Chapter 378: The Age of Starry Void Cultivation [4k]

After bidding farewell to Kui, Xu Xing did not return to the Central Continent but chose to remain in the starry void.

He wanted to wander and see if there might be some special encounters in the starry void that could spark inspiration to break through the 'Dao Wang'.

He could also take the opportunity to observe how the starry void had changed completely.

The Central Continent was indeed richer than the starry void, but what he needed now was not more cultivation resources—after all, external things held no use for his current state.

Of course, he would not stay in the starry void for long; there were still many matters on the Central Continent requiring his attention.

Such as 'Ascension', and the upcoming Xian Sect Grand Competition.

Not to mention this was his first Xian Sect Grand Competition since emerging from seclusion, and the 'Xian Net' he had built using divine position data gathered in that Tongxuan energy level world would begin its first test.

Ning Ruo had already made progress; the basic framework had been established.

Later, after several fellow Daoists discussed it in the group, they ultimately decided to name it—'Tai Xuan Xian Net'.

It sounded a bit clichéd, but it was better than 'Little Duck Xian Net'; 'Tai Xuan Xian Sect's Old Guard Mutual Support Group' was already abstract enough…

Though, honestly, 'abstract' wasn't entirely unacceptable, but such matters were better handled seriously.

…

…

Southern Star Region, Jingming Star System, Fu Ming No. 31 Star System.

As one of the most renowned 'port star systems' in the entire Jingming Star System, the number of starships arriving and departing daily was an extremely terrifying figure.

Among them were a mix of new forces like 【Jing Yue】 and 【Qiu Zhen】, as well as older sects, the Righteous Alliance, or even the Gedaxian Sect!

But the Righteous Alliance had only just recovered from its 'Duan Xin Qi' state, so it was still in its early stages, and the number of starships at the port was not yet large.

But this situation would change soon enough.

After all, the Righteous Alliance was, outside the Qidaxian Sect, the most powerful force on the Central Continent.

In addition, there were also individual starships and vessels used by star traders.

Dense and varied starships were moored in the cosmic space, streams of blue-white spiritual energy particles—large and small—adding a unique hue to the profound darkness.

Higher up.

Xu Xing silently gazed down at the entire star system.

Everything within the system was crystal clear to his eyes, the prosperity laid bare before him.

Compared to the Central Continent, the starry void now perhaps better represented the changes of this era…

He suddenly recalled the world where Yuan had once stayed.

In that world, the original course of history had shifted due to Yuan's influence, yet he had not used excessive transcendent power during the process.

His Dongzhen realm cultivation merely allowed him to better perceive the situation in that world, then make subtle changes at key turning points.

Xu Xing's memories of his homeland were already very hazy, but he still remembered that his homeland had never reached the level of today's Tai Xuan Realm.

Now, looking back, everything Yuan had done in the Tai Xuan Realm, though far more difficult than in that world, was fundamentally the same—

Giving a push at the world's critical turning point.

It sounded simple, but when actually attempted, one realized it was not easy at all—especially under Yuan's initial circumstances…

Shh!

A spherical vessel, too small to even be called a 'starship', its hull etched with numerous array patterns, shot out rapidly from Fu Ming No. 31 Star System, brushing past Xu Xing.

Inside its cramped interior, a Golden Core Stage cultivator lay in closed-eye slumber, a worm-like scar stretching diagonally across his entire face, grotesque and terrifying.

He was a star trader.

His storage ring held many ordinary items, yet ones almost impossible for most star-dwelling alien races to access: human specialties.

Such as low-grade spirit-replenishing potions, pills, seasonings, even several sets of array flags with multiple protective measures.

'Air Conditioning' Array, 'Constant Temperature' Array, 'Scheduled Cleaning' Array…

Similarly, these were very ordinary, inexpensive array flags.

Most low-rank star traders relied on these to trade with alien races in the starry void, exchanging them for rare resources unique to those aliens.

Don't doubt whether those aliens would be willing to trade—their elites were eager to acquire human 'luxuries' to display their distinction.

In the starry void, only a small fraction of alien races could leave their home planets; those who could escape their star systems—or even their own star regions—were rarer still.

The starry void was vast, so as long as one found suitable alien races, the returns were usually quite good.

