Chapter 171: Star Palace Order (Request Subscription)

"These four purple feather fragments, keep them safe. If you encounter a fourth-rank Condensing Star expert, show them and say you're Star Palace disciples—you should be able to escape, or at least buy time."

"Then use the Crimson Scale Heart Armor to call for help!"

"If you truly can't handle it, split up and flee."

Xu Jin handed the four captured purple feather fragments to Ji Hongli, Ying Ge, Wang Jiugao, and others, giving them instructions.

The two Star Palaces' outside moves this time were too ruthless.

According to Grand Master and the others' earlier statements, under normal circumstances, fourth-rank experts rarely came to hunt them down.

Just moments ago, they had encountered a fourth-rank Condensing Star expert—likely sent out for reconnaissance.

This was a very bad beginning.

It's highly likely that Zhang Shuo of the Cangming Star Palace has made contact with the Purple Wing Court.

So Xu Jin must act.

Moreover, before this, there was another factor Xu Jin hadn't considered.

The death of the Firewood City governor, Zi Yang!

This incident very likely enraged the lord of the Purple Wing Court, and with Zhang Shuo's persuasion, the Purple Wing Court will almost certainly launch a full-scale extermination against them!

Xu Jin's current strength can handle one or two Condensing Star beginners, but facing a fourth-rank Condensing Star mid-stage expert would be extremely dangerous and difficult.

So Xu Jin plans to take a risky trip to eliminate the root of the problem!

The root, of course, is Zhang Shuo!

If Xu Jin eliminates Zhang Shuo and uses the purple feather fragment he holds—the one capable of communicating with the Court—properly, he might just buy his fellow disciples five days of safety.

Then let them all return alive!

"Big Brother, where are you planning to go?" Ji Hongli asked suddenly as she watched Xu Jin give instructions.

"I'm going to gather intelligence and track down Zhang Shuo, this root of evil! I'm fast and agile—don't worry." Xu Jin said.

"You must be careful."

Half an hour later, Xu Jin parted ways with Ying Ge, Ji Hongli, and the others.

He told them to keep moving constantly to avoid being tracked.

Star Palace disciples, they weren't afraid anymore—now they feared being cornered by fourth-rank Purple Wing barbarian experts.

After separating from the group, Xu Jin headed straight for the Purple Wing Court.

Nowadays, Xu Jin had grown increasingly bold.

With invisibility, his eighth-layer Star Refining soul power, and the enhanced speed of Thunderwing Step augmented by Lei Yi, he felt he could go anywhere.

Of course, only within the third-rank Purple Wind Star Zone.

After obtaining the purple feather fragment from Tian Lie, Xu Jin had entertained many ideas upon first acquiring the intelligence.

He even considered seeking out another major city to try cooperating with its governor.

But after much thought, it still wouldn't work.

If the governor so much as contacted the Purple Wing Court, the ruse would be exposed.

Besides, it wouldn't be very useful.

The current threat is the Purple Wing Court's fourth-rank experts.

Even if the governor sent troops, encountering a fourth-rank Purple Wing expert would cause them to instantly betray them.

Cooperation isn't command.

So Xu Jin still planned to go alone into the Court to investigate.

Their current position was over a thousand li from the Purple Wing Court—less than half an hour's travel.

Along the way, Xu Jin grew increasingly alarmed.

He encountered two groups of fourth-rank Condensing Star beginners, each traveling in pairs.

One group even spotted Xu Jin—and he killed them in return.

This made Xu Jin even more anxious.

He didn't know what kind of deal Zhang Shuo had struck with the Purple Wing Court.

If the Purple Wing Court sent out three or five fourth-rank mid-stage experts—or even one or two fourth-rank late-stage experts—it would be the National Dao Academy's nightmare!

So Zhang Shuo, this root of evil, must be eliminated quickly.

Inside the Cangming Star Palace's Dachen Main Hall, Zhaixing Tower branch.

As another hour arrived, it was time to push the location updates.

This time, the two Star Lords were genuinely anxious.

