Chapter 078: Opening the Starry Sky Sect

  An ancient and desolate aura surged forth, accompanied by a wave of energy that forced everyone back a few steps.

  The massive light gate slowly opened, and as the energy fluctuations intensified, a green figure emerged.

  Compared to before, Yun'er's aura had undergone a significant transformation. Her once pure and clear eyes now radiated a sacred glow, making her seem like an immortal from a painting—someone to be admired from afar but never touched. The energy flowing within her had also changed dramatically, as if a powerful force had been sealed within her, waiting to be unleashed. Despite this, her overall strength had improved immensely.

  "This little girl... How did she change so much after going in there?" Yang Tian was momentarily stunned by Yun'er's jade-like complexion and ethereal presence. Such beauty and grace were rare.

  "Brother Yang, what are you looking at?" Yun'er walked over, noticing Yang Tian's dazed expression. Her fair cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke in a soft, teasing tone.

  "Uh... Oh, nothing!" Yang Tian snapped out of his trance, his face flushing with embarrassment. He scratched his nose awkwardly.

  "My goodness, where did Yang Tian find such a beauty in just a few days?" Qing Yuan thought to himself, a sly grin forming in his mind as he glanced at the two.

  "Yun'er, did you receive the inheritance?" Xing Hao walked over, his eyes filled with hope. Given the aura Yun'er was radiating, it seemed she had succeeded.

  "I did, but..." Yun'er twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her expression turning serious. "I only received half of it."

  "Half? What do you mean?" The group frowned, their curiosity piqued.

  "My master told me that I need to fully comprehend the array formations before I can receive the other half of the inheritance," Yun'er explained with a sigh. "We can't access the treasures in the inner hall until I complete the second part of the inheritance."

  "Oh... That's fine. As long as we get the inheritance, the treasures won't run away," Xing Hao said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The Array Sect's inheritance was too enticing, and it might even give rise to a new array genius in the Thundercloud Sect.

  Meanwhile, Qing Yuan stroked his chin, muttering to himself, "If the Array Sect's inheritance falls into the hands of the Thundercloud Sect, the Eastern Continent won't remain peaceful for long."

  The Array Sect had been a superpower in ancient times, and its treasure vault was a coveted prize. If word got out, countless powerful figures would come knocking.

  Just as they were about to continue their conversation, the stone hall began to tremble, and the inheritance gate glowed with radiant light.

  "What's happening?" Yang Tian and the others were startled. The entire hall was shaking as if the heavens and earth were collapsing.

  "The array is closing. Everyone inside will be teleported out," Yun'er explained, raising her hand with a calm smile.

  In a flash of light, their surroundings blurred, and they found themselves in an unfamiliar, desolate landscape.

  "What kind of place is this?" Qing Yuan muttered, pulling out a map to get his bearings.

  As they looked around, Yang Tian suddenly spoke up. "Yun'er, Xing Hao, Shan Qu, Qing Yuan, I have something I need to take care of. I might have to leave now."

  "Brother Yang, you're leaving? Where are you going?" Yun'er was taken aback, her nose twitching slightly as she hurried over to ask.

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  "Yeah, why leave so soon? The Artifact Sect's treasure vault is set to open in about seven days," Qing Yuan added, patting Yang Tian on the shoulder.

  "The Artifact Sect?" Yang Tian couldn't help but gasp. The Artifact Sect was on par with the Array Sect in reputation, and its disciples were all master craftsmen. In ancient times, it had been the wealthiest sect in the Eastern Continent.

  "The Artifact Sect's vault opens once every hundred years. This replica of the Thunder God Hammer I have came from there. Many people are heading there for the treasures," Qing Yuan explained, nodding. The vault likely still contained numerous Dao artifacts.

  "I promised someone I'd help them with something. I'll try to make it back before the vault opens," Yang Tian said after a moment of thought. This matter was related to Yang Ba's disappearance, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

  "Alright, be careful on your journey. The Artifact Sect's vault has Dao artifacts, so try to make it back," Qing Yuan said with a resigned smile.

  "See you in ten days. Take care," Yang Tian waved and then vanished from sight.

