Chapter 256: Inside Xuan Star Palace
Chapter 256: Inside Xuan Star Palace
From this moment onward, the name Cheng Lingyu would spread across Brilliant Star Continent, earning renown throughout Tianyang Empire as he rose to become a leading figure among the younger generation.
Many silently repeated Cheng Lingyu’s name, awed by his rapid, meteoric ascent. Through legendary actions, he had overturned the balance between Divine Martial Sect and Lou Ri City, single-handedly expelling Divine Martial Sect from the region.
Such methods, decisiveness, and courage far surpassed ordinary capabilities.
Outside the entrance, thousands of cultivators buzzed with restless energy, debating Cheng Lingyu’s deeds, speculating about Xuan Star Palace, and imagining the ancient ruin’s final outcome.
Yet none could have predicted how vastly different that outcome would be from their conjectures.
…
Outside Xuan Star Palace, tension gripped the crowd as four palace doors creaked open. Cultivators hastily chose portals while monitoring the palace’s movements.
Blinding light erupted from the doors, overwhelming mortal eyes. When cultivators sent probing energy waves inside, the waves shattered instantly upon crossing the threshold.
South Gate, West Gate, and North Gate swarmed with cultivators, while East Gate—where Cheng Lingyu stood—held the smallest crowd. Besides Hu Yuer and Lou Ri City’s Xiao Lingfeng, Han Zhen, Chen Song, and Zuo Yi, only scattered disciples from minor factions lingered behind.
All knew East Gate’s importance, so why the sparse attendance? Two reasons: first, many felt awkward changing their pre-selected positions; second, greater importance implied stronger defenses and higher risks, deterring the cautious.
Xuan Star Palace quaked violently, shaking the entire ancient ruin. Thunder roared as lightning veined the apocalyptic sky.
The four palace doors gradually widened, their harsh light softening to reveal a shimmering, illusory realm within.
Swirling light-mists and kaleidoscopic radiance obscured details. Above Cheng Lingyu, the rotating scroll slowed. The woman of unparalleled grace severed her connection to Xuan Star Palace, her form glowing faintly.
Ye Anlan, Shui Yingyue, and Yunxiu differed—their magical artifacts maintained deepening bonds with the palace, intertwining like symbiotic entities.
As doors fully opened, star paths materialized before each gate, bridging into Xuan Star Palace.
Jiu Yang Sacred Palace experts at West Gate surged forward first along their star path. Tianlei Sacred Church followers trailed closely behind.
At South Gate, Heavenly Palace cultivators—now occupying Divine Martial Sect’s former position—spearheaded the charge, with other factions close behind. Heavenly Fire Sect and Shanhua Alliance members stormed North Gate.
Only East Gate remained peculiar. Cheng Lingyu stood motionless, flanked by Xiao Lingfeng, Han Zhen, Chen Song, and Zuo Yi—effectively blocking access for those behind.
Hu Yuer watched Cheng Lingyu intently, making no move to enter, her eyes gleaming with unreadable intent.
Cheng Lingyu studied the palace interior, his handsome features twisting oddly.
“Elder brothers may enter first if curious.”
Han Zhen asked, “What about you, Cheng junior apprentice?”
“I’ll follow later.”
After exchanging glances, Xiao Lingfeng’s group stepped onto the star path and vanished inside. Behind them, other cultivators hastily streamed through East Gate.
Cheng Lingyu remained silent, turning finally to face Hu Yuer.
“What were you waiting for?”
Hu Yuer laughed. “I was waiting for you.”
Their eyes met, sparking with intensity.
Cheng Lingyu showed a mysterious smile and calmly stated, “Since you waited, let’s move.”
He stepped onto the star paths.
Hu Yuer darted beside him, clutching his sleeve with a coy and charming demeanor.
“What a little fox spirit,” Cheng Lingyu remarked with an amused glance.
Hu Yuer pouted and gave him a coquettish glare, feigning displeasure.
Cheng Lingyu chuckled at her playful act.
The snowy fox in her arms blinked sleepily, utterly adorable.
Walking the star paths side by side, they entered Xuan Star Palace.
