Chapter 136: New Shelter and Return (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

According to the Grand Master’s words, refining this Crimson Scale Heart is best done using both star force and soul force together—it yields better results, though it takes a bit longer.

If you can refine it using soul force alone, the speed is fastest, and you gain all the benefits of the Crimson Scale Heart.

But to refine the Crimson Scale Heart with soul force, you must at least have Soul Star Forging.

Xu Jin certainly wouldn’t say he’d already achieved Soul Star Forging.

Yet when he refined it, he used nothing but soul force.

The sensation was extraordinary.

The instant his soul force surged into the Crimson Scale Heart, Xu Jin sensed chaotic energies and a faint, weak soul presence.

That must have been the residual energy of the previous cultivator.

As the Grand Master said, you should mix star force with soul force to sweep away the previous cultivator’s lingering power—it makes refinement much easier.

Xu Jin’s vast soul force swept through, instantly clearing away the chaotic blood qi and soul energy; soul force surged in and began rapidly refining the Crimson Scale Heart.

Only a few dozen breaths into the refinement, an indescribable strange feeling rose in Xu Jin’s heart.

Even after seven days in the Fire Radiance Star Region, Xu Jin still felt like an outsider.

A pure, alien outsider—even when activating the Mingji Star Pattern, he could faintly sense this world’s rejection of him.

But after only a few dozen breaths of refining the Crimson Scale Heart, the feeling changed.

Suddenly, this dark red world, which he had instinctively disliked, became endearing.

A sense of deep familiarity arose.

And this feeling grew stronger as he continued refining the Crimson Scale Heart.

Xu Jin knew clearly: it wasn’t his perception or himself that had changed—it was this world’s attitude toward him.

While savoring this, a faint, tiny statue beside Chi You’s corpse suddenly emitted a ring of clear light, catching Xu Jin’s attention.

Xu Jin had ignored that blurry statue earlier, assuming it was some deity worshipped by the Crimson Scale clan.

Due to their limited self-awareness, many races worship all kinds of immortals and gods.

Like in Xu Jin’s Qianshi world, folk worshipped everything—immortals, Buddhas, deities, spirits, ghosts, demons, monsters—anything that could carry some Jituo .

So for this Fire Radiance Star Region to worship some so-called god was perfectly normal.

But now, this statue seemed to be manifesting.

As Xu Jin looked over, a voice suddenly came from within the statue.

“Chi You, I’ve given you what you asked for. Where’s the Crimson Scale Heart you promised me? Why haven’t you delivered it yet?” A distant voice echoed from the statue.

Crimson Scale Heart?

Xu Jin looked at the two Crimson Scale Hearts in his hand.

Who was behind this statue?

After careful thought, Xu Jin wisely chose not to respond.

Clearly, this statue’s master was deeply involved in Chi You’s rebellion.

Someone capable of inciting or conspiring to destabilize a star region—even a second-rank one—was undoubtedly a major figure.

Xu Jin didn’t want to get involved.

In such grand tides of power, ordinary people who dared meddle would be swallowed whole, leaving not even bones behind.

After ten breaths with no reply, the voice inside the statue grew clearly angry.

“Chi You? What’s your meaning? Accept my gifts and refuse to act? Trying to get something for nothing?”

“Chi You, even if you’ve used what I gave you to break free from Chen Guo’s control, so what? Without my help, when the Star Gate opens in two months and twenty-three days, you’ll all be crushed by Chen Guo!”

“Chi You?”

“Chi You?”

The voice inside the statue grew colder, devoid of any emotion—Xu Jin heard fury in it.

One minute later, the clear light Ningju on the statue suddenly intensified and brightened.

As the clear light rapidly increased, it twisted and shifted, as if forming the shape of a human figure.

Xu Jin was startled.

Who was behind this statue?

Was it about to descend into the Fire Radiance Star Region?

Or was it projecting a fragment to scout this world?

In an instant, Xu Jin considered many possibilities.

But none of them were ones he wanted to see.

“Destroy it!”

In an instant, Xu Jin made his decision: he must destroy the statue before it achieved its goal, or it would bring him great trouble.

He’d originally planned to use Star Arrows.

But immediately, he thought of Thunder Serpent.

Thunder Serpent’s lightning should be its natural antithesis.

BOOM!

The next instant, a Thunder Serpent struck down.

The moment it struck, one-third of the statue’s clear light vanished instantly; the voice behind the statue roared in fury.

“Who are you?”

“You use Thunder Star Art? You’re not Chi You?”

“Who are you?”

Xu Jin didn’t answer—he fired Thunder Serpents continuously.

