chsdbacks Chapter 274 Lord of the Stars
Chapter 274 Lord of the Stars
Chapter 273 Lord of the Stars
After Li Xijun's sword flashed coldly and shattered the lightning tribulation, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the entire Star Palace became extremely rich. This made Li Xijun, who had just entered the outer realm, feel a stirring in his mind. Instead of withdrawing his inner realm, he resonated with heaven and earth at a deeper level.
Centered on him, the vast cosmic phantom that appeared briefly merged with the real world, and an invisible wave spread out in an instant.
In an instant, not only the Palace of Stars, but also the capital city dozens of miles away, saw the daytime suddenly disappear, as if an invisible giant hand had pulled down the curtain of night.
As night falls, the sky above is filled with stars that are clearer and brighter than ever before. Strings of stars stretch endlessly, shining brightly and casting down a cool and magnificent starlight!
This was not a simple change in celestial phenomena, but rather Li Xijun's use of his perfected "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Si Xiang Jue" to activate the primordial power of the Zhou Tian stars in the dark.
The 1,296 acupoints on his body that corresponded to his inner universe now seemed to have transformed into 1,296 tiny stars on earth, echoing the starry sky and creating an incomparably profound attraction.
"Boom!"
The dense, impenetrable spiritual energy remaining after the Heavenly Tribulation shattered, along with the endless starlight that cascaded down, seemed to have found their only home. Like rivers flowing into the sea, or the Milky Way turning upside down, they transformed into visible vortexes of spiritual energy and pillars of starlight, surging wildly into Li Xijun's body.
At this moment, the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Si Xiang Jue" (周天星辰四象诀), as one of the five most powerful divine skills in the world, fully demonstrates its domineering and profound nature in its ability to absorb spiritual energy.
Li Xijun's body seemed to transform into a cosmic black hole, greedily and efficiently devouring all the spiritual energy around him!
His aura began to surge at an astonishing speed.
The realm of the initial entry into the exterior scene fluctuated instantly, and then surged upwards with unstoppable momentum.
Early stage of the first level of the exterior scenery.
Mid-stage of the first level of the exterior scenery.
The later stages of the first level of outdoor scenery.
The surge of spiritual energy and starlight lasted for the duration of an incense stick before gradually subsiding.
Everyone was stunned by this incredible speed of cultivation.
From the initial stage of the Outer Realm to the late stage of the First Heaven, what others might need years of hard work to achieve, he accomplished in a single moment after his breakthrough, thanks to the nourishment of heaven and earth and the infusion of starlight.
And judging from the looks of it, it probably won't be long before it breaks through that membrane and enters the second level of the outdoor scene.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"Reaching the late stage of the first level in one go? How can those of us who have cultivated diligently for decades to reach this level bear this!"
"I'm afraid the record of 'one level of heaven per year' left by the Grandmasters of the Earth Ranking over thousands of years is about to be broken today," a knowledgeable elder from the Outer Realm muttered to himself, his face full of bitterness and shock.
At the same time, the strange phenomenon completely disappeared, the world returned to clarity, and daylight reappeared.
Li Xijun completely concealed his aura, took a step, and as if shrinking the distance, reappeared on the square in front of the Vermilion Bird Hall.
He stood there, with no trace of true energy leaking out of his body, nor any oppressive aura, just like a completely ordinary mortal.
However, it is precisely this "ordinariness" that sends a chill down the spines of everyone who perceives him.
Those top talents who came to witness the ceremony stared wide-eyed. They could clearly see Li Xijun standing there, but in their martial arts perception, that spot was empty and devoid of anything!
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed that there was a person standing there.
Even many powerful individuals at the third level of the Outer Realm, including some sect elders who escorted their own geniuses here, had their expressions change drastically at this moment.
They strained their eyes and even secretly released their divine sense to investigate, but the information they received was still like a stone sinking into the sea, and they could not perceive it!
They looked at Li Xijun as if he were a mortal gazing up at the deep night sky; they could see his existence, but could not fathom his vastness and mystery.
"Returning to simplicity is such a thorough return to simplicity!"
A veteran powerhouse who had been stuck in the third level of the outer realm for many years spoke with a hoarse voice, his eyes filled with awe.
Only grandmasters like Venerable Su Manniang of the Black Tortoise and Venerable Mu Wanqiu of the Vermilion Bird, who are ranked on the Earthly Ranking, could vaguely sense the profound and terrifying power within Li Xijun's body, which was like a dormant primordial universe, thanks to their high level of understanding.
The two looked at each other and saw deep emotion in each other's eyes.
"I'm afraid—at most two more years, hope Jun will be able to truly catch up with you and me and be on the same list." Mu Wanqiu sighed softly, her tone complex, with both relief and a hint of urgency at being overtaken by the younger generation.
Su Manniang nodded slightly, her charming eyes shining even brighter: "From today onwards, this world is destined to be stirred up because of him."
Just as everyone was focused on the event and had their own thoughts, a figure suddenly rushed out from the Azure Dragon lineage. It was the elderly Outer Realm Elder who had plucked out his beard after Yin Tianheng was instantly killed by Li Xijun.
