Chapter 128: Clearing Operation (Requesting Subscriptions)

Before the Star-Picking Square of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, Zeng Yao, a round-bodied man, suddenly tumbled out, blood spurting from his abdomen, over twenty wounds covering his body, drenched in blood.

Immediately, the attending instructors rushed over to bandage and treat his injuries while questioning him about the circumstances.

This intelligence was relayed at once to the Autumn Examination Realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy and soon reached some of the academy’s senior officials still inside the realm.

“True Disciple Zeng Yao: two cun two in the Middle Star Palace, one cun nine in the Lower Star Palace. Returned after being ambushed by three Crimson-Scale cultivators of Star-Forge realm, the strongest among them at Star-Forge Fourth Layer.”

“True Disciple Bu Xuxue: two cun one in the Middle Star Palace, one cun nine in the Lower Star Palace. Returned after being ambushed by five Crimson-Scale cultivators, four of whom were Star-Forge realm, the strongest at Star-Forge Third Layer.”

Upon seeing this intelligence, the senior officials of the Chen Guo Dao Academy present here all frowned.

“Only eighteen hours have passed, and already so many Star-Forge cultivators have appeared—including one at Fourth Layer. This Fire Glitter Star Domain has developed rapidly these past few years,” said Fang Shinan, one of the Four Academic Masters, glancing at Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

But Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s figure was faint, clearly his true body not present; he then turned to Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui. “Master Meng, what do you think?”

“A cleansing operation against the Fire Glitter Star Domain has already been planned. But due to the Star Gate’s restrictions, we can only send in disciples at the peak of Star-Casting. So far, we have not yet assembled a suitable team,” said Meng Yanhui.

Fang Shinan frowned again. “Master Meng, I believe we must act swiftly! Star-Forge Fourth Layer has already appeared within eighteen hours—there must already be many Star-Forge Fifth and Sixth Layer cultivators in the Fire Glitter Star Domain.”

Star-Forge Seventh Layer may even have emerged.

If we do nothing, next year our disciples’ Star-Casting will suffer massive casualties!”

“I understand.”

Meng Yanhui was also deeply frustrated.

Although the Fire Glitter Star Domain has been subjugated and controlled, the Star Gate’s limitations mean our control remains restricted.

To cleanse it, we need disciples capable of killing across major realms.

Disciples who can kill across one or two minor realms are common.

Every True Disciple possesses this ability.

Including Zeng Yao and Bu Xuxue, who just returned—though forced to use the Return Jade Tablet, they still slew several Star-Forge Crimson-Scale before returning.

Killing a Star-Forge First Layer with Star-Casting Early Stage is already formidable.

But disciples who can kill Star-Forge Late Stage with Star-Casting Late Stage or Peak are exceedingly rare.

Truly few and far between.

Star-Casting is merely a transitional realm, fundamentally designed to massively enhance Star Power after Star-Casting, fully launching one onto the path of cultivation.

Early Star-Forge merely adds two or three more Star Patterns than Star-Casting; the power increase is not substantial.

But Late Star-Forge requires six or seven additional Star Patterns compared to Star-Casting, multiplying combat power over Early Star-Forge.

Meanwhile, Star-Casting Late Stage is only slightly stronger in Star Power than Star-Casting Early Stage.

Thus, killing a Star-Forge First Layer from Star-Casting Early Stage is not difficult—but killing a Star-Forge Late Stage from Star-Casting Late Stage is extremely difficult.

Such disciples are rare beyond measure!

Hence, cleansing second-tier star domains has always been a major problem.

This is also one reason the Chen Guo Dao Academy limits the number of disciples entering second-tier star domains for Star-Casting.

Those lacking strength are merely sent to die.

But if we can cleanse it thoroughly, the number of disciples we can send into the second-tier star domain for Star-Casting over the next two or three years could increase dramatically, greatly strengthening the future foundation of the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

Unfortunately—

After Xu Jin reached the limit of his Star-Casting in the Fire Glitter Star Domain, he began cultivation.

After beginning cultivation, Xu Jin discovered another advantage of his Flawless Primordial Star Body.

That is, the acceleration of his cultivation speed.

Most people’s cultivation speed is limited not only by the concentration of Star Power in their environment, but also by their own capacity.

It’s like digging a canal in a great river: the river’s water surges fiercely, but if your canal is only half a meter wide, no matter how violent the river, you can only draw half a meter of water.

But the Flawless Primordial Star Body expands this canal sufficiently, and even expands automatically under pressure, as if responding to water pressure.

Others have half a meter; Xu Jin has over one meter. And the more water in the river, the greater the pressure on Xu Jin’s canal, causing it to expand further and draw even more water.

Previously, Xu Jin’s Star Power recovery rate doubled—this was also the reason.

At this moment, with full cultivation, Xu Jin felt Star Power surging rapidly into his Star Core, continuously filling it, making the starlight within denser and denser.

The speed was astonishing.

In just three hours, a faint glow began swirling around Xu Jin’s Middle Star Palace Core—the sign of Star-Casting Mid-Stage.

