Firmament Sword

Pangtian Star, the Grand Elder of the Honglou Sect, is dead!

The news swept across the lands of the Sect Continent like a tempest!

A single battle that shook the world!

"Did you hear? Beidou's Eighth Star made a move and slayed the Grand Elder of the Honglou Sect! Heavens, how utterly vicious!"

"That's impossible, isn't it? According to the legends, isn't Beidou's Eighth Star only at the Second or Third Layer of the Divine Power Realm? The Grand Elder of an ancient sect like the Honglou Sect... he should at least be at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, right?"

"Heh, I didn't see it with my own eyes, but it's definitely true! Haven't you seen how Honglou Ancient City is under high alert right now?"

"Haha, those usually arrogant disciples of the Honglou Sect have all been keeping a low profile lately..."

"So you're saying... Beidou's Eighth Star really isn't so easy to catch. I never would have thought he'd be so dominant, capable of slaying even a great power at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Power Realm..."

"I heard that battle tore the heavens and earth asunder and blotted out the sun and moon. Even now, you can still see the scars left on the battlefield!"

All across the Sect Continent, people were abuzz with discussion. The incident had captured nearly everyone's attention.

"It's simply astounding. Beidou's Eighth Star has just awakened and already possesses such combat strength?"

Within the Liejiang Daoist Sect, a young man who looked to be in his twenties, his hair in a topknot and dressed in a green Daoist robe, stood by a river. He watched the surging water and spoke to the person beside him.

The person next to him was an old man who appeared to be in his eighties or nineties. He wore a worn, faded Daoist robe that had been washed countless times, and his hair was casually held in place with a wooden pin. The wrinkles on his face were like deep gullies, etched with the passage of time. Only his eyes were clear and translucent, as if they could see through all worldly affairs.

"That combat strength... may not be his true power. You saw the celestial phenomena yourself—stars appearing in daylight, the Seven-Star Pearl, the Five-Colored Divine Light soaring to the heavens... those were indeed signs of the Eighth Star's awakening. However, in that battle, he must have borrowed Star Power." The old man spoke faintly, then glanced at the youth beside him and added, "Ever since you were young, you have always been the strongest genius in the history of our sect. I've always admired your talent and your confidence, but do you know what I admire most about you?"

The youth paused, momentarily stunned. He then scratched his head and chuckled. "I really don't know. What is it you admire about me?"

It seemed the youth didn't show the old man much deference. The way they spoke to each other was as equals.

The old man sighed softly and said, "What I admire most is your self-awareness!"

The youth raised an eyebrow, pursed his lips slightly, and said, "Here we go again..."

The old man shook his head. "If you don't want to hear it, then forget it. Don't overthink it. Our sect has always emphasized cultivating the mind and letting things take their natural course. What you want to do is your own business."

"Huh? You can read my mind?" the youth asked, looking at the old man in surprise.

"I watched you grow up!" the old man stressed.

"Tch, so naggy... I was only born ten years after you. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were my grandfather..." the youth muttered, pursing his lips with a helpless expression.

Who would have thought that these two, who looked so far apart in age they could be grandfather and grandson, were actually blood brothers, only ten years apart!

If word got out, likely no one would believe it.

But... it was the truth!

The old man's name was Xiao Tong, known as Elder Xiao, and he was the Sect Leader of the Liejiang Daoist Sect. Most people's impression of this Sect Leader was of a man who spent his days in an absurdly shabby Daoist robe, unkempt and seemingly a bit slovenly.

But not a single person who truly knew Xiao Tong dared to underestimate him!

This was a true powerhouse!

Hundreds of years ago, his name had shaken the Sect Continent. Later, after becoming the Sect Leader of the Liejiang Daoist Sect, he began living in seclusion and gradually faded from the public eye.

However, those qualified to know of Xiao Tong were all clear that this was a truly great power who could not be provoked!

Even many senior figures older than Xiao Tong himself had to respectfully address him as Elder Xiao when they saw him!

"Pangtian Star of the Honglou Sect... is actually a very good example," Elder Xiao sighed softly. "Speaking of which, I had some dealings with Pangtian Star several hundred years ago. Back then, I felt he was a decent person. But once a person's eyes are clouded by desire, danger is always just around the corner."

The youth didn't argue this time, instead asking, "Didn't that guy from the Divine Domain go?"

"Him?" Elder Xiao gave a faint smile and waved his hand. "Let's not talk about him."

The youth's eyebrow twitched slightly. As blood brothers, just as his older brother understood him, he also understood his Sect Leader of a brother very well!

Whenever his brother wore such an expression, it usually meant one thing: that person... was no longer worth discussing!

"How could that be? He's from the Divine Domain, after all. With his strength above that of a Half-Step Saint, plus a Holy Garment and a Sacred Artifact in hand, no matter how strong the Eighth Star is, he can't possibly be his opponent, right?" the youth said, then sighed. "It's just a pity I won't be able to witness such a grand event with my own eyes. Sigh, my cultivation has been growing more and more restless lately. I can barely suppress it anymore!"

Elder Xiao glanced at the youth, a hint of concern flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "If you can't suppress it, then don't. You know as well, let nature take its course..."

The youth said, "In that respect... I don't think I'm any worse than you."

The old man immediately shut his mouth.

The youth sighed. "The heavenly secrets have grown more chaotic these past few years. I've always been afraid..."

