Chapter 131: Opening the Star Gate

Li Zhi'an raised his hand to gently tuck away the strands of hair at Cheng Xi's temples that had been ruffled by the mountain breeze, his eyes full of tenderness and doting: "In my view, this is by no means a small matter. That Wanxing City can have such a thriving momentum today, your contribution is indispensable."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xi smiled even more happily, "If you praise me like that, I'll be even happier."

Li Zhi'an held Cheng Xi's hand, his eyes filled with her sweet smile.

Li Zhi'an took Cheng Xi on a flying Dharma Artifact to Wanxing City. Cheng Xi had not been here for a long time, and at this sight, she was immediately astonished; the entire Wanxing City had expanded outward quite a bit, with rows of newly built houses arranged neatly and orderly, and countless commoners moving back and forth.

The original city gate of Wanxing City had become an inner city gate, and an outer city gate had been built further out, sheltering all the commoners within.

The power of people is infinite.

Cheng Xi sighed in admiration.

Li Zhi'an looked at her and said softly: "Xixi, once the city is repaired, the Star Gate will open. Have you thought it through?"

"And what about you?" Cheng Xi asked in return.

Li Zhi'an turned his head to look at her, for a moment not knowing how to answer.

Cheng Xi saw his hesitation and said with a smile: "I know you are someone who cares for the world; if this place is not well-built and lacks a stable order, you won't be at ease. So, you are staying behind this time, aren't you?"

Li Zhi'an nodded, "Yes."

"Alright, I'll stay with you; it's all the same to me wherever I am," Cheng Xi said, looking at him.

Li Zhi'an's tightly clenched hands relaxed slightly, "You... really want to stay?"

"Or should I go with them?"

Li Zhi'an:...

Cheng Xi burst into laughter.

Li Zhi'an sighed softly and pulled her into his embrace.

"The several Deans won't be leaving either; they will also stay, though the outstanding disciples of the Academy will be sent away this time."

"That works, we can send them in batches. This way, there are those clearing the path in front and those holding the line in the back; this is the best of both worlds. We don't know what the situation is on the other side of the Star Gate, but as long as they can stick together, there is nothing to fear."

On the newly built, wide city wall of Wanxing City, Cheng Xi and Li Zhi'an stood side by side, a gentle breeze blowing past and stirring their sleeves.

The two were just talking when they saw Jiang Zhongqiao walking over hurriedly with several Academy Deans.

Jiang Zhongqiao's expression was grave, and before he had even stood still, he spoke: "Zhi'an, Miss Cheng, we just received news that the opening time of the Star Gate seems to have been moved up, half a month earlier than expected."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

Cheng Xi frowned slightly and looked at Li Zhi'an, her eyes full of contemplation: "This is a bit tricky. Half a month—there are still many facilities within the city that are not yet perfected, and the commoners have not fully adapted to the current pace of life. Opening the Star Gate at this time..."

Li Zhi'an's expression was calm, and after a moment of thought, he said: "Since the time has been moved up, we shall prepare in advance."

The several Deans agreed one after another and turned to leave in a hurry.

Cheng Xi frowned and said: "I must go to the alchemy room. Time is pressing; I need to refine more Pills, especially those for healing and increasing spiritual power, which might come in very useful later."

Li Zhi'an raised his hand to gently stroke the top of her head and said softly: "Alright, go ahead, and be careful with everything. I am going to arrange the city defense, reinforce the city walls, and set up defensive arrays; we must not let the commoners of Wanxing City fall into danger."

Cheng Xi walked quickly to the alchemy room, where Ji Muzhi and a group of Alchemists were already busy.

Seeing her enter, Ji Muzhi hurried forward to greet her: "Eldest Miss, I heard the Star Gate is opening early; we are already refining Pills with all our might, but these medicinal materials..."

Cheng Xi looked around and discovered that the medicinal materials, which were usually well-stocked, were now running low. Her heart tightened, and she said: "I will go arrange for people to go into the mountains to gather more. Everyone, please be frugal with their use and prioritize refining the most urgently needed Pills."

Having said that, she hurried out of the alchemy room and called for Mulan and Jinxiang, giving them detailed instructions on the task of gathering medicinal materials. After Mulan and Jinxiang received the order, they quickly assembled a group of nimble-handed commoners who were familiar with Wanxing Mountain, took their tools, and set off toward the depths of Wanxing Mountain.

As for Li Zhi'an, he rushed to the city defense post without stopping to discuss the plan for reinforcing the city walls with the craftsmen in charge of the construction. "Although this city wall is more than half built, since the time has been moved up, we must find other ways to speed up the progress."

Li Zhi'an pointed at the city wall blueprints and said with a serious expression. An elderly craftsman frowned, thought for a moment, and said: "Prince, why don't we use some special stone from Wanxing Mountain? Those stones have a hard texture and possess a certain spirituality. If we use them to reinforce the city walls, it will not only speed up the process but also enhance the defensive power of the city walls."

Li Zhi'an nodded upon hearing this: "This plan is excellent. Follow your suggestion and arrange for people to collect them immediately."

As the days passed, everyone in Wanxing City entered a state of tense preparation for battle. Under the guidance of the Academy students, the commoners trained diligently, learning various defensive techniques and combat methods.

Inside the alchemy room, the furnace fires burned day and night, and the fragrance of Pills permeated the entire area. On the city walls, craftsmen raced against time to reinforce the walls with the special stone, and the deployment of defensive arrays was also proceeding in an orderly manner.

Just three days before the opening of the Star Gate, Mulan and Jinxiang returned with the team that had been gathering medicinal materials.

At the same time, Li Zhi'an was on the city wall inspecting the defensive facilities. He looked at the reinforced city wall, and his heart felt slightly relieved.

But when he saw the direction of the Star Gate in the distance, a trace of worry welled up in his heart again. "I wonder what the world behind the gate is really like; I hope everything goes smoothly," he muttered to himself.

In a room in Wanxing City, Yan Qingli was packing her bags with several friends. Although the outstanding disciples were to pass through the Star Gate first, she still felt a bit uneasy. "I don't know what is waiting for us on the other side of the gate, but being able to scout the path for Wanxing City can be considered doing my part."

She would not lose to Cheng Xi in everything; hearing that Cheng Xi would not be going this time, she was determined to bring back more and better news.

Finally, the day of the Star Gate's opening arrived. The entire Wanxing City was filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere.

At the break of dawn, the first light of day pierced through the thick clouds, spilling onto the towering city walls of Wanxing City and illuminating the mysterious Star Gate in the distance.

It stood at the junction of heaven and earth, a massive stone gate built from ancient boulders, its surface carved with strange Runes, emitting a faint glow in the morning light as if telling of ancient secrets.

The commoners of Wanxing City and the Academy students had long since gathered in the city gate square; the crowd was dense, yet quiet and solemn, with only the sound of nervous breathing and occasional low whispers.

Cheng Xi and Li Zhi'an stood side by side on a high platform, their gazes locked on the Star Gate.

As time passed, the light of the Star Gate became increasingly dazzling, and the flickering frequency of the Runes accelerated, as if a heartbeat were quickening. Suddenly, a dull boom emanated from within the gate, as if a sleeping giant beast were awakening.