The morning sun ascended beyond the distant peaks, painting golden hues across the floating islands of the Sacred Realm. The celestial palace, still partially shattered from Lin Sheng's earlier release of spiritual force, hovered in eerie silence. He stood at its center, overlooking a valley filled with ancient carvings, vast energy pools, and forgotten relics of a bygone era.
He took a step forward, and a golden stairway unfurled beneath his feet, forming from light itself. The Eternal Sign-In System chimed softly again:
"Optional Sign-In Locations Available: Celestial Mirror Lake, Starflame Meditation Chamber, Heavenly Scripture Pavilion. Recommendation: Visit the Heavenly Scripture Pavilion. Probability of acquiring rare technique: 73%."
"Pavilion it is," Lin Sheng said, more out of curiosity than need. He had the feeling that this system, though powerful, wasn't completely random. It guided him with purpose.
As he descended the celestial stairway, his thoughts lingered on the brief vision he had during his meditation—flashes of a mighty clan wielding starlight as weapons, soaring across the sky on beasts of galaxies, and chanting divine verses that shaped entire dimensions. The Eternal Star Clan wasn't just powerful... they were rulers of reality itself.
But if that was true, where were they now? Why had they vanished?
He stepped onto the grounds of the Heavenly Scripture Pavilion, a towering structure built from celestial jade and cloudsteel. At its gate stood a slumbering lion-beast, its mane flickering with lightning.
Before Lin Sheng could approach, the beast stirred, opening a golden eye.
"Halt. Only those with lineage of the Eternal Star may enter."
Lin Sheng raised a brow. The seal on his soul pulsed faintly.
A divine glyph appeared above his head.
The lion-beast lowered its head. "Forgive my insolence, young master. The Pavilion welcomes you."
Inside, rows of glowing scrolls floated midair, each inscribed with techniques from countless generations. Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed as he approached the central altar.
"Sign-in activated. Location: Heavenly Scripture Pavilion. Reward granted: Forbidden Art — Starpiercer Divine Slash."
Lin Sheng's breath slowed. This wasn't an ordinary reward. He felt a connection to this art, as though it were calling to his bloodline.
He reached forward. The scroll vanished into him, integrating directly into his soul. Visions flooded his mind—a single sword slash cleaving through armies, piercing celestial barriers, cutting fate itself.
"Heaven and Earth bow to the Starpiercer," a voice chanted within.
Moments passed before Lin Sheng recovered. When he did, a presence filled the Pavilion—another being.
An old man appeared, wearing flowing robes embroidered with constellations. His eyes shone like twin stars.
"You've awakened the art only the true heir can access," he said, his voice echoing like thunder and whisper. "Lin Sheng... the Immortal World watches you now."
Lin Sheng nodded. "Then let them watch. I will not crawl my way through this world. I will walk above it."
(To be continued in Chapter Three...)