Light.
A soft, pure radiance, like bathing in the glow from the depths of a river of stars.
And then... resonance.
A deep and immense Star Resonance surged like a tide in the depths of his consciousness!
Ian slowly opened his eyes.
His Perception spread out like still water, penetrating the thick Star Marrow Rock walls of the Star-Attracting Tower.
It gently connected with the world outside, a land that had been undergoing Purification for six years.
The familiar "breathing" of the tower filled his ears.
The hum of Star Vein Energy flowing rhythmically through the Rune Arrays, and from the city below, the faint sounds of mortal life.
Before him was a familiar sight: the dome of Xingshu Hall at the top of the Star-Attracting Tower.
The curved dome, a hundred meters high, was inlaid with tens of thousands of self-luminous Crystal Stones.
Streams of black, light blue, and pale purple brilliance intertwined, illuminating the hall in an eternal, starlit day, utterly free of dust.
In the center of the hall, a figure sat in silence.
His long black hair cascaded down like a river of stars, and beneath his skin, Starlight seemed to flow.
Between his brows, a faint golden star sigil slowly spun. With every flicker, it resonated with the entire Star-Attracting Tower, and even with the Star Vein Node deep within the Earth Vein of Blue Cave Mountain.
Ian "felt" this projected body of his. His consciousness and flesh were in perfect harmony, and a majestic Power surged through his meridians like an endless river of stars.
Six years.
Three months in the Wizard World, six years on the Yalan Continent.
This body had already reached the Peak of Manifestation, with only the final threshold remaining before the legendary True Form Tier.
The True Form Tier on the Yalan Continent was equivalent to a Level Three Wizard in the Wizard World.
This was a level of Power his original body had not yet reached.
He had yet to fully comprehend some of its key aspects.
However, in the Sea of Spirit of his original body, Ian, the Rules from the Seed of the Stars were beginning to feed back to Li Xing.
’When the time is right, all forces in heaven and earth align!’
The connection between his original body and the projection happened to compensate for this deficiency.
He slowly rose to his feet. His black Long Robe stirred without a breeze, and his hair flowed with a quiet luster.
His footsteps landed on the Star Marrow Rock floor, producing a clear yet steady sound that echoed faintly in the vast and sacred hall.
Gazing at the familiar yet even more magnificent surroundings, he nodded slightly.
’This place... is looking more and more like the records in the Star Library!’
Thanks to Ian’s six years of management and Purification, Blue Cave Mountain had been transformed beyond recognition.
Respectful and restrained footsteps approached from outside the hall, stopping perfectly before the door.
"Brother?"
It was Li Yao’s voice.
Compared to six years ago, he sounded much calmer, and his aura was condensed and heavy. He was now firmly in the Late Stage of Condensation.
"Come in," Ian said. His voice was calm, yet it carried a natural authority.
The hall doors slid open silently, and Li Yao stepped inside.
He wore a smart, silver-gray uniform embroidered with simple star patterns. His posture was ramrod straight, and his face was resolute.
Upon entering, he dropped to one knee. The gesture was crisp and clean, his eyes filled with undisguised reverence and joy.
"Brother, your deep Meditation lasted for three months. During this time, all has been well in Blue Cave Mountain and the Starlight Sanctuary."
"Report." Ian walked toward the enormous arched glass window at the edge of the hall, his gaze drifting outside.
Outside the window, the sky was a washed-out, azure blue, and sunlight spilled down unhindered.
It painted the clean, continuous rooftops below, the orderly streets, and the lush protective forest in the distance a shade of gold.
Not a trace of the gray, hazy fog remained in the air, only the fresh scent of grass and trees and a vibrant vitality.
Gazing into the distance, the horizon at the edge of his vision was clear and serene.
"Yes." Li Yao rose and stood half a step behind and to the side of Ian.
He began his report, his speech methodical and his pace steady.
"First, the borders are secure. The main corruption fissures in the East and north have been continuously suppressed by the Starlight Barrier. The Corrupted Beast Swarms have been repelled and are monitored beyond the five-thousand-li warning line. There have been no large-scale invasions for eighteen consecutive months.
Second, the territory is prospering. The original Blue Cave Mountain has been expanded into the Starlight Main City. Along with the seven surrounding secondary cities and thirty-six towns, all are under the coverage of the Starlight Network. The population has grown to approximately two million, and commerce, agriculture, and the Rune Workshops are all operating smoothly.
