And the disturbance was far from over.
Within the raging storm of spiritual energy, countless pillars of light surged upward. At a rough glance, there were no fewer than several hundred of them.
One pillar after another aligned in sequence, forming a profound and mysterious pattern.
Luo Huangjun watched in silence, already understanding everything in her heart.
"Two hundred and sixteen… Xiao Chu has entered the minor consummation stage of the Aperture-Opening Realm."
She was not the only one who realized this—Dantai Jinglian and the others of the Luo Clan saw it as well.
Luo Lingtian gazed upon this scene, a flickering, uncertain light flashing in his eyes.
On the other side—
Chu Ge looked at the Northern Star Profound Crystal in his hand, now completely dim, and shook his head with a soft smile.
He had originally estimated that it could last him ten days or so. Who would have thought that in just a few days, all of the stellar power within it would be completely consumed?
The reason was simple: as his cultivation advanced and the number of star apertures opened within his body increased, the consumption rate of the Northern Star Profound Crystal also grew faster and faster.
However, though the expenditure was not small, the gains were equally impressive.
He had already stepped into the minor consummation stage of the Aperture-Opening Realm. The number of star apertures in his body had reached two hundred and sixteen.
Setting the now-empty Northern Star Profound Crystal aside, Chu Ge slowly rose to his feet.
With his movement, the strange phenomenon caused by the breakthrough also dissipated.
"Hm?"
Just as he was about to step out of the room, Chu Ge sensed something amiss.
Within his perception, several extremely terrifying and vast auras existed outside.
Two of them were familiar to him. The remaining few were completely unfamiliar.
"It seems something has happened."
After a brief moment of thought, Chu Ge still walked out of the room.
By the time he reached the inner hall, he saw his master, Luo Huangjun, and his martial aunt, Dantai Jinglian, confronting several people.
"Xiao Chu, come here."
Luo Huangjun spoke. Beside her, Dantai Jinglian also gave Chu Ge a reassuring look.
Chu Ge did not hesitate and walked toward Luo Huangjun, while at the same time carefully observing the unfamiliar faces.
An elderly man with a slightly stooped figure; beside him stood two other elders who looked comparatively less aged—one in gray robes, the other in white.
A middle-aged man lay collapsed on the ground, his living or dead status unknown.
And finally, a young man with handsome features and an extraordinary bearing.
"Master."
"Martial Aunt."
After arriving at Luo Huangjun's side, Chu Ge greeted them softly.
At this moment, he still did not know the full situation.
But one thing was certain—these unfamiliar faces had come with ill intent.
Because he could clearly sense the emotions contained in their gazes toward him: scrutiny, greed, disdain, and more.
"Boy! You're truly something else. The Huanglong Seal that my Luo Clan searched for, fruitlessly, for many years—you actually found it! Truly, heroes emerge from the young!"
The gray-robed clan elder spoke. His words sounded like praise, but his eyes were filled with gloom and malice.
The moment the man spoke, Chu Ge had already basically grasped the group's origin and purpose.
"The Huanglong Seal? You mean this?"
Chu Ge smiled faintly and opened his palm.
A simple, ancient seal slowly appeared in his hand.