CHAPTER 1046: ISNT THIS A TREASURE DELIVERED TO YOUR HANDS

The flying vessel traversed the Ancient Corridor, parting the sea of stars and clouds as it journeyed onward.

Ripples spread through the void, and within half a day, it arrived at Lan Star.

The vessel descended upon a mist-veiled immortal island, where a vast plaza teemed with figures. Qing Yin Xianyun stepped out, stirring waves of excitement.

"The Holy Maiden has returned!"

"As expected of our Moon God Pavilion's Holy Maiden! She eradicated the demonic remnants of Yun Star in just half a month!"

"Such pitiful remnants dare compare to our Moon God Pavilion?"

"We welcome the Holy Maiden!"

Countless young men and women lined the path, their eyes filled with admiration.

Qing Yin Xianyun walked forward with detached grace, her slender figure emerging from the crowd. Her pristine, floor-length gown brushed past countless gazes, leaving them awestruck as ever.

Her two attendants dared not follow further, remaining in the plaza to wait.

Under the distant gazes of the masses, the lone figure ascended the ninety-nine steps, pausing before the grand hall atop the immortal island.

Clouds churned, and moonlight painted the scene like a masterpiece.

Qing Yin Xianyun clasped her hands in reverence outside the hall, bowing her head in silent wait.

"Master, your disciple has returned."

A weathered voice, calm as still water, echoed from within.

"Enter."

Qing Yin Xianyun stepped inside, advancing dozens of paces before a radiant glow flickered in her hands. A resplendent celestial weapon rested upon her palms.

"Master, I have come to return the Moon God Sword."

Behind the beaded curtain, the figure seated upon a long chair responded indifferently.

"Mm. You have not disappointed me."

With a flick of his sleeve, the Moon God Sword transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into his cloud-like robes.

This figure was the true master of the Moon God Sword—the current Pavilion Master of the Moon God Pavilion, a figure of renown even across Lan Star.

Praise followed, tinged with surprise.

"Yun'er, your mission to Yun Star proceeded more smoothly than I anticipated. It seems your recent seclusion has granted you new insights."

Qing Yin Xianyun bowed slightly and answered truthfully.

"Master, this disciple must report that our success was greatly aided by a senior expert from Yun Star. It was only with his assistance that we managed to destroy the Star Gate."

The Moon God Pavilion Master slowly lifted his gaze.

"Yun Star, after the great war a hundred thousand years ago, still has experts of such caliber?"

Qing Yin Xianyun's expression turned reverent, her tone respectful.

"Master, though Yun Star's talents have dwindled, its foundations remain profound. During our journey, we encountered a senior named Yi Feng, who wielded a celestial weapon of his own!"

The figure behind the curtain visibly stiffened, his voice laced with astonishment.

"A celestial weapon… truly? What realm has this person reached?"

Qing Yin Xianyun's eyes shimmered with awe.

"Beyond doubt. Senior Yi indeed possesses a celestial weapon. As for his cultivation… this disciple humbly begs forgiveness, for my insight is shallow. I could only surmise that his strength approaches the Heavenly Tier."

Silence engulfed the hall.

After several breaths, even the Moon God Pavilion Master could not suppress his admiration.

"To think Yun Star still harbors such a figure… truly unexpected. That you have forged ties with him is a fortunate gain. In the future, we may invite him to join our Moon God Pavilion as an elder—no small honor."

Qing Yin Xianyun brightened, swiftly bowing in gratitude.

"Many thanks, Master. This disciple has already made arrangements with Senior Yi to visit Lan Star in the future."

The Moon God Pavilion Master nodded in satisfaction, a faint glimmer of delight in his eyes.

Suddenly, those deep-set eyes turned icy.

His gaze swept toward the hall's entrance, his voice laced with frost.

"Who dares eavesdrop on my words?"

A crushing pressure surged forth, sweeping through every corner of the hall like a gale, leaving no place to hide!

Even Qing Yin Xianyun, brushed by its edge, felt her blood run cold.

That suffocating, terrifying force nearly paralyzed her. Despite being the Moon God Pavilion's Holy Maiden, a prodigy revered by all, the gap between her and her master remained as vast as heaven and earth.

Outside the hall, Elder Xiong Fen's gaze wandered, as if lost in thought.

Abruptly engulfed by the overwhelming pressure, his face paled, his qi churning violently. Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward and bowed.

"Pavilion Master, forgive this old fool! I had no intention of eavesdropping—I merely came to report urgent sect matters!"

Recognizing the portly elder, the Moon God Pavilion Master flicked his sleeve.

Whoosh!

Instantly, the oppressive aura dissipated.

Both Qing Yin Xianyun and the elder exhaled softly, as if granted a second life.

