Chapter 35: The Cosmic Call: A Journey to the Stars
The subtle pull from Liam's star-mark had grown stronger, a silent, insistent call echoing from beyond the well-defined territories of the Silvermoon Sect. It resonated with the deepest core of his being, hinting at a power and knowledge far exceeding anything the sect could offer. He knew his time in the Silvermoon Sect, invaluable though it had been, was drawing to a close. His path to Golden Core Peak Stage lay elsewhere, guided by the celestial whispers of his destiny.
He approached Elder Luna with his decision. She sat in her private meditation chamber, her aura as serene and composed as ever. "Elder Luna," Liam began, his voice calm, "I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the Silvermoon Sect's hospitality and your guidance. I have learned much."
Elder Luna opened her eyes, their icy depths holding a familiar, keen intelligence. "Indeed, Liam. Your progress is astonishing. You absorb knowledge like a true cosmic anomaly. Your core's purity continues to amaze me. But I sense... you are restless. Your spirit yearns for something more."
Liam nodded. "My cultivation has reached a plateau here. My unique core requires a different kind of essence for its next evolution. And there are mysteries from my past that call to me, leading me beyond these lands." He did not elaborate on the specific nature of his bottleneck or the cosmic call.
Elder Luna's gaze sharpened, a flicker of regret passing through her eyes. "I suspected as much. Your path is indeed unique, perhaps even beyond the scope of our 'Moonlight Arts'. The sect would be loath to lose a talent such as yours, Liam. We could offer you a position as an inner elder, with access to even more profound resources, perhaps even the sect's ultimate cultivation techniques." Her offer was enticing, a testament to the high regard they held for him.
Liam felt a moment of conflict. The safety, the resources, the prestige... it was all incredibly tempting. But the call of his star-mark was insistent, a destiny he couldn't deny. "My path is not to settle, Elder Luna, but to ascend. My destiny lies elsewhere."
Elder Luna sighed, a rare display of emotion. "Very well. The Silvermoon Sect will not hinder the path of a true genius. However, the world beyond our established territories is vast and perilous, filled with dangers even a Golden Core Middle Stage expert might struggle to overcome. Be cautious, Liam. And remember, the Silvermoon Sect's doors will always be open to you." Her eyes held a mixture of genuine concern and a lingering, unspoken fascination with his unique journey.
Liam bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder Luna. I will remember your kindness and wisdom."
He then relayed his decision to Sael and Lyra. Both accepted without hesitation. Sael's eyes gleamed with loyalty and anticipation for a new adventure. Lyra's gaze was filled with unwavering faith, her spirit ready to follow him anywhere.
"Where does your destiny lead us, Liam?" Sael asked, as they prepared for their departure.
Liam closed his eyes, focusing on the subtle pull of his star-mark. It wasn't a geographical location on any map Sael knew. It was a resonance, a frequency. "South-east," Liam stated, his voice firm. "Beyond the known mortal empires, to a place where the veil between realms is thin, where celestial energies run wild. A place of ancient, cosmic power."
They gathered their resources: high-grade spiritual ores from Lyra's clan, refined spiritual pills from the Silvermoon Sect's stores (granted as a farewell gift by Elder Luna), and various beast cores collected from their previous battles. Liam meticulously studied ancient maps from the Silvermoon Sect's forbidden archives, seeking any hints of a region that matched his star-mark's ethereal call. He found obscure references to 'The Veil of Stars,' a region of perpetual cosmic storms and ancient ruins, whispered to be a testing ground for ascended beings. This was their destination.
Their journey from the Silvermoon Sect headquarters was swift and silent. They left under the cloak of night, avoiding any unnecessary farewells. The refined spiritual lands of the sect gradually gave way to harsher, less civilized territories. The air grew unpredictable, infused with wild, untamed spiritual energies that clashed and swirled. The sky often shimmered with faint, ethereal lights, hinting at the cosmic anomalies that lay ahead.
