85: The golden talisman displays its power, and the star array will soon be formed.

Ghost Star Elder's gaze, like a ghostly inferno, instantly locked onto Lin Fan's hiding place! The terrifying pressure of the Half-step Saint Realm, like a tangible mountain, crashed down! Furthermore, a chilling, bone-piercing, and bizarre power, directly penetrating the Divine Soul, ignored the distance and fiercely stabbed towards Lin Fan's Sea of Consciousness!

"Not good!" A frantic warning shrieked in Lin Fan's heart! Without hesitation, he immediately activated the Eternal Indestructible Body and the star pagoda to protect his Divine Soul, while simultaneously retreating rapidly!

However, Ghost Star Elder's attack came too fast, too strangely! Although the Divine Soul impact was largely weakened by the star pagoda and the Eternal Indestructible Body, the aftershock still caused Lin Fan's Sea of Consciousness to tremble violently, his vision to black out, and his movements to momentarily stagnate!

It was in this instant that Ghost Star Elder's withered right hand grabbed through the air! A massive, scaly ghost claw, formed entirely from dense Evil Qi and Power of the Stars, tore through space and instantly appeared above Lin Fan's head, descending with terrifying power to capture and seal him!

The gap between the Divine Power Realm and the Half-step Saint Realm was like a chasm! Under this one claw, space solidified, the Five Elements were in disarray, and Lin Fan felt his spiritual power throughout his body running sluggishly, as if he had fallen into a muddy abyss!

At the critical moment of life and death, a fierce glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes, and he no longer held back!

"Shattering Star Splitting Void Palm Burst!" He no longer sought control and range, pouring the fused Dao rhyme of shattered space, the Power of the Stars, the Origin of the Eternal Indestructible Body, and the clarity of Divine Soul brought by the soul cleansing spiritual spring he had just drunk, without reservation, into his right palm. He struck upwards, against the ghost claw descending from above! This palm strike was no longer about Fluctuations, but about extreme, small-scale spatial shattering!

Where the palm edge passed, the air silently annihilated, leaving behind dense but profound black spatial crack! The palm power and the ghost claw collided violently! There was no deafening roar, only a subtle sound that made one's Soul tremble, as if porcelain was being crushed!

Sizzle! The dense Evil Qi and evil spirits in the part where the ghost claw met the palm power, as if encountering their nemesis, were rapidly cut, torn, and annihilated by the spatial power containing the true meaning of shattering! The massive ghost claw was actually pierced through with a large hole by Lin Fan's palm strike!

Although the palm power was also exhausted, the remaining power of the ghost claw still struck down, but its might was greatly reduced!

Bang! Lin Fan was struck in the chest by the remaining force of the ghost claw, his protective golden light flickered violently, his Qi and blood churned, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out. His body flew backward like a meteor, crashing heavily into a pile of burning star wreckage behind him, sending rocks flying and dust billowing.

"Oh?" A hint of surprise appeared on Ghost Star Elder's withered face. Although his claw strike wasn't at full power, it was enough to capture any Cultivator below the Late Stage Divine Power Realm, yet it was pierced through by a young man who had just entered the Divine Power Realm? The true meaning of spatial shattering contained in that palm strike made even him feel a slight palpitation!

"This child must not be allowed to live!" Ghost Star Elder's killing intent surged, and with a movement of his body, he was about to personally pursue and completely stifle this variable. However, just as he moved, Lin Fan, enduring severe pain, unhesitatingly crushed the Dragon-patterned Golden Talisman given by King Xia!

"Prince Hongyi! Help me!" The golden talisman shattered, and a golden light flashed!

Immediately after, a golden Sword Intent, as brilliant as the great sun, as majestic as heavenly Law, and incomparably domineering, shot up from that golden light! The Sword Intent solidified, transforming into a giant sword illusion, ten zhang long, cast entirely in gold! Dragon patterns coiled around the giant sword, and the aura of imperial Dao swept in all directions, instantly dispelling the surrounding dense Evil Qi and evil spirits!

