Stars.

Inside the tent he'd lived in since childhood, Wu Wang lay atop a pile of furs of just the right softness and firmness, gazing through the opening at the top of the tent at the two intersecting rivers of stars.

Having a magical Barrier is so convenient; no need to worry about mosquitoes.

Not like before he started cultivation, when he had to arrange for a group of low-ranking Priests to catch mosquitoes outside every day.

Stars...

Alas, stars...

"Young Master, are you not practicing your cultivation today?"

Lin Suqing's voice floated from the side. She had changed into a pink and white robe, humming a tune as she ran over, a tray of fruit and fine wine in her hands.

"Ah—"

Wu Wang let out a long sigh, his body sinking into the plush furs, surrounded by treasure ores shining with colorful lights.

"What's the matter?"

Lin Suqing placed the fruit tray to the side and sat down beside Wu Wang.

Her slim figure was draped in the diffuse light around them, a sight that could easily dazzle and bewitch onlookers. It was a shame Wu Wang clearly wasn't looking, simply continuing to sigh dejectedly.

"Does the Young Master also feel depressed?" Lin Suqing asked, tapping her feet in the cloth slippers Wu Wang had 'invented.' She gently swayed at the edge of the bed, waving her hands left and right as if conducting some grand affair, and laughed, "You are a master of cultivation who debates the past and the present, discusses the heavens and the earth! How can you become so despondent over the trivial matter of becoming an Immortal?"

"Joke!"

Wu Wang replied indifferently, "If I were to abandon the Star Dao and cultivate the Dao of Fire instead, I could probably face my Crossing Tribulation as early as tomorrow morning."

"That's right, the Young Master is the most powerful." Lin Suqing made a face. "Do you want me to help you fall asleep? Help you achieve Enlightenment in Dreams?"

"Enlightenment in Dreams is pure nonsense. Do you actually believe that?"

Wu Wang slowly sighed again, but then seemed to perk up as he turned over to look at Lin Suqing, saying earnestly, "Suqing, do you think the Heavenly Emperor's Great Dao is truly the rumored Dao of Order?"

Lin Suqing blinked. "It's said to be so."

"And what about before the Heavenly Emperor became the Heavenly Emperor?" Wu Wang countered. "According to current legends of the Great Wilderness, Emperor Shun led the present Order of Innate Gods in the ancient divine battles, driving away the Candle Dragon Divine Faction. In other words, the Candle Dragon Divine Faction established the order before the ancients. In that case, Emperor Shun couldn't possibly have followed the Dao of Order. Otherwise, the Candle Dragon Divine Faction would have incinerated him at the first sign of it."

"Makes sense." Lin Suqing nodded, only half understanding, then asked, "But what does this have to do with you not becoming an Immortal, Young Master?"

Wu Wang snorted and slowly lay back down, continuing to sigh in frustration.

"Oh dear, Young Master, you must cheer up." Adopting a playful, matronly air, Lin Suqing chuckled, "How about I call over Fairy Ling to help you relieve your tension?"

Wu Wang said, "Fairy Ling's knowledge in macro theory isn't as profound as yours—yours, which I personally nurtured."

"Really?" Lin Suqing was full of surprise.

"There might exist an ultimate question in the world," Wu Wang said indifferently.

"We can't confirm if this question even exists, but its answer could explain all the questions in the world.

The same is true for the Great Dao. There exists in the Great Wilderness a supreme Great Dao that can explain all questions about the Great Wilderness, but this Great Dao itself cannot be captured.

It is infinitely close to the essence, infinitely complex, and yet infinitely simple.

Yet, we can attempt to grasp its existence by posing some profoundly complex questions.

For example..."

Lin Suqing, thoughtful, responded, "Where does the order of Heaven and Earth come from?"

"Precisely." Wu Wang snapped his fingers and added, "I am also contemplating another question: which Great Dao allows sentient beings and Divine Spirits like us to resonate directly with it? And through this resonance, how can they control vast amounts of Spiritual Energy, Divine Power, and Mana?"

Not being able to outright say the word 'energy' is really troublesome.

Lin Suqing murmured, "Who granted gods the possibility to become gods?"

"Your summarization skills are quite good."

