Chapter 66: The ruins of the Star Palace, a chance encounter
Inside the Star Hall, the space was far more expansive than what appeared from the outside, a world unto itself. Murals of stars could be vaguely seen through the shattered dome, while broken columns spoke of a glorious past. The air was filled with pure yet chaotic stellar energy, accompanied by a lingering sense of dead silence and age.
Ye Li and the other four didn't dare to pause for a moment, and quickly advanced along the chosen passage. In the distance behind them, they could hear the clamor and sounds of fighting from the Red Flame Sect, Wind and Thunder Pavilion, and other teams breaking in—clearly, they had started a conflict among themselves, fighting to gain access or clear the ruins guards blocking their way.
"Master, which direction are we going?" Lin Feng asked while keeping an eye on the rear. Several forks appeared in the passage ahead.
Ye Li's sharp eyes swept across several intersections, her consciousness carefully sensing the subtle flow of star power in the air. She discovered that the star power coming from the second fork on the left, while relatively thin, was more pure and stable, with a faint sense of strange rhythm.
"Go this way." Ye Li chose that road without hesitation. Her intuition told her that this seemingly inconspicuous road might lead to a more central area.
The group restrained their auras and moved forward quickly. This passage was indeed different from other places. The star runes carved on the walls on both sides were relatively intact. Although still broken, they vaguely formed some kind of mysterious array. The ruins guards encountered along the way (some broken puppets powered by star power) were also significantly more powerful, but their numbers were few and far between.
After dispatching a Star Puppet, comparable to a late-stage Condensed Veins cultivator, whose movements were slightly stiff, they arrived at a relatively intact side hall. In the center of the hall sat a half-collapsed altar. Above it, suspended three fist-sized crystals emitting a soft starlight—the very high-purity Star Stones they had been searching for! And of exceptional quality!
"Star Stone!" Sun Xiaohou's eyes lit up.
However, before they could get close, something strange happened! Countless complex runes suddenly lit up on the ground surrounding the altar, instantly activating a powerful trapping array. Chains of starlight stretched out from the void, wrapping around the five people like serpents!
"There is a formation!" Xia Zhihe exclaimed.
Ye Li reacted extremely quickly, unleashing the "Universe Traceless Step," twisting her body strangely to avoid several chains. Lin Feng, Sun Xiaohou, and Zhao Xiaoyi were unable to dodge, and their hands and feet were entangled by the starlight chains. Their spiritual energy suddenly stagnated, and they were unable to move! Xia Zhihe managed to dodge with her agility, but she was also in danger.
This formation is extremely sophisticated. It is not simply used for attack, but mainly for trapping the enemy. The starlight chains are extremely tough and can continuously absorb the spiritual power of the trapped person to strengthen themselves.
"Don't struggle. The more you struggle, the tighter the chains will get!" Lin Feng reminded hurriedly.
Ye Li's eyes were solemn. He tried to chop the chain with the Mystic Ice Sword, but only a string of sparks flew, and the chain remained motionless! The "Ice Soul Sealing Finger" touched it, but it only caused the chain to pause slightly, unable to break it.
"This formation is at least fourth-tier. Breaking it by force is difficult!" Ye Li quickly judged. Although she had some experience with formations, it was impossible to find the core of such a sophisticated ancient formation in such a short time.
Just as she was thinking about how to break the formation, there was a slight sound of footsteps at the entrance of the side hall.
Someone else is coming!
Ye Li's heart tightened, and she gripped the Xuanbing Sword tightly, blocking the three trapped people. Xia Zhihe also retreated to her side cautiously.
Three figures entered the entrance. They weren't from the Red Flame Sect or the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, but rather three cultivators dressed in khaki robes, their auras dignified. Judging by their attire, they were disciples of the Houtu Sect, skilled in formations and defense. The leader was a young man with a stoic face but a lively gaze, his cultivation at the peak of the late Condensing Veins stage.
The Houtu Sect disciples were also stunned upon seeing the scene inside the hall. When they saw the three high-quality star stones on the altar, their eyes lit up with excitement, but it was quickly replaced by vigilance. They saw Lin Feng and the other two trapped, as well as Ye Li and Xia Zhihe, who were on high alert.
The two sides were deadlocked for a while, and the atmosphere was delicate.
The young man who led the Houtu Sect (named Shi Yue) glanced at the formation runes on the ground, then looked at Ye Li, and suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist, is this Junior Sister Ye Li from the Xuanyun Sect?"
Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting the other party to recognize her. "Exactly. Who are you?"
Shi Yue cupped his fists and smiled, his attitude quite friendly. "Hou Tu Sect, I am Shi Yue. I have long heard of Junior Sister Ye's name. Your impressive performance in the small competition against Senior Brother Leng Yun was truly admirable." He paused, pointing to the trapping formation on the ground. "This is the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Soul Locking Formation,' an ancient formation difficult to break by brute force. If you trust me, Shi, I may be able to help you escape."
Ye Li quickly weighed the pros and cons in her mind. The Houtu Sect was renowned for its formations, and Shi Yue didn't seem like a treacherous person. Furthermore, there was no direct conflict between the two sides, and they even had common "rivals" (the Red Flame Sect, among others). Cooperation might be a win-win option.
