123: Chapter 123 Healing Plan, Lunar Eclipse Approaching

The camp was set up on a relatively dry mound on the outskirts of the Black Wind Marsh.

Star Radiance used the miasma breaking star lantern as the core to set up a Starlight Purification Formation covering an area of thirty zhang, completely isolating the dense miasma outside.

Inside the Formation, several temporary tents had been erected, and the injured Cultivators were receiving treatment.

Lin Yue was placed in the largest tent.

Star Radiance personally treated his wounds, first using the power of starlight to forcefully expel the remaining corrosive power of the Spirit Devourer, and then using the Azure Jade Meridian Renewal Pill provided by the Qinglan Sect, combined with her own pure spiritual power, to nourish his damaged Meridians and Dao Platform.

The entire process lasted a full hour.

When Star Radiance finally stopped, her face was as white as paper, and her forehead was covered in fine cold sweat.

The treatment just now had consumed nearly thirty percent of her Origin spiritual power.

“Star Envoy... are you alright?”

Lin Hu, who was assisting nearby, asked worriedly.

“I am fine.”

Star Radiance waved her hand, her gaze settling on Lin Yue.

Although Lin Yue was still unconscious, his breathing was much steadier, and there was a hint of color returning to his face. What surprised Star Radiance the most was that the severe injuries inside his body were healing themselves at an extraordinary speed.

Broken Meridians were slowly reconnecting, damaged organs were regenerating, and even the cracks on his Golden Core Dao Platform were gradually mending.

This rate of recovery... it was simply unbelievable.

“What kind of Cultivation Technique did he Cultivate? Or does he... possess some special treasure for healing?”

Star Radiance was puzzled, but she did not delve deeper.

Everyone had their own secrets, and as long as they didn't harm the common people, she wouldn't pry too much.

“Let him rest well. He should wake up in three hours at most.”

Star Radiance stood up and instructed Lin Hu, “Guard him here; no one is allowed to disturb him. I am going to discuss the next steps with the three Elders of the Qinglan Sect.”

“Understood.”

Outside the tent, the three Elders of the Qinglan Sect were already waiting.

Seeing Star Radiance emerge, Qing Yunzi was the first to step forward: “Star Radiance Envoy, how is City Lord Lin doing?”

“He is stable, but he needs time to recover.”

Star Radiance looked at the three of them, “What is the situation at the Corrupt Dragon Pool?”

“It's very bad.”

Elder Cloud Crane's expression was solemn. “According to reports from the scouts, after the Priest discovered the Dragon Soul was missing, he immediately ordered all cult members to perform a blood sacrifice on themselves, using their Essence Blood to temporarily replace the Dragon Soul's Origin and maintain the ritual's operation.”

“A blood sacrifice on themselves?!”

Star Radiance's pupils contracted. “That's thirty-seven Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage or above... sacrificing all of them will generate enough energy to accelerate the ritual by at least twofold!”

“Precisely.”

Elder Pine Waves interjected, “Furthermore, the Priest himself seems to be preparing some kind of secret technique. We observed that the miasma above the Corrupt Dragon Pool is condensing toward the altar, forming a massive 'Spirit Devourer Vortex.' The spatial fluctuations at the center of the Vortex... are growing stronger.”

Star Radiance looked up toward the Corrupt Dragon Pool.

Although separated by layers of miasma, she could clearly feel a terrifying, wicked power slowly awakening there.

“How much time is left until the night of the Lunar Eclipse?”

“Two hours at most.”

Qing Yunzi said in a deep voice, “In two hours, the Lunar Eclipse will fully descend, and the world's Yin Qi will peak. At that time, the Priest will definitely use all his power to open the summoning channel.”

Two hours... time is too tight.

Lin Yue needs three hours to wake up, but the ritual will reach its climax in two hours.

We must act ahead of time.

“We cannot wait for City Lord Lin.”

Star Radiance made her decision. “We must move ahead of him waking up and try our best to delay the ritual's progress.”

“How should we act?”

