Chapter 122: Awakening

Time passed like a fleeting moment, and in the blink of an eye, two months had already slipped by. The day when the Celestial Star Array, spoken of by the Demon-Suppressing Pestle God, would be broken was drawing ever nearer.

Over these two months, the frequency of attacks by the supreme Celestial Realm overlords had increased dramatically—from once every two or three days to two or three times a day. This surge reflected their growing confidence, while the Celestial Star Array itself grew increasingly fragile, barely able to mount a strong defense.

“The breaking of the Celestial Star Array is imminent. We must prepare for a desperate battle,” said Yi Xiaoxian with a grave expression. She was the first to finish her cultivation and had already reached the early decline stage of the Celestial Realm, her combat power comparable to someone in the late decline stage.

At this moment, Yi Xiaoxian seemed ready to ascend on the wind, exuding an inexplicable aura, akin to a celestial goddess from the ninth heaven—enigmatic and elusive.

“Miss Xiaoxian’s words are indeed true,” said the Fallen Flower Gentleman. He had completed his inheritance two days prior, and his realm had surged beyond Yi Xiaoxian’s, reaching the mid-decline stage of the Celestial Realm, his combat prowess also on par with the late decline stage.

The Fallen Flower Gentleman’s demeanor was strikingly different now, embodying the image of a true disciple of the Buddhist path, with a halo of Buddha light shimmering above his head, radiating sanctity.

Yi Xiaoxian glanced at him sideways, sensing that his strength had indeed surpassed hers.

At that moment, outside, the supreme Celestial Realm overlords struck again. A semi-ancestral artifact blossomed with dazzling radiance, exerting overwhelming pressure. Their colossal forms darkened the sky and earth, instilling dread in all who beheld them.

“Rumble!”

The earth shook, and the Celestial Star Array reappeared. This time, however, it did not actively engage the enemy but merely stood in defense.

“Good. The array is about to be broken. If we had the Demon-Suppressing Pestle, we might have already succeeded,” a voice echoed through the array, reaching the main hall of the Little Thunder Sound Temple, revealing unmatched power.

“Is that a late decline Celestial Realm overlord?!” Yi Xiaoxian and the Fallen Flower Gentleman exchanged a look, both reading the heaviness in each other’s eyes.

There were many others like him, indicating that there was more than one late decline Celestial Realm overlord outside.

“Keep pressing the gates. Let’s break the array as soon as possible. May you all leap through the Dragon Gate and earn the right to tread the Void’s edge,” another voice spoke. This figure was shrouded in a mysterious chaotic divine light, his strength undeniable, and he seemed to be the leader among them.

“Is that the mysterious one?” The Fallen Flower Gentleman’s mind stirred, shocked. This enigmatic figure had previously attacked him and Xiang Zhenting, yet his face had remained unseen.

“His power seems even greater than before.”

The Fallen Flower Gentleman was astonished, for he could directly sense that the mysterious figure had now reached the late decline stage of the Celestial Realm, likely surpassing the first late decline overlord who appeared. His previous attacks on the Fallen Flower Gentleman had probably not exceeded the early decline stage.

As the mysterious figure finished speaking, a group of formidable beings attacked the gates again. A second semi-ancestral artifact emerged—a massive blade wielded by an invincible presence, possibly the true form of the mysterious figure, operating from billions of miles away. Divine light tore through the void, black holes materialized—terrifying in power.

The Celestial Star Array struggled desperately, its starry brilliance unfolding secret heavenly arts to form a vast celestial canopy that shielded all beneath it. Yet the blade’s radiance was terrifying, as was the mountain-sized force behind it. The destructive momentum of the Celestial Star Array’s demise was inevitable and near.

“If that blade strikes us, it would be dreadful. We would have no chance of counterattack,” Yi Xiaoxian observed gravely, fully aware now of the terror lurking outside. The main hall of Little Thunder Sound Temple was nothing less than a deathtrap.

“Rest assured, that one cannot maintain his attack for long. And once the Celestial Star Array is destroyed, it will be even less so,” the manifestation of the Demon-Suppressing Pestle God spoke. Its figure grew more hunched, aged to the utmost, seemingly nearing extinction. The bestowal ritual had taken an enormous toll on it.

“Senior, do you mean—?” Yi Xiaoxian frowned, seeking clarification.

“This involves some secrets. You need not worry. The Celestial Star Array is about to perish. When that happens, you should leave as soon as possible. Hopefully, you can escape before its destruction,” the Demon-Suppressing Pestle God said, its gaze tinged with urgency.

Everyone waited in tense silence. The atmosphere within the main hall of Little Thunder Sound Temple was exceedingly eerie.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan remained oblivious to all this. He was still immersed in cultivation, unaware of when he might stop.

Yet Lin Fan’s realm had also completely broken through into the Celestial Realm, even surpassing Yi Xiaoxian and the Fallen Flower Gentleman, reaching the mid-decline stage!

“The power within this fragment is immense; I cannot fully absorb it,” Lin Fan thought. Though he could not sense the outside world’s turmoil, his mind was clear and focused solely on cultivation.

He felt a vast force within his chest, grander than an ocean, broader than the starry sky. Yet his realm was too low to absorb it fully.

Still, the power was not wasted. It circulated repeatedly through Lin Fan’s body, strengthening his flesh and bones, eventually refining his blood. His blood no longer remained red but transformed into a noble pale gold.

“Legends say that in ancient times, mighty beasts ruled the world, their blood as precious as rare medicine. For ordinary people to obtain even a drop was a supreme blessing. It seems my blood will soon possess such power,” Lin Fan mused, sensing the monumental changes within him.

His talent had not broken through; it remained at the rare five-thousand-year level.

After three or four more days, his transformation neared completion.

One day, Lin Fan suddenly rose, his eyes opening to reveal twin beams of divine light like celestial lamps piercing the sky, tearing open the dome of the Little Thunder Sound Temple. His realm was now firmly fixed at the late decline stage of the Celestial Realm—just one step away from the final decline.

“Finally, I have expended this power. Unexpectedly, I even advanced a little at the last moment,” Lin Fan said joyfully. In terms of true combat power, with full release, he could rival a late decline Celestial Realm overlord, surpassing over eighty percent of them.

The energy fluctuations roused Yi Xiaoxian and the Fallen Flower Gentleman. Before either could speak, the Demon-Suppressing Pestle God appeared, nodding gravely to Lin Fan.

“It’s time,” it said solemnly.