Chapter 89: Star-Sky Cast Heaven Plate, Secondary Awakening of the Star God Sword, Tang Wu

Tianding Star Sky Soul Master Academy, Observing Star Terrace.

Night was ink-black, stars scattered like specks; two figures stepped through moonlight, Chancellor Liu smiling as he nodded to Zhao Xuanzhen and Ye Xinglan.

Star power originates from the boundless starry sky, its energy infinite; whether one more or one less matters not. The Spirit Tower’s agreement with Tianding Star Sky Soul Master Academy was merely to fully activate the observatory’s soul tool array once.

Zhao Xuanzhen stood like an ancient pine at the center of the observatory, gazing up at the vast starry sky; the star power descending now was dozens of times stronger than during daytime sparring, and only at night could the broken Qimen Celestial Plate be fully repaired.

Ye Xinglan stood beside Zhao Xuanzhen, her snow-white face still flushed, but her azure eyes brimmed with unwavering resolve. Though it had been a misunderstanding, for her it was a profound spiritual breakthrough—she now understood what she truly desired: the nature of stars is to chase the shining sun.

“Chancellor Liu, begin.”

Hearing this, Chancellor Liu’s soul power surged; seven soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—rose in sequence. He unleashed his seventh soul skill, True Body Form, his aged frame transforming into a mysterious, magnificent nebula.

As head of Tianding Star Sky Academy, Chancellor Liu’s martial soul was naturally tied to the stars—this nebula was his martial soul. The seven soul rings flickered in alternating rhythm as his entire soul power poured into the observatory’s soul tool array, and he barked:

“Observatory, full power activation!”

The soul tool array absorbed Chancellor Liu’s soul power; the observatory trembled in an ancient rhythm, its might far surpassing the daytime trivialities. The stars adorning the dome blazed brighter, star power converging!

Zhao Xuanzhen traced his finger through the air; the Nine Luminaries answered, their radiance descending. Each beam of starlight seemed forged in the core-furnace of the stars themselves, brimming with immense energy spanning time and space. The shattered Celestial Plate array instantly engulfed the entire observatory, its runes swirling like a ravenous black hole, voraciously devouring star power.

Ye Xinglan held the Star God Sword, instinctively drawing in star power as her martial soul demanded. Though slower than the Celestial Plate, she clearly sensed the Star God Sword’s jubilation and the steady ascent of her martial soul’s origin.

Glancing sideways at Zhao Xuanzhen’s face, Ye Xinglan saw eyes that had, at some point, become as deep and boundless as the starry sky.

Since Xu Xiaoyan’s Star Wheel Ice Staff’s Absolute Establishment had been invalidated, Zhao Xuanzhen’s control over star power was no longer a secret—but he had never demonstrated this ability in public, and people had gradually forgotten.

Now standing beside Zhao Xuanzhen, Ye Xinglan personally experienced his affinity and mastery over star power—he was a true sovereign of the stars, so much so that even the Star God Sword, hailed in the soul master world as the Sword of the Stars, felt fear and submission.

“Focus your spirit, use star power to temper your martial soul—it may bring you an unexpected surprise.” Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly spoke.

“A surprise?” Ye Xinglan frowned in confusion.

“Yes. Your state today resembled the precursor to secondary awakening.”

Zhao Xuanzhen’s tone was wistful: “You’re lucky. Secondary awakening is typically a secret technique exclusive to Body Martial Souls. Only a handful of soul masters with non-body martial souls have ever achieved it.

Even within the Body Sect, most Body Soul Masters endure the agony of human limits before even a chance at secondary awakening—and many perish from the pressure, their bodies exploding mid-process.

Yet exceptions exist. For instance, the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao—ancient Spirit Tower records state his Silver-level secondary awakening came from absorbing a spiritual-grade immortal herb.”

The boundless star power of this observatory is another kind of immortal herb—the perfect opportunity for the Star God Sword’s secondary awakening.”

Ye Xinglan nodded firmly. The Star God Sword was a benign mutation of the Star Saint Sword, a complete top-tier martial soul. To evolve further, it could only be through secondary awakening.

One thought had weighed on the girl’s heart since long ago: she believed her cultivation talent was no worse than others—otherwise, she wouldn’t have been selected as a guaranteed inner disciple of Shrek Academy.

Yet mountains tower over mountains. Zhao Xuanzhen, Na’er, Gu Yue—any one of them could dominate their era. Yuan En Yehui possessed twin top-tier martial souls too. Compared to them, the Star God Sword inevitably seemed inferior.

Ye Xinglan was a proud, fierce girl. She would not let herself fall behind her companions. Tonight, the Star God Sword *must* awaken a second time!

