UGB Chapter 1021 Star Tower 9 Tribulations
Chapter 1021 Star Tower 9 Tribulations
The Stardust Guardian's gaze fell upon him, starlight swirling in his eyes: "The Dao Embryo within you... has actually fused with six powers: the Star Foundation, the Annihilation Sword Pattern, the Star Ember Fire Core, the Devouring Void Rune, the Chaos Emperor's Blood, and the Emerald Gold Dao Rhyme. It has even been reshaped by borrowing the power of the Star Veins. Such a creation is rare throughout history."
He paused for a moment: "However, the fusion of the six forces is still shallow, and the conflicts between them have not been resolved. If we force it to continue, the Dao Embryo is still in danger of collapsing."
“I understand.” Yu Changsheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “But we are surrounded by monstrous beasts and have no way out.”
"A way out?" The Stardust Guardian chuckled. "There is no way out on the Ancient Starfall Road. Now that we're here, we can only move forward."
He raised his hand and pointed to the central spire. The core of the starry river at the top of the spire suddenly lit up, projecting a three-dimensional star map: "Zhongchen Station is one of the three major transit stations established by the Starry Sky Forgers. It originally led directly to the 'End of the Starry Sky Station,' and then through the End of the Starry Sky Station to the end of the ancient road—'Starry Sky Relics Palace.' But now the ancient road has collapsed, and the 'Soul-Severing Corridor' between the two stations has become a nest of void turbulence and the remnants of star remains, which ordinary cultivators cannot pass through."
In the star chart, an ice-blue line extends from Zhongchenyi, but breaks into fragments halfway through.
“The Soul-Severing Corridor…” Chen Xueqing’s face paled slightly. “The inherited memories mention this place, saying that it was torn apart by the ‘Great Annihilation Ferocity’ during the ancient war and has not been restored to this day.”
“Indeed.” The Stardust Guardian’s expression was solemn. “That Annihilation Demon was actually a ‘Void Ruler’ that the Starry Sky Forger sealed deep within the ancient road. Back then, the Forger exhausted his source and disintegrated the ancient road in order to suppress this fiend, which led to the interruption of the inheritance and the abandonment of the post station.”
He looked at Yu Changsheng: "The primordial annihilation within your Dao embryo is of the same origin as that Void Ruler. This is also why you were able to sense the pulse and draw upon the power of stars in the Ancient Starfall Path."
Yu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat: "Senior, are you saying that the power of annihilation within me comes from that sealed being?"
"To be precise, it was tainted by its aura," the Stardust Guardian explained. "The Starry Sky Forger used his own Daoist principles as a guide to seal the Void Ruler beneath the Starry Sky Palace. Over the long years, the aura of annihilation emanating from the seal's fissures permeated the ancient path, mixing with the power of the stars to form the phenomena you encountered, such as the 'Star Erosion Miasma' and 'Remnant Spirit Mutation.' The annihilation essence you absorbed was a condensation of these auras."
He then changed the subject: "But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Since you possess the Origin of Annihilation, you may be able to use it to sense the sealed meridians and find a way to cross the Soul-Severing Corridor."
"Passing through the Soul-Severing Corridor?" Elder Qingyi frowned. "Senior just said that this place is impassable..."
“Ordinary cultivators would naturally not be able to do it.” The Stardust Guardian raised his hand, and a beam of starlight shot out from the spire, enveloping Yu Changsheng. “But you are different. Although the six forces in your Dao Embryo are conflicting, they also form a delicate balance. If you can use the Origin of Annihilation as a guide during the journey and use the Star Key fragments to mobilize the remaining star array of the post station, you might be able to open a temporary passage.”
Chen Xueqing said urgently, "But my longevity nascent soul has already been damaged. If we force it again, my life may be in danger!"
“Therefore, we need your cooperation.” The Stardust Guardian looked at her. “Child, you are the holder of the Star Key Fragment. Although your inheritance is incomplete, you can resonate with the post station's formation. I will transfer the remaining 30% control of the Zhongchen Post Station's formation to you, so that you can lead the formation's operation and reduce Yu Changsheng's burden.”
