Chapter 288: Your Majesty

"The Left Sacrificial Officer of Chen Guo, Meng Yanhui, requests an audience? Will Your Majesty receive him or not?"

In the Grand Hall of Cangxing Star Palace, upon hearing the report from Grand Elder Sun Xianzu, Cangxing Star Jun was somewhat surprised.

The Battle of Lougong had just ended, and all sides were already preparing to respond to the Nine-Star Tide—why had the Left Sacrificial Officer of Chen Guo, Meng Yanhui, come here now?

To boast about their victory in the Battle of Lougong?

Impossible.

Cheng Yuexiao was not that foolish.

"Then—"

Suddenly, Cangxing Star Jun understood Meng Yanhui's purpose.

The Battle of Lougong had ended less than an hour ago, and Meng Yanhui arrived immediately as an envoy—this matter was almost certainly tied to the Battle of Lougong.

It seems Cheng Yuexiao still recognized the potential danger.

So Meng Yanhui's intent was now clear.

"Did Meng Yanhui state his purpose?" Cangxing Star Jun had already decided—if no special circumstances, he would keep Meng Yanhui waiting for a day and a half.

Since Cheng Yuexiao had sent Meng Yanhui to show goodwill, the initiative lay with his side; a little delay would surely make Cheng Yuexiao dare not complain.

"Your Majesty, Meng Yanhui said that disciples of Chen Guo's Dao Academy discovered something strange in the fifth-rank star domain, and wished to inform the Star Jun." Grand Elder Sun Xianzu said.

This answer surprised Cangxing Star Jun.

Something strange discovered in the fifth-rank star domain?

What could possibly be called "strange" by Cheng Yuexiao?

This piqued Cangxing Star Jun's curiosity.

"Then let him in! But if he's just teasing me—"

Cangxing Star Jun chuckled. He was no ordinary man—he understood Cheng Yuexiao's intentions perfectly, and knew the current situation well.

The Tianyang Star Palace had just suffered a great loss of face and substantial material damage.

Chen Guo had risen to first place by stepping on Tianyang Star Palace's back, and furthermore, Chen Guo had produced an unparalleled genius who had plucked six golden stars in succession.

Under these circumstances, the Tianyang Star Jun might genuinely seize the chance to suppress Chen Guo.

If Tianyang Star Palace acted alone to suppress Chen Guo, suppression might succeed—but the cost would be more than the Tianyang Star Jun wished to pay.

At that point, the Tianyang Star Jun would inevitably need to ally with Cangxing Star Palace to jointly suppress Chen Guo.

An old trick.

Then Cangxing Star Palace could simply exert minimal effort and gain tremendous benefits.

Twenty years ago, we got rich off this very move.

Now, if the Tianyang Star Jun has such intentions, Cangxing Star Palace naturally is willing to cooperate.

Who doesn't want to eat meat?

"Your subject Meng Yanhui bows before Your Majesty." Below the Star Palace throne, Meng Yanhui bowed deeply in full ceremonial reverence.

"Rise, Yanhui. What strange discovery has brought you here in such haste?" Cangxing Star Jun asked.

Meng Yanhui bowed again, then spoke no further words—he began removing items one by one from his space ring.

Two Wanxue Elixirs, several tattered garments, one sixth-rank star jade tablet, and two fifth-rank star jade tablets were laid out before Cangxing Star Jun.

Then he said nothing, merely clasped his hands in gesture, inviting the Star Jun to examine them himself.

"Hmph, playing at riddles now? Let me see."

Meng Yanhui's demeanor made Cangxing Star Jun smile.

"Wanxue Elixir—this is the work of the Blood God Sect? Judging by its quality, it's not low-grade. Did your Chen Guo Dao Academy disciples discover one of the Blood God Sect's Blood Princes in the fifth-rank star domain?" Cangxing Star Jun asked.

"Your Majesty's insight is unparalleled." Meng Yanhui offered a light compliment, then fell silent.

Cangxing Star Jun's powerful soul-force swept over the remaining three items, then his brow furrowed.

"This sixth-rank star jade tablet is fire-affiliated, its crafting technique extremely refined, worthy of top-grade status—the star energy within is nearly fully condensed, and its base seal technique closely resembles that of fifth-rank star jade tablets."

If I'm not mistaken, this is the exclusive base seal technique of Guan Zhuo's lineage from Tianyang Star Palace—the Burning Star Method.

So these star jade tablets are products of Tianyang Star Palace?

And were they discovered by your combatants in the fifth-rank star domain?

Then your combatants encountered personnel from Tianyang Star Palace in the fifth-rank star domain?" Cangxing Star Jun asked.

"Your Majesty's insight is unparalleled!" Meng Yanhui offered another light compliment.

Cangxing Star Jun's gaze fell upon the tattered garments, studying them for several breaths without discerning anything, then turned to Grand Elder Sun Xianzu.

Sun Xianzu was no expert in fabric, so he immediately summoned the Star Palace's dedicated Garment Bureau; soon, he returned.

