After a few exchanged glances, the two had already settled on a strategy.
They did not give any immediate answer. Qing Huanxiang simply continued to probe.
"Star Master, you said earlier that you needed to eliminate the foreign anomaly. That cultivator hasn't been killed yet. If you leave with us, how will that matter be resolved?"
"If, in the future, this person affects the overall situation of Lan Star, you will have to bear the blame."
Nangong Yifang had already voiced his true thoughts, and hearing these words stirred his feelings even more deeply.
For tens of thousands of years, he appeared to be glorious and limitless, ruling over Lan Star from the position of Star Master. In reality, he was just a discarded pawn, guarding this dilapidated Lan Star with no hope in sight.
Having reached his level of cultivation, ordinary mortal stars no longer had the resources to allow for further advancement. Being a Star Master was utterly useless, bringing nothing but endless mundane affairs to deal with.
Today, he had to resolve sect disputes; tomorrow, he had to study territorial divisions among various races...
An endless stream of matters, forever piling up like a mountain before his eyes.
In such a situation, how could he have any energy left to pursue the Great Dao?
What was even more frustrating was that everything in the world followed predetermined patterns. Once he, as the Star Master, made a decision, even the smallest ripple could infinitely amplify, eventually sweeping across the entire Lan Star.
If he wasn't careful, certain decisions could become entangled in karma that drained his spirit, forcing him to expend even more energy to resolve them. If he didn't, it would affect his future state of mind.
Star Master?
It was nothing but a thankless, arduous task.
Thinking of this, Nangong let out a long sigh.
"Ah..."
"To be honest, I didn't truly intend to kill that person. It's just that he was truly arrogant, and I am about to attempt a breakthrough to the next realm. I must settle my karmic ties and eliminate all distracting thoughts, hence this forced move."
"As long as you two fellow Daoists are willing to take me along to seek this opportunity, none of that matters anymore! At worst, I'll settle this karma in the future."
He spoke with increasing openness, as if he had seen through everything completely. He no longer carried the airs of a Star Master from before, instead revealing a firm heart dedicated to seeking the Dao.
It seemed that for the sake of this opportunity, he was willing to cast everything else aside.
Gui Shoutian listened, his face showing astonishment.
"Hiss..."
"That's... quite carefree, isn't it?"
"You are the Star Master, a heavenly duty appointed by the Child Star. This isn't something you can decide on your own. Can you really just abandon your post?"
"If the overall situation of Lan Star changes in the future, you will bear all responsibility."
This question left the Star Master stunned, seemingly at a loss for how to respond for a moment.
Qing Huanxiang glanced at him, slowly stood up, and spoke.
"There is no fault in seeking opportunity. But you should first handle your own affairs. Once you are certain your Dao heart is firm and free of distracting thoughts, we can make further plans."
The two old men parted the void and left.
No matter how miserable the other party was, or how eager his mood, they could not arbitrarily bring an untrustworthy person into the Shadow Island.
The pavilion suddenly fell silent, leaving only Nangong Yifang sitting rigidly alone.
After pondering for a long time, his face a mix of conflict and regret, he gazed into the distance at the sky full of rosy clouds. His eyes revealed a longing and helplessness he had buried for many years.
Everyone says being a Star Master is wonderful, the supreme ruler governing Lan Star. Yet this position envied by the world had become shackles for him, casting a shadow over the Great Dao that seemed so close at hand.
What exactly should he do to cast off these detestable shackles and, by the way, resolve the karma stirred up by that foreign cultivator...
After gazing at the sea of clouds for a long time, a light suddenly shone in Nangong Yifang's eyes, as if he had come up with a brilliant plan.
He slapped the table, stood up energetically, parted the void, and sped away!
...
Half a day later.
Guided by the Sea Clan, Nangong Yifang finally arrived at the North Ming Deep Sea.
After searching for a long time through layers of palaces and halls, he finally saw Yi Feng, sitting blankly on a jade step!
When enemies meet, their eyes should blaze with fury.
Yet, Nangong wore an expression of excitement, strode forward, and made a respectful salute!
"Sir, it's been a long time!"
Watching the handsome, elegantly dressed middle-aged man approach with clasped fists, Yi Feng was utterly baffled. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but the person before him seemed a stranger.
"You are...?"
Nangong Yifang was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Ah... hahaha."
"Sir, I am Star Master Nangong Yifang. We met once before at the Fallen God Hall!"
As soon as the words fell, starlight flickered in Yi Feng's eyes!
He slapped his thigh, immediately drew his greatsword, and stood up!
"So it's you!?"
"You're actually not dead? Fantastic! This is the strength a true powerhouse should have. As expected of the Star Master! Since you've come seeking vengeance, let's have a quick, fierce battle of five hundred rounds!"