"This is thanks to your excellent teaching," Lin Suqing said, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "But the question you're pondering is too deep; it's almost impossible to answer. Perhaps even the Innate Gods don't know why they were born. They might not know which Great Dao allowed for the generation of consciousness from the Great Dao itself. This is all baseless speculation. It's not very helpful for cultivation, you know."

"It's about finding a path forward." Wu Wang smiled, settled himself into a comfortable position, and slowly closed his eyes, speaking softly, "Come on then, grant me a deep sleep. I'll cultivate with renewed vigor afterward."

"Got it!" Lin Suqing responded and sat at the edge of the bed, her slender fingers reaching towards Wu Wang's arm.

She gazed at Wu Wang's face, a warmth flickering in her clear eyes, an unintentional smile gracing her lips.

Actually, she thought things were quite good as they were now; her relationship with the Young Master was also quite...

Suddenly, Wu Wang's eyes snapped open, his dark pupils emitting a strange brightness, startling Lin Suqing so much that her small hand trembled, and she quickly withdrew it.

"Suqing, what did you just say?"

"Got it..."

"Before that? Two sentences before."

"Innate Gods may not even know why they were born..."

"Exactly this!" Wu Wang sat up straight, excitement blooming on his face. He was so thrilled that he lost himself for a moment and shook Lin Suqing's shoulders forcefully twice!

Then... he rolled his eyes back and fainted.

Lin Suqing's slender hand quickly drew a simple Talisman, and Spiritual Energy rapidly condensed into a ball of water, which precisely plopped onto Wu Wang's face.

"PFFT!"

Wu Wang shot up again, the light of excitement still shining in his eyes. He was already gripping the necklace, reconnecting with his mother.

He directly asked Cang Xue three questions:

"Mother, what are Innate Gods?"

"Mother, where do Innate Gods come from?"

"Mother, where are Innate Gods going?"

Cang Xue was silent for a moment, then asked with worry, "Ba'er, what's wrong with you? Don't scare your mother. Don't force your cultivation; I have ways to make you a top powerhouse."

"Mother, please consider these three questions."

"How should I answer this? 'From the Great Dao they come, to the Great Dao they return; perhaps as cause for the Great Dao, or as fruit of the Great Dao.' These words have circulated among the gods for a long time."

"I understand now." Wu Wang let out a long sigh of relief in his heart and couldn't help but smile.

The Innate Gods' understanding of this world is also limited!

These conscious entities are simply born powerful, without knowing why they are powerful.

Of course, the Star God might be erudite and possess deep philosophical understanding, but would the Star God dare claim she can perceive the entire Star Dao completely?

It's just like how humans don't understand the secrets of the human body.

The Star God's control over the fundamental Star Dao definitely has gaps!

He definitely has an opportunity to intervene!

Suddenly, he heard Cang Xue ask with a hint of concern, "Ba'er, why don't you go out for a walk to clear your mind, or visit the Big Wave Tribe?"

"Mother, I'm fine." Wu Wang said with a smile, "I've just gained some confidence and want to walk the Star Dao again, to give it another try. Even if I'm left battered and bloody, it wouldn't be a waste of my efforts in contemplation. Mother, you don't have to worry; your son cherishes his life very much."

Cang Xue pondered for a while, then said softly, "Then go ahead. I can protect you from being harmed by the Star Dao itself."

"Thank you, Mother." Wu Wang responded and then looked up at Lin Suqing, winking and raising his eyebrows at her.

Lin Suqing subconsciously covered her chest and quickly said, "Young Master, I am still innocent!"

"Go guard the door for me! Put up a sign saying I'm in seclusion!" Wu Wang retorted irritably.

Lin Suqing's pretty face flushed slightly. She hurried outside the tent to stand guard, immediately summoning a large group of guards to secure all approaches.

The Star Dao!

Here he comes!

...

In the Starry Sky Temple, Cang Xue sat quietly on the throne, a touch of contemplation in her eyes.

She, too, was contemplating how to help Wu Wang overcome his current difficulty. However, in her understanding, although the Star God's consciousness had dissipated, her connection with the Star Dao remained.

Furthermore, preventing the Star God's lingering resentful thoughts from coalescing and reforming a dominant consciousness was a critical issue Cang Xue would have to address.

Wu Wang's Star Dao was almost identical to the original Star Dao of Heaven and Earth.