Yet the Pavilion Master's voice, though calm, carried an even heavier weight.

"Speak."

Just two words, laced with undeniable authority, starkly contrasting his earlier warmth. The air in the hall grew colder.

Elder Xiong Fen presented a scroll from his sleeve, bowing deeply.

"Pavilion Master, the provisional list of newly promoted inner disciples has been finalized. We humbly await your review."

With a flick of his finger, the Moon God Pavilion Master drew the scroll behind the beaded curtain.

Then came a cold dismissal.

"You may leave."

Not daring another word, Elder Xiong Fen retreated hastily.

Only after descending the ninety-nine steps did his plump frame finally relax. Wiping the cold sweat from his temples, he exhaled deeply.

"Whew…"

Though their cultivation realms were not vastly different, the Moon God Pavilion Master's secret techniques and celestial weapon made resistance impossible. Even as a nominal elder, his status paled beside the Holy Maiden's.

Swallowing his discontent, he trudged forward, his thoughts tangled.

A celestial weapon… on Yun Star?

Elder Xiong Fen's mind echoed with what he had overheard.

Crossing the plaza, his eyes fell upon Hu Weifang, the young disciple who had accompanied the Holy Maiden to Yun Star.

This disciple had recently gained favor and might hold valuable information…

A glint flashed in his eyes as Elder Xiong Fen approached with feigned warmth.

Clearing his throat, he clasped his hands behind his back and smiled amiably.

"Ahem. Young Hu, to return in just half a month—your mission must have gone smoothly. Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old."

Having learned his lesson on Yun Star, Hu Weifang dared not let pride take hold. Though flattered, he replied with newfound humility.

"You honor me too much, Elder. It was all due to the Holy Maiden's leadership. Elder Xu and I merely followed orders—we claim no credit."

His eyes then softened with reminiscence.

"If anything, our success was owed to a certain senior expert."

So it was true!

Elder Xiong Fen's eyes gleamed, though he feigned skepticism.

"A senior expert? Hah! Yun Star, isolated for a hundred thousand years, could never compare to Lan Star. What kind of 'expert' could they possibly have? I doubt he’s even seen a celestial weapon…"

His tone dripped with condescension, mirroring Hu Weifang's former arrogance.

But after witnessing Yi Feng's power and bearing, Hu Weifang had grown. Instead of mocking the elder's ignorance, he simply smiled wistfully.

"Elder, you misunderstand. That senior indeed wielded a celestial weapon."

Confirmed at last, Elder Xiong Fen's eyes sparkled, though he maintained his act.

"Impossible! You must be mistaken, young man."

Hu Weifang met his gaze earnestly, reverence shining in his eyes.

"I would stake my life on it, Elder. It is the absolute truth."

"Indeed, Cloud Star has declined, where even ordinary Saints are considered top-tier combatants. But there was one exception—Senior Yi Feng. We were fortunate to have his divine blade aid us in breaking the demonic race's grand array and destroying the Star Gate."

"Through this journey, I’ve come to understand what it means when they say ‘there’s always a higher sky.’"

Xiong Fen’s heart burned with excitement, his unusual expression barely concealed.

Cloud Star actually had a Celestial Weapon…

On that backward, isolated planet, where Saints were already considered high-level combatants, possessing a Celestial Weapon would indeed allow one to act without restraint, making the wielder a true master.

But now that the Ancient Corridor had been reopened, Cloud Star would inevitably draw the attention of countless powerhouses from beyond the stars. A so-called "master" carrying a Celestial Weapon would be no different from a three-year-old child walking through a bustling market holding gold.

Sooner or later, it would belong to someone else.

And now, he was the first to know of its existence—wasn’t this a treasure delivered right into his hands? With a Celestial Weapon, he could leave the Moon God Pavilion and never have to bow to anyone again!

Elder Xiong Fen’s heart surged with turbulent emotions, his face barely able to suppress a grin.

"So that’s how it is…"

"It seems I was too narrow-minded. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

After tossing out a random excuse, he calmly departed.

Upon returning to his elegant courtyard, Xiong Fen’s steps suddenly quickened, his grin breaking free as he rushed straight into the alchemy chamber!

"My son, we’ve stumbled upon a great opportunity!"

Xiong Zhong was in the middle of refining pills when he lifted his soot-covered, chubby face in confusion.

"Huh? Father, what kind of opportunity?"

Xiong Fen smirked proudly, leaning in with an inscrutable smile.

"Heh, I’ve learned the whereabouts of a Celestial Weapon. Wouldn’t you call that a great opportunity?"

The moment the words left his mouth—

Xiong Zhong’s face twisted in shock as he leaped to his feet!

"CELESTIAL—?!"

His sudden shout made Xiong Fen’s expression instantly darken in alarm!