Chapter 285: Qian Long Update: Has Chen Mu Died?

"Hum!"

The entire circular platform, along with the massive floating island beneath its feet, suddenly emitted a low, distant hum.

As if some ancient mechanism, slumbering for countless ages, had been quietly awakened.

The array patterns beneath Chen Mu's feet flared instantly with a soft milky-white light, flowing like living streams that rapidly spread along invisible veins across the ground toward the silent, ownerless platforms at the periphery!

Then, under the calm and focused gaze of Ju Men Xing, an astonishing sight occurred.

One, two, three…

The previously dim and silent ownerless Star God Platforms began to tremble slightly, one after another, as if pebbles had been cast into a still lake.

Their surfaces gradually glowed with faint yet clear luminescence.

These glows initially flickered like fireflies on a summer night, unstable, but soon stabilized—though far less brilliant than the radiant pillars of the occupied platforms, they steadfastly emitted their own unique starlight, as if responding to the call from the array's center!

A rough count revealed over a dozen Star God Platforms had responded!

Seeing this, Ju Men Xing's lips, hidden beneath the pure white mask, subtly curved upward, forming a smile of satisfaction tinged with awe.

"Indeed, you did not disappoint me…"

Ju Men Xing whispered inwardly.

To trigger such a multitude of Star God Platforms into preliminary resonance meant Chen Mu's talent, potential, and especially his compatibility with the Zhou Tian Stars, far surpassed the ordinary.

Receiving the Star God inheritance was now certain; the only remaining question was which Star God Platform Chen Mu would ultimately resonate with fully, and which star's position and supreme art he would inherit?

…

"Hummm—"

The dozen or so ownerless platforms continued to hum softly, trembling slightly, their luminescence flickering like hearts yearning for resonance.

Chen Mu's consciousness was immersed in this mysterious resonance; his spirit seemed to split into dozens of threads, each connecting to a distinct yet equally vast stream of stellar energy.

Some of these fluctuations were blazing and wild, others cold and aloof, some agile and ethereal, others heavy as mountains…

They behaved as if possessing rudimentary awareness, vying to transmit affection and attraction toward Chen Mu, each hoping to achieve final fusion with his soul.

Faced with so many choices—all representing powerful stellar paths—Chen Mu found himself unable to decide, his spirit momentarily hesitating.

In that instant of hesitation—

An exceptionally powerful, domineering, and ruthlessly sharp spiritual fluctuation surged forth like a valiant general on the battlefield, forcibly intruding!

It unceremoniously shoved aside the other, more "gentle" fluctuations, and with an irrefutable posture, instantly connected, entwined, and achieved deep resonance with Chen Mu's core spirit.

"Boom!!!"

Externally, one platform that had merely emitted faint luminescence suddenly erupted into a brilliant golden pillar!

This pillar was thick and solid, seemingly composed of countless tiny golden runes, radiating a fierce, battle-hardened aura capable of shattering all laws, soaring skyward and piercing deep into the starry void above—its brilliance instantly overshadowing every other Star God Platform's glow.

Ju Men Xing, who had been watching closely, saw the illuminated platform and its unique golden pillar; his pupils, hidden beneath the mask, contracted sharply, and he could not help exclaiming, his voice laced with unmistakable awe.

"It's 'Wu Quxing'!"

The instant he spoke—

"Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Two whistling sounds shot through the air; two streaks of golden and crimson light descended from the heavens and landed beside Ju Men Xing, revealing two figures.

Both wore Star Robes and masks, but their builds and faint auras clearly indicated one male, one female.

"Ju Men, which new recruit triggered this starlight? Such commotion… Huh? This pillar is Wu Quxing?!"

The male Star God began with curiosity, but midway through, his tone shifted to shock—he had recognized the unique golden pillar.

"Tai Yang, Hong Luan, you've arrived."

Ju Men Xing quickly regained his composure and explained to his colleagues, "This is my newly recruited star, undergoing the Star Transmission Ritual. I didn't expect him to trigger and inherit the position of 'Wu Quxing'."

"Excellent!"

The female Star God, called Hong Luan Xing, spoke with a touch of emotion, "It's been over eight hundred years since the last Wu Quxing Jun perished in the outside world. This fractured lineage has finally found a new heir."

"Indeed."

Tai Yang Xing nodded in agreement, his voice tinged with melancholy, "The Wu Quxing position has been vacant too long; many records have grown vague. Reconnecting it is a blessing for our 'Star Gods' as well."

He paused, then asked curiously, "But what is the supreme art of Wu Quxing's inheritance? The lineage has been broken so long, even we later Star Gods know nothing of it."

Ju Men Xing also displayed curiosity, his gaze returning to the sky-piercing golden pillar and the figure standing motionless at the array's center, eyes closed.

At this moment.

Chen Mu's spirit had fully fused with the core of "Wu Quxing."

In his mind-sea, a miniature golden star was slowly coalescing and gestating; countless profound concepts flowed like gentle streams into his soul, etching themselves onto his martial foundation.

This was a deep-level transmission of inheritance; external time flowed rapidly, unnoticed by Chen Mu.

…

While Chen Mu received the Wu Quxing inheritance deep within the Star Palace, outside, the New Issue/Phase of the Qian Long List was officially updated and published.

In taverns, teahouses, and notice boards of sects and clans across every city, martial artists crowded to view the list.

Chen Mu's name, having consistently risen sharply with each list update, had already drawn widespread attention.

Yet this time, countless people scrutinized the new list again and again—only to be stunned to discover—

Chen Mu was gone!

"Where's Chen Mu? The Chen Mu ranked thirty on the Qian Long List—why is his name missing?"

"Yes! I checked five times—no sign of him in the top fifty!"

"Demoted? How is that possible! He's only seventeen—far below the age limit!"

"Could he have broken through? Reached Earth Altar realm? But how long ago was it he was rumored to have broken through to Eighth Stage Innate? That speed is too shocking!"

"Impossible! No such thing has ever been heard! Breaking through two realms in such a short time!"

"Then… there's only one possibility left…"

The speaker's voice was deep, tinged with a hint of pity.

The crowd fell silent instantly, then erupted into even louder uproar!

Falling off the Hidden Dragon List comes down to three possibilities: exceeding age thirty, advancing to the Earth Altar realm, or... perishing!

Chen Mu is only seventeen, so age is ruled out.

Rapidly breaking through major realms in quick succession is an extremely remote possibility.

Therefore, the most plausible explanation is—

Chen Mu is dead!