The clamor of the arena tournament's first day gradually quieted in the deepening night. The training grounds were now empty, the protective light screens of each arena extinguished, leaving only the crisscrossing battle scars on the Black Iron Rock surfaceshattered runes, dried bloodstains, trenches carved by sword qisilently recounting the day's brutality. The three thousand Outer Sect disciples had long dispersed, some returning to their residences to heal their wounds, others gathering in groups to discuss the day's shocking events. Poison Elder's ruthless strike, the black-clad girl's earth-shattering blow, Lin Chen's overwhelming dominance... each topic was enough to keep these young cultivators awake all night.

  But Lin Chen was not in his courtyard at this moment.

  He stood at the edge of the back mountain cliff, beneath him the bottomless darkness, above him the vast starry sky. The night wind howled, whipping his gray robes, but it couldn't blow away the solemnity etched in his brow. The black-clad girl's warning echoed in his mind like a curse: "Be careful of Poison Elder's 'Netherworld Soul-devouring Poison'." Even more impossible to ignore was the intense Star Pattern resonance when their gazes metthe recognition of kin, the sign of fate intertwining, and also... the warning bell of approaching danger.

  "Star Moon Sect..." Lin Chen murmured to himself. He had never heard of this sect, but the purity of stellar power the black-clad girl displayed even surpassed his own nine-attribute balanced Chaos Star Vortex. This could only mean two thingseither her Star Pattern was of a higher grade, or... she came from an ancient heritage specifically dedicated to studying the stellar path.

  And both possibilities meant... he was no longer the only Star Pattern bearer.

  This three-thousand-year bloody net was finally lifting its first corner before his eyes.

  Ten years of enduring humiliation, three years of arduous cultivation, countless struggles at the edge of life and death, had all led to today's awakening. But Lin Chen never imagined that behind the Star Pattern lurked such profound darkness. Netherworld Palace, the Nine Star Pattern Ancestors, the Chaos Rift, the Stellar Tower... each of these words struck like a heavy hammer against his heart. Had father, too, once stood on a cliffside like this, gazing at the starry sky, pondering the same questions? Perhaps from the moment the Star Pattern awakened, the fate of father and son had already been decidedthey were either hunters, or... prey.

  Just as Lin Chen sank into contemplation, faint footsteps sounded behind him. Not like Shi Meng's heavy stomping vibrations, nor Liu Ruyan's ethereal lightness, but rather... as quiet as moonlight spilling upon the ground.

  Lin Chen didn't turn, but every muscle in his body tensed instantly.

  Because he sensed itthe Star Pattern on his brow was violently trembling!

  The resonance was ten times stronger than during the day!

  "So you are here." A cold female voice rang out, like icy spring water striking stone.

  Lin Chen slowly turned around.

  Beneath the moonlight, the black-clad girl stood quietly thirty feet away, her slender form almost merging with the night. But her eyes were astonishingly brightnot the silvery white of starlight, but a deep, dark purple that seemed capable of swallowing all light. She still wore that simple black combat outfit, without any adornments, yet her aura was more mysterious, more... dangerous than during the day.

  "Yue Liuli?" Lin Chen spoke, his voice calm, but his right hand quietly clenched. The Chaos Star Vortex in his dantian accelerated its rotation, nine-attribute source spirit qi poised to erupt. Although the other was also a Star Pattern bearer, friend or foe remained unclear, so he had to remain vigilant.

  The black-clad girlYue Liulinodded slightly. "It's me." She took two steps forward, stopping ten feet from Lin Chen. This distance was already an extremely dangerous close range for cultivators. But she seemed completely unconcerned, or rather... she possessed absolute confidence in her ability to protect herself under any circumstances.

  "Thank you for your warning earlier today." Lin Chen looked directly into her eyes, trying to glean something from them, but those dark purple eyes were like deep pools, undisturbed. "The Netherworld Soul-devouring Poison... has Poison Elder truly prepared such a poison?"

  Yue Liuli didn't answer directly. She raised her right hand, a point of dark purple light appearing at her fingertip. The light differed from Lin Chen's silvery starlightit was more restrained, more profound, as if containing some ultimate yin energy. But Lin Chen could clearly sense that it was indeed stellar power, only... of a completely different nature.

