Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 100 Star Array

A faint light appeared at the end of the dark passage, and the world suddenly opened up.

The dome is as high and wide as the sky, with countless tiny stars hanging down like the shadows of the Milky Way.

Silver patterns on the ground crisscrossed like rivers, weaving a vast celestial map that resonated with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth with subtle pulsations.

This is the first layer of the Nine Extremes Suppressing Void Array: the Star Array Corridor.

The ground here is littered with the withered bones of Tian Shu cultivators. Some hold their swords and stand upright, while others are bent over to protect the formation. All of them are in a posture of fighting to the death.

Ning Qingxue's gaze swept over the pile of withered bones, and her cold, sharp features softened slightly.

She had read countless ancient scrolls in the Heavenly Palace since childhood and witnessed the rise and fall of countless sects, but she had never heard of such a tragic phenomenon.

This heroic sacrifice cannot be faked.

Lu Ming stood on the star pattern, utterly shocked.

The tragedy of those distant years is far beyond imagination. Time has erased their traces, but their will is immortal.

Lu Ming seemed to be moved by this tragic scene, and a heavy feeling settled over him, which made him feel more respectful.

The old man in the gray robe stopped, gazing at the starry sky, his voice heavy and sorrowful: "These people are all my fellow disciples and friends. In that battle, not one retreated, not one stole a life."

He raised his hand and waved it lightly, and a gentle golden light shone down, giving the withered bones on the ground a faint glow.

"I have guarded this place for eternity, and the only thing I can do is to ensure that they are not disturbed by nothingness after they die."

This scene was sincere and solemn, and Lu Ming couldn't help but be slightly moved.

Ning Qingxue also lowered her eyes slightly.

The fact that he could use the power of his remaining soul to protect the bones of his fellow disciples for eternity is truly moving.

The old man turned around, his expression returning to calm: "There are numerous shadow soldiers in the Star Array Corridor, all of whom are the manifestations of the void power that was sealed by the great array. They are impossible to kill."

"I will use the remnant soul of Tian Shu to activate the formation and clear a path for you. Just follow closely behind me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man raised his hand and pointed in the air, uttering an ancient syllable.

The next moment, a strange scene unfolded.

The ethereal shadow soldiers wandering in the starlight stopped, their originally fierce aura suddenly subsided, and they slowly retreated to both sides, forcibly making way for a straight path amidst the dense multitude of shadows.

The shadow soldiers neither attacked, roared, nor blocked; they simply stood quietly.

Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue were both taken aback.

If the formation can command the Void Shadow Soldiers, and the first level of the formation is so powerful, then what kind of existence is sealed by this Nine Extremes Formation?

"Can the senior really command the shadow soldiers?" Lu Ming couldn't help but ask.

The old man gave a wry smile: "It can't really be called a command, it can only barely activate a trace of the great formation's power. These shadow soldiers were born from the overflowing power of the great formation, so they are naturally suppressed by it."

"If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have waited until now; you would have already perished under my shadow claws in the secret chamber."

In a single sentence, all doubts were dispelled.

Yes, if the old man had malicious intentions, he could have easily trapped them in the secret chamber and beaten them to death. With their injuries already severe, they would have had no chance of survival. Why bother taking them deeper into the star array?

Lu Ming lowered his guard and bowed to the old man, saying, "It was my oversight; I hope you will forgive me, senior."

Ning Qingxue nodded slightly, showing more respect: "Please forgive me, senior. In dire circumstances, we must be cautious."

"Of course." The old man didn't care at all, raising his hand in a gesture of support. "If it were me, I wouldn't easily believe a remnant soul that appears out of nowhere."

He turned and stepped onto the star array: "Let's go. Keep your minds calm and don't touch the array patterns. I'll lead you through."

Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue followed without hesitation.

As they walked, the shadow soldiers stood motionless on both sides, starlight shone down, and the ground was littered with withered bones. Only the soft echoes of three footsteps reverberated in the corridor.

Ning Qingxue walked beside Lu Ming, looking at the old man's back ahead, and said softly, "We were overthinking it. If this person is truly an enemy, we have no chance of resisting."

Lu Ming nodded, his voice steady: "He only possesses the ancient aura of the Heavenly Pivot, without a trace of the aura of nothingness."

The two lowered their guard and their steps became more relaxed.

The old man led the way, occasionally turning back to point out: "This is the Heavenly Pivot Heart Protection Array, which can stabilize the soul."

"That's a spirit-gathering pattern. It can quickly replenish your spiritual energy. If you need it, you can stay here temporarily to recuperate."

His tone was natural, like a true elder caring for a younger person; every word and action was reasonable, and he was extremely familiar with the place.

Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue immediately began to meditate to recover their spiritual energy, as such a perilous place could not tolerate the slightest carelessness.

As they reached the middle of the corridor, the old man suddenly stopped and pointed to a half-collapsed stone pillar in the distance:

"That place was once the place where I, a disciple of Tian Shu, cultivated. Back when I was just an ordinary disciple, I often discussed and competed with my fellow disciples under the stone pillars... A thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye, and things have changed."

The old man spoke with a wistful tone, deeply reminiscing.

"Sigh, we haven't spoken for thousands of years, and I've become quite verbose." The old man said as he stepped forward and stroked the half-collapsed stone pillar.

He stood by the stone pillar, motionless and silent for a long time.

Ning Qingxue gazed at the stone pillar, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

She had been high above others since childhood, yet she also understood the loneliness of being alone amidst the ruins after the departure of old friends and relatives.

Lu Ming also felt a pang of emotion.

No matter how prosperous your sect is or how many geniuses it has, after a catastrophe, all that remains is a pile of withered bones and a handful of yellow sand.

"Our predecessors' perseverance throughout the ages is truly admirable," Lu Ming said sincerely.

The old man shook his head and sighed softly: "It is my duty, and I dare not fail you. I only hope that someone can stabilize the seal and comfort the spirits of all the heroes of the sect."

His gaze fell on Lu Ming, filled with anticipation: "And you are that person. Your foundation is extraordinary, and your magical power is immune to the influence of the void."

Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat, then he nodded emphatically: "Senior, rest assured, as long as the seal can be stabilized, I will do my best."

Ning Qingxue also spoke up: "I will go with him. If there is any danger, my secret techniques from the Heavenly Palace can also lend a helping hand."

A look of relief appeared in the old man's eyes: "Good, good, if the spirit of Tian Shu is aware, he can rest in peace."

He said no more and continued to lead the way.

The star array corridor was long, yet the walk was exceptionally smooth. The starlight was soft, and the old man was as kind as an elder.

The shadow soldier stood still, without making the slightest movement, like a dead object.

All that could be seen along the way were the remains of a heroic tragedy.

All I heard were earnest words.

All that I sensed was the righteous energy of the Heavenly Pivot.

Ahead, a faint light gradually appeared at the end of the corridor.

The old man's voice came, carrying a hint of expectation: "After passing this point, you'll reach the second layer of the malevolent energy array. With me here, you don't need to worry."

Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue exchanged a glance, then quickened their pace and followed the old man into the next section of the journey.