Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Chapter 226: Gazing at the Stars at Midnight

“Sect Leader Ye truly cannot bear the mention of Demonic Cultivators.”

By the time Han Yu returned to the Sect, Ye Guxing had already led his delegation back to the Spirit Sword Sect.

Upon seeing Han Yu, Elder Lü debriefed him on the outcome of the summit, touching upon Ye Guxing’s fierce stance.

Ye Guxing dismissed the Myriad Phenomena Sect’s talk of a “Demon Star” as baseless nonsense. His focus was entirely on the tangible threat: the encroaching heavyweights of the Central Heaven Domain—the Demonic Sect and the Joyous Union Sect.

With the Mystic One Sect proving unreliable and the Little Sky Net Sect acting as a willing lapdog for the invaders, the only true alliance lay between the Spirit Sword Sect and Wanchun Valley.

Because Wanchun Valley possessed far more intelligence than his own sect, Ye Guxing’s visit had been a genuine gesture of respect.

“Sect Leader Ye also declared that within ten years, he will devote himself entirely to breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm. If he succeeds, our two sects might be able to replicate the feat of the Giant Demon Star and hold our own against the great sects of the Central Heaven Domain,” Elder Lü said with a smile. “While he has his own preparations, Wanchun Valley has pledged to refine a powerful Magical Artifact to help him withstand the Heavenly Tribulation.”

Han Yu was surprised. “Master, can Sect Leader Ye really break through? Does he possess a cultivation method for the Nascent Soul realm?”

Elder Lü shook his head. “No. No one in the entire Southern Region does. Obtaining such a technique from the Central Heaven Domain would be harder than ascending to heaven.”

“But Sect Leader Ye believes that breaking through is the hardest part. Once that barrier is crossed, the path forward is simply a matter of exploration. Even if his foundation is crude initially, as long as he survives, he can build upon it. He won’t necessarily be inferior to others.”

Elder Lü sighed wistfully. “Sometimes I truly envy sword cultivators. When they decide to do something, they simply cut straight towards it. Less twisting and turning. It might not be a bad thing.”

Han Yu mused that if Ye Guxing truly reached the Nascent Soul stage, his uncompromising nature would make coexistence with the Demonic Cultivators impossible. That would indeed add a layer of security for Wanchun Valley.

“There is one other matter,” Elder Lü said, his expression turning solemn. “Tonight, you must observe the celestial phenomena. The Sect Leader and all the Elders will be present.”

Han Yu blinked, confused.

“The situation doesn’t add up. We need to speculate together on the true identity of this ‘Demon Star,’” Elder Lü explained. “According to Sect Leader Ye, when he was hunting down the Saint Blood Perfected One in the East Sea Kingdom a month ago, a Demonic Cultivator from the Central Heaven Domain attempted to corrupt an innocent girl to ambush him.”

“He brought that girl with him to the Valley. We’ve all seen her.”

“The scenario reminded us of Ji Qingling. This leads us to suspect that the Demonic Cultivator Ye encountered might be the very same Golden Core expert who left our valley months ago—the one traveling with Lu Yun and the woman from the Joyous Union Sect.”

“If that is true, then Lu Yun was in the East Sea Kingdom at that time. And that corresponds perfectly to the bright star in the southern sky, hovering near the central region…”

Han Yu frowned. “Master, didn’t Sect Leader Ye hunt those Demonic Cultivators down?”

“Of course he did,” Elder Lü replied. “He believes they fled back to the Central Heaven Domain—Disciple, what do the stars tell you?”

“Has that bright southern star moved into the center? Are there now four stars in the central region?”

Han Yu shook his head. “No. I saw it with my own eyes last night. The southern star is still in the south, hovering near the boundary.”

Elder Lü was stunned. “That is strange!”

“Are those Demonic Cultivators so bold that they stayed in the East Sea Kingdom even after being hunted by Ye Guxing? Are they still in the Southern Domain with Lu Yun?”

