Beneath the iridescent arc of the rainbow, a cascade of white hair danced in the breeze, a vision etched in eternity, witnessed by the four Elders of the Guī Yuán Sect as they arrived. The air, thick with the metallic tang of blood and the fading echoes of shattered souls transforming into raw energy, spoke of a battle of epic proportions just past. Most notably, the blinding flash of celestial brilliance, though fleeting, had extinguished a Jìng Niè cultivator’s life, a foe they themselves would have faced in a battle to the death. This scene rendered the four Elders as still as startled doves.

Before them, the white-haired figure stood with his back turned, moving with deceptive slowness towards a black spirit beast bearing a purple-robed youth.

The youth’s piercing scream echoed through the air, laced with utter terror. Lúdí, though only of Yīn Xū cultivation, was a scion of such noble lineage that he had never known true peril.

He had envisioned a pleasant, effortless excursion, protected by the esteemed Sòng Wǔdé from his sect. He had believed his status as the young master of the Zǐ Dào Sect would grant him dominion over the fifth-tier starfield. Never had he imagined, not even in his darkest nightmares, that Sòng Wǔdé would be slain in an instant by this white-haired demon, his very soul snuffed out.

In Lúdí’s eyes, the white-haired figure had transformed into the most terrifying beast in existence. Each step brought the purple-robed youth closer to oblivion, his screams growing more frantic.

“I am the young master of the Zǐ Dào Sect! If you slay me, my father, Lú Yúncóng, will butcher the entire Mò Luó continent!” He was gripped by a fear he had never known. The white-haired phantom loomed larger and larger in his pupils, until it filled his entire world.

His black spirit beast trembled, retreating with all possible speed. The creature, possessed of keen awareness, shared its master’s dread of Wáng Lín.

“Dare to harm a single hair on my head, and the Zǐ Dào Sect will hunt you to the ends of the heavens and the depths of the earth!” The purple-robed youth, driven to the edge of madness, roared in despair. He slammed his hand upon his storage bag, producing a black lotus.

The lotus, an obsidian bloom, pulsed with an eerie black light that shrouded the youth’s contorted face. He sought to activate this life-saving treasure, bestowed upon him by his father, but in that instant, a finger appeared before him, seemingly slow but impossibly swift, and tapped him between the brows.

With a resounding crash, the purple-robed youth coughed blood, his eyes losing focus, filled with crimson threads. Twin trails of blood wept from his sockets as his body flew backward like a broken puppet, each thud echoing like thunder. Gouts of blood spewed from his body, painting the landscape in crimson hues, a gruesome spectacle.

His soul shattered. He faintly perceived the beating of his own heart, a fading drum in his ears. His body drifted in a cloud of unreality, growing weaker and weaker. The rhythmic thumping grew fainter, as though separated from him by worlds, until, in the swirling darkness, it faded into silence.

Behind the four Elders of the Guī Yuán Sect, their disciples had arrived. Their eyes beheld a figure drenched in blood, flung from the black spirit beast in a scarlet arc, exploding into a rain of gore. The rainbow painted the mist-shrouded scene as the white-haired silhouette was forever etched into their hearts. Sūn Yún stared at the departing figure, her delicate form trembling, biting her lip, with a strange light kindling in her eyes.

Lúdí was dead. His body was shattered, his soul obliterated like his uncle Sòng. In Wáng Lín’s hand rested an opened Black Lotus and a storage bag.

Had Lúdí’s threats been directed at a native cultivator of the fifth-tier starfield, they might have held some weight, especially against sects less powerful than the Zǐ Dào Sect. Even in a moment of rashness, they might have hesitated, choosing capture over murder.

For in the fifth-tier starfield, the Zǐ Dào Sect was a name to be reckoned with, ranking among the top ten. More importantly, there was Lú Yúncóng himself! He possessed unparalleled talent, a rarity even in the fifth-tier, and his name was spoken with awe.

But such threats were meaningless to Wáng Lín. Lú Yúncóng was insignificant, the Zǐ Dào Sect beneath his notice, unworthy of provoking his wrath.

Whether the authentic Thunder Immortal of the Luo Tian Starfield, the head of the Vermillion Bird Saint Sect of the Alliance, the adopted descendant of Immortal Emperor Bái Fán, or the junior brother of Immortal Lord Qīng Shuǐ, even the disciple of the awakened Immortal Emperor Qīng Shuāng, any of these identities would outweigh the Zǐ Dào Sect.

