Chapter 284: The Star Gods Return to Their Thrones!

"Yes."

The mysterious figure affirmed, "That is the initial 'Star Affinity.' We 'Star Gods' inherit from antiquity; the selection of every 'Star God' prioritizes affinity. If fate has not arrived, no matter how profound your cultivation or how extraordinary your talent, you will never be chosen."

His tone carried an ancient certainty.

Chen Mu fell silent; if that was the case, his own 'affinity' must indeed be sufficient.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he asked a crucial question: "Do all 'Star Gods' possess cultivation of the Heavenly Palace realm?"

"Most official members are Heavenly Palace realm. There are also several who have reached the Myriad Phenomena realm. Those of the Earth Altar realm are rare."

The mysterious figure truthfully informed him, "Those of the Earth Altar realm are mostly new recruits, just like you now. I have observed you for a long time, confirmed your potential and character, before conducting this final 'Affinity Test.'"

Most are Heavenly Palace realm! There are several Myriad Phenomena realm!

Chen Mu's heart trembled again.

This power was utterly terrifying, beyond estimation!

In the Great Zhou imperial court, Heavenly Palace realm experts were already top-tier combat forces stationed across regions; Myriad Phenomena realm was a legend.

The 'Star God' organization's elite combat strength likely rivaled the entire overt power of the Great Zhou imperial court!

"How many of you… no, we 'Star Gods' are there?" Chen Mu couldn't help pressing further, using the word 'we,' beginning to try to integrate himself.

"Not many."

The mysterious figure shook his head, "There are currently fewer than thirty official 'Star Gods.' All subordinate 'Star Officials' combined number barely over a hundred."

He paused, then added, "The honorific titles of 'Star Gods' are not chosen arbitrarily; they are named after the stellar constellations in the Ziwei Dou Shu. For example, I inherited the 'Ju Sect Star.'"

Hearing this, Chen Mu felt both astonishment and an indescribable sense of novelty: "Then who is the 'Ziwei Star'?"

Ziwei, after all, was the Emperor Star.

"The 'Ziwei Star' has long been seated."

The Ju Sect Star's tone carried a hint of reverence, then turned solemn: "But here, unless the individual willingly reveals it, no one except their introducer has the right to know any other member's true identity in the outside world."

"This is one of the 'Star God''s iron laws."

"Like you, Chen Mu—within the Star Palace, only I know you are Chen Mu of the Zhenwu Bureau."

Saying this, he flipped his palm and produced a pure white mask identical to the one Chen Mu wore, handing it to him: "The Star Transmission Platform is approaching. If you wish to conceal your identity, wear this mask."

Chen Mu took the mask; it felt cool and made of unusual material.

Without hesitation, he placed it directly over his face.

The instant the mask touched his skin, a cool energy flowed through him; his vision suffered no obstruction.

But Chen Mu clearly felt an invisible force blocking all external probes of his face.

"Going to the Star Transmission Platform is to record one's identity?"

Chen Mu asked, adjusting to the mask.

After putting on the mask, his voice seemed to gain a faint ethereal quality.

"It is more than recording identity."

The Ju Sect Star replied, "More importantly, it senses your 'Lifespan Star.' The Star Transmission Platform can commune with the celestial star forces; if you successfully sense and resonate with one of the stars, you will receive the corresponding inherited supreme art and formally inherit the Star God's position."

Hearing this, Chen Mu was greatly surprised: "If I cannot sense my Lifespan Star, I can only become a subordinate 'Star Official'?"

"Yes."

The Ju Sect Star nodded, "Though 'Star Officials' cannot obtain a unique 'Star God Supreme Art,' the organization still provides equal access to other resources, information sharing, and mission assistance."

"Among 'Star Gods,' we emphasize mutual support, helping one another, and sharing information. Members may post missions to seek aid or offer convenience, jointly exploring the pinnacle of martial cultivation and the mysteries of heaven and earth."

As he spoke, a vast floating island slowly emerged from the endless sea of clouds ahead.

The island appeared to be constructed entirely of a material like Bai Yu, upon which stood dozens of towering, mountain-like, straight platforms.

Most of these platforms emitted a hazy, sacred glow; beams of light shot skyward from their summits, varying in color and thickness, piercing into the higher, star-filled void, resonating with the distant celestial stars.

The scene was magnificent and awe-inspiring, filled with ancient, mysterious energy.

The Ju Sect Star extended his finger toward the floating island that seemed to gather all the starlight of the heavens, his calm voice now carrying a barely perceptible solemnity.

"The Star Transmission Platform has arrived."

Hu~

The howling celestial wind swept past his ears, stirring Chen Mu's robes.

Chen Mu followed beside the Ju Sect Star, slowly descending onto the edge of the floating island.

The instant his feet touched the ground, an indescribable weight and vastness washed over him.

Up close, the floating island was far larger than it had appeared from above the clouds; its surface was engraved with countless intricate, ancient runes, faintly resonating with the celestial stars.

Most awe-inspiring of all were the dozens of towering platforms standing at the island's center.

They stood like colossal pillars holding up the heavens, straight and pointing toward the star-filled void above.

The platforms were neither metal nor stone; their surfaces shimmered with a soft luster. Some emitted continuous beams of colored light, piercing heaven and earth, radiating powerful auras—some scorching, some icy, some sharp, some heavy.

Others remained dark and silent, standing as if asleep for countless years.

"Those glowing platforms are the occupied 'Star God Platforms,' representing the current Star Gods."

The Ju Sect Star's voice sounded beside him, explaining: "Each beam of light represents a stellar force, a unique inherited supreme art."

Chen Mu nodded silently, his gaze sweeping over the beams, his heart solemn.

He clearly felt the power within each beam—any single one far surpassed his current realm, profound as the sea, vast as the stars.

Under the Ju Sect Star's guidance, Chen Mu walked toward the island's central area.

There, several unlit platforms were arranged around a larger, circular platform engraved with complex star-map arrays.

"Stand at the center of the array."

The Ju Sect Star gestured, "Relax your mind, offer no resistance, focus your spiritual will to sense the unoccupied Star God Platforms connected to the array beneath your feet."

Chen Mu obeyed, stepping to the center of the circular platform and standing still.

Then, he took a deep breath, forcing down the agitation and curiosity in his heart, slowly closed his eyes, and following the guidance of the Giant Gate Star, fully lowered his mental defenses, concentrating all his awareness like invisible tentacles, sinking into the cold, mystically potent array patterns beneath his feet, and following their extensions, attempting to touch and perceive the silent, ownerless platforms.

At first, there was only chaotic darkness and silence.

Until the very moment Chen Mu's spiritual will merged completely with the array—