Why did the Moon Serpent manifest here? Why did the Golden Flame Vein burn so brightly? From whence did it arise, and why had no soul dared claim it? Veiled by these enigmas, Wang Lin fixed his gaze upon the vein, yet remained still, reluctant to act.

Years of caution had forged within him a habit of deep contemplation. Too many riddles shrouded this place; a single misstep could plunge him into a peril beyond imagining.

Suppressing the urge to seize the Golden Flame Vein, Wang Lin calmly followed its course. Yet, with each step, the mysteries deepened.

The vein possessed an unnatural uniformity. Its size and thickness remained eerily consistent, as if crafted by an unseen hand.

“A naturally formed vein could never be so precise,” he murmured. “This vein…it resembles nothing so much as a segment of some colossal bone.”

At this thought, Wang Lin halted, his eyes widening with strange comprehension. He stared intently at the vein, a storm of realization brewing within him.

“Bone…could it truly be bone? The remains of some gargantuan, unknown beast!” He inhaled sharply, unable to fathom what creature could possess bones of pure Golden Flame.

He pondered for a time, continuing along the vein’s path. Suddenly, the earth trembled. Wang Lin felt a wave of energy ripple through the ground, emanating from all directions, rising ever upward.

Within this surge, Wang Lin channeled his celestial essence, his eyes betraying his shock. His divine sense, still unfurled, revealed the truth: tendrils sprouted from the vein, weaving into the earth, extending with horrifying speed, bursting forth from fissures, and waving madly upon the desolate landscape.

Wang Lin recoiled, then abruptly lowered his gaze to the Golden Flame Vein, his apprehension deepening.

“This scene…it stirs a familiar echo…”

Staring fixedly at the vein, his eyes flashed with sudden insight. He whispered, “The entire planet bristles with these tendrils, like this Cloudfall Star is covered in hair…

“The Moon Serpent, in its second state, contracts its tendrils and bristles, entering a state of slumber…Could it be…am I standing upon…could this Cloudfall Star *be* a slumbering Moon Serpent of immense size?!”

Wang Lin gasped, staring in disbelief at the Golden Flame Vein.

“This is no vein, but bone, not of some common beast, but…

“The very bone of the Moon Serpent!” A chill gripped his heart.

“Had I seized the Golden Flame Vein, I would have roused the slumbering titan! I would have been utterly destroyed. A full awakening is unlikely, but even a momentary stirring would spell doom for any who dared pilfer its bones.” Wang Lin understood why no great cultivator had dared claim the Golden Flame Vein. It was not a lack of desire, but an abundance of fear.

“Doubtless, others have come before me, only to meet their demise. The vanished clansman of the Phantom family was wiser than most, taking only what lay exposed and fleeing. Had he been more greedy, he too would have awakened the slumbering beast. There is fortune to be considered as well, for what does not awaken one man may indeed awaken another.”

His mind raced. He knew he should flee, abandon all thought of the Golden Flame Vein. Yet, gazing at the boundless vein, a sense of burning frustration consumed him.

“I desire the entirety of the Moon Serpent’s Bone! Yet, to claim it all would surely awaken the beast, and in its rage, I would be crushed! To abandon this chance…I cannot bear it!” Wang Lin sighed, his eyes gleaming as he recalled the ancient memories of the God of Slaughter, Tu Si, regarding the Moon Serpent.

“None understand these parasitic creatures better than the Ancient Gods. This is my advantage. The Moon Serpent craves the blood of Ancient Gods…

“Likewise, the key lies within its tendrils, its bristles, its most sensitive organs…Is there a way to extract the bone without awakening the beast?”

A strange light ignited in his eyes. He murmured, “When I consumed the Ascending Immortal Fruit, I was overwhelmed by a maddening sensation. Even if my bones were taken, I would not have felt it. If I could induce a similar stupor within the Moon Serpent’s slumber, perhaps, I could claim its bones!”

After a moment, he glanced back at the Golden Flame Vein, sighed, and stepped upward, leaving the earth. In the sky he took one more breath, leaving Cloudfall Star behind him. His stellar compass, materialized, carrying Wang Lin away with haste.

Far away, Wang Lin looked back at Cloudfall Star, his expression hardening with resolve.

“The Moon Serpent’s Bone *will* be mine! The concoction to stupefy the beast can be refined from the Ascending Immortal Fruit. The dosage, however, must be immense, to overwhelm such a colossal being with slumber.”

Even if another conceived of this plan, even if they possessed the necessary ingredients, the Moon Serpent, ancient and divine, would never accept it.

For, unless guided by the seal of an Ancient God, it would refuse any substance save for their blood.

And that seal, the seal of the Ancient God, was possessed by Wang Lin alone.

Beneath the stars, the silver dragon soared, carrying Wang Lin, his face dark. This journey, spanning months, had been in vain, for he had hoped to complete the Celestial Jewel.

