Chapter 295: An Unwelcome Request

Today, Ji Bang was wearing a crimson round-collar robe, his entire figure glowing with vitality, looking exceptionally spirited.

Upon first meeting, Xu Jin was slightly startled.

His life force was extremely strong.

The last time Xu Jin saw Ji Bang, Ji Bang was still steeped in the aura of old age—truly the breath of an elderly man, barely lighter than Peng Lao's.

This time, had Xu Jin not known Ji Bang's age and identity, he would have mistaken him for a middle-aged man at first glance.

What startled Xu Jin most was Ji Bang's spiritual soul aura.

It was unified and naturally imbued with spiritual essence, yet profoundly inwardly restrained; only when Xu Jin activated his two Mingji Star Patterns did he sense it—identical to the spiritual soul aura radiating from the Grand Preceptor.

Nascent Soul?

Had Ji Bang formed a Nascent Soul?

Xu Jin was certain that the last time he met Ji Bang, Ji Bang had not yet formed a Nascent Soul—he was merely at the peak of Fourth Realm, Ninth Layer.

Breaking through to the Fifth Realm and forming a Nascent Soul was extremely difficult.

Even the Grand Preceptor had been stuck for so long.

Suddenly, Xu Jin fell into deep thought.

"Good lad, I've finally gotten to see you! If the Grand Preceptor hadn't warned me, I'd have missed you again." Ji Bang laughed loudly, clapping Xu Jin on the shoulder as if they were close kin.

Xu Jin was somewhat uncomfortable but could only endure it.

According to the Grand Preceptor, this old man had deep connections throughout Chen Guo and immense influence—even Xu Jin himself had to show him due respect.

The head of the Imperial Capital Dao Academy wasn't someone just anyone could be.

What followed was a moment of awkwardness.

Ji Bang asked about Xu Jin's current cultivation base and training status, exchanged a few words with Jiang Er, and during the conversation, added Jiang Er as a friend using the Star-Picking Token.

He also inquired about Xu Jin's father.

Xu Jin answered each question truthfully.

"Just now, the Grand Preceptor told me about your arrangements—he said you might be sent to the Star River Battlefield for training, and that training would likely take three to five years.

Upon hearing this, I came here specially.

Under the Grand Preceptor's protection in Chen Guo's Dao Academy, you certainly don't need me.

But the Star River Battlefield is extremely complex, with tangled factions and rival powers.

When you go there for training, the Grand Preceptor will naturally assign someone to watch over you.

Still, I have some influence there myself, and I have descendants stationed there.

If you encounter trouble there, just name-drop me.

Whoever dares not help you—

Tell me, and I'll personally show up, strip them bare, and whip them—no matter their rank on the Star River Battlefield, they'll have to let me whip them!" After circling around, Ji Bang finally got to the point.

Xu Jin nodded politely.

But in his eyes, there was complete disbelief.

Joking, officers assigned to the Star River Battlefield were mostly Seventh Realm, at the very least Sixth Realm.

Maybe they'd give face—but strip them bare and whip them?

No way!

Ji Bang was no fool—he immediately sensed Xu Jin's inner thoughts, his eyebrows snapping up. "You don't believe me?"

Xu Jin quickly said, "I dare not."

"I won't boast further. If any of the people I've entrusted fail to help you, just tell me—I'll really whip them!"

As he spoke, Ji Bang handed Xu Jin a peculiar token, gold on the outside, jade within.

It resembled gold-inlaid jade, but it wasn't gold, nor Starfall Iron—it was some exceedingly rare metal, heavy to the touch yet strangely moist.

"This is my Ji family's Gold Token, my personal token of authority, my face. Inside the jade tablet is a list of names—clearly marked. If you face hardship, just present this token to them." Ji Bang spoke with solemn gravity.

This was an unusually heavy statement. Xu Jin was about to refuse, but Ji Bang added, "Take it quickly, no more talk! I owe you a great debt—do you expect me to beg you to accept it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jin could only accept it.

