Ancient Star Sage?
If he had guessed correctly, the Ancient Star Sage was the one who created the Star-Gazing Secret Realm. The violent energy contained within the Star Radiance must have originated from the power of the Ancient Star Sage.
He had absorbed the Star Radiance, so that monster sensed the aura of the Ancient Star Sage on him. That was Zhu Ping’an’s conclusion.
With that thought, an idea formed in his mind. He spread his arms and stood directly in front of Yan Shubing.
“Don’t worry about what I am to the Ancient Star Sage! If you have any problem, come at me, you monster. Let my Bingbing go!”
Yan Shubing’s expression changed instantly.
“Brother Ping’an, actually…”
She was about to say that there was no need to drag her into this, but Zhu Ping’an cut her off.
“Bingbing, don’t worry! I will never let you get hurt!”
Yan Shubing fell silent.
The humanoid creature let out a strange laugh. “Hehehe… Is that so? Since you insist, then…”
It raised its already freed left arm and made a grabbing motion. Yan Shubing felt an irresistible force pull her toward it. The creature’s large hand seized her fair neck.
Its blade-like nails gently traced along the delicate skin of her face.
“I suggest you immediately tell me your relationship with the Ancient Star Sage. Otherwise, my patience is limited, and I might accidentally ruin this pretty face.”
Feeling the terrifying sharpness near her skin, Yan Shubing trembled uncontrollably.
“Bingbing, don’t be afraid! I’m coming to save you! Anyone who wants to hurt you must first step over my corpse!” Zhu Ping’an roared in fury, charging forward with the New Moon Sword to fight the creature.
But it was like an ant trying to shake a tree. Before he could even get close, the humanoid monster flicked him away with a single finger.
“Admirable courage, but your strength… is far too weak. I advise you to tell the truth,” the monster mocked openly.
Zhu Ping’an crashed to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth. His face was filled with despair, as if he had been completely defeated.
Only careful observation would reveal the faint curve at the corner of his lips.
The plot would not allow Yan Shubing, the female lead, to die. That meant the humanoid monster would soon die instead. The crisis would be resolved.
Just as Zhu Ping’an was waiting for justice to descend from the heavens, a faint voice sounded in his mind.
“Loyal and righteous, willing to risk your life for the one you love against an enemy far stronger than yourself. People like you are rare. I like that.”
Starlight gathered to form a translucent figure before him. The man wore a simple gray robe embroidered with a golden star emblem on his chest.
His long white hair cascaded to his waist like a waterfall. The star on his chest looked strangely real. Staring at it felt as if one’s soul might be drawn in.
The figure opened his eyes. They were black and seemed to contain all the heavens and stars within them. A gentle smile rested on his face.
“You are… the Ancient Star Sage?!”
Zhu Ping’an was shocked. It had already been more than 300 years since the Star-Gazing Secret Realm was discovered. How many years ago had the Ancient Star Sage lived?
“To be precise, I am merely a fragment of the Ancient Star Sage’s soul. The true Ancient Star Sage has long turned to dust,” the Ancient Star Sage said with a hint of nostalgia.
Zhu Ping’an glanced around and noticed that everyone else’s movements had slowed dramatically, and none of them seemed aware of the Ancient Star Sage’s presence.
“This is a dimensional space constructed by my soul power. Time flows differently here,” the Ancient Star Sage explained, seeing Zhu Ping’an’s confusion. Then he asked directly, “Little Ping’an, are you willing to accept my inheritance?” This story is hosted at g.com.
“Huh?” Zhu Ping’an froze. He had thought a powerful expert would appear to kill the monster. Instead, it turned out the powerful expert was meant to be him?
“What do you mean ‘huh’? Are you unwilling?” the Ancient Star Sage asked with a smile.
“Willing, willing!” Zhu Ping’an nodded repeatedly. Who would refuse an opportunity delivered to their door? His eyes reddened as he dropped to his knees with a thud. “I need strength! I need the strength to save Bingbing! Please, Senior, help me. As long as there is even a sliver of hope, I am willing to try.”
“Good! Since you have such determination, I will help you. It will also help me settle the karma from ten thousand years ago.”
The Ancient Star Sage sighed softly.
“The technique I cultivated is called the Nine Revolutions Stellar Art. It absorbs the power of the stars from across the heavens and fuses them into one’s body. One revolution reshapes a world; nine revolutions transform into the stars themselves. The dangers within are beyond description. Are you certain you wish to cultivate it?”
“I am certain! I will never regret it!” Zhu Ping’an nodded firmly. The technique he was currently practicing was merely the basic breathing method provided for free by the Grand Xia Empire. No matter what, the Nine Revolutions Stellar Art had to be stronger than that.
The Ancient Star Sage fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“You boy, you have a bit of my infatuated spirit from back then!”
He pointed a finger at Zhu Ping’an’s forehead. A vast torrent of information surged into his mind.
“Little Ping’an, rest assured. Although the success rate of cultivating the Nine Revolutions Stellar Art is only one in ten thousand, you will definitely succeed!”
“Why is that?” Zhu Ping’an could not help asking. Was it because he possessed extraordinary talent far beyond ordinary people?
Just as Zhu Ping’an prepared to hear praise about himself, the Ancient Star Sage said calmly, “Before you, I found 9,999 inheritors and tried to pass on the Nine Revolutions Stellar Art, but they all exploded and died. So by the time it reaches you, it is bound to succeed!”
Zhu Ping’an fell silent.