Chapter 159: The Conditions of the Heavenly Star Sages

Yan Taibai brought Yuan Yao and the other two back to Heavenly Star City. During this time, they did not encounter any obstruction or difficulty; in fact, the Star Palace cultivators were extremely welcoming, their smiles tinged with a hint of fawning.

In the past, this would have been absolutely impossible.

As for Zhou Yuan, Yan Ruyan, Zhuo Ruting, and Fan Jingmei, none of them returned; only Ling Yuling returned alone. Furthermore, she brought an invitation from the Heavenly Star Sages.

"Master, my father and mother invite you to visit the Sacred Hall; they have matters to discuss!"

Ling Yuling bowed respectfully and said.

"The Sacred Hall, the Sacred Hall of the Star Palace, then let's go and take a look!"

Seeing this, Yan Taibai, who had long been prepared, naturally would not refuse; he nodded and agreed with a smile.

Looking at his master, who seemed not much older than herself, Ling Yuling felt a complex mix of emotions in her heart, especially when she recalled what her mother had said, which made her feel even more conflicted.

Under these circumstances, was it really the time to discuss that?

Ling Yuling could not understand, yet she also understood that this was her parents wanting to find her a source of reliance—a reliance that would allow her to condense a Nascent Soul and, in the future, sit securely in the position of the Master of the Star Palace.

Yet she was not very willing, even though she had many favorable feelings toward Yan Taibai.

"Master, please follow this disciple."

Ling Yuling led the way. Recalling Yan Taibai's astonishing battle record at the Void Heaven Palace, the worry in Ling Yuling's heart regarding the Anti-Star Alliance dissipated.

As long as Yan Taibai was willing to help deal with Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu, this Anti-Star Alliance would be nothing to fear.

But would Yan Taibai be willing? Even though Wan Tianming, Tianwuzi, and the others were all slain by Yan Taibai with a single sword, he was already in a life-or-death feud with Wan Sangu.

But would he really strike easily?

Ling Yuling expressed doubt, but doubt aside, she was also full of anticipation.

Just like that, the master and disciple, each harboring their own thoughts, headed toward the depths of the Holy Mountain in Heavenly Star City.

Soon, the master and disciple landed their escape lights in front of a seemingly ordinary blue stone hall on the highest level of the Holy Mountain.

"This... is the Sacred Hall?"

Seeing this, even though she had been mentally prepared, she still felt surprised.

"It seems Master finds this Sacred Hall too ordinary?"

Hearing this, Ling Yuling smiled enchantingly.

"Indeed, it really doesn't look like the style of the Star Palace," Yan Taibai said with a light chuckle.

"This Sacred Hall is indeed somewhat ordinary, but it is the place where the founder of our sect lived and cultivated, so it has been preserved and became an important site for our sect. Originally, outsiders should not be allowed to enter this place casually. However, since Master is a guest personally invited by my father and mother, it is naturally fine," Ling Yuling said, her smile unchanged.

"Hmm, although it is ordinary, this is indeed the highest point of the Holy Mountain; the Heaven and Earth Qi is exceptionally dense. It is truly a superior sacred place for cultivation. I fear there are not many islands in the entire Inner Star Sea where one could find such a good place for cultivation."

Yan Taibai praised with a smile.

"If Master likes it, you may also stay here to cultivate. I believe my father and mother would not refuse."

Ling Yuling suggested with a smile.

"Forget it. Although the Heaven and Earth Qi here is not bad, it still cannot provide much help for my cultivation. Moreover, I cannot take advantage of others, can I?"

Yan Taibai shook his head and refused without much hesitation.

"That is truly a pity."

Ling Yuling smiled helplessly.

Afterward, Ling Yuling and Yan Taibai walked side by side toward the gate of the stone hall.

The dozen or so Star Palace disciples guarding outside the hall gate hurriedly bowed to them, their gazes sweeping over Yan Taibai with a hint of curiosity.

Clearly, they did not yet know of Yan Taibai's glorious battle record. And Ling Yuling had no intention of explaining, leading Yan Taibai directly into a simple and unadorned hall.

In the hall were only two people: Ling Xiaofeng and Wen Qing, the Heavenly Star Sages of the Chaotic Star Sea, Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage, who kept the Wan Sangu and Liudao Jisheng of the righteous and demonic paths gasping for breath.

If it were not for the fact that it was confirmed the two of them were cultivating the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light and could not leave Heavenly Star City, this Anti-Star Alliance might not have been able to be established.

Of course, it was mainly because they had planned for many years and had to appear.

If they didn't appear, there might not be another chance.

After the host and guest were seated, Wen Qing opened her sandalwood lips and directly offered congratulations.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Yan for obtaining the number one treasure of the Chaotic Star Sea, the Void Heaven Cauldron. I must also thank Fellow Daoist Yan for exterminating Wan Tianming, Tianwuzi, and several other great enemies. Otherwise, the strength of this Anti-Star Alliance would likely be even harder to deal with. For this matter, I am truly very grateful to Fellow Daoist Yan. I wonder what conditions Fellow Daoist has? Just speak up; as long as the Star Palace can do it, we will absolutely not refuse."

