Chapter 136: Voluntarily Walking into the Trap Set by the Star Palace Sages

"Then I wonder if Sister Miaoyin has notified Brother that Little Sister has already reached the Golden Core stage?"

Hearing this, Yan Ruyan's bright eyes lit up, and she immediately asked in pursuit.

"That is only natural. If there are no accidents, Fellow Daoist Yan should have already received the Sound Transmission Talisman by now. Speaking of which, if not for the help of Fellow Daoist Yan, the strength of the Miaoyin Sect could not have grown so rapidly over these years."

Zhou Yuan's jade-like face was full of gratitude as she spoke.

"Then Brother Taibai must be coming back soon as well."

Yan Ruyan pursed her lips and smiled, feeling a sense of relief.

Having been in seclusion for many years, she could finally see Yan Taibai.

"Indeed! Little Sister can finally see Fellow Daoist Yan and resolve the suffering of lovesickness."

Zhou Yuan smiled sweetly, her expression tinged with a bit of teasing.

"Pah!"

"Sister Miaoyin, you only know how to tease Little Sister."

A blush surged onto Yan Ruyan's cheeks, and she spat lightly.

In such matters, a young woman's skin is thin, so she was naturally shy.

"Alright, this is not the place to talk. Let us enter the cave dwelling first! It just so happens that I have some experience to share with you, Little Sister."

Zhou Yuan's smile did not fade as she said this.

"Right, Sister Miaoyin, Ning'er, please come in quickly."

Yan Ruyan suddenly realized and cleared a path.

……

At the same time, Yan Taibai, who was in the sea area of Qiyuan Island, also received the Sound Transmission Talismans from Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei.

"Yan'er has reached the Golden Core stage; that really is quite fast. It seems I must make a trip back. This Poisonous Flood Dragon can only be spared for now. If I could kill it, I could at least improve by five or six points."

After looking around, Yan Taibai sighed softly, feeling quite regretful.

One of the reasons he came to this Qiyuan Island sea area was because of that seventh-level peak Poisonous Flood Dragon, which could undergo its tribulation and take human form at any time.

The toxicity of a Poisonous Flood Dragon of this level, while not quite comparable to the Ten Absolute Poisons, was not far off. If it could survive the tribulation and take human form, its toxicity would surely be even more formidable.

However, after searching for so long and finally getting a lead, he had not expected that Yan Ruyan would reach the Golden Core stage.

And how could a seventh-level peak Poisonous Flood Dragon be more important than his own little beloved wife reaching the Golden Core stage?

Moreover, they had not seen each other for over ten years; the husband and wife must properly pour out their hearts to each other.

This was the most important thing.

……

One day later, Yan Taibai returned to Black Stone City.

"Disciple Fan Jingmei pays respects to Martial Uncle!"

"Disciple Zhuo Ruting pays respects to Martial Uncle!"

Having just returned to Black Stone City, the sisters Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei, who had been waiting for a long time and looking forward to his arrival, immediately bowed with their jade-like faces full of respect.

Over these ten-plus years, relying on the spirit pills, wondrous medicines, and a series of other good things obtained from Yan Taibai, the cultivation realms of the two sisters had advanced by leaps and bounds.

In just over ten years, they had advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators, which made countless people envious and gave them a bit more possibility of condensing a Golden Core and becoming Golden Core Stage cultivators.

It could be said to be a great favor of rebirth. It was just a pity that no matter what methods the two sisters used, they could not make Yan Taibai's heart stir to take them in, not even as concubines.

Gradually, the two sisters began to doubt their own charm, but they were helpless and could only give up this approach, focusing on processing Demon Beast materials and Demon Cores for Yan Taibai.

And relying on Yan Taibai's prestige, the two sisters did not face any danger in Black Stone City; no one dared to make a move against them in Black Stone City.

They only needed to cultivate with peace of mind and help Yan Taibai hand over the Demon Beast materials and Demon Cores to the people from the Miaoyin Sect, or directly exchange them for Metal Attribute Spirit Stones or materials in Black Stone City.

"Let's go! Yan'er has already reached the Golden Core stage, which is a good thing. These are two bottles of Yuanhe Pills, which are of great benefit for breaking through the Golden Core Stage bottleneck. Consider it your hard-earned pay for this period."

Yan Taibai patted his Storage Bag, took out two bottles of Yuanhe Pills he had obtained from some unlucky Golden Core Stage cultivator, and handed them to the two women.

He had originally intended to save them for Yan Ruyan, but now it seemed that was unnecessary.

In fact, it was not needed; after all, Yan Ruyan had a Heavenly Spirit Root, and there was no bottleneck in condensing a Golden Core.

This was also an important reason why she could cultivate so quickly.

At the same time, the Heavenly Spirit Root was also an important reason for being the lowest-level Golden Core Stage cultivator.

"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yan!"

The two women's beautiful faces were flushed with joy and surprise, and they hurriedly bowed and expressed their thanks.

After all, with this bottle of Yuanhe Pills, perhaps the two of them would also have a chance to condense a Golden Core before the age of one hundred.

