Arc 21The Star Core Awakens
The Zhang Family endured a devastating assault, then rallied against its enemies as a newly revealed Secret Realm drew powerful factions together. Far from home, Zhang Xuanchen found the Star Core and began a long transformation while Luo Lingshuang faced a choice about her cultivation path.
- Zhang Zu'an sacrificed himself to let the younger Zhang Family members escape with the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass, and Jun Xiaoyao refused to intervene as the clan mourned its dead.
- Zhang Hongzhan prepared Zhang Xuance to awaken his Sword Body, while Li Qingrou enlisted the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect and Yunmeng Jiang Clan in the Wang Family's plan to destroy the Zhang Family.
- Zhang Xuanbing and Lin Wanqing returned and struck at the Ninglu Sect's forces, prompting the Zhang Family and its allies to launch a purge across the Penglai Islands.
- Zhang Zujun joined Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing against their pursuers, but the discovery of a Blue Vortex Secret Realm suspended their conflict as factions hurried to the island.
- Zhang Xuanchen reached the Starry Holy Palace with Wei Wushuang, reunited with Luo Lingshuang's group, and gave Wei Wushuang his four Star Tokens before heading for the Star Core.
- After Yan Jin sent Southern Bright Flame Palace cultivators after him, Zhang Xuanchen crushed them with the Starry Tower, then entered the Abyss Rift and found the immortal-grade Star Core.
- The Star Core entered Zhang Xuanchen and reforged his body, raising him to Late Golden Core over the following year before enclosing him in a crystal of purple-gold light.
- Luo Lingshuang entered the Great Emperor Heart Mausoleum with Great Sage and Wuxin, and the Starry Emperor Sovereign advised her to weigh the conflict between cultivating the Starry Great Dao and preserving her Water Great Dao's purity.