Chapter 269: I Accept This Favor (Requesting Monthly Votes)

"Good! Good! Good!"

Seeing Peng Lao, and learning that Xu Jin had also given Peng Lao a star jade tablet sealed with one-tenth of a divine soul's power, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao exclaimed three "good"s in succession.

"Peng Lao, you don't know—I was just worrying about this."

This jade tablet raises our probability of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm to over eighty percent—extremely certain."

So should I use it, or should you use it?"

If I use it, our Chen Guo will gain the power to stand against the two Star Juniors."

But if you use it, you'll gain two full decades of extended life."

With two decades, your chance of breaking through to the eighth realm is still high—so effectively, you gain three decades."

If you can extend your life by two or three decades and relieve my worries, then even if I meet with misfortune, my successor as Grand Master can grow steadily under your guidance."

Before you arrived, I had already decided—you should use it."

Your remaining lifespan is less than ten years."

I still have time—even if I don't break through this time, I'll have chances later."

But I never expected—Xu Jin actually solved this perfectly." Cheng Yuexiao said joyfully.

Hearing this, Peng Lao shook his head. "If there were only one, it would certainly be for you, Your Majesty. If you use it and form a Nascent Soul, your combat power will surge dramatically. Then, even if the two Star Juniors join forces, they won't dare pay the price if you're in Wanyi."

I'm old and worn out—extending my life would only prolong my suffering."

But this good boy, Xu Jin, solved it for both of us."

He truly is a good boy—such a precious thing, and he gave it away so easily."

"It must be that Xu Jin carries great fortune. The Wan Jiao Sect spent years hoarding their stock in the star realm, yet Xu Jin swept it all away in one stroke—and now it benefits us. Truly remarkable." Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Fortune is elusive, but Xu Jin's character absolutely deserves such fortune."

Countless beings carry fortune, but those with Xu Jin's character are one in a hundred!"

"Peng Lao, have you found any Lei Yuanxing patterns recently? Xu Jin's cultivation has already broken through to the fourth realm—we must hurry."

"Your Majesty, I've been pressing hard. Only two places currently have Lei Yuanxing patterns for sale: the Wood Spirit Palace and the Zhen'e Star Temple. The Zhen'e Star Temple refuses outright—even under the best conditions, they won't sell Lei Yuanxing patterns."

But the Wood Spirit Palace is willing to sell Lei Yuanxing patterns below the fourth realm."

But their price is exorbitant."

It's practically a lion's demand." Peng Lao said.

"What's their price?" Cheng Yuexiao asked.

"It's not about price anymore—it's priceless." Peng Lao grimaced. "The Wood Spirit Palace demands one already-conquered second-rank star realm. Our Chen Guo Dao Yuan has conquered only five second-rank star realms total. That's a lion's demand."

"Demanding one conquered second-rank star realm for Lei Yuanxing patterns below the fourth realm? That's a lion's demand indeed."

As Cheng Yuexiao frowned, he suddenly said, "Peng Lao, after your breakthrough today, go yourself—settle this and retrieve the Lei Yuanxing patterns as soon as possible."

"You'll really give it?" Peng Lao exclaimed.

"You must give it!"

This is what Xu Jin urgently needs—we must get it back for him quickly!"

But Peng Lao, you can negotiate for a bonus—worst case, get them to grant you a slot to learn beginner-level Star Healing. That should be acceptable." Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Fine. Since Xu Jin needs it, I'll go myself this afternoon."

To be honest, just for the two star jade tablets Xu Jin returned, each sealed with nearly 110 Longgui Duanpo Dan's power, I'd give up a third-rank star realm to get this back for him." Peng Lao said.

"Not two."

Cheng Yuexiao's words made Peng Lao's face turn pale. "Not two? Then you're lying to me—there's only one?"

If there's only one, I absolutely won't use it—it must be reserved for you, Your Majesty."

Seeing Peng Lao's agitation, Cheng Yuexiao laughed. "Peng Lao, don't rush—it's not two, and not one—it's three!"

"Three?"

Peng Lao's face shifted from shock to delight, then he chuckled. "They gave us three? Doesn't Xu Jin realize how precious this is?"

"The third one went to Kou Jing."

"To Kou Jing?"