"There's really nothing to worry about. Even if you leave, the Liejiang Daoist Sect... won't have any major problems. Everyone's eyes are on the Eighth Star right now," Elder Xiao said with a smile.

"They're just a bunch of fools rushing to their deaths!" The youth sneered contemptuously, then said, "Refining Beidou's Eighth Star... do they really think they have the good fortune for that?"

Elder Xiao said, "With such benefits on the line, they have to at least try."

The youth smiled. "True. A summer insect cannot speak of ice. They will never understand until they see it for themselves. But by then... they'll all have frozen to death."

"You don't want to go now?" Elder Xiao asked, looking at the youth.

The youth shook his head. "I'm not going. I never had any designs on the Eighth Star to begin with."

Elder Xiao nodded. "I understand. But the man from the Divine Domain... you can't touch him either!" As he said this, a profound light flashed in Elder Xiao's eyes, and he added faintly, "He can die at anyone's hands, just not ours."

A frigid glint shot from the youth's eyes. "The ones I hate most are these people from the Upper Realm. On what grounds do they...?!"

Elder Xiao just smiled dismissively. "For millions of years, the cycle has continued endlessly. They don't fear karma, so why are you worried for them? Besides, won't you also have to go there sooner or later?"

The youth laughed heartily. "If I get the chance, I'll turn that place upside down!"

Elder Xiao's expression turned solemn as he said, "Remember..."

"My life is the most important thing!" the youth immediately finished his brother's sentence, then sighed. "I really don't know how you managed to achieve your level of cultivation. You've been through so many life-and-death situations, yet you're so afraid of dying..."

Elder Xiao smiled faintly, gazing at the ceaselessly flowing river before them, and said softly, "The highest good is like water."

...

"Didn't you tell me... that even if I borrowed your power, I might not be able to defeat him?" Xu Luo complained to Dubhe. Only after receiving that power did Xu Luo understand that by temporarily borrowing the Power of the Seven Stars, his strength had actually surpassed the Ninth Layer of the Divine Power Realm!

But he hadn't reached the Saint Realm. Xu Luo had a feeling that above the Ninth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, yet below the Saint Realm... there was an even higher level!

Perhaps... it was the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm!

"I didn't say that. I said... it was up to you!" Dubhe replied faintly.

"Tsk!"

The corner of Xu Luo's mouth twitched. He decided not to argue with Dubhe and instead quietly reflected on the various sensations he experienced when he had stepped into that profound realm by borrowing the Power of the Seven Stars. He would use this... to refine his own Dao.

"The Divine Power Realm... has more than just nine layers, doesn't it?" After a long while, Xu Luo suddenly asked.

"In the Ancient Era, the Divine Power Realm had eleven layers!" Dubhe was silent for a moment, then said, "After this world was re-formed... nine became the limit."

Xu Luo was silent for a moment before asking, "After I awakened, I came to understand many things, but why is this information you speak of not in my memories?"

"Because when this world was being re-formed, you were gravely injured and became Beidou's Eighth Star!" Dubhe said slowly. "What you have awakened now are only some of your memories as Beidou's Eighth Star. They are incomplete, flawed. As for your memories from before that, I do not know them either. Perhaps... you deliberately forgot them yourself?"

Xu Luo fell silent and asked no more. These matters were still too distant for him now. Perhaps, subconsciously, he didn't want to know that much either.

...

Honglou Ancient City, in the meeting hall of the Honglou Sect.

A group of senior figures who hadn't appeared in who knows how many years were gathered together. Some of these individuals were of such frighteningly high seniority that even the Sect Leader of the Honglou Sect could only sit in a subordinate position to accompany them.

"The Eighth Star has awakened and killed Pangtian Star. What are your thoughts on this matter, Sect Leader?" an emaciated old man with a face like old tree bark asked faintly. He was seated in the seat of honor, looking down at the Honglou Sect's Sect Leader.

"Elder Rui, the Eighth Star is a monumental stroke of fortune, but I believe... this fortune also contains endless crisis!" the Honglou Sect's Sect Leader said, choosing his words carefully. "The Celestial Star Grand Elder wanted to refine the Eighth Star, but he failed and was killed in return. This grudge... must be avenged, but as for how to avenge it... I believe we need to consider it very carefully!"

"What is there to consider? Are you afraid?" The old man called Elder Rui, his wizened, tree-bark-like face showing no expression, said flatly, "Pour the entire sect's power into killing Beidou's Eighth Star. As for who ultimately obtains this fortune, that will depend on their own fate!"

"The Liejiang Daoist Sect has already made it clear that they will not participate," the Honglou Sect's Sect Leader said softly.

"Hmph, that bunch of 'long-noses' who prattle on about 'purity and inaction' all day. If they openly participated in this, wouldn't they just be slapping their own faces?" Elder Rui snorted contemptuously, speaking with disdain.

"Western Buddhism has also stated they will not get involved in this matter," the Honglou Sect's Sect Leader added.

"That bunch of bald-heads spend their days talking about karma. Naturally, they wouldn't be willing to do something that slaps them in the face either." As Elder Rui spoke, he fixed his eyes on the Sect Leader. "From the sound of it, you don't want to participate?"

It was just a simple glance, but it made the Honglou Sect Leader's scalp tingle. He thought to himself, 'Elder Rui's strength has improved again. I fear he's only half a step away from that gate!'

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