Chapter 1164: The Onslaught

"Did I hear it wrong?" Han Wuxian's mind suddenly filled with doubt. That clear syllable, full of venomous resentment and ancient overtones, was nothing like an unconscious roar. But Tian Shu Zi clearly did not wish to discuss further.

He suppressed his doubt, stopped probing, and merely recorded it silently in his mind.

"Master," Yun Chen stepped forward, his face troubled, "the Nether Path suffered a heavy loss this time; those Seven Fiendish Nether Lords will not let it go easily, I'm afraid…"

Tian Shu Zi waved his hand, his expression regaining authority: "No problem. The Star Axis Hall has been passed down for ten thousand years; it's not something the Nether Path can manipulate at will. Activate the mountain‑guarding array, dispatch additional patrols, and forbid all disciples from leaving without orders for the time being. Once the storm passes, we will deliberate further."

He looked at Han Wuxian: "Han, your injuries have healed, so Yun Chen will take you down for proper rest. The Hall's library, martial training ground and other places are all open for you to visit freely, no restrictions."

This arrangement could be called the utmost favor, treating Han Wuxian almost as a core Inner Gate disciple.

Han Wuxian thanked him again and, accompanied by Yun Chen, left the Main Star Hall.

Watching the two's departing backs, a stern‑faced Elder inside the hall slowly spoke, his voice low: "Headmaster senior brother, that ancient beast's words… could it be referring to?"

Tian Shu Zi raised his hand to cut him off, his gaze profound as he stared at the cloud sea outside the hall, silent for a long while, finally letting out an almost inaudible sigh: "It is a blessing, not a disaster; a disaster cannot be avoided. Everything… was predetermined. Strengthen the defenses; the real storm, I fear, has only just begun."

……

In the days that followed, Han Wuxian took temporary residence in the Star Axis Hall.

He spent most of his time in the library. The Star Axis Hall truly lives up to its legacy as an ancient Star Palace, its library filled with volumes as vast as a sea of smoke, covering everything. In particular, the records on the Star Path, arrays, alchemy, and ancient secrets opened his eyes and proved immensely beneficial. He absorbed the knowledge ravenously, constantly verifying his own studies, and his grasp of the Return‑to‑Origin Sword Path and the Star Laws grew ever deeper.

Occasionally, he would go to the martial training ground to spar and exchange techniques with the Hall's disciples. His cultivation was profound and his methods strange, often allowing him to easily defeat peers and even higher‑rank disciples, quickly earning him considerable reputation among them and making a few friends.

Yun Chen often visited him; the two discussed Dao and sipped tea, their relationship growing increasingly harmonious. Through Yun Chen, Han Wuxian also gained a deeper understanding of the Star Axis Hall and the Heavenly Barrier Realm's situation.

The interior of the Star Axis Hall was not monolithic; there were a war‑faction advocating active engagement and opposition to the Nether Path, and a conservative faction favoring a closed mountain gate and self‑preservation. Headmaster Tian Shu Zi seemed to sit between the two, his attitude subtle.

As for the Nether Path, after that failed cross‑realm pursuit, it indeed ceased major assaults on the Star Axis Hall, but minor skirmishes persisted. Disciples on external missions were repeatedly ambushed, and several nearby cultivation families and towns affiliated with the Hall suffered pressure from the Nether Path's subordinate forces, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

One day, Han Wuxian was leafing through a fragment of an ancient Star Realm war text in the library, trying to uncover more clues about "Star Remains" and "Lingering Spirits," when Yun Chen hurried over with a grave expression.

"Han Dao‑friend, something's happened," Yun Chen said gravely. "Three days ago, three Inner Gate disciples sent to 'Falling Star City' to receive a shipment had their soul‑lamps extinguished, and Elder Zhang, who stayed behind, returned severely wounded. According to him, the assailant's technique was bizarre, seemingly the Nether Path's 'Soul‑Snaring Envoy' method, yet the artifact employed bore unmistakable … Heavenly Doom Sect characteristics!"

Han Wuxian's gaze suddenly hardened!

Heavenly Doom Sect? They haven't been eradicated yet? And they're even colluding with the Nether Path?