Before Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao activated the Six Golden Wheels, the two of them stepped forward—one on each side—waiting for him to activate it.

Because an hour earlier, they had seen through the Six Golden Wheels that three Star Palace disciples from Team Two were dangerously close to five National Dao Academy disciples from Team One.

A confrontation or battle was imminent.

Whatever the case, the outcome should now be clear.

In previous years, these two Star Lords could remain calm.

After all, from the start, the Star Palace had the upper hand, while the National Dao Academy was at a disadvantage.

Some losses were fully acceptable to the two Star Palaces.

But this year, everything had flipped.

The Star Palace was now completely on the defensive.

Meanwhile, the National Dao Academy had suffered zero casualties.

Even if the contest ended now, this record was disgraceful and humiliating.

If any more Star Palace disciples died, it would be a pyrrhic victory or even a devastating defeat!

The previous Star Lord from the last Selection War had already been dismissed and sent to the Star River Battlefield, where he'd died years ago.

If they suffered a pyrrhic victory or devastating defeat—even just one "devastating" character—their fates would be dire.

Naturally, they were desperate now.

Seeing their urgency, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao grew calm, waved his hand to boil a pot of water, personally brewed tea, and served each of them a cup.

But the two Star Lords had no interest in tea. "Grand Master Cheng, it's time to push the locations," Du Tingyun urged.

"Why the rush? It's not quite on the hour yet." Cheng Yuexiao glanced at the water clock.

Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen fell silent—upon closer inspection, it truly was just a moment short!

They could only wait.

No matter how urgent, they couldn't lose face for the two Star Palaces.

After dozens of breaths, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao extended his long hands from his sleeves; starlight surged forth, and instantly, light shimmered across the Six Golden Wheels.

When the seven golden dots were all visible, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui couldn't help but smile.

Good!

This year's disciples performed excellently!

In the next instant, when Cheng Yuexiao pushed the Six Golden Wheels to their limit and only two crimson dots appeared, even his lips curled into a smile!

Truly impressive!

Seven to two!

This result was explosive!

And he loved it!

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Meng Yanhui were delighted, but the two Star Lords' faces darkened instantly.

Meng Yanhui even noticed Zhang Zhen's fingertips tremble slightly!

Two!

How could this be!

Five Star Palace disciples dead!

Zero National Dao Academy disciples dead!

Had it not been for his status and the knowledge that no external interference was permitted, Zhang Zhen would have smashed the table!

How could this be!

Did the National Dao Academy cheat?

Five dead wasn't just about how many Star Palace disciples perished.

It meant one Star Palace's entire team might be wiped out!

If that happened, it would be disaster upon disaster!

"There's something wrong, Brother Du—absolutely something wrong!" Zhang Zhen whispered privately.

Du Tingyun's face was ashen, staring at the Six Golden Wheels, saying nothing.

"Should we terminate the Selection War early?" Zhang Zhen hesitated.

"Cheng won't agree! To make him agree, we'd need to make huge concessions—even give up next year's Selection slot," Du Tingyun said.

At these words, Zhang Zhen abandoned the idea.

Giving up next year's Selection slot was a cost he couldn't bear.

"Continue. Terminating now won't help much! Whether we win or lose, it's still a disaster!"

"Since it's already this bad, let the remaining disciples fight harder—there might still be a chance to turn the tide!"

"After all, the outside tactics you prepared are still very powerful!"

"If the survivors use those tactics to annihilate all National Dao Academy disciples, our loss won't be so devastating!" Du Tingyun said.

"True enough, Brother Du is right—I've lost my composure."

"It's already this way—what's the worst that could happen?"

"Let's keep waiting; there's still three days left." Zhang Zhen said.

"Exactly."

Zi Yi Wangcheng is the political and commercial center of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region, and can be said to be quite prosperous, bearing a faint resemblance to a commandery city of Da Chen.

But the alien races are indeed not fully civilized.

Although Zi Yi Wangcheng has some of the air of a Da Chen commandery city, it is genuinely filthy.

Excrement is everywhere!

