Chapter 173: Breakthrough! The Star Gate

At Xing Mie Xie's command, a few Ancient Giants on either side turned and walked toward the back of the white cloud, bringing out a stretcher.

Lying on the stretcher was a man, pale, sweating on his forehead, looking frantic—none other than Seventh Senior Brother Wu Zixu.

At that moment, the white cloud descended before Chen Zheng, vanished into nothingness, and Xing Mie Xie and the others stood firmly on the ground.

"Star Gate senior disciple Xing Mie Xie, second disciple Cang Wei, third disciple Yu Tianhua… sixth disciple Hua Wumei, we pay our respects, Brother Chen!"

Xing Mie Xie led the group to bow before Chen Zheng, each looking supremely respectful, as if paying homage to a timeless giant.

Then Xing Mie Xie seized Wu Zixu from the stretcher, lifted him by the neck, and tried to force him to kneel on the ground and kowtow to Chen Zheng as atonement.

He also earnestly said to Chen Zheng, "Brother Chen, that scoundrel Wu Zixu is blind and reckless; he offended you on the Five Elements Land, so I will have him kowtow to you now."

"Seems I have thought too ill of others."

Chen Zheng raised an eyebrow, thinking that he had misread the situation; Xing Mie Xie and the five Ancient Giants had come not to cause trouble but to bring Wu Zixu to apologize to him.

Xing Yun Baobao was unsurprised, blinking his big eyes as he explained to Chen Zheng, "Brother Chen Zheng, after I returned from the Five Elements Land and told my father that you had slain the people of the Wu Ji Star Palace and killed those of Wan Lianshan, my father immediately convened a council of many Elders; after the meeting, he ordered that no disciple of our sect may ever offend you."

"I see."

Chen Zheng realized that the Star Gate's Headmaster Supreme and the Elders, having learned of his deeds, wanted to befriend him.

That makes things easy.

He had come to the Star Gate to sell the Great Star Technique, so he was in the right place.

"We are all brothers of the same sect; what offense is there? You should promptly send Junior Brother Wu to recuperate, lest he deplete his vital energy, otherwise I would feel guilty."

Chen Zheng smiled faintly and waved his hand to stop Xing Mie Xie from pressing Wu Zixu to the ground to kowtow.

Without waiting for Xing Mie Xie to speak further, he moved and, with Xing Yun Baobao, flew toward the sect's gate.

"Indeed… Brother Chen's magnanimity rivals the vast sea, admirable. Perhaps only someone with such a broad heart can defy the heavens and forge countless legends."

"Brother Chen just bestowed each of us with a treasure; sigh, such a generous brother—if only he were our own Star Gate brother…"

Xing Mie Xie, the Ancient Giants, and the forty gate‑keeping disciples stood where they were, watching Chen Zheng enter, full of emotion.

Wu Zixu wiped a cold sweat from his brow, feeling the heavy stone in his heart finally set down.

……

As soon as Chen Zheng entered the Ancient Meteor, he felt the heavens vast and the earth boundless, as if he had stepped into another world.

The realm was filled with fresh, harmonious aura; everywhere mountains and waters were pristine, palaces stood in forests, streams and waterfalls flowed, exotic flora and strange flowers bloomed, birds and beasts were spirit‑linked—a true secluded paradise.

Moreover, many deep‑void pockets exuded powerful temporal‑spatial energy, as if fashioned by masters of profound magical power.

On the earth lay numerous massive cities spanning hundreds of thousands of li; within, houses were densely packed, streets bustling with crowds weaving through, a lively scene.

"Brother Chen Zheng, within our Star Gate's sect there are hundreds of billions of ordinary people, and many outer‑disciples are recruited from them. They need not toil like secular folk; our sect provides them food and luxurious comforts. Their only contribution is constant prayer—the more devout the prayers, the stronger our sect's flagship divine artifact becomes," Xing Yun Baobao explained as he saw Chen Zheng looking toward the cities below.

"Hmm, I know that; in the flagship divine artifacts of the Feather Ascension Sect and other sects, countless people are nurtured, sustained, and taught."

When Chen Zheng's thoughts shifted, he sensed countless people in the cities below praying devoutly, continuously generating peculiar energies that formed invisible, vast rivers, endlessly refining the Ancient Meteor, the supreme artifact that contains all.

This is the collective faith‑wish power, infinitely versatile, usable to cultivate divine abilities, temper flesh, and forge treasures.

Like the method of opening a mana source in the Great Strength Divine Art, which, besides the energy of war, can also be cultivated using faith‑wish power.

Wish power is among the most mysterious and vast forces between heaven and earth.

