I want to tread the heavens

The navigation followed the coordinates forcibly imported by the Sky Surveyor perfectly, without the slightest deviation. Ling Xiao kept his hands firmly on the joystick, his gaze sweeping over the various readings on the main screen. Energy was yellow, structural integrity was yellow, and the shield strength had been reduced to a "paper" level, barely able to withstand basic radiation and particles. Everything was teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Approaching the outer protective boundary of the continent. Regular psionic fluctuations and guidance signals detected." The main control's mechanical voice sounded.

Outside the porthole, the pale blue halo was now close at hand, no longer hazy, but possessing a translucent, slowly flowing texture, like an inverted giant bowl. Within the halo, faint, intricate runic veins could be seen flashing by. Some distinct points of light—standard starships—roamed along fixed paths around the halo, like worker bees circling a hive.

The Meteorite, like a withered leaf pushed by a stream, slid along the designated narrow "channel" into the edge of the pale blue halo. In an instant, the cabin pressure, gravity, and even the concentration of spiritual energy underwent extremely subtle but perceptible changes. The space seemed to become more "dense" and "stable," and the omnipresent sense of void disorder that had plagued the previous voyage completely vanished. A surge of spiritual energy, many times denser than the void itself and mixed with various attributes (though still sparse), rushed in, invigorating Ling Xiao and causing the Meteorite Power within his body to spontaneously accelerate slightly. Fa Cai also pricked up its ears, its nostrils flaring, filled with vigilance and exploration of the new environment.

However, before they could fully experience this "new world"—

Without warning, three bluish-gray standard starships simultaneously "seeped" out from the void in three directions—front, above, and side—forming a standard triangular interception formation that instantly locked the Meteorite in the center. Their appearance was silent, far more sophisticated than the previous "scavengers'" concealment, carrying a cold, unquestionable sense of order.

The public channel was forcibly switched to, the voice cold, calm, and devoid of any emotion: "Unidentified vessel, you have entered the controlled airspace of the 'Eastern Wilderness' of the Qingxuan Continent. Immediately cease advance, deactivate active defense systems, and undergo identity verification. Repeat: Immediately stop for verification. Any unusual movement will be considered hostile action."

The tone wasn't threatening, but it was more chilling than any threat. On the main screen, the energy readings and weapon lock-on indicators of the three Azure Boats were crystal clear; the power of any one of their secondary cannons was enough to tear the Meteorite to shreds.

Without hesitation, Ling Xiao immediately shut down the main engine and deactivated the already weakened shield. The Meteorite lost all power and drifted slowly under the invisible force field of the enemy.

"Get rich, don't move, conceal your aura." Ling Xiao quickly gave the order in his mind, while straightening his clothes and trying to make his expression look tired, panicked, and with a hint of hope for survival—this was exactly what a "survivor of the Star Tribulation" should look like.

A small door slid open on the side of the Azure Boat directly ahead, extending a docking bridge that precisely attached itself to the universal interface on the port side of the Meteorite. The airtight door opened.

Ling Xiao rose and walked alone towards the docking passage. At the entrance, two heavily armored guards, their faces hidden beneath helmets, stood solemnly, weapons at their sides. The armor was thick and sharp, with faint runes shimmering on its surface, and a cross-shaped sword and shield with a star emblem adorned their chests. Both men exuded a deep, focused aura, their cultivation clearly at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but the chilling, well-trained aura they possessed was entirely different from the rogue cultivators of the Borderlands Crossing.

The guard on the left stepped forward, and a scanning beam (some kind of magical artifact) from under his helmet quickly swept over Ling Xiao. A cold voice came from inside the helmet: "Name, origin, affiliation, reason for entry. Show valid travel documents and identification."

Ling Xiao lowered his head slightly, his voice hoarse: "I am Ling Xiao, a rogue cultivator. I come from... a remote, shattered, and unknown star field in the northwest. My starship encountered a rare star field storm and was severely damaged. My companions... were separated, and I drifted here alone, miraculously surviving. I have no affiliation with any faction, and... I have no travel permit." He vaguely referred to the "Annihilation Storm Belt" as a "star field storm" and the old land as a "shattered and remote star field."

