Chapter 164 Star Platform Gathering, Trial About to Begin

The warm starlight enveloping their bodies slowly dissipated, and the slight dizziness caused by the ultra-long-distance spatial teleportation vanished.

Nightmare and Su Wanqing stood on solid ground, finding themselves in a completely unfamiliar environment.

Before them was an unimaginably massive cyan-black stone platform, suspended in the boundless, profound Void Realm. The platform was ancient and weathered, its surface covered in countless complex and profound Star Runes and spatial array patterns. Many areas were heavily worn, yet it still emitted powerful, vast spatial fluctuations and the Power of the Stars.

This was the Star Pivot's Ancient Teleportation Star Platform.

Looking around, above, below, and all sides were brilliant star rivers. Billions of stars were embedded like diamonds on black velvet, silent and magnificent. In the distance, giant nebulae rotated slowly, their colors gorgeous, like a dream. The Spiritual Qi of the stars here was unimaginably dense, yet it carried a cold, eternal aura of the Universe.

Dozens of figures were already scattered across the Star Platform.

These figures varied greatly in form and aura, but without exception, they were all extremely powerful. The minimum cultivation was Late-Stage Transformation Spirit, but more had unfathomably deep auras, with the Law Dao Rhyme flowing around them, clearly being Void Refining Stage great experts! Several figures even swallowed the surrounding light like black holes, making it impossible to gauge their depth, suggesting they were terrifying Hedao Stage existences!

Some wore luxurious magic robes, possessing graceful bearing, seemingly top Sect overlords from a Great Domain; others wore strange clothing or were even non-human, with blue, scaled skin or a single horn on their forehead, their gazes arrogant, clearly powerful individuals from other exotic races or Star Domains; still others, like Nightmare, were shrouded in mist or shadow, concealing their true faces and exuding a cold aura that warned others to keep their distance.

The arrival of Nightmare and Su Wanqing did not draw much attention. Only a few Divine Senses casually swept over them, pausing briefly after sensing Nightmare's restrained yet formidable Annihilation aura and Su Wanqing's pure Profound Yin Power, before retracting. There were no weaklings here; everyone maintained a tacit understanding of restraint and vigilance.

Nightmare's rule fragment subtly circulated, restraining his and Su Wanqing's auras to the extreme, with the Nirvana Field contained internally. He discreetly surveyed his surroundings while sensing the mysteries of the Star Platform.

Indeed, the Star Platform itself was an unimaginably ancient heavy treasure. The spatial array patterns upon it were exquisite and profound, far exceeding his current comprehension, even allowing for inter-Star Domain teleportation. The core energy source of the platform seemed to be directly connected to an ancient star deep within the Void Realm.

"Master, this place..." Su Wanqing transmitted her voice, tinged with nervousness. The quantity and quality of the powerful experts around them far exceeded her imagination, as if she had jumped straight from a Novice Village to the gathering point of the Ultimate Instance.

"It's fine. We observe and adapt," Nightmare calmly replied, his gaze fixed on the center of the Star Platform.

Suspended there was an elderly man dressed in a simple Star Daoist Robe, his hair and beard completely white. The elder's face was benevolent, and his eyes were tightly closed, as if he were resting, but the aura emanating from him was subtly integrated with the entire Star Platform and even the surrounding endless starscape, making him unfathomable. His strength was definitely among the absolute strongest individuals present.

As if sensing that nearly everyone had arrived, the elder slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were not of an ordinary color; they seemed to contain two rotating star rivers, profound, wise, and detached, as if they saw through the ages of time.

"The time has come." The elder's voice was gentle, yet it clearly reached everyone present, carrying an unquestionable majesty. "I am Xuan Ji, the Star Domain Trial Guide for this event."

"Greetings, Immortal Master Xuan Ji!" Everyone present, regardless of their cultivation level, bowed slightly in respect for the Star Pivot and this powerful expert.

Immortal Master Xuan Ji nodded slightly and continued, "I trust everyone is already familiar with the rules via the Star Talisman. I will not elaborate further. I will only emphasize three points."

"First, the Trial Grounds is a newly discovered 'Ancient Yao Pool' fragment. Danger and Opportunity coexist, and life and death are determined by fate."

"Second, you must not seize Opportunities already obtained by others within the Secret Realm. Violators will be jointly expelled by the Star Pivot."

"Third, and most importantly," Immortal Master Xuan Ji's star-river eyes swept over the crowd, "within the Ancient Yao Pool, the 'immortal fate stele' may manifest. Whether you can see it or comprehend it depends on your own destiny. This is the main reason the Star Pivot is opening the Trial Grounds this time."

immortal fate stele!

