Star Odyssey

Skymender answered, "Humanoid sourceboxes are extremely difficult to unlock, as they are not true sourceboxes. Rather, they are people who have transformed themselves into sourceboxes with the Stone Origin technique, which means that they cannot be unlocked in a traditional manner. Instead, they need to be unlocked by inverting the technique with the necessary sourcebox array. Unfortunately, it is far from easy to invert the necessary sourcebox array, as everything needs to be adjusted according to the exact time of day, location, blood of the transformed human, and many more minute details. Over the years, I obtained two opportunities to use the sourcebox array, but I was delayed due to various reasons."

Skymender's explanation sounded quite reasonable, but Lu Yin still pulled out a wireless jincan. Then, he sent Lu Buzheng a message in front of Skymender, asking if the man had ever heard of the Stone Origin technique. He soon received confirmation, as well as a description of the technique that very closely resembled what Lu Yin had already heard from Skymender. However, Lu Buzheng also reported that the inverted sourcebox array had long since gone missing.

"Only a few Progenitors even knew about the existence of the inverted sourcebox array, and that was because a Progenitor created the Stone Origin technique. He was naturally killed by other Progenitors. I happened to learn it by chance, but people only know about the risks involved in using the technique. No one knows anything about the required inverted sourcebox array,” Skymender explained.

Given Skymender’s intelligence, even if he was deceiving Lu Yin, it would not be easy to expose a lie.

Lu Yin still did not believe the astral beast, but he could not find a single flaw in the story. "Show me the Stone Reversal Formation."

Skymender had saved the Stone Reversal Formation in a jade slip that he handed over to Lu Yin. He was absolutely going to research the sourcebox array after returning to the Human Domain. However, if an Array Grandmaster had only found two chances to use the sourcebox array in countless years, it was quite clear that this was an extremely difficult sourcebox array to master.

Also, Grandmaster Gu Yan had been in seclusion for decades, and it did not make sense for him to have been studying humanoid sourceboxes for so long. Given Grandmaster Gu Yan’s abilities, if humanoid sourceboxes could be unlocked in a normal manner, then it would have been impossible for the man to have taken so much time to study a single sourcebox. How could an Array Grandmaster take decades to unlock a sourcebox? And yet, there had never once been any mention of a humanoid sourcebox being unlocked.

This perfectly matched up with what Skymender had told Lu Yin, which was that normal lockbreaking techniques could not be used on the humanoid sourceboxes.

However, Lu Yin did actually have a way to confirm what Skymender was saying, which was Xiao Shi's Book of Destiny. Lu Yin could ask the man to search the book for any mention of the Stone Origin technique or the Stone Reversal Formation and see what could be found.

While Lu Yin knew practically nothing about this topic, he had the means to confirm what he was being told.

The two moved further into the hidden space, and Lu Yin deliberately approached the creeper. Once he was within five meters of the astral beast, Lu Yin Possessed it and scanned its recent memories.

Despite several years passing, not much new was in the creeper’s memories. Even if the humanoid sourceboxes had been moved around, little had changed within the hidden space.

Lu Yin felt a bit disappointed. Everything was going too smoothly. Skymender had led Lu Yin directly to this hidden space, and while Lu Yin had assumed that the hidden space would have been altered or changed or something, the creeper’s memories showed that no such thing had happened. Everything that Lu Yin was being shown and revealed seemed to be the truth.

On the surface, it appeared that Skymender had truly and completely surrendered to Lu Yin.

Not only had Skymender taken the lead to encourage the countless behemoths from the Celestial Beast Empire to bow to Lu Yin, but he had also given up the Book of Destiny, led Lu Yin to the hidden space, and shared everything that he seemed to know about the humanoid sourceboxes.

By all logic, his actions simply did not make any sense at all. It was not normal.

"Who is that statue of?" Lu Yin was quite curious about this.

Skymender instantly grew solemn, and both reverence and a near fanatical gleam appeared in his eyes as he dropped to his knees while facing the statue.

This was a scene that Lu Yin had already seen many times before in the creeper’s memories. It was a perfect replay of those times.

"This junior Skymender pays his respects to the Dao Monarch!" Skymender shouted loudly in a voice that was filled with respect.

