132: Chapter 132 Three Trials, Aiming Directly at the Nascent Soul Stage

A brief silence fell over the stone chamber.

Lin Yue and Star Radiance exchanged glances, both seeing the seriousness in the other's eyes.

Star Lord Origin—Directly entering Nascent Soul, with hope of Soul Transformation!

The weight of these eight characters was enough to drive the entire cultivation world mad.

But the following four characters, 'Forever Trapped Here,' also pressed heavily upon their hearts.

"Three Trials..."

Lin Yue's gaze swept over the white jade skeleton before settling back on the crystal ball.

The nebula inside the ball slowly rotated, as if silently summoning them.

"Master, the risk is extremely high."

Haotian spoke in Lin Yue's Sea of Consciousness, his tone rarely serious:

"The Star Lord set up this trap before his demise, so it certainly won't be an easy test to pass. Moreover, once you fail, the consequences are unimaginable—'Forever Trapped Here' is absolutely not an exaggeration."

"I know."

Lin Yue responded in his Sea of Consciousness, his gaze growing firmer:

"But if I want to Breakthrough to Nascent Soul within half a year to cope with the dual pressure from the Seven Star Alliance and the Spirit Devouring Clan, this is the fastest, and possibly the only, opportunity."

Star Radiance was clearly weighing the options as well.

She looked at Lin Yue: "City Lord Lin, this matter requires careful consideration. We have just obtained a large amount of Legacy; if we can digest and absorb it, our strength will steadily improve. Rashly attempting this... is too dangerous."

"Star Envoy is right."

Lin Yue nodded, but his tone shifted:

"But we don't have time."

He pointed to the inscription on the stone slab:

"The Star Lord fought the Spirit Devouring Clan back then, yet ultimately perished here. What does this indicate? It shows that even a powerhouse of the Star Lord's caliber failed to completely solve the Spirit Devourer calamity."

"And now, the Seal is about to collapse, the remnants of the Black Lotus Cult are still active, and the Seven Star Alliance is watching covetously—every day we delay, the situation becomes more dangerous."

Star Radiance fell silent.

She knew Lin Yue was right.

Since returning from the Burial Dragon Abyss, both she and Lin Yue had sensed the cracks in the Seal accelerating. At this rate, let alone half a year, the first Seal might completely collapse within three months.

By then, Spirit Devouring Clan existences of the Prisoner Soldier Rank would be able to move freely in the Southern Region.

Luoxia City... would bear the brunt of it.

"Besides..."

Lin Yue suddenly smiled, his expression carrying a hint of cunning:

"The Star Lord set up this trial to test latecomers, not to slaughter his Successors. No matter how difficult the trial is, there must be a sliver of hope left."

He walked up to the skeleton and respectfully bowed:

"Senior, your Junior Lin Yue, Successor of the Star Lord token, is willing to accept the trial today to inherit your last wish and once again suppress the Spirit Devourer calamity."

As his voice fell, the skeleton's finger... moved.

That withered white finger slowly lifted, pointing toward the back of the stone chamber.

The stone wall silently slid open, revealing Starlight Steps extending downward.

At the end of the steps, three light gates were faintly visible—silvery white, dark gold, and pitch black.

They corresponded to: Star Heart Inquiry, Dragon Soul Resonance, and Spirit Devouring Calamity Slaying.

"It actually responded."

Star Radiance gave a wry smile and shook her head, but fighting spirit ignited in her eyes:

"Since City Lord Lin has decided to challenge the trials, I will wait here. If anything changes, I can respond."

"No."

Lin Yue shook his head and looked at her:

"Star Envoy, I need you to come with me."

"What?" Star Radiance was stunned.

"Star Heart Inquiry, Dragon Soul Resonance, Spirit Devouring Calamity Slaying—each of these Three Trials requires specific abilities."

Lin Yue analyzed:

"Star Heart Inquiry tests the state of mind and compatibility with the Dao of the Stars. You have Cultivated the secret techniques of the Star Track Pavilion for many years, and your comprehension of the stars is no less than mine."

"Dragon Soul Resonance requires Dragon Qi affinity and communication with the Dragon Soul. I possess the dragon soul crystal core, and you have also been exposed to the aura of the Corrupt Poison Flood Dragon Soul."

"As for Spirit Devouring Calamity Slaying..."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes:

"The star lords manual records that the Spirit Devouring Clan fears the Power of the Stars Purification and the Dragon Clan's Yang Qi the most. If the two of us join forces, one focusing on the stars and the other assisting with Dragon Qi, the certainty of passing the trials increases by at least thirty percent."

Star Radiance fell into contemplation.

