94: Inside the Star Gazing Pavilion, secrets begin to emerge.

The next afternoon, Lin Fan went to the Star-Gazing Pavilion as agreed. The Star-Gazing Pavilion is located in the East Courtyard of the Lin Family and is the residence and meditation place of Second Elder Second Elder. The pavilion is seven stories high, and the top floor overlooks most of the Lin Family territory. Observing the stars and comprehending the Dao here at night is quite profound.

As soon as Lin Fan arrived in front of the pavilion, a book boy in green clothes came to meet him: "Are you Young Master Lin Fan? The Elder is already waiting on the top floor, please follow me."

The book boy led Lin Fan into the pavilion and went up the spiral wooden staircase. The interior of the pavilion was elegantly decorated, with many calligraphy paintings hanging on the walls, all by the Second Elder, exuding a scholarly air.

Arriving at the top floor, there was a spacious study. There were windows on all sides, with clouds rolling outside, providing a wide view. In the center of the study, Second Elder Second Elder was sitting behind a red sandalwood desk, holding an ancient book and reading quietly.

"Elder, Young Master Lin Fan has arrived," the book boy reported with a bow.

Second Elder put down the book and looked up. Today he was not wearing his Elder robe but a plain scholar's robe. His temperament was gentle, making him look more like a learned scholar.

"Lin Fan greets the Second Elder."

"No need for formalities, sit." Second Elder pointed to the futon opposite the desk and said to the book boy, "Go and brew a pot of 'Heart-Clearing Tea'."

The book boy withdrew. Second Elder sized up Lin Fan for a moment and smiled: "During the competition, I saw that you were no ordinary person. I just didn't expect you to grow so quickly."

"The Elder overpraises me," Lin Fan said modestly.

"It's not overpraise." Second Elder shook his head with a serious expression, "Your father Lin Fans Father was already exceptionally brilliant back then, entering the Divine Ability Realm at the age of thirty, setting a hundred-year record for the Lin Family. And you, at eighteen and the eighth layer of Body Tempering, can defeat the Origin Condensation Realm—this kind of talent is even greater than your father's back then."

Lin Fan's heart stirred: "Does the Second Elder know my father?"

"More than just knowing him." A look of reminiscence flashed in Second Elder's eyes, "Your father and I were once close friends. When he led the younger generation of the Family, I was his deputy, handling Family affairs together. Later, when he went out to travel, I temporarily took over the Family affairs."

The book boy brought in the tea and poured it for the two of them. The tea fragrance was quiet and refreshing.

Second Elder took a sip and continued: "The year your father had his accident, I was traveling outside, seeking an Opportunity for a Breakthrough. By the time I rushed back, everything had already settled. Over the years, I have been secretly investigating the events of that year, but there are too few clues and I have made little progress."

Lin Fan's expression became solemn: "Did the Second Elder find anything?"

"Only a little." Second Elder lowered his voice, "The enemies who attacked the Lin Family back then used Cultivation Techniques and Moves that do not belong to any known power in the Human Realm. Moreover, they carried a special mark—a black moon."

"Black Moon Mark?" Lin Fan kept it in mind.

"Correct." Second Elder nodded, "I have flipped through countless ancient books over the years and finally found relevant records in an ancient Incomplete Manual. The Black Moon Mark belongs to a mysterious organization called the 'Dark Moon Divine Cult'. This organization is extremely ancient, dating back to the ancient era, with its power spread across the Six Realms. They act secretly and their purpose is unknown."

Dark Moon Divine Cult!

Lin Fan's heart was shaken. He had never heard of this name, but it sounded extraordinary.

"Why would the Dark Moon Divine Cult target my father?" Lin Fan asked.

"I'm not sure." Second Elder shook his head, "The Incomplete Manual has very few records, only saying that this cult believes in 'Eternal Darkness' and seeks to return the myriad worlds to Chaos. Your father might have accidentally touched their secret, or... the phenomena at your birth caught their attention."

Lin Fan was silent. On the day of his birth, the Nine-Star Alignment and the purple qi coming from the east for three thousand miles—such phenomena were indeed likely to attract covetous eyes.

"Just keep this in mind, do not tell others." Second Elder said seriously, "The level of the Dark Moon Divine Cult is too high. The current Lin Family, and even the entire Human Realm, are powerless to resist. The only thing you need to do is become stronger, strong enough to protect yourself, strong enough to uncover the truth one day."

"I understand." Lin Fan gripped his teacup.

"Alright, back to the matter at hand." Second Elder changed the subject, "Qing Xue invited you here because I want to tell you some things about the Meteor Star Ancient Domain and the distribution of power within the Family."

He took a scroll from the desk drawer and slowly unrolled it.

