Darkness.

  Endless, viscous, soul-devouring darkness.

  Lin Chen's body fell, speed increasing, ears hearing only whistling wind and the increasingly clear summoning fluctuations.

  The Star Pattern between his eyebrows burned as if ignitinga palpitation deep in his bones, as if something awakened deep within his soul, about to resonate with the ancient existence below.

  But he didn't resist.

  Nor could he resist.

  Just now, reversing the Star Vortex to forcibly break the Netherworld Spirit Sealing Array had already damaged his origin essence. Meridians crisscrossed with cracks, dantian throbbed with pain. At this moment, mobilizing even a thread of stellar power was difficult, let alone breaking free from this abyss's drag.

  Could only... go with the flow.

  How long had he fallen? Perhaps a hundred zhang, perhaps a thousand.

  Time lost meaning here, space blurred into obscurity. The only thing Lin Chen could perceive clearly was the resonance between the Star Pattern between his eyebrows and the thing belowgrowing stronger, more urgent.

  Like twins separated for billions of years finally about to reunite.

  Or like prey, step by step falling into a hunter's trap.

  Lin Chen didn't know which premonition was correct.

  But he knew he had no choice.

  Five days later, Poison Elder awaited him on the arena.

  Condensation Stage Level 8 cultivation wasn't enough to see.

  Between Spiritual Light Realm and Condensation Stageheaven and earth.

  Even just Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1 could easily crush ten Condensation Stage Level 9 peaks.

  This was a leap in life level, the divide between mortal and supernormal.

  And Poison Elderwas Spiritual Light Realm·Moon Radiance Stage.

  At least two minor realms higher than Starlight Stage.

  With Lin Chen's current state, against Poison Elderten deaths, zero survival.

  The only chance of survival, was in this valley bottom.

  In the Star Tablet father mentioned.

  In that mark identical to his Star Pattern.

  Even if it was a trap, he must break through.

  Because breaking throughstill had a slim chance of survival.

  Not breaking throughcertain death.

  "Father..."

  Lin Chen murmured, Lin Xiaotian's blurry figure flashing through his mind.

  Ten years ago, father suddenly vanished, leaving only "Chen'er, live well" before disappearing completely.

  Over these ten years, Lin Chen fell from genius to crippled trash, enduring endless scorn and bullying, yet never giving up.

  Because he believedfather still lived.

  One day, he would find father, ask everything clearly.

  Now, he was one step from the truth.

  Even if that stepmight be a ten-thousand-zhang abyss.

  He must still... step out!

  While thoughts surged, the surrounding darkness suddenly began fading.

  Not brightening, but... turning gray.

  Chaotic gray.

  Like the base color before creation, when primordial chaos first separated.

  No light, no darkness, only the most primitive, most primordial chaos.

  Lin Chen felt his body lighten, falling speed plummeted sharply, as if falling into a soft cloud.

  Warm, moist touch enveloped him, like being wrapped by a womb, making one drowsy.

  But he forced himself to stay conscious.

  Stellar Eyefull force operation!

  In his vision, chaotic gray qi slowly flowed like living beings, each flow containing some great Dao rhythm, as if deducing the universe's birth and annihilation.

  Within the gray qi floated countless fragments of light.

  Those light fragments varied in size and shape.

  Some rice grain-sized, some fist-sized, some incomplete, some barely whole.

  But without exception, all emitted faint stellar aura.

  Lin Chen's pupils contracted sharply.

  Because he recognized those light fragments' essence

  Star Pattern fragments!

  Not complete Star Patterns, but remnants of Dao law fragments after Star Patterns shattered in battle.

  Each fragment represented a... fallen Star Pattern bearer!

  Meaning, the thousands of light fragments floating in this chaotic gray qi represented at least several thousand Star Pattern bearers who once battled, fell, and vanished here!

  What kind of tragic battlefield was this?

  What kind of cruel curse?

  Lin Chen felt a chill rush from his spine to the top of his head.

  He seemed to hear the lingering souls' wails within those fragments.

  Heard their final despair and unwillingness.

  Heard... the fateful elegy of kindred slaughter.

  "The Star Pattern Curse..."

  Lin Chen murmured, finally understanding his father's words.

  Star Patterns were both a gift and a curse.

  Because from the moment of awakening, they were destined to slaughter other Star Pattern bearers until... only one remained.