Xu Jin had already guessed—most likely it had something to do with Ji Bang's breakthrough to Nascent Soul, and the Grand Preceptor had arranged it as a favor.

"If you have trouble, remember to tell me. Some things the Grand Preceptor can't handle easily, I can handle easily." Ji Bang said.

Xu Jin accepted the Ji family's Gold Token and profusely thanked him.

A few breaths later, Ji Bang rose to leave. Just before departing, he suddenly asked, "By the way, what do you think of my granddaughter Hongli?"

"What do you mean, 'how'?" Xu Jin was startled.

"A woman, naturally—her beauty and character. You've interacted with her—just speak your honest impression. We're old men, no need for formalities!" Ji Bang clapped Xu Jin on the shoulder.

"Hongli is a heavenly beauty, graceful as a light cloud emerging from a mountain ridge—truly a face that could topple a nation. As for her character, though I don't know her well, she is outwardly elegant and inwardly wise, considerate and understanding—excellent indeed." Xu Jin replied.

Ji Hongli was indeed beautiful; Xu Jin spoke truthfully. But Ji Bang's sudden question made Xu Jin wary.

Was Ji Bang thinking of betrothing his granddaughter to him?

Ji Hongli was good—Xu Jin liked her.

But there was Ning Yuchan.

Just as he was unsure how to refuse or respond, Ji Bang suddenly clapped his shoulder again. "Good, you don't find her disagreeable—that's fine, that's fine!"

With that, Ji Bang said no more, turned, and strode away, stepping into the stars in an instant.

Xu Jin was stunned, then smiled wryly.

He'd been racking his brain over how to respond, and now there was no follow-up.

He'd overthought it.

Such a prominent family wouldn't so easily betroth their direct granddaughter.

How laughable—he'd been worrying about how to decline.

Still, if Ji Bang's words were true, this Ji family Gold Token carried considerable weight.

Xu Jin sank his thoughts into the jade tablet within the token—inside were several names, mostly surnamed Ji, each with official titles listed.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's gaze sharpened—Domain Lord!

Ji Cheng was the Domain Lord of a Fifth Realm Star Domain.

Seeing this name, Xu Jin finally understood why the Grand Preceptor had alerted Ji Bang.

He was still paving the way for him.

For his cultivation trial in a foreign land.

With the Grand Preceptor's instructions and the Ji family patriarch's Gold Token, Xu Jin's foreign land cultivation should proceed smoothly.

Since the Grand Preceptor was already preparing for him,

Xu Jin himself began to consider what additional preparations he needed.

Elixirs?

Talismans?

Other arrangements?

Among the people he worried about, Ning Yuchan didn't need his care—only Jiang Er and his father.

Jiang Er was under Peng Lao's watch—absolutely safe.

His father, for now, had at least two Fifth Realm cultivators watching over him—one being a secret Fifth Realm retainer from the Ying family—no issues there.

Moreover, once Xu Jin left, his father would be even safer.

As for talismans, he could now inscribe Fifth Realm talismans; most were Fifth Realm Lower and Middle, while Upper-tier ones were still difficult to craft—but the Upper-tier Fifth Realm and Sixth Realm talismans he already had were sufficient.

He'd get a few more from Kou Jing before departure.

He needed to stock up on elixirs.

Especially the Three Yin Spirit-Cleansing Elixir, Star-Power Recovery Elixir, and Dragon-Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir—he needed plenty.

In a foreign land, whether for personal use, saving others, or building a core team, they'd all be necessary.

As he thought, Xu Jin made himself a list.

While pondering, Qing Fan suddenly reported: Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui had come to visit.

Another big shot.

Xu Jin hurried out to greet him personally.

He knew this man well.

This man had broken through to Nascent Soul and reached Seventh Realm with Xu Jin's great help.

So was this man also here for…?

After a few pleasantries, Meng Yanhui got straight to the point.

