Chapter 299: Fishing for the Moon in Water, Seeking Flowers in the Mirror

“Jiang Jian, how many cultivator slots do you have?”

Liu Tiezhu stepped forward, lowering his voice: “With so many classmates watching, even if you have plenty of slots, they won’t be enough to go around—you need a clear system.”

Jiang Jian glanced at him, nodded slightly, then turned to the other classmates and said: “Let me be clear—being a cultivator in Guanxi Pavilion isn’t a cushy post; you’ll actually be sent on missions.”

“Extraterrestrial beings are extremely dangerous.”

Jiang Jian paused, then continued: “The fatality rate for Guanxi Pavilion missions is very high—over fifty percent.”

These words fell.

The classmates who had gathered, half-familiar, instantly paled and halted their steps.

They sought positions in the Star Court to gain power and wealth.

But if they truly faced death, sent on missions against extraterrestrial beings—

These people were already scrambling to retreat.

Du Fang wrestled internally for a moment, then made his decision, gritting his teeth and stepping forward: “Jiang Jian, I want to join Guanxi Pavilion. I hope you’ll give me a chance.”

Song Ling said nothing, stepping forward as well and standing firm.

Jiang Jian lifted his gaze, looking at the two students from Guangling City, his eyes filled with approval.

The other students exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

Though many classmates hesitated, most of them, faced with such a high fatality rate, had already backed away.

At that moment—

From the crowd, a girl with a ponytail stepped forward.

“Jiang Jian, can I join?”

Her voice was hoarse, her face pale.

A short distance away—

Yin Yin and Liu Tiezhu exchanged glances, each slightly raising an eyebrow.

This girl was Shi Xuan’s cousin.

Shi Luohua.

When Shi Xuan dragged Jiang Jian into the earthly realm of Cangzhou, their arrival had caused a sensation across Linjiang Prefecture.

The Shi family inevitably suffered the fallout.

Whether from the Linjiang Prefecture government or the divine envoys, immense pressure was placed upon the Shi family.

As a result, the once-mighty clan began to decline under the weight.

Under these circumstances—

Shi Luohua became even more reclusive.

She moved alone through the academy, devoted solely to her cultivation, barely interacting with anyone.

During the turmoil of the Moon Realm, space distortions filled the Linjiang Prefecture.

Shi Luohua, along with other students, was brought to the Star Palace projection by the prefecture’s divine envoys through a portal.

“Of course you can.”

Jiang Jian sensed her for a moment, and was rare in his surprise at her cultivation progress.

Upon receiving his affirmation—

Shi Luohua’s expression turned solemn, and she bowed to Jiang Jian: “Thank you.”

Jiang Jian waved his hand, turning to Liu Tiezhu: “Now that you know the fatality rate, do you still want to join?”

Liu Tiezhu spread his hands and grinned: “Do you think I’m afraid of dying?”

Jiang Jian murmured: “Yes.”

Liu Tiezhu froze, his smile unchanged, replying: “I am afraid—but I won’t die.”

Jiang Jian stared at him for a moment, then looked away and asked: “By the way, where’s Shan Ye?”

He knew well—

After he left for Chang’an Prefecture—

Shan Ye became the core of the squad.

Whether Liu Tiezhu, Yin Yin—

Or later additions like Jiang Zhao and Zhong Ling—

All relied on Shan Ye to mediate, strategize, and finalize every plan.

Together with Liu Tiezhu, she kept the squad running.

But now—

In the Star Palace projection—

Shan Ye was nowhere to be seen.

“Shan Ye didn’t come here. She moved with her family to Hanjiang Prefecture.”

Liu Tiezhu sighed: “Once she left, our top-ranked combat squad in Linjiang Prefecture fell apart.”

Beside him—

Yin Yin rolled her eyes.

Jiang Zhao pulled Zhong Ling close and smiled lightly: “In the squad, I’m the fighter, Zhong Ling’s the support—we both lack Shan Ye’s talent.”

Zhong Ling, timid in expression, whispered: “Zhaozhao, I don’t want a Star Court position.”

Jiang Zhao’s smile stiffened slightly, then melted away as she comforted: “I’m here—I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Zhong Ling was her roommate.

And a close friend for years.

Jiang Zhao had full confidence in her own strength.

She was certain she could complete missions alongside Zhong Ling—

Just as she had done every time she took on academic assignments over the past two years.

“Zhaozhao, I really don’t want to go.”

Zhong Ling gently pulled away her hand, stepping back two paces: “I just want to be an ordinary person. I don’t want to join the Star Court and become a hero who might die at any moment.”

Jiang Zhao said nothing, her slender wrist hanging empty in the air.

Yin Yin stepped forward, taking Jiang Zhao’s arm and whispering: “Everyone has their own path. Don’t force her.”

Jiang Zhao lowered her eyes, silver-white spreading deep within her pupils, softly replying: “Alright.”

Zhong Ling retreated to a distance, biting her lip, glancing at Jiang Zhao occasionally, her whole body trembling slightly.

A few minutes later—

Two or three more classmates, under the watchful eyes of others, stepped forward and exchanged identity device information with Jiang Jian.

“Jiang Jian, my father has prepared a family banquet and sent me to invite you.”

The white-robed girl released Jiang Zhao’s hand and walked to Jiang Jian’s side, her tone gentle.

Earlier—

Seeing Jiang Jian chatting with classmates and the crowd growing larger—

The prefecture’s divine envoy had quietly slipped away.

Yin Yin had delivered the invitation on his behalf.

Jiang Jian nodded: “I am deeply honored.”

Shortly after—

The group boarded star-stream flyers, trailing fiery tails as they soared skyward toward the highest reaches of the Star Palace.

Star Palace projection, divine envoy’s quarters.

The Linjiang Divine Envoy stood alone before the window, holding a dossier.

The quarters were silent.

Only he remained, his expression dark, repeatedly studying the dossier.

At the top of the dossier—

In glaring crimson, a bold heading was clearly marked:

“Linjiang Prefecture Full-Region Surveillance Report (3210 Edition).”

“Monitoring Equipment: Star Palace Projection Array, Linjiang Prefecture Sub-array.”

“Security Level: Confidential.”

“Access Permission: Linjiang Prefecture Divine Envoy.”

…

“March 14, 3210: Suspected unidentified flying object, via unknown means, descended from an unknown location into Guangling City, Anhe Prefecture, Linjiang Prefecture.”

“Projection array calculations place the impact coordinates at Zhao Clan territory, Shenzhao District, Guangling City.”

“Projection array measurements indicate the object contains unknown energy. Recommend collection by the prefecture’s divine envoy.”

…

“ALERT!”

“ALERT!”

“ALERT!”

“Projection array monitoring detects life signs from the unidentified object!”

“Divine Envoy of the Prefecture, proceed immediately for inspection!”

……

……

……

At some point, he did not know when.

The documents in his hand were crushed into scraps.

The Linjiang Divine Envoy stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window.

His gaze was deep and elusive.

“My Lord Divine Envoy!”

A servant entered the sleeping chamber, kowtowing respectfully, “Miss Yinyin has brought the Lord of Yinshan and awaits outside the chamber.”

The Linjiang Divine Envoy turned around, his expression returning to normal, and said calmly, “Bring her in at once.”

(End of Chapter)