Zero said in a deep voice, "Based on my past memories, the awakening of each Star Soul Priest usually occurs gradually after the Star Soul Lord establishes the faith system of this plane."
"Get to the point," Han Feng interrupted Zero.
The starry sky twisted and shifted, projecting a three-dimensional star map. Zero explained, "The growth of each Star Soul Lord is divided into three stages: conquest of this plane, interplanetary warfare, and mastery of the laws of the universe. Priests, as the core of the belief system, usually appear at the end of the first stage."
Dozens of points of light lit up on the star map, each representing a historical Star Soul Lord. Their development trajectories were strikingly similar—first unifying the original planes, then the priests awakening, and finally venturing into the universe.
However, the light representing Han Feng deviated from this trajectory, while several small lights had already lit up around it.
"What are these?" Han Feng asked, somewhat puzzled.
“These are all people related to you, and they have all awakened the power of the stars,” Zero said.
"Didn't you say that followers would only awaken when the Star Soul Lord begins to enter the cosmic planes?"
“But you can’t describe it in the usual way,” Zero said without further ado.
"So I'm an exception?" Han Feng stared at the unpredictable spot of light.
“Perhaps it’s evolution,” Zero’s voice said thoughtfully. “The mutation in your star network diagram may have altered some of the rules.”
Han Feng recalled Jue Li's words before he vanished—"The stars are forever evolving." He took a deep breath: "Could you tell me more about the cosmic planes? If the priest has awakened, does that mean...?"
“It means you have to speed things up. Perhaps many things have changed because of this.” Zero interrupted him, and the starry sky shifted again. “Look.”
The sight before him made Han Feng hold his breath—countless planes floated in the void like bubbles, some as dazzling as diamonds, others dull and lifeless. Even more astonishing was that many planes were connected by fine "threads," like a spider web.
“This is the truth of the universe.” Zero’s voice became low. “Every Star Soul Lord, after collecting all the Star Mirrors, will eventually discover that the plane they live in is just a corner of an endless battlefield.”
Several of the "threads" suddenly turned blood red, and Han Feng saw light spots moving along these threads, invading one dimension from another.
“The Nether Crystal Clan and other extraterrestrial forces plunder through dimensional portals,” Zero continued. “And the Star Soul Lord… will either become the hunter or become the prey.”
Han Feng's throat tightened: "So those extraterrestrial forces..."
"Everyone is watching Blue Star, waiting for the moment you collect all the Star Compendiums and head to the cosmic plane." Zero's tone suddenly turned serious. "Because when the Star Compendiums are united, the Star Soul Master will enter the cosmic plane, which will temporarily open the plane passage—it is both a crisis and your only chance to take the initiative."
As the starry sky projection disappeared, Han Feng found his palms drenched in cold sweat. He suddenly realized that Wang Hao's awakening was not accidental, but the beginning of a larger scheme—like the first piece moved on a chessboard.
"Those who follow me..." Han Feng's voice was hoarse, "What will happen to them after they enter the cosmic dimension?"
"Their fate is tied to yours." Zero makes no attempt to conceal the cruel truth: "If you are strong, they will gain immortality; if you are defeated, they will be annihilated, body and soul."
These words struck Han Feng like a hammer blow. He recalled the dark circles under Liu Mengran's eyes, the way Su Wanwan bit her lip while typing, the weak smile of Dongfang Wantang after her divination... and Wang Hao, the brother who always called him "Brother Feng" with a silly grin.
"What if I refuse this fate?" Han Feng clenched his fists.
"Do you really think you can refuse now?" Zero's voice was filled with pity. "Ever since your rebirth, the gears have been turning. Now, all you can do is become stronger—for all those who have placed their fate on your shoulders."
The starry sky gradually faded, and Zero's last words echoed in the space:
"By the way, when training that Star Soul Priest kid tomorrow, try to guide him to perceive the power of faith. If he can master the 'Blessing' skill in advance, you will have a better chance of winning against the extraterrestrial forces."
Han Feng's consciousness returned to reality, and he found that it was already dawn outside the window. His phone on the bedside table was lit up—Wang Hao had sent a message: "Brother Feng, I think I can see some strange lights..."
Han Feng replied, "You're awake? Then get ready and come out. I'll wait for you in the yard."
Han Feng quietly closed the door, the dew-dampened lawn making a soft sound under his feet. In the distance, Wang Hao was squatting by the flower bed, teasing a stray cat, when he heard footsteps and immediately stood up.
"Brother Feng!" He jogged over, his eyes unusually bright in the pre-dawn light. "I really saw those lights last night, right where I..."
"They'll talk in the car." Han Feng opened the driver's side door, made a shushing gesture, and said, "Don't wake them."
The black SUV glided silently out of the villa area. The eastern horizon was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the streetlights were still on, casting an orange glow over the empty streets.
"So what are those points of light?" Wang Hao finally couldn't help but ask. "At first I thought I was seeing things, but they move with me..."
Han Feng turned the steering wheel with one hand, and with the other, took an energy detector from the storage compartment and tossed it to Wang Hao: "Hold this and focus on those points of light."
The moment the instrument touched Wang Hao's palm, it emitted a piercing alarm, and the numbers on the screen jumped wildly before finally settling on a surprising number.
"As expected." Han Feng's lips curled up. "The purity of your awakened energy is quite high. No wonder you're my little brother, Han Feng."
Wang Hao's mouth dropped open: "You mean I'll be working with you to take on opponents like Mu Xiaoxiao from now on??"
"Fasten your seatbelt." Han Feng suddenly stepped on the gas. "I'll explain on the way."
The car shot onto the highway like an arrow. Following Han Feng's brief explanation, Wang Hao's expression shifted from shock to bewilderment, and finally to a strange excitement.
"Where have we gotten here?" Wang Hao asked, somewhat puzzled.
Han Feng smiled but did not answer, only pointing ahead—in the morning mist, the outline of the Longyuan Base was faintly visible, like a lurking steel behemoth.
"Holy crap..." Wang Hao pressed his face against the car window, "Brother Feng, do you usually work in places like this?"
Han Feng nodded, and the car drove to the entrance. The soldiers on duty saluted Han Feng and said, "Good morning, sir!"
Wang Hao was somewhat bewildered: "That soldier on guard... he actually called you 'sir'?"
Han Feng said nonchalantly, "Oh? I'm a special training instructor here, and my current rank is senior colonel."
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