Five Thunder Serpents struck in succession, shattering the statue’s clear light and reducing the blurry statue to charred, burning wreckage.

“Damn you! You dare steal my fruit? I’ll remember you!”

This was the final roar from the being behind the statue, just before it turned to ash.

After the blurry statue caught fire and turned to a charred stump, Xu Jin, still uneasy, fired several more Thunder Serpents, reducing it to dust—only then did he feel reassured.

Then he stared at the Crimson Scale Heart, half-refined in his hand, hesitating.

It was clear the being behind the statue sought the Crimson Scale Heart.

Logically, refining and acquiring the Crimson Scale Heart meant Xu Jin was acquiring a trouble.

But the problem was—he couldn’t leave without refining it.

To leave, he’d have to wait another two months and twenty-three days.

Not only would that waste cultivation time, but who knew what other tricks the being behind the statue had in store over the next twenty-three days?

As the saying goes: the longer the wait, the more trouble brews.

After pondering for a long while, Xu Jin simply hardened his heart and continued refining.

Even if he didn’t refine the Crimson Scale Heart and handed it over, would he escape trouble?

Of course not!

If the being behind the statue was powerful enough, he’d surely find out that Xu Jin had quelled the Fire Radiance Star Region’s rebellion.

So why not refine it, return sooner, and strengthen himself?

Then let Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao take the blame.

After all, he’s tall.

With this thought, Xu Jin poured all his strength into refining the Crimson Scale Heart.

One quarter-hour later, the instant the first Crimson Scale Heart was fully refined, it vanished.

But soon, Xu Jin found it in his Upper Star Palace.

Beneath his Soul Star, it emitted a faint crimson glow.

Continue refining.

Another quarter-hour later, the second Crimson Scale Heart was also refined, vanished, and appeared beneath Xu Jin’s Soul Star in his Upper Star Palace.

After refinement, the two Crimson Scale Hearts were linked by crimson radiance, forming a single whole.

“What’s this thing for?”

Xu Jin tried sinking his spiritual awareness into the two Crimson Scale Hearts.

The next instant, he sensed endless crimson.

And twelve glowing points.

Several of these points were especially close to him.

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized: those twelve glowing points must be the Crimson Scale Heart Armor.

Xu Jin fell into thought.

A few breaths later, he withdrew his mind and returned to the Fire Radiance Star Region.

At this moment, the Fire Radiance Star Region felt utterly different to Xu Jin.

It felt as if the air itself was sweet; being here filled him with exhilaration and joy, like returning to a long-lost homeland.

“I’ll have to ask Grand Master about how to use this thing properly.”

Next, naturally, came the old routine: looting the corpse.

Almost all the Crimson Scale clan members within the court had fled.

First, Xu Jin retrieved the jade box that had fallen from the altar.

The jade box felt cool to the touch; Xu Jin didn’t dare open it directly, but used a star weapon to pry it open—and it opened at once.

Inside lay a semi-translucent elixir the size of a fist, along with a jade gui.

This must be what the figure behind the statue gave to Chi You to break free from Da Chen’s control.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin firmly closed the jade box.

Who knows what sinister tricks might be inside? Better not look—avoid getting caught in a trap.

I’ll take it back and let the Grand Master examine it first.

From Chi You and Prince Chi Meng, a total of ten fourth-rank Star Gui were seized; from the other forty-plus Star Refining cultivators, five fourth-rank Star Gui were found, over twenty third-rank Star Gui, and more than fifty second-rank Star Gui.

Fifteen fourth-rank Star Gui were collected by Xu Jin into the Can Dou Platform; thus, Xu Jin’s remaining fourth-rank Star Gui in the Huoxuan Star Region reached nineteen.

As for the other second- and third-rank Star Gui, all were absorbed by the Can Dou Platform, adding nearly thirty strands of starlight to it.

Soon, Xu Jin stripped from Prince Chi Meng a second-rank Star Weapon soft armor.

Though it had blocked Xu Jin’s strike, it remained undamaged.

Xu Jin examined it—it was far superior to his previous first-rank Crocodile Dragon soft armor.

This armor was entirely crimson, woven from scales Xu Jin had never seen; he simply called it the second-rank Fire Scale Soft Armor.

After cleaning it, Xu Jin put it on without hesitation.

For Xu Jin, who had already rummaged through piles of corpses, such things meant nothing—anything that could save his life was good.

Prince Chi Meng’s Star Weapon was a first-rank item, but far superior to those used by other Chi Scale warriors; he also had a pair of first-rank Star Boots, which were quite decent.

In contrast, Chi You, the Lord of the Chi Scale, possessed nothing of value.

