Chapter 251: Rescuing Hope

November 4th, the hour of Wei, one-quarter through.

Xu Jin had just settled his sister Jiang Er when he prepared to visit the Danxia Palace to see the Grand Master, when suddenly starlight descended—it was Kou Jing arriving.

"You're going to join the battle, aren't you?"

Kou Jing strode in as he spoke, casually summoning starlight to seal off the interior, then slapped six fifth-rank talismans into Xu Jin's hands.

"Crafting fifth-rank talismans drains too much of the spirit's power—I used two Three-Yin Clear-Soul Pills just this night to successfully make these six: four Flame-Light, two Blaze-Prairie."

"Flame-Light—I gave you some before; it's a pure fire-attack talisman. Now that my cultivation has advanced, its power has slightly increased—use it freely when facing strong enemies."

"Blaze-Prairie is a fifth-rank composite talisman of wind and fire—offensive with defensive capability, wider in area. When overwhelmed by large numbers of enemies or needing to escape, use this—it'll buy you time to flee." Kou Jing spoke rapidly.

Xu Jin's gratitude was beyond words—just what he needed appeared.

With the two sixth-rank talismans Kou Jing gave yesterday and these six fifth-rank ones now, once cultivated, Xu Jin dared to enter any fifth-rank star domain.

His confidence was now absolute.

Confidence—that kind of thing.

You might not know how to use it, but you absolutely cannot be without it.

Like driving in his past life: with insurance, you felt confident and never had accidents.

But if you forgot to renew it, you'd inevitably have an accident during those few days without coverage.

Some think it's luck.

It's actually a matter of confidence.

Seeing Xu Jin accept them, Kou Jing added, "Use them freely. In the coming days, I'll keep crafting high-grade talismans as the Grand Master ordered, to support this Tower Tribute War. If you quickly conquer a star domain, I can supply you with more."

"Master, aren't talismans forbidden from entering third-rank star domains?" Xu Jin asked, puzzled.

"Acting dumb!"

Kou Jing's face instantly hardened. "Don't play innocent with me. The Grand Master revealed only part of the truth, but I've guessed much. Your spirit cultivation, in my perception, is still at Star Refining Seventh Layer."

"But when you helped me break through that day, after your spirit and Fire-Origin Star Pattern enveloped me, I sensed clearly—your spirit cultivation has already broken into the fourth rank."

"Breaking into the fourth rank means you can now perform the Star Art: Microcosmic Mountain Containment—you've opened a Numinous Space."

"Once you've opened a Numinous Space, you can bring talismans into third-rank star domains."

Xu Jin stared, then offered a wry smile.

He hadn't told the Grand Master about opening the Numinous Space yet.

He'd learned the Numinous Star Pattern from the Grand Master long ago, and the Grand Master had never asked.

Likely, the Grand Master had already guessed he'd opened it.

This secret was hard to keep.

Previously, almost no one knew.

Now, as Xu Jin begins to stand out, many have pieced together clues.

Right now, it's those nearby—like Kou Jing, the Grand Master, and others.

What about later?

Xu Jin realized his long-term strategy of lying low might need changing—or at least, adjusting his hiding tactics.

Otherwise, unless he feigned death and refused to participate in anything, he'd never escape notice.

Any slight attention, combined with his Autumn Exam Champion title, would cause countless interested parties to slowly magnify every anomaly about him.

And no one who holds high position is a fool!

But Kou Jing's words reminded Xu Jin of one thing:

High-rank talismans could be brought into star domains via Numinous Space.

Third-rank cultivators almost never open Numinous Space—Xu Jin was an exception.

Fourth-rank cultivators? Unclear—possibly a few, though exceedingly rare.

Fifth-rank cultivators? None can avoid it; most have, but at least two or three out of ten have opened Numinous Space.

For example, Teacher Liu Qingzhu hasn't opened hers, but Headmaster Dong Zhao certainly has.

Yet for fifth-rank experts, even bringing a sixth-rank talisman inside holds little strategic value.

First, fifth- and sixth-rank talismans are too precious to use except in critical moments; second, fifth-rank peak experts like Headmaster Dong Zhao can already challenge sixth-rank foes themselves—sixth-rank talismans are merely supplementary.

Xu Jin didn't know the difficulty of crafting sixth-rank talismans.

But he knew the difficulty of crafting fifth-rank ones.

First, using fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets to forge the base talisman consumes immense spirit power.

Previously, with third-rank Star Jade Tablets, Xu Jin could make seven or eight base talismans in fifteen minutes.

