Chapter 227: Filial Devotion

On the evening of October 15, Xu Jin, Qi Shanye, and the demon arrow Mo Ji arrived at the Thunderfall Mountains, the border between Songzhou and Leizhou.

This was the latest operational zone they had determined after days of study.

Since they planned to ambush Hu Xuechuan, they had to remain far from the territories of the Cangming Star Palace and the Tianyang Star Hall.

If in danger, Hu Xuechuan would surely call for aid; any matter involving Lingji remnants would trigger immediate reinforcement from the Cangming Star Palace's top experts.

But in the territories of these two Star Halls, the stationed experts were not only numerous but also extremely formidable.

There was a high probability that sixth-rank experts would appear.

In contrast, on the side of Da Chen, even if Hu Xuechuan called for aid, the highest-ranked experts stationed in these two states could only reach fifth-rank peak.

It wasn't that there were no sixth-rank experts—rather, the agreement between Da Chen and the two Star Halls stipulated this limit.

In addition, choosing the Thunderfall Mountains had its reasons.

Although the Thunderfall Mountains were rich in vegetation, they were named for their natural lightning strikes, which rumbled and crashed year-round, sparking constant wildfires; this kept the vegetation lush but prevented the growth of towering trees, granting wide open lines of sight ideal for Mo Ji's long-range combat.

Finally, there was the matter of retreat.

Hu Xuechuan was, after all, the head of a branch hall of the Tianyang Star Hall—a mid-to-high-ranking official.

If ambushed and killed, it would inevitably cause a massive uproar, so the escape routes must be planned in advance.

Xu Jin, of course, must return.

But for Mo Ji and Qi Shanye, the only safe retreat path was to flee into the barbarian territories and lie low again.

Otherwise, with the Tianyang Star Hall's influence, they could immediately mobilize Da Chen's official forces to hunt them down.

Though the invisibility technique was powerful, it was not omnipotent; if the cost was worth paying, there were many ways to break it.

Otherwise, the Lingji Star Hall would not have been wiped out and locked down all those years ago.

Under cover of night, the three traversed the terrain, confirmed their retreat directions, and then found a cave to rest in.

"We begin action at the second watch of Yin hour tomorrow. At this time, even cultivators are asleep; by then, Hu Xuechuan will have gathered his men and set out, taking at least a hundred breaths to organize."

Qi Shanye laid out the pre-battle plan.

The second watch of Yin hour was 3: 0 a. . a time when sudden awakening was especially grueling; most people, cultivators included, were deep in sleep.

"Mo, you must find the position most favorable for your combat, then I'll determine where to erect the Star-Picking Tower."

"Understood. I'll re-scout the terrain and make some preparations—I'll be back in half an hour." With that, Mo Ji departed.

Watching Mo Ji leave, Qi Shanye's expression turned grim. "Jin, I'm going to explain the Star-Picking Tower to you now—listen carefully."

"The Star-Picking Tower is the most vital asset of every Star Hall across the world. The main towers of each Star Hall were built in ancient times at immense cost, draining the resources of entire nations and halls; branch towers were no different."

Take Da Chen as an example: constructing a single branch tower of the Star-Picking Tower consumes over half of Da Chen's annual revenue, including income from the Star River Battlefield.

But you can't just build a branch tower whenever you want—it comes with other stringent requirements!

In short, the branch tower I hold is immensely valuable and powerful, especially once you reach the seventh-rank realm—then this tower will play a colossal role.

Let me put it this way:

You know about the destruction of the Lingji Star Hall, and about how twenty years ago, the Empress of Da Chen's Qian'an Emperor was executed before his eyes by the two Star Halls, right?" Qi Shanye asked.

Xu Jin nodded.

In the nearly two months since entering the State Dao Academy, Xu Jin had read countless books in its library and gained increasing understanding of these matters.

At the time, Da Chen had been on the brink of annihilation.

Had the Star Jun and top experts of the two Star Halls moved, they could have instantly slain Qian'an Emperor, installed a new ruler, and carved up Da Chen's territory.

But in the end, they only killed the Empress, withdrew from Wanyi, and signed the Blood Star Pact with Da Chen.

"Within the range of a Star-Picking Tower's main tower, you gain tremendous home-field advantage. Da Chen's former Grand Master Pei Gang used this principle to fight a bloody battle against the two Star Jun and forced them to retreat, leading to the Blood Star Pact."

