Chapter 256: The God of the Present World?

The last time Xu Jin left the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region, he subdued three Fourth-Rank Condensing Star cultivators of the Purple Wing royal clan, seized their divine souls, and planned to use them when he reentered the Purple Wind Star Region.

Now he could use them.

Perfect for installing one as the Purple Wing King.

Then the Grand Preceptor could rebuild a fixed star gate to the Purple Wind Star Region—once done, the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region would be fully conquered.

Due to controlling their divine souls, Xu Jin could roughly sense the locations of the three, but all were far from the Purple Wing Capital.

He had intended to go find them directly, but the Thunder Feather Heart sensed an intruder's aura rapidly approaching the Purple Wing Capital.

The Purple Wing Capital was in chaos; Xu Jin didn't want this intruder, relying on the name of the Cangmingxingdian, to snatch an easy victory.

The Cangmingxingdian had previously launched multiple assaults on the Purple Wind Star Region and even seized the severed wing of the Purple Wing King, Zi Hao, giving it considerable prestige within the region.

After some thought, Xu Jin simply found a spot to begin refining the newly acquired Thunder Feather Heart.

Wait a moment.

Wait for this Cangmingxingdian disciple to come to him, kill him, then go find the three Purple Sword cultivators he had subdued.

Refining the Thunder Feather Heart was now second nature to Xu Jin, and his divine soul power was extremely strong—he completed the refinement in barely half a quarter-hour.

The instant refinement finished, within the Upper Star Palace, the three Thunder Feather Hearts rejoiced and drew closer, showing signs of merging into one; Xu Jin's divine soul power merely exerted slight influence.

The three Thunder Feather Hearts began to hum and flash with lightning, fusing together; within dozens of breaths, a larger Thunder Feather Heart appeared, its lightning coils more brilliant and awe-inspiring.

Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart.

The moment Xu Jin's mind sank into it, instant understanding arose.

The Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart was similar to the Mid-Rank Crimson Scale Heart he had previously obtained—equivalent to the Diejia of a Mid-Rank Fire Source Star Pattern and a Mid-Rank Fire Image Star Pattern.

But this was merely the lowest-grade Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart; the Mid-Rank Thunder Source Star Pattern it Diejia ed was only around Fourth-Rank Lower Tier.

Very ordinary.

But if another Fourth-Rank Lower Tier Mid-Rank Thunder Image Star Pattern were Diejia ed, its power would be considerable.

Roughly equivalent to a Sixth-Rank or higher Thunder Source Star Pattern.

If two Mid-Rank Thunder Spirit Core fragments carrying Fourth-Rank Upper Tier Thunder Source were Diejia ed, the power would still be impressive.

But compared to Xu Jin's Fire Star Art, it paled greatly.

His Fire Star Art could summon the highest-tier Eighth-Rank Fire Source, then Diejia a Mid-Rank Crimson Scale Heart, and on the Offering Star Core, Diejia two more Mid-Rank Fire Sources and one Initial-Rank Fire Image.

Extremely formidable.

Compared to his own Fire Star Art, his Thunder Star Art still fell far short.

But compared to ordinary cultivators, it was vastly superior.

The next instant, Xu Jin's mind sank into the Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart, intending to sense the positions of the Cangmingxingdian disciples—but the moment his mind entered, an indescribable sensation surged into his heart.

The instant his mind sank into the Thunder Feather Heart, the entire Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region seemed faintly to appear within his perception—he vaguely felt a sense of control over this star region.

But it was only a feeling.

Suddenly, the clouds blanketing the Purple Wing Capital dispersed, sunlight poured down, slightly blinding; Xu Jin unconsciously thought: Another patch of clouds would be nice.

Just that thought.

Instantly, the previously dispersed clouds reformed, obscuring the sun above and bringing coolness.

Xu Jin was stunned.

This was possible?

The next instant, under Xu Jin's mental influence, the clouds overhead scattered, then reformed, then instantly covered the entire city.

Extremely bizarre.

Many Purple Wing clansmen in the capital noticed this and immediately knelt, bowing reverently toward the sky.

Utterly reverent.

Xu Jin grew increasingly delighted.

After acquiring three Thunder Feather Hearts and fusing them into a Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart, he now felt almost godlike within the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region.

He could influence weather patterns within a certain range.

Didn't this mean the more Heavenly and Celestial Will he mastered and refined?

The closer he became to the god of this star region?

Or perhaps, mastering a certain quantity of Heavenly and Celestial Will would truly make one the god of this world.

Soon, Xu Jin experienced the convenience.

Previously, he had no way to contact the three Purple Wing royals whose divine souls he controlled—he had planned to go find them personally.

But now, with his mind sunk into the Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart and guided by the controlled divine souls, he instantly sensed their exact locations, as if he could issue commands across vast distances.

That was simply how the Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart felt to him.

With a thought, he directly ordered them to come to the Purple Wing Capital at once.

In Huomucheng, Zi Jian, training his elite troops, suddenly froze in utter horror.

The master who controlled his life and death had just directly ordered him to go to the Purple Wing Capital.

He couldn't describe how this order had appeared.

Not a voice transmission, not a message.

