Starless Exhibition's Request

The newcomer was none other than the grand ancestor of the Star Clan, and currently the strongest expert and highest authority of the Starry Sky Clan—Xing Wuzhan.

Xing Wuzhan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze swept past Xing Yan and the other six, giving a slight nod before turning to Gu Changyuan.

He bowed without hesitation, his posture respectful to the extreme, and spoke with a barely noticeable trace of urgency:

"Senior, this is our first meeting. My name is Xing Wuzhan.

This junior is bold enough to ask: where exactly did you obtain the jade box in your hands, along with the treasure inside?"

Gu Changyuan's gaze fell upon Xing Wuzhan. With a slight sweep of his divine sense, he clearly felt the suppressed Immortal King aura within the man's body.

Although suppressed, it was still vast and majestic, more than a whole tier stronger than the previous seven elders.

Seeing his incredibly respectful expression, which even carried a hint of reverence, it was obvious that he held deep veneration for either this jade box or its owner.

Gu Changyuan spoke calmly, uttering three words:

"Xing Zixu."

Upon hearing the name "Xing Zixu," Xing Wuzhan's pupils instantly dilated. His entire body trembled violently, and the respect on his face was immediately replaced by extreme shock and excitement.

Watching such a drastic emotional change, Gu Changyuan could not help but feel a hint of doubt.

It seemed that Xing Zixu's status in the Star Clan was far higher than he had imagined. It was definitely not as simple as the "not low status" Xing Zixu had initially claimed.

Xing Wuzhan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the excitement and trembling in his heart. He slowly straightened up, his tone incredibly solemn and filled with deep reverence:

"Senior, this friend you speak of, Progenitor Xing Zixu, is one of the seven great progenitors of my Star Clan, and one of the greatest pillars of our Upper Realm Star Clan.

However, nearly two thousand years ago, the Progenitor suddenly disappeared without a trace. Our clan exhausted all its power, crossing countless domains to search for him, but there was never any news.

I never expected to hear news of the Progenitor from you today, Senior. May I ask, how is the Progenitor doing now?"

Gu Changyuan looked at him and remained silent for a moment, unable to stop a sigh from rising in his heart.

Good heavens, he was actually one of the progenitors of the Star Clan. He had even told him that his "status was not low." This wasn't just "not low"; it was clearly at the absolute peak.

Although he secretly grumbled in his heart, thinking of how Xing Zixu had long since fallen in the Ruins of Disorder, the expression on Gu Changyuan's face faded a bit, and his tone carried a barely imperceptible sigh:

"Unfortunately, he has already passed away. This jade box, along with the dagger inside, are the relics he entrusted me to pass on to the people of the Star Clan before his death."

The expression on Xing Wuzhan's face froze.

That anticipation, that apprehension, and that yearning suppressed for a thousand years all transformed into an unspeakable sorrow at this moment.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"So... the Progenitor is already gone. Yes, it has been nearly two thousand years. If he were still alive, he would have returned long ago. He would have returned to the Star Clan..."

The faces of Xing Yan and the other six were also filled with grief. Although they had never met Progenitor Xing Zixu, they had grown up listening to legends about him.

In their hearts, Xing Zixu was a god-like existence. Now, learning that the Progenitor had long fallen, the sorrow in their hearts was beyond words.

Seeing Xing Wuzhan's state, Gu Changyuan waved his right hand, and the purple jade box engraved with star patterns slowly floated toward Xing Wuzhan.

Xing Wuzhan hastily reached out with both hands, carefully catching the jade box, his fingertips trembling slightly.

His gaze fell upon the crystalline purple dagger, his eyes swirling with a mixture of sorrow, regret, and reverence.

Emotions surged within him. Thousands of words were stuck in his throat, ultimately turning into nothing but a heavy sigh.

This dagger was Progenitor Xing Zixu's intrinsic token, one of the symbols of the Star Clan, and it carried the heritage and hope of their people.

Seeing it again now, everything had changed. The Progenitor had long fallen, leaving only this dagger to tell the tale of past glory.

A moment later, Xing Wuzhan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the myriad of emotions in his heart. The sorrow in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by an unquestionable determination.

He slowly raised his head, looking at Gu Changyuan with burning eyes, his tone incredibly solemn:

"Senior, could we speak privately?"

Gu Changyuan raised an eyebrow. From Xing Wuzhan's expression, he could tell there was an important matter to discuss.

He did not ask further. With a gentle lift of his right hand, a black curtain of light instantly appeared, firmly enveloping him and Xing Wuzhan, forming an absolutely isolated barrier.

"Speak."

Gu Changyuan stood up and patted the phantom image of the white tiger with his right hand, causing the white tiger to instantly turn into motes of light and dissipate.

"Within this barrier, besides the two of us, even if an Immortal Venerable were to come, they would not be able to hear a single sound."

Xing Wuzhan lowered his head to glance at the dagger in the jade box once more before looking up again.

His gaze was filled with absolute sincerity as he looked at Gu Changyuan, speaking word by word with resounding clarity:

"Senior, I wonder if you would be willing to take over Progenitor Xing Zixu's position and become the new Progenitor of my Star Clan?"

Huh? Me?

Gu Changyuan was stunned for a moment.

He thought he had misheard.

The new Progenitor of the Star Clan?

No way? Isn't this far too hasty!

We are only meeting for the first time, and you dare ask me to be your Star Clan's new Progenitor?

Is the position of the Star Clan's Progenitor really that worthless?

Seeing Gu Changyuan's face filled with astonishment and confusion, Xing Wuzhan did not feel surprised. Instead, as if expecting this, he slowly explained:

"Senior, please do not take offense. This matter was not a hasty decision on my part.

This dagger in your hands is no ordinary treasure. It is Progenitor Xing Zixu's intrinsic token, and also the progenitor token of my Star Clan.

Only someone recognized by the Progenitor can hold this dagger, and only they have the qualifications to inherit the position of Progenitor."

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"Progenitor Xing Zixu had extremely high standards and never easily acknowledged anyone.

The fact that he was willing to entrust this token to you to pass on, rather than entrusting it to someone within the clan, is enough to prove that he personally thought very highly of your strength and character."

Gu Changyuan did not reply, waiting for him to continue.

"You should also be aware of the matters regarding the Imperial Court, right?"

Gu Changyuan nodded.

Seeing him nod, Xing Wuzhan continued:

"Nowadays, the Imperial Court is running rampant in the Wanluo Immortal Realm.

The five great families of the Human Immortal Realm's Central Continent have already been expelled. Many major factions are either currently being targeted or will be the next targets."

His gaze darkened slightly:

"Although my Star Clan has lived in seclusion for generations and does not participate in outside disputes, many of our deeds have spread throughout the Immortal Realm, and our foundation is not to be underestimated. Sooner or later, we will be targeted by the Imperial Court.

And now, out of the seven progenitors of my Star Clan, Progenitor Xing Zixu has already ascended to the heavens. Two other progenitors have been outside with no news for many years, completely cutting off contact with the clan.

Currently, there are only four progenitors left standing guard over the clan."

His tone carried a trace of worry:

"If the Imperial Court really sets its sights on my Star Clan in the future, relying solely on four progenitors will simply be impossible to resist. When that time comes, I fear the Star Clan will face total annihilation."