Chapter 236: Wait for the Right Moment

"Remnants of the Ling Era!"

"What a coincidence?"

Watching Hu Zhen's spiritual essence completely dissipate, the third elder of the Tianyang Star Palace whirled around, fixing his blazing gaze on the laughing Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, his eyes as if ready to spew fire.

Just when the final step was reached and the matter was already settled, a Ling Era remnant skilled in purple lightning suddenly appeared and killed him.

This is simply outrageous.

The Tianyang Star Palace even sent out a Star Lord!

"Why are you staring at me? It was the Ling Era remnant who did it—what has that to do with me?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's mood was utterly exhilarating; he had never expected a Ling Era remnant to suddenly appear!

Among the experts Qin Da brought along, there were some who spoke too freely.

They immediately labeled him outright!

Otherwise, even if this Lingji remnant displayed the signature ability of the Lingji Star Palace, proving him to be a Lingji remnant would require considerable debate.

Qin Da clearly realized this and glared angrily at the seventh-rank expert who had spoken too soon.

Then he barked an order: "Search!"

"Scour every direction thoroughly!"

When using a Star Artifact or Star Seal, the range of the Chaotic Star Secret Technique is generally around a hundred li.

Using star artifacts or emblems, the usual range of the Chaos Star Art is about a hundred li.

Search in all directions!

Capture every suspicious individual alive!

Anyone who resists—kill them!

At Qin Da's command, the dozens of elite warriors from the Heavenly Yang Star Temple he brought, along with the six Hu family members from Hu Jinshan, instantly scattered like starlight, shooting off in every direction.

"Grand State Master, remnants of the Lingji have appeared within Chen Guo's borders. According to our agreement, if Lingji remnants surface, your Chen Guo must fully assist in their suppression. Please also dispatch your own forces to search in all directions for these Lingji remnants!" Qin Da paused, then directly requested assistance from Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao.

It's a fundamental principle.

It's a fundamental principle.

Cheng Yuexiao dares not refuse to cooperate!

But to Qin Da's surprise, Cheng Yuexiao was extremely cooperative.

Almost the moment he spoke, Cheng Yuexiao ordered, "Did you hear that? The Third Elder of the Heavenly Yang Star Temple commands you to assist in hunting down the Lingji remnant just now."

"Immediately cooperate. Divide into several teams, join the Heavenly Yang Star Temple's elites, and search in all directions. Do not let a single suspicious person escape—but also do not recklessly kill wandering cultivators!"

"Yes!"

At his command, over a thousand elite Chen Guo warriors instantly scattered in all directions.

At the same instant, Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao privately transmitted a message to Meng Yanhui and Peng Lao.

"Yanhui, you and Peng Lao go and keep watch. Act according to circumstances."

Both were Cheng Yuexiao's trusted men; his meaning was instantly understood, and in the blink of an eye, they transformed into starlight and scattered in all directions.

Cheng Yuexiao himself also gazed across all directions, watching for any anomalies.

If this Lingji remnant was truly found, he'd inevitably make some slip-ups, commit some basic mistakes.

In that very instant, Qin Da suddenly realized.

That's not right!

Right now, Chen Guo's elite warriors are grateful to this Lingji remnant—they'd never sincerely hunt it down!

Sending them to search? Nine out of ten times, they'll let it slip away.

This…

Qin Da felt as if he'd picked up a stone only to smash his own foot.

The next instant, Qin Da shot into the sky, intending to join the search himself.

Just as Qin Da ascended, Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao stared blankly at a streak of starlight resembling a meteor.

This streak of starlight appeared with extreme suddenness.

It had suddenly manifested a hundred li away.

Then, the starlight rose and shot toward Peach County.

This starlight was strange.

Qin Da had ascended slightly later and hadn't noticed this starlight.

When Qin Da ascended, he only saw one streak of starlight vanish into the direction of Peach County.

He paid no attention.

Today's affair was so massive; the sky was now like a meteor shower, starlight streaking back and forth constantly. One fifth-rank expert heading toward Peach County? Not unusual!

But Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao, who had seen the full trajectory of the starlight, began to suspect.

Because that starlight moved too fast.

In an instant, it crossed nearly two hundred li and vanished into Peach County.

From rising off the ground to landing in Peach County, it took only two breaths.

Even an eighth-rank powerhouse like himself couldn't cover nearly two hundred li in two breaths.

Only a master of spatial star arts might accomplish this.

But if it were spatial star arts, it should have been flashes—not a flowing streak of starlight.

Combining the starlight's trajectory, its endpoint, and its abnormal speed, Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly knew one thing for certain.

Star Dome Protection.

The Star Dome Protection of the Star Picking Tower's Star Dome Realm.

Only the Star Dome Protection of the Star Picking Tower's Star Dome Realm could move this swiftly!

The reason he made this judgment so quickly was:

He was deeply familiar with this technique.

