A grimace twisted the pale face of the middle-aged man as he gazed upon the approaching Wang Lin. He hesitated for a breath, then clasped his hands in respectful greeting. “This humble one is Shang Qi, of the Demon Cluster Path. Greetings, Daoist.”

Wang Lin offered no reply, his gaze fixed and cold. The man before him possessed the cultivation of a mid-stage Shattered Nirvana cultivator. Wang Lin had long pondered whether, united with his original body, he could stand against such a foe.

Shang Qi’s expression deepened with woe. He sighed, offering another bow. “Two days past, Wu Qing was banished from the Demon Cluster Path. His words and deeds bear no connection to our sect. The fool knew not what he did, provoking a disciple of the Divine Sect. His demise… was his own folly!”

Still, Wang Lin remained silent, his eyes like glacial ice. This aloofness only reinforced the image of a Divine Sect disciple, an existence towering above all others! A mere sixth-level starfield sect was but dust in the eyes of such a being.

Shang Qi chuckled bitterly. With gritted teeth, he raised a hand, tearing a fissure in the air. From within emerged vials of pills, seven in total. “These contain forty-six Seventh-Order Soul Separation Pills!”

Wang Lin’s gaze remained impassive. Shang Qi paused, then proffered another vial. “Within lie nine Eighth-Order Soul Separation Pills…”

“The offense of Wu Qing may be overlooked, but the transgression of the Demon Cluster Path itself remains unaddressed,” Wang Lin finally spoke, his voice even, yet radiating an inherent authority.

Such presence was not the mark of an ordinary cultivator, not even one who had attained Shattered Nirvana. Only the head of a powerful sect, one of formidable strength, could command such respect.

Wang Lin, having once held the title of Sacred Emperor of the Vermillion Bird Sect, needed only recall those days. The aura of command came naturally, a mantle he had once worn with ease.

With another rueful smile, Shang Qi produced two wax-sealed pills from the spatial rift, his voice laced with bitterness. “These two Tenth-Order pills are the utmost I can offer.”

“Wu Qing spent tens of thousands of Immortal Jades attempting to obstruct me, vying for a treasure,” Wang Lin stated calmly.

Without a word, Shang Qi pulled forth a storage bag.

Wang Lin, without even a glance at its contents, swept up the offerings with a wave of his sleeve. He nodded curtly to the middle-aged man, then strode past, transforming into a streak of light heading towards the eastern market of Penglai.

Only after Wang Lin had departed did Shang Qi’s face twist into a mask of barely suppressed fury. “Wu Qing! I warned you not to provoke this individual, but you would not heed! You are deserving of your fate! And now you drag down the Demon Cluster Path… He is a disciple of the Divine Sect! Alas!”

Upon a mountain peak in eastern Penglai, Li Qianmei’s eyes shone with curiosity. After a long silence, she murmured softly, “The Divine Sect? It has been many years since a disciple of the Divine Sect has walked the ninth-level starfield. And one capable of wielding the Spirit Servant Seal, a talent reserved for their inner circle… It is unlikely such a person would venture forth so easily. However, that first palm strike… it was peculiar. I know not what art it was, but it commanded the Yuan energy of the heavens with brutal force, subtly imbued with an aura of enslavement!”

Wang Lin moved with measured pace, the streak of light tracing a path back towards the eastern market of Penglai. From afar, he beheld the half-ruined market and the dense throng of cultivators hovering in the air.

The cultivators parted before him, their expressions a mixture of awe and unease. Those gathered here were of considerable cultivation, and they had witnessed the events that had shaken the market.

The colossal palm print was unmistakable. Throughout the Cloud Sea Starfield, few were unfamiliar with the signature of the Spirit Servant Seal, the First Divine Art of the Divine Sect. Even those who held doubts were now silenced by its sheer power.

Elders from the sixth-level sects on Penglai Island emerged to offer respectful bows. Even Cang Songzi, spotting Wang Lin in the distance, mustered a smile to mask his shock, eager to ingratiate himself.

Wang Lin maintained his serene façade, yet a cold snort resonated within his heart. He returned their greetings with polite bows, then passed through the crowd, returning to his inn. In the world of cultivation, strength reigned supreme. Wang Lin had displayed the power to effortlessly vanquish a Shattered Nirvana cultivator and wielded the Spirit Servant Seal. In this fifth-level starfield, none dared challenge him. Not even the Treasure Jade Sect dared to demand reparations for the destruction of half their market.

Back in his room, Wang Lin inventoried his spoils. In addition to the gifts from Shang Qi, Wu Qing’s storage space held a wealth of items.

After a cursory inspection, Wang Lin retrieved the crimson feather. As he held it, his left eye flared with a fiery light, resonating with the latent power within the feather.

“If I could awaken the Vermillion Bird a third time, my strength would surely increase. Alas, one feather is insufficient,” Wang Lin sighed. With a flick of his wrist, the feather burst into a dancing flame, a miniature Vermillion Bird soaring from his palm. It circled him with what seemed like joyous abandon, then plunged into his left eye, disappearing without a trace.

The instant the Vermillion Bird entered his eye, a sea of fire erupted from his body, yet it strangely did not scorch the room. The flames burned only in the void. After a time, he reabsorbed the fire, drawing in a deep breath, his eyes clouded with thought. “Having slain Wu Qing and established my identity as a member of the Divine Sect, I should be free from further harassment on Penglai.” A glint appeared in Wang Lin’s eyes. “Thus, the time has come to commence my search.”

