In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Lu Xueqi took on more reconnaissance and vigilance duties. Her movements were swift and agile, her sword flashing with sharp light. The azure light of the Tianya Divine Sword traced graceful trajectories on the bottom of Star Lake, slaying or driving away star beasts attempting to approach the side hall area. During the battle, she also consciously began to guide and utilize the omnipresent stellar power in the environment. Although she didn't directly refine and absorb it like Su Han, a touch of cool starlight gradually crept into the Tianya sword light, increasing its power.

During breaks from cultivation, Su Han would also leave the side hall and move around in a relatively safe area nearby to adapt to the lakebed environment and try to utilize the power of the stars. He discovered that casting Qingyun Dao techniques here, especially those related to water and light, was amplified to varying degrees. Furthermore, integrating the power of the stars into his sword energy produced a peculiar penetrating and purifying effect, which seemed particularly effective against those star beasts.

On this day, Su Han was practicing sword techniques beside a coral reef outside the palace when suddenly an idea struck him, and he turned to look at the center of the lake.

The towering, silvery-white pillar of light seemed to shine even brighter than usual. Inside the pillar, countless finer points of light could be faintly seen flowing and converging, as if brewing something.

At the same time, the stone bead in his arms heated up slightly again, and inside the side hall, the tortoise shell that had always shrouded Biyao emitted a brighter, dark blue light than before. The patterns on its surface flowed faster and even emitted a low, long hum, as if responding to the changes in the center of the lake.

“This is…” Su Han felt a chill in his heart and quickly returned to the side hall.

Elder Mu had also stopped refining weapons and stood in the hall, gazing solemnly towards the center of the lake. Lu Xueqi also sensed the anomaly and rushed back from outside the hall.

“Stellar energy tides,” Elder Mu said in a deep voice. “The stellar energy in the center of the lake is fluctuating periodically, like the ebb and flow of the tide. Judging from this sign, a ‘high tide’ is likely to arrive soon, at which time the stellar energy will be more active, and possibly even more… violent. This is an opportunity for us to approach the center of the lake. When the stellar energy is active, certain paths or restrictions may appear, but they are also extremely dangerous. If we are not careful, we will be assimilated or torn apart by the surging stellar energy.”

He looked at Su Han: "The magic weapon I'm crafting is still missing the final step of nurturing. Originally, it would have taken two or three days, but now it seems there might not be enough time. The stellar tide is approaching, and we must act ahead of schedule. Moreover, during the tide, those star beasts may become more active, or even mutate."

Su Han replied without hesitation, "In that case, let's prepare to depart. Elder, when can we use the magical artifact?"

Elder Mu estimated: "It will take at most half a day to complete the initial warming process. Although it is not in the best condition, it should be usable." He took out three items.

A palm-sized, dark blue token, neither gold nor wood, with starlight dotting its surface, outlining simple star patterns. "This is the 'Star-Stabilizing Token,' which can temporarily stabilize the flow of star power within a small area around the user and resist star power pressure. However, each use can only last for a maximum of one hour and requires spirit stones or one's own spiritual power to activate."

A thin, gossamer-thin gauze robe shimmered with a flowing silver light. "This is the 'Starlight Gauze Robe,' made from Starlight Grass mixed with lake silk. When worn, it can reflect and deflect violent stellar energy impacts to a certain extent, and also provides good protection against physical and spiritual attacks."

Finally, there was a bead the size of a longan, constantly emitting a soft starlight. "This is the 'Star-Attracting Bead,' which can temporarily attract and gather surrounding star power to form a star power shield, but it will also make you the focus of star power, easily attracting the attention of star beasts, so use it with caution."

Elder Mu handed the Star-Fixing Token and the Star-Radiant Robe to Su Han, while keeping the Star-Attracting Pearl for himself: "Take the Star-Fixing Token and Robe with you; use them when you get close to the center of the lake. I'll control the Star-Attracting Pearl; it might come in handy at a crucial moment. Xueqi, your swordsmanship is sharp and your movements are fast; you'll be responsible for clearing the way and dealing with the star beasts. Here are a few 'Starfall Talismans,' their power is decent, and they can be used as a supplement." He then handed Lu Xueqi several talismans that shimmered with dangerous starlight.

Lu Xueqi silently accepted it and nodded.

Su Han put away the token and the gauze robe. They were icy to the touch, yet possessed a familiar, almost blood-related warmth, clearly due to the stellar spiritual materials found here. "What about Bi Yao?" Su Han looked at the still unconscious woman in green. Taking her into danger while she was unconscious was obviously unwise, but leaving her alone was even more worrying.

Elder Mu had already considered this: "I will set up the 'Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array' here, using this tortoise shell fragment as the array's core, drawing upon stellar energy to form a protective barrier. This array is quite powerful, and with the tortoise shell guarding it, ordinary star beasts will find it difficult to break through. I will leave behind a few talismans and a sensing artifact, so that we will be immediately notified if the array is under a strong attack and can quickly return to its aid. Moreover, Miss Biyao's aura is connected to the tortoise shell; staying within the array might be even safer for her."

Su Han thought for a moment, and it seemed that this was the only relatively safe method at the moment. He walked to Bi Yao's side, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Bi Yao, wait for me to come back. This time, I will definitely find a way to save you."

As if she had heard his words, Biyao's fingertips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Su Han took a deep breath, straightened up, and her eyes regained their sharpness and determination.

Elder Mu began setting up the array. Centered on the tortoise shell, he inscribed intricate array patterns on the floor of the side hall, arranging the collected stellar-infused ores and aquatic plants according to specific directions, and finally inscribing several spells. The array patterns lit up one by one, connecting with the tortoise shell's eerie blue light, ultimately forming a semi-circular light shield that enveloped Biyao and the tortoise shell. Starlight flowed across the light shield, radiating an aura of stability and resilience.

Elder Mu then took out several small array flags and planted them in various places in the side hall to form an early warning system. He then handed a jade pendant to Su Han, saying, "If the array is attacked beyond its limit, this jade pendant will heat up to warn you."

After completing all this, Elder Mu's face was slightly pale, clearly indicating that he had expended considerable energy. He swallowed a pill, regulated his breathing for a moment, and then said, "There's no time to lose, let's set off. The prelude to the Star Power Tide will last for some time, and it's difficult to predict precisely when the true peak of the 'high tide' will arrive. We must act quickly."

Su Han took one last look at Bi Yao, who was sleeping in the light barrier, then turned around and walked out of the side hall first.

Lu Xueqi followed silently, her Tianya Sword already half an inch out of its sheath, its azure light swirling in the lake.

Elder Mu walked at the back, holding the Star-Attracting Pearl in his hand, its light reflecting off his white beard and solemn eyes.

The three left the side hall and walked across the water toward the eternally shining silver-white pillar of light in the center of the lake.

The closer one gets to the center of the lake, the clearer and more transparent the surrounding water becomes, and the brighter the light. Countless tiny, luminous plankton drift in the water, like stardust. Large, uniquely shaped coral reefs and underwater mountains gradually increase in number, most of them covered with thick, shimmering moss or fungi. Many ancient ruins are hidden among these formations, mostly more complete and magnificent than those on the outside, adorned with more intricate patterns of stars and aquatic life.

But beneath the calm surface, danger lurks everywhere. (End of Chapter)