Chapter 131: A Hair

The cross-boundary shuttle ascended, hovering above the cloud layer.

The cabin door behind them closed.

Jixue held up the identity device, its claws swiping to pull up the screen.

"Level 5 resource package, already dispatched to the Prefectural Office."

"You must personally bring your identity device to the Linjiang Prefectural Office to verify and claim it!"

Jiang Jian looked at the communication.

It was an important notification from the Linjiang Prefectural Office.

This message was glowing with golden light.

The content was very simple.

It instructed Jiang Jian to go to the Linjiang Prefectural Office as soon as possible to claim the resource package.

"Go to the Prefectural Office now."

Jiang Jian walked back to his seat and sat down.

"Alright!"

Jixue responded excitedly, its claws gripping the virtual control stick.

The cross-boundary shuttle emitted a dull hum.

It broke through the clouds and flew toward the Prefectural Office.

Ten-odd minutes later.

The cross-boundary shuttle flew higher and higher, almost level with the foothills of Mount Tianzhu.

The terrain here was extremely high.

Looking down.

The five-tiered Jiangcheng of Linjiang Prefecture.

Looked like a miniature box.

Layer upon layer, built against the mountain.

In all directions, there was only a vast, boundless sea of clouds.

Only in the far distance of the firmament stood a thick black line.

That black line rose from below.

Piercing through the heavy clouds, soaring upward, leading straight to the Star Ring.

The Heaven-Reaching Tower.

"We've arrived at the Prefectural Office."

Jixue spoke abruptly.

The cross-boundary shuttle slowed down and descended.

Below was the foothills of Mount Tianzhu.

Lofty towers stood in great numbers, one after another.

Countless aircraft of all sizes were taking off and landing at the Prefectural Office's ship field.

"Resource Management Department, Talent Grading Office."

Jixue looked at the identity device and adjusted the landing point of the cross-boundary shuttle.

"Done!"

The cross-boundary shuttle stopped.

Jixue turned its head to look at Jiang Jian, "I'll open the boarding ladder and let you down."

"The pavilion below is the Talent Grading Office."

The cabin door opened.

Jiang Jian walked down the ladder and jumped directly when he was ten-odd meters from the ground.

The golden-threaded white robe surged with light, absorbing all the impact.

Jiang Jian landed and stopped at the entrance of the pavilion.

There were not many people coming and going from this pavilion.

He walked up the steps.

Jiang Jian recalled the communication message and walked inside.

Resource Management Department, Talent Grading Office.

Third floor, Rare Resource Room.

Jiang Jian stood at the door, just about to knock.

"Just wait!"

An impatient voice came from inside, "This is a scarce resource; even the God-Bestowed Universities below haven't been allocated any yet!"

A few seconds later.

Someone pushed the door open and came out, glanced at Jiang Jian with surprise, and then left directly.

Jiang Jian was silent for a moment, then knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Jiang Jian walked into the office.

The person saw Jiang Jian and was slightly stunned.

The next second, he stood up immediately, a smile on his face: "Top Student of the Two Prefectures!"

"Director Xu has already given instructions: as soon as you arrive, take you to claim the resource package immediately!"

The staff member was all smiles, leading Jiang Jian out of the office and toward another room.

For the next half hour.

Jiang Jian followed the staff member through a full ten-plus procedures.

The number of identity verifications exceeded twenty times.

Filling out various documents and undergoing various audits.

Finally, all the procedures were completed.

"Phew!"

The staff member stopped, his forehead covered in sweat, "It's a good thing Director Xu opened a green channel."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to finish the procedures today."

He pointed to the room in front, "Please go in."

"The claim instructions you just filled out mention it."

"In the resource package, the Level 4 Talent Light Orb absolutely cannot be taken out of the Prefectural Office; it must be used on the spot."

After speaking.

The staff member grabbed a water bottle and drank all the water in one breath.

The mechanical room door opened up and down.

"Identity verification successful!"

"Please enter the claim room!"

Blue light flickered, and a cold voice sounded.

Jiang Jian walked into the room.

The mechanical door behind him closed immediately and automatically locked.

This mechanical room was very clean.

Three items were placed on the table.

The first was a pitch-black light orb.

