Chapter 161: Ten-Percent Certainty (Combined Chapter, 9K+ Bonus)

In Xu Jin's courtyard, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's right hand still rested on Jiang Er's lower back, with three-colored star force continuously flowing into her body.

But Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's left hand casually reached into his chest and pulled out a crimson heart, its surface covered in scaled patterns.

Grand Master glanced at the startled Xu Jin, then blew gently upon the crimson heart in his hand.

In the next instant, the crimson heart trembled, as if stirred by a breeze over still water.

Grand Master's brows twitched slightly, unconsciously.

Yet Xu Jin's eyes filled with shock.

He had sensed it—and already guessed what Grand Master intended.

When the crimson heart was first drawn out, Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern had detected an extremely potent aura—one fused inseparably with Grand Master.

But after that single breath, the aura belonging to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao vanished entirely.

"It's yours. Cultivate it."

Cheng Yuexiao tossed the crimson heart to Xu Jin as casually as discarding a sunflower seed husk.

Xu Jin was terrified.

"Grand Master, this is inappropriate—such a precious item."

"Precious?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled. "Below sixth-rank, it still has some use—the lower the cultivation base, the greater its value. But for me, its utility is negligible."

I kept it before to control the Huoxuan Star Region. Now that I've entrusted the Huoxuan Star Region to you, I have no further need for it."

"Better to give it to you to cultivate."

"I estimate that after you cultivate this crimson heart, your sensing and control range over the Crimson Heart Armor will increase dramatically."

"Then, in the upcoming Selection Battle, the Crimson Heart Armor will prove immensely useful."

Xu Jin opened his mouth to speak, but Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao added, "What are you hesitating for? Cultivate it quickly—Peng Lao is waiting to test."

"Thank you, Grand Master, for this gift."

After bowing, Xu Jin immediately poured his star force and soul essence into the newly acquired crimson heart, beginning its cultivation, while simultaneously activating the Guicang Star Pattern to conceal his aura.

Afraid Grand Master would discover his secret: that his soul-constructed star had already reached the eighth level of star cultivation.

Everything within the Lingji Star Hall is top secret!

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, meanwhile, continued warming Jiang Er's middle star palace with star force, while watching Xu Jin's cultivation.

Xu Jin himself was uneasy.

Because he was carefully controlling the pace of cultivation.

His soul essence was powerful—cultivation would normally be swift. To avoid drawing Grand Master's suspicion, Xu Jin deliberately slowed the process.

What should have taken fifteen minutes stretched to thirty.

Xu Jin's only relief was that Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was distracted, tending to his sister's star palace—otherwise, with such proximity and the need to channel soul essence, it would have been difficult.

The instant Xu Jin completed cultivation, the crimson heart vanished, reappearing within his upper star palace.

Beneath the soul-star in his upper star palace, the other two crimson hearts glowed crimson as if welcoming him.

The three crimson hearts clustered together instantly.

Crimson light surged wildly; the moment their radiance overlapped, the three hearts fused into one.

Three became one.

But the crimson light emitted was now noticeably denser and expanded by a full circle.

At the very moment of fusion, Xu Jin clearly sensed his middle star palace's mid-rank Fire Source Star Pattern quivering several times.

Something had changed in that instant.

But Grand Master was beside him—he dared not probe further.

He opened his eyes to see Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao fully focused on his sister.

Suddenly, the three-colored star force swirling within Jiang Er's body accelerated, faster and faster.

On Jiang Er's dark, mask-like face, a look of agony suddenly appeared.

Puff!

In the next instant, Jiang Er spat out a stream of black blood.

Grand Master's three-colored star force spun rapidly through her body several times, then slowly withdrew. Jiang Er awoke, turned her head, and fixed her gaze on Xu Jin.

"Brother, I nearly suffocated!"

"Whoa, what's that stink?"

Jiang Er rubbed her nose—and froze.

Her hands, her neck—covered in black grime.

In the next instant, seeing Grand Master and her brother staring at her, she shrieked and bolted for the bathhouse.

Watching this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled.

"Previously, when you had others warm Jiang Er's middle star palace, the results were good—she will surely succeed in Star Pointing. I've now purged her meridians and marrow twice. With this, even if her innate talent is poor, she'll receive at least a Yi-Zhong talent rating."

