“Shattered Nirvana, mid-stage!” Wang Lin’s eyes, sharp even in that fleeting moment, pierced through the old man’s Taoist robes, recognizing his cultivation. He felt, too, the chilling aura of countless slain lives clinging to the elder, a testament to his bloody deeds. It was clear this soul-manipulating fiend, Yunhunzi, was a notorious scourge upon the Cloud Ripple Starfield. With a flick of Yunhunzi’s sleeve, a tide of tormented souls surged forth, a spectral tsunami aimed to engulf Wang Lin.

Wang Lin’s gaze hardened. He clenched his right fist and unleashed a devastating blow, a surge of untamed power that collided with the onrushing spirits.

A thunderous boom echoed through the cosmos, scattering the star-dust like leaves before a gale. The wailing souls, caught in the blast, were ripped apart, a fraction of their number dissolving into nothingness.

Wang Lin staggered back, each footfall leaving a crater in the barren land. Five steps, five earth-shattering thuds, and then he stood, face pale, staring at the serene-faced figure before him. “Cangsongzi,” he said, his voice a low growl, “what is the meaning of this?”

Cangsongzi chuckled, rising to his feet. With a flourish of his hand, a wave of golden light shimmered into existence, transforming into thousands of glittering swords. They converged, forming a shimmering barrier, an impenetrable wall of steel that halted Yunhunzi’s spectral assault. “Yunhunzi,” Cangsongzi said, his voice laced with false cordiality, “this esteemed friend, Daoist Lu, is my invited guest. Grant me this small favor!”

Yunhunzi, the robed Daoist, cast a scornful glance at Wang Lin. A mirthless smile played on his lips. “A skulking dog with the power of Shattered Nirvana,” he sneered. He gestured, and the chaotic mass of souls behind him coalesced into nine gigantic soul-fires, crackling ominously as they danced around him. “Daoist Lu, Yunhunzi merely tested your strength. No malice was intended. I trust you bear no ill will.” Cangsongzi beamed, clasping his hands in a gesture of placation.

Wang Lin’s expression remained impassive. He said nothing, settling into a meditative pose a short distance away, masking his thoughts behind an unreadable facade. Cangsongzi, his heart cold, exchanged a subtle glance with Yunhunzi before averting his gaze.

*He possesses the strength to kill Wu Qing, but he is still far from the level of us mid-stage Shattered Nirvana cultivators. Alone, I could slay him in ten breaths! If we were to combine our strength, we could end him in an instant!* Yunhunzi’s thoughts, silent but potent, reached Cangsongzi’s ears.

*My greatest concern is not his supposed affiliation with the Divine Sect, but the fact that he appears to be a Cleansing Nirvana cultivator, yet possesses the power to slay even Wu Qing. He hides his true strength. Without knowing his limits, he could be a hindrance to our endeavors. However, after witnessing your exchange, I am somewhat relieved. Still, the man is shrewd. Find another opportunity to test him!* Cangsongzi replied in kind, his eyes closed.

Yunhunzi’s eyes gleamed, acknowledging the wisdom of the suggestion.

Wang Lin sat with his head bowed slightly, hiding the flash of cold fury in his eyes. He had held back, revealing only a portion of his true power. To reveal his full strength to these devilish old monsters would be a grave error.

*Shattered Nirvana, mid-stage…Truly powerful. The sheer, unadulterated force of their inner world is beyond the comprehension of an early-stage cultivator. It is the difference between a child and a warrior…But if I were to unleash my full potential, aided by my treasures, I would not be defeated! I must be wary of Cangsongzi and his conspirator.* Wang Lin mused, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

The pockmarked elder, known as Pang, had witnessed the exchange. His gaze flickered between Cangsongzi and the others, a subtle shifting of attention as he turned the ring upon his finger.

The blue-robed crone, eyes lowered, sat in perfect stillness, seemingly lost in contemplation. She paid no heed to the events that had unfolded.

Time flowed on, blurring the line between day and night in this mist-shrouded land. An hour passed, and suddenly, a flash of sword light pierced the distant star-mists.

The blade seemed impossibly sharp, radiating a palpable aura of lethality. Its piercing shriek echoed through the void, yet the mists remained undisturbed. It shot toward the five figures with unnatural speed.

Even before its arrival, a wave of sword-energy crashed over them, an all-encompassing presence filled with arrogant dominance. Cangsongzi raised his head, a smile gracing his lips.

With a resounding *clang*, the blade plunged into the earth mere yards from the elder, Pang. It was a seven-foot longsword, two fingers in width, its silvery surface shimmering like flowing water. An icy chill emanated from it.

Golden tassels danced on the hilt, stirring the air and causing ripples in the space above. From those ripples, a figure emerged.

