Before the moon gate.
Layer upon layer of starlight surged toward them. The abode's Purple Mansion formation remained intact, and the mere signs of its awakening made Xu Xuan feel the vast Heavenly Authority descending, beyond anything human strength could withstand.
"Retreat!"
Xu Xuan roared and swept Wei Yan along toward the starlit gateway at the center. Feeling that oppressive might, neither dared linger. They fled at full speed into the distance.
Beyond the star gate, they followed the path straight ahead. Ceaselessly churning gray vapor covered the ground, bearing them up. The pressure in the distance gradually faded. Using Tiantuo's spell to observe, Xu Xuan saw that Daoist Kongliao's Dharma Body had ceased its strange movements again.
"He can actually control the formation here. No wonder Wu Heyong hasn't gone to reclaim [Star River]."
That was good news for Xu Xuan. With [Star River] out of Wu Heyong's hands, he at least need not worry for now about his opponent finding the Spirit Sword's quintessence.
The changes in the formation had also startled Wei Yan. He had expended considerable magical power fleeing, and [Blood Drinker] had already turned on him earlier. Though he had taken a pill and regulated his breathing, his aura was utterly depleted.
Gray vapor churned ahead as the two rode the wind onward. Before long, they saw a treasure pavilion radiating starlight, its summit joined to a hanging river of stars that incorporated the celestial stars above. The sounds of the Dao came from within, as though someone were expounding scripture.
Up close, they saw three ancient characters glowing gray upon its plaque: [Celestial Star Pavilion]. The sounds of the Dao thundered, gray vapor rolled, and the river of stars descending from the heavens flickered between brightness and darkness.
"Of the three pavilions in the