Chapter 1421

"Master, you've thoroughly enraged a Supreme Immortal this time."

"In my opinion, you could've been a bit more circumspect—this way, you wouldn't have completely burned the bridges."

After the communication ended, the holographic projection numbered One, dressed in the academy's blue-and-white uniform and resembling a girl from Blue Star, spoke up.

Her thought process was entirely centered on Xu Jingming.

In her view, it was indeed better to make a slight compromise than to offend a Supreme Immortal.

"It's no problem," Xu Jingming said casually.

Colte is indeed a Supreme Immortal, and his status is indeed exalted.

But he's not a soft target to be squeezed at will.

"I've been in the Star Dome Academy for less than two years, and I've already reached Star Rank Two."

Add to that the 110 million Source Points on my system panel, and after this return..."

"... my strength will surely surge again..."

Xu Jingming thought silently to himself.

Generally, a Supreme Immortal requires tens of thousands of years to be born.

But for him, with his system, perhaps it won't take a thousand years to reach this realm.

"Step by step—Supreme Rank is not my endpoint, but my starting point..."

Xu Jingming's gaze flickered slightly, and he soon entered cultivation mode.

Three hours later, the Cosmic Rank Penal Squad dispatched by the Eternal Star Alliance arrived on schedule.

The team leader was a Cosmic High-Rank powerhouse whose aura was as profound as the ocean, his face solemn.

They treated Xu Jingming and the others with polite solemnity, swiftly taking control of the scene and sealing all evidence.

Including the horrifying demonic material repository in the Giant Tortoise Demon's space ring, and the thick ledger of transactions.

"Also, just now, Colte from our Star Dome Academy contacted me."

"He wanted me to seal this evidence—I think you should investigate in this direction."

A gift handed to you—don't refuse it for free.

Before leaving, Xu Jingming naturally had no objection to passing this information to the Penal Squad.

Thus, their mission protocol was officially completed.

Everyone received the corresponding mission completion confirmation and a stacked reward of 100,000 credits.

This was already a considerable gain.

Of course, for Xu Jingming, the greatest gain was still those Source Points.

As for the subsequent investigations, trials, and potential larger upheavals regarding the demonic materials...

They had nothing to do with these people—higher authorities of the Star Alliance would handle it.

Handover completed.

Xu Jingming and the others did not linger on Ironfall Star.

They quickly boarded Yueying's spaceship and returned to the Star Dome Academy.

Three days later, the silver-white "Silver Moon Wings" spaceship blazed like a streak of light cutting through the star-sea.

It silently pierced through the outer defense barrier of the Star Dome Academy and landed steadily on the dedicated landing pad of Island F-003 in the Eternal Day Archipelago.

The hatch slid open, and Xu Jingming, Yueying, Lan Yu, and Yan Ji stepped out in sequence.

The sun's light fell gently, and the fresh Yuan energy unique to the Eternal Day Archipelago washed over them.

It revived the spirits of the four, who had just endured three days of interstellar travel.

"We're finally back."

Yan Ji stretched lazily, a smile on her face. "The academy is safe—outside, you're always on edge."

She flexed her wrists, her fiery red hair fluttering lightly in the breeze.

Then she turned to Xu Jingming, her tone unusually sincere with admiration:

"This mission was thanks entirely to you, Captain."

"Otherwise, not only would we not have completed it—we might not have even escaped alive."

Indeed, a Star Rank Seven demon was far beyond what they could handle.

Yueying stood beside Xu Jingming, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall.

Her eyes, like gray gems, turned toward him too, her coldly beautiful oval face lit with a smile:

"This mission was completed perfectly. Next time there's a suitable mission, I'll come find you again."

"Sure, let's cooperate again next time."

Xu Jingming smiled and did not refuse.

Thanks to Yueying, he could never have unexpectedly gained so many Source Points.

Just for that, he could never turn down Yueying's invitation.

After bidding each other farewell, the four parted ways, and Xu Jingming also returned to Island F-001.