Sword intent surged skyward, rising ninety thousand li; the stars seemed to respond to the girl’s unwavering sword will. A fissure split the heavens, faintly revealing the mysterious outer starry realm.

Seeing Ye Xinglan steadily advancing toward secondary awakening, Zhao Xuanzhen accelerated the Celestial Plate’s repair. His robes stirred without wind; countless starlines extended from the plate, fine as hairs, not straight but following the curved trajectories of celestial orbits, weaving intricate star maps.

The Big Dipper’s seven stars ignited first; Zuo Fu and You Bi flickered, shifting their light. The Dipper’s handle pulled the celestial canopy clockwise, and the Qimen Celestial Plate cracked like shattering Liuli , its Nine Luminaries blazing fiercely.

Chancellor Liu resumed his human form, his face solemn as he stared at the young man commanding the stars. Ye Xinglan’s Star God Sword and Xu Xiaoyan’s Star Staff were already prodigies the academy dreamed of—but the real monster was Zhao Xuanzhen, who outwardly seemed to have no connection to star power at all!

“The Spirit Tower is about to rise…” Chancellor Liu murmured sincerely.

Four supreme forces stood side by side on the Douluo Continent, yet Shrek Academy was universally regarded as the top power—not because of its strength, but because of Yun Ming, the Pillar Douluo, the strongest on the continent.

Zhao Xuanzhen’s fame and talent surpassed all his peers. Countless soul masters foresaw him becoming the next supreme ruler to dominate the continent—even Yun Ming himself held this belief.

“Not enough…”

Zhao Xuanzhen frowned, his mind entirely on repairing the Celestial Plate. The light of the Nine Luminaries broke from their fixed paths, becoming nine luminous dragons chasing each other’s tails. The plate hummed clearly; all starlight suddenly contracted into a ring, sealing the last crack as if never broken.

The Celestial Plate was reborn bathed in starlight; the fissures now bore winding star patterns, resembling countless micro-carved light-dragons chasing each other’s tails. Nine star-chains intertwined, guarding a radiant star core, whose light flame etched the Nine-Star Hexagram onto the plate’s surface.

Zhao Xuanzhen exhaled a long breath of relief. He rarely had cause to use the Celestial Plate, but without all four plates, the Eight Trigrams Qimen ability would remain incomplete. Tonight, one burden was lifted.

His gaze turned to Ye Xinglan, tempering the Star God Sword. The girl gripped the sword with both hands, a golden ring of starry projection floating beneath her feet. A sword shadow pierced from her chest, the Star God Sword’s intent coalescing into a golden longsword in midair. Before the blade fully formed, surrounding star power boiled.

“Stars, shine.”

Zhao Xuanzhen rotated the Qimen Celestial Plate; starlight blazed brilliantly, his long hair flowing like liquid silver, its black hue fading under the starfall. His pupils revealed the Nine Luminaries’ markings; star trails glowed faintly beneath his skin, his flesh seemingly merging with the stars.

Star power intensified further; an endless tide of starlight surged toward Ye Xinglan. A golden vortex condensed at the sword’s guard, voraciously absorbing the falling starfall. The blade’s original bright yellow faded, replaced by a translucent, marrow-like hue, its inner star-river resonating with the sky above.

The girl’s starlit eyes shimmered; the Star God Sword’s swordlight made the night sky radiant. Zhao Xuanzhen drew his hand inward; the Celestial Plate gathered all stars of the heavens, condensing a Nine-Luminary Star Core and pressing it into her chest.

The vortex on the Star God Sword suddenly split open; as star dust erupted, the sword shot skyward, spraying starlight sword auras that carved a cross-heaven sword scar, finally forming a brilliant pillar piercing the star river.

Ye Xinglan opened her arms, her sword intent merging with starlight to its peak. Her pale yellow dress was dyed by star power, her entire body glowing translucent gold, her gaze sharp as a blade, as if a brilliant star burned deep within her eyes.

Star God Sword—secondary awakening!

Starlight spilled over her golden hair, radiating dazzling halos. Ye Xinglan, bathed in celestial starlight, stood majestic and inviolable.

“Success.”

Ye Xinglan gazed at the Star God Sword, her eyes clear. Her secondary awakening differed greatly from Zhao Xuanzhen’s—the Star God Sword’s evolution wasn’t as powerful as Golden Awakening, but it was permanent, more akin to Tang Wulin’s Blue Silver Grass awakening into Blue Silver Emperor in another timeline.

She gently touched her chest, feeling the pulsing Nine-Luminary Star Core. Her body bore an eternally scorching mark, continuously releasing Zhao Xuanzhen’s unique Celestial Plate star power—a warmth that brought profound peace.

“Congratulations, young friends. Your wishes have been fulfilled,” Chancellor Liu laughed heartily.

