Chapter 296: The Great Tide Arrives

At 1: 0 a. . on November 13, two hours remained before the Nine-Star Tide descended.

After completing his evening rituals, Xu Jin prepared to rest.

But as he lay down, he found himself, as in his past life, reaching for his phone before sleep—his mind sinking into the Star-Plucking Order, entering the Combat Realm directly.

This was Xu Jin's first entry into the Combat Realm since reaching the Fourth Rank; naturally, he entered the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm.

A starlight message arrived—ordinary, not urgent—he ignored it for now.

Instead, he observed the various details within the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm.

【Great Sage Equaling Heaven】

【Cultivation Base: Fourth Rank, Star Condensation Second Layer】

【Title: Flatland Starlight, Moonstrider Meteor】

【Points: 0】

【Rank: 564, 55th】

Xu Jin had zero points and ranked beyond 560, 00th.

Thus, the total number of Fourth-Rank cultivators within the Star-Plucking Tower's scope should be around six hundred thousand, certainly no more than one million.

Compared to the number of Third-Rank cultivators, it had plummeted sharply.

When Xu Jin first entered the Third Rank, his rank was over eight million; he estimated the total Third-Rank cultivators within the Star-Plucking Tower's scope likely did not exceed ten million.

Now, Fourth Rank had shrunk to just five or six hundred thousand.

On average, only one Fourth-Rank cultivator emerged among every twenty Third-Rank cultivators.

This breakthrough probability was certainly low.

Then how many Fifth-Rank cultivators would there be?

He didn't know if there were even fifty thousand.

Higher still, Sixth and Seventh Ranks would be even fewer; Eighth Rank? He could count them on his fingers.

In Chen Guo, excluding the Star River Battlefield, Xu Jin knew of only three Eighth-Rank cultivators: the Grand National Teacher, the Star-Patrol Commander Pei Ze, and the old retainer mentioned by the State Teacher in the imperial palace.

Xu Jin glanced casually at the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm leaderboard—the top-ranked cultivator was named Jingshan Tiger.

He didn't look at the others.

Had he held his Third-Rank mindset, he would have fought several matches.

But now, he felt he stood at a crossroads of fate and had lost the urge.

Claiming the top rank in the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm was merely a matter of time.

No difficulty at all.

Xu Jin was extremely confident of this.

But if he claimed the top rank in the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm, it would surely spark a major uproar.

The prestige of the top rank varied across Combat Realms.

First-rank and second-rank rankings changed too rapidly—learning a new star pattern could make one top; virtually every top genius among the factions could reach first place, making such rankings of little reference value.

Starting from the Third Rank, each rank's reference value grew increasingly significant.

Because from the Third Rank onward, one needed comprehensive strength to reach the top.

This became even more obvious at the Fourth Rank.

At Second and Third Ranks, one could climb to first with family support, abundant resources, or access to a few high-rank star patterns.

But at the Fourth Rank—especially mid-to-late Fourth Rank—core combat star patterns were at least Fifth Rank; those ranking within the top hundred or even top thousand possessed Sixth-Rank star patterns and complete star arts.

The top-ranked cultivator, as one can imagine.

Different factions valued these rankings differently.

Even within the Chen Guo National Dao Academy, there were explicit reward regulations.

If a disciple broke into the top one thousand, top one hundred, or even top ten of the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm, they received different rewards.

Thus, though his fingers itched, Xu Jin chose not to compete in the rankings.

He would wait until after the Nine-Star Tide, when the Otherworldly Mind Trials began, then reassess.

Having decided, he casually opened his starlight messages—three in total: two from Zuiyue Immortal, one from Yuezhongying.

【You broke through to Fourth Rank? Just wait.】

This was Yuezhongying's threat.

That woman was just too vengeful.

Xu Jin ignored it as usual.

【How did you break through to Fourth Rank so fast? I was looking forward to more sparring with you! You didn't even wait for me—now that you've advanced, who will I spar with?】

Zuiyue Immortal's two messages were a long stream of complaints; Xu Jin couldn't help but smile.

This little rich girl probably didn't yet know he'd discovered her true identity—she was just venting.

Xu Jin, idle, replied—and to his surprise, Zuiyue Immortal was still awake, replying instantly.

Back and forth, they began chatting.

At first, Zuiyue Immortal tried to test him—mentioning she'd taken a long trip, met two good sisters, ate delicious food, and was very happy—but after a few exchanges, it turned into pure venting.

She complained about her current life: overly controlled, no freedom to go out.

Even going out meant being followed; she even vented about a certain sister, chatting about daily life.

Xu Jin replied half-heartedly, occasionally offering razor-sharp insights that left the little rich girl astonished, exclaiming, "Brilliant!"

This amused Xu Jin.

It felt like chatting online in his past life.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's expression changed—online chatting in his past life only cost data.

But here, each message in the Star-Plucking Tower cost a strand of starlight.

