Xingyan's Trust and the Secret of Falling Star Lake

The Star Official's words sent a jolt through Su Yan. A cooperation proposal from the Star Pavilion's higher-ups? This undoubtedly meant his previous performance had been recognized, but it also signaled his impending entanglement in a deeper vortex.

He remained outwardly calm, replying respectfully, "I am grateful for the Pavilion's regard. May I inquire about the nature of this cooperation? My strength is meager, and I fear I am not suited for such important tasks."

The Star Official smiled slightly, as if seeing through Su Yan's caution. "No need for false modesty. You independently completed the 'Star Vein Anomaly' investigation and accurately recorded three distinct types of anomalous energy. This insight and strength far surpass that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. Elder Xingyan wishes to meet you personally; he will discuss the specifics with you. Please follow me."

Xingyan? An Elder of the Star Pavilion? Su Yan's thoughts raced. Knowing there was no way to refuse, he nodded. "Since that is the case, I respectfully accept."

He followed the Star Official across the rainbow bridge behind the Star Constellation Hall, arriving before a white jade pavilion suspended amidst nebulae. The plaque on the pavilion bore the inscription "Star Gazing Pavilion," written with vigorous strokes that exuded Dao Rhyme.

Stepping inside, he saw an elder with a simple Star Pavilion Daoist robe, white hair and beard, and a kind, gentle face. He stood with his hands behind his back before a massive, dynamic star map made of starlight. His aura was contained, as if he were one with the surrounding starry sky. This was Xingyan, one of the Star Pavilion's Elders.

"Elder, Su Yan has arrived," the Star Official said, bowing respectfully before withdrawing.

Xingyan slowly turned, his gaze falling upon Su Yan like gentle starlight, yet it seemed to pierce through one's very soul. He nodded slightly. "Young friend, you are Su Yan? Indeed, your roots are extraordinary, your soul unique. Even more rare is that you possess 'Star Destiny' and hold a 'Beacon'."

"Beacon?" Su Yan's heart stirred, knowing he referred to the Compass.

"No need to be nervous," Xingyan said, seemingly sensing his wariness, and smiled kindly. "Your Compass is an 'Order Beacon' born of destiny, and it does not conflict with the Star Pavilion's tenet of pursuing the Great Dao of the Stars and maintaining the balance of heaven and earth. I invited you here to entrust you with a matter, which is also an opportunity."

"Please enlighten me, Elder."

Xingyan pointed to the dynamic star map behind him. On the map, besides the usual stars and Anomaly Markers, a new, slowly appearing, flashing dark red dot was visible in a blurred area near the border of the Northern Continent of Jizhou and the Eastern Sea. Its energy fluctuations were extremely similar to the "Guixu Erosion" Su Yan had recorded, but its scale and intensity far surpassed the quicksand river star vein.

"This place is called 'Falling Star Lake.' It was formed when an ancient celestial body from beyond the heavens fell. The lakebed contains abundant Star Essence and peculiar minerals, making it a treasure trove. However, recently, the Pavilion has detected a drastic increase in Guixu energy within the lake, affecting the surrounding regions. Many cultivators who went to seek treasures have not returned. We suspect that a nascent, or soon-to-stabilize, 'Guixu Rift' may be gestating there."

Guixu Rift! Su Yan's pupils contracted. It was indeed that thing!

"Are you asking me to investigate Falling Star Lake, Elder?" Su Yan asked. Falling Star Lake was located in a high-level area, with monsters generally level 30 and above, and possibly even more powerful beings. With his level 21 strength, going there would be akin to suicide.

Xingyan shook his head. "I am not asking you to investigate the rift directly. Such a perilous place is not for Golden Core cultivators to enter lightly. I wish to commission you to go to the outer areas of Falling Star Lake and collect a special material called 'Purifying Star Dew'."

