Chapter 254: Not the First

Inside the second floor of the main tower of Dachen Star-Picking Tower, Dai Si, heir of Xumi Palace, sat cross-legged in meditation.

Meng Yanhui, Left Sacrificial Officer of Dachen, sat beside him.

Nearby, a row of rooms had been hastily converted into a pastry kitchen, a tea room, and a chef on standby—anything Dai Si required would be delivered immediately.

The heirs of Xumi Palace were famed for their refined lifestyles.

Indeed, even the brocade cushions he sat on were brought from home.

Yet despite such refinement, under the strict discipline of the Xumi Palace master, his devotion to rigorous cultivation remained unwavering.

Even during his duty of supervision, Dai Si continued his intense meditation.

Suddenly, the starlight on the fifth temporary star-gate to the left flickered. Dai Si's eyes opened instantly.

"One of your disciples is emerging?"

"Did they fail and flee back?"

"From the third-rank Shahe Star Region," Dai Si reminded.

Meng Yanhui opened his eyes. Though he suspected something, Dai Si's words stirred his concern.

In the next instant, Xu Jin stepped through the temporary star-gate, appearing on the second floor of the Star-Picking Tower—drenched in killing aura, yet radiant with triumph.

Just by his appearance, it was clear he had not returned in defeat.

Even Dai Si noticed the anomaly—only one had returned.

Xu Jin bowed silently, acknowledging the Xumi Palace heir.

"You're back—how did it go?" Meng Yanhui hurried forward.

"I have not disgraced my mission!" Xu Jin bowed.

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

Meng Yanhui uttered three "goods" in quick succession, then sent a starlight message to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"The Grand Master will arrive shortly—wait here."

"Yes, Master Meng. I'll find a quiet room to rest for fifteen minutes and recover."

With a nod, Xu Jin stepped out of the main tower and entered the quiet chamber already prepared for him in the State Academy.

Inside, he activated the Mingji Star Pattern for vigilance, swallowed a Four-Xuan Star-Recovery Pill of the First Elixir, activated the Wengmeng Star Pattern, and instantly fell into deep sleep.

In the third-rank Shahe Star Region, Xu Jin had consumed less than ten percent of his spiritual soul power, but his star energy was heavily depleted.

The next star region loomed ahead.

Though the third-rank regions seemed easy now, caution never harmed.

Xu Jin decided to spend fifteen minutes restoring his state to peak, especially his spiritual soul power.

Moreover, a brief nap under Wengmeng would greatly alleviate fatigue.

This Tower Tribute War lasted seven full days.

Though cultivators possessed extraordinary stamina, going without sleep beyond three days caused rapid decline.

Fifteen minutes of Wengmeng sleep fully replenished Xu Jin's endurance.

Inside the main tower's second floor, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao appeared. Dai Guanwen, who had just closed his eyes to meditate, opened them briefly in greeting before preparing to resume.

But in the next instant, Cheng Yuexiao spoke: "Fourth Young Master, I must trouble you to open one more star-gate." As he spoke, he produced a star-region beacon.

Dai Guanwen, whose eyes had just closed, opened them again, frowning. "Grand Master Cheng, this exceeds the agreed scope—this is already the tenth."

"Fourth Young Master, the rules of this Tower Tribute War permit nine combat teams, but they do not limit the number of star-gates opened. Is that not correct?" Cheng Yuexiao said.

Dai Guanwen pondered for a few breaths, then nodded. "True—but—" His expression turned uneasy.

"What difficulty do you face? Please speak plainly," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Grand Master Cheng, you've seen—I don't open star-gates out of thin air. I require a spatial array as base, then my secret method as catalyst, and finally the star-region beacon as guide."

"Other matters are minor, but the jade tablets needed for the spatial array take time and effort to craft, and are costly. Wei Xu only paid for nine temporary star-gates."

"I know that. I won't let you bear the loss. The extra cost will be covered by Dachen. How much is needed?" Cheng Yuexiao asked.

"In that case, it's acceptable."

Dai Guanwen nodded, then asked, "May I ask, what rank is the new star-region?"

"Third-rank."

"Third-rank is simple—only four spatial jade tablets needed. Each takes over ten days to craft. We charged Wei General 1, 00 strands of starlight per tablet as cost price."

"I'll pay you seven thousand strands for this one gate. The rest is your labor fee," Cheng Yuexiao said generously.

But instantly, Dai Guanwen's face darkened. "Grand Master Cheng, what are you implying? Do you think I, Dai Guanwen, am greedy for your thousand strands of starlight?"

Cheng Yuexiao was stunned—he didn't understand Dai Guanwen's meaning.

Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui stepped forward with a smile. "Fourth Young Master, you misunderstand—our Grand Master did not mean it that way. He meant the price you gave to General Wei was a Xumi Palace favor price."

"One spatial jade tablet at 1, 00 strands is a loss."

"It takes 2, 00 strands just to break even."

"For four tablets, we should pay 8, 00 strands to ensure you don't lose."

"We still need your help to open the gate."

"Your noble integrity, Dachen will forever remember—and repay."

At that moment, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao realized his mistake and internally chuckled.

How could he forget Xumi Palace's ways?

They reject profit yet demand face.

"My mistake—my mistake," Cheng Yuexiao apologized quickly.

"It is my duty to ensure fairness in the Tower Tribute War—I must act. But opening a new gate requires time," Dai Guanwen said.

A few breaths later, Meng Yanhui transferred eight thousand strands of starlight—post-tax—to Dai Guanwen, who then began his work.

In the quiet chamber outside the Star-Picking Tower, Xu Jin awoke precisely after fifteen minutes of sleep.

He felt refreshed, his spiritual soul power fully restored.

His star energy was completely replenished.

As the Mingji Star Pattern glowed brightly, Xu Jin saw the Grand Master outside.

"How did it go?"

Seeing Xu Jin awake, the Grand Master stepped in and asked.

"Grand Master, I slew the Shahe King at fourth-rank ninth layer, killed twenty-four other fourth-rank experts in the Shahe Star Region, and hundreds of third-rank cultivators. The rest—my sister Ji and the others—face no danger now."

"As long as no mistakes occur, within six days we can install a new puppet king and fully conquer the Shahe Star Region," Xu Jin said.

"Good!"

The Grand Master's face lit with joy.

Compared to the long-term value of fully conquering a third-rank star region, it was no less than rising one rank in the Tower Tribute War.

Either outcome would propel Dachen's national strength upward for a long time.

Third-rank star regions continuously delivered vast quantities of third- and fourth-rank star jade tablets and rare celestial treasures.

"Did you obtain the Star Will?" Grand Master Cheng asked.

"Yes."

Xu Jin made no secret—he pulled it out.

But Cheng Yuexiao told him to put it away. "Wait until after the war to refine it—you'll gain further strength. Keep it safe." Here, Cheng Yuexiao frowned.

"I just confirmed with the Star Spirit: any Star Will acquired is recorded and cannot be erased. Your two Earth-type Shahe Hearts will be made public after the war."

"You'll once again become the target of envy."

"One might be tolerable. Two? Even fifth- and sixth-rank cultivators will covet them—let alone seventh-rank masters."

"I can't just refuse what's mine?" Xu Jin smiled wryly.

"I'm thinking—you'll enter the third-rank Zifeng Star Region next, and likely obtain another Thunder Feather Heart, right?" Cheng Yuexiao said.

"More than likely. If my luck isn't terrible, I'll exit Zifeng within a day, and still have time for one or two more regions."

"So this time, you'll acquire five or six different types of Celestial Star Will," the Grand Master said.

"About that—depends on luck."

"It seems your brilliance, after the Tower Tribute War, can no longer be hidden," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Then I'll just lock myself in the State Academy and cultivate," Xu Jin laughed. "But I must take these Celestial Star Wills—otherwise, I'll never get another chance."

"Yes. Take them."

"Since you can't hide it, fight with all your might."

"Let your brilliance blaze as brightly as it can!"

"Stop holding back!" Cheng Yuexiao said.

Hearing this, Xu Jin beamed. "Grand Master—truly?"

"Truly!"

"As for your future safety, I've drafted a preliminary plan. Here's the document—review it." Cheng Yuexiao handed Xu Jin a jade tablet.

"Study it yourself. If you find anything needing improvement or addition, let me know early—I'll keep refining it as circumstances change."

"We'll decide on implementation based on actual conditions," Cheng Yuexiao said.

Xu Jin sank his mind into the jade tablet—just one glance, and he was astonished.

The Grand Master truly was the Grand Master.

He actually came up with such a bold plan.

If executed this way, it truly could solve his safety problem.

But if so, Xu Jin himself must prepare in advance.

"Let's go—the Star Gate is almost ready."

A few breaths later, Cheng Yuexiao and Xu Jin arrived inside the second floor of the main tower of the Dachen Star-Picking Tower.

Clearly, this newly opened Star Gate had insufficient preparation from Dai Guanwen—it was already half a watch past its expected time and still not ready.

While waiting, Xu Jin chatted with the Star Spirit.

"How are the points?"

