Within the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, a Fateful Trade and the Lotus Platform of World Purification

Deep within the Ancient City of Heavenly Secrets stood a towering structure built entirely from some kind of warm white jade. It pierced the clouds, yet had no doors at all. Its surface was smooth as a mirror, covered in countless delicate silver runes that flowed like stars, as though endlessly deducing the mysteries of heaven and earth. This was the entrance to the unfathomable Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

Following the scruffy old Daoist's instructions, Li Wuyang arrived before the tower. He tightly gripped the seemingly ordinary bronze token in his hand and silently recited the incantation the old Daoist had taught him. As the final syllable fell, the bronze token grew slightly hot and released a faint beam of light that sank into the tower.

In an instant, the silver runes flowing across the tower's surface accelerated sharply, like a startled school of fish. Then, the smooth tower wall rippled like water, silently splitting open to reveal a light gate just wide enough for one person to pass through. Beyond it was not a physical space, but a swirling starlight vortex formed from countless intricate hexagrams, radiating profound and unfathomable spatial fluctuations.

"Friend Wuyang, you must be cautious." Master of Qingwei Temple lightly swept his fly-whisk and transmitted solemnly, "The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion contains a world of its own, with entirely different laws. Everything comes at a price. Do not casually agree to any contract."

Yue Liuli and Yun Yi also looked at him with concern. Li Wuyang nodded, took a deep breath, adjusted himself to peak condition, and stepped into the starlight vortex.

Bzzzt—!

It was as though he had passed through a layer of viscous water. The surroundings changed in an instant. Rather than entering the hall he had expected, he found himself beneath a boundless starry sky.