Ye Lingyun drifted unconscious through the vortex of space and time. After an unknown stretch of time, his awareness gradually returned. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a strange, unfamiliar land. Countless stars glittered overhead. Unlike the starry skies he had seen before, the stars here seemed arranged in some mysterious pattern, casting a soft, enigmatic glow over the boundless earth below.
Ye Lingyun tried to stand, only to discover that his body was terribly weak and his spiritual power nearly exhausted. He looked around. In the distance, mountains rose and fell in an unbroken chain, their slopes covered in a faint silver radiance, as though cloaked in starlight. All across the plain where he stood grew strange plants that shimmered with multicolored light, swaying gently and giving off waves of mysterious energy.
Where am I? Could this be somewhere in the Star Great Plane? Doubts filled Ye Lingyun's mind. He knew he had to restore his spiritual power as quickly as possible, understand his surroundings, and find a way back to the Lingxi Continent.
Ye Lingyun found a relatively secluded spot, sat cross-legged, and began circulating his spiritual power, trying to recover. Yet although the spiritual power here was abundant, it was also a chaotic mixture, vastly different in nature from the spiritual power he knew on the Lingxi Continent. It took him quite some time to gradually adapt to it and guide it into his meridians.
Just as Ye Lingyun was working to restore his spiritual power, a melodious, mysterious flute tune reached his ears. The music seemed to hold a kind of magic, instantly calming his heart while also stirring his curiosity. He followed the sound through a grove of shimmering trees and arrived beside a crystal-clear stream.
By the stream, Ye Lingyun saw a figure dressed in white robes. The man stood with his back to him, holding a Jade Flute and playing that beautiful melody. Ye Lingyun took a few steps closer and asked softly, "Excuse me, what is this place?"
The man in white slowly turned, and only then did Ye Lingyun see his face clearly. His features were refined, and his eyes were deep and bright, as though they held boundless wisdom. With a faint smile, he said, "This is the Northern Domain of the Star Great Plane. Where did you come from? And why are you out here in the wilderness?"
Ye Lingyun remained wary, but he sensed no ill intent from the man before him. After a moment's thought, he decided to be honest. "I come from a place called the Lingxi Continent. I accidentally crossed into the Star Great Plane, then encountered a storm of space and time. When I woke up, I was here."
A flicker of surprise crossed the white-robed man's eyes. "The Lingxi Continent? I've never heard of it. Still, to cross between planes and survive a storm of space and time-you are quite an extraordinary young man."
Ye Lingyun quickly asked, "May I ask your name? Could you tell me how to leave the Star Great Plane and return to my homeland?"
The man in white put away the Jade Flute and said, "My name is Xing Yin. I am the Xing Yin-er of this Northern Domain. As for leaving the Star Great Plane, there is a way, but it is exceedingly difficult. Powerful planar barriers surround the Star Great Plane. Only by finding a particular node in space and time and possessing sufficient strength can you tear open those barriers and cross back."
Joy stirred in Ye Lingyun's heart, and he hurriedly said, "Senior Xing Yin, please offer me some guidance. I would be endlessly grateful."
Xing Yin looked at Ye Lingyun and pondered for a moment before saying, "An ancient legend circulates in this Northern Domain. It is said that a mysterious Star Tower stands in the Far North, with a powerful form of star power sealed inside. If you can obtain that power and merge it with your own spiritual power, you may gain the strength to cross the planar barriers. However, danger surrounds the Star Tower. Powerful guardian beasts and all manner of mysterious restrictions protect it. Countless mighty cultivators have gone to investigate, and none have returned."
Determination flashed in Ye Lingyun's eyes. "No matter how dangerous it is, I have to try. Senior, could you tell me which way to go to reach the Star Tower?"
Xing Yin nodded slightly. "I can see your resolve, but in your current condition, going there would be nothing short of throwing your life away. Come back to Xing Yin Village with me and recover your strength first. I can also teach you some skills and knowledge for surviving in the Star Great Plane."
Filled with gratitude, Ye Lingyun promptly thanked him. "Thank you for your help, Senior. I will not let your kindness go to waste."
And so Ye Lingyun followed Xing Yin toward Xing Yin Village. Along the way, Xing Yin told him about the Star Great Plane. As it turned out, the plane was divided into four domains-east, south, west, and north-each with its own distinctive geography and powerful factions. The Northern Domain was renowned for its mysterious star power and vast starry ruins, and most cultivators here excelled at wielding star power in battle.
As the Xing Yin-er, Xing Yin held a special position in the Northern Domain. He was responsible not only for guiding young cultivators toward an understanding of star power, but also for safeguarding certain ancient secrets of the Northern Domain.
The two talked as they walked, arriving at Xing Yin Village before they knew it. It was a quiet, peaceful village, its houses all built from a stone that shimmered with starlight. From a distance, the entire village resembled a dazzling pearl set into the earth.
When the villagers saw Xing Yin return with Ye Lingyun, they cast curious glances his way. Xing Yin briefly explained Ye Lingyun's circumstances. The villagers greeted this young man from another plane with kindness, bringing out food and water for him.
Ye Lingyun settled in Xing Yin Village and resumed his cultivation under Xing Yin's guidance. Xing Yin taught him a cultivation method specifically suited to the spiritual power of the Star Great Plane, allowing him to absorb and integrate the local spiritual power more efficiently. Ye Lingyun cultivated diligently every day, gradually recovering his strength while deepening his understanding of star power.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingyun learned more about the Star Tower from Xing Yin and the villagers. The Star Tower was a mysterious forbidden ground in the Northern Domain, said to have been built by a powerful Star Sovereign in ancient times. It held not only sealed star power of tremendous strength, but also many secrets unknown to the world.
As Ye Lingyun gradually recovered his strength, his desire to visit the Star Tower grew ever stronger. He knew that only by obtaining the power within it would he have any hope of returning to the Lingxi Continent. What adventures awaited him in the Northern Domain of the Star Great Plane? What secrets lay hidden inside the Star Tower? Everything remained unknown, but Ye Lingyun was already prepared to face the challenges to come...
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