It was a complex power relationship map, centered on the Lin Family, radiating dozens of lines connecting various Elders, deacons, core disciples, and the interest groups behind them.

"The Lin Family has a Legacy of a thousand years, and its internal factions are intricate." Second Elder pointed at the map, "It can be roughly divided into three factions."

"The first faction is led by Clan Chief Clan Leader, including me, the Third Prince, the Fifth Elder, and the Sixth Elder. It belongs to the 'Conservative Faction' or 'Orthodox Faction', which adheres to ancestral teachings and maintains the Family's stable Legacy."

"The second faction is led by Grand Elder Great Elder, including the Fourth Elder, as well as some deacons and core disciples. It belongs to the 'Radical Faction'. They advocate for expansion, believing that the Lin Family should take the initiative to attack, annex surrounding forces, and even challenge the authority of the Imperial Dynasty."

"The third faction is the Neutral Faction, led by the seventh elder, which does not participate in power struggles and only cares about its own cultivation and interests."

Lin Fan carefully looked at the relationship map, memorizing each name.

"The reason why the Great Elder's lineage dares to be so unscrupulous is that besides their own strength, they also have external aid." Second Elder pointed to several markings on the map, "The Zhao Family of Tianyang City, the Qinglan Sect, and even... a certain prince of the Great Xia Dynasty."

"A prince?" Lin Fan frowned.

"Indeed." Second Elder sneered, "The Great Elder has great ambitions and is not content with just being a Lin Family Elder. He has secretly joined Third Prince Xia Yuanhao, wanting to use the power of the Imperial Dynasty to usurp the position of Clan Chief. In return, he promised that once he takes power, he will make the Lin Family a vassal of the Third Prince."

Lin Fan understood. No wonder the Great Elder was so arrogant; he had the imperial Family as his backer.

"But you don't need to worry too much." Second Elder added, "The Clan Chief also has supporters. The Great Xia Dynasty is not a monolith. Ninth Prince Xia Qingyue, who is opposed to the Third Prince, is on good terms with the Clan Chief."

Xia Qingyue?

Lin Fan remembered the goddess of the Human Realm from the first volume's outline; it should be this person. He didn't expect her to be the Ninth Prince and have a relationship with the Clan Chief.

"Speaking of Xia Qingyue," Second Elder looked at Lin Fan with a meaningful gaze, "In three months, the Prodigy Assembly will be held in Tianyang City. At that time, the Ninth Prince will attend on behalf of the Imperial Dynasty. If you can perform well in the Prodigy Assembly, you might win her favor and gain the support of the Imperial Dynasty."

Lin Fan smiled bitterly: "Second Elder, I might not even survive the internal crisis of the Family now, how can I have the mind to think about the affairs of the Imperial Dynasty."

"Just planning ahead." Second Elder put away the scroll, "Alright, you already have a general understanding of the Family's power. Now let's talk about the Meteor Star Ancient Domain."

He took out another Jade Slip: "This is the information on the Meteor Star Ancient Domain that I personally compiled. It's more detailed than what the Clan Chief gave you. It marks three locations where 'Star Source Stones' are most likely to appear, as well as five known dangerous areas."

Lin Fan took the Jade Slip and thanked him solemnly.

"Star Source Stones are unique treasures of the Meteor Star Ancient Domain, containing the Power of the Stars, which has miraculous effects on tempering the Physical Body and breaking through Realms." Second Elder explained, "If you can get them, it will be of great benefit to your cultivation. However, these places are also areas where the Great Elder's lineage focuses on ambushes, so be careful."

"I will be careful." Lin Fan nodded.

"In addition, there are some ancient ruins in the Ancient Domain, which may contain Legacies." Second Elder thought for a moment, "Your father once obtained an Opportunity in the Ancient Domain. He didn't say what it was specifically, but it should be related to the stars. If you are interested, you can go to 'Starfall Lake' and take a look; that was where your father comprehended the Dao back then."

Starfall Lake.

Lin Fan noted down this name.

"I've said all that needs to be said." Second Elder stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sea of clouds in the distance, "Lin Fan, the road ahead is dangerous, but this is also your Opportunity. Only by experiencing the tempering of blood and fire can you become a truly strong person. Your father was like this back then."

Lin Fan also stood up and bowed deeply: "Thank you for the guidance, Second Elder."

"Go." Second Elder waved his hand with his back to him, "Prepare well. In one month, the Ancient Domain trial will begin. I hope... you can come back alive."

When he left the Star-Gazing Pavilion, the sun was already setting.

Lin Fan walked on the way back to his courtyard, with a thousand thoughts in his mind.

Dark Moon Divine Cult, Black Moon Mark, Third Prince, Ninth Prince, Star Source Stone, Starfall Lake... name after name, clue after clue, woven into a complex web.