Of course, I only know the broad strokes—rumor has it there's even deeper intrigue!

But the main tower's function cannot be ignored.

The main tower's power is immense, but the branch tower's power is no less significant.

Tomorrow morning, I'll find an opportunity to transfer full authority of this branch tower to you—just take it.

Though the branch tower has many uses, its consumption is enormous.

Use it only when you're capable later.

As long as you store it away, it causes no harm."

"Master, if you give it to me, what about you?" Xu Jin asked.

Hearing this, Qi Shanye shook his head. "I have no fixed abode, constantly fleeing; I'm wanted by both Star Halls—I can't even enter the Star River Battlefield, have no means to accumulate resources, and have no chance to fully activate the tower's myriad functions."

And most crucially—the authority."

"Authority?" Xu Jin frowned.

"Whether main tower or branch tower, different people hold different authority. For example, though Da Chen's Star-Picking Tower is managed by your State Dao Academy, even your Academy Director—the Grand Master—likely holds no more than forty percent authority over the main tower, and that's being generous."

Your Emperor holds at least twenty to thirty percent authority over Da Chen's Star-Picking Tower."

The Marshal of Da Chen's Star River Battlefield likely holds authority too."

The Three Kings and Seven Marquises of Da Chen in the Star River Battlefield probably hold authority as well."

Even this branch tower in my possession doesn't belong solely to me."

As the former branch tower master, I hold only forty percent authority; at least fifty percent remains in the hands of Lingji Star Hall's high-ups."

Theoretically, no one in the current world can ever fully control any Star-Picking Tower—not even a Star Jun, not even a branch tower."

Authority isn't just power—it represents immense benefits too?"

Do you understand?"

Here, Qi Shanye grew anxious—he spoke at length, fearing Xu Jin wouldn't grasp it.

But Xu Jin actually understood.

This was exactly like equity in his past life.

Power and income combined.

But from Qi Shanye's description, authority in this world seemed even stronger than equity in his past life—minor shareholders in his past life had virtually no influence.

Here, even a tiny fraction of Star-Picking Tower authority granted considerable power.

Seeing Xu Jin understood, Qi Shanye exhaled in relief, worried he'd explained too complexly.

"But you're about to gain sole control of a branch tower—do you understand?" Qi Shanye said, excited.

Xu Jin shook his head—he didn't.

"This was originally impossible! But through a confluence of circumstances, it's happening!" Qi Shanye grew enthusiastic, speaking for half a bell's time before Xu Jin finally understood.

First, it was impossible for a branch tower to fall into a single person's hands—but the locking and sealing of the Lingji Star Hall's main tower made it possible.

Because the main tower was sealed, its connection and control over the branch tower were severed; actual control of this branch tower passed to Qi Shanye.

But Qi Shanye still only held actual control—he retained the same authority as before.

Because authority divisions were etched into the branch tower's core rules; unless the main tower ordered a change, the authority holders couldn't be altered.

Second, fifty percent of the branch tower's authority belonged to Lingji Star Hall's high-ups—originally owned, but when the Lingji Star Hall was attacked to the point of being sealed, many high-ups died.

After their deaths, their authority naturally returned to the tower.

Thus, fifty percent of this branch tower's authority became ownerless.

Finally, and most crucially, Mo Ji held ten percent authority over this branch tower.

Combined with Qi Shanye's authority, they held fifty percent of the branch tower's authority.

According to Star-Picking Tower rules, holding fifty percent authority allows one to propose changes to external connections: which main tower to link to, which to communicate with, which to open teleportation with—and conversely, which to sever, disable communication with, or shut down teleportation to.

As long as other authority holders don't oppose, the proposal passes.

Of course, there were finer details, but Qi Shanye didn't need them—because the other fifty percent of authority on this tower was entirely ownerless.

That meant any decision he made faced no opposition and could be executed immediately.

Even so, Qi Shanye still held only forty percent authority over this branch tower—that was fixed by the main tower.

Now comes the clever maneuver.

Qi Shanye planned to use Mo Ji's fifty percent authority to completely sever all ties with the Lingji Star Hall's main tower, then both he and Mo Ji would deliberately destroy their own authority imprints within the branch tower.

