Chapter 338: The General Star Order is Issued, a First-Rank General Star is Born!

Jin Province.

State Administration Office.

Beside the window, sunlight quietly spilled in, adding a touch of warm radiance to the study.

On the windowsill, a few pots of pansies swayed, vibrant and beautiful.

Xia Qi, dressed in black, looked at the documents on the desk, rubbed their brow, and sighed softly:

"The Great Elder of the Chen Clan has finished their seclusion?"

Opposite the desk, a beautiful woman in a green dress with a virtuous temperament nodded:

"They have finished seclusion and have already arrived in Great Xia; it seems they came for Chen Yan.

Your Highness, as for our Xia Clan side..."

Xia Qi's gaze was tranquil, and they said indifferently:

"No need to send anyone; let them do whatever they intend to do."

"Are you not worried that Chen Yan will be taken back to the Chen Clan?" the woman in the green dress asked in surprise:

"You think very highly of Chen Yan."

"It is precisely because I value them that I will not interfere with their connection to the Chen Clan."

Xia Qi smiled faintly.

The woman in the green dress, however, frowned:

"They are a member of the Chen Clan; returning to the Chen Clan could help them master their bloodline. Given their aptitude, the Chen Clan might even let them participate in next year's Five Clan Struggle..."

Xia Qi shook their head and said no more.

It was at this very moment.

The sound of hurried footsteps rang out from outside the room.

"King Xiachen has arrived!"

Outside the room, a guard's voice rang out loudly, and at the same time, an aura appeared outside the door.

Beyond the half-open door, a tall figure's shadow appeared, but they stood at the side of the door and did not enter.

"What brings King Xiachen to see me?" Xia Qi asked.

Outside the room, the tall figure spoke:

"State Administrator, there is news from Qin Province: a candidate has instantly obtained 2.7 billion Dao-Slaying Points.

Powerhouses from all over are asking me if something has gone wrong with the College Entrance Examination Secret Realm."

The voice was resonant and full of majesty.

Xia Qi, inside the room, raised their brows slightly and looked at the woman in the green dress:

"There is such a thing?"

"Yes, I was just about to report it to you," the woman in the green dress said. She glanced at the shadow outside the room and continued:

"That candidate is named Chen Yan, the Third-Rank General Star you just appointed."

Xia Qi's eyes flashed instantly; they did not expect to hear Chen Yan's name again at this moment.

Outside the room, King Xiachen let out a low hum:

"Chen Yan's total points are now not only first in Qin Province but also first in Great Xia.

But they are only seventeen; it is hard not to be suspicious that they could obtain so many points."

Outside, a middle-aged man wearing green battle armor narrowed his eyes, his aura overbearingly tyrannical, sensing the fluctuations of Xia Qi's aura inside the room.

But to his disappointment, Xia Qi's aura remained calm to the extreme.

This young State Administrator, not yet twenty, could rule a country at such an age; besides the protection of King Xiayue, their own shrewdness was also extremely deep.

Thinking of this, King Xiachen continued to speak through the door:

"If that Chen Yan found a loophole to obtain such a massive amount of points, our Great Xia..."

"What will our Great Xia do?" Xia Qi suddenly laughed:

"The College Entrance Examination Secret Realm is a divine artifact; if a divine artifact has malfunctioned, then the matter is far more serious."

Xia Qi did not wait for King Xiachen to continue, and smiled:

"Actually, I have something to ask King Xiachen."

Outside the room, King Xiachen's gaze froze, and he hurriedly said:

"Please ask, State Administrator!"

"Who are those powerhouses from various places who are questioning King Xiachen?" Xia Qi smiled.

King Xiachen's expression faltered:

"Zhang Ting, and those from Tie Province..."

"And Chen Changyuan, right?" Xia Qi continued.

King Xiachen frowned, a trace of chill inadvertently appearing in his eyes.

Xia Qi continued:

"The Ice Bi is an item of the Xia Clan; how do you explain King Xiachen selling it to Chen Changyuan?"

King Xiachen opened his mouth and hurriedly said:

"Chen Changyuan has already returned the Ice Bi to me."

