Chapter 1267

At 8 a. m., the sky was clear and bright, morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the villa.

Xu Jingming sat on the sofa, the reward he had just received from the Lingshu Sacred Ground neatly arranged on the coffee table before him.

As the undefeated top-ranked Starlight Tier cultivator, he had claimed all the Starlight Tier rewards from the Sacred Ground exchange competition.

"First, the S9-level cultivation resources."

Xu Jingming gazed at the jade box on the table.

The jade box was entirely emerald green; the instant the lid opened, a refreshing, soothing fragrance spread through the air.

Inside, the pill took on a peculiar spiral shape, its surface covered in fine silver patterns, as if containing some fundamental truth of heaven and earth.

Most astonishingly, the pill floated at the center of the jade box.

It rotated slowly, occasionally emitting tiny starlike sparks.

"S9-level Awakening Pill! Official price: fifty billion cosmic credits! And even if you have the money, you can't buy it—it's unavailable!"

A flicker of excitement passed through Xu Jingming's eyes.

According to the Lingshu Sacred Ground's records, this Awakening Pill could increase the user's comprehension by five times within a month.

Perfect for comprehending the Lightning Domain and the Destruction Domain.

Even further—if he used the Deep Blue System to allocate points while under the pill's effect,

would the required Source Points decrease accordingly?

Just like after he obtained the Purple Nightmare Demon Body.

"Wait until I've saved more Source Points, then swallow the Awakening Pill and allocate points."

Xu Jingming quickly made his decision.

After all, this was an S9-level cultivation resource—he couldn't waste it.

"Also, a cash reward of one billion cosmic credits."

He gently closed the jade box and turned to the next reward.

It was a jet-black cosmic bank crystal card.

The card's edges were inlaid with a ring of fine star gems, shimmering enchantingly under the light.

"The Lingshu Sacred Ground is generous." Xu Jingming's lips curled slightly.

This sum was enough to buy a large quantity of cultivation resources, even allowing him to consider acquiring a decent piece of equipment.

After stowing the bank card in his space ring, his gaze fell on two ancient-looking tokens.

One was water-blue, engraved with flowing wave patterns.

The other was gray-white, carved with complex runes.

"Three days of immersion in the Lingshu Sacred Spring, one opportunity to observe the Lingshu Sacred Ground's Legacy Stele..."

Xu Jingming traced the surface of the tokens. "Eva, have you found the specific details on these two items?"

"Already found. S-rank—both are excellent items!"

Eva's holographic projection, a green-haired girl with twin pigtails, leapt from his smart bracer and spun in midair.

Then a light screen unfolded before Xu Jingming, displaying the data Eva had gathered.

"The Lingshu Sacred Spring is one of the foundational pillars of the Lingshu Empire.

The spring water originates from deep within the earth's core, saturated with pure Yuan Energy particles."

Eva pointed to the 3D image on the screen, explaining:

"Immersion increases Yuan Energy absorption rates by dozens of times!

Moreover, the water purifies the marrow and removes impurities from the body, further strengthening physical constitution and optimizing bloodline."

In the image, a pool of white-glowing spring water flowed quietly within a cavern.

Countless luminous crystals embedded in the surrounding walls illuminated the space with a dreamlike radiance.

"Lingshu Sacred Spring."

Xu Jingming silently pondered.

Accelerating Yuan Energy absorption was secondary—the most important effect was bloodline optimization.

But after cultivating the Purple Nightmare Demon Scripture, his bloodline was no longer ordinary—would it still be capable of further optimization?

"As for that stele..."

Eva waved her small hand, and the image shifted—a massive stele, a hundred meters tall, appeared on the screen:

"It's said the founding emperor of the Lingshu Empire retrieved it from an ancient ruin.

It records numerous powerful combat techniques, from which generations of Lingshu Sacred Ground geniuses have deciphered many supreme arts."

Xu Jingming narrowed his eyes, studying the patterns on the stele.

The seemingly chaotic carvings gradually revealed a hidden order in his vision, as if containing profound martial truths.

Even a virtual image had this effect—what would happen if he touched the real thing?

"Interesting."

Xu Jingming nodded lightly. "I'll go soak in the Sacred Spring first, then observe the stele after three days."

He wouldn't depart for the Noah Sacred Ground for five more days—plenty of time to fully use the Lingshu Sacred Ground's rewards.

Just as he was about to learn more about the stele, his smart bracer suddenly vibrated.

A pale blue screen automatically popped up, displaying the caller's information—Ling Shuang.

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow. Lately, he had set aside time each night to accompany her in the Virtual Universe.

If she had something to say, she would have mentioned it then—calling now meant something urgent.

He tapped to answer, and Ling Shuang's coldly beautiful face, with a tear-shaped mole beneath her eye, appeared in the hologram.

"Jingming, something's happened on Blue Star—the Blue Whale Company's cargo has been seized," she said, her expression tense.

"Oh? Which faction has detained them?"

Xu Jingming found this strange.

Since the last time he returned to Blue Star, built the Star Tower, and brought Blue Star into the interstellar age.

The people of Blue Star had gradually integrated with the interstellar community, and Blue Whale Company.

Was established and managed on Blue Star under the orders of Su Qingli and Hearing Ling Shuang, with Liu Wei in charge.

Logically, a trade company just entering interstellar civilization, still in its infancy, shouldn't have attracted any attention.

"It's Green Shade Star, about thirteen light-years from our Blue Star; its lord is a cultivator at Star Radiance Ninth Stage."

"Our starship's interstellar route passed through there, and goods worth three billion Noah coins were seized."

Hearing Ling Shuang replied softly.

"Three billion Noah coins? That much?"

Xu Jingming was startled.

Three billion Noah coins meant little to him.

But to Blue Star, just entering the interstellar age, it was undoubtedly a massive sum.

After all, Blue Whale Company had only been established for six months.

"I don't know the specifics—I leave it all to Liu Wei."

"I only heard she used Blue Star's resources."

"To lease starships equipped with warp engines and open several trade routes for rare minerals."

Hearing Ling Shuang explained gently.

"It seems Liu Wei really is a talent."

Xu Jingming's eyes glinted slightly.

Though Hearing Ling Shuang spoke simply, achieving this in just four months was far beyond ordinary capability.

"Liu Wei has indeed handled operations well."

"Back when Lei Ting Martial Hall was founded, Su Qingli acted as a hands-off owner; most affairs were handled by her."

"I never expected that after entering the interstellar age, her abilities became even more brilliant."

Hearing Ling Shuang smiled as well:

"I've already informed Green Shade Star of your identity, but they insist on meeting you in the Virtual Universe to verify it before releasing the cargo."

"Oh? Want to meet me? Fine, Shuang'er, just set the time."

Xu Jingming nodded.

Just a Star Radiance Ninth Stage planetary lord.

To him now, it meant nothing.

"Alright, I'll tell you once the time is set."

"Also, the girls are all waiting for you—when will you return?"

Hearing Ling Shuang blinked her clear, large eyes.

"Soon—I'll depart in five days, arrive at Noah Holy Land in about ten." Xu Jingming smiled.

"Alright, we'll wait for you here at the Imperial Academy."

Hearing Ling Shuang flashed a bright smile, then hung up the call.