Chapter 177: Before the Pointing-General Platform, a Lone Blade Reflects the Moon

Starfall Isle, Central Martial Arts Field.

This square, large enough to hold ten thousand people, had been temporarily converted into a "Pointing-General Platform." The ground was not paved with ordinary stone slabs, but with star-iron plates engraved with reinforcement and spirit-gathering arrays, reflecting a cold metallic luster under the noon sun. Around the square, flags symbolizing major forces fluttered in the biting sea wind—the Star-Pattern Flag of Starfall Isle, the Black Dragon Flag of the Imperial Dynasty's Demon-Slaying Army, the Savage Mountain Flag of the Giant Spirit Sect, the Ice Lotus Flag of the Mystic Ice Pavilion, the Gold Abacus Flag of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, the Fire Hammer Flag of the Heavenly Craft Workshop... and flags from sects, clans, and loose cultivator alliances from Central Province, the Northern Territory, the Southern Wilderness, and other places that had heard the news and rushed over—in total, there were no fewer than a hundred!

A dense crowd stood solemnly on the square, silent and soundless. There were over a thousand people, the lowest cultivation base being Late-Stage Golden Core, with Nascent Soul cultivators accounting for nearly thirty percent. Moreover, over a dozen figures with obscure and deep auras, faintly in harmony with heaven and earth, stood at the front of the ranks—these were Spirit Transformation Stage ancestors or town-guarding powerhouses of various forces who had rushed over from all parts of the continent, sparing no cost in using precious teleportation arrays or tearing through the void after receiving Wei Gong's "Demon-Slaying Order" and the warning from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion! Such a lineup was once in a millennium, gathered solely to deal with the world-destroying calamity that might be born in the deep sea.

At the highest point of the Pointing-General Platform, Wei Gong wore a dark red python robe, a primitive long sword at his waist, his aged body standing straight. His murky gaze swept over the heroes below, possessing an inherent majesty that looked down upon the world. Half a step behind him to the left stood Lin Xuan, still in his cyan shirt, his aura as restrained as an abyss. To his right was Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan at this moment had changed into a tight-fitting outfit specially made by the Star Palace, dark blue in color, the material neither silk nor leather, with star patterns faintly flowing, possessing extremely strong anti-pressure, anti-corrosion, and aura-hiding effects. Hanging at his waist was that primitive "Silent Shadow" sword, its scabbard seemingly re-refined, with a few more deep blue patterns. His face was calm, his eyes deep and condensed, and there was no powerful aura radiating from his body, yet standing beside Wei Gong and Lin Xuan, he did not feel inferior in the slightest. Especially when his gaze occasionally swept over the crowd below, some Spirit Transformation cultivators with keen perception faintly felt as if their skin had been grazed by an invisible sharpness, and they couldn't help but feel awed in their hearts.

"Everyone!" Wei Gong spoke, his voice not loud, yet clearly entering the ears of everyone present, carrying a metallic clang. "The Demon Abyss has a treacherous plot, polluting the Return-to-Ruins, awakening the ancient Star-Fall Evil Remains, intending to use the power of contract backlash and boundless resentment blood to nurture a world-destroying Evil God! Its 'aberration core' has approached the Sea Eye forbidden land, the fetal movement of the Evil God embryo is becoming more intense, and the chains are about to collapse! Once the Evil God descends, the Hanhai will bear the brunt, and the continent will not be spared! This is a calamity such as our Tianyuan Continent has not seen in ten thousand years!"

The crowd below was silent, only the sound of the sea wind whistling and the flags flapping. Everyone's face was incomparably grave; they had either seen the monitoring footage with their own eyes or heard the detailed battle reports from Starfall Isle, knowing deeply that Wei Gong's words were not false.

"Fortunately, Heaven has not abandoned our human race!" Wei Gong's voice suddenly rose, carrying a stirring intent. "There is Daoist Lin Xuan, who bears the Chaos Tribulation Power, closing the Demon Abyss rift, turning the tide when it was about to collapse! And there is young friend Zhao Yuan, who inherited the legacy of the stars, experiencing nine deaths without regret, and in the dead zone, realized a new power to restrain the evil filth—'Silent Star Chaos Qi'! This Qi may be able to sever those filthy contract chains that imprison the Evil God embryo and also nourish its life! Winning a glimmer of survival for us all!"

Swish!

Countless gazes instantly focused on Zhao Yuan, filled with suspicion, scrutiny, expectation, shock... and more. Especially those Spirit Transformation ancestors, whose spiritual sense moved slightly, detecting the gray-blue airflow within Zhao Yuan that was hidden but made their Dao hearts palpitate slightly. That was not purely powerful, but a "heterogeneity" and "sharpness" in essence, as if born specifically to "sever" existences of extremely high levels.

