196: Chapter 196 Changes in the Small World, Sprouting of Life

Lin Yue rose from the jade bed.

Although his Meridians still throbbed with a faint pain, the recovery power of a Soul Transformation Cultivator far exceeded that of ordinary people; after three days of quiet recuperation, he was barely able to move freely.

He pushed open the door of the meditation room.

Outside the door, the Star Track Pavilion Master stood there, his star patterns robe still spotless, but the fatigue between his brows could not be hidden.

This mysterious Soul Transformation powerhouse actually looked somewhat haggard at this moment.

“Pavilion Master.”

Lin Yue cupped his hands in greeting.

“No need for formalities.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master waved his hand and walked straight into the meditation room, sitting down by the tea table.

Lin Yue closed the door and sat down opposite him.

“The Pavilion Master just said... news that isn't good?”

“Mm.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master took out a Jade Slip shimmering with starlight from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

“I used the Star Gazing Technique to deduce the situation in the exiled area of the Burial Dragon Abyss; it took three days and cost three years of my Lifespan.”

He paused and looked at Lin Yue: “The results... have both good and bad aspects.”

Lin Yue did not urge him, quietly waiting for him to continue.

“First, the good news.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master tapped the Jade Slip with his finger, and starlight projected out, condensing into a dynamic star chart in the air before them.

On the star chart, a silver-gray vortex rotated slowly, surrounded by chaotic space-time turbulence.

“The exile was successful.”

“The entire hundred-mile area of the Burial Dragon Abyss, along with that rift, has indeed been sent into the space-time interlayer.”

“The flow of time there is completely different from the outside world—according to my deductions, for every year that passes outside, only about one day passes within the space-time interlayer.”

One year to one day.

This meant that even if the Spirit Devouring Clan wanted to invade again through the rift, they would have to pay a ten-thousand-fold time cost.

Furthermore... “The environment of the space-time interlayer is extremely chaotic; without accurate coordinate guidance, it is almost impossible for them to find a path back to the present world.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master's tone carried a hint of relief: “Theoretically, that rift has indeed been eternally exiled.”

Lin Yue nodded silently.

This was indeed good news.

Though the price was heavy, it had at least bought them a breathing space.

“Then what about the bad news?”

“The bad news is...”

The Star Track Pavilion Master swiped his finger, and the star chart changed.

Beside the silver-gray vortex, several dark red thin lines appeared.

Those thin lines were like tentacles, extending from the depths of the vortex, slowly and tenaciously... exploring within the space-time turbulence.

“Although the rift has been exiled, it has not disappeared.”

“The Spirit Devouring Clan seems to possess some special spatial sensing method and is attempting to... re-locate the present world's coordinates within the space-time interlayer.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master's voice lowered: “The results of my deduction show that the time it will take for them to successfully re-locate is approximately... three hundred years in the outside world.”

“At that time, that rift might tear through space once more and return to the present world.”

Three hundred years.

Lin Yue closed his eyes.

To a Mortal, this was the span of four or five generations.

But to a Cultivator, especially high-level Cultivators, three hundred years was not very long.

A Nascent Soul Cultivator had a Lifespan of a thousand years, and a Soul Transformation Cultivator had three thousand years.

Three hundred years was merely the time of a few closed-door cultivations.

“In other words...”

Lin Yue opened his eyes, his gaze calm: “We have only postponed this war by three hundred years.”

“That is one way to understand it.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master nodded: “But at the very least, these three hundred years are a real breathing space.”

“The Southern Border needs to recuperate, and the Human Race needs to nurture a new generation of power.”

“And...”

He looked at Lin Yue, a profound look flashing in his eyes: “In three hundred years, with your talent and opportunities, I cannot estimate to what level you will be able to grow.”

Lin Yue remained silent.

He understood the Star Track Pavilion Master's meaning.

Three hundred years.

He was already at the Early Soul Transformation Stage; if he could Breakthrough to Void Refining or even higher within these three hundred years... then, even if the rift returned, he might not be without the power to fight.

“There is one more price.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master continued: “When exiling the Burial Dragon Abyss area, nearly thirty percent of the Southern Border's Spiritual Veins were forcibly drained.”

“This has caused the Spiritual Qi concentration of the entire Southern Border to drop from its original three times the outside world to... one point five times.”

“Furthermore, this damage is permanent.”