Previously, Xu Jin had asked Ning Yuchan about this; she said that for a True Disciple of the academy, advancing from Star-Casting Early Stage to Mid-Stage in the mortal world typically took three to five days at the fastest.

But now, Xu Jin had done it in only three hours.

Xu Jin understood: part of this was due to his Flawless Primordial Star Body, but more importantly, the Star Power concentration in the Fire Glitter Star Domain was three times that of the mortal world.

This opportunity was rare!

Xu Jin continued his arduous cultivation.

In the Chen Guo Dao Academy’s Autumn Examination Realm, one after another disciple’s name vanished from the Fire Glitter Star Domain’s light cluster, and one after another intelligence report landed before the academy’s senior officials.

“Chu Ze: two cun two in the Middle Star Palace, one cun nine in the Lower Star Palace. Returned reluctantly after encountering four Star-Forge Crimson-Scale, the strongest at Star-Forge Fourth Layer.”

“Ying Ge: two cun two in the Middle Star Palace, two cun in the Lower Star Palace. Returned reluctantly after encountering three Star-Forge Crimson-Scale, the strongest at Star-Forge Fifth Layer.”

“Guan Li: two cun two in the Middle Star Palace, two cun in the Lower Star Palace. Returned reluctantly after encountering five Star-Forge Crimson-Scale, the strongest at Star-Forge Fourth Layer.”

“Ji Hongli: two cun three in the Middle Star Palace, two cun one in the Lower Star Palace. Returned reluctantly after encountering four Star-Forge Crimson-Scale, the strongest at Star-Forge Fifth Layer.”

In the entire second-tier Fire Glitter Star Domain, only five True Disciples remained, uncertain how much longer they could hold out—the time was nearly approaching twenty-four hours.

One hour later, Yuan Feiqing and Yan Chen successively returned.

Both Yuan Feiqing and Yan Chen had two cun three in the Middle Star Palace and two cun one in the Lower Star Palace, but after prolonged cultivation within the Fire Glitter Star Domain, their cultivation had advanced to Star-Casting Mid-Stage.

On the twenty-sixth hour of the Fire Glitter Star Domain’s opening, Lu Kun returned reluctantly; the report was submitted.

“Lu Kun: two cun three in the Middle Star Palace, two cun one in the Lower Star Palace. Encountered three Star-Forge Crimson-Scale, the strongest at Star-Forge Sixth Layer. Lu Kun severely wounded!”

This report caused the Chen Guo Dao Academy’s senior officials great anxiety.

Barely two days had passed, and already Star-Forge Sixth Layer Crimson-Scale had appeared—did that mean Star-Forge Seventh Layer had emerged as well?

Remember, the domain lord of the Fire Glitter Star Domain under Chen Guo Dao Academy’s control was only at Star-Forge Ninth Layer.

If Star-Forge Seventh or Eighth Layer Crimson-Scale appeared, it meant someone threatened the domain lord’s position.

If matters went badly, the Chen Guo Dao Academy might even lose this second-tier Fire Glitter Star Domain.

The loss would be catastrophic.

“Now, only Xu Jin and Meng Qingqiu remain inside. Let’s see what intelligence they bring,” said Academic Master Fang Shinan, anxious. The Chen Guo Dao Academy sent True Disciples into second-tier star domains for Star-Casting not merely to forge better Star Cores, but more importantly to gather intelligence on the Fire Glitter Star Domain and conduct limited cleansing.

On the twenty-seventh hour of the Fire Glitter Star Domain’s opening, Senior Sister Meng Qingqiu’s name vanished—she returned.

Quickly, a detailed intelligence report appeared before the Chen Guo Dao Academy’s senior officials.

“Meng Qingqiu: two cun three in the Middle Star Palace, two cun two in the Lower Star Palace. Encountered four Crimson-Scale Star-Forge cultivators: one at Sixth Layer, one at Fifth Layer, two at Third Layer. Meng Qingqiu returned with minor injuries.”

Beneath the summary was even more detailed intelligence, including their precise location.

“Gentlemen, we can be certain Meng Qingqiu is near the Ashen Mountains in the Fire Glitter Star Domain, while Lu Kun was near the Crimson Fire Gorge—eight hundred li apart. Even a Star-Forge Sixth Layer cannot reach the other in one hour.”

We can be certain they encountered different Star-Forge Sixth Layer cultivators.

Now we can confirm: there are at least two Star-Forge Sixth Layer cultivators in the Fire Glitter Star Domain. Based on past experience, if Star-Forge Sixth Layer are deployed, there must be Star-Forge Seventh and Eighth Layer commanders behind them!”

Suddenly, Academic Master Fang Shinan snapped his head up, staring at Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s faint shadow. “We must ask Grand Master to make a decision now—otherwise, we may lose the Fire Glitter Star Domain before next year even arrives.”

As he spoke, a streak of starlight shot toward Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s shadow.

Only ten breaths after the starlight touched it, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s figure within the Autumn Examination Realm shifted from faint to solid.

