Chapter 287: Creating Something from Nothing

The Danxia Palace of the Da Chen National Dao Academy.

Grand Supervisor Pei Ze, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui, Supervisors Chen Liao and Kou Jing, and Peng Lao were all waiting for Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

They had already learned the final outcome of the Lou Gong War before Cheng Yuexiao went to the meeting.

The excitement and joy had long passed.

Now, each of them sat in solemn silence, carefully reviewing the battle reports submitted by the participating squads.

This year's Lou Gong War was fought with exceptional brilliance.

They achieved a stunning reversal from last place to first.

They not only rose from last to first, but also surpassed the Tianyang Star Palace.

If Da Chen's overall national strength had truly risen to this level, it would not be a problem.

But this victory was primarily due to the exceptional genius disciple Xu Jin turning the tide.

In other words, their status did not match their actual power.

For ordinary people, this was the saying: "An innocent man is guilty for possessing something valuable."

For Da Chen's own factions, it was called "virtue unfitting position" or "power unfitting position."

The senior leadership of the Da Chen National Dao Academy had a clear understanding of this.

The moment the Lou Gong War ended was when Da Chen became most vulnerable.

"Gentlemen, since our rank in this Lou Gong War is first, and our points are more than double those of the second-place Da Hong Empire, the Da Hong Empire must pay an additional half percent in tribute.

Our Da Chen now only needs to pay one percent in tribute." As starlight descended, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao took his seat and immediately addressed the matter: "What are your thoughts on what comes next?"

"Grand Master, you previously sent Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui to the Zhen'e Star Palace to form an alliance, but the connection remains extremely weak.

Given the Zhen'e Star Palace's usual conduct, their non-participation is already our greatest help; their actual assistance in a critical moment is unlikely.

My personal suggestion is that we must strengthen our defenses in this regard." Grand Supervisor Pei Ze said.

"Then what is your suggestion, Grand Supervisor?"

"The Tianyang Star Palace and Cangming Star Palace have long collaborated; the likelihood of them uniting again is very high. My suggestion is to divide them before they can unite." Grand Supervisor Pei Ze said.

"I share this view."

Cheng Yuexiao nodded. "But we still do not know where to begin, so I summoned you to deliberate."

Everyone spoke a few words, but no concrete plan emerged.

When all had finished speaking, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui suddenly pointed to one of the jade tablets and said, "Grand Master, Grand Supervisor, take a look at this battle report submitted by Dong Zhao.

They discovered Blood Spirit Sons in the fifth-rank Spirit Martial Star Region, and found that the Blood Spirit Sons are deeply entangled with the Tianyang Star Palace.

The Tianyang Star Palace's personnel have even enabled the Blood Spirit Sons to mobilize elite forces from two alien races to ambush our combatants—this can be exploited."

Others were reading, but Grand Supervisor Pei Ze frowned and said, "I saw this report earlier, but it states that the Tianyang Star Palace acted with extreme caution—there is no concrete evidence. How can we make use of this?"

Hearing this, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui smiled faintly. "Grand Supervisor, although there is no evidence, these events did occur. Dong Zhao's team brought back some circumstantial proof.

These items are useless for direct accusation or proof.

But we can create something from nothing."

"Create something from nothing?" Kou Jing asked, puzzled.

Kou Jing was obsessed with emblems and lacked sensitivity to schemes and intrigues.

But the others, upon hearing those four words, instantly understood.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was overjoyed. "If we are to create something from nothing, we must fabricate an action by the Tianyang Star Lord that will terrify the Cangming Star Lord."

"The only thing that would make the Cangming Star Lord fear is the Tianyang Star Lord breaking through to ninth rank.

Before the Lingji Change, there were rumors that the Lingji Star Lord was about to break through to ninth rank.

Now, this rumor is perfect for the Tianyang Star Lord.

Moreover, the Blood Sect's Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Pills do indeed have potential to assist in breaking through." Meng Yanhui smiled.

"But the Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Pills that assist in breaking through to ninth rank would require eighth-rank pills, correct? Normally, only a seventh-rank star region could possibly refine eighth-rank Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Pills.

Won't the Cangming Star Lord find this implausible?" Supervisor Chen Liao asked.

"We don't need the Cangming Star Lord to fully believe it—only to have a reason to suspect it.

Over the years, all the Star Palaces' Star Lords have schemed and fought secretly, each seeking to unify the mortal realm, yet none possess the power to do so.

But the legend of the ninth rank has become a thorn in every one of their hearts.

That was precisely the spark that ignited the Lingji Change." Meng Yanhui said.

"Yanhui, you must go to the Cangming Star Palace and do your utmost to make this happen." Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Rest assured, Grand Master!"

