Chapter 240: Slumber of the Stars

"Moonlight" sailed steadily through the Void, its moon-white glow like a gentle lighthouse, dispelling the surrounding darkness and silence. Inside the bridge, Li Qingxuan and the others observed the strange exterior scene through special portholes.

Here the mode of travel differs completely from conventional Space Jump. The star vessel does not tear space to shuttle; instead, it seems to merge into some higher‑dimensional "string" or "membrane", gliding along an inherent cosmic context. Outside the porthole, stretched starlight is gone, replaced by ever‑shifting geometric color blocks and energy flows like a kaleidoscope, occasionally revealing the underlying lattice‑like structure that supports the real universe, flashing like a background grid.

Yuexi stood silently at the front of the bridge, seemingly needing no control; the whole Moonlight acted as an extension of her body, moving with her thoughts. She would occasionally point out to Li Qingxuan the nodes of Life Beacon they passed—either extinguished or still holding on—her tone carrying a faint, hard‑to‑notice regret and heaviness.

"In the era of the Ancients, the fire of order was scattered across the Star Sea, the beacon network like the veins of a galaxy, maintaining balance and guiding the lost." Yuexi's voice echoed coldly in the bridge, "But after the Old Master fell and the era changed, war and annihilation have eroded too much. Of the beacons still able to operate, only one in ten remains."

Li Qingxuan listened silently, feeling the Watchers' longing for the ancient era and their worry about the present state. He couldn't help asking, "Lady Yuexi, what exactly is the Watchers' Council? Have you always hidden in the depths of the Void?"

Yuexi tilted her head slightly, her crystal‑like eyes meeting Li Qingxuan's: "The Watchers are not an organization; they are more like… inheritors of a mission. Our members are mostly descendants of the Ancients, or people like you who have received recognition from the sages' legacy. Our duty is to watch over order, preserve the fire‑seed, and in the dark ages keep alive the hope of civilization's rebirth."

She paused, then continued: "We are not hidden, but scattered. Slumber of the Stars is not our only base. Most Watchers, like me, patrol their assigned star sectors, monitoring ancient threats such as the Exile Land, and guide individuals like you who ignite sparks in the darkness."

Li Qingxuan understood at once; this seemed more like a loose alliance with a lofty goal. He then asked his most pressing question: "Regarding the False Emperor and the current state of the Exile Land, how much intelligence do the Watchers have? Is there any chance we can avert the disaster?"

When the False Emperor was mentioned, Yuexi's eyes turned slightly cold: "The False Emperor, a usurper who seized the Old Master's authority. His power stems from annihilation; his actions are extreme and mad, he will use any means to achieve his goals. Opening the Exile Land is his most foolish and dangerous act. The ancient evils imprisoned there are far beyond his control."

"As for stopping it…" Yuexi fell silent for a moment and shook her head. "Completely preventing the seal's collapse is nearly impossible with the forces we can muster now. The seal of the Exile Land was forged by the Old Master together with the gods; its Core structure has long been bound to the deep reality of that star region. Forcible repair would demand an unimaginable price, and the chance of success is extremely low."

That answer made Li Qingxuan's heart sink.

"However," Yuexi shifted her tone, giving everyone a glimmer of hope, "it's not entirely hopeless. The Council is trying two approaches. First, gather strength; when the seal collapses completely, construct a new front line to confine the disaster as much as possible to the star regions surrounding the Exile Land, buying time for other worlds to evacuate."

"Second," her gaze fell on Li Qingxuan, carrying a hint of scrutiny and expectation, "is to seek out and activate the true power of the legendary Primordial Rune. The Ancients said that gathering the full power of the Primordial Rune can reshape laws and re‑establish order. Perhaps that is the only hope to fully resolve the Exile Land and even end the False Emperor's ambitions."

Primordial Rune! Li Qingxuan touched the Life Imprint on his chest; the mere fragment of Life's rune he had obtained was already miraculous. If all the Primordial Runes were gathered, what tremendous power would that be?

"What should we do?" Li Qingxuan pressed.

"Upon arriving at Slumber of the Stars, the Council will assign tasks based on your circumstances and abilities." Yuexi did not elaborate, "The urgent priority is to quickly increase your strength and gather more clues about the whereabouts of other rune fragments."

In the midst of the conversation, the view ahead of Moonlight suddenly shifted.

The shifting geometric color blocks and energy flows receded like a tide, giving way to…… a tranquil, glittering star field.

Countless stars, moving in a wondrous way that defies ordinary gravitational laws, slowly revolved around a huge nebula that glowed with soft white light, resembling a sleeping giant eye. Those stars were not natural; faint traces of artificial construction could be seen on their surfaces, like fortresses or cities floating in the Void.

At the nebula's core, where the giant eye's pupil would be, lies an immense ring‑shaped space station constructed from a kind of white jade and luminous metal, impossible to picture in scale. The station's structure is intricate yet elegant, with countless small craft darting around it like fireflies.

"Welcome to Slumber of the Stars." Yuexi's voice carried a soft note of returning home.

Moonlight gradually slowed, steering toward that massive ring‑shaped space station. The closer they drew, the more they sensed its grand, ancient aura brimming with life. Here, contrasted with the lifeless Void outside, it was like heaven versus hell.

The star vessel passed through an invisible identification barrier and smoothly entered the space station's harbor zone. Dozens of star craft of various styles were moored there—some as elegant as Moonlight, others rugged in mechanical beauty, and even some strange carriers formed purely of plants or energy.

As Li Qingxuan and the others followed Yuexi down from Moonlight, they instantly felt countless gazes upon them—curious, scrutinizing, friendly, and indifferent. The harbor's passersby varied widely: there were humans, elves, dwarves, and many unseen alien races radiating powerful auras.

They all shared one trait—each bore some trace of the Ancients' legacy, or wore ancient ornaments, or emitted a special fluctuation resembling the Life Imprint.

This is one of the Watchers' homes and fortresses in the Void.

An elder in silver‑blue robes, holding a wooden scepter, with white hair and beard, approached, surrounded by a retinue of remarkable presence. He bowed slightly to Yuexi: "Patroller Yuexi, you've worked hard. The Council has received your message and is awaiting you."

Then he turned his wise, gentle gaze to Li Qingxuan and the others, sweeping over each person before finally resting on Li Qingxuan, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Welcome to Slumber of the Stars, young guardian bearing the Life Seed. I am the Council's reception elder, Nuodun. May this place become your new starting point in the fight against darkness."

A new campaign began, unfolding its banner amidst this sea of sleeping stars.

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