Chapter 155: Awakening and the Spark

Broken Star Isle, Hall of Spirit Nourishment.

The jade pool of spirit liquid was suffused with gentle and abundant spiritual energy, and countless tiny healing runes flickered at the bottom of the pool, like breathing. In the pool, Lin Xuan remained in a deep slumber, his face pale and his aura weak, yet it had stabilized significantly compared to the near-collapse state of a few months ago. The Chaos Tribulation Crystal at his heart rotated slowly but with absolute resolve; with every turn, it absorbed the essence of vitality from the pool, mending his crack-ridden Dao foundation.

Meanwhile, in a quiet room on the other side of the Hall of Spirit Nourishment, Zhao Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing to enter his vision were the soft points of light embedded in the dome of the quiet room, simulating the stars of the firmament. The starlight was not blinding, yet it subconsciously gave him a strange sense of... intimacy and resonance. It was as if those points of light were no longer inanimate decorations, but distant and real projections of stars connected to his own breathing.

He blinked, his consciousness completely breaking free from the long slumber. Memories emerged clearly, like reefs revealed after a receding tide: the Sunken Star ruins, the ancient contract, the blood-fiend contamination, the Rebirth Altar, the mutated monsters, the sword strike that severed the contract, the deathbed gift... and finally, the deep-sea darkness and the muffled shouts of his companions.

The sensations of his body returned as well. There was no expected intense pain or weakness; instead, he was filled with a warm and resilient power. Within his dantian, the barrier of his original Golden Core peak cultivation had quietly loosened and widened. His sea of spiritual power was calm, yet deep and contained; it seemed only a single opportunity, a thin layer of window paper, away from condensing a Nascent Soul. The spiritual power flowing through his meridians carried a trace of an extremely faint, cool, and vast stellar quality. It did not conflict with his original Silence Sword Intent; rather, they blended like water and milk, granting the sword intent a starry depth and inclusiveness.

What troubled his mind even more was his sea of consciousness. That vast expanse, which had nearly "burst" from receiving the massive memory fragments of the Star-Fallen People, had now returned to calm, becoming even more stable and expansive than before. Those memories and knowledge had not vanished; instead, they had transformed into a tranquil "Sea of Stars," floating deep within his consciousness. He could "see" some of the brighter, more accessible "star points"—perhaps the basic principles of a certain stellar positioning method, the structure of an unpolluted low-tier star rune, or a blurred silhouette of the daily life of the Star-Fallen People. The deeper, more massive parts were shrouded in a soft halo, as if in a state of "sealing" or "awaiting resolution," requiring his cultivation to rise or specific conditions to be met before they could be gradually unlocked.

Even so, merely making initial contact with these surface-level pieces of information had caused Zhao Yuan’s understanding of "stars" and "ancient contracts" to undergo a world-shaking change. This was not knowledge from books, but a collective memory branded into the soul, forged by a glorious civilization with blood, fire, despair, and hope.

He attempted to move his body, and his bones emitted a faint, clear sound like jade clashing, full of a sense of power.

"Young friend Zhao Yuan, you are awake!"

A voice filled with surprise came from the doorway. True Person Xinghui walked in quickly, followed by Han Ying, whose expression remained cold but who had clearly let out a sigh of relief, and the jubilant Shi Meng and Tie Shan. The figures of Ying Qi and Ying Eleven also emerged quietly from the shadows by the door.

"Elder Xinghui, fellow Daoist Han Ying, everyone..." Zhao Yuan sat up and discovered that he was not on an ordinary stone bed, but a healing jade platform crafted from warm jade and a type of ore containing stellar power. He was covered by a thin silk quilt embroidered with the Star Palace emblem. Although the quiet room was simple, it showed traces of meticulous arrangement everywhere. "I... how long have I been unconscious? How did we get back? Senior Lin... and how are the others?"

A series of questions tumbled out, filled with concern and urgency.

True Person Xinghui sat on a meditation cushion beside the jade platform. His face bore the exhaustion of one who had survived a disaster, yet he could not hide his relief: "You have been unconscious for seven days. It was the 'Star-Patrol Boat' dispatched by Wei Gongshen that found us on the edge of the 'Silent Graveyard' and brought us back. You remained unconscious, but your aura grew steadily stronger and more stable. Wei Gongshen diagnosed you personally, saying that your mind and power were over-exhausted and that you had accepted a certain extremely vast 'gift,' and your body was self-adjusting and integrating it; you simply needed quiet rest. It seems that was indeed the case."