"Your Majesty, the Garment Bureau says the fabric and stitching of this garment are entirely from Dahong, and the stitching is delicate, tight, and contains silk threads woven from beast hide—this is beyond the skill of ordinary tailors." Grand Elder Sun Xianzu said.

Hearing this, the Tianyang Star Jun narrowed his eyes. "Meng Yanhui, are you using these items to prove to me that a Blood Prince truly appeared in the fifth-rank star domain, and that Tianyang Star Palace's personnel were also present there?"

"Your Majesty's insight is unparalleled."

Meng Yanhui bowed.

"Then what exactly are you implying? That Tianyang Star Palace has conspired with the Blood Prince?" Cangxing Star Jun's lips curled into a sly smile.

Whether it was the Worship of Stars Sect or the Blood God Sect, due to the peculiar nature of their powers, all sides have officially exerted relentless suppression.

But secret contacts are not uncommon.

Sometimes, mutually beneficial arrangements do occur.

"Your Majesty, that fifth-rank star domain has four tribes. This Blood Prince has already seized control of two. Given time, complete unification of the domain is inevitable."

According to the Blood Envoys captured by our disciples, when he unifies this fifth-rank star domain, he will use the blood of tens of millions of its barbarian inhabitants to refine an eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir." Meng Yanhui said.

"Eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir?"

Cangxing Star Jun leapt to his feet. "Impossible! In a fifth-rank star domain, refining a seventh-rank Wanxue Elixir is already the absolute limit—how could an eighth-rank one be produced?"

An eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir requires at least the blood of seventh- or eighth-rank cultivators as a catalyst."

"Your subject does not know."

After the State Master learned of this news, he deemed it of grave importance and ordered me to come here and inform the Star Jun." Meng Yanhui said.

Cangxing Star Jun frowned, staring at Meng Yanhui. "Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty, there is nothing else."

"Then go. Tell your State Master I have heard."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanhui bowed deeply and departed.

Meng Yanhui took all the items with him except the tattered garment. After he left, Cangxing Star Jun stared at the garment for a long time, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Grand Elder, even if the Blood God Sect's leader himself appeared, he could not refine an eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir in a fifth-rank star domain, correct?"

Not to mention eighth-rank—even seventh-rank is difficult.

In a fifth-rank star domain, the highest cultivation level is sixth-rank ninth-layer peak.

Without the blood of seventh- or eighth-rank cultivators as catalyst, how can one refine a seventh- or even eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir?" Cangxing Star Jun pondered deeply.

Grand Elder Sun Xianzu of Cangxing Star Palace, however, was quick-witted. At first he could not fathom it, but suddenly an idea struck him.

"Your Majesty, under normal circumstances, seventh- or eighth-rank cultivators' blood cannot be obtained in a fifth-rank star domain!"

But outside the star domain, there is no shortage of it!

Moreover, living seventh- and eighth-rank cultivators cannot enter a fifth-rank star domain.

But corpses—corpses can be thrown in!"

When Grand Elder Sun Xianzu uttered these words, Cangxing Star Jun's eyes widened sharply.

Clearly—he understood!

Everything made sense now—the conspiracy between Tianyang Star Jun and the Blood Prince was fully resolved.

The Blood Prince could not obtain the blood of seventh- or eighth-rank cultivators within the fifth-rank star domain.

Simple: Tianyang Star Jun kills a few, and sends their corpses in.

Perfect solution.

If so, the Blood Prince truly might refine an eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir.

With the aid of an eighth-rank Wanxue Elixir, Tianyang Star Jun's probability of breaking through to ninth-rank would surge by several tenths.

Once Tianyang Star Jun breaks through to ninth-rank, he will inevitably begin unifying the mortal realm, seeking to become the Second Supreme Star Jun.

The first person he would target would be the one posing the greatest threat to him—the only other person in the mortal realm most likely to break through to ninth-rank.

That person is none other than Cangxing Star Jun himself!

Suddenly realizing this, cold sweat broke out on Cangxing Star Jun's forehead.

Tianyang Star Jun was as treacherous as ever.

Though breaking through to ninth-rank had become legend over millennia, if Tianyang Star Jun truly slipped through unnoticed and achieved ninth-rank—

"It seems our future alliance must change direction."

Tianyang Star Palace Grand Hall.

Tianyang Star Jun sat upon his throne, his face grim.

The Emperor of Dahong and Grand Elder Wang Kan stood below the steps.

"Your Majesty, to meet the full quota of the twenty-five percent tribute within the deadline, Dahong will have to raise taxes starting this year." The Emperor of Dahong said.

"Then raise them." Tianyang Star Jun coldly replied.

"Your Majesty, merely raising taxes is not enough."

The Emperor of Dahong looked helplessly resigned—this matter required Tianyang Star Jun's approval, or it could not be enforced.

"How exactly is it insufficient?"

"Your Majesty, many mid- and high-grade materials cannot simply be acquired by raising taxes—especially those sourced from various star regions, including the Star River Battlefield: star jade tablets, star cores, and various heavenly treasures such as copper essence, iron essence, and meteoric iron."

