Chapter 2392: I Will Refine the Tianxuan Sword

Though the Gate of Star Abyss was closed, the space around it was noticeably unstable. Ripples frequently passed through, giving the impression that it could reopen at any moment. This situation was far more severe than during Lu Ye's previous visit. Back then, the Gate of Star Abyss had simply vanished before his eyes, leaving no trace behind.

Yun Shiwang sat cross-legged, his expression a mix of despondency and guilt. Noticing Lu Ye's arrival, Yun Shiwang turned his head.

“Senior,” Lu Ye greeted as he stepped closer.

Yun Shiwang nodded slightly, opened his mouth, but only a sigh escaped. Were it not for the distressing situation at hand, he would undoubtedly have questioned Lu Ye about the source of his formidable power. News from Old Tree indicated that Lu Ye, a cultivator in the Integration Realm, had single-handedly slain one in the Unity Realm!

This feat utterly defied his understanding. While powerful Integration Realm cultivators, even those with astonishing strength, were not unheard of in the Inner Realm, an Integration Realm cultivator remained just that. How could one possibly slay an Unity Realm cultivator when their wieldable powers were on completely different levels?

However, consumed by guilt, he had no mind for such inquiries. Though Yun Shiwang was disinclined to speak further, Lu Ye pressed for an explanation: “Senior, why did you open the Gate of Star Abyss?!”

Yun Shiwang's face paled, as if a dagger had pierced his heart. He slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes dim and his lips set in a bitter line. “Would you believe me,” he asked, “if I told you I don't even know why I did it?”

Lu Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, a realization dawning on him. “Yes,” he replied, “I do!”

A flicker of light entered his dim eyes, and Yun Shiwang's bitter smile intensified. “I genuinely don't know why I opened the Gate of Star Abyss! I always understood that once I left the Starry Sky, there would be no return. But on that day, upon sensing a familiar aura, I felt an irresistible urge. I yearned to return and see what had become of the Starry Sky I once protected, to see if my homeland was still thriving. The Gate of Star Abyss isn't something just anyone can open; it's because I was born in this Starry Sky, possess an unbreakable connection to it, and have sufficient power that I was able to activate it.”

After opening the Gate of Star Abyss, he had successfully returned to the Starry Sky, gone to the Great Flourishing Realm, where Lu Ye tracked him down, and then accompanied Lu Ye to meet Old Tree. From start to finish, he had sensed nothing amiss. It was only when a sudden jolt of alarm struck him that he fully grasped the enormity of the disaster he had unleashed!

Lu Ye understood. Yun Shiwang had been influenced by a vast will, compelling him to act in a way he normally wouldn't. Even now, he hadn't fully grasped the underlying reason. He might have sensed that his state during that period was abnormal, but he certainly couldn't pinpoint the exact cause.

This was a punishment! It was a punishment for the past actions of Lu Ye, the 'Son of Star Abyss'. An Unity Realm cultivator like Yun Shiwang, having lived in the Star Abyss for countless years, had long been permeated by its aura. If that vast will intended to influence him, it could do so utterly imperceptibly; Yun Shiwang would have no way of detecting it. Only after returning to the Starry Sky, freed from the enveloping Star Abyss aura, would Yun Shiwang gradually begin to perceive the anomaly. But by then, it was already too late.

“Senior, this isn't your fault,” Lu Ye comforted him. If his suspicions were correct, then the root cause of everything lay with him.

Yun Shiwang shook his head. “This disaster is my doing,” he stated, “and I will set things right, even if it costs me my life.” He had not yet sunk so low as to require solace from a junior.

Lu Ye shook his head and sat down before him. “Senior,” he began, “this matter is likely connected to me.”

“What connection could it have with you?” Yun Shiwang asked, perplexed.

“Senior, have you ever heard of the Son of Star Abyss?” Lu Ye inquired.

Yun Shiwang nodded. “Of course I have,” he replied. The Son of Star Abyss was renowned; having spent years in the Star Abyss, it would be impossible for him not to know. His expression suddenly shifted to astonishment. “Don't tell me… you are…”

“Yes, I am the Son of Star Abyss!”

Lu Ye calmly elaborated on his theory, and Yun Shiwang's expression shifted erratically as he listened. Only then did he truly comprehend the terrifying nature of the Star Abyss's will. He had always known it was omnipresent, but he had never conceived that he might one day become a mere pawn in its grasp!

“There is no Star Abyss aura here, which is why I can speak so freely, Senior,” Lu Ye cautioned. “Keep this knowledge to yourself, and never reveal any vulnerability when under the influence of the Star Abyss aura in the future.”

Yun Shiwang slowly collected himself. “Does that mean,” he mused, “that all creatures of the Star Abyss are under the control of that will?”

“Strictly speaking, yes,” Lu Ye confirmed, “but that will lacks its own sentience. I suspect it's more like a rule. I performed certain actions that triggered this rule, prompting a reactive response. It used you to open the Gate of Star Abyss from the Inner Realm as a punishment for my past deeds. Therefore, the problem lies with me, not with you.”

Yun Shiwang was speechless for a moment. It would be untrue to say he didn't feel some relief. He had been consumed by self-blame, convinced that he had brought this calamity upon the Starry Sky. But if the primary responsibility wasn't his, that self-reproach would undoubtedly lighten considerably. Yet, Lu Ye was, ultimately, a junior born many years after him. How could Yun Shiwang bear to let a younger generation bear such a burden?