In the days that followed, delegations from the sixth-level sects arrived in droves, along with elderly figures who had been present at Cang Songzi’s gathering. Wang Lin received them all with composure, and none left empty-handed, offering gifts with utmost respect.

Though doubts lingered regarding Wang Lin’s true identity, there was no way to verify it. Only those of the Divine Sect could know the truth!

To risk offense was far worse than the potential loss of a few gifts. If Wang Lin truly belonged to the Divine Sect, then forging an alliance with him would be the dream of any sect or cultivator.

On this particular day, just as he had seen off the disciples of the Dao Law Sect, the black-robed, wizened old man who had once owned the Vermillion Bird feather arrived to pay his respects.
The elder spoke not a word of matters past, his demeanor serene, yet within him, a profound apprehension resided for Wang Lin. He had witnessed Wu Qing casually slain with a flick of the hand, and being himself merely an Initial Shattered Nirvana cultivator, prudence dictated caution.

After a series of courteous exchanges, the black-robed elder clasped his hands in greeting, saying, “Daoist Lü, I have yet to introduce myself. I am Du De, a wandering cultivator unaffiliated with any sect within the Sixth Rank Starfield. It is an honor to meet you here in Penglai.”

Wang Lin offered a subtle smile, replying slowly, “Daoist Du lives a life of wandering leisure, unburdened by the constraints of a sect. It is indeed enviable.”

The black-robed elder chuckled wryly, shaking his head. “My nature is one of quiet solitude, hence my aversion to joining any sect. My presence in Penglai is at the behest of an old friend, and after the grand auction concludes in two days, I shall depart. Should you ever venture to the Sixth Rank Starfield, Daoist, you are welcome to visit my humble abode.” Wang Lin nodded, glancing at the black-robed elder with a hint of contemplation.

The elder, possessing the keen senses befitting one of his cultivation, immediately perceived this. “If Daoist Lü has something to ask, please do not hesitate.”

“From whence did Daoist Du acquire that Vermilion Bird Feather?” Wang Lin inquired, his gaze fixed upon the elder.

“This…” The black-robed elder hesitated, then after a moment of contemplation, spoke, “I obtained it from a desolate continent within the Sixth Rank Starfield. This continent is unknown to outsiders, and I stumbled upon it by chance. Within, the savage beasts are mostly skilled in fire-based arts, making it quite perilous. Therefore, I did not venture too deep.” As he spoke, he produced a jade slip, etched it with his spiritual sense, and offered it to Wang Lin. “If Daoist Lü finds himself interested, he may explore it. But heed my warning, and do not venture too far within. From my observation, there should be Eleventh Rank savage beasts lurking within!”

Wang Lin accepted the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense. He then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the black-robed elder. After a few more words, the elder rose to take his leave.

Over the next two days, Wang Lin subtly spread word of his desire to purchase star charts. The market district immediately buzzed with activity as individuals secretly acquired them. Within those two days, the entire stock of star charts in the market was almost completely bought up.

These star chart jade slips, after careful scrutiny and verification, were ultimately delivered into the hands of Cang Songzi. Holding the star chart jade slips, Cang Songzi hesitated for a moment, then went to the inn where Wang Lin resided. After a brief reminiscing, he presented a storage bag filled with numerous star charts. “I heard Daoist Lü has an interest in star charts, so I tasked some with gathering these. However, there are many false charts, so you must carefully discern the true from the false.”

Accepting the storage bag, Wang Lin smiled, clasping his hands. “Thank you, Daoist Cang Songzi. You have saved Lü much trouble.”

After further conversation, Cang Songzi glanced at Wang Lin and abruptly asked, “After tomorrow’s auction, does Daoist Lü have any pressing matters?” Wang Lin looked at Cang Songzi and shook his head. “Speak plainly, Daoist Cang Songzi.”

Cang Songzi paused for a moment, then spoke gravely, “I know of a secret location that may hold something of interest to you.” He spoke whilst observing Wang Lin’s expression, seeing no trace of change, Cang Songzi took a jade slip out from his robes, and handed it to Wang Lin. Wang Lin accepted the jade slip, without scanning it, he gazed at Cang Songzi.

Cang Songzi cleared his throat and said, “I shall keep this brief. I noticed Daoist Lü acquired a significant amount of Essence Crystals, implying a specific need. If you assist me in successfully entering that location, I shall offer a reward of one hundred thousand Essence Crystals!”

Wang Lin remained impassive, scanning the jade slip with his spiritual sense. His eyes narrowed, and silence settled upon the room. Cang Songzi did not rush him, patiently awaiting Wang Lin’s response. “I want two thousand Essence Crystals in advance!” After a moment, Wang Lin opened his eyes, speaking calmly.

Cang Songzi hesitated, then nodded, laughing, “Very well, to gain the assistance of a member of a divine sect is well worth two thousand Essence Crystals! After tomorrow’s auction, I shall deliver the crystals, and we shall depart!”

Cang Songzi clasped his hands and departed, but as he walked away from Wang Lin’s room, the smile faded from his face, replaced by a cold sneer.

“How could a disciple from a divine sect be lacking in Essence Crystals? This person’s identity is highly suspect. Regardless of whether he is genuine or not, if he proves obedient, so be it. If I can enter that location, my cultivation will certainly soar. And then…” Cang Songzi inhaled deeply, suppressing his agitation. He had been preparing for this for nearly a millennium!