It was merely a name yet it made Lou Xingyao feel an endless and indescribable sense of mystery.
At the same time, a great deal of information related to the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique also surfaced in Lou Xingyao’s mind.
Just from the name alone, it was clear that this cultivation art specialized in the power of the stars. Not only could one draw in and refine the power of the stars for one’s own use but if cultivated to its highest realm, one could even transform directly into a vast and boundless sea of stars.
At that point, the cultivator and the star-sea would merge completely. Wherever the stars reached, the cultivator could reach. Wherever the stars existed, the cultivator existed. Whatever the stars witnessed, the cultivator could witness… As long as the stars did not perish, the cultivator would not fall.
Even with just a rough understanding, one could immediately tell that this cultivation method was extraordinary and formidable.
From the newly-appeared information, Lou Xingyao also learned the origins of this inheritance,
This technique had once been the guardian treasure of an ancient sect known as the Myriad Heaven Sect. Even in the age of the ancient era, where countless powerful beings walked the earth, those who cultivated this scripture were almost invincible. Even when facing an opponent far stronger than themselves, they could still retreat unscathed with their lives intact.
Precisely because of this, the existence of this scripture inevitably drew the covetous eyes of many great powers. The colossal sect was reduced to rubble in an instant when it was besieged by tens of thousands.
The disciples within the sect were captured and tortured, each one subjected to cruel interrogation in an attempt to pry out even the smallest fragment of information related to the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique.
In the end, only one person survived, a cultivator who had achieved only a small attainment in the star-based technique. Relying on sheer, formidable strength and at the cost of sustaining grievous injuries, that person forced a bloody path through the encirclement and escaped.
Yet even so, the survivor’s foundation had been damaged during the siege. Their lifespan was irreversibly shortened and they could no longer continue living for long.
Regarding the scripture that had brought about the destruction of the entire sect, this person originally intended to destroy it entirely. However, unwilling for the sect’s legacy to vanish completely after their own death, they ultimately chose instead to seal the technique within a jade slip.
Because they refused to let the scripture fall into the hands of their enemies, this person also placed numerous restrictions when leaving behind the inheritance.
The first and most crucial requirement was that the one receiving the inheritance must have no past enmity or entanglement with those who had devastated the sect.
The second requirement was that the recipient must be someone who had not yet entered the Dao.
This was because the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique required the use of star-power from the very first step of drawing qi into the body. If one had already practiced other methods, the different energies would inevitably clash with the star-power.
When that moment came, the conflicting energies would collide violently within the body, at best leading to deviation and the collapse of one’s cultivation path and at worst causing the body to explode on the spot.
The final requirement was that the one receiving the inheritance must successfully pass the scripture’s own test.
Yes, this ancient cultivation method carried its own threshold for practitioners and the barrier was not low. Even during the height of the Myriad Heaven Sect, only a handful were ever able to pass the scripture’s trial and cultivate it smoothly.
If not for this, the sect would not have been so utterly powerless in the face of disaster; they would not have lacked even the chance to flee and they would not have been exterminated so completely.
As for the trial of the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique, it was none other than the sea of stars Lou Xingyao had encountered when he accepted the inheritance.
If one could not regain clarity within that endless star-sea, could not perceive and reclaim one’s true self, then they were fated to have no affinity with this scripture. Even if one attempted to cultivate it by force, the overwhelming star-power would eventually consume them, turning them into a single speck of starlight within the boundless sea of stars, their true self gradually dissolving and disappearing.
In the Myriad Heaven Sect, every disciple who accepted the trial did so under the watchful protection of the sect’s elders. With the elders guarding them, even if the one undergoing the test became lost within the star-sea, they could be awakened in time and would not end up perishing with their soul extinguished.
Realizing this, a cold layer of sweat instantly broke out along Lou Xingyao’s back. It had been that close, just a single step away. If he hadn’t seen that planet so similar to Earth, he might truly have never awakened again!
However, Lou Xingyao also understood that this outcome had not been the intention of the one who had left the inheritance behind.