"Chen Changyuan clearly bought it, yet still returned it to you; the relationship between King Xiachen and Chen Changyuan is very good indeed."

The moment Xia Qi's voice arrived, King Xiachen's entire body stiffened.

Xia Qi had always been peaceful in handling affairs, and the matter of the Ice Bi had passed long ago.

He had thought Xia Qi would not ask about it, but he never expected that today, they would use this matter to discipline him.

Why?

Various conjectures surfaced in the eyes of King Xiachen.

Could it be because of that Third-Rank General Star?

How is that possible?

That is merely a minor heaven-gifted talent; why would Xia Qi blame himself because of him?

King Xiachen bowed through the door and said:

"Regarding the Ice Bi matter, it was Chen Changyuan who deceived me. My original intention was to borrow the Ice Bi to transform into a dragon, allowing the examinees in Luo City to perceive the majesty of the Great Xia..."

He hurriedly explained.

"Enough!" Xia Qi gave a low shout:

"In these years, the influence of the Aristocratic Family Alliance has grown increasingly large. Within Qinzhou, the Aristocratic Family Alliance has also stirred up quite a few messes.

What chills my heart even more is that there are many of my Xia clansmen who have assisted the Aristocratic Family Alliance on its path of rise."

The more Xia Qi spoke, the uglier King Xiachen's expression became.

Had he known it would be like this, he would not have come here to ask the State Controller.

Chen Changyuan, you have harmed me.

"I see that King Xiachen has provided much help to the Aristocratic Family Alliance over these years; it is time to let them provide some feedback in the form of resources."

Xia Qi laughed:

"King Xiachen?"

"Present!" King Xiachen bowed.

"The military in Tiezhou is still rebuilding its defensive lines and is lacking quite a few resources."

Xia Qi laughed:

"I have been having a splitting headache lately, so I think this matter should be handled by you."

King Xiachen's expression changed slightly:

"Me?"

"Yes, you are on good terms with the Aristocratic Family Alliance, so I think it is best if you handle this matter," Xia Qi said.

King Xiachen's expression grew increasingly ugly, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and said:

"Yes!"

King Xiachen withdrew.

Inside the room, the woman in the green dress frowned and said:

"State Controller, are we still not taking action against Chen Changyuan?"

Xia Qi shook his head:

"Chen Changyuan's greatest value is that he is still alive."

His gaze was distant, and he suddenly thought of many things.

"A single Chen Changyuan involves too many things; taking action against him now would actually be disadvantageous."

"Then what about Zhang Ting?" the woman in the green dress asked again.

This time, Xia Qi did not speak.

The woman in the green dress did not ask again; the next moment, a piece of information was transmitted deep into her mind.

The woman in the green dress's breathing trembled, and she hurriedly said:

"Your Excellency State Controller, news just arrived: Chen Yan's total points have surged by another 1.5 billion.

His total points are 4.82 billion, ranking first among all examinees in the eighteen provinces of Great Xia."

The shock in her eyes could not be calmed for a long time, and she spoke again:

"Even if Chen Yan does not obtain any more points from now on, 4.8 billion total points will likely be enough to keep him stably in the top five of the entire Great Xia college entrance examination!"

She looked at Xia Qi, her eyes full of reverence.

The State Controller had long ago highly valued this Chen Yan, whom he had never met.

Now that she saw it, this Chen Yan was indeed outstanding.

At the same time, Xia Qi's eyes were also full of astonishment:

"4.8 billion total points?"

"Yes!"

Xia Qi slowly regained his composure.

At this moment, even he was shocked by this number.

He did not expect Chen Yan's speed of rise to be so fast.

4.8 billion total points would actually be quite reasonable for many heaven-gifted talents who have shaken Great Xia.

But Chen Yan is only seventeen years old.

More crucially, Chen Yan has only been on the path of the Dao for five months.

Xia Qi appreciated Chen Yan, but after learning that King Xiayue had sent San Jin to protect Chen Yan,

Xia Qi felt that King Xiayue was being a bit too excessive.