“So be it. I have waited eight centuries for the Celestial Jewel, and may well wait a little longer. I shall obtain a vast quantity of the Ascending Immortal Fruit, and refine the necessary draught.

“But I never imagined a Moon Serpent of such immense scale…To what star Ancient God did it once belong…And it has slumbered for countless ages, as its surface had been consumed by ruins.”

Wang Lin’s face cleared slightly, his eyes reflecting a renewed sense of purpose.
The Waning Moon, now a nascent star, held dormant power. Should it awaken, its strength would be terrifying. Even the Skyrend Marquis and the Fortuneteller Celestial, paragons of might, would likely flee in fear! Alas, only the Parasite Lord could command it; even I, in my true form, am helpless.

If only I could control this celestial body, to lead it back to the Star Alliance as a prize!

Wang Lin sighed, guiding his Astral Compass toward Raincloud Star. The further he traveled, the fainter the light of the Azure Star became.

Upon Raincloud Star, the Elder of the Ran Family, the Free Wanderer, and the Sundered Zenith, stood, faces grim, eyes fixed on the heavens.

“A Star-Binding Formation…” The Sundered Zenith’s voice was laced with bitterness.

“The Phantasm Clan’s attacks are rarely so slow,” said the Free Wanderer, his voice heavy. “If they had the time to weave a Star-Binding Formation, they would have simply descended upon Raincloud Star directly.”

The Elder of the Ran Family mused, his ancient face etched with worry, “This is likely a demonstration of power for Phantasm Clan’s Elder’s newly adopted daughter, Phantasm Brow.”

“The Phantasm Clan seeks our annihilation,” the Sundered Zenith hissed, eyes gleaming with fury. “This formation is to prevent our escape.”

“Annihilation is unlikely,” the Elder of Ran Family said, “Over these past years, the most promising of our bloodlines have been secreted away. Through them, our families will endure.”

“But our roots lie deep within Raincloud Star. How can we relocate in haste? A mass exodus would only hasten the inevitable,” the Free Wanderer lamented.

“Perhaps Xu Mu’s lineage will return…” The Sundered Zenith spoke hesitantly.

“Bah! Should he fail to appear, we shall drag him down with us when the Phantasm Clan captures us! Does he think he can steal our Raincloud Star’s celestial jade and escape unscathed? He promised us protection, yet he flees in our hour of need! A craven cur!” The Elder of Ran Family spat, teeth grinding.

The Free Wanderer remained silent, lost in thought.

The Sundered Zenith sighed, “Even if he does return, what can he do? The Phantasm Clan’s Elder has ascended to the Second Step of cultivation. Who can stand against him? Legend says the Phantasm Clan only had two Elders who reached the Second Step. One perished during the struggles over the Immortal Realm of Thunder. That leaves but one. He alone could scour the heavens. His arrival would be futile.”

Silence descended upon the three, their hearts heavy with regret for deeds done four years prior. This, then, was the burden of cause and consequence.

Suddenly, the Elder of Ran Family’s face twisted. “They come!”

The Sundered Zenith and Free Wanderer snapped their heads up, sensing the approaching doom from the heavens. Their faces grew even darker.

The skies above roiled with unseen energies, spreading outward. An oppressive force descended, crushing the very air.

Beyond Raincloud Star, Phantasm Brow, clad in white, strode forth, piercing the Star-Binding Formation with ease. Her gaze swept over Raincloud Star, settling upon the Elder of the Ran Family, the Free Wanderer, and the Sundered Zenith.

Her face remained serene, untouched by emotion. Slowly, inexorably, she descended.

“Brother Sundered, Brother Free, we have clashed for most of our lives. Now that our affairs are settled, let us fight as we have never fought before! Even in death, we shall know no regrets!” The Elder of Ran Family’s voice was low, but within it burned a fiery resolve. His eyes turned skyward, flames dancing within.

“Your valor kindles my own, Brother Ran. I will join you!” The Free Wanderer laughed, his own eyes igniting with the same consuming fire.

The Sundered Zenith’s face hardened. He laughed with abandon. “I care little for my cultivation. I would dare to challenge the celestial lords themselves! Sundered Zenith will not be outdone!”

A wave of battle spirit erupted from the three, like three raging infernos upon Raincloud Star. Common fires may conjure smoke, but a cultivator’s burning spirit, though unseen, carries the power of a thousand smokes, a battle fervor that saturates the heavens.

As Phantasm Brow’s delicate form appeared in the sky, this fervor reached its zenith.

“Burning your souls, are you?” Phantasm Brow said, her voice echoing through the sky. The words were sweet as the spring breeze upon the earth, yet laced with an unknowable power.

The Free Wanderer stared, transfixed. The fire in his eyes flickered, replaced by a dazed infatuation…