Azure Dragon Immortal Abode, Myriad Stars Hall.
In a boundless sea of stars, Han Xuanji discovered some of the wonders of this place.
This place seemed to mimic the structure of a Big Dipper Star Domain, with star ruins on some of the stars.
Cultivators needed to comprehend the various star maps within the ruins and unravel their profound methods.
Han Xuanji, however, did not go to comprehend the star maps; instead, he went to a star with the densest Star Power to Cultivate.
His body was bathed in the rich Star Power.
Threads of starlight spontaneously permeated his flesh, nourishing every inch of his body and Divine Soul.
"This place is good, System, sign in!" Han Xuanji thought silently.
The System's prompt sounded calmly.
"Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at the Myriad Stars Hall, obtaining the Immortal Artifact'Star Crown'."
"Star Crown: High Grade Immortal Artifact, a Magic Treasure of Immortal Master Xuanmiao, a Star Envoy of the Star Palace. It can assist in absorbing Star Power, accelerate the speed of refining Star Power, and in combat, it can use Star Power to activate its internal star Restrictions to strengthen oneself."
High Grade Immortal Artifact!
Even though it wasn't the first time Han Xuanji had obtained one, he was still excited.
Low Grade Immortal Artifacts were already considered Sect-guarding treasures by many ancient and long-standing great Sects in the Lower Realm, not to be easily used unless it was a matter of life and death.
As for High Grade Immortal Artifacts... it was probably difficult to find even one in the entire Taixu Spirit Realm. Only those with extraordinary backgrounds possessed them, and normally, such treasures would not be left behind; they would be taken away when Ascending to the Upper Realm.
This Myriad Stars Hall was most likely a Legacy established by this Star Envoy, Immortal Master Xuanmiao, who descended to the Lower Realm.
According to the Immortals cave Spirit's introduction, the Star Palace was an extremely ancient force even in the Upper Realm, and a Star Envoy was probably not a simple individual. One who could possess a High Grade Immortal Artifact must have a high Realm; even if not a Golden Immortal, they must be a giant at the Profound Immortal level.
That was a Realm he could only look up to at the moment.
However, this did not prevent him from obtaining the other party's Magic Treasure.
With a slight thought, a crown of ancient design, appearing as if entirely made of flowing starlight, appeared before him.
As soon as the Magic Treasure appeared, it emitted an ancient and profound aura.
Han Xuanji pointed his fingers like a sword and placed them on the Magic Treasure.
Buzz!
The Star Crown gently trembled, and the circulating starlight on it suddenly became docile and intimate, as if it had found its true owner.
A surging Star Power fluctuation spread out, causing the entire Myriad Stars Hall's star projections to resonate, and the starlight shone brightly.
Han Xuanji placed the Star Crown on his head. In an instant, he felt his connection with this vast sea of stars become unprecedentedly close.
The Star Power that was already continuously pouring in now seemed to have found the optimal channel, and the speed of refining and absorbing it suddenly increased by several times.
As for the combat amplification...
Han Xuanji's mind stirred slightly, activating a star Restriction within the Star Crown.
An invisible force infused his entire body.
Han Xuanji did not display any earth-shattering Divine Ability, but merely tapped lightly.
Boom!
A pillar of light tore through the Void Realm, piercing through the star river.
"Just activating the first layer of Restriction... there's a 30% increase in strength!" Han Xuanji understood much.
This was by no means a small number. At the Tribulation Transcendence Realm level, every slight increase in strength was extremely difficult. At critical moments of life-and-death combat, even a trace of strength could tip the scales.
Moreover, this was based on his own strength.
And if all seven layers of Restrictions were activated, the amplification of power would be even greater. However, with his current Cultivation, he could at most activate three layers, which was estimated to increase his strength by several times.
This was quite significant.
One must know that this was also a supreme treasure for assisting Cultivation, its value was immeasurable.
"Good stuff," Han Xuanji nodded slightly and continued to Cultivate.
As for everything in the outside world, Han Xuanji was naturally unaware.
The Xia Emperor's visit, to him, held no meaning.
For Cultivators above the Undergoing Tribulation Realm, the change of Dynasties was merely fleeting. For Han Xuanji, he still had some affection for the Sect, having lived there for so many years.
But honestly, he didn't know much about the Great Xia Dynasty.
Although his previous self was born within the Great Xia's territory, it was within the Shenxuan Sect's protected area, and even Great Xia officials did not have much control over that region.
And this time, his intervention was not originally intended to protect the Great Xia Dynasty.
...
Outside.
The Xia Emperor learned that Han Xuanji was in seclusion. Although he regretted not seeing Han Xuanji in person, he discussed many cooperation matters with the Shenxuan Sect's high-ranking officials.
He even referred to the Demon-Slaying Sword Master as the "Great Xia Sword Immortal." Xuan Weizi neither objected nor publicized this.
