Chapter 1175: Countermeasure

Han Wuxian, nourished by the pure star marrow and aided by Tian Shuzi, recovered at an astonishing speed; not only was his depleted primordial Qi fully restored, his cultivation also turned a disaster into a blessing, solidifying completely at the peak of the mid‑stage Transforming‑Spirit realm, a hair's breadth from the later stage, and his control over the Primordial Star Core became increasingly adept.

Three days later, he awoke from his meditation; as his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if a galaxy was being born and dying, then he immediately restrained himself, returning to a pond‑like tranquility.

Yun Chen, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward at once, his face showing unmasked gratitude and lingering fear: "Han Dao‑friend, you're finally awake! Had it not been for your turning the tide, the ten‑thousand‑year foundation of Star Pivot Hall might have …" His voice choked, he could not continue, and merely offered a deep bow.

Han Wuxian steadied him: "Yun Chen Dao‑friend, there's no need for that; I, too, saved myself. What's the situation now?"

Yun Chen's expression turned solemn as he said heavily: "The losses are huge. Several Elders are gravely injured, hundreds of disciples have perished… The protective sect array has many broken sections and is being urgently repaired. The most troublesome part is that, while clearing the battlefield, we discovered three Inner Gate Elders and over ten stewards… who, at the very onset of the chaos, suddenly defected, either sabotaging the array's eye or ambushing fellow sect members, and thereafter all self‑detonated, their souls and bodies annihilated, leaving no trace."

"Eternal Darkness has seeped to this extent…" Han Wuxian's gaze turned slightly cold. A rebellion of this scale could not have been forged in a single day.

"Headmaster True Master is furious yet deeply sorrowful," Yun Chen whispered, "The True Master is handling the aftermath in the Star Pivot Hall; he instructed that if the Dao‑friend awakens, they should go to the hall for a discussion."

Inside the Star Pivot Hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

Tian Shuzi sat on the main seat; although his appearance had been tidied, the fatigue and grief in his brows were hard to conceal. Your Highness, the few remaining core Elders stood solemnly, each with a look of bitter anger.

When Han Wuxian entered, all eyes focused on him, a complex and indecipherable mixture: gratitude, curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of ineffable awe. The scene from yesterday, where he activated the Star‑Fall Eye and expelled the three great Void Refinements, was truly overwhelming.

"Han Junior Friend, is your body now unimpeded?" Tian Shuzi was the first to speak, his voice much gentler.

"Thanks to the True Master's concern, I am now without major issues."

"That's good." Tian Shuzi nodded, his gaze sweeping the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "The instigator of this calamity is called 'Eternal Darkness.' This organization is shrouded in mystery, its movements secretive; its power's nature differs greatly from that of us cultivators, specializing in Silence Extinction and desolation, seemingly linked to the 'Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon' or 'Silence Extinction Star Disaster' recorded in ancient texts. I, the old man, know little beyond that they have coveted the source of our world's stars for a long time. I summoned you all today for two reasons: first, to report this matter; second…" He turned to Han Wuxian, "I wish to ask Junior Friend Han, what did you discover at the Star‑Gazing Cliff? And what exactly is the 'Star‑Fall Eye'?"

The Elders' gazes burned as they looked at Han Wuxian. They had already personally experienced the terror of Eternal Darkness, and the origin of the power Han Wuxian wielded to repel Eternal Darkness was likely even more astonishing.

Han Wuxian pondered briefly, then did not conceal anything, selectively recounting what he saw at the Star‑Gazing Cliff—the wordless star stele, the Xuanji relic remains, the origin of the Star‑Fall Eye, the recognition of the Primordial Star Core, and the final warning of the Xuanji relics. He brushed over the details of his own Return‑to‑the‑Void sword path.

The hall was so silent that a falling needle could be heard.

Everyone was shaken by this ancient secret.

"Ancient Star Palace… extraneous stars breaking the boundary… the Star‑Fall Eye… so that's how it is!" a white‑haired Elder muttered, suddenly enlightened, "No wonder the ancient texts recorded 'Heaven tilts to the northwest, stars fall like rain'; it was not idle talk!"

