Immortality Cultivation: I can use my clansmen’s energy and blood to add points.

A hint of approval flashed in Xuan Yang Zhenren's eyes. He gestured to the disciple beside him to take the jade slip, make several copies, and distribute them to each elder present.

The elders accepted the jade slips and probed them with their divine senses.

A moment later, many elders showed expressions of surprise and solemnity.

In the jade slip, Luo Qingchen not only listed in detail the meanings of some of the ancient runes on the star map bronze disk that he could currently decipher, but also made a clear analysis of their energy operation mode, activation conditions, and possible backlash risks.

Based on the characteristics of star charts, he also proposed a detailed research plan that proceeds step by step and is divided into three stages.

The first stage involves concentrating the sect's resources, led by Elder Wen and assisted by Luo Qingchen, to thoroughly decipher all known and unknown runes on the Star Chart Bronze Disc and establish a complete Star Chart database.

The second phase, under the premise of ensuring safety, involved Elder Gu setting up high-level protective and monitoring arrays, Elder Feng observing celestial changes, and Luo Qingchen taking the lead in attempting to gradually activate different areas of the star map with weak energy, exploring their sensory relationship with specific stars and times, and recording their energy fluctuations and spatial orientation.

The third stage, after making breakthroughs in the first two stages, is to consider whether and how to attempt to open the star gate connecting the Star Altar of the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range, and even more distant unknown worlds.

The entire plan is logically sound and well-considered, combining bold ideas with cautious deployment, and placing risk control in an extremely important position.

This doesn't sound like an idea hastily put forward by a young disciple; it's clearly a well-thought-out and highly feasible research outline!

Elder Gu, who had previously expressed some reservations about Luo Qingchen, frowned and fell into a long silence after reading the jade slip.

Although he still harbored some preconceived notions about Luo Qingchen's age and cultivation level, he had to admit that the professionalism and foresight demonstrated in this research plan truly impressed him.

In particular, his idea of ​​using specific arrays to monitor and guide the flow of energy in the star map coincided with his research direction over the years and even gave him some new inspiration.

Elder Xiao stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Sect Leader, everyone, I believe that Nephew Luo's plan is well-thought-out and reasonable, demonstrating his deep dedication and strong abilities. I have complete confidence in him leading the research on the star map."

Qin Mingyuan nodded and said, "Not only is Junior Nephew Luo exceptionally talented, but what's even more remarkable is his composure, humility, and deep understanding of his heavy responsibilities. I believe he will certainly live up to the sect's expectations."

Elder Wen stroked his beard and smiled, "Young friend Luo indeed has unique insights into the study of ancient books, and his comprehension is extremely high. I am also willing to do my best to assist him in deciphering the secrets of this star map."

A satisfied smile appeared on Xuan Yang Zhenren's face.

He chose Luo Qingchen not only because of Luo Qingchen's good fortune and his relationship with Bai Ling'er, but also because he valued Luo Qingchen's intelligence and potential, which far exceeded those of his peers.

In retrospect, his choice was not wrong.

"it is good."

Master Xuanyang made the final decision with a single blow.

"Since everyone has no objection to Luo Qingchen's abilities, the Star Chart Research Special Team will immediately begin its work based on this plan."

"Luo Qingchen, you will serve as the chief researcher of this group, responsible for coordinating all research matters and reporting progress to me and all members of the group regularly."

"The Star Chart Bronze Disc will remain in your personal possession. However, before conducting any experiments involving energy activation, you must inform the team in advance and obtain the joint approval of Elder Gu and Elder Feng to ensure that the safety measures are foolproof."

This decision granted Luo Qingchen core power and responsibility while also taking into account safety and oversight, leaving the elders present speechless.

Although Elder Gu of the Array Hall still had no expression on his face, the scrutiny and doubt in his eyes had clearly dissipated, replaced by a hint of anticipation for the challenge of the unknown array.

"The primary task after the group is established, as mentioned in Luo Qingchen's plan, is to decipher the star map as soon as possible and find out the specific situation of the star altar in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range."

Master Xuan Yang's gaze sharpened.