Extremely expensive.

He glanced and winced slightly.

He'd sent seventy or eighty messages—seventy or eighty strands of starlight—this was extravagant.

Only now could he afford it; in the past, he'd have been heartbroken.

But then he saw Zuiyue Immortal's messages—over three hundred.

That was three hundred strands of starlight—no wonder she was a little rich girl.

【Enough, get some rest. The Nine-Star Tide is coming—I must prepare for battle.】 Xu Jin ended the chat.

【Great Sage, you're going to fight too? Be careful! If you need help, call me—I'm quite strong too!】 Zuiyue Immortal sent another starlight message.

Xu Jin didn't reply. As he turned to leave, Zuiyue Immortal sent another: 【Stay in contact. Don't vanish like before.】

Xu Jin paused, replied "Okay," then decisively exited the Fourth-Rank Combat Realm.

With a thought, he activated Wen Meng.

Instantly, he sank into sleep.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Jin awoke to the muffled beat of war drums.

Deep, grim, and deadly, the drumbeats echoed throughout the Chen Guo National Dao Academy and filled the skies above the imperial capital, Wan Yi.

Xu Jin awoke, washed his face, swallowed the meal prepared by Qing Fan, then gently embraced Jiang Er beside him.

"Focus on your cultivation. Don't leave the Dao Academy. If anything happens, find Peng Lao. I'll be back."

"Mm!"

As Jiang Er nodded firmly, Xu Jin stepped into the starlight.

Within the Lower Star Palace, the two Mingji Star Patterns flared fully—he faintly sensed the chaotic, violent star force descending upon the world. Above Wan Yi, star force surged from all directions. Dawn had not come; the sky remained pitch black, yet the stars tonight burned brighter than ever.

Within the Chen Guo National Dao Academy, elite squads patrolled the skies above Wan Yi, fully on alert.

Wan Yi's city defenses were fully activated; the shimmering starlight of the city's grand array illuminated the entire city like constellations.

The location of the star gate opened during the Nine-Star Tide was entirely random.

That meant it could open outside Wan Yi—or even at its very center—hence the extreme vigilance.

Over the past thousand years, records showed countless towns destroyed and nations wiped out by bad luck during the Nine-Star Tide.

Some alien star gates opened directly in the center of small towns; by the time reinforcements arrived, everything had been looted and everyone slaughtered.

Hence the extreme precautions.

Xu Jin arrived at the second floor of the Star-Plucking Tower. The usually empty hall was now crowded.

The Grand National Teacher, the Grand Commander, the Left and Right Librarians sat on high thrones; other known and unknown Fifth and Sixth-Rank elites—including Four Academy Heads, Deputy Heads, and some Star-Patrol soldiers—numbered three or four hundred, all lined up in silent readiness.

Xu Jin entered, found a spot at the very back, and stood quietly in line.

After roughly half a watch, the Star-Plucking Order of Grand National Teacher Cheng Yuexiao suddenly flashed violently—starlight streaked one after another, each flashing three times, each an emergency alert.

【Song Ziye, a Fifth-Rank star domain gate has opened in Zhangwu County, Songzhou. Take a squad of Fifth-Rank elites and depart immediately.】

【Your servant obeys.】

In the next instant, Song Ziye and ten Fifth-Rank cultivators vanished via teleportation.

As Song Ziye teleported away, Grand National Teacher Cheng Yuexiao had already issued four more orders—all dispatched squads vanished instantly via the Star-Plucking Tower, rushing to reinforce.

The National Dao Academy dispatched reinforcements only when Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth-Rank star domain gates opened.

But that didn't mean Second and Third-Rank gates were ignored.

The Left and Right Librarians and Grand Commander Pei Ze were handling those.

When Second, Third, or Fourth-Rank star domain gates opened, they first consulted Chen Guo's provincial military deployment maps to prioritize nearby elite forces for reinforcement.

But there are also situations requiring support from the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

For example, Jingzhou Shancheng Commandery has been particularly unlucky: within a short time, a fourth-rank star domain gate, two third-rank star domain gates, and a second-rank star domain gate all appeared within its borders. Under such circumstances, the State Dao Academy dispatched a team of fifth-rank cultivators to provide support.

Within just half an hour, more than five or six hundred elite troops had departed, leaving fewer than a hundred behind.

But all remained quietly waiting.

Suddenly, the Grand Master's expression changed sharply; he looked up and said, "A seventh-rank star domain gate has opened in the eastern district of Leizhou."

At these words, everyone in the hall grew solemn.

Within a seventh-rank star domain, the strongest are eighth-rank. Though eighth-rank cultivators cannot emerge through the gate, even two or three seventh-rank experts emerging would be a serious problem.

A single seventh-rank cultivator's destructive power exceeds that of ten sixth-rank ones.

Moreover, even if only one seventh-rank emerges, the accompanying sixth-ranks number at least five or six, and as many as a dozen or more.