Years ago, he himself had often used Star Dome Protection!

This technique was incredibly effective when used at critical moments.

But the barrier to using it was extremely high.

One must possess the Authority of the Star Picking Tower's Master to use it.

The limited control permissions granted to branch temple directors, provincial mountain superintendents, or academy heads were insufficient.

The control permissions held by branch temple directors, provincial mountain superintendents, and academy heads were all issued by the main tower of the Star Picking Tower.

But the Authority of the Star Picking Tower's Master could only be granted by the Tower's own sentient will.

For example, the main tower of Chen Guo's Star Picking Tower had to apply to the Tower's sentient will, gain approval, and then provide vast resources before being granted this authority!

Under these conditions, those in the world capable of using Star Dome Protection were exceedingly rare.

Cheng Yuexiao estimated that perhaps fewer than twenty people alive today could use Star Dome Protection, and among them, those below fifth-rank should number no more than one hand.

Even stranger was the Lingji remnant just now.

Its cultivation aura was peculiar.

The initial aura it emitted resembled Level Three or Four of Condensing Stars, but the aura released when Lei Guang exploded felt like Level Nine of Refining Stars.

But since the time from appearance to disappearance was so brief, the perception was unclear.

Thunder star arts

Suddenly, Cheng Yuexiao's gaze sharpened!

His expression turned strange, and his heart gave an involuntary thump!

"Could it be that kid?"

In an instant, Cheng Yuexiao recalled the starlight messages Xu Jin had sent him before.

Back then, he hadn't thought much of it.

It was normal.

Just a curious young man.

But now, combining all this, his heart pounded violently.

Could it really be this kid, bold enough to dare such a thing?

Starlight message.

Level Nine Refining Stars aura.

Thunder star arts.

Cheng Yuexiao knew for certain that Xu Jin possessed thunder star arts.

Add one more—Chaos Star Art!

That completed the final piece.

That Chaos Star Drop? He himself had given it to Xu Jin!

No wonder…

Cheng Yuexiao's heart instantly burned with anxiety!

He suddenly felt fear.

If Xu Jin suffered any mishap, killing two Hu Zhen wouldn't be enough to make amends!

But the next instant, Cheng Yuexiao calmed himself.

Judging by this, the kid must have hidden inside the Star Dome Realm and activated Star Dome Protection.

So he should be safe within one hour. After one hour, unless the Star Lord of Tianyang directly surrounds the Star-Picking Tower branch in Peach County, the boy is safe.

Suddenly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao frowned.

He remembered Xu Jin's Star-Picking Token should be first-rank, right?

Unfortunately, this boy hasn't upgraded it to second-rank.

If he had upgraded to second-rank, he'd be safe.

He could teleport directly back to the Grand Chen Star-Picking Tower—who could touch him then?

Not only could no one touch him, they couldn't even find evidence.

Cheng Yuexiao had intended to ask Xu Jin directly.

But then he remembered Xu Jin's sensitive identity as a Lingji remnant—better not frighten him.

After thinking it over, Cheng Yuexiao sent a starlight message to others, hoping to learn Xu Jin's condition.

He was about to give the order.

But he didn't.

A few breaths later, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sent a starlight message directly to Peng Lao.

【Peng Lao, immediately teleport back to the Guodao Academy and check whether Xu Jin is there. Don't disturb him—just confirm his condition.】

Though puzzled, Peng Lao immediately obeyed the Palace Lord's command.

In an instant, he flew toward the Star-Picking Tower branch in Peach County.

Theoretically, he could return to the Grand Chen Guodao Academy within a hundred breaths.

Xu Jin, who had just reappeared in the Star-Dome Secret Realm, sighed in relief—and felt a pang of regret.

He regretted not upgrading his Star-Picking Token earlier.

Fortunately, his luck wasn't too bad.

When he used the Chaotic Star Technique, he was randomly teleported southeast.

Directly east of Shilong County was Peach County; southeast was only slightly off—but still within the two-hundred-li sensing range of the Star-Picking Tower branch.

If he had been teleported southwest of Shilong County, it would have been disastrous.

Southwest was vast, unbroken mountains—he'd likely have been teleported beyond the range of a first-rank Star-Picking Token.

Then he'd have to move some distance to enter the Star-Picking Tower branch's starlight coverage before using its Star-Dome Protection.

That would be dangerous.

But only the southwest direction could teleport him beyond the Star-Picking Tower's starlight coverage.

This region lies in the south, with dense counties and many Star-Picking Tower branches—most areas lie within the starlight coverage.

Unaware of it, Xu Jin shared the same thought as Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

That was: upgrade the Star-Picking Token to second-rank as soon as possible.

With a second-rank Star-Picking Token, Xu Jin could now teleport openly.

Teleport directly back to the Grand Chen Guodao Academy—and he'd be utterly safe.

