"Does the old Marshal suspect you?" Zhang Yuanqing sounded somewhat surprised. After all, the Lord of the Stars wasn't among the fallen—he hadn't even met with the magical seed members of the Free Alliance prior to the competition for the Radiant Compass. In both inner and outer affairs, he had always been trustworthy. So how could the old Marshal suddenly suspect the Lord of the Stars of being a fallen one? The Lord of the Stars spoke with a calm, measured tone, as if chatting over tea—slow, unhurried, and composed: "Experienced travelers in the Spiritual Realm know that the Yin element counters the Stars, but few realize that the scouts' 'Insight Technique' also counters the Stars. Have you ever heard the saying: 'No one can tell a lie before a Marshal'? For the past sixty years, I've stayed secluded in the Spiritual Realm, deliberately keeping my abilities hidden and minimizing my interactions with the old Marshal. The Yin element can obscure celestial observations, while the 'Insight Technique' can penetrate my arrangements and strategies." "But sometimes, deliberate retreat itself speaks of hesitation—let alone the fact that even the most discreet elements of my strategy have been uncovered by him." Zhang Yuanqing asked, "For instance?" The Lord of the Stars lifted his gaze, speaking with measured significance, "For instance, the true mastermind behind the assassination of Huo Zhengkui, which you're currently investigating." Zhang Yuanqing's eyes narrowed instantly. In the past, he would have been struck with sudden enlightenment, stunned, exclaiming: "Well, there you are—your long-standing mastermind was you all along! That's why I couldn't figure it out." But now, he felt a sense of quiet confirmation, as if it had all been predictable, neither deeply surprised nor unexpectedly revealed. "Was the assassination of Huo Zhengkui intended to obstruct the establishment of an official organizational structure in the second district, thus preventing the emergence of a second papal court?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. The Lord of the Stars nodded gently: "The political landscape and cultural foundations of the First Region have inherently determined that they cannot become a second Papacy. In fact, driven by their sense of 'insecurity,' they have spontaneously organized forces, uniting under the Free Alliance to overthrow the ancient Papal regime. Yet the Second Region is different. Unity is deeply ingrained in the minds of every spiritual traveler; fragmentation is considered an unforgivable offense. If left to negotiate with Ho Zhengkui and the central government, the official organization would have been established fifty years earlier. Today, the most powerful lawful organization is no longer the Divine Judgment, but the Second Region itself. The strategic victories achieved by the Evil Faction in dismantling the Papacy will be rendered obsolete." "Then, why haven't you proactively established this official organization?" Zhang Yuanqing was puzzled. The Lord of the Stars once again displayed a thoughtful expression. "The Convergence Society has made efforts, but ultimately failed, facing strong opposition from the majority of its members. Now, looking back, the failure was inevitable." He sighed, "Back then, we endured the trampling of the great powers, the invasion of the island nation, and hovered on the brink of national extinction. Everyone deeply resented the powers, and was extremely sensitive to Western rule. To establish an official body dominated by Western forces at that time was an act contrary to the prevailing trend—those who went against the trend would surely fail!" "So you, at that time, had already become a fallen one—someone who stayed in the camp of the enemy but harbored loyalty to the homeland?" "More precisely, it was precisely during that period that I came into contact with the contamination of the feminine deities. In a master-level S-tier quest, I encountered the gaze of the Flame Dragon, and my body and soul inevitably suffered pollution. After leaving the quest, I lost control and killed my fellow comrades who had fought alongside me, resulting in the complete collapse of the same-boat branch." The Lord of the Stars spoke calmly, unveiling this past. Zhang Yuan's stern face finally revealed astonishment, and he breathed deeply, "So it was you!" "It turns out that the terrifying figure in your dream was you all along! Honestly, this did surprise him, because the figure in the dream clearly suffered from contamination and was mentally unstable, while the Lord of the Stars remained unaffected. Therefore, Zhang Yuanqing had never connected the two. The Lord of the Stars remained silent and continued: "That was merely a master-level quest, with only moderate contamination. Moreover, the Stars are known for their wise and resolute spirit; light contamination is not enough to distort my mind. "After the village was destroyed, my mind began to recover. Later, as my level grew and I mastered the essence of the Stars, I completely eliminated the contamination. However, the essence of the contamination actually stems from the Yin Deity spreading its own ideals—once one becomes aware of them, they are simply known, and cannot be eradicated entirely." The essence of the Stars can remove contamination, but the Yin Deity cannot—this is fate. Zhang Yuanqing felt deeply moved. The Taiyin essence is inherently the feminine aspect of the universe, theoretically originating from the same source as the feminine deities. The celestial sovereign brought the conversation back to focus: "The Marshal has been quietly investigating the assassination of Huo Zhengkui and the collapse of the Tongzhou branch. Though he hasn't gathered conclusive