  "Star Patterns are divided into nine grades, corresponding to nine stellar attributes." Yue Liuli said slowly. "Your Star Pattern is 'Chaos Stellar,' grade... approximately sixth. My Star Pattern is 'Dark Moon Star Pattern,' grade... eighth."

  Eighth grade!

  "What does eighth grade mean?" Lin Chen suppressed the shock in his heart and asked solemnly.

  "It means I can sense the presence of Star Patterns of sixth grade and below, but you cannot." Yue Liuli's fingertip light flowed, sketching a simple star chart in the night sky. "In ancient times, the nine Star Pattern grades corresponded to the nine celestial stars; higher-grade bearers naturally suppressed lower-grade ones. But this suppression isn't absolutein history, there were sixth-grade Star Pattern bearers who overthrew eighth-grade ones." She paused. "Because what truly decides victory is never grade, but... will."

  Lin Chen's heart shook. Nine Star Pattern grades, first grade highest, ninth grade lowest. His Chaos Stellar Body was already a rare ancient constitution, yet it was only sixth grade? How powerful, then, must Yue Liuli's eighth-grade Star Pattern be? And more importantly... what does the difference in Star Pattern grade signify?

  "The difference in grade isn't a difference in power, but... a difference in mission." Yue Liuli seemed to see through Lin Chen's thoughts, dispersing the light at her fingertip. "Higher-grade Star Pattern bearers can sense the presence of lower-grade ones, but not vice versa. So I can find you, but you... cannot actively find me."

  Lin Chen was silent for a moment. "So what is your purpose in finding me?"

  "Cooperation." Yue Liuli uttered two words, her tone firm. "I need your strength, and you need my information. We share a common enemyNetherworld Palace."

  "Netherworld Palace?" Lin Chen frowned. "You mean Poison Elder?"

  "Not just Poison Elder." Yue Liuli shook her head. "Netherworld Palace is a force founded by one of the Nine Star Pattern Ancestorsthe Netherworld Ancestordedicated to hunting other Star Pattern bearers, seizing their Star Pattern essences to feed the ancestor's cultivation. Poison Elder is merely one of their underlings; what's truly fearsome is... the Valley Master of Netherworld Palace's Azure Cloud Branch, and... the Nine Ancestors behind them."

  The Nine Star Pattern Ancestors!

  Lin Chen's mind flashed with information from the Star Pattern stone tabletin ancient times, the nine most powerful Star Pattern bearers betrayed their peers, establishing nine great powers and initiating the three-thousand-year hunting history. They were called the "Nine Ancestors," the greatest enemies of Star Pattern bearers.

  "How do you know all this?" Lin Chen pressed.

  "Because I am the Saintess of Star Moon Sect." Yue Liuli said calmly. "Star Moon Sect is the legacy left by the ancient 'Star Moon Ancestor,' generations guarding the Chaos Rift, preventing the infiltration of the Nine Ancestors' forces into the lower realms. We hold the secrets of the Star Pattern network and monitor the movements of all Star Pattern bearers."

  She paused, then added: "Your father Lin Xiaotian was secretly protected by Star Moon Sect back then, which allowed him to evade Netherworld Palace's first encirclement. But he insisted on going to Meteorite Valley to search for the Stellar Tower key, ultimately... falling into a trap."

  Father!

  Lin Chen's breath hitched. "You know my father?"

  "I don't, but the sect has records of him." Yue Liuli took out a purple jade pendant from her bosom and tossed it to Lin Chen. "This is the token he left with Star Moon Sect, saying that if one day his son awakened the Star Pattern, this should be given to him."

  Lin Chen caught the pendant. Warm to the touch, it emitted faint stellar fluctuations. On the front of the pendant was carved the character for "Chen", while the back bore intricate star chart patterns. He attempted to inject a strand of stellar power into it, and the pendant immediately lit up, projecting a line of illusory text:

  "Chen'er, if you see this message, it means you have awakened the Star Pattern, and also... that I may no longer be here. Do not grieve, do not seek revenge, live well. The Star Pattern is both a curse and a hope. Rememberthe Chaos Rift must not be opened, the Stellar Tower key must not fall into the hands of the Nine Ancestors. If you have questions, seek assistance from Star Moon Sect."