"However, the act of severing the chains is extremely dangerous!" Wei Gong changed the subject, his tone stern. "The 'aberration core' will surely fight to the death to protect its master, the Evil God embryo's will is terrifying, the deep-sea environment is harsh, and there are endless filthy star-shas and blood-resentment powers obstructing! Even with young friend Zhao Yuan's miraculous power, he still needs someone to clear the way, protect his Dharma, and pin down strong enemies!"

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the crowd below: "Therefore, today, here, I point the generals and divide the troops!"

"The first route, 'Chain-Severing Arrowhead'! Led personally by Daoist Lin Xuan, with young friend Zhao Yuan as the core, and selecting twenty elites proficient in deep-sea escape techniques, array protection, and purification and exorcism! Goal: Break through all obstacles, reach the 'absolute blind zone' directly, beneath the Star-Remnant Giant Egg, and find an opportunity to sever the chains! This route has the heaviest task and the highest risk; it is the key to victory! Is there anyone willing to go?!"

Before the words fell, several figures had already stepped out from the crowd!

True Person Beichen's beard and hair danced, and he said loudly: "The Star Palace governs Starfall Isle; guarding the Hanhai is an inescapable duty! I am proficient in star arrays and can deploy the 'Faint Light Guiding Array' in the deep sea to point the way and avoid dangerous places. I am willing to be the eye of the arrowhead!"

Elder Lingshuang's body overflowed with cold air, her voice as cold as ice: "The 'Mystic Ice True Intent' of the Mystic Ice Pavilion can temporarily freeze the flow of filthy energy and purify small-scale blood resentment. I am willing to be the shield of the arrowhead."

Old Ancestor Hunyou laughed strangely, his figure drifting: "Although my 'Myriad Soul Banner' is restrained by that evil thing, it is still somewhat useful for disrupting soul perception and interfering with will intrusion. This old bag of bones will go and get some exercise too."

Immediately following, over a dozen more people stood out, all of them Late-Stage or even peak Nascent Soul experts carefully selected from various forces, including two Spirit Transformation loose cultivators proficient in water escape and spatial concealment.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly, acknowledging them.

"The second route, 'Delay and Intercept'! I will sit in command personally, assisted by Master Yan Lie of the Giant Spirit Sect, the commander of the Imperial Dynasty's Demon-Slaying Army's First Legion, 'Marquis of Iron and Blood,' and all the fellow Daoists who have come from afar!" Wei Gong continued. "We will carry the remaining main force of Starfall Isle, as well as parts of the 'Zhou Tian Star Purification Grand Array,' to advance to the periphery of the 'absolute blind zone' and set up the final line of defense! At all costs, delay the movement of the 'aberration core,' block it from converging with the giant egg, and attract attention for the 'Arrowhead' team, creating opportunities! This route may face the most insane counterattack of the 'aberration core' and requires the will to fight to the death!"

"Haha! Just what I wanted!" Master Yan Lie of the Giant Spirit Sect's voice was like a thunderclap. "We of the Giant Spirit Sect have nothing else, but our bones are hard and our strength is great! Smashing the tentacles of that ghost thing is on me!"

The Imperial Dynasty's "Marquis of Iron and Blood," a middle-aged general with a cold face and wearing heavy black armor, bowed solemnly: "The Demon-Slaying Army dares not be behind anyone in the world!"

The other Spirit Transformation ancestors and representatives of various forces also expressed their stance, willing to listen to orders. They knew that the pressure of a frontal interception was equally huge, and they might even encounter the enemy earlier, but no one retreated.

"The third route, 'Perimeter Clearing and Support'! Responsible by Shopkeeper Qian Wantong of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, the masters of the Heavenly Craft Workshop, and the remaining personnel of various sects!" Wei Gong finally said. "Clear any scattered polluted monsters that may exist on the periphery of the Sea Eye, repair and maintain monitoring and communication arrays, and establish temporary rescue and supply points! At the same time, closely monitor the direction of the continent to guard against the Demon Abyss or the remnants of the 'Rebirth Sect' taking advantage of the chaos!"

Qian Wantong bowed: "Wei Gong, rest assured, logistics support and information transmission are left to us."

The assignments were set, and the logic was clear. Everyone felt a little more at ease, at least having a clear operational framework.

Wei Gong's gaze swept over the audience again, finally landing on Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan. He took a deep breath, bowed, and actually bowed deeply to the two of them, and to everyone below who was willing to die: "This great undertaking concerns the survival of billions of living beings! Your high righteousness, going to this dead zone, I... on behalf of the common people, thank you!"

The voice contained sorrow, and the feelings were sincere.

The over a thousand cultivators below, no matter where they came from before or what grievances they had, all felt hot blood surging in their chests, and a tragic and heroic passion arose spontaneously. I don't know who was the first to bow in return, saying loudly: "Willing to follow Wei Gong, slay demons and defend the Dao, no regrets even in death!"

"Slay demons and defend the Dao, no regrets even in death!"

"Slay demons and defend the Dao, no regrets even in death!!"

The sound wave was like a tide, rushing straight into the clouds, shaking away the flowing clouds, and even the surging sea waves seemed to freeze for a moment.