Peng Lao suddenly burst into laughter. "Ah, so the boy's filial heart is truly the most precious thing in this world."

Whoever gets the chance to be his teacher is truly blessed."

As they spoke, from the rear hall of Danxia Palace, even with starlight barriers, a vast surge of divine soul energy surged outward, startling Peng Lao.

"Your Majesty, what's this?"

"Kou Jing couldn't wait—he broke through right here in my palace. Your turn next."

An hour later, Kou Jing, the Senior Academician, stepped out of the rear hall, radiant and energized. As he walked over, a halo of starlight rose behind his head, forming his likeness, then bowed respectfully to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao.

"Grand Master, Peng Lao—a single realm difference, yet worlds apart."

Breaking through to form a Nascent Soul has changed everything."

Before, I could produce five or six fifth-rank superior rune tablets in a day without rest."

Now, I can easily produce ten per day."

Previously, crafting one sixth-rank rune tablet required careful preparation for one or two months."

In these past few days, I've used up all the base tablets and semi-finished products I'd prepared over the past year."

But now, after forming my Nascent Soul, I can complete a tablet in three to five days without preparation."

With preparation, I can engrave a sixth-rank superior rune tablet in half a day."

Truly, worlds apart."

Kou Jing, now having broken through to form a Nascent Soul, said. After speaking, his Nascent Soul bowed again to the two. "But there are many subtleties to Nascent Soul breakthrough—I still need to study and experience them deeply."

Even after my breakthrough, when I looked at the eighth-rank and below high-grade Fire Source Star Patterns I'd studied before, I felt something entirely different with just one glance."

Grand Master, I'll go prepare a few rune tablets for my disciples, then I must close for a few days to consolidate."

"Good! Good!"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao watched Kou Jing's breakthrough with a broad smile and hurried him off to consolidate his cultivation.

But barely two breaths after Kou Jing left, he returned in a flash of starlight, handing Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao a jade tablet—the very star jade tablet Xu Jin had previously given him, sealed with divine soul power.

"Grand Master, during my breakthrough, I absorbed only about seventy percent of the divine soul power sealed in this tablet."

The remaining power inside is roughly equivalent to thirty-five Longgui Duanpo Dan."

If I absorbed it directly, it would be wasteful for boosting my divine soul cultivation."

So I came back specifically to return it to you—I hope it can help others."

Hearing this, Cheng Yuexiao was overjoyed.

"If Kou Senior Academician hadn't reminded me, I'd never have thought of this! Now, these jade tablets become immensely useful."

Even with only thirty percent of divine soul power remaining, this star jade tablet is still priceless—I'll accept it."

After I gather resources, I'll send you fifty Longgui Duanpo Dan." Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"No need to mention it."

With that, Kou Jing dissolved into starlight and returned to his academic hall.

Inside Danxia Palace, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao were overjoyed.

Had Kou Jing not reminded them, they'd never have thought of this use.

"Your Majesty, if this is the case, after we use our star jade tablets for breakthroughs, there should still be leftovers. Then we could help one or two others break through as well." Peng Lao said joyfully.

"Indeed!"

Instantly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao's expressions turned ecstatic.

If so, this star jade tablet could create many more experts.

But it's only suitable for breaking realms—not for boosting divine soul cultivation.

"Peng Lao, if there are leftovers, who should we give them to?" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao mused aloud.

"Meng Zuo Jiujiu must have one slot. Meng Yanhui has served two Grand Masters. Over the years, he's handled all internal and external affairs—though his cultivation has been stuck at the peak of the sixth realm for decades, he's shouldered every tedious duty of the Dao Yuan."

Also, I recall Meng Yanhui's true age is over ninety. He suffered several serious injuries in his youth—his lifespan won't exceed 120. If he breaks through, his chance of reaching the seventh realm increases greatly, and he'll gain extended life." Peng Lao said.

After a pause, Peng Lao added, "Meng Yanhui must be given one!"

"If there's any left, Ji Bang could be considered too. Ji Bang's lifespan is nearly gone, and he's also stuck at the peak of the sixth realm. If he forms a Nascent Soul, he'll gain extended life—it's also a repayment for the Ji Clan's unwavering support over decades."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said nothing, but clearly agreed with Peng Lao's suggestion. After a few breaths of thought, Peng Lao added, "If there's still any left, we could consider—"

"Impossible—how could five or six people break through?" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao laughed.