The newcomer was diminutive, resembling a child at first glance. But a closer look revealed a grotesque face, twisted and pale as a corpse. Any mortal who beheld him would surely die of fright. He descended, standing beside his blade, his head barely reaching above its hilt. “Cangsongzi!” he rasped, his voice high and grating, “What kind of star-chart did you give me? I’ve searched for an age!” The boy-like creature settled beside his sword, his gaze, filled with malice, sweeping over the assembled group. He paused momentarily upon Wang Lin but said nothing.

Cangsongzi’s smile widened. “My dear brother Duanmu, it is not my fault if you lost your way!” The boy-like Duanmu scoffed. “You said this place held a Reincarnation Pill. Is this true?” “Undeniably. I could not breach the inner sanctum myself, but even from the outskirts, I saw a Reincarnation Pill. Alas, a beast guarded it, preventing my retrieval,” Cangsongzi confirmed with a solemn nod. “What manner of beast?” “A Twelfth-Order Mist Serpent Dragon!” The little Duanmu fell silent, his eyes flickering with greed.

“Reincarnation Pill…” Wang Lin mused, showing no outward reaction. He had never heard of such a pill, but Cangsongzi’s demeanor suggested it was not the true prize. As he pondered, Wang Lin cast a sidelong glance at the strange Duanmu. He, too, was a mid-stage Shattered Nirvana cultivator. “If we are not leaving, are we awaiting another?” Duanmu queried after a moment, his gaze fixed on Cangsongzi. “One remains,” Cangsongzi began, only to break off, turning to face the distance. Simultaneously, Duanmu and Yunhunzi shifted their attention.

Wang Lin felt a tremor beneath his feet. He turned to see a towering figure emerging from the distant mists, each stride bringing him closer. It was a giant of a man, clad in purple robes. As he approached, the earth shook with greater force, sending pebbles scattering.

As the giant drew near, Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the space behind him. The mists churned, revealing hundreds of beasts following in his wake. They were of low quality, yet their numbers were significant.

In the blink of an eye, the giant stood before them, casting a cold glance upon the assembled figures. “Chen is already here!” he announced, his voice a deep rumble.

Before anyone could react, his words were followed by a cacophony of bestial roars. The creatures behind him thrashed and convulsed before collapsing in a bloody heap.

As the beasts died, the earth became saturated with crimson, and a thick miasma of blood filled the air. From the shattered corpses, their spirits erupted, hurtling toward the giant. The spirits coalesced before him, forming a swirling vortex of black energy. The giant grasped the vortex, molding it into a solid black pill. “I arrived early and decided to refine a few local beasts,” he explained in a monotone, swallowing the pill.

“Beast Tamer Sect!” Yunhunzi exclaimed, his expression grave. He clasped his hands in respectful greeting. “Might I inquire as to your identity, friend from the Beast Tamer Sect? I am Yunhunzi. I am acquainted with Daoist Butianzi of your order.” The boy Duanmu mirrored his actions, saluting the newcomer. “Butianzi is my elder brother, and I am Chen Tianjun,” the giant replied, his voice still flat, his demeanor tinged with arrogance.

*He is only at the early stages of Shattered Nirvana…But the cautious deference from the mid-stage cultivators suggests that, beyond the sect’s reputation, his Beast Tamer arts are something to be reckoned with. Furthermore, he claims to have arrived previously, yet no one detected his presence. This is disturbing!* Wang Lin’s gaze lingered momentarily on the giant before drifting away. “The Beast Tamer Sect’s beast-concealing techniques are truly remarkable. I failed to notice your presence, friend Chen. I am impressed!” Cangsongzi said, offering a polite bow. Chen Tianjun nodded curtly, his voice as steady as before, “Cangsongzi, I was summoned from the Ninth Order Starfield. I must return to my sect and join my brethren as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. You must make haste!”

Cangsongzi nodded. His gaze swept over the assembled company. “I am grateful to all of you for your presence. We will all reap the rewards of this venture. I assure you that your journey will not be in vain.” He paused, looking toward Wang Lin. “Friend Lu will receive both Spirit Crystals, and I will ensure that several treasures will be added to your reward. It is only fitting, given your contributions!” Wang Lin offered a nod of acknowledgement, but remained silent. “I will not waste any more time. I will provide further details once we arrive at our destination. Follow me!” With these words, he clasped his hands together once more, and with a single stride, transformed into a streak of light, hurtling into the star-mists. The elder Pang followed close behind, and the blue-robed crone rose, flying away with equal speed.

Chen Tianjun of the Beast Tamer Sect floated upward, two swirling orbs of black energy coalescing beneath his feet. He was lifted into the air by two eagle-shaped beast souls. “Friend Lu, if you would,” Yunhunzi said, a sardonic smile playing on his lips as he looked at Wang Lin.

Wang Lin’s expression remained tranquil. He rose into the air. Yunhunzi brought up the rear, watching Wang Lin’s back with a cold intensity. The six figures, now six streaks of light, followed Cangsongzi as he guided them through the starry void.