Chapter 1283: A Clever Plan Backfires

By the time the ripples in the void settled, Liu Runan had already returned to the inner sanctum of the Fallen God Palace.

After sending a message, several elderly figures appeared before him and led him through layers of deep palaces until he stood alone before an endless staircase that reached into the heavens.

Gazing up at the infinite steps, the starry light stretched straight into the sky. At the end, faintly visible above the clouds, was the outline of the divine palace, radiating a sacred glow like a pearl illuminating the Fallen God Palace and even the entire floating island.

Inside his sleeve, the soul flame of Liu Changfeng stared in awe, trembling with emotion.

"Father, is this the legendary Star Path leading to the Fallen God Hall?"

Hearing this, Liu Runan lowered his gaze and coldly transmitted his voice in warning.

"Indeed, this is the Starry Path."

"Later, when you meet the Star Lord, it will be your honor. You must not show any disrespect, nor speak out of turn. Follow my lead and act according to the situation!"

Liu Changfeng quickly shut his mouth and nodded in reverence.

As he gazed at the Starry Path, his eyes were filled with excitement and reverence. Even though he had once been an outer sect elder, he had only ever seen this path from afar. Never had he been so fortunate as to stand so close to it.

The thought of meeting the Star Lord filled him with exhilaration.

This absolute ruler of Lan Star, with unparalleled power and cultivation, had constructed this ancient Starry Path leading directly to the divine palace. He was truly the god of Lan Star!

Among the countless cultivators and mortals, they were but insignificant specks of dust beneath his gaze.

Even before meeting him, the various rumors Liu Changfeng had heard surged in his heart, filling him with a pious excitement akin to meeting a deity. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of the honor that came with being a figure of importance.

Before the Star Lord, what was one mere individual?

As the Starry Path lit up with dazzling light, the clouds parted, and the sky filled with radiant hues and the sound of celestial music, as if the divine path had opened, inspiring longing in all who beheld it.

Liu Runan bowed respectfully and began to ascend the steps with steady strides.

As he climbed the Starry Path, he could see the entire floating island behind him. The soul flame of Liu Changfeng in his sleeve grew increasingly proud, and his excitement became impossible to conceal.

By the time he reached the final step, he no longer cared to look at the so-called bustling floating island. His eyes were fixed solely on the magnificent palace before him, its splendor and radiance overwhelming.

The ancient jade gates slowly opened.

A terrifying aura surged forth from the vast hall!

Whoosh!

Even hidden within the sleeve, Liu Changfeng was buffeted by the fierce wind, feeling as though countless streams of Dao power rushed past him, making it difficult to keep his eyes open!

In his current ghostly state, even at his peak as a half-step Desolate Realm cultivator, he would have struggled to enter this place!

After the surge of power subsided.

Liu Runan stepped steadily into the grand hall. On either side sat many familiar elders, and the long Starry Path was suffused with the power of the Dao. The flow of Dao principles was everywhere, and being within this space allowed one to comprehend countless truths. It was truly the most blessed place in the world!

Inside the sleeve, Liu Changfeng was stunned by what he saw!

He could hardly believe that such a place existed in the world, where the entire palace was constructed from the power of countless Daos, and even the starlight was merely a building material. This was beyond mere extravagance—it was a divine realm!

The depth of the Fallen God Hall's foundation was truly terrifying!

At this moment, Liu Changfeng finally understood the world of high-ranking figures. He completely suppressed his aura and obediently stayed within the sleeve, not daring to make a sound.

Liu Runan, however, was accustomed to this and continued to walk forward with steady steps.

Only when he stood before the nine-tiered jade dragon platform, under the gaze of the elders on either side, did he bow respectfully and kneel in reverence.

"Your subordinate, Liu Runan, pays his respects to the Star Lord!"

On the celestial platform.

On either side stood silver-armored guards, their auras completely concealed, appearing as ordinary mortals. Yet, none of the elders dared to look directly at them.

In the center, a beaded curtain of glass obscured the view, suffused with various Dao powers. A faint figure sat behind it, their features obscured by an inscrutable aura, making it impossible to discern their true appearance.

Only a cold, indifferent voice echoed forth.

"What is it?"

Just two words, yet they carried a terrifying pressure that spread throughout the entire Fallen God Hall!

Liu Runan bowed even lower and "truthfully" recounted his misfortune.

"Reporting to the Star Lord."

"Your subordinate is incompetent. Sun Er was captured by an outsider cultivator, and my son was also injured, leaving only a remnant soul to survive. In my foolishness, I sought revenge with the help of several outer sect elders, only to nearly be wiped out!"

