Chapter 172: Time and Opportunity (Request Subscription)

Where is the path to survival?

Xu Jin hid beneath a large tree outside the envoy's lodge, waiting for two full hours.

He racked his brains.

One plan after another surfaced in his mind, only to be rejected one by one.

Even the risky idea of eliminating Zhang Shuo and He Yulan, two Star Temple disciples, could not secure a path to survival for the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples.

Previously, the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples faced danger from Star Temple disciples.

But now that Zhang Shuo had met the King of the Purple Wings under the guise of an envoy from the Cangming Star Palace, things were different.

From now on, the main threat facing the disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy would be pursuit and assassination by fourth-rank experts from the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region.

This was nearly an unsolvable predicament!

Before this, Xu Jin had waited two hours outside the envoy's lodge, confirming a suspicion.

That his constantly active Gui Cang Star Pattern, used to conceal his aura, must be interfering with the Star Temple's location tracking.

Otherwise, the location would have been pushed at least twice—why had Zhang Shuo shown no reaction?

If it had no effect, then even if Zhang Shuo couldn't find Xu Jin, he shouldn't be so utterly absorbed in his cultivation!

He should have come out to search.

Based on this, Xu Jin reached his conclusion.

Then came a new plan: eliminate He Yulan.

Eliminate He Yulan, and with Xu Jin's Gui Cang Star Pattern hiding their location, the Star Temple's ability to track the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples' position would be nullified.

In the short term, the hunting squads could not precisely locate the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples.

But this idea, too, was rejected by Xu Jin.

Without location tracking, there was still the Star Will's repulsion, which could give the Purple Wings a rough idea of their position.

Under the pursuit of twelve squads led by fourth-rank Condensing Star experts, discovery and annihilation were merely a matter of time.

What about risking the elimination of Zhang Shuo?

Useless!

Killing Zhang Shuo would likely drive King Zihao of the Purple Wings into complete madness.

Zihao's life depended on the Cangming Star Palace—if their envoy Zhang Shuo were killed within the royal court, Zihao would be forced to spare no effort to capture and kill every disciple of the Chen Guo Dao Academy and present their heads as an apology to the Cangming Star Palace.

This would only make the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples die faster.

No path to survival could be found.

No strategy to break the deadlock emerged.

But those two hours gave Xu Jin an extremely risky idea—since the problem couldn't be solved, eliminate the one who created it!

Deep in the night, a Purple Wing guard of Ninth Layer Star Refining nervously held two hands around a severed purple wing feather tip, upon which rested a jade tablet.

This guard, stationed at the palace gate, had merely dozed off, dreamed, and then found this object beneath his feet.

In the dream, a divine figure had ordered him to deliver this letter to their king, claiming it concerned the life and death of the entire Purple Wing race.

Naturally, the guard did not believe it!

Just a dream!

Whoever believed that was a fool!

But terrifyingly, when he awoke, the purple wing feather tip and jade letter from his dream lay real and tangible at his feet.

Even more terrifying: the aura emanating from the purple wing feather tip was unmistakably that of their king!

At this, the guard could no longer stand still.

The dream itself didn't matter.

But the aura of their king within the purple wing feather tip could not be faked!

The matter was reported up the chain.

Zi Chi, the Grand Commander of the palace guards, after inspecting the purple wing feather tip, confirmed it as the king's token and solemnly decided to report it to their king.

Matters concerning the survival of the entire race were never taken lightly, especially with foreign invaders present.

Grand Commander Zi Chi brought the guard to wake the king, who had already fallen asleep.

Zihao did not lose his temper.

Instead, he accepted the object with skepticism—the purple wing feather tip was indeed one he had reluctantly sent out earlier.

But it was a mid-tier token, one level lower than the token carried by Zhang Shuo, the Cangming Star Palace envoy who had visited during the day.

As he pondered, Zihao channeled his Star Force into the jade tablet, instantly shattering its symbolic seal. In an instant, the tablet's contents appeared in Zihao's mind.

The moment he read it, Zihao leapt to his feet.

He stared in shock for a few moments, then asked, "Are the two at the envoy's lodge still safe?"

"Your Majesty, they are safe!

Two hours ago, reports confirmed they had retired to rest. Moreover, the envoy's lodge is only two hundred meters from the palace—any disturbance would be swiftly addressed. Please rest assured, Your Majesty," said Grand Commander Zi Chi.

Zihao paced back and forth in the grand hall, its floor paved entirely with third-rank Star Jade tablets, his mind in turmoil.

He wanted to accept his fate!

But he didn't want to accept it!

After a hundred breaths, Zihao finally made his decision.

An opportunity lay before him—he had to try.

Trying cost him nothing.

What if he succeeded?

If he succeeded, he would become the supreme king of the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region, as he had been years ago.

Not a vassal king, wearing a deathly collar, constantly ordered around by others!

