Yelü Zhigu's body trembled as he raised his long axe, his expression cold, and stepped carefully towards the heavenly star created by the impact.
Perhaps stimulated by the surrounding flames, the chill emanating from Yelü Zhigu intensified, leaving a trail of ice shards in his wake.
He soon reached the base of the heavenly star, towering over two meters tall. Standing in front of it, Yelü Zhigu resembled a child holding a toy.
Clang! Clang! Clang...
"Chop!"
The crisp sound of a chime mingled with Cao Yi's command.
Yelü Zhigu lifted the long axe with immense force and brought it down. There was a thunderous crash, and sparks flew as he was sent sprawling backward.
"What?"
Cao Yi expressed surprise as he witnessed Yelü Zhigu being knocked back. No one understood the extent of his strength better than he did.
Quickly recovering, Yelü Zhigu stood up straight and advanced towards the heavenly star once more.
"Wait!"
Cao Yi called out.
Yelü Zhigu halted, becoming as still as a statue.
Cao Yi approached him, took out a temporary talisman, and pressed it against Yelü Zhigu's palm, momentarily lending him a substantial portion of his own strength despite the cold.
With Cao Yi's power, Yelü Zhigu transformed significantly; his pupils turned golden, a unique battle mark appeared on his forehead, and his height increased to over two meters, surrounded by an intensified chill.
Protected by the temporary talisman, Cao Yi remained unsealed, but the cold was still unbearable. Once the transfer was complete, he quickly stepped aside.
Yelü Zhigu gripped the long axe and leaped onto the top of the heavenly star.
With all his might, he swung the axe down again, producing a sound much louder than before, akin to thunder, and a modest crack appeared in the heavenly star.
Yelü Zhigu leaped again and swung down the axe, increasing the crack significantly.
After chopping more than ten times, the heavenly star split apart with a roar, revealing a dazzling light from its core.
Concerned about potential radiation or other unforeseen changes, Cao Yi immediately aimed the purple-gold red gourd and shouted, "Collect!"
The luminous object abruptly vanished from sight.
Having completed his task, Yelü Zhigu jumped down from the heavenly star and strode back.
Cao Yi felt a wave of emotion; if he hadn't collected Yelü Zhigu in the world of "The Dragon Seeking Technique" and established communication with him, opening the heavenly star today would have been incredibly challenging.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the task, collecting the 'heavenly star.'"
"Reward: Further mastery of the other shore flower, allowing one person to experience another's past and future within the illusion created by the other shore flower."
What does this reward mean?
Cao Yi was puzzled.
Suddenly, a thunderous sound erupted from the northwest, followed by a massive shockwave.
Standing nearby, Xiang Yu was caught off guard by the shockwave and fell to the ground with a yelp.
"Oh no!"
Cao Yi collected Yelü Zhigu and Xiang Yu into the gourd and dashed towards the large marsh like the wind.
The raging flames behind him exploded, swiftly consuming the path they had just opened.
---
**A Few Moments Earlier**
On the banks of the turbulent Yellow River, Qin Emperor Ying Zheng's temporary camp was heavily guarded by thousands of elite soldiers, the atmosphere imposing.
Inside the largest military tent, the somewhat older emperor was working late into the night, reviewing bamboo slips sent by fast horse from various counties.
Servants entered and exited, delivering new bamboo slips or taking away the reviewed ones.
Suddenly, a commotion arose from outside.
Unfazed, Ying Zheng remained focused on the bamboo slips.
"Your Majesty, a thief star has crossed the night sky!"
A servant outside the tent reported in a hushed voice, trembling slightly, perhaps worried about offending the emperor.
"Understood."
Ying Zheng replied indifferently.
Time passed slowly.
Suddenly, a somewhat hoarse voice spoke, "I am Xu Fu, seeking an audience with Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
Ying Zheng didn't even look up.
"The thief star has fallen; it is of great significance. I wish to investigate."
Xu Fu answered.
Ying Zheng set aside the bamboo slip he was holding and picked up another without saying a word.
"This thief star may be related to the elixir of immortality."
Xu Fu added.
Ying Zheng's gaze shifted from the bamboo slip, his sharp eyes locking onto Xu Fu's slender figure outside the tent. "What evidence do you have?"
"The man from North Rock Mountain once told me that an extraordinary object would fall to earth in the future."
Xu Fu replied with certainty.
"The man from North Rock Mountain? Is he the brother you mentioned who possesses treasures from beyond?"
Ying Zheng's expression softened.
"Exactly."
Xu Fu responded respectfully.
"Take the talisman I granted you earlier; you may mobilize up to five hundred soldiers at your discretion. Go."
Ying Zheng's gaze returned to its sharpness.
"Yes."
Xu Fu acknowledged before withdrawing.
---
**Three Days Later**
On a gentle morning, warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window, casting light on Cao Yi, who was sitting on the floor.
It had been three whole days since he returned from Peize, and for some reason, ever since that night, the purple-gold red gourd had been stuck and wouldn't open.
"I refuse to believe this."
Cao Yi continued to channel his spiritual energy into it.
Suddenly, the seemingly lifeless purple-gold red gourd trembled slightly. Cao Yi was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, continuing to pour in his spiritual energy.
With a whoosh, the purple-gold red gourd lifted into the air.
"Shrink!"
Cao Yi tentatively commanded.
The gourd shook and shrank by half.
"Continue, continue…"
Before long, the purple-gold red gourd shrank down to its previous tiny size.
"Master, great news!"
Lü Gong's voice came from outside the small courtyard.
"Come in."
Cao Yi thought to himself.
The now tiny purple-gold red gourd vanished with a whoosh.
Cao Yi stood up, adjusted his clothes, and opened the door to step outside.
Lü Gong, who had been standing at the door, entered upon seeing Cao Yi.
"Master, I have found Gao Yao for you."
Gao Yao was found! What excellent news!
"Where did you find him?"
A smile appeared on Cao Yi's face.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Lü Gong said, "In the back kitchen of an inn near Mangdang Mountain."
He hadn't strayed far from his old profession after all.
Cao Yi nodded and asked, "When can I meet him?"
"By afternoon at the latest."
Lü Gong replied.
"Good, thank you very much, Lü Gong."
Cao Yi bowed and expressed his gratitude.
Without Lü Gong's help, he would have had quite a challenge finding him.
"No need for that, Master. If it weren't for you, I would have long since become a victim of the thieves."
Lü Gong stepped aside, just like the first time they met.
"It's the least I could do."
Cao Yi finished his formalities before straightening up.