In truth, Cang Xue wasn't overly concerned about Wu Wang's cultivation progress. As she had stated, gods and mortals perceive the Great Wilderness differently. This statement could also be applied here.

Her primary concern had always been the safety of Xiong Han and Ba'er. After all, regardless of their talent, it was impossible for them to reach her level within their short lifespans, which are measured in mere centuries.

Where did they come from?

Cang Xue propped her chin in her hand, pondering. Yet, her divine thoughts felt murky, and she couldn't find any reliable answers.

Suddenly, the starlight throughout the Starry Sky Temple trembled faintly, and minor anomalies appeared in the cosmos.

Her brow furrowed. She stood up, her gaze turning towards the north, toward the Northern Wilderness.

There, a colossal rift had torn through Heaven and Earth. A vortex surfaced in the sea, within which the Great Dao itself seemed to stir!

Were they assaulting the Heaven and Earth Seal from the Outer Sky?

Cang Xue carefully sensed the disturbance. She immediately realized the fluctuations in Heaven and Earth were not caused by an external assault. Instead, cracks had developed on the very fabric of Heaven and Earth, suggesting a deliberate act.

Intentionally caused...

She immediately stood up. The throne behind her receded, and the entire temple reverted to the state it was in when she first arrived after becoming a Sun Ritual, faintly projecting an image of the Star God's body.

The Staff in her hand trembled gently, and six large mirrors materialized around her. From within them emerged the figures of the other six Sun Rituals.

Divine light shimmered in Cang Xue's eyes. The eyes of the other six Sun Rituals also flickered with a faint brightness, their appearance restored to that of ordinary people.

One of the Sun Rituals smiled and said, "Lady Cang Xue, for what reason have you summoned us?"

"There has been a disturbance in the North Sea," Cang Xue replied. "I would like to request that all of you accompany me to investigate."

The scene was flawless, perfectly resembling a 'Sun Ritual on duty summoning the other Sun Rituals to discuss a recent disturbance in the Northern Wilderness.'

Except, in the eyes of one Sun Ritual, a very faint flicker of delight quickly vanished.

Cang Xue's Staff gently tapped the ground. All six Sun Rituals turned to face north, preparing to depart into the starry sky…

At that very moment!

"Star God, may we offer our assistance?" A call suddenly echoed from the depths of the starry sky—impossibly distant, yet strangely near.

Cang Xue turned, but before she could reply, more than a dozen points of light appeared outside the Starry Sky Temple. These lights rapidly expanded, transforming into sixteen figures, each exuding the distinct aura of their Great Dao.

The leading Goddess was clad in a fitted black dress, her shapely legs wreathed in azure clouds. Divine Light radiated from her, coalescing into butterflies and birds that fluttered around her as she offered a gentle smile towards the temple.

The Heaven Palace, the Young Master!

Behind the Young Master stood fifteen figures: nine Innate Gods who had chosen to manifest female forms, and six who had chosen male forms.

They each revealed their Great Daos, encompassing everything from frost and dew to gathering clouds and thunder. For every Great Dao, there is a Divine Spirit.

The Young Master inclined her head slightly, her voice clear as she announced:

"Star God, the Heaven Palace has sensed a severe disturbance in Heaven and Earth in the North Sea. We fear that those exiles in the Outer Sky might try to exploit your injuries to cause trouble. Thus, we have been specially dispatched to offer our assistance. If this displeases you, we will depart immediately!"

The Starry Sky Temple fell silent. The seven Sun Rituals exchanged bewildered glances.

Cang Xue had reacted instantly to the sudden commotion in the North Sea.

The Heaven Palace's probing move had finally come.

Almost as soon as the fissure appeared in Heaven and Earth over the North Sea and the vortex began to form on the sea's surface, the Gods of the Heaven Palace had rushed to the Starry Sky Temple under the pretext of 'providing support.'

So, this was merely the Heaven Palace's typical ploy.

It was obvious that the Heaven Palace truly feared the Star God…

Cang Xue said, "Are you Divine Spirits from the Heaven Palace? The Star God does not appreciate such intrusions."

"Might we ask the Star God to speak personally?"

The Young Master's expression was stern as she gazed at Cang Xue, her figure already moving toward the Starry Sky Temple.

The six Sun Rituals immediately stepped forward to meet her. Cang Xue, leaning on her Staff, followed behind them.