“Within a century, it will be difficult for the Southern Border's Spiritual Qi concentration to return to its former state.”

One point five times.

Lin Yue recalled Lin Cang's previous report.

The Southern Border, from a cultivation treasure land, had overnight fallen to... a barely passing middle-tier region.

This was a heavy blow to all Sects and all Cultivators in the Southern Border.

“For the time being, do not announce this news to the public.”

Lin Yue thought for a moment and said slowly: “Only say that the Spiritual Qi has been severely damaged and needs time to recover.”

“The specific data shall only be known to you, me, Lin Cang, and the three Spirit Transformation Ancestors.”

“Understood.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master understood Lin Yue's concerns.

Once the news of the sharp decrease in Spiritual Qi concentration spread completely, the Southern Border would likely face instability, and there might even be a massive outflow of Cultivators.

That was a secondary blow they could not afford.

“Next, what are your plans?”

The Star Track Pavilion Master put away the Jade Slip and asked.

“Recuperate and recover our Origin Qi.”

Lin Yue said without hesitation: “The Luoxia Sect needs time to digest the spoils of war, and the Lin family needs time to grow.”

“And...”

He paused, a strange light flashing in his eyes: “I need to first resolve some... internal issues.”

The Star Track Pavilion Master gave him a deep look but did not ask further.

“If there is a need, the Star Track Pavilion will assist with all its strength.”

“Thank you, Pavilion Master.”

The two chatted for a while longer about the details of post-war reconstruction before the Star Track Pavilion Master rose to take his leave.

After seeing off the Star Track Pavilion Master, Lin Yue did not leave the meditation room.

He closed the door again, set up several isolation Restrictions, and then sat down cross-legged.

His consciousness sank into his body once more.

The Starfall Small World.

Lin Yue's consciousness manifested beneath the World Tree.

This time, he could clearly feel the changes in this world.

The area was still ten thousand square kilometers, but the 'texture' of the entire space seemed more solid.

Mountains, rivers, plains, hills... the terrain was complete, but it lacked the most important thing—vitality.

There were no birds or beasts, no insects or fish, and even vegetation was scarce.

Aside from the twin World Trees, the entire world was as silent as a painting.

“Master.”

Hao Tian's indifferent voice rang out.

A human figure condensed from starlight appeared before Lin Yue and bowed.

“How is the situation?”

Lin Yue looked at the three silver light spheres on the canopy of the Time Tree.

The Star Spirit Seeds.

“The Fusion process has reached thirty percent.”

Hao Tian reported calmly: “The compatibility between those three strands of Cultivator remnant Souls and the Star Spirit Seeds is very high; it is estimated that complete Fusion will take... seven days of Small World time.”

Seven days.

Calculated at the Small World's current maximum five-hundred-fold time flow, that was about fifteen minutes in the outside world.

Not long.

“Besides these Star Spirit Seeds, are there any other changes in the Small World?”

“Yes.”

Hao Tian waved his hand, and starlight condensed into a complex report in the air.

“Because the Great Formation of exile drained fifty percent of the Origin, the Small World's growth has temporarily stagnated.”

“To resume growth, it is necessary to supplement the corresponding attribute Origin power—at least one portion each of the five elements origin: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.”

“Or...”

Hao Tian paused: “If Master can comprehend the complete Law of Time, you can also push the Small World to advance.”

The five elements origin.

The Law of Time.

Lin Yue was lost in thought.

The Law of Time was too profound; even with the aid of the time pool and the Time Tree, he had only touched the surface.

To fully comprehend it, he didn't know how many years it would take.

In comparison, the five elements origin seemed more realistic.

“Where can the five elements origin be found?”

“In the outside world.”

Hao Tian replied: “High-quality Five Elements earth veins and Five Elements spiritual items can all have Origin power extracted from them.”

“But the required quantity is large—at least five Five Elements earth veins of the fourth rank or above, or Five Elements treasures of equivalent value.”

Five fourth-rank earth veins.

Lin Yue smiled bitterly.

After the battle at the Burial Dragon Abyss, the Southern Border's Spiritual Veins had suffered heavy losses, and now all the major Sects were desperately protecting their own veins.

To go and 'borrow' them at this time would likely provoke public anger.

“Is there any other way?”

“Yes.”

Hao Tian waved his hand again, and the starlight runes changed: “The Small World can slowly condense the five elements origin on its own, but the speed is extremely slow—it is estimated to take... three hundred years of outside world time.”