But with fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets, even he needed over twenty minutes to successfully forge one.

Engraving took even longer.

It took two to three quarters of an hour to complete a single fifth-rank talisman.

And that was after he'd practiced tens of thousands of times inside the Star Lamp.

Spirit power consumption was enormous.

Even Xu Jin, at full spirit power, could only produce six fifth-rank talismans in one go—his absolute limit.

The drain on spirit power was immense.

Even using his sixth-rank Fire-Origin Star Pattern to forcibly elevate the rank, he'd only amassed eight fifth-rank talismans total.

Six were fifth-rank low; only two were fifth-rank mid.

The rarity of fifth-rank talismans was evident.

At the quarter-hour mark of Wei, Xu Jin arrived early at the Danxia Palace and met Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Xu Jin, you've opened your Numinous Space, haven't you?" This was Grand Master's first question upon seeing him.

Hearing this, Xu Jin smiled wryly. "Master, how is it that everyone seems to know my little secret?"

"Who else knows?" Cheng Yuexiao asked, startled, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Kou Jing, the Senior Academician, just guessed it too—he gave me several extra fifth-rank talismans." Xu Jin said.

"When you helped Kou Jing break through, his perception naturally caught something. But I sealed the Fire-Origin Star Pattern below eighth rank with the Nine-Sheng Bell, and given Kou Jing's character, there's no risk of leakage."

Then Cheng Yuexiao added, "Though you're doing your best to conceal yourself, you're a once-in-a-century genius—like a needle in a sack, it's natural you're noticed. Don't worry excessively."

He paused. "But your participation in the Tower Tribute War will inevitably draw renewed attention. Yet if you refuse to fight, you lose the purpose of cultivating you."

"Fight freely!"

"I'll carefully consider and resolve any follow-up issues."

"Master, rest assured. Even with the lingering unease from the earlier assassination attempt, I have no fear of fighting. If needed, I'll just retreat to the National Academy and cultivate to fourth-rank peak." Xu Jin said.

"Good. If I, Cheng Yuexiao, can't protect even one student, then I might as well quit being Grand Master."

Saying this, Cheng Yuexiao handed Xu Jin ten fourth-rank superior talismans. "Your squad's initial target is the third-rank Shahe Star Domain. After completing your primary objective, you may leave early—but before departing, give two of these fourth-rank talismans to your teammates. It'll ensure their safety and increase their gains."

"I understand."

"Master, I'll be gone seven or eight days. I'd like my sister added to your Star-Picking Token—so if there's an emergency, she can seek your aid." Xu Jin said.

Xu Jin had considered his own danger, and the risk it posed to his family, which prompted this request.

"Don't worry. Your sister is a high-priority protected individual—I'll add her as a contact right now."

As Cheng Yuexiao spoke, Peng Lao, the white-haired chief steward, suddenly appeared, smiling. "Xu Jin, I really like your sister, that girl. Why not let me adopt her as my adopted granddaughter? When I'm idle, I can chat with her."

"I'm old now, no grandchildren of my own—this would be perfect."

Hearing this, Xu Jin was overjoyed.

With Peng Lao's word, his sister Jiang Er's safety was guaranteed.

At the three-quarter-hour mark of Wei, Xu Jin arrived punctually at the Star-Picking Tower and met Ji Hongli, Wang Jiugao, and others.

Seeing Xu Jin, the group gathered around him. Ji Hongli, in her red battle skirt, was especially delighted—had others not been present, she'd have clung to his arm.

Holding Xu Jin's arm gave her a deep sense of security.

"All ready? Did you bring enough pills?" Xu Jin asked with a smile.

"Plenty. This time, no limits—I brought several bottles." Ji Hongli tilted her head, gazing at Xu Jin, her big eyes smiling.

"Good. Old rules—everyone knows."

As they spoke, Xu Jin distributed four Crimson-Scale Heart Armors.

"Safety first. Follow my instructions: regroup first, then complete the mission."

While chatting, time quickly reached the four-quarter-hour mark of Wei—the National Academy's nine squads were all assembled.

This year's True Disciples were all squad leaders of third-rank teams.

The other four squad leaders were Meng Qingqiu, Yuan Feiqing, Yan Chen, and Lu Kun.

Xu Jin had also met the three fourth-rank squad leaders: Wang Rusong, Fang Ying, and Ye Anshi.