"Your subordinate has tarnished the reputation of the divine palace, causing the deaths of several elders at the hands of a vile traitor. I am powerless to seek vengeance and ask the Star Lord to punish me!"

In just a few words, Yi Feng was painted as a bloodthirsty demon.

The misdeeds of Liu Haotian and his son, as well as the truth behind the deaths of the outer sect elders, were all erased, leaving only the overwhelming blame on Yi Feng's shoulders.

With a single sentence, Liu Runan demonstrated his skill in using others to do his dirty work.

As his words fell, many of the elders present glared in anger.

After a few exchanged glances, killing intent began to seep out!

No matter who the opponent was, to dare to kill members of the Fallen God Palace and even cause the deaths of several elders was an act of outrageous audacity, an unforgivable crime punishable only by death!

Yet, no matter how furious they were, not a single person in the hall spoke.

All the elders sat in silence, awaiting the Star Lord's command.

Finally.

A voice of doubt came from behind the beaded curtain.

"Is this truly the case?"

Liu Runan quickly put on a sorrowful expression and bowed, while bringing forth the remnant soul from his sleeve.

"Your subordinate would never dare to lie. The outer sect elders have already perished in the northern desert wasteland. This matter is absolutely true!"

Liu Changfeng's remnant soul also chimed in nervously, his tone humble.

"Star Lord, please discern the truth. It is my incompetence that has brought shame to the Fallen God Palace. I deserve death ten thousand times over, but I cannot bear to see this person continue to roam free!"

Though somewhat inexperienced, Liu Changfeng was no fool.

Listening to his father's words, he knew they had to push all the blame onto Yi Feng. The fact that the elders had been wiped out due to their failed possession attempt could never be revealed. The only option was to pin everything on Yi Feng.

After all, those useless elders hadn't even reached the peak of the half-step Desolate Realm and hadn't even formed the basic second soul. Now that they were dead, there was no evidence to worry about.

This plan was flawless!

Father and son spoke in turn, awaiting the Star Lord's command.

Though they dared not show even a hint of anticipation or glee on their faces, their hearts were filled with hope. Such a scandal was rare, and the other elders were already furious. The Star Lord would surely not sit idly by.

Once the Star Lord spoke.

The divine palace's wrath would leave millions dead. Killing a single cultivator would be as easy as turning a hand.

Just as they were filled with anticipation.

From behind the beaded curtain came a calm voice.

"Oh?"

"An outsider cultivator with such strength? This is quite interesting. Summon this person to the divine palace. He might prove useful in the future."

As soon as these words fell, Liu Changfeng's heart skipped a beat!

This wasn't right...

Despite hearing of the great losses suffered by the Fallen God Palace, the Star Lord's tone was as if nothing had happened. He didn't seem to care about the dead outer sect elders at all, instead showing interest in that cultivator.

Is it truly a world where the strong rule?

This was a hundred times more ruthless than his father!

Liu Runan was also dumbfounded, momentarily stunned.

This outcome was indeed beyond his expectations. But the thought of Yi Feng coming to the divine palace made him realize that his own misdeeds might be exposed. Even the slightest possibility was enough to ruin him!

Instantly, Liu Changfeng panicked.

He quickly spoke up, his tone filled with grief and indignation.

"Star Lord..."

But before he could finish, a calm voice came from behind the beaded curtain.

"Brothers Nan and Gong, the two of you will go to the northern desert wasteland and bring this person to the divine palace."

Though the voice was calm, it carried an unparalleled pressure that silenced the entire hall. No matter how many reasons Liu Runan had, he could only swallow them.

The Star Lord's word was law, and no one in all of Lan Star dared to defy him!

Once spoken, it was destiny!

The silver-armored guards on either side bowed and then vanished.

"Your subordinates obey."

No one saw their movements, but two terrifying figures had already disappeared into the void.

Hearing the final decision.

Liu Runan stood frozen in the Starry Hall, his kneeling form not daring to rise for a long time. His heart was in turmoil, like a lake struck by a boulder.

Liu Changfeng was utterly stunned. He never expected things to turn out this way. What was supposed to be a perfect plan had backfired?

Not only that, but it might also end up hurting them in the end...

If that cultivator really came to the divine palace and gained the Star Lord's favor, having an enemy within the same sect would make life unbearable!

Quietly retreating into the sleeve, Liu Changfeng grew more and more fearful. He could only pray to the heavens that the cultivator would not join the divine palace...