What the Hell Is a Star Master

Night gradually fell.

The city lit up with dazzling neon lights, and the square-dancing aunties began their journey home. Now was the time for the younger generation to begin their nightlife.

After bickering for a few more words, Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian simultaneously reeled in their fishing rods and started their return journey.

Having known each other for tens of thousands of years, they were accustomed to this kind of rivalry. It was a tacit understanding of their way of getting along; no matter how harsh their words, it would never harm their friendship.

Strolling leisurely along the road, the two old men looked at the city's neon lights with a sense of emotion.

In this leisurely night, after walking a few dozen steps, they both halted abruptly, as if something unusual had occurred.

A shadow passed through Qing Huan Xiang's eyes as he quietly turned his head.

"Did you receive the message from Nangong Yifang?"

Gui Shoutian nodded slightly, his eyes showing annoyance.

"Yes, I received it too."

"That old fellow descended upon Lan Star and took over as Star Lord tens of thousands of years ago. He's long been deeply entrenched, always putting on airs. For him to suddenly summon us now, it's probably nothing good."

Qing Huan Xiang offered a noncommittal smile.

"Brother Gui is quite right."

"However, he is, after all, the Star Lord. Since he has summoned us for a meeting, we must go and see, if only to give him some face and for the future livelihood of our billions of clansmen."

Hearing this, even though Gui Shoutian's eyes still held a sense of frustration, he could only sigh and nod.

"Ah..."

"Forget it, forget it. Let's just consider it for the sake of our descendants."

"To be honest, I've never thought much of that Nangong Yifang. Relying on his origin from a Prime Star, he always carries an air of superiority, looking down on us who hail from ordinary stars. Who does he think he is!"

"This time, let's just go see what kind of show he's putting on. If it's nothing important, we'll make an appearance and leave!"

Qing Huan Xiang chuckled softly upon hearing this and waved his hand, parting the void before them.

The two put away their fishing rods and stepped into it, instantly disappearing without a trace.

When they stepped out again, they were at a secluded immortal mountain on Lan Star.

Rosy clouds filled the sky, and ethereal immortal music drifted on the air.

Atop the sea of clouds, within an elegant jade pavilion, a hazy figure sat quietly gazing into the distance, exuding an aura of leisure. His long robe, which pooled on the ground, was extraordinarily magnificent, giving anyone who saw him an immediate sense of profound mystery.

Seeing that posture unchanged for tens of thousands of years, Gui Shoutian couldn't help but send a mental message, cursing!

"This old bastard, still so good at putting on a show!"

"He summoned us, yet he sits there all mysterious. It's not like we haven't met before. What's the point of being so intimidating?"

Qing Huan Xiang gave an imperceptible look with his eyes and then gestured with an inviting hand.

The two old men walked steadily, passing over cloud-ladder paths and flower beds, straight to the front of the cool pavilion. The moment their steps halted, an indifferent voice came through.

"Gentlemen, it has been a while."

The whisper was hard to read, neither joy nor anger, like a celestial sound resonating.

Immediately after, the hazy immortal mist shrouding the pavilion slowly dissipated. The handsome, middle-aged man who had been sitting there smiled as he looked over, slowly extending his hand in invitation.

"Please, have a seat."

To call it a cordial invitation was rather casual.

He did not rise to greet them, nor did he offer any unnecessary words. Even the teacups on the table had been upside down for some time, with no intention of brewing tea apparent. It conveyed little sincerity, feeling somewhat perfunctory.

Qing Huan Xiang stepped into the pavilion with an expressionless face. Gui Shoutian also couldn't be bothered to utter a single word of greeting as he followed.

The two sat down opposite him simultaneously, offering a tactically polite cupped-fist salute.

"Star Lord, for what matter have you suddenly summoned us?"

Gazing at the two seated across from him, Nangong Yifang's lips curved slightly as he began exchanging pleasantries unhurriedly.

"No rush, no rush."

"I summoned you both here naturally for an important matter."

"This matter is of great significance, and none but you can resolve it."

The bureaucratic tone was starting to irritate Gui Shoutian, who couldn't help but speak up again!

"Star Lord, you may as well speak plainly."

Nangong Yifang turned his gaze upon hearing this, scrutinized the old turtle for a moment, and then spoke with a somewhat solemn expression.

"Since that is the case, I shall be direct."

