After weighing his options, Su Yan decided to set his sights first on Meteorite Valley, outside Great Tang. Compared with the distant, unknown, and perilous Aolai Country overseas, Meteorite Valley was at least within relatively familiar territory. According to records and player forum information, it was dangerous, but not entirely inaccessible. More importantly, the Compass's intense reaction to Star Iron gave him high hopes of finding something there.
Once he had fully prepared, Su Yan left Chang'an with Little Big Dipper once again. He changed into Swiftwind Boots and Spirit Fox Fur that increased his speed and evasion, and stuffed his bag with Advanced Wound Medicine, Calming Incense, and plenty of cinnabar and yellow paper for drawing talismans. Considering that he might need to remain in the wilderness for a long time, he also bought a batch of special Marching Pills from Floating Clouds that slowly restored stamina and mana.
He headed west, passing through the still-prosperous Datang Borderlands as the scenery around him gradually turned desolate. When Su Yan finally arrived at the outskirts of Meteorite Valley, following the map and signposts, a bleak and oppressive aura washed over him.
The terrain here was entirely unlike ordinary mountain ranges. The ground was charred black, as though scorched by raging flames. Vegetation was sparse, with only drought-resistant thornbushes and twisted, strange trees stubbornly growing. The air carried a faint sulfurous smell, along with a... rusty scent similar to oxidized metal. Most eye-catching of all were the pits of varying sizes scattered across the ground, as well as strange exposed ores that glimmered with dull metallic luster. Even the sky seemed covered by a layer of gray haze, making sunlight difficult to penetrate and leaving the entire valley dim and gloomy.
[System: You have entered the special area 'Meteorite Valley'.] [Area Traits: 'Star Power Instability' (the effects of some skills reliant on star power may be unstable), 'Metal Affinity' (metal-element spells/skills receive a slight boost).] [Monster Levels: 25-35. Main types: Stone Golems, Stardust Worms, Mutated Scorpion Spirits, and more.]
Monsters starting at level 25! Su Yan's heart tightened, and he immediately raised his guard to the utmost. He was only level 14. Even if he used every method at his disposal, facing any monster in the valley head-on would be exceedingly dangerous.
He did not rashly venture deeper. Instead, he carefully moved around near the valley entrance, using the Body Double Technique and the Compass's Anomaly Marker ability to avoid wandering Stone Golems (level 25, extremely high physical defense) and swarms of Stardust Worms (level 26, decent magic resistance, capable of spraying paralyzing stardust).
His goal was clear—find Star Iron.
According to the Compass's faint guidance and the descriptions in old records, Star Iron usually contained a thread of pure Power of Stars. It might look similar to ordinary meteorite iron, but subtle differences existed in its internal energy.
Su Yan tried circulating the Star Qi Drawing Art to its limit while gripping the Compass and carefully sensing the energy fluctuation of the ores around him. Little Big Dipper copied him, its nose twitching faintly while the star markings on its shell flickered, as if it were catching the thin Star Aura lingering in the air.
The process was tedious and slow. Most of the ores on Meteorite Valley's outskirts were merely ordinary meteorite iron or accompanying refined iron ore. They were worth some money, but useless to Su Yan. Like a patient prospector, he searched every inch of the charred ground.
He encountered several dangers along the way. Once, while using the Body Double Technique to lure monsters, he accidentally alerted two Stone Golems at once. Had he not promptly immobilized one with an Immobilization Talisman and had Little Big Dipper draw the other's attention while he used his speed advantage to pull away, he might have died there. Another time, he accidentally entered a Stardust Worm nesting area. The stardust filling the sky briefly paralyzed both him and Little Big Dipper. Fortunately, the Body Double he had prepared beforehand drew most of the firepower, allowing them to escape in a miserable state.
"No wonder there aren't many players here..." Su Yan wiped away a cold sweat and swallowed some Golden Wound Medicine. High risk often came with high reward, but only if one lived long enough to enjoy it.
Hard work paid off. After wandering around the valley entrance for two days, Su Yan approached an inconspicuous pit half-covered by several enormous blackened rocks. The Compass in his hand suddenly began trembling clearly, carrying a joyful pulse! At the same time, Little Big Dipper gave an excited low growl and pointed its claw toward the depths of the pit.
There was something here!
Delighted, Su Yan cautiously approached. The pit was not deep, and scattered ores lay within it. One of them, about the size of a washbasin, had a surface covered in honeycomb-like holes and was dark gray, nearly black. It emitted Stellar Fluctuation that was of the same origin as the previous piece of Star Iron, yet far denser!
He carefully dug out the ore. It was heavy in his hand, and faint specks of silver light flickered within the holes on its surface.
"This is it!" Without hesitation, Su Yan immediately activated his Star Power and infused it into the ore.
