Chapter 1463: The Star Lodge's Reward

The Starcrystal Hall had brought him here to clear weeds. Now that the task was complete, this was likely the reward bestowed by the Starcrystal Hall.

Ranking on the Accumulation Board came with rewards. The most fundamental reward was the opportunity to enter the Starcrystal Hall at any time to advance to the Moon-Illuminated realm. The higher one's rank, the longer they could remain inside the Starcrystal Hall. Furthermore, those who ranked within the top ten received special additional rewards.

Lu Ye had missed the ranking battle and hadn't secured any rank. However, if the Azure Conch's effects could continue, he would be able to visit the Starcrystal Hall at any time in the future. What's more, he would be entering the true Starcrystal Hall itself, unlike other cultivators who only entered its projections.

From this perspective, missing the ranking battle wasn't a significant loss for him.

Now that the Starcrystal Hall had also bestowed a special reward, it seemed he had even profited. He just didn't know what use this tiny Starcrystal Hall served.

He quickly stepped forward, picking up the Starcrystal Hall, which had shrunk countless times. It felt surprisingly heavy in his hand, but upon closer inspection, he found nothing extraordinary about it.

He attempted to channel spiritual power into it, but it refused to accept any. The miniature Starcrystal Hall appeared incapable of receiving his spiritual power, and his divine sense couldn't detect anything unusual about it either.

Lu Ye couldn't help but frown. What exactly was this item for?

He was certain that as a treasure bestowed by the Starcrystal Hall, it couldn't be useless; it must be a valuable item. Unfortunately, he couldn't figure out its purpose for the time being.

After exploring it for a while longer without understanding, Lu Ye put it away, deciding it wasn't too late to try again later when he had more time.

Lu Ye then turned his attention to the second item. This object lay beside the miniature Starcrystal Hall—a very small knife, only about a finger in length. He hadn't even noticed it when he first looked over.

He reached out and picked it up. It felt piercingly cold to the touch. He only felt a little better after channeling some spiritual power to create a barrier.

Was this a spirit treasure or a magic artifact? It didn't quite resemble either.

Lu Ye attempted to channel his spiritual power into the small knife. This time, the knife didn't repel it, but it also showed no reaction, nor could Lu Ye detect any traces of seals within it.

Without any seals, it wasn't a spirit treasure or a magic artifact. Could it be an exotic treasure?

If this item was an exotic treasure, and also bestowed by the Starcrystal Hall, its destructive power would undoubtedly be terrifying.

Yet, this item behaved like a bottomless pit. No matter how much power Lu Ye channeled into it, it absorbed everything without any reaction.

Why were both treasures bestowed by the Starcrystal Hall so peculiar? Lu Ye knew that even if he asked the Starcrystal Hall, he wouldn't receive an answer; this supreme treasure of the starry sky, despite possessing its own will, had never communicated with him.

His divine sense stirred, preparing to carefully examine the small knife.

However, just as his divine sense entered the small knife, Lu Ye's expression changed drastically. His body instinctively drifted backward, and the Pan Mountain Blade roared out of its sheath, slashing forward.

Light exploded like a bursting sun as a lotus flower slowly bloomed. Under that immense crisis, Lu Ye immediately unleashed his strongest blade technique. When the lotus dissipated, Lu Ye remained in his stance, breathing heavily, his clothes drenched in sweat, his eyes filled with lingering fear.

A slight stinging sensation emanated from his mind, a consequence of his previously extended divine sense being severed. It wasn't severe and would recover after a short rest.

There was no figure in front of him at all, as if what he had just seen was merely an illusion. But Lu Ye knew it wasn't an illusion; he had truly witnessed it. That strange scene was incredibly real, and the blurred figure's blade technique was far stronger than his own. His Lotus Sun was utterly defenseless against it.

This wasn't a disparity in cultivation strength; it was a gap in the mastery of their respective blade techniques.

In his mind, he constantly replayed the blade light he had just witnessed, and a glimmer of understanding began to dawn on Lu Ye.