"Zi Chi, outside the left side of the palace gate, a hundred meters from the gate, there is a large tree. Beneath it stands a human gentleman. Go and invite him here," Zihao commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty—alive or dead?" Zi Chi's aura instantly turned murderous. An intruder had infiltrated the royal court—how could this be tolerated!

Zihao froze, suddenly realizing Zi Chi had misheard "invite" as "capture."

"I said invite!

Take two fourth-rank experts with you and respectfully escort him here!

Of course, if he tries to flee, capture him alive.

Remember, under no circumstances may you harm his life!

And do not let anyone else see him." Zihao ordered.

"Yes!"

A hundred breaths later, beneath the tree by the palace gate, Xu Jin sensed three fourth-rank experts approaching rapidly. He subtly shifted his intent and dispelled his invisibility technique, revealing his form.

One Condensing Star Sixth Layer, two Condensing Star Fourth Layer.

The Purple Wing King truly held him in high regard.

"Sir, His Majesty requests your presence. Please come with me," Zi Chi said upon seeing Xu Jin. When he noticed Xu Jin's cultivation was only Refining Star Fourth Layer, his suspicion deepened.

Just a Refining Star Fourth Layer brat—why would His Majesty treat him this way?

Or was he another Star Temple envoy?

But hadn't one already come today?

Half an hour later, Xu Jin, dressed in a specially made Purple Wing robe, was led into Zihao's palace and then into a grand hall.

Zihao glanced at Xu Jin, then waved his hand. "Zi Chi, you may all withdraw. No one enters without my command!"

"Your Majesty, your safety—"

"Is it needed?"

Zihao glared at Zi Chi.

A Refining Star Fourth Layer brat—while he himself was a peak Fourth-Rank Condensing Star.

Even with his eyes closed, he faced no mortal danger.

"Yes."

Zi Chi and his men withdrew.

Xu Jin also studied the Purple Wing King closely—most importantly, at this proximity, with his Ming Ji Star Pattern fully active, he had clearly sensed the king's Divine Soul cultivation.

The Purple Wing King's Divine Soul cultivation was quite impressive.

He had already forged a Star within his Divine Soul, and was at Refining Star Third Layer.

His Divine Soul cultivation was formidable.

Remember, even in Chen Guo, a peak Fourth-Rank Condensing Star like Ning Yuchan had never forged a Star within her Divine Soul.

Of course, as the Purple Wing King, it was normal for him to have forged a Star.

After all, the entire star region's top cultivation resources were under his control.

"You claim you have a way to free me from the Cangming Star Palace's control?" Zihao stared at Xu Jin, his gaze blazing with starlight, pressing down like overwhelming pressure.

"Of course!"

Xu Jin felt no fear toward such pressure!

With his current Divine Soul cultivation, as long as the opponent's Divine Soul had not forged a Star, it could not threaten him—let alone exert pressure!

Upon receiving a definite answer, Zihao grew calm, studying Xu Jin. "Which sect are you from? How dare you be so bold, showing up before me without fear?"

"Chen Guo Dao Academy disciple."

"You've come right to my door!"

But it makes no difference—once dawn breaks, the hunting squads will launch a full-scale assault and kill all of you within a day! Here, Zihao changed tone and said, "However, since you've come to me of your own accord, hand over your so-called secret technique. If I verify it's genuine, I'll spare your life and give you a way out."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jin paid no attention to Zihao, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes: "Come on."

Zihao was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"Aren't you going to kill me? My head is right here—take it!"

Zihao fell silent.

After a long while, he finally asked: "What do you want?"

"First, order the search-and-kill teams from the four cities and the royal court to stand down, and have them return to their respective cities. Then we can discuss anything else," Xu Jin said.

Hearing this, Zihao laughed: "So you're concerned about your fellow disciples' lives."

"That's easy—hand over the secret technique, and once I verify it, I'll issue the order immediately."

"Do I look like an idiot?" Xu Jin sneered.

"I'm no fool either!" Zihao sneered, his purple eyes flickering with murderous intent—he had already decided to kill him.

Humans were too cunning.

He had been controlled by the Cangming Star Palace because he had been deceived by humans.

Now that he thought about it, anger welled up inside him, and he made up his mind: if this man tried any more tricks, he'd kill him outright.

Enough of this nonsense!

He couldn't afford to be controlled by both sides!

Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern keenly sensed the killing intent radiating from Zihao, and his heart stirred slightly.

"Your Majesty, my secret technique is simple to cultivate—you can master it in no more than half a day and verify its authenticity!

So first, order all cities, including the royal capital, to suspend their operations!

Wait one day for my next instruction!

Then I'll give you the technique.

Within a day, you can test whether it's real or not—there's still plenty of time to decide.

It's only a one-day delay.

If I've deceived you after a day, you can still order the execution of all my Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples." Xu Jin said.

Upon hearing this, Zihao pondered for a few breaths and asked: "Really?"