With two swift cuts, Xu Jin excavated the heart cores from Chi Meng and Chi You—two third-rank Star Cores—which he was about to toss into his Star Core pouch.

Suddenly, the Can Dou Platform’s starlight flickered slightly.

Xu Jin was stunned.

These two Star Cores had triggered a reaction in the Can Dou Platform.

【Available for Offering: Third-rank Snake Spirit, Third-rank Tiger Spirit, Third-rank Fire Spirit, Third-rank Fire Spirit】

On the Can Dou Platform, two additional Third-rank Fire Spirits appeared among the available Star Cores.

As his mind sank deeper, information on the Third-rank Fire Spirits emerged.

【Third-rank Superior Fire Spirit】

【Protection Granted: Initial Fire Source, Fire Transformation Star Pattern, Explosive Flame Star Pattern】

【Third-rank Superior Fire Spirit】

【Protection Granted: Initial Fire Source, Fire Transformation Star Pattern, Flame Bloom Star Pattern】

Xu Jin hadn’t expected that obtaining these two Star Cores from Chi You and Chi Meng would grant him Protection Star Patterns.

He guessed the Flame Bloom Star Pattern must be the one that caused fire flowers to bloom on the ground during Chi Meng’s attack—so what was the Fire Transformation Star Pattern?

And what was the Initial Fire Source?

Also, why could the Star Cores from Chi Meng and Chi You grant Protection, but not those from other Chi Scale warriors? For the first two questions, Xu Jin needed time to test and find answers.

As for the third question, he had a guess—it had nothing to do with status.

It might relate to Chi Meng and Chi You’s cultivation level, since only they were Star Refining Ninth Layer; or perhaps to the quality of their Star Forging.

He didn’t know Chi You’s, but Chi Meng’s Star Forging quality was surely Superior.

Of course, it might also be tied to their assimilation of the Chi Scale Heart.

Then the question arose: what benefits had Xu Jin gained from assimilating two Chi Scale Hearts?

Xu Jin vaguely sensed he had gained something after assimilating the two Chi Scale Hearts, but he didn’t yet know what.

He could only explore slowly—and later, he could ask the Grand Master.

It took him a full hour to clean everything up; his pouch now held over forty bloody Star Cores.

As for the Chi Scale Royal Treasury, when he found it, Xu Jin nearly cursed aloud.

Not a single Star Gui remained.

Only useless junk Star Weapons and large quantities of Star Meteorite Ore.

“Grand Master, I’ve cleared the battlefield and assimilated the Chi Scale Hearts. Now tell me—how do I return?” Xu Jin asked the Grand Master via the Star Picking Token.

The Grand Master replied instantly—this reassured Xu Jin the most.

“Xu Jin, returning is simple. Sink your mind into the Chi Scale Heart, then simultaneously activate the Star Picking Token, using it as a coordinate, and channel Star Power—you’ll return.”

“But returning is easy; to re-enter, you must wait over two more months until the Star Gate reopens,” said Cheng Yuexiao.

Hearing this, Xu Jin’s heart stirred slightly.

Even with the Chi Scale Heart, he could only leave—he couldn’t re-enter immediately.

This restriction must be real.

Otherwise, the Grand Master also had a Chi Scale Heart—if it were possible, he’d have sent extra people in long ago.

If so, Xu Jin decided to train for another two or three days.

Since he now controlled the method, he could return to the mortal world anytime.

Two or three more days of training would let his Lower Star Palace cultivation rapidly reach the peak of Star Forging.

Remember, in the Huoyue Star Region, where Star Power was extraordinarily dense, his cultivation speed was four or five times—or more—than outside.

One day here equaled four or five days of rigorous cultivation outside.

In the mortal world, even with ample cultivation resources, reaching Star Forging Peak from Initial Star Forging normally took at least half a month—or longer.

Now, he could do it in two or three days.

Whoever didn’t train was a fool.

Xu Jin immediately explained his plan to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“Indeed. The Huoxuan Star Region is a true cultivation paradise for those below Star Refining, and requires almost no additional cultivation resources.”

“You’d best raise both Star Palaces to Star Forging Peak before leaving—it won’t hurt to wait a few days.”

“By the way, I have another task for you,” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“Grand Master, please instruct.”

Cheng Yuexiao didn’t rush to explain. Instead, he said, “If you complete this, the benefits to your future will be immense—you’ll rise in importance and status within Da Chen, and gain a substantial, steady annual income.”

“This is a rare opportunity even many fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-rank experts would fight to get.”

Hearing this, Xu Jin frowned. “Grand Master—is this task difficult?” Usually, the greater the reward, the harder the task.

“For others, it’s as hard as climbing to heaven—and impossible right now.”