It simply appeared directly in his mind.

Very clear.

But with no source.

Zi Jian instinctively thought it was an illusion.

Must be an illusion from recent stress.

Even if his master entered the Purple Wind Star Region, he should first come to find him—not directly head to the Purple Wing Capital.

The next instant, Zi Jian's expression went slack.

He saw his two other subordinates, Zi Yu and Zi Jing, suddenly appear outside the training ground, anxiously watching him; as soon as he looked over, they immediately sent him a voice transmission.

"What? You received the Master's command too?"

All three received it simultaneously—this couldn't be an illusion.

Shocked, the three decided to depart immediately.

They had witnessed their master's ruthless decisiveness before.

Defying an order meant only one outcome—death!

As for Xu Jin, he had just killed the third disciple of the Cangmingxingdian.

No difficulty at all.

A single Violet Thunder Strike resolved it.

This time, he didn't even use his divine soul attack.

He then began looting the Purple Wing Capital's secret vaults.

But found little of value.

The Purple Wing Capital's treasure vaults were completely empty.

Barely enough for rats to run through.

Now he recalled—less than two months had passed since his last looting.

The new king's ascension required massive spending, and there were no reserves left.

At the same time, Xu Jin noticed in the Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart's perception that the auras of his three subordinates had begun moving rapidly, heading straight for the Purple Wing Capital.

It actually worked!

Xu Jin was stunned!

Simply refining three Initial-Rank Thunder Feather Hearts into one Mid-Rank Thunder Feather Heart granted godlike abilities!

Or rather, abilities nearly indistinguishable from godhood.

Was Heavenly and Celestial Will really this powerful?

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized a crucial question.

If Heavenly and Celestial Will from various star regions could be seized, refined, and controlled—what about the present world's?

Does the present world have Heavenly and Celestial Will?

Who holds it?

Can it be refined and seized?

Based on current experience, if someone obtained and refined thirty percent of the present world's Heavenly and Celestial Will, wouldn't they become the god of the present world?

Then, where exactly did the authority of the present world lie?

In the hands of the Star Juniors?

Or in the hands of the Emperor Juniors?

Did the Emperor of Chen Guo possess it?

Did the State Preceptor have it?

If he did, then—

But if he didn't, where was it?

And did the authority held by the Bronze-Level Administrators of the Star-Picking Tower relate to this?

Or was it merely some permission granted by the Star-Picking Tower?

For a moment, Xu Jin's mind raced with countless questions.

He even thought of the locked Dian incident involving the Spirit Era Star Palace's slain master.

Could it be related to this matter?

But the more he thought, the more connections he saw, and the thicker the mist clinging to his heart became.

He vaguely grasped something, yet could not find the thread. After racking his brain to no avail, and having nothing better to do, he simply took out the two low-grade Sand River Hearts and began refining them.

In just half an hour, he fully refined them.

Two earth-element Sand River Hearts appeared within Xu Jin's Central Star Palace, orbiting like satellites around the Central Star Palace alongside the mid-grade Crimson Scale Heart and mid-grade Thunder Feather Heart, shining brilliantly.

Whenever he activated one, the corresponding star pattern would glow in response.

Suddenly, the Mingji star pattern in Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace began to flicker, three star-force fluctuations rapidly surging.

It was Zi Chi, Zi Jing, and Zi Yu arriving.

Seeing Xu Jin, the three were awestruck.

Without Xu Jin saying a word, all three knelt involuntarily, their submission genuine.

The intimidation of the mid-grade Thunder Feather Heart had grown even stronger.

Upon seeing Zi Chi's corpse, the three instantly grew solemn.

Had their lord grown this powerful already?

In front of the three, Xu Jin wasted no time and laid out his plan directly.

From this moment on, Zi Jing and Zi Yu shall support Zi Jian as the new king of the Zi Yi tribe.

Have them take control of Zi Yi Royal City and unify the Zi Feng Star Region in the shortest possible time.

As for the Thunder Feather Heart, Xu Jin would set it aside for now.

The instant he had sunk his mind into the mid-grade Thunder Feather Heart, he had sensed something.

Within a short time, the new king could not yet Ningju a new Thunder Feather Heart.

Previously, Zi Chi had relied on the collective fortune and qi of the former Zi Hao to rapidly Ningju a new Thunder Feather Heart.

But with Zi Jian as king, the Zi Feng Star Region has changed rulers three times in quick succession—its people's hearts have scattered.

Zi Jian must first reassemble the people's hearts of the Zi Feng Star Region and bring stability for a long period before he can possibly Ningju a new Thunder Feather Heart.

"Go. There is a Cang Ming Star Sect disciple at this location, and another in that direction. The three of you, bring me their heads within one hour."

As he gave the order, Xu Jin distributed to the three all the third-rank star badges and elixirs he had taken from the slain Cang Ming Star Sect disciples.

As for Xu Jin himself, he no longer wished to lift a finger.

Killing those two felt like slaughtering chickens—better leave it to Zi Jian and the others for practice.

It's preparation for the future.

After this battle, before the fixed star gate of the Great Chen State Dao Academy is established, the Cang Ming Star Sect will surely launch a retaliatory assault on the Zi Feng Star Region.