Upon learning that Yan Taibai had slain Wan Tianming, Tianwuzi, the old farmer, and Qingyi Jushi—a full four Nascent Soul cultivators—with a single sword, and that Wan Tianming was a Nascent Soul Mid-Stage Peak expert whom even she would find it difficult to kill, she understood that her original plan could basically be scrapped.

Not wanting the Star Palace to change hands, the only way was to exhaust all efforts to befriend Yan Taibai; there was no other way.

And the best method was marriage; the mere master-disciple relationship was no longer enough.

But Yan Taibai was not one to be close to women, and the existing master-disciple relationship with Ling Yuling was a huge trouble.

Yet if they did not marry, relying solely on the master-disciple relationship, it would be very easy for him to usurp the position.

As for killing Yan Taibai, it would only be possible if she successfully cultivated the Yuan Magnetic Divine Light and Ling Yuling broke through to become a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage, capable of resolving the subsequent trouble brought by the righteous and demonic paths.

Simply put, that would be suicide.

And right now, there was no other way but to try her best to befriend him.

"If the two fellow daoists have something to say, just say it! I still have many things to handle and cannot stay long."

Yan Taibai had no intention of wasting words with the Heavenly Star Sages and asked straightforwardly.

"Our couple would like to invite Fellow Daoist to strike and kill Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu. Fellow Daoist should be very clear that whether it is Wan Tianming, Wen Tianren, or Lady Wen, you are already in a life-or-death feud with Wan Sangu and Liudao Jisheng. Therefore, if we join forces to kill them, this Anti-Star Alliance will collapse on its own."

Hearing this, Wen Qing did not exchange pleasantries and stated her purpose as well.

"And then what? Do the two of you think that with just these empty words, you can get me to agree to kill two Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage, Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu? If so, the two of you had better seek help elsewhere! I will not accompany you."

Yan Taibai said with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"As for the reward, Fellow Daoist Yan, please rest assured. As long as the Star Palace has it and can do it, Fellow Daoist just needs to speak."

Wen Qing also knew that Yan Taibai would inevitably demand benefits, and she was prepared for a heavy loss, smiling enchantingly without surprise.

"Hmm! Since that is the case, then I will not be polite. For Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu, one hundred Metal Attribute Spirit Stone or material mineral veins each."

Before the words had even faded, Wen Qing and Ling Xiaofeng, who had already been prepared, could not help but have their expressions freeze, and they looked at each other for a moment.

Two hundred Metal Attribute Spirit Stone mineral veins and materials—if one were to speak of mineral veins and materials, perhaps the Star Palace could manage to produce them if they wiped out every major force, sect, and island of both the righteous and demonic paths.

But Yan Taibai's demand was for two hundred Metal Attribute Spirit Stone mineral veins, or material mineral veins.

This single item alone made the two of them feel troubled.

It was almost impossible to produce; this was no longer just a "heavy loss," it was completely impossible to agree to this condition.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, this condition requires too many Metal Attribute Spirit Stone mineral veins and material mineral veins; the Star Palace truly cannot produce them."

Wen Qing shook her head slightly, her face revealing an apologetic expression as she spoke.

"Then how many can you produce?"

Yan Taibai also knew this was somewhat difficult, so he did not force it, saying something that made both Ling Xiaofeng and Wen Qing heave a sigh of relief.

As for Ling Yuling, she had no place to speak here; therefore, she was merely shocked by her master Yan Taibai's lion's share of a demand, and then waited for her parents' reply.

"At most fifty of each, and it will also require waiting until the Star Palace has wiped out a portion of the righteous and demonic path forces that joined the Anti-Star Alliance this time before we can hand them all over to Fellow Daoist Yan. Right now, we can at most produce ten Metal Attribute Spirit Stone mineral veins and material mineral veins; after the matter is accomplished, we will produce twenty more of each type of mineral vein, and as for the rest, they can only be delivered after enough sects and islands of the righteous and demonic paths have been wiped out."

"What does Fellow Daoist Yan think of this?" Wen Qing brought out a condition that was nearly their bottom line.

"Deal. Out of respect for Yuling, naturally there is no problem. I agree, but wiping out Liudao Jisheng and Wan Sangu requires me to wait until I condense my Nascent Soul and advance to the Nascent Soul Stage before I have absolute certainty. It will take about ten or twenty years; I believe the Star Palace should be able to hold out for that much time, right?"

Yan Taibai nodded and agreed without much hesitation.

"That is naturally not a problem; even holding out for one or two hundred years would not be an issue."

Wen Qing nodded her head slightly, guaranteeing it.

"That is good then; in that case, I can rest easy. Alright, for the matter of the Spirit Stone mineral veins and material mineral veins, you prepare them, and just tell me in half a year. Let me state this first: don't play any tricks, like saying the mineral veins were occupied by people from the Anti-Star Alliance and hoping I will help you take them back. If that is the case, the mineral veins will not count, and they will belong to me once I obtain them myself."