Third, military development. The Starlight Guard standing army has reached five thousand strong. The minimum rank is Awakening Initial Tier, and all Centurions and above are at the Condensation Tier. The original Thirteen Imperial Guards... have all been promoted to the Late Stage of Condensation or higher. Each now commands a unit and is on standby at all times.
Fourth, diplomatic relations. Yesterday, Elder Chen Jingshan of the Chixia Business Alliance again sent someone with the quarterly resource list and his greetings. He mentioned that the Business Alliance warehouse has received a new batch of Void Crystal Sand, which seems to be something you requested previously. He asks that you decide on a time to summon him at your convenience."
Ian listened quietly, his gaze sweeping over the orderly city below.
Pedestrians came and went on the streets, children played, and unified shouts echoed from the training grounds. In the distance, the Workshop district flickered with the rhythmic glow of Runes.
All of this was a stark contrast to the ruin, despair, and gloom he had found when he first arrived in this world.
This was the Pure Land he had forged over six years with absolute Power and wisdom.
It was the flame of hope for the Human Race, burning tenaciously in the wasteland.
"And them?" Ian asked, referring to the original thirteen.
Li Yao’s expression turned serious. "The thirteen Guard Captains—Chi Xiao, Qing Lan, Mo Chen, Cyan Steel, and the others—heard that you might be waking up soon and have returned from their respective defense zones. They are currently waiting for an audience outside the Star Shining Hall."
"The Star Shining Hall?" Ian’s gaze flickered.
That was the place for assemblies and ceremonies he had ordered to be built in the center of the main city three years ago.
It symbolized the core of power and light for the Starlight Territory.
"Yes, my lord. The Star Shining Hall was completed last year. It is normally used for important assemblies and celebrations. Your seat has always been left vacant, awaiting you."
"Have them wait for me at the Observatory," Ian nodded slightly.
"Also, reply to Chen Jingshan. I will see him tomorrow afternoon in the Star Shining Hall."
"Yes, sir!" Li Yao accepted the order, bowed, and retreated with steady, swift steps.
The Star Shining Hall was located on the north side of the central square of Starlight Main City. It was a magnificent structure that blended cosmic aesthetics with practical design.
It was constructed entirely from pale gold Starlight Stone and silver-white Metal, with fluid lines that exuded a sense of Power.
The square before the hall was wide and flat, featuring a star sculpture that symbolized protection and guidance.
At this moment, thirteen figures stood like javelins at the bottom of the hall’s high steps.
They were between twenty and twenty-six years of age, dressed in the uniform ceremonial attire of the "Starlight Imperial Guards."
The base color was a deep, starry blue, with flowing Star Orbit patterns embroidered in silver thread along the edges. On their left chests, they wore Star Medals representing their individual numbers and achievements.
Each of them was surrounded by the unique Energy Field characteristic of a Condensation Tier expert.
Some were as solid as a mountain, some as sharp as a sword, some as nimble as the wind...
Although their characteristics varied, their foundations were all solid and profound, and their gazes were sharp yet serene.
When Ian’s figure, clad in white, appeared at the end of the square...
The gazes of the thirteen instantly focused, and their bodies subconsciously straightened even more.
There was no commotion, only a solemnity that was almost tangible and an excitement suppressed to its absolute limit.
Ian ascended the high steps, walking past them without stopping.
Yet he could clearly perceive each person’s Soul Fire, shining like a star that had been tempered and refined.
He also felt the bond of faith between them, forged through countless battles fought side-by-side, through the resources he had poured into them, and through trials of life and death.
This bond was now as tough as a star-rail steel cable, tightly winding their fates and loyalty around his Will.
He walked straight into the Star Shining Hall.
The interior of the hall was tall and vast. Twelve colossal pillars supported a ceiling painted with a starry sky. Light filtered through specially designed glass skylights, casting down pure Starlight that seemed almost tangible.
In the deepest part of the hall was a platform raised slightly above the floor. Upon it sat a single, wide chair carved from a whole piece of Jingxing Wood, its design simple yet majestic.
Ian turned before the seat to face the Thirteen Imperial Guards, who had automatically arranged themselves in two rows.
His calm gaze swept over each familiar, yet much more mature, face.