Just like last time, the impurities on the ore's surface rapidly peeled away beneath the cleansing flow of Star Power. What emerged was a deeper black material, covered with denser and brighter silver specks, as though a miniature starry sky had been sealed within!
The Compass shone with brilliant silver light and eagerly began absorbing the pure Power of Stars leaking from the ore. Its repair progress slowly but steadily rose: 27%... 28%...
When the washbasin-sized piece of Star Iron had been completely absorbed, the Compass's repair progress stopped at 29%!
[System: You discovered and absorbed high-quality material 'Star Iron.' The repair progress of the Damaged Compass has increased by 3%.] [System: The Damaged Compass's abilities have strengthened. Star Map projection clarity has increased, and a weak new ability, 'Star Power Resonance,' has been added. (It can actively consume Spiritual Power to trigger reactions from items containing Power of Stars within a small area.)]
"Star Power Resonance!" Su Yan's eyes lit up. This new ability was incredibly useful! It meant that his efficiency in finding Star Iron would greatly increase. He would no longer have to rely on luck and sense things at close range like before!
He immediately tried activating Star Power Resonance. A stream of pure Spiritual Power spread through his connection with the Compass, forming an invisible field roughly ten meters in diameter. Within this field, his perception of any item containing Power of Stars became exceptionally sharp!
With this new ability, Su Yan's search speed on Meteorite Valley's outskirts suddenly increased. He no longer needed to dig through every inch of ground. As long as he kept moving and continuously activated Star Power Resonance, he could efficiently locate Star Iron hidden among ordinary ores.
Over the next few days, Su Yan roamed the perilous outskirts of Meteorite Valley like a tireless miner. He cleverly used the terrain, his body doubles, and Little Big Dipper's lures to avoid powerful monsters, focusing on gathering Star Iron. Piece after piece of Star Iron, in all sizes, was found, purified, and absorbed.
The Compass's repair progress steadily rose: 30%... 32%... 35%...
When the repair progress exceeded 35%, the Compass changed again! The ancient runes on its body became clearer and even began slowly flowing on their own. The range of the Star Map projected in his mind doubled. It not only marked Anomaly Nodes, but also began vaguely indicating ore veins or spirit plant locations containing special energy—including, but not limited to, Starlight Power! Though still blurry, it undoubtedly pointed out a direction for future resource gathering.
At the same time, Su Yan felt his connection with the Compass grow closer. Through it, he could even sense more clearly the "tremors" of this world's underlying rules and the discordant "noise" within them.
Through repeated narrow escapes and the occasional battles he could not avoid, his level also rose with difficulty to level 15. Little Big Dipper benefited even more. It seemed to greatly enjoy the lingering glow of pure Starlight Power released when Star Iron was purified. After every absorption, it appeared full of vigor. Its level rose to 14, the star markings on its shell becoming increasingly brilliant. Occasionally, it even absorbed the free-floating Starlight Power in the air on its own.
That day, following a newly appeared faint point of light on the Compass's Star Map that represented "star concentration," Su Yan arrived at a more dangerous area in the middle of Meteorite Valley. Jagged rocks filled the area, the Star Power Instability in the air was stronger, and the wandering monsters had become Reinforced Stone Golems above level 28, along with Steel Hedgehogs capable of firing sharp metal needles.
He cautiously activated Star Power Resonance and searched carefully. Suddenly, the resonance field sent back an incomparably intense Stellar Fluctuation, far stronger than anything he had felt before! It came from a concealed crack in the mountain wall ahead, hidden behind vines!
Su Yan was ecstatic. Such a powerful reaction meant there had to be exceptionally high-quality Star Iron inside. It might even be... Star Iron Mother?
He suppressed his excitement and carefully observed his surroundings. Two unusually massive Reinforced Stone Golems were stationed at the crack's entrance, both clearly level 30! They also seemed to be guarding something and did not wander aimlessly like other monsters.
"This is a little troublesome..." Su Yan frowned. Two level 30 elite monsters—at his current strength, he had no chance of confronting them head-on.
He tried using the Body Double Technique to lure them away, but the two Stone Golems merely stirred and did not move far from the crack's entrance. Their vigilance was extremely high.
"Looks like I can only outsmart them." Su Yan swept his gaze over the surrounding terrain, his mind racing. He noticed that the rock wall above the crack was relatively loose, while below it lay a steep slope...
A plan gradually took shape in his mind.
First, he created some commotion far from the crack to draw the two Reinforced Stone Golems' attention. The instant their gazes shifted away, he ordered Little Big Dipper to silently approach from the side and unleash Advanced Poison and a vicious bite at the joint connecting one of the Stone Golem's limbs!
Little Big Dipper's attack successfully drew its aggro! The attacked Reinforced Stone Golem roared in fury and turned to chase after Little Big Dipper.