It hovered on the tabletop, black light interweaving.

The mechanical room's holographic screen displayed its information.

"Level 4 Talent Light Orb, 'A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth'."

"Consumes a massive amount of Qi to conceal one's figure and instantly shift a hundred meters to appear in another location."

"As cultivation increases, the shifting distance increases."

Seeing the talent introduction.

Jiang Jian's gaze paused.

Shifting-type talents were extremely powerful!

Yinyin's "Flowing Wind Returning Snow" and Lu Tingting's "Shifting Form Changing Shadow" were both such talents.

But the "A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth" before him was much stronger than theirs!

"A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth" belonged to the "Art" category and came with a cultivation manual!

Its growth potential was very high, and it was extremely comprehensive, far exceeding "Flowing Wind Returning Snow" and "Shifting Form Changing Shadow."

Not only could it be used for combat, but once cultivation was profound, it could also be used for rapid travel in complex terrain.

Yinyin's "Flowing Wind Returning Snow" had a very short shifting distance.

Furthermore, the consumption was high, and one would quickly reveal their figure, making it easy for the landing point to be captured.

"Shifting Form Changing Shadow" had a longer shifting distance.

But the flaws of this talent were equally obvious.

Among them, the "afterimage" trait used to confuse enemies would instead become a weakness in front of experts.

"A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth," however, had none of these drawbacks!

This talent could not only conceal one's figure.

Provided there was sufficient Qi consumption, one could shift a hundred meters in the blink of an eye!

Take one step, and you are at the ends of the earth.

Below the holographic screen, a line of small text glowed with golden light.

"Every Level 5 resource package is carefully researched by our company and specifically issued according to the applicant's situation."

"According to our analysis, the applicant has obvious shortcomings."

"Movement speed is too slow, and there is a lack of shifting means."

"If one cannot seize the initiative in combat, it is very easy to be blasted to death."

"Our company has decided to issue a Level 4 Talent Light Orb."

"Art, 'A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth'."

"Usage period: none."

"If the applicant's lifespan is about to be exhausted, you may voluntarily come to Chang'an Prefecture to return it to our company."

"In other cases, no return is necessary."

"However, it can only be used by the applicant and cannot be stripped or resold."

"We hope the applicant will be diligent in cultivation and never cease."

"One day, you will be able to contribute to the protection of the Earth-Moon Four Realms."

"Our company respectfully advises."

"Chang'an Prefecture, Ying Tian Si."

This line of small golden text gradually dissipated.

In the mechanical room, light flickered.

A cold prompt sounded: "Please, applicant, enter the talent replacement area to replace your talent."

A deep blue beam of light, with shimmering light condensing, appeared in front of him.

Jiang Jian was silent for a moment, then walked into the beam of light.

The next second.

Three holographic buttons appeared.

"Please select your replacement location."

"One, Shenque Acupoint."

"Two, Yongquan Acupoint."

"Three, Shen-Gong Acupoint."

At this time, among the three buttons, only the first one could be selected.

The other two were gray.

Jiang Jian clicked the first button.

The next second.

The holographic buttons disappeared.

"Resource package detected, replacement item automatically recorded."

"Before replacement, Level 3 Talent Light Orb, 'Dark Fragrance'."

"After replacement, Level 4 Talent Light Orb, 'A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth'."

"Automatically confirmed."

A series of prompts sounded in his ears.

Deep blue light spots permeated and soaked into his body.

Finally, they merged into Jiang Jian's Shenque.

The "Dark Fragrance" talent light orb was taken out.

Subsequently.

The pitch-black light orb on the table was grabbed by the blue light.

It was put into the "talent replacement area" and placed into Jiang Jian's Shenque in the same way.

The whole process was very easy.

There was no pain at all.

It was countless times more sophisticated than the methods of the Prayer Temple staff.

"Replacement complete."

The prompt sounded again.

The deep blue beam of light dissipated.

Jiang Jian stood where he was, dressed in a snow-white robe, his expression calm.

Sensing the pitch-black talent light orb in his Shenque.

Jiang Jian moved his mind.

Infusing a bit of Qi, he suddenly activated it!

"A hair's breadth, the ends of the earth."