“Recently, an anomaly has appeared in Lan Star's Godfall. A certain cultivator is quite troublesome, having slain several elders of the Godfall Palace and reducing its temple to ruins. This person acts recklessly and has already threatened the stability of Lan Star...”

Halfway through his speech, Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian understood perfectly.

So this old fellow had encountered a difficult problem and only then thought to summon them, wanting them to deal with a powerful enemy. What a clever plan!

The facts were just as expected.

The next moment, Nangong Yifang looked over with fully solemn eyes.

"This person's cultivation is truly formidable, not something ordinary beings can handle. After much consideration, I can only trouble you two to take action, for the peace of Lan Star, to eliminate this scourge!"

His words fell, and the elegant pavilion fell into complete silence for several breaths.

Qing Huan Xiang wore a slight smile as he slowly cupped his fists.

"Star Lord, please forgive me. I have withdrawn from worldly affairs for many years. With you presiding over Lan Star's overall situation, everything will proceed without issue according to our past agreement. As for this anomaly, I'm afraid I am truly powerless."

Seeing his old friend pass the buck, Gui Shoutian also saw things clearly.

He similarly wore a smile and cupped his fists, offering an excuse to decline.

"Heh..."

"Star Lord, you jest. This old one is aged and frail, long past his former vigor. I have lived in seclusion for tens of thousands of years, as everyone knows. How could I overestimate my strength and face an external foe?"

These two were not easy to deal with; they would never let themselves be used as someone else's weapon. Nangong Yifang had enjoyed glory for tens of thousands of years, but when he encountered a difficult problem, he wanted them to solve it? Only a fool would clean up someone else's mess!

After their successive refusals,

The two, without needing to exchange a glance, stood up simultaneously with perfect understanding.

"We are powerless to help. We hope the Star Lord will understand. We take our leave!"

The moment the words fell,

Nangong Yifang's expression visibly darkened several degrees. His cold eyes lifted to stare for just a few breaths before he spoke again, his voice now beginning to emanate an oppressive aura!

"Wait!"

Two short words carried an extraordinary imposing force that hit me head-on!

His tone held a clear trace of anger, his voice much lower than before, devoid of the earlier calmness and elegance. It seemed he was already somewhat ready to turn hostile.

Without waiting for them to speak, he pressed on with a low and heavy question!

"You two..."

“Although you sit as equals with me, and we long ago agreed upon a tripartite balance, keeping our own matters separate, do not forget that I am the Star Lord appointed by the Prime Star! On Lan Star, I hold absolute authority!”

"Even esteemed as you are, as Demon Lord and Sea Lord, you cannot simply ignore my words, can you?"

“Now that Lan Star's situation is in crisis, I summoned you. Since you are aware, you should also contribute to Lan Star's situation. If you shirk this heavy responsibility, you must carefully weigh the consequences!”

Straight away, he relied on his position to pressure them, his words full of arrogant superiority.

A true old bureaucrat!

Damn, having a powerful background really makes one arrogant!

Even after such a long time apart, he still had this grating demeanor. Anyone with a temper would find it hard to tolerate such an arrogant person.

Qing Huan Xiang also couldn't be bothered with further pleasantries. Smiling, he placed his hands behind his back and spoke.

"Heh."

"The Star Lord naturally comes from an extraordinary background, and your cultivation far surpasses ours. But you are the Lord of Lan Star. Shouldn't this matter be resolved by you?"

"In terms of cultivation and background, you far exceed us. You also have the support of great figures from the Prime Star. Dealing with a mere cultivator should be effortless for you. Why would you need us old folks to cause trouble?"

This sudden assertiveness was unexpected.

But his words did hold some logic, making them difficult to refute immediately.

Nangong Yifang's expression grew even gloomier upon hearing this, only managing to squeeze out a few evasive, official-sounding phrases.

"I am currently... in no position to take action myself!"

"I have my own difficulties, which you need not inquire about. This matter cannot be disclosed. If it were not so, I would not have summoned the two of you. Regardless, you must eliminate this person!"

In no position to take action?

Hah.

Truly accustomed to looking down from on high, always thinking of ordering others to handle everything while he himself basks in the glory and prestige, leaving all the dirty, tiresome work to others, huh?

Spending effort acting as this guy's enforcer? Wouldn't it be better to go back to Shadow Island and fish?

On Shadow Island, a Star Lord is nothing!