Chapter 119: The Gathering of the Seven Stars

The commotion within the courtyard was significant, yet under Sun Meng’s concealment, it attracted no attention from the outside world. It was not until the sun dipped below the horizon that Chao Gai finally awoke.

At this moment, he had broken through his original bottleneck.

"Have you witnessed the awakening of a celestial star?" Sun Meng offered a faint smile.

Chao Gai immediately bowed, "Many thanks, Senior. I am deeply grateful!" At this moment, he had not only achieved a breakthrough in strength but also gained an understanding of his own mission.

Indeed, as stars descended from the heavens, they arrived with a purpose. As the leader of the one hundred and eight stars, his awakening granted him insight into the mission of the celestial stars in this mortal realm: to gather the stars, activate the Star Formation, and save the Yellow Emperor's descendants from impending peril.

Furthermore, as the Heavenly Kui Star, he possessed an innate, passive ability to sense other stars. Yet, at this moment, he felt a majestic power radiating from Sun Meng—a level of star energy that, in his estimation, was nearly equal to what he would possess once he fully mastered his own potential.

Sun Meng replied, "It is fate that brought us together; there is no need for thanks. Moreover, I require your help to find three others to complete this destiny." Wu Yong was easy enough, as he was right there. Bai Sheng also had a known residence. However, Liu Tang was a wandering knight, and with his habit of roaming about, his current whereabouts were unknown.

"Chao Gai will do everything in his power!" Chao Gai declared immediately. This endeavor not only assisted Sun Meng but also served his own interests. Although they were all stars incarnate, they were now living human beings. If he wished to command the other one hundred and seven stars, he had to follow the rules of the mortal world. In short, before the full assembly of one hundred and eight was realized, he needed to secure the support of the majority.

Though he was a star reincarnate, Chao Gai quickly understood that the only way to unite the others into a formidable force was to become an outlaw. Only such a grey-area organization could achieve his goals. After all, if their strength was sufficient, accepting an amnesty from the imperial court later on was not out of the question.

Having awakened as a celestial star, Chao Gai felt no inherent hostility toward the current dynasty. After all, the mortal emperor corresponded to the Ziwei Imperial Star in the heavens. They were ultimately on the same side; even if he did not wish to serve, there was no need to deliberately provoke conflict.

Having quickly determined the main path for his future, Chao Gai looked at Sun Meng, "I have yet to ask for your name, Senior."

"My surname is Sun. I previously found three others, and I believe they have successfully awakened by now. However, it is quite a distance from here to their location. You should focus on finding the stars nearby first." With that, he flashed into the room.

Chao Gai nodded. His ability, much like a system, allowed him to sense unawakened stars, though he could not determine if they would manifest as celestial or demonic stars upon awakening.

Soon, Chao Gai met two men: the "Resourceful Star" Wu Yong and the "Red-Haired Ghost" Liu Tang. One was a schoolteacher, the other a wandering knight, and both had good relations with him. After briefly explaining the situation, Chao Gai brought them to Sun Meng.

Perhaps because they were brought by the celestial star Chao Gai, they both awakened as celestial stars. However, Wu Yong’s strength stalled at the early second stage. His original foundation was lacking, and after receiving the star power, he required time to compensate for the deficiency.

"Senior, who is this third person?" Chao Gai asked. Though he was anxious, his primary concern was helping Sun Meng complete his task.

"Do not rush. His name is Bai Sheng, a resident of Dongxi Village. I believe you will find him quickly. As for the three I found earlier, they are the three Ruan brothers of Shijie Village." With that, Sun Meng waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

Chao Gai and the others dared not speak further. After exiting the room, Chao Gai dispatched men to find Bai Sheng and the Ruan brothers.

"Let us go elsewhere to speak," Chao Gai said to Wu Yong, who had yet to recover from the experience. The constant influx of knowledge into his mind made his movements stiff.

Once they were seated in a side chamber, Wu Yong stood up abruptly as soon as he touched the chair.

"Boss, I know the Ruan brothers. I taught them to read, but aside from a talent for martial arts, they were quite ordinary. I suspect that Senior is planning something monumental!" As he spoke, Wu Yong opened his folding fan and fanned himself gently, the breeze fluttering his beard. He radiated the aura of a wise man.

Chao Gai merely glanced at him and said, "You need not worry about that. For now, let us just find the people." He knew what they would be required to do, but Wu Yong did not, and he had no intention of telling him yet. He knew that for now, he was the only one whose consciousness was led by the star's essence, while the others were still operating as normal humans.

If he told Wu Yong and Liu Tang now that he intended to become an outlaw, take to the mountains, and forge a power of their own, they would likely turn and leave immediately. They might even report him to the authorities, given their previous ties to him.

Though Chao Gai held some renown in the world of chivalry, such reputation was useless against the state. If the court sent someone to investigate, he would be accused of treason whether he intended it or not.

Wu Yong nodded, sat down, and closed his eyes to absorb the ever-increasing wisdom. The insights were evolving from social interaction and observation into management, strategic analysis, and military formation.

If this state had not been passive, he would have wanted it to stop! He was just a schoolteacher! What was the use of knowing so much? Even with his newfound strength, he could not simply become an official!

As his cognitive speed accelerated, he deduced a terrifying truth: the world was about to descend into chaos!

He suddenly jolted awake, cold sweat on his forehead. Looking at Chao Gai, he considered a possibility. When the stars descended, they either served the Imperial Star or vied for supremacy in a chaotic era.

He gripped his fan tightly, his chest heaving, hesitant about what to do next.

At that moment, Chao Gai looked up at the sky, where seven stars shone brightly in the night.

On the other side, Sun Meng received a notification from the system: he had triggered a side quest—"The Gathering of the Seven Stars!"

He had intended to gather them and head to Liangshan, but the "Gathering of the Seven Stars" was tied to the birthday gift convoy! That event was still far off. Furthermore, he was puzzled: the traditional gathering included Gongsun Sheng, while Bai Sheng was merely a filler brought by Chao Gai.

Did this mean Gongsun Sheng would appear? What did he represent? Was he truly a star incarnate?

Despite his doubts, Sun Meng intended to complete the quest.

The next morning, the Ruan brothers and Bai Sheng arrived at Chao Gai’s home. After Bai Sheng awakened, Sun Meng discovered that the quest was still incomplete.

Indeed, Gongsun Sheng was missing.

Seeing Sun Meng frowning, Chao Gai stepped forward, "Senior, is there something unsatisfactory?"

Sun Meng waved his hand, "Familiarize yourselves with your heritage over the next few days. One person has yet to arrive; once he does, you will naturally know what must be done."

Elsewhere, a Taoist priest moved with the wind, leaping between trees with faint white mist beneath his feet, as if walking on clouds.

In an instant, he landed and sighed with relief, "The celestial mechanisms are unfathomable. What could have caused the Gathering of the Seven Stars to occur so early?" He calculated with his fingers, only to find a vast starry sky, with far more than one hundred and eight stars.

"Variables! So many variables! I wonder if I can transcend the world this time." He quickened his pace, heading toward the village ahead.

Soon, Gongsun Sheng entered the village and inquired about the changes surrounding Chao Gai.

Finding no answers in his calculations, he checked the sun, tidied his robes, and walked up to the gates of Chao Gai’s manor, knocking firmly.

"The poor Taoist Gongsun Sheng has come to bring fortune to the Heavenly King Chao!"