First Arrival at the Star Pavilion and the Shadow of the Return to Ruins

Chang'an City, Star Observation Platform.

The night was cool as water, the moon hidden behind a dense cluster of stars. The massive white marble Star Observation Platform stood silently under the night sky. The ancient star map engraved upon it seemed to echo the true stars in the pure firmament, flowing with a tranquil and mysterious aura. The Hour of the Rat was approaching, the moment when the Power of Stars between heaven and earth was most active.

Su Yan stood in the center of the platform, dressed in sharp, practical attire, his aura more refined and profound than before. Little Big Dipper lay quietly at his feet, the star spots on its shell absorbing the drifting starlight of their own accord, appearing exceptionally deep. He took out the Star Pavilion Token, which was neither gold nor jade, took a deep breath, and slowly injected his spirit power—now imbued with a trace of stellar properties—into it.

The complex star patterns on the token lit up one by one, emitting a soft and pure silver glow. When the final line was illuminated, the token slipped from his hand and hovered before Su Yan, projecting a hazy portal constructed of starlight. Light and shadow swirled within the portal, obscuring the view, with only pure, concentrated Power of Stars rushing toward him.

Without hesitation, Su Yan took Little Big Dipper and stepped into the light gate.

After a brief sensation of weightlessness and spatial transition, the scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.

He felt as if he were standing beneath an infinite starry sky; beneath his feet was a mirror-like black ground reflecting the stars, while all around him, nebulae and brilliant galaxies rotated slowly. Pavilions and towers of various styles, crystal domes, and even floating islands were scattered across this strange starry expanse, connected to one another by rainbow bridges or star rails. The air was filled with pure Star Astral Energy, making every breath feel refreshing and invigorating.

So this is the Star Pavilion? It is actually an independent, small blessed land constructed with the Power of Stars!

System: You have discovered the hidden area 'Star Pavilion'.

Su Yan's arrival did not attract much attention. There were a few scattered figures on this central plaza, most of whom possessed extraordinary auras, with many bearing marks of the stars or carrying magical artifacts. Some sat alone, absorbing star power; others whispered in small groups; still others hurried between different buildings.

Su Yan steadied himself and walked first toward a massive Starlight Wall at the edge of the plaza that constantly refreshed with information. It listed various requests for purchases, sales, party formations, and intelligence exchanges, mostly related to star materials, cultivation methods, and astrological deductions.

"Long-term purchase of 'Star Iron', bulk orders preferred, can trade with 'Starfall Steel' or spirit stones."

"Seeking ten stalks of 'Starlight Grass', reward negotiable."

"Recruiting teammates to explore the depths of 'Starfall Land', level 35+ required, must be proficient in star spells or possess star-type summoned beasts..."

"Selling 'Beginner Star Power Gathering Formation' blueprint, exchangeable only for Pavilion Contribution Points."

The information was dazzling, opening Su Yan's eyes to a new world. He noticed that in addition to the universal Dream Coins and spirit stones, the currency here included something called "Pavilion Contribution Points," which seemed to be earned by completing tasks issued by the Star Pavilion or donating specific items.

His main purpose for this trip was to find more Star Iron to repair his compass, while also hoping to see if he could find a way to enhance Little Big Dipper's strength.

After wandering around the plaza and inquiring at several stalls, Su Yan discovered that complete Star Iron was indeed scarce, expensive, and mostly found in small pieces. Although he had some savings, relying on purchases to quickly repair the compass was clearly unrealistic.

It seems I will have to find it myself, or... take on some tasks that offer Star Iron as a reward, Su Yan pondered. He cast his gaze toward one side of the plaza, where a building with an archaic design and a plaque reading "Star Constellation Hall" hung above the lintel. That was where the Star Pavilion posted and accepted tasks.

Stepping into the Star Constellation Hall, the interior space was far more vast than it appeared from the outside. On a massive Starlight Wall, various tasks were densely listed, arranged from low to high difficulty and reward.

Su Yan browsed carefully:

[Collect Stardust Powder] (Difficulty: Low): Collect 100 portions of Stardust Powder dropped by Stardust Worms. Reward: Dream Coins, small amount of Pavilion Contribution Points.

[Clear Starlight Forest Anomaly] (Difficulty: Medium): A small-scale Star Power Instability has occurred in the Starlight Forest. Investigate and resolve the root cause. Reward: Pavilion Contribution Points, random star materials.

[Escort Star Rail Caravan] (Difficulty: High): Escort the caravan to the Aolai Country Star Rail Station, passing through dangerous areas. Reward: Large amount of Pavilion Contribution Points, one optional star-tier equipment.

[Investigate Guixu Rift] (Difficulty: Extremely High): An anomalous spatial rift suspected of connecting to the "Guixu" has appeared in the far north of the Northern Continent of Jizhou. Investigate its stability and impact. Warning: Extremely dangerous, Golden Core Stage or higher party recommended. Reward: Unknown (depends on investigation results).

"Guixu Rift?" Su Yan's gaze lingered on this highest-difficulty task for a moment. Guixu, the legendary place where all things end, seemed to have some connection to the "Breath of the End" mentioned by Patriarch Bodhi. However, he knew his own limits; this task was far beyond his reach for now.

In the end, he accepted the [Clear Starlight Forest Anomaly] task. The difficulty was moderate, and the reward included random star materials, which suited him perfectly.