"If her base talent isn't abysmal, a Jia rating is guaranteed," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Thank you, Grand Master, for nurturing my sister," Xu Jin bowed deeply.

This favor must be accepted—it cannot be repaid with mere thanks.

As he rose, Xu Jin noticed beads of sweat glistening on Grand Master's forehead—he must have expended great effort sustaining the star palace warmth for a full hour.

"Just bring me back several disciples who pass the Selection Battle—that's thanks enough," Grand Master waved, smiling. "Can you still sense the Crimson Heart now? Peng Lao is already two thousand five hundred li away."

Peng Zongguan is already more than two thousand five hundred li away.

Not just yes—he sensed it clearly.

Xu Jin didn't know whether it was due to cultivating an extra crimson heart, or the fusion of the three.

"Three thousand li? How is it?"

"I can sense it, but it's slightly blurred compared to before—still enough to influence the Crimson Heart Armor," Xu Jin replied.

"Good. Three thousand li is sufficient. Peng Lao may return."

"No more testing?" Xu Jin was stunned.

"Enough! Further testing would be pointless. The limit is likely around three thousand five hundred li—but actual effectiveness depends on your positioning and luck," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

Xu Jin nodded, but he felt the true limit was higher—likely four thousand li or more.

After fusion, the single heart felt stronger than the sum of three separate ones.

"Xu Jin, due to regulations, tomorrow when distributing the Crimson Heart Armor, you must oversee it."

"This emblem is a parent-child pattern: one parent, nine children. It's called the Parent-Child Heart Demon Emblem. When you distribute the Crimson Heart Armor, activate the parent emblem, then have each recipient activate their child emblem and swear an oath: never, under any circumstance, reveal any secret of the Crimson Heart Armor—or suffer eternal torment from heart demons until death!"

This crest is a mother-child crest, one mother and nine children, called the Mother-Child Heart Demon Crest. When you distribute the Red-Scale Heart Armor, activate the main crest, then have each of them activate their child crest and swear an oath to never, in any way, reveal the secret of the Red-Scale Heart Armor, or they will suffer the torment of heart demons day and night until death.

Xu Jin accepted them—he understood: this was for secrecy, to prevent unpredictable dangers, even rule-based ones, from leaks.

"Grand Master, what if someone refuses?"

"Then expel them. Let them bear their own fate. If you warn them beforehand and they still refuse to swear the heart oath after hearing of the Crimson Heart Armor, once they enter the third-rank star realm, handle them yourself if the chance arises," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Then kick them out, and let them bear their own life or death. If you warned them beforehand and they heard about the Red-Scale Heart Armor but refused to take the heart oath, once they enter the Third-Star Zone, if the chance arises, handle it yourself," said Cheng Yuexiao.

"Also, do not reveal to anyone that you possess two crimson hearts."

"One crimson heart loses significant utility after reaching fifth rank. Two, however, remain useful for fifth and sixth ranks."

"If fortune grants you three—or more—you can fuse them into a mid-rank crimson heart."

"A mid-rank crimson heart means sole control over nearly one-third of the Huoxuan Star Region's authority, with myriad divine abilities—of critical importance."

"Never disclose this," Cheng Yuexiao warned.

"I remember."

Clearly, Cheng Yuexiao understood the crimson hearts well: three initial-rank crimson hearts could fuse into a mid-rank one, granting sole authority over one-third of the Huoxuan Star Region.

That meant Xu Jin now possessed a mid-rank crimson heart—and held one-third of the Huoxuan Star Region's authority.

But Xu Jin dared not speak of it.

This secret must rot in his belly.

Only when he gained sufficient strength would he test what this one-third authority truly meant.

To reveal it now would be like a child walking through a crowded market clutching gold.

Inviting disaster.

"Hurry and cultivate. Even a slight increase in strength is worth it."

With that, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao rose and departed; Xu Jin saw him off.

Within Danxia Academy.

After Peng Zongguan returned the two Crimson Heart Armors to Xu Jin, he came again to see Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Lord, I could not uncover definitive results regarding your inquiry."

"The time you left the Zhaoxing Tower—few knew Xu Jin was still at Guodao Academy. Only Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui and Head of External Affairs Chu Xuan were certain. Six other disciples selected for the Selection Battle, along with attendants and instructors who saw Xu Jin on the way to External Affairs, cannot be counted—minimum ten witnesses."