“In two steps.”

Star Radiance quickly explained, “The first step is for me to lead an Elite Soldiers squad to infiltrate the outskirts of the Corrupt Dragon Pool and set up the 'Starlight Interference Formation.' This Formation can interfere with the connection between the Spirit Devouring Crystal Core and the Void Realm. Although it cannot completely stop the ritual, it can at least slow down the Formation speed of the summoning channel.”

“The second step is for the three Elders to lead the main force in feigning attacks simultaneously from the east, west, and north sides of the Corrupt Dragon Pool to create chaos and divert the Priest's attention. The south side will be left as a retreat route—if the situation turns bad, everyone will evacuate from the south.”

Qing Yunzi frowned, “But dividing our forces like this will significantly scatter our strength. What if the Priest sees through our intentions and concentrates his forces to attack one of the routes...”

“That is why we cannot fight head-on.”

A flash of sharpness appeared in Star Radiance's eyes. “All actions must be aimed at 'harassment' and 'delay.' Hit quickly and retreat; absolutely do not engage in prolonged fighting. Furthermore, before I depart, I will temporarily hand the miasma breaking star lantern to Elder Pine Waves, who will maintain the camp's Formation operation to protect the injured and City Lord Lin.”

“What about when you infiltrate? Without the Star Lantern, how will you move through the miasma?”

“I have a way.”

Star Radiance took out three silver-white Talismans from her storage ring. “These are 'Star Concealment Talismans.' When activated, they form a thin film of starlight on the body, capable of resisting miasma erosion for half an hour. Although the effect is not as good as the Star Lantern, it is enough for me to make a round trip.”

The three Elders exchanged glances, seeing the hesitation in each other's eyes.

This plan carried enormous risk.

If Star Radiance were exposed during the infiltration, or if the Priest recklessly started the ritual early, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But... there seemed to be no better option.

“Very well.”

Qing Yunzi finally nodded. “We will proceed as Star Radiance Envoy has instructed. Cloud Crane, Pine Waves, each of you will lead one hundred people to feign attacks from the east and west sides, respectively. I will lead the remaining people to provide support from the north.”

“Remember, our goal is not to kill the enemy, but to create chaos. Hit quickly and retreat; absolutely do not get entangled!”

“Understood!”

Half an hour later.

Star Radiance silently left the camp, taking ten of the most Elite Soldiers Cultivators from the Sharp Soldiers Camp.

These ten people were all at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage of Cultivation, skilled in stealth and rapid assault, and each was equipped with a special 'Concealment Formation Plate' custom-made by Elder Lin Shi, capable of completely masking their aura for a short period.

Their mission was simple: escort Star Radiance to the outskirts of the Corrupt Dragon Pool, and immediately retreat after the Starlight Interference Formation was set up.

As for what happened next... that would be up to fate.

The team quickly moved through the miasma.

Protected by the Star Concealment Talismans, Star Radiance temporarily didn't have to worry about the miasma erosion, but her heart remained heavy.

Her gaze occasionally drifted toward the direction of the camp.

There, Lin Yue was still unconscious.

“You must wake up...”

She muttered softly to herself.

“Star Envoy, the outskirts of the Corrupt Dragon Pool are just ahead.”

An Elite Soldiers Camp Cultivator whispered a reminder.

Star Radiance collected herself and looked ahead.

Through the dense miasma, a vast expanse of black water was vaguely visible, along with an altar in the center of the water that emitted a dark red glow.

At the top of the altar, the Spirit Devouring Crystal Core was slowly rotating, and with every rotation, the surrounding space twisted slightly.

Around the altar, the corpses of the thirty-seven cult members had already turned into dried husks, casually discarded by the pool. Their Essence Blood was continuously flowing into the Crystal Core through the altar's patterns.

“Begin setting up the Formation.”

Star Radiance no longer hesitated, taking out twelve specialized “Starlight Formation Nails.”

These Formation Nails were based on Star Radiance Stone, with interference runes carved all over their surfaces, specifically prepared by her for this operation.

