Yu glared at him, extending a finger with difficulty.

Li Muzhan lightly brushed his finger aside and smiled faintly, "Lord Hall Master, have a good journey. I shall not see you off!"

With those words, he vanished in a flash. Boom! where Yu He had stood, an explosion erupted, churning the pool into violent, surging waves. Li Muzhan had retreated a fraction too late to escape that strike entirely.

He shook his head. Figures as paramount as Yu He invariably possessed trump cards, techniques for mutual destruction whose power was unimaginably vast.

Had it not been for his mastery of the Tianji Jue granting him awareness, allowing him to unleash his ultimate move before Yu He could, and to flee before the self-destruction technique could be employed, he would surely have faced mortal peril.

Engaging in a life-or-death contest with a master like Yu He allowed no room for luck. He shook his head, gazing at the deep pool. Moments later, the massive waves subsided, and the water settled back into stillness.

Yu He floated on the surface, utterly motionless. Li Muzhan pressed his thumb downward, and with a thump, Yu He’s body was flung onto the edge of the pool.

Li Muzhan walked over and looked down. Yu He’s breath was faint, his body unresponsive.

Li Muzhan paused, raised his palm, then lowered it again. He did not deliver the final strike to end his life. His true inclination was to leave no future trouble, to kill him outright, but an instinct continually urged him not to deliver the killing blow.

Since achieving mastery of the Tianji Jue, his intuition had grown sharper and more precise. He trusted it implicitly, and though the urge to execute Yu He was strong, he forcibly restrained himself.

He let out a long sigh and looked around. A sense of unreality washed over him. The vast, seemingly unshakeable Purple Star Hall, brought down by his hand in a single surge, even felling its very Master.

He had never envisioned such a scene. The might of the Zixing Tianjing was indeed astonishing, and when combined with the Tianji Jue, they complemented each other perfectly, designed specifically to counter the Purple Star Hall.

No wonder they had been desperate to kill him; they must have long known that the fusion of the Tianji Jue and the Zixing Tianjing could overcome them.

He drifted down toward the deep pool, sinking. Soon, he spotted a cave entrance. He slipped inside, swimming upward at a slight incline for about a hundred meters. Suddenly, the space before him lit up. He hurried toward the brightness, broke the surface, and found himself in a valley.

He was at the edge of a small pond at the valley’s head. The valley was utterly silent, undisturbed. A dozen or so houses dotted the area, with a circular palace at the center standing out prominently.

He took one step toward the palace only to realize its immense scale, which made him feel utterly insignificant.

Two colossal bronze gates stood before him, etched with constellations, as if the entire night sky had been captured within their leaves.

He gazed at the massive doors and quickly located the Big Dipper and the Ziwei Star. The Ziwei Star was especially conspicuous, visible at a glance, with the surrounding stars seeming to orbit it across the heavens.

A sudden warning flared within him. He turned, and saw two elders standing behind him, watching him quietly.

Li Muzhan was startled. He had not detected the presence of the two black-robed elders before. They had appeared suddenly, like ghosts, without any discernible aura. Even standing right before him, he could not sense their presence, as if they were mere illusions, lacking any human essence.

Li Muzhan frowned. He slowly cupped his fists. "May I ask the two seniors, where is this place...?"

"The Purple Star Hall," stated the slender, sharp-featured elder slowly, his gaze as clear as water, fixed lightly upon him. "Who are you?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I am Li Wuji."

"Where did you obtain the Zixing Tianjing?" the elder asked in a deep voice.

The other elder interjected sternly, "Second Brother!"

The slender elder chuckled. "Curiosity, you see! ...Very well, we won't ask that, nor will we ask what you did to that boy Yu He. Since you have mastered the Zixing Tianjing, you are qualified to enter the Purple Star Hall!"

Li Muzhan paused, then smiled softly. "Thank you, Seniors!"

The slender elder waved a hand. "We are the guardians of the Purple Star Hall. We concern ourselves with nothing else. Hurry up and go in!"

Li Muzhan cupped his fists in acknowledgment and stepped forward. The two elders advanced three paces, placed their hands upon the bronze gates, each pressing a specific star.

"Rumble..." The massive bronze doors slowly creaked open.

The slender elder noted, "This Purple Star Hall has not been opened in over three hundred years. You are the first. Enter."

Li Muzhan asked, "Did Hall Master Yu not enter?"

"Hmph, he never fully mastered the Zixing Tianjing; he couldn't get in!" The slender elder sneered dismissively. "And yet you, a mere whelp, got ahead of him. What a waste of life!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "It was merely luck on my part."