These three words seemed to possess magic, instantly causing the eyes of all the powerful experts present, including those Hedao Stage great experts whose auras were like abysses, to turn incredibly fervent!

Even Nightmare's rule fragment suddenly transmitted a strong tremor!

"The immortal fate stele is a relic of the Ancient Immortal Court. It contains the secret to Immortal Ascension, and may even record the Cultivation Technique Legacy for reaching the True Immortal stage!" Someone gasped softly, unable to suppress their excitement.

"The immortal fate stele is manifesting this time? No wonder the Star Pivot was willing to open up this newly discovered Grotto-Heaven!"

"We must obtain the qualification for comprehension!"

The atmosphere instantly became fiery and tense. Although the rule forbade seizing Opportunities already gained by others, the competition for the "manifestation" qualification once inside the Secret Realm was bound to be extremely fierce.

Immortal Master Xuan Ji took in the reactions of the crowd, said no more, and slowly raised his hands, casting forth extremely complex Star Incantations.

Buzz—!

The entire Ancient Teleportation Star Platform suddenly vibrated! All the Star Runes on it lit up one by one, bursting forth with dazzling light! The vast Power of the Stars was mobilized, converging above the Star Platform into an enormous, slowly rotating vortex of stars!

Deep within the vortex, a fragmented world could faintly be seen, filled with ethereal Immortal Light and hidden palaces—that was the Trial Grounds, the "Ancient Yao Pool" fragment!

"The passage is open. The Trial Grounds begin! It lasts for three months. Those who fail to return after the deadline will be trapped within forever!" Immortal Master Xuan Ji's voice was like a resonant bell.

"Go!"

"The immortal fate stele is mine!"

The powerful experts, who could no longer contain themselves, immediately transformed into streaks of light, rushing into the starry vortex one after another, and disappearing.

Nightmare did not rush to the front. He instructed Su Wanqing, "Stay close to me, and be careful of everything."

"Yes, Master." Su Wanqing nodded solemnly, keeping tightly by Nightmare's side.

Only then did Nightmare move, enveloping Su Wanqing and turning into an inconspicuous streak of gray-black light, plunging into the vortex.

After a strong spatial shift, the two landed on solid ground. Innate Spiritual Qi, dense enough to almost liquefy, rushed toward them, mixed with a faint, refreshing, and peculiar fragrance.

The scene before them caused even the well-traveled Nightmare to be slightly moved.

They seemed to be in a fragmented Immortal Realm. The sky was filled with seven-colored auspicious clouds. In the distance were suspended Immortal Mountains, broken White Jade Corridor Bridges, and dried Seven-Colored Riverbeds. Ruined palaces were hidden among exotic flowers and plants, all of which were ancient Spirit Plants that had long been extinct in the outside world. Further away, the ground was fractured, forming massive abysses where Chaos Qi tumbled, and the fractured sections exposed crystalline Immortal Crystal veins!

What an ancient Grotto-Heaven! Although fragmented, its foundation and Spiritual Qi density far surpassed any so-called Grotto-Heaven Paradise outside!

The powerful experts who had entered before them had already scattered, turning into swift streaks of light, rushing toward the Immortal Mountains, palaces, and even the abyss mines, each searching for Opportunity. Occasionally, the booming sounds of colliding magical power and the roars of Yao Beasts could be heard in the distance, indicating that the competition had already begun.

The rule fragment vibrated and hummed in this location, transmitting strong sensations from several different directions! There were Spirit Medicines, mineral veins, ancient treasures, and even an extremely faint fluctuation of Dao Rhyme related to the "immortal fate stele"!

"Master, over there!" The star fixing compass in Su Wanqing's hand also felt slightly hot, its pointer aiming toward an Immortal Medicine Garden shrouded in dense spiritual mist to the front left. Faint, broken Restriction light shimmered outside the garden, and several Immortal Plants radiating brilliant light were vaguely visible inside.

"Let's go." Nightmare did not hesitate, taking Su Wanqing directly toward the medicine garden.

However, just as they were about to approach the garden, a sharp bird cry suddenly came from the side!

Screech!

A massive claw burning with Golden Flame tore through the spiritual mist, carrying terrifying high temperatures and fierce killing intent, grabbing violently toward the two of them! Its might had clearly reached Peak Spirit Transformation!

A guardian Spirit Beast!

Nightmare's eyes turned cold. Without even looking, he pointed the Annihilation Finger backward!

Puff!

The Golden Flame claw seemed to have met its nemesis. The flame instantly extinguished, and the claw itself rapidly withered and charred, as if it had suffered the erosion of ten thousand years!