"According to the starlight messages received so far, the highest scorer is Lin Xun of the Tianyang Star Palace," said the Star Spirit.

"Higher than me?" Xu Jin frowned.

He had slain a third-rank Star Domain King and obtained two third-rank Star Domain Heavenly and Celestial Will fragments.

Just those alone amounted to 1, 00 points.

How could anyone surpass him?

"Lin Xun slew the Star Domain King of his fourth-rank Star Domain and also obtained one fragment of the fourth-rank Star Domain's Heavenly and Celestial Will," said the Star Spirit.

Hearing this, Xu Jin was stunned.

"A fourth-rank Star Domain King? That would be a fifth-rank Dou Gathering Ninth Layer peak cultivator—with multiple fifth-rank experts at his side. How did this Lin Xun from the Tianyang Star Palace manage it?" Xu Jin asked in surprise.

"According to the messages transmitted from his Star-Picking Token, it likely involved insignias—he used at least three sixth-rank insignias," said the Star Spirit.

In an instant, Xu Jin understood.

Lin Xun had already reached fourth-rank Condensing Star Ninth Layer peak a year ago; if his soul cultivation had also broken into the fourth rank, he could have opened a Sumeru Space.

That way, he could carry sixth-rank insignias inside.

So it was entirely possible.

As for fourth-rank soul cultivation, it was also highly plausible.

He was last year's top disciple of the Tianyang Star Palace and had once claimed a Golden Star. With the Tianyang Star Palace's resources, forcing a disciple's soul cultivation to fourth rank at any cost was no difficulty at all.

Two or three hundred Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills could accomplish it.

For an individual, obtaining dozens of Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills was extremely difficult, but for a dominant power, it was not hard.

Now, as long as this fourth-rank Star Domain is fully conquered, the cost will be recouped.

If so, Lin Xun's total points would be two thousand—just from slaying one fourth-rank Star Domain King and obtaining the fourth-rank Star Domain's Heavenly and Celestial Will.

Surpassing Xu Jin is perfectly normal.

But Lin Xun probably won't leave his current Star Domain to enter another for battle, right?

Sixth-rank insignias are extremely precious.

He's already used three.

But Xu Jin still couldn't let his guard down.

For an individual, three sixth-rank insignias are extremely precious—but for a dominant power, they may not be.

Even Dachen has Kou Jing, a master insignia artisan, fully supporting them.

Not to mention the Tianyang Star Palace.

"Hmm, well done."

Xu Jin's praise made the Star Spirit ecstatic.

Its existence was too dull—besides reading books and watching people come and go in the Star-Picking Tower, it had nothing else to do, and could not leave.

He had already given it the first dozen chapters of Journey to the West, which it had memorized backward and forward.

"I'll reward you with five more chapters first—read them slowly. Keep a sharp eye out. If you perform well later, I'll give you more rewards."

As he spoke, Xu Jin clenched in his palm the jade tablet he had already prepared with the five chapters; a faint flicker of starlight vanished.

"Done."

On the other side, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's voice came through—the third-rank Purple Wind Star Domain's Star Gate was now ready.

"Grand Master, I'm entering," Xu Jin said before stepping into the Star Gate.

"Mm. Safety first."

At the same moment, Cheng Yuexiao's voice echoed in Xu Jin's ear: "Remember, if you encounter no one, do not actively hunt down disciples of the Cangming Star Palace.

But if you're provoked or a conflict arises, don't hold back—if you strike, kill every witness. Don't be soft. Leave no hazards.

"Although this year's Star-Picking Festival has no restrictions on internal conflict, avoid giving others grounds for criticism if you fight in foreign domains."

"Grand Master, I understand. My primary goal is to slay the new Purple Wing King of the Purple Wind Star Domain and obtain that new Thunder Feather Heart."

After transmitting this, Xu Jin took the timing jade tablet given by Dai Guanwen and stepped directly into the temporary Star Gate of the third-rank Purple Wind Star Domain, vanishing instantly.

Cheng Yuexiao and Meng Yanhui watched Xu Jin's disappearing figure with eager anticipation.

Dai Guanwen, the fourth young master of the Sumeru Palace, gazed at Xu Jin's vanishing form with a thoughtful expression.

This young man is far from ordinary.

And his behavior—leaving the third-rank Shahe Star Domain only to re-enter the third-rank Purple Wind Star Domain—is also highly unusual.

Not something an ordinary prodigy could accomplish.

Must be recorded.

It could bring him considerable benefits.

Though he is the fourth young master of the Sumeru Palace, his expenses are truly enormous.

Although he was the Fourth Young Master of Xumi Palace, his expenses were indeed enormous.

(End of Chapter)