He then looked at Qingyi and Jianchen: "The two of you must use the Pure World Lotus and the Profound Heaven Sword Formation to protect everyone and resist the spatial turbulence and attacks from the remnant spirits within the passage."
Finally, his illusory figure floated in front of Yu Changsheng and lightly touched his brow with a finger: "I will pass on to you the operating method of the 'Starry Sky Array Pivot,' which is the key to controlling the core array of the post station. You need to use the Origin of Annihilation as a medium to draw on the power of the Star River Core and open a passage in the Soul-Severing Corridor. Remember, the passage can only be maintained for twelve breaths; it will collapse after that."
A flood of information poured into Yu Changsheng's mind: intricate star array patterns, energy flow trajectories, and methods for sensing sealed meridians. He endured the throbbing pain in his soul and quickly digested it.
"If you were to relinquish control of the formation, what would you do?" Chen Xueqing sensed something was amiss.
The phantom of the Stardust Guardian had faded by a third: "I was originally a remnant soul, and guarding the post station for 30,000 years was already my limit. Today, the inheritors have arrived, and I am willing to use my last bit of soul power to help you on your journey."
His figure gradually dissipated, turning into specks of starlight that merged into the spire: "Go. Pass through the Soul-Severing Corridor and arrive at the End of the World Inn. There lies the complete legacy trial left by the Starry Sky Forger. If you can pass it, you may be able to repair the Star Key and regain control of the ancient path."
"Remember, the Void Beast will not give up. Although it is blocked by the light barrier, it is corroding the array nodes with fleshy sprouts. It will break through the barrier in three hours at most. You must leave before it breaks through."
As soon as the words fell, the phantom completely vanished. At the top of the spire, the core of the galaxy shone brightly, and the array patterns throughout the entire station lit up one by one. Layers of star runes appeared outside the pale golden light shield, temporarily stabilizing the cracks caused by the attack from the monstrous beast.
Yu Changsheng took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate the "Return to the Void: Origin Pivot." Within his Dao Embryo, the six forces began to slowly harmonize under the guidance of the Starry Sky Array Pivot method. The Starry Foundation stabilized the base, the Annihilation Sword Pattern outlined the framework of the passage, the Star Ember Fire Core provided energy, the Devouring Void Rune absorbed the turbulent flow, the Chaos Emperor Blood maintained vitality, and the Emerald Gold Dao Rhyme coordinated the overall situation.
Following the incantation passed down by the guardian, Chen Xueqing integrated her divine sense into the post station's array. The Star Key fragment in her arms automatically flew up, hovering in front of the spire and resonating with the core of the galaxy. A golden aura emanated from her, enveloping an area of a hundred feet in radius, and the previously damaged array patterns began to repair themselves.
Elder Qingyi summoned the Pure Lotus, which transformed into a ten-zhang-long lotus platform, protecting the more than two hundred disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect within. Elder Jianchen led the group in forming the Xuantian Starry Sky Sword Formation, with sword light flowing like a galaxy.
Time passed. Outside the post station, the roars of the Void Beast grew increasingly ferocious, dark green fleshy buds had already covered 30% of the light shield, and the cracks caused by the corrosion continued to widen. The light shield trembled violently, and the star runes flickered in and out of existence.
An hour later, Yu Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes. The Void of Return vortex reappeared in his left eye, and the Star Ember Flame reignited in his right eye, only now a layer of icy blue starlight had appeared deep within his pupil. He stood up, and the Star Silence Sword flew into his hand automatically, its dark blue light and emerald gold runes reflecting each other.
"It's ready." His voice was calm. "Xueqing, activate the formation."
Chen Xueqing nodded and formed a hand seal. A beam of emerald-gold light shot out from the Star Key fragment and entered the core of the galaxy. The core spun violently, projecting 365 beams of starlight that intertwined in the air to form an incredibly complex three-dimensional array.
Yu Changsheng leaped into the center of the array, his Star Silence Sword pointing to the sky. From the tip of the sword, the source of annihilation surged forth, transforming into dark blue threads of light that spread along the array's veins. The stellar power of the entire post station was drawn in, converging into a vast torrent.
