141: Chapter 141 Stripping Away the Parasite

There were twenty-five days left until the estimated arrival of the White Bone Demon Venerable.

The atmosphere within Luoxia City was as taut as a fully drawn bowstring.

On the city walls, patrols were conducted day and night, and the City Protecting Great Formation was maintained at over three layers of operational readiness at all times.

On the city streets, Cultivators from the War Department came and went frequently, and the air was tinged with a faint scent of iron and blood.

However, beneath the surface tension of preparation for war, an undercurrent was quietly stirring.

Deep within the City Lord's Manor, Lin Yue sat alone in a meditation chamber.

His eyes were slightly closed, but his mind had sunk into his grotto-heaven.

"Haotian, how is the deduction of the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Grand Array progressing?"

Within the grotto-heaven, the aged voice of the World Tree, Haotian, sounded:

"Master, the basic Formation diagram has been optimized according to the terrain of Luoxia City. The grand array is divided into three layers—the outer 'Starlight Barrier' focuses on defense, the middle 'Dragon Roar Thunder Domain' focuses on attack, and the inner 'Star Dragon Evil-Breaking' core provides specialized suppression."

"The Formation requires a total of three hundred and sixty-five nodes, seventy-two of which are key nodes that require Cultivators at the Golden Core Stage or above to guard. Currently, we have three Nascent Souls from the Seven Star Alliance, three Star Gazing Emissaries from the Star Track Pavilion, you, Master, plus six... hidden Golden Cores, totaling thirteen high-level combatants, which is barely sufficient."

"But the material shortage is still significant. Especially 'starfall iron'—although the Star Track Pavilion has agreed to provide ten tons, at least fifteen tons are needed to ensure the grand array operates completely."

Lin Yue frowned slightly:

"Can the remaining five-ton gap be filled within twenty-five days?"

"Difficult."

Haotian answered truthfully:

"starfall iron is a core material for refining star-type Magic Treasures, and its production is scarce. The annual circulation in the Southern Border market is less than one ton. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless we can find a new starfall iron Mineral Vein."

Haotian paused:

"The star lords manual records that there was once a 'Falling Star Valley' in the Southern Border, where fragments of stars fell in ancient times, forming Mineral Veins. If we can find that place, not just five tons, but fifty tons would be possible."

"Falling Star Valley..."

Lin Yue's eyes flickered.

He seemed to have seen this name while perusing ancient texts of the Southern Border.

"Specific location?"

"The manual only records the general direction—three thousand li southwest of the Burial Dragon Abyss, filled with miasma, crawling with poisonous insects, and perpetually shrouded in 'Confusing Star Mist,' making it easy for Cultivators to lose their way."

"Moreover..."

Haotian added:

"The manual mentions that 'Star Miasma Demons' might inhabit there. These demons feed on the Power of the Stars and are extremely sensitive to stellar auras. Once they discover intruders, they will fight to the death."

Lin Yue fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head:

"There isn't enough time. A round trip of six thousand li, plus searching for the Mineral Vein and mining the Ore... twenty-five days is simply not enough."

"Then we can only find a way from the existing Materials."

Haotian suggested:

"Perhaps we can reduce the strength of the outer barrier and use the saved starfall iron for the core formation eye. Or... use other Materials to substitute for some nodes."

"Substitute Materials?"

"For example, 'star sand.' Although its effect is inferior to starfall iron, with sufficient quantity, it can barely maintain the Formation's operation. However, doing so would reduce the grand array's power and stability."

Lin Yue fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he opened his eyes:

"Prepare according to the substitution plan first. Also, notify Lin Shi to screen all star-attribute Materials from the inventory Magical Artifacts and dismantle them for recovery."

"Yes."

Haotian acknowledged.

Lin Yue exited the grotto-heaven and returned to the meditation chamber.

Outside the window, the sky was nearing dusk.

He stood up, left the meditation chamber, and arrived at the council hall.

Inside the hall, Lin Cang, Lin Hu, and others were already waiting.

Although they had just broken through to the Golden Core Stage, all six had preliminarily mastered power concealment techniques, appearing to still be at the Foundation Establishment Stage on the surface.

"Sect Master."

Seeing Lin Yue enter, everyone stood up in unison.

"Sit."

Lin Yue took the main seat and got straight to the point:

"The deployment of the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Grand Array has encountered material issues. There is a five-ton shortage of starfall iron, and we need to find another solution."