"It's still possible. In our Chen Guo, besides you, Your Majesty, no one else under age has reached the ninth layer of the fourth realm. The others stuck at the peak of the fourth realm are mostly around a hundred years old—close to their lifespan limits."

One more breakthrough is one more."

"Naturally. But right now, you must hurry in and break through! Once you do, I'll rest easy." Cheng Yuexiao smiled.

Immediately, Peng Lao entered the rear hall holding a star jade tablet, while Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao personally guarded him. After nearly half an hour, the massive surge of divine soul energy subsided, and Peng Lao walked out smiling.

At a single glance, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was startled.

Peng Lao's hair and beard were still white, but his complexion was utterly transformed.

Previously, the white-haired Peng Lao radiated deep old-age energy—his face, though plump, was full of wrinkles, his eyes dim, his vitality low.

But now, after breaking through to the fifth realm and forming a Nascent Soul, though his hair and beard remained white, that deep old-age aura vanished completely, replaced by vigorous vitality.

It was as if a withered sapling, on the brink of death from drought, had suddenly received spring rain—and revived overnight.

His face, now plump with flesh, saw wrinkles rapidly diminishing as his newly formed Nascent Soul nourished his body.

From behind, he looked no longer like a dying log, but a thriving, towering tree.

If he dyed his hair black, someone might believe he was sixty.

Feeling the change in Peng Lao's aura, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled sincerely.

With Peng Lao's lifespan issue resolved, the great weight on his heart had finally vanished.

Most of his rear concerns had already been eliminated.

"Lord, as Grand Academician Kou Jing said, this Yuanling is truly endlessly useful."

Once formed, the heavens and earth are already different.

"The eighth-rank Fire Source Star Pattern I could never fully comprehend before has suddenly become somewhat clear to me," said Peng Lao.

Hearing this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao laughed more freely, "It seems Peng Lao's chance of breaking through to eighth rank has increased further."

"Indeed!"

"Even if I don't break through to eighth rank, my combat power has made great strides. If I encounter another incident like Hu Zhen's again, I can still hold my ground."

"I can now stand up to an early eighth-rank expert," said Peng Lao.

"Hahaha, good, good!"

"Excellent!"

"Once Peng Lao breaks through, I won't have to be as constrained as before," said Cheng Yuexiao.

As Peng Lao nodded, he handed over a jade tablet. "Lord, I used sixty percent of the tablet's stored power during my breakthrough. There's still forty percent left—roughly the equivalent of nearly forty-five Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills."

"Good. You and Grand Academician Kou Jing can use the remainder; at least one of you will succeed."

"Time is critical. Lord, you should break through as soon as possible. The sooner, the better."

"Very well. I'll go now."

With that, Cheng Yuexiao went to the back hall and immediately began absorbing the divine soul power within the jade tablet. Only half an hour later, powerful divine soul fluctuations rose from the back hall—but for some reason, the disturbance when Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao fully formed his Yuanling lasted far longer than Kou Jing's and Peng Lao's had.

It lasted a full half-minute before ending.

Half a minute later, Cheng Yuexiao emerged from the back hall, radiant and spirited, his entire being glowing as if luminous.

More refined, more restrained, yet his aura had become even more unfathomable.

"Congratulations, Lord."

Cheng Yuexiao smiled and nodded. "Indeed, once the Yuanling is formed, the heavens and earth truly are different. Many confusions I had while studying Star Patterns suddenly resolved themselves—and even became fully integrated."

"It seems the Lord can now deduce several more Star Patterns," Peng Lao chuckled.

"Naturally. But now that you've broken through, Peng Lao, go to the Wood Spirit Palace yourself and trade for Lei Yuanxing's Star Pattern. You must bring back the initial-grade Star Pattern as well; for the rest, take whatever you can."

"Understood. I'll go now."

A few breaths later, Chief Peng Lao stepped directly into the Star-Plucking Tower and departed through a Star Gate.

Cheng Yuexiao stared at the three jade tablets in his hand and began calculating.

He had used only forty-five percent of the power in that one tablet to break through—leaving fifty-five percent remaining.