"The Grand Preceptor said he'd send you to the Star River Battlefield for training, but didn't elaborate. Still, my Meng family owes you greatly—I won't dwell on it. My granddaughter Qingqiu has been saved by you multiple times; my family is deeply in your debt. No more words—my Meng clan has connections on the Star River Battlefield.

I believe they can offer you some assistance.

If you face difficulties or need help, just seek them out—say it was arranged by me, the clan head. I'll also notify them myself."

As he spoke, Meng Yanhui handed Xu Jin another token.

Xu Jin was stunned—another Gold Token.

Gold-inlaid jade, similar in structure to Ji family's but with a different design.

After a few polite exchanges, Xu Jin accepted it.

"Xu Jin, I have an awkward request—I hope you'll consider it." Meng Yanhui said.

"Left Sacrificial Officer, please speak."

My granddaughter Meng Qingqiu has been saved by you multiple times and holds you in great admiration. I thought that once you've stabilized your position, I'd send her to serve under you for training, to benefit from your influence and receive your guidance, so she can grow quickly.

As for her strength, you need not worry!

Our family will spare no cost to rapidly elevate her cultivation base and spiritual soul cultivation in the coming period—she certainly won't hold you back; she'll be a true asset to you.

What do you think?" asked Meng Yanhui.

Xu Jin estimated that if anyone else in the State Dao Academy knew of his foreign heart-refining plan, it would be the Left Sacrificial Officer.

Clearly, the Left Sacrificial Officer's arrangement revealed he knew far more than Ji Bang.

Drawing from his past-life experience watching TV dramas, could Meng Yanhui possibly have that kind of intention?

But he never said it outright.

Instead, he sent Meng Qingqiu to his side.

Was this the path of "long companionship breeds affection"?

Or was it simply that he wanted Meng Qingqiu to grow alongside him?

Whatever the reason, it brought only benefits to Xu Jin—no harm.

A genius like Meng Qingqiu, if her family spared no effort to cultivate her, could rapidly advance through ranks below the fifth stage.

Her star pattern might develop slower, but her strength would certainly not lag.

All advantage, no downside.

Xu Jin naturally agreed.

After seeing Meng Yanhui off, Xu Jin sank his thoughts into the Meng family's golden token—and as expected, the Meng clan had another clan member stationed in a fifth-stage star region.

Cultivation base: sixth stage, ninth layer peak.

This was likely one of the fundamental reasons why the Meng and Ji clans had remained dominant in Chen Guo and the State Dao Academy for so long.

Two sixth-stage ninth-layer direct descendants permanently stationed in fifth-stage star regions—this significance was immense.

Even if that fifth-stage star region had not been conquered, it still brought Chen Guo a constant stream of gains.

This matter was still part of the Grand State Tutor's strategy for Xu Jin.

He guessed that when entering the fifth-stage star region, he'd likely be assigned to one of the two regions held by Ji or Meng clan members, and later possibly rotated between them.

Not long after Meng Yanhui departed, a streak of starlight suddenly descended from the heavens and landed in Xu Jin's courtyard.

With a flick of his Mingji star pattern, Xu Jin leapt out like a monkey to greet it.

Only those closest to him—like the Grand State Tutor or Peng Lao—could land directly in his courtyard.

This one was his teacher, Kou Jing.

Xu Jin hurriedly invited Kou Jing inside, personally served tea and snacks, then sat down.

"The Grand State Tutor mentioned your future direction to me. I originally didn't want you to go—even if I spent the next three or five years never leaving your side, it wouldn't matter.

I'd like to see who dares to strike at you!

I refuse to believe that a seventh-stage master like me can't protect you."

Here, Kou Jing paused, then added, "But the State Tutor said this is your choice. You're young—you don't want to be trapped in a prison-like isolation for three or five years. You wish to go out and train.

So I said no more.

Still, since you're about to travel far, your teacher must prepare you properly."

As he spoke, Kou Jing pulled out six vials of elixirs and two jade tablets in one breath. Xu Jin's expression changed instantly at just one glance.