Among the three thousand Great Paths exists a Grand Wish Technique, ranked third under fate and karma, an extreme reverse cultivation to the supreme realm that can fulfill all beings' wishes.

However, this great art has been lost for ages; not even in the three thousand great worlds, let alone the Celestial Realm, are there many who know it—only Linglong Immortal Master understands it.

Next time he meets Linglong Immortal Master, Chen Zheng could offer the Great Catastrophe Technique and the Great Star Technique, among other Great Dao, to trade.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, your arrival graces our Star Gate, making our walls shine. My Elders and I await your august presence in the Tai Ji Star Palace."

Just as Chen Zheng was pondering, a deep, resonant voice echoed from the horizon, its tone revealing an unfathomable cultivation level.

Chen Zheng turned his head and saw the far horizon where rolling cloud seas gave way to a magnificent hall, radiant with starlight, auspicious colors, celestial beams soaring skyward, resembling a divine palace of the nine heavens, materializing out of nothing.

The voice came from that great hall.

With a thunderous roar, the massive hall doors swung open, endless starlight converged into a celestial aurora that spanned the void, rushing toward Chen Zheng and Xing Yun Baobao's feet, forming a broad star‑lit bridge.

"Brother Chen Zheng, that's my father," Xing Yun Baobao said, pointing at the open grand hall in the distance.

"We shall go meet your father," Chen Zheng and Xing Yun Baobao stepped onto the star‑lit bridge.

The bridge moved like a rainbow cutting the sun, swift as lightning, crossing an immense distance in an instant to the hall's entrance.

This is the Star Gate's central hub, the Tai Ji Star Palace.

"Wuji gives rise to Tai Ji, Tai Ji gives rise to the two principles"—the ancient Daoist saying that aptly explains the intricate relationship between the Wuji Star Palace and the Star Gate.

Chen Zheng took a step into the Tai Ji Star Palace.

Inside, all four sides were empty voids.

At the hall's center stood towering thrones.

In front of the central throne stood a middle‑aged man wearing a star crown, eyes like comets, with an ancient visage, smiling kindly at Chen Zheng.

"Dad." Xing Yun Baobao lazily called out upon seeing the man.

This remark confirms that the man is the Star Gate's contemporary Headmaster Supreme, the "Star Master"—a truly colossal being, ten thousand times stronger than Deng Ao, who tried to imprison Chen Zheng with a spatial cage, and even a level above Feng Baiyu.

Flanking the Star Master were dozens of men and women, their bodies suffused with surging star power, cultivation at the first or second level of Longevity, clearly the Star Gate Elders.

The Elders, upon seeing Chen Zheng arrive, gazed intensely—some with benevolent eyes—scrutinizing him, as if to see whether he possessed three heads and six arms, wondering how he could shine so brightly in the age and be sung by countless people.

"Junior Chen Zheng, I have met the Star Master and the Elders."

Chen Zheng surveyed the hall's occupants briefly, straightened his attire, his expression slightly solemn, and offered a respectful fist‑salute to the Star Master and others.

"If others respect me an inch, I respect them a foot."

The Star Gate mobilized such an entourage to receive him, showing their high regard; naturally, he could not neglect proper etiquette.

Feigning displeasure, the Star Master said, "Hey, Fellow Daoist Chen, you are far too modest; you are the greatest prodigy of all ages, not inferior to us—where is the junior?"

"The Headmaster Supreme is right. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Chen is from the Feather Ascension Sect; you have allied the Headmaster Supreme with our Star Gate, and you are a close friend of the Young Headmaster—please, do not be formal, sit quickly."

A shifting mass of humanoid Elders smiled warmly and gestured an invitation to Chen Zheng.

This Elder's form was like a void-born creature; obviously he had touched the third level of longevity and begun to comprehend the mysteries of space, a powerful one known as the Moving Star Elder.

In outer space there are endless stars, some of which block starlight; they must be moved aside so that the Star Gate Sect's disciples can better absorb stellar power.

The Moving Star Elder specializes in this; his magical power is immense, not inferior to the Chariot God Son whom Chen Zheng blasted with a single shot.

Of course, the Moving Star Elder can only move small stars with diameters around ten thousand li.

Any larger star is beyond his ability to move; one needs an existence at the level of a Supreme Elder.

"Good, then I won't stand on ceremony with you fellow Daoists."

Chen Zheng smiled and nodded, without explaining to the crowd that he had already left the Feather Ascension Sect, and directly took a seat on the nearest throne.

He didn't wait for them to ask why he had come to the Star Gate Sect; he got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoists, I have come to your sect to make a trade, and I believe you will be interested in what I offer."