evidence, given his keen insight, he has likely already begun to suspect me. "Thus, he leveraged my fondness for bearing children, arranging the mother of Ling Jun to be placed at my side. A saint-level woman is not particularly daunting—what's truly intimidating is the power behind her. "As someone closest to me, sometimes, merely conveying certain details is enough to allow the old Marshal to grasp the broader picture." Therefore, Ling Jun's mother must die... Zhang Yuanqing expressed his confusion: "Given your analytical acumen, you should be well aware of the purpose behind Ling Jun's mother's marriage into the Taiyuan Sect. The Marshal undoubtedly knows you know this—everyone understands this unspoken agreement. By killing her, you are effectively admitting that you yourself are at fault!" "The Master of the Stars smiled slightly," "She died in the instance, and many have witnessed it. The old Marshal has no evidence to prove that I killed the mother of Ling Jun. Just as he cannot prove that the people who destroyed the Tongzhou branch and assassinated Huo Zhengkui were acting under my direction. As a half-god himself, without solid proof, he cannot bring me down—nor has he ever fully grasped how I orchestrated the death of Ling Jun's mother. "Of course, after this incident, I and he have formally parted ways, becoming unspoken rivals. Therefore, he must die!" Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood many things. "That's why the Marshal initially chose not to ally with you or the four other Marshals, but instead selected the rising stars he particularly admired—the Four Heroes of Xiao Yao. Ah, a half-god-level clash to eliminate the old Marshal truly is the most fitting setting. Speaking of this, a thought struck him: 'In the competition for the Light Compass, you deliberately watered down the challenge, allowing the Xiao Yao organization to secure the core fragments, thus drawing the Marshal and the Void into concentrated attacks.' " "The Master of the Stars said calmly, 'Unfortunately, the reserves of the Void exceeded my expectations. He alone held back three half-gods, and ultimately, I was unable to secure the core fragment of the Disc of Light.' As he lifted his finger, a golden sun disc rose uncontrollably above Zhang Yuanqing's head, with a golden phoenix slowly being pulled free from within. Zhang Yuanqing felt his heart sink—he had been trapped within the Ziwei Six Dangers Array for nearly an hour without realizing it. Neither his uncle, nor the Twin Deities of Wind and Thunder, nor the elder of the Xie family had managed to break through the array. With no choice, he abandoned his plan to delay time and swiftly retrieved the Register of Merit. On the Register, the ID of 'Awakened One' appeared, only to be gradually erased by golden light. Suddenly, a dark, murky glow settled over the Master of the Stars' forehead—his forehead darkened! This time, his fortune had been weakened, and he would face a series of misfortunes to come." Zhang Yuanqing manifested as a beam of golden light, charging straight at the Lord of the Stars. With a crisp "crack," his right leg snapped out, like the most fearsome whip in existence, tearing through the fabric of space. He aimed to exploit the Lord of the Stars' misfortune, close in for a personal engagement, and deliver a decisive blow. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yuanqing combined his elbow, knee, and fist blows, pouring the terrifying power of the Sovereign of the Sun directly onto the Sovereign of the Stars. The latter's half of the head shattered, his chest caved in, yet he remained calm, slowly opening his arms. From his back and sides, pairs of ethereal, robust arms sprouted like spider legs, folding in to form a protective shield. He had drawn upon the enchanting power of the mythical creature from the Ziwei Liu Sha Array. "Thud... thud... thud..." Zhang Yuanqing's punches grew heavier with each strike, sending ripples through the space as if it were fabric, lifting waves from beneath his feet and causing the stars above to tremble violently. Even without summoning the divine strength of the Sun, the Sovereign of the Stars' physical form remained superior to that of a half-god. Nothing could match the force of his fists. The Sovereign of the Stars folded his eight arms, retreating step by step, until suddenly, he slipped on the ground, staggered by the immense wave of impact, and fell to the floor. Misfortune struck once more. Zhang Yuanqing certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity—he was determined to deliver a fair and decisive blow to the old silver coin. Yet, as the Star Sovereign fell, he held aloft a phantom wine god's staff. "Thud!" The staff struck the ground, and the rules of his fall were twisted into a flash of brilliance. He reappeared hundreds of meters away, then collapsed with a soft thump, evading the iron fist of the Sun Sovereign. Following this, the Star Sovereign dissolved the staff, raised his hands, and with a swift motion, laid out a magical table before him. He then proceeded with practiced ease. The power of the spirits stems from the spirit, and the essence of the spirit is emotion—stronger the resentment, the more fierce the spirit. …… The Aries Formation. King of Fear, gazing at Fu Qingyang who has just arrived in the instance, looks momentarily astonished, then smiles wryly, remarking, "I didn't expect the administrator to be able to free himself and pull you into this instance." Fu Qingyang maintains a stern expression, paying no attention, and, by habit of a scout, calmly surveys the surroundings. This instance is desolate, as barren as the Gobi Desert in northwest China. A dark celestial body hangs in the sky, and the