When you left the Zhaoxing Tower, very few knew Xu Jin was still at the Guodao Academy: Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui, Director of the External Affairs Hall Chu Xuan, and six other disciples who took part in the Selection War—all of whom saw Xu Jin on their way to the External Affairs Hall, along with the disciples, laborers, and instructors who saw him; the number cannot be counted, but it was at least ten.

"Hmm. Keep watching. That traitor will one day be dragged out," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sneered.

After Grand Master left, Xu Jin told Qing Fan to watch over Jiang Er, who was frantically bathing, then headed straight to Zhaixing Square and entered the fourth-rank star mystery.

Xu Jin knew the fourth-rank star force mystery well.

If a true disciple reaches the ninth level of star cultivation, their privilege shifts from the third-rank star force mystery to the fourth-rank.

One may enter the fourth-rank star force mystery earlier—after reaching the fourth level of star cultivation—but each hour costs four hundred Dao Merits or forty strands of starlight.

If you wish to enter the fourth-rank Star Power Realm early, you may do so after reaching the fourth layer of Star Refinement, but each hour requires payment of four hundred Dao Merits or forty strands of Starlight.

At this moment, the seven selected disciples receive everything for free.

Of course, this free access ends before the Selection Battle.

The cultivation efficiency inside the fourth-rank Star Force Realm was roughly what Xu Jin had estimated.

In the third-rank Star Force Realm, Xu Jin gained about sixty-five strands of star-core-circling starlight per hour; in the fourth-rank Star Force Realm, he could cultivate eighty-seven strands per hour.

The cultivation efficiency was still quite good.

But after only two hours of cultivation, Xu Jin left.

There was no need to cultivate through the night; before a major battle, rest and maintaining one's condition were crucial.

Back at the small courtyard, Ning Yuchan had also returned, while Jiang Er peered through the doorframe, secretly watching Xu Jin—glancing furtively while sniffing herself.

After a long while, she gained a little confidence, rushed forward, and hugged Xu Jin's arm. "Brother, smell me—am I not stinky anymore?"

"Who said that? You reek!"

Xu Jin's joke sent Jiang Er running crying to the bathhouse. "Bad man! That Grand Master is a bad man—he made me stink!"

Xu Jin flashed forward, snatching her up like a chick, leaned close, and sniffed. "You've been sweet for a while now—not stinky at all. I was just teasing you."

Ning Yuchan, just stepping out, saw Xu Jin sniffing and remembered something—her delicate face flushed slightly.

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Absolutely true! And don't tell anyone about the Grand Master warming your Star Palace—he's no bad man; others beg for this chance and can't get it." Xu Jin gave her a few instructions.

Then Xu Jin returned to his room to cultivate.

After two hours of cultivation in the fourth-rank Star Force Realm, his Middle Star Palace's cultivation base officially broke through to Star Refining Fourth Level.

But it was only just broken through; to engrave Star Patterns, he needed to reach the peak of Star Refining Fourth Level.

Xu Jin estimated that, at his current pace, he would be able to engrave Star Patterns by tomorrow morning.

With one upper-grade Star Refining Elixir of One Imprint and two lower-grade Star Refining Elixirs of One Imprint, his Middle Star Palace was already close to the mid-stage of Star Refining Fourth Level.

Just as he was about to head to the Practice Realm for a few battles before resting, a knock came at the door. "Xu Jin, asleep yet?" It was Ning Yuchan's voice.

"Not yet."

Xu Jin rose and opened the door, letting Ning Yuchan in, then teased, "Sister Yuchan, coming to see me this late at night? You're making me think improper thoughts."

One sentence turned Ning Yuchan's face red, but she immediately replied, "Say that again, and I'll move out tomorrow."

That was an absolute killer.

It instantly made Xu Jin swear on his word.

"I heard Jiang Er say you're participating in the Selection Battle tomorrow?" she asked after sitting down.

"Yes."

Xu Jin's gaze flickered over Ning Yuchan's crippled leg—her injury was almost certainly tied to the Selection Battle.

"Six years ago, I took part in the Selection Battle too. So I want to give you a few warnings," Ning Yuchan said gravely.

Xu Jin's expression turned serious at once. "Sister Yuchan, speak."

