Chapter 1168: Wordless Star Stele

Elder Chu, enraged, the ancient sword behind him buzzed, and the Geng metal sword qi surged: "I shall see who dares!"

The terrifying pressure of a late‑stage Huashen instantly enveloped the arena, the law‑enforcing disciples turned pale, and their movements froze.

Li Xing Tian's eyes narrowed: "Junior Brother Chu, are you going to betray the sect?!" A powerful aura, no weaker than Elder Chu's, erupted from him, subtly drawing the power of the Mountain‑Guarding Array and pressing toward Elder Chu!

The two sides faced off, the tension reaching its peak, and a great battle was about to erupt!

Han Wuxian watched with a cold gaze, his thoughts racing. Li Xing Tian's aggression was abnormal, directly accusing and seizing people, even daring to confront a fellow Huashen Elder; there must be someone behind him, likely aiming to prevent them from seeing Tian Shuzi, perhaps even to use the chance to eliminate the "variable" that was himself!

He must not be taken handcuffed! Otherwise, once inside the Law Hall, life and death would be out of his control!

At that critical moment,

A gentle yet undeniably authoritative voice suddenly came from the Nine Heavens above, ringing clearly in everyone's ears:

"What causes such clamor?"

With the voice, a star‑lit avenue descended from the clouds, and the figure of Headmaster Tian Shuzi slowly materialized upon it, his expression calm, his gaze indifferent as he looked down at the opposing sides.

"Salute the Headmaster Senior Brother!" the crowd hurriedly bowed.

Li Xing Tian's brows twitched imperceptibly, yet he bowed and said, "Headmaster Senior Brother, have you left the barrier? I am carrying out your decree, reviewing the Falling Star City mission squad…"

Tian Shuzi calmly cut him off: "Decree? When did I ever issue such a decree?"

Li Xing Tian's complexion shifted slightly: "It was yesterday…"

"Yesterday I was strengthening my cultivation in the forbidden rear‑mountain area, and never sent any decree," Tian Shuzi said evenly, leaving Li Xing Tian speechless, a fine cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Tian Shuzi's gaze swept over the wrecked Star Vessel and the injured disciples, finally resting on Han Wuxian and Elder Chu, and he sighed, "It seems this journey has been fraught with obstacles. Junior Brother Chu, Young Friend Han, follow me to the Star Axis Hall for counsel. Junior Brother Li, you shall come as well."

With a light, nonchalant gesture, he dissolved the conflict without a trace.

Li Xing Tian's expression flickered, then he bowed his head and replied, "Yes."

Elder Chu let out a cold snort and withdrew his sword qi.

Han Wuxian's mind steadied slightly, but his vigilance remained. The timing of Tian Shuzi's appearance was too coincidental, and he seemed not to probe the "false decree"… This Headmaster Real Person was deep‑minded and perhaps not entirely trustworthy.

Inside the Star Axis Hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

Elder Chu reported verbatim everything he saw in Falling Star City, as well as Han Wuxian's discoveries, without concealment.

Tian Shuzi listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the rail, stars swirling in his eyes, revealing no joy or anger.

Li Xing Tian stood below, his face gloomy, his thoughts unreadable.

"…Headmaster Senior Brother, the Wild Son of the Nether Path harbors ambitions to alter reincarnation, wreaking havoc on all beings! My Star Axis Pavilion cannot stand idle! We must thoroughly investigate internally and eliminate hidden threats!" Elder Chu said gravely at last, his sharp gaze flicking a glance at Li Xing Tian beside him.

Tian Shuzi paused a moment, then slowly spoke, "I am already aware of the Nether Path matter. Its scheme is vast; Falling Star City is merely the tip of the iceberg. This issue requires careful deliberation, not rash action, lest we stir the hidden snakes."

He looked at Han Wuxian, his tone gentle: "Thanks to Young Friend Han, we uncovered the plot and reduced casualties. You have earned another merit."