“But for you, right now, it’s effortless.”

“Control a decent puppet, help him unify the entire Huoxuan Star Region, and make him its King,” said Cheng Yuexiao.

“Then I’ll do it!”

“But I don’t yet know how to permanently control a puppet.”

“I’ll teach you,” replied Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao without hesitation.

In the Autumn Examination Secret Realm of the Da Chen National Academy, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui sighed after seeing the Grand Master and Xu Jin end their communication: “Grand Master, I never imagined Xu Jin could be so powerful—or so blessed.”

“Dong Zhao has trained an excellent disciple.”

“The ones who least expected this must be those secretly plotting this affair!” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, lost in thought.

“Indeed! Without Xu Jin, they might have succeeded.”

“If we lost even one of our two only second-rank Star Regions, the loss would be catastrophic! Can you imagine the pressure our National Academy would face?”

Here, Meng Yanhui suddenly asked, “Grand Master, how is the Investigator progressing on this matter?”

“Still investigating. So far, at least two factions are involved, and they’ve been planning this for a long time—possibly since last year, or even three or four years ago.”

“I hope Chen Lao uncovers the masterminds,” said Meng Yanhui, then added, “Grand Master, isn’t it unwise to let Xu Jin control the Huoxuan Star Region?”

“Why unwise? Xu Jin reclaimed the Huoxuan Star Region from a place of certain death—why shouldn’t he control it?” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“That’s true.”

Meng Yanhui smiled bitterly. “But you know as well as I do how fiercely the noble families have been acting lately! Second-rank Star Weapons, especially the top-tier ones, have been bid up to astronomical prices!”

Even Star Patterns—second-rank superior and top-tier—are now completely vanished from the market.

Originally, a top-tier second-rank Star Pattern sold for three thousand taels; now, it’s fetched two thousand taels of gold per piece—more expensive than top-tier third-rank patterns!

Every item or method that can boost Star Forging cultivators’ strength has been bid to insane prices.

These people have already poured in their fortunes.

If we suddenly announce the rebellion is crushed and the Huoxuan Star Region retaken, won’t they hate Xu Jin to death?”

“No, they should hate me!” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“Grand Master, you really live in another world!” Meng Yanhui laughed bitterly. “They dare not hate you—even if they did, they’d never show it.”

“But they can hate Xu Jin!”

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao fell silent for a long while. “I suppose I must protect this child.”

“Then you won’t change your mind about letting him control the Huoxuan Star Region?”

“No.”

The Grand Master spoke these two words with absolute finality: “If we force the hero who reclaimed the Huoxuan Star Region from certain death to hide in shame, to surrender his hard-won gains—then Da Chen is truly rotten to the core!”

“I’d rather resign as Grand Master!”

Hearing this, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui rose silently, bowed deeply to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao with utmost respect, then left.

A quarter-hour later, back home, Meng Yanhui immediately ordered his son Meng Ji: “Sell off immediately all second-rank top-tier Star Weapons, second-rank superior and top-tier Star Patterns, and all other cultivation resources that enhance Star Forging cultivators.”

“Father, we just bought them all—why sell now?” Meng Ji asked in shock.

“Do as I say.”

Meng Ji pondered for a few breaths, bowed deeply, and said, “Then, Father, should we notify those few marital families?”

“We owe the Ji family a favor, and the Yuan family has shown considerable support these past years. Once we’ve sold off most of our assets, send someone to remind them—but whether they believe it is their concern,” Meng Yanhui said.

“Yes.”

Within the Huoxuan Star Region.

Looking at Chi Xiang, the young chieftain of the Huoxiang tribe, kneeling before him, Xu Jin said directly, “Chi Xiang, I am willing to elevate you as the new king of the Chilin tribe, to take the throne of the Chilin Royal Court and become the new Lord of Chilin—do you accept?”

Timid, cautious, yet possessing some strength—this Chi Xiang, previously captured by him, was perfect.

At these words, Chi Xiang was stunned—not with joy, but with terror.

He immediately banged his head on the ground like a pestle, “Divine Envoy, please spare me! I have no strength to be a king—even with your help, once you leave, I’ll be left with no grave to bury me.”

“What if I say you are now the strongest in the entire Huoxuan Star Region, the only Star Refining expert left?”

“What? That’s impossible!”

“All other Star Refining experts of the Chilin tribe—including most of the late Foundation Establishment cultivators—have already been killed by me!”

At these words, Chi Xiang collapsed onto the ground, too terrified to even look Xu Jin in the eye, daring only to sneak glances.

