Star Clan orphans, secrets of the Void

An ethereal and indifferent female voice echoed in the hall, carrying an unquestionable sense of aloofness and vigilance.

Nightmare's gaze narrowed slightly, his rule fragment instantly locking onto the source of the sound—it did not come from the woman in the crystal coffin, but from the altar itself, or rather, from some remnant Divine Thought preserved by the altar.

Su Wanqing was startled by the sudden voice, subconsciously drawing closer to Nightmare and warily scanning her surroundings.

"We mean no harm," Nightmare said calmly, his rule fragment simultaneously translating his thoughts into that ancient language. "We stumbled here purely to seek a way out of this Void Realm."

The star chart on the altar flickered slightly, and the ethereal female voice sounded again, carrying a trace of mockery: "Leave? Intruders, this place is a land of endless Void Rift, those who step in here have never been able to leave. You... will eventually, along with this city, turn into space-time dust."

Nightmare's rule fragment swept across the altar and the crystal coffin, and he said indifferently: "Not necessarily. All things have a glimmer of hope. For instance, Your Excellency, having guarded this place for endless years with a remnant Divine Thought, aren't you also waiting for some kind of variable?"

The altar fell silent for a moment, the star chart's light flickering uncertainly as if evaluating Nightmare.

After a long while, the female voice sounded again, with less aloofness and more curiosity: "You... are very special. Your power... I have never seen it before. To be able to easily pass through the outer barrier and even perceive my existence. You are not from this realm?"

"I come from a nearby remnant realm," Nightmare did not explain further, "Judging by your methods, you are also no ordinary being. This city, and the person in the coffin, what is your Origin?"

The altar fell silent again, seemingly hesitant. His rule fragment could perceive the intense emotional fluctuations of that remnant Divine Thought—there was sorrow, nostalgia, and an even deeper sense of helplessness.

Finally, the female voice sounded slowly, carrying a trace of reminiscence and an indelible hatred: "My name is 'Aishi', the last tomb keeper of the Star Spirit Race... or rather, a remnant Divine Thought unwilling to dissipate."

"Star Spirit Race?" Nightmare's rule fragment rapidly searched his database, but there was no record of this race.

"My race was born from the stars, wielding the power of space and starlight, and once established a glorious civilization spanning many Star Domains..." Aishi's voice carried pride, but it immediately turned low, "However, endless prosperity attracted greedy coveters... the 'Void Dark-Eater Race'... they were like a plague, devouring stars and annihilating civilizations..."

"A war that lasted for several epochs... My race lost... Our home stars shattered, and the sparks of our civilization were nearly extinguished... This 'Star-Patrolling City' was one of our race's last arks, carrying some of our people as they fled... but they were unfortunately hunted down by the powerful ones of the Dark-Eater Race, and eventually crashed into this land of Void Rift..."

"On the day the city fell, our clansmen were killed or wounded... only Princess..." Her voice turned toward the crystal coffin, "Princess Liya, the last and purest Bloodline of our race, was severely wounded, her Soul nearing extinction... We used our remaining strength to activate the 'Eternal Stasis' divine Formation, sealing the Princess in this crystal star coffin to delay the dissipation of her Soul, hoping that a miracle might happen..."

"And I, I am just a remnant Divine Thought attached to the altar, relying on the last remaining energy of the city to guard here, waiting for... a rescue or a turning point that might never come..."

Aishi's voice was filled with endless desolation and fatigue.

Nightmare and Su Wanqing listened quietly, as if witnessing a grand war spanning across Star Domains and the tragic finale of a glorious civilization. They had not expected this ancient Void city to have such a heavy history.

"Void Dark-Eater Race..." Nightmare's rule fragment noted this name. It reminded him of the Shadow Clan of the Tianxuan Realm; the two seemed to have some similarities, but clearly, this Dark-Eater Race was more terrifying and powerful.

"Therefore, intruders, leave," Aishi's voice returned to cold indifference, "There is no exit here that you want, only despair and destruction. Princess needs to rest in peace; do not disturb her."

Nightmare's rule fragment scanned the crystal star coffin again, and suddenly said: "Her Soul is slowly dissipating. Even with this divine Formation, I fear it cannot hold on for much longer."

The altar's light trembled violently! Aishi's voice suddenly became agitated: "You lie! The Eternal Stasis divine Formation can freeze time..."

"It is not a true freeze, just an extreme delay," Nightmare interrupted her, "There is nothing truly eternal in the Universe. Moreover, the energy here is thin, and the effectiveness of the Formation is continuously weakening. My rule fragment calculates that, at most, in a thousand years, her Soul Origin will be completely exhausted."