The fifth-rank squad leader was only one: Dong Zhao, former Headmaster of Jinshan Academy, now Deputy Inspector of the Surveillance Bureau. His squad consisted entirely of Deputy Academicians and teachers: Liu Qingzhu, Tang Hui, Shen Wei, and Han Qing.

All without exception were fifth-rank peak—truly an elite roster for Chen Guo's National Academy.

"Let's go."

Suddenly, starlight descended—it was Grand Master and Right Libationer Song Bing, leading everyone straight to the second floor of the main Chen Guo Star-Picking Tower.

Xu Jin had been here once before—the floor was filled entirely with Star Gates.

When Grand Master arrived, Left Libationer Meng Yanhui was already present, along with a thirty-something man dressed in a unique black ceremonial robe.

In Xu Jin's understanding, it resembled formal official attire.

Like the orthodox court robes worn by Chen Guo officials during audiences—Xu Jin owned two sets himself, but wore them only on major occasions, and they were extremely uncomfortable.

Yet this man wore his naturally, as if it were everyday clothing.

Beside him stood a palace-dressed maiden with snow-white skin, radiating an air of icy aloofness.

When the Grand Master arrived with his entourage, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui had already come to pay his respects; the man in black official robes, however, stood rigidly in place, unmoving.

This scene caused every disciple of Great Chen to frown.

Yet Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao paid it no mind, smiling as he stepped forward and bowed, "Cheng Mou greets Young Master Dai and Princess Hao Yue. My apologies for not greeting you sooner—please forgive me!"

Then Grand Master Cheng introduced them to all: "Everyone, this is Dai Guanwen, the true disciple of the Sumeru Palace's master, fourth in line, known as Young Master Dai. And this is his beloved daughter, the Little Princess of Sumeru Palace—Princess Hao Yue. Come, pay your respects."

Since the Grand Master had spoken, all present—whether third- or fourth-rank disciples or fifth-rank Xuezhengs—bowed in unison.

Only then did Dai Guanwen, the proud and upright Young Master Dai, offer a faint smile: first he bowed to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, then he swept his hand in a circular salute to the others, acknowledging them all.

To be honest, this man's demeanor repelled Xu Jin.

But since the Grand Master had acted this way, so be it—after all, they'd likely never cross paths again.

A true disciple of Sumeru Palace!

"Grand Master Cheng, time is urgent. I am the Star Gate opener and supervisor of this Tower Tribute War. Please hand over the Star-Picking Tokens of all combatants to Lei Ling, and imprint them with the seal."

"Then provide me with the Star Domain coordinates. My preparations are complete—once I receive the coordinates, I can immediately open the corresponding Star Gate, but only for seven days. Remember this well."

"Within seven days, you must exit via the same path."

"Otherwise, when the Star Gate closes, even if I reopen a temporary one, its location will be entirely different, and I cannot notify you." Said Dai Guanwen.

"Very well. Thank you, Young Master Dai."

Listening, Xu Jin felt as if lightning had split his mind.

Star Domain coordinates. Temporary Star Gate!

These two keywords blazed instantly in his mind.

Simultaneously, Xu Jin thought of his master, Qi Shanye, and his uncle, Mo Ji.

Earlier, he had already had Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao successfully craft the Star Domain coordinates for the sixth-rank Star Domain into which his master and uncle had escaped.

That meant: if Xu Jin could contact the Sumeru Palace's disciples and persuade them to act, they could open a temporary Star Gate leading to the sixth-rank Star Domain where his master had fled.

For seven days!

Could he find his master and uncle within seven days? Could he rescue them?

Yes!

Entirely possible!

If seven days weren't enough, then fourteen!

In an instant, Xu Jin had found a path to rescue his master and bring him out.

No longer would he be stumbling blindly, forced to scour the Star River battlefield.

Judging by the current situation, the likelihood was very high.

Of course, this path was also extremely difficult.

From the demeanor of the Sumeru Palace disciples, Xu Jin knew persuading them to act would be hard.

Yet if there was even a chance, Xu Jin would spare no effort to get them to act.

But not now.

His cultivation base was still insufficient.

After this battle, he would clearly understand his combat level; once his cultivation broke through again, perhaps he could begin executing his plan to rescue his master and uncle.

The next instant, everyone, as the Grand Master had ordered, pulled out their Star-Picking Tokens.

At Grand Master Cheng's call, a shimmering cluster of starlight appeared—Lei Ling had responded to his summons.

Suddenly, Lei Ling's voice echoed in Xu Jin's mind.

(End of Chapter)