Thus, this branch tower would become ownerless; since the Lingji Star Hall's main tower was sealed and disconnected, it couldn't revert to the main tower—it became truly ownerless.

Then Xu Jin would refine, control, and master it.

Theoretically, Xu Jin could gain one hundred percent authority over this branch tower!

After explaining all this, Qi Shanye felt an indescribable pride.

To hold sole control of a branch tower—something no Star Jun or countless bigwigs of the Four Star Halls could achieve—he had done it, and he could be proud.

Then he could achieve another vital goal—obtaining the ultimate versions of many Lingji Star Hall star patterns.

Back then, Qi Shanye was merely a branch hall master of the Lingji Star Hall, his status roughly equivalent to Hu Xuechuan's previous position—he naturally couldn't learn the ultimate versions of many Lingji Star Hall star patterns.

To learn them, one needed to earn merit and rewards, fulfilling the Lingji Star Hall's many conditions.

Even after the Lingji Star Hall was sealed, Qi Shanye still couldn't learn them; even with fifty percent authority shared with Mo Ji, he still couldn't.

To alter the learning requirements for star patterns stored within the branch tower, over eighty percent authority approval was required!

The tower's internal operational rules still followed the original Lingji Star Hall's regulations.

Fifty percent authority couldn't change them!

But if Xu Jin gained one hundred percent control authority, he could alter the tower's core operational rules.

Then Xu Jin could naturally learn the latest versions of many Lingji Star Hall star patterns.

Of course, not all of them.

The branch tower had originally stored only a portion of the higher-tier star patterns for the disciples' convenience.

They might not have been the Lingji Star Hall's ultimate versions.

But one thing Qi Shanye could be certain of: the sixth-rank upper version of the Shatter-Devil Star Pattern was stored in the Star-Picking Tower's branch—there was one, but he simply couldn't learn it.

This was the only method Qi Shanye could think of for Xu Jin to obtain the sixth-rank upper Shatter-Devil Star Pattern.

"Now, the only thing I'm worried about is one issue," Qi Shanye said, his excitement fading into concern after explaining all this to Xu Jin.

"What issue?"

"After we forcibly destroy the authority imprint of this Star-Picking Tower," Qi Shanye worried, "will the data stored within this branch be destroyed at the same time?"

Xu Jin fell silent—this was truly hard to say.

"Teacher, there's nothing to worry about!"

"If I gain it, it's my fortune; if I lose it, it's my fate!"

"Either way, we still get one Star-Picking Tower," Xu Jin said.

Hearing this, Qi Shanye suddenly burst into laughter. "You're right—I'm not as carefree as you! If I gain it, it's my fortune; if I lose it, it's my fate. Let's see what tomorrow brings."

Then Qi Shanye went over many more details with Xu Jin. After finishing, Xu Jin suddenly remembered something and looked at Qi Shanye. "Teacher, what level has your Spirit Soul cultivation reached?"

"Your Spirit Soul cultivation is so high, I can't sense it clearly."

"My Spirit Soul cultivation?"

Qi Shanye smiled bitterly. "Thanks to the Clear Soul Star Pattern, I've been on the run for twenty years and never had the chance to break through to the sixth rank in Star Power. But through years of gradual accumulation, my Spirit Soul cultivation has barely broken into the early stage of the fifth rank."

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

Xu Jin hesitated—he had wanted to boost Qi Shanye's strength before the coming battle.

His newly evolved combined Star Art, Dreamstart, should have been able to enhance Qi Shanye's power—but the Dreaming Star Pattern was exclusive to the Grand Master, sealed by the Nine Sheng Bells. To transmit it externally, he needed the Grand Master's permission.

Previously, studying and refining the Shatter-Devil Pattern had also been motivated by the desire to strengthen Qi Shanye.

If Xu Jin could refine the Shatter-Devil Pattern to above the seventh rank, Qi Shanye's combat power would surely rise.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin took out the Spirit-Refining Golden Core he had prepared for his sister and handed it to Qi Shanye. "Teacher, take this Spirit-Refining Golden Core. I believe taking it will raise your Spirit Soul cultivation."

"Spirit-Refining Golden Core?"

Qi Shanye shook his head. "When I was low-level, I couldn't obtain or consume one. When I reached late fourth rank, I got one and took it—but the improvement was minimal. Taking a second one now would just be a waste."