These six Sun Rituals, hailing from the most powerful clans of the Northern Wilderness and now manifesting in their Innate Dao forms within the temple, exuded a formidable aura. United, their presence could barely contend with that of a single true Divine Spirit.

Unfortunately, there were sixteen Innate Gods present.

The six Sun Rituals spoke in turns:

"According to ancestral custom, Your Excellencies cannot simply barge into the Temple. Otherwise, the Star God will hold us responsible."

"Your Excellencies, please halt. According to the agreement between the Star God and the Heaven Palace, you should not…"

"Are you all intending to declare war on the Star God?"

The Young Master paused. A faint smile touched her lips, and she took another half-step forward.

Brilliant starlight filled the temple. The Young Master had stepped inside. Though she felt the starlight's repelling force, the Star God made no move.

This gave the Young Master an ominous premonition.

The Star God's temper was never this gentle.

At this moment, however composed Cang Xue appeared, her mind was a maelstrom of thoughts.

She did indeed possess sufficient trump cards; at worst, she could simply upend the situation entirely. However, the timing was not right, and doing so now would greatly diminish the effect.

If she could smooth this over, that would be for the best.

The Young Master asked, "Star God, do you not wish to see us?"

"Alas," Cang Xue suddenly sighed, speaking softly, "To be honest with Your Excellencies, the Star God fell into a deep slumber some years ago and has not awakened since."

"Oh?" The Young Master said immediately, "Seven Sun Rituals, if that is the case, then quickly lead us to where the Star God is in seclusion."

Cang Xue and the other Sun Rituals became instantly vigilant.

One said, "Your Excellencies, did you not come to support us? Why are you not heading to the North Sea, but instead wish to go to the Star God's location?"

Cang Xue also said, "Your Excellencies, before falling into slumber, the Star God explicitly instructed us to guard this temple well."

"The Star God is the Innate God His Majesty respects the most," the Young Master said gravely. "Nothing is more important than the Star God's safety!"

"But…" Cang Xue looked troubled.

The Young Master continued, "How could we possibly harm the Star God? Only we can help the Star God!"

A Divine Spirit from her retinue added softly from behind, "You need not suspect us. We would never do anything to harm the Star God."

A God with crossed arms spoke, "Consider the clans of the Northern Wilderness. You must all hail from various clans. For us, annihilating one or two clans is as easy as flicking a finger."

"This…" Cang Xue took a few steps back, and the six Sun Rituals lined up side by side.

The Star God's divine power radiated from the seven Sun Rituals—pure, potent, and perfectly harmonized with each of them.

Cang Xue sighed. "Truly, our Lord Star God has given strict orders. Your Excellencies must not force your way in."

The Young Master said, "In that case, don't blame us if…"

"My Lady!" A Sun Ritual from the Strong Armor Tribe suddenly lunged forward, rushing straight towards the Young Master.

Behind the Young Master, divine light flickered.

Almost simultaneously, Cang Xue and the other five Sun Rituals also made their move!

But they were all a step too late; the Sun Ritual had already thrown himself prostrate before the Young Master, crying out, "My Lady, save the Star God!"

The Young Master pressed her right hand down, and a dense divine light enveloped the Sun Ritual.

She furrowed her delicate brows, looking at this Sun Ritual, then glanced at the other six Sun Rituals and said indifferently, "What do you mean by that?"

Cang Xue's lips curved slightly, but she didn't do much, just quietly observed as the situation unfolded.

Calm and composed.

The 'Sun Ritual' cried out loudly:

"Esteemed ones from the Heaven Palace! I am not the original consciousness of this body! The original consciousness has already been imprisoned by me!

I am a wisp of remnant thought from the Artifact Spirit of my master's divine artifact, the Ten Thousand Stars Plate!

I am now burning this remnant thought to say these words, solely to help my master escape this calamity!

I, this old one, have waited for you all for far too long!

Please, Your Excellencies, completely seal this place. Do not allow even a sliver of divine thought to escape! Then, use your divine power to forcibly activate the Ten Thousand Stars Plate. Hidden within is the Star God's final wisp of remnant soul!"

The Young Master's expression became extremely solemn.

"Nonsense!" A sharp rebuke suddenly came from behind the other six Sun Rituals.