After infiltrating the city for less than half an hour, Xu Jin had already witnessed dozens of public urinations.

Yet Xu Jin finally located concrete information about Zhang Shuo.

This morning, indeed, an alien entered the city and was promptly assigned to the Embassy shortly after arriving at the Royal Court.

The Embassy is not far from the Royal Palace, situated within a complex of buildings just two hundred meters away.

Alien architecture is characterized by towering height; ordinary aliens live in flat-roofed structures, while those connected to the Royal Court all have pointed roofs.

Finding it wouldn't be too difficult.

Around the Embassy, sixteen elite aliens at mid-to-late Foundation Establishment were stationed as guards.

But after Xu Jin infiltrated, his Mingji Star Pattern detected two fourth-rank aliens hidden inside the building.

One at the initial stage of Condensing Star, the other at the middle stage of Condensing Star.

They were most likely overseers.

Protection, however, seemed impossible.

This gave Xu Jin a headache.

If this is the case, the mission won't be easy!

Xu Jin's original plan was to infiltrate, eliminate Zhang Shuo, and remove this threat—then things would be manageable.

But he hadn't anticipated two fourth-rank experts guarding the place—this changes everything.

If Xu Jin were exposed within this city, he would surely die.

So far, the number of fourth-rank experts Xu Jin had detected within the city alone exceeded forty.

Earlier, when he had barely slipped into the outskirts of the city, his Mingji Star Pattern had sensed an extraordinarily terrifying aura.

That aura was only slightly weaker than Ning Yuchan's.

This one was almost certainly the King of the Zi Yi aliens!

The one at Condensing Star ninth layer!

Currently, only two people reside in the Embassy: Zhang Shuo and He Yulan.

Both are disciples of Cang Ming Star Hall.

Xu Jin decided on the spot to first uncover the nature of their cooperation with the Zi Yi Royal Court—or rather, what these two had discussed with the Zi Yi King.

When Xu Jin infiltrated, it was already very late.

Zhang Shuo and He Yulan were relaxed; after dark, they began their evening cultivation.

They looked utterly confident.

Xu Jin waited patiently, and during this time, fully sensed their cultivation levels.

Their Star Force cultivation was clear: one at Foundation Establishment sixth layer, the other at fifth layer—both had broken through after entering the Zi Feng Star Region.

But their Soul Essence cultivation varied in strength.

Zhang Shuo's Soul Essence cultivation was very strong.

Of course, "very strong" here is relative to ordinary disciples.

He had reached Foundation Establishment second layer.

He must be one of Cang Ming Star Hall's top-tier prodigies, heavily nurtured.

Thus, Xu Jin's Wen Meng could not target Zhang Shuo.

At Foundation Establishment second layer, he had engraved at least two Soul Essence Star Patterns, possibly three.

Generally, when two Soul Essence Star Pattern slots are occupied, Zhen Yi Star Pattern is always one of them.

With Zhen Yi Star Pattern, one can defend against Soul Essence attacks and influences.

Xu Jin's Po Sha was somewhat better—it relied on direct comparison of Soul Essence cultivation.

But Wen Meng Star Pattern would struggle to pull him into a dream, especially if he was alert.

The target must be He Yulan.

He Yulan's Soul Essence had not yet formed a Star Pattern; Wen Meng Star Pattern could infiltrate her easily.

Xu Jin waited nearly two hours.

It seemed that geniuses everywhere were equally diligent.

Zhang Shuo and He Yulan trained relentlessly until after midnight, then finally rested.

He Yulan spent another quarter-hour washing and grooming before sleeping.

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jin, concealed beneath He Yulan's window, slowly released a thread of Soul Essence energy.

Wen Meng.

Then, Xu Jin carefully extracted relevant intelligence through the dream.

After another quarter-hour, Xu Jin slipped away from the Embassy without a sound; by then, cold sweat had already soaked his back.

The entanglement between Zhang Shuo—or rather, Cang Ming Star Hall—and the Zi Yi Royal Clan ran deeper than Xu Jin had imagined.

