amaotonovel Chapter 338 9 Stars in a row
Chapter 338 9 Stars in a row
The speed of the black shadow was so fast that Gao Xingchen felt a flash before his eyes, and a sharp gust of wind blew towards him. He subconsciously urged his spiritual power to protect Nan Li behind him, and at the same time retreated violently, barely avoiding the attack of the black shadow.
"Xingchen!" Nan Li exclaimed and looked at Gao Xingchen worriedly.
"I'm fine." Gao Xingchen shook his head, indicating that he was fine, but his eyes were full of solemnity.
The black shadow missed the target and did not continue to pursue. Instead, he stood still and sneered, "You reacted quickly, but do you think you can escape like this?"
"Who are you? Why did you attack us?" Gao Xingchen asked in a deep voice.
"Hmph, it doesn't hurt to tell you that we are just following orders to take your lives." The black shadow's tone was cold, without any emotion.
"Following orders?" Gao Xingchen frowned. "Who sent you here?"
"Don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask!" The black shadow was obviously unwilling to reveal too much information, "Prepare to die!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the black shadow launched another attack. This time, his attack was more fierce and every move was deadly. It was obvious that he wanted to kill.
Gao Xingchen would not sit still and wait for death. He pushed his spiritual power to the extreme and started a fierce battle with the black shadow. For a moment, the swords flashed and the spiritual power surged, and the whole space seemed to be torn apart.
Although Nan Li was not as strong as the other two, she was not idle either. She kept changing the seals in her hands, and fierce attacks shot out from her fingertips, attacking the black shadow and sharing the pressure for Gao Xingchen.
However, the strength of the black shadow was obviously beyond their expectations, and even if the two joined forces, it would be difficult for them to gain the upper hand.
"Xingchen, we can't go on like this, we must find a way to break out!" Nanli said anxiously while resisting the attack of the black shadow.
Gao Xingchen naturally knew this, but he couldn't think of any good solution for a while. At this moment, he suddenly felt a powerful divine sense sweeping over him, and he was shocked.
"Oh no, someone is coming!" Gao Xingchen's face changed drastically. If he guessed correctly, the owner of this spiritual consciousness was at least a strong man in the fusion stage.
The black shadow obviously noticed this. He snorted coldly, and his figure flashed and disappeared from the spot in an instant. It was obvious that he gave up on continuing to pester and chose to escape.
Gao Xingchen did not pursue him, because he knew that with their strength, they could not stop him. Moreover, the most important thing now was to find out who the owner of this divine consciousness was and why he came.
"Let's go!" Gao Xingchen grabbed Nan Li's hand, his body turned into a stream of light, and rushed away into the distance.
The two ran all the way until they were sure they had escaped the spiritual consciousness's tracking, then they stopped to rest.
"Xingchen, that spiritual consciousness just now..." Nanli said with lingering fear.
"I don't know who it is either." Gao Xingchen shook his head, "However, the only ones who can possess such a powerful spiritual sense are probably those old monsters who have been hiding from the world."
"Could it be them?" Nan Li's face changed slightly.
"It's hard to say now." Gao Xingchen pondered, "However, judging from what happened just now, the other party doesn't seem to have any bad intentions. Otherwise, with his strength, it would be easy for him to keep us here."
"So what should we do now?" Nan Li asked.
"Let's go back to the family first." A cold light flashed in Gao Xingchen's eyes, "I want to see who is targeting us in secret!"
The two did not dare to delay any longer and set off immediately, heading towards the star region where the Gao family was located.
Along the way, Gao Xingchen was filled with doubts and uneasiness. He had a premonition that a bigger storm was brewing, and they might just be the fuse of this storm...
After returning to the Gao family's star field, Gao Xingchen and Nan Li returned to the family mansion without stopping. However, as soon as he stepped into the family gate, Gao Xingchen keenly noticed that the atmosphere was a little wrong. The martial arts field that was once bustling was now silent, with only a few disciples practicing silently. When they saw Gao Xingchen coming back, they just saluted hastily, and their eyes were less respectful than before, and more scrutiny and suspicion.
Gao Xingchen's heart sank, and a bad premonition came over him. He walked quickly towards the meeting room, and as soon as he entered, he heard a fierce quarrel coming from inside.
"Gao Xingchen is just a green boy. Why should he lead our Gao family?!" a rough voice was heard with obvious dissatisfaction.
"That's right. He has been traveling outside for many years and knows nothing about family affairs. Now that the family is facing a crisis, he comes back with a woman of unknown origin. What does he want to do?!" another sarcastic voice echoed.
"Enough!" Gao Xingchen's father, Gao Zhantian, the head of the Gao family, shouted angrily, interrupting the quarrel. "Xingchen is my son and the future heir of the Gao family. I know his abilities and character better than any of you!"
"Master, we are not questioning your decision, but..."
"Nothing but!" Gao Zhantian slammed the table and stood up. A strong pressure instantly enveloped the entire meeting room. "Xingchen has been training outside for these years. His strength has improved by leaps and bounds. He has also made many powerful friends. I believe he has the ability to lead the Gao family through this difficult time!"
"But……"
"No buts!" Gao Zhantian said in an unquestionable tone, "This matter is settled. If anyone has any objections, don't blame me for being rude!"
Gao Xingchen stood outside the door, taking in all of this, his face terribly gloomy. He had not expected that just because he had been away from the family for a while, there would be such a big disagreement within the family, and some of these questioning voices were actually from the elders of the family.
"Xingchen, don't take it to heart. They are just worried about the future of the family." Nanli gently held Gao Xingchen's hand and comforted him softly, "You are the hope of the Gao family's future. I believe you can lead the Gao family to a more glorious future."