“Regardless of whose fault it is, the situation is upon us, and we must face it. You possess the ability to slay Unity Realm cultivators. If we combine our strength, we might very well be able to secure the Starry Sky's safety!”

“I will advance and retreat with you, Senior!”

After a thorough discussion, most of Yun Shiwang's inner turmoil dissipated, and his previous despondency vanished. As they spoke, there was renewed activity at the Gate of Star Abyss. Moments later, an enemy indeed infiltrated, though this time it appeared to be merely an Integration Realm cultivator, whom Yun Shiwang effortlessly dispatched. The Gate of Star Abyss then slowly vanished once more.

Over the subsequent period, enemies periodically emerged from the Gate of Star Abyss. Lu Ye and Yun Shiwang waited in ambush, and together, they slew every intruder—one by one, or two by two. Yun Shiwang possessed immense strength. Even within the Starry Sky, the power he could unleash undoubtedly surpassed seven hundred Dao patterns, making him clearly superior to the current Lu Ye. However, this was merely in the Starry Sky environment. Within the Star Abyss, Yun Shiwang's power would be far beyond Lu Ye's reach, as he could not only command his own strength but also harness the ambient Dao power.

The Gate of Star Abyss grew progressively more unstable. Both Lu Ye and Yun Shiwang could foresee that the Gate of Star Abyss would eventually open completely. When it did, not only would the Star Abyss's aura invade, but the number of attracted enemies would also inevitably surge.

One day, after slaying another enemy, Yun Shiwang suddenly made a decision. “Lu Ye!” he called out.

“Yes, Senior,” Lu Ye replied.

“I need to depart for a period,” Yun Shiwang stated, his gaze fixed on Lu Ye with solemnity.

“Where do you intend to go, Senior?” Lu Ye inquired. For Yun Shiwang to leave at such a critical juncture, he clearly had something specific in mind.

“I intend to refine the Heavenly Jade Sword!” Yun Shiwang explained. “At present, the invaders are scattered and pose no significant threat. However, the complete opening of the Gate of Star Abyss is imminent. Once it fully opens, the auras of numerous supreme treasures within the Starry Sky will undoubtedly leak, attracting countless covetous individuals. The two of us alone cannot defend this breach. Only by refining a supreme treasure will we have a chance!”

He had mentioned this objective before, upon his return when he met Old Tree, stating his desire to refine the Heavenly Jade Sword. However, saying it now, his state of mind was entirely different from then.

Lu Ye remained silent. During their time together, Lu Ye had conversed extensively with Yun Shiwang while fighting enemies. Coupled with information previously obtained from Old Tree, Lu Ye understood that to resolve the present crisis once and for all, they would have to rely on the power of a supreme treasure. The Starry Sky's vulnerability stemmed primarily from a deficiency in its fundamental power. Only supreme treasures possessed the ability to replenish this missing essence.

Old Tree, being a supreme treasure, possessed this capability. However, during the last Star Abyss invasion, Old Tree had already expended its power. A repeat of that sacrifice would bring unpredictable consequences. The best-case scenario was Old Tree losing its sentience but retaining its supreme treasure status, while the worst was the complete destruction of the Samsara Tree. Neither Lu Ye nor Yun Shiwang would agree to such a perilous undertaking. At present, the entire Starry Sky relied on Old Tree to maintain order and stability; his presence was indispensable.

Lu Ye, for his part, had indeed refined Square Inch Mountain and become its master. However, despite spending a year there, he had been unable to fully control its power. He vaguely sensed that this was an issue with his cultivation realm; the Integration Realm was simply too low to command a supreme treasure. Perhaps reaching the Unity Realm would grant him this capability. However, for him to ascend to the Unity Realm now was utterly unrealistic.

This was precisely why Yun Shiwang had once again conceived the idea of refining the Heavenly Jade Sword! Only by refining the Heavenly Jade Sword could they permanently resolve the Starry Sky's crisis.

“Senior, have you thoroughly considered this?” Lu Ye asked, his expression grave. He knew that refining a supreme treasure carried significant risks. Yet, as Yun Shiwang had pointed out, the Gate of Star Abyss was bound to open, and merely blocking it with their combined strength would not provide a lasting solution. Furthermore, once the Gate of Star Abyss opened and the Star Abyss aura invaded, Lu Ye would be severely restricted. Within the pervasive Star Abyss aura, invading Unity Realm cultivators would be able to exert even greater power.

“There is no other way!”

Lu Ye fell silent for a moment. “Then I wish you success, Senior!” he finally said. “I will hold this position for now and do everything in my power!”

Yun Shiwang instructed him: “If you find yourself outmatched, do not push yourself. Those who come from the Inner Realm are primarily seeking the supreme treasures, so there's no need for a desperate stand. Once I succeed, all incoming enemies can be dealt with easily.”

Lu Ye nodded. “I understand,” he said.

Yun Shiwang departed without delay, quickly vanishing from Lu Ye's sight.

“Yun Sheng, the Heavenly Jade Sword… is not suitable for repairing the Gate of Star Abyss!” Old Tree's voice suddenly echoed in Yun Shiwang's ear. As a supreme treasure itself, Old Tree naturally understood the nature of other such artifacts. Across the entire Starry Sky, among its dozen or so supreme treasures, the Heavenly Jade Sword was the least suited for repairing the Gate of Star Abyss. This was because it was a sword-type treasure, primarily designed for slaughter.