"Oh?"

The Star Lord who had just taken his seat pondered slightly, his face showing anticipation, and said: "What you wish to trade with us, Fellow Daoist Chen, is likely the stellar divine abilities you obtained from disciples of the Poleless Star Palace, right? Back when our sect came from the Poleless Great World to the Profound Yellow Great World in haste, we indeed lost many stellar divine abilities; if Fellow Daoist could today trade us a few stellar divine abilities our Star Gate Sect lacks, we would be deeply grateful."

The Moving Star Elder and the others looked at Chen Zheng, their eyes also showing solemnity and anticipation.

Eons ago, the ancestor of their Star Gate Sect, having failed in a struggle against the current palace master of the Poleless Star Palace, "Star Source," for the position of palace master, defected from the Poleless Star Palace.

At that time both sides fought until blood flowed like rivers, casualties countless, even the ancestor himself was killed by a scheme of "Star Source," causing many of the cultivation methods for the major stellar divine abilities to be lost.

Although few know of this, it is not a secret.

Moreover, Chen Zheng has slain many people of the Poleless Star Palace on the Five Elements Land, and thus also bears a grudge against them.

The enemy of an enemy is a friend.

This is also one of the reasons the Star Gate Sect treats Chen Zheng with such importance.

But it is not the main reason; rather, Chen Zheng himself makes the Star Gate Sect's people dare not look down on him.

"That's right."

Chen Zheng nodded and then shook his head: "But what I wish to trade with your sect is not ordinary stellar divine abilities, but the origin of all stellar divine abilities, the Great Stellar Art."

Upon hearing this, the Star Lord's face changed drastically; he could no longer remain composed, leaping up from his throne, and said uncertainly: "Fellow Daoist Chen, are your words true?"

"What? The Great Stellar Art!!"

"The complete Great Stellar Art, not a branch?"

The Moving Star Elder and the others were no better; each jumped to their feet, staring at Chen Zheng with shock and doubt, almost thinking they had misheard.

If Chen Zheng had said he wanted to trade a branch divine ability of the Great Stellar Art, they would not have found it so surprising.

After all, Sima Teng, whom Chen Zheng killed, was a heaven‑chosen genius of the Poleless Star Palace; being granted one of its branches would be normal.

But the complete Great Stellar Art is of paramount importance; only those who have achieved great merit as ancient titans can receive it.

How could Sima Teng possess it?

Chen Zheng affirmed: "It is indeed the complete Great Stellar Art, obtained by me after slaying a hall master of the Poleless Star Palace. I do not know whether your sect wishes to engage in this trade with me."

"I didn't mishear; Fellow Daoist Chen truly spoke of the Great Stellar Art, the Poleless Star Palace's sect‑protecting supreme art!"

"Great Stellar Art—if we can comprehend its mysteries, we can make up for all the deficiencies in our Star Gate Sect's divine abilities, no longer be inferior to the Poleless Star Palace, and never again be restrained by them; we must obtain it!"

"Fellow Daoist Chen, we will make this trade with our Star Gate Sect; whether you want Dao artifacts, immortality pills, White Yang Pills, Nascent Soul Pills, or peerless beauties, we will give them to you, we will give them all to you……"

The many Star Gate Sect Elders were excited beyond restraint, some trembling, some shouting hoarsely.

They even automatically overlooked Chen Zheng's feat of slaying a hall master of the Poleless Star Palace.

Their hearts were filled only with the Great Stellar Art.

The Star Lord was also excited beyond measure, but as the head of a sect he did not lose composure like the other Elders.

He drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous waves within his heart, and asked: "I do not know what Fellow Daoist Chen desires."

"Pure Yang Pills." Chen Zheng uttered three words.

Before the Star Lord could speak, the Moving Star Elder blurted out impatiently: "Our Star Gate Sect has Pure Yang Pills; Fellow Daoist Chen, how many do you want— thirty million? Or fifty million?"

Chen Zheng merely smiled and said nothing upon hearing that.

Indeed, the Great Stellar Art, ranking among the foremost of the Three Thousand Great Dao, remains useful even if one cultivates to immortality, proves the Dao to reach the Great Luo, or even attains the supreme heavenly‑earthly equal‑longevity realm of the immortals.

This art can be called a priceless treasure.

It simply cannot be measured in Pure Yang Pills.

Even if the entire Star Gate Sect were bundled and sold, it would not be worth a ten‑thousandth of the Great Stellar Art.

But since Chen Zheng intends to sell this art to the Star Gate Sect, he must set a price.

However, the price offered by the Moving Star Elder, while astronomical to others, is far too low for him at present.

