After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 65

Having collected the core of the puppet, Ye Li did not linger, immediately leading the members of the Gloom Pavilion (You Ge) away from the square, which had become a hotbed of conflict. Within the ruins, dangers lurked everywhere, and the longer they stayed, the more likely they were to become targets of others’ greed.

“Pavilion Master, why didn’t we just now…” Sun Xiaohou felt a bit puzzled. In his view, those disciples from the Artifact Hall (Qi Dian) and the rogue cultivators were already at the end of their ropes, and they might have been able to seize more benefits.

Ye Li’s gaze was cool as she interrupted him: “Greed often leads to indigestion. Our goal is the Starlight Stone and the metals from beyond the heavens (Tianwai Jinshu), we shouldn’t create unnecessary complications. That black-clad person is of unknown origin and acted ruthlessly. There might be a greater power behind him; it’s unwise to get entangled too deeply.”

Lin Feng nodded in agreement: “The Pavilion Master is absolutely right. Our strength is still weak; we need to develop discreetly. Quietly amassing wealth is the best strategy.”

Xia Zhihe also said softly: “During the chaos just now, I secretly scattered some tracking incense powder. Perhaps in the future, we can use it to find clues about those black-clad people.”

Ye Li gave Xia Zhihe an approving look. This woman was meticulous and certainly one of the strategists of the Gloom Pavilion. “Well done. Xiaohou, be even more careful while scouting ahead. In these ruins, open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against.”

“Understood!” Sun Xiaohou put away his playful demeanor and looked serious.

The group proceeded toward the deeper parts of the ruins, following the direction Sun Xiaohou had scouted. Based on fragments of ancient texts and the scattered information provided by their sect, the core area of the Meteorite Ruins might be a dilapidated structure named the “Starlight Palace” (Xing Dian), where the highest-purity Starlight Stones, or even the Starlight Core, were most likely to be found.

Along the way, they encountered several more waves of mutated demonic beasts and scattered spatial rifts. However, thanks to Ye Li’s powerful attacks and the team’s coordination, they overcame the dangers safely and also gained some fragments of Starlight Iron of decent quality.

The deeper they went, the more teams of cultivators they encountered. Besides disciples of the Profound Cloud Sect (Xuan Yun Zong), they could also see disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect (Chi Yan Zong) wearing crimson robes, disciples of the Wind-Thunder Pavilion (Feng Lei Ge) with fluttering sleeves adorned with wind-thunder patterns, and even more assorted rogue cultivators. Various forces were intermingled, the atmosphere was tense, and small-scale conflicts often erupted over the occasional appearance of resources. Ye Li’s group tried their best to avoid crowded areas, choosing secluded paths instead.

Three days later, they passed through a forest made of twisted metal, and their view suddenly opened up. A massive, colossal palace, whose former grandeur was still discernible despite its heavy dilapidation, stood in the center of a relatively flat area of ruins. The palace was cast entirely from a dark-silver metal, its surface covered with profound starlight patterns. Although most of it had collapsed, the remaining main structure still emitted a heart-pounding energy fluctuation—it was the Starlight Palace!

At this moment, in front of the Starlight Palace’s sole remaining, tens-of-feet-high giant gate, dozens of cultivators had already gathered, forming several distinct camps confronting each other.

The largest group consisted of about fifteen or sixteen Crimson Flame Sect disciples. Leading them was a tall, arrogant-looking young man, whose aura had clearly reached the initial stage of the Spiritual Mansion Realm (Lingfu Jing). Subtle flames faintly wreathed his body, indicating he was a True Inheritance disciple of the Crimson Flame Sect. They occupied the position closest to the palace gate, with a domineering attitude.

On the other side were seven or eight Wind-Thunder Pavilion disciples. Their leader was a sharp-willed woman carrying twin swords on her back, also in the initial Spiritual Mansion Realm. Her eyes were like lightning, confronting the Crimson Flame Sect without any sign of weakness.

