Chapter Fifty-Four: The Sage of Hua

There are nine great Sages in the Sea of Stars.

Since ancient times, wars have raged without end among the various celestial domains and divine realms. The evil star fiends have brought chaos to the world, leaving all living beings wounded and misery echoing across the universe.

To shake the world and eradicate the uncanny,

Nine supreme beings were chosen to preside over the Sea of Stars, quelling cosmic disasters. Their remarkable achievements shine through the ages.

As time passed, the name of the Nine Sages of the Sea of Stars spread throughout the universe suffused with spiritual energy, becoming the highest aspiration in the hearts of cultivators.

“Could he be a disciple of the Sage of Hua?”

Qing’s beautiful eyes flickered with radiance, deeply moved. Anything connected to the Nine Sages of the Sea of Stars was never ordinary—especially when it involved the most venerable Sage of Hua of the present age.

Among the Nine Sages, the Sage of Hua was the mightiest. Legend had it that before embarking on the path of cultivation, he was but a scholar; after his ascension, he retained his original appearance. With a single stroke of his brush, he could shake the cosmic sea; with a single sheet of paper, he could pacify the Star God Pass—a peerless power without equal.

“Are you speaking of the Sage of Hua, whose pen brings the rise and fall of dynasties, who sealed the Dry Sky in a single day?” Feng Xiang’s brows furrowed with gravity.

The Sage of Hua’s strength defied belief. He was notorious even in the hellish heavens, having buried several peak divine lords. When he set foot in the Dry Sky, he sealed it outright!

Such a feat was awe-inspiring, securing his place at the very top among the Nine Sages of the Sea of Stars, unshakable by any.

The Nine Sages, the Sea of Stars, the thousand domains, all bowing in reverence…

Da Jiuxing smiled and said, “It seems you truly have found yourself a fine master this time. There is an aura of the Sage of Hua about him, and he is so young. I think I know who he is.”

“Who is he?” Feng Xiang and Qing asked in unison.

“The ties between him and the Sage of Hua run deep, though he himself is likely unaware. You may regard him as a young Sage of Hua. That’s enough for now—remember, from now on, you must behave and respect your master.”

Da Jiuxing spoke cryptically, revealing nothing fully, and then made the decision: this young man would be their master, his words of warning echoing those of the crazy old sage.

A young Sage of Hua—a son? A disciple?

Feng Xiang pondered.

“Let’s be off and meet him together. By the way, where is little Huang?” Da Jiuxing suddenly realized that after all this time, he had yet to see the most lively and adorable among them.

“Big Sister Huang is digging for crystal springs,” Ying answered.

Heavenly Moon Star.

“So tired…”

Little Huang gasped for breath, tossing aside her golden shovel and sitting atop a large stone, her entire body beaded with fragrant sweat, her porcelain-doll face showing exhaustion.

Digging for crystal springs was hard labor.

This was the crystal zone; beneath the spiritual soil lay thick crystal walls, as hard as refined iron or divine gold. Even with a golden shovel, it was a struggle.

She had dug five or six fathoms and managed only a tiny puddle, leaving her utterly spent.

Just as she was resting, her eyes suddenly widened. A flash of blue light, and several familiar figures appeared before her—Qing, Ying, Grandpa Da, and… Brother Feng Xiang!

“Brother Feng Xiang!”

Overjoyed, Little Huang darted toward the youth like a lamb, flinging herself into his arms and looking up with a radiant smile, her pearly teeth gleaming as she giggled uncontrollably.

“You little clingy thing.”

Feng Xiang set her down, noticing her fair, clean cheeks and bright, lively eyes. She blinked twice and said, “Brother Feng Xiang, you promised to take me out to play, but you never did!”

“Don’t count on it. We have a new master now, so from now on you’d best behave and be a proper student in Star City,” Feng Xiang said, shaking his head.

“Master?” Little Huang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Big Sister Huang, we have a new master, and he’s really powerful. No need to dig for crystal springs anymore—let’s go meet him together,” Ying explained sweetly.

“Oh, that’s nothing. Brother Feng Xiang can just scare him off again,” Little Huang said with utmost seriousness.

At this, Da Jiuxing’s face darkened, troubled. Clearly, innocent Little Huang had been led astray. If the boy wanted to ruin himself, that was one thing, but dragging Little Huang down with him was quite another.

Qing’s eyes went wide; she could hardly believe Little Huang would say such a thing.

Feng Xiang laughed.

Yes, scare him off—good idea.

“Old man, you arranged a master for me, but I haven’t agreed yet. Don’t be so hasty. If he doesn’t have real skill, I won’t accept him,” Feng Xiang declared.

All this talk of the Nine Sages of the Sea of Stars—perhaps it was all bluff. If he believed it too easily, he’d be a fool.

But Da Jiuxing wasn’t offended. He chuckled, “What, you think I’m tricking you? Then let’s go and see if this young man lives up to my praise.”

A young man?

A young man could be a master?

Little Huang was puzzled, blinking. Shouldn’t masters all be old?

…

Star City was magnificent; nine silver orbs encircled it, divine walls soaring into the starry sky, their dark brilliance shining.

The white horse yawned.

It had been waiting half the day—why hadn’t the host of Nine Star City shown up yet?

“Wine… such good wine…” The old derelict snored thunderously, his sleep filled with dreams of wine. Even in his dreams, he clutched a yellow gourd to his chest.

The white horse was speechless. That old man—what a waste of supreme cultivation! Three sentences out of his mouth and every one was about wine.

If it were the horse, it would have sunk itself into a land of beauty, lingering in golden halls, waited on by four or five gorgeous mares.

Lost in such thoughts and wild fantasies, a silly smile crept onto the white horse’s face.

“What a wicked grin that horse has!”

As it wandered in its imagination, a sweet, childish voice sounded. Snapping back to reality, it looked over in confusion to see a beautiful little girl with violet hair and bright eyes, staring at it curiously.

The white horse was displeased. How could its smile be called wicked? Clearly it was pure, kind, gentle, and noble, making people feel like a spring breeze. What was this little girl talking about?

Just as it was about to admonish her, it suddenly felt a weight on its back.

Feng Xiang mounted the horse, taking up the reins, his expression unreadable. “Such an ordinary horse—astonishingly weak. In the starry void, it has not a shred of endurance. How can this pass as a mount?”

The white horse tossed its head and neighed angrily.

Where did this brat come from?

Even if he was a scholar, he dared mount it without its permission!

But the white horse didn’t know just how brazen its rider was. In Star City, Feng Xiang was the sky, the emperor, the little devil king.

Feng Xiang could smash the Treasure Pavilion, destroy the Immortal Tower, burn the Cosmic Hall, and the divine sects behind them wouldn’t dare utter a word.

Most times, after the pavilion was smashed, its steward would greet Young Master Feng with a smile, welcoming him to visit again.

“Greetings, young lord. This is my beloved horse, as close to me as a brother. Please, I beg you not to frighten it.”

The young man rose and bowed, his words clear and gentle, making it impossible to dislike him.

Feng Xiang gave him due respect and dismounted.

Not far away, Little Huang, Qing, and Ying approached together, curiosity lighting their faces.

The young man bowed to them again. “Greetings, young ladies.”

The three girls exchanged glances—their new master seemed quite friendly.

“Sir, how should we address you?” Da Jiuxing smiled, surprisingly polite. For someone of his status, even divine lords used honorifics; for him to call someone “sir” was rare indeed in the universe.

“I am Nameless, alone in the world, with only my white horse for company. I am now an external steward of the Sacred Hall of the Sea of Stars.”

“Nameless? Your name is Nameless?” Little Huang asked curiously.