Chi Xiao’s red hair was like fire, his aura having reached the Peak of Condensation. Beneath his calm and reserved demeanor was a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
Qing Lan’s figure was agile and her eyes were sharp; her control over air currents had reached a masterful level.
Mo Chen’s knuckles were thick, and he carried the distinct scent of smelted Runes... Every single one of them was now capable of holding their own.
Cyan Steel’s aura was condensed. With every movement, he seemed like a humanoid figure of refined steel.
"It has been six years." Ian began, his voice echoing clearly in the quiet and sacred hall.
The thirteen held their breath, their focus absolute.
"You are no longer the naive youths who needed my constant protection under my wing."
Ian continued, his tone calm but laden with an intangible weight.
"Your swords have cleared the haze from this land. Your blood has nurtured the peace of today. Your loyalty and growth have forged the cornerstone of ’Starlight’."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over them as if it had physical substance.
"From this day forward, the name ’Thirteen Personal Guard Team’ is honorably retired."
You could hear a pin drop in the hall, with only the faint glimmer of flowing Starlight.
"You are..."
"The Starlight Guard."
"My personal guards, my sharpest blades, my... stars."
"You are this Pure Land’s... eternal Watchers."
As his voice fell...
The pupils of the thirteen constricted simultaneously.
The next second, ecstasy erupted like a volcano!
"We obey my lord’s command! Where the Starlight shines, we will follow for all eternity!"
The thirteen knelt on one knee, placing their right hands over their chests as they swore an oath.
Their perfectly synchronized voices, as if forged a thousand times over, shook the grand hall.
Burning in their eyes was a loyalty and glory, forged through a baptism of blood and fire, that would never waver until death.
Ian raised his hand, and a gentle Starlight Power lifted them all to their feet.
"Return to your posts and fulfill your duties. The peace of this world still requires your strength."
"Yes, sir!" the Thirteen Imperial Guards answered in unison. The fervor in their eyes subsided slightly, replaced by a rock-solid determination.
They bowed one by one before silently exiting the hall, returning to their respective posts and duties.
The hall returned to its tranquility.
Ian stepped out of the Star Shining Hall and stood at the top of the high steps, looking down upon the kingdom he had single-handedly shaped.
The sun shone brightly, the city operated in an orderly fashion, and in the distance, the shimmering membrane of the Barrier was faintly visible against the horizon, emitting stable and pure Energy fluctuations.
Six years ago, this was a land of despair.
Six years later, this is a land of hope for the Human Race.
In the future, it will also be... the Human Race Holy Land.
He slowly raised his right hand, palm up, and a thought flickered in his mind.
HUMMM!
With him at the center, an invisible "Rule" quietly shifted.
On the square before the hall, all the guards and the occasional civilian staff passing by felt their bodies grow slightly lighter.
It was as if Gravity had been precisely lowered by a fraction. The air felt fresher, and even the sunlight seemed a little warmer.
This was merely a subtle, almost instinctual adjustment of the Gravity Rule by a being at the Peak of Manifestation—a natural expression of a Power that had already integrated with the world.
"Blue Cave Mountain... Starlight Territory..."
Ian murmured to himself, the depths of his black eyes reflecting the vast, clear sky and the prosperous city.
And deeper still, a calm and calculated plan for the path ahead.
There was also a trace of profound contemplation concerning two worlds, known only to him.
"The foundation is laid. It is time to advance to a higher level, to seek the truth of this world and the source of the Abyss."
Ian’s voice echoed from the mountaintop, calm yet filled with unquestionable authority.
His gaze pierced through the clouds, landing on the distant horizon.
There, the silhouette of a bustling town was faintly visible.
Chixia City.
Six years ago, it was ruins. Now, it was the most prosperous trade hub within a radius of several thousand li.
And all of this...
Was the foundation that his projected body, Li Xing, had personally built over six years.
The Corrupted Beasts had retreated beyond five thousand li.
Seven cities and thirty-six towns were brought under his protection.
The entire Starlight Guard had reached the Condensation Tier.
The Business Alliance had become his strongest logistical ally.
And Li Xing himself was at the Peak of Manifestation, just one step away from the True Form Tier.
All of this...
"Is still not enough."
Ian murmured to himself, his black eyes reflecting the vast mountains and rivers.