38: The shock of the Emperor Star's fall

"You are very good! Star Body! starfall pagoda!"

Di Shenglong's voice was very soft, yet it caused all the stars in the hall to light up simultaneously.

Di Xingyun was terrified; how could the Clan Chief know? This was his greatest secret!

"Rise."

"You have been away from home for many years; now it is time to return. The Family's gates will always be open for you!"

Di Xingyun was shaken. Originally, he had looked down on the main Family, but now he had to set aside his contempt.

The Lord Clan Chief was likely far more terrifying than his Revered Master, Celestial Xuanzi.

By the lakeside, Di Beichen was telling his son about the drastic changes of the past few months.

"...The Lord Clan Chief not only eliminated the distinction between the main and branch lineages and led us to relocate here, but he also established the Eternal Night Divine Capital."

"Since moving here, our Cultivate speed has become much faster."

Di Xingyun naturally noticed that the density of Spiritual Qi here far exceeded that of his Sect—the Carefree Sect.

Furthermore, the Family had actually opened up a Small World; this was likely something only legendary super-experts could accomplish.

Was this achieved by that young Lord Clan Chief?

At this moment, Di Xingyun completely cast aside the contempt in his heart, which turned into awe.

Di Xingyun stroked the Godfall Di Token at his waist—this was just bestowed by Di Shenglong, allowing free entry and exit from the Small World. On the back of the token, the four small characters 'Godfall Di Clan' were engraved, the brushstrokes as sharp as swords.

"Starfall," Di Mingxuan suddenly lowered his voice, "this is from the Lord Clan Chief."

The young man looked up abruptly, only to see his grandfather take out a Jade Slip. Sending his Divine Sense inside, it was actually the first volume of the Myriad Realms Return to Origin Scripture! The "Beidou Heaven-Devouring Technique" recorded within fit perfectly with the Legacy he had obtained from the starfall pagoda.

"The Clan Chief said..." Awe flickered in Di Mingxuan's eyes, "this is our Di Clan's Legacy Cultivation Technique. Since you have returned, you naturally must receive a copy."

Ripples suddenly stirred on the lake's surface, reflecting the setting sun. Gazing at the towering Di Divine Palace in the distance, Di Xingyun suddenly knelt on one knee and bowed solemnly in that direction.

This bow was for the grace of being remade, for the grand path to the heavens, and even more for that all-encompassing magnanimity—how fortunate he, Di Xingyun, was to be born into such a Di Clan!

As the first light of dawn appeared, six young disciples and the War Lineage Master, Di Tianxiao, had already gathered on the Godfall Di Clan's martial arts field.

Di Tianxiao stood at the very front.

Di Qianjie stood behind him, his tall figure outlined by a set of black martial attire, with a steadiness between his brows that belied his age.

Beside him, Di Lingxiao was playing with a Jade Slip, a cynical smile hanging on his lips.

Meanwhile, Di Xingyun, who had just returned to the Family, stood silently to the side, a sharp light flickering in his eyes.

With the Secret Realm emerging, how could he miss such a grand event?

Di Qianjie nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the towering palace at the end: "The Lord Clan Chief has summoned us; there must be important matters to discuss."

Just as he finished speaking, a majestic voice came from the sky: "Enter."

Everyone's expression turned solemn as they lined up and walked toward the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Di Shenglong sat upon a gilded throne. This powerhouse, standing at the Peak of the cultivation world, now watched the young disciples entering the hall with a gentle gaze.

"Greetings, Lord Clan Chief!" everyone saluted in unison.

Di Shenglong raised his hand to signal everyone to rise: "The emergence of the Netherworld Secret Realm this time is a rare tempering Opportunity for our Di Clan's younger generation. Although there are opportunities within the Secret Realm, it is also fraught with danger."

"The Netherworld Secret Realm contains ancient legacies." Di Shenglong spoke, his voice not loud but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "This tempering is both an Opportunity and a test."

His gaze swept over everyone. "You are all the future of my Di Clan; there must be no mistakes."

