I want to tread the heavens

Around the three star platforms, there were even more strange metal and bone fragments scattered around. Some could be vaguely identified as parts of star puppets, but they were twisted and deformed. Others were completely unfamiliar black or dark red bones with ferocious barbs and bone blades, exuding a cold and violent aura that was out of place with the underground palace.

Clearly, a fierce battle had taken place here. Invaders stormed the Hall of Inheritance and fought a brutal war with the guarding Star Puppet, and possibly other defensive forces. Ultimately, the invaders appeared to be repelled or annihilated, but the Hall of Inheritance was also severely damaged. Two crucial Inheritance Star Platforms were completely destroyed, with only the "Star Power" Star Platform, for some reason, barely retaining the last embers of inheritance.

"This is..." Ling Xiao looked at the black bones and battle marks, especially the dark red bloodstains, and a chill and indignation rose in his heart. The jade pendant around his neck emitted a burning sensation, conveying emotions of sorrow, anger, and defiance.

Uncle Rong stared at the scene before him in silence for a long time before finally croaking, "It seems the calamity the Starfall Clan suffered back then was far more devastating than we imagined. Even this hidden underground palace of inheritance couldn't escape it. The aura of those black bones... is somewhat similar to the faint dark red pattern when the puppet self-destructed. I'm afraid they're from the same source."

Demons! Or perhaps, some kind of monster corrupted and transformed by demonic energy!

Ling Xiao clenched his fists. What had happened to his parents' race? What was this underground palace like?

"Time is running out. I wonder if those puppets outside will catch up." Uncle Rong withdrew his gaze and looked at Ling Xiao, his expression serious. "Since only that star platform still has a faint light, it might be your only chance. Go, go up and take a look. Fa Cai and I will protect you here. Remember, act within your capabilities. If anything goes wrong, step back immediately!"

Ling Xiao nodded, took a deep breath, suppressed the pain from his injuries and the turmoil in his heart, and walked step by step toward the only remaining "Star Power" star platform that emitted a faint silver light.

The Star Platform had three tiers of steps, all constructed of warm, lustrous star jade. As he stepped onto the first tier, the silver aura on the platform's surface seemed to ripple slightly. Upon reaching the second tier, the aura brightened slightly. When he finally stood atop the platform, facing the suspended, fist-sized silver aura—

"Buzz!"

The entire "Star Power" platform trembled violently! That faint silver halo, like a lake surface rippled by a stone thrown in, suddenly spread out in gentle silver ripples! The ripples swept over Ling Xiao's body, and he felt a gentle yet vast starfall power envelop him. The Star Cold Poison on his left shoulder was instantly suppressed and dissolved, and the injuries in his body also brought waves of tingling and comfortable sensations, and were rapidly recovering!

At the same time, the core of the shrunken star map above the star platform—that marked, unfamiliar star field—cast a condensed, finger-thick beam of pure silver starlight, precisely enveloping Ling Xiao's entire body! Within the starlight lay boundless stellar mysteries and ancient information.

A grand, aged voice, filled with weariness and anticipation, resounded directly in Ling Xiao's sea of ​​consciousness, using the purest Starfall Ancient Language:

"The newcomer...bears the Star Key...bloodline resonance..."

"Stars fall, blood flows, lineage withers... I am the 'Starlight Venerable'... I leave behind this lingering memory, to guard this spark of life..."

"To obtain the true introductory teachings of the 'Great Dao of Celestial Constellations,' one must undergo the test of 'Heart Tempering by Star Souls'..."

"Only by glimpsing a corner of the past, bearing its weight, and understanding its will, can one be qualified... to command the stars..."

"Would you... be willing?"

Ling Xiao's heart trembled violently, sensing the vicissitudes, sorrow, and final steadfastness contained in that voice. Without any hesitation, he firmly responded in his mind, "I am willing!"

"Good..." The aged voice seemed to carry a hint of relief.

The starlight enveloping Ling Xiao suddenly became incredibly intense! The scene before his eyes blurred and shifted instantly! He was no longer in the Inheritance Hall, but had been pulled into a vast, turbulent, and burning star battlefield!

Stars were falling, palaces were collapsing, and silver-armored warriors clashed with ferocious demons, their blood staining the Milky Way crimson. He saw a majestic figure, crackling with purple lightning, charging through countless demonic shadows, roaring deafeningly, only to be struck by a towering demonic claw, shattering the lightning... He saw a woman, serene as the moon yet covered in blood, cradling an infant, glancing back at the burning palace, her eyes filled with endless sorrow and resolve, before resolutely stepping into a spinning rift in spacetime...