Han Ying added: "That final sword strike of yours severed part of the contract shackles at the core of the ruins, causing the entire ruin space to collapse. We were only able to escape by using the aftermath of the power you unleashed to tear open a temporary passage. Shi Meng carried you, and Tie Shan brought your sword and that fragment; we all returned safely in the end." She pointed to a jade table in the corner of the quiet room, where "Jiying" lay silently, alongside the "Chen Cui" fragment, which was housed in a special jade box engraved with purification runes.

Shi Meng grinned: "Brother Zhao, you really scared us! But you look even more spirited now than before you went in! It even looks like your cultivation has jumped up a huge notch!"

Tie Shan also nodded honestly: "Brother Zhao is blessed by heaven; having survived such a disaster, there must be great fortune to follow!"

Ying Qi reported the aftermath concisely: "During the return journey and the seven days since, no signs of pursuit by the Demon Abyss or the Rebirth Sect have been detected. The energy fluctuations from the collapse of the ruins have been naturally masked by the deep sea and the chaotic star vortex environment. The 'Chen Cui' fragment and your sword have been preliminarily inspected by Wei Gongshen and the Elders of the Star Palace and the Profound Ice Pavilion; they are confirmed to be free of hidden dangers and are of immeasurable value."

Listening to this, Zhao Yuan’s hanging heart gradually settled. He looked at "Jiying," his thoughts stirring slightly. The divine sword seemed to sense its master’s awakening and emitted an almost inaudible hum. The dark blue starlight flowing within the dark gold patterns on the blade flashed and vanished, appearing even more ancient and mysterious.

"What about Senior Lin?" he asked the question he cared about most.

True Person Xinghui’s expression dimmed, but he forced himself to stay strong: "Fellow Daoist Lin is still recuperating in the spirit pool of the Hall of Spirit Nourishment, with Wei Gongshen guarding him day and night. The situation... remains grim. The damage to his Dao foundation is too severe, and the Chaos Tribulation power is dormant; we can only maintain his vitality through the gentlest means. But ever since you brought back the 'Chen Cui' fragment, Wei Gongshen seems to have had some new ideas and is communicating remotely with the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Perhaps... this object may prove beneficial to Fellow Daoist Lin’s injuries."

Zhao Yuan’s heart tightened, but hearing that the "Chen Cui" fragment might help, a glimmer of hope arose. It was the crystallization of the last pure stellar power and hope of the Star-Fallen People; perhaps the vast vitality and stellar origin it contained could awaken Lin Xuan’s dormant Chaos Tribulation power?

"I want to see Wei Gongshen to report the details of the ruins, and also... regarding this fragment and my discoveries." Zhao Yuan pushed aside the silk quilt and got off the bed. His movements were fluid and natural, without any obstruction; he even felt his physical state was better than before he was injured.

True Person Xinghui and the others did not stop him. They knew that the information Zhao Yuan brought back was of vital importance.

A moment later, at the core of Broken Star Isle, inside the temporarily constructed "Star Discussion Pavilion."

Wei Gongshen sat at the head, his face still old and stern, but his eyes held a gravity and deep thought not seen before. Beichen, Ling Shuang, Yan Gang, and several core Elders and consultants who had rushed over from the Imperial Capital and major sects were all in attendance. The atmosphere was solemn.

Zhao Yuan stood in the hall. Facing many senior experts who were at least at the late Nascent Soul or even Soul Transformation realm, he did not feel the slightest bit of stage fright. His expression was calm, his gaze clear, and he recounted his experiences in the Sunken Star ruins—from entering the spatial rift to the final contract-severing escape—with clarity and logic, simplifying only the details of the inheritance he received (mentioning only that he was infused with a pure stellar intent and gained some memories and knowledge). He focused on describing the "Contract of the Sunken Star" stele, the "Slumbering Star Core" (the giant cocoon), the Rebirth Sect’s blasphemous altar, the mutated monsters, and the final process of using "Jiying" to trigger the "Chen Cui" fragment to sever the contract shackles.

When they heard that the backlash of the contract between the "Star-Fallen People" and the "Three Enclosure Star Gods" led to the destruction of their civilization, and that its core, the "Slumbering Star Core," had turned into a cage and a source of food, everyone’s faces revealed shock. Upon hearing that the Rebirth Sect and the Demon Abyss attempted to pollute and usurp this ancient power, they furrowed their brows, and killing intent flickered. And when Zhao Yuan described that final sword strike and the pure intent fed back before the "Slumbering Star Core" collapsed, even Wei Gongshen’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise and approval.

