Chapter 249: The Boundary River

“You’ve probably heard about it.”

Wei Yang’s expression was complex: “Our 28th cohort’s cultivation site is the Long Gong Marvelous Realm.”

“Jiang Jian is the sole holder of the title granted by Li Hai Long Jun.”

These words fell.

Li Que’s eyes lit up, his tone growing warmer: “To obtain the Li Hai Long Jun’s title—truly extraordinary.”

Even You Su Jing’s gaze flickered, and he spoke up: “Hello, Jiang Jian.”

“Hello.”

Jiang Jian stepped forward and shook hands with You Su Jing.

Wei Yang smiled, looking at Jiang Jian: “This journey to the World Vortex—I need you to do me a favor.”

“The World Vortex leads directly through the Planetary Barrier.”

“Many starstones are scattered there.”

As he spoke, Wei Yang’s gaze was earnest: “Each academy student may bring out at most ten starstones.”

“I’ll pay you to exchange five of them.”

“The three of you together can bring fifteen—enough for my needs.”

Hearing this,

You Su Jing and Li Que showed no reaction.

Clearly,

the two had already made arrangements with Wei Yang: they would bring him starstones from the World Vortex.

Jiang Jian stood aside, eyes thoughtful.

Starstones were highly useful.

They enhanced Star Ring affinity and greatly accelerated cultivation.

There were many ways to obtain them.

But,

in this Earth-Moon Academy world, there was only one way to acquire starstones.

Enter the World Vortex.

Wei Yang’s cultivation method was uniquely tied to the Star Ring.

He needed to use starstones before entering the Contemplation Hall.

He had delayed entering the hall simply to stay here and wait for You Su Jing and Li Que to exchange starstones with him.

“Five starstones—I’m willing to pay eighty million Alliance Credits.”

He looked at Jiang Jian: “Deliver them immediately after leaving the Second Realm.”

“In addition,”

“On behalf of the Wei Clan, I offer one elite advancement slot—a chance to cultivate in the Star Luo Sea!”

Originally,

with Wei Yang’s status, acquiring starstones would have been simple.

He could have used family connections to have a next-year recruit bring them in.

But,

the Moon Realm was in violent turmoil; the Planetary Barrier was crushing down fiercely.

All entrances to the Nine Realm Zones of Chang’an Prefecture had been sealed—no one could enter or leave.

Starstones within the World Vortex had become scarce resources in a short time.

And Wei Yang’s cultivation sequence was unlike anyone else’s—he could not afford even a moment’s delay.

As he spoke,

Jiang Jian did not hesitate—he nodded: “Agreed.”

Wei Yang exhaled in relief, his gaze sincere as he bowed to the three: “Thank you.”

Jiang Jian shook his head: “No need.”

Li Que smiled: “Young Master Wei, no need to be so formal.”

You Su Jing stepped closer and patted Wei Yang’s shoulder, saying nothing.

The You Su Clan and the Wei Clan had been allied by marriage for over a hundred years.

He and Wei Yang had a personal bond.

Had it not been for this,

You Su Jing, with his Level 6 talent, would have entered the World Vortex directly—he would never have lingered here.

At that moment,

a female teacher approached, her expression gentle, addressing You Su Jing: “It’s time to depart.”

You Su Jing crossed his arms and gave a slight nod.

The female teacher turned her gaze to Li Que and Jiang Jian, sizing them up: “Which cohort are you from?”

Li Que smiled politely: “I’m from the second half of the 26th cohort—I just came out of the Wall-Contemplation Hall three days ago.”

Jiang Jian murmured: “First half of the 28th cohort.”

First half of the 28th cohort.

Less than two years ago.

The female teacher looked at Jiang Jian, slightly surprised.

Aside from You Su Jing,

Jiang Jian was the fastest-cultivating student in the past two years.

A few seconds passed.

She withdrew her gaze, nodded lightly: “Follow me. After identity verification, you may enter the World Vortex.”

The female teacher turned and walked toward the Earth-Moon Stone Sculpture, holding a scroll in her arms.

Wei Yang remained where he stood: “I’ll enter the Contemplation Hall after you return.”

You Su Jing chuckled: “Maybe you’ll actually master this Star Ring secret technique.”

Wei Yang smiled but said nothing.

You Su Jing fell silent and walked ahead.

Jiang Jian and Li Que followed, arriving beneath the Earth-Moon Stone Sculpture.

As the female teacher unrolled her scroll and activated the array,

above them, the World Vortex roared into motion.

Torrents of violent wind spiraled down, engulfing Jiang Jian and the other two!

“26th cohort, Li Que.”

“28th cohort, Jiang Jian.”

“29th cohort, You Su Jing.”

A cold voice rang clearly.

Identity verified.

Amid the roaring wind,

they shot upward toward the heavens’ zenith.

In an instant,

they vanished into the depths of the World Vortex, gone without a trace.

The female teacher lowered her head and flipped through her scroll.

Her gaze settled on Jiang Jian’s detailed profile.

Her expression turned stunned.

“Jiang Jian—Li Hai Long Jun!”

“So *he’s* the student from the first half of the 28th cohort who claimed the Marvelous Realm title!”

Recalling the white-robed boy she’d just met, she thought back carefully.

Only then did she realize in shock:

From beginning to end,

her perception had failed to penetrate his spiritual essence!

“One and a half years to fully cultivate the Spring Flow spiritual essence.”

“Without any resource advantage.”

“This terrifying cultivation speed rivals even a Level 6 talent!”

“And perhaps—even surpasses it.”

As she pondered,

the female teacher recalled how heavily the Earth-Moon Academy had favored You Su Jing recently—and still felt a chill.

In this special period,

a Level 6 talent received far more spiritual resources than usual.

During this special period.

With a Level 6 talent, the spiritual resources obtained are far greater than usual.

So much so.

To the point where even the academy teachers were shaken to their cores.

“Yet, this kind of prodigy.”

“Though possessing a Level 5 talent.”

“He should still be given serious attention.”

The female teacher snapped back to herself, her fingers flicking, intending to check Jiang Jian’s more detailed information.

But the next moment.

A line of text appeared.

It made her freeze, her eyes filling with sudden understanding.

“Insufficient authority!”

“Name: Jiang Jian.”

“Type: Academy Priority Trainee.”

“Viewing Authority: Requires Gatekeeper’s approval.”

Seeing the prompt,

the female teacher let out a bitter smile and said, “Come to think of it.”

“Since the gate was sealed,”

“the Gatekeeper has seemed to linger for a long time in the World Vortex.”

…

…

…

Earth’s Barrier.

The convergence point of the Second Realm’s boundary.

The sky here was profoundly strange.

Day and night intertwined, shifting constantly.

The ground was gray-black.

It appeared both illusory and real.

Around her,

stretched an endless expanse of black and white.

Every second,

void currents surged rapidly past.

At the edge of the land,

countless void currents wove together into a great river.

At first glance,

this river was boundless yet profoundly strange.

Spatial ripples rose, rippling in concentric bands of black and white.

They appeared silently, then vanished into the flow.

Along the riverbank,

a dozen or so people stood sparsely.

This was the boundary river where Chang’an Prefecture’s Second Realm met Earth’s planetary barrier.

The convergence river of the boundaries.

(End of Chapter)