"First, don't hold back. In the Selection Battle, disciples of the Solar Star Hall and the Azure Star Hall are mortal enemies! If you don't kill them, they'll find a way to kill you—or ruin your Dao path.

In the third-rank Star Realm, treat them like aliens." As she spoke, Ning Yuchan didn't lift her head—she stared at her crippled leg, her face cold with fury.

"Got it."

"Second, in the third-rank Star Realm, besides threats from the Solar and Azure Star Halls, you'll face even more dangers from the Realm itself.

Know this: in the third-rank Star Realm, Star Refining-level enemies are common, but alien cultivators' upper limit is Nirvana Ninth Level peak.

Nirvana-level aliens are rare—but absolutely beware." Ning Yuchan said.

"Third, be cautious—extremely cautious! If you encounter both aliens and disciples from the two Star Halls, you must be even more wary of the Star Hall disciples—understand?" Ning Yuchan warned.

Xu Jin nodded vigorously—he had already sensed traces of Ning Yuchan's own past in her words.

So when she finished, Xu Jin suddenly looked at her and asked, "Sister Yuchan, can you tell me who it was?"

Ning Yuchan, who had just risen to leave, froze. After several breaths, she slowly shook her head. "Later. Knowing now would only bring you more trouble."

"What level was he?"

Xu Jin asked again.

Ning Yuchan's departing form halted once more. "He's the Solar Star Hall's peerless prodigy. Two years ago, he was already at Fifth-Rank Gathering Stars peak."

After speaking, Ning Yuchan quickly left.

A peerless prodigy of the Solar Star Hall, around Star Refining Third or Fourth Level six years ago, and Fifth-Rank Gathering Stars peak two years ago—three conditions, easy to trace.

But now, the focus was cultivation.

On the morning of September 9, Xu Jin rose early. After completing his morning routine, his cultivation base broke through to Star Refining Fourth Level mid-stage. He immediately headed to the fourth-rank Star Force Realm to cultivate.

He cultivated continuously for four hours in the fourth-rank Star Force Realm, then returned to the small courtyard and used the Dream-Weaving Star Pattern to pull himself into sleep for one hour. After waking, he began his evening routine early.

After finishing the evening routine, his cultivation base broke through to Star Refining Fourth Level late-stage.

One more morning or evening routine would bring him to Star Refining Fourth Level peak—enough to engrave Star Patterns.

But there was no time left.

It was already the first watch of the hour of Xu—the assembly time had arrived.

"Brother, come back safe. I'll wait for you," Jiang Er said.

Ning Yuchan, too, had cut her cultivation short today to see Xu Jin off.

"Don't worry about Jiang Er—I'll take care of her. We'll wait for you together," Ning Yuchan said.

"Rest easy. Trust me!"

Xu Jin turned and leapt away toward the Star-Picking Square.

This Selection Battle would begin by entering through the present-world Star-Picking Tower.

All selected disciples were to gather beforehand in the quiet chambers of the Star-Picking Square.

When Xu Jin arrived, the other six were already there, along with Left Sacrificer Meng Yanhui and Chief Instructor Yu Da.

"Good, everyone's here. Let me explain the rules of this Selection Battle!" Chief Instructor Yu Da began.

"The origin of the Selection Battle need not be repeated—many already know.

You seven are the disciples selected by the two Star Halls! Three of you are targets of the Solar Star Hall disciples; four are targets of the Azure Star Hall disciples.

But regardless of which Hall's target you are, in the coming battle, disciples from both Star Halls are your enemies!"

"In the Selection Battle, you have two ways to return victorious.

One: kill a Nirvana Ninth Level alien, obtain its head or star-core, then survive safely until the five-day Selection Battle ends.

Two: kill or repel the Star Hall disciple pursuing you, then survive safely until the five-day Selection Battle ends—you return victorious.

In either case, if you succeed, you remain disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy and will receive corresponding rewards.

Now I'll explain the specific procedures." Chief Instructor Yu Da said.

He spoke for nearly half an hour.

One point was critical: location.

No participant in the Selection Battle could hide in one place for five days.

Because each Star Hall disciple had a Chen Guo Dao Academy disciple as a target; before entering, their positions and qi signatures were locked via special means, and every hour, the Star Hall disciples received updated location data on the Academy disciples.