After a moment, she looked up, her eyes resolute:

"Good! Since City Lord Lin trusts me so much, Star Radiance is willing to challenge the trials together!"

"Then let's go."

Lin Yue was the first to step onto the Starlight Steps.

Star Radiance followed closely behind.

The two walked down the steps side by side, quickly arriving before the three light gates.

The gates stood parallel, with different runes flowing across their surfaces.

The silvery-white gate on the left bore star patterns.

The dark-gold gate in the middle bore Dragon-shaped totems.

The pitch-black gate on the right... surprisingly bore twisted Spirit Devouring Clan characters.

"Do we challenge them sequentially, or is there a specific order?"

Star Radiance looked at Lin Yue.

Lin Yue didn't answer immediately but closed his eyes to sense.

In his Sea of Consciousness, Haotian was rapidly deducing:

"Master, the energy fluctuations of the three light gates are interconnected, forming a certain cycle. Forcibly breaking through one might trigger a chain reaction. I suggest... following the sequence."

"What is the sequence?"

"The stars are the foundation, the Dragon Soul is the guide, and the Spirit Devourer is the calamity—this is the logic of the Star Lord Inheritance. Therefore, challenge them sequentially from left to right."

"Understood."

Lin Yue opened his eyes and pointed to the silvery-white gate on the left:

"Let's challenge Star Heart Inquiry first."

The two stepped into the light gate side by side.

Behind the gate was a boundless starry sky.

No, it was not a real starry sky, but a Star Sea illusion created by supreme power.

Countless stars rotated around them, each emitting real gravity and brilliance.

And suspended in the center of the Star Sea was a... mirror.

The mirror surface was like water, reflecting the figures of Lin Yue and Star Radiance.

But when they looked at the mirror, the 'selves' in the mirror actually... began to speak.

"Who am I?"

The mirrored Lin Yue asked, his voice hollow and distant.

"Who am I?"

The mirrored Star Radiance also asked.

Lin Yue's heart tightened.

Star Heart Inquiry—it really tested the state of mind.

But he was prepared.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yue said in a deep voice:

"I am Lin Yue, City Lord of Luoxia City, Successor of the Star Lord. I Cultivate the Dao of the Stars, forge the Star Core Golden Core, and in the future, I shall certainly form the Star Nascent Soul Dharma Idol, slay all Spirit Devourers, and protect this world."

As his voice fell, the figure of the mirrored Lin Yue became clearer.

"Why Cultivate the Dao of the Stars?"

"Because it is suitable, because it is powerful, because... this is the path I chose."

"If it is for protection, are you willing to sacrifice yourself?"

"No."

Lin Yue's answer was decisive:

"I Cultivate the stars to protect, but the premise of protection is my own strength. If I sacrifice myself easily, who will continue to protect? Therefore, I will do my best to protect others while ensuring my own safety."

The mirrored figure was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

The mirror surface rippled, transforming into a new scene—

That was Luoxia City, but it was... a Luoxia City that had been breached.

The city walls had collapsed, flames covered the sky, and countless Spirit Devouring Clan members rampaged through the city.

Lin Yue himself was surrounded by three Nascent Soul-Rank Spirit Devouring Clan generals, covered in blood and on the brink of despair.

"If this city is destined to fall, what will you do?"

The mirrored voice sounded again.

Lin Yue looked at the tragic scene in the illusion, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained clarity:

"First, Luoxia City will not be breached so easily. I have the Cave Heaven, Haotian, the Star Constellation Great Array, and the protection of the Dragon Soul."

"Second, even if I truly reach a dead end, I will choose the most rational retreat—where there is life, there is hope. I will evacuate the core members of my clan, accumulate strength, and stage a comeback."

"Finally..."

He paused, his voice utterly decisive:

"I will make every invader pay a price they cannot afford! I will use every means possible to hunt them down until the end, making them regret stepping foot into the Southern Region!"

As his voice faded, the illusion shattered.

The mirrored figure completely solidified, turning into a silvery-white light that merged into Lin Yue's glabella.

In an instant, Lin Yue felt his Sea of Consciousness being cleansed.

All distracting thoughts, doubts, and fears were purified by the refined Power of the Stars.

His state of mind cultivation directly Breakthrough to the Realm of Bright Mirror Still Water!

At the same time, his Late Golden Core Stage Bottleneck... loosened by thirty percent!

"This..."

Lin Yue opened his eyes in surprise, looking beside him.

Star Radiance had also just broken free from the illusion, fine sweat beading on her forehead, but her eyes were clearer and brighter.