As they delved deeper into the uncharted lands, the terrain became increasingly treacherous. Massive, floating islands, remnants of ancient celestial battles, drifted silently across the sky, casting colossal shadows. Spiritual energy here was chaotic, constantly shifting, making cultivation difficult and navigation perilous. They encountered strange, mutated spiritual beasts, unlike any they had seen before, their bodies infused with raw cosmic energy, their eyes burning with primal fury.
Liam, now a Golden Core Middle Stage expert, fought fiercely, honing his abilities against these new, more powerful threats. His 'Celestial Wind Arts' allowed them to navigate the chaotic spiritual currents of the 'Veil of Stars', while his 'Cosmic Fire Tiger Clone' burned with an even fiercer golden flame, capable of incinerating beasts that would cripple ordinary Golden Core Peak Stage cultivators. He found that the chaotic spiritual energy of this region, though dangerous, also subtly resonated with his own cosmic core, offering fleeting glimpses of profound insights into the Star Emperor's Scripture. He felt his core slowly, almost imperceptibly, expanding, hinting that this chaotic energy might be the key to his next breakthrough.
Sael proved invaluable. Her extensive combat experience allowed her to seamlessly integrate with Liam's unique fighting style, protecting his flanks and engaging formidable beasts with her powerful whip arts. Her loyalty remained unwavering, her eyes constantly fixed on Liam, ready to anticipate his every need. Lyra, though not as strong in direct combat, used her unique spiritual ore knowledge to identify stable energy pockets amidst the chaos, guiding them through the most volatile regions. Her presence, her quiet wisdom, and her boundless faith in Liam became a comforting constant.
After weeks of navigating this perilous and unpredictable landscape, they reached the heart of the Veil of Stars. Here, the very fabric of space seemed to twist and contort. Massive celestial bodies, shimmering with a soft, ethereal light, floated in the air, creating a dizzying, dreamlike panorama. The spiritual energy was dense, almost liquid, vibrating with an ancient, cosmic rhythm that resonated powerfully with Liam's star-mark. He knew they had reached their destination.
As they ventured deeper into this cosmic nexus, Liam's star-mark pulsed violently, guiding him towards a colossal, ancient structure that seemed to be forged from pure starlight. It was a magnificent celestial palace, half-submerged in a sea of swirling nebulae, its spires reaching towards unknown dimensions. It radiated an aura of profound age and unimaginable power.
"This is it," Liam whispered, awe in his voice. "The source of the call."
But as they approached the palace, a sudden, powerful spiritual pressure descended upon them, crushing and immense. From within the shimmering palace, a figure emerged, bathed in the light of swirling nebulae. She was a woman of breathtaking beauty, her long, flowing hair the color of midnight interwoven with strands of shimmering starlight. Her eyes, like distant galaxies, held an ancient, regal authority, yet also a chilling coldness that spoke of immense power. Her cultivation aura was overwhelming, far surpassing even the Nascent Soul Realm. She was a being of a realm Liam could barely comprehend, emanating power akin to a Dao Lord or even higher.
Her gaze fixed on Liam, sharp and piercing. A flicker of surprise, then cold disdain, crossed her ethereal features. She held a staff made of crystallized starlight, and her presence alone warped the very space around her.
"Intruders," her voice resonated, not in their minds, but directly through the fabric of reality, shaking their very souls. Her voice was pure command, absolute and terrifying. "You dare trespass upon the Celestial Palace of the Azure Sky. You seek the legacy of the Star Emperor?" Her eyes narrowed, focusing on Liam's star-mark. "You are merely a mortal in a Golden Core realm. You are unworthy." A profound disdain etched her features, as if looking at a speck of dust.
Liam felt his Golden Core tremble, and Sael and Lyra instinctively tensed, ready for combat, though the power emanating from this woman was so immense it felt hopeless. He knew this was the formidable female character, whose popularity rivaled his own, who would initially want to crush him. He had found her. And she was terrifying.