  This was the cruel truth of the Chaos Star Pattern network.

  Also the "foster-gourd rule" Netherworld Palace wanted to exploit!

  Suppressing the shock in his heart, Lin Chen continued forward.

  Beneath his feet was soft gray qi, each step like treading on clouds yet exceptionally stable.

  The surrounding broken Star Pattern fragments began trembling slightly as he approached, emitting fluctuations of intimacy, repulsion, fear, or greed.

  As if welcoming the king's return.

  Or coveting fresh... flesh and blood.

  Lin Chen ignored these fluctuations, gaze fixed on the chaotic gray qi's center.

  There stood a stone tablet.

  The tablet was two zhang tall, five chi wide, entirely dark silver, surface carved with intricate star charts.

  Those star charts weren't stationary, but like living things slowly flowing, deducing complete cycles of stellar birth, growth, prime, decline, annihilation.

  And in the star chart's center, embedded a pale silver mark.

  Identical to the Star Pattern between his eyebrows.

  But more ancient, more complete, more... vast.

  As if the origin of Star Patterns, the embodiment of laws.

  Now, this mark emitted gentle yet intense summoning fluctuations.

  As if saying: Come, heir.

  I've waited... for you long.

  Lin Chen's heart pounded like war drums.

  Blood boiled, soul trembled.

  Instinct told him this mark was the key to his rapid breakthrough to Spiritual Light Realm, perhaps even containing the complete legacy of the Chaos Stellar Body.

  But reason also warned madly: Danger! Father said, Netherworld Palace wanted to use his blood to sacrifice to the Star Tablet, awaken the remnant soul within!

  This mark before himwas it the remnant soul's carrier?

  Once touched, would he gain inheritance, or be possessed?

  He didn't know.

  But he knewhe already had no retreat.

  Gamble.

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  Could only gamble.

  Lin Chen took a deep breath, suppressing distracting thoughts, walking toward the tablet.

  Ten zhang from the tablet, sudden mutation.

  The tablet surface's star charts abruptly accelerated swirling, an invisible barrier materialized, blocking him outside.

  Barrier surface appeared densely packed ancient runes.

  Those runes... Lin Chen recognized.

  Chaos Stellar Body legacy trial runes.

  Only by passing the trial could one touch the mark, gain inheritance.

  Otherwise, the barrier would backfiresoul extinguished, body vanished.

  "Indeed not that simple..."

  Lin Chen stopped, looking up at the tablet.

  Stellar Eye full force operation, analyzing barrier structure.

  Three breaths later, conclusion: barrier energy originated from the Star Tablet itself, intensity equivalent to Spiritual Light Realm·Moon Radiance Stage peak. With his current state, forcibly assaulting meant certain death.

  Could only... use wisdom.

  Trial content?

  Lin Chen's gaze swept over the ancient runes, attempting interpretation.

  But the runes were too obscure. With his current knowledge, only glimpsed scattered words: "Resonance... Bloodline... Laws... Inner Demons..."

  Resonance?

  His heart stirred.

  The Star Pattern between his eyebrowswasn't that the key to resonating with the mark?

  Lin Chen immediately sat cross-legged, hands forming seals on knees.

  Full force operation of "Chaos Stellar Scripture."

  The moment the technique activated

  Whoosh!

  The Star Pattern between his eyebrows erupted with brilliant silver light!

  A visible silver beam shot from between his eyebrows, striking the barrier!

  Hum!

  The barrier trembled violently, surface runes flickering madly, as if resisting, or... resonating.

  Lin Chen felt his Star Pattern had formed a strange connection with the barrier.

  Not confrontation, but... exchange.

  The barrier was testing his bloodline purity.

  Testing his stellar comprehension.

  Interrogating his will strength.

  And... stirring his inner demons!

  Boom!

  Lin Chen's vision darkened.

  The next moment, he found himself back ten years ago.

  Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect, training ground.

  Scorching sun overhead, sweat pouring like rain.

  Ten-year-old Lin Chen, sparring with a group of peers.

  His talent was exceptional, Condensation Stage Level 3 cultivation, far surpassing contemporaries.

  Every punch, every kick carried stellar power, effortlessly defeating opponents.

  Surrounding gazes held awe and envy.