Clearly, she had also passed the Questioning the Heart trial and benefited greatly.

"The first trial is complete."

Lin Yue took a deep breath and walked toward the dark-gold gate in the middle.

This time, behind the gate was... a Dragon Abyss.

Not the Burial Dragon Abyss, but a true Dragon Abyss where the ancient Dragon Clan once lived!

Countless Dragon Soul phantoms soared in the air, emitting deafening Dragon Roars.

And at the bottom of the abyss, coiled a... complete Flood Dragon!

Not a remnant Soul, but a living, breathing Flood Dragon at the Golden Core Peak Stage, with sharp scales and overwhelming Dragon Might!

"Latecomers..."

The Flood Dragon opened its Dragon eyes, reflecting the figures of the two people:

"If you wish to obtain Dragon Soul Resonance, you must first gain my recognition."

"How do we gain recognition?" Lin Yue asked in a deep voice.

"Show your Dragon Qi, show your Dragon Soul affinity, show your... qualifications to wield the power of the Dragon Clan!"

The Flood Dragon's voice was like thunder, shaking the entire Dragon Abyss.

Lin Yue didn't hesitate, immediately activating the dragon soul crystal core within his body.

The crystal core rotated in his Dantian, releasing pure Dragon Qi.

The Dragon Qi surged out through his Meridians, condensing into a faint Dragon phantom behind Lin Yue—though blurry, the Dragon Might was real!

A hint of surprise flashed in the Flood Dragon's eyes:

"A Golden Core Cultivator can condense such pure Dragon Qi? Interesting..."

It swung its Dragon tail, and a dark-gold Dragon Breath erupted, striking directly at Lin Yue!

This was not a killing move, but... a test!

Lin Yue advanced instead of retreating, forming hand Seals and operating the Dragon Soul Resonance secret technique recorded in the star lord secret record.

The moment the Dragon Breath reached him, the dragon soul crystal core in his body trembled violently, actively absorbing the Dragon Qi within the Dragon Breath!

"What?!"

The Flood Dragon was truly shocked:

"You possess the Dragon Clan Origin?! No, this is not ordinary Origin, this is... the Legacy of the ancient Dragon Clan?!"

Lin Yue did not answer, instead operating the secret technique with all his might.

The Dragon Breath was completely absorbed and transformed by him, and finally... a purer Dragon Qi was fed back, reversing the flow into the Flood Dragon!

The Flood Dragon received the Dragon Qi, its Dragon body trembled, and a complex look flashed in its eyes:

"So that's it... you received the Origin of that Rot Poison fellow. Fine, since it chose you, I have nothing more to say."

The Dragon Might subsided, and the Flood Dragon slowly lowered its head:

"Second trial, passed."

Dark-gold light surged from the Flood Dragon's body and also entered Lin Yue's glabella.

This time, Lin Yue felt his Physical Body being completely tempered by Dragon Qi!

His bones faintly glowed with a pale gold luster, and the Spiritual Power flowing through his Meridians also carried a hint of Dragon Might characteristics.

More importantly, his control over Dragon Qi increased tenfold, if not more!

"Dragon Soul Resonance... so that's how it is."

Lin Yue clenched his fist, sensing the surging power within his body:

"Now, the final trial."

He and Star Radiance exchanged glances and stepped simultaneously into the last pitch-black light gate.

Behind the gate was... a battlefield.

Mountains of corpses, seas of blood, broken walls and remnants.

Countless figures of the Spirit Devouring Clan rampaged across the battlefield, resisted by armies of retreating Human Race Cultivators.

And suspended in the center of the battlefield was a... projection of a Spirit Devouring Clan High Priest!

Not Golden Core Rank, not Nascent Soul Rank, but a Soul Transformation Rank Spirit Devouring Clan Great High Priest!

Although it was only a projection, its strength less than one percent of the original, the terrifying pressure still caused Lin Yue and Star Radiance to hold their breath.

"Star Successor, Dragon Soul Holder..."

The Great High Priest projection let out a hoarse laugh:

"That old Star Lord fool thought setting up this kind of test could select a pawn to fight our clan? Ridiculous!"

It raised its hand, and countless black tentacles condensed from the Void Realm, striking at the two like a torrential rain!

"Fight!"

Lin Yue didn't waste words, immediately summoning the starfall sword he had just obtained!

The sword light poured out like a Star River, slashing toward the tentacles.

Star Radiance also attacked simultaneously, the star mirror suspended above her head, shooting out a beam of purifying starlight.

The two cooperated perfectly, one attacking and one supporting, actually managing to block the first wave of attacks!

"Somewhat interesting."

