Chapter 1291: Direction

"In the starry sky, there are not only various celestial bodies but also many peculiar landscapes, known as stellar wonders. However, these peculiar landscapes differ from the natural wonders within a realm; most stellar wonders possess a considerable degree of danger," Lu Ye simply explained.

"Did Senior Yang Qing tell you all this?" Jian Guhong asked. Lu Ye had previously left Kyushu with Yang Qing, so if he had obtained any information about the starry sky, it could only have come from Yang Qing.

This aligned with Jian Guhong's own understanding, as a Constellation Realm cultivator who had returned with information about this wonder had reported that divine sense could not penetrate the cluster of light. He had attempted to delve deeper but only dared to proceed for ten thousand li, because the further he went, the greater the sense of danger became. After weighing his options, he reluctantly retreated. As for the exact risks within, no one knew.

Lu Ye shook his head, took out several ancient jade slips, and handed them over. "I saw it from these," he said.

These jade slips were precisely the ones Xiao Jiu had given him earlier. The information recorded within was disorganized, covering cultivation after the Constellation Realm and introductions to stellar wonders.

Jian Guhong took them, immersed his mind in examining them, and couldn't help but frown.

He encountered the same problem Lu Ye had faced. Due to their extreme age, the records in the jade slips were fragmented and difficult to read. Nevertheless, as this was extremely vital information, Jian Guhong patiently scrutinized them.

While Jian Guhong was examining the jade slips, Lu Ye was studying the star map before him.

The star map before him was undoubtedly incomplete, with many blank areas representing locations yet to be explored by Kyushu cultivators. Although the current number of Constellation Realm cultivators in Kyushu was not small, they were still but a drop in the ocean when truly venturing into the vast starry sky.

With the current manpower, it would take at least fifteen to twenty years to fully explore the outer space near Kyushu.

By then, Kyushu would have a complete star map, though this completeness would be relative, only encompassing a limited distance.

However, with the continuous emergence of Kyushu cultivators and their ongoing journeys in the future, it was believed that this star map would become increasingly perfect.

After observing for a moment, Lu Ye took out a blank jade slip and copied the star map before him. This was not difficult for him, but it would take some time.

Half a day later, Lu Ye finished his task, and Jian Guhong also completed his examination of the jade slips, revealing a pensive expression. "So, there are these intricacies in Constellation Realm cultivation," he mused. "No wonder we old-timers always felt something was off when cultivating."

"What felt off?" Lu Ye humbly inquired, as he had not yet begun cultivating since his promotion.

Jian Guhong said, "We previously tried to refine the power within spirit jades, but found that the refined power only acted upon the flesh and blood, seemingly unable to penetrate deep into the body. This was true for one, true for two, basically true for everyone. Since there was no path to follow, we thought our cultivation method was wrong. Now we know it wasn't a mistake in method, but a necessary process!"

"Essence of Flesh and Blood!" Lu Ye stated.

Jian Guhong nodded. "According to the records in this jade slip, Constellation Realm cultivation is divided into three stages: Essence of Flesh and Blood, Essence of Viscera, and Essence of Bone Marrow. These correspond to the early, middle, and late stages of the Constellation Realm, respectively. Currently, the early Constellation stage corresponds to the Essence of Flesh and Blood, so the power refined from spirit jades naturally only accumulates within the flesh and blood."

This was also the fundamental reason why Constellation Realm cultivators could heal rapidly or even regenerate flesh and blood after injuries. The more one cultivated in this stage, the more vibrant their flesh and blood became.

By the middle Constellation stage, the refined power would be used to temper one's viscera. In the late Constellation stage, it would temper the bones.

The entire cultivation process of the Constellation Realm could be seen as a meticulous, inside-out refinement of the cultivator's physical body. Upon reaching grand completion, one could even achieve limb regeneration.

And once promoted to the Moon Brilliance Realm, it meant that cultivators had no discernible physical weaknesses. By then, the physical strength of every cultivator would be no less than that of the most extreme spirit treasures.

This information was very important and needed to be disseminated quickly so that Kyushu cultivators who had already advanced to the Constellation Realm would know, preventing them from feeling that something was wrong or amiss in their cultivation. Otherwise, they might even stumble upon some peculiar cultivation method that could lead to detrimental results.

"I'll keep these jade slips," Jian Guhong said.

"Please take them, Senior." Lu Ye nodded. Having already read them, they were of little use to him. However, with Jian Guhong stationed here, future Constellation Realm cultivators who arrived could consult the contents of the jade slips to gain prior understanding of the Constellation Realm.

Turning to the star map, Lu Ye said, "Senior, you asked me earlier which direction I wanted to go. Was that because you want me to explore these blank areas?"

Blank areas always needed to be explored, but no one would force the issue. And for Lu Ye, if he had to choose himself, he would also willingly pick these blank regions, because unexplored areas meant more opportunities to find spirit jades.

Following someone else's old path was uninteresting; one would only pick up leftovers.

"Precisely. Are you willing?"

"Of course, I am." Lu Ye casually pointed to a blank area in the starry sky. "Then I'll head in this direction."