And utterly free of suspicion.

But regardless, today's plan had succeeded.

A surprise strike had annihilated the city-slaying demon Hu Zhen!

Perfect!

The entire process unfolded exactly as Xu Jin had calculated.

From action to escape, it took less than three breaths—not over six seconds!

Extremely successful!

Thunder-based star arts naturally suppress spiritual souls and inflict massive damage on yuan spirits.

He struck, destroyed Hu Zhen's yuan spirit, used the fourth-rank star artifact Chaotic Star Pendant's Chaotic Star Technique to flash away a hundred li, then activated the Star-Picking Tower's Star-Dome Protection—usable only once per year.

Beforehand, Xu Jin had thoroughly questioned the Star Spirit about the Star-Dome Protection's details.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared use it recklessly.

He wouldn't have dared risk his own life!

Moreover, his identity as a Lingji remnant and his invisibility technique were deliberately revealed.

To avoid implicating Grand Chen and to spare Grand Master Cheng further trouble.

As for Qin Da sensing his fourth-rank Condensing Star initial-stage cultivation base—that too was deliberate.

At the moment of attack, Xu Jin halted the Gui Cang Star Pattern, fully unleashed his spiritual soul's cultivation, and used star force to briefly forge the fluctuation of fourth-rank Condensing Star initial-stage.

A flash—and gone!

Also to distance himself from his true identity.

No one would suspect his real identity!

Judging by the outcome, it was executed perfectly.

But would the enemy come after him to Peach County City?

Should he stay in the Star-Dome Secret Realm for the full hour?

Or leave early and depart Peach County City?

At this moment, Xu Jin, inside the Star-Dome Secret Realm, knew nothing of the outside world.

Nor could he easily send someone to inquire.

After roughly half an hour, while anxiously waiting, Xu Jin suddenly received a starlight message from Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

【Xu Jin, stay inside the Guodao Academy and don't go out! The incident in Shilong County, Peach County, has been resolved—a Lingji remnant appeared and destroyed Hu Zhen's yuan spirit before fleeing.】

【The Tianyang Star Temple's forces have searched until now and found nothing—they've all returned. Peach County's order will soon be restored.】

【But be cautious in Wan Yi.】

After reading this starlight message, Xu Jin was overjoyed.

Grand Master Cheng's message was like timely rain—it finally put Xu Jin's mind at ease.

Yet Xu Jin felt something odd.

Grand Master Cheng's message seemed focused on warning him to be safe—but also felt like a report on Peach County's situation.

Had Grand Master Cheng discovered anything?

Since Grand Master Cheng said Peach County's order was restored, it was safe—Xu Jin boldly left the Star-Dome Secret Realm of the Peach County branch.

Outside the Peach County Star-Picking Tower branch, people came and went; others continuously teleported in. County guards, accompanied by physicians and large supplies, were slowly advancing toward Shilong County.

With the incident resolved, relief efforts began.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin changed clothes, spent some time using the Hundred Transformations Star Pattern to alter his appearance, and headed toward Shilong County City.

Now came the task of saving lives.

Inside the Grand Chen Imperial Palace, Tianyang Star Lord, who had been playing Go with Emperor Gan'an, turned pale after receiving a starlight message.

"Your Majesty, it seems your Grand Chen isn't cracking down hard enough on Lingji remnants—even a small town like Shilong hides one!"

"How convenient!"

With a cold snort, Tianyang Star Lord scattered the Go board and left without another word, dissolving into starlight and soaring away.

As Tianyang Star Lord departed, Emperor Gan'an's smile slowly froze, turning icy.

After a long pause, he suddenly slammed his palm down.

The Go pieces and board turned to dust.

"None of you respect me anymore—growing ever more insolent!"

"Your Majesty, wait for the right moment."

A bent, white-haired old eunuch in plain robes emerged from the corner of the hall, bowed slightly to Emperor Gan'an, then vanished instantly.

Emperor Gan'an's expression grew even darker.

He was the emperor's backbone—his final reliance!

But the problem was, this man's lifespan was nearly spent.

The next instant, the Imperial Palace's Grand Supervisor Chu Da appeared and silently began gathering the shattered Go pieces.

"Grand Supervisor, how long until you break through to eighth-rank?" Emperor Gan'an asked.

Grand Supervisor Chu Da bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, it's unlikely in the near future."

Emperor Gan'an frowned. "Grand Supervisor, Old Supervisor's days are few—why not ask him if he can help you break through to eighth-rank sooner?"

"Your Majesty, my cultivation path differs from Old Supervisor's—he's already taught me everything he can."

Emperor Gan'an frowned. "Then tell me—what other methods or celestial treasures might help you break through to eighth-rank sooner?"

"Your Majesty, the only known method remains the one we used before," Grand Supervisor Chu Da murmured.

(End of Chapter)