"...The ruins have collapsed, the 'Slumbering Star Core' has lost control and disintegrated, and its core pollution and massive energy are buried beneath the deep sea; the hidden dangers may not be completely eliminated. We escaped with the 'Chen Cui' fragment; this object is the crystallization of the last pure stellar power and hope of the Star-Fallen People, and perhaps... it will be of help in researching ancient contracts, purifying demonic energy, and even healing Senior Lin." Zhao Yuan concluded, and presented the jade slips containing more detailed records of the ruins' internal structure, runes, and monster characteristics prepared by Ying Eleven, as well as the evil scripture made of pale leather brought back from the Rebirth Sect altar (which had already been purified).

The hall was silent, save for the low, mournful sound of deep-sea currents passing through the formation.

After a long while, Wei Gongshen spoke slowly, his voice carrying a trace of hoarseness yet undiminished majesty: "Zhao Yuan, you ventured deep into a place of death, uncovered ancient secrets, thwarted the Demon Abyss’s treacherous plots, and brought back key objects and intelligence; your contribution is immense. Your cultivation progress and the transformation of your sword intent are also the result of your own opportunity and courage. Once Consultant Lin awakens, the Imperial Dynasty and the Alliance will certainly reward you handsomely."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "The secret of the Star-Fallen People’s contract is of great importance. What exactly are these so-called 'Three Enclosure Star Gods'? Are they real high-level stellar beings, or the embodiment of certain world rules or primitive wills? Is the essence of their 'contract' a transaction, parasitism, or something even more terrifying—predation? These questions require us to gather all ancient records from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, the Star Palace, and even the entire Alliance to study them carefully. But one thing is certain—"

Wei Gongshen’s voice suddenly turned sharp: "The Demon Abyss's 'World-Erosion' is sparing no effort to search for, pollute, and utilize all ancient and powerful forces and ruins in this world. Whether it is the Blood-Skeleton Star God of the Return-to-Void Sea Eye or the contract star core of the Sunken Star ruins, all are their targets! They are attempting to turn ancient disasters and resentment into blades to tear through the barriers of this world and devour its origin! The Rebirth Sect is the tumor and the claws they have cultivated within this world!"

True Person Beichen interjected, his voice heavy: "The intelligence brought back by young friend Zhao Yuan perfectly matches the previous warning from the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion regarding 'Blood stars erode the sea, the ancient contract shall be repaid.' Now that part of the 'ancient contract' has been severed and the star core has collapsed, the Demon Abyss’s plot has been thwarted. But they will never give up. 'Greedy Devourer' was heavily injured and fled, the remnant soul of 'Filthy Soul' is not yet extinguished, the 'Rebirth Sect' roots within the continent have not been cleared, and although the Return-to-Void Sea Eye is temporarily stable, the hidden dangers remain... The challenges facing the Alliance are still severe."

Elder Ling Shuang said coldly: "The most urgent tasks are: first, to fully research the 'Chen Cui' fragment and the ruin data brought back to explore methods for purifying demonic energy, repairing Dao foundations (she looked at Zhao Yuan, implying something), and even countering the origin of the 'World-Erosion.' Second, to increase efforts to purge the remnants of the 'Rebirth Sect' within the continent and root out the nodes through which they communicate with the Demon Abyss. Third, to consolidate the defense of Broken Star Isle and monitor the movements of the Vast Sea, especially the Return-to-Void Sea Eye and other coordinates where ruins similar to the 'Sunken Star ruins' might exist."

Yan Gang slapped his thigh hard: "Right! That’s exactly what we should do! Drag all those rats hiding underground out and crush them! Keep a death grip on the Sea Eye!"

The Elders nodded one after another, and discussions began as they started to deliberate on specific division of labor and resource allocation.

Wei Gongshen raised his hand to suppress the discussion, his gaze falling on Zhao Yuan again, carrying a hint of imperceptible warmth: "Zhao Yuan, you have just recovered from your injuries and have obtained an inheritance; you need time to consolidate and digest it. Someone will be assigned to handle the reconstruction of Broken Star Isle. You may temporarily reside in the 'Star-Gazing Abode' for quiet cultivation; it is near a place where stellar power gathers, which may be beneficial to you. The 'Chen Cui' fragment will be jointly researched by myself, the Star Palace, the Profound Ice Pavilion, and the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. If there is any progress, especially regarding Consultant Lin’s injuries, I will inform you immediately. Your sword," he glanced at "Jiying," which Zhao Yuan had re-sheathed at his waist, "seems to have gained good fortune as well; nurture it well."