He let out a long breath, sheathed his blade, and slowly a look of joy spread across his face as he gazed at the small knife in his hand.

He hadn't figured out the use of the small Starcrystal Hall, but he now had a good idea of what this small knife was.

This item was actually a legacy! In essence, it was the same as the Tyrant Blade Art legacy he had obtained from the Dragon Ascent Realm Secret Realm, except that the Tyrant Blade Art legacy was a black stone, whereas this one was a small knife.

Furthermore, in terms of level, this legacy was far more powerful than the Tyrant Blade Art. After all, it was bestowed by the Starcrystal Hall, so its quality naturally had to be superior.

This was truly like receiving a pillow precisely when one was sleepy.

Having been reluctantly forced to advance to the late Starcrystal stage, Lu Ye had originally planned to slow down his cultivation progress for a while and use that time to find ways to refine his blade techniques. His current blade techniques were largely inherited from the Tyrant Blade Art, and he had gained more than just the three forms of Tyrant Blade. The Tyrant Blade legacy was a complete and comprehensive system. In combat, even when he didn't employ the three forms of Tyrant Blade, every strike he delivered was an extension and expansion of the Tyrant Blade Art, reflecting his personal insight and understanding of it.

Because the philosophy of the Tyrant Blade Art perfectly aligned with his own combat style, he was able to exert an extremely aggressive and domineering pressure on his enemies. Coupled with his profound and solid foundation, he was often able to overcome stronger opponents and fight beyond his cultivation level.

However, the Tyrant Blade Art was ultimately a legacy obtained only from the Dragon Ascent Realm Secret Realm. While it posed no issues in battles at the Starcrystal realm level for now, Lu Ye wondered if it would still be as effective once he advanced to the Moon-Illuminated realm, especially if he encountered opponents who countered the Tyrant Blade Art, which would undoubtedly leave him at a disadvantage.

He naturally had to plan ahead. Given his cultivation speed, it likely wouldn't take many years for him to advance to the Moon-Illuminated realm.

However, refining one's blade techniques was no easy feat. The Nine Provinces had only recently connected with the starry sky, and he lacked a powerful background or backing. While there were many strong blade-wielding cultivators in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, they were neither relatives nor friends of Lu Ye, so why would they teach him?

Lu Ye had originally considered trying to find a way through the Myriad Manifestation Merchant Guild to acquire some blade technique legacy treasures, even if it meant paying a huge price.

He never expected the Starcrystal Hall to bestow one directly.

This indicated that the will of the Starcrystal Hall was indeed paying attention to him, knowing precisely what he lacked and thus bestowing this item targetedly.

Recalling the blade strike that had just attacked him, Lu Ye's expression brightened. Completely different from the philosophy of the Tyrant Blade Art, the strike unleashed by the blurred figure was extremely ethereal, greatly benefiting Lu Ye. He could feel that if he could comprehend this legacy, his own blade techniques would undoubtedly improve significantly.

Just as he was about to try again, Lu Ye suddenly felt his body tighten all around him. A strange squeezing pressure came from all directions, as if an invisible giant hand had gripped him.

Slightly startled, Lu Ye quickly understood what was happening.

His task was complete, and the Starcrystal Hall had bestowed its rewards. It was about to send him away!

He bowed slightly, performing a respectful gesture. Although the Starcrystal Hall had caused him to miss the ranking battle, he hadn't missed out on any of the benefits he deserved. It was merely two months of hard labor, a small price Lu Ye could accept. And comparatively, he had gained even more.

The next instant, Lu Ye felt a dizzying sensation and couldn't see. When he regained his senses, he found himself amidst the starry sky. Looking around, he immediately spotted the vast ocean in the far distance—the Myriad Manifestation Sea!

He was back in the Myriad Manifestation star system.

Where should he go? Lu Ye pondered briefly. In this vast Myriad Manifestation star system, he was ultimately just a passerby with no fixed destination.