Gao Xingchen took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and gave Nan Li a grateful smile: "Thank you, Nan Li, I'm fine."
He knew that now was not the time to act on impulse, and the most urgent task was to stabilize the situation within the family, unite all the forces that could be united, and jointly deal with the coming storm.
In order to find out the truth of the matter and to shut up those who questioned him, Gao Xingchen decided to hold a family meeting to discuss the family's current difficulties and future development direction in an open and transparent manner.
Undercurrent
The atmosphere in the meeting room was solemn. Gao Xingchen sat in the seat of the Patriarch, his eyes sweeping over the familiar yet unfamiliar faces below, with mixed feelings in his heart.
"My fellow elders and uncles, we have gathered you all here today to discuss the future development of our family." Gao Xingchen's voice was steady and powerful, trying to calm people's hearts. "I believe everyone has heard about the difficulties our family is facing now..."
He told everyone what he had learned in the star field and the threats from the mysterious organization without reservation. His sincere eyes, frank words, and concern for the future of the family gradually moved many people present.
"Xingchen, is what you said true?" A white-haired old man asked tremblingly. He is Gao Xingchen's great uncle, a man of high moral character and prestige in the family.
"It's absolutely true!" Gao Xingchen nodded solemnly, "I guarantee it with my life!"
"I believe in Xingchen!" Nan Li, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke. Her voice was cold, but it carried an unquestionable power. "Over the past few days, I have witnessed his growth and responsibility with my own eyes. He is wholeheartedly thinking about the family and will never deceive anyone!"
Nan Li's words were like a thunder, exploding in everyone's ears. They then remembered that this seemingly weak woman in front of them was a top killer that even the giants in the star field were afraid of!
With Nanli's endorsement, and Gao Xingchen's sincere attitude and detailed plan, the original voices of doubt gradually subsided, and more people chose to believe in him and were willing to support him in leading the family out of the predicament.
However, not everyone was convinced. Protector Wang sat in the corner, his face gloomy and silent. As one of the most fierce opponents of Gao Xingchen in the family, he was full of doubts about Gao Xingchen's words. In his opinion, Gao Xingchen was just a young man who had just started out and had no ability to lead the family.
"Xingchen, what you said is just your guess, there is no solid evidence!" Wang Hufa snorted coldly, "Who knows if you are exaggerating the crisis and deliberately exaggerating the crisis so as to seize the power of the family?"
His words were like dropping a stone into a calm lake, causing ripples. Some people who had already begun to waver showed hesitation again.
Gao Xingchen had expected that someone would question him. He took a deep breath and said slowly: "The evidence will be available soon." His eyes swept across the crowd and finally fell on Protector Wang. A meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
After the meeting, Gao Xingchen returned to his study. He rubbed his brows, feeling exhausted. Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Come in."
Nan Li walked in with a cup of hot tea. Seeing Gao Xingchen's tired look, a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes.
"Thank you for your hard work." She handed the teacup to Gao Xingchen and said softly.
Gao Xingchen took the teacup, took a sip, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.
"I'm fine." He smiled and put the teacup on the table. Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he stood up abruptly, walked to the desk and picked up a letter.
He found this letter after the meeting. It was on his desk. It had no signature, only a line of beautiful handwriting:
"Be careful of your bedmate, danger is everywhere, and the answer is hidden when the stars fall."
Gao Xingchen held the letter, his fingertips slightly white. The letter did not explain in detail what the "more terrible plan" was, but the words revealed a frightening conspiracy. Who left this letter for him? Was it an enemy or a friend?
"When the stars fall..." Gao Xingchen muttered to himself, his brows furrowed. He handed the letter to Nan Li, "What do you think?"
Nan Li took the letter and read it carefully. A hint of solemnity appeared on her cold face. "When the stars fall, it may refer to a certain time or astrological phenomenon." She pondered for a moment. "In the Nine Star Realm, there are not many things related to 'stars'. We can start the investigation from this aspect."
"I remember that there is a notebook of Li Xianren in the family treasure house, which records many methods of deducing astrology and heavenly secrets." Gao Xingchen suddenly remembered, "Maybe I can find the answer in it."
"Let's go to the treasure house now without further ado." Nan Li made a prompt decision.
The two came to the family treasury. Deacon Zhao, who was guarding the gate, saw Gao Xingchen and saluted respectfully: "Master of the family."
"Deacon Zhao, I need to borrow Master Li's notes." Gao Xingchen went straight to the point.
"This..." Deacon Zhao looked embarrassed, "Master, Immortal Li's notes are the family's most precious treasure. The masters of all generations have ordered that they cannot be taken out easily unless it is a major event..."
"This concerns the safety of the family. Isn't it important enough?" Gao Xingchen's tone carried a hint of unquestionable majesty.
Deacon Zhao was intimidated by his aura and dared not say anything more. He had to open the door of the treasury and lead the two to the secret room where the notes were stored.
Gao Xingchen carefully opened Li Xianren's notebook. On the yellowed pages, there were densely packed records of various star charts and prophecies. The two read word by word, hoping to find clues about "When the Stars Fall".
Time passed by, and the contents of the notes were obscure and difficult to understand, but Gao Xingchen and Nan Li never gave up. Finally, on the last page of the notes, they found a shocking record:
"The stars fall, the heaven and earth mourn together, the nine stars align, the catastrophe is coming..."
Below this text, there is a star map drawn. Nine stars are connected in a line, emitting dazzling light, but one of the stars is dim, as if it is about to fall...
This star map is so similar to the description of "When the Stars Fall"! Could it be that the mysterious organization's plan is related to the upcoming "Nine Stars in a Row"?