Three savage gashes split the dome of the Star Palace's Heavenly Pivot Hall. Star shards leaked through like rain, pitting the dust-covered blue bricks below.
As Han Li stepped through the hall doors, his boot ground over a charred fragment of star-patterned steel-the wreckage flung out when the Twin Saints' grand formation collapsed, now a footnote to the Star Palace's decline. More than a dozen Core Formation Stage disciples were plugging the breaches with damaged Magnetic-Origin Formation Bases. Their spiritual power flickered weakly like guttering candles in the wind. One had blood seeping through the bandages around his arm, yet still gritted his teeth and maintained the makeshift barrier.
"Han the Sixth, you're finally back."
A cool, clear voice came from the rear of the hall. A figure dressed in moon-white palace robes approached with measured steps, a cinnabar mole between his brows red as blood. It was Ling Yuling, the Star Palace's current Palace Master. His hair was slightly disheveled, and wet ink stained his cuffs; he had evidently just finished reviewing urgent military reports. Several elders behind him bowed in succession. "Greetings, Palace Master."
Han Li cupped his hands with a bitter smile. "Palace Master Ling, elders. I've only been gone a year, and the Star Palace has already fallen into such chaos." His gaze swept the hall-the Twin Saints' Star-Magnetic Throne stood empty, and the light screen of the Star Core Grand Formation floating behind it was thin as gauze. The star power that once flowed through it had dwindled to a few scattered points. At the formation's nexus, a palm-sized Star Core Fragment gave off a dying hum.
Ling Yuling raised a hand to stop the elders, then personally helped Han Li into a seat. "Han the Sixth, you're even more carefree as Vice Palace Master