"Open!" he shouted, and the Star Silence Sword slashed forward.
Where the sword light passed, a deep passage, three zhang wide, was torn open in the void in front of the post station. Starlight flowed within the passage, but countless spatial rifts also crisscrossed like black lightning, and the howls of vengeful spirits echoed from the depths.
"Go!" Elder Qingyi activated the Purifying Lotus Platform, carrying everyone into the passage. Elder Jianchen's sword formation protected both sides, shredding the incoming spatial fragments.
Yu Changsheng held the rear with his sword, using the power of Star Silence to stabilize the edge of the passage. Chen Xueqing manipulated the post station's formation, continuously injecting the remaining Star Power into the passage to slow its collapse.
Ten breaths.
They had already traversed about 30% of the passage when a sudden "vortex of stellar debris" appeared ahead—countless fragments of stellar debris were swirling into a vortex by spatial turbulence, within which lurked dozens of multi-eyed remnants. Sensing the presence of living beings, they let out a shriek in unison and launched a soul attack.
More than ten disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect screamed and clutched their heads, blood gushing from their seven orifices. Elder Qingyi urgently activated the Purifying Lotus, unleashing its purifying radiance to resist the attack on their souls. Elder Jianchen led his sword formation into the vortex, sword light raining down like starlight, shattering star remains and forcing back the remaining spirits.
Yu Changsheng made a hand seal with his left hand, and the Star Silence Sword split into twelve sword shadows, forming the "Star Silence Sword Domain" to forcibly suppress the center of the vortex. But this moment of distraction caused the edge of the passage to begin to collapse. Eleven breaths.
Chen Xueqing bit her tongue, spitting out her essence blood onto the Star Key fragment. The fragment's light surged, and the emerald-gold pillar of light doubled in thickness, barely stabilizing the passage. Her spiritual body was nearly transparent, clearly severely overdrawn.
Ahead, at the end of the passage, the outline of another post station could be vaguely seen—that was Mochen Post Station.
Twelve breaths.
At the very last moment, a sudden change occurred.
Behind the passage, the light barrier of Zhongchen Post Station shattered with a deafening roar. The giant claws of the Void Beast reached into the post station, grabbing at the core of the galaxy. The core was shaken, and the stellar power flowing into the passage abruptly ceased.
The passage began to collapse rapidly.
"Immortality!" Chen Xueqing exclaimed.
Yu Changsheng's eyes flashed with sternness. He reversed the flow of the six forces within his Dao Embryo, forcibly repairing the passage at his own cost. The cracks in his Starry Night Dao Embryo widened, and blood seeped from every pore, yet an unprecedented power erupted forth.
The Star Silence Sword emitted an icy blue starlight that illuminated the entire passage, lighting up all the Dao marks on its blade. The remnant soul of Mo Yu, attached to the sword, was stimulated by this and awakened for a moment. The sword intent of annihilation merged with the star embers, unleashing a "Star Silence - Boundary Breaking Slash" that traversed the void.
As the sword light passed, the collapsed passage was forcibly reconnected, and the entrance to the End of the Night Inn was completely opened.
The Pure World Lotus Platform carried everyone into the End of the World Inn. Yu Changsheng took one last look at the collapsing Middle of the World Inn and the Void Beast that was frantically tearing at the spire, then turned and leaped into the entrance.
The passage vanished the instant his figure disappeared.
Mochen Post Station.
This is a star palace ten times more magnificent than Zhongchen Post Station. The towering star dome is inlaid with tens of thousands of star gems, the ground is a complete star array, and the four walls are engraved with ancient runes. In the center, a nine-story star tower stands majestically, with a complete, fist-sized "star core" floating on its top.
Upon landing, Elder Qingyi immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the Pure World Lotus shrank back into her body. Elder Jianchen and his disciples were also severely exhausted and sat down to recuperate.
Chen Xueqing's spiritual form became so ethereal that it was almost invisible. The Star Key fragment in her arms flew automatically towards the Star Tower, resonating with the core of the star dome at the top of the tower. The two fragments attracted each other and began to slowly merge.
