"We should go," Lin Mo said, clenching a spell in his hand. A light breeze swept up, and everyone flew towards the Mountain Gate.
Just as Lin Mo arrived at Star Sect with his family, a disciple immediately reported their arrival to the elder.
Elder Cheng, Dong Xiangyun, and Qiu Xingjian, leading several disciples, hurried out to greet them.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
"Welcome back, Sect Leader!"
Everyone bowed with clasped hands. Lin Mo had valiantly battled the elder of Puppet Corpse Sect, saving Star Sect from dire straits and repairing the Starry Sky Tower to enhance the disciples' strength through trials. Not to mention, the Cultivation Technique left by Lin Mo was regarded as a treasure by Star Sect.
With such achievements, even those disciples who had once resented Lin Mo's young age upon assuming the role of Sect Leader now held him in great respect and reverence.
"Greetings, Master Lin," said the elder of Puppet Corpse Sect and the black-robed elder, both standing respectfully aside.
Though Lin Mo had taken their Essence Blood, controlling their life and death, he had not mistreated them. He provided them with a suitable Cultivation Method, which was collected after Lin Mo eradicated a sect known as Jiang Sect in the Cultivation World and acquired the "Dark Element" Cultivation Technique.
When the elder of Puppet Corpse Sect and the black-robed elder first encountered this technique, they were astounded. It was a treasure to them, and they wished they had been subjugated by Lin Mo sooner to have received such high-grade techniques.
Within Star Sect, only the three elders knew that Lin Mo had also left behind the elder of Puppet Corpse Sect and the black-robed elder to strengthen the Sect's forces. Together, these five, even if faced with Innate Strong People, could defend the Sect with the Mountain Protection Array Formation.
When Elder Cheng and the others saw the unfamiliar faces behind Lin Mo, they exchanged glances.
"These are my parents, my aunt, and my sister Shanshan. I plan to have them Cultivate in Star Sect. Elder Cheng, please arrange for someone to handle this," Lin Mo said.
Elder Cheng nodded, not asking further, and had Xiao Xing lead Yang Chuxue, Lin Guang, and the others to their accommodations, meanwhile showing them around.
Lin Mo gathered the Star Sect elders and elite disciples, as well as the elder of Puppet Corpse Sect and the black-robed elder, and headed towards the Council Hall.
"Everyone, follow me; I'll have Xiao Xing arrange accommodations for you," Xiao Xing said to Lin Guang and the others.
Lin Guang nodded but his gaze lingered on his son's silhouette in the distance. His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly; being Lin Mo's biological father, he knew his son well. Although Lin Mo hadn't spoken much during their journey from Hong City, he could sense that his son was troubled by something.
"Brother Guang, what's wrong?" asked Yang Chuxue when she saw Lin Guang standing still, furrowing his willow leaf eyebrows.
"It's nothing, let's go," Lin Guang replied with a smile, following Xiao Xing towards the separate courtyard.
In the ceremonial hall.
Lin Mo sat in the high seat of the Sect Leader while several elders sat below. The elder of Puppet Corpse Sect and the black-robed elder were also given seats, while a few elite disciples stood behind the elders.
"Sect Leader, you've brought your parents to Star Sect this time. Is something amiss?" asked Elder Cheng, apparently sensing an irregularity.
Lin Mo nodded and spoke, "I've offended someone from Heavenly Gate. I almost killed Qing Xuan in Qinghai, but a Divine Thought of the Qingxuan Sect Master saved him."
As he spoke, everyone in the hall was stunned. Though Star Sect was isolated from worldly discord and not well-informed, they knew well what Qingxuan Sect represented—one of the major sects within Heavenly Gate, manned by Innate Strong People, and Qing Xuan was the second master of its Sect Leader. Lin Mo had nearly killed him.
"I'd like our parents, aunt, and Shanshan to Cultivate here in Star Sect. At least if no Innate Strong People from Heavenly Gate appear, no one can attack Star Sect," Lin Mo slowly explained.
"You are the Sect Leader, we will follow your orders," Elder Cheng said with a bow.
However, everyone present felt a heavy pressure; confident as they were against late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators or even Heavenly Gate members. If an Innate Strong Person descended, even the Mountain Protection Array might not guarantee the Sect's defense.
Lin Mo continued, "I know what you are worried about. Based on my understanding, the Innate Strong People cannot leave Heavenly Gate for now. I will stay in Star Sect in the coming days to repair and strengthen the Mountain Protection Array. During this time, intensify your Cultivation practices. I will provide some techniques and Alchemy Methods."
"Now, I must accelerate my Cultivation," Lin Mo clenched his fist.
The world was vast with numerous strong individuals; a Peak Martial God could traverse Earth unopposed. However, Cultivation and Martial Arts were different, and the Innate realm remained formidable.
Despite facing various mighty enemies and pressures, Lin Mo was not willing to compromise. Only through greater effort could he gain the means to protect his loved ones.
"Alright, you've all seen the resources I had Lu Xing bring back last time. These were sequestered from several Heavenly Gate members. Distribute amongst yourselves, and Elder Cheng, have Lu Xing give me the Mountain Protection Array Map later," Lin Mo stated.
"Yes, Sect Leader," Elder Cheng nodded.
The others felt embarrassed; Lin Mo had not only offended Qingxuan Sect but had also plundered several Heavenly Gate disciples, making numerous enemies.
After everyone had left, Lin Mo sat alone on a small slope behind the mountain, absorbing the dense Spiritual Energy. Qing Xuan had escaped, and Meng Die's whereabouts were unknown. Miao Xue Divine Palace was now the only clue.
"After settling the matters at Star Sect, I also need to visit Miao Xue Divine Palace," Lin Mo thought to himself.
"Sect Leader."
As Lin Mo was deep in thought, a pleasant voice rang out.
Lin Mo ended his meditation, opened his eyes, and saw Lu Xing, clad in a black Star Robe, approaching lightly. "Sect Leader, Elder Cheng asked me to bring the Mountain Protection Array Map."
"Open it so I can see," Lin Mo rose slowly and instructed.
Lu Xing nodded, stepped beside Lin Mo, and immediately threw a Jade Pendant into the air. The Jade Pendant floated, emitting thousands of golden rays of light that formed an enormous, dazzling Star Map.
Each point of starlight on the Star Map represented a position in the Mystical Sect layout, forming the entirety of the Mountain Protection Array.
Lin Mo studied the Star Map intently. The main feature of this Mountain Protection Array was its harnessing of starlight. However, due to the changing nature of star constellations, the Array had a weakness: at certain times, its power would wane.
For instance, during the last Puppet Corpse Sect's attack on Star Sect, they had exploited this precise moment when the Mountain Protection Array was at its weakest.