His figure suddenly dissipated!

Starry black light drifted down here.

In the blink of an eye.

Jiang Jian flicked his robe sleeve and took a step.

Silently, he crossed a distance of ten-odd meters and appeared in front of the table.

"I can only maintain invisibility for 1 second right now."

Jiang Jian stood where he was, silently estimating.

"If I don't care about Qi consumption and infuse it crazily."

"The limit shifting distance should be around 50 meters."

"If cultivation and comprehension are profound."

"Performance in all aspects should increase."

Jiang Jian steadied his mind, feeling satisfied with the talent light orb selected by Ying Tian Si.

In terms of movement, it was indeed his shortcoming.

Whether it was Lu Tingting or Yinyin.

Although they lost to him, their movement speed was much faster than his!

It was just that his spiritual essence was thick.

Among the freshmen of the same year, he crushed everyone along the way.

Making this shortcoming temporarily unapparent.

If he encountered a powerful opponent.

It was highly likely he would be treated like a punching bag.

"Please, applicant, use the second resource."

The prompt sounded.

Jiang Jian lowered his gaze and looked at the second item.

It was placed on bright yellow silk, a multicolored crystal.

In the Level 5 resource package, besides the Level 4 talent light orb, which was mandatory.

The other two items were specifically selected according to the applicant's situation.

On the holographic screen, a piece of information appeared again.

"Star Ring Essence."

"Purified and refined by our company."

"Can permanently increase a massive amount of cultivation foundation."

"Best stage for consumption: God-Bestowed Realm."

Below, there was a more conspicuous prompt!

On this prompt, light flowed and lingered.

Extremely conspicuous!

"Star Ring Essence, from the Earth Star Ring."

"Inside, it contains a rich divine aura!"

"After consumption, there is a certain chance to increase the native talent level!"

"After consumption, there is a certain chance to acquire a new divine gift!"

Two consecutive lines of dazzling golden text reflected in Jiang Jian's pupils.

Star Ring Essence!

One of Earth's core resources!

Extremely difficult to obtain!

Because although Star Ring Essence was taken from the Earth Star Ring.

It was the same.

Extraterrestrial forces were waiting for an opportunity, snatching it crazily.

These extraterrestrial forces here.

Included, but were not limited to, asteroids in the solar system that did not possess a star ring.

The creatures within were almost all desperadoes.

They wandered near major planets, absorbing star ring aura and cultivating secretly.

In the Earth-Moon Four Realms, the star ring was thin, and the cultivation scene was withered.

But precisely because of this, the creatures lying on the Earth Star Ring to suck blood were the most numerous!

Kill, you couldn't kill them all.

Drive away, you couldn't drive them away.

This was also the reason why the Earth Star Ring had not increased for a long time, but had instead declined.

Every once in a while.

The seventy prefectures on the surface would strike fiercely to clean up a portion of the star ring trash.

But the solar system was simply too large.

The star ring of every planet was constantly attracting these creatures.

Even the extremely powerful Jupiter and the terrifying Saturn.

Could not be spared.

Major planets had no good way to deal with this situation.

They could only clean it up from time to time to relieve the pressure on the star ring.

Because these star ring trashes were endless, and their numbers were simply too large.

Even if they were killed clean in a short time.

After a while, these creatures would still follow their instincts, swarming from the corners of the solar system to fill the outer star ring.

And "Star Ring Essence" was one of Earth's core resources.

Except for the big cleanups every once in a while.

At other times, every extraction of "Star Ring Essence" had to go through heavy difficulties.

Sometimes, even when the extraction team went out and encountered strong enemies, they would fall into a life-or-death dangerous situation.

After all.

Star ring trash was just what major planets called them.

In reality, their combat power was very strong!

Among them.

Yongquan Realm creatures were countless.

There were quite a few Shen-Gong Realm ones.

Occasionally, even Lingtai Realm ones would appear!

This was also the reason why "Star Ring Essence" was so precious.

Its own value was one aspect.

More so.

It was that this tiny piece of "Star Ring Essence" was highly likely to have cost several lives to barely exchange for!

The Earth-Moon Four Realms had gone to great pains to cultivate geniuses.