  Father Lin Xiaotian stood by the field, smiling, eyes full of pride.

  Everything... so beautiful.

  As if the nightmare never began.

  But Lin Chen knewthis was an illusion.

  A trial of inner demons stirred by the barrier's depths.

  If he indulged in it, he would be forever trapped in the illusion, soul dissipating.

  "Break!"

  Lin Chen shouted sharply, Star Pattern between eyebrows erupting with blinding silver radiance!

  The illusion shattered like a mirror.

  But the next moment, a new illusion emerged.

  Fifteen years old.

  His cultivation stagnated, falling from genius to crippled trash.

  Former peers who once praised him now mocked him coldly.

  Even... fists and kicks rained down.

  "Trash! You still deserve to stay in Azure Cloud Sect?"

  "Lin Xiaotian's son? Pah! Your father's just a deserter!"

  "Beat him! Beat this trash to death!"

  Fists and feet fell like raindrops.

  Intense pain.

  Humiliation.

  Despair.

  Lin Chen gritted his teeth, whole body trembling.

  But he didn't resist.

  Because this wasn't real.

  "Break!"

  Star Pattern flashed again, illusion shattered again.

  Third illusion.

  Eighteen years old.

  Night before Outer Sect assessment.

  Zhao Hu brought people, forcing him to the back mountain cliff.

  "Hand over your father's relic, spare your life!"

  "Otherwise... next year today, your memorial day!"

  Lin Chen looked at Zhao Hu's ferocious face, feeling the chill wind from the cliff behind.

  As if... returning to that night.

  The night that changed his life.

  But this timehe didn't jump off the cliff.

  Instead... smiled.

  "Zhao Hu."

  Lin Chen spoke, voice calm as water:

  "You think I'm still that crippled trash you can bully?"

  Words fell, Star Pattern between eyebrows erupted!

  Silver light column shot skyward, tearing through illusion!

  Barrier... completely vanished.

  The tablet lay before him unobstructed.

  Star chart swirling speed returned to normal, the central mark emitted gentler yet more intense summoning fluctuations.

  As if saying: Congratulations, passing three trials.

  You, qualified to receive inheritance.

  Lin Chen struggled to stand.

  Although brief, the illusion trial consumed massive mental energy.

  Injuries worsened.

  But he couldn't attend to these.

  Step by step, he approached the tablet.

  Reached out, trembling hand touching that mark.

  Fing-tip contact instant

  Boom!!!

  Unimaginable torrent of information, like a breached cosmic river, madly surged into his mind!

  Not words, not images, not sounds.

  But... embodiment of laws!

  Chaos Stellar Body cultivated to extreme, comprehension of stellar Dao, understanding of cosmic primordiality, insight into space-time reincarnation!

  Each piece of information, heavy as stars, vast as sea.

  Lin Chen felt his consciousness sea expanding, tearing, as if about to burst.

  He groaned, pale golden blood simultaneously spurted from seven orificesthat was vital essence, life origin!

  But he gritted his teeth, madly absorbing, comprehending, digesting.

  Unknown how long passed.

  Perhaps an instant, perhaps eternity.

  The information torrent finally slowed.

  Within Lin Chen's consciousness sea, added a segment... legacy memory.

  From the Outer Sect genius a hundred years ago, also a Chaos Stellar Body seniorLin Xiaoyun.

  Memory showed:

  This cave was discovered by Lin Xiaoyun by chance at Spirit Qi Valley bottom.

  Originally a natural Chaos Qi leak point, transformed by him with secret techniques into a secluded cultivation site.

  The Star Tablet was refined from fragments he brought back from the "Divine Treasury Realm's edge," recording basic information about the "Chaos Star Pattern Network."

  The Chaos Star Pattern Network was a vast system spanning myriad realms and worlds.

  All Star Pattern bearers were nodes within the network.

  Nodes could sense each other, resonance growing stronger with proximity.

  But the network also had cruel rules: kindred conflict, victor devours loser's Star Pattern, gaining their power, strengthening themselves.

  This was the "Star Pattern Curse."

  Because Star Patterns' essence were fragments of ancient Chaos Demon God's shattered laws after fall.

  Fragments attracted each other, yet repelled.

  Attractionbecause same origin, could complement.

  Repulsionbecause law's uniqueness, only one master.

  Thus Star Pattern bearers destined to slaughter each other until... only one remained.