The Myriad Heavenly Star Technique was an ancient, heaven-defying cultivation method. It was not something that could be recorded by human means. The person who left the inheritance behind had merely extracted the vessel that contained the technique and forcefully sealed it within a jade slip.
Such a seal had never been truly stable in the first place and now, after countless tens of thousands of years since the destruction of the Myriad Heaven Sect, the already-unstable seal had grown even more fragile and loose.
The only reason the jade slip had survived until now was due to the medicine cabinet’s powerful time-stasis ability. Unfortunately, Lou Xingyao had taken the jade slip out of that cabinet.
The moment the fragile seal came into contact with the spiritual qi of the outside world, it dissolved instantly. The cyan-colored streak of light that burst forth was the very vessel formed from the power of myriad stars, the carrier of the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique.
All things possessed a trace of spirit; the star-power that made up the vessel was no exception. Even if its consciousness was faint, blurry and not yet fully formed, when faced with the threat of annihilation, the scripture instinctively attempted to survive by merging with Lou Xingyao.
Lou Xingyao quietly sensed his own body and in an instant he detected that at the location of his dantian, a faint trace of star-power had appeared.
At the same time, a vague premonition surfaced in his heart. If he were to draw qi into his body right now, he would be able to use this trace of star-power as a foundation and directly step into Foundation Establishment.
Lou Xingyao’s heart wavered for only the briefest instant before he abandoned the temptation, not only because his meridian problem had yet to be solved but also because of the importance of the Qi Refining stage to a cultivator.
Though Qi Refining was merely the threshold for mortals to step into the ranks of cultivators, it was like the foundation of a house. How tall and stable the future building could be depended entirely on how solidly that foundation was laid.
To use this star-power to forcefully build his foundation would be no different from pulling up seedlings to make them grow faster. His future path would inevitably be limited. It would be far better to progress step by steady step on his own.
Just as this thought settled, another realization rose within his heart. After he succeeded in drawing qi into his body, this star-power could gradually merge with the star-power he cultivated himself, fusing slowly over time until it became completely his.
This star-power came from ancient times and contained many profound mysteries long since lost to the world.
If he fused with it, not only could he increase his cultivation without harming his foundation but he could also elevate the quality of the star-power within his body. His own star-power would gradually take on the breath and essence of ancient star-force. It was a benefit with endless long-term potential and that was the correct way this star-power was meant to be used.
After realizing this, Lou Xingyao felt his connection with the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique grow even deeper, intertwining with him more closely than before.
“As expected of a heaven-defying cultivation art from ancient times. Even its trial was so unpredictable and insidious.”
A fleeting thought brushed through Lou Xingyao’s mind.
He already understood now that the sudden urge in his mind, to use the star-power to leap directly into Foundation Establishment, had been part of the scripture’s test.
He had no doubts at all: had he truly followed that impulse, he would have forever lost the subsequent chapters of the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique meant to be cultivated after entering Foundation Establishment.
No wonder people always said a cultivator must cultivate their heart. He had not even entered the Dao yet and had already encountered so many temptations. Once he fully stepped onto the path of cultivation, such situations would surely only become more common. He could never allow himself to lower his guard again.
As Lou Xingyao silently warned himself, he turned over and sat up on the bed.
Although he had no watch or other device to check the exact time, judging from the position of the sun, he could roughly tell that it was early in the chen hour, around seven in the morning.
Yesterday, Lou Shaohui had specifically emphasized that Madam He would set off today and repeatedly warned him not to be late. Now, the time seemed to be almost upon him.
Even with the spatial pocket in his possession and even after obtaining the Myriad Heavenly Star Technique, Lou Xingyao still had no intention of fleeing the marriage.
After all, all he had gained was spatial storage and a cultivation method. He hadn’t suddenly been bathed in spiritual energy and transformed into a Golden Core cultivator overnight.
Unless he planned to hide in space forever and never show his face again, he would never escape the joint search of the Lou and He families’ Golden Core experts. The consequences were obvious.
