Somewhere in the starry void within the Grand Assembly Arena, a group of Gu God Star disciples huddled together. Their nerves were taut as they watched the scene unfolding before them.

In the center stood Bai Lu, a celestial maiden in a white gown, deftly wrapping a luminous cloth around a young boy’s head, covering his eyes. The fabric shimmered with an otherworldly glow, casting faint reflections on their anxious faces.

Once she secured the cloth, Bai Lu exhaled deeply and turned to address the gathered disciples, “With the Rebirth Elixir and Spirit Storing Cloth, Lil Ao’s eyes can be saved!”

A collective sigh of relief swept through the nearly 20 disciples, the tension momentarily easing.

But Bai Ao, freshly bandaged, immediately clenched his teeth and growled low, his voice edged with pain and frustration. “I swear on my family’s lives, I didn’t lay eyes on that woman! I have no interest in giants like her. I adore Lil You—small, delicate, and lovely…”

Bai Lu could only shake her head in exasperation. “We get it! Now keep your mouth shut!”

“Sis,” Bai Ao pleaded, his voice breaking, “you have to believe me. Our Grand Assembly might get eliminated, but my reputation must stay intact. Otherwise, how will I explain myself to Lil You? She’ll be furious with me!”

“Bai Ao, one more word and we’ll leave you here,” Bai Lu warned, her patience worn thin.

The boy hesitated, sensing his sister’s genuine anger, and recoiled, his resolve crumbling. Yet, the defiance lingered in his eyes.

One of the taller disciples stepped forward, his voice tentative, “Based on what I know of Bai Ao, this situation…”

“Enough,” Bai Lu interrupted sharply. “This ends now. We're not discussing it further.”

“Understood!”

The disciples echoed in unison, nodding in agreement.

They all understood Bai Lu’s unspoken message. The Grand Assembly Arena offered no true privacy; their conversation could easily reach the ears of various factions within the Million Starlight Hall. Even if they trusted Bai Ao, speaking of it openly was a risk they couldn’t afford.

If the Young Dragon Consort were to bring this matter up, Bai Ao would have no choice but to admit fault. The Gu God Star couldn’t stand against stronger, more influential forces. With the Gu God Star currently seeking the protection of the Southern Divine Dragon Realm, internal conflicts like this only added to Bai Lu’s mounting pressure.

“No matter what the truth is, the current situation will undoubtedly place Father and the others in an awkward, even dire, position,” Bai Lu sighed, her voice heavy with worry.

This unforeseen complication had spiraled beyond their expectations, becoming absurdly complicated.

"But the Young Dragon Lord's reaction was truly disheartening... Sigh. To be honest, the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm is secluded, and their purchase of celestial slaves leaves no impression on our Gu God Star. As for the Southern Divine Dragon Realm, with the nature of their Dragon Devil Clan, once they dominate the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, they will trample all the celestial sects beneath their feet. I wonder what the ancient and powerful sects like the Ancestral Land and Elysian Immortal Palace think? Why haven't they imposed any restrictions? Were they bribed and sowed discord, or have they simply been overwhelmed?" Bai Lu lowered her head, deep in thought, growing increasingly troubled.

She knew that the Ancestral Land, Elysian Immortal Palace, and other members of the Heavenly Deity Alliance harbored their own conflicts and age-old grudges. Perhaps it was precisely because of this that the Southern Divine Dragon Realm had the opportunity to rise!

"What should we do next?" Bai Ao finally calmed down, now able to worry about the future.

"The Young Dragon Lord has sent a flying talisman, asking us to return," Bai Lu said.

"We can't go back! It might be a trap," Bai Ao exclaimed.

Bai Lu lowered her head and whispered into her brother's ear, "It's not a trap. After he lost his temper and showed his true nature, he realized it conflicted with our principles of alliance and counter-alliance. He turned back in time to give us a chance."

"So, are we going back?" Bai Ao asked nervously.

"He is powerful and strong. If he gives us a chance, how would we dare refuse?" Bai Lu retorted.

"But..." Bai Ao's heart pounded.

Before he could finish, Bai Lu said, "It's alright. You don't have to go. You stay and guard the Parent Flag."

"Alright! Then you all must be extremely careful," Bai Ao said worriedly.

Time was of the essence in conquering the Extreme Yin Star. Bai Lu arranged for two trusted disciples to take Bai Ao away.

"Be careful, Sis!" Though Bai Ao was reluctant to part, he knew he was not suited to return to that righteous army and could only bid a temporary farewell to his sister. Ꞧ

"Goodbye..." Bai Lu waved to her brother, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Don't say goodbye. Come with us."

Suddenly, an abrupt voice sounded beside them.