With that, Di Shenglong waved his sleeve, and seven streaks of light flew toward the group. Di Qianjie reached out and caught one, finding it to be a pitch-black jade talisman, cold to the touch and faintly vibrating with spatial energy.

"This is the 'Xuantian Escape Talisman.' In times of crisis, it can tear through space and teleport you ten thousand miles away, even out of the Secret Realm."

Di Shenglong explained, "But each one can only be used once; use it wisely."

Next, Di Shenglong's gaze fell upon Di Tianxiao, who was standing behind Di Qianjie: "Uncle Tianxiao, come forward."

Di Tianxiao was slightly startled and stepped forward quickly.

Di Shenglong took out a deep blue token. Its surface was engraved with complex patterns, and at its center was a hideous ghost-head design.

"This is the netherworld token, which can guide you to the exact location of the Secret Realm." Di Shenglong handed the token to Di Tianxiao. "You are their elder and possess a meticulous mind; this item shall be kept by you."

Di Tianxiao took it with both hands and said solemnly, "I will certainly not fail the Lord Clan Chief's trust."

Di Shenglong nodded with satisfaction, then gave a few more instructions regarding the excursion before finally saying, "Remember, when Di Clan disciples are outside, you must work together with one heart. Within a Secret Realm, the most dangerous thing is often not mechanical traps, but the hearts of men."

As the group was about to leave, Di Shenglong released seven streaks of Holy Light into their bodies.

"Depart!"

Just after dawn, a team composed of seven Di Clan elites quietly left the Godfall Di Clan's territory.

They were riding a silver-white giant eagle—the Snow Eagle, at the Tongtian Realm Fifth Level. This was the flying mount selected for them by the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf. Given the Snow Eagle's speed, it would only take a few days to reach the Chihuang Province.

On the back of the Snow Eagle, Di Tianxiao was studying the netherworld token in his hand.

"Uncle Tianxiao, why are you coming to this Secret Realm? You are the War Lineage Master; there's absolutely no need for you to take this risk," Di Qianjie asked.

Di Tianxiao took a deep breath and tucked the netherworld token into his robe. "Although I am currently at the Seventh Level of the Purple Mansion Realm, it is completely insufficient. Any major power in the Donghuang Province has many Heaven-Reaching Realm experts. As the War Lineage Master who fights for the Family, my strength is truly not enough."

"Moreover, the Family has geniuses like you. If I were to be overtaken by you, where would I hide my face? After all, I am of your uncle's generation."

"Uncle, then you'd better work hard," Di Qianjie teased.

For a moment, the atmosphere became lively.

Di Lingxiao said lazily, "I heard that most of the Chihuang Province is desert and it's deathly hot. Had I known, I should have prepared more Ice Talismans."

Di Qingge chuckled upon hearing this. "Don't worry, Brother Lingxiao. I've prepared a hundred Ice Talismans; that should be enough."

"Haha, Sister Qingge is still the most thoughtful."

The Snow Eagle pierced through the clouds, the mountains and rivers below receding rapidly.

Di Qianjie stood on the back of the Snow Eagle, feeling the wind whistling past.

This was his first time leaving the Di Clan's territory for tempering. He felt both anticipation and a hint of worry. The Clan Chief's words, 'the most dangerous thing is the hearts of men,' echoed continuously in his mind.

What they didn't know was that within the clouds above, the Amethyst Demonic Tiger was lazily watching them.

A few days later, the flying vessel entered the borders of the Chihuang Province. Just as the rumors said, as far as the eye could see was nothing but boundless yellow sand, the scorching air distorting the distant scenery.

"Does this hellish place really have a Secret Realm?" Di Lingxiao complained, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Di Tianxiao took out the netherworld token and saw that the patterns on it were emitting a faint blue light. "There's a reaction. The Secret Realm should be deep within this desert."

Di Tianxiao had the Snow Eagle lower its altitude and followed the direction guided by the netherworld token. As they went deeper into the desert, the temperature grew higher, making even the group of accomplished cultivators feel uncomfortable. Di Qingge distributed the Ice Talismans in a timely manner, which made everyone feel better.