And if, during his escape, he accidentally revealed the existence of the space… the situation would be far worse. At that point, it wouldn’t just be a single Golden Core expert from the He family hunting him down.
After weighing the pros and cons for only a moment, Lou Xingyao decided it was better to follow the He family’s arrangements for now.
Besides, the space was not entirely useless to the marriage situation. Since the well water had the ability to strengthen the body and reinforce meridians, it might very well help repair damaged meridians too.
When the opportunity arose, if the effect proved real, he might even be able to use it to strike a deal with Young Master Zhou, treating the man’s meridians in exchange for a peaceful separation, a clean break where both sides could part on good terms.
He only didn’t know what sort of temperament that Young Master Zhou possessed. If he happened to be…
“Dong! dong! dong! ”
Just as Lou Xingyao was deep in thought, the repeated knocking at the door abruptly shattered his concentration.
“Steward Lou? Why are you here?” When he opened the door and saw who stood outside, a flicker of surprise flashed across Lou Xingyao’s eyes. He had assumed Steward Lou would, at most, send a young maid over like yesterday. Who would have thought he would personally come instead?
“I have come under the clan head’s orders to escort the Fifth Young Master.” Steward Lou cupped his hands with the same smiling expression he had worn yesterday. “May I ask if the Fifth Young Master is fully prepared?”
“Then I’ll trouble Steward Lou.” Lou Xingyao nodded slightly. Coincidentally, he had just finished washing up right before Steward Lou knocked.
“Guuuu!”
But to Lou Xingyao’s embarrassment, the moment he nodded, his stomach let out an extremely loud growl, followed by a wave of hunger that shot straight up to his brain.
Only then did he suddenly remember that ever since he transmigrated yesterday, he hadn’t eaten a single bite.
Before Lou Shaohui called for him, he had no time to eat. After returning, his mind had been entirely consumed with the marriage agreement, the original plot and the spatial pocket, leaving him in no mood to think about food.
Earlier just now, after washing up, he ran straight into Steward Lou coming to fetch him, naturally, he forgot all about it again.
“It is my oversight. However, the clan head’s instructions cannot be delayed, so I could only ask Young Master to endure for a short while.”
Steward Lou clearly hadn’t expected such a situation either; the smile he always maintained froze for a brief second but he recovered quickly, reaching to his waist pouch and taking out a small jade bottle, which he respectfully offered to Lou Xingyao.
“What is this?”
Lou Xingyao looked at the jade bottle, already guessing what it might be.
“This is a Fasting Pill. After taking it, you will feel full and its effects last for ten days.”
Steward Lou explained with a smile. The Fasting Pill was one of the very few types of pills that even ordinary mortals could safely consume.
His guess confirmed, Lou Xingyao reached out and accepted the jade bottle. He poured out a single reddish-brown pill and placed it directly into his mouth.
The pill was faintly fragrant with herbal sweetness and melted the moment it touched his tongue. Within breaths, it transformed into a warm current that flowed into his empty, rumbling stomach.
The tormenting hollowness that had made his head swim dissipated completely under the warmth.
As expected of a cultivator’s pill, truly miraculous. Lou Xingyao couldn’t help glancing twice at the small jade bottle in his hand. However, he soon withdrew his gaze and handed the bottle back to Steward Lou.
“Thank you, Steward Lou.”
“Young Master should keep the remaining Fasting Pills. They may be useful later.”
Steward Lou did not reach out to take the bottle back. Instead, he stepped slightly aside, motioning for Lou Xingyao to begin moving. His wording was polite but the hidden meaning was instantly clear to Lou Xingyao.
Use it when needed? He was about to leave with Madam He in a moment, what other situation could require such a pill?
Judging from Madam He’s hurried demeanor the previous day, the marriage date agreed upon by the two families must already be extremely close. Their journey to Canglan City would likely be rushed, traveling day and night without pause.
Under such circumstances, there would be no time for cooking meals. If the journey took more than ten days, once the pill’s effect wore off, he couldn’t possibly go to Madam He asking for another Fasting Pill.