Moreover, in business one speaks of business.

Chen Zheng's relations with the Star Gate Sect are not deep; naturally he will maximize his own benefit and will not cheaply sell the Great Stellar Art just because they gave him a grand reception.

"Is fifty million not enough? Fellow Daoist Chen, how about one hundred million……"

"Enough."

The Star Punishment Elder, who oversees penalties and has extremely long eyebrows, seeing Chen Zheng silent, could not help but twitch his eyelids; he tentatively doubled the price, only to be stopped by the Star Lord raising a hand.

The Star Lord looked at Chen Zheng and said sincerely: "Fellow Daoist Chen, our Star Gate Sect is willing to pay a great price for the Great Stellar Art; name your price, and I will surely agree."

"Star Lord Fellow Daoist, you have great boldness."

Chen Zheng praised him, pondered a moment, then said: "How about this: as long as you give me one hundred billion Pure Yang Pills, I will hand over the Great Stellar Art to your sect."

"One…… one hundred billion?"

The Star Punishment Elder and the Moving Star Elder, among others, could not help but shudder all over.

What does one hundred billion Pure Yang Pills signify?

It equals one hundred trillion White Yang Pills; if one went to the trade hub of the myriad worlds' cultivation realm, it would be enough to buy ten thousand low‑grade Dao artifacts.

If one bought mid‑tier supreme treasures instead, it would suffice to purchase a million pieces, enough to arm the Star Gate Sect's hundreds of thousands of disciples to the teeth with surplus left over.

From this one can see what an astronomical figure this is, enough to frighten ancient titans out of their wits!

But the Star Gate Sect gritted their teeth and still managed to produce it.

However, a batch of pills like this cannot be moved lightly.

These Elders of theirs cannot make the decision either.

It requires the Star Lord, as headmaster, to convene a council of many Supreme Elders, explain the purpose, and hold a vote.

"Alright, one hundred hundred million it is; I'll go to the treasury right away and fetch Pure Yang Pills for Brother Chen!"

The Star Lord, worthy of being the sect's head, said nothing in vain, unlike the many Elders who were frightened; instead he laughed heartily and immediately gave his approval.

He didn't even bother to inform the Supreme Elders; with a flick of his form, he vanished inside the Tai Chi Star Palace.

After roughly two or three breaths, the Star Lord reappeared in the hall, handing a gourd sparkling with starlight to Chen Zheng.

"Star Lord, fellow cultivator, this is the Great Stellar Technique."

Chen Zheng's thoughts shifted; inside the gourd was a small river of Pure Yang Qi, amounting to exactly one hundred hundred million Pure Yang Pills. Without further words, he condensed a jade register detailing the cultivation method of the Great Stellar Technique and handed it to the Star Lord.

"How many years, how many years have passed—our Star Gate Sect finally has hope of avenging the Tai Ji Star Palace," the Star Lord said, cradling the jade register of the Great Stellar Technique, his fingers trembling lightly as he leafed through it.

Many Elders had watery eyes, gathered around the Star Lord, jointly studying the Great Stellar Technique and contemplating its intricate characters.

No one had time to attend to Chen Zheng any longer.

As for the Nebula baby, it was already sound asleep on a throne, snoring and bubbling with snot.

Chen Zheng could fully understand the Star Gate Sect members' feelings and did not disturb them.

He walked alone to a distant corner of the great hall, opened the gourd's stopper, and vortices erupted from his body, gulping Pure Yang Qi like a massive whale drawing water, refining it.

The magical power within him began to surge rapidly.

Seventy dragons… eighty dragons… in an instant he broke through the hundred‑dragon threshold.

The power of one hundred Primordial Celestial Dragons!

Such power now equaled that of a cultivator who has just entered the Third‑Level Cave Heaven of Longevity.

In other words, Chen Zheng at this moment could contend with someone of Supreme Elder rank like Deng Ao.

Moreover, the Pure Yang Pills in the gourd were not yet exhausted, and Chen Zheng's magical power continued to rise.

"It's time to break through the realm and cross the Great Tribulation of Wind and Fire."

Chen Zheng, while absorbing Pure Yang Qi, also triggered the Great Tribulation of Wind and Fire within his innate Golden Core.

But at that moment, a bone‑chilling voice seemed to come from a distant era, echoing through the Star Gate Sect: "Chen Zheng, you irredeemable little demon! I know you're hiding inside the Star Gate Sect right now—crawl out and come with me to confess to the Taiyi Sect!"

The voice's owner was none other than the Demon‑Slaying Immortal, Deng Ao!

(End of chapter)