Following the task guidance, Su Yan used the teleportation array within the Star Pavilion to arrive directly at the Starlight Forest. This was an area located at the edge of the Star Pavilion's blessed land, lush with trees whose leaves naturally emitted a faint starlight; it should have been a peaceful place. But at this moment, the forest was shrouded in an unnatural dark red mist, the star power had become restless, and the Starlight Deer and Star Whisper Flower Demon in the forest appeared agitated and irritable.

Su Yan unfolded his compass. The compass, now 40% repaired, pointed precisely toward the center of the forest. He cautiously ventured deeper with Little Big Dipper and soon discovered a ley line node that was continuously leaking dark red energy, carrying an aura of chaos and erosion that polluted the surrounding star power.

This aura again... although it is somewhat different from the 'Breath of the End', it is equally unsettling. Su Yan frowned. He tried attacking the node with a [Soul Chasing Talisman], but the effect was mediocre.

"Little Big Dipper, use Star Fire!"

Little Big Dipper obeyed, opening its mouth to spew silver-white icy flames. The Star Fire was still effective upon contact with the dark red energy, but the purification speed was significantly slower than when dealing with the "Seed of the End".

It seems the nature of this anomaly is different. Su Yan observed while assisting with the attack. He realized that this dark red energy leaned more toward "chaos" and "frenzy" rather than pure "ending".

Just as the node's energy was more than half purified, a sudden change occurred! The ground shook violently, and a monster burst forth from the node—a creature formed of dark red energy, resembling a giant wolf but possessing three scarlet eyes—the [Star Nightmare Beast] (Elite, Level 25)!

"Roar!" The Star Nightmare Beast let out a roar that disturbed the mind and lunged at Little Big Dipper.

Good timing! Su Yan was pleasantly surprised; he could use this to test his new skill!

A flash of spirit light appeared at his fingertips, and a yellow talisman struck the Star Nightmare Beast before it could react—[Armor Shattering Talisman]!

The energy armor on the Star Nightmare Beast's body dimmed instantly, its physical defense significantly reduced!

"Little Big Dipper, combo!"

Little Big Dipper hissed, its figure moving like lightning as its fangs, coated in [Advanced Poison], bit fiercely into the Star Nightmare Beast's weakened hind leg, followed immediately by a swift claw strike! -188! -201! Two substantial damage numbers floated up, and the [Life Steal] effect instantly restored the health Little Big Dipper had just lost!

The Star Nightmare Beast felt the pain and turned to bite back, but Su Yan's [Immobilization Talisman] landed at the perfect moment, causing it to freeze. Little Big Dipper took the opportunity to unleash another round of attacks.

With the debuff from the [Armor Shattering Talisman], Little Big Dipper's physical output was perfectly utilized, and the combat efficiency was extremely high. Before long, this Level 25 elite monster was defeated by the tacit cooperation of the man and his pet, dissolving into pure experience points and several [Chaos Star Core] fragments.

With the death of the Star Nightmare Beast, the anomalous node completely calmed down.

System: Completed 'Clear Starlight Forest Anomaly' task! Obtained 50 Pavilion Contribution Points, Random Star Material Box X1.

Su Yan opened the material box. With a flash of light, he found a fist-sized, high-quality piece of [Star Iron] and some [Starlight Sand] in his hand.

"Not bad, at least it wasn't a wasted trip." Su Yan tucked the Star Iron away with satisfaction. The compass emitted a joyful vibration, its repair progress increasing by 1% to reach 41%.

After returning to the Star Pavilion to turn in the task, Su Yan used the 50 contribution points he had just earned to exchange for an Introduction to Star Beast Cultivation at the Library Pavilion. The book recorded insights and methods for cultivating and strengthening star-type summoned beasts using the Power of Stars, and it happened to mention how to use specific materials to stimulate the attack potential of physical-type star beasts.

"Starlight Sand combined with 'Sharp Gold Stone', ground into powder, and blended with Dawn Star Dew, then applied to the claws and fangs of the star beast, can slightly increase its physical penetration and attack power..." Su Yan read carefully. "Sharp Gold Stone... it seems to be produced in the mines outside Great Tang."

He noted this method, preparing to try it in the future.

Afterward, Su Yan wandered around the Star Pavilion again, witnessing many peculiar star items and hearing some fragmented news. Some were discussing how the cold air in the Northern Continent of Jizhou seemed to carry an abnormal corrosiveness recently, causing heavy losses for teams there; others whispered that the "Heavenly Secrets Pavilion" had recently issued an urgent task to find fragments of a "Star Fixing Disc," with an extremely high reward...

Su Yan silently committed all this information to memory.

When he left the Star Pavilion, it was already the eve of dawn. Standing on the Star Observation Platform, Su Yan gazed at the pale white light emerging in the east, a clear plan already forming in his mind.

First, he would utilize the tasks and resources of the Star Pavilion to steadily increase the repair progress of his compass and his own level. At the same time, he would follow the methods in Introduction to Star Beast Cultivation to enhance the strength of Little Big Dipper. Then, he would head Outside Great Tang to obtain the Sharp Gold Stone and investigate whether there were any abnormal nodes of Resurrection in that region as well.

He felt that he was slowly prying open the hard shell covering the truth. The appearance of the Star Pavilion provided him with a broader platform and more resources, but it also meant that he was about to come into contact with secrets and dangers on a higher level.

The road ahead is long, with starlight to guide the way.