Meng Yanhui smiled confidently. "If one day the Tianyang Star Lord breaks through to ninth rank, the first person he will target will certainly be the Cangming Star Lord—he is the greatest threat.

That alone is enough."

With that, Meng Yanhui bowed to the group and said, "Gentlemen, excuse me for a moment."

Just as Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui was about to step out of the Danxia Palace, a massive surge of star energy erupted from the rear hall of the Danxia Palace.

A fifth-rank ninth-layer aura suddenly surged upward, and in an instant, a phantom cloud pavilion formed from starlight appeared above the Danxia Palace—then vanished.

Immediately after, a sixth-rank first-layer aura emerged from the rear hall, then quickly stabilized and receded.

As everyone turned to look, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao laughed. "Yu Da has broken through! Yu Da has been stuck at fifth-rank ninth-layer for many years; his breakthrough is natural—and perfectly timed.

Da Chen now has another sixth-rank combatant."

Everyone in the room laughed.

The main combat forces of the mortal realm are still fourth- and fifth-rank; sixth-rank cultivators can hold an entire region, and even on the Star River battlefield, they command as senior generals.

Gaining another sixth-rank is indeed good news.

Of course, it still pales compared to Da Chen's recent addition of two seventh-ranks.

As everyone laughed, suddenly, in the residential quarter of the National Dao Academy, another faint phantom cloud pavilion appeared—another sixth-rank aura had emerged.

Another breakthrough!

Everyone froze.

In the next instant, Supervisor Chen Liao laughed.

"Dong Zhao—that's Dong Zhao's aura! Dong Zhao has finally broken through to sixth rank!"

"Excellent! Dong Zhao's breakthrough to sixth rank is extraordinary. With his strength, even at early sixth-rank, he can fight sixth-rank late-stage cultivators. Da Chen gains another powerful ally!

Moreover, with Dong Zhao's talent, a seventh-rank breakthrough is within reach!" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao roared with laughter.

Two consecutive breakthroughs to sixth rank filled the senior leadership of the Da Chen National Dao Academy with joy.

Adding two sixth-ranks at once was already cause for celebration.

In past years, Da Chen rarely gained a single sixth-rank every one or two years.

Now, they had gained two in quick succession.

"In just one month, Da Chen has added two seventh-ranks and two sixth-ranks—truly, heaven favors Da Chen," Supervisor Chen Liao laughed.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao also smiled.

But their smiles were more restrained.

It was more than heaven favoring Da Chen. The recent changes in Da Chen—if all were revealed—the Tianyang Star Lord would immediately unite everyone to destroy Da Chen.

Grand Master's spiritual soul had broken through to fifth rank; Peng Lao's spiritual soul had broken through to fifth rank, greatly extending his lifespan and making an eighth-rank breakthrough possible; Ji Bang's spiritual soul had broken through to fifth rank, not only extending his life but also greatly increasing his chance of reaching seventh rank.

They had also newly conquered five third-rank star regions and one fourth-rank star region.

Any one of these achievements, if revealed, would terrify everyone.

Unfortunately, all who knew were bound by the Nine Sheng Bell's sealing.

They could only revel in secret.

"Grand Master, gentlemen, I must take my leave." Meng Yanhui, who had just left, was interrupted; he bowed again, preparing to depart—but as he turned, another sixth-rank aura suddenly surged from the northwestern quadrant of the National Dao Academy.

Everyone looked out the window: above the Feiyan Academy, a phantom cloud pavilion of green, yellow, and red light appeared.

The pavilion vanished instantly.

But the sixth-rank aura grew stronger and steadier.

"Huh? Liu Feiyan broke through? So soon?" Supervisor Chen Liao exclaimed.

Grand Supervisor Pei Ze also looked astonished. "I met Liu Qingzhu over a month ago and asked her about her progress. She said she needed at least three more years to break through to sixth rank—how could it be so fast?

Did she gain something in the Spirit Martial Star Region?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, Peng Lao, and Kou Jing exchanged glances, smiling on the surface, but understanding fully within.

Almost certainly, this was due to Xu Jin's filial devotion.

In recent months, Da Chen has gained two seventh-ranks and three sixth-ranks—all tied to Xu Jin.

Xu Jin is truly Da Chen's lucky star.

And it doesn't end there.

As everyone laughed, Meng Yanhui bowed again and stepped out of the Danxia Palace, smiling: "Surely no one else can delay me now?"

Amid laughter, Meng Yanhui stepped through the Danxia Palace's great gate—but his foot paused mid-step.

Above the Zhaixing Tower, a speck of earth-yellow starlight suddenly descended from the heavens.