"No travel permit, no clear affiliation, and no legitimate reason for entry." The guard's voice was flat, stating the facts. "According to the 'Qingxuan Borderland Management Regulations,' you may choose to: pay the full amount of the 'Special Entry Tax' and 'Identity Registration Fee' to obtain a temporary pass; or have proof of your worth and harmlessness, and be guaranteed by a registered merchant or force in the Borderland, in order to temporarily enter the country. If not, you will be immediately deported from the controlled airspace."

Expelled? In the current state of the Meteorite, being expelled would mean certain death. Ling Xiao's face appropriately showed anxiety and pleading: "Guardian! I have wandered here with nothing, and the starship's energy is about to run out. If I am expelled, I will surely die! I beg you to be lenient! I... I still have a little bit of possessions, which I obtained during my previous exploration. I am willing to offer it all, just to ask for a temporary place to stay and a chance to replenish my supplies and survive!" As he spoke, he hurriedly (with an element of performance) pulled out the small cloth bag from his pocket, opened it, and revealed a few dull low-grade spirit stones and a few rough low-level ores inside.

Another guard stepped forward, waving a palm-sized jade tablet at the cloth bag and Ling Xiao. The tablet flickered, revealing lines of tiny runes. He glanced at it, shook his head slightly at his companion, and whispered, "Weak energy reaction, extremely low value. No abnormal energy markers, no wanted record. Bone age approximately seventeen, early Foundation Establishment stage, spiritual power attribute... mixed, suspected to have a slight mutated lightning attribute. Vital signs indicate recent overexertion and minor injuries."

The leading guard (who appeared to be the captain) was silent for a few seconds, then turned his helmet toward Ling Xiao, his icy gaze (which could be felt even through the helmet) seemingly piercing through him. "Ling Xiao, record: Bone age seventeen, early Foundation Establishment stage, claims to have been stranded as a rogue cultivator after a star disaster, no travel permit, no affiliation, carrying low-value resources. Requesting temporary entry under the 'Humanitarian Temporary Assistance' clause."

With a flick of his wrist, a black token—neither gold nor wood, engraved with simple sword and shield star patterns—appeared in his hand, pointing it at Ling Xiao. "This is a 'Temporary Entry Permit,' bound to your aura. It restricts your movement to 'Borderland Crossing,' prohibiting you from entering any town, spiritual vein node, or military-controlled zone within the continental interior. You must complete formal registration at the Borderland Crossing's 'Immigration Affairs Department' within three natural days, pay the relevant taxes, and obtain a temporary identity badge. Failure to complete the process within the deadline, or leaving the permitted area without authorization, will invalidate this permit, and you will be marked as an 'illegal entrant.' The Sky Patrol Guards have the right to kill you on the spot or apprehend you for prosecution. Understand?"

"Understood! Thank you for your leniency, sir!" Ling Xiao bowed quickly and accepted the slightly cool token with both hands. As soon as he held the token, a faint but clear sense of restraint and tracking came from his arm, and at the same time, a very faint mark flashed on the back of his hand.

"Your starship's damage has been recorded. The landing coordinates have been re-imported into your navigation system. Follow the instructions to Public Berth 37 at Border Crossing. Do not deviate. Landing signifies your acceptance of all the above terms." The captain of the guard finished speaking and turned back to his own starship. The docking bridge retracted, and the hatch closed.

The three bluish-gray starships appeared as abruptly as they had, instantly detaching and disappearing back into the pale blue protective aura. The entire process was swift and efficient, without a single wasted word.

The Meteorite regained its freedom, but was also permanently labeled "temporary" and "monitored." On the main screen, a new forced course appeared, pointing to a specific coordinate on the edge of the continent.

Ling Xiao slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, took the token, and walked back to the driver's seat. The mark on the back of his hand was slightly warm, a reminder of his current predicament. Fa Cai leaned closer, sniffed the token, and conveyed a sense of disgust: "Mark... keep an eye on it."

"Having a marker is better than being kicked out immediately," Ling Xiao said in a low voice, putting away the token. He restarted the engine and, following the new route, slowly descended towards what was called "Borderland Crossing," the true threshold of the Qingxuan Continent, and their only temporary refuge.

The desolate scene on the edge of the continent drew ever closer, a chaotic, noisy shadow full of disordered vitality gradually revealing its outline under a thin, pale blue halo.

They had arrived at the desolate border crossing. Their journey through the Azure Mystery had only just begun, with great difficulty, to pry open a tiny crack.