  And that final victor would gather all fragments, reunite Chaos Demon God laws, becoming... new Chaos Demon God!

  This was Netherworld Palace's goal.

  They wanted to nurture a controllable Chaos Demon God, using it to open the "Chaos Crack," releasing within... ancient demonic entities!

  Lin Chen's father Lin Xiaotian discovered this secret back then, thus hunted by Netherworld Palace, ultimately falling into space-time turbulence.

  But he didn't die.

  Only trapped within the Meteorite Valley depths' space-time turbulence.

  And that "Stellar Tower Key"was on him.

  Stellar Tower was the legacy place left by Chaos Demon God.

  Inside not only contained complete Chaos Stellar Body cultivation methods, but also... breakthrough to higher realms key!

  Netherworld Palace wanted the key, to open Stellar Tower, obtain inside legacy.

  Then... nurture their own Chaos Demon God, ruling myriad realms and worlds!

  Memory ended here.

  Lin Chen drenched in cold sweat, face pale as paper.

  Not because of injuries, but... because truth's terror.

  So, from the moment of awakening his Star Pattern, he was destined to be embroiled in this conspiracy sweeping myriad realms and worlds.

  Either become a pawn, controlled by Netherworld Palace.

  Or become a hunter, slay all enemies.

  No third path.

  "Haa..."

  Lin Chen exhaled deeply, gaze gradually firming.

  Since no retreat, then... kill a bloody path!

  He looked again at the Star Tablet.

  Besides legacy memory, the Star Tablet also recorded a secret art:

  "Star Pattern Resonance Art."

  Through Star Pattern resonance, temporarily borrow power from other Star Pattern bearers.

  But the price: during resonance, both Star Patterns would form deep connections. If the other harbored ill intent, could seize chance to erode divine soul.

  Extremely high risk.

  But... worth learning.

  Lin Chen immediately sat cross-legged, operating Star Pattern according to the secret art's method.

  Between eyebrows silver light blazed, resonating with the Star Tablet mark.

  Waves of arcane runes flew from the mark, merging between his eyebrows.

  Each rune represented a stellar law application technique.

  Borrowing power methods, resonance Dao, devouring arts...

  Lin Chen studied, comprehended hungrily.

  Time, minute by minute flowed.

  His injuries slowly recovered.

  Cultivation steadily grew.

  Comprehension of stellar Dao rapidly improved.

  Three incense sticks later.

  Secret artpreliminary mastery.

  Lin Chen opened his eyes, silver radiance flowing within, as if seeing through void.

  He could sense, if encountering other Star Pattern bearers now, within a hundred li could generate faint resonance.

  If actively performing secret art, within ten zhang range could forcibly resonate, borrow thirty percent power!

  Though only thirty percent, crucial moments enough to reverse life and death!

  "Time to leave..."

  Lin Chen stood, looking at the Star Tablet one last time.

  Legacy gained, secret art learned.

  Next, seize time, absorb Chaos Qi, breakthrough Spiritual Light Realm!

  But the moment he turned

  Mutation again!

  The Star Tablet surface star charts suddenly spun madly, central mark erupted with blinding blood light!

  A cold, evil, Nine Nether deep aura emanated from within the mark.

  Lin Chen's entire body hair stood on end!

  Because he saw within the mark, slowly emerging... a pair of eyes.

  No pupils, only a piece of chaos.

  And within the chaos, a voice ancient beyond time's meaning echoed deep within his soul:

  "Finally... waited for you..."

  "Fresh... Chaos Bloodline..."

  "Perfect... sacrifice..."

  Voice contained endless greed and malice.

  Lin Chen instantly understood:

  This wasn't a legacy mark!

  This was... a trap!

  Netherworld Palace already tainted this mark a century ago, turning it into a sacrificial medium!

  The previous legacy memory, secret art transmissionall just... bait!

  Goal: make him lower guard, actively touch the mark, become sacrificial offering!

  "Damn!"

  Lin Chen retreated madly!

  But too late.

  The mark's blood light surged, transforming into countless crimson chains, entangling him!

  Each chain condensed from pure Netherworld demonic energy, surface carved with sacrificial runes. Once entangled, flesh, soul, Star Patternall would be offered to the ancient remnant soul within the mark!

  "Star-shifting Steps!"

