Chapter 1420: REFUSAL! COLT

On Meteorite Star, inside the villa's quiet chamber, the light was soft.

Xu Jingming sat cross-legged, faint dark-gold lightning arcs flickering and dancing around his body.

Yet they were precisely restrained within three inches of his skin, not a single spark leaking out.

The first level of the Source Core Secret Scripture had brought a leap in his life's essence.

It manifested not only in a surge of combat power but also in his mastery over his own strength reaching an entirely new realm.

With a mere thought, the violent Annihilation Doushen Shenlei could become as docile as an extension of his limbs, controlled at will.

Just as he was immersed in familiarizing himself with and comprehending his newly acquired power,

suddenly, No. 1's holographic projection appeared beside him, bowing respectfully:

"Master, there is a communication request from Colt. Shall I connect it?"

"Colt?"

Xu Jingming's eyebrows slightly lifted in surprise. "He actually came to me directly.

It seems those scum on Meteorite Star are indeed tied to him—at least they're under his wing."

Negotiation? Pressure? Or a threat?

Thoughts swirled in Xu Jingming's mind, yet his gaze grew even calmer.

To him, it made no difference who came.

"Connect it."

Without hesitation, Xu Jingming stirred his will and chose to accept the call.

Swish—

Virtual light wove together, and a figure rapidly solidified within the quiet chamber.

The man was Colt.

He still wore that dark-gold robe, his face handsome, his aura elegant, as if time's stillness and vastness flowed around him.

Even as a holographic projection, the invisible pressure of a Supreme Immortal at the peak of immortality subtly spread.

Enough to make ordinary Star-Class cultivators tremble in spirit, unable to look directly at it.

"Xu Jingming."

Colt looked at Xu Jingming, his voice calm, revealing little emotion, as if offering a simple greeting:

"Your mission on Meteorite Star was executed excellently."

He began with praise, yet quickly shifted tone:

"The mission is complete; the credit is yours.

But I've heard that during your investigation,

you may have uncovered clues beyond the mission's scope?"

In response to the inquiry, Xu Jingming remained silent, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Colt's eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued:

"The universe is vast, with factions intertwined in complex webs.

The truth behind some matters is often far more complicated than what meets the eye.

Meteorite Star is remote; oversight is inevitably lax.

It's possible that some corrupt individuals colluded with demons and embezzled resources.

But these are ultimately local issues—private misconduct by subordinates."

Colt's voice took on a touch of perfectly measured sincerity:

"Xu Jingming, you are a rare prodigy of our human race, with boundless future potential.

Some matters, if pursued too deeply or too broadly, may not serve you well.

You might be drawn into unnecessary conflicts, make enemies for no reason, and waste precious cultivation time."

By the end, he began offering terms:

"How about this? Regarding those 'additional discoveries' on Meteorite Star beyond the demon invasion itself,

you will seal them away, cease further inquiry, and omit them from the official report.

In compensation..."

Colt extended two fingers:

"First, I personally can grant you two hundred thousand Star Academy credits.

You know the value of these credits—they can be exchanged for several S-rank resources.

They will greatly aid your current cultivation."

"Second."

His gaze sharpened as he offered another incentive:

"I know you signed up for the Demon Hunting Competition, but with your current strength, you'll struggle to survive the first month and earn the base reward credits.

But don't worry—I'm the deputy team leader for this trial.

I can promise to assign you to a core squad under my direct supervision.

I'll ensure you gain maximum rewards during the trial, with ample safety guarantees."

Two hundred thousand credits! A core slot in the Demon Hunting Competition!

Credits are hard currency; for an ordinary Star-Class student, accumulating two hundred thousand could take centuries!

As for the Demon Hunting Competition, joining a core squad and simply surviving until the end of the year-long event could yield substantial credit rewards.

Either of these two conditions would be enough to make most Star-Class—and even Universe-Class—students salivate.

Colt believed that faced with such generous terms,

Even though Xu Jingming is a registered disciple of the Frost Crown Master, he must be cautious.

After all, even a Master's disciple cannot endlessly acquire resources.

The path of cultivation ultimately requires one to fight for oneself.

Yet Xu Jingming's reaction completely surprised him.

He slowly shook his head.

His face showed not the slightest desire or hesitation, only a clear, tranquil calm as he spoke clearly:

"My lord Colter, thank you for your kindness.

I am indeed short on credits, but I will obtain them in my own way.

As for the Demon Hunting Competition, my senior sister Ye Li is the lead instructor for this trial.

If I ask her to let me join the core team, she surely won't refuse.

So, regarding these two matters, there is no need to trouble my lord Colter."

"Also..."

Xu Jingming's tone suddenly shifted, becoming cold and unyielding:

"I don't know what connection you have with the shadow behind the crimes of Meteorite Star over the past centuries.

But I do not wish for him to walk away unscathed after this is over!"

True, these crimes have nothing to do with him.

He could even accept Colter's offer and gain a massive reward.

But as a native of Blue Star, he cannot pass over the barrier in his own heart.

"You—!!"

Colter's composure vanished instantly, replaced by shock and fury.

He never imagined Xu Jingming would refuse so bluntly.

His words were even sharper, utterly without mercy!

How dare a mere Star Rank Two student defy him, a Supreme Immortal Spirit?

A suppressed rage rose from Colter.

Even across the endless stars, through the holographic projection,

the divine aura of the Immortal Spirit made the air in the quiet chamber seem to thicken.

He stared at Xu Jingming, his voice sinking into a cold interrogation:

"Xu Jingming, what do you mean? Are you accusing me?"

"I dare not."

Xu Jingming said he dared not, yet his posture stood straight as a pine, his tone calm.

The invisible pressure from the Supreme Immortal Spirit vanished before him as if it did not exist.

"Dare not? I think you dare very much!"

Colter snorted coldly, staring at Xu Jingming for several seconds before asking in a low voice:

"So you've made up your mind? You won't accept my proposal?"

"Yes." Xu Jingming answered him with a single word.

"Good, good, good!"

Colter laughed bitterly with rage, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"Xu Jingming, you are too arrogant!

Do you truly believe that winning the Talent War and being taken as a registered disciple by the Frost Crown Master

means you can look down on everyone, even ignore a Supreme Immortal Spirit?"

His tone carried mockery and warning:

"So what if you won first place in the Talent War?

The human territories of the universe are vast, and talents are as countless as stars.

The Talent War is held every five thousand years, and every time there is a first-place winner.

Do you know that in the last hundred thousand years,

only five of all past Talent War champions are still alive?

And among them, the most accomplished have only just entered the Immortal Realm!"

The path of cultivation is long and cruel; countless talents fall along the way.

I'd like to see how far you, a registered disciple of the Supreme Master, will ultimately go!"

With those words, Colter said no more.

He snorted coldly; the holographic projection vanished instantly, the communication severed.

The quiet chamber returned to stillness, yet the lingering cold fury seemed to hum faintly in the air.