Wang Lin hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the Water Spirit Star nestled behind the Three Sages of Chen Dao. The star pulsed with potent spiritual energy, its very essence radiating a serene and exquisite beauty.

Seeing Wang Lin’s contemplation, Chenzi, the First Sage, clasped his hands in respect. “Brother Wang, aside from my Water Spirit Star, there is no other within tens of thousands of leagues to compare. Moreover, this star is vast; we assure you, we shall not intrude upon your cultivation.” Xingzi, the Second Sage, and Longzi, the Third Sage, discerning Chenzi’s intent, echoed his sentiments. Wang Lin nodded, returning their gesture. “If that is so, then I shall trouble the three of you.”

Chenzi laughed heartily. “No trouble at all! It is our honor to have Brother Wang reside upon the Water Spirit Star. Please, enter!” With a sweeping motion of his right hand, he stepped aside, beckoning the colossal form of Lei Ji toward the celestial body.

As they advanced, Lei Ji gradually diminished in size, eventually taking the form of a stalwart man of ten feet, trailing Wang Lin alongside Big Head and Ta Shan. As for Fuzi, the Floating Sage, he dared not utter another word, meekly following Wang Lin toward the Water Spirit Star.

Throughout their journey, the Three Sages of Chen Dao engaged Wang Lin in lighthearted banter, carefully avoiding any mention of the events outside Ghost Eye City.

The group, composed entirely of cultivators of immense power, swiftly approached the Water Spirit Star, piercing through its turbulent wind layers. The howling gales buffeted against them, yet they remained unmoved. Before these paragons, the wind was but a gentle breeze.

Soon, they emerged from the gales, and Wang Lin, surrounded by his companions like a moon amidst stars, descended upon the alien landscape of the Water Spirit Star.

The moment they cleared the wind layer, a dense, invigorating spiritual energy permeated the air. Wang Lin inhaled deeply, his eyes widening with admiration. The Three Sages remained at his side, and Chenzi, seeing Wang Lin’s reaction, inwardly gloated. He knew that the Water Spirit Star was the most desirable cultivation star within hundreds of thousands of leagues. Only through the grace of their master were the three of them permitted to reside here. “This star is indeed pleasing!” Wang Lin declared.

Chenzi chuckled, “If Brother Wang so desires, he may dwell here as long as he pleases. We would be honored!”

As he spoke, several celestial cranes emerged from the clouds, their movements graceful and elegant. Upon one of these cranes sat a maiden in a blue dress, her countenance fair, her laughter like tinkling bells preceding her arrival.

“Sister, you said you found an underground spring. Where is it, exactly?”

Upon the crane behind her sat a woman in violet robes, her beauty striking, her skin as pure as jade. Her exquisite features could captivate any who beheld them. Her aura, however, was one of icy aloofness. Yet, when she turned toward the maiden, her expression softened into a gentle smile. “Patience, little sister, we are nearly there.” As she spoke, her gaze fell upon the Three Sages of Chen Dao and Wang Lin’s entourage. Her eyes swept over them, and she stood, bowing respectfully. “Disciple Zhao Xue greets Master and esteemed Uncles.”

Longzi, the Second Sage, smiled faintly, turning to Wang Lin. “Brother Wang, this is my disciple, Zhao Xue.” Then, turning to the woman in violet, he said, “Zhao Xue, pay your respects to Senior Wang.” The violet-clad woman’s gaze fell upon Wang Lin, her expression reverent. “Greetings, Senior.”

The maiden on the adjacent crane, having already noticed Wang Lin, batted her eyes playfully. “Senior Wang, does he still remember Ling Er?”

Her voice was delicate and alluring, a natural charm possessed by those with a water-aligned spirit root. Hearing her words, Wang Lin smiled. “Of course I remember. Was it not I who gifted you the straw hat and the bell?”

The maiden covered her mouth with a laugh, but as she was about to speak, a thought seemed to cross her mind, and a delicate blush rose on her cheeks. She glanced toward the violet-clad woman beside her.

A flicker of surprise appeared in the woman’s eyes. She knew that since her return, her younger sister had been incessantly recounting her journey, speaking most often of a certain Senior Wang. Whenever she mentioned his name, the maiden’s face would light up with joy.

She had taken a particular liking to the bells, wearing them upon her wrist and constantly playing with them. In the past few days, her lips had rarely uttered any name but Senior Wang. Zhao Xue herself had grown curious about this Wang, but now, as she studied him, she could discern nothing remarkable.

Chenzi chuckled as he observed the scene, and glanced at Wang Lin, an idea beginning to form in his mind. “Ling Er, your Senior Wang has decided to stay here for a while. You mustn’t disturb him.” With that, he led Wang Lin forward.

