain the bottom line and Legacy of the Three Great Academies."

The Old Woman nodded: "Senior Brother is absolutely right! The immediate priority is to solidify our relationship with the Wending Sect, ensure the smooth progress of the Disciple Grand Competition one year from now, and convey the Taiqing Academy's intention to befriend them..."

The old man finally spoke: "Exactly. Let us do what we must."