With his seventh-rank cultivation, Meng Yanhui faintly sensed a star in the heavens resonating with that speck of descending earth-yellow starlight.

Yet strangely, there was no corresponding seventh-rank aura.

Only that single speck of starlight, resonating with the star, entered the Zhaixing Tower.

This left Meng Yanhui deeply puzzled.

It was as if someone had broken through to seventh rank.

But no seventh-rank aura emerged.

Strange!

Because no seventh-rank aura emerged, very few people noticed this scene.

Only Meng Yanhui, who had just stepped out of Danxia Hall, saw it; no one else did.

Surprised, Meng Yanhui said nothing, and with a thought, sent a starlight message to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, detailing the matter.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, upon seeing the starlight message, also showed surprise in his eyes.

Summoning starlight from the myriad stars should be something only a seventh-rank could achieve, yet no corresponding seventh-rank power fluctuation appeared.

What is going on?

Based on Cheng Yuexiao's experience, there was only one possibility for this.

That is, he had comprehended a seventh-rank star pattern without breaking through to seventh rank.

In other words, someone with a cultivation base below sixth-rank ninth layer had comprehended a star pattern above seventh rank, summoned the myriad stars, yet had not broken through.

Who could it be?

Cheng Yuexiao knew every sixth-rank expert in the Chen Guo Dao Academy by heart, but none could have done this.

Suddenly, Cheng Yuexiao's gaze shifted.

Could it be that Xu Jin kid who did this?

It's very likely.

In an instant, Cheng Yuexiao sent Xu Jin a starlight message.

Inside the Vermilion Bird Underground Palace.

The starlight phantom of the Vermilion Bird True Person descended again, and all the followers of the Worship of the Dipper Sect hurried forward to kneel and pay homage.

But clearly, the Vermilion Bird True Person was furious.

So furious he did not even let them rise.

Instead, he directly seized the Star-Plucking Token beside the statue and roared in anger, sending a starlight message.

The Vermilion Bird True Person's identity was secret, and he possessed multiple Star-Plucking Tokens; he used only this one bearing his identity when returning to the underground palace.

No one knew where his true body was or what he was doing!

【Chai, what are you doing! I've already sent ten elites inside—have you even sent anyone? Are you even taking this seriously!】 the Vermilion Bird True Person roared.

In the Yangdu Marquis's mansion on the Star River Battlefield, an urgent starlight message arrived. The Yangdu Marquis, dressed in brocade, glanced at it and frowned.

That tone!

He really wanted to throw the Star-Plucking Token right at the Vermilion Bird bastard's face.

Who does he think he is!

But as a crucial partner, the Yangdu Marquis still restrained himself and said, 【I did send elites inside, and I've also sent your elites in—but strangely, we've received no response at all.

Currently, I'm working to establish contact with the elites within the Huoyun Star Region; once I do, we'll have accurate information.】

【To hell with your "accurate information"!

My Star-Official Seal has been forged by someone—what do you mean "accurate information"?

The Battle of Lougong is over!

My Star-Official Seal was definitely taken back and directly forged by Cheng Yuexiao.

If Cheng Yuexiao forged it, how am I supposed to get it back!

Will you go get it for me?】 the Vermilion Bird True Person raged.

If the Yangdu Marquis were before him now, the Vermilion Bird True Person would kill him.

He lost his Star-Official Seal.

That's a grave crime!

The key issue is, if Cheng Yuexiao forged it, how could he possibly reclaim it?

Unless the sect's elusive, never-seen Founder himself appeared, the lost Star-Official Seal could never be recovered!

【That can't be right! The Star-Official Seal isn't so easily forged!】 the Yangdu Marquis asked in doubt.

【Do you think I don't know whether it's been forged? The spiritual imprint and star-force imprint I left inside the Seal have been completely erased!

What else is that if not forging?

Are you mocking me?

As for forging, anyone above fourth-rank spiritual level can do it—there are plenty who can.】 the Vermilion Bird True Person snapped.

The Yangdu Marquis, Chai Ce, frowned deeply.

Losing a Star-Official Seal meant nothing to him, but it would severely damage his future cooperation with the Vermilion Bird True Person of the Worship of the Dipper Sect.

This was a matter of life and death.

【True Person, please calm down—even if forged, it needn't be Cheng Yuexiao who did it. Give me time to investigate, find out who forged it, and then we'll deliberate further.】 said the Yangdu Marquis, Chai Ce.

With things as they were, the Vermilion Bird True Person had no choice.

Investigating this matter could only rely on the Yangdu Marquis.

【Very well, I'll wait for your news!】

【Hurry!】

(End of Chapter)