Chapter 464: Child of the Seven Stars, Orthodox Demon Race Bloodline, a True Daughter of Fortune?

Chapter 464: Chapter 158: Child of the Seven Stars, Orthodox Demon Race Bloodline, a True Daughter of Fortune?

Although Spring Orchid said nothing, Emperor Xia already knew the answer.

She gazed at where the War Flying Ship had vanished and let out a soft sigh.

“What is the status of the investigation I ordered? I need a clear account of every palace maid and eunuch who left the Imperial Capital to return to their hometown thirty years ago.”

“If I don’t get to the bottom of the matter from the Half-Immortal Zhenren’s pouch, I fear I’ll truly be unable to eat or sleep, having done all the work only for someone else to reap the rewards.”

Her hand clenched around the White Jade Pavilion Rails, leaving a deep imprint in the stone.

“I have already investigated, Your Majesty. There are rosters for all the palace maids and eunuchs who left the palace that year. Aside from a few who died young from illness, the rest all registered with their local Chief Clerk. Nothing seems out of the ordinary,” Spring Orchid replied.

Emperor Xia frowned. “Then investigate the ones who died of illness. I refuse to believe there isn’t a single trace.”

“Yes.”

Spring Orchid bowed obediently and withdrew.

“Xia Zhu…”

After Spring Orchid departed, Emperor Xia’s thoughts turned to another matter.

“Your Majesty…”

A stoic, palace-garbed attendant cradling a sword appeared silently behind her.

“This World Alliance that has popped up recently—what are its origins? Have you found anything definitive?” Emperor Xia asked.

Xia Zhu replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, the World Alliance seems to have connections to numerous small overseas nations. It also has dealings with the Mingyu Trading Company and the Changlong Business Alliance. Furthermore, it trades with major provinces like Xiling and Dongyuan. Its connections are numerous and tangled. Investigating the figures behind it will require more time.”

“So this World Alliance that has come out of nowhere intends to go head-to-head with my Naxian Alliance.” Emperor Xia’s eyes suddenly grew profound.

Xia Zhu remained silent at these words, continuing to stand by respectfully.

Emperor Xia clasped her hands behind her back and paced, lost in thought. After a moment, she flicked her sleeve. “Prepare to move to the Imperial Clan Court.”

“Since my ascension, I have yet to formally offer sacrifices to the previous emperors. I happen to have much to report to the spirit of my imperial father. Have the clan elders of the Imperial Clan Court make the preparations. In three days, I will visit the Imperial Mausoleum to sweep the tombs and pay my respects.”

「Not long after Jiang Lan left the Imperial Capital with his chosen followers.」

On the Star-Picking Platform within the National Preceptor’s Mansion, National Master Ge Qixing sat cross-legged on a zafu, clad in a Daluo Daoist Robe.

Behind him stood two Children, each holding a Silver Plate.

On one plate rested a stone vessel that radiated an ancient, time-worn aura. The other Child held a wooden tray bearing a stone axe.

A short distance from the two Children, Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, stood with Xiao Teng, watching the scene in silence so as not to disturb the proceedings.

A moment later, several tortoise shells and copper coins fell to the ground with a CLINK.

The needle on the Compass before Ge Qixing began to tremble violently. Wisps of starlight descended from the distant Outer Realm, seemingly manifesting some vision.

At the same time, the center of Xiao Teng’s forehead began to glow. His skin took on a jade-like quality, radiating a stellar luminescence that made it seem translucent.

The next moment, a shaft of pure light erupted from his body, instantly forming a connection with the Compass.

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, was stunned by this sight. His gaze darted between Xiao Teng’s face and Ge Qixing’s, and the more he looked, the more he noticed the striking similarity in their features.

He, on the other hand, was burly and rugged, bearing no resemblance to Xiao Teng whatsoever. The thought only deepened his inner turmoil.

Before long, the phenomenon on the Star-Picking Platform faded away.

Ge Qixing opened his eyes, a crystalline Jade Talisman materializing in his hand. He turned to the bewildered Xiao Teng and explained, “The Seven-Star Secret Collection has emerged ahead of schedule. I originally predicted it wouldn’t appear for at least another six months. But the world has been in great flux recently. Bursts of providence have obscured many of heaven’s secrets, making them impossible to read clearly.”

“Using the aura of the Star Body within you as a focus, I performed a divination. I have deduced the likely location where one of the Seven-Star Origins—the Merak Origin—will next appear.”

Upon hearing this, both Xiao Teng and Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, grew solemn.

The Seven-Star Origin was the very essence of the Seven Stars of the heavens made manifest. Each Origin contained supreme fortune and profound truths.

To obtain even one would trigger a world-altering, complete metamorphosis of one’s innate talent, aptitude, and wisdom.

Moreover, they would be able to command the Seven Stars and control the power of an entire Star Realm.

Such power was boundless and immense; a single wisp could effortlessly destroy mountains and obliterate cities.

The last time, in Qianyuan Prefecture, when Xiao Teng’s Star Body awakened, he had nearly summoned the phantom of a star from the Outer Realm. That power was enough to crush anyone of the younger generation and was far beyond what any mortal could hope to match.

“If one could completely refine a Seven-Star Origin and merge it with their body, then as long as they developed without mishap, they would be guaranteed to become a Saint in the future.”

“The world is truly changing,” Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, said, his face grave. “The ancient chronicles speak of the Seven Stars descending upon the world… I fear it means a great catastrophe is coming.”

It was an omen. When a great calamity was about to befall the world, the heavens would sense it and send down a Child of the Seven Stars to vanquish demons, defend the righteous path, and restore order from chaos.

“I’m afraid the Seven-Star Secret Collection has already been in the world for some time,” Ge Qixing said, shaking his head with a hint of regret. “A few days ago, I felt something and performed a divination, only to discover that the Shaking Light Origin has already appeared. I simply do not know who has obtained it.”

In his original plan, the Seven-Star Secret Collection was as good as his. He only needed to follow his plan according to the celestial signs, and when the time was right, he could use Xiao Teng’s unique constitution to draw the Seven-Star Origin to him.