The giant sword hummed, as if sentient, and its tip turned, locking onto Ghost Star Elder, who was about to give chase!

"King Xia's Imperial Dragon Sword?!" Ghost Star Elder's expression finally changed! He recognized this Sword Intent; it was the signature Divine Ability of Prince Hongyi of the Great Xia Dynasty, known for his decisive and ruthless nature with the Golden Sword! This sword contained his full-power strike, and its might was enough to threaten a true Early Stage Saint Realm expert!

He never expected Lin Fan to possess such a life-saving item! And judging by the solidified state of this Sword Intent, it was clearly left by King Xia recently, containing extremely full will and power!

" cut!" From the depths of the unknown, it was as if King Xia's cold snort echoed.

The golden giant sword, carrying the supreme imperial might that could sever mountains and rivers and decide life and death, tore through the sky, slashing down upon Ghost Star Elder! Where the sword light passed, even the chaotic Power of the Stars and spatial folds were forcefully smoothed and cleared!

"myriad ghost banner!" Ghost Star Elder dared not be careless in the slightest, and with a furious roar, a massive Soul banner, completely black with countless suffering and wailing ghost faces embroidered on its surface, rose from behind him! The banner surface swayed, myriad ghosts cried out, and dense, ink-like Evil Qi transformed into a black barrier connecting heaven and earth, blocking the golden giant sword!

Boom!!! The Imperial Dao Golden Sword and the myriad ghost banner violently collided! Golden and black energies fiercely clashed and annihilated each other! A terrifying energy shockwave exploded in a ring, leveling all the star wreckage and rocks within several hundred zhang around! Even the Star Guiding Grand Array being set up in the distance shook violently, and several Nether Pavilion Disciples were sent flying, spitting blood, by the aftershock.

Ghost Star Elder grunted, the ground beneath his feet cracked, and he slid back several steps, his face even paler. The light of the myriad ghost banner also dimmed. Clearly, taking King Xia's full-power Sword Intent head-on was not easy for him either.

And the golden giant sword, after breaking through most of the Evil Qi barrier, also ran out of power and slowly dissipated.

Taking advantage of the chaos and energy obscuration caused by this earth-shattering collision, Lin Fan, in the pile of star wreckage, forced a breath, used the last trace of power from the "Space-Time Harmony Shard" to calm the raging spiritual power and injuries in his body, and at the same time activated the star pagoda to minimize his aura. His body, like a swimming fish, plunged into a narrow crack newly formed in the ground by the energy impact, rapidly fleeing towards the hidden direction of the Yaochi team.

"Trying to run?!" Ghost Star Elder stabilized his body, and his Divine Sense swept out like a tide, but due to the residual energy interference from the previous collision, coupled with Lin Fan's full concealment and the star pagoda's obscuration, he was temporarily unable to pinpoint his exact location.

"Left Emissary, Right Emissary! Seal off a ten-li radius! Search! He's heavily injured, he can't run far!" Ghost Star Elder's face was as dark as water, and he shouted at the two green-robed elders beside him.

"Yes!" The two green-robed elders, who were at the Peak Divine Power Realm, responded and immediately led a portion of elite Disciples, splitting into several teams, to search in different directions.

Ghost Star Elder then turned, his gaze grimly fixed on the still shaking and unstable Star Guiding Grand Array. The aftershock of the previous collision had affected the Formation, and it needed to be stabilized immediately.

"Speed up! The final core connection of the Grand Array must be completed within three hours to draw in the power of the Star Ruins Secret Realm! Any delay will lead to complications!" he commanded in a hoarse voice, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. King Xia's sword not only caused him minor injuries but also consumed a significant amount of the myriad ghost banner's Origin Evil Qi, which would require time to recover. But now that things had come to this, he could only accelerate the plan.