Even now, Xia Qi still did not know what exactly it was about Chen Yan that King Xiayue valued most and had kept hidden.

But now...

With a rustle.

Xia Qi suddenly stood up and laughed aloud:

"Transmit my decree."

The woman in the green dress looked solemn and hurriedly bowed.

"Order all General Stars in every province of Great Xia to go to Qin Province!"

The woman in the green dress frowned, her whole person momentarily stunned:

"All General Stars to go to Qin Province... for what?"

Xia Qi smiled:

"The Royal Precept of the Xia Clan: when a First-Rank General Star emerges, all General Stars under heaven shall bow in submission."

As his voice fell, the woman in the green dress's eyes widened, her pupils filled with disbelief.

A First-Rank General Star?

Great Xia had not had a First-Rank General Star for a very long time.

Because no one was worthy.

Over these past few decades in Great Xia, there have been eight Second-Rank General Stars, one hundred Third-Rank General Stars, and even more Fourth-Rank General Stars.

But a First-Rank General Star, there truly has not been one.

Even Shen Yiwei was only a Second-Rank General Star back then.

"State... State Master, isn't this a bit..." the woman in the green dress's voice trembled.

"Child's play?" Xia Qi laughed.

"Yes." The woman in the green dress nodded vigorously; it was too much like child's play.

"Chen Yan is a member of the Chen Clan," she said solemnly, feeling it necessary to make Xia Qi change his mind.

Xia Qi laughed loudly:

"Who told you that the future Divine General I have taken a fancy to just happens to be a member of the Chen Clan?"

A sharp glint appeared in the young State Master's eyes:

"King Xiayue wants him to walk the human path, endure human suffering, and establish human ambition!

Then I shall give him human fame, human influence, and human prestige!"

He smiled.

He was too young.

No matter how shrewd and experienced he appeared, he was only twenty years old.

Moreover, he did not have long to live; after giving Chen Yan that one instance of immortality, his lifespan had become even shorter.

But he still had a heart full of burning passion; he wanted to see the things he wished to see.

Outside the State Master's Mansion.

Inside a luxurious flying warship emblazoned with a golden dragon, low roars could be heard.

"Chen Changyuan, you have ruined me!"

King Xiachen spoke in a rage, looking at Chen Changyuan within the light screen and growling:

"You shouldn't have let me come to ask Xia Qi.

Even if Xia Qi were any stupider, he would still know that the problem originated on your end.

What do we do now!?"

Opposite him, Chen Changyuan's figure appeared on the giant display screen, his expression also somewhat grim at this moment.

"A hole as big as Tie Province, and you want my Aristocratic Family Alliance to fill it?"

His voice was somewhat cold.

"Otherwise what, I pay for it?" King Xiachen barked:

"Also, that Chen Yan is definitely not simple; you had better investigate him thoroughly!"

Chen Changyuan frowned:

"Chen Yan?"

He pondered for a long time.

Could it be that Chen Yan is highly regarded by Xia Qi?

Chen Changyuan suddenly felt that things were becoming tricky.

Just at this moment.

With a hum.

Outside the flying warship, a sword light flashed, piercing the clouds.

King Xiachen, still on the sofa, stood up abruptly, only to see a sword light erupt from the State Master's Mansion and slash into the cloudy sky.

Instantly, tens of thousands of sword lights scattered in all directions.

"The General Star Order!"

King Xiachen's pupils constricted:

"Xia Qi... Xia Qi has sent the General Star Order to all the General Stars of Great Xia, this...

What is he trying to do?"

Inside the screen, Chen Changyuan's expression also turned to one of astonishment.

Whenever the Xia Clan activates the General Star Order, it must mean a major event is about to occur.

Once the General Star Order is issued, it becomes the focus of the entire world.

What is the Xia Clan planning to do?

At the same time.

On the earth, gazes were cast toward the high sky.

The scattered General Star Orders streaked across the cloudy sky, as brilliant and eye-catching as shooting stars.

Countless people watched in shock, their hearts surging with emotion.

"The General Star Order!"

