67: Star trail fragments, hidden undercurrents in the ruins

The trial in the illusory sound pavilion was like a baptism of the soul, giving the four a clearer understanding of their respective Dao paths, and strengthening their bond. The three Talismans integrated into their bodies not only nourished their minds but also resonated with their Great Dao, like seeds promising a bright future.

Passing through the exit on the other side of the illusory sound pavilion, they did not find the expected passage, but rather a suspended stone bridge. The bridge spanned a deep abyss of darkness that seemed to swallow all light. The bridge surface was narrow, only wide enough for two people to walk abreast, and on either side was a blurry Void Realm, from which faint, chaotic spatial fluctuations emanated.

The other end of the bridge connected to an octagonal stone platform suspended alone above the abyss. The platform was ancient, and in its center stood a damaged three-dimensional stele, seemingly condensed from starlight. Countless tiny light Talismans flickered within it, outlining parts of star trajectories and fragmented Star Domain patterns.

"This is... a star map?" Su Wanqing gazed at the starlight stele, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear eyes. "It seems to record the path of a certain Star Domain, but it's severely damaged."

Lin Xuan approached, and the immortal abode pivot token in his palm once again resonated clearly, reflecting the starlight stele. He extended his Divine Sense into it, and a stream of fragmented information flooded his mind—scattered coordinates, broken routes, and several dim light points labeled "Mist Hidden Realm," "River of Flowing Fire," "Nirvana Ice Plain," and other names.

"It's not just a star map," Lin Xuan said in a deep voice, combining information from the Sky-Patrolling Mirror Spirit and core fragments. "This is more like an 'escape map,' or rather, after the Misty Immortal Palace collapsed, it shows the coordinates where some important fragments or subordinate worlds fell into the Desolate Sea, and... possible safe routes."

He pointed to a relatively complete, faint star line connecting the "Mist Hidden Realm" (where they currently were) with another light point named "Dragon Fall Abyss." "This path still seems passable, but it's marked with unknown dangers."

This fragmented star map was invaluable! It could not only guide them out of this desperate Mist Hidden Ruin but also point to other Immortal Palace fragments or ancient ruins containing Opportunities!

As the four carefully studied the star map, Lin Xuan keenly noticed an extremely subtle fluctuation flash across the darkness on the other side of the abyss. He abruptly looked up, sweeping with his Mid-stage Golden Core Divine Sense at full power, but only caught a trace of a lingering, cold aura, identical to that of the Guixu Cult.

"We've been targeted, and the other party is very cautious." Lin Xuan's tone was grave. "It seems the Guixu Cult also places great importance on this star map."

Qu Feiyan's charming eyes narrowed slightly, and a wisp of pink light silently probed the Void Realm with her fingertip. After sensing for a moment, she sneered, "It's a stealthy fellow, with a more concentrated aura than the previous shadows, like a scouting specter."

Gongsun Yu immediately tensed up, her thunder light silver ring ready to strike. Su Wanqing held her ice sword horizontally before her, moonlight flowing, illuminating the stone platform area with a cool, clear light.

"We can't let them send the message back, nor can we let them destroy this star map." Lin Xuan made a decisive choice. "Try to record the star map, then we leave this place immediately!"

He attempted to imprint the star map information with the immortal abode pivot token, and Su Wanqing also forcibly memorized it with her Divine Sense. However, the Law contained within this star map was extremely profound. The cardinal edict could only record the relatively complete path leading to the "Dragon Fall Abyss" and a few vague nearby coordinates; the more distant and fragmented areas could not be captured. Su Wanqing also only managed to remember some details.

Just as the recording was about to be completed—

"Hiss!"

A dark, silent arrow, imbued with the power to annihilate Divine Souls, suddenly shot out from the darkness on the opposite bank, aiming directly for the core of the starlight stele! Seeing that they couldn't silently seize or monitor, the opponent chose to destroy!

"You wish!"

Lin Xuan reacted extremely quickly. Almost the instant the arrow appeared, he had already stepped forward, unleashing a punch imbued with supreme Yang Qi and Golden Core magic power! The punch wind condensed into a tangible form, arriving after the arrow but striking first, accurately hitting the dark arrow!

"Bang!"

The dark arrow exploded, turning into a corrosive black mist, but it was burned and purified by the supreme Yang Qi in Lin Xuan's punch. However, the impact force of the arrow also caused Lin Xuan's body to sway slightly.

From the darkness on the opposite bank, a faint sound of surprise, "Oh?" was heard, as if they hadn't expected Lin Xuan to block this attack so easily.

Using the faint light from the arrow's explosion, Lin Xuan vaguely saw a figure shrouded in a wide black robe with an indistinct face flash and disappear on the opposite bank, its aura completely vanishing.

"They ran." Qu Feiyan withdrew her probing charming essence and shook her head. "Very slippery."

Lin Xuan's expression was solemn: "He's a master, at least Late Golden Core Stage, and extremely skilled in stealth and assassination. Although he retreated, our whereabouts and the existence of the star map have likely been exposed."

He looked at the starlight stele; although its core was undamaged, after the interference just now and previous natural wear, its light seemed to have dimmed a little more.

"This place has become a center of trouble; we must leave immediately." Lin Xuan no longer hesitated, firmly memorizing the recorded star map information. "Following the star map's instructions, we head towards the 'Dragon Fall Abyss' direction."

That might be the exit from the Mist Hidden Ruin, or it might be the starting point of another, more dangerous journey. But no matter what, staying here to await a siege by the Guixu Cult army would undoubtedly be a dead end.

The four took one last look at the fragmented star map, then resolutely turned and quickly retreated along the suspended stone bridge they had come from, preparing to embark on an unknown journey according to the new guidance.

Not long after they left, several figures from the Guixu Cult, more solid and powerful in aura than the previous shadows, quietly emerged from the Void Realm around the stone platform. Leading them was the Black-Robed Figure. He looked in the direction Lin Xuan and the others had departed, and a hoarse whisper emerged from beneath his black robe:

"Remnants of the Immortal Palace, cardinal edict holders... and that star map... the message has been sent back to the Holy Cult. They will not escape."