Star Ring Essence was precious to this extent.

Only the Heaven-Responding Department holds them in high regard and focuses on them as key prodigies.

Had the opportunity to obtain a piece of Star Ring Essence!

Not every Level 5 talent had Star Ring Essence.

Jiang Jian had obtained one.

Enough to prove.

The Chang'an Prefecture Ying Tian Si regarded Jiang Jian highly!

"Please, applicant, consume the Star Ring Essence."

The prompt sounded again.

Jiang Jian was silent for a moment, then picked up the multicolored crystal.

The holographic screen did not explain in detail how difficult it was to extract Star Ring Essence.

Nor did it use moral kidnapping to force the genius who consumed this item to do anything.

It simply stated the process of obtaining it in a few words.

But Jiang Jian had already thought of many things with his own spiritual wisdom.

This crystal was very light in his hand.

But the meaning it represented was very heavy.

"God-Bestowed Realm, consuming Star Ring Essence has the best effect."

"Please consume it as soon as possible."

The prompt sounded once more.

Jiang Jian took the multicolored crystal and put it into his mouth.

The crystal was hard and cold, but it melted instantly upon entering his mouth.

In the blink of an eye.

It melted into an invisible aura, permeating his limbs and bones.

Jiang Jian's expression suddenly changed!

A strange feeling invaded him.

This feeling.

Was exactly the same as during the God-Bestowed examination!

As if he were experiencing the God-Bestowed ceremony once again!

Boom!

Jiang Jian's consciousness suddenly sank!

All around was pitch black.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Jiang Jian opened his eyes.

A translucent soul reflected in his eyes.

"This is the source of the soul!"

Jiang Jian reacted and looked up.

His soul was missing a small half.

Countless terrifying cracks spread from the missing part, shaped like a spider web.

Icy blue light adhered to the cracks.

Barely slowing down the speed at which these cracks were spreading.

Suddenly, Jiang Jian turned his head.

In his ears, it seemed as if bursts of roaring sounds came.

But listening carefully, there was no substantial sound.

This situation made Jiang Jian's expression solemn.

Abruptly.

A multicolored beam of light illuminated the darkness!

It radiated a magnificent light, dragging a scorching multicolored tail flame.

It fell toward the icy blue flame deep in the soul!

Seeing this scene, Jiang Jian's heart sank.

But in an instant.

He reacted again.

The multicolored beam of light was the core energy of the Star Ring Essence.

It had advantages and no disadvantages.

"Could it be."

"I triggered that tiny chance to improve the God-Bestowed talent?"

Looking at the falling multicolored beam of light, Jiang Jian's expression was strange.

But what happened next.

Made Jiang Jian feel horrified!

The multicolored beam of light landed quietly on the icy blue flame.

But strangely, it passed through the icy blue flame without any reaction!

The multicolored light was dazzling, seemingly having lost its target, and it stopped.

The next second.

It suddenly changed direction and swept across the soul source at a terrifying speed!

It merged into the pitch-black light orb in the corner of the Shenque!

The multicolored light became less and less.

Until finally, it disappeared completely.

But the pitch-black light orb representing "A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth."

Its shape suddenly twisted and surged!

In just a moment, it became several times larger than before!

The aura it radiated was even more profound.

Countless black lights interwove and flowed, circling within it.

"Could it be..."

Jiang Jian stared at the pitch-black light orb and sensed for a moment.

The next second.

"'A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth' actually improved so significantly!"

"The current 'A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth'."

"It is definitely not Level 4!"

Sensing the foundation of "A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth" surging.

Jiang Jian's heart was agitated!

Darkness tore apart!

Jiang Jian opened his eyes.

He clearly sensed that his basic cultivation foundation had improved greatly!

Even the limit of his spiritual essence had increased significantly!

In the mechanical room.

Jiang Jian moved his mind.

His figure suddenly dissipated!

A few seconds later.

Jiang Jian's figure swept across dozens of places.

In a very short time, he appeared and disappeared!

"A Hair's Breadth from the Ends of the Earth."

"At least Level 5!"

"It's even possible it reached Level 6!"

Sensing the obvious difference in this talent compared to before.

Jiang Jian's eyes lit up!

(End of chapter)