In this way, they would also have some hope of condensing a Nascent Soul in the future and becoming Nascent Soul cultivators.

And all of this came from Yan Taibai; one could imagine to what extent the two women's inner gratitude toward Yan Taibai had reached.

It was a pity that Yan Taibai had no interest in the two of them; at most, they were occasionally intimate, but there was absolutely no further progress.

Afterward, the three of them stopped chatting, and under the envious gazes of other male cultivators in Black Stone City, Yan Taibai and the two women entered the stone house of the Transmission Array in the center of Black Stone City.

Unlike others, Yan Taibai, Zhuo Ruting, and Fan Jingmei did not need to pay Spirit Stones and directly used the Transmission Array to return to the Starry Sky Hall of the Star Palace.

This was the benefit brought by status and position, and at this moment, there were already people waiting in the Star Palace to welcome them.

Leading them was a purple-clad young girl of sixteen, beautiful beyond compare.

She truly attracted many gazes, but hindered by the three Golden Core Stage cultivators beside the purple-clad girl, no one dared to step forward to strike up a conversation or be presumptuous.

And as soon as the girl saw Yan Taibai and the others appear on the Transmission Array, she immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully.

"Zi Ling pays respects to Martial Uncle Yan, Senior Sister Fan, and Senior Sister Zhuo."

"Why did you come yourself, little girl?"

Seeing this, Yan Taibai said with some surprise.

Over these ten-plus years, he had naturally seen Ziling Xianzi, and one could even say he had watched her grow up; their emotional connection was still quite deep.

"Isn't it because I missed Uncle Yan? So I came personally to welcome you."

Ziling Xianzi's cheeks flushed, and she said in a delicate voice with a hint of shyness.

Seeing this, Fan Jingmei and Zhuo Ruting couldn't help but roll their eyes; they certainly didn't believe this excuse.

"Tell the truth!"

They didn't believe it, let alone Yan Taibai, so Yan Taibai rolled his eyes directly and said with annoyance.

"Hehe, I just wanted to ask Uncle for some medicinal pills, to strive for an early Golden Core so I can help Uncle."

Seeing this, Zi Ling gave a playful smile and then told the truth.

"This is a Yuanhe Pill; it should be enough for you to take."

Hearing this, Yan Taibai took out the last bottle of Yuanhe Pill and handed it to Ziling Xianzi.

For this girl he had watched grow up since she was small, he naturally had deep affection and would not be stingy.

Although Ziling Xianzi had only reached Foundation Establishment recently, it didn't matter.

For a moment, the entire Starry Sky Hall was filled with envious gazes, especially from the small number of Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators, who were even more so.

After all, this Yuanhe Pill had a greater effect for them.

But who was this Ziling Xianzi? She was not someone they could provoke or covet. Didn't you see that she was followed by three Golden Core Stage cultivators at all times?

This kind of treatment was hard to come by even for the descendants and disciples of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Yet Ziling Xianzi had such treatment; one could imagine just how favored she was.

"Many thanks, Uncle Yan."

Ziling Xianzi took the Jade Bottle with a face full of joy, then bowed and thanked him with a grateful and respectful voice.

After all, she was crystal clear about how valuable the Yuanhe Pill was.

"Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's hurry back! Don't let the Sect Master and Yan'er wait anxiously."

"I also haven't seen Yan'er for more than ten years; this time of reaching the Golden Core really is a good time."

Yan Taibai's tone revealed a touch of melancholy and attachment.

"Yes." Seeing this, Ziling Xianzi said no more, walked obediently to Yan Taibai's side, took his arm as she had in the past, and headed toward the Starry Sky Hall.

Half an hour later, the group finally returned to the Miaoyin Sect.

Zhou Yuan and Yan Ruyan did not come to welcome them personally, which made Yan Taibai quite surprised, yet he was not angry; he was not one to fuss over such matters.

Afterward, he went with Ziling Xianzi, Fan Jingmei, and Zhuo Ruting to the guest hall of the Miaoyin Sect.

At this moment in the hall, besides Zhou Yuan, the Miaoyin Sect Master, and Yan Ruyan, the newly promoted Golden Core Stage cultivator, there were only two old men in white robes.

These two had hair and beards like silver and flowing robes, looking like beings from among the immortals.

Furthermore, both were Nascent Soul cultivators, which made Yan Taibai's eyes narrow slightly, as he already knew their identities in his heart.

"Brother Yan, these two are elders from the Star Palace; this one is..."

As soon as Zhou Yuan saw Yan Taibai enter, she immediately stood up, bowed, and began to introduce the two elders to Yan Taibai.

After the introduction was finished, the three women—Ziling Xianzi, Zhuo Ruting, and Fan Jingmei—bowed respectfully and then tacitly exited the hall in unison.

"I wonder if the two seniors have any instructions for coming here this time?"

Yan Taibai spoke quite politely to the two Nascent Soul Stage white-robed elders of the Star Palace.

After all, since Nascent Soul cultivators had come this time, it was giving him plenty of face, and he naturally would not be negligent.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Yan is too polite. We two came here today mainly because there is a matter we wish to discuss with you, by the order of the two Holy Lords. I wonder if it is convenient for Fellow Daoist Yan to listen?"