"You must also have cultivated the Tianji Jue, haven't you?" the slender elder inquired.

"Second Brother!" the other elder grunted sharply.

The slender elder smiled conspiratorially. "Brother, asking a few more questions won't hurt! ...Right, Little Brother Li?"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "I have indeed cultivated the Tianji Jue."

"Then you truly are a disciple of the Bright Mirror Sect?" the slender elder asked.

Li Muzhan nodded.

The slender elder shook his head. "Originally one family, yet you split houses and ended up in this state. I never expected you to be so fortunate, managing to possess both lineages when these two houses are fighting tooth and nail, killing each other off. To possess both great scriptures is rare! Truly rare!"

"Second Brother, you speak too much!" the other elder stated solemnly. "What does it matter?"

"When one is bored, speaking a bit more is harmless," the slender elder said with a grin. "Little Brother Li, you don't know yet, do you? Your Bright Mirror Sect and the Purple Star Hall were originally one entity."

Li Muzhan frowned slightly and shook his head; he genuinely did not know. He had always assumed a subordinate relationship, but they were actually one family.

The slender elder sighed. "The Purple Star Hall originated from outsiders who eventually took root in this world. The two brothers of the second generation fell out over a woman, fighting until death. It’s laughable. If the First Hall Master knew this, he would surely be furious enough to descend from the Immortal Realm!"

"The First Hall Master ascended to immortality?" Li Muzhan laughed, shaking his head.

The slender elder snorted. "You don't believe it, boy?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "How can one ascend to immortality?"

The slender elder pouted and huffed. "You are ignorant, a frog in a well! ...Never mind. Since you can enter the Purple Star Hall, you will soon broaden your horizons and see how ridiculous you sound!"

"Then I shall go in and take a look," Li Muzhan said cheerfully.

He stepped into the great hall. His surroundings instantly dissolved. Before him stretched a vast, boundless starry sky, and beneath his feet was empty void; he floated in the air.

Under the dark-blue firmament, countless stars glittered, slowly rotating. After watching for a while, he felt dizzy. Li Muzhan activated his Void Eye to observe; this was genuinely the expanse of space, not an illusionary array.

He glanced to the side and saw a tiny black dot in the distance. With a mere thought, he instantly arrived before it. He took a step forward, his vision blurred, and he found himself back inside the Purple Star Hall.

He circulated the energies of the Zixing Tianjing and the Tianji Jue. Two constellations flickered within the starry expanse, linked to his consciousness. Then, he saw several more black dots.

With a flicker of understanding, he realized what these dots represented: worlds!

He focused his mind inward, observing the immeasurable Bright Light Mountain revolving in his consciousness. His focus swiftly locked onto one specific black dot.

Li Muzhan suddenly understood. This was the gateway portal to the world he once inhabited. A single step forward would return him to his previous existence.

An overwhelming impulse seized him, an unsuppressible yearning buried deep in his heart, erupting like crude oil.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply for a long time before finally calming the urge. He desired to return, yet he also desired the ability to come back. Having found the path home, there was no need to rush.

He flashed back outside the great hall. The two elders stood silently, like statues carved from stone. Seeing him emerge, they both smiled.

Li Muzhan cupped his fists. "Thank you, Seniors!... May I ask what exactly the Purple Star Hall is?"

"The Gateway of Heavenly Secrets," the slender elder stated solemnly, his previous flippancy gone, replaced by gravitas. "Profound beyond measure, held only by those who have mastered both the Zixing Tianjing and the Tianji Jue."

"Hall Master Yu did not know?" Li Muzhan's eyebrows lifted.

"He failed to perfect the Zixing Tianjing; he holds no authority within the Purple Star Hall," the slender elder scoffed.

The other elder stated sternly, "You will draw the stellar energies of the Zixing Tianjing and the Tianji Jue separately into the two gates, and this Purple Star Hall will fall under your command."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. "Are there Purple Star Halls in the other worlds as well?"

"Of course," the slender elder confirmed. "Otherwise, if we went and couldn't return, wouldn't that be a huge joke? ...However, Little Brother Li, you grasping the concept of other worlds so quickly is truly unusual. No wonder you could master both the Zixing Tianjing and the Tianji Jue!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Once mastered, the feeling comes naturally. In other worlds, can I also command the Purple Star Hall at will?"

"Precisely!" the slender elder nodded. "You naturally become the Hall Master of the Purple Star Hall, and all its disciples must obey your directives!"