Of the three Star Jade Tablets, one retained thirty percent divine soul power, one forty percent, and one fifty-five percent. As long as luck wasn't too poor, and with two Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills added, forming two new Yuanlings was certain.

With good fortune, there might even be leftovers.

He glanced toward the Star-Plucking Tower—Meng Yanhui was still on duty, and Dai Guanwen was there too; he couldn't call them away.

Then let him summon Ji Bang instead. Now that the opportunity has come, he must properly repay the Ji family.

As he pondered, Cheng Yuexiao sent a starlight message to Ji Bang, Dean of the Great Chen Wan Yi Dao Academy.

【Ji Shu, come quickly.】

Upon the Grand Master's summons, Ji Bang—even as a senior—arrived at top speed.

Moreover, Ji Bang had always held deep respect for Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Grand Master, what has summoned me?" Ji Bang asked upon arriving.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled, not rushing to speak, but asked, "I recall you're one hundred and five this year, Ji Shu?"

Ji Bang stroked his half-gray beard, surprised. "Why does the Grand Master care about my age? I'm your master's senior brother—seven years older than your master. I'm one hundred and eight this year."

"Still, I can serve Great Chen for another twenty or thirty years without issue."

"Is the Grand Master saying I'm too old?"

"How could I?"

Cheng Yuexiao laughed. "If you're one hundred and eight, and my master were still alive, he'd be one hundred and one."

At this, Ji Bang's expression darkened. Cheng Yuexiao continued, "Do you have any wishes left, Ji Shu?"

"Wishes?"

Ji Bang pondered, sensing Cheng Yuexiao's words carried hidden meaning, then slowly replied, "Wishes?

I only wish Great Chen may enjoy peace and prosperity, and under your leadership, grow even stronger. Oh—and my precious little granddaughter. I hope to see her break through to sixth rank before I die. Then I'll rest easy."

"Have you never considered your own needs?"

"What needs?"

"Such as extending your lifespan?"

Hearing this, Ji Bang smiled bitterly. "I'd love to!

But my attempts to break through in Water, Metal, and Wind have all failed. Fire conflicts too strongly with my primary Water path—I don't want to pursue it. As for Earth, the chance of breaking through below seventh rank is far too low."

"And forming a Yuanling? You've spent years without breaking through, Peng Lao hasn't either—what chance do I have?

Breaking through to Yuanling is too difficult."

As he spoke, Ji Bang suddenly froze, stunned.

Before him, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's head suddenly glowed with light—a miniature version of Cheng Yuexiao appeared, smiling and bowing to him.

"Grand Master—you've broken through?

You've formed a Yuanling!"

"Indeed."

Cheng Yuexiao nodded. Ji Bang offered his congratulations, then suddenly froze again.

Ji Bang had spent decades in officialdom; his age was no secret.

Now he realized: Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao wouldn't have summoned him urgently just to show off his Yuanling.

If Cheng Yuexiao were that foolish, Great Chen would have fallen long ago!

Then…

At the thought of a certain possibility, Ji Bang's heart trembled.

If it were true, he might actually extend his lifespan!

He could live!

Who wants to die?

The next instant, Cheng Yuexiao pressed two Star Jade Tablets into Ji Bang's hands and explained their use.

"This—is too precious! Grand Master, did you pay an enormous price to obtain these?"

"Not from me."

"Then…?" Now it was Ji Bang's turn to be astonished.

"I can't reveal the full details, but whether it's me or you, Ji Shu, all you need to remember is to be grateful to Xu Jin.

These were obtained by Xu Jin through immense effort, at great risk—his very life on the line—and he specifically requested they be given to you and me!" said Cheng Yuexiao.

"Xu Jin?"

"Specifically for me?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's brief words carried immense meaning, leaving Ji Bang utterly stunned.

Such priceless treasures—and Xu Jin had specifically requested they be given to him? This…

After a long pause, Ji Bang, realizing a certain possibility, gave a slow nod.

"Grand Master, I won't say thanks. But I, Ji Bang, accept this great favor from you and that young man Xu Jin."

"Let me use the main hall. Please, Grand Master, guard me."

With that, Ji Bang walked straight into the back hall, holding the two jade tablets.

(End of Chapter)