Additionally, there were two teams from the Profound Cloud Sect. One was led by Leng Yun, a True Inheritance disciple from the Sword Peak (Jian Feng) (he surprisingly also came), and the other was Gao Sheng’s team from the Battle Maniac Peak (Zhan Kuang Feng). Leng Yun’s team was small but elite, while Gao Sheng’s team was larger in number but mixed in strength. The two Profound Cloud Sect groups, though from the same sect, were clearly separated and did not merge.

The rest were some scattered rogue cultivators and disciples from minor sects, clustering further away, not daring to approach the core area.

The arrival of Ye Li and her group did not cause much commotion. In front of the Spiritual Mansion Realm True Inheritances and the numerous large teams, their group, with only one leader in the Middle Vein-Condensation Realm (Ning Mai Zhong Qi) and seemingly average overall strength, appeared insignificant.

“Pavilion Master, the situation is complex. The Crimson Flame Sect and Wind-Thunder Pavilion are powerful. We…” Lin Feng analyzed in a low voice, a worried expression on his face.

Ye Li’s gaze swept across the scene, finally resting on the tightly shut Starlight Palace gate, which was covered in starlight runes. The gate seemed to be sealed by a powerful restriction, and everyone appeared to be discussing how to break it.

“Watch and wait.” Ye Li whispered, leading her group to a nondescript corner to stop and observe in secret. She noticed that when Gao Sheng saw them, a hint of malice flashed in his eyes, but he was quickly drawn back to the situation at hand.

In the center of the scene, the Crimson Flame Sect’s True Inheritance disciple (named Yan Lie) was speaking loudly: “Everyone, the restriction on this Starlight Palace is powerful, not something one person can break. I propose that our Crimson Flame Sect, the Wind-Thunder Pavilion, and our friends from the Profound Cloud Sect join forces to break the restriction first. As for the treasures inside, everyone relies on their own ability, how about that? As for these small fry…” He contemptuously glanced toward the rogue cultivators, “You’d better clear out early, lest you get accidentally injured later!”

The rogue cultivators were angry but dared not speak out.

The twin-sword-wielding woman from the Wind-Thunder Pavilion (named Lei Ying) snorted coldly: “We can cooperate, but after breaking the restriction, we must enter simultaneously. No one is allowed to rush ahead.”

Leng Yun stood with his sword clasped, simply uttering two words: “Agreed.”

Although Gao Sheng was unwilling to be represented by Leng Yun, the circumstances forced his hand, and he could only nod in agreement.

The three major forces reached a preliminary agreement, each sending out disciples proficient in formation arrays to study the gate’s restriction. The formation masters of the Crimson Flame Sect and the Wind-Thunder Pavilion were clearly more skilled, and they quickly found several key nodes of the restriction.

“Attack those three starlight runes!” Yan Lie shouted, taking the lead. A thick column of fire blasted toward one of the nodes!

Lei Ying drew her twin swords, invoking wind and thunder, and her sword energy was like a dragon! Leng Yun also unleashed an incomparably fierce sword light!

Gao Sheng and the other disciples also made their moves!

The combined power of nearly thirty elite disciples (mainly the three Spiritual Mansion Realm cultivators) descended upon the gate restriction like a fierce storm! The layer of starlight barrier fluctuated violently, letting out a buzzing sound of distress!

Hiding far away, Ye Li’s pupils contracted. The intensity of this restriction was beyond imagination, but it was indeed starting to loosen under their combined efforts.

It was then that an unexpected turn of events occurred!

The moment the restriction’s light dimmed to its lowest, an inconspicuous, gray-robed old man who had been silently following at the end of the rogue cultivator team suddenly flashed a glint in his eyes! He abruptly tossed out a rusty bronze ancient nail, which transformed into a streak of light and, with lightning speed, accurately shot toward a hidden node of the restriction—one that even the formation masters of the three major sects had failed to detect—the weakest point!

Pfft!

Like a balloon being punctured, the entire starlight barrier instantly disintegrated! The palace gate let out a heavy rumbling sound and slowly opened inward, creating a gap!

“Oh no! A trick!”

“Stop him!”

Yan Lie, Lei Ying, and the others were shocked and furious. They hadn’t expected a rogue cultivator to snatch the advantage! Everyone immediately redirected their attacks toward the gray-robed old man!