Lin Fan, enduring the burning pain in his chest and the dizzy spells in his Divine Soul, relied on his keen spatial perception and the guidance of the star pagoda. He traversed through underground cracks and chaotic energy flows for about a quarter of an hour, finally returning to the area where the Yaochi team had set up their concealment Formation.

"Fellow Daoist Lin!" Meng Liuli and the others had clearly sensed the earth-shattering collision in the distance and had been waiting anxiously. Seeing Lin Fan return, his aura weak and covered in blood, they immediately went forward to meet him.

"Quick, into the Formation!" Meng Liuli supported Lin Fan, swiftly bringing him deep into the concealment Formation.

Once inside the Formation, Lin Fan could no longer hold on, and another mouthful of stagnant blood spurted out. He sat down cross-legged, immediately took out several Medicinal Pills for healing and a star source core crystal, and began to heal himself with all his might. The lingering power of Ghost Star Elder's claw and the backlash from forcibly activating the "Shattering Star Splitting Void Palm," coupled with the Divine Soul consumed by activating the golden talisman, left him with serious injuries.

Meng Liuli didn't ask much, personally taking action. Her seven-colored spiritual light transformed into gentle spiritual power, helping Lin Fan guide the medicinal effects and stabilize his injuries. The Yaochi Female Disciples, meanwhile, strengthened the concealment Formation and remained vigilant of their surroundings.

About half an hour later, a trace of color returned to Lin Fan's pale face, and his aura stabilized. He opened his eyes and nodded gratefully to Meng Liuli.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, how is the situation?" Meng Liuli finally spoke, her expression grave.

Lin Fan concisely recounted what he had seen and heard, including Ghost Star Elder's cultivation, the scale of the Star Guiding Grand Array, the appearance of Huangfu Jue and others, and how he barely escaped by being forced to use the golden talisman.

"Ghost Star Elder, a Half-step Saint Realm expert, and the myriad ghost banner Star Guiding Grand Array is about to be completed..." Meng Liuli's clear eyes were filled with solemnity after listening. "No wonder Nether Pavilion is so reckless. With our current strength, confronting them head-on would be suicidal."

"We must unite more people." Lin Fan said in a deep voice, "I'll try to contact Brother Ye and the others. Although the signal is weak, they should receive the warning. Saintess, your other Yaochi teams..."

"I've already sent out the Yaochi secret message. Two nearby teams are rushing here and should arrive in about an hour. One of them is led by Senior Sister Zixia, who is at the Late Stage Divine Power Realm," Meng Liuli said. "Additionally, I also sense that other Prodigies from other forces seem to have been attracted by the commotion and the unusual phenomena of Nether Pavilion's Grand Array, and are converging here."

Lin Fan nodded: "That's great. Nether Pavilion's Grand Array still needs time to complete its final connection, and this is our Opportunity. Before they draw in the power of the Star Ruins Secret Realm, we must gather our strength to destroy the core of the Grand Array, or at least interfere with its process. We absolutely cannot let them succeed!"

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "Moreover, Huangfu Jue and the others falling into Nether Pavilion's hands likely means they are controlled or have made a deal. If the collusion between the Huangfu Family and Nether Pavilion can be exposed, it will also be a Sharp Weapon to strike at them."

Meng Liuli mused, "I will take the lead in uniting. Fellow Daoist Lin, your injuries are not yet healed. For now, recuperate here and stabilize your Realm. In an hour, once my Yaochi fellow Disciples and other Prodigies have gathered, we will discuss specific countermeasures."

"Good." Lin Fan didn't try to be brave; he indeed needed time to recover his Battle Intent to face the coming fierce battle.

Meng Liuli left two female Disciples to guard him, while she herself took the others to meet their fellow Disciples and contact other Prodigies.

Lin Fan closed his eyes again, healing his injuries while replaying the brief confrontation with Ghost Star Elder in his mind.