  The text ended there, but that familiar, warm aura belonging to father made Lin Chen's eyes slightly moist.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Ten years.

  He had finally "heard" father's voice again.

  Though only a recorded message, the care, worry, and helplessness within were utterly real.

  Lin Chen clenched the pendant, took a deep breath, and suppressed his emotions. Now was not the time for sorrow. "Father said the Chaos Rift must not be opened, the Stellar Tower key must not fall into the hands of the Nine Ancestors. But Poison Elder and the others seem intent on opening the Chaos Rift?"

  "Correct." Yue Liuli's expression turned grave. "Netherworld Palace has already grasped the method to open the Chaos Riftsacrificing the essence blood and souls of a hundred cultivators, using Netherworld Demonic Arts as a guide, forcibly tearing the spatial barrier. Once the rift opens, extradimensional chaos beings will flood into the lower realms, and then... all living beings will suffer."

  She looked at Lin Chen. "And their sacrificial targets include... you on the arena tomorrow, as well as the other thirty-one participating disciples."

  Lin Chen's pupils sharply contracted. "They're going to sacrifice all the participants?!"

  "Yes." Yue Liuli nodded. "This is Steward Zhao's deal with Netherworld Palacehe provides the venue and disciples, Netherworld Palace provides techniques and resources. Tomorrow's arena tournament final round, Poison Elder will arrange a Netherworld Sacrificial Array on the arena, trapping all the disciples within, using their lives as the price to forcibly open the Chaos Rift."

  "And your Star Pattern is the core of the sacrifice." Yue Liuli added. "The essence of the Chaos Stellar Body can greatly enhance the sacrificial effect, making the rift open more stably. That's why Poison Elder specifically requested to battle youhe not only wants to kill you, but also use your Star Pattern to complete the final step of the sacrifice."

  Lin Chen felt a chill throughout his body.

  Not from fear, but from... rage.

  Steward Zhao had gone mad to such an extent?!

  Using the lives of over a hundred sect disciples in exchange for Netherworld Palace's rewards?

  Was this still a steward of the Azure Cloud Sect?!

  This was worse than demonic cultivators!

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Lin Chen stared at Yue Liuli. "If Star Moon Sect knows all this, why not intervene directly to stop it?"

  "Because we cannot." Yue Liuli gave a bitter smile. "Star Moon Sect is bound by an ancient oath, forbidden from directly interfering in the internal affairs of lower realm sects. We can only secretly provide information, seek allies, and rely on allies to prevent the disaster. And you... are the ally we've chosen in the Azure Cloud Sect."

  She paused, her tone serious. "Lin Chen, although your Chaos Stellar Body isn't of high grade, its potential is immense. If you can grow, perhaps in the future you can become a key force in resisting the Nine Ancestors. So we don't want to see you die at the hands of Netherworld Palace."

  "But with my strength alone, how can I possibly oppose Poison Elder and the entire Netherworld branch?" Lin Chen said solemnly. "Even if I know their plan, my current power..."

  "You don't need to face this alone." Yue Liuli interrupted him. "Tomorrow's arena tournament, I will appear as a participant. If Poison Elder dares activate the sacrificial array, I will use Star Moon Sect secret arts to interfere with the formation. And what you need to do is... in the moment the interference takes effect, defeat Poison Elder."

  "Defeat Poison Elder?" Lin Chen frowned. "He's at Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 3, while I'm only at Condensation Stage Level 8 peak. Even if I break through on the spot to Spiritual Light Realm, there's still a whole major realm gap. How can I defeat him?"

  Yue Liuli smiled.

  That smile held an indescribable mystery.

  "Because... on you, there is a contingency plan left by your father."

  She raised her right hand, a complex purple magic circle appearing in her palm. "Back when Lin Xiaotian went to Meteorite Valley, he entrusted Star Moon Sect with a 'Stellar Seal.' Within it is sealed thirty percent of his stellar power at his peak. Now... it's time to return it to its rightful owner."