After a moment's thought, Lu Ye decided to first test if the power of the Azure Conch could still be activated. If it could, he would then be able to return to the Starcrystal Hall at any time in the future.

He still had the conch mark he left in the Starcrystal Hall, and this attempt was also crucial to whether he could forge a unique path to wealth for himself. It wasn't advisable to try it here, as activating the Azure Conch's power would leave a portal on the spot, so he needed to find a secluded, uninhabited location. He looked around and spotted a small, dead star not far away. Lu Ye flashed and darted towards it.

Spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from nearby, indicating approaching cultivators. Lu Ye turned his to look and found there were quite a few—as many as six.

What was peculiar, however, was that the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from all six of them were only at the early Starcrystal stage.

Upon closer inspection, Lu Ye's expression grew even stranger, for he recognized the leader.

It was Chu Shen!

What a coincidence; he hadn't expected to run into this person right after returning from the Starcrystal Hall.

However, Chu Shen knew Fa Wuzun, and had no relationship with Li Taibai. Furthermore, this individual was the young master of the Chime Realm, backed by a Sun-Gazing realm cultivator, and now he was leading a group of subordinates for some unknown purpose.

But upon closer inspection, Lu Ye's expression grew even more peculiar.

He had initially thought those accompanying Chu Shen were his subordinates, but it was clear now they weren't, for he actually recognized all five of them.

Xiao Dai, Xiao Wai, the sisters Cai Xing and Cai Yue—even the Unrivaled Lucky Star was there!

This was strange. How had these individuals ended up together?

Lu Ye could still understand Chu Shen having contact with the Unrivaled Lucky Star, as they had cooperated before, and perhaps they had exchanged communication imprints then.

But it was clear that Xiao Dai and the others did not know Chu Shen.

At this moment, five beautiful women of differing temperaments followed behind Chu Shen. Chu Shen, flying at the forefront, wore a smugly satisfied expression, as if he had encountered something joyous; he certainly looked very happy.

This happiness only intensified when he saw Lu Ye!

Chu Shen stared at Lu Ye for a moment, then let out a shout: "Well, well! I searched high and low for you to no avail, and now you appear effortlessly! I've finally found you!"

Lu Ye paused, unsure what Chu Shen wanted with him.

On that note, Li Taibai had no relationship with Chu Shen; in fact, there seemed to be some animosity. Once, when Chu Shen had run away from home, Li Taibai was the one who captured him and brought him back, earning a bounty of 100,000 spirit jades. Just then, Lu Ye heard Chu Shen let out a low shout: "Form the array!"

***

He gulped down fresh air, his chest trembling.

Confusion, bewilderment, and a mix of other emotions surged through his mind.

Where was this place?

Then, Shi Yu subconsciously surveyed his surroundings, growing even more bewildered.

A single dormitory room?

Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital room right now.

And his body… how could it be completely uninjured?

Filled with doubt, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally settling on a mirror at the head of the bed.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: approximately seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome face.

But the problem was, this wasn't him!

His previous self had been a handsome young man in his twenties with an extraordinary demeanor, who had been working for some time.

But now, this appearance looked no older than a high school student…

This change left Shi Yu in a daze for a long time.

He hoped no one would tell him the surgery was successful…

His body and appearance had both changed; this wasn't a matter of surgery at all, but rather immortal arts.

He had completely transformed into another person!

Could it be… he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror at the head of the bed, which was clearly placed in a bad feng shui spot, Shi Yu also found three books nearby.

Shi Yu picked them up, and their titles instantly silenced him.

*Essential Handbook for Novice Beast Keepers*

*Post-Natal Care for Pet Beasts*

*Guide to Appraising Beast-Eared Girls of Different Races*

Shi Yu thought: "???"

The first two book titles seemed normal enough, but what was up with the last one?

He cleared his throat.

Shi Yu's gaze sharpened, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, a sharp pain suddenly struck his brain, and a flood of memories surged forth.

Icefield City.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Intern Pet Beast Breeder.

Beast Master?