“The Observing Star Terrace lives up to its name. Thank you, Chancellor Liu,” Zhao Xuanzhen replied with a smile.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all!”

The two left the observatory and returned to the Star Hotel. Chancellor Liu personally escorted them to the main gate of Tianding Star Sky Soul Master Academy. Along the way, the old man casually spoke:

“Young Master Zhao, my granddaughter Liu Yulu is twenty-four, just graduated from Star Sky Academy, cultivation at fifty-one levels, Soul King, and a Purple-Rank Mech Pilot.”

“Young and talented, boundless future.”

“You flatter her. Yulu has only a modest talent—she can’t compare to the two of you, prodigies of heaven. But she’s always eager to improve.

I heard the Tianding City Spirit Tower branch plans to expand a mech squad. The deputy captain—”

Even the blunt Ye Xinglan caught the implication. Chancellor Liu’s face remained calm, unmoved. Tianding City Star Sky Academy had ties to the military, and Liu Yulu’s talent was merely above average. The old man didn’t want his precious granddaughter to endure the hardships of military service.

Better to stay in Tianding City, secure the Liu family’s foundation, and meanwhile forge a connection with the Spirit Tower’s top figures. That’s why this chancellor had personally hosted Zhao and Xinglan late at night—his motives were not for outsiders to know.

“Deputy captain? Captain.”

With the Four Trigrams Celestial Plates now complete, Zhao Xuanzhen was in high spirits. He spoke casually.

“Captain?”

Chancellor Liu froze, then his wrinkled face bloomed like a chrysanthemum, nodding vigorously.

“Yes yes yes! Old man Liu thanks you for your promotion! From now on, Tianding Star Sky Academy’s best talents will be recommended first to the Spirit Tower!”

…

The next day, morning.

A luxury SUV headed toward Mingdu.

Tianding City was two thousand kilometers from Mingdu. After the long journey, everyone in the car was lethargic, idly scrolling through soul tool videos to pass time. Driver Yang Nianxia, bound by traffic rules, turned on the news radio out of boredom.

“Breaking! Breaking! Major Douluo Event!

Six Shrek Academy students challenged the Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy—broadcast live on multiple TV networks!”

“What?!”

Everyone snapped awake. The soul tool screen slowly lowered. Yang Nianxia wisely activated the car’s TV, giving the masters the best viewing experience.

“Why are they the ones?”

Xu Xiaoyan gasped. The Shrek side clearly showed six familiar figures.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Xu Lizi, Zheng Yiran, Xu Yucheng, Luo Guixing!

“They’re bold enough to directly challenge Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy…”

Wu Siduo stroked her chin. It was common knowledge the two academies had long-standing grudges.

Once, the Dayue Continent and Douluo Continent were mortal enemies. Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy and Shrek Academy represented the pinnacle of their respective continents, clashing violently in the National Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament, with heavy casualties across multiple tournaments.

Later, the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao caused the Mingdu explosion, darkening heaven and earth, plunging the Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy into near-destruction. Thus, their hatred for Shrek Academy intensified—and they became the only faction on the Douluo Continent at this time that utterly despised Shrek Academy.

Zhao Xuanzhen glanced up at the soul tool TV. When the Donghai Academy defeated Shrek Academy in the Tianhai Alliance Tournament, the entire Douluo Continent erupted. Rumors flew everywhere.

Defamatory news about Shrek Academy flooded in—ninety percent originated from Mingdu, and Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy was the loudest.

“Pull over.”

A sharp voice rang out. Shen Yi opened the door, yanking Yang Nianxia out like a chick, then plopping into the luxury SUV. Unwilling to endure Mingdu TV’s slanders against Shrek Academy, he scowled and switched to the Federation’s neutral TV station.

As classmates battled a long-standing rival academy, only Zhao Xuanzhen and Gu Yue, leaning together and absorbed in their holiday plans, ignored the match. The other five stared fixedly at the car TV—this was a match full of highlights!

“Match begins!”

At the referee’s call, twelve combatants clashed, trading blows, roaring, soul skills flying everywhere.

Simultaneously, the Federation TV commentator’s passionate voice echoed:

“Shrek Academy’s Tang Wulin leads the charge! His martial soul is Golden-veined Blue Silver Grass! Good heavens, Blue Silver Grass is suppressing the Holy Light Dragon! Unbelievable! Dayue starts poorly!”

“Dayue keeps making blunders!”

“Dayue is in dire straits!”

“Dayue’s defeat is certain!”

“Match ends! Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy wins with their martial soul fusion technique, Heavenly Tiger Summoning and Ice Goddess Reversal! Please welcome Dayue Imperial Soul Tool Academy for their victory speech!”

(End of Chapter)