Yi Feng was brimming with fighting spirit, pleasantly surprised.
Gripping his greatsword tightly, he felt his blood boiling with excitement. His previous disappointment was swept away, as if the hope of his life was right before his eyes!
However.
The other party showed no intention of fighting whatsoever. Instead, he took out a token and presented it with both hands.
"Sir, you misunderstand."
"I have not come here for a fight. I wish to cede the position of Star Master to you!"
???
Yi Feng's eyes widened, his face full of confusion!
"What the heck...?"
What's going on with this old guy?
During the previous battle, he was all boastful and mighty. I wrecked his lair, and now he shows up. It's already bizarre enough that he's not here for revenge, but he actually wants to give up his position?
What the hell kind of logic is this!
Before Yi Feng could figure out the situation,
Nangong Yifang stroked his beard with a smile, speaking with increasing satisfaction.
"For you to assume the role of Star Master is the will of the people!"
"With your strength, you are absolutely qualified to rule Lan Star. This is a well-deserved honor, and no one would dare object! Furthermore, the Fallen God Hall was destroyed because of you. Now, the Fallen God Lands are leaderless. You absolutely cannot just walk away. You ought to personally resolve this matter. This is karma."
Before Yi Feng could react,
Nangong Yifang had already stuffed the token into his hand while giving instructions.
"By both reason and circumstance, the position of Star Master belongs to none other than you!"
"This is the Star Master's Token. A drop of blood will bind it to you. Henceforth, with you leading Lan Star, it is sure to progress with each passing day, achieving boundless glory!"
"Our meeting concludes this karma!"
"From now on, you will ascend to great heights and enjoy myriad honors, while I will wander free as a wild crane, leisurely enjoying the world. Each finding our own joy, wouldn't that be wonderful!"
"Hahaha..."
As Nangong Yifang sped away out to sea, his carefree laughter spread across the North Ming.
Looking down at the azure sea, he had never felt so relaxed and content. The shackles of tens of thousands of years were finally cast off, and his heart was free of all attachments.
From now on, the sky was high, letting birds fly free; the sea was vast, letting fish leap at will!
Thinking of that tremendous opportunity, Nangong Yifang excitedly sent a message to his two old friends.
Continuously speeding into the distance, his eyes were full of exhilaration.
"Hahaha..."
"Finally rid of this Star Master mess, and even managed to settle this karma! This brilliant plan of killing two birds with one stone... I truly am a genius!"
His laughter echoed through the empty heavens and earth, his excitement overflowing!
In the deep-sea palace halls,
Yi Feng was completely dumbfounded, holding the token in utter disarray.
What the hell...
I'm busy trying to get myself killed everywhere, how did this disaster fall from the sky out of nowhere!?
Causing such a huge commotion, killing so many people from the Fallen God Palace, even tearing down the Fallen God Hall... shouldn't I have to die a thousand, eight hundred times for this to make sense?
How did I suddenly become the Star Master?
Dammit!
I've been searching for the Star Master for over a month, and in the end, it turns out to be me?!
tions: attribute allocation, analysis, proficiency, and simulation. Specializing in mechanical alchemy, from crafting sorcerous battle armor to handcrafting mechanical maidens, his mechanical legion conquers endless realms... Relying on his wits, he begins with a student-teacher romance, wins over a female director, enslaves a female assassin and a underworld queen, becoming the husband of a Grand Duchess... He enslaves the Goddess of Magic from the divine realm, developing his power simultaneously in both the Wizard World and the Realm of Gods...
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
ress Kneels to Admit Wrong] [Dealing with Love-Struck Fools] [Forced to the Throne] Ren Tianye transmigrated into a female-oriented novel world, only to find everyone in it was utterly insane. He risked his life to save a young girl from barbarians, but was accused of arriving too late and branded the real murderer. He held a knife to a military officer's neck, demanding the troop tally, but the officer only cared about questioning his wife: "Do you not love me anymore? All these years of affection and time together, they were all a mistake, a mistake!" After seizing Yunji City, the original defending general, to save face with the Empress, knelt on the ground: "You must give Yunji City back to me, or I'll hang myself at the city gate and let everyone know you're a villain!" The young lord of the Duke's mansion, to please a woman, directly ordered a merchant: "The menstrual pads you buy for her must be studded with diamonds. Loving her means giving her the best." Having become a great general, he was about to marry a merchant's daughter, who set a pre-nuptial rule: "I can divorce you anytime. When that happens, you must give me half of your troops and soldiers!" Even the Empress was a severe love-struck fool, who ordered the execution of 70,000 elite troops simply because they stood in the way of her romance. Ren Tianye was speechless. He was done. Let it all burn! This deranged female-oriented novel world! ...