"What are Senior Brother Shi's conditions?" Ye Li asked directly. There is no free lunch in the world.
Shi Yue smiled and said, "Junior Sister Ye is very straightforward. The conditions are simple. After the formation is broken, I, Houtu Sect, will take one of the three star stones. In addition, if there are other books or artifacts related to the art of formations in the hall, we must be given priority to observe and copy them. As for the other treasures, it depends on your ability. How do you think?"
This condition wasn't excessive, and could even be considered fair. There were three Star Stones, and giving one to the other party would also allow him to escape and potentially gain some benefits from the formation.
Ye Li glanced at the trapped Lin Feng and the other two, and said without hesitation: "Okay. Please ask Senior Brother Shi to help."
"Great!" Shi Yue nodded and gestured to his two fellow disciples behind him, who immediately guarded the entrance. Shi Yue then walked to the edge of the trap, squatted down, and pressed his hands to the ground. Earthy spiritual energy flowed into the runes of the formation, and he carefully sensed them.
His technique was professional and steady, his eyes focused, and he muttered something, seemingly deducing the principles of the formation's operation. The Houtu Sect's attainments in formations were truly well-deserved.
After about an incense stick of time, Shi Yue's eyes flashed, and he formed seals with his hands and pointed at several inconspicuous nodes of the formation!
"Buzz!"
The light of the entire trap array became chaotic, and the starlight chain that was wrapped around Lin Feng and the other two trembled slightly, then receded like a tide and disappeared into the ground again.
Lin Feng and the other two escaped and quickly stretched their arms and legs, expressing their gratitude to Shi Yue: "Thank you, Senior Brother Shi!"
Shi Yue waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's a piece of cake. This formation has been in disrepair for a long time and its power is only one tenth of what it used to be. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to break it so quickly."
The crisis was resolved and the relationship between the two sides eased a lot.
Shi Yue looked at the star stones on the altar, then looked at Ye Li, and said frankly: "Junior Sister Ye, as agreed, we will take one." He stepped forward and carefully collected one of the star stones with a special jade box, without being greedy.
Ye Li also put away the other two.
Shi Yue searched the side hall carefully again and found a few broken jade slips under the ruins of a collapsed bookshelf. Some ancient insights into formations were recorded on them, which made him overjoyed.
"Junior Sister Ye, it's been a pleasure working with you this time." Shi Yue was in high spirits, having gained a lot. "The interior of this Star Palace is complex and full of dangers. It's unlikely we'll gain much if we act alone. I wonder if we could temporarily join forces to explore together? The rewards will be divided according to the contributions."
Ye Li had exactly this in mind. Houtu Sect excelled in formations and defense, which perfectly complemented Youge's shortcomings in frontal assault and defense. Furthermore, Shi Yue seemed honest and upright, a suitable candidate for short-term cooperation.
"Okay." Ye Li nodded in agreement.
Thus, the two teams merged, bringing their total to eight, greatly increasing their strength. Shi Yue was responsible for identifying and breaking the formations and traps along the way, Ye Li was responsible for the main battle and decision-making, Lin Feng provided support, Xia Zhihe assisted, Sun Xiaohou was the pathfinder, Zhao Xiaoyi provided logistics, and the other two Houtu Sect disciples were responsible for flank protection.
This impromptu alliance worked together surprisingly well. The Houtu Sect's knowledge of formations allowed them to avoid many dangers, while Ye Li's powerful fighting ability easily dealt with the guards they encountered.
During this time, they discovered a storehouse containing a small amount of "Star Gold" (a more precious refining material than Star Stone), as well as several broken ancient treasures. Under Ye Li's supervision, the distribution was relatively fair, and both parties were very satisfied.
During a break, Shi Yue chatted with Ye Li, "Junior Sister Ye, I heard you had some issues with Gao Sheng from Zhan Kuang Peak? The Red Flame Sect and Fenglei Pavilion are also joining us in this exploration of the ruins, so you need to be extra careful. Yan Lie and Lei Ying are not easy to deal with."
Ye Li said calmly: "Thank you, Senior Brother Shi, for reminding me. I will pay attention to it."
Shi Yue smiled and lowered his voice, "My Houtu Sect has always been at odds with Zhan Kuangfeng, and we are only on good terms with the Chiyan Sect and Fenglei Pavilion. If a conflict does arise in the future, my Houtu Sect is willing to stand by Junior Sister Ye."
This was almost a clear signal of an alliance. Ye Li gave Shi Yue a deep look. This man had a sharp eye and had obviously seen her potential and the irreconcilable conflict between her and Zhan Kuangfeng, so he placed his bet in advance.
"Brother Shi, your intention is kind. Ye Li appreciates it." Ye Li didn't agree immediately, but she didn't refuse either. Having more friends is always better than having more enemies, especially in these dangerous ruins.
After a brief rest, the alliance continued their advance deeper into the Star Palace. With the support of the Thick Earth Sect, their exploration efficiency and safety factor were greatly improved. As they advanced deeper, the energy fluctuations in the air grew stronger, indicating that they were approaching the true core of the Star Palace.
Will greater opportunities or a more brutal struggle await them? What role will this unexpected alliance with Shi Yue play in the ensuing turmoil? The ultimate secret of the Star Palace is about to be revealed.
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