Chapter 160: Jiang Er

"Uncle, please have some tea."

In the small courtyard, Jiang Er presented Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao with a cup of tea using both hands, then casually set down a plate of melon seeds and dried fruits, "Uncle, crack some seeds—these are delicious."

"Uncle?"

Upon hearing this address, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly froze.

How many years had it been since someone called him that?

"Little girl, what's your name?"

"I'm Jiang Er, Xu Jiang—Xu Jin is my brother."

"You have a good brother," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao observed Jiang Er.

To be honest, over the years, as his cultivation base grew stronger and he rose higher, those who dared speak to him as an equal were mostly elderly elders; as for the young, they trembled before him, unable even to speak clearly.

Being called that by this little girl stirred a faint sense of nostalgia.

Seeing the handful of melon seeds the girl offered, Cheng Yuexiao was stunned.

Who would dare hand him melon seeds—directly with their hands?

Shouldn't they be presented on a tray with both hands? But this feeling was different.

After taking them, Jiang Er sat down beside him and began cracking seeds herself, munching as she asked, "Uncle, why are you looking for my brother?"

Influenced by Jiang Er, Cheng Yuexiao reluctantly cracked a few seeds himself.

When Xu Jin entered, he saw Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao spitting out melon seed shells.

This scene…

Kind of undignified.

"Brother, this uncle's looking for you!"

Seeing Xu Jin return, Jiang Er sprang up, swiftly cleared away the seed shells, and stepped aside—then her mouth dropped open in shock.

Because she saw Xu Jin bowing.

"Disciple Xu Jin pays homage to Grand Master!"

"Stand down. Sit."

Cheng Yuexiao gestured to a chair, but Xu Jin didn't dare move.

Sitting at the same level as Grand Master—wouldn't that be too bold?

"Your sister dares sit. Are you less than your own sister?"

Xu Jin: "..."

"My younger sister..."

"Enough. Your sister is adorable. Sit and speak," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said wearily—this was the downside of high position: every word and action was interpreted by others.

With that said, Xu Jin sat down without hesitation.

"Your matter has been resolved," said the Grand Master.

"Resolved? Grand Master, could you be more specific?"

"Prince Xin of the imperial family has taken an interest in your Crimson Scale Heart—he likely seeks to strengthen his foundation to bolster his future claim to the throne. After all, Crimson Scale Hearts are exceedingly rare, impossible to find at will," the Grand Master said casually.

"Prince Xin? Claiming the throne?" Xu Jin chuckled bitterly—what a massive player. Lucky he'd sought out the Grand Master.

"Grand Master, what exactly do you mean by 'resolved'?"

"Imperial bloodline—I, as Grand Master, cannot easily kill. But I've slain two chief stewards of the Prince's mansion."

"I've also made it clear: should any harm come to your kin, I'll sever one of Prince Xin's arms and purge every official in his mansion."

"Rest assured—outside the rules, there are no more problems."

"From now on, if any matter arises outside the rules, come to me—I'll handle it for you," said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Disciple thanks Grand Master," Xu Jin rose to bow.

"Do you have confidence for tomorrow's Selection Battle?" asked the Grand Master.

"A bit—I'll have to see who my opponent is," Xu Jin replied.

"Your opponent will be at least as strong as Meng Qingqiu or Ji Hongli, and their cultivation base will be one level higher. Their combat experience may even be superior. I trust your personal strength, but still, be cautious."

"Also, if you get the chance, help your fellow disciples who enter with you—every one counts."

"Of course, on the condition that you return safely," said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

At this, Xu Jin couldn't hold back: "Grand Master, what exactly is the Selection Battle? What are the Two Star Palaces trying to accomplish? And what form does the battle take? Where is it held?"

"That's a long story—it begins with the destruction of our Chen Kingdom's Ling Jixing Palace twenty years ago, and the Blood Star Pact."

"But fundamentally, it's simple: the Tianyang Star Palace and Cangming Star Palace use this so-called Selection each year to destroy our Chen Kingdom's geniuses and suppress our future potential, so they can exert overwhelming pressure to extract greater benefits from us—and eventually turn us into their puppet state."

"As for the exact form and rules of the Selection Battle, you'll learn them tomorrow."

"It takes place within the Third-Stage Star Domain."

"The combat format is similar to the fifth trial of your Autumn Examination."

"The fifth trial of the Autumn Examination was, in a sense, a drill."

"But now, the combatants are our Chen Kingdom Dao Academy disciples, Tianyang Star Palace disciples, Cangming Star Palace disciples, and the native forces of the Third-Stage Star Domain."

"Fighting alone is difficult."

"If you're lucky enough to form a team, your chances of victory and return increase greatly," said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"I see."

