Wang Lin, his visage betraying nothing, offered a slight bow of his clasped hands. “We are lost amidst the stars. In what Domain of the Roaring Heavens lies the Xuan Chen Star, and what manner of celestial body is it?” he inquired, his voice as still as a mountain lake.

The scholar, a man of middle years, remained impassive but subtly retreated a step, saying, “This is the Western Domain of the Roaring Heavens. This place is known as Xuan Chen Star. May I inquire as to your noble name and lineage?”

Wang Lin cast a cursory glance upon the scholar, offering no reply. Instead, he tapped his storage pouch, retrieving a jade slip. Immersing his divine sense within, he quickly located the Xuan Chen Star within the Roaring Heavens upon the map etched within. A brief comparison confirmed their present location.

Meanwhile, the scholar edged back a few more paces, his right hand moving to his own storage pouch. With a swift touch, another jade slip materialized in his grasp, and he quietly focused his mind upon it.

This particular jade slip bore the likeness of Xu Mu, the quarry of the Yao family’s Celestial Edict, broadcast far and wide amongst their clansmen and shared with countless families.

A substantial reward awaited any who offered a clue to the whereabouts of the man sought by the Celestial Edict!

The scholar’s heart leaped as he gazed upon the jade slip. The image contained within bore an uncanny resemblance to the man before him, save for his attire.

“Xu Mu! It is Xu Mu!” The revelation crashed like a tidal wave within his mind, yet his face remained a mask of serenity.

“Traveler, weary from your journey,” the scholar said, his voice still even, offering a courteous smile, “would you not tarry a few days upon Xuan Chen Star before continuing your passage?”

Wang Lin retrieved his own jade slip, his gaze lingering upon the scholar, particularly his right hand. In a level tone, he replied, “There is no need.” With that, he strode forward, becoming a comet streaking across the heavens.

Behind him, the members of the Immortal Void Clan followed, their expressions blank, a hundred streaks of light converging in the distance. The sound of thunder rumbled in their wake as they vanished into the void.

“Brother Ouyang, these folk are of unknown origin. Why invite them to our Xuan Chen Star? The Immortal Ascension is nigh. Our foremost duty is to cultivate in seclusion, striving to attain a position amongst the immortals!” an elder spoke, his gaze following the departure of Wang Lin and his companions.

“Brother Chen, did you not find the visage of that man somewhat familiar?” the scholar, Ouyang, mused, a glint in his eye as he cast the jade slip forward.

The two elders blinked in confusion, catching the jade slip and scrutinizing it. Immediately, their faces paled.

“It is him!”

“Rumor has it he disappeared long ago. I never imagined he’d resurface here!”

“The Yao family offers an exceedingly generous reward for any information leading to his capture. If we succeed, our own path to immortal ascension will be greatly smoothed,” Ouyang licked his lips, a hint of avarice creeping into his eyes. “However… Xu Mu is no insignificant figure. Will betraying his presence not invite retribution from his hand?” one of the elders questioned hesitantly.

“Fortune favors the bold! He will have no chance for revenge, for the Yao clansmen will slay him!” Ouyang retorted coldly, snatching the jade slip from the elder’s grasp. With a grim determination, he crushed it, and the slip exploded into a swirling cloud of mist.

The mist writhed and coalesced, gradually forming a phantom image of a young man, his expression one of icy arrogance.

“Ouyang Qun of Xuan Chen Star greets the Celestial Envoy of the Yao Clan. We have discovered the whereabouts of Xu Mu…”

Across the star sea, Wang Lin hurtled onwards, his hundred companions trailing behind him, a roaring spectacle against the backdrop of the cosmos.

As he flew, Wang Lin fell into deep thought.

“There was something peculiar about that middle-aged man of Xuan Chen Star… But I have no acquaintance with him, no shared history. Perhaps I am merely being paranoid.” Wang Lin pondered, yet a nagging feeling persisted. After a moment, a chilling glint ignited in his eyes, and he abruptly halted.

The Immortal Void Clan members quickly came to a stop, turning to face Wang Lin.

Wang Lin tapped his storage pouch, producing a map jade slip. Imprinting a symbol of location upon it with his divine sense, he tossed it to the ancient ancestor of the Immortal Void Clan, saying calmly, “I have marked upon this the location of Green Spirit Star. Follow the map and depart ahead of me. I shall catch up in due time!”

The elder remained silent, accepting the jade slip and examining its contents. He bowed deeply to Wang Lin, replying respectfully, “As you command, we shall depart ahead, benefactor. We shall meet again on Green Spirit Star!”

Wang Lin nodded slightly, watching the Immortal Void Clan vanish into the distant stars. As they disappeared beyond the horizon, Wang Lin turned back towards Xuan Chen Star and took a single step.

“The three of Xuan Chen Star were too unsettling. There may be some deeper issue here. It is best to be cautious!”

With this step, ripples spread out from beneath his feet. He took another step, and the ripples intensified as if he were effortlessly melding into the very fabric of the cosmos.

The moment his third foot lifted, he vanished.

Beyond Xuan Chen Star, the middle-aged man finished his report. The young man formed of mist before him, his eyes gleaming, even a hint of excitement lacing his tone, spoke. “Excellent! I will report your information to the family. If it proves true, you will not lack for rewards!”

With those words, the mist dissipated with a “pop”.

The scholar’s eyes glimmered with joy. He turned back to his two companions, smiling, “It’s simple. We merely provide the information, and Xu Mu is as good as dead. Why let such a reward fall into the hands of another? This is the heavens granting us an opportunity! Why else would Xu Mu come here of all the stars in the sea?”

The two elders were silent, then forced a wry smile. The die was cast, there was no changing the course. But for some reason a shadow had fallen over their hearts.

“Let us hope that Xu Mu is not as powerful as the rumors claim, and that he can be slain by the Yao family this time. Otherwise, once he learns that his location was revealed by us…”

One of the elders was cut short as a drastic change swept across his face and he began to stare, dumbfounded, at the back of the scholar. His face drained of all color.

The other elder also began to tremble, shock evident in his eyes. A thick air of terror overcame him as he screamed “X-X-Xu Mu!!!”

The scholar’s hair stood on end as a chill traveled through his body. He dared not turn. Every hair on his body stood on end as if he had been struck by lighting!

Behind the scholar, the air rippled and Wang Lin appeared. His eyes were like daggers and a thick killing intent emanated from him and formed a palpable force.

“You three have great courage!” As Wang Lin appeared, he used his fingers like a sword and stabbed toward the back of the scholar’s heart!

“Bang, bang, bang!” echoed inside the scholar as he sprayed mouthfuls of blood into the air. His body twisted in a twisted arc as he exploded. His Nascent Soul had barely escaped when Wang Lin caught it in his grasp.

This scene was like a hammer, striking fear into the hearts of the remaining two.

Without hesitation, the two elders screamed as they turned to flee.