This is unquestionable.

The loss of five true disciples alone is a massive blow.

Moreover, theoretically, the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region should be the easiest among third-rank star regions to conquer under this wave of assaults.

Thus, after this battle, the Cang Ming Star Sect—or even the Tian Yang Star Sect—may organize forces to attack the Zi Feng Star Region, attempting to permanently seize it.

Who doesn't like to pick up easy gains?

But before the fixed star gate is built, the Great Chen cannot possibly stop the two star sects' attacks, nor can it offer any aid to the new king of Zi Feng.

So Xu Jin intended to leave behind something now.

Whether they would reap the gains or lose their lives then would be uncertain.

Three fourth-rank Star Condensation experts—Zi Jian, Zi Jing, and Zi Yu—launching a surprise attack on a Star Refining ninth-layer disciple, especially one skilled in speed.

Even if the ninth-layer disciple were a true disciple, he could not withstand it.

One hour later, the three returned with two severed heads.

In that same hour, Xu Jin had crafted twenty-four fourth-rank star badges, bringing his total to thirty, including those made earlier.

This does not include the two half-hours Xu Jin spent napping.

The Star Jade Tablets were all previously seized.

Essentially, he had spent nothing—it was all profit with no cost.

"From now on, external enemies may invade. Zi Yu, Zi Jing, each of you take four fourth-rank defensive star badges—you may use them to save your lives in critical moments."

"Zi Jian, I give you twenty-two fourth-rank star badges: four are primary defense, the other eighteen are all primary offense."

In the future, if you encounter enemies you cannot handle or unruly clan members, use one badge to obliterate them outright."

"Soon, Cang Ming Star Sect disciples may return to launch another assault. When they do, remember to strike first—use the badges to kill a few, and you'll pass safely."

After giving all his instructions, Xu Jin took out the timing Jade Tablet, sank his mind into it, and flew toward the star gate he sensed.

About half an hour later, he arrived.

He stepped instantly into the star gate and vanished.

The Star River Marshal's Secret Realm.

The Lou Gong War had been underway for nearly twelve hours.

As the twelve-hour mark neared, the Emperor of Great Chu, the Emperor of Great Hong, the Zhen E Star Jun, the Tian Yang Star Jun, and the Cang Ming Star Jun all arrived in succession.

According to the Star Spirit's words, it could collect the quadrant point rankings every six hours.

At the previous six-hour mark, none of the Star Jun had come.

The six-hour point tally held no significance.

After all, it was only the beginning!

But the twelve-hour point tally was still worth checking.

After all, it had been a full day.

The entire Lou Gong War lasted only seven days.

A day's point ranking now carried meaning.

Among all present, the Tian Yang Star Jun and the Emperor of Great Hong wore the broadest smiles.

Because the point ranking sent by the Star Spirit six hours prior had placed Great Hong in first place.

But the Emperor of Great Chu and the Zhen E Star Jun looked slightly tense.

For in the six-hour ranking, Great Chu ranked third, and the Zhen E Star Sect had slipped to fourth.

Yet Great Chen had ranked second.

This was unusual.

Thus, the highest-ranking figures of the present world had arrived early.

Chancellor Cheng Yuexiao's face also showed anticipation.

"Star Spirit, is the time here?" the Tian Yang Star Jun suddenly asked.

"It is. I am now sensing and collecting the data," replied the Star Spirit.

A few breaths later, within the Star River Marshal's Secret Realm, starlight flickered, revealing four rankings and point totals.

First place: Great Hong Empire, 7, 49 points.

Second place: Great Chen Empire, 7, 32 points.

Third place: Great Chu Empire, 5, 49 points.

Fourth place: Zhen E Star Sect, 4, 67 points.

Upon seeing this ranking, the Cang Ming Star Jun, the Emperor of Great Chu, and the Zhen E Star Jun all furrowed their brows, their expressions grim.

Though it was only the first day, being outpaced by two thousand points by Great Chen—wasn't that a massive gap?

At first, the Tian Yang Star Jun had been smiling.

But immediately, his smile vanished.

Great Chen's points were clinging tightly to theirs.

This left the Tian Yang Star Jun and the Emperor of Great Hong with an unpleasant feeling.

The next instant, all eyes turned to Chancellor Cheng Yuexiao of Great Chen.

Especially the Tian Yang Star Jun and the Cang Ming Star Jun, who had harbored doubts before, both simultaneously thought the same thing.

If Great Chen continues this momentum, that genius who plucked six golden stars may truly be hidden within the Great Chen State Dao Academy.

But who could that genius be?

At this thought, both the Tian Yang Star Jun and the Cang Ming Star Jun's minds instantly conjured the name of the Great Chen genius that had appeared most frequently on their desks.

"Gentlemen, until tomorrow."

At that same moment, Cheng Yuexiao bowed slightly, then swiftly departed, his eyes brimming with joy.

Just now, he had received a starlight message from Meng Yanhui.

【Chancellor, come quickly—Xu Jin has successfully returned from the third-rank Zi Feng Star Region.】

(End of Chapter)