The Great High Priest projection grinned sinisterly, forming hand Seals:

"Then let you taste... the true Spirit Devourer Power!"

The world suddenly darkened.

Countless black runes emerged from the Void Realm, forming a massive sacrificial array!

In the center of the array, a pitch-black vortex rose, from which came a roar that made their Souls tremble—

It was summoning... projections of Spirit Devouring Clan generals!

"We can't let it complete the summoning!"

Lin Yue roared, activating his Star Body with all his might!

The starfall sword's light surged, transforming into a hundred-zhang Sword Aura that slashed directly at the core of the array!

Star Radiance also bit her tongue, spitting a mouthful of Essence Blood onto the star mirror:

"Using the stars as a guide, purify all evil!"

The mirror light materialized into a pillar of light, merging with the Sword Aura!

Boom—!!!

The array trembled violently, the vortex collapsed, and the summoning was forcibly interrupted!

"You... seek death!"

The Great High Priest projection was enraged, its body soaring, transforming into a thousand-zhang tall black giant that smashed down with a punch!

This punch contained the Law Power of the Soul Transformation Rank!

Even when cast by a projection, it was enough to instantly kill an ordinary Nascent Soul!

"Now!"

A sharp light burst from Lin Yue's eyes, and he roared:

"Haotian, Cave Heaven support!"

"As you command!"

In the Sea of Consciousness, Haotian's voice rang out.

The power of the Cave Heaven crossed the Void Realm and descended upon the battlefield!

Spiritual Vein Feedback fully activated, Power of the Stars poured into his body!

Dragon Soul protection activated, Divine Soul shield formed!

More importantly—the star armor Lin Yue had just acquired automatically donned itself!

The starfall sword, star armor, dragon soul crystal core, Star Body, Cave Heaven support... all trump cards erupted at this moment!

"Spirit—Slaying—Star—Mark—!!!"

Lin Yue leaped up, the starfall sword blossoming with unprecedented brilliant starlight!

That was not ordinary starlight, but the ultimate strike—a Fusion of Star Origin, Dragon Clan Yang Qi, and Lin Yue's entire will!

The sword light slashed past the black giant's fist, past its arm, past its body, and finally... slashed through its hideous head!

The Great High Priest projection's movements abruptly froze.

Then, starting from its glabella, a straight crack of starlight appeared.

The crack spread, covering its entire body.

Finally—

Bang!!!

The projection completely shattered, turning into scattered black light particles.

And from within the light particles, a wisp of pure Origin Power flew out and merged into Lin Yue's body.

The third trial, passed.

The pitch-black light gate vanished, and Lin Yue and Star Radiance returned to the stone chamber.

Both were covered in blood and weak in aura, but in their eyes... the flames of victory burned.

"We succeeded..."

Star Radiance leaned against the wall, panting heavily, but a smile was on her face:

"A Soul Transformation Rank projection... we actually won!"

"It was just a projection."

Lin Yue also sat down to regulate his breathing, but the corner of his mouth was lifted:

"And we used a trick—if we were truly facing a Soul Transformation Rank Spirit Devouring Clan member, we wouldn't even have a chance to escape."

"But that's for the future."

Star Radiance looked at the center of the stone chamber:

"Now, it's time to claim the reward."

Lin Yue nodded, stood up, and walked toward the crystal ball.

This time, the skeleton's finger did not move again.

But the crystal ball flew up automatically, hovering in front of Lin Yue.

The nebula inside slowly rotated, emitting an alluring aura.

"Star Lord Origin..."

Lin Yue took a deep breath and reached out to grasp the crystal ball.

The sphere was warm, feeling like jade.

Then, the nebula surged along his arm and into his body!

Boom—!!!

Lin Yue felt as if his entire body was about to explode!

The immense, unimaginable Star Origin surged through his Meridians, rushing straight toward his Dantian!

The Golden Core trembled violently, and countless star patterns appeared on its surface!

The star patterns spread, intertwined, and finally... condensed into a brilliant Star Core!

The Star Core Golden Core, Major Achievement!

But this was not the end.

The Star Lord Origin continued to pour in, and the Star Core began to swell and deform, gradually transforming into the Nascent Soul form!

Lin Yue endured the intense pain, sat down cross-legged, and fully operated the third volume of the star lord secret record—the Nascent Soul Chapter!

Behind him, Star Radiance also quickly sat down to act as his Protector.

In the stone chamber, the starlight was dazzling.

And Lin Yue's aura was soaring... at an unprecedented speed!

Late Golden Core Stage Peak... Half-step Nascent Soul... the true Nascent Soul threshold... Breakthrough was imminent!