"Falling Star City is our Hall's northeastern gateway; now it's lost contact, and the tens of thousands of cultivators and mortals inside are likely…" Yun Chen's face showed reluctance, "The Hall has decided to dispatch an elite squad to investigate, with Uncle Chu leading the team to receive Elder Zhang. I… am also on the list."

He looked at Han Wuxian, about to speak but stopped.

Han Wuxian instantly grasped his intention. The Heavenly Doom Sect held a blood feud with him; its resurgence, possibly in league with the Nether Path, was something he could not ignore. Moreover, he had long suspected a link between the Heavenly Doom Sect, the fallen Star Core, and even the roar of the Ancient Star Demon Beast.

"I'll go with you," Han Wuxian closed the fragment in his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Beyond the Star Axis Hall's mountain gate, the sea of clouds churned. A flying vessel over ten zhang long, crafted entirely from star‑glimmering flowing‑cloud wood, hovered silently. Its prow bore a carving of the Big Dipper's seven stars, emitting a faint spatial ripple, clearly not an ordinary craft.

Han Wuxian and Yun Chen stood side by side at the vessel's prow, with ten solemn, vigorous Inner Gate disciples of the Star Axis Hall behind them, their cultivations ranging from late Nascent Soul to early Divine Transformation. Ahead of the group stood the ancient‑looking Elder Chu, his aura as solid as rock. He still wore his plain grey robe, but now bore a broad ancient sword wrapped in grey cloth on his back, faintly exuding a heart‑pounding sharpness.

Elder Chu's gaze flashed like lightning across the crowd, his voice booming: "You are all aware of the Falling Star City incident. The Nether Path and the remnants of the Heavenly Doom Sect have colluded, slaughtering our Hall's disciples; this vengeance will be repaid! The enemy's intentions are hidden, ours are clear. This mission prioritizes reconnaissance and rescue, confirming the enemy's strength and methods, and retrieving any surviving comrades. Unless absolutely necessary, do not linger in battle! All actions obey my commands! Those who disobey will face severe, unforgiving punishment!"

"We will obey, Elder!" the disciples answered in unison, their fighting spirit high yet cautious.

Elder Chu's gaze finally rested on Han Wuxian, nodding slightly: "Han, this journey is perilous; thank you for your effort."

"It's my duty," Han Wuxian replied with a bow. He changed into the plain Inner Gate disciple attire provided by the Star Axis Hall, suppressing most of his aura, appearing unremarkable, yet the occasional star‑flame and Silence Extinction glint in his deep eyes made Yun Chen silently uneasy.

"Depart!" Elder Chu said no more, forming a hand seal.

Buzz!

The flowing‑cloud star vessel quivered slightly, turning into a pale silver streak of light that tore through the cloud sea, racing toward Falling Star City in the northeast. Its speed far surpassed the typical Divine Transformation cultivator's flash escape.

No one spoke aboard the vessel; the atmosphere was heavy. Everyone sat in meditation, regulating their breath to bring their condition to optimal.

Han Wuxian closed his eyes and gathered his spirit, yet his divine sense quietly expanded, feeling the mountains and rivers whizzing past. The Heavenly Barrier Realm stretched boundlessly; the Tomb‑Star Ridge was merely a perilous corner in its southwest, while the Cloud‑Mist Mountains where the Star Axis Hall stood, and even the farther Falling Star City, were comparatively prosperous, rich in spiritual energy, with sects lining the landscape. Yet now, beneath that prosperity, hidden currents seemed to stir.

After roughly half a day, the flowing‑cloud star vessel's speed began to ease.

"We are about to enter Falling Star City's territory; everyone stay on guard!" Elder Chu's voice rang in their ears.

Han Wuxian opened his eyes, seeing the terrain below gradually flatten into vast spiritual fields and ruined towns. Yes, ruins. Many towns that should have been bustling now lay in shattered walls and charred ruins, clearly having endured fierce battles and destruction. A faint scent of blood began to fill the air, along with a… familiar, chilling killing aura.

The blood‑bane demonic technique aura of the Heavenly Doom Sect! Though faint, it mingled with an even more sinister, soul‑wounding Nether ghost aura!