The shadow of the Inverse Star Alliance's founding had hung over the Chaotic Star Sea for more than three months. Though the Star Palace had intensified its war preparations, its outer defenses were growing thin as resources were diverted elsewhere.
That day, in the Council Hall on Magnetic Essence Mountain, Xing Xuanzi handed Han Li a blue-green jade slip, his expression grave. "Azure Nether Island in the outer sea is the Star Palace's southeastern gateway, guarding a crucial junction of three trade routes. Recently, the Heavenly Eye Formation detected abnormal spiritual power fluctuations in its island-protecting formation. You and Zi Ling will go together to inspect the defenses as Star Palace envoys. You must uncover any hidden dangers without exposing your identities."
[System notification: accepted external assignment-inspection of Azure Nether Island's defenses. Objectives: investigate flaws in the island-protecting formation, assess the garrison's combat strength, and identify potential threats. Reward: Star Palace Contribution Points +10,000; unlock the Inspection Mark.]
Han Li took the jade slip, his fingertips brushing its cool blue-green patterns, and understood the situation. Azure Nether Island was remote, and most of its defending officers were core formation early stage cultivators. Faced with possible infiltration by the Inverse Star Alliance, it was indeed a weak link. He looked at Zi Ling beside him. She lightly brushed the Star-Illusion Maze Formation Flag with her slender hand and nodded. "I'll prepare the Concealment Talismans. We should be careful on the way."
Three days later, an inconspicuous black-canopied boat quietly departed Magnetic Essence Harbor. Its hull was coated in light-absorbing material, and its sails were made of soundless silk. It was the Shadow Boat, crafted by the Star Palace specifically for covert missions. Han Li and Zi Ling changed into ordinary cultivators' clothing and posed as fellow travelers. Inside the