Chapter 1182: Dao Source Secret Realm

On the star‑gate platform, the dazzling starlight gradually subdued, no longer projecting any characters or images, leaving only the steadily operating ancient runes and the deep, tranquil, starlight passage at the center that seemed to lead to another world. The heart‑pounding sense of void stripping had vanished, replaced by a vast, ancient yet balanced and peaceful spatial vibration.

Tian Shuzi slowly descended, standing beside Han Wuxian, gazing at the fully revived star‑gate, his face a mix of shock and bewilderment. He has cultivated for millennia, believing himself versed in all the secrets of the Star Axis Hall, yet today he learns that the deepest forbidden gate of his own domain hides such an earth‑shaking secret!

"The Star‑Roving Torch… the Core of the Source Star… are the keys to opening this gate…" he murmured, as if only now truly grasping the meaning of these two heirloom treasures, far beyond simple star observation or Dao transmission. "How many secrets does the Ancient Star Palace still conceal?"

Han Wuxian suppressed the surging qi and blood in his dantian caused by forcibly extracting the phantom of the Core of the Source Star, and sharply examined the star‑gate. The aura on the other side of the passage was vast and ancient, its spiritual energy differing from that of the Heavenly Barrier Realm, yet it was not the dead‑silent ruin he expected; instead it exuded an indescribable vitality and Dao resonance.

"Eternal Darkness dwells in the heart with scheming thoughts, not to open a gate of destruction," Han Wuxian said gravely, reaching a conclusion opposite to his earlier one. "They intend to seize these two 'keys,' monopolize this passage! At the other end may lie something they desperately crave, or something they dread!"

Whether desire or fear, it means the far end is far from a benign place, harboring an unpredictable great opportunity or a great terror!

At that moment, the stone pillar embedded with the Star‑Roving Torch and the Core of the Source Star suddenly emitted a soft glow again. The light was not dazzling, yet seemed to contain a will, gently brushing Han Wuxian and Tian Shuzi.

Both instantly felt a cool sensation merge into their sea of consciousness, not a forced injection but a natural "informing."

A vague message surfaced: this star‑road does not lead to destruction, but an ancient "Trial Path" or "Watchers' Path." The other end connects to a lost land called "Ancestor Land of the Sages" or "Dao Source Secret Realm." The true core inheritance of the Ancient Star Palace, and deeper secrets concerning "Eternal Darkness" and that "Otherworldly Star," may all be buried there.

And the "Watchers" seem to be a title for cultivators selected in ancient times, tasked with guarding this passage and qualified to enter the ancestor land for trials.

The information stopped abruptly.

Tian Shuzi inhaled deeply, his eyes flashing with unprecedented brilliance: "Ancestor Land of the Sages! Dao Source Secret Realm! So the vague legends in the ancient texts are true! My Star Axis Hall… no, the roots of our cultivators may lie at the far end of the passage!"

But immediately his expression grew exceedingly solemn: "Eternal Darkness so yearns for this place, could it be… that within that ancestor land exists something that can utterly eliminate them, or something they urgently need to perfect their Silence Extinction path?"

Han Wuxian nodded: "It must be so. Moreover, I suspect the 'Eternal Darkness' warned by Senior Xuanji in his final admonition, its source may not be merely the will of an otherworldly star fragment, but perhaps linked to this 'ancestor land.' He thought of the familiar presence sealed at the altar's center."

The two fell silent, staring at the starlight passage, their moods complex.

Opportunity and risk coexist! Moreover, they are massive opportunities and risks capable of overturning the entire Heavenly Barrier Realm!

"This matter already far exceeds the concerns of our Star Axis Hall sect, even far beyond the current Eternal Darkness calamity," Tian Shuzi said slowly, his expression resolute, "We must immediately summon the heads of the major sects to discuss this! Whether to explore, how to explore, must be decided together!"

Han Wuxian shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the passage: "True Person, I fear we do not have that much time."

He pointed to the faint traces of black crystal shards at the star‑gate's edge that had just been purified by the Core of the Source Star's power: "Eternal Darkness can remotely activate parts of the star‑gate, proving their research into this gate is profound. Now that we have opened the gate correctly, the movement is greater; they must have already noticed. They will spare no cost, either to force‑attack the Star Axis Hall for the gate, or… at other nodes they control, use even more extreme means to try opening similar passages, even forcibly destroying this passage!"

He felt the subtle link between the Core of the Source Star in his dantian and the star‑gate, and continued: "Moreover, I have a feeling… this door will not remain stably open forever. It consumes massive energy, perhaps… it has a time limit for opening."

As if to confirm his words, the starlight passage at the center of the star‑gate flickered imperceptibly, then quickly steadied, tightening both men's hearts.

"We need someone to go in first!" Han Wuxian declared astonishingly, "Not for exploration, but to seize the initiative! At least we must discern the basic situation on the other side, confirm the risk level, preferably find the key clue to curb Eternal Darkness, and even… shut the entrance that Eternal Darkness may control!"

"That's too dangerous!" Tian Shuzi immediately objected, "The situation opposite is unknown; if you go alone and something goes wrong…"

"I am the most suitable candidate." Han Wuxian cut in, his tone calm yet unquestionable, "The Core of the Source Star and the Star‑Roving Torch are keys, linked to my aura; if I enter, I may gain the ancestor land's recognition, reducing risk. Moreover, my cultivation method is special, granting some resistance to Silence Extinction power. If I encounter Eternal Darkness, I still have a fighting chance."

He looked at Tian Shuzi, his gaze sharp: "True Person, you must stay here, unite the factions, stabilize the rear, restore the sect, that is the big picture. The investigation matters, quality over quantity."

Tian Shuzi stared at Han Wuxian, fully understanding his reasoning, though the move was tantamount to a nine‑in‑one death. He opened his mouth, which turned into a long sigh, gave Han Wuxian a heavy pat on the shoulder: "Everything… be careful! If it becomes untenable, retreat immediately! The Heavenly Barrier Realm can do without a secret realm, but it cannot do without you, Watcher!"

Han Wuxian gave a faint smile, nodded. He turned, cast one last glance at the starlight passage, hesitated no more, and stepped forward!

His figure was instantly swallowed by the dazzling starlight, disappearing into the deep passage.

Just about a incense‑stick's time after Han Wuxian entered.

Outside the Star Axis Hall, the alarm bells suddenly rang wildly!

A frantic divine thought transmission burst into Tian Shuzi's mind: "Headmaster! Bad news! A large group of unidentified cultivators has suddenly appeared outside the sect gate, frantically attacking the protective sect array! The leaders… their aura is terrifying, seemingly Refining Void! They… they shout… surrender the star‑gate!"

Tian Shuzi snapped his head up, cold light flashing in his eyes!

Eternal Darkness's counterattack has arrived! And it comes so fast, so fierce!

He glanced at the steadily operating star‑gate behind him, then looked toward the slaughter‑filled direction outside the sect gate, a hint of resolve flashing across his face.

"Activate the strongest transformation of the Zhou Tian Star Array! All disciples, meet the enemy!"

"Never allow anyone to set foot even a half‑step into the Stellar Marrow Sea!"