Yan Taibai spoke up to remind them again, or one could even say, to warn them.

He poked through Wen Qing's little schemes without the slightest bit of politeness.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, rest assured, such a thing will naturally not happen."

With her little schemes seen through, Wen Qing's complexion was also slightly unnatural, and she immediately gave her assurance.

"That is good then; that will do. Happy cooperation, farewell."

Yan Taibai stood up directly to take his leave, and naturally, Ling Yuling personally saw him off.

"You do not need to return to the Miaoyin Sect with me; the Star Palace is the place suitable for your cultivation. Cultivate as quickly as possible and strive to condense your Nascent Soul early. That way, you can also put your parents at ease. Tell your parents not to play any tricks or schemes; otherwise, do not blame me for not giving you face."

Stepping out onto the Holy Mountain, Yan Taibai stopped and reminded her with a stern face.

"Master, rest assured, Yuling understands. Many thanks to Master for being willing to help."

Hearing this, Ling Yuling felt a tightness in her heart and hurriedly agreed.

"Hm! As long as you understand, that is fine. As long as you do well, rest assured, the position of Holy Master of the Star Palace will not escape you. If you do not do well, then do not blame me for not considering the bond between master and disciple."

Yan Taibai nodded slightly and warned her.

"Disciple obeys, many thanks, Master."

Ling Yuling bowed respectfully and thanked him.

"Hm! No need to see me off."

Yan Taibai waved his hand and went on his way toward the Miaoyin Sect. The cultivators he encountered on the road were all very anxious to purchase and prepare the things they needed, as well as trying to find ways to leave Heavenly Star City. At this time, even going to the Outer Star Sea was much better than being in Heavenly Star City.

Nowadays, all cultivators in Heavenly Star City needed to obey the orders of the Star Palace. If any had ties to the righteous or demonic paths and wanted to continue staying in Heavenly Star City, they either had to do nothing and stay honestly in their Holy Mountain cave dwelling, or go out of the city to bring back a "letter of introduction" from someone of the same rank, especially Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

If they were unwilling, they would be treated as spies for the Anti-Star Alliance; the light punishment was to be captured and interrogated, and the heavy punishment was to be killed on the spot.

As for resisting, do not forget where this is: Heavenly Star City. Who would dare to resist?

And the branch offices and shops of the righteous and demonic path sects and islands in Heavenly Star City had long since withdrawn; this was also a tacit understanding between them.

Just like that, the entire interior of Heavenly Star City was now, if not an iron bucket, at least not allowing any dissenting voices to appear.

This was the base camp of the Star Palace, and they absolutely did not allow anything to happen. Although the Miaoyin Sect was an extremely unstable force because of Yan Taibai,

it was also a force that even the Star Palace was unwilling to offend.

The disciples and elders of the Miaoyin Sect could basically enter and exit Heavenly Star City at will, though no one would be so foolish as to do so. In short, the entire Miaoyin Sect could be considered the best place within Heavenly Star City.

They did not need to be constrained by the Star Palace, nor would they be forced to take on missions; instead, the Star Palace tried its best to be on good terms with them to avoid causing dissatisfaction in the Miaoyin Sect.

Therefore, during this period, there were countless rogue cultivators wanting to join the Miaoyin Sect.

As for these rogue cultivators, the Miaoyin Sect naturally could not reject them all, and could only select the best to admit, while simultaneously imposing many restrictions. In short, it was not much better than being in Heavenly Star City.

The only benefit was that they would not be sent out by the Star Palace to obtain some "letter of introduction."

Regarding this matter, Yan Taibai did not ask much or interfere, leaving it all to the three master and disciples who had returned: Zhou Yuan, Zhuo Ruting, and Fan Jingmei.

The three master and disciples were much more skilled at handling these matters than he was.

They could also better manage these cultivators to avoid affecting the good relationship between the Star Palace and the Miaoyin Sect.

Now, among the women, only Ziling Xianzi and Yan Ruyan had not returned. Both of them had a great relationship with Yan Taibai, so even Yan Taibai could not help but worry.

Just as he was preparing to leave Heavenly Star City to go and search for them, the two women returned.

At the same time, they also brought back a message from one person: Wan Sangu.

"Her meaning is that as long as the Miaoyin Sect joins the Anti-Star Alliance and helps them overthrow the Star Palace, the Chaotic Star Sea will be split equally in the future. She also will not hold a grudge over the matter of Wan Tianming, and she will tell me how to leave the Chaotic Star Sea and return to the Dajin Cultivation World."

After hearing the original words of Wan Sangu brought back by Ziling Xianzi, Yan Taibai smiled.

"You two were not planted with any Restrictions, were you?"

"There were none; we did not let Wan Sangu touch our bodies."

Yan Ruyan shook her head slightly and said.

"That is not necessarily true. A Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage has powerful and unfathomable methods; even without getting close to you two Golden Core Stage Cultivators, you could still have been planted with a Restriction."

Yan Taibai shook his head, his expression grave as he spoke.

(End of this chapter)