Looking at Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, Xu Jin suddenly asked, "Grand Master, have you heard of the Crimson Scale Heart Armor from Huoxuan Star Domain?"

"Crimson Scale Heart Armor?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's expression turned reflective. "Twenty years ago, when I conquered Huoxuan Star Domain, I heard of it—but didn't pay attention. Though I conquered and assimilated a Crimson Scale Heart, I was severely wounded myself, so I dealt with it hastily and returned immediately. Did you obtain one?"

"Disciple obtained one!"

Xu Jin whispered, "But I don't know if the Crimson Scale Heart Armor is useful in other star domains."

As he spoke, Xu Jin explained everything about the Crimson Scale Heart Armor—including how the Crimson Scale clan used it and the so-called cipher book.

Instantly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's eyes blazed with sharp light. "Have you tested it yet?"

"I have—it works, but I haven't tested its full range."

"If it works here, it will work in other star domains. As for the exact range?"

Suddenly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao extended his hand to Xu Jin. "Where is the Crimson Scale Heart Armor?"

Xu Jin immediately pulled out all twelve pieces and handed them to the Grand Master.

Cheng Yuexiao took them, then activated his Star-Picking Token to send a message. Moments later, Peng Zongguan, his hair and beard completely white, appeared directly in Xu Jin's courtyard.

"Lord."

"Peng Zongguan," Xu Jin hurriedly bowed and offered a seat.

"Xu Jin, I'll test two of your Crimson Scale Heart Armor pieces—do you mind?" Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Grand Master, please proceed."

Then, before Xu Jin's eyes, Cheng Yuexiao took out his own Crimson Scale Heart and swiftly assimilated and linked two of the armor pieces with it.

"Peng Zongguan, please send someone via the Star-Picking Tower to test at five hundred li, one thousand li, and one thousand five hundred li," Cheng Yuexiao handed all twelve pieces to Peng Zongguan.

"Yes, Lord, but it will take some time."

After receiving the armor, Peng Zongguan didn't leave immediately. He paused for a few breaths—then suddenly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's eyes flickered with unusual color. He glanced at Xu Jin, and Peng Zongguan dissolved into starlight and shot skyward, leaving little Jiang Er astonished.

"Xu Jin, activate your Crimson Scale Heart and sense the range yourself."

"Yes."

While waiting, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly turned to little Jiang Er. "Have you considered having your sister cultivate?"

"Yes—I plan to register her for Star Pointing this autumn."

"Good! Your talent is clearly strong; your sister's won't be far behind. Star Pointing will be no issue."

"Grand Master, I reached Star Pointing in eighty-three days," Xu Jin hurried to add, fearing delay for his sister—he knew his Star Pointing had been delayed by his congenital heart ailment, but were there other factors?

Like the reason he came to this world?

Better to patch it now.

"I know—it was delayed by congenital heart ailment. There are many such cases."

"Jiang Er, come here."

Grand Master beckoned Jiang Er closer, then placed one hand on her shoulder and the other gently over her lower back—his palm revealed faint star energy surging.

"Hmm? Someone has been nurturing her Middle Star Palace?"

"It was Sister Yuchan," Jiang Er replied.

Cheng Yuexiao frowned. "The nurturing effect is good, but the cultivation level is still low—Peak Condensation."

"Alright, Jiang Er, sit still."

In the next instant, Xu Jin's eyes widened sharply.

He saw Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's palm suddenly erupt with blue, red, and yellow starlight, directly piercing into Jiang Er's body.

The blue starlight surged straight into her Middle Star Palace; the other two streams circled and darted around her Upper and Lower Star Palaces.

"Peng Zongguan has left Wan Yi by five hundred li—can you sense him?" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao asked.

"Yes."

"Good. I can too."

As the Grand Master spoke, starlight continued pouring from his palm—Jiang Er, meanwhile, appeared to have fallen into deep sleep, her face flushed bright red.

At this moment, Xu Jin dared not utter a single word—only watched.

But Xu Jin now understood: this was surely the Grand Master's way of repaying him for openly revealing the Crimson Scale Heart Armor.

The Grand National Master directly warmed Jiang Er's Middle Star Palace—how powerful would that effect be?

Regarding the Grand National Master's cultivation base, many rumors circulate; most believe he is a peak Sixth-Rank expert, but some claim he broke through to Seventh Rank long ago.

Otherwise, he couldn't have withstood the pressure from the Two Star Palaces.

But whether Sixth or Seventh Rank, such a master warming Jiang Er's Middle Star Palace would produce an unimaginable effect.

Not just one, but all three Star Palaces—Upper, Middle, and Lower—simultaneously.

Why does Xu Jin feel his sister's opportunity is so extraordinary?

For the Grand National Master, a top-tier existence, to personally warm all three Star Palaces—within Wan Yi, only an Imperial Prince might receive such treatment, and even that isn't guaranteed.