His face was now devoid of sorrow, replaced by an almost fanatical devotion. He rushed to Li Xijun and, without a word, prostrated himself in a deep, trembling bow, his voice echoing throughout the room.
"Star Lord! It's the Star Lord descended to earth!"
"Holy indeed! The Star Lord commands the Four Symbols and has mastered the supreme 'Four Symbols of the Celestial Spheres Technique' of our Star Palace. This is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the teachings of our ancestors!"
"You are the true master whom the Palace of Stars has awaited for millennia, the rightful Lord of the Stars!"
"This old man humbly begs the Star Lord to reinstate the Palace Master, to command all the stars, and to bring glory to the sect!"
These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue.
The square fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a clamor.
The disciples of the Star Palace, regardless of which hall they belonged to, all wore expressions of bewilderment, reminiscence, and disbelief.
Many of the older elders had wandering eyes, as if recalling long-forgotten records in the sect's ancient texts.
Some powerful figures from external forces who came to observe the ceremony, after a moment of stunned silence, seemed to remember something and began to explain in hushed tones to their juniors:
"There is indeed such a rule—it is said that after the Night Emperor, the ancestral precept of the Star Palace states that whoever can truly master the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Si Xiang Jue' (a technique that governs the four elements) will become the sole ruler of the Star Palace, revered as the 'Star Lord'."
"But for thousands of years, no one has ever succeeded. The four elements are separated and jointly governed by the Venerable Ones, which has become the norm."
"Although Li Xijun is exceptionally talented, he is only at the first level of the Outer Realm. Putting aside everything else, even the two Venerables who are ranked as Grandmasters on the Earth Ranking might not be able to tolerate being pinned down by Li Xijun and obediently obeying his orders."
"Indeed, to expect those venerable ones who are already ranked on the Earthly Ranking and can be called ancestors outside to condescend to obey the orders of a junior? It's laughable."
"The difference between the Lower Three Heavens and the Middle Three Heavens is like heaven and earth. Only those in the Middle Three Heavens who have truly condensed a Dharma Body are worthy of entering the Earth Ranking and being called Grandmasters. How is it possible that the gap between the two is so great?"
"Hehe, I wonder if this old guy is genuinely corrupt or deliberately trying to trip up Li Xijun, the new location shooter. This is going to be interesting!"
Immediately, the crowd began to discuss the matter.
Some listened to this passage thoughtfully, while others disregarded these rules that seemed merely for show. Most stopped and watched, eager to join in the fun, thinking they would have some entertainment today and be able to brag about it tomorrow.
And almost everyone present thought it was impossible.
It's simply a fantasy to expect the proud and arrogant Vermilion Bird Venerable and the unfathomable Black Tortoise Venerable to bow to a junior who has just entered the Outer Realm.
However, what happened next made everyone, whether they were gloating or skeptical, nearly pop their eyes out.
The Vermilion Bird Venerable, widely recognized in the martial arts world as the most arrogant and hot-tempered, who once killed a powerful martial arts expert who had offended her with a single palm strike over a mere disagreement, showed no anger on her exquisite face. Instead, a breathtaking smile bloomed on her face.
She was even faster than Li Qinghan on the other side.
After adjusting his crimson palace attire, the Vermilion Bird Venerable stepped forward from the crowd. Under the countless stunned gazes, he walked to Li Xijun, and without any hesitation, gracefully bowed, performing a standard and solemn salute. His clear and melodious voice resounded throughout the hall:
"Mu Wanqiu of the Vermilion Bird Palace pays respects to the Star Lord!"
She—...she actually knelt down?
Before everyone could recover from the enormous shock, Venerable Xuanwu Su Manniang smiled, her charm tinged with a hint of emotion, "Little one—I never imagined that after our parting at the Sea of Death, you would have reached such a height when we meet again."
She took light, graceful steps forward, and bowed to Li Xijun, her voice gentle yet clear:
"Su Manniang of Xuanwu Hall greets the Star Lord."
Immediately afterwards, Li Qinghan stepped forward without hesitation, stood in the same row as the two, and bowed:
"Li Qinghan of the White Tiger Palace pays respects to the Star Lord!"
The three Venerable Ones and Saintess, who held great influence and prestige in the Palace of Stars, actually all paid their respects to Li Xijun, who had just stepped into the outer realm, and addressed him as the Star Lord.
Everyone seemed frozen in place, their mouths agape and their eyes wide, as if witnessing the most incredible sight in the world.
No one understood how a young man who had only been in the Star Palace for a year could have gotten the two Venerable Ones to agree.
Those powerful figures from foreign forces who had been discussing the matter earlier were now like ducks with their necks being choked, unable to utter a single word.
Everyone couldn't help but wonder, besides being a martial arts genius, does this person have other strengths?
Countless gazes were focused on the young man in the blue robe, filled with surprise, curiosity, awe, and intense envy and jealousy.
Li Xijun stood before the hall, accepting the grand gestures from the three venerable ones and her sister with composure.
His gaze calmly swept across the entire hall, finally settling on the three kneeling figures. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying an undeniable authority, announcing the arrival of a new era:
"From this day forward, I shall take charge of the Palace of Stars."
"I am the Lord of the Stars."