air is thick with a chilling sensation that makes one's hair stand on end. As if there were an invisible divine sword constantly radiating its aura, the dark celestial body itself exudes a strange, frenzied energy—so intense that even Fu Qingyang, a high-ranking scout, feels his blood subtly boiling, driven to fight without hesitation until the very end. "It's been some time since we last saw each other—your level has risen quite impressively." "The King of Fear spoke casually, as if meeting an old friend: 'Given your stature, facing me would be tantamount to death—surely you'd have allies!' As if in response, a figure materialized suddenly several meters away from Fu Qingyang. Both the King of Fear and Fu Qingyang turned their heads simultaneously. The King of Fear paused, his expression darkening instantly: 'You?' The man had a sports headband wrapped around his forehead, tall and well-proportioned, with a striking, sunlit, athletic appearance. It was clearly the King of the Magi-Eyes. The King of Fear stared at him for several seconds, then exhaled: 'I thought I had convinced you—given your unwavering dedication to purifying the world, even the Prime Sovereign would have had to speak endlessly to make you change your mind. Magi-Eyes, have you thought this through?' Since the Magi-Eyes had appeared here, it meant he still held onto hope for the Sun Sovereign, and had ultimately chosen to break away from the Free Faction; otherwise, the administrator wouldn't have brought him in. Fu Qingyang was equally surprised. The King of Magic Eyes pointed to his chest and smiled broadly. "I asked it what it truly wanted. It replied: 'To cleanse the world!' The King of Fear shrugged. "So what's wrong with destroying the world? After all, the most thorough cleansing is destruction itself." "Once, I too believed that the finest cleansing was destruction. But after you left, I began to wonder—would destroying the world truly eliminate humanity's inherent evils?" The King of Magic Eyes shook his head. "The answer is no. Leaving this planet is merely jumping from one dung heap to another—essentially no difference. Fear, as you know, I was born in an orphanage, adopted by my parents, who gave me love and warmth. When they passed away, I felt an overwhelming desire to destroy the world. "Yet this very resentment stems from a deep longing for love and family, from a frustration with humanity and society. What I truly seek is not destruction, but cleansing." "I still hold hope in humanity!" King of the Mystic Eyes opened his arms, as if embracing faith, and spoke with an unwavering tone: "I love this world!" The instinct for survival compelled the residual spirits to align with the Lord of the Stars when faced with danger. Meanwhile, one by one, wailing spirits emerged from the mud, each accompanied by a magical table. Zhang Yuanqing, unable to disturb the wailing spirits, emitted two beams of golden light and located the Lord of the Stars, whose head had now healed. With his right hand, he reached into the mud to grasp the Lord, only for the latter's body to suddenly dissolve into clear flowing water—indeed, a water spirit's item! On the other side, the wailing spirits, guided by the Lord of the Stars, successfully completed their prayers, dispelling the lingering bad fortune that had been swirling around his brow. Only then did the Lord of the Stars solidify into tangible form, daring to emerge from the mud, forming eight arms with a black moon atop his head. He defended against the attacks of Yuan Shi Tian Zun while skillfully using his items to keep the opponent engaged—like a cat playing with a mouse, maneuvering with ease and avoiding direct confrontation. After a series of swift assaults, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, and from behind his head, where the golden sun bird had been poised to emerge, It was wrapped in a swirling mass of starlight, drifting into the rotating radiance like a piece of paper boat caught in a vortex. The Golden Sun strained its wings, struggling to break free from the pull of the whirlpool, yet could not escape. The connection between Zhang Yuanqing and the Golden Sun remained unbroken, though it could no longer be drawn back. He turned to the Lord of the Stars and sighed, "You've won!" Seeing him halt, the Lord of the Stars replied calmly, "You haven't lost yet. You may continue fighting. I'll stay with you until the end." "But that will only make you lose faster!" Zhang Yuanqing said. ... The Earth-Sky Array. Before Xia Hou Ao Tian's eyes, a blizzard raged, snowflakes falling like goose feathers. The sky was dark and heavy, the snow deep enough to reach his knees, the cold wind cutting through him as if with blades. As a master of the eighth rank, he had never felt such a sharp chill. "Wow, it's so cold..." he heard someone trembling nearby. Following the sound, he saw a young man in a dark ermine coat, arms wrapped around himself, shivering. Xiahou Aotian was stunned, "How can you have made it in? With your poor skills, don't you just walk straight into death?" Zhai Cai was equally amazed. Upon hearing this, he tugged at his lips and said, "If I have to share my fate with someone even more incompetent, then I'll feel at peace." As they spoke, snowflakes and ice shards, whipped by the cold wind, slapped their faces one after another. Though both were already pale and frozen, Xiahou Aotian remained coldly amused, "You look like a dog frozen solid!" Zhai Cai chuckled, "How cold is it? Not cold at all—actually quite refreshing!" Xiahou Aotian replied, "I'm not cold either!" Just then, a complaint came from within his ring: "Why haven't you removed me? Have I not been searching for my mother? Have I not been searching for my mother?"