Lu Yin’s brows rose high. Dao Monarch? That was a title used only during the Heavens Sect era. It was given to the rulers of each of the six Mainlands. Just who was this statue of?

"Dao Chosen, this is my Fourth Mainland’s Dao Monarch, Wilderness God," Skymender solemnly introduced.

Lu Yin froze, and he slowly raised his head to look up at the statue.

The Fourth Mainland’s Dao Monarch, Wilderness God, had been a powerhouse on the same level as the other five Mainlands’ Dao Monarchs. Wilderness God had been a top-tier expert second only to the Origin Progenitor himself. He had been someone on the same level as the God of Death.

While Lu Yin had already guessed who the statue was of, hearing a confirmation was still shocking.

It was also at this moment that Lu Yin finally got a view of the full statue to see Wilderness God’s true form.

Wilderness God had not been a human! He had also been an astral beast, and yet he had been the Fourth Mainland’s Dao Monarch. Lu Yin also had no idea just what species of astral beast the ancient powerhouse had been, as this was his first time seeing such a creature. Lu Yin’s first impression was that the creature looked quite ordinary and was completely unimpressive. At the very least, the astral beast’s appearance did not come close to measuring up to a domineering name like “Wilderness God.”

After a momentary daze spent staring at the statue of Wilderness God, Lu Yin took a deep breath and bowed to the statue. "Junior Lu Yin sees Wilderness God."

Conflicted emotions appeared in Skymender’s eyes when he saw Lu Yin’s actions. During the Heavens Sect era, not even Wilderness God’s presence had been able to protect the Fourth Mainland and stop humans from enslaving, plundering, and even breeding and farming countless astral beasts across the Fourth Mainland. Not even Wilderness God had been able to change such behavior.

Yet a direct descendant of the Lu family, Lu Yin, was willing to pay his respects to Wilderness God.

"Thank you, Dao Chosen." Skymender was genuinely grateful for the demonstration of respect.

Lu Yin somberly answered, "The Dao Monarch of the Fourth Mainland deserves the respect and worship of all later generations. Besides, I believe that Senior Wilderness God also fought desperately against the Aeternals during his era. His death is everyone's loss."

Skymender nodded. "Wilderness God died with the Fourth Mainland. Perhaps the land we are on now was formed from his flesh and blood."

"The Fourth Mainland should have had more Progenitors than just Wilderness God," Lu Yin commented.

"Of course there were. The one most are familiar with was Progenitor Wushang, but unfortunately, Progenitor Wushang ultimately sacrificed himself as well, dying during the war against the Sixth Mainland."

"Right." Lu Yin had heard about Progenitor Wushang too many times over the years, and without the pieces of the Progenitor’s hide, Lu Yin would have died long ago. He had been repeatedly saved by the Third Nightking and Progenitor Wushang’s hide when he had been weak.

After emerging from the hidden space, Skymender asked, "Does the Dao Chosen have any intentions for this place?"

"Let's leave it as is for now."

Skymender nodded and then followed Lu Yin back to the capital of the Celestial Beast Empire.

"Skymender, are you not worried that I’ll give Destina the Book of Destiny that you’ve given to me?" As they were on their way back, Lu Yin suddenly asked the question that he had been contemplating.

Skymender calmly answered, "The book already belongs to the Dao Chosen, so the Dao Chosen can give it to whomever he wishes."

Lu Yin looked out into the boundless universe, replaying all that had just happened.

Skymender, the imperial advisor to the Celestial Beast Empire, had been too passive in his surrender and had offered Lu Yin far too much. In fact, Skymender seemed willing to give everything to Lu Yin, and it was making Lu Yin very uncomfortable. But why? He could not determine the source of his unease.

Did Skymender want to kill Lu Yin?

The question abruptly popped into Lu Yin’s mind, and it caused him to reflexively release a hint of killing intent.

Skymender was already on edge and paying close attention to Lu Yin. When he noticed the bit of killing intent, and the astral beast’s expression instantly changed. "However, even if the Dao Chosen gives the Book of Destiny to Destina, she won’t be able to use it."

"Why not?" Lu Yin instantly retracted his killing intent and responded with surprise.

"While the Books of Destiny are treasures that were created by Destiny herself, they are different from ordinary treasures, as one needs time to acclimate to them."

"What do you mean by that?"

