A journey through immortal realms begins with a phantom tale.

"Trying to stir up a bloodbath?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xing's already cold face grew even colder. Luo Cheng and Li Qiang looked grave, Qian Shanyong frowned, Dai Nanfeng remained expressionless, and only Xuan Long remained calm.

Qian Shanyong had cultivated his cultivation in the world for tens of thousands of years, expending countless efforts, and he would never allow the Crimson Demon Lord to destroy all of this. If he weren't lacking in strength to completely annihilate the Demon Lord, he would have already taken action to obliterate him.

Luo Cheng said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, I have a plan."

"Tell me about it," Lone Star said, his tone still icy.

Luo Cheng didn't care about his attitude. If you want to earn respect, you have to show the corresponding strength. Besides, he knew Gu Xing's personality. In the Immortal Realm, apart from the Azure Emperor, this guy didn't give face to anyone.

"I know a set of formations," Luo Cheng said.

"Hmm?" Lone Star was slightly surprised.

Although formations are a required course for cultivators, they are extremely profound. Ordinary immortals lack the time and energy to study them, and mastery requires exceptional talent. In the immortal realm, only the Heavenly Lord Bei Dong has a deep understanding of formations.

Luo Cheng explained, "I will take out some array flags and ask you all to place them in the void to help me form a void-locking array."

"Okay," Gu Xing uttered a single word, which was his response.

He was the strongest, and since he had already agreed, the others naturally had no objections.

Luo Cheng took out the array flags he had crafted over the years and distributed them one by one: "Gu Xing, you have the highest cultivation level, take twenty array flags."

"Junior brother, you take ten pieces."

Qian Shanyong, Dai Nanfengyu, Xuanlong, and others also received a corresponding number of battle flags.

The Crimson Demon Lord could only watch helplessly as they distributed array flags to block his escape route, and could only scream in despair.

Its sound is extremely piercing!

He had just tried to get the demons to break out of the Kaoru Stream, but once they were drawn into it, they lost all contact. Therefore, he would never take this path unless absolutely necessary.

"Kid, I'll see what you're capable of!" Chi Ming stared intently at Luo Cheng, his heart filled with disdain. Could a mere brat weaker than Gu Xing possibly cause any trouble?

Soon, array flags plunged into the void. Luo Cheng formed hand seals, and as the seals took shape, rays of light scattered into the void.

"Knot!"

The Void Locking Array was formed instantly.

"Not good!" Chi Ming finally realized something was wrong, and his expression changed drastically.

"Lone Star, let's attack together!" Luo Cheng shouted.

"good!"

Lone Star unleashed his immortal arts, Luo Cheng activated his Buddhist supernatural powers, and Li Qiang, Qian Shanyong, Dai Nanfeng, and Xuan Long also unleashed their immortal arts and supernatural powers at the same time.

In an instant, a burst of celestial light appeared in the void, sealing off the surrounding space.

"I'm leaving!" Chiming released all the demons, some rushing towards Xunfengliu, while the rest scattered and fled. However, those demons all crashed into the array net and were blocked by glowing "walls," becoming trapped.

At this moment, the Demon Lord was like a fish caught in a net; no matter how much he struggled, he could not escape this giant net.

Just then, Lone Star unleashed a forbidden technique: "Trapping!"

"Lone Star, I'm not done with you yet!" Chi Ming roared.

"Hmph." Lone Star snorted twice, his hands still moving.

About an incense stick's time later, Lone Star finally trapped Chi Ming. The character "禁" (forbidden) was branded on Chi Ming's forehead.

"Gah gah gah—" Akami let out a piercing, strange cry.

Lone Star, however, did not tolerate him. He formed a hand seal and branded the character "Itch" on his face.

Instantly, Chi Ming felt an unbearable itch all over his body, an itch that went straight to his bone marrow, causing him to writhe uncontrollably.

"Lone Star, ah—no! Stop!"

After a moment, Lone Star stopped: "This is an ancient immortal forbidden technique, so behave yourself."

"Hmph..." Chi Ming grumbled and dared not be presumptuous anymore.

Lone Star handed the trapped Chi Ming to Xuan Long: "Keep an eye on him, I'm going to repair the reverse passage."

"it is good."

Repairing a retrograde path requires extraordinary abilities and special techniques, which only Lone Star can accomplish.

Everyone was busy cleaning up the remaining demonic energy.

More than half a month later, the aurora in the void disappeared, leaving only the gentle breeze still swirling. The Lone Star repaired the reverse passage and landed beside the group.

"It's just a simple repair. To completely fix it, we'll need the Azure Emperor's intervention." He finished speaking, his gaze sweeping over Li Qiang and Luo Cheng, his eyes still icy. "You've both cultivated the Heavenly Recommendation Chapter of Divine Cultivation?"

Li Qiang adopted a nonchalant attitude, as if saying, "So what if I am?"

Luo Cheng said calmly, "Old man Lone Star, stop wearing that sour face."

Lone Star's face was grim. Qian Shanyong and Dai Nanfeng were silent as if trembling in fear, while Xuanlong remained silent.

He was now in a difficult position. He had descended to the mortal realm with the decree of the Azure Emperor, who had declared that he would take Li Qiang as his disciple, so naturally he could not harm him.

What troubled him even more was that Luo Cheng and Li Qiang were not weak—the two had already demonstrated their formidable strength in their previous battle. He knew that with his current cultivation level, he might not be able to defeat them.

Li Qiang was someone who wouldn't back down to force, and he secretly planned: if this old man dared to cause trouble, he and his senior brother would team up to beat him up.