"First, send a message to Sister Yeli."

"Tell her I've learned the Source Core Secret Scripture, and ask her to take me to see the Master."

With anticipation for his formal apprenticeship.

Back at the villa, Xu Jingming quickly sent a message to Sister Yeli.

Tianfeng Mountain, halfway up the mist-shrouded slope.

Amid the dense forest floated a solitary black palace.

The palace's style was cold and minimalist, forged entirely from a rare S1-level metal called "Dark Star Black Iron."

The metal's surface flowed with a dim, faint glow, as if it could swallow light.

This was Ye Li's cultivation ground—Dark Li Palace.

Inside the palace's core cultivation chamber, yuan energy was so dense it nearly liquefied.

Thin strands of black qi drifted slowly in the air.

Ye Li sat cross-legged, eyes closed, upon a frost jade lotus platform.

She wore a form-fitting black silk gown, its hem spreading like ink-colored lotus petals across the platform.

The slightly tailored gown perfectly outlined her breathtakingly alluring figure.

The full curve of her chest rose and fell gently with her quiet breath.

Beneath the hem, a slender, straight, Bai Xi leg emerged, smooth as jade.

Her features were exquisitely carved, like the work of a master divine artisan—willow-leaf brows, a straight, upturned nose.

Her lips, naturally crimson, combined into an aura of cold, noble beauty that deterred all approach.

Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to the curve of her firm buttocks.

A few strands clung lightly to her Bai Xi cheeks, adding to her tranquil beauty.

Even as she sat still,

the vast, icy aura of a Supreme Immortal at the peak of eternity was enough to make any observer feel unworthy.

"Meow~~~"

Suddenly, accompanied by a cat's cry,

a snow-white cat spirit appeared on Ye Li's shoulder, its four paws and ear tips marked with Ai Mose.

Its pupils, translucent as sapphires, blinked with lazy grace.

This was Ye Li's intelligent lifeform, "You Ying," which usually manifested in this form.

You Ying rubbed its head against Ye Li's cheek and spoke in a clear, childlike female voice:

"Master, there's a message from Xu Jingming—he wishes to meet you."

"Xu Jingming?"

Ye Li's long, thick eyelashes trembled slightly as she opened her eyes.

Her willow-leaf brows furrowed faintly.

It had been less than ten days since her last guidance session.

Why was he coming again now?

"Master, should I refuse? Aren't you at a critical juncture in your law comprehension?"

You Ying asked.

Ye Li fell silent for a moment.

In her usual nature, unless it were a matter of cosmic importance, she would never interrupt her established cultivation schedule for anyone.

Xu Jingming was merely a recorded disciple favored by her teacher, and still only a Star Rank.

She, a Supreme Immortal at the peak of eternity, had her own cultivation plan.

She could not accommodate Xu Jingming's demands at will.

Yet, for some reason,

she recalled Xu Jingming's steady, resolute black eyes.

And his astonishing talent with firearms.

"No."

Ye Li shook her head gently, her voice cold as a spring, "Reply to him—I will meet him on his island at this time tomorrow."

"Meow?"

You Ying tilted her head in surprise, sapphire eyes brimming with curiosity:

"Master, you're unusually lenient with this junior brother.

Last time you sent him pills, now you're breaking protocol to meet him early… Do you find him particularly pleasing?"

In You Ying's eyes, her master had never before shown such attention to anyone.

Ye Li said nothing, only cast a cool glance at You Ying.

You Ying immediately shrank her neck, stuck out her tongue playfully, and fell silent.

But just as she was about to send the message, another alert chimed.

It was a new message from Xu Jingming.

Upon receiving it, the cat You Ying immediately said:

"Xu Jingming sent a new message.

He says he wishes to meet you because he has completed the first stage of the Source Core Secret Scripture."

"Hmm?"

Ye Li's cold, composed expression flickered with surprise as she prepared to re-enter cultivation.