Jian Guhong was pleased. "Excellent. However, for your first exploration outside, I suggest you don't venture too far. In the starry sky, try to use the Sun and Venus to locate Kyushu often, and familiarize yourself with this method."

Pausing slightly, Jian Guhong continued, "Also, after you depart, go find a Heavenly Secret Hall, connect with the Heavenly Secret, and receive a Heavenly Secret Pillar to carry with you."

Lu Ye was surprised. "Constellation Realm cultivators can receive a Heavenly Secret Pillar?" He hadn't heard about this.

Jian Guhong nodded. "It was an enlightenment granted by the Heavenly Secret when we were building this Guardian Hall. Every Constellation Realm cultivator, upon leaving Kyushu, is gifted a Heavenly Secret Pillar. This way, even in the starry sky, they can send messages back to Kyushu. However, there are distance limitations. According to the experience they've reported back, communication with Kyushu is possible at any time within a half-year's journey, but beyond that distance, contact will be interrupted."

This half-year journey naturally referred to the distance covered by a Constellation Realm cultivator of Kyushu, normally flying for half a year in the starry sky.

Such a distance was already very far.

Xiao Jiu had done well in this matter. It likely realized the inconvenience of Kyushu cultivators communicating with their home realm after venturing out, which was why it granted this enlightenment and bestowed the Heavenly Secret Pillars.

It was precisely through this means that the Constellation Realm cultivators who ventured out were able to timely transmit their exploration findings, enabling Jian Guhong to draw an incomplete star map here.

Since it was a benefit for everyone, Lu Ye would naturally go to Xiao Jiu to claim one later.

Everything that needed to be explained had been explained to Lu Ye. There was nothing else to instruct. Since he had already entered the Constellation Realm, entering the starry sky was an inevitable choice. No one would remain in Kyushu, stuck in their ways.

Jian Guhong suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, there's one more thing I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Senior!" Lu Ye's expression turned serious.

"It's about the address."

"Address?" Lu Ye was puzzled. What was wrong with the address?

"After discussions among us old-timers, it was unanimously decided that all Kyushu cultivators who advance to the Constellation Realm will be treated as peers. You know that the lifespan of us cultivators is much longer than that of mortals. Previously, the cultivation limit for Kyushu cultivators was the Divine Sea, so seniority issues weren't complicated. But now, cultivators can reach the Constellation Realm, and beyond that, there's Moon Brilliance and Sun Radiance. Leaving others aside, take yourself, Yi Ye; in time, you will surely advance to the Sun Radiance Realm! By then, perhaps us old-timers will still be languishing in the Constellation Realm. It wouldn't do for you to still address us as 'Senior', would it? Now we have Lu Yi Ye, and perhaps in the future, Lu Er Ye, Lu San Ye..."

Lu Ye, however, didn't see any problem. "If they are seniors, then they are seniors."

Jian Guhong waved his hand. "That's true in principle, but if it were truly like that, we old-timers couldn't bear it. So, after some discussion, everyone agreed that since Kyushu now has a new future, there should be a new atmosphere. Let the Constellation Realm be the dividing line. Below the Constellation Realm, seniority will be as it always has been. Above the Constellation Realm, let us interact as peers! Compared to the long lifespan of cultivators, even if we old-timers are at least several hundred years older than you, calling us 'Senior Brother' is really no big deal. I reckon in those top-tier realms, there are many cultivators who are thousands or even tens of thousands of years apart in age yet still address each other as 'Senior Brother' or 'Junior Brother'."

Lu Ye vaguely sensed the old-timers' pride. On one hand, they hoped that newcomers would surpass them in cultivation; on the other hand, they feared the awkwardness of having someone with higher cultivation still addressing them as "Senior."

So, they simply set this new standard.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment, then readily complied, cupping his fist in a salute. "Senior Brother Guhong!"

Jian Guhong laughed heartily and returned the salute. "Junior Brother Yi Ye!"

However, Lu Ye quickly realized a problem. "My Sect Master is also in the Constellation Realm..."

Jian Guhong quipped, "When you see him again, you can try calling him 'Senior Brother'!"

Lu Ye would not be so foolish.

If Constellation Realm cultivators were not from the same sect, addressing each other as 'Senior Brother' or 'Junior Brother' was fine. But since they were from the same sect, seniority had to be strictly observed.

"All right, everything that needed to be said has been said. Go back and prepare. When you're ready, set off." Jian Guhong waved his hand. "Only after advancing to the Constellation Realm will you truly realize that Kyushu is nothing more than a tiny speck!"

Lu Ye was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he took out a ring. "Senior Brother, please accept this."

Jian Guhong took it, his expression puzzled. "What is this?"

"You'll know when you see it, Senior Brother. Consider its contents as common property of the Guardian Hall for now."

Saying this, he turned and left the great hall, soaring into the sky.

After Lu Ye left, Jian Guhong began examining the ring in his hand and quickly understood what it was. It was actually a storage item, similar in nature to a storage bag, but its internal storage space was undoubtedly more stable and much larger.