"Jiu!" A painful and angry cry came from the shadows, and a golden figure rapidly retreated. It was a majestic exotic bird resembling a Phoenix but possessing only one leg—a Bi Fang!

It was clearly highly intelligent. Having suffered a major loss, it dared not advance again, only staring at Nightmare with vigilant anger, its surrounding Golden Flames flickering erratically.

Nightmare ignored it completely. The power of the rule fragment surged, easily locating the weak point of the broken Restriction. A slight surge of the Power of Annihilation opened a gap, and he flashed into the medicine garden with Su Wanqing.

Inside the medicine garden, the Immortal Qi was even denser. Several ancient Immortal Plants emitted tempting luster and exotic fragrances.

But Nightmare's gaze was instantly drawn to an inconspicuous, entirely withered yellow small grass with only three leaves in the corner of the garden.

The strongest sensation transmitted by the rule fragment originated precisely from this seemingly dying small grass!

"This is... three-lives soul returning grass?" Su Wanqing followed his gaze and could not help but exclaim, her voice filled with unbelievable excitement. "Legend says this grass contains a hint of the secret of Reincarnation and life and death. It can regrow flesh on bones and revive the dead, and even nourish the Divine Soul and mend the Dao Foundation. It is a True Immortal Treasure!"

A flicker of satisfaction also crossed Nightmare's eyes. This item might not be of the greatest use to him, but it held incalculable benefits for Su Wanqing in consolidating her Dao Foundation and enhancing her Divine Soul.

He carefully dug up the three-lives soul returning grass along with a large chunk of seven-colored Immortal Soil from its roots, sealed it in a specialized jade box, and handed it to Su Wanqing.

"Keep it safe."

"Thank you, Master!" Su Wanqing was overjoyed, carefully putting away the jade box.

Just as they finished collecting the Immortal Plant, several hurried sounds of rushing air and exclamations came from outside the medicine garden.

"Someone went in!"

"Quick! The Restriction has been broken!"

"The Immortal Medicine inside is mine!"

Clearly, the commotion here had attracted the attention of other Cultivators.

Nightmare frowned slightly. The rule fragment sensed that the other Immortal Plants were also extraordinary, but he did not want to get entangled with too many people right now.

"We leave."

He tore space again, not for long-distance teleportation, but for a short-distance leap, taking Su Wanqing directly out of the medicine garden and appearing beneath a broken cliff several miles away, perfectly avoiding the few Cultivators who had rushed over to compete.

Those few Cultivators rushed into the medicine garden and only saw the pit where the three-lives soul returning grass had been taken, and the other few Immortal Plants that were still brilliantly luminous but uncollected. Although they were overjoyed and immediately began fighting over them, no one knew who had gotten there first.

Nightmare, accompanied by Su Wanqing, relied on the rule fragment's keen perception of Opportunity and his ghostly spatial abilities to quickly traverse this vast Ancient Yao Pool fragment.

They avoided crowded areas and specifically searched for hidden spots with extremely strong energy reactions.

During this time, they acquired a small pool of "Seven-Colored Immortal Marrow" capable of refining the physical body and purifying magical power; they found several pieces of precious Immortal Material containing Innate Artifact Spirits in an abandoned Artifact Refining Room; and they even successfully stole three Yao Beast eggs containing immense vital essence from beside the nest of a Zhu Yan, an ancient exotic beast equivalent to Early Stage Void Refining!

Every action was precise and fast, like a phantom, often succeeding and fleeing thousands of miles away before other powerful experts could arrive.

Su Wanqing followed behind, dazzled by the sight, completely impressed by Nightmare's methods. At the same time, the star fixing compass in her hand continuously absorbed the special Star Immortal Power of this place, seemingly undergoing some subtle transformation.

Several days later, the rule fragment once again transmitted that faint fluctuation of Dao Rhyme related to the "immortal fate stele," much clearer than before, pointing towards the deepest part of this fragmented Immortal Realm.

That location seemed to be the ruins of a massive, collapsed palace complex. Above the ruins, a faint golden glow circulated, emanating an aura of the Great Dao that made hearts yearn.

Simultaneously, countless powerful auras, as if summoned, converged from all directions toward the ruins!

The immortal fate stele seemed about to manifest there!

The true eye of the storm was about to arrive!

Nightmare gazed toward the ruins, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"We're going too."

He wanted to see what secrets the so-called immortal fate stele held, and what kind of upheaval this Trial Grounds, which had gathered powerful experts from all sides, would ultimately cause.

His rule fragment also seemed to yearn for the immortal fate stele.