“You will stand guard on the periphery. If there is any anomaly, immediately signal and retreat.”

“Understood!”

The ten Cultivators dispersed, concealing themselves within the miasma.

Star Radiance took a deep breath, darted out like a phantom, and began driving the Formation Nails into the ground one by one, following specific coordinates.

This process had to be extremely careful; she could not leak even the slightest spiritual power fluctuation, or the Priest would immediately notice.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

All twelve Formation Nails were in position.

Star Radiance formed hand seals and softly chanted an incantation.

“Starlight as the guide, interfering with the Void Realm... Formation, activate!”

Buzz—!

The twelve Formation Nails simultaneously lit up with faint starlight!

The starlight connected to form an invisible star net, silently covering the space above the altar.

The moment the star net contacted the spatial fluctuations emanating from the Spirit Devouring Crystal Core, the Crystal Core's rotation speed clearly slowed down slightly!

Although the change was extremely subtle, its impact on the ritual was real.

“It succeeded...”

Star Radiance was delighted.

But just as she was preparing to retreat—

“A little doll from the Star Track Pavilion... you dare to come here.”

A cold, hoarse voice suddenly came from the direction of the altar!

It was the Priest!

He had actually discovered her long ago?!

Star Radiance's expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, she turned and fled!

“Since you came... then stay.”

The Priest's voice followed her like a shadow.

The next moment, the miasma over the entire Corrupt Dragon Pool surged wildly as if alive, transforming into countless black tentacles that wrapped around Star Radiance from all directions!

Even more frighteningly, fine spirit devouring root were mixed within those tentacles!

Once entangled, not only would her Physical Body be corroded, but her Divine Soul would also be devoured!

“Star Escape!”

Star Radiance bit her tongue, spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, and forcefully executed the life-saving escape technique of the Star Track Pavilion.

Her figure instantly transformed into a streak of starlight, piercing through the layers of tentacles and speeding toward the camp.

But the Priest clearly had no intention of letting her go.

“Pursue.”

A simple word.

In the Corrupt Dragon Pool, three black shadows burst out of the water, chasing Star Radiance at astonishing speed!

They were three “Spirit Devouring Shadow Guards,” equivalent to Middle Golden Core Stage strength, and they specialized in stealth and tracking, making them extremely troublesome.

Star Radiance could feel the killing intent behind her drawing closer.

Although her Star Escape was fast, it consumed immense energy and could only be maintained for thirty breaths at most.

If she couldn't shake off the pursuers after thirty breaths... “It seems... I have no choice but to fight.”

A look of determination flashed in her eyes, and she took out a silver crystal the size of a fist from her storage ring.

That was her last trump card—the “Star Burst Crystal.”

Its power upon detonation was comparable to the full-strength blow of an Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, but the cost was... she would suffer a severe backlash, and her Cultivation would regress by at least one minor Realm.

But at this moment, she couldn't afford to worry about that.

Just as Star Radiance was preparing to turn around and face the enemy—

“Star Envoy, this way!”

A familiar shout suddenly came from the miasma ahead!

It was Lin Yue's voice!

Star Radiance was startled and looked up.

She saw Lin Yue standing on a small slope thirty zhang ahead. Although his face was still pale, his eyes were clear, and his aura was stable.

He... woke up?!

And when did he get here?!

“Come over!”

Lin Yue waved to her.

Star Radiance had no time to think, using her last bit of strength to rush over.

When she landed on the slope, Lin Yue had already stepped forward, shielding her behind him.

“Leave the pursuers to me. You focus on recovering.”

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

Star Radiance looked at his back, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, sitting down cross-legged to begin recovering her breath.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue looked toward the three black shadows that were pursuing them.

In his eyes, stars inverted.

“Three Middle Golden Core Stage opponents... perfect. Time to test my newly recovered strength.”

His right hand rested on the hilt of the spirit slaying star scar.

The sword body emitted an excited hum.

As if saying:

The slaughter begins.