413: Core of the Starry Sky

Di Xingyun followed the two obediently, passing through the tribe's simple stone path adorned with glowing moss and strange Ore, toward the massive Stone Hall located at the heart of the tribe.

The interior of the Stone Hall was empty and solemn, the air filled with a strange scent of ancient rock mixed with star dust.

At the center of the hall, the star dome core floated quietly, a galaxy rotating and cycling through life and death within it, as profound star runes flowed with a gentle yet vast brilliance.

The moment Di Xingyun stepped into the Stone Hall, the humming of the star dome core suddenly became clearer, and the flow of light accelerated as if in response.

Pan Shan and Xing Mou exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and certainty in each other's eyes.

"Please sit."

Pan Shan gestured toward a smooth stone stool in the hall.

After Di Xingyun sat down, Clan Chief Pan Shan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the floating star dome core, his voice carrying a desolation that transcended eras:

"Little friend Starfall, do you know that my Star Stone Tribe has been trapped here... for over ten thousand years."

Di Xingyun's pupils constricted slightly.

Over ten thousand years? The Laws within the Ancient Starry Path were chaotic and violent, making it difficult for even those in the Saint Domain Realm to survive. How could these survivors have thrived and passed down their Legacy for ten millennia?

"Ten thousand years!?" His voice carried genuine shock.

"Indeed, this place is a cage."

Clan Chief Pan Shan's voice was heavy, a flash of deep pain crossing his eyes.

"Above us is not the sky, but the endless, shattered Lightless Ruins; beneath us is not the ground, but the Law-distorted Star Sand Sea. The area we can move in is limited to a few Star Barrier protected lands opened up by our ancestors using their lives and this star dome core as a foundation."

High Priestess Xing Mou added: "As for why we are trapped here... the long passage of time has eroded too much of the truth. I'm afraid only the first generation priest and Clan Chief knew the full Karma."

"What has been passed down is only a prophecy deduced by the first generation High Priestess at the cost of her life."

Her withered finger pointed at the humming and shining star dome core, her Purple Star Vortex Pupils staring at Di Xingyun: "The prophecy says: When the long-dormant will of the star dome core awakens once more, when the galaxy rings out and the star orbits are reconnected, the Guiding Star shall descend upon the Ancient Starry Path!"

"He will bear the secrets of the Star Source Stream, guiding us survivors to break free from this eternal cage and return to the embrace of the sea of stars!"

"Guiding Star?" Di Xingyun's heart jolted. Connecting the star dome core's abnormal movement with Clan Chief Pan Shan's previous words, an unbelievable thought emerged.

"You think... it's me?"

"It's not thinking, it's confirmation!"

Clan Chief Pan Shan spoke decisively, his tiger-like eyes flashing with sharp light as he locked onto Di Xingyun.

"From the moment you fell into the Star Tear River and your blood stained its waters, the star dome core has hummed and vibrated like never before! And when you stepped into this Stone Hall, it resonated... with you!"

"You are the Guiding Star we have awaited for ten thousand years!"

Silence filled the Stone Hall, save for the continuous low humming of the star dome core, like an ancient calling.

A massive wave surged in Di Xingyun's heart.

The survivors within the Ancient Starry Path, the ten thousand years of waiting, the first generation High Priestess's prophecy... everything pointed to him!

This sudden mission was so heavy it almost suffocated him.

He was no savior; he was just a Genius of the Di Clan seeking power to protect his kinsmen, and he was still being hunted by the Star Sacred Land outside!

"Clan Chief, High Priestess," Di Xingyun suppressed his churning emotions, his voice slightly dry.

"I am grateful to the tribe for saving my life, but this Guiding Star... it is a matter of great importance. My cultivation is low, my heavy injuries haven't healed, and there are powerful enemies lurking outside. How can I take on such a heavy responsibility? Besides, I know nothing about this place, and as for the prophecy..."

"You don't need to do anything immediately!" Pan Shan interrupted him. "The prophecy indicates that you will eventually lead us to find a way out!"

"The first step is to establish a connection with the star dome core!"

Pan Shan looked intently at Xing Mou. "High Priestess, let us begin!"

High Priestess Xing Mou's expression was solemn. She walked slowly beneath the star dome core and formed an extremely complex and ancient Star Seal with her hands in front of her chest.

She began to chant obscure and difficult syllables, each one drawing the dense Power of Starlight within the Stone Hall into that deep purple crystal.

"Little friend Starfall, come forward and place your hand on the star dome core."

"Only by gaining the recognition of the ancient core and receiving the nourishment of its Origin Star Power can you recover faster and truly trigger the power of the Ancient Path's core to ignite the fire of hope for our tribe!"

Di Xingyun took a deep breath, his gaze becoming sharp and determined.

Regardless of whether the prophecy was true or false, the vast and pure Star Source Power contained within the star dome core before him was real!

This might be the opportunity for him to quickly recover his strength!

He no longer hesitated. Supporting his still-weak body, he walked step by step to the floating deep purple crystal.

The closer he got, the more violently the starfall pagoda within his Dantian vibrated. The star patterns on the pagoda's body flowed with light, letting out a silent roar of desire.

The star dome core also seemed to sense a kindred aura. The humming suddenly rose in pitch, and the rotating galaxy within it erupted with a dazzling light, illuminating the entire Stone Hall like the core of a sea of stars!

Di Xingyun reached out his hand, which carried the unique faint glow of the Star Body, and slowly pressed it against the surface of the crystal, which was gentle yet contained terrifying energy.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch the star dome core—

"Buzz—!!!"

An unprecedentedly loud hum erupted!

The star dome core jolted violently, the deep purple crystal suddenly becoming transparent. The rotating galaxy inside seemed to come alive, turning into billions of condensed star light streams that surged madly along Di Xingyun's arm and into his body!

This power was pure and vast to the extreme, far exceeding the Star Tide Spring, and it carried an ancient, desolate will!

"Ugh!"

Di Xingyun let out a muffled groan, feeling as if his arm and even half of his body were about to be burst by this violent torrent of Star Power!

A tearing pain came from his Meridians, and his Dantian felt as if billions of burning stars had been thrown into it!

The star dome core was actively pouring power into him, but this power was far too overbearing!

Di Xingyun clenched his teeth, veins popping on his forehead, his eyes instantly filled with brilliant starlight!

He pushed his Cultivation Technique to the limit!

His Star Body flashed spontaneously, fine star patterns appearing on his skin as he tried his best to channel the violent torrent.

However, the Origin Star Power from the star dome core was too vast and pure, its quality far exceeding the limit of what his current Realm could endure!

His own Cultivation Technique's operation was like a small stream trying to channel a massive river—a drop in the bucket!

Fine cracks began to appear in his Meridians, and his Dantian Qi Sea felt like it would burst. The starfall pagoda buzzed loudly under the impact of this violent Star Power!

The power pouring from the star dome core became even more violent!

"Not enough! At this rate, I'll be blown apart!" A warning bell rang wildly in Di Xingyun's heart.

At the critical moment, he plunged all his consciousness into his Dantian, desperately communicating with the starfall pagoda that was swaying under the impact!

"Pagoda! Wake up! Swallow it!"