This is no longer something ordinary people can handle.

In the next instant, Pei Ze, the Grand Inspector of the Xunxing Guard, rose with a smile and said, "Grand Master, I'll go myself."

Cheng Yuexiao also stood and bowed respectfully. "Then we rely on you, Grand Inspector. Please exercise great caution."

"Rest assured, Grand Master."

A few breaths later, Grand Inspector Pei Ze, accompanied by five sixth-ranks and ten fifth-ranks, swiftly teleported away.

From then on, the frequency of foreign star gates opening clearly decreased, with urgent reports arriving only once every half hour.

Yet the number of mobile forces remaining in the hall grew ever smaller.

After half a day, only a few people remained in the hall.

Only the Grand Master, the Censor Chen Liao, Peng Lao, Xu Jin, and two fifth-rank Assistant Academic Directors were left; everyone else had been dispatched.

An hour later, the two fifth-rank Assistant Academic Directors were also sent out.

The Grand Master had already begun drawing elite troops from the Imperial Guard of Wanyi.

The Nine-Star Tide surged fiercely; within half a day, all prepared support teams had been deployed, and none had returned. Cheng Yuexiao's forces were nearly out of reinforcements.

An hour later, the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's Star-Plucking Order flashed three times in rapid succession. After reading the message, he turned to Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, a fourth-rank star domain gate has suddenly opened outside Guan County in Yangjiang Commandery, Danzhou. At least dozens of fourth-rank foreign races have emerged. I'm assigning you to go—can you handle it?" said Master Cheng.

"No problem," Xu Jin replied, accepting the order.

"Proceed with caution. Earlier, the eastern part of Yangjiang Commandery reported a fifth-rank star gate, but the local Dao Academy handled it. On your way, avoid prolonged battles. Once you eliminate the foreign races and seal the gate, return immediately."

As he spoke, Master Cheng Yuexiao tossed two Star Jade Tablets to Xu Jin.

One was a fifth-rank Sealing Jade Tablet, specially crafted by Emblem Masters for urgently sealing star gates.

After slaying the foreign races, use the Sealing Jade Tablet to block the gate. As long as it isn't shattered within half an hour, the threat is neutralized.

The other jade tablet was a Star Domain Marker Tablet.

For every foreign star domain that opens within Chen Guo territory, a Star Domain Marker is established. Later, whenever opportunity arises, Chen Guo will strike back to eliminate the threat permanently.

Although even the Xumi Palace has yet to understand the relationship between the positions of star gates opened during the Star Tide and their corresponding spatial coordinates.

But based on experience, any star domain that has appeared within a nation's territory is highly likely to reopen in future Star Tides within that same nation.

Thus, after the Star Tide ends, all factions will use the established Star Domain Markers to open temporary gates and invade.

One purpose is revenge; the other is to weaken.

Even if star gates reopen during future Star Tides, the foreign races will be far weaker.

"Go. I've already sent word to the County Magistrate of Guan County and nearby Dao Academy disciples—they will contact you at all times and report the foreign races' locations."

In the next instant, Xu Jin bowed to the Grand Master, the Censor, and Peng Lao, then stepped into the star gate.

Teleportation: Target—Chen Guo, Danzhou, Yangjiang Commandery!

Before his eyes, the stars and heavens shimmered and shifted, like a dream.

A few breaths later, a sensation of weightlessness came over him; Xu Jin had arrived at the Star-Plucking Tower branch in Danzhou's Yangjiang Commandery.

As soon as Xu Jin appeared, a third-rank disciple rushed forward, confirmed his identity and purpose, and immediately pointed him in the right direction.

Guan County lies five hundred li west of Yangjiang Commandery.

Xu Jin thanked him, then ascended into the starlight—yet he glanced down at Yangjiang Commandery below, and beyond it, to the east.

To the east of Yangjiang Commandery, a massive star gate shimmered in the night, but no cries of battle reached him.

Yet Yangjiang Commandery itself was filled with clamor.

Thousands of city guard troops, torches in hand, surged southward, amid countless other figures.

Xu Jin gave it only a passing glance.

Had another foreign star gate opened to the south of Yangjiang Commandery?

But since city guards were being dispatched to handle it, even if a gate had opened, its rank must be low.

Besides, the Grand Master was coordinating everything centrally.

In the next instant, Xu Jin launched into the starlight, heading straight for Guan County.

Five hundred li was a journey that would take ordinary people one or two days—but for Xu Jin, it required little time.

Especially since he was anxious about Guan County's situation, he flew at full speed.

In less than half a quarter-hour, he saw Guan County—and the massive star gate outside its walls.

At that moment, the massive gate was continuously spewing forth third- and fourth-rank Bahuang foreign races.

In the next instant, Xu Jin shot forward.

The Gaiyue Sword began to spin and howl.

(End of Chapter)