And he was right in the middle of the web.

"Strength, still not enough strength." Lin Fan clenched his fists.

Returning to the courtyard, he did not rest immediately but began to Cultivate.

The first stage of the True Dragon Body Refining Art, "First Appearance of Dragon Scales," had already reached Minor Achievement, but it was not enough. He needed to reach Major Achievement as soon as possible, or even break through to the second stage.

The Eternal Indestructible Body also needed further tempering. Although the effect of the Dragon Transformation Pool was good, he could only enter once a month, and the time was limited.

"Maybe... I can try that."

Lin Fan suddenly thought of the System. Since signing in at the Dragon Transformation Pool, the System had been quiet. But according to the previous pattern, it was possible to trigger a sign-in at a special location or after completing a special event.

There were still several sign-in locations he hadn't tried yet.

"Ancestral Artifact Pavilion, Forest of Dao-Enlightenment Steles, Astrological Platform," Lin Fan counted the special locations within the Family.

The Ancestral Artifact Pavilion collected the weapons of the Lin Family's ancestors, including many Spiritual Artifacts and even Treasure Artifacts. The Forest of Dao-Enlightenment Steles was carved with many insights into Cultivation Techniques and martial arts, a place for Family disciples to comprehend. The Astrological Platform was a place for observing celestial phenomena and deducing fate.

"Go to the Astrological Platform first." Lin Fan made a decision.

The Astrological Platform was located at the highest point of the Lin Family's back mountain and was a three-story stone platform. On the platform were observation instruments such as an armillary sphere, a sundial, and an astrolabe. Few people came there usually.

Lin Fan took advantage of the night and quietly came to the Astrological Platform.

The moonlight was like water, spilling onto the stone platform, coating those ancient instruments with a layer of silver light. In the night sky, the stars were brilliant, as if within reach.

[Special location detected: Astrological Platform]

[Sign-in conditions triggered]

[Do you want to sign in here?]

Sure enough!

["Sign in!"]

[Sign-in successful]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the reward: "Circulating Heaven Star Formula" Incomplete Manual · Star-Attracting Chapter]

[Reward description: An ancient star path secret technique that can attract the Power of the Stars to temper the Physical Body and Soul Refining. When reached Major Achievement, one can transform into a star, immortal and Indestructible. Currently obtained the Star-Attracting Chapter, which can initially attract the Power of the Stars]

Another ancient secret technique!

Lin Fan was overjoyed. This "Circulating Heaven Star Formula" was obviously related to the stars, which happened to fit the environment of the Meteor Star Ancient Domain. If he could Cultivate this formula in the Ancient Domain, it would definitely be twice the result with half the effort.

He immediately sat cross-legged and began to comprehend.

The Star-Attracting Chapter was not complicated. The core was to sense the stars and use a special method to attract the Power of the Stars into the body to temper the Physical Body and Soul.

Lin Fan operated his Qi and blood according to the method, and his Divine Sense slowly spread out, trying to establish a connection with the stars in the night sky.

At first, there was no reaction. But when he operated the Delusion-Breaking Divine Pupils to the extreme and looked at the starry sky, something wonderful happened—

In his vision, every star emitted a unique halo, with gold, silver, purple, and blue... countless halos interwoven, forming a vast star map. And he seemed to be able to "see" the flow trajectories of the power of these stars.

"Is this the Power of the Stars?"

Lin Fan tried to attract a wisp of silver starlight. The starlight seemed to be pulled, descending from the sky, passing through the endless Void Realm, and falling on his forehead.

"Boom!" A cool and vast power poured into his Sea of Consciousness, and his entire Soul was shaken. Then, this power spread to his whole body, beginning to temper every inch of flesh and blood.

Unlike the hot and overbearing nature of the Dragon blood essence, the Power of the Stars was gentle and pure. Although the tempering effect was slow, it was more comprehensive, even nourishing the Soul.

"What a pure power!" Lin Fan was shocked.

He immersed himself in it, constantly attracting the Power of the Stars. The phantom of the dragon scales on his body surface also began to change under the reflection of the starlight, faintly with starlight flowing.

A night passed.

When the east turned white, Lin Fan slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, there seemed to be stars flickering, deep and mysterious.

The Star-Attracting Chapter of the "Circulating Heaven Star Formula," entry level. Although his cultivation had not broken through, the Foundation of his Physical Body and Soul had become more solid. He could feel that his control over power was more precise, and the range of his Divine Sense had expanded by thirty percent.

"Time to go back." Lin Fan stood up, stretched his muscles and bones, and walked down the Astrological Platform facing the morning sun.

New day, a new challenge. And the Meteor Star Ancient Domain trial was one day closer.