Chapter 237: True Identity

Songzhou, Taohua County, Shilong City, Chen Guo.

The rescue city guard forces dispatched from Songzhou and Leizhou are still on the way.

But a large number of wandering cultivators and several hundred elite troops from Chen Guo's Dao Academy have already begun pouring into Shilong City to assist in rescue efforts.

Xu Jin, who had just rushed back, was among these wandering cultivators.

Cultivators possess immense strength and can draw upon starlight, making it not overly difficult to rescue the injured from the rubble—only coordinated effort is required.

Soon, spontaneous rescue teams formed.

Some of Chen Guo's official elites and respected wandering cultivators directed groups of over ten cultivators to work together, preventing secondary injuries during rubble clearance and rescue.

These commanders quickly earned nicknames on-site.

Ding Team, Wu Team, Chen Team, Yu Team.

Many suffering civilians began actively seeking help from these teams.

Every time a survivor was pulled out, the cultivators cheered excitedly.

When a corpse was carried out, everyone fell silent.

"Master Wu, please, save my boy—he's only six, he's trapped!" A woman with a severed leg crawled over; white bone shards were visible at the stump, yet she seemed unaware, crashing to her knees before Wu Xin.

Wu Xin was a ninth-layer Star Refining wandering cultivator, currently organizing volunteers to search systematically from the city's east to the south.

Seeing the woman kneel, he frowned and immediately lifted her up. "Is he still alive?"

"Yes! Less than half an hour ago, I heard him calling for Mama—he's still alive!" The woman spoke incoherently with panic.

"Go!"

Wu Xin looked at her severed leg, then picked her up bodily. "Show me the way."

"Over there, over there."

Soon, the woman led Wu Xin's group to the ruins of a residential area—bricks and timber collapsed completely—but beside one house, a bell tower had toppled onto it.

In this situation, the chance of survival was…

Wu Xin frowned. "Is he really alive?"

Such massive rubble would take even cultivators a long time to clear.

"Master Wu, I swear—he called out to me half an hour ago!" The woman struggled again, trying to kneel before him.

"Brothers, get to work! Be careful! Use starlight to brace the debris—these heavy objects must not collapse again!"

A chorus of affirmations rose as the wandering cultivators carefully dug through the rubble.

Half a quarter-hour later, everyone fell silent—they had unearthed the first corpse, an old woman.

Soon after, the second corpse—a man—was found. The woman, staring at the two bodies, was nearly broken.

Another half-quarter-hour passed, and they spotted a man crushed under heavy bricks and stones; his back was arched, stiff, and his front, turned away, was covered in coagulated blood.

He had been dead for some time.

The woman glanced once and burst into wailing—he was her husband.

"Where's my boy? Where's my boy!" The woman went frantic, dragging her severed leg, fresh blood gushing again, yet feeling nothing.

"Move it!"

The group carefully shifted the bricks and stones. The man's body remained arched—then someone shouted, "Wu Team, there's a child underneath!"

"He's alive!"

Instantly, Wu Xin rushed over, gently lifting the entire rigid body—beneath it lay a young boy, a wooden rod piercing his abdomen, unconscious but still breathing.

"Qi Tian Sheng, hurry!"

Wu Xin roared.

Far away, Qi Tian Sheng's palm glowed green as he treated a middle-aged man; the man's massive head wound was slowly healing.

This was the effect of low-grade Star Healing.

At this critical moment, Wu Xin called out—but Xu Jin ignored him.

Too many needed saving—he could only help one at a time!

Seeing no response, Wu Xin grew frantic. "Qi Tian Sheng, you bastard, get your ass over here now! If you don't move, I'll fuck your mother!"

Xu Jin, still treating the man, frowned—this was too far.

"There's a child—unconscious!" another cultivator shouted.

In the next instant, Xu Jin abandoned the middle-aged man—he wouldn't die now. A flash of starlight carried him straight toward Wu Xin.

Two leaps, and Xu Jin crossed a thousand meters, arriving before Wu Xin.

Seeing the unconscious boy, his expression turned grave.

This injury meant little to a cultivator.

But on a child—it was fatal.

Even with Star Healing, survival wasn't guaranteed.

"Wound salve."

"I'll treat him. You slowly pull out the rod—slowly. Hold the child down—don't let him struggle!"