Starlight shimmered, and a figure ambled forth—it was an old, white-haired crone.

Leaning on a cane, the old crone advanced unsteadily. She looked at the 'Sun Ritual' and declared in a firm voice:

"Just who are you, you so-called Sun Ritual?

This old one is the true Artifact Spirit of the Ten Thousand Stars Plate!

My master is currently in slumber, recovering from her injuries. Do you intend to startle her awake and aggravate her wounds?

Your intentions are truly wicked!"

The Young Master's delicate brows knitted slightly. She gazed intently at the old crone, carefully sensing her aura…

A pure Artifact Spirit.

It wasn't just the Young Master who was perplexed now; the other fifteen Innate Gods were also somewhat bewildered.

This turn of events had been too abrupt, the reversal too swift.

The Young Master pondered for a moment, still hesitating, when one of the Goddesses slowly said:

"I happen to be skilled in matters concerning divine artifacts. If we cannot discern the truth, allow me to inspect the Ten Thousand Stars Plate. It will not affect the artifact's inherent functions."

The old crone, however, retorted coldly, "How can you be allowed to act while my master is unaware? Are the protocols of the gods to be disregarded?"

For a moment, the gods were in a difficult position.

It was only because this involved the highly respected Star God; had it been any other Divine Spirit, they would have resorted to force long ago.

"HAHAHA, HAHAHAHAHA!" The 'Sun Ritual' suddenly burst into laughter. She abruptly rose to her feet, her gaze piercing through the divine light to fix on the old crone and the six Sun Rituals behind her.

"It is truly hateful! This remnant thought of mine can only recall the plan of action! To evade detection by that evil demon among you, it could not be burdened with too much information!

But do you think I, this old one, came unprepared?

Your Excellencies, do not let any of them leave this place! The true culprit is among them!"

WHOOSH! A ball of silver flame suddenly erupted from the 'Sun Ritual's' forehead. It vanished in an instant, and her body slumped to the ground.

Instantly, an incredibly potent Divine Thought erupted from above the Starry Sky Temple, surging towards the depths of the cosmos like a spiritual tsunami.

Cang Xue, the other five Sun Rituals, and the old crone were about to act. Suddenly, the Gods behind the Young Master moved, their sixteen Great Daos transforming into chains that instantly sealed the area.

The Young Master said nonchalantly, "Why don't we all just wait and see."

"You! You are setting a trap!" The old crone stomped her foot and shrieked, "You lured this old one here and trapped me! You severed my connection with the Ten Thousand Stars Plate! Your scheme is vast! Vast indeed!"

"Shut up." A Goddess softly reprimanded.

The Young Master suddenly looked up, vaguely sensing a tremor emanating from the deepest reaches of the starry sky.

The Ten Thousand Stars Plate seemed to cease its rotation, and a stream of Liu Guang flew out from within.

The Star God's aura intensified discernibly.

The Star God's eyes seemed to crack open a sliver, and an boundless, imposing pressure suddenly manifested from the depths of the starry sky.

The Staff Cang Xue gripped was on the verge of falling.

—The primary objective is to shatter the Star God's consciousness; she must not be given any chance to recover.

But, quite bizarrely, that wisp of the Star God's consciousness merely flickered into existence before swiftly departing the depths of the starry sky, its destination unknown.

Cang Xue frowned slightly.

[The Star God had laid a contingency: using the divine artifact, the Ten Thousand Stars Plate, to protect her final wisp of consciousness, awaiting an opportunity with the arrival of the Heaven Palace Gods to launch a counteroffensive.]

Cang Xue had already figured out this plan.

But why had the Star God's consciousness suddenly departed her body now, without attempting to gather those scattered remnants? What was her reason?

The Young Master was also frowning slightly.

What exactly was happening? Why did the Star God's imposing aura appear only to have everything go quiet immediately after?

The old crone sighed, "You all… you've been outmaneuvered!"

The expressions on the faces of the Heaven Palace Gods were exceedingly peculiar.

At this very moment, beneath this same starry sky, inside Wu Wang's tent within the Royal Court of the Bear Hug Tribe.

Wu Wang, enveloped in starlight, eyes closed in meditation, also wore an extremely odd expression.

How could he...

He had been right in the middle of a profound state of Enlightenment when this… thing… had suddenly intruded?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.