Star Odyssey

Within Skystar’s Great Hall, Sect Leader Yuan Qiong voiced his admiration as he looked at Lu Yin from above the planet in outer space. “A powerful physique, a palm imprint manifested from the Overlaying Stacks Path, and the perception to see through the Cosmic Palm. It’s not unreasonable for them to lose.” 

On the other side of the Great Hall, a Cosmic Sect elder opened his eyes and looked over at a certain planet revolving around the Cosmic Sect. “Qiu Shi, can you come out?”

On that particular planet, Qiu Shi opened her eyes. “My apologies, Elder Yao, but the Astral Tower contest is fast approaching, and it’s inadvisable to make enemies.”

The elder felt helpless. “If that’s the case, then this child will end up becoming one of the few disciples in the history of my Cosmic Sect to be promoted to a true disciple through the third method.”

Qiu Shi looked towards Skystar and at Lu Yin. She was not unfamiliar with him. Although he had not fought in the battle atop the Champions\\\' Stage, after the Sixth Mainland’s forces retreated, she had seen him charge onto the Champions\\\' Stage and join forces with God Taiyi and Nightking Zhenwu to fight against Bu Kong. 

At that time, Qiu Shi had felt that Lu Yin was not an average person, and now, he seemed to be even more unfathomable. 

If they were destined to fight, then it should take place within the Mountains and Seas Zone; not here on Skystar. 

Besides Qiu Shi, there was nobody else who could stop Lu Yin. 

Lu Yin stood silently in front of the promotion drum on Skystar. 

Mu Ziying was standing in the distance, as he had no other choice. He had tried his best, but in the end, he had failed to stop Lu Yin. If Hua Xiao was here at this time, then they might stand a chance after joining forces. Of course, at this level, numbers did not make much of a difference, not unless there was a sourcebox array. 

Half a day passed, and more and more Cosmic Sect disciples gathered on Skystar. They all looked at Lu Yin with unwilling and grudging looks. 

Lu Yin stood there silently as he recited the Stonewall Scriptures.

Quite a few of the disciples discussed joining forces to attack Lu Yin from all sides, but that idea was quickly shut down. They were merely unwilling to accept Lu Yin’s success, not idiots. 

Another few hours passed, and a dozen Cosmic Sect disciples were finally unable to hold themselves back, and they all stood up. Just as they were about to attack, Mu Ziying stopped them. “Haven’t you been embarrassed enough yet? Get back.” 

Those disciples felt helpless, and they glared hatefully at Lu Yin as they withdrew.

Lu Yin’s eyes opened, and he looked at the numerous Cosmic Sect disciples in the area. “Right now, I’m also a Cosmic Sect disciple, and all of us are a part of the same sect.”

Same sect your ass, someone cursed to themselves.

This one sentence from Lu Yin had ignited a great deal of fury.

They felt as though Lu Yin was boasting.

Mu Ziying grew frustrated. “Brother Lu, just stop speaking.”

Lu Yin pursed his lips, as he had actually been speaking from his heart. He truly did not want to offend the Cosmic Sect. In the future, he hoped to find an opportunity to cultivate the third layer of the Cosmic Art, but when he looked at these current circumstances, these disciples really did not like him.

However, Lu Yin did not believe that he had done anything wrong.

Soon, the day passed without any changes.

The Cosmic Sect disciples in the area exchanged glances and sighed. They had all hoped that their Grand Senior would take action, but she had remained in seclusion and had not emerged.

“Brother Lu, it’s time,” Mu Ziying said.

Lu Yin looked up. He solemnly picked up the drum sticks while everyone stared at him.

The drum sticks were incredibly heavy, and even Yun Feifei and Yao Ji had found it very difficult just to lift them. However, in Lu Yin’s hands, they seemed to be nothing more than normal drum sticks, which caused Yao Ji’s eye to twitch. This person was clearly inhuman.

There was a loud boom, and a sound wave shot past the crowd before anyone could even react. It swept across the entire Cosmic Sect so fast that almost everyone in the Cosmic Sect heard it at the same moment. 

Yun Feifei was overwhelmed, as this physical strength was simply terrifying.

Yao Ji’s face twitched. Monster. 

As the sound wave faded, a voice sounded out from space. “Internal disciple Lu Yin has been promoted to become the fifth true disciple. Protect our Cosmic Sect from ever falling.”

As those words were spoken, strange expressions appeared on the faces of quite a few Cosmic Sect disciples. 

Protect ‘our’ Cosmic Sect? This guy isn’t even from our Cosmic Sect!