The shattered images, the tragic roars, the desperate cries, the indomitable fighting spirit... surged into his mind like a torrent! These were not simple images; they were the most painful and profound collective memories and emotions imprinted in the Starfall Clan's heritage! They were the unwavering resolve and cries of countless ancestors who perished in battle!

"Ugh—!" Ling Xiao let out a painful roar, his eyes bloodshot, and thin lines of blood seeping from his seven orifices! His soul seemed to be torn apart, overwhelmed by the vast tragedy and devastation! The images of his parents flashed by in the shattered scene, making his heart ache even more. A rage and sorrow that wanted to destroy everything almost overwhelmed his reason!

"Hold on! Ling Xiao!" From below the stage, Uncle Rong was horrified to see Ling Xiao looking like a madman, with blood flowing from his seven orifices. He wanted to rush up, but was blocked by a soft yet tough silver light screen that automatically rose around the star platform.

Fa Cai frantically tugged at the light screen, emitting mournful cries.

On the Star Platform, Ling Xiao's body trembled violently, and uncontrollable purple-gold lightning flickered beneath his skin—an instinctive reaction of his Devouring Heaven Bloodline to the intense emotional impact. His consciousness teetered on the brink of collapse. The trial of "Star Soul Tempering the Heart" was far more cruel than he had imagined; it not only required him to "see," but also to "bear" the sorrow and responsibility as heavy as the Milky Way!

"Remember...you are the Child of the Fallen Star...and...the Devotion of Heaven..." The aged voice rang out again, tinged with a weary sigh, "Sorrow can be power...hatred can also be transformed into protection...Do not lose your way...find your 'Path'..."

"My...path..." Ling Xiao clung desperately to this sliver of clarity amidst endless grief and rage. He recalled the dim light of the old courtyard, Uncle Rong silently wiping the side of his face as he cleansed the broken knife, Fa Cai's treasure-like gaze as he chewed on a withered twig, Guo Xiaohu's timid concern, and Guo Yun's final, heavy entrustment...

He wants to protect those who are still around him! Not wallow in the sorrow and destruction of the past!

"Ah—!!" He let out a long roar, as if to unleash all his pain! The crimson in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a resolute determination that was tempered by sorrow yet even more unbreakable! The uncontrollable purple-gold lightning within his body was forcibly guided and suppressed by him using the newly acquired and more orthodox "Star Sensing Chapter" mental technique, and slowly absorbed into the depths of his bloodline.

The starlight faded, and the illusion vanished.

Ling Xiao was soaked in sweat and blood, and collapsed on one knee on the star platform, panting heavily, but his eyes were clear and bright, as if he had undergone a complete baptism.

The silver halo on the star platform slowly drifted down and disappeared into his brow.

A vast amount of information—the complete cultivation methods from the Qi Refining stage to the Foundation Establishment stage of the *Zhou Tian Xing Chen Da Dao Jing*, several basic stellar techniques, and some secrets about the Starfall Clan's bloodline characteristics, stellar perception, and the initial use of stellar power—was imprinted deep into his memory like a gentle stream. At the same time, a pure, gentle, yet incredibly powerful stellar primordial force, flowing with starlight, began to cleanse, nourish, and strengthen his parched and damaged meridians and physical body!

His aura began to rise and stabilize at a visible speed! His injuries were healing rapidly!

However, just as the inheritance was about to be completed, and Ling Xiao's mind relaxed slightly—

Mutation and regeneration!

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the heavy starstone door of the Inheritance Hall, which had automatically closed after they entered! The entire hall trembled!

"boom--!!!"

Above the stone gate, countless defensive runes appeared, flickering and seemingly undergoing a terrifying impact! Outside the gate, chaotic roars and howls echoed, along with Guo Dahai's furious shouts and Guo Yan's chilling sneer!

"Ling Xiao, you little bastard! Get your ass out here!"

"Don't waste your energy, Guo Rong! You think you're safe hiding here? Today, you won't escape!"

"The Demon Lord has ordered: capture the Starfall Child, and a hefty reward will be given! Smash down this shabby door!"

They actually tracked us all the way here! And judging from the voices, it seems there are more than just Guo Dahai's people; there are also... demon clan's henchmen mixed in!

Uncle Rong's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He turned around abruptly, his broken sword held across his chest, staring intently at the violently trembling Star Stone Gate. Fa Cai also bent over, baring his fangs, and stood in front of the Star Platform.

On the Star Platform, Ling Xiao, who had just received the inheritance and was in the critical period of power infusion and digestion, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the stone door that seemed to be about to be smashed at any moment, his eyes gleaming coldly.

Having just gained power, crisis immediately followed.

Inside the Hall of Inheritance, the final battle is about to begin.