  As the words fell, the purple magic circle suddenly expanded, enveloping Lin Chen!

  Lin Chen instinctively wanted to resist, but the Star Pattern on his brow transmitted a strong desireas if the power contained within that magic circle was originally his!

  "Relax your mind, accept it." Yue Liuli's voice was solemn. "This seal will temporarily merge with your Star Pattern, erupting at the critical moment, helping you cross the boundary barrier, briefly possessing the battle strength of Spiritual Light Realm·Moon Radiance Stage. But rememberyou only have thirty breaths of time. Thirty breaths later, when the seal's power is exhausted, you will fall into a weakened state."

  "You must defeat Poison Elder within thirty breaths!"

  The purple magic circle blazed with light, transforming into countless points of light that surged into Lin Chen's brow!

  As the purple light points poured into his brow, Lin Chen suddenly saw a sceneit was father from ten years ago, Lin Xiaotian. He stood before a majestic star stele, nine-colored radiance flowing around him, his expression solemn and resolute. "Chen'er, father's departure, the return date unknown. This seal, left for the day of your awakening." Father's voice seemed to cross time and space, warm and firm. "Remember, stellar power is not a tool for slaughter, but the conviction to protect. Only when you understand this can you truly master it." The scene dissipated, but that conviction was deeply imprinted within Lin Chen's soul.

  Boom!!!

  Lin Chen felt as if a star had exploded in his mind!

  A vast, ocean-like stellar power surged like a bursting dam into his meridians, dantian! That power's purity, its immensity, surpassed his current Chaos Star Vortex by a hundred times!

  That was... father's power!

  Thirty percent of Lin Xiaotian's stellar power at his peak!

  Though only thirty percent, for a Condensation Stage cultivator, it was an unimaginable astronomical amount!

  Lin Chen's body trembled violently under the moonlight. Intricate silver patterns surfaced on his skina sign of stellar power overload. But he clenched his teeth, frantically operating the "Chaos Stellar Scripture," guiding this external force to merge with his own Chaos Star Vortex.

  This process was excruciatingly painful, as if a red-hot hammer was pounding into his dantian. But he endured.

  Because this was father's gift to him.

  And also... the only hope to defeat Poison Elder!

  After an unknown amount of time, the purple light gradually dispersed.

  Lin Chen knelt on one knee, gasping heavily, sweat drenching his entire body. But the Star Pattern on his brow was now more brilliant, more solid than before! Even... faint dark purple patterns had emergeda remnant of Yue Liuli's Dark Moon Star Pattern power.

  "The seal fusion succeeded." Yue Liuli withdrew her hand, her face slightly pale, clearly having expended considerable effort. "Now, within your Star Pattern lies a 'Stellar Burst' secret technique. Tomorrow on the arena, when you're in dire straits, use your soul to activate the Star Pattern, and you can temporarily obtain the power of Spiritual Light Realm·Moon Radiance Stage."

  She paused, reminding gravely: "But after thirty breaths, you will be completely drained, losing fighting capability. So... it must be a single decisive strike."

  Lin Chen slowly stood up, sensing that dormant, volcano-like power within him.

  Though not yet erupted, the sense of being able to destroy heaven and earth at any moment filled him with unprecedented confidence.

  Poison Elder?

  Spiritual Light Realm Level 3?

  In the face of father's power... that's nothing!

  "I understand." Lin Chen nodded, his gaze firm. "Tomorrow on the arena, I will... kill Poison Elder."

  "Not just kill Poison Elder." Yue Liuli shook her head. "You must also destroy the sacrificial array, save the other disciples. Otherwise, once the sacrifice is completed, the rift opens, the entire Azure Cloud Sect will become hell."

  She looked toward the distant outline of the Azure Cloud Mountains, her voice low. "This is war between Star Moon Sect and Netherworld Palace, and also... war between all Star Pattern bearers and the Nine Ancestors. And you, Lin Chen, are already in it."

  Lin Chen fell silent.

  He knew Yue Liuli spoke the truth.

  From the moment the Star Pattern awakened, he had already stepped into this three-thousand-year bloody net.

  There was no escape, no hiding.