“I shall grant you a complete set of top-grade Rank One Star Weapons from the great Chen Guo—your strength alone will let you sweep clean the entire Chilin tribe!”

After a long silence, Chi Xiang finally regained his composure, “Divine Envoy… is this… truly true?”

“Truly true!”

Xu Jin tossed the Rank One Star Weapons he had stripped from Chi Meng and Chi You onto Chi Xiang, “But since I am entrusting the Huoxuan Star Region to you to manage—”

“You must obey my orders absolutely!”

“Moreover, I must extract and bind your divine soul for control—do you agree?”

With Xu Jin saying this much, Chi Xiang dared not refuse!

Chi Xiang was no fool!

He knew if he dared say no, the next instant he would be a corpse.

With this set of top-grade Rank One Star Weapons, even supporting a late Foundation Establishment cultivator could reunite the entire Chilin tribe.

“Then go. First, gather your old Huoxiang tribe followers. If anyone refuses to obey you, kill them outright. If you cannot kill them, tell me—or use this Chilin Heart Armor to notify me!”

Xu Jin threw a refined Chilin Heart Armor at Chi Xiang!

Then he took out the Chilin Heart and pressed it against Chi Xiang’s forehead, drawing ten drops of Chi Xiang’s heart’s blood and, following the secret method taught by the Grand Master, extracted his soul!

Ten minutes later, Chi Xiang suddenly screamed in agony, rolling on the ground clutching his head, only calming after a full quarter-hour.

Anyone whose divine soul was directly seized would suffer this.

Only cultivators could survive this—ordinary people would die on the spot.

“Divine Envoy, I will reunite the Chilin tribe as quickly as possible!”

Half an hour later, Chi Xiang, recovered, donned his complete set of Rank One Star Weapons and departed swiftly.

For the next four days, Xu Jin cultivated while secretly aiding Chi Xiang in unifying the entire Huoxuan Star Region.

In truth, Xu Jin had intervened only a few times.

On the second day, he encountered the young master of the Huojia tribe, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator who had escaped, gathering over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators to also seize control of the Chilin tribe.

And then—nothing more.

By morning, the Huojia tribe’s young master and all his followers were corpses.

Now, clad in a full set of Rank One Star Weapons, Chi Xiang possessed the strength to sweep the entire Huoxuan Star Region.

In the first two days, he pacified and unified three tribes; by the third day, the remaining tribes submitted without resistance.

There was no choice—by now, the Huoxuan Star Region had been purged by Xu Jin until only Chi Xiang remained as a Star Refining expert, and even late Foundation Establishment cultivators were scarce.

Most importantly, the Chilin tribe was in chaos, desperate for a strong leader to restore order.

Chi Xiang emerged as that leader!

He was hailed by the Chilin tribe as the Chilin Divine Elephant!

Now, this newly installed king of the Chilin tribe, the Chilin Divine Elephant, knelt before Xu Jin.

“Divine Envoy, all treasures from the Royal Vault have been retrieved: twenty-seven Rank Four Star Jade Tablets, one hundred eight Rank Three Star Jade Tablets, three hundred ninety-five Rank Two Star Jade Tablets, and over a thousand jin of Starfall Iron Ore,” Chi Xiang reported.

“Hmm.” Xu Jin nodded, then casually waved his hand—the Rank Four and Rank Three Star Jade Tablets vanished. “Did you remember what I told you?”

“Yes. I will immediately organize the clan to resume production, mine Star Jade Tablets and Starfall Iron, and submit the quota every three months!”

“Also, strictly limit the number of Star Refining experts within the tribe—only trusted allies may ascend.”

The kneeling Chilin Lord, Chi Xiang, recited seven commands in succession before Xu Jin finally nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. I hope you obey faithfully and do not follow Chi You’s path. I am leaving—take care of yourself,” Xu Jin said.

The task of unifying the Huoxuan Star Region was complete—far easier and faster than Xu Jin had expected, and the puppet had been installed successfully.

Now, the Mingji Star Core in Xu Jin’s Lower Star Palace had also reached Foundation Establishment peak; his cultivation base could no longer rise.

It was time to return.

Hearing this, Chi Xiang pressed his forehead to the ground: “Your servant respectfully bids farewell to the Divine Envoy!”

“Hmm!”

With a cold snort, Xu Jin activated both the Chilin Heart and the Star-Picking Token. In the next instant, he vanished.

Only after a full quarter-hour had passed did the new Chilin Lord, Chi Xiang, dare to lift his head. When he confirmed Xu Jin, this demon of death, was truly gone, his face broke into ecstatic joy!

His reign as the new great king had finally begun!

Choose consorts!

He must choose consorts first!

(End of Chapter)