Starry River Hanging Dew

But when their gazes swept over Gu Changyuan and Gu Xing'er behind Xing Wuzhan, their expressions instantly changed.

The aura surrounding Gu Changyuan was unfathomable. Even Xing Qianchen, an Immortal King-level Grand Ancestor, could not see through him in the slightest, causing his heart to jolt in shock.

As for Gu Xing'er, she was wreathed in pure Primal Chaos Stellar Power. Her unique aura allowed them to recognize at a glance that she was the host of the Primal Chaos Stellar Spirit Body their Star Clan had been desperately searching for.

Xing Qianchen frowned and was the first to speak, a trace of doubt in his tone:

"Uncle Zhan, you suddenly teleported away in an emergency. What exactly happened? And who are these two?"

Xing Wuzhan's expression was incredibly solemn. He took a step forward, raised his hand to signal for silence, and then spoke in a loud, clear voice:

"Everyone, I have a major matter to announce today.

This gentleman here is the new Progenitor of our Star Clan from now on, Progenitor Gu Changyuan."

"What?!"

These words exploded in everyone's ears like a clap of thunder. Everyone stiffened in shock, their faces full of disbelief.

Xing Qianchen was the first to react. His brows knitted tightly as he looked at Xing Wuzhan:

"Uncle Zhan, what do you mean by this?! A new Progenitor?

How could you directly decide on a new Progenitor without discussing it with us at all, nor reporting it to the Star Clan of the Upper Realm? And an outsider at that?"

Xing Qianchen's words voiced the thoughts of everyone present.

The position of the Star Clan's Progenitor represented the highest authority of the clan and carried the clan's legacy. How could it be handled so hastily? How could an outsider be allowed to take the position directly, without any discussion or reporting?

Any member of the Star Clan would feel dissatisfied and doubtful.

Xing Wuzhan had anticipated this. Without the slightest panic on his face, he spoke slowly, his tone incomparably solemn:

"Everyone, the reason I did not discuss this beforehand or report it to the Upper Realm is because the matter was urgent and of grave importance. Progenitor Xing Zixu... has already passed away and returned to the heavens."

"What?! Progenitor Xing Zixu has fallen?!"

It was yet another thunderclap. The crowd was shocked once more, their faces filled with grief and disbelief.

Progenitor Xing Zixu was one of the seven great Progenitors of the Star Clan, possessing immense power. How could he fall so suddenly?

Xing Wuzhan suppressed the grief in his heart and continued:

"Before Progenitor Xing Zixu passed away, he personally entrusted his Progenitor token to Progenitor Gu Changyuan.

Progenitor Gu's strength is unfathomable, far surpassing the Immortal Emperor realm. Moreover, he has long comprehended the Great Dao of Stars, and his understanding of it is not the least bit inferior to the various Progenitors of our clan.

Coupled with his deep ties to Progenitor Xing Zixu, he is fully qualified to hold the position of the Star Clan's Progenitor."

As for just how deep Gu Changyuan's comprehension of the Great Dao of Stars truly was, Xing Wuzhan actually had no idea.

But in order to convince his clansmen, he had to say so.

However, he was very clear in his heart.

The fact that the other party could instantly master the array formation passed down by the Star Clan for tens of millions of years already explained everything.

Such terrifying learning ability could not be found a second time, even among the Progenitors of the Star Clan.

This further strengthened Xing Wuzhan's conviction to push him to become the Progenitor.

Someone who could set up the Star Clan's array formation so quickly definitely possessed an understanding of the Great Dao of Stars that far exceeded theirs.

Not inferior to a Progenitor...

Perhaps, that was actually the truth.

Hearing the words 'Progenitor Xing Zixu's token', the expressions on the faces of several elders and ancestors began to waver.

The token would not lie.

The fact that Progenitor Xing Zixu would entrust the token to this person was proof enough in itself.

Xing Qianchen fell silent for a moment. He opened his mouth, still wanting to say something:

"But we can't be this hasty—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the expression on Xing Wuzhan's face instantly changed.

An invisible aura of coercion emanated from him. Although it was not directed at anyone in particular, the imposing presence of a superior was enough to make everyone present feel his wrath.

Xing Qianchen could only bite his tongue.

Yet, judging by his slightly darkened gaze, he was clearly still unconvinced in his heart.

Standing to the side, Gu Changyuan took all of this in.

He was not surprised.

For an outsider like him to suddenly become the progenitor of a clan with a history spanning millions of years, any clan member would naturally feel resistant.

It was only human nature.

However, he had already figured out a solution.

Along the way, he had taken advantage of their travel breaks to study the Progenitor Dagger left behind by Xing Zixu.

It was through this dagger that he came into contact with the pure aura of the Star Source. Seizing this opportunity, he gained a significant new understanding of the power of the stars.

The very moment he entered this Star Vault Secret Realm, Gu Changyuan had sensed a stirring from the Star Vault Source at its center.

Following that trace of source aura, he probed forward, and in a mere instant, he gained a crystal-clear understanding of the entire Star Vault Secret Realm.

The layout of the realm, the distribution of the clan members, the condition of the Star Vault Source, and even the hidden dangers lurking in the depths of the realm—everything was laid bare before his eyes.

This made him marvel inwardly; Xing Zixu truly placed an immense amount of trust in him.

Not only was the Star Source completely defenseless against him, voluntarily opening itself up for his perception whenever he wished to probe it; but the moment he stepped into this connected Star Vault Secret Realm, it instantly forged a tight bond between him and the Star Vault Source.

It was as if he were a natural-born member of the Star Clan, rightfully destined to wield this source.

Was he truly not afraid that Gu Changyuan might be an evil cultivator who would just wipe out the entire Star Clan?

Gu Changyuan thought to himself, unable to hold back a soft chuckle.

For the sake of your profound trust, I suppose I will do you a favor and help out this Star Clan.

Gu Changyuan took a step forward.

He did not say a word.

With a raise of his right hand, the Progenitor Dagger materialized in his palm.

Gripping the dagger, he casually swung it a few times to familiarize himself with the source power dwelling within it. Then, he abruptly slashed it with great force toward the sky above the Star Vault Secret Realm.

Boom—

A surge of source power erupted from Gu Changyuan's hand and the dagger, surging upward like an inverted galaxy shooting straight into the highest heavens.

The vast, starry sky above was instantly torn asunder.

A pitch-black fissure burst open in the center, rapidly spreading to both sides.

From either side of the rift, two streams of emerald aurora cascaded downward.

The aurora was of a pure, profound green, resembling two endless bolts of silk descending from the heavens, slowly flowing, intertwining, and coiling within the void.

Wherever the aurora passed, countless shimmering fragments of starlight poured from the rift. They cascaded down like a waterfall, showering over the entire Star Vault Secret Realm.

Every single drop of starlight contained a dense concentration of astral power.

They fell upon the floating islands, the grand palaces, the spiritual springs, and into every corner of the realm.

"This... is this... the Astral River's Dew?!"