At the center of Skystar, an elder frowned, looking rather exasperated. He had been the one who had spoken just now, as he was the elder who oversaw Skystar.

Typically, whenever he announced someone’s promotion to the true disciple position, it was good news, as it meant that someone was qualified to become a successor of the Cosmic Sect. But at this moment, the elder felt very sullen as he had ever spoken these words for an outsider before; how embarrassing! 

Lu Yin set the drum sticks down and smiled at the nearby Cosmic Sect disciples. He then seemed to think of something, and he turned to face the center of the Cosmic Sect. “Junior Lu Yin thanks the sect for nurturing me.” 

Many disciples were left speechless. 

Mu Ziying’s expression showed his embarrassment, as he felt that Lu Yin was simply asking for a beating.

Lu Yin was trying to express his goodwill, but he had forgotten that he was representing Eversky Island, not the Cosmic Sect.

***

Far away, in another region of the Neoverse, Highsage Shenwei had already returned to Eversky Island after tossing Lu Yin off at the Cosmic Sect. He had wanted to rest for a few days before giving Black and White some guidance. He wanted them to be less mischievous, but he suddenly received a bit of news.

When he saw the message, a strange expression appeared on Shenwei’s face, and he quickly tore through the void to arrive at the tallest mountain. “Master, nominal disciple Lu Yin passed the Cosmic Sect’s third promotion evaluation method and was promoted to the true disciple position. He is the fifth true disciple.” 

Within the depths of Eversky Island, two eyes opened wide in astonishment. “He used his own name?”

“Yes.” Highsage Shenwei was puzzled as to why his master would ask such a question.

The Highsage Master was confused. Clearly this child had never joined the Cosmic Sect, though he had somehow learned the Cosmic Art. Thus, he must have either once been a part of the Cosmic Sect or his elder had come from the Cosmic Sect and had taught him the Cosmic Art. No matter which possibility was the truth, if there was some relation to the Cosmic Sect, then it was impossible to leave no trace of any connection. 

“He’s called Lu Yin, correct?” the Highsage Master asked.

Highsage Shenwei respectfully answered, “Yes. He hasn’t changed his name in the Innerverse or the Outerverse either.”

The Highsage Master could not understand this, as only by changing one’s name could they evade the Cosmic Sect’s investigation. There was no other way to deceive them. The Cosmic Art would never be taught to outsiders, and whoever learned it would be forever recorded down. Even if Lu Yin had changed his name, why would he have taken on a primeval surname? The Highsage Master could not understand this. 

The Highsage Master was not concerned with Lu Yin’s past, as at his level, there was no history that could possibly influence him. In fact, it wouldn’t even matter if Lu Yin’s ancestors had betrayed the Cosmic Sect! The Highsage Master would simply resolve it. However, since the Cosmic Sect had not discovered anything strange, the Highsage Master would not mention anything unnecessary.

“Interesting, so he was promoted to a true disciple? This child is quite interesting,” the Highsage Master commented. 

Highsage Shenwei smiled. “Yes, very interesting.”

One of Eversky Island’s nominal disciples had gone to the Cosmic Sect as a part of an exchange program, but he had then become one of the rare few individuals in the history of the Cosmic Sect to be promoted to the true disciple position. When news of this matter spread, it was impossible to estimate how many people would be stunned, and this was definitely a glorious moment for Eversky Island, though not as much for the Cosmic Sect. 

However, due to Eversky Island’s relationship with the Cosmic Sect, no animosity would arise from this incident. 

***

Within the Cosmic Sect, Lu Yin had successfully been promoted to the true disciple position, which meant that he could now access the second layer of Cosmic Art, which was his true objective. 

“Lu-” Mu Ziying paused for a moment as he corrected himself before continuing. “Brother Lu, do you want to immediately start cultivating the second layer, or would you like to go to the Skystar Jade Wall to look around before learning the second layer?” 

Lu Yin was puzzled. “The Skystar Jade Wall?”

Mu Ziying explained, “The Skystar Jade Wall has a record of the full Cosmic Art, and even the first and second layers can be learned from the Jade Wall. However, our sect has some rules stating that the first layer of the Cosmic Art cannot be learned directly from the Jade Wall, and only true disciples are allowed to visit the Jade Wall to study the second layer of the Cosmic Art. Everyone else has to learn it from memory chips. However, the third layer can only be learned from the Skystar Jade Wall.”

“Why is that?” Lu Yin was puzzled.