"Never mind, never mind," Gu Xing sighed softly, full of helplessness.

His tone softened slightly, but it still carried a chill: "Li Qiang, the Azure Emperor has decreed that he wishes to take you as his disciple, but he must first put you to a test."

Li Qiang said, "Speak plainly, don't beat around the bush."

Lone Star's lips twitched, growing increasingly helpless. That was the Azure Emperor! In the mortal realm, who dared disobey the Azure Emperor's decrees? The Azure Emperor's status in the celestial realm was comparable to the Jade Emperor in mythology, possessing both supreme authority and unparalleled cultivation.

He took out a jade slip: "This is what the Azure Emperor asked me to give you. You can only see it, and it cannot be passed on to outsiders." After saying that, he handed a blue jade slip to Li Qiang.

Li Qiang took it and examined it with his divine sense.

Luo Cheng, Qian Shanyong, Dai Nanfeng, and the others couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. Luo Cheng had long wanted to obtain the complete version of the Heavenly Recommendation Chapter for Cultivating Gods.

Gu Xing took in everyone's expressions and warned in a deep voice, "Everyone, this is the Azure Emperor's technique. Do not be greedy."

Qian Shanyong quickly lowered his head: "I wouldn't dare." Dai Nanfeng also echoed in agreement. They had been in the Immortal Realm and knew the terror of the Azure Emperor—a supreme being who had fought his way out of blood and fire.

After reading the jade slip, Li Qiang returned it to Gu Xing. Gu Xing made a hand seal, and the jade slip transformed into a stream of light and vanished into the void, clearly retrieved by the Azure Emperor.

Then, Gu Xing looked at Luo Cheng again: "Leave your matter to the Azure Emperor."

He muttered to himself: How did this guy become a cultivator? And his cultivation level is so stable, with no risk of his body exploding. How did he cultivate? The key point is that the Azure Emperor didn't say how to deal with Luo Cheng, and he himself wasn't confident in taking down this kid. He was having a headache.

One of Lone Star's missions in descending to the mortal realm was to deliver the jade slip to Li Qiang. Now that the mission is complete, according to the Azure Emperor's decree, he is to go to the Ancient God's Treasury. However, before that, he wants to visit the Illusionary Star Temple.

"It's been a long time since I've been to the cultivation world. I suppose the divine items from the Illusionary Star Temple should be ready by now," said Lone Star.

Luo Cheng was secretly delighted: Sure enough, the key point has arrived!

Qian Shanyong and Dai Nanfeng could not hide their joy. They had been lingering outside the Illusionary Star Temple for over a decade, but had never been able to break in. Now, they finally had their chance!

However, before setting off, arrangements still need to be made for the Crimson Demon Lord.

Lone Star looked at Luo Cheng: "Kid, this demon is your responsibility."

"Old man, as you can see, I know a bit about formations and my strength isn't weak either. I'd like to go and take a look too," Luo Cheng said frankly.

After a moment's thought, Lone Star turned to Dai Nanfeng and said, "Dai Nan, you keep an eye on the demon."

Dai Nanfeng was about to retort when Qian Shanyong grabbed her. She immediately snapped, "Why are you pulling me? Are you looking for trouble?"

Qian Shanyong quickly transmitted his voice: "Don't talk back! Can't you see that Lone Star has reached his limit? Want to suffer?"

"Hmm..." Dai Nanfeng fell silent. Given the current situation, Gu Xing might not kill her, but if she dared to talk back, she would definitely suffer.

She finally nodded: "Okay."

"Let's go," said Lone Star, leading the group towards the Illusion Star Temple.

This was the first time Luo Cheng had ever seen the Illusionary Star Temple. From afar, the temple appeared to float in the void, formed by a vast array of stars, radiating divine light and exuding divine might that suppressed the void.

He had initially assumed the temple was located within a star system, but now it seemed his perspective was too limited—there were dozens of stars he could actually see. This Illusionary Star Array was actually a vast void array based on stars!

Li Qiang was also shocked: "This is the Illusionary Star Temple?" He finally understood why his senior brother hadn't come—without some strength, one really wouldn't dare to approach a place of this scale.

Luo Cheng remained silent. He knew more secrets: this was only the surface; within the Illusionary Star God Array lay countless bubbles, each a world unto itself.

Lone Star stopped, his expression grave: "When we enter the Illusion Star Temple, you must be careful and stay close to me. Do not take a single wrong step."

"Okay," everyone responded in unison, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Qian Shanyong added: "In a place like this, if one person makes a mistake, it will implicate everyone."

"Understood." Li Qiang also put away his curiosity and looked extremely serious.

Luo Cheng was even more cautious. He knew that this was the Daoist temple of the Primordial Celestial Venerable, and that ancient gods would be in danger if they rashly entered.

Just how big is the Illusionary Star Temple? Lone Star doesn't know, nor does the Azure Emperor. Even they can only enter a corner of the temple—and that's only because Lingxu is giving the lower-realm immortals a break.

Lone Star found its bearings and flew towards the Illusion Star Temple, while simultaneously instructing, "Teleportation is forbidden here. I'll only say this once."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Li Qiang couldn't help but ask, "Why can't it be moved?"

Lone Star glared at him: "Are you looking for death?"

Luo Cheng explained, "Junior brother, the formations here are all divine formations. The slightest deviation will send you to your doom."

"I see."

"Stay close to me!" Lone Star had obviously been here before, and guided by his memory, he led the group to fly slowly, each step precisely landing on a safe point.