Li Muzhan's eyebrows shot up. "This Purple Star Hall too?"

He placed both hands on the great gates. Immediately, the gates boomed, shuddered once, and Li Muzhan felt a connection as if his own flesh and blood were linked to the structure, as if the doors were his own hands.

The two elders were astonished and exchanged a look. The second elder gasped, "You've even mastered the Tianji Jue!"

"Little Brother Li, you now instantly replace Yu He as the Hall Master of this generation!" the slender elder said, beaming. "Wait here for a moment!"

Saying this, he floated away, moving around the back of the Purple Star Hall to a certain location.

Li Muzhan looked at the other elder, whose stern face now held a slight smile. "The token of authority for the Purple Star Hall Master."

Li Muzhan inquired, "Did Hall Master Yu hold this previously?"

The elder replied, "Yu He never achieved perfection in the Zixing Tianjing; he was merely the Outer Hall Master of the Purple Star Hall. When facing the true Hall Master, he must submit!"

Li Muzhan nodded slowly and smiled. "That is a relief."

"You didn't kill Yu He?" the elder asked.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Only injured him."

"Hmm..." The elder pondered, shaking his head. "I don't know if your temperament is a blessing or a curse. Compassion is sometimes good, sometimes bad; it purely depends on your luck."

Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly. He couldn't be associated with being soft-hearted. While occasional kindness might yield benefits, more often than not, it resulted in harm. Therefore, when a matter demanded finality, one must cut off all future repercussions.

"Come, come!" The slender elder reappeared, holding a bronze plaque about the size of his palm, intricately carved with a map of the cosmos.

Li Muzhan reached out and took it. It felt cold and heavy, yet reassuring, as if gripping this plaque meant he need fear nothing.

"This is the Master Command Token of the Purple Star Hall," the slender elder explained with a smile. "With this, all the Purple Star Hall disciples must heed you!"

Li Muzhan asked, "What about the other Purple Star Halls?"

"You can command those too!" the slender elder declared. "In any given era, there is only one Hall Master. Since you have achieved mastery, no one else can!"

"How many worlds are there?" Li Muzhan inquired.

The slender elder replied with a smile, "Ten worlds."

"Is this world the strongest?" Li Muzhan asked.

The slender elder nodded. "It is!"

Li Muzhan examined the bronze token, "This token must have hidden uses, correct?"

"Only the Hall Master knows its mysteries; we do not," both elders confessed, staring at him curiously.

Li Muzhan laughed softly. The stellar energy of the Zixing Tianjing descended from the sky, bathing the bronze token in a gentle radiance. It then shot out a beam of light straight toward the horizon, and a return beam suddenly shone from the sky onto the great hall.

Li Muzhan's eyebrows twitched, and he suddenly understood. The token's hidden function was positioning; with it, one could locate the Purple Star Hall instantly.

"Hall Master, there is one more thing," the slender elder stated. "The Purple Star Hall moves. It shifts once every year."

Li Muzhan looked at him.

The slender elder shook his head. "We don't know how or why, but after one year, the Purple Star Hall will suddenly relocate to another hidden spot, one impossible for outsiders to find."

Li Muzhan contemplated this, then slowly nodded. He deduced the principle: it utilized stellar energy, shifting with the constellations. This Purple Star Hall must be intrinsically linked to the Ziwei Star, moving with it.

He could not fathom how the First Hall Master had achieved this feat, nor how the Purple Star Hall was constructed—it was truly unfathomable.

"Very well, Hall Master. Everything regarding the Purple Star Hall now belongs to you, and we await your commands," the slender elder said, smiling pleasantly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I thank the two Seniors. May I still know your distinguished names?"

They reported their names: Hou Zong and Hou Shi. Both possessed lifespans of three hundred years, having resided within the hall perpetually, cultivating unique internal arts.

Li Muzhan felt a pang of pity. Having lived enclosed in the hall, how lonely the two elders must be!

Sensing his thoughts, the slender elder, Hou Shi, smiled reassuringly. "Hall Master need not pity us. Serving as guardians of the Purple Star Hall is an esteemed honor. Were it not for this Hall, we would long ago have turned to dust!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "Do the Seniors have descendants?"

"We have many descendants, regrettable, but none worth mentioning!" Hou Shi sighed, shaking his head. "The rule for us guardians is non-interference; we can only watch from the sidelines."

"Second Brother, descendants have their own fortunes; why concern yourself so much!" the other elder, Hou Zong, grumbled.