"When I first obtained that Book of Destiny, I was unable to see any words, but as time passed and I continued to cultivate according to Destiny’s methods, I was gradually able to make out some words. The process took about 10,000 years."

Lu Yin's eyes flickered. 10,000 years? There was no way that Xiao Shi had lived even close to that long, so why was he able to read his Book of Destiny? Bai Xian’er also had not lived for 10,000 years, and yet she was able to read a Book of Destiny as well. This meant that Skymender was either lying, or there was another way to gain access to the writing in the books.

Lu Yin remembered that Xiao Shi had said that he had been able to read his Book of Destiny the moment he found it in the Hall of Honor’s library, but no one else had been able to see anything at all. Xiao Shi had never acclimated to his Book of Destiny.

If Skymender was speaking the truth, then what was the difference between him and Xiao Shi? Why had the young human immediately been able to see the text? Where did Bai Xian’er fall into everything?

"Destina is Destiny’s disciple and heir."

"The Dao Chosen can show the book to Destina," Skymender replied.

Lu Yin thought for a bit before asking, "What would it mean if someone can read the book as soon as they open it?"

Skymender’s head snapped up, and he stared intently at Lu Yin while instantly replying, "Destiny."

Lu Yin’s eyes grew wide. "What do you mean by that?"

Skymender answered softly, "If someone can immediately read what is written in a Book of Destiny without acclimating to the book, then there can only be one reason—they are Destiny."

Lu Yin dropped his head so that his eyes fell onto the Book of Destiny. Destiny? Were Xiao Shi or Bai Xian'er Destiny herself? How could that be? Still, why not? If Big Sis could be Progenitor Yōu Ming, then it was certainly not impossible for Destiny to also reappear. However, Destiny was only a single person, while Xiao Shi and Bai Xian’er were two different people.

Lu Yin remained lost in deep thought as he returned to the Celestial Beast Empire.

He had one last goal for his time in the Celestial Beast Empire: their resources.

Lu Yin dismissed his thoughts regarding Destiny. He first needed to show the Book of Destiny that he had just acquired to Destina to learn more and to verify Skymender’s words. Also, if Xiao Shi was Destiny, then it would not be any problem at all, though it would certainly be a bit difficult to accept. But if Bai Xian’er was Destiny, then he would find it extremely difficult to be accept such a thing.

Destiny was a pinnacle powerhouse who had stood alongside the God of Death. When Big Sis had acquired the Yōu Secret Art, her cultivation had instantly surged. Did that mean that if Bai Xian’er acquired the Books of Destiny, her cultivation would do the same? Was that the secret to her unbelievable progress and strength?

Lu Yin shook his head. The more he thought about this matter, the more caught up in it he became. He let out a breath. He needed to focus on other matters. "You should already be quite familiar with me. Since the Astral Beast Domain is willing to become part of the Heavens Sect, what resources can you provide?"

Lu Yin was in the imperial palace again, addressing Skymender, Yao Di, and the other high-ranking astral beasts.

There was no need for Lu Yin to try to be subtle about such matters. In fact, there was nothing that Lu Yin could not address openly in the Fifth Mainland.

Also, Yao Di and the other astral beasts showed no hint of surprise at Lu Yin’s question. "Is the Dao Chosen referring to star essence?"

"That’s right."

Yao Di replied, "As of today, the total amount of star essence within the Celestial Demon Weave comes up to a bit more than 50 billion."

Lu Yin's expression fell. This was simply pathetic!

"Within the imperial palace, we have gathered resources for countless years, and we have around 600 billion star essence," Yao Di continued.

Lu Yin's face started to relax a bit. The imperial palace represented the entire Celestial Beast Empire, so it was quite reasonable for so much star essence to have been gathered.

"As for the twenty six alliances that the Dao Chosen is already aware of, they have already contacted me to make arrangements to transport their star essence over, and it is already en route. At this moment, they are estimated to have nearly a trillion star essence. If the Dao Chosen needs of star essence, I can have all of the astral beasts throughout the Astral Beast Domain turn in their star essence."

Lu Yin’s brows climbed high. How well did the astral beasts know him? Regardless of how uncomfortable it might be for him to ask, he still eagerly asked, "How much would that be?"

Yao Di ran some estimates for a bit. "There shouldn't be any less than 5 trillion star essence in total."