Morning dew shimmered on the mossy tiles of the Sect of Broken Stars. Disciples filed into their routines—sword drills, alchemy practice, and light cultivation under the withering supervision of bored elders. Few noticed Lin Xuan slipping away toward the Inner Sect Library, a crumbling stone building that looked more like a tomb than a sanctuary of knowledge.
But Lin Xuan wasn't here for scrolls on sword forms or spirit beasts.
He sought something deeper.
Something lost.
---
Inside the Library
The air was heavy with dust and silence. Thousands of jade slips and scrolls lined the towering walls, most untouched for decades. An old librarian—a blind man named Elder Zhu—sat cross-legged near the entrance, snoring softly.
Lin Xuan bowed in passing.
As he moved deeper into the library, the Chaos Core began to pulse faintly.
[Hidden Formation Detected: Ancient Star Array Fragments]
He followed the pulse.
It led him to a dark corner, where a collection of fragmented jade slips sat on a neglected shelf labeled "Unsorted Relics." Most disciples never bothered with them—jumbled scripts in archaic language, many incomplete.
But Lin Xuan's eyes glowed faintly with Chaos Vision.
The fragments shimmered with faded cosmic energy.
He reached for one.
The moment his fingers touched the jade, a rush of visions flooded his mind—stars spinning, a massive celestial formation drawing energy from constellations, and at its center… a figure with flowing white hair, arms outstretched, merging chaos and starlight.
Then darkness.
He gasped, nearly falling to one knee.
[Memory Fragment Absorbed]
[New Skill Concept Unlocked: Star-Forged Chaos Body (Incomplete)]
He gripped the shelf for support, breathing heavily.
So it was true.
This sect's ruined formation wasn't just a relic—it had once been part of an ancient celestial mechanism that harnessed both chaos and order.
A bridge between the stars and the void.
His Chaos Core pulsed wildly now, eager.
But before he could dive deeper, footsteps echoed through the hallway.
---
An Unexpected Visitor
A tall figure stepped into view. Senior Sister Yue Lian, an inner disciple known for her cold demeanor and sharp sword.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coolly, eyeing the jade slips in his hand.
Lin Xuan straightened. "Studying."
"That shelf is restricted. Only inner disciples may access the unsorted relics."
"I didn't see a sign," he replied calmly.
She frowned, then walked closer. "You're the new one… the mortal-realm disciple who defeated Wei Long."
Word traveled fast.
Lin Xuan inclined his head. "I only used a minor disruption technique."
Yue Lian's eyes narrowed. She stared at him a moment longer than necessary—searching, calculating.
Finally, she turned away.
"Come with me," she said.
"To where?"
"To meet the Sect Master."
---
Moments Later – In the Sect Master's Hall
The Sect Master of the Broken Stars was a withered man with a long beard and starry eyes. His presence was subdued, like a candle burning low yet steady. He sat cross-legged before a low table, sipping tea.
"You're Lin Xuan," he said, his voice soft yet firm.
"Yes, Sect Master."
Yue Lian stood to the side, silent.
"I've heard of your battle. And of the… unusual fluctuations around your cultivation."
Lin Xuan remained still. "I strive only to grow stronger."
The Sect Master studied him. "Tell me—why this sect? You could have begged entrance at any of the larger clans."
Lin Xuan's voice didn't waver. "Because no one looks here. I prefer the shadows."
The old man's lips curved into a thin smile. "Wise."
He set down his cup. "Yue Lian will oversee your promotion to Inner Disciple. We'll give you access to the outer ring of the Celestial Formation Grounds."
Lin Xuan bowed. "Thank you, Sect Master."
But as he turned to leave, the Sect Master spoke again.
"One more thing."
Lin Xuan paused.
"There are… rumors," the old man said slowly. "Of a forbidden Dao resurfacing in the mortal realms. Should such a thing find its way here, it would bring danger to all under this roof."
"I understand."
Their eyes met—an unspoken understanding passed between them.
---
That Night – Celestial Formation Grounds
Yue Lian led Lin Xuan to the heart of the mountain.
There, within a hidden courtyard, stood ancient steles and broken constellations etched into the earth—part of the shattered Star Array. Lin Xuan knelt beside one, placing his palm on its cold surface.
Chaos surged.
Visions poured into his mind—planets spinning, stars collapsing, galaxies reborn. And through it all, a black thread of chaos connected the cycles.
[Star-Forged Chaos Body – Progress 8%]
[New Passive: Cosmic Pulse – Slightly increases recovery speed in celestial zones]
Lin Xuan's hands trembled.
He had found his next path.
---
Far Away – Within the Blood Shadow Sect
The High Elder of Assassins kneeled before a shadowy figure seated on a bloodstained throne.
"He's alive," the assassin whispered. "And growing stronger."
The figure leaned forward.
"Then we send the Soul Binding Twins."
---
[Next Quest Unlocked: Survive the Soul Binding Twins' Hunt (Recommended Power: Qi Gathering 50%+)]
Optional Bonus: Unlock the Star-Forged Chaos Body (Phase 1 – 100%)
Penalty: Soul Fragment Collapse / Death