Things were becoming increasingly strange.

However, Chu Chen could not care less about that now, nor did he mind whether a massive gate had sealed shut behind them.

At this moment, his only goal was to find the ultimate treasure-the complete Divine Phoenix Treasure Art.

Although he was not entirely certain if it was truly hidden within this place, since he had already come this far, he naturally intended to search every inch of it.

"What is with this great gate behind us? It wasn't there when we entered!"

Witnessing this scene, Ma Xiuyue felt a deep wave of worry and dread wash over her.

She was terrified of dying in this place.

Although the Falling Phoenix Slope Secret Realm was a tremendous treasury belonging to God Phoenix Valley, many who entered during its previous openings had never returned.

Such a grim fate was a very real possibility.

This was precisely what weighed heavily on Ma Xiuyue's mind.

"Pay no mind to it. We only need to focus on the path ahead,"

Chu Chen replied, his demeanor exceptionally calm.

Without a single backward glance, he strode resolutely into the depths of the cave.

"Rumble! Rush!"

After they walked for about half an hour, the sudden sound of rushing, churning water echoed from up ahead.

This immediately piqued Chu Chen's curiosity. He wondered if an actual river would truly materialize before them in such a place.

They pressed onward for another fifteen minutes before a massive river indeed unfolded before their eyes.

Yet, upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was no ordinary river.

The entire river was suspended upside down across the celestial canopy, its waters twinkling with countless brilliant stars.

It was the first time Chu Chen had ever witnessed such a phenomenon.

"This... this is the Netherworld River!"

"It is also known as the Netherworld Star River!"

"It is formed by countless stars suspended upside down within the sky."

Feng Qing'er spoke up, her face filled with astonishment.

"The Netherworld Star River?"

"What sort of place is that?"

Chu Chen had never heard of it, and even Ma Xiuyue could only shake her head in bewilderment.

"I once heard my brother mention it," Feng Qing'er said, her eyes fixed earnestly on the inverted river stretching across the celestial canopy. "He said that the most mysterious existence within Falling Phoenix Slope is a river hanging upside down from the heavens, known as the Netherworld Star River, and that its waters contain countless stars."

Within that river, the stars trembled and flickered. Yet, what was the source of that rushing, churning sound? Could there truly be a river flowing upside down across the sky?

If so, it was truly a fascinating sight.

"The appearance of the Netherworld Star River means we have found the path to the Divine Phoenix Treasure Art."

"My brother said that by crossing the Netherworld Star River, one can enter the true treasury of the Divine Phoenix."

Feng Qing'er grew visibly excited.

"Then isn't this perfect? It proves we came to the right place."

"Let's go. I would like to step into this Netherworld Star River myself and see exactly what kind of river it is, and where it will lead us."

Chu Chen's curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

With a flash in his eyes, his figure leaped upward, flying directly into the Netherworld Star River.

Floating within the celestial canopy, surrounded by countless upside-down stars whose brilliant radiance flickered like diamonds, Chu Chen felt a sense of serene pleasure, as if he had stepped into an immortal paradise.

"Splendid, truly splendid."

"The environment here is magnificent. You two should come up quickly as well."

Chu Chen waved down toward Feng Qing'er and Ma Xiuyue.

Nodding in response, the two women leaped into the air, plunging into the Netherworld Star River alongside him.

Upon entering, they felt a gentle, pure Stellar Force begin to seep into their bodies, slowly absorbed by their meridians.

It was an incredibly comfortable sensation. After all, this Stellar Force was a profound form of power capable of tempering one's tendons and strengthening one's bones.

Thus, the two women immediately began to continuously absorb the surrounding Stellar Force.

As they cultivated, they marvelled at the profound effect the stellar energy had on their bodies.

"This Stellar Force is truly extraordinary."

"It feels incredibly wondrous... I can actually feel my cultivation rising slightly."

Ma Xiuyue drifted within the river of stars, a look of profound satisfaction on her face.

"This Stellar Force is indeed beneficial, but let us not forget our primary purpose for entering the Netherworld Star River."

With those words, Chu Chen swam swiftly through the star-filled currents, forging ahead.

Feng Qing'er and Ma Xiuyue quickly followed suit, keeping pace with his rapid advance.

Dense clusters of stars surrounded them on all sides. From a distance, these stars had seemed minuscule, but as the trio navigated through the currents, they realized each star was immense and colossal.

Chu Chen led the two women through the boundless sea of stars.

He had no idea where or when they ought to stop, so he simply continued to fly forward at full speed.

After weaving past numerous massive celestial bodies, Chu Chen finally halted before a truly gargantuan star.

This star was undoubtedly the largest within this entire sea of stars.

It spanned several thousand zhang in size, and violent waves of Stellar Force pulsated across its surface.

Chu Chen had not stopped merely because of the endless, surging stellar energy radiating from it.

More importantly, the surface of this great star was etched with a complex and mysterious array of ancient patterns. Chu Chen studied them for a long time but could not decipher their meaning.

Feng Qing'er and Ma Xiuyue quickly caught up to him.

Upon seeing the titanic celestial body, they were instantly struck dumb with awe.

"Heavens... what a massive star."

"The Stellar Force radiating from it is endless, hundreds or even thousands of times greater than the other stars."

"Furthermore, what are these profound and mysterious patterns etched upon it?"

Ma Xiuyue asked, her face filled with confusion.

Naturally, she had no answers.

Beside her, Feng Qing'er shook her head in equal bewilderment.

"This Netherworld Star River is getting interesting,"

Chu Chen murmured, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the gigantic star. "Whether we can find the ultimate Divine Phoenix Treasure Art likely depends entirely on this star."

"Could that really be the case?"

"The entire Netherworld Star River is vast and seemingly infinite. Trying to locate the Treasure Art here should be like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"Perhaps we should start thinking about how to find an exit instead?"

Feng Qing'er noted. They had already been trapped within this place for a considerable amount of time.

Naturally, they wanted to find a way out as soon as possible.

Yet, Chu Chen showed no intention of leaving; his mind was entirely set on unearthing the ultimate treasure.

She could not help but worry if this obsession would plunge them into an even greater crisis.

"The Netherworld Star River is so vast. Why would the Treasure Art be hidden on this specific star? Simply because it is the largest?"

Ma Xiuyue asked, voicing her own doubts.

"No, because of the mysterious patterns on its surface."

"They likely hold the key to the ultimate Divine Phoenix Treasure Art."

"These patterns have not been activated yet. Although the star's internal Stellar Force is surging outward like raging celestial tides, the lines of the array remain completely dim. I wonder if either of you noticed that."

Chu Chen shared his subtle observation with Ma Xiuyue and Feng Qing'er.

"You're right! Why aren't the patterns glowing?"

Ma Xiuyue finally noticed the discrepancy.

"Is there a way for us to light these patterns up right now?"

Ma Xiuyue asked with a hint of excitement, her gaze locking tightly onto the ancient runes.