I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1283: Outsmarting Oneself

As the ripples in the void subsided, Liu Runan found himself back within the inner sanctum of the Falling God Palace.

Following his report, several Elders manifested to escort him through a series of deep, sprawling palaces. Eventually, he was left alone at the base of a massive staircase tucked away in the profound depths of the sect.

Looking upward, he saw an endless path of starlight ascending directly into the heavens. At the summit, perched above the mist, the silhouette of a divine hall shimmered with a holy radiance. It acted like a luminous pearl, casting a sacred glow over the Falling God Palace and the entire floating island.

Tucked within Liu Runan's sleeve, the soul flame of Liu Changfeng watched the scene in a state of absolute shock.

"Father, is... is this the fabled Star Path that leads to the Falling God Hall?"

Upon hearing the query, Liu Runan looked down and issued a cold warning via mental transmission.

"It is indeed the Starlight Long Path."

"When we pay our respects to the Star Lord shortly, it will be the greatest honor of your life. You must remain perfectly respectful and remain silent unless granted leave to speak. Observe my actions and follow my lead!"

Liu Changfeng immediately went silent, nodding with deep reverence.

He gazed up at the Starlight Long Path, his eyes brimming with awe and fervor. Despite his former status as an outer sect Elder, he had only ever seen this path from a great distance. He had never dreamed he would stand this close to it.

The realization that he was about to meet the Star Lord sent waves of excitement through him.

As the undisputed sovereign of Lan Star, the Star Lord wielded unmatched power and Cultivation. To be able to forge an ancient Starlight Path reaching into the heavens—he was truly the God of Lan Star!

To him, the countless living beings and the myriad of cultivators in the world were likely nothing more than specks of dust.

Even before the meeting, the various legends Liu Changfeng had heard began to swirl in his mind. This religious fervor, akin to meeting a true deity, allowed him to finally experience a fragment of a great figure's glory.

In the presence of the Star Lord, any individual was utterly insignificant.

Suddenly, the Starlight Long Path erupted in a brilliant glow. The clouds at the midway point dispersed, replaced by celestial light and the echoes of ceremonial music. It felt as though a divine gateway was opening, filling any observer with a sense of longing.

Liu Runan bowed deeply and began his steady ascent up the stairs.

As they climbed higher, the vast panorama of the floating island unfolded below them. Hidden in the sleeve, Liu Changfeng felt a growing sense of superiority, his internal thrill becoming impossible to suppress.

By the time they reached the final step, he didn't even bother to look back at the busy island below. His focus was entirely on the magnificent palace ahead, which glowed with glazed light and divine splendor.

The ancient immortal gate, crafted from jade, swung open slowly.

A terrifyingly powerful aura surged out from the great hall!

Whoosh!

Even from the safety of the sleeve, Liu Changfeng felt the fierce pressure buffeting his form. He felt as if torrents of Dao power were rushing past him, making it nearly impossible to keep his eyes open.

In his current ghostly state, he was helpless; however, he realized that even at his peak—with a half-step to the Desolation Realm Cultivation—he likely wouldn't have been able to withstand the pressure of entering this place.

Once the initial surge of power subsided, Liu Runan walked firmly into the hall. On either side, many familiar Elders sat in silence. The long Star Path was saturated with visible Dao rhythms. Being in this place allowed one to grasp the truths of the universe—it was undoubtedly the most potent blessed land in existence.

Inside the sleeve, Liu Changfeng was mesmerized.

He could scarcely believe such a location existed—a hall built from concentrated Dao power where starlight itself served as the floor. "Lavish" was an understatement; this was truly divine territory.

The foundation of the Falling God Hall was truly frightening!

At that moment, Liu Changfeng finally grasped the true world of high-ranking figures. He suppressed his aura entirely, hiding obediently in the sleeve without daring to make a sound.

Liu Runan, being accustomed to the environment, continued forward with a steady gait.

He stopped before a nine-tiered immortal jade dragon platform. Under the watchful eyes of the gathered Elders, he bowed respectfully and performed a devout kowtow.

"Your subordinate, Liu Runan, pays respects to the Star Lord!"

Upon the immortal platform, silver-armored guards stood like statues. They emitted no aura at all, appearing like ordinary mortals, yet their presence was so intimidating that none of the Elders dared to look at them directly.

In the center, a curtain made of glazed pearls obscured the view, shimmering with the various colors of Dao power. A vague figure sat behind the curtain, their features hidden by a profound and mysterious aura that made it impossible to see their true face.

A cold, detached voice drifted out slowly.

"What is the matter?"

Though it was only four words, a staggering pressure flooded the Falling God Hall.

Liu Runan pressed his body lower and began to "truthfully" explain his situation.