One could only say that Du Zhen of Cang Ming Star Hall, despite his smiling face, was a true old schemer.

Or perhaps the entire Cang Ming Star Hall was deeply sinister!

First, this third-rank Zi Feng Star Region was, in fact, already half-conquered by Cang Ming Star Hall.

But it was not a fully conquered region.

The current standard for conquering a star region requires two conditions: first, control over the dominant power within the target star region.

Usually, this means controlling its leader.

For example, when Da Chen's Dao Academy previously controlled the second-rank Huo Xuan Star Region, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao directly sealed the Soul Essence of Chi Lin's master, Chi You, allowing him to control his life and death with a mere thought!

Second, obtaining a Star Will.

The form of a star region's Star Will varies; most often, it relates to the life forms born from that star.

The Star Will of the second-rank Huo Xuan Star Region was the Chi Lin Heart.

As long as one obtained and assimilated a Chi Lin Heart, it was equivalent to controlling part of the second-rank Huo Xuan Star Region's Star Will.

Meeting both conditions meant full conquest and control of a star region.

Previously, Cang Ming Star Hall had launched multiple assaults on the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region and had indeed controlled the Zi Yi King, but had not yet obtained the Star Will of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region, so their control remained limited.

But this time, they had deployed their disciples to act.

Thus, Zhang Shuo's visit to the Zi Yi King was not to seek cooperation!

He brought an order from Cang Ming Star Hall!

Only Zhang Shuo knew this.

Even He Yulan only learned of it today, when she accompanied Zhang Shuo to meet the Zi Yi King, Zi Hao.

Zhang Shuo brought two orders.

The first order commanded Zi Yi King Zi Hao to find and surrender the second Star Will of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region before the end of this year.

If he failed to meet the deadline, Cang Ming Star Hall would, upon its next assault on the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region, immediately kill Zi Hao and seize the Star Will within his body, then spend time installing a new Zi Yi King and taking control.

The second order was a list Zhang Shuo had brought.

The list detailed numerous resources abundant in the Zi Feng Star Region, including fourth- and fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets.

It demanded that Zi Yi King Zi Hao prepare these items according to the list and hand them over to the next wave of Cang Ming Star Hall disciples upon their next assault.

Failure meant replacing the King!

Cang Ming Star Hall had ample confidence.

Because during their last assault, they had indeed controlled the life and death of Zi Yi King Zi Hao.

But for certain reasons, they had failed to obtain the Star Will of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region, making it impossible to conveniently access or use Star Gates.

Hence, they had sent Zhang Shuo to deliver the orders by chance.

Their next assault would surely be aimed at fully conquering the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region.

After delivering these two orders, Zhang Shuo, in the name of Cang Ming Star Hall, issued an additional command: within three days, Zi Yi King Zi Hao must capture and deliver the heads of all Da Chen Dao Academy disciples!

The fourth-rank Foundation Establishment expert Xu Jin had encountered during the day was one of Zi Hao's scouts.

In fact, not only had the Royal Court dispatched Condensing Star experts; Zi Yi King Zi Hao had already ordered the four major cities to form eight hunting squads, each requiring at least one Condensing Star late-stage expert, one Condensing Star middle-stage expert, four Condensing Star early-stage experts, and ten Foundation Establishment ninth-layer soldiers.

He promised heavy rewards!

The orders had surely been delivered.

Starting tomorrow morning, at least twelve such hunting squads—including those from the Royal Court and the four major cities—would begin scouring the entire third-rank Zi Feng Star Region.

They must kill all invading Da Chen Dao Academy disciples and retrieve their heads within two days!

This was why Xu Jin's entire body broke into cold sweat.

Cang Ming Star Hall's external maneuver was brutally ruthless!

This single move had thrown Da Chen Dao Academy's disciples into utter desperation!

Starting tomorrow morning, these twelve squads would relentlessly search, aided by Zhang Shuo and He Yulan's tracking, alongside the cooperation of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region's Star Will.

Where is the path to survival???

(End of Chapter)