All six vials were labeled: Dragon-Turtle Fortify Soul Elixir.

Ten pills per vial.

That made sixty pills total!

"These are sixty Dragon-Turtle Fortify Soul Elixirs—consider them a small gift from your teacher for your cultivation. Use them."

Hiss!

Even though he'd suspected something, Xu Jin still drew a sharp breath when Kou Jing said those words.

Sixty!

This wealth was astonishing.

Remember, Xu Jin had paid at least thirty thousand Dao Merit points for two Dragon-Turtle Fortify Soul Elixirs at auction—equivalent to three thousand strands of starlight.

Most people bought them a few at a time.

But his teacher gave him six vials!

It was terrifying!

Xu Jin estimated that even if Kou Jing's fortune from engraving star patterns was immense, this gesture must have nearly bankrupted him.

He immediately refused, saying it was too much.

"You brat!"

Kou Jing chuckled bitterly, "The filial gift you gave me was priceless—why didn't you say it was too valuable then?

You call these ordinary, purchasable items too precious?

Remember: anything in this world that can be traded with Dao Merit or starlight is not truly top-tier treasure.

True top-tier treasures cannot be bought with wealth.

Only those exchanged by barter are rare, world-shaking treasures!

That jade tablet you gave me? That's one of them."

After a pause, Kou Jing added, "To be precise, only one vial of these Dragon-Turtle Fortify Soul Elixirs was prepared by me—the other five were sent by the Grand State Tutor."

Then he explained further.

It was compensation from the Grand State Tutor when Kou Jing transferred the residual spiritual soul power from the jade tablet he'd used.

Otherwise, Kou Jing wouldn't have been so wealthy.

Since his teacher had said so, Xu Jin accepted the gifts without further protest.

"I have no star patterns for you yet—the Nine Stars Tide is coming, and I've been working nonstop to engrave them. The State Tutor himself has been using Dream Restoration to help me recover.

Once the Nine Stars Tide ends, I'll finally have time.

Then perhaps I'll come to the Star River Battlefield to find you.

These two jade tablets contain the fifth-stage star art 'Blazing Light' and the sixth-stage star art 'Great Sun'—my specialties. Study them whenever you have time."

With that, Kou Jing stretched out long and slow, "Alright, I must go—no time to waste. The Nine Stars Tide will arrive in no more than four hours; I still need to rush and engrave more star patterns."

Saying this, Kou Jing stepped into the starlight and vanished. Xu Jin bowed respectfully to see him off.

Inside Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace, the two Mingji star patterns spun at full power—the chaotic, violent star force in the heavens was drawing ever closer.

Perhaps it would arrive even before four hours passed.

The Nine Stars Tide was about to descend.

Wanyi, Ji Manor.

Ji Bang had barely sat down after returning home when his steward approached and quietly handed him a jade tablet.

After glancing at it a few times, Ji Bang's expression changed slightly.

"Old Meng's moving faster than me! He's already sending his granddaughter to train beside Xu Jin!

Is he trying to make it a done deal?

Or is he aiming for the advantage of proximity?"

Ji Bang paced back and forth, frowning. "This won't do. The grandson-in-law I've chosen for my family can't be snatched away! Besides, our Hongli is nearly betrothed to Xu Jin—I can't let Old Meng steal the prize."

Moments later, Ji Bang called his steward back and held up two fingers to give instructions.

"Two things. First, from now on, send word to those stationed in the Star River Battlefield—have them acquire Dragon-Turtle Fortify Soul Elixirs and celestial treasures that break cultivation bottlenecks through every channel, and boost Hongli's cultivation as much as possible. When ready, send her to the Star River Battlefield.

Young men are fiery-blooded—don't let the Meng clan get ahead!

This is the Grand State Tutor's future successor."

"Second, have my younger brother take you, carry heavy gifts, bring several top experts, and take a few celestial treasures that replenish lifespan to this location first—to prepare the ground for me," Ji Bang ordered.

Moments later, the steward bowed and departed.

(End of Chapter)