C23 He Had Returned to His Hometown

The Star Platform sits at the very heart of the Bayliers Peaks, lofty and formidable, a challenge for any climber. Encircling it are ten lesser peaks, the outliers of the Bayliers range. Every decade, atop these ten peaks, ten Starry Decrees materialize, igniting a fierce competition among martial cultivators from the mortal realm. They battle, bloodied and desperate, for the chance to claim these Decrees and gain entry to the fabled Star Domain.

In this world, the fear of death is universal. The martial path, deep and expansive as it is, offers no passage to immortality. Even reaching the pinnacle as a Martial Saint merely extends one's lifespan. True eternal life, the kind that defies death itself, requires entry into the Star Domain, a communion with the celestial bodies of the Nine Heavens, and the transformation into a Star Refiner. To the average warrior, this is a profound secret. Yet among the ranks of the Martial Saints, the knowledge is widespread.

Thus, the decennial clash for the Starry Decrees has earned a notorious reputation as a chaotic fray, where the dead are numerous and life is as cheap as chaff.

Jee Yun, astride his Dragon Horse, paused at the edge of a Desolate Forest just beyond the Bayliers Peaks, a place of old memories. A decade prior, he had fought valiantly on these very peaks and secured his right to venture into the Star Domain. Yet, ten years slipped by, all lost to the shadow of one individual.

"Yun Xiuchen!" he exclaimed. "Ten years have passed! This time, I, Jee Yun, am resolute in my quest to enter the Star Domain. It won't be long before I exact vengeance for your past deeds!"

In his embrace, the Heavenly Profound Sword glowed with a soft white radiance, having undergone a remarkable transformation recently. Since its blade tasted blood, not a speck of rust remained, and now it pulsed with a rhythm akin to a heartbeat, in perfect sync with Jee Yun's own.

As the sun dipped low, casting a dim, yellow light, a murder of crows burst forth from the Bayliers Peaks, their dark forms set against the tranquil scene. But beneath this serenity, all were aware of the tempest that loomed.

Jee Yun held back from entering the crucible of Astral Qi that the Martial Tao had conjured. Among the throngs of converging warriors, he recognized many faces—some strangers, others hauntingly familiar.

Some were the fortunate survivors of the last celestial conflict.

Others had past grievances with Jee Yun.

Ultimately, Jee Yun recognized a few faces with deeper ties to him.

Mo Shan, Su Xuerou, and their companions had traversed the four prefectures and now emerged on the outskirts of Bayliers Peaks.

Upon their arrival, Jee Yun remained silent, steering his Dragon Horse into the secluded depths of the Desolate Forest.

He had no desire to encounter these old acquaintances.

The forest was serene.

Jee Yun reached a mysterious, sourceless stream within the woods, gathered some dry wood, and kindled a fire beside the gentle waters.

With a full night remaining before the Star Platform's activation, Jee Yun intended to spend it resting by the stream.

Eyes slightly closed, the panel of the Fighting Evolution System materialized in his thoughts once more:

Name: Jee Yun

Age: 25

Physique: 9

Strength: 9

Agility: 9

Spirit: 9

Intuition: 9

Talent: 5 (Cannot be added)

Skills: Unranked Basic Fist Technique, Yellow Rank medium grade Crazed Phoenix Fist, Yellow Rank top grade Sword Drawing Arts, Yellow Rank top grade Three Yang Body Refining Technique, Profound Rank low grade Sword Nurturing Technique.

Skill Points: 0

Attribute Points: 1

The defeat of Xue Tiandao had rewarded Jee Yun with fifty skill points, enabling him to elevate his Sword Drawing Arts, Sword Nurturing Technique, and Crazed Phoenix Fist to the pinnacle of mastery.

His power had surged immeasurably since then.

Though still within the realm of mortal warriors, Jee Yun felt an overwhelming confidence; with his Heavenly Mysterious Sword in hand, he believed he was unmatched in the mortal sphere.

At that moment, he even harbored a daring urge to challenge a Star Refiner.

The stillness was broken by a "hualala!" As Jee Yun pondered whether to enhance his Spirit or Intuition with the attribute point, a nearby bush rustled unexpectedly.

His eyes snapped open, blazing with an intense, piercing light.

"Huh!"

"It's a three-legged bird!"

Jee Yun peered through the dappled light and could just make out the glossy feathers of a three-legged bird as it pecked at an earthworm amidst the shrubbery.

This bird, while not particularly powerful, was rumored to be a distant relative of the mythical three-legged golden crow of the heavens.

Its meat was not only warming but also exceptionally savory.

A decade ago, Jee Yun had savored the flesh of a three-legged bird just outside Bayliers Peaks.

Seeing the bird now, he couldn't help but lick his lips in anticipation.

"Don't hold it against me, little bird!"

"You were simply destined to be a delicacy!" A subtle smile played on Jee Yun's lips as he flicked his finger, not bothering to employ any martial techniques.

His Astral Qi shot out, piercing the bird's skull from a hundred steps away with unerring accuracy.

With a casual wave of his hand, Jee Yun summoned the bird's body back to him through the air.

Any ordinary warrior witnessing this feat would be astounded, for reaching a hundred steps with an Astral Qi attack was typically the apex for a Martial Saint.

To manipulate objects from such a distance was unheard of.

Yet for Jee Yun, his power showed no signs of diminishing even at that range, a testament to his mastery of a higher realm.

After plucking and gutting, Jee Yun set the sizable three-legged bird over the flames to roast. Sans seasoning, the bird's skin gradually took on a golden sheen as it cooked, its rich aroma permeating the Desolate Forest.

"Ah, that's heavenly," Jee Yun sighed, inhaling deeply before tearing into the succulent meat, his taste buds exploding with delight.

But the enticing scent began to drift farther afield.

Unseen by Jee Yun, in a nearby tree, a round shape was rhythmically expanding and contracting.

In and out.

And with each movement, a soft whooshing sound filled the air.

Upon closer inspection, one would discover a human warrior nestled in the high branches, fast asleep.

Roused by the tantalizing aroma of the meat, the plump warrior stirred, sitting up abruptly with the agility of a much smaller man.

A string of glistening drool trickled from the corner of his mouth. He couldn't tell if he was salivating over some scrumptious dish he'd dreamt of or if the scent of roasted meat wafting from afar had captivated him.

"Ah, such an enticing aroma!"

"Could that be a three-legged bird?"

"The stuff of legends—the swiftest bird in the mortal realm, kin to the mythical Three-legged Golden Crow!"

"Who's got the skills to bring it down from the heavens?" The portly warrior dabbed at his drool, yet his small, green pea-like eyes sparkled with life.

With a graceful leap, he descended from the tree, his hefty frame landing without a sound.

He inhaled deeply, his ample flesh jiggling as he bolted toward Jee Yun's location.

"Wherever there's a feast to be had, you'll find me—Zhou Tong, the God of Food!"