"Teacher, this Spirit-Refining Golden Core is different. I processed it with a special blood-refining method—its potency is six times that of an ordinary Spirit-Refining Golden Core. Even if the effect diminishes when taking a second one, you'll still gain the equivalent of four ordinary Spirit-Refining Golden Cores."

"It could still boost your strength a bit before the battle," Xu Jin said earnestly.

"The effect of four Spirit-Refining Golden Cores?"

Qi Shanye looked at it in surprise. "There's such a thing?"

"The effect of four Spirit-Refining Golden Cores equals about a year's accumulation from my Clear Soul Star Pattern—it wouldn't help me much. You keep it for yourself."

"Teacher, before the battle, every bit of strength matters. Just accept it as my filial offering. Besides, I've already taken two myself."

Hearing this, Qi Shanye was deeply moved.

He chuckled. "If it's my disciple's filial offering, refusing would be rude! I'll take it—maybe it'll give me a slight edge tomorrow."

Right then, Qi Shanye took the Triple-Refined Spirit-Refining Golden Core and swallowed it like a candy.

Instantly, his Spirit Soul aura surged upward.

Xu Jin exhaled in relief.

Qi Shanye had given him everything—last time, to obtain the Spirit Soul Rebirth Technique and help Xu Jin forge his Perfect Primordial Body, Qi Shanye had lost an arm.

If he didn't repay even a little, Xu Jin himself couldn't forgive himself.

As Qi Shanye's Spirit Soul cultivation rose, Mo Ji the Demon Arrow returned on schedule. He glanced at Qi Shanye in surprise.

After a long while, when Qi Shanye finished absorbing the energy, Mo Ji exclaimed, "Did you finally awaken to the Dao, or did you get some incredible benefit? Your Spirit Soul cultivation jumped by at least half a percent—that's at least two years' worth of accumulation!"

"My disciple gave it to me!" Qi Shanye beamed with pride.

Instantly, Mo Ji felt a pang of envy—this made Xu Jin, who had already received a gift, feel awkward.

"It was a special elixir. But I've also prepared a special one for you, Uncle."

Xu Jin then took out the Triple-Refined One-Qi Return-Star Elixir he had kept for emergencies.

"One-Qi Return-Star Elixir? I have some. No need!" Mo Ji shook his head, envious.

This was infuriating!

"Uncle, look again—this One-Qi Return-Star Elixir is a masterpiece from a master alchemist. Its potency is six times that of an ordinary One-Qi Return-Star Elixir!"

"Master Mo, look again—this Qi-Gui-Xing Elixir is a masterpiece from a master alchemist, its potency six times that of an ordinary Qi-Gui-Xing Elixir!"

Mo Ji leapt to his feet, snatching up a Triple-Refined One-Qi Return-Star Elixir and examining it closely.

After a long moment, he said, "With this, our chances increase by at least another ten percent!"

"And this," Xu Jin added.

As he spoke, he pulled out two vials of Triple-Refined Superior Spirit-Reviving Elixir, three vials of Triple-Refined Four-Arcane Return-Star Elixir, and four Triple-Refined Three-Yin Spirit-Clearing Pills.

This sight left Mo Ji and Qi Shanye staring in disbelief.

"Wait… you're not saying all these elixirs have the same potency as the originals?" Mo Ji was stunned.

"Not that. You kid can't possibly be saying all these elixirs are just the original ones?" Mo Ji was stunned.

Xu Jin's answer made Qi Shanye and Mo Ji's eyes widen instantly.

"This is insane!"

Mo Ji stared at the elixirs, gritting his teeth. "If I'd had even a few of these back then, I wouldn't have fled a thousand miles!"

Qi Shanye picked up a Triple-Refined Three-Yin Spirit-Clearing Pill and a Triple-Refined Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill, his face flushed with emotion. "Last time—if I'd had just two of these, I might have killed Hu Xuechuan… I wouldn't have been hunted like a dog, fleeing across the land."

Qi Shanye picked up a Three-Variant Triple-Yin Spirit-Clearing Elixir and a Three-Variant Superior Stimulating Elixir, his face flushed with excitement: "Last time, if I'd had just these two, I might have killed Hu Xuechuan. I wouldn't have been hunted down like a dog."

(End of Chapter)