"Elder Qin Mingyuan."

"The disciple is here."

"You shall immediately select the elite from among the inner disciples to form a secret expedition team, which you shall personally lead. Luo Qingchen shall provide star map guidance. Set off immediately for the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range to investigate the location of the suspected Star Altar."

"On this trip, we must act discreetly, focusing on reconnaissance. We must avoid any direct confrontation with the local demon king or any unknown forces. If we encounter any danger, we must evacuate immediately. Safety first."

"Disciple obey!"

Elder Qin Mingyuan's expression hardened, and he immediately accepted the order.

After the research team officially started, the area deep within the main peak of Qingyun Sect, which was protected by numerous restrictions, instantly transformed into a high-speed, sophisticated machine.

Luo Qingchen devoted almost all of his time and energy to this unprecedented research.

During the day, he and Elder Wen stayed in a secret room filled with countless ancient jade slips and animal skin scrolls.

The air was filled with the dry, slightly astringent scent characteristic of ancient texts.

With his profound knowledge, Elder Wen extracted the ancient runes, which were difficult to understand, from a vast amount of data and analyzed their possible structure and origin.

Luo Qingchen then compared these analyses one by one with the constantly changing runes on the star map bronze disk.

His divine sense, like countless invisible tentacles, cautiously probed into the deep interior of the bronze disc, sensing the subtle changes produced by each rune under different energy stimuli.

This process was extremely tedious, but it was also full of the joy of exploring the unknown.

Whenever a rune that was originally a mystery was successfully deciphered through the joint efforts of the two, Luo Qingchen could feel a sense of satisfaction from the depths of her soul.

It was a pure joy of having one's thirst for knowledge filled and having a corner of the world unveiled by one's own hands.

At night, the research site would be moved to the array center personally set up by Elder Gu.

It was a huge and empty underground stone chamber, with the floor and walls covered with dense array patterns that shimmered with a ghostly blue light.

The viscosity of the spiritual energy in the air was so high that it almost solidified into a tangible substance.

Elder Gu's expression was solemn as he continuously cast complex hand seals, manipulating the dozens of protective and monitoring arrays to ensure that any leakage of energy would be instantly detected.

Elder Feng would close her eyes, as if she had entered a wonderful meditative state. Her divine sense had already penetrated the thick rock layers and connected with the billions of stars in the sky.

"At this moment, Tianxuan Star enters the enclosure, its star power increases by three points, and we can test the 372nd rune in the 'Kun' position."

Elder Feng's voice was ethereal and otherworldly.

Luo Qingchen would immediately concentrate, guiding out a strand of chaotic power thinner than a hair, and then merging it with a strand of gentle and pure dragon power transmitted from Bai Ling'er's fingertips. He would then carefully inject it into the rune at the corresponding position on the star map bronze disc.

hum...

The bronze disc emitted a soft hum, and the rune instantly lit up, projecting a faint beam of light that pointed to a certain void coordinate point in the northwest direction of the underground stone chamber.

This kind of attempt is done hundreds or thousands of times every night.

Luo Qingchen's mind was constantly in a state of high tension.

His chaotic power, under such exquisite control, became increasingly refined and pure. His understanding of stellar power, rune arrays, and spatial laws was also improving at an incredible pace.

However, the research process was not without its challenges.

As their research progressed, they encountered more and more bottlenecks.

On the bronze star chart disk are seventy-two core runes. Their structure is a hundred times more complex than all the other runes, as if they were products of some higher level of civilization, completely beyond the scope of Elder Wen's knowledge system.

No matter how many ancient books they consulted or how many deductions they made, they could not understand its true meaning.

Detecting the energy of these core runes is fraught with danger.

On one occasion, under Elder Feng's guidance, Luo Qingchen attempted to stimulate one of the core runes with slightly stronger energy.

The moment the energy was injected, the rune suddenly unleashed a backlash of pitch-black power.

This power, cold and eerie, instantly pierced through Luo Qingchen's chaotic power protection.

An elder from the Array Hall who was standing aside assisting Elder Gu in recording data was unable to dodge in time and was struck by the black light.