"A Half-step Saint Realm expert's control over the Laws of heaven and earth far surpasses that of the Divine Power Realm. Although my spatial power is strong, under the absolute power and higher-level Law suppression, it is still difficult to bridge the gap," Lin Fan thought with solemnity. "I must quickly improve my strength, at least thoroughly stabilize my Early Stage Divine Power Realm cultivation, and try to further integrate the newly fused Dao rhyme with Moves like the Star Realm Seal and Star Vortex Finger to create stronger killing Moves."

He took out the black star-patterned key obtained from Nether Pavilion and once again tried to activate it with the power of the star pagoda. This time, the patterns on the key's surface lit up more clearly, resonating more strongly with the direction of the star source core deep within Meteorite Mountain!

"This item is indeed related to the star source core! Perhaps it can be the key to destroying the Grand Array, or even seizing the true star source core!" A sharp glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes.

Time, in the tense atmosphere, quietly flowed by.

An hour later, Meng Liuli returned, followed by nearly twenty figures.

Besides six Yaochi Female Disciples, there were also Ye Lingyun, Blazing Fierce, Bright Wisdom, and Blue Tide! They had received Lin Fan's message and sensed the unusual activity in the core area, rushing over despite the danger. In addition, there were seven or eight Prodigies from other major regions, whose auras were not weak, clearly contacted by Meng Liuli.

Everyone gathered. Upon learning of Nether Pavilion's conspiracy and the existence of Ghost Star Elder, their expressions were solemn, but fighting spirit also ignited in their eyes. Those who could reach this point were all individuals with firm resolve and daring to contend, how could they allow Nether Pavilion's evil to run rampant before their eyes, not to mention that the star source core involved a great Opportunity!

"Brother Lin!" "Fellow Daoist Lin!" Ye Lingyun and the others breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Lin Fan was not seriously injured.

"Everyone," Lin Fan stood up. Although his face was still a bit pale, his aura had largely recovered, and his gaze was as sharp as ever. "Nether Pavilion is acting perversely, plotting something immense, and even attempting to draw in forbidden power, endangering the entire Remnant Realm. Since we are Prodigies of the Human Realm, we should step forward to thwart their conspiracy, and even contend for the Opportunity of the star source core! I wonder, are you all willing to come with me?"

"Of course!" Ye Lingyun's Sword Intent soared to the sky.

"Damn it!" Blazing Fierce rubbed his fists.

"Amitabha, subduing demons and defending the Dao, it is my bounden duty." Bright Wisdom put his palms together.

"We are willing to follow Fellow Daoist Lin!" Everyone responded in unison, their Battle Intent surging.

"Good!" Lin Fan and Meng Liuli exchanged a glance, then nodded, "Since that's the case, we'll split into two groups. One group, led by the Saintess and Senior Sister Zixia, will launch a feint attack from the front to attract Nether Pavilion's main force. The other group, consisting of myself, Brother Ye, Brother Blazing Fierce, Senior Brother Bright Wisdom, Miss Blue Tide, and two Fellow Daoists skilled in stealth and Formation-breaking, will form an elite squad to seize the Opportunity to infiltrate the core area of the Grand Array, destroy the Formation's key hub, and attempt to seize or destroy the star source core's catalyst!"

With the plan set, everyone no longer hesitated.

A decisive battle targeting Nether Pavilion's conspiracy and contending for the ultimate Opportunity of the Remnant Realm was about to erupt beneath Meteorite Mountain! And at this moment, in the center of Nether Pavilion's Grand Array, the dark red crystal on the altar pulsed more and more violently, connecting ever more closely with the enormous energy vortex in the sky. Ghost Star Elder sat cross-legged beneath the altar, a sinister smile on his withered face.

"Soon, it will be soon! The power of the Star Ruins Secret Realm is about to descend! The star source core is destined to belong to my Nether Pavilion!"