"Absolutely!

I came here with genuine intent—I'm fighting for my life!

Of course, Your Majesty must give me a guarantee—preferably a Soul Oath." Xu Jin said.

"If the technique I give you is real, you must kill the Cangming Star Palace's envoy and his disciples, and leave my Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples unharmed, allowing them to leave alive."

Originally, Zihao had been hesitant.

But after Xu Jin's demand, Zihao believed him.

To save his life, offering a secret technique was perfectly reasonable.

He himself had become a dog to the Cangming Star Palace just to survive.

It was entirely understandable.

"Fine."

Immediately, Zihao summoned Zi Chi, and in front of Xu Jin, ordered him to transmit the command to all cities to suspend operations.

Communication in the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region was still somewhat backward, relying on swift Purple Wing messengers.

The farthest city would receive the order in three hours; the nearest, within one hour.

Xu Jin wasn't in a hurry—he waited patiently for one or two hours.

He waited quietly.

Until the first confirmation reply arrived.

At the same time, a guard reported that the Cangming Star Palace envoy, Zhang Shuo, requested an audience.

Xu Jin guessed it was because dawn had broken, and Zhang Shuo had come to demand joining the hunt to swiftly eliminate the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples.

"Tell the envoy that a rebellion has broken out in Huomu City, and its governor has died—I'm going there personally to quell it. Ask the envoy to wait one day," Zihao replied in front of Xu Jin.

It was also a gesture of goodwill toward Xu Jin.

In the royal palace's waiting hall, Zhang Shuo and He Yulan received this reply and exchanged glances, frowning slightly.

But they had no other suspicions.

The death of Huomu City's governor was no secret.

It had already spread like wildfire through the royal court yesterday.

Such a response was perfectly normal.

Soon, Zhang Shuo and He Yulan returned to the embassy.

"Master Zhang, are we just going to wait here?" He Yulan asked, puzzled.

"Wait! It's safer this way. Haven't you noticed? This year's Selection War has serious problems," Zhang Shuo said.

He Yulan fell silent—Zhang Shuo had already told her this many times over the past few days.

There truly were problems.

For instance, the location data for the Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples she tracked were clearly transmitted.

But the location and aura of Xu Jin, the disciple Zhang Shuo was tracking, remained consistently blurred.

Also, they had previously discovered that all five Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples had gathered together.

This couldn't be explained by mere luck!

Moreover, it was already the third day, and no other Star Palace disciples had arrived at the royal court to assemble!

This gave He Yulan and Zhang Shuo a growing sense of unease.

Something was very wrong!

"Wait one more day!

Huomu City in the Purple Wind Star Region really is having problems! Zihao's life is in our Star Palace's hands—he wouldn't dare play tricks," Zhang Shuo said.

"Alright," He Yulan agreed.

Inside the royal palace, Zihao looked at Xu Jin and said: "Master Xu, I've done exactly as you asked. Now, can you reveal the secret technique that will free me from the Cangming Star Palace's control?"

"One final step remains—the Soul Oath," Xu Jin said.

"But I don't possess the Soul Oath rune you mentioned!

None of us in the entire Purple Wind Star Region have one.

I'll swear by my title as King of the Purple Wings!" Zihao said.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Jin nodded reluctantly: "Fine. Don't you dare break your oath?"

"Of course not—I swear by the ancestors of the Purple Wing race—how would I dare betray it!"

In the next instant, Zihao swore a vile oath right before Xu Jin's eyes.

Xu Jin didn't care about the oath's content—he simply wanted Zihao to swear in the most convincing way possible.

As for the oath's binding power—if Xu Jin believed it, he'd be a fool!

What Xu Jin needed was merely time and another opportunity.

When Zihao finished swearing, Xu Jin handed him the jade tablet inscribed with the secret technique.

It was the same technique he had obtained from the Second-Rank Huoxuan Star Region.

"Your Majesty, this technique requires the cultivation of the Divine Soul to form a Star—surely you have no problem with that?" Xu Jin asked.

"No problem, but is this technique truly effective?" Zihao asked doubtfully.

"Of course—many of my fellow disciples have already practiced it," Xu Jin replied.

"Good. Then please rest in the side hall while I try practicing it?" Zihao instructed.

Soon after, Xu Jin was taken to a side hall just a hundred meters away, where guards were stationed to watch him.

The moment Xu Jin left, Zihao summoned Zi Chi and Zi Ying.

These two were among the few Purple Wing elders who had already formed their Divine Soul Stars.

One was at the sixth level of Condensing Star; the other, the seventh.

"I've acquired a secret technique—try practicing it," Zihao said, handing them the technique Xu Jin had given him.

Zi Chi and Zi Ying looked uneasy—they knew exactly what this was about.

But under Zihao's piercing gaze, they sat cross-legged and began practicing the secret technique right before his eyes.

(End of Chapter)