He briefly explained the situation.

Silence fell over the hall.

Five tons of starfall iron was no small amount.

"Sect Master."

Lin Shi hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"In the Artifact Refining Hall's storeroom, there are three damaged fourth-tier star-type Magic Treasures. If all are dismantled, we might obtain about a hundred jin of starfall iron. Additionally, the various Families and shops in the city might have some stock..."

"A hundred jin is not enough."

Lin Yue shook his head:

"I've already had Senior Haotian calculate it. Even if we dismantle all star-attribute Materials in the entire city, we wouldn't be able to gather half a ton."

"Then... what should we do?" Lin Hu frowned.

Lin Yue did not answer immediately.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

Suddenly, he looked at Lin Laosan:

"Third Brother, you're in charge of commerce and trade, so your information is well-informed. Recently, have there been any large-scale transactions involving starfall iron in various parts of the Southern Border?"

Lin Laosan thought briefly, then shook his head:

"No. For a material of starfall iron's level, once it appears, it will inevitably attract attention from all sides. In the past six months, the largest transaction in the Southern Border has only been at the hundred-jin level."

"That's strange..."

Lin Yue seemed thoughtful:

"The Black Lotus Cult wants to set up an evil Formation in the Southern Border to break the Seal. Logically, they would also need a large amount of star-type Materials to counteract the Restrictions left by the star lord. How... did they solve this?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Right.

The Black Lotus Cult had been active in the Southern Border for a century; it was impossible for them not to have reserves of star-type Materials.

"Sect Master, you mean..."

A glint flashed in Lin Cang's eyes:

"The Black Lotus Cult might have material sources we don't know about?"

"Or..."

Lin Yue said slowly:

"They found Falling Star Valley."

As his words fell, dead silence filled the hall.

Falling Star Valley!

If the Black Lotus Cult had truly found that place and controlled the Mineral Vein... then their foundation was far deeper than imagined.

"Impossible, right?"

Lin Hu couldn't help but say:

"A dangerous place like Falling Star Valley—even if the Black Lotus Cult found it, extracting it would require a massive amount of manpower and resources. How could they operate covertly without leaking any hint?"

"Under normal circumstances, it would indeed be impossible."

Lin Yue's gaze deepened:

"But what if there are 'Parasites'?"

He paused, then continued:

"People parasitized by the Spirit Devouring Clan appear no different from ordinary people on the surface, but in essence, they are already Puppets of the Spirit Devouring Clan. They could perfectly disguise themselves as ordinary miners, merchants, or even... members of a small Family, secretly mining, transporting, and stockpiling."

"Moreover, the Spirit Devouring Clan's sensitivity to the Power of the Stars far surpasses that of the Human Race. They might find starfall iron Mineral Veins more easily than we do."

Everyone's expressions changed drastically.

If this were true, then the situation would be troublesome.

The Black Lotus Cult not only possessed high-level combatants but also controlled scarce resources.

With one side weakening and the other strengthening, Luoxia City's disadvantage would become even greater.

"Sect Master, then we..."

"First, confirm."

Lin Yue interrupted Lin Cang:

"Third Brother, immediately mobilize all intelligence networks to investigate all abnormal movements related to 'Ore,' 'Mineral Veins,' and 'mining' within the Southern Border over the past ten years. Especially those mines that seem normal but haveStrange in production, sales, or personnel flow."

"Yes!" Lin Laosan acknowledged.

"Lin Hu, send elite troops from the War Department, disguised as merchant caravans or adventurers, to investigate the southwest direction of the Burial Dragon Abyss. Note: do not go deep; only observe the edges for signs of large-scale mining."

"Understood!"

"Everyone else, perform your duties and intensify preparations for war. The reinforcements from the Star Track Pavilion should arrive soon. Once they do, immediately begin deploying the grand array—use the substitution plan first."

"Yes!"

Everyone accepted their orders and left.

In the hall, only Lin Yue remained.

He walked to the window and looked toward the southwest.

There lay the Burial Dragon Abyss, and also where Falling Star Valley might exist.

"Black Lotus Cult... how many hidden cards do you hold?"

Lin Yue murmured to himself.

At that moment, he suddenly felt something and turned to look at the eastern sky.

In the night, three points of starlight approached from afar, flying toward Luoxia City.