But it was also dangerous, for not every alien race was gentle or friendly…

Like the alien races on those planets where Zhang Yunlu once carried out her mission.

If not for the unique nature of the bio-weapon core, which was detected immediately, who knew how many more star traders would have been lost there.

Xu Xing watched curiously until it vanished into the boundless darkness.

Before his seclusion, this 'profession' did not exist.

In the past, some cultivators had engaged in similar trade with star-dwelling aliens for profit, but their realms were never low.

Not to mention, crossing the starry void was beyond the capability of ordinary cultivators.

Only in this era, where human teleportation and jump arrays were widespread across the starry void, had the cost of crossing it dropped low enough for even Golden Core Stage cultivators to afford.

"…"

Xu Xing withdrew his gaze.

Star traders were merely a microcosm of this new cultivation era—many other things had changed drastically!

Such as stellar re-forging, star system reconstruction, and star system ecological transformation…

Had Yuan personally changed all of these?

Absolutely not!

He had merely pushed the most critical lever at the most critical moment.

After comprehending all of this, Xu Xing finally realized where he had previously fallen short.

It sounds simple, but it's hard to actually do…

After smiling, Xu Xing turned and left.

"I can do it too" is one of the three great illusions of life.

Just as before he entered seclusion, every time Xu Xing wanted to do something, he thought the same thing in his heart—but the results were often disappointing…

According to his senior sister, Jiuyu is planning to take Yunlu out into the Starry Sky to clear her mind.

He planned to wander around a bit more; if he still had no inspiration, he would return with them.

As he thought this, his figure gradually vanished into the deep, dark expanse of space, just like the Starry Sky Merchant who had left earlier.

Actually, the last time Du Ruoheng came to find him about some difficult matters, he mentioned something about the Starry Sky Merchant.

Someone wanted to raise the usage fees for large arrays that enable teleportation and leap-transit in the Starry Sky, and increase the tax rate on Starry Sky Merchants.

The numbers are extremely small, but if the base is the star domains under the Xiang Jianzong's rule, they become enormous.

Even the Lord of the Xiang Jianzong himself found it difficult…

Without doubt, this involved some troublesome people and matters.

But Xu Xing disliked it, so he did not agree.

Of course, many people were dissatisfied with this.

So to spare the Sect Lord from difficulty, he specifically said:

If anyone who proposed this feels something is amiss, they may come speak to him directly; if their reasoning is reasonable, he may support the decision.

But in the end, not a single person came to see him.

…………

Central Continent, Xiang Jianzong.

Zhang Xiu did not leave immediately after paying respects to his parents' remains that day; he stayed in the Xiang Jianzong for a while.

He was mainly worried his younger sister might be overcome with grief…

But after several days, it was Zhang Yunlu who worried more about his time.

Seeing his younger sister had truly grown up and no longer needed his concern—and hearing that her senior sister planned to take her out for a stroll—he decided to return to the Sect.

So he prepared to go back.

Dining Hall.

In a private room on the third level, deepest inside.

Three people sat around a table; the room was filled with an unusual fragrant aroma.

It was Chi Jiuyu, Zhang Yunlu, and Zhang Xiu.

Jiang Hong had returned earlier.

Before leaving, Chi Jiuyu felt that as a senior sister, she ought to bid farewell to Yunlu's brother.

So she arranged it here, and to maintain dignity, she used half of the remaining Phoenix as hospitality.

As for the remaining third, she planned to slowly eat it with little Yunlu during their journey through the Starry Sky.

No error! One word, one phrase, one detail—all correct!

"Eat up, eat up, don't be formal with me!" Chi Jiuyu urged warmly.

Zhang Xiu stared in disbelief at the pot before him, its red oil boiling and churning with steam.

This… is chicken meat?

But how could chicken meat possibly have this scent?

Could it be some special seasoning, an unusual Spirit Chef technique, or perhaps added Spirit Medicine?

Under Chi Jiuyu's urging, he finally couldn't resist and took a bite.

Whoosh!

Instantly, his blood qi, like molten lava within him, was stirred and began to circulate spontaneously, emitting a sound like a river surging forward.

Feeling the ultimate flavor stimulate his taste buds, Zhang Xiu's eyes widened.

Holy shit!

What on earth is this!