The white-robed old man with a kind face and gentle eyes spoke with a smile after Yan Taibai sat down.

He stated the purpose of their visit.

"May the two seniors please speak?"

Hearing this, Yan Taibai raised an eyebrow and said with some surprise.

What kind of matter could require sending two Nascent Soul elders to come and discuss it personally? It truly made him feel surprised.

"I wonder how much Fellow Daoist Yan knows about the Zhaixing Assembly of the Inner Star Sea?"

Hearing this, the kind-faced one asked with a smile.

"The Zhaixing Assembly."

Hearing this counter-question, Yan Taibai was stunned for a moment, and then information regarding the Zhaixing Assembly surfaced in his mind.

In fact, besides Heavenly Star City, the Inner Star Sea was divided into eight outer regions and four central regions.

Therefore, the Star Palace, as the official human force of the Chaotic Star Sea, each took three of the largest islands to establish directly administered islands.

Thus, these directly administered islands were also known as the Outer Twenty-Four Star Islands and the Inner Twelve Star Islands, and they formed an arching formation around "Heavenly Star City."

Kuixing Island was one of them, an Outer Star Island.

However, the appointment methods for these two types of directly administered islands were completely different.

The Inner Twelve Star Islands were appointed by the Holy Lords mentioned by these two, with each choosing six people from within the Star Palace.

As for the Outer Twenty-Four Star Islands, they were openly challenged and selected in "Heavenly Star City" every hundred years; the final winner would automatically become the Island Master, enjoying the treatment of holding great power over a region.

Therefore, every hundred years, the selection of the Outer Island Masters, which was this "Zhaixing Assembly," would be held in "Heavenly Star City."

At the same time, whenever this Zhaixing Assembly was about to be held, it could be said that high-level cultivators from the entire Chaotic Star Sea would gather here.

Some of these cultivators came straight for the position of Island Master, some purely wanted to broaden their horizons and exchange ideas with other fellow daoists, and others wanted to take this opportunity to exchange materials, medicinal pills, divine abilities, cultivation arts, and the like; it was truly crowded and extremely lively.

"Do the two seniors mean to have this junior participate in the Zhaixing Assembly?"

After quickly recalling the information about the Zhaixing Assembly, Yan Taibai calculated the time; the next Zhaixing Assembly would be within the next year or two.

And once one became the Island Master of an Outer Star Island, one was a person of the Star Palace; in other words, one was tied together with the Star Palace.

There were pros and cons to this; the benefit was that one basically didn't need to worry about danger, and the disadvantage was that one could not cut ties with the Star Palace unless the next Zhaixing Assembly began.

Besides this, there is another benefit, which is being able to legitimately attack other islands, especially those of the Righteous and Demonic paths.

As long as one has sufficient strength, one can attack and occupy them at will, though the Star Palace will not help; to be precise, they will not help openly, but if one invites a few good friends or sects, that is not a problem.

Furthermore, other sect forces are forbidden from assisting that island, otherwise, it is to be an enemy of the Star Palace; this is also the greatest help the Star Palace provides.

Yet even so, almost no Island Master of an Outer Star Island would do such a thing that is akin to seeking their own death.

Because most of them are Golden Core Stage Cultivators, and relying on the resources of one Outer Star Island is enough; there is no need to do such a suicidal thing.

Moreover, one still needs to share a portion with the Star Palace, and under such circumstances, even fewer people are willing.

But Yan Taibai is willing; he needs Spirit Stone veins, and wanting to fight for and attack other islands is truly a hassle.

Especially for islands occupied by the sect forces of the Righteous and Demonic paths that possess Spirit Stone veins and material veins, this is even more so.

To put it bluntly, the Star Palace intends for him to deal with the island sect forces of the Righteous and Demonic paths, thereby weakening the power of the Righteous and Demonic paths.

In other words, they are using him as a blade to deal with the Righteous and Demonic paths, so that the Anti-Star Alliance, which might appear at any time behind the scenes, will be destroyed or forced to appear prematurely.

And what Yan Taibai can obtain are the Spirit Stone veins and material veins.

What he needs is a large amount of material vein and Spirit Stone vein resources.

In this way, it can be considered each getting what they need, except that Yan Taibai needs to be utilized by the Star Palace to deal with the forces of the Righteous and Demonic paths.

"Not bad, this is the intention of the two Holy Lords. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Yan is interested? For the twenty-four outer islands, Fellow Daoist Yan can choose any one, and I guarantee no one will contest it. If you prefer the twelve inner star islands, that is also possible."

"This is the information on all the star islands. Why don't you take a look, Fellow Daoist Yan, and then decide?"

The kind-faced old man in white handed the Jade Slip he had already prepared to Yan Taibai and said.

"Good, many thanks."

Seeing this, Yan Taibai also knew this was a trap, but he seemed to have to step inside to take a look.

Moreover, nine times out of ten, once he stepped in, he would not be able to get out.

Sure enough, after he finished reading the detailed information on the twenty-four outer star islands and twelve inner star islands in the Jade Slip, he knew he could not escape.

(End of this chapter)