This was the most crucial aspect of the Selection Battle.

Chief Instructor Yu Da's advice: never stay in one place too long—keep moving and changing position.

Of course, the best solution was to defeat or repel the Star Hall disciple when he came.

But Star Hall disciples couldn't simply enter and hunt down Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples.

They had to kill two Nirvana Ninth Level aliens in the current Star Realm, using the aliens' blood and star-cores to activate special artifacts and unlock the location data of the Academy disciples.

It sounded complicated, but in truth, it was simple.

Under normal circumstances, in this special scenario, there was really only one path to survival.

Don't be captured or killed by Star Hall disciples—survive and return, and you win.

"Chief Instructor, what if we're captured by Star Hall disciples?" asked Niu Ju, a Star Refining Third Level disciple from Jingzhou.

This question made Chief Instructor Yu Da's expression grow grim.

"If captured, you may choose to surrender and return alive. After returning, you will leave the Chen Guo Dao Academy and become disciples of the corresponding Star Hall," Chief Instructor Yu Da said.

As the disciples pondered, Yu Da added, "But typically, Star Hall disciples won't capture you—if they have the ability, they'll choose to kill you outright!"

"In past Selection Battles, disciples who returned alive after capture were rare—once every few years at most.

I warn you: even if you somehow encounter a Star Hall disciple willing to capture you, and you return alive to join a Star Hall, that's only the beginning of humiliation!

Let me give you a metaphor.

If your child, after learning to remember, was adopted by your mortal enemy, what treatment would that enemy give him?"

Yu Da's metaphor sent a chill through every disciple.

Instantly, the last flicker of hope in their hearts vanished.

"Alright, you have half an hour before entry. Check your gear. Each of you has been provided a pack containing: one bottle of upper-grade Stimulating Elixir, one bottle of Four-Mystic Star-Recovery Elixir, two bottles of Three-Origin Star-Replenishing Elixir, and two third-rank supreme Moon-Chasing Star Patterns—use them to survive if you encounter fourth-rank aliens.

Each of you also has three beginner-grade Star-Healing Star Patterns, which can rapidly restore some injuries," said Left Sacrificer Meng Yanhui.

"According to the Grand Master's instructions, the remaining time is yours for free exchange and tactical planning. Once inside, your landing points are random. Though the third-rank Star Realm is vast, encounters are still possible.

If you meet, try to join forces—your survival probability will increase dramatically." With that, Meng Yanhui and Yu Da left.

Only seven remained: Xu Jin, Ji Hongli, Ying Ge, Bu Xuexue, Niu Ju, Yin Mingzhang, and Wang Jiugao.

The seven glanced at each other. Xu Jin first sorted through the Academy-issued pack, separating the Star Patterns, elixirs, and rations.

Third-rank supreme Moon-Chasing Star Pattern: when used, makes the user's body light as moonlight, increasing speed by nearly forty percent for one hundred breaths.

The group silently packed their backpacks when Bu Xuxue, from Leizhou, was the first to speak: "Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Ji, since our survival probability increases when we fight together, do you have any good methods or tips?"

"Or we could all head toward a high mountain in one direction and see if luck favors us."

"At present, there are two methods," Ji Hongli said first. "After confirming our orientation, we can head toward the highest point in the south and light beacon fires at each location."

"Senior Sister Ji, let me interrupt."

Xu Jin suddenly spoke, rudely cutting off Ji Hongli's words, which made her slightly displeased—but she did not show it.

"Everyone, I have a secret technique that, after our seven enter the third-rank star domain, will allow us to establish contact in the shortest possible time—and real-time contact!" Xu Jin said.

At these words, everyone froze. Bu Xuxue exclaimed in shock: "Senior Brother Xu, real-time contact? You're not joking, are you?"

"I'm not joking now. It's real-time contact—but conditional real-time contact.

More precisely, I can establish real-time contact with you.

When the time comes, as long as your luck isn't too poor, I should be able to reach you, then quickly link the nearest person to you, and ultimately strive to regroup us all." Xu Jin said.

"So miraculous? What method is this?" the fellow disciples asked curiously.

"I won't hide it from you: this method concerns my life and fortune!

If it leaks, the harm to me will be immense!

So if you wish to know and use this method, you must swear a Heart Demon Oath under the influence of my Parent-Child Heart Demon Seal, vowing not to reveal any details whatsoever." Xu Jin said.