Three hundred years.

Three hundred years again.

Lin Yue's brow furrowed slightly.

This time exactly coincided with the time when the rift might return.

Too coincidental.

“Master need not worry.”

Hao Tian seemed to have seen through his thoughts: “Although the Small World's growth has stagnated, its existing functions remain complete.”

“The time pool has a maximum five-hundred-fold flow rate, the twin World Trees can still assist in Law comprehension, and the space is sufficient to accommodate the Cultivation resources Master requires.”

“It's just that... without living beings, this world is ultimately incomplete.”

Lin Yue nodded.

He understood Hao Tian's meaning.

A world is not just mountains and rivers, but a home for all things to grow.

A world without living beings is like a shell without a Soul.

“After the Star Spirit Seeds hatch, what can they do?”

“Many things.”

Hao Tian's tone rarely carried a hint of fluctuation—it was the expectation of a 'Heavenly Dao' for 'living beings'.

“Star Spirits are derived from the rules of the Small World and are naturally attuned to the Law of the Stars.”

“Currently, their growth limit can reach the Nascent Soul Stage; they are skilled in star Formations and forging, and are absolutely loyal to Master.”

“They are the first batch of original inhabitants of this world and the sparks of the Small World's future civilization.”

Nascent Soul Stage.

Skilled in Formations and forging.

Absolutely loyal.

Lin Yue's eyes lit up.

This was simply the perfect vassal race.

If nurtured properly, they could not only become a powerful aid to the Luoxia Sect in the future but also serve as the cornerstone of the Small World's development.

“After hatching, what resources do they need?”

“Power of the Stars.”

Hao Tian replied: “Star Spirits feed on the Power of the Stars, and can also grow by devouring Ores and spiritual items containing star attributes.”

“The World Tree in the Small World will naturally emit Power of the Stars, which is sufficient for their initial growth needs.”

“If accelerated growth is needed later, Master can invest more star-attributed resources.”

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

While he didn't have many star-attributed resources, he didn't have few either.

The Star Cores and Star Crystals obtained from the Star Lords Palace should be enough for the first batch of Star Spirits to grow to the Golden Core Stage.

“Then hatch them as soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

Hao Tian bowed.

Lin Yue's consciousness withdrew from the Small World and returned to his body.

He opened his eyes, a look of determination flashing within.

Three hundred years.

The countdown to the potential return of the rift.

The realistic need for the five elements origin in the Small World.

The grim situation of the Southern Border's damaged Spiritual Qi.

Each and every matter weighed upon his shoulders.

But he did not feel burdened; instead... he was somewhat excited.

This was the kind of challenge the path of Cultivation should have.

“Sect Master.”

Outside the meditation room, Lin Cang's voice came again.

“Enter.”

Lin Cang pushed the door open and entered, a hint of urgency on his face.

“What is it?”

“People from the Central Region... have arrived.”

Lin Cang said in a low voice: “Envoys from the Seven Sect Council have already reached the mountain gate.”

“They say... they want to discuss post-war matters, as well as... the future ownership of the Southern Border.”

Lin Yue smiled.

In his smile, there was a touch of coldness.

As expected.

The war had just ended, and those looking to pluck the fruits of victory had arrived.

“Invite them to the Council Hall.”

Lin Yue rose and straightened his robes.

“By the way.”

He looked at Lin Cang: “Notify Lin Hu, Lin De, Lin Shi, Lin Laosan, as well as Little Star and Elder Star Radiance, to attend the meeting together.”

“Tell them...”

A wise light flashed in Lin Yue's eyes: “Prepare to put on a show.”

“A grand show... for the envoys of the Central Region to see.”

Lin Cang understood and bowed as he withdrew.

In the meditation room, Lin Yue walked to the window and looked towards the mountain gate.

The sunlight was just right, spilling over the pavilions and towers of the Luoxia Sect, coating them in a layer of gold.

But Lin Yue knew that behind this gold were the still-lingering smoke of war and... the impending undercurrents.

“Want to pluck the fruits?”

He whispered to himself, his lips curving into a scheming smile.

“We'll have to see if you... have the teeth for it.”

The wind blew past, lifting the hem of his robe.

The aura of the Early Soul Transformation Stage was quietly released at this moment.

Like a sleeping Dragon, slowly opening its eyes.