The star lamps on Purple Star Peak burned throughout the night, gilding the outline of the postwar Star Palace in warm gold.
Inside the great hall, Grand Elder Xing Chenzi stood before the Star Map with his hands behind his back, his Spiritual Power fluctuations at the peak of the late Nascent Soul stage as steady as a mountain. Behind him, Ling Yuling wore imperial robes patterned with stars, the youthful air between his brows replaced by majesty. He handed a "Map of the Inner Sea's Powers" to a steward. "Send word to every subordinate island. Those who submit to the Star Palace will be exempt from tribute for three years. Those who stubbornly resist will be subdued with the Heavenly Circumference Stars Grand Formation."
"Yes, Palace Master!" The steward accepted his orders and departed.
Xing Chenzi turned, his gaze settling on Ling Yuling's shoulder-where a dark-gold scale from the Magnetic Essence Griffin should have hung, there was now nothing. He cleared his throat softly. "Han Li left the griffin behind to help you 'guard against petty villains.' This spirit beast may be wild by nature, but its loyalty is unwavering. With the griffin here, who in the Inner Sea would dare act rashly?"
Ling Yuling rubbed the scale the griffin had left inside his sleeve, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through his eyes. "You worry too much, Grand Elder. By entrusting the griffin to me, Han Li showed his faith that our Star Palace could keep the griffin safe. He is going to find Zi Ling. I... wish him success."
Xing Chenzi stroked his beard and smiled. "The Twin Saints placed their trust in you, and Han Li has done the same. The Star Palace's future rests upon your decisions. With him venturing abroad and you holding the