"What if someone breaks it?" Niu Ju asked.

"If broken, the oath-breaker will suffer daily and nightly torment from Heart Demons, their Dao path permanently severed, unable to cultivate further until death!"

Xu Jin's words caused all the disciples to draw a sharp breath.

The penalty for breaking the oath was too severe.

But Xu Jin paid no heed; he calmly pulled out the Parent-Child Heart Demon Seal given to him by the Grand Master. "Those willing, stay. Swear the Heart Demon Oath under my activated seal. Those unwilling, please leave now.

If you refuse, I cannot reveal the method."

The quickest to react was Ji Hongli, who had been less than pleased moments earlier. Seeing the Parent-Child Heart Demon Seal, her eyes lit up.

As a scion of the wealthy Wan Yi family, and granddaughter of the head of the Wan Yi Dao Academy, she had seen much.

Only two or three people in all of Chen Guo could forge a Parent-Child Heart Demon Seal.

But only Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao could forge one with one parent and seven children.

That meant Xu Jin's true patron was none other than Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

That made it absolutely trustworthy!

"I agree!" Ji Hongli was the first to step forward and declare.

Ying Ge glanced at Ji Hongli, then immediately agreed.

"I agree too," Bu Xuxue said.

All three were True Disciples—and among the top eleven.

"I agree as well," Wang Jiugao, also a True Disciple, said.

In fact, among the seven, only Niu Ju was not a True Disciple.

But that didn't mean Niu Ju was weak.

In the Autumn Exam's fifth trial, Niu Ju ranked sixteenth.

He missed becoming a True Disciple by just one rank.

With so many agreeing, after a breath, Niu Ju and Yin Mingzhang also consented.

Xu Jin immediately activated the parent seal of the Parent-Child Heart Demon Seal and had each person swear the Heart Demon Oath.

Only then did he produce the Crimson Scale Heart Armor, already refined with a Crimson Scale Heart, and taught everyone how to use it, giving each a password book as well.

Different movements represented different finger codes.

To be safe, Xu Jin even demonstrated it on the spot.

At the same moment, at the main hall of the Cangming Star Hall in Wan Yi, Chen Guo, Star Lord Zhang Zhen personally led a group out to greet them—it was Du Tingyun, Star Lord of the Tianyang Star Hall in Chen Guo, arriving with several others and three disciples.

The instant they met, Zhang Zhen stared at Du Tingyun's disciples and was startled.

"Old Du, you're going all out—you even sent out this precious gem."

"Aren't you sending out your own precious gem too?" Du Tingyun smiled, looking at Zhang Zhen's disciples behind him.

"What can I do? Chen Guo has produced a prodigy!"

At these words, Du Tingyun's expression turned icy. "Come inside. Let's talk."

Inside the quiet chamber, only Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen remained. "Old Zhang, you've clearly learned of Xu Jin's latest cultivation progress. You're not simple either—you quietly planted a spy inside the Chen Guo Dao Academy, and not just any low-level one, right?"

"Just information anyone paying attention could gather," Zhang Zhen smiled.

"Indeed. This Xu Jin, at the peak of Star Refinement First Rank, reached the 79th level of the God-Slaying Battlefield; at the peak of Star Refinement Second Rank, he reached the 89th level; at the peak of Star Refinement Third Rank, he reached the 94th level.

This record is terrifying. In our Tianyang Star Hall, no such talent has appeared in nearly a decade." Du Tingyun shook his head.

"Same with us! And even Cheng Yuexiao in his prime wasn't as good as this Xu Jin.

Didn't Cheng Yuexiao, at the peak of Star Refinement Third Rank, still get stuck at the 90th level?" Zhang Zhen asked.

"That was decades ago—how should I know? But his potential is certainly no less than Cheng Yuexiao's!

The consensus among our Star Hall's high-ups is: we absolutely cannot let Chen Guo produce another Cheng Yuexiao!

If Chen Guo's Dao Academy produces another Cheng Yuexiao, we won't be able to hold him back!" Du Tingyun said.

"Same with our Star Hall," Zhang Zhen said.

"Then let them cooperate?"

"That's inevitable!"

As they spoke, both Star Lords summoned their disciples inside.

