"Alright, enough of that. You've all made it to the main competition now, and you've brought glory to Tianyu. As your master, I must reward you handsomely."
"Master, what will you reward us with?"
"I had you absorb the power of the stars earlier. While you absorbed a great deal, your current cultivation levels weren't sufficient to refine it naturally. This time, I'll lend you a hand to help you refine this starlight. I believe your cultivation will surely advance further."
"That's wonderful, Master, you're the best!"
The female disciples all gathered around Ye Yun, their faces beaming with joy.
"The teams that have entered the main competition will compete for the championship here in three days. We kindly ask all the prodigies from the various worlds to prepare yourselves well."
"Did you hear that? The decisive battle is in three days. Let's head back and prepare."
Ye Yun smiled at his disciples and was about to leave with them.
"Master, aren't we waiting for Miss Song and Sister Xing Meng?"
"They're adults now. Don't they know the way back? If they start pestering me to be their master's wife again later, it'll be troublesome."
"Hehe, Master, you say that, but don't you secretly wish they'd be your wives?"
"You little rascal, you know everything, don't you?"
Ye Yun flicked Fang Zhiwei's forehead and glanced back at Song Ziyue and Xing Meng. He saw they were still "scolding" those flirtatious women. He then quickly left with his disciples.
On the high platform, the Tian Lan Star Lord watched Ye Yun and his group depart, a heavy expression on his face.
"My Lord Star Lord, it seems we've underestimated Tianyu."
"Elder Li, what are your thoughts on the upcoming decisive battle?"
"My Lord Star Lord, I have observed and sensed them carefully. Ye Aotian's disciples are all immensely talented, far beyond what one would expect from a first-level great world. But that's no longer important. How to defeat them and preserve the reputation of our eighth-level great world is the key."
"Indeed!"
The Tian Lan Star Lord nodded slightly. He had no worries about the teams from other seventh and sixth-level great worlds. However, Tianyu's team had truly become a thorn in his side.
"My Lord Star Lord, I prepared this eighth-rank divine artifact myself. I will also do my utmost to win it. Please do not worry."
At this moment, Tian Feng stepped forward, declaring his resolve.
"That's right, we believe in Prince Tian Feng's strength."
The others echoed his sentiments.
"Prince Tian Feng's strength is beyond doubt, but among Ye Aotian's disciples, at least two cannot be ignored."
"Master, who are those two?"
"It's that Chu Ai and Xiao Meng. These two possess incredibly strong destiny. Especially Chu Ai, whom I find somewhat unfathomable. I suspect Ye Aotian doesn't take disciples randomly; he must have sensed their destiny."
"Do such methods for sensing destiny truly exist?"
"In the myriad worlds, anything is possible. It's hard to say. My Lord Star Lord, we absolutely cannot let Ye Aotian win this eighth-rank divine artifact."
Elder Li stroked his beard and said in a deep voice.
The Tian Lan Star Lord frowned slightly. He, too, realized the crisis had arrived. He looked at his sons; while their strength was considerable, this time they didn't have a guaranteed victory.
"What does Elder Li suggest?"
"In these three days, I intend to let the eldest prince enter the Tian Lan Secret Realm to break through to the half-step Heavenly God realm, or even the true Heavenly God realm. Only then can we be invincible."
"The Tian Lan Secret Realm?"
The Tian Lan Star Lord's face showed struggle. The Tian Lan Secret Realm was intrinsically linked to the destiny of the Tian Lan Star Domain, and he himself rarely entered it. Was he truly going to do this now?
"My Lord Star Lord, this is the most secure approach. Otherwise, if we fail, this Great Selection of Ten Thousand Worlds will become a laughingstock."
"Alas, it seems there's no other way. Tian Feng, you and the others will enter the secret realm with Elder Li for your cultivation. You must strive for a breakthrough with all your might!"
"Please rest assured, My Lord Star Lord, we will not fail your trust!"
Tian Feng and the others bowed respectfully, expressing their determination.
Elder Li nodded slightly and then led the group away.
In a secluded spot behind the Tian Lan City mountains, Elder Li arrived with several princes.
"Your Highnesses, please protect the eldest prince. Only one person can enter this secret realm."
"Don't worry, we all support big brother."
"Heh heh, thank you, Your Highnesses."
Elder Li smiled slightly and then approached the entrance to the secret realm. He reached out towards a Dharma seal on the gate.
"Open!"
He released his divine power and channeled it into the Dharma seal. The grand stone gate slowly opened.
"Brothers, thank you for your understanding. I will surely live up to your expectations this time!"
"Big brother, rest assured, we will guard here. No one will be able to disturb your cultivation."
"Thank you!"
Tian Feng clasped his hands in thanks and followed Elder Li into the secret realm.
At Ye Yun's residence in Tian Lan City.
"Master, we're finally home. Can you guide us now?"
"Heh heh, you impatient little girl. Let me activate the Divine Refining Pagoda!"
"Great."
Hearing about the Divine Refining Pagoda, the female disciples were extremely happy, as cultivation there was twice as effective with half the effort.
With a thought from Ye Yun, all his disciples ascended into the Divine Refining Pagoda.
"Sit down according to the Eight Trigram formation."
"Yes!"
The female disciples all took their seats on the Eight Trigram Dharma seals, while Ye Yun closed his eyes to concentrate.
"Starlight Undying Body!"
As Ye Yun activated his divine body, streams of starlight pierced through the void and shone directly onto his head. A night sky filled with countless stars even appeared behind him.
The formidable power of the stars left the female disciples in awe.
"Do not be distracted. Focus your minds and regulate your breathing."
"Yes."
The disciples dared not be careless. They all held their breath, concentrating their minds and controlling the starlight within their bodies.
As the starlight circulated through their meridians, Ye Yun's divine consciousness attached itself to the starlight and surged into the disciples' meridians.
"Act according to my divine consciousness's guidance. Not a single step can be missed!"
"Understood!"
The disciples responded with their spiritual senses. Master and disciples, their minds connected, everything was ready.
Time ticked by. Ye Yun's divine consciousness guided the starlight in the disciples' bodies to continuously circulate. After ten full cycles, the starlight in the disciples' bodies was finally completely refined.
"Hoo..."
The disciples all exhaled a long breath, feeling refreshed.
"Master, we succeeded."
The disciples were in high spirits, as they could feel a significant increase in their cultivation.
"Master, I even feel like I'm on the verge of breaking through to the Heavenly God realm."
Xiao Ai extended her hand and circulated her divine power. She could already faintly sense the signs of tribulation clouds forming in the sky above. Even through the Divine Refining Pagoda, she could sense it.