Even if he didn’t mind losing face, the Lou family certainly couldn’t afford to.
It was better this way, Steward Lou offering a small gesture of goodwill now saved everyone from future embarrassment.
Lou Xingyao no longer refused. He tucked the jade bottle into his chest and followed the steward through the estate, eventually arriving at the rear mountain of the Lou family grounds.
They were leaving soon… so why head toward the back mountain?
Just as confusion rose in Lou Xingyao’s heart, he lifted his eyes and froze.
On the open clearing connected to the rear mountain stood a massive bird with black-green feathers.
The creature towered at nearly five meters in height. Its head resembled that of a predatory eagle; its hooked beak curved downward sharply and its piercing eyes glimmered coldly like shards of steel.
Every subtle movement of its head sent a chill running down Lou Xingyao’s spine, making him feel as though, in the very next second, this enormous bird could snap him into pieces with those talon-like claws as hard as forged iron.
The oppressive aura rolling off the creature was so overwhelming that Lou Xingyao involuntarily took two steps backward.
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[Translator]
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · Lu XioaWuChapter 3 · UncleChapter 4 · Substitute MarriageChapter 5 · Travelling Through BookChapter 6 · SpaceChapter 7 · InheritanceChapter 8 · ExplanationChapter 9 · He familyChapter 10 · CompensateChapter 11 · WeddingChapter 12 · LeavingChapter 13 · SuspicionChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 15 · SummaryChapter 16 · Family BusinessChapter 17 · ResettlementChapter 18 · DeterminationChapter 19 · TreatChapter 20 · Enter the TaoChapter 21 · Private TrainingChapter 22 · BreakthroughChapter 23 · ExperienceChapter 24 Part 1 · Questions and AnswersChapter 24 Part 2 · Questions and answersChapter 25 · GiftChapter 25 Part 1 · GiftChapter 26 Part 1 · Sword IntentChapter 26 Part 2 · Sword IntentChapter 27 Part 1 · SelectChapter 27 Part 2 · SelectChapter 28 Part 1 · PastChapter 28 Part 2 · PastChapter 29 Part 1 · ConfessionChapter 29 Part 2 · ConfessionChapter 30 Part 1 · TradeChapter 30 Part 2 · TradeChapter 31 Part 1 · Male LeadChapter 31 Part 2 · Male LeadChapter 32 Part 1 · LuckChapter 32 Part 2 · LuckChapter 33 Part 1 · GuessingChapter 33 Part 2 · GuessingChapter 34 Part 1 · SystemChapter 34 Part 2 · SystemChapter 35 · OpportunityChapter 36 Part 1 · LingquanChapter 36 Part 2 · LingquanChapter 37 Part 1 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 37 Part 2 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 38 · Worth itChapter 39 · SaintessChapter 40 · ExperimentChapter 41 · Vampire SystemChapter 42 · NotesChapter 43 · WarningChapter 44 · PlanChapter 45 · Fellow VillagersChapter 46 · AssimilationChapter 47 · IlliterateChapter 48 · Pak WahChapter 49 · Sudden EnlightenmentChapter 50 · Wen ZhiChapter 51 · CarrierChapter 52 · LeavingChapter 53 · Follow UpChapter 54 · OutrageousChapter 55 · OnceChapter 56 · TeasingChapter 57 · Playing aroundChapter 58 · Beast fireChapter 59 · Watching a PlayChapter 60 · Extermination of the entire clanChapter 61 · ChoiceChapter 62 · PossessionChapter 63 · CalculationChapter 64 · GuaranteedChapter 65 · Grand OpeningChapter 66 · Grand OpeningChapter 67 · Protecting one’s ownChapter 68 · Secret