"What!?" Bai Lu, Bai Ao, and the other Gu God Star disciples felt a chill run through them. They immediately became alert and looked toward the source of the voice. Not far away, a young man with an unparalleled divine appearance stood there, seemingly appearing out of nowhere!

Bai Lu had never seen this man before. So, her graceful eyebrows knitted tightly in concern. His ability to approach silently naturally signaled danger.

"Who are you?" Bai Lu motioned for everyone to step behind her, then stared coldly at Yun Xiao.

From her actions, it was clear she was a competent older sister.

"I am a flower-plucking thief of the Immortal path," Yun Xiao declared with a smile, drifting gracefully toward Bai Lu.

"So, a scoundrel!" Bai Lu retorted.

Bai Lu's beauty was renowned far and wide—a pure and delicate charm that felt approachable. Even in anger, she exuded a certain elegance.

"Protect Bai Ao, and I'll handle him," she instructed the other Gu God Star disciples.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Don’t be careless," one of the disciples cautioned.

The disciples quickly retreated with the ailing Bai Ao, remaining vigilant and ready to assist at a moment’s notice.

"The Heavenly Deity Stellar River is teeming with talent. But as far as I know, there’s no one like you," Bai Lu raised an eyebrow, putting pressure on Yun Xiao.

"That's normal. You've seen so many insignificant stars, yet you fail to recognize a bright moon," Yun Xiao replied.

"How arrogant!" Bai Lu snorted coldly.

She had reached the Perfect Stage of the Fourth Baptism Realm and was already a renowned talent within the Heavenly Deity Stellar River. She knew everyone stronger than herself in the Grand Assembly Arena.

She wasn't one to waste words. Seeing Yun Xiao still advancing, seemingly intent on

plucking flowers

, her anger flared, and she acted decisively.

BUZZ!

A Life Sigil erupted from the center of her forehead. Clearly, she was an Inscription Immortal.

The Life Sigil was pure white, swirling with black patterns that resembled insects—about 600 in number. These black insects were Rune Prisons, each one a complex miniature array composed of 10,000,000 Runes, essentially a grand celestial formation.

Moreover, Bai Lu's Life Sigil operated differently from those of other Inscription Immortals.

As she summoned the Life Sigil, she didn't pause. She reached down to her waist, grabbed a gourd-shaped celestial treasure, and with a flick of her fingertips, opened the gourd's mouth.

"Come out, obediently." Under Bai Lu's gentle call, the pure white gourd erupted as countless white insects swarmed out. They resembled spiders, each bearing dozens of long legs adorned with sharp spikes and barbs. At the abdomen, a triangular organ quivered, clearly about to spin silk.

There was no doubt. These were Gu Insects. Distinct from demons, celestial beasts, or wild beasts, Gu Insects were unique spirits with myriad varieties.

Yun Xiao had no idea what kind of insects these were.

BUZZ!

Bai Lu maintained a serene expression. With a flick of her hand, the Life Sigil before her unraveled into 600 black patterns, which then dispersed and merged into each spider-like Gu Insect.

In an instant, the backs of these white spiders were etched with black ghostly faces. Their presence grew more brutal and terrifying, their sizes swelling tenfold, each as large as a bench.

"Ghost-Faced Celestial Spiders, activate!" Bai Ao, still able to perceive through his spirit, shouted with excitement.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!!

Under Bai Lu's control, the 600 massive and eerie Ghost-Faced Celestial Spiders emitted piercing screeches as they lunged toward Yun Xiao. Some charged head-on, while others circled around, their abdomens frantically spinning silk, clearly aiming to ensnare Yun Xiao in a formidable trap.

"Using a Life Sigil to enhance Gu Insects—that’s a novel approach," Yun Xiao marveled.

When it came to the capabilities of a Life Sigil, Yun Xiao's Prison Warden Sigil possessed a myriad of functionalities with its five forms—Dao Dragon, Runic Umbrella, Prison Warden, Soulfire Eye, and Formation God. It could even purify corruption. It was virtually omnipotent. However, he had never attempted to strengthen Gu Insects before.

With an army of Gu Insects, Bai Lu's prowess in mass combat was unparalleled. This might explain why the Young Dragon Lord held her in such high regard. On the Gu God Star, everyone cultivated Gu Insects, making them ideal fodder.

The Ghost-Faced Celestial Spider army encircled Yun Xiao like a miniature legion, exuding a lethal threat and oppressive pressure.

Of course, Bai Lu was no mere insect handler. She stood amidst the swarm, surrounded by the most insects, and dark patterns flowed across her body. In terms of celestial techniques, she was exceptionally skilled.