Volume One: The Lich Calamity Chapter 127: Azure Sky Bestows the Dao Pattern, The Transformation of the Starry Sky

When Zhenyuanzi awoke once more, he found only Hongyun nearby.

"Hongyun, what's going on? How much time has passed? Where is our master?" Zhenyuanzi asked, looking at Hongyun, who seemed lost in thought.

Hongyun pondered for a moment before answering, "Not much time has passed. After you fell into that state, the elder departed."

Zhenyuanzi, however, grew even more puzzled at these words. "So little time? That can't be. I felt as if a great deal of time had gone by."

"Perhaps the elder used some means beyond our understanding. There are things we cannot yet grasp," Hongyun replied.

Then, after a moment's thought, Hongyun turned to Zhenyuanzi with a solemn expression. "Zhenyuanzi, may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead, Hongyun. What is it?" Zhenyuanzi responded without hesitation, inviting Hongyun to speak his mind.

Hongyun shared his doubts, but Zhenyuanzi reassured him, "Hongyun, there's no need to dwell on this. It is simply part of your nature. Though it may be ill-suited at times, as long as you are mindful, it should be no great trouble."

In truth, Zhenyuanzi had long wanted to remind Hongyun of this, yet knowing Hongyun's temperament, he doubted it would do much good. Moreover, though their friendship was deep, too much concern might prove counterproductive.

Soon after Zhenyuanzi regained consciousness, Azure Sky appeared.

"You've recovered quickly. It seems your talent is indeed remarkable."

"I am deeply grateful for your guidance and generosity, Master," Zhenyuanzi replied, bowing in thanks.

"There's no need to be so formal for now. As we agreed, I will not go back on my word. My true self is not present in the Great Desolation at the moment. When I return, I will inform you, and you may formally become my disciple."

Azure Sky then bestowed upon Zhenyuanzi some of his own refined elixirs and other items. As for spiritual treasures, the Cauldron of Creation was with Qingxuan, so there was no rush.

After answering some cultivation questions for Zhenyuanzi, Azure Sky took his leave, allowing him to do as he wished.

Thus, after bidding farewell, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun journeyed together into the Great Desolation.

While they began their travels, a strange atmosphere pervaded the ancient starry sky.

On Jupiter, in the Hall of the Year Star—

"Year Star, why have you summoned us here?" Saturn asked Year Star, puzzled.

"Have you not noticed?" Year Star replied. "The starry sky seems to be brewing something. Changgeng, aren't you always interested in such matters, always watching? Surely you must have noticed something?"

Year Star turned to Changgeng as he spoke.

"You are right," Changgeng replied. "Lately, I've sensed a great deal of calamity energy spreading through the ancient starry sky. At first, I thought little of it—given the coming changes in the world, I assumed it was merely emanating from the Great Desolation. But I have since realized these disasters originate within the starry sky itself. So I began to pay closer attention, and I have indeed discovered much."

Mars added his view as well. "Is it truly that grave? It seems some things are unavoidable."

Hearing Mars's explanation, Changgeng's eyes grew distant as he gazed into the stars, sighing softly.

"Changgeng, do you know more? If you do, you'd best tell us now. If we wait until disaster strikes, it may be too late," Morning Star urged, as he and the other star gods fixed their eyes on Changgeng, hoping for insight.

"Very well," Changgeng relented. "Since things have come to this, I will tell you—but this matter must remain strictly between us. No sixth ear must hear of it."

"You can trust us, Changgeng. Our fates are bound together; your loss is our loss, your glory is our glory. We would never betray such trust," they promised, exchanging solemn glances and swearing an oath before him.

With a sigh, Changgeng began, "You must have noticed—when the Emperor last appeared, he was very different from before."

The others nodded gravely; in truth, any star god with eyes had seen the change, though none dared discuss it openly.

"Is this matter related to the Emperor?" Morning Star asked, realization dawning.

Changgeng nodded, then shook his head. "Yes and no. Since Hongjun attained sainthood, the Great Desolation has changed profoundly. I suspect you all have noticed. For reasons unknown, since that time, the Emperor has grown increasingly irritable.

"I once thought it was frustration at being blocked from enlightenment for so long. But upon reflection, I realized that could not be the main cause. Even Lady Wangshu, who predates us all by countless years, has been stymied at the same threshold, yet she shows no such signs.

"Our years of cultivation may not equal even a fraction of hers. So there must be a cause we do not see."

Year Star spoke up. "No wonder I noticed the Dipper Star Lords have been plotting something. Perhaps they, too, have sensed the Emperor’s condition and are making plans unknown to us."

Changgeng shook his head. "I neither know nor care what schemes they pursue. But if they push too far, I doubt their fate will be pleasant.

"The ancient starry sky is ruled by the Emperor of Purple Tenuity. Yet now, it is no longer solely our domain. The sky plays a critical role in the fate of the Great Desolation. Otherwise, why would Qingxuan have expended such effort and time to help us star gods come into being?

"Of course, I dare not speculate further. Perhaps even if something befell us star gods—or, dare I say, even the Emperor himself—it would not truly shake the ancient starry sky."

"Have you noticed," Saturn interjected, "that the Lady of the Lunar Star seems unusually close to the demon clan? Last time the celestial envoy called her out, something felt off. But her actions then misled many, causing them to lower their guard."

"A troubled time indeed," Changgeng sighed. "Let us hope no great upheaval occurs. The stars are now too vital to the Great Desolation for any mistakes."

"Only Xihe, the Lunar Star Lady, stands apart. Changxi seems to hold a completely different stance," Year Star reminded them. At the mention of Changxi’s odd behavior, they recalled her previous strangeness, and perhaps now understood why.