The starship sped through the void, and after a month-long journey, finally arrived at the place Desmond Mansfield had spoken of—the Starry Abyss.
During this month, Evan Chu, Desmond Mansfield, Lena Lin, and the Mansfield Family’s experts traveled quietly, but the other battlefields across the Star-River Dominion were anything but calm.
The Phantom-Star and Rivengrace Dynasties’ camps were utterly defeated, while the Frostbane Dynasty rose like the sun at high noon, gradually becoming the recognized southeastern overlord among more than a hundred dynasties, with clear momentum to unify the southeastern Star-River Dominion.
Moreover, the events in the Yellow-Blade Star-Region had already spread among all the dynasties. Forces hostile to Frostbane were left in despair, able only to sigh to the heavens: this era belongs to Frostbane!
The defeat was irreversible. The Blazing-Flame Legion and Mad-Blade Legion, along with Skywing and Bloodfeather’s legions, kept growing stronger, standing at the peak among countless legions—few could rival them. Of course, among all these, Evan Chu’s Dragon-Chen Legion was in a class of its own.
At the same time, news had already reached the Mansfield Family. They secretly rejoiced at Desmond’s wisdom—if not for his early alliance with Evan Chu, their generations-long plan to evolve a Star Core into a Trial World would have collapsed, just like the Baili and Owens Families’ schemes.
The Starry Abyss was a rare, independent secret realm; aside from a few top Mansfield experts inside, most people were stationed outside.
"The young master’s starship—it’s the young master, he’s returned!"
A guard spotted the starship approaching and cheered with excitement—they had been waiting here for a long time.
"It’s Desmond, he’s come back! They didn’t let the patriarch down, didn’t let the family down, didn’t let any of us down!"
An elegant, middle-aged woman in ornate palace robes appeared. Her features were striking, and her cultivation had reached late-stage Saint Venerable.
Desmond Mansfield stepped off the starship and, seeing the woman, his face lit up. "Mother!"
"Desmond, this trip was so dangerous. You must have suffered greatly."
Seeing his mother on the verge of tears, Desmond felt a pang in his heart. Truly, all parents in the world share the same concern! For a son to excel and shoulder great responsibilities, parents are naturally proud, but hearing of the dangers in the Yellow-Blade Star-Region—how could they not worry?
"Mother, you’re overthinking it. I’m fine—there were thrills, but no real danger. I didn’t let the family down, did I?"
"Desmond! How could you say you let us down? You’ve done extremely well!"
A loud, gruff voice rang out as a burly, armored man appeared. His cultivation was early Holy Emperor, and his presence was commanding. He looked at Desmond and laughed heartily, "Enough! A real man should act like a man—what are you doing clinging to your mother’s arms? Your grandfather is waiting for you, go see him right away!
By the way, where is our benefactor? This time, our entire Mansfield Family owes him our deepest thanks!"
The speaker was, of course, Desmond’s father.
Desmond’s grandfather was the current patriarch of the Mansfield Family. Though Desmond was of direct lineage, there were still distinctions in closeness. His father, while the patriarch’s biological son, was not the eldest, so his position was limited. Desmond’s ability to surpass all the other geniuses and claim the title of young master owed much to support from his Holy Emperor father.
He respected his father deeply, so when his father spoke, he didn’t dare show any disrespect.
"Throne Chu is still aboard the starship. He prefers not to meet too many people. He said that since he’s advancing in cultivation, he wants to finish things here quickly and then leave."
"Alright then, Desmond, just escort Throne Chu directly to the patriarch."
"Okay!"
Evan Chu wasn’t putting on airs, ignoring even Holy Emperors—he simply felt there was no point. His agreement to come to the Mansfield Family wasn’t out of obligation or for any benefit.
Later, when Lord Jun Yang and Mad-Blade Li appeared, Evan’s plans to use their momentum came to nothing. Strictly speaking, the Starry Void Sigil ending up in his hands had nothing to do with the Mansfield Family.
His coming this time was purely to give Desmond personal face—nothing more.
"Hmm... The Mansfield Family really is impressive. Their disciples are well-trained and all skilled in battle. Clearly, those managing the family are truly capable."
"Tch! What’s so great about that?"
Lena Lin felt a bit dissatisfied when she saw Evan Chu praising the Mansfield disciples outside the starship.
"Oh? Commander Lin, should I take that to mean the Savage Brotherhood’s experts are even more disciplined than the Mansfield disciples? Are you saying Lin Yuefei’s talent surpasses the Mansfield Family head when it comes to leading troops?"
"You... Hmph! I’m not talking to you."
Lena Lin wanted to argue back, but when she thought about the Savage Brotherhood’s actual state—her own people knew their own problems—she fell silent.
Indeed, while the Savage Brotherhood was strong, its management couldn’t compare to a proper family. After all, the Mansfield Family had grown to rival dynasties and now only lacked a Trial World.
But the Savage Brotherhood? Its future was uncertain—they didn’t even dare establish a permanent base. Otherwise, why would they seek out a sage to point them toward a clear path?
If the Savage Brotherhood didn’t change their ways soon, they’d only get closer and closer to splitting and destruction.
The starship traveled a bit further and finally stopped. Desmond’s voice came from outside:
"Throne Chu, we’ve arrived. This is the entrance to the Starry Abyss—the patriarch is inside."
"Hm?"
Evan Chu stepped out and looked below the endless void, where over a hundred starships were anchored. Amidst them, a naturally formed glowing rift appeared.
"So this is the entrance to the Starry Abyss? It really seems to be an independent, mysterious space. But what exactly is a Star Core?"
Evan Chu suddenly sensed a strange power emanating from within the Starry Abyss, stirring an inexplicable urge inside him.
"Maybe this trip will be an opportunity—who knows!"
As soon as Evan Chu appeared, nearly a thousand Saint Lord guards on duty shouted in unison, "Welcome, Throne Chu!"
"Haha, you’re all too polite."
A Saint Venerable officer appeared, first bowing respectfully to Desmond Mansfield, then turning to Evan Chu and saying, "The patriarch is already waiting inside. The Baili and Owens experts have withdrawn, so for now, only our Mansfield Family controls the Starry Abyss."
The patriarch has instructed that the entrance will close soon, so he hopes Throne Chu and the young master can hurry.
"Alright, I understand. Keep up your vigilance."
"Yes, young master!"
Desmond waved, leading Evan Chu inside with practiced ease—he’d been here before. Lena Lin, however, was stopped outside by the guard commander. She didn’t protest.
Evan Chu’s status and strength had reached such heights that even Holy Emperors had to show him respect in the Star-River Dominion, while ordinary Saint Venerables could only look up to him in awe.