Dai Tianxing extended his hand, a trace of anticipation in his eyes as he reached for the crown. At his fingertips, an extremely faint golden-white glow of soul power gathered, the unique stellar power of the Star Crown martial soul.
It seemed he intended to activate the crown and see whether he could once again feel the mighty power that connected to the stars beyond the heavens.
At that critical moment.
"Your Majesty, please wait!"
Lin Xia's voice was not loud, yet it was exceptionally clear and firm, carrying an urgency that brooked no refusal.
It instantly halted Dai Tianxing's movement.
Dai Tianxing's hand froze in midair, and the glow of soul power at his fingertips quietly dissipated.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Lin Xia, a hint of confusion and displeasure flashing through his eyes at being interrupted.
Lin Xia's heart pounded wildly in his chest, but his face displayed nothing but earnest concern and solemn loyalty.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my presumption! Although the crown's exterior has been restored and the core gemstone stabilized, the restoration of its internal formations is still at a crucial stage of energy bridging!"
"If soul power is injected recklessly at this moment, especially star power as pure and powerful as Your Majesty's, it could very well destroy the fragile balance I have worked so hard to establish!"
"At best, all previous efforts would be wasted, and the core formation would once again fall into disorder and collapse. At worst, it could trigger a backlash from the stellar power contained within the gemstone itself. The consequences would be unimaginable!"
Lin Xia's tone was decisive and unwavering.
His eyes were filled with concern over the "serious consequences," making him appear like a craftsman desperately protecting an unfinished masterpiece from being ruined by rash interference.
At the same time, he cleverly emphasized the "backlash of the stellar power contained within the gemstone," directing any potential danger toward the Tear of the Star Core itself rather than his restoration work.
Dai Tianxing studied Lin Xia's earnest and serious expression.
The displeasure in his eyes gradually faded.
He was not an unreasonable man, and he understood better than most the complexity and dangers involved in repairing top-tier soul tools.
Lin Xia's explanation sounded perfectly reasonable, especially when it involved that incomparably precious gemstone containing terrifying amounts of power.
The two disturbances he had sensed previously, one in the mine and one in the Zhu Family workshop could indeed be explained as fluctuations caused by unstable energy during the restoration process.
"Mmm..."
Dai Tianxing withdrew his hand and slowly sat back upon the Throne of Stars, the pressure of an emperor easing somewhat.
"It seems I was too impatient. When restoring a national treasure, stability must come first."
The way he looked at Lin Xia now carried a bit more approval.
"You are meticulous and thoughtful. Very good."
After a brief pause, Dai Tianxing flicked a finger.
A streak of light shot out from his sleeve and landed precisely in Lin Xia's hand.
It was an ancient-looking key.
The entire key was forged from dark-gold Star Essence Gold. Embedded within the handle was a tiny swirling nebula emblem that emitted faint yet profound spatial fluctuations.
"This is one of the keys to the Empire's secret treasury, the Star Vault."
Dai Tianxing's voice returned to its previous gentle tone.
"No matter how rare the materials required for the restoration may be, if they exist within the treasury, you may take them yourself. Someone will guide you there shortly."
His gaze swept across the materials list Lin Xia had submitted before he continued.
"As for any items on the list that are not currently available in the treasury, provide their names and I will order my people to search for them with all possible speed."
"The restoration of the Star Radiance Crown is the Empire's highest priority. All resources shall be supplied to you first."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
Lin Xia accepted the key with both hands.
It felt cold and heavy to the touch.
Suppressing the excitement surging within him, he bowed deeply.
The value of this key far exceeded any verbal reward.
It meant he would gain access to the finest rare ores and materials accumulated by the Star Luo Empire over hundreds perhaps even thousands of years.
For his future mech project, for the development of the Blacksmith Association, and even for paving his own path forward, this was an opportunity beyond compare.
"Go, then."
Dai Tianxing waved his hand.
His gaze once more settled upon the Star Radiance Crown in Lin Xia's possession, his eyes filled with sincere anticipation.
"I shall await good news."
"Do not disappoint my trust. Restore the national treasure and allow its starlight to shine once more."
"Your servant will spare no effort!"
Lin Xia bowed again.
Then, under the guidance of an elderly palace attendant who had appeared silently and whose aura was as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, he grasped the heavy stellar key and departed from the Star Crown Hall.
The massive palace doors slowly closed behind him, sealing away that vast illusion of the starry heavens.
Lin Xia took a deep breath.
Even the star power lingering in the air seemed to carry the scent of freedom and opportunity.
Beside him, Larvitar appeared to sense his surging emotions.
The little Pokémon affectionately rubbed its head against him and let out a soft "Larvitar," its crimson eyes sparkling with anticipation for the unknown "delicacies" that awaited ahead.
"Let's go!"
Lin Xia spoke softly, his voice carrying both the excitement and caution of a hunter stepping into a mountain of treasure.
"Let's see just how many world-shaking treasures the Star Luo Empire has accumulated over hundreds of years."
Under the guidance of the silent palace attendant, they passed through corridor after corridor guarded by layers of heavily defended imperial guards, making their way toward the deepest part of the palace, the Star Vault, protected by powerful spatial barriers.
Meanwhile, back within the Star Crown Hall, Dai Tianxing remained seated upon his throne.
As he gazed in the direction Lin Xia had departed, the starlight within his eyes began flickering intensely once more.
His slender fingers unconsciously tapped against the armrest of the Throne of Stars, producing a deep, rhythmic sound.
"A critical energy bridge for the restoration formation energy backlash."
He quietly repeated Lin Xia's explanation, his gaze as profound as an abyss.
"Two distinct stellar disturbances Lin Xia... just how many secrets are you hiding?"
"And that gemstone was it truly nothing more than energy depletion?"
An emperor's suspicion, coupled with his keen sensitivity toward power, prevented him from fully relaxing despite Lin Xia's reasonable explanation.
The key to the Star Vault was both a reward and a test.
He needed to see the final result Lin Xia would ultimately produce.
And during that time, he also intended to gain a deeper understanding of this extraordinary young man.
The massive gate, so heavy it seemed forged from the stars themselves silently slid inward after the Stellar Key in Lin Xia's hand was inserted into its core mechanism.
A narrow opening appeared.
There was no dazzling golden light.
Nor was there any overwhelming sense of luxury.
Instead, what emerged was an atmosphere of profound restraint, a stillness accumulated through countless years and immeasurable power.
It felt like the breathing of a slumbering giant beast, carrying the cold, primal scent of metal and mineral.
"Master Lin, please enter."
The elderly palace attendant guiding Lin Xia stepped aside.
His voice was low and devoid of emotion.
Behind him stood two vault guards clad in dark armor engraved with star patterns.
Their auras were as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.
Like statues, they stood on either side of the entrance.
Their eyes were sharp as hawks, firmly fixed upon Lin Xia.
There was no hostility in their gaze.
Only pure, emotionless scrutiny and vigilance, ensuring that every action of those entering remained under observation.
Lin Xia took a deep breath.
Suppressing the excitement surging within him, along with a trace of caution, he stepped across the threshold that symbolized hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years of accumulation by the Star Luo Empire.
The moment he crossed it, the world seemed to change.
The scene before him entered his sight.
Even for Lin Xia, who had lived two lives and possessed broad experience and knowledge, his soul could not help but tremble violently.
His mind went blank for an instant.
It was as though an invisible giant hammer had struck him directly.
His entire body froze in place.
"Hiss..."
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