"How is it? Tastes good, right?" Chi Jiuyu grinned.

"It's delicious, but this is…"

"It's Phoenix," said Zhang Yunlu.

She perfectly played the straight man, helping Chi Jiuyu show off.

Jiuyu's saying goes: saying it yourself versus having someone else say it produces entirely different effects.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiu's face filled with shock: "Phoenix?!"

Perfect! Perfect!

This was exactly the effect she wanted!

Chi Jiuyu really wanted to say in a casual tone, "No need to be so shocked—it's nothing."

But considering he was little Yunlu's brother, she held back and answered honestly:

"A senior gave it to me; otherwise, I couldn't afford it."

Oh.

Chi Jiuyu's master is the Xiang Jianzong, and according to an unverified rumor, she is the Ancestor's most beloved disciple's disciple…

Thinking of it this way, it seemed perfectly normal.

Her eating Phoenix felt entirely reasonable.

"I see. No wonder, little Xiao Shu Zu."

People lift each other's palanquins; saying a few kind words won't kill you, and she's been good to her younger sister.

"But this is too valuable."

"No problem—Xiao Yunlu is my junior sister, we're practically friends already, why be so formal?"

Zhang Xiu's reaction pleased Chi Jiuyu immensely, and she immediately grew more solemn:

"By the way, do you think the Xiang Jianzong's cafeteria still needs improvement compared to your Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect?"

Before Zhang Xiu could answer, she added: "Except for the Phoenix."

"I plan to make some renovations to the Xiang Jianzong's cafeteria during my tenure as its sect leader, so I'd like your opinion."

Huh?

During my tenure as Xiang Jianzong leader?

Zhang Xiu: "..."

Can you really say something like that out loud?

The current Xiang Jianzong leader only took office a few years ago, right?

He turned to his younger sister for help.

"My senior sister has always wanted to become Xiang Jianzong leader," Zhang Yunlu explained.

Hmm…

This matter involves the sect leader, so it's hard to discuss—she hadn't mentioned it much to her older brother.

"The Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect's cafeteria… I just joined, and I haven't paid much attention to it."

Xiang Jianzong leader…

Better be cautious.

Both siblings thought the same thing.

Yeah…

Chi Jiuyu didn't think much of it.

Xiao Yunlu's brother just joined the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect—he's surely busy catching up on body cultivation info, probably has no time.

She temporarily suppressed the urge to "show off in public."

Chi Jiuyu ordered a few more small dishes and some freshly squeezed juice.

After a while, the dishes had passed through five flavors.

The Phoenix meat had been mostly eaten by the three of them.

Phoenix bones are also valuable, so they chewed and swallowed them along with the meat.

For body cultivators, the Phoenix meat's effects were extraordinary.

Zhang Xiu felt his blood and qi surging, as if a furnace of Xiong Xiong burned inside him—he was utterly exhilarated, yet still glanced twice at the right-front.

There, Chi Jiuyu leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, holding a toothpick to pick her teeth.

The youngest Soul Transformation in human history, the Sword Master's top disciple, is really this… casual… in character?

Honestly, beyond these two words, he couldn't find any other term to describe Chi Jiuyu at this moment.

Look at Zhang Yunlu—clearly, her younger sister was already used to it, completely unfazed.

"Senior sister, I've taken on a mission."

"Huh?"

"Near the Yuling Interstellar Hotel, in that star system—we're going to recover the cultivation records of any cultivator under 25 on one of the planets."

Chi Jiuyu sat up: "You're not worried about contribution points, are you? Don't worry—this time, Master will cover everything!"

Such a good opportunity—if it weren't for the special fund meant for Xiao Yunlu, she'd have skimmed a bit off the top herself.

"I'm not worried—I just want to do something."

"Fine, fine! It doesn't matter anyway."

It's just a side task anyway!

She tossed the toothpick aside: "By the way, has your starship's energy been fully replenished? Are all the auxiliary modules installed?"

"Yes, everything's done."

Zhang Xiu, who had been calmly regulating his blood and qi, suddenly felt something was off.

"Starship?"

"Didn't Xiao Yunlu tell you? To celebrate her promotion to Jin Dan, Master gave her a starship as a gift!"

Gave her… a starship? (End of chapter)