  Lin Chen disregarding injuries, forcibly performing movement art, dodging through crimson chains.

  But chains too many.

  Densely packed, like heaven's net, sealing all retreat.

  Moreover, chains seemed alive, predicted blocking based on his movement trajectory.

  Three breaths.

  Lin Chen forced into dead end.

  Surrounding ten zhang, completely surrounded by crimson chains.

  Chains slowly contracted, like strangling giant pythons, completely crushing him.

  "Could it be... die here?"

  Lin Chen's eyes flashed unwillingness.

  He hadn't avenged father yet, hadn't uncovered Netherworld Palace's conspiracy, hadn't... reached martial peak!

  Can't die!

  Absolutely can't die!

  "Bet!"

  Lin Chen's eyes flashed madness.

  Both hands forming seals, pouring all stellar power, madly pouring into Star Pattern between eyebrows!

  Not operating technique, not performing secret art.

  But... self-destruct Star Pattern!

  He would destroy Chaos Stellar Body at cost, detonate Star Pattern, blast open a survival path!

  Though reduced to cripple thence, still better than dying here!

  Star Pattern trembled violently, silver light turned violent, unstable, as if about to explode any moment.

  Surrounding crimson chains sensing danger, contraction speed sharply increased.

  Critical moment!

  But then

  Mutation again!

  From Lin Chen's embrace, that map jade slipsuddenly flew out autonomously!

  Jade slip surface appeared faint cyan light.

  Within light manifested a... illusory female figure.

  Liu Ruyan!

  No, not Liu Ruyan herself.

  But... a divine sense mark she left in the jade slip!

  "Junior Brother Lin!"

  Illusory figure spoke, voice urgent and anxious:

  "Hurry! Pour stellar power into jade slip core! There, father left life-saving prohibition'Dimension Breaker Talisman'!"

  Lin Chen startled, then wildly joyous!

  No hesitation, immediately changed stellar power flow, madly pouring into jade slip!

  Jade slip light blazed!

  Core area, an immensely complex talisman slowly emerged.

  Talisman pale gold, surface carved with spatial law runes.

  Exactly Liu Ruyan's father's left life-saving prohibitionDimension Breaker Talisman!

  "Open!"

  Lin Chen shouted sharply!

  Dimension Breaker Talisman erupted with blinding gold light!

  Where gold light passed, space shattered like mirrors!

  A crack barely large enough for one person appeared before Lin Chen!

  Crack oppositeSpirit Qi Valley spring eye!

  "Go!"

  Lin Chen leaped, charging into the crack!

  Behind, ancient remnant soul's furious roar:

  "No!!!"

  "You can't escape!!!"

  "Star Pattern Curse, destined to become sacrifice!!!"

  Voice, with crack closing, completely vanished.

  Lin Chen heavily fell on the spring eye edge's white fine sand.

  Whole body intense pain, injuries worsened.

  But... he still lived.

  He survived!

  "Cough..."

  Lin Chen coughed out several mouthfuls of black blood, struggling to sit up.

  Looked around.

  Spring eye still calm, water surface reflecting star-filled sky.

  Black tablet seal broken, Chaos Qi slowly leaking from fissures.

  Han Xing and Blood Butcher, both vanished.

  Only left behind ground full of battle traces, and air lingering bloody scent.

  "Senior Brother Han..."

  Lin Chen worried inside.

  But now, he didn't even have strength to stand.

  Must first treat injuries.

  He arduously sat cross-legged, operating "Chaos Stellar Scripture."

  Surrounding Chaos Qi, as if finding home, madly surged over.

  Injuries slowly recovered.

  Cultivation steadily grew.

  But Lin Chen's heart, cast a layer of shadow.

  Star Pattern Curse.

  Netherworld Palace's conspiracy.

  Father's whereabouts.

  Yue Liuli's position.

  And... that contaminated mark.

  Everything, like a giant net, slowly tightening.

  And all he could do, only...

  Grow stronger.

  Faster grow stronger!

  Strong enough to tear this net!

  Strong enough to... master his own destiny!

  Lin Chen closed his eyes, fully absorbing Chaos Qi.

  Time, minute by minute flowing.

  Distance arena matchfour days.

  And hemust within four days, breakthrough to Spiritual Light Realm!

  Otherwise, death.

  No third path.