What Xu Jin doesn't know is that the Grand National Master temporarily warmed Jiang Er's Star Palaces not merely out of reciprocity, but more importantly because just now, Director Peng came to report another piece of news via telepathy.

The news still concerned the Silver Stars of the Star-Picking Secret Realm.

This morning, Director Peng noticed that Chen Guo had gained two more Silver Stars on the Star-Picking Secret Realm's leaderboard, and remarkably, just fifteen minutes earlier, Xu Jin had begun advancing again in the Killing God Battlefield.

He not only cleared the ninetieth level, but reached the ninety-fourth.

At the same time, Xu Jin's cultivation base reached the peak of Star Refining Third Layer.

Previously, the two times Chen Guo gained Silver Stars coincided precisely with the moments Xu Jin broke through to Star Refining Second Layer and then Third Layer.

Under these circumstances, it's nearly certain who gained the newly added Silver Stars.

It's just that Cheng Yuexiao had been occupied with affairs today, so Director Peng only now had time to report.

"A thousand li—can you still sense the Red-Scale Heart Armor?" Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao asked.

"Still can," Xu Jin said after sensing, "but a bit fuzzier than at five hundred li."

"Mm, same here."

They continued waiting for Director Peng's update, while the Grand National Master kept warming Jiang Er's Star Palaces.

Xu Jin saw dark grime slowly seeping out from Jiang Er's exposed skin.

Is he literally purifying her marrow and cleansing her bones?

The power of a master at the Grand National Master's level truly is extraordinary.

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized he was missing something.

A camera.

He should've recorded the entire process of Jiang Er's grime-seeping purification as photos and video—then later, when idle, he could play it for her. Each time, wouldn't she burst into tears?

Half a quarter-hour later, the Grand National Master spoke again: "Fifteen hundred li—how do you feel?"

Xu Jin frowned, then wore an expression of great strain: "Very blurry now. I can barely sense it—barely enough to send a faint directional signal?"

"I'm also a bit fuzzy, but slightly clearer than you," said Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao, then resumed warming Jiang Er's Star Palaces while instructing Director Peng to continue.

Actually, Xu Jin's perception was still fairly clear—he concealed it because he'd just remembered something else.

In the Huoxuan Star Region, he had actually obtained two Red-Scale Hearts.

But Xu Jin told everyone he'd obtained only one.

If everyone held only one Red-Scale Heart, Xu Jin's sensing range for the Red-Scale Heart Armor was farther than the Grand National Master's.

That wouldn't make sense.

So Xu Jin had concealed it.

Xu Jin trusted Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao deeply—but not blindly. What needed hiding, still needed hiding.

Another half quarter-hour passed.

"Two thousand li—try again."

After closing his eyes and sensing for several breaths, Xu Jin opened them: "Grand National Master, I can barely sense the direction of the Red-Scale Heart Armor, but I can no longer use the Red-Scale Heart to send a secret message to it."

This statement was half-truth, half-lie.

It was indeed very blurry—but if Xu Jin exerted full power on both Red-Scale Hearts, he could still barely influence the Red-Scale Heart Armor.

But he estimated this was already the limit.

Beyond that, it wouldn't work.

"I'm also too blurry now—I can't influence the Red-Scale Heart Armor through the Red-Scale Heart either."

As Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao sighed, the star energy flowing into Jiang Er never ceased.

Through continuous purification of marrow and cleansing of bones, Jiang Er's body exuded a layer of oily black grime, emitting a stench—but Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao sealed it within a starlight barrier.

While continuing to warm Jiang Er's Star Palaces, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao frowned: "Two thousand li—in a Third-Rank Star Region's vastness, this distance is awkward. Whether it's useful still depends on luck."

"If this range could be extended further, you could rapidly communicate with other disciples via the Red-Scale Heart and Red-Scale Heart Armor."

"But how do we increase the sensing range?" Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao frowned in deep thought.

Xu Jin didn't ponder.

Because it was obvious—the limit had been reached. There was no way forward.

Pondering until he went bald wouldn't help.

Indeed, two thousand li still had great utility within the Second-Rank Huoxuan Star Region—but in the broader Third-Rank Star Region, it still depended on luck.

Of course, it was far better than nothing.

It might still serve some purpose, but to achieve major results? That depended on luck.

Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao continued pouring star energy into Jiang Er's Star Palaces while frowning, lost in thought.

Xu Jin waited quietly beside him, observing Jiang Er's changes.

Half a quarter-hour.

A quarter-hour.

Suddenly, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao sat upright with a self-deprecating laugh: "Such a simple solution—I can't believe I only just thought of it."

Xu Jin was stunned—had the Grand National Master found a solution?

How could he have found not a single clue?

(End of Chapter)