"I report to the Star Lord."

"This subordinate has been incompetent. Sun Er was seized by a rogue cultivator, and my own worthless son was attacked by him, leaving only a remnant soul. My son, overestimating himself, sought vengeance with several outer sect Elders, but they were nearly wiped out!"

"I have brought shame upon the divine palace, and several Elders have fallen to the cruel hands of this villain. I lack the power to avenge them and clear our name. I beg the Star Lord for punishment!"

In a few short sentences, Yi Feng was transformed into a bloodthirsty monster.

The shameful behavior of Liu Haotian and his son, as well as the truth behind the Elders' deaths, were erased. Every crime was pinned solely on Yi Feng.

With this expert attempt at "borrowing a knife to kill," Liu Runan’s cunning nature was on full display.

As he finished, many of the listening Elders began to glare with fury.

After exchanging looks, a palpable killing intent began to fill the room.

Regardless of who the culprit was, to repeatedly harm disciples of the Falling God Palace and kill its Elders was an act of extreme audacity. It was an unpardonable sin that deserved only death.

Despite their rage, no one in the hall spoke a word.

The Elders remained seated, waiting for the Star Lord’s decree.

Finally, a voice tinged with curiosity came from behind the curtain.

"Did this truly take place?"

Liu Runan quickly adopted an expression of grief and indignation as he bowed, pulling the remnant soul from his sleeve as evidence.

"This subordinate would never dare to lie. The outer sect Elders have already perished in the Northern Desert Barren Region. This is the absolute truth!"

Liu Changfeng’s soul also spoke up nervously, sounding incredibly humble.

"May the Star Lord see the truth. My own weakness has brought disgrace to the Falling God Palace. I deserve death ten thousand times over for my failure. However, it is unacceptable that this person remains free!"

Though less experienced than his father, Liu Changfeng was no fool.

Following his father’s lead, he knew they had to keep the frame-up consistent. They could never reveal the truth about the failed possession that led to the Elders' deaths; Yi Feng had to take the blame for everything.

Since those useless Elders hadn't reached the peak of the half-step Desolation Realm and hadn't formed a second soul, they were gone for good. Dead men tell no tales.

The plan seemed perfect.

The father and son waited anxiously for the Star Lord’s command.

While they tried to hide their excitement, their hearts were racing. An insult of this magnitude was rare. The Elders were already furious, and surely the Star Lord would not let this stand.

Once the Lord gave the word, the wrath of the divine palace would fall. Millions would die; killing a lone cultivator would be as simple as breathing.

In the midst of their anticipation, a calm voice spoke from behind the pearls.

"Oh?"

"A rogue cultivator possesses such power? This is actually quite interesting. Bring this man to the divine palace. He might be of use in the future."

As the words echoed, Liu Changfeng’s heart nearly stopped from the shock.

This wasn't right...

The Star Lord didn't seem to care about the loss of life or the palace's reputation. He sounded completely indifferent toward the dead Elders and was instead interested in the man who killed them.

Was strength the only thing that mattered here?

This was far more ruthless than his father’s way of thinking!

Liu Runan was equally stunned, frozen in place. This was not the outcome he had envisioned. If Yi Feng actually came to the Divine Palace, his own lies might be uncovered. The mere thought of his reputation being destroyed made him panic.

Liu Changfeng, overcome with fear, tried to speak up again with a voice full of sorrow.

"Star Lord..."

However, before he could say another word, the calm voice from behind the curtain spoke again.

"Brother Nangong, the two of you are to depart for the Northern Desert Barren Region immediately. Locate this man and bring him to the Divine Hall."

The voice was steady, yet it carried a weight that eclipsed everyone else in the room. With that one sentence, the entire hall fell into a heavy silence. Despite his many arguments, Liu Runan was forced to stay silent.

The Star Lord's word was law; no one on Lan Star dared to cross him.

Once an order was issued, it was as solid as destiny.

The silver-armored guards bowed in unison, and then their forms began to fade away.

"As you command."

Without a sound or a visible movement, the two powerful figures vanished into the void.

Faced with this final, unchangeable command, Liu Runan remained frozen on the floor of the Starlight Grand Hall. He didn't dare to stand up for a long time, his mind racing like a lake disturbed by a falling boulder.

Liu Changfeng was completely bewildered. He never expected his "perfect" plan to fail so spectacularly.

He had essentially picked up a rock only to drop it on his own foot.

If that cultivator actually came to the Divine Palace and gained the Star Lord’s favor, how could he ever live in peace? His enemy would be in the same sect!

Shrinking back into the sleeve, Liu Changfeng became more terrified the more he thought about it. He could only pray to the heavens that the cultivator would refuse to join the Divine Palace.