Now!
Su Yan's main body shot out from his hiding place. His target was not the other golem, but the rock wall above the crack! He activated the Soul Chasing Talisman with all his strength, but its target was not a monster—it was several huge rocks on the wall that already looked loose!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Several violet lightning talismans struck their targets with perfect accuracy! The rocks collapsed with thunderous crashes, smashing down toward the remaining Stone Golem and the crack's entrance!
The Reinforced Stone Golem was left dazed by the sudden rockfall. Though it did not suffer severe damage, its movements were temporarily hindered.
That brief opening was exactly what Su Yan needed! Like a spirit fox, he darted through the gaps between the falling rocks and narrowly rushed into the crack!
The Stone Golem at the entrance let out an enraged roar and tried to pursue him, only to be blocked by the continuing cascade of falling rocks.
Su Yan had barely rushed into the crack and had no time to celebrate before the sight before him left him stunned.
The interior of the crack was not large, but at its center silently floated an enormous ore the size of a millstone. Its entire body was the color of a deep night sky, and a Galactic Vortex seemed to slowly turn within it! The Power of Stars it emitted was so dense and pure that the Star Qi Drawing Art within Su Yan's body began accelerating on its own! Specks of starlight dust even filled the surrounding air!
[Star Iron Mother] (Rare Material/Legendary) Description: A concentrated essence of Star Iron, containing an enormous amount of pure Origin Power of Stars. It is an exceptional material for refining top-tier Magic Treasures and constructing advanced arrays, and is immensely beneficial to cultivating star-attribute Cultivation Methods.
It really was something extraordinary!
Su Yan forcibly suppressed the urge to rush over and absorb it immediately, because beneath the Star Iron Mother lay a giant python. Its entire body was made of dark-golden metal, and starfire danced within its eyes—Starfall Python (elite leader, level 35)!
The Starfall Python appeared to be in a half-asleep state, cultivating with the power radiated by the Star Iron Mother. Its aura was deep and dangerous.
Su Yan's heart sank. A level 35 elite leader! This was absolutely not something he could handle right now! No wonder the two Stone Golems outside were merely guards—the true guardian was this thing!
Taking it by force was completely impossible. But asking him to give up such a massive piece of Star Iron Mother also left him unwilling.
He observed it carefully and discovered that the Starfall Python seemed deeply dependent on the Star Iron Mother's energy. Most of its attention was immersed in absorbing Starlight Power, leaving it less sensitive to the outside world.
A bold thought surfaced—could he... steal just a little?
He recalled the process by which the Compass absorbed Star Iron. It did not seem necessary to touch the entire ore. He only needed to draw out the Power of Stars within. And perhaps his Star Power Resonance ability could allow for that kind of precise control?
Su Yan held his breath, suppressing his aura to the utmost, then slowly raised the Compass and aimed it at the enormous Star Iron Mother. At the same time, he activated Star Power Resonance with all his strength, but compressed its range as tightly as possible so that it covered only a tiny portion of the Star Iron Mother's edge.
He cautiously guided the Compass's power, as though fishing with a fine thread, gently "hooking" onto a strand of the purest Origin of Stars naturally leaking from the Star Iron Mother.
It worked! That strand of silver Origin Power, like a fish drawn to bait, silently flowed toward the Compass.
The Compass immediately released an unprecedentedly dazzling silver radiance, and its repair progress began jumping at a visible rate! 36%... 38%... 40%...!
However, the moment its repair progress exceeded 40%, an abrupt change occurred!
Perhaps the absorbed Origin Power had reached some critical point. The Star Iron Mother suddenly trembled, and the Galactic Vortex turning within it accelerated sharply! The sleeping Starfall Python seemed to sense something. It abruptly opened its huge eyes blazing with starfire, its cold and furious gaze instantly locking onto Su Yan, who was hiding by the crack's entrance like a thief!
"Hiss—!!!"
The terrifying hiss shook the entire crack!
He had been discovered!
Su Yan's scalp went numb. Without thinking, he turned and rushed toward the crack's exit! At the same time, he flung his last few Immobilization Talismans behind him as though they cost nothing, trying to obstruct the Starfall Python's pursuit.
The moment he rushed out of the crack, he heard the thunderous crash of rocks being effortlessly shattered behind him, followed by that soul-chilling hiss rapidly closing in!
"Run!" Su Yan shouted at Little Big Dipper, which had just shaken off the Stone Golem and was about to meet him. He slapped a Thousand Mile Teleportation Talisman onto himself, transformed into a streak of light, and fled desperately toward the outskirts of Meteorite Valley!
Behind him came the horrifying figure of the enraged Starfall Python, crushing everything in its path as it pursued relentlessly!
This time, he had truly stirred up a hornet's nest!
Before you continue