Chapter 562: Strange Fire, Jian Ming Tian Yan!

Star Palace.

This floating space, suspended above the sea of clouds and dotted with floating isles, was shrouded in profound stillness for the vast majority of time.

Starlight flowed like water, silent and smooth, illuminating the star-god temples, each distinct in style yet all radiating the ancient aura of stellar Dao.

Chen Mu stepped out from the center of the starry vortex within Wu Quxing Temple.

The interior remained empty, save for the constant, solemn starlight emanating from the projection of "Wu Quxing" on the ceiling.

Members of the Star God organization rarely appeared openly within the Star Palace unless on a specific mission or needing to trade or seek aid.

For the most part, each Star Lord remained hidden within their own star temple, either cultivating or handling worldly affairs, maintaining only a faint connection through "Star Talismans" without disturbing one another.

When members needed to communicate, post tasks, seek cooperation, or conduct transactions beyond conventional worldly channels, they typically went to the Grand Star Hall.

There, the flow of information and resources was far more efficient than within their isolated star temples.

"If I want to obtain information about 'Strange Fire,' especially the 'Soul Sword' Strange Fire, or deeper secrets of Jiuyou Sect's 'Mingyuan Secret Realm,' the Grand Star Hall may be the best option for now." Chen Mu decided in his heart.

He took out the Star God mask, put it on, donned the Star Robe, and with a flick of his mind, the space before him twisted.

Chen Mu stepped forward and entered.

Light and shadow shifted; the sensation of spatial displacement was slight yet swift.

When his vision cleared, he stood at the entrance of the Grand Star Hall.

He walked slowly into the hall, passing before rows of Shi Zhu pillars, quickly scanning the posted information.

"Willing to purchase one 'Nine-Leaf Heaven Star Herb,' or provide precise growth location information—reward negotiable."

"Selling a fragment of the ancient 'Leize' map, suspected to point to a vanished Thunder Dao ruin—highest bidder wins."

"Deep within the Southern Wastelands' 'Ten Thousand Poison Marsh,' a 'Green Phosphorus Poisonous Dragon' is rumored to be on the verge of ascending to dragonhood. Seeking at least three Tiangong Realm companions to jointly explore the dragon's lair—distribution based on effort and prior agreement. Task Code: Dragon Hunt."

……

Each piece of information carried stakes, risks, and secrets sufficient to stir any external force.

Yet here, they were merely part of the Star Gods' daily exchanges.

Chen Mu skipped past information unrelated to his goals, focusing his search on entries concerning "Strange Fire," "Duan Tianhe," "Soul Sword," and "Jiuyou Sect's Mingyuan Secret Realm."

After a moment, his gaze sharpened and halted before one Shi Zhu.

"Selling a copy of the fragmented 'Strange Fire Compendium.' Contains records of seventeen known Strange Fires: forms, characteristics, origins, and basic collection essentials. Includes the Strange Fire… Price: 300 'Star Points' or equivalent rare ore or spirit herb."

"Fragment of the 'Strange Fire Compendium'? It includes 'Jian Ming Tian Yan'?" Chen Mu's heart stirred.

This might be exactly what he needed right now.

Though only a fragmented copy, it was at least a starting point.

Better than searching blindly.

"Star Points" were a special contribution currency circulating within the Star Palace, obtainable through completing missions, contributing to the Star God organization, or selling intelligence and treasures.

Chen Mu had previously earned a sum of Star Points by helping other Star Gods rescue the Ju Men Star—enough, barely, to cover this cost.

Without hesitation, he took out his Star Talisman and sent a purchase request.

Soon.

A figure appeared at the hall's entrance—the Star God who posted the notice, arriving swiftly.

On his Star Robe, faintly shifting star patterns of "Lu Cun" glowed; his aura was gentle and solid, yet profoundly impenetrable.

Chen Mu verified the transaction details and price via his Star Talisman; the other party confirmed the item.

In the next instant, 300 Star Points were deducted from Chen Mu's Star Talisman; in return, he received a jade slip.

The transaction concluded cleanly and swiftly, with no unnecessary words exchanged.

The Lu Cun Star Lord gave a slight nod, turned, and exited the hall, vanishing.

Chen Mu also did not linger in the hall; his figure flickered, and through the Star Talisman's teleportation function, he returned directly to Wu Quxing Temple.

Inside the temple, Chen Mu held the jade slip and sank his spiritual sense into it.

A flood of information surged into his mind—mostly records of various Strange Fires: some blazing and violent, some icy and piercing, some teeming with life, some dead and destructive…

Descriptions of form, analysis of traits, possible collection methods and precautions—though basic, they were precious to Chen Mu, who was encountering Strange Fire knowledge systematically for the first time.

He flipped rapidly through it and finally, near the end of the fragment, found the entry on "Jian Ming Tian Yan."

The record was extremely brief—only a few lines, accompanied by a blurry, ever-shifting image with a faint sword-shaped glow at its core.

"Jian Ming Tian Yan."

"Associated Figure: Duan Tianhe."

"Characteristics: Form is unstable, often manifests as a sword, combining 'sharpness,' 'purification,' and 'soul-devouring' traits. The flame glows in a blend of dark gold, moon-white, and ghostly blue."

"Speculation: Not a primordial Strange Fire; likely a postnatal mutation formed from the essence of a supreme 'Sword Soul' or 'Sword Intent,' fused with a celestial marvel or special law."

"Fierce and defiant, extremely difficult to subdue—requires Seventh-Level Sword Intent or a special soul technique to awaken and subdue."

"Ancient compendium comparison: Shares partial traits with the ancient 'Yunxin Sword Flame' and 'Great Sun Purifying Soul Flame' recorded in the fragmented 'Ten Thousand Flames Canon,' but uncertain."

"Last reliable contemporary record: Approximately 230 years ago, vanished along with Duan Tianhe's disappearance. Suspected to be sealed or seized by some faction."

The information ended abruptly.

Chen Mu slowly opened his eyes, his pupils swirling with inner light.

"So that's the name of the 'Soul Sword'—Jian Ming Tian Yan!"

"Combines 'sharpness,' 'purification,' 'soul-devouring'… flame color: dark gold, moon-white, ghostly blue… not primordial, postnatal mutation… requires Seventh-Level Sword Intent or special soul technique to subdue…"

Chen Mu exhaled, his heart light.

Strange Fire, Jian Ming Tian Yan!

Where Duan Tianhe obtained this Strange Fire remains unknown.

This time, luck was overwhelming—he now knew how to obtain it.

Requires Seventh-Level Sword Intent or a special soul technique.

"Seven layers of sword intent—I still lack two more..."

Chen Mu fell into thought.

The final line of the information—"suspected to be sealed or fallen into the hands of some faction"—perfectly matched his knowledge that "the soul resides in Jiuyou."

"It seems that to claim the 'Sword Soul,' I must first elevate my sword intent. As for soul-secret techniques, they are matters of chance."

Chen Mu put away the fragmented scroll of the 'Strange Flame Mirror,' his plan growing clearer in his mind.

The next moment, he rose and returned to the Starlit Hall.

As he entered the hall, he saw a star pillar glowing with light.

"A new mission?"

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow and strode over quickly.

He stood before the star pillar and read its contents.

"Mission: Investigate the source of recent anomalies in the Southern Wastelands Ancient Battlefield. Suspected activity of the 'Beast God' organization, possibly linked to the loosening of an ancient seal."

"Mission requirement: At least two Star Gods must cooperate; recommended cultivation realm: Celestial Palace."

"Mission deadline: Thirty days."

"Base reward: Five hundred Star Points. Additional rewards will be granted based on investigation results and subsequent impact."