117: Stargazing Trial 1

When Xiao Yan and the two others arrived, following the Spirit of the Plane's signal, the sight before them took their breath away—a pure white, trapezoidal high platform floated above the cliff, its body inlaid with countless stellar gems that shimmered with a dreamlike luster under the setting sun.

The Star Observation Platform had no visible supports, as if held aloft by an invisible force, and seven star rainbows converged at its peak from different directions, forming a dazzling aurora dome.

"This is...the Star Clan Holy Land?" Xiao Bing looked up in awe, his ice-blue left eye reflecting the myriad starlight.

Countless light points, like data, flashed through Ling Xiao's silver eyes: "The structure defies comprehension...it's not sustained by Dou Qi or spiritual energy...this is pure stellar architecture!"

The star-point and black threads in Xiao Yan's right eye pulsed simultaneously, resonating strangely with the Star Observation Platform.

The star-shaped pendant in his hand automatically floated up, pointing towards the platform's peak: "They are up there..."

As the three were about to look for a way to ascend, the pendant suddenly shot out a ray of starlight, forming a translucent Star Bridge between the cliff and the Star Observation Platform.

The bridge was wide enough for only one person to cross, with a bottomless abyss below.

"I'll go first." Xiao Yan took a deep breath and stepped onto the Star Bridge.

He felt a solid sensation underfoot, but with each step, the bridge surface rippled with star patterns.

Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao followed closely.

When they reached the center of the bridge, a sudden change occurred—the surrounding scenery abruptly transformed, and they seemed to be in a vast sea of stars, with the bridge sections before, behind, and to their sides vanishing, leaving only a small patch of starlight beneath their feet.

"An illusion?" Xiao Bing vigilantly looked around.

Ling Xiao attempted to sense the plane coordinates: "No...it's a real spatial transfer! We've been moved into the gap between the stars!"

The star-point in Xiao Yan's right eye suddenly flared, projecting a holographic image—it was himself, but his entire body was filled with starlight, blue light clearly visible through the blood vessels under his skin, and the black threads in his right eye were compressed to their limit.

The "Xiao Yan" in the image suddenly collapsed in pain, his body beginning to crystallize from within, finally exploding into countless star dust!

"This is...the first trial." Xing Lan's voice came from all directions, though she was nowhere to be seen, "The Star Bridge shows the end of the chosen path...if you continue to suppress the seed of chaos, the Star Bloodline will backlash against your Physical Body."

The image shifted, revealing a second scene—Xiao Yan's entire body covered in black threads, his right eye completely black, holding a black flame longsword, with the corpses of Yao Lao, Xun'er, Xiao Bing, and Ling Xiao lying at his feet.

This "Xiao Yan" laughed maniacally skyward, his voice a roar like countless people overlapping.

"If you allow the seed of chaos to dominate, you will lose everyone you cherish." Xing Lan's voice carried sorrow, "The Star Bridge requires the Transmigration to recognize the cost of both paths."

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Both paths were dead ends, so what was the point of choosing?

Just then, a third image appeared—a scene of Xiao Yan standing at the peak of the Star Observation Platform, with three glowing orbs floating before him, each displaying the faces of Yao Lao, Xun'er, and his two younger brothers.

A cold voice sounded: "Choose one person to sacrifice, and the others can live."

"No!" Xiao Yan roared, "I will never make such a choice!"

The Star Bridge vibrated violently, the stellar sea image shattering like glass, and the three stood again on the solid bridge surface, only a few steps from the other side.

Ling Xiao's face was pale: "That just now was..."

"The future...or rather, a possible future." Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse, "The Star Observation Platform is testing us."

After safely reaching the Star Observation Platform, they discovered that its peak was a platform the size of a football field, with seven star pillars standing in the center, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper.

Yao Lao, Xun'er, and Xing Lan stood among the star pillars, waiting for them.

"Mother!" Xiao Yan quickly stepped forward, shocked by Xing Lan's change—in just half a day, she had transformed from a still-charming woman into a white-haired old woman, only the starlight in her eyes remained bright.

Xing Lan smiled and embraced her son: "What did the Star Bridge show you?"

Xiao Yan briefly described the three images, and Yao Lao frowned upon hearing them: "Three trials...it seems to correspond to the three parts of the Star Observation Platform—the Star Bridge, the Mirror Heart Hall, and the Legacy Pavilion."

Xun'er worriedly held Xiao Yan's hand: "The third trial wanted you to choose one person to sacrifice..."

"I won't choose." Xiao Yan said decisively, "There must be another way."