Mu Ziying replied, “The complete Cosmic Art has countless stars, and someone who’s never studied it before would easily be overwhelmed if they saw the full diagram. In our historical records, many disciples in the past have collapsed from doing so, which meant that they were destined to have nothing to do with the Cosmic Art. Eventually, some ancient senior separated the Cosmic Art into multiple parts. The first layer gives one the qualification to study the art, and the second layer is essentially the introduction. Each layer after that represents different realms.”

“So are you saying that I can go straight to the Skystar Jade Wall to study the complete Cosmic Art?” Lu Yin’s eyes brightened.

Mu Ziying smiled. “I know what Brother Lu is thinking, so I need to warn you not to get too excited. Eight stars and ninety-nine stars—the first qualifies one while the second is just the basics. Only by comprehending ninety-nine stars will you be able to observe the third layer of Cosmic Art, as otherwise, it will be hidden by all the other stars. Thus, Brother Lu will only be able to see ninety-nine stars.”

“If that’s the case, then why didn’t those ancestors simply hide things until only eight stars were left visible and allow all of the sect’s disciples to study the Skystar Jade Wall?” Lu Yin could not understand this bit. 

Mu Ziying shook his head. “It’s not that simple. It was already hard enough to cover the wall up until only ninety-nine stars are visible. Besides, those who have never cultivated the Cosmic Art would collapse not only because there were too many stars, but also because they could not endure the mental suppression of the Skystar Jade Wall, as the wall released the most fundamental pressure of the Cosmic Art. 

“Also, there’s one more detail: the first three layers of Cosmic Art are all fine, but once one breaks through the third layer of Cosmic Art, one needs to gain access to the thirty six fatal meridian points of the human body and remove any weak points before they can cultivate the fourth level of Cosmic Art. This is impossible to do alone, and it requires help from the sect’s seniors.” 

At this time, Lu Yin did not have much hope of touching the fourth layer of Cosmic Art. “Brother Mu, let’s go and see the Skystar Jade Wall.’ 

Mu Ziying nodded. “Brother Lu, please.” 

Lu Yin started to get excited. “Brother Mu, please.” 

The Skystar Jade Wall was one of the Cosmic Sect’s treasures, and it was also the origin of Cosmic Art. Without the Cosmic Art from the Skystar Jade Wall, there would never have been a Cosmic Sect. 

The Skystar Jade Wall was located on one of the planets that orbited the Cosmic Sect the closest, and it was known as Chen Star. This planet was practically touching the Cosmic Sect, and it looked as though the two might collide at any moment. 

The Skystar Jade Wall was not the only thing on Chen Star, as there was also Cosmo Hall. Only the sect’s true disciples could enter Cosmo Hall, and it was also where the Cosmic Sect’s True Elder stayed. 

Mu Ziying and Lu Yin made their way towards Chen Star unimpeded. On the way, Mu Ziying said, “Brother Lu, as a true disciple, you still need to pay your respects and enter Cosmo Hall to carve your name inside for True Elder to authenticate.” 

Lu Yin asked, “Does Brother Mu really think that my name can be carved in Cosmo Hall?”

Mu Ziying was taken aback and did not know how to respond for a moment. He thought about it and then replied, “I’ll take Brother Lu to see the Skystar Jade Wall first.”

As long as one’s status as a true disciple was recognized, they could visit the Skystar Jade Wall; this was one of the Cosmic Sect’s rules. Even if Lu Yin was a nominal disciple from Eversky Island, it made no difference since he had been recognized by the Skystar Elder.

Lu Yin nodded. 

The Skystar Jade Wall was located in a large valley 10,000 kilometers away from Cosmo Hall. Surprisingly, it looked like there was no one standing guard over this place, and that appearance was actually true. If someone could invade the Cosmic Sect and reach the Skystar Jade Wall, then the Cosmic Sect was already done for. Thus, it was pointless to assign anyone to guard this place. 

Only true disciples were allowed to enter Cosmo Hall, but any inner disciple or person who had received special permission could visit Chen Star.

At this moment, there were at least ten disciples waiting outside the large valley that held the Skystar Jade Wall, as the Skystar Jade Wall could only accommodate one person at a time.

“Senior Mu.”

“Senior Mu.”

…

When Mu Ziying arrived, all of the disciples bowed in unison.

Mu Ziying nodded and looked over at Lu Yin. “Brother Lu, I’ll find somewhere for you to practice the first layer of the Cosmic Art. No one can enter the Skystar Jade Wall without at least completing the first layer.”

Lu Yin nodded, as Mu Ziying had mentioned this before. Before completing the first layer, no one was allowed to visit the Skystar Jade Wall.