  Only... killing a path through!

  "One last question." Lin Chen suddenly spoke. "Why choose me? Star Moon Sect should have other allies, even... higher-grade Star Pattern bearers."

  Yue Liuli looked deeply at him.

  Within those dark purple eyes flashed a trace of complex emotion.

  "Because... your Chaos Stellar Body is the only constitution capable of simultaneously containing nine stellar attributes." She said slowly. "And the balance of nine stellar attributes is the key to opening the 'Stellar Tower.'"

  "The Stellar Tower?" Lin Chen's heart shook. "The Stellar Tower mentioned in father's letter?"

  "Yes." Yue Liuli nodded. "The Stellar Tower is the ultimate heritage site of the ancient stellar civilization; legend says it holds the secret to transcend the nine grades and surpass the Star Pattern. The Nine Ancestors hunt other Star Pattern bearers so frantically precisely to gather the essences of the nine attributes, forcibly open the Stellar Tower."

  She paused. "But your Chaos Stellar Body, born with the potential for nine-attribute balance. This means... you may be the only existence that can naturally open the Stellar Tower without hunting others."

  "Thus, the forces of the Nine Ancestors... will never let you go."

  "Thus, Star Moon Sect... must protect you."

  "Thus, our cooperation... is not a choice, but an inevitability."

  Lin Chen took a deep breath.

  He finally understood.

  Why Steward Zhao and Netherworld Palace were so fixated on him.

  Why father was trapped in the space-time turbulence.

  Why Star Moon Sect proactively sought him out.

  Everything revolves around... the Stellar Tower!

  That legendary ancient heritage!

  The secret that can transcend the nine grades, surpass the Star Pattern!

  And his Chaos Stellar Body is the... key to open this door!

  "I see." Lin Chen clenched his fists, silvery light burning in his eyes. "Then let Netherworld Palace come."

  "Let the Nine Ancestors come."

  "I will use father's power, use my own fists, tell them"

  "This key isn't something they can take!"

  Yue Liuli looked at this youth before her, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.

  Though his cultivation was still shallow, though his situation was perilous, that unyielding flame in his eyes allowed her to see... hope.

  Hope of resisting the Nine Ancestors.

  Hope of ending the three-thousand-year hunting history.

  "Tomorrow on the arena, I'll be secretly supporting from the shadows." Yue Liuli turned, her figure gradually merging into the night. "Rememberthirty breaths, one decisive strike."

  As the words fell, she completely vanished.

  Only leaving a faint wisp of dark purple starlight, slowly dissipating in the night sky.

  Lin Chen stood in place, gazing toward the distant outline of the Azure Cloud Mountains.

  Tomorrow, the second day of the arena tournament.

  He would face Poison Elder, face Netherworld Palace's sacrificial conspiracy, face... the first eruption of father's power.

  This battle not only concerns life and death, but also... whether he can tear the first opening in this bloody net.

  Whether he can kill a path to survival for father, for himself!

  The starry sky was vast, each star seeming to narrate ancient secrets. Lin Chen looked up, among those flickering points of light, was there one where father was watching him? Or perhaps the legendary Stellar Tower was hidden behind some star, awaiting its true master? He didn't know the answers, but he knewtomorrow's battle wasn't just for himself, but for father, for all Star Pattern bearers hunted by the Nine Ancestors. This war fire would ignite from the Azure Cloud Sect, eventually burning across the nine heavens!

  Tactics gradually clarified in his mind: Poison Elder's Netherworld Soul-devouring Poison must be hidden in concealed weapons or palm winds, requiring early evasion through stellar perception. The sacrificial array's core focal point likely lay at the arena center, needing to be violently destroyed with Starfall Fist. And the most critical strikemust be unleashed the moment Poison Elder activates the sacrificial array, invoking father's seal, annihilating him with overwhelming force. Thirty breaths, not a single breath could be wasted. This wasn't just a battle; it was a race against time, a gamble with fate. And he... couldn't afford to lose.

  The night wind blew, rustling the grass and trees at the cliff's edge.

  Lin Chen closed his eyes, beginning to adjust his state.

  Tomorrow's battle, must... win!