The elder screamed and fainted on the spot. His face turned ashen at a visible speed, and he became listless, as if his soul had been severely damaged.

If Elder Xiao hadn't intervened in time, using a precious "Nine-Turn Soul-Stabilizing Pill" to stabilize his mind, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

This accident cast a shadow over the entire research team.

Everyone realized that they were venturing into an extremely dangerous area.

A larger conflict finally erupted a few days later.

After combining all the known information and conducting a three-day, three-night closed-door deduction, Elder Wen, looking exhausted and struggling, announced a shocking conclusion.

"Based on all the current clues, those seventy-two core runes together constitute a activation command."

"The ultimate meaning of this instruction points to two words."

"Sacrifice."

Elder Wen's voice was hoarse and heavy.

"What? A sacrifice?"

Elder Zhou, who had the most fiery temper, was the first to slam his fist on the table and stand up.

"What needs to be sacrificed? Is it some special rare and precious material, or some kind of powerful energy source?"

Elder Wen slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with extreme complexity.

"No...it's not an object."

"According to the description of the runes, opening the star gate requires a living creature containing the 'origin of life' and a 'powerful divine soul' as a sacrifice."

"The stronger and purer the life sacrificed, the more stable the stargate will be after it opens, and the wider the passage will be."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

All eyes turned to Bai Ling'er, who was happily munching on a spiritual fruit.

True dragon bloodline.

What life form is more powerful or purer than the legendary dragon?
A bone-chilling cold instantly shot from Luo Qingchen's feet to the top of his head.

He instinctively pulled Bai Ling'er into his arms, protecting her tightly, his eyes filled with vigilance and determination, like a drawn sword.

"absurd!"

Elder Xiao was furious, his beard bristling with rage.

"We cultivators pursue the path to immortality, seek freedom and ease, and act in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people! How can we engage in such heinous and immoral practices, which are no different from the demonic path and involve bloody sacrifices?"

"I absolutely do not agree!"

Qin Mingyuan also said in a deep voice, "I also object. If the price of opening the Star Gate is the sacrifice of an innocent life, then my Qingyun Sect would rather never have this opportunity!"

However, after a long silence, Elder Gu spoke in his cold, hard voice a completely different tune.

"The Great Way is ruthless."

"For the sake of the sect's eternal foundation, and for the Qingyun Sect to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transcend this realm, some necessary... sacrifices may be unavoidable."

His gaze swept coldly over Bai Ling'er in Luo Qingchen's arms, as if he were looking at an inanimate object.

"We cannot jeopardize the future of the entire sect because of misplaced compassion."

"I agree with Elder Gu's opinion!" Elder Zhou immediately echoed. "Rather than letting this opportunity fall into the hands of demonic cultivators and have them sacrifice countless lives, it would be better for us to take the lead. Between two evils, choose the lesser one."

In an instant, the research team was completely split into two factions.

On one side are Elder Xiao and Qin Mingyuan, who uphold morality and principles.

On the other side are Elder Gu and Elder Zhou, who are willing to use any means necessary for the benefit of their sect.

The two sides argued fiercely, their words growing increasingly heated, and the atmosphere in the hall became extremely tense.

Just then, Bai Ling'er, who had been held in Luo Qingchen's arms and was somewhat unaware of what was going on, seemed to sense the tense atmosphere, or perhaps she sensed the unstable energy fluctuations on the Star Chart Bronze Disc caused by the argument.

She suddenly broke free from Luo Qingchen's embrace, took short strides, and stumbled to the bronze plate that was suspended in mid-air.

"Bailing'er, come back!"

Luo Qingchen's heart tightened, and she hurriedly called out.

But it's too late.

Bai Ling'er stretched out her fair and tender little hand and gently pressed it on the surface of the bronze plate.

The moment her small hand touched the cold bronze plate.

hum!
The entire bronze star chart disk suddenly burst forth with an unprecedented burst of soft golden light.

The seventy-two core runes, which were originally obscure and even exuded a dangerous aura, began to rearrange and recombine in a completely new way under the illumination of this golden light. (End of Chapter)