The starlight was pure, and the aura was upright, completely different from the sinister aura of the Black Lotus Cult.

"Finally, they've arrived..."

A flicker of anticipation flashed in Lin Yue's eyes.

The Star Gazing Emissaries from the Star Track Pavilion had arrived... A moment later, at the City Lord's Manor square.

Three figures descended from the sky, landing before Lin Yue.

The leader was a middle-aged man in a blue robe, with a scholarly appearance and star-like eyes. He was the leader sent by the Star Track Pavilion this time—Star Gazing Emissary Star Dust.

Behind him were a young male and a young female Star Gazing Emissary, both with extraordinary bearing.

"Lin Yue of the Luoxia Sect greets the three Star Gazing Emissaries."

Lin Yue stepped forward and bowed.

"Sect Master Lin, you are too polite."

Star Dust returned the bow, his gaze lingering on Lin Yue for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes:

"The star dragon nascent soul... truly lives up to its reputation."

He paused, then said seriously:

"By the Pavilion Master's order, the three of us have brought ten tons of starfall iron, a hundred cubic meters of star sand, and fifty Void Realm Crystals to assist. Additionally, the Pavilion Master has a message for me to convey."

"Please speak."

"The Pavilion Master said: If the White Bone Demon Venerable is indeed a Parasite, capture him alive at all costs. The Star Track Pavilion has a secret technique that can extract the parasite and trace its Origin."

Lin Yue's eyes sharpened:

"Extract the parasite? Is that... possible?"

"Difficult, but not impossible."

Star Dust said solemnly:

"The Spirit Devouring Clan's parasitism is essentially a form of Divine Soul occupation. As long as the host has not been completely consumed, there is a slim chance to extract it. Of course, this requires extremely high Divine Soul attainment, and... it causes great harm to the parasitized person, likely damaging their Origin and causing complete loss of cultivation."

Lin Yue fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"I understand. If there is a chance to capture alive, we will certainly do our best."

"Thank you, Sect Master Lin."

Star Dust cupped his hands, then looked behind him:

"The starfall iron and other supplies are all in storage Magical Artifacts. Additionally, these two are my Junior Brother and Junior Sister—Star Cloud and Star Rain, both skilled in star Formations and can assist in deploying the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Grand Array."

"I appreciate your efforts."

Lin Yue looked at the two young Star Gazing Emissaries.

Star Cloud was a handsome youth, appearing no more than twenty years old, but his aura was steady, already at the Middle Golden Core Stage.

Star Rain was a petite girl with lively eyes, curiously examining Lin Yue.

"Greetings, Sect Master Lin."

Star Rain spoke crisply:

"Before we came, Senior Sister Star Radiance specifically instructed us to fully cooperate with you. If you have any needs, please feel free to give orders."

"Thank you for Fellow Daoist Star Radiance's concern."

Lin Yue smiled:

"The three of you have come a long way. Please enter the manor to rest first. Tomorrow, we will discuss the Formation deployment in detail."

"Good."

Star Dust nodded and led his Junior Brother and Junior Sister to follow Lin Yue into the manor.

However, the moment they stepped through the manor gate, Star Dust's footsteps paused slightly.

He seemed to sense something and turned to look in a certain direction deep within the City Lord's Manor.

That was precisely the side hall where Lin Cang and the others usually handled affairs.

"What's wrong, Senior Brother?" Star Cloud noticed the anomaly.

"Nothing."

Star Dust withdrew his gaze, a flicker of doubt in his eyes:

"It's just... I seemed to sense several peculiar auras. Like Golden Core, yet like Foundation Establishment, fluctuating between real and illusory, somewhat strange."

"Perhaps it's one of Sect Master Lin's trusted aides who practices a special Cultivation Technique."

Star Cloud didn't think much of it.

"Perhaps."

Star Dust shook his head and thought no more of it.

The three followed Lin Yue into the manor.

Behind them, in the shadows of the side hall, Lin Cang slowly emerged.

He watched Star Dust's departing figure, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes.

"The Star Gazing Emissaries of the Star Track Pavilion... their perception is indeed sharp."

He murmured to himself:

"It seems they need to conceal their auras even more."

He turned and disappeared into the night.

Deep within the City Lord's Manor, the undercurrents continued to stir.

Only this time, another faction had become involved.

And there were twenty-four days left until the arrival of the White Bone Demon Venerable.