"The power of Eternal Darkness actually stems from that destructive alien star? Do they intend to fully open the Star‑Fall Eye and usher the Silence Extinction Star Disaster into our realm?" another Elder exclaimed in horror.

Tian Shuzi let out a long sigh: "It is likely just so. The Star‑Fall Eye is a wound of our realm, also a passage. Eternal Darkness wishes to enlarge it, even to fully breach it. As for the Star‑Patrolling Torch…" He turned to Han Wuxian, "According to the oldest scattered records within the Hall, this item is not merely a simple heirloom; it appears to be able to sense, and to some extent, stabilize or exacerbate the boundary's wounds. The Primordial Star Core is the key to mastering the source power of the stars. They surely seek to obtain it before anything else."

He paused, his gaze becoming razor‑sharp as he scanned the room: "The fact that Eternal Darkness has seeped this far shows that our interior has long been riddled with countless holes! From today onward, throughout Star Pivot Hall, we enter the highest state of combat readiness! Conduct a thorough investigation of all disciples and Elders, activate all ancient residual defensive seals! Simultaneously, inform the major sects of the Tian Yuan Realm about Eternal Darkness; this is not merely our faction's issue, but concerns the survival of this realm!"

"We will strictly follow the Headmaster's decree!" the Elders responded sternly, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

After the arrangements were completed, Tian Shuzi dismissed everyone, leaving only Han Wuxian.

Only two people remained in the hall.

Tian Shuzi looked at Han Wuxian, his eyes complex: "Junior Friend, you should now understand why I sent you to the Star‑Gazing Cliff in the first place. It wasn't merely to distract you; I also hoped you could obtain the Star Palace inheritance to face this calamity. I just didn't expect Eternal Darkness to act so swiftly, and your progress, Junior Friend… has far exceeded my expectations."

Han Wuxian said calmly, "The True Master has long known of Eternal Darkness's existence?"

Tian Shuzi nodded: "Successive headmasters have passed down the knowledge of its threat, yet none knew its roots or concrete schemes. All we know is that they have been deeply hidden, waiting for a chance. This time they coordinated inside and out, launching a surprise attack aimed directly at the Star Marrow Sea and the Star‑Heaven Seal. Had it not been for you, Junior Friend… Star Pivot Hall would already have changed hands, perhaps even becoming a bridgehead for Eternal Darkness to open the passage."

He rose, walked to Han Wuxian, and offered a solemn bow: "Han Junior Friend, Star Pivot Hall owes you a great favor. From now on, you are the most honored guest‑minister of our Star Pivot Hall; all resources and secret techniques are at your disposal."

Han Wuxian stepped aside: "The True Master need not be overly courteous. Eternal Darkness is also my enemy." He paused, then asked, "What are the True Master's plans moving forward?"

Tian Shuzi's eyes flashed coldly: "Internal cleansing, unite the various sects, track Eternal Darkness's trail! Their loss of three Void Refinements this time must have bruised them deeply; it is the moment for a counter‑strike!" He turned to Han Wuxian, "Junior Friend, you possess the Primordial Star Core and the Star‑Patrolling Torch; you are likely Eternal Darkness's primary target. Why not remain in the Hall for now, lay low, and devote yourself to cultivation?"

Han Wuxian shook his head: "Thank you for the True Master's kindness. But I think, rather than passive defense, we should take the initiative and strike."

"Oh? What are you thinking, Junior Friend?"

"Eternal Darkness acts mysteriously, its trail hard to trace. Yet they seem especially interested in places where stellar power is dense, particularly weak points in the boundary like the Star‑Fall Eye." Han Wuxian analyzed, "The Star‑Fall Eye at the Star‑Gazing Cliff has been sealed by senior Xuanji, and the Primordial Star Core's influence makes it hard for them to obtain now. However, the Tian Yuan Realm is vast; similar sites are likely more than one."

Tian Shuzi's expression shifted: "You mean, Junior Friend, that …"

"Han, I wish to consult your Hall's records on the Ancient Star Palace ruins, the major stellar‑vein nodes, and any possible spatial weak points," Han Wuxian said, his gaze sharp, "Perhaps we can infer Eternal Darkness's next likely target. If we act first, we might counter it in some measure."