“It’s inexplicable. What is going on with these omens? No wonder the Myriad Phenomena Sect and Little Sky Net Sect are acting so erratically. If I spent all day staring at chaotic stars that refused to match reality, I’d go mad too.”

Han Yu nodded. “Indeed, there are discrepancies.”

“Master, you told me not to take the omens as absolute truth. It seems you were right.”

Elder Lü nodded firmly. “In any case, we will observe the stars again tonight and discuss. We need clarity.”

That night, Sect Leader Qi and the Elders gathered behind the main hall, standing before Han Yu’s residence.

Han Yu didn’t waste time. Once darkness fell, he activated the Star Luo Traction Technique, projecting the positions of the seven bright stars for the assembly to see.

“The bright star in the north recently moved from the central region back to the north.”

“Meanwhile, the original northern star has entered the center and is currently close to one of the central stars.”

“Of the three stars in the center, one remains stationary, one arrived from the north, and one is wandering erratically within the region.”

“The eastern and western stars remain largely unchanged.”

“And the bright southern star… is still in the south, near the central boundary.”

Finishing his report, Han Yu placed seven Spirit Stones on a table to map out the approximate positions for the elders.

“If the ‘Demon Star’ truly corresponds to the omen, does that mean Lu Yun is still in the East Sea Kingdom? Could he be the Demon Star?” Elder Wen asked, her voice heavy.

The group fell into a contemplative silence.

Elder Yan eventually spoke. “This defies logic. After being hunted by Sect Leader Ye, there is no reason for the Demonic Cultivators to stay. They should have fled to the Central Heaven Domain.”

“Unless our interpretation of the stars is wrong… or the Demonic Sect, Joyous Union Sect, and Saint Blood are bolder than we imagined. Perhaps they’ve established a forward base in the East Sea Kingdom, and Lu Yun is still there.”

Elder Wen pondered this for a long time before sighing. “It seems the celestial signs are indeed unreliable. The Myriad Phenomena Sect is no wiser than us.”

Privately, she suspected Lu Yun really was in the East Sea Kingdom.

But she couldn’t say it. Nor could she ask the Sect to send a rescue mission. Risking the lives of many to save one—especially when that one might be the disastrous ‘Demon Star’—was a gamble they couldn’t afford. If she asked the entire Sect to bleed for her disciple, how could she and her lineage stand tall before selfless figures like Han Yu?

Besides, if Lu Yun truly was the Demon Star feared by the great sects, he likely possessed extraordinary luck. He wouldn’t die so easily.

Sect Leader Qi broke the silence. “The omens are ethereal. We cannot fully trust them, nor can we ignore them.”

“We can send scouts to the East Sea Kingdom to keep a low profile. If we find traces of Demonic activity, the likelihood of Lu Yun being there increases.”

“If that happens, I will personally visit Sect Leader Ye and request his aid to sweep the demons from the East Sea Kingdom and rescue Lu Yun.”

Elder Wen bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly. “Thank you, Sect Leader, for considering my disciple!”

Sect Leader Qi waved his hand dismissively, then turned to Han Yu.

“For now, Han Yu, you should show your face around the Sect. Let the Myriad Phenomena Sect scratch their heads and restart their search. Stalling for time will make your eventual journey safer.”

“Also, keep recording the movements of the stars. We will cross-reference them later to see if any patterns emerge.”

“Yes, Sect Leader,” Han Yu responded.

With the meeting concluded, the elders dispersed.

Sect Leader Qi turned slowly. Seeing Han Yu already beginning his cultivation of the Star Luo Traction Technique, he nodded slightly.

A moment later, the Sect Leader moved. Light as a bird, he soared into the air and landed silently on the roof ridge. He stood there with hands clasped behind his back, still as a statue.

Above, the night sky was scattered with stars, their light faint and cold.

A gentle breeze stirred his robes and hair, but he remained motionless, merging into the night.

Stars like these appear year after year; For whom does he stand amidst the wind and dew at midnight?