"This junior obeys," Zhao Yuan bowed and saluted. He knew that what he needed most now was to settle down and digest everything. His experiences in the ruins, the insights from the contract-severing sword strike, and the massive amount of inherited knowledge all required time to be transformed into true strength.

Exiting the Star Discussion Pavilion, the deep-sea daylight (converted through formations) spilled onto the rebuilding Broken Star Isle. Amidst the broken walls and ruins, new building skeletons were already standing, formation lights flickered everywhere, and the busy figures of cultivators shuttled back and forth. Although the scars left by the great battle could still be seen, an aura of stubborn new life had already begun to permeate the air.

Zhao Yuan took a deep breath of the air, which carried the scent of the sea and faint spiritual energy but no longer the stench of blood and filth, and walked toward the "Star-Gazing Abode" assigned to him. It was a simple small courtyard built of white stone and star-patterned wood, located on a relatively high part of the island. Pushing open the window, he could see the partially restored "Heavenly Stars Array" light screen, and beyond the screen, the eternally surging, deep azure.

He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion in the quiet room. He did not immediately dive into cultivation, but instead sank his consciousness into his sea of consciousness, quietly "contemplating" the newly emerged sea of memory stars. He gently touched a brighter "star point"—it was a simple method on how to use stellar power at a specific frequency to vibrate and strip away low-level negative energy (similar to the primary form of blood-fiend resentment) attached to the surface of objects.

"Stellar Dust-Cleansing Art..." He silently experienced the Dao rhyme of purity, vibration, and separation contained within it, feeling that it had much in common with the "purging" and "severing of delusions" parts of his own Silence Sword Intent, and he could even attempt to integrate it into his sword techniques.

Just as he was immersed in his insights.

"Jiying" at his waist once again emitted an extremely faint tremor, but one carrying a hint of vigilance and warning!

Zhao Yuan opened his eyes abruptly, not looking out the window, but... looking deep into his sea of consciousness, at an extremely remote and dim corner of that sea of memory stars!

There, a "star point" that had originally been unremarkable had, at some unknown time, become stained with a trace of extremely subtle—yet one that made his soul tremble with cold—dark purple!

That dark purple aura was of the same origin as the Void Abyss demonic energy in his memory, and the blasphemous, evil intent on the Rebirth Sect priests and the altar! Yet it was even more hidden, even more profound, like a... demonic seed buried for ten thousand years!

At the same time, in a distant place in the Vast Sea that even the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion could not accurately locate, deep within a forbidden region wrapped in eternal storms and spatial turbulence.

A massive, weak, yet still radiating a terrifying devouring aura, tumor-like shadow ("Greedy Devourer") was crawling on a temporary altar constructed entirely of pitch-black magic crystals, frantically absorbing the thin yet pure Void Abyss demonic energy gushing from the cracks beneath the altar, repairing its shattered demonic body. Its aura was slowly recovering, but the madness and resentment in its eyes were more intense than before it was injured.

And deep within its consciousness, a dark purple "mark," echoing with a secret corner deep within the Sunken Star ruins that had not been completely destroyed, was flickering slightly, transmitting information that was extremely vague, yet made "Greedy Devourer" grin with all its giant mouths, revealing a ferocious smile:

"The seed... has been planted... though the contract is broken... the pollution... is not finished... waiting... to sprout..."

Broken Star Isle, inside the "Star-Gazing Abode."

Cold sweat seeped from Zhao Yuan’s forehead as he stared fixedly at the dark purple "star point" in his sea of consciousness. He attempted to use his Silence Sword Intent to contact and purify it, only to find that the "demonic seed" seemed to be symbiotic with parts of his memory fragments; it was extremely stubborn. With his current power, it was difficult to eradicate, and he could only temporarily use his sword intent and stellar power to heavily seal and isolate it.

"Is this... the 'price' hidden within the final 'gift'? Or... did the Rebirth Sect or the Demon Abyss, long ago, pollute part of the Star-Fallen People’s inheritance information in some way, and I just happened to inherit this part?"

A chill spread from the bottom of his heart.

Although the torch of hope had been passed, it was mixed with an imperceptible... poisonous flame.