"The last time the General Star Order appeared was decades ago, when the Ji Clan attacked Iron Province and the previous Sovereign commanded the General Stars of the world."

"With the General Star Order appearing this time, is something about to happen?"

"Heaven bless Great Xia, Heaven bless Great Xia, please, let nothing else go wrong!"

…………

The second layer of the Dream Abyss.

"It is right here."

Jiang Yuan spoke quietly, standing shoulder to shoulder with Chen Yan before a blood-colored pond.

"Falling into the blood pool will lead you to the third layer of the Dream Abyss."

Chen Yan nodded.

This blood pool was at the edge of the second layer of the Dream Abyss; he had not come here during his great battle with the Fei Yi.

Jiang Yuan looked far off toward the ruins that were all that remained of the second layer of the Dream Abyss, sighing as he said:

"Don't tell me the Fei Yi was slaughtered by you?"

"Not me, it was Xue Qi," Chen Yan said.

Jiang Yuan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he hurriedly said:

"And you still say You Lan wasn't obtained by you?!"

"I truly did not obtain it," Chen Yan said with a calm expression.

"To obtain You Lan, you had Xue Qi trap me.

I had no choice but to reach an agreement with Xue Qi to help him kill the Village Chief.

Afterward, he came to the second layer to slay the Fei Yi, and I incidentally saved the thousands of humans being kept as livestock."

Jiang Yuan's face was full of suspicion; he observed Chen Yan for a long time before waving his hand and saying:

"I will say this one last time: the third layer of the Dream Abyss is extremely dangerous. If the situation is not right, press the forfeit button."

Chen Yan nodded and watched Jiang Yuan leave directly.

Inside the red second layer of the Dream Abyss.

Chen Yan did not enter the blood pool immediately.

Instead, he chose a relatively quiet spot, crushed a Time Seed, and began to cultivate.

In the battle for the Dao-Severing Saint Fruit, Chen Yan had obtained 1.5 billion points.

He gave 300 million to Jiang Yuan, leaving him with 1.2 billion points.

With a thought from Chen Yan, three jet-black jade boxes engraved with Golden Crow patterns appeared in his hands.

These were three Morning Star-grade Grade-A tempering treasures that Chen Yan had exchanged for with his 1.2 billion points.

【Great Sun Golden Crow Melting Crystal】!

Each of these three was worth 400 million points.

They could be considered the very best quality among Morning Star-grade Grade-A treasures.

Chen Yan's current tempering strength was far inferior to his Blood Qi path.

But after defeating Qiu Changji, Chen Yan also understood that even relying on his tempering path alone, he was enough to look down upon the examinees of Qin Province.

The only ones who could truly force him to use the strength of his Blood Qi path were Jiang Yuan and Yu Changsheng.

Of course, there might also be Zhang Luobai, as this person was, after all, first on the Heaven Pride Ranking.

Within the time barrier, Chen Yan circulated 【Heaven Patrol】, and an ink-wash martial Dao manifestation diagram appeared behind him.

Within the manifestation diagram, five county towns trembled, and surging power churned between the outlines of the houses and the earth.

The martial Dao manifestation diagram was the embodiment of Chen Yan's tempering strength.

It would also be the foundation for Chen Yan's tempering path to enter the Origin.

The tempering Origin is the same as the Blood Qi path.

It creates an Origin space and an Origin divine body.

But the Origin realm of the tempering path is even more solid than that of the Blood Qi path.

Because the martial Dao manifestation diagram of the Unity realm is actually the Origin space of the Origin realm.

A martial artist creates a martial Dao manifestation diagram with their inner thoughts, and then creates an Origin space with that martial Dao manifestation diagram.

Viewed this way, the foundation laid by the Blood Qi path for the tempering path is very deep.

It also allowed the master of tempering to determine the direction of their martial Dao realm from the very beginning.

"My second realm of the Will path, the Establishment realm, will span the other three major martial Dao realms and directly rival the Origin realm."

Chen Yan murmured:

"At that time, I will need to create the Origin divine body of the Will path.

With the Blood Qi divine body, the tempering divine body, and the Will divine body standing together, I will be invincible in the world!"