Yu Changsheng knelt on one knee, the Star Silence Sword planted beside him for support. The cracks in his Dao Embryo had spread to every inch, and six forces were clashing wildly within his body. If it weren't for the Chaos Emperor's blood keeping him alive, he would have already perished.
“Chang Sheng…” Chen Xueqing staggered over, trying to help him, but her hand passed through his body—her spirit could no longer maintain a physical form.
Yu Changsheng struggled to lift his head and look at the Star Tower. The large door on the first floor of the tower slowly opened, revealing a flow of starlight within, from which came an ancient and weathered voice:
"The Trial of Inheritance Begins."
"Trial participants must ascend the nine-tiered Star Tower, with each tier representing a tribulation. Upon successfully completing all nine tribulations, they will obtain the complete Starry Sky Inheritance, reforge the Star Key, and take control of the Ancient Path."
As the sound faded, the first level of the Star Tower lit up with an ice-blue light.
Yu Changsheng gripped the Star Silence Sword, using it to support himself as he slowly stood up. He turned to look at the crowd: the heavily injured Qingyi, the weakened Chen Xueqing, the exhausted disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect…
Then, he turned around and walked step by step toward the gate of the Star Tower.
Behind her, Chen Xueqing's voice trembled with tears: "You must come back."
Yu Changsheng didn't turn around, but simply hummed in agreement.
The Star Tower gates closed in front of him.
The trial has officially begun.
Chen Xueqing's spiritual form shimmered like a shimmering, luminous shadow. The Star Key fragment in her hand resonated with the core star stone of the Star Tower's base, and emerald-gold light patterns spread from her palm throughout the entire Star Tower. The information left behind by the Star Dust Guardian before its dissipation echoed in everyone's minds: "The Star Tower has nine levels, each with its own tribulation. Those who reach the top will obtain the true inheritance left by the Starry Sky Forger—the complete methods of 'Starry Body Forging' and 'Silent Soul Refining,' which are also the key to repairing the ancient path and suppressing the Void Ruler."
“Longevity,” Chen Xueqing’s voice carried an ethereal quality, “The Star Key fragments are merging with the Star Tower. I can sense the trial rules—each level requires a different power, and you must pass them alone. But your Dao Embryo…”
"It's alright." Yu Changsheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and planted the Star Silence Sword in the ground. "Now that we've come this far, how can we back down? Elder Qingyi, Senior Jianchen, please protect the rest of the disciples."
Elder Qingyi's face was pale, and the illusory image of the Pure Lotus had faded to a thin mist. She forced herself to speak and said, "There is a protective array around the Star Tower. I can use the remaining lotus essence to set up the 'Azure Lotus Heart Guardian Array' to protect everyone's souls. But time is running out—although Mochen Post Station is safe for now, the evil beast will catch up sooner or later."
Elder Jian Chen counted the remaining disciples of the Xuan Tian Sword Sect and found only 187 people left, most of whom were exhausted of spiritual energy. He said in a deep voice, "We will form the 'Xuan Tian Sword Qi Formation' to guard the outside of the tower and buy you time."
Yu Changsheng nodded and turned to walk towards the entrance of the first level of the Star Tower. The tower door was forged from star-colored black iron, and an ancient star map was carved on it—the very outline of the Starfall Ancient Road during its heyday. As he touched the door, the star map suddenly lit up, and icy blue starlight engulfed him.
Stepping into the tower, Yu Changsheng found himself in a vast sea of stars, with floating star fragments beneath his feet. A phantom appeared before him, clad in a star-patterned robe, its face indistinct: "I am a wisp of trial will left behind by the Starry Sky Forger. The first tribulation tests the foundation of your physical body—endure the 'True Star Fire' for the duration of an incense stick's burning."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless golden flames surged forth from the sea of stars. Each flame contained the power of the primordial essence of the stars, its temperature enough to incinerate the physical body of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. Yu Changsheng immediately activated the "Return to the Void: Origin Pivot," and the star base within his Starry Night Dao Embryo shone brightly, the Chaos Emperor's Blood surging like a river. (End of Chapter)