Inside shimmered with flowing lights, far vaster than expected.
Beyond colorful Mist stood a grand palace radiating golden light, its surface alive with tiny human-shaped Da Dao Imprints.
Hundreds of cultivators dotted the Mist around the palace’s four sides, clustered near a sealed second portal.
When Cheng Lingyu, Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, and Yunxiu arrived at the portal, murmurs spread through the crowd.
Magical artifacts above the three women blazed while Cheng Lingyu’s scroll whirled faster, each emitting brilliance that linked to the four palace doors.
Nearby cultivators backed away, raising defenses while watching the doors intently.
Soundwaves rippled through the Mist as crimson light bled from the portal.
The four palace doors creaked open, their scarlet glow piercing the Mist to reveal hidden forms.
Cheng Lingyu studied the doors, his eyes swirling with vortex patterns as Destruction of Space Divine Thought Waves pulsed rapidly – stretching thoughts across shifting frequencies to probe the palace’s secrets.
Xuan Star Palace defied normal scrying. Even Dreamy Magic Eyes couldn’t penetrate its doors, but the Thought Waves’ adjustable frequencies could match anything vibrating within – for all moving things possessed innate rhythms, unlike static void.
Cheng Lingyu’s brow furrowed as patterns emerged.
“Found something?” Hu Yuer pressed.
“You see what I see,” he replied flatly.
“You’ve grown sharper since reaching Soul Martial Sixth Realm.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. Last meeting, he couldn’t read her at all. Now…
When the other three portals opened, cultivators stampeded through despite risks. Cheng Lingyu’s group held back, observing cautiously before entering.
Han Zhen said, “Cheng junior apprentice, should we go in?”
Cheng Lingyu hesitated and replied, “We can go in to look, but guard your mind at all times.”
Xiao Lingfeng questioned, “What does that mean?”
Hu Yuer said, “Once you enter, everything will become clear.”
Chen Song stated, “I’ll take the lead.”
Zuo Yi added, “I’ll go with you.”
The two flashed inside, followed closely by Cheng Lingyu and Hu Yuer, with Xiao Lingfeng and Han Zhen at the rear.
Passing through the second palace door, all cultivators entered the grand hall, which was far larger than expected.
At the hall’s center lay a wondrous scene—a massive hole revealing an endless starry sky teeming with countless stars.
This eerie fusion of reality and illusion defied reason. The hole resembled a mirror, reflecting an infinite void and unreachable stars.
Cultivators crowded around the cave entrance, staring at the starry expanse within as though trapped in a dream.
The sight was utterly illogical.
The Xuan Star Palace stood on solid earth. Even with a hole in its grand hall, the ground beneath should hold soil and rock—not a boundless void shimmering with starlight.
“This is a time and space passage. What you see may not be real,” Hua Yuehong declared coolly, her tone tinged with arrogance.
Bai Ruomei snorted, “Who can prove it’s false?”
Yu Feilong countered, “Truth matters less than locating the Xuan Star Saint’s legacy. That’s our priority.”
Azure Sky Dragon sneered, “Knowing its location won’t guarantee it becomes yours.”
Su Yu of the Heavenly Fire Sect remarked, “Three Saints Palace’s legacy already has heirs. The Xuan Star Palace’s will soon emerge.”
Mo Yang of the Tianlei Sacred Church nodded, “A sound argument. Now we see who fate favors.”
Speculations and debates filled the air as hundreds of cultivators scanned every corner of the palace.
Cheng Lingyu studied the hall’s colossal pillars—each over ten feet wide—carved with intricate patterns that pulsed with Dao energy.
Hu Yuer gazed into the central hole’s starry depths, making the Xuan Star Palace seem suspended above the cosmos.
“If the Xuan Star Saint’s legacy lies within that starry void, finding it would be near impossible.”
If real, the starry sky’s vastness—with its endless stars—would render any search futile.
“But if the legacy is hidden in this hall, why create this massive hole?”
Hundreds of cultivators voiced critical questions. All sought the legacy, but without knowing its location, their efforts meant nothing.
“The Three Saints Palace’s successor likely holds answers to this matter.”