"That is true!" Hou Shi sighed helplessly. "Those brats are too disappointing; they drive this old man to distraction!"

"Then stop worrying. Will interfering make them better?" Hou Zong retorted coolly.

Hou Shi sighed in resignation. "Enough, enough. Elder Brother, you are always right!"

Li Muzhan watched them bicker with a slight smile. "Which of your descendants are yours, Seniors?"

"Hall Master, please do not trouble yourself with such minor matters!" Hou Zong quickly waved his hand. "Besides, I don't expect them to achieve greatness; as long as they are safe and sound, that is enough!"

Li Muzhan did not press the issue, nodding with a smile. "If the Seniors require anything, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Hall Master is too polite. It is you who should command us; we will have no objections!" Hou Zong shook his head.

Hou Shi smiled. "Hall Master is still a disciple of the Bright Mirror Sect, correct?"

Li Muzhan nodded.

Hou Shi continued, "Now that the Hall Master commands the Purple Star Hall, you stand peerless in this world."

Li Muzhan smiled. "It is best if the existence of the Purple Star Hall remains unknown."

"Understood..." The two elders exchanged a look and ceased trying to persuade him further.

"Everything shall remain as it is," Li Muzhan decreed.

"Yes, we await the Hall Master's commands," they replied solemnly.

Li Muzhan nodded, bade them farewell, and floated back to the edge of the deep pool, standing before Yu He.

Yu He still lay with his eyes closed, unmoving. Li Muzhan pointed his fingers and flicked them in the air. Yu He trembled and opened his eyes.

"Li Wuji!" he struggled to sit up.

Li Muzhan gently supported him. Yu He knew better than to fight, merely glaring at him. "Have you truly mastered the Zixing Tianjing and the Tianji Jue?"

Li Muzhan smiled, pulling the bronze token from his robes.

Yu He immediately knelt without hesitation, intoning deeply, "Greetings, Hall Master!"

Li Muzhan tucked the token away and smiled faintly. "Hall Master Yu, everything remains as it was. Continue with your duties."

"...Yes," Yu He instantly grasped his intention. "What are the Hall Master's instructions?"

"Look after the Tianyuan Pavilion," Li Muzhan directed. "Beyond that, things proceed as usual."

"Good," Yu He agreed readily.

Li Muzhan smiled at him. "Hall Master Yu, we shall meet again!"

With that, he vanished in a flash before Yu He.

The remaining invitation tokens were quickly distributed. His stellar power allowed him to execute instantaneous movement with greater ease; in just a few movements, he finished delivering them all and returned to the Tianyuan Pavilion.

In his small courtyard, he examined the token, marveling at its inscrutable mystery.

First, he channeled the stellar energy of the Zixing Tianjing into it. Only a single beam of light descended from the sky, landing on the token, which then emitted a ray toward the horizon, subtly connecting to a specific location.

He could sense that spot was precisely the Purple Star Hall.

Next, he injected the stellar energy of the Tianji Jue. The token transformed, becoming crystal clear, like a flawless ice mirror. Something vaguely discernible lay within.

He looked closely but could not discern exactly what it was.

A sudden idea struck him. He placed the token against his brow. After a moment, he lowered it, and within the token, there suddenly appeared a mountain peak, followed by a palace.

Li Muzhan smiled; it was just as he suspected.

This token possessed endless uses, capable of maximizing the function of the Tianji Jue. With another thought, the image of Bai Mingqiu reappeared.

Though the token was small, the projection was vividly clear, every detail perfect—even clearer than seeing her normally. He shook his head and laughed.

Frowning in thought, he placed the token against his brow again, then examined it a moment later. It showed only a blurry shadow. He quickly circulated the Tianji Jue, and the stellar energy from the sky poured down ceaselessly. The initially vague image slowly sharpened.

Faces he thought of day and night materialized within the token: Mei Ruolan, Leng Wushuang... They were seen practicing, sparring, or conversing with others, all perfectly rendered.

A moment later, the image vanished. Li Muzhan let out a long breath, a faint smile touching his lips. His desire to return home grew even more urgent.

No matter how impatient he was, he had to wait until Bai Mingqiu officially took over as Pavilion Master. He couldn't leave without ensuring everything was arranged, and Jiang Ruyue needed securing too.

He didn't know when he might return after this trip. What if, like before, returning proved difficult, leading only to sorrow?

—

The boisterous succession ceremony concluded. Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu stood quietly before the Abyss of Heaven. A biting gale whipped at their robes, and a full moon hung in the sky, bathing them in silver light.