“Hmm. What is it?”

Quickly, Fang Shinan compiled all the intelligence and his own conclusions before Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“Problems in the Fire Glitter Star Domain? Wait a moment!”

In the next instant, Grand Master withdrew a crimson talisman, activated it slightly, and a spectral image of a Crimson-Scale warrior appeared before him.

The aura of Star-Forge Ninth Layer Peak was formidable, but before the assembled Chen Guo Dao Academy officials, it was insignificant.

And upon seeing Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, the Crimson-Scale lord immediately showed fear, prostrating himself. “I pay homage to Grand Master. What does Grand Master require of this servant? The annual tribute was delivered fully two months ago as required!”

As he spoke, the Crimson-Scale domain lord trembled all over.

“Chi You, how many of your tribe’s Star-Forge Sixth and Seventh Layer warriors are there?”

“Your Majesty, there are perhaps two or three Sixth Layer, and at most one Seventh Layer,” replied the Crimson-Scale domain lord, still prostrate.

“Perhaps?” Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sneered.

In the next instant, the Crimson-Scale lord Chi You’s voice trembled. “Your Majesty, you know—they all curse me. Every clan has been rebelling year after year. My control over them is limited.”

“I beg Grand Master to send troops into the domain to cleanse and pacify the chaos.”

“Very well. I understand.”

With a wave of his hand, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao released the spirit essence of the captured Fire Glitter Star Domain lord Chi You, then looked solemnly at the others.

“Your judgment is correct. This Fire Glitter Star Domain has reached the moment for cleansing. Left Sacrificial Officer, how many disciples at Star-Casting Peak can you muster?”

“Grand Master, we have forty-three disciples at Star-Casting Peak ready to enter at once. But if they face Star-Forge Seventh Layer or higher, they will struggle,” said Meng Yanhui.

“Moreover, these disciples now face not merely Star-Forge Seventh Layer, but possibly Star-Forge Eighth Layer Crimson-Scale.”

“Even if these Star-Casting Peak disciples form teams of three, they cannot stand against a Star-Forge Eighth Layer Crimson-Scale,” said Fang Shinan.

Cheng Yuexiao suddenly turned to Head of the External Affairs Hall, Chu Xuan. “How many second-tier superior talismans do we currently have in reserve?”

The greatest difficulty in subjugating star domains lay precisely here.

Originally, a third- or fourth-tier talisman could easily handle a late-stage Crimson-Scale Star-Forge cultivator.

But the problem: they cannot be brought inside.

“Your Majesty, we currently have one thousand and forty-five second-tier superior talismans in reserve,” said Head Chu Xuan.

“Enough?” Cheng Yuexiao asked Fang Shinan.

"Almost, but there may be casualties among the disciples!"

"War inevitably involves losses!" Cheng Yuexiao looked at Meng Yanhui. "How long until all the Foundation Establishment peak disciples ready for deployment?"

"Five hours!"

"Good. Five hours it is. Issue them all second-rank superior-grade badges. Also finalize the battle plan and combat rewards."

"After five hours, send them into the Fire Radiance Star Region to carry out the cleansing mission!" Cheng Yuexiao ordered.

"Yes!"

At the same moment, someone looked toward the last remaining name in the sky’s luminous orb: Xu Jin.

"Grand Preceptor, what of this direct disciple?"

"If he can still hold out after five hours, issue him the mission directive. Let him join the operation as well."

"If he can last this long, his combat strength must already rival that of a typical Foundation Establishment peak cultivator," said Cheng Yuexiao.

"Good!"

Immediately, the entire senior leadership of the Chen Guo Dao Academy departed, and the war machine roared to life.

Meanwhile, Ning Yuchan and Dong Zhao, still within the Autumn Examination Secret Realm, watched Xu Jin’s lingering presence in the second-rank Fire Radiance Star Region and grew uneasy.

Especially Dong Zhao—his brow furrowed tightly.

He had an instinctive sense of unease.

Inside the Crimson-Scale Imperial Palace in the Fire Radiance Star Region, Chi Gu, the Crimson-Scale Lord, who had just been returned to his spiritual core, suddenly changed demeanor.

His former subservience and groveling vanished in an instant.

Two experts of Star Refining eighth layer appeared before him.

"My Lord, are you unharmed?"

Chi You paced back and forth, his brow knotted, as if wrestling with a decision.

After a long silence, he suddenly seemed to make up his mind: "I am certain the Chen people have begun to suspect. They are already preparing a cleansing operation!"

"The Chen warriors will descend upon us soon!"

"My Lord, then should we—" One of the Star Refining eighth-layer experts, Chi Mu, wore a pained expression.

"No!"

Chi You cut him off before he could finish: "We have been enslaved for eight years—we can wait no longer! The Chen people are growing ever more vigilant!"

"Issue my command: order all factions to initiate their prearranged plans—now!"

In an instant, Chi You’s subordinates burst into jubilation!

This miserable existence was finally over!

(End of Chapter)