And Wáng Lín’s cultivation journey of over a thousand years was beyond the comprehension of a mere prodigy like Lú Yúncóng. The Zǐ Dào Sect’s threat was a joke, less significant than a drop of sweat on Lāsēn’s brow!

With a flick of his sleeve, the black spirit beast, trembling without its master, was drawn into Wáng Lín’s control as dark light, unable to offer any resistance.

Dawn broke, heralding a new day as the sun climbed into the sky. The rainbow grew sharper, brighter, casting a gentle radiance across the heavens, over the Mò Luó continent, and into the hearts and minds of every member of the Guī Yuán Sect present. White hair fluttering, Wáng Lín vanished with a single step.

Throughout, not a single Guī Yuán Sect cultivator saw Wáng Lín’s face. All they saw was the towering form and snow-white hair.

Silence descended, broken only by the sound of their quickening breaths. The four Elders of the Guī Yuán Sect exchanged glances, their hearts pounding with awe. Their descent from desperate sorrow to stunned amazement had been so sudden that they felt they were in a dream. “He… who is he?!” “Why would this Senior help our Guī Yuán Sect?” “He killed Sòng Wǔdé instantly… what is his cultivation level?!”

“He… he has white hair!” Lǚ Yānfēi whispered, a smile gracing her lips. It was a smile that had been absent since her master’s injury and subsequent death. Her smile was like a flower blooming, revealing a unique style of beauty and happiness.

Her three senior brothers exchanged thoughtful glances, gazing at the spot where Wáng Lín had disappeared. Though silent, the shock still rippled through their minds.

After a brief pause, the Elders’ disciples erupted in cheers, soaring towards the Guī Yuán Sect beneath the rainbow, led by the four Elders.

“With the deaths of Sòng Wǔdé and Lúdí, the Zǐ Dào Sect will not let this rest…” One of the elders, an old man, suppressed his shock and relayed his worries in Divine Sense. “The Master said, ‘Northern, White Hair’ before his passing. The figure has white hair. He must be the one Master spoke of. With his help, perhaps our Guī Yuán Sect is not doomed after all!” “But who is this person? Could he be among us in the Guī Yuán Sect? I have also observed the thirty-one mortals, but found nothing.” “He helped us once, he will help us a second time!” Lǚ Yānfēi spoke resolutely, bringing calm to the other three.

“Searching is useless. Since this Senior does not wish to reveal himself, we should leave it be.” Lǚ Yānfēi’s eyes were bright, and she smiled once more, sending a wave of dark energy into her storage bag, destroying an ancient painting hidden within.

Soon, the Guī Yuán Sect returned to their mountain gate, each member dispersing with excitement. Lǚ Yānfēi did not return to her pavilion in the southern mountains. Instead, she and Sūn Yún went to the medicine garden.

The two women, both of exquisite beauty, were breathtaking to behold. Distant sect disciples, catching a glimpse, were momentarily stunned. However, remembering Lǚ Yānfēi’s status, they quickly regained their composure. As they were about to pay their respects, Sūn Yún waved them away, indicating that the two women wished to remain undisturbed. “Master, he… he lives here,” Sūn Yún whispered, her heart pounding.

Within the fifth-tier starfield, a hazy mist surrounded a purple continent, three times the size of Mò Luó. From afar, it appeared as a feral beast, quietly observing the night sky.

Unlike Mò Luó, this purple continent was dominated by four black towers that cast their gentle light over the lands.

As this was happening, in the sky, the mist suddenly churned. A deafening screech filled the air as a tiger-like beast of a hundred feet in size flew out from the mist. With vengeful eyes, it stared down the purple continent. In its heart, it could faintly hear the cries of its mate, who was suffering.

With a roar, its form vanished towards the land.

Its speed was immense, and it was already close, as it slammed into the barrier.

The tiger roared as it was about to strike again, but a ray of purple light shot towards the creature at lightning speed. It was a middle-aged man, his purple and gold robes looking majestic. His eyes were dark and deep, and his thick eyebrows gave him a sinister look.

He moved faster than the eye could see and shattered the barrier, going out into the sky. With a wave of his hand, he sent out rays of purple light, engulfing the tiger.

“Refine!” The cold voice echoed around as the purple lights became a giant cauldron, turning at high speeds. Inside it were the cries of the tiger as it gradually died down.

“Congratulations, Sect Leader, for bringing us another Star Tiger Beast! Surely, it won’t be long until your Tiger Bone Soul Sabre is completed!” A laugh arose, as an elder wearing the same robe appeared next to the man.