He waved his hand, and starlight condensed into the phantom image of a leaf. The leaf was semi-transparent silver-white, with what seemed like flowing stars within its veins. "This is a leaf of the 'Dust-Cleansing Star Orchid,' which only grows where Star Power and pure water vapor converge. Falling Star Lake, affected by the celestial body's fall, happens to meet these conditions around its periphery. However, due to contamination by Guixu energy, the Dust-Cleansing Star Orchid easily mutates. The 'Purifying Star Dew' it condenses also contains a trace of purification power, which is highly effective in suppressing Guixu energy and refining specific pills or magical artifacts."

"Your task is to collect three drops of 'Purifying Star Dew'," Xingyan said solemnly. "This will, firstly, provide materials for the Pavilion's research on Guixu and the refinement of barrier-breaking items. Secondly, for you, it will be a tempering of your state of mind and spiritual power. Furthermore, you can observe the forefront of Guixu Erosion. Of course, the mission is perilous, and you may decide for yourself. As for the reward, besides Pavilion Contribution Points, you may also receive an introductory chapter of the 'Star Refining Body Art' in advance. This technique can draw Star Power to temper the body, which should be beneficial to you, a disciple of Mount Fangcun who focuses on spells."

[Hidden Quest Triggered: Xingyan's Commission]

[Quest Requirements: Travel to the outer area of Falling Star Lake and collect three drops of 'Purifying Star Dew'.]

[Quest Rewards: 500 Star Pavilion Contribution Points, Introductory Chapter of 'Star Refining Body Art' (can be claimed in advance), Xingyan's Favorability.]

[Warning: Falling Star Lake area has a high danger level (Levels 30-40), Guixu energy is dense, and powerful corrupted creatures may be encountered.]

Claiming the reward in advance! The 'Star Refining Body Art'! Su Yan was tempted. He knew his physical body was relatively weak, and this body-refining technique was exactly what he needed. Moreover, collecting Purifying Star Dew would not only help the Star Pavilion but also allow him to understand the power of "Guixu" more directly, preparing him for potentially stronger enemies in the future.

Risk and opportunity coexisted.

"I am willing to give it a try," Su Yan said after a moment's thought, solemnly accepting the mission.

"Good," Xingyan nodded with satisfaction. He flicked his sleeve, and a jade slip and a talisman shimmering with starlight flew before Su Yan. "This is the introductory chapter of the 'Star Refining Body Art,' and a 'Minor Heavenly Star Escape Talisman.' It can help you instantly escape a hundred miles in a critical moment, but use it cautiously; it can only be activated once a month."

[Minor Heavenly Star Escape Talisman] (Special Item)

Description: A life-saving talisman imbued with the power of the Heavenly Star Escape technique. Upon activation, it can randomly teleport you a hundred miles away. Cooldown: 30 natural days.

"Thank you, Elder!" Su Yan accepted the jade slip and talisman, feeling significantly more confident.

After leaving Star Gazing斋, Su Yan didn't set off immediately. He first returned to his courtyard in Chang'an City to study the introductory chapter of the 'Star Refining Body Art.' The technique was not complicated; it mainly involved guiding Star Power to cleanse the body, opening specific acupoints, and initially strengthening the muscles, bones, skin, and membranes. He attempted to cultivate it and found that it complemented the 'Star Qi Drawing Art.' Although the process was somewhat painful, the effects were significant, and he could clearly feel the subtle strengthening of his body.

Next, he spent almost all his savings and some Contribution Points to purchase a large quantity of high-level pills and talismans from the Star Pavilion and Chang'an City, especially [Calm Heart Pills] and [Evil Warding Talismans] to resist mental erosion and negative status effects. He also checked Little Big Dipper's equipment, ensuring it was in optimal condition.

Several days later, fully prepared, Su Yan embarked on his journey to Falling Star Lake.

Falling Star Lake was located on the southeastern edge of the Northern Continent of Jizhou, bordering the Eastern Sea. The closer he got, the more humid the air and the fainter the salty scent became. However, at the same time, a heart-palpitating sense of "void" that seemed capable of devouring all light and hope grew stronger.