The general-pointing was finished, and the crowd was excited. The various groups immediately followed the assignments and began their final pre-battle preparations and coordination.

Zhao Yuan was taken to a quiet place by Lin Xuan.

"How do you feel?" Lin Xuan asked, his gaze falling on him, as if observing the fusion of the "Silent Star Chaos Qi" with his body.

"The power is very stable, and control is not a problem," Zhao Yuan answered truthfully, then paused. "It's just... I feel it is very 'lonely' and very 'sharp.' As if it is completely out of place with everything around it."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly: "The essence of extinction and Chaos is inherently inclined toward 'ending' and 'nothingness.' That you can feel its 'loneliness' shows that your Dao heart is still clear and has not been alienated by the power itself. Remember, power is a tool, and people are the foundation. Your will determines where this 'blade' strikes."

"Junior understands." Zhao Yuan nodded, hesitating for a moment. "Senior, going there... how much certainty do we have?"

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, looking toward the southeast where the sea and sky met, which looked calm but was actually surging with undercurrents. "Severing the chain itself has a fifty percent chance. But whether we can survive after severing the chain, under the furious counterattack of the Evil God embryo and the insane siege of the 'aberration core'..." He shook his head. "Less than one percent."

Zhao Yuan's heart sank, then he felt relieved. This was a matter of nine deaths and one life, and being able to have a fifty percent chance of severing the chains was already an unexpected joy.

"Are you afraid?" Lin Xuan asked suddenly.

Zhao Yuan thought for a moment and said honestly: "Afraid. Afraid of failing everyone's expectations, afraid of not being able to sever the chains, afraid of... dying without value." He looked up at Lin Xuan, but flames were burning in his eyes. "But I am more afraid of doing nothing, watching that thing come out and devour everything. So, afraid or not, I must go."

A flash of approval passed through Lin Xuan's eyes, and he patted his shoulder: "That is enough. Remember, after entering the blind zone, listen to my command for everything. Your task is to sever the chain, and my task is to send you to the chain and bring you out as much as possible."

"Yes."

Just then, True Person Beichen walked over, holding a palm-sized silver compass with flowing starlight. "Daoist Lin, young friend Zhao, the core array disk of the 'Faint Light Guiding Array' has been refined. This array disk is based on the scraps of 'Star-Source Marrow' and incorporates some runes of the Purification Grand Array. It can not only point the way but also weaken the interference of filthy star-shas within a certain range and provide a weak purification field. After entering the blind zone, it will be our most important guide."

Lin Xuan took it, sensed it, nodded, and accepted it: "Thank you, Daoist Beichen."

Elder Lingshuang also sent three ice-blue diamond-shaped crystals: "These are 'Mystic Ice Soul-Protecting Crystals.' Wear them close to your body, and they can automatically trigger a layer of 'Ice Heart Protection' when the soul suffers extreme pollution or will impact, winning a moment of sobriety." She looked at Zhao Yuan again, her tone rarely gentle. "The deep sea is cold and filthy. Although your newly acquired power is strong, your soul foundation still has old wounds, so this item might be useful."

Zhao Yuan accepted it solemnly and bowed in thanks.

Old Ancestor Hunyou appeared like a ghost and threw an inconspicuous gray cloth bag to Zhao Yuan: "Inside are some 'Yin Soul Sands' I have accumulated. Scattering them can form a small-scale 'Soul-Howling Maze.' For things that rely mainly on will and resentment, it can at least annoy it a bit. Use it sparingly."

One by one, precious or practical items were delivered to Zhao Yuan or Lin Xuan, all of which were their bottom-of-the-box means, now given without reservation. They knew that this meager help might be the straw that determined success or failure.

Night fell quietly amidst the tense preparations.

Starfall Isle was brightly lit, with all arrays fully open, like an inextinguishable lighthouse in the dark Hanhai.

The Hour of the Rat was approaching.

In the southeast, the feeling of oppression and ominousness coming from the depths of the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye became clearer. Even ordinary cultivators could feel a heaviness in their hearts, as if it were the dead silence before a storm.

Before the Pointing-General Platform, the twenty-two members of the "Chain-Severing Arrowhead," including Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan, had gathered. Everyone had a solemn expression and a condensed aura, ready to set off at any time.

Wei Gong led the crowd to see them off.

There were no excessive words, only bows, a deep obeisance.

Lin Xuan returned the salute, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and finally nodded to Wei Gong. Immediately, he rolled his sleeves, and a gentle Chaos airflow shrouded Zhao Yuan and the others.

"Let's go."

Over twenty streams of light rose silently from the ground, like twenty-two meteors flying in reverse, piercing through the thick night, and without looking back, they threw themselves into that eternal darkness that devoured everything in the southeast—the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye.

The moonlight was cold, spilling onto the sea surface, and also reflecting the crowd that had stood for a long time before the Pointing-General Platform.

A lone blade had reflected the moon and emerged, pointing directly at the demon's lair. ===== CHAPTER 178 =====