The Xia Emperor's actions were very clear: he wanted to tie the Demon-Slaying Sword Master and the Shenxuan Sect to the Great Xia Dynasty.
Xuan Weizi, however, saw further than the Xia Emperor. He knew that with Han Xuanji's talent, he might be able to Ascend to the Upper Realm in not too long. Therefore, they needed to consider future development, and establishing friendly relations with the Great Xia Dynasty was a very good choice.
...
Beyond the Nine Provinces, in the endless sea.
Tens of millions of miles away from the Nine Provinces Continent.
A giant island, surrounded by archipelagos, lay like the back of a huge beast.
In the center of the island stood a massive palace.
The palace was resplendent, adorned with numerous Spirit Gathering Formations, continuously drawing the power of the entire island's Spiritual Veins.
A tall, muscular figure, with muscles bulging like Dragons, sat cross-legged.
It was Lin Jingqiu, the leader of the Absolute Heaven Alliance.
At this moment, dark red Qi currents swirled around him, and crimson secret patterns appeared on his skin. His aura steadily climbed, clearly indicating that he was Cultivating an extremely overbearing Cultivation Technique and making progress.
"Alliance Leader."
The silence in the hall was broken. A strange ripple appeared in the air, and a tall, thin figure arrived outside the hall.
His voice carried a hint of imperceptible panic.
Lin Jingqiu did not open his eyes, merely letting out a muffled hum from his nose, signaling the other party to enter.
The tall, thin man entered the hall, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice:
"The Elders sent to the Nine Provinces Continent have been confirmed to have all perished, and they had no power to resist."
"That Demon-Slaying Sword Master's strength is completely inconsistent with the intelligence. He is not a newly advanced Undergoing Tribulation expert."
"The opponent possesses at least Late Stage Tribulation Transcendence Realm strength, and even among Late Stage Tribulation Transcendence Realm Cultivators, he is definitely a powerhouse. We were all deceived!"
"Hmm?" Lin Jingqiu suddenly opened his eyes, incredulous.
"What did you say?" His voice was filled with shock and anger.
"I merely took a nap, and such a blunder occurred?
Wasn't it said that the Shenxuan Sect had shallow foundations and there was a ninety-nine percent chance of success?"
His massive body leaned slightly forward, and a suffocating gaze locked onto the tall, thin man.
"This..." Cold sweat instantly seeped from the tall, thin man's forehead. Feeling the terrifying pressure, if he didn't have some Cultivation, he might have already fainted.
He replied bitterly:
"Replying... replying, Alliance Leader, this subordinate... this subordinate doesn't know either.
The intelligence collected earlier was obtained through several major intelligence forces. Could it be that these intelligence forces conspired to mislead us?"
His voice was filled with a sense of absurdity and fear.
In reality, their choice of the Shenxuan Sect as a target wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; they had naturally collected a large amount of intelligence beforehand. How could the Demon-Slaying Sword Master, who had just entered the Undergoing Tribulation Realm, grow to such a level in such a short time?
When did Cultivation become so simple?
"Damn it! Ruining my great plan!!!" Lin Jingqiu suddenly stood up, causing the entire stone hall to tremble.
He had received news that an ancient Immortal Legacy would appear in Dongcang Province of the Nine Provinces Continent.
That was a crucial Opportunity for him to advance further and glimpse the Ascension Realm.
Just as his plan was about to succeed, it was ruined by someone who should have been insignificant.
"Demon-Slaying Sword Master..." Lin Jingqiu repeatedly chewed on the name, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
After a long silence, the fierce light in Lin Jingqiu's eyes re-condensed, but with an added hint of ruthless calculation.
Someone who could cause even Middle Stage Tribulation Transcendence Realm Cultivators to die without resistance should be considered a strong individual even among Late Stage Tribulation Transcendence Realm Cultivators.
His own Tribulation Transcendence Realm Eighth Layer Cultivation might not even be able to achieve this.
Now that Spiritual Qi was rising and a great era was about to begin, if he couldn't take the lead, he would fall behind step by step. How could he compete for greater Opportunities?
Lin Jingqiu secretly made up his mind.
At that time, he would definitely make this person pay the price.
Although he was unsure of the other party's origins, such a great enmity had already been forged. How easy would it be to resolve it?
By then, he wanted to see what kind of background this so-called Demon-Slaying Sword Master truly had.
"I wonder if the old geezers from the Dao Heaven Alliance are willing to help, and that Immortal Master Donghai should also be moved by the Immortal Opportunity... Fairy Miaoyin's Master should also act to avenge her disciple."
Lin Jingqiu calculated.
He naturally did not intend to seek revenge alone.
By then, he wanted to see how the Demon-Slaying Sword Master could still turn the tables!