"Gauze!"

"Bring me alcohol!"

Now Xu Jin had become the group's leader again—each order given was instantly obeyed.

"Master Qi, we… we don't have alcohol!" a cultivator stammered.

"Clean water!"

Water was prepared, but Xu Jin frowned again—using this water directly would likely still kill the boy.

He thought for a moment, then plunged his palm into the bucket—flames erupted from his palm.

In seconds, the entire bucket boiled violently.

Normally, this would be a miracle—but now, no one paid attention.

All they cared about was saving lives.

He boiled the water for a full minute before stopping. Then he ordered, "Cool this bucket—fastest possible."

Xu Jin turned and began carefully treating the boy's wound.

Ice-star techniques were rare; the rough men, desperate to cool the water, opened their mouths wide, blowing furiously—like seven or eight toads huddled around a bucket.

Puffing out their cheeks.

After a dozen breaths, Xu Jin turned—and saw this sight.

"You bastards—"

Xu Jin opened his mouth to curse—but something choked him. He couldn't speak. His throat tightened.

In the sky, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, who had just returned from studying the Star Gate, saw this—and his eyes suddenly burned.

All who did this were wandering cultivators of Chen Guo.

Suddenly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, who had been on the verge of despair, was healed.

The world was still worth it.

These lovely people still had someone to support them.

Those who undermined or betrayed—let them be.

Just a little frost and wind.

The world was still worth it.

In the next instant, starlight flashed—and Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao landed silently behind them. His palm surged with icy energy; the bucket of water cooled rapidly.

He did not specialize in water or ice star techniques—but he knew a few ice-star spells.

"The internal injuries are the key. Healing only the exterior won't save him—he'll still die. You use Star Healing from inside out; I'll use my Divine Soul energy to clear the internal wounds and seal the tears. You then rapidly consolidate with Star Healing—perhaps he'll live."

Grand Master handed the water forward. Xu Jin, drenched in sweat, was still treating the child—he didn't even notice the help, too focused to spare attention.

"Good, good, someone helping is fine."

He nodded, signaling they could proceed.

As for the Lingji Star Pattern—every cultivator in Shilong City was active; if Xu Jin activated it now, he'd go mad.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao stood silently beside Xu Jin, his palm resting on the boy's body. Vast Divine Soul energy and starlight flowed in like water, delicate as fingers, gently clearing the boy's abdominal debris and ruptures.

When done, the starlight precisely pressed the wounds together. Xu Jin's Star Healing surged instantly—within seconds, the intestinal tears were sealed. From inside out, Xu Jin continued for half a quarter-hour until the boy's abdominal wound was fully healed.

Only then did he stop, wiping sweat from his brow.

He then dissolved a Blood-Replenishing Pill into water and fed a little to the boy, using starlight to activate it.

Moments later, the boy opened his eyes and burst into wailing, "Dad, it hurts!"

Instantly, everyone gathered around cheered.

Some even wept openly.

He was saved!

Finally, he was saved.

The boy's mother, dragging her severed leg, lunged forward and embraced him, weeping uncontrollably.

Only then did Xu Jin turn around—and froze when he saw the Grand Master.

When had he arrived?

"Young brother, your skill is excellent. What's your name?" Grand Master asked calmly.

"I I—"

"Grand Master, this Master Qi is Qi Tian Sheng—he's already saved hundreds today!" A quick-tongued cultivator stepped forward to introduce him.

"Qitian Sheng—what a magnificent name!"

Xu Jin, feeling guilty, quickly waved his hands. "What 'Master Qi'? Before the State Master, who dares call themselves 'Master'? My humble name is not worth mentioning—I'll go save people first!" In the next instant, Xu Jin fled as if pursued, truly going to rescue others.

The Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao's gaze turned peculiar.

"Little boy, come here and kowtow three times to your father!" Wu Xin suddenly dragged the rescued boy over.

The boy was dazed, but obediently came forward and kowtowed.

The woman also came forward, tears streaming down her face, and kowtowed before the man whose body still remained in a bow-like shape.

"Brother, you're a real man!"

"A true man!"

"I salute you!"

Wu Xin bowed deeply to the man's arched body, then unleashed several palms—starlight exploded, straightening the man's bent form.

"Go! Keep going!"