  "Brother Yang, be careful," Yun'er whispered, her face filled with concern as she watched him leave. Yang Tian had made many enemies, and there were undoubtedly those who wanted him dead.

  After finding a place to recover his depleted energy, Yang Tian set off without delay toward the agreed-upon location. He couldn't help but wonder why Meng Yunxi had chosen him, an unknown figure, for this task.

  Finding someone on this vast continent, especially someone targeted by a superpower, was no easy feat. This mission was far from simple.

  After two days of travel, Yang Tian arrived at the designated spot—a hidden cave. He ventured inside, passing through a nearly ten-thousand-zhang-long underground passage before reaching a spacious cavern.

  "Why him?" Yang Tian was stunned when he saw the figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the cave. It was the black-clad youth he had been wary of earlier.

  The youth opened his eyes, a friendly smile on his face as he looked at Yang Tian. "Yang Tian, surprised?"

  "Very surprised. I didn't expect it to be you," Yang Tian nodded, walking forward while scanning the surroundings.

  "You can call me Meng Haojie," the youth said, standing up and clapping his hands. He then walked to the front of the cave, his gaze fixed on a stone seat.

  "Meng Hao... He must be related to Meng Yunxi," Yang Tian thought to himself.

  "I don't know why Meng Yunxi chose you, but once we're inside, I need you to follow my lead. What's inside is crucial to our family, and we can't afford any mistakes," Meng Hao said, his expression serious as he glanced at Yang Tian.

  "Don't worry. If it's within my capabilities, I won't hold back," Yang Tian nodded, walking over to Meng Hao while silently speculating about the mission.

  Meng Hao nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, he pulled out a piece of translucent green gauze that emitted a crystalline glow. A chilling cold spread from it, causing the surrounding rocks to frost over.

  "Ten-thousand-year Ice Silk?" Yang Tian's eyes widened as he recognized the material. The gauze was entirely woven from this rare and precious silk, a testament to the wealth of the Senluo Auction House.

  "This is a treasure that can mask energy fluctuations. The process of opening the chamber will create a significant disturbance," Meng Hao explained, noticing Yang Tian's reaction. He tossed the gauze into the air, channeling his energy into it. The gauze shimmered with a radiant glow.

  As time passed, Meng Hao's energy reserves dwindled, but the gauze's light grew brighter, illuminating the dark cave.

  "Activate!" Meng Hao shouted, and the gauze expanded hundreds of times, enveloping the entire cave. In an instant, it disappeared, blending seamlessly into the surroundings.

  "Truly a rare treasure. It completely masks the energy fluctuations," Yang Tian marveled, unable to detect even a trace of the gauze's presence.

  After observing for a moment, Meng Hao nodded in satisfaction. He then took out two green orbs, each the size of a fist, glowing with a tidal wave of energy.

  *Click.* On either side of the stone seat were two fist-sized indentations. Meng Hao placed the orbs into them. After a moment of silence, the seat began to tremble, and the orbs' glow intensified.

  *Boom!* A deafening sound echoed as the seat slowly shifted, and a beam of light shot into the air above it.

  A starry sky map appeared before Yang Tian's eyes, the stars twinkling as the light grew brighter. An ancient aura surged upward but was completely contained by the gauze.

  *Creak.* Within the starry sky map, a starlight gate slowly materialized. Meng Hao tossed a strange, intricately shaped object into the gate, and the ancient door began to open.

  "Such methods... Impressive," Yang Tian couldn't help but admire the process. Even if someone knew about this treasure vault, they wouldn't be able to open it without the specific items Meng Hao had used.

  "Is this the territory of the Starry Sky Sect?" Yang Tian's mind raced through the ancient sects. Only the Starry Sky Sect had specialized in stellar energy, with their signature technique being the Starry Sky Tyrant Body. The Star Pills were also a creation of the Starry Sky Sect, but the sect had been extinct since ancient times.

  "This is indeed a Starry Sky Sect site, but it's just a branch. The treasures here were looted long ago," Meng Hao said, as if reading Yang Tian's thoughts.

  "Let's go in. I hope that item is still there," Meng Hao sighed, stepping through the gate.