404: Starlight Event

Starfall Continent, Starlight City.

As one of the few major cities on the Starfall Continent, Starlight City lived up to its name. The city's buildings extensively used special stones infused with starlight power. By day, they shimmered with a gentle silver glow; by night, they mirrored the vast starry sky, flowing like a dreamlike river of starlight.

In recent days, the city had become exceptionally lively, with crowds weaving through the streets like silk.

Cultivators from all over the Starfall Continent were gathering here.

The reason was simple: the triennial grand event of Starfall Prefecture—the Star Gazing Grand Gathering—was about to commence at the Star-Plucking Platform in the center of Starlight City.

Di Xingyun, dressed in simple green martial attire and looking travel-worn, stepped through the towering Star-Patterned City Gate of Starlight City.

His aura was restrained, making him look like an ordinary Heaven-Reaching Realm Cultivator with a slightly cold disposition.

However, as his gaze swept over the visibly increased number of Cultivators and the excitement and anticipation permeating the air, he still keenly caught whispered discussions about the Shattered Star Secret Realm.

"Have you heard? The Ning Family took a huge fall this time!"

"More than just a fall! Ning Chuan, Ning Ran, and Ning Shu are dead, and Ning Jingwen was seriously injured by an unknown individual, nearly losing his life in the Secret Realm!"

"Hiss... Heaven-Reaching Realm Fifth Level, defeating a Law with a single finger? Just... who on earth is this kid??"

"I heard the Saint and Saintess of the Star Sacred Land almost came to blows over this kid!"

"Shh! Quiet! Do you want to die? Is this something we should be discussing?"

Listening to these discussions, Di Xingyun's expression remained calm, but a cold glint flickered deep in his eyes.

He tightened his fist inside his sleeve, feeling the gentle yet majestic power emanating from the four star Origin crystals in his storage ring, as well as the resonance between the starfall pagoda in his Dantian and the zhou tian star chart in his Sea of Consciousness under the true intent of the Star Shattering Secret Art.

Power! He needed to digest these gains faster and convert what he had obtained in the Secret Realm into true strength!

He found an inconspicuous inn to stay in and set up a simple isolation Restriction.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he took out a star Origin crystal.

The deep blue crystal floated in his palm, its interior seemingly containing a miniature galaxy slowly rotating. Wisps of pure star Origin power seeped out and, without needing guidance, joyfully surged into his limbs and bones.

The Star God Art, Star Saint Body Art, and Myriad Realms Return to Origin Scripture all operated simultaneously!

The starfall pagoda in his Dantian emitted a low hum, and the ancient patterns on its surface greedily absorbed this Origin power, becoming clearer and deeper.

The phantom of the incomplete zhou tian star chart also seemed to be nourished, its light brightening slightly.

Under the washing of this Origin power, his Star Body was undergoing a deeper level of tempering and strengthening, steadily advancing toward the Peak of Minor Achievement.

Every inch of flesh and every bone seemed to be undergoing Rebirth within the stars, containing explosive power.

Just as Di Xingyun was immersed in his Cultivation, racing against time to increase his strength, a soft and rhythmic knocking came from outside the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly penetrated the simple Restriction he had set up.

Di Xingyun instantly restrained his aura, put the star Origin crystal back into his storage ring, and with a flash of sharp light in his eyes, said in a wary, deep voice, "Who is it?"

A cold and pleasant female voice, like an icy spring striking jade, came from outside: "Star Sacred Land, Luo Li. Young Master, may we talk?"

Luo Li? How did she find this place? Di Xingyun felt a slight chill in his heart.

This Star Saintess had helped him in the Secret Realm. After a brief moment of hesitation, he waved his hand to remove the Restriction: "Saintess, please come in."

The door opened silently.

Dressed in snow-white clothes, Luo Li stepped in. Her peerlessly beautiful face remained calm and rippleless, and she was surrounded by a faint, pure astral aura, like a moon palace Fairy untainted by dust.

Her arrival seemed to brighten the simple guest room.

Her gaze fell on Di Xingyun, her clear eyes seemingly able to perceive the surging Power of Starlight within him. She got straight to the point: "Young Master, there is no need to be nervous. I have not come for the Sacred Land, nor for Xiao Chen."

She paused, her voice still cold but carrying a hint of sincerity: "The Star Gazing Grand Gathering begins tomorrow at the Star-Plucking Platform. This gathering is a platform for young Cultivators of the Starfall Continent to exchange insights and verify their Star Dao. The champion of the gathering will gain the qualification to Cultivate in the Star Tide Spring for three days."

"Star Tide Spring?" Di Xingyun's eyebrows rose slightly.

While gathering information at the Star Market, he had heard of this name. It was said to be an extremely rare natural Cultivation treasure land in the Starfall Continent, its depths connected to a faint star Origin tide. Cultivating within it offered immeasurable benefits to Cultivators of the Star Path, greatly accelerating their comprehension and tempering their physical bodies and spiritual power.

"Correct."

Luo Li nodded slightly.

"The Star Tide Spring contains a trace of star Origin tide power, which is of great benefit to Cultivators who practice the Power of Starlight. I see that your aura is concentrated, but while your Star Power is majestic, it shows signs of turbulence. Clearly, you have not fully digested your gains from the Secret Realm. The Star Tide Spring may be able to lend you a helping hand."

"I know you have friction with the Ning Family and Xiao Chen. During the gathering, all eyes will be on it. Even if there are grudges, they must be resolved on the platform according to the rules. This place might instead become an Opportunity for you to temporarily avoid external disturbances, digest your gains, and obtain a chance."

Di Xingyun's thoughts raced.

Luo Li's words hit the mark.

He indeed needed time to digest the power of the Star Shattering Secret Art and the star Origin crystals, and he needed a chance that would allow his strength to leap forward again.

The Star Tide Spring was undoubtedly very tempting.

"Why are you telling me this, Saintess?" Di Xingyun looked directly into Luo Li's clear eyes and asked the key question.

He did not believe in kindness without reason.

Luo Li's expression remained unchanged as she said frankly: "You have obtained the true legacy of the Shattered Star, making you a rare genius of the Star Path. As the Star Saintess, I appreciate talent and do not wish to see a bright pearl covered in dust."

Very direct, and very much in line with her cold and proud personality.

She valued his potential! Perhaps she wanted to recruit a Prodigy for the Star Sacred Land.

Di Xingyun was silent for a moment, the sharp light in his eyes slowly settling.

He needed the Star Tide Spring, and he also needed this chance to stay out of the vortex temporarily and accumulate strength.

"Thank you for informing me, Saintess."

Di Xingyun cupped his hands, his tone returning to calm. "I will participate in this Star Gazing Grand Gathering."

The corners of Luo Li's lips seemed to curl up very slightly, vanishing in an instant.

"Very well. Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, at the Star-Plucking Platform."

She said no more, her white clothes fluttering as she left the room as silently as she had arrived.

The door closed, isolating the outside world.

Di Xingyun sat down cross-legged again but did not immediately Cultivate. He looked out the window at the starry night sky, his gaze deep.

Star Gazing Grand Gathering... Star Tide Spring... Beneath this brief calm, a more intense storm was brewing.

And what he had to do was absorb all the nutrients in this gathering to make himself stronger! Strong enough to crush all enemies blocking his path!

On the Star-Plucking Platform, it was destined not to be peaceful.