Destruction was simple, but rescue was terribly complicated.

Even with thousands of county guards from two commanderies rushing in, the rescue operation lasted a full two and a half days before search efforts finally ended.

The casualty figures were now in.

Within Shilong County, there had been 94, 57 souls.

After the disaster, 44, 77 remained alive.

Another 46, 31 corpses were recovered.

The rest were reported missing.

"All who participated in the rescue—thank you for your hard work!"

The weary voice of Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao echoed through the sky.

The rescue lasted two and a half days—and the Grand State Master stayed there for two and a half days.

Not a single moment missed!

"Your noble deeds—I, Cheng, bow to you all!"

In the sky, Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao bowed deeply to the gathered cultivators.

Instantly, the cultivators who had spent two or three days in rescue were moved to tears.

It was worth it!

With the Grand State Master's bow, it was all worth it!

No matter how hard, it was worth it!

"Your noble deeds, I have no way to repay you! All here who wish may claim a waist token, then use it to directly join the Patrol Star Guards of Songzhou or Leizhou, or enter the state or commandery Dao Academies."

"If you do not wish to join, I have nothing else to offer—only a Star-Picking Token, as a token of my gratitude!"

Below, the gathered Jianghu cultivators who had joined the rescue were stunned.

The next instant, cheers erupted across heaven and earth.

To be honest, they had come only to save lives—not one sought reward.

For two and a half days, especially the first day and a half, official supplies were scarce—they ate only their own dried rations.

Yet now, the Grand State Master publicly announced rewards!

It filled everyone's hearts with joy.

Not because of the rewards!

But because their actions had been affirmed!

Recognized!

Of course, the rewards delighted them too.

With the Grand State Master's promise, they were no longer mere Jianghu cultivators—they had become official figures of Chen Guo.

"I thank you all once more! Chen Guo is blessed to have you!" In the sky, Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao bowed again.

The rescue ended. News spread—and many cultivators who had come but not participated now cried out in regret.

Outside Shilong County, Xu Jin stood in line and received another brand-new Star-Picking Token.

He also registered his true identity on the spot at the Songzhou State Dao Academy.

Qitian Sheng!

It felt to Xu Jin as if he were dreaming.

In other words, from now on, Xu Jin could walk openly under the identity of Qitian Sheng.

If he upgraded this Star-Picking Token to second-rank, he could even teleport directly under the name Qitian Sheng!

Even if, in the future, Xu Jin's identity were wanted, Qitian Sheng's identity would still function normally within the Star-Picking Tower.

Chen Guo had backed him with a completely new, legitimate identity!

In fact, very few cultivators chose the Star-Picking Token—only three in total.

Over ninety percent of the cultivators here had already purchased their own Star-Picking Tokens; even those without had chosen to join state or commandery Dao Academies or Patrol Star Guards—almost no one picked the token.

Looking around, Xu Jin was the only one at Foundation Establishment who chose the Star-Picking Token.

Suddenly, Xu Jin felt an inexplicable gaze upon him.

He looked up—and saw the Grand State Master staring at him.

His heart tightened; he quickly lowered his head, afraid to look at the Grand State Master.

"Keep pretending—you're still fooling me!"

The Grand State Master's voice echoed directly into Xu Jin's ears, instantly making him grimace.

Had his disguise been uncovered so easily?

He felt he had left no flaw.

In the sky, the Grand State Master looked at Xu Jin with divine contempt.

No flaw?

Two days ago, he had sent Peng Lao back to the State Dao Academy—and found the problem.

Xu Jin was gone!

At that time, Cheng Yuexiao had assumed the Cultivator Yu who killed Hu Zhen was Xu Jin.

When rescuing the boy two days ago, he had merely acted on impulse—but it gave him a great surprise!

Under such close proximity, if he still failed to notice that Qitian Sheng's aura matched Xu Jin's, he might as well quit.

So he had added a bonus on the spot!

"I'm waiting for you in the eastern mountains. Come here, now," the Grand State Master barked.

A few breaths later, Xu Jin, head hung low, bade farewell to Wu Xin and the others.

"Master Qi, till we meet again in the Jianghu!"

"Farewell, Master Qi!"

"Master Qi, till we meet again in the Jianghu!"

Hundreds of cultivators loudly saw Xu Jin off.

(End of Chapter)