"This is Tian Lie, our Tianyang Star Hall's top Star Casting disciple this year, at the peak of Star Refinement Fifth Rank. Both his upper and lower star palaces are at Star Refinement Fifth Rank—just one step from breaking into Star Refinement Sixth Rank. He has already forged his Divine Soul into a Star, making him a True Disciple and a favorite pupil of our Star Hall Elder."

"This is Zhang Shuo, our Cangming Star Hall's top Star Casting disciple this year, also at the peak of Star Refinement Fifth Rank in both star palaces, with Divine Soul Star Forging. He has even reached Star Refinement First Rank, and his actual combat ability ranks among the top three among our Tianyang Star Hall's True Disciples this year," Zhang Zhen introduced.

"Why not send your number one?" Du Tingyun asked.

"You're asking that? I'd love to send someone at Star Refinement Ninth Rank—it'd be more certain—but the rules forbid it!" Zhang Zhen said.

As they joked, the two Star Lords projected Xu Jin's cultivation status—including his true appearance—onto the seven disciples before them.

"Remember: this is your primary target! You may spare others, but this man must be killed!

Whoever kills Xu Jin—regardless of which Star Hall they belong to—will receive a fifth-rank Star Artifact, five thousand Star Tower starlight. Collaborators will receive a fourth-rank Star Artifact and three thousand Star Tower starlight!" Zhang Zhen and Du Tingyun promised together.

This made Tian Lie, Zhang Shuo, and the other seven Star Hall disciples gaze with intense fervor, scrutinizing Xu Jin's dossier even more closely.

The projected dossier contained extremely detailed information on Xu Jin.

Xu Jin: Star Refinement Third Rank in dual star palaces, possibly on the verge of Star Refinement Fourth Rank. Already forged his Divine Soul into a Star. His Divine Soul Star Pattern is unknown. Known engraved star patterns: Great Gathering Star Pattern, mid-tier Fire Source Star Pattern (fourth-rank), Rain Curtain Star Pattern (fourth-rank), Meteor Star Pattern or Willow Fluff Star Pattern, Spiral Star Pattern (fourth-rank). Lower star palace's main star pattern unknown. Also refined one low-rank Crimson Scale Heart.

Whoever kills him obtains Xu Jin's low-rank Crimson Scale Heart!

If Xu Jin were here, he would be stunned.

This intelligence was far too detailed.

Except for the secret Mingji Star Pattern in the lower star palace, nine-tenths of the other star patterns had been identified.

This was unbelievable.

As the two Star Halls' combat disciples studied Xu Jin's dossier, the two Star Lords moved to another quiet chamber. "Old Zhang, since Xu Jin is such a grave threat—possibly the next Cheng Yuexiao—we should cooperate fully. What tricks do you have? Share them now!"

"The three parties' rules restrict outside tactics—they're not easily deployed. But when we draw the third-rank star domains, if we draw one of the domains we provided, some outside tactics may still be viable if the timing is right."

Zhang Zhen then asked, "And you? Don't tell me you prepared nothing. Spatial positioning is your Tianyang Star Hall's specialty."

"We did prepare a few tricks—but success still depends on luck.

Still, if luck isn't too poor, we can gather a portion of our disciples together within three days.

At that point, our chance of killing Xu Jin will be one hundred percent!" Du Tingyun smiled.

"Only kill him? No chance of recruitment?" Zhang Zhen asked.

"Of course not! If your Cangming Star Hall dares recruit him, we'll settle accounts with you!

Besides—would you dare recruit such a genius?

After recruiting him, how do you guarantee his loyalty? How do you ensure he won't harbor resentment?

With the resources and energy required, it's better to pour them into your own disciples—it's simpler!

In the end, eliminating Chen Guo's most elite future talent is enough." Du Tingyun said.

"Indeed. If we recruited him, it'd be a headache!

Today he betrays us, tomorrow he betrays someone else. Better to kill him cleanly!" Zhang Zhen said.

"Exactly!

Then what are we waiting for? We're about to draw the third-rank star domains. Use this time to give our disciples the secret technique and artifacts—and have them swear a Life-and-Death Alliance Oath under our supervision, so they can cooperate without hesitation." Du Tingyun said.

"Exactly right!"

The next instant, Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen, the two Star Lords, walked together back to the disciples' quiet chamber.

(End of Chapter)