Chapter 75: The True Form of the Moon Goddess: A Daoist

"What do I do?"

Su Chen stood outside the great array, at a complete loss.

The target was right before him, yet he could only watch helplessly, unable to enter.

"Must I really give up?"

His heart was filled with unwillingness.

Since the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror had provided clues, it meant he had a chance to obtain it.

But where was that chance?

He looked around; apart from the Primordial Yin Source and the palace he could not enter, there was nothing else.

"Stay calm, Su Chen. You must stay calm."

He calmed himself and carefully recalled every event, every detail since he had ascended to Heaven.

"Marshal Tianpeng... Wu Gang... the Lady of the Yin Moon emerging from seclusion... then leaving again..."

"Everything is too coincidental."

"It’s as if an invisible hand has been arranging all this, step by step, guiding me here."

"Could it be..."

Just as his thoughts were chaotic and he could find no answer, a clear, melodious female voice suddenly echoed through this space.

"Little Daoist, you’ve reached the door—why not come in?"

Upon hearing that voice!

Su Chen’s body hair stood on end instantly.

He snapped his head up, staring at the palace shrouded by the array, his heart nearly leaping from his throat.

It was her! The Lady of the Yin Moon, Chang Xi!

She was inside the palace!

She had never left!

In an instant, a bone-chilling coldness rose from Su Chen’s back.

"Tricked! Marshal Tianpeng’s information was false—this is a trap!"

Su Chen’s mind went blank.

Finished!

This was utterly finished!

His petty tricks were laughable before this ancient deity who had lived for countless ten thousand years.

She had been watching the whole time.

Watching him, like a clown, proudly and foolishly walking step by step into her trap.

Escape? The thought flashed through Su Chen’s mind for only a second before he crushed it himself.

What joke is this?

In the heart of the Yin Moon Star, in the lair of this primordial deity.

Even if a Great Luo Jin Xian came here, he would have no choice but to surrender!

Su Chen’s heart was filled with despair and bitterness.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his fear and panic.

It was too late now to think of anything else.

If it’s fortune, it cannot be avoided; if it’s misfortune, it cannot be escaped.

Whether you stick your head out or pull it back, it’s still a sword stroke—better to be straightforward.

Besides, if she truly wanted to kill me, I would already be a cold corpse the moment I entered this Primordial Yin space—there would be no waiting until now.

Since she invited me in, perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope.

Thinking this, Su Chen calmed down.

He straightened his Daoist robe and bowed deeply, respectfully, toward the palace.

"Disciple Su Chen, unaware of Your Star Lord’s presence here, has committed grave disrespect. I beg Your Star Lord’s pardon."

Inside the palace, the clear voice spoke again, carrying a hint of amusement.

"Come in."

Su Chen stared at the deep portal, knowing he had no choice left.

He gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and entered—unimpeded by the primordial array.

Su Chen passed through the array and entered the palace.

The interior was not the golden and splendid hall he imagined, but rather empty and desolate.

The hall’s layout was simple and ancient, exuding an aura of timeless antiquity.

At the very back of the hall, upon a high throne of lunar radiance, sat a woman.

She wore an elegant, luxurious silver court gown, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, her cloud-like coiffure towering, her exquisite face resembling the most perfect creation of heaven and earth, flawless in every detail.

Her aura was noble, cold, yet tinged with an indescribable solitude.

She sat there silently, as if the focal point of this entire realm, drawing all things toward her.

An invisible pressure permeated the air, making Su Chen struggle to breathe.

This was the ancient Moon Goddess, now the Lady of the Yin Moon, Chang Xi!

Su Chen dared not look up further and immediately bowed again, his humility at its utmost.

"Mortal cultivator Su Chen bows before the Lady of the Yin Moon. This disciple intruded upon Your Star Lord’s sacred retreat by mistake—deserving of death. I beg Your Star Lord’s punishment."

Upon the throne, Chang Xi’s eyes, seeming to contain stars, calmly studied Su Chen below, as if peering through him from within to without.

Su Chen felt that under her gaze, he had no secrets left.

After a long while, Chang Xi spoke slowly, her voice cold.

"A mere human immortal—quite bold. And you managed such means to find your way to my abode."

"Speak. What is the true purpose behind your elaborate scheme to infiltrate my Primordial Yin space?"

Here it comes! Su Chen’s heart rose to his throat.

He knew his answer would directly determine his life or death.

Should he tell the truth—or continue lying?

His mind raced.

Would saying he sought the Sun’s True Flame anger her?

But if he lied, he feared she would see through him.

The consequence of deceiving an ancient deity might be even worse.

In a flash, Su Chen made his decision.

As the saying goes: a thousand lies may fail, but flattery never does.

Su Chen lifted his head, meeting Chang Xi’s gaze, and said with reverence: "Your Star Lord, this disciple has heard that the Yin Moon Star is a sacred realm of the Heavenly Court, and that Your Star Lord is a figure of legend. I am filled with awe and admiration."

"Today, this disciple dared to come, merely to see with my own eyes this legendary Yin Moon Star, to behold the place where Your Star Lord resides—nothing more. I never imagined I would accidentally trespass here and disturb Your Star Lord’s meditation. This disciple deserves death!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply again, displaying the excitement and nervousness of a die-hard fan meeting their idol.

Yet from the throne came a soft laugh.

The laugh was crisp and melodious—but Su Chen’s heart sank instantly to the bottom.

Chang Xi’s laughter echoed through the hall.

"Curiosity? Admiration?"

She looked at the bowing Su Chen, her eyes holding a hint of amusement.

"Little Daoist, your words might fool some Heavenly Court officials—but they won’t fool me."

Su Chen’s heart lurched—he knew he was finished.

She doesn’t buy this act—am I truly doomed here?

Su Chen straightened up, gazing at the cold, noble ancient Moon Goddess, and forced himself to say: "Every word I spoke is true."

But Chang Xi paid no further heed to his words.

The ancient Moon Goddess smiled, looking down at the trembling Su Chen, and spoke slowly, her voice carrying the weight of memories from the ancient age.