When he finally reached the outer perimeter of Falling Star Lake, the sight before him made him gasp.

It was a vast lake with eerily dark blue water, as calm as stagnant water, not a ripple disturbing its surface. The surrounding forests and vegetation were withered, covered in a layer of grayish-white fungus that seemed to have been drained of all life. The sky was perpetually overcast, with sunlight struggling to penetrate. Only in the center of the lake could a slowly rotating, dark red vortex be vaguely seen, like an eye leading to the abyss—the nascent form of the Guixu Rift!

A powerful Guixu aura enveloped the entire lake area like an invisible domain. As soon as Su Yan stepped into the outer perimeter, he felt a heavy pressure descend upon his heart, his spiritual power circulation becoming sluggish. Countless faint whispers echoed in his ears, tempting him to give up resistance and sink into the void.

He immediately circulated the 'Star Qi Drawing Art' and 'Star Refining Body Art.' Cold starlight flowed within him, barely dispelling some of the discomfort. Little Big Dipper also let out a low growl, its star spots flashing, resisting the erosion.

"I must find the Dust-Cleansing Star Orchid quickly," Su Yan dared not linger. Following the clues given by Xingyan, he searched along the lake shore for the special locations where Star Power and water vapor converged.

The Compass was strongly interfered with here, its needle swaying erratically, and the "Star Map" also became blurry. He could only rely on his instinctive perception of energy fluctuations and his observation of the environment.

Along the way, he encountered several waves of monsters completely corrupted by Guixu energy: [Corrupted Water Elemental] (Level 32, attacks inflict corrosion and slow), [Void Walker] (Level 34, elusive, skilled in mental attacks), [Devouring Moss] (Level 30, lurks on the ground, launching sudden entanglement attacks)... each one was extremely difficult to deal with.

Su Yan had to maintain the utmost vigilance, using [Wood Escape] and [Starlight Bodyguard] alternately, and combining [Armor Shattering Talisman] with Little Big Dipper for burst output. He fought and advanced, the process fraught with peril. Little Big Dipper's physical output played a crucial role here, especially against elemental creatures like [Corrupted Water Elemental], where the physical penetration effect enhanced by [Star Sharp Potion] was significant.

Finally, in a narrow area backed by a rock face, with underground springs seeping out and a few rays of starlight filtering down from a crack in the rock above, Su Yan discovered a few plants growing tenaciously.

They were silver-white throughout, their leaves like starlight, their stems slender yet resilient, stubbornly standing tall amidst the dead, gray decay. These were indeed [Dust-Cleansing Star Orchids]! However, the leaves of these star orchids were also stained with a few ominous dark gray spots, and the dew drops condensed at their tips—the "Purifying Star Dew"—also had a chaotic grayish-white luster, rather than a pure silver-white.

"They're contaminated... but there truly is a trace of struggling purification power within," Su Yan could feel the conflict between the two forces within the dewdrop.

He carefully took out a specially made jade bottle and began to collect. This process had to be gentle, so as not to damage the star orchids, nor allow the dew drops to fall prematurely or their energy to dissipate.

Just as he collected the second drop and was preparing to collect the third, an anomaly occurred!

From the shadows beside the rock face, a formless dark entity composed entirely of dense Guixu energy, [Guixu Shadow] (Level 36, Elite Boss), silently lunged out! It seemed to have been lurking there all along, guarding these mutated star orchids, or perhaps waiting to absorb the faint purification power from the star orchids to "hone" itself?

"Careful!" Su Yan had remained vigilant. [Starlight Bodyguard] was instantly cast upon himself and Little Big Dipper, while [Wood Escape] was used to rapidly retreat!

The Guixu Shadow missed, letting out a silent roar. Its distorted body suddenly expanded, transforming into a massive curtain of darkness that enveloped Su Yan, its powerful suction force seeming to want to devour him along with the light!

Danger struck instantly!