However, the old man’s figure was like a ghost. He dodged most of the attacks in the nick of time, spitting out a mouthful of blood, yet his speed remained undiminished as he was the first to charge toward the gate’s opening!

“You’re courting death!” Yan Lie was enraged. A giant palm of fire struck toward the old man’s back!

Just as the old man was about to be pulverized, he threw back a black talisman covered with bizarre runes!

Boom!

The talisman exploded, turning into a sky full of black mist. Not only did it block Yan Lie’s attack, but the black mist also carried strong corrosive properties and a divine consciousness interference effect, instantly engulfing a large area in front of the palace gate!

“It’s the ‘Soul Corroding Mist’ of the Demonic Path! Be careful!” someone exclaimed in alarm!

The scene instantly plunged into chaos! The black mist obstructed vision and divine consciousness. No one could clearly see anyone else, and various attacks flew wildly. Cries of pain rose everywhere!

“Opportunity!” Ye Li’s eyes flashed with intensity! This sudden chaos was a heaven-sent chance to fish in troubled waters!

“Stay close to me!” She whispered, pushing the Universe Untraceable Steps (Huan Yu Wu Zong Bu) to its limit. Her figure seemed to merge into the shadows as she was the first to rush toward the gate’s opening! Lin Feng and the other four followed closely without hesitation!

Ye Li compressed her divine consciousness to its extreme, covering only a ten-foot radius around her body. Relying on her powerful perception and elusive footwork, she darted through the black mist like a fish, narrowly avoiding indiscriminate attacks and the confused crowd.

Just as they were about to rush into the palace gate, a vicious saber aura suddenly struck from the side! It was a Crimson Flame Sect disciple who seemed to have recognized Ye Li and wanted to strike a malicious blow while she was busy!

Ye Li’s eyes turned cold. She neither dodged nor retreated, but countered with her Profound Ice Sword (Xuan Bing Jian), which came out from behind and arrived first!

Crack! The saber aura shattered! The Crimson Flame Sect disciple felt an irresistible immense force pushing back. His tiger’s mouth split open, and his long saber flew out of his hand. Before he could react, an icy finger wind had already pierced his glabella, instantly freezing his soul!

Instant kill!

Ye Li didn’t even look at the fallen corpse. Her figure didn’t stop, and she and her four companions shot into the Starlight Palace gate like sharp arrows!

Behind them, the black mist gradually dissipated, revealing a mess on the ground and several corpses. Yan Lie, Lei Ying, Leng Yun, and the others were livid. They, too, were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. Although they had killed the gray-robed old man and a few unlucky rogue cultivators, an inconspicuous small team had managed to sneak in ahead of them!

“It’s that Ye Li from the Profound Cloud Sect!” Gao Sheng gritted his teeth.

“Chase!” Yan Lie roared, leading the Crimson Flame Sect disciples to rush into the palace gate first. Lei Ying and Leng Yun and the others immediately followed suit.

The interior of the Starlight Palace was not the expected treasury but a vaster, more dilapidated internal space. Star-patterned sculptures and broken corridors were collapsed everywhere, as if it had suffered a heaven-shaking great battle.

Ye Li’s group of five dared not delay, rapidly advancing along a relatively intact passage.

“Pavilion Master, just now…” Zhao Xiao-Yi was still shaken. Ye Li’s ruthless method of instantly killing the Crimson Flame Sect disciple just now made his heart pound.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” Ye Li’s tone was icy. “Here, being soft-hearted is suicide. Once you act, you must be clean and decisive, leaving no future troubles.”

Lin Feng and the others felt a chill in their hearts and unanimously agreed. They once again realized that this young Pavilion Master was not only frighteningly talented and strong but also possessed a resolute and ruthless character, absolutely not one to be indecisive.

The struggle inside the Starlight Palace had just begun. Could Ye Li, who had gained a slight head start, transform this meager advantage into genuine gains? And what kind of storm would the geniuses from the major sects who were pursuing them bring? A more intense gamble was quietly unfolding within the ruins of this ancient Starlight Palace.