Wang Lin nodded slightly to Ling Er and stepped forward, followed closely by Ta Shan, Big Head, and the others. Fuzi, the Floating Sage, cast a furtive glance at the two women, sighed inwardly, and brought up the rear. Ling Er stuck out her tongue playfully, her blush lingering, and began to frolic with Zhao Xue once more, their cranes slowly drifting into the distance.

The Three Sages of Chen Dao led Wang Lin to a collection of elegant palaces situated in the eastern region of the Water Spirit Star. These structures were steeped in antiquity and imbued with a celestial air. Nestled among the mountains, they seemed to belong to another realm.

This was the most spiritually rich area on the Water Spirit Star. After escorting Wang Lin’s party to their destination, the Three Sages of Chen Dao bid them farewell, promising to visit again on the morrow.

After they had departed, Wang Lin gazed upon the vast palace complex. The mountains were dotted with palaces, each peak adorned with its own structure, forming a dense and imposing collection. Towering trees thrived amidst the mountains, creating a verdant, tranquil landscape.

“I shall seclude myself for a few days. Ta Shan, guard this place. The rest of you, choose your dwellings, but do not stray beyond one hundred leagues,” Wang Lin said calmly. Without another word, he strode toward one of the palaces. Ta Shan stepped forward and followed closely behind.

Big Head hesitated, then chose a palace with Lei Ji, one that was close to Wang Lin’s, allowing them to respond instantly if summoned. As for Fuzi, the Floating Sage, he chose a more distant location with a sigh, instinctively seeking to distance himself from Wang Lin, yet mindful of the hundred-league limit.

Wang Lin entered the palace he had chosen, surveying it with a look of appreciation. Each palace was unique, yet all were grand and imposing. Inside, Ta Shan sat cross-legged outside the entrance, a silent sentinel.

The interior of the palace was lavish, adorned with carved jade railings. Upon the floor was a massive Eight Trigrams diagram, devoid of spiritual power, serving only as decoration. At the center stood a bronze brazier, large enough to require three men to embrace, filled with incense sticks as thick as arms. Their fragrant smoke curled upward, dissipating across the ceiling and filling the air with a calming aroma. Beside it was a purple jade cushion, clearly intended for meditation.

Along the walls, interconnected murals depicted celestial beings welcoming an emperor, an ethereal tableau of clouds and divine figures.

Wang Lin was pleased with his surroundings. The area was vast, suitable for crafting magical treasures, and exceptionally quiet, perfect for secluded cultivation.

He extended his divine sense, carefully examining the palace. Then, he sat cross-legged upon the purple jade cushion, slowly closing his eyes.

The energy within his body flowed throughout him, revealing his cultivation at the peak of the Nirvana Scrying Stage. Wang Lin remained seated for three days. During that time, the Three Sages of Chen Dao had visited, but refrained from disturbing him, departing after a brief wait. On the night of the third day, under a sky scattered with stars, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees.

Within the palace, Wang Lin, who had remained still for three days, abruptly opened his eyes, two beams of light shooting forth.

The moment his eyes opened, the dark palace seemed to be illuminated, as if struck by lightning.

“Three days, combined with the meditation on the journey, has finally solidified my cultivation at the peak of the Nirvana Scrying Stage… Combined with my Ancient God body, I should be able to contend with those in the Mid-Stage of Cleansing Nirvana! But even that is not enough for the Immortal Abode in the Demon Spirit Land…” Wang Lin muttered to himself. After a moment of contemplation, he tapped his storage bag, and a ray of azure light flew forth.

The azure light bathed the palace in a hazy glow. Within it was a shield the size of a palm, crafted from an unknown material. Within it, clouds of vapor swayed gently, creating a mesmerizing effect.

The azure shield circled Wang Lin before coming to rest before him, its movement ceasing, and even its glow appearing to freeze in time. Wang Lin’s eyes flickered as he gazed at the shield, recalling the faint aura of an Ancient God he had detected when Fuzi, the Floating Sage, had displayed it.

The aura was faint, as if sealed away. Had Wang Lin not been an Ancient God himself, it would have gone unnoticed. “There is no record of this treasure in the memories of the Ancient God Tu Si… But in the ancient times, there were countless Ancient Gods. This must have been crafted by another Ancient God and left behind.” Wang Lin pondered. He raised his right hand, and the azure shield floated forward, resting in his palm.

Holding the shield, the Ancient God aura grew stronger. Wang Lin’s gaze shifted as he examined the shield, his eyes settling upon a mark on its side. “Hm!”