RealmChapter 69 · BetrayalChapter 70 · DetailsChapter 71 · FramedChapter 72 · MeetingChapter 73 · KillChapter 74 · MapChapter 75 · FoundationChapter 76 · Strange Phenomenon!Chapter 77 · ExchangeChapter 78 · LetterChapter 79 · ShortcutChapter 80 · God of Slaughter!Chapter 81 · Poison PillChapter 82 · Lou ShuChapter 83 · ProgressChapter 84 · An attemptChapter 85 · Movement and StillnessChapter 86 · Good intentionsChapter 87 · ChangeChapter 88 · Childhood friendChapter 89 · ThoughtsChapter 90 · Old storiesChapter 91 · HeritageChapter 92 · TestChapter 93 · LoverChapter 94 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 95 · MasterChapter 96 · TeachingChapter 97 · IllusionChapter 98 · Mutual RestraintChapter 99 · ObstructionChapter 100 · PalaceChapter 101 · Core TechniqueChapter 102 · OathChapter 103 · Dual cultivationChapter 104 · AccessChapter 105 · VulnerabilityChapter 106 · DensityChapter 107 · WantedChapter 108 · EntrustChapter 109 · RevisitChapter 110 · MonitoringChapter 111 · Secret RealmChapter 112 · NourishChapter 113 · InventoryChapter 114 · Get Rich QuicklyChapter 115 · ElderChapter 116 · Grand FormationChapter 117 · Heaven’s WillChapter 118 · BountyChapter 119 · GainChapter 120 · BlameChapter 121 · ChattingChapter 122 · GuessChapter 123 · Zheng TianChapter 124 · SparringChapter 125 · Sword intentChapter 126 · KenshinChapter 127 · Auditing a classChapter 128 · CoincidenceChapter 129 · ContradictionChapter 130 · RouteChapter 131 · CostChapter 132 · ConfiscatedChapter 133 · Holding a grudgeChapter 134 · SupportChapter 135 · DeteriorationChapter 136 · Unable toChapter 137 · PriceChapter 138 · VariantChapter 139 · Start AnewChapter 140 · ShamelessChapter 141 · Black PotChapter 142 · Benefiting fromChapter 143 · PieChapter 144 · DifferencesChapter 145 · DetoxificationChapter 146 · Current situationChapter 147 · TeasingChapter 148 · IntelligenceChapter 149 · Returned GiftChapter 150 · Old debtChapter 151 · FleshChapter 152 · OpeningChapter 153 · GrudgesChapter 154 · RegretChapter 155 · Gang fightChapter 156 · GentleChapter 157 · ComplaintChapter 158 · ScreamsChapter 159 · GeniusChapter 160 · ConcernChapter 161 · Hidden StoryChapter 162 · StingyChapter 163 · Guilty conscienceChapter 164 Part 1 · StruggleChapter 164 Part 2 · StruggleChapter 165 · Win or LoseChapter 166 · TasteChapter 167 · Shifting The BlameChapter 168 · MoonlightChapter 169 · Past EventChapter 170 · RegretChapter 171 · RetributionChapter 172 · Cause and EffectChapter 173 · BackgroundChapter 174 · FlatteryChapter 175 · HonestChapter 176 · BookkeepingChapter 177 · FarewellChapter 178 · GuidelineChapter 179 · BottleneckChapter 180 · HabitChapter 181 · Casual ChatChapter 182 · Flowing WaterChapter 183 · RumoursChapter 184 · Seeking AdviceChapter 185 · PityChapter 186 · FormationChapter 187 · BasicChapter 188 · Fake TombChapter 189 · BewareChapter 190 · TraceChapter 191 · DiscussChapter 192 · Ancestral preceptsChapter 193 · Loose CultivatorChapter 194 · AllocationChapter 195 · Thank you for your kindnessChapter 196 · ExplanationChapter 197 · ErrorChapter 198 · Culinary skillsChapter 199 · Starry SeaChapter 200 · ComparisonChapter 201 · FrustratedChapter 202 · Don’t watchChapter 203 · LonelinessChapter 204 · NoChapter 205 · Exposing ShortcutsChapter 206 · CraftsmanshipChapter 207 · Bottom LineChapter 208 · StrikeChapter 209 · Ten GoldChapter 210 · Pretentious