"Therefore, we must reduce the Star Palace's supply and divert a portion from it to meet the quota," said Emperor Da Hong.

The Sky Sun Star Lord's expression grew even darker. "How much must we divert?"

"If we calculate based on last year's total supply to the Star Palace, we must divert at least thirty percent to meet the quota," said Emperor Da Hong.

"Thirty percent is too much," the Sky Sun Star Lord refused. "If we cut that much, the cultivation speed of Star Palace disciples will halve."

No one's supply could be reduced—not even their own, let alone that of the Star Palace's high-ranking members.

Thus, if the Star Palace's cultivation resources are reduced, those most affected will be its low-rank disciples.

"Your Majesty, this is already the minimum," said Emperor Da Hong helplessly.

"Twenty percent. The Star Palace's supply can be reduced by no more than twenty percent," the Sky Sun Star Lord decreed.

Hearing this, Emperor Da Hong's face grew even more grim. "Your Majesty, if we do that, the military's supply will have to be entirely cut to meet the quota."

Facing the Sky Sun Star Lord, Emperor Da Hong dared not refuse outright—he could only subtly highlight the difficulties.

If the military's supply vanished, it would cause major problems.

The Sky Sun Star Lord understood this well.

"Then twenty-five percent! As for the rest, find your own solutions—expand revenue and cut waste!" said the Sky Sun Star Lord.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall immediately seek solutions," said Emperor Da Hong, bowing helplessly.

Grand Elder Wang Kan also looked helpless.

Reducing the Star Palace's cultivation resources by a quarter was already a massive cut.

And it must last for three years!

This is the consequence of the Tower Tribute War.

The Star Lord's supply cannot be reduced, nor can the low-rank disciples' supply be cut too severely—otherwise, cultivation levels will break.

It seems that over the next three years, the mid- and high-level supply to the Star Palace will have to be reduced as well.

"Your Majesty, this time, Chen Guo has made a fortune!" said Wang Kan helplessly.

"Indeed—and a fortune for three years!

Chen Guo now has such a genius aiding them.

Chen Guo's rise is foreseeable," said the Sky Sun Star Lord.

Wang Kan found these words strangely odd.

What did the Star Lord mean?

"Grand Elder, take some time to meet with Cang Ming. Repeat my exact words: Chen Guo will profit immensely for the next three years, and its rise is foreseeable. Ask him what he thinks," said the Sky Sun Star Lord.

At this, Grand Elder Wang Kan instantly understood.

"Your Majesty, what if Cang Ming Star Lord makes a proposal?"

"If Cang Ming is willing, we are willing too. Perhaps we can even bring Zhen'e into this.

Zhen'e Star Palace came in last place in the Tower Tribute War, yet its tribute increased by half a percent over last year.

No one dares delay the Star Picking Tower's tribute.

When that happens, how many barbarians under Zhen'e Star Palace's rule will starve to death!

I believe that if both our factions show interest, Zhen'e will surely agree.

At that point, at least half of Zhen'e Star Palace's tribute burden can be shifted onto Chen Guo.

Visit both factions—you should find it easy!

If it succeeds!

After the Nine Stars' Tide, we'll force Cheng Yuexiao to bow!" said the Sky Sun Star Lord.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall make contact immediately," said Grand Elder Wang Kan.

Within the Star Dome Secret Realm.

Xu Jin, looking inward, gazed at the newly reinforced seventh-tier-lower Earth Source Star Pattern, filled with joy.

Before the Tower Tribute War, Xu Jin had obtained the seventh-tier-lower Earth Source Star Pattern and had struggled to comprehend it within the Star Dome Secret Realm—but he could never unlock it.

He could only inscribe the sixth-tier-upper Earth Source Star Pattern.

Just now, after successfully refining the Star Official's Seal, Xu Jin began contemplating the seventh-tier-lower Earth Source Star Pattern.

During contemplation, a thought struck him—he suddenly activated the fifth-tier-lower Earth Spirit Heart, forged from the Earth-elemental Celestial Star Will he had gathered during his campaigns across various star regions.

Xu Jin had already gained profound insights into Earth Source Star Patterns during this Tower Tribute War.

After activating the fifth-tier-lower Earth Spirit Heart, his comprehension of the seventh-tier-lower Earth Source Star Pattern became remarkably smooth.

In just half an hour, he sensed an Earth-elemental star in the heavens, drew down starlight, and infused it into his sixth-tier-upper Earth Source Star Pattern, successfully upgrading it to seventh-tier-lower.

This filled Xu Jin with great surprise.

He had never imagined that Earth-elemental Celestial Star Will could have such a useful application.

It greatly aided in comprehending Star Patterns.

Then, when he tried to deduce Star Patterns himself, would it also help?

He must test this immediately.

"Star Spirit, activate the Star Dome Secret Realm's contemplation time," Xu Jin called out at once.

Instantly, starlight shifted before his eyes; as the familiar wondrous sensation washed over him, his mind sank into a golden star.

【Activate High-Level Deduction】

(End of Chapter)