"Senior Sister, congratulations," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Bai Mingqiu responded coolly, "Save the congratulations! ...Junior Brother, you are leaving?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Did Senior Sister guess?"

"Must you really go?" Bai Mingqiu frowned.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I will return."

Bai Mingqiu asked, "Where are you going? ...The Bright Mirror Sect?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I am going far away, to find my own home."

"When will you return?" Bai Mingqiu pressed.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then smiled. "As little as one or two months, or perhaps half a year to a year, depending on fate. Senior Sister, do not worry about me."

Bai Mingqiu inquired, "The Purple Star Hall now obeys you?"

Li Muzhan laughed. "Senior Sister noticed? ...Indeed, the Purple Star Hall now answers to me. If you encounter any difficulties, tell them directly!"

"What is your relationship with the Purple Star Hall?" Bai Mingqiu asked, confused.

The succession ceremony had been lively, packed with people bustling about, yet she had unconsciously paid attention to Li Muzhan's every move. She had noticed the unusual behavior of the two men from the Purple Star Hall. They had concealed it well, but she still perceived their deference toward Li Muzhan.

Their presence at the ceremony had already surprised her; she was even more astonished that they treated her with such respect. If not for their continued arrogance toward other sects, she would have doubted if they truly were from the Purple Star Hall.

However, the Purple Star Hall possessed formidable power, and no one would dare impersonate them.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am now the Hall Master of the Purple Star Hall."

"Huh—?" Bai Mingqiu's delicate brows knitted together.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "It's simple to explain: because I mastered both the Tianji Jue and the Zixing Tianjing, I became the Hall Master of the Purple Star Hall."

Bai Mingqiu frowned, thought for a moment, and accepted the statement.

Such occurrences were not unheard of; some sects genuinely had such rules: whoever mastered the sect's supreme technique could become its leader, even if they were an outsider.

This situation was rare but not impossible, more likely in a sect like the Purple Star Hall.

She fell silent, having many things to say but uncertain how to phrase them.

Li Muzhan smiled gently. "Senior Sister, do your duties well. I believe our Tianyuan Pavilion will shine brilliantly under your leadership, ascending to become a top-tier sect."

"I hope so," Bai Mingqiu nodded faintly, which surprised Li Muzhan slightly, as her stated goal had always been the revitalization of the Tianyuan Pavilion, yet she now seemed indifferent.

Bai Mingqiu mused, "Does Junior Brother have any suggestions?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Senior Sister is the Sect Master; you surely have your own plans. I shouldn't speak nonsense. ...I leave tomorrow; Senior Sister, take care."

He took out two more jade talismans from his robes: "One is a communication talisman, the other contains the Immeasurable Brightness Heart Sutra. If you face danger, crush the communication talisman, and I will arrive immediately!"

"Didn't you give me one already?" Bai Mingqiu took the jade talisman.

Li Muzhan replied, "This one has a farther reach."

This time, he used Star Power, capable of traversing the starry void, potentially reaching another world. Fearing any mistake, he condensed the Immeasurable Brightness Heart Sutra onto the jade talisman so she could master it instantly upon crushing it.

The Immeasurable Brightness Heart Sutra could directly connect to the mind; should any real danger arise, he would feel it instantly.

Bai Mingqiu silently accepted the talismans and placed them inside her robes; neither spoke.

Li Muzhan sighed, gently drawing her into his embrace. She struggled faintly for a moment before growing still. With her soft warmth pressed against him, Li Muzhan wished this moment could last forever.

They held each other in silence, and time flowed by unnoticed until they were roused by the first light of dawn.

Li Muzhan had already bid farewell to Jiang Ruyue during the grand ceremony; his heart was now free of all other ties.

He then bid farewell to Bai Mingqiu, drifted into the Heavenly Abyss, and with a single flash, entered the Purple Star Palace, stepping instantly into a black void.

His vision swam, stars shifted violently, and a brief wave of dizziness washed over him before he quickly regained his senses. He was still in a palace, identical to the previous Purple Star Palace.

He knew he had returned. The thin spiritual energy of this place was both alien and profoundly familiar.

He floated out of the palace. Two elders stared at him in astonishment. Upon seeing his token, they immediately knelt down, respectfully greeting him as the Hall Master.

Li Muzhan nodded, turned back into the palace, stepped once more into the void, and then with a flash, returned to his original world.

A smile touched his lips. He could truly travel freely between different worlds!

(The End of the Book, Thank You) No Pop-up Novel Network