Han Wuxian clasped his hands and said, "It is my duty as a junior."

Tian Shuzi nodded, then his words shifted slightly: "However, you possess a precious treasure and have repeatedly clashed with the Nether Path; now you are a thorn in their side. Staying in the Pavilion may bring you greater danger and cause unnecessary trouble for the Star Axis Pavilion."

Han Wuxian felt a chill in his heart; it arrived.

Elder Chu hurriedly said, "Headmaster Senior Brother! Young Friend Han has done me a favor; how could I…"

Tian Shuzi raised his hand to stop him, and continued to Han Wuxian, "Young Friend, do not misunderstand. I am not expelling you. For your safety, there is a place where you might lie low, perhaps… also answer some of your lingering doubts."

"Please, Headmaster, clarify."

Tian Shuzi's gaze grew distant: "According to this, thirty thousand li to the northwest lies an ancient ruin called 'Guanxing Cliff'. Legend says it was a sacred observation site of the ancient Star Palace, later abandoned, yet the site retains numerous ancient star‑track stone inscriptions and fragmented inheritances, and a 'Wordless Star Stele' of mysterious peculiarity, perhaps beneficial to your cultivation. Moreover, its terrain is unique, with chaotic space that can effectively block prying eyes."

"Guanxing Cliff? Wordless Star Stele?"

Han Wuxian felt a slight stir within. Tian Shuzi's move, appearing to consider him, offering shelter and opportunity, was in fact to divert him away from the core of the Star Axis Pavilion and from the internal turmoil that might soon erupt.

"Protection? Or isolation?"

But he had no choice. Staying in the Star Axis Pavilion meant a massive target amid turbulent internal currents; it was better to lie low and strengthen himself.

"Thank you for the Headmaster's guidance," Han Wuxian replied.

Tian Shuzi smiled faintly, produced a jade tablet encircled by starlight and a token, and said, "These are the Star Path Map and a talisman for Guanxing Cliff. You may depart at once. Yun Chen, see Young Friend Han off."

"Yes, Master," Yun Chen replied.

Han Wuxian took the jade tablet and token, exchanged a glance with Elder Chu, said no more, and turned to leave with Yun Chen.

Watching their departing silhouettes, only Tian Shuzi and Li Xing Tian remained in the hall.

Li Xing Tian couldn't help but speak, "Headmaster Senior Brother, Han Wuxian bears the Ancient Torch and knows many secrets; letting him go like this, is that…"

Tian Shuzi gave him a faint glance, his gaze as deep as a abyss, causing Li Xing Tian to swallow his remaining words.

"Junior Brother Li," Tian Shuzi's voice was even, yet carried a chill, "Where did your 'reliable intel' come from?"

Li Xing Tian's body stiffened sharply, cold sweat instantly covering his forehead.

The Star Axis Pavilion's mountain gate receded behind them, eventually vanishing into the sea of clouds. The flowing‑cloud Star Vessel was not employed; Yun Chen produced a leaf‑shaped flying device, slow yet exceedingly steady, carrying the two toward the northwest.

The atmosphere grew somewhat oppressive. Yun Chen's handsome face bore a hint of apology and helplessness, as he hesitated several times before speaking.

"Brother Han, regarding today's events… please do not find them strange," he finally said, his voice a bit hoarse, "Uncle Li, who oversees the laws, has always been strict; perhaps it's just…"

"Yun Chen, you need not say more," Han Wuxian interrupted, his gaze steady as he looked at the rolling clouds ahead, "Matters within your pavilion are not for me to comment. The Headmaster's arrangement has its own reasoning."

His mind was as clear as a mirror. Tian Shuzi's diversion was both protection and isolation, perhaps also a test and observation. That Guanxing Cliff was far more than a simple refuge or ruin.

Yun Chen, hearing his words, sighed, said nothing more, and silently powered the device.

A thirty‑thousand‑li journey is not distant for a Huashen cultivator. After several days, the terrain ahead began to turn strange.