The analytical data from the rule fragment appeared directly in Nightmare's Sea of Consciousness, and the analysis of the star coffin and the Formation was incredibly clear.

Aishi's remnant Divine Thought fell silent, the star chart's light flickering violently, showing her inner intense struggle and pain. How could she not know? She just didn't want to admit it, only able to hold onto a slim hope and struggle to support it.

"You... you can see all this... do you have a way?" Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling and... hope.

Nightmare did not answer directly, his rule fragment continuing to analyze the state of Princess Liya and the structure of the Eternal Stasis divine Formation. A moment later, he slowly said: "Her Soul injury is extremely severe, her Origin almost shattered. It is already a miracle that she has been maintained until now. Ordinary means cannot save her."

Aishi's remnant Divine Thought dimmed instantly.

"However," Nightmare changed the subject, "It is not entirely without a way."

The rule fragment, combined with the life Origin of the world tree seedling, the life-and-death control characteristics of the nirvana dao seed, and the mysteries of the divine Formation just analyzed, deduced several possible plans.

"First, find legendary divine objects such as the 'Heart of the Stars' or the 'Fountain of Life', which can forcibly replenish her Soul Origin, but such divine objects are rare and hard to find."

"Second, have a supreme existence proficient in Life and Soul Laws take action to reshape her Soul Origin, but such an existence must at least transcend the Mahayana realm."

"Third..." Nightmare's gaze fell on the world tree seedling inside his rule fragment, "If there is an object containing infinite vitality to continuously nourish her, perhaps it can slowly awaken a glimmer of vitality in her and buy more time, but this method treats the symptoms but not the root cause, and requires the object of vitality to cooperate voluntarily."

Aishi's remnant Divine Thought listened, hope rising at first, then falling into deeper despair. Heart of the Stars? Fountain of Life? Those were things that only existed in the oldest legends of her race! An existence transcending Mahayana? Even at the peak of the Star Spirit Race, they had never reached that! As for an object containing infinite vitality? That was even more unheard of!

It seems, in the end... there is no hope?

Just as Aishi's remnant Divine Thought was about to completely sink into silence, Nightmare's rule fragment moved slightly. The world tree seedling seemed to have sensed the pure star Soul aura outside, transmitting a trace of curiosity and faint closeness, and even actively separated a trace of almost imperceptible emerald vitality, passing through the rule fragment and slowly probing toward the crystal star coffin.

Although it was only a trace, that incomparably pure and highly advanced life Origin aura instantly caused Aishi's remnant Divine Thought to vibrate violently!

"This... this is..." She felt it! That aura, although weak, was of an extremely high level, full of the great power of creation and life! Far exceeding any life energy in her cognition!

"It seems that it has quite a favorable impression of your race's Princess," Nightmare said calmly, "This trace of vitality might allow her to hold on for a longer period."

That trace of emerald vitality slowly merged into the star coffin, and the pale complexion of the sleeping Princess Liya seemed to have a trace of an insignificant, yet real blush! Although the Soul Origin was still severely depleted, the momentum of constant dissipation was actually abruptly halted!

A miracle! A true miracle had occurred!

Aishi's remnant Divine Thought was so excited that it almost dissipated, the star chart's light shining brightly!

"Thank you! Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, divine object!" Her voice was filled with unbelievable surprise and gratitude, "I implore Your Excellency, out of mercy, to save Princess! Aishi is willing to pay any price! Although the Star Spirit Race has declined, perhaps there are still remaining classics and treasures in this city..."

Nightmare raised his hand to interrupt her: "We will talk about the price later. Right now, I need to know the method to leave this Void Rift. Your Star Spirit Race is proficient in the power of space, and since this city is an ark, there must be relevant records."

This was his main purpose.

Aishi's remnant Divine Thought did not hesitate: "Yes! The 'Star Orbit Secret Hall' in the city stores the most complete star chart of our race and research on the Void! It must contain the method to safely leave the Void Rift zone! There might even be ancient routes leading to other stable Star Domains!"

"It's just... the Secret Hall is guarded by powerful Restrictions, and the energy has long been interrupted. I am just a remnant Divine Thought now and cannot open it..."

"No matter, just lead the way," Nightmare said confidently. With the rule fragment in hand, breaking the Restrictions was not a difficult task.

"Good! Please follow me!" Aishi's remnant Divine Thought immediately directed the way.

Nightmare nodded to Su Wanqing, and the two followed the guidance of the star chart lit up on the altar, walking toward the depths of the pyramid.

Hope was right before their eyes. And the sleeping Star Spirit Princess might become an unexpected help in the future.