Chapter 298: A Stone, Two Birds and Quietness

Xu Jin rushed back to Guan County and arrived before the Star Gate.

Xu Jin's original plan was to quickly clear the area, seal the Star Gate himself, block the passage, then have the County Magistrate and County Commandant lead troops to mop up the stragglers.

The invading alien races had poor discipline, with some breaking off from the main force to act independently.

But when Xu Jin arrived, he froze.

Only the County Magistrate remained among the fourth-rank human cultivators fighting before the Star Gate.

Outside the battle circle, Xu Jin spotted the County Commandant's corpse—only half a mangled remnant remained.

From within the Star Gate, second-, third-, and fourth-rank aliens continued pouring out endlessly.

Xu Jin silently joined the battle.

With Xu Jin's arrival, the pressure on the County Magistrate, who was leading the county's elite, immediately lessened.

In less than twenty breaths, Xu Jin cleared all aliens in the immediate vicinity.

Yet from within the Star Gate, aliens kept surging out without end.

One after another.

"Xu Zhenchuan, let me recover briefly," the County Magistrate said grimly, bowing to Xu Jin, then strode to the County Commandant's corpse, swallowed an elixir, sat cross-legged, and rapidly restored his strength.

This is war!

"I hold this position—those who are drained, recover; others, go fight elsewhere."

At Xu Jin's shout, many exhausted county patrolmen went to recover.

Those pushed to their limits either fell in battle or were critically wounded.

No grand speeches, only silent endurance.

Xu Jin continuously slew aliens emerging from the Star Gate.

On average, one or two emerged per breath—some third-rank, occasionally fourth-rank, sometimes even second-rank.

With Xu Jin's strength, holding this position was effortless.

But after fifteen minutes, Xu Jin frowned.

Impossible to kill them all!

The aliens pouring out endlessly weren't a problem in themselves—under this rate, he could keep killing indefinitely.

But as long as aliens kept coming, Xu Jin could not activate the Sealing Jade Tablet to seal the current Star Gate.

After sealing the Star Gate with the Sealing Jade Tablet, it required roughly half an hour to fully merge with the star realm's boundary before the seal could be completed.

During that half-hour fusion period, if any alien on the other side of the star realm struck the seal at random, they could quickly shatter it and cause Xu Jin's sealing to fail.

"This fourth-rank star realm must have been prepared in advance. Its Star Realm King likely mobilized troops well before the Nine Stars Tide, and this Star Gate's location is favorable—probably near one of their major cities.

That's why so many aliens keep pouring in.

For now, we can only hold!

The aliens on the other side cannot know our situation; all they can do is keep sending reinforcements.

All we can do is hold, and keep killing.

Kill every alien sent through the Star Gate until they realize the cost and stop—then we can seal the gate." The County Magistrate, having recovered slightly, approached.

Xu Jin frowned. "How long must we hold?"

"At least half a day. Based on past experience, it ranges from half a day to one or two days. But given current conditions, holding isn't too difficult—if you grow tired, Xu Zhenchuan, I can take over.

But if any mid- to late-stage fourth-rank aliens break through, you'll need to assist."

"Otherwise, they'll cause more havoc," the County Magistrate said.

Xu Jin casually obliterated a fourth-rank alien emerging from the Star Gate, his brow slightly furrowed.

Holding for half a day or a full day posed no difficulty for Xu Jin.

The strongest fourth-rank aliens emerging were no higher than fourth-rank ninth layer.

They posed no threat to Xu Jin.

Could they be stronger than the Gold Star Gatekeeper or the Inner Demon?

Thus, theoretically, Xu Jin could effortlessly slay any alien below fifth-rank second layer.

But the problem was, prolonged time would drastically amplify the danger his current identity brought.

The Grand Preceptor had instructed Xu Jin to complete the mission within two hours.

Already, more than half an hour had passed.

If the Two Star Palaces were paying attention, they likely already knew Xu Jin had been dispatched to support Guan County.

Yet due to the Star Tower's temporary transport restrictions, even their experts required considerable time to arrive.

As for the highest-ranking experts left in Yangjiang Commandery by the Two Star Palaces, none exceeded fifth-rank—they'd merely be delivering themselves to Xu Jin as prey.

Just one or two months ago, during the assassination attempt in Wan Yi, even a fifth-rank ninth-layer expert had failed!

Xu Jin had to complete the mission while also ensuring his own safety.

Suddenly, staring at the Star Gate, Xu Jin's mind stirred.

"County Magistrate, I have a method to seal the Star Gate swiftly, after which you can lead troops to purge the region and rapidly organize civilian rescue—but you must hold for at least half an hour."

"I am the County Magistrate—defending this land is my duty. Holding for half an hour? Even holding for a full day is mandatory!"

"But if any mid- to late-stage fourth-rank aliens emerge, I may not hold!" the County Magistrate gritted his teeth.

"That's easily solved."

Xu Jin handed the County Magistrate four fourth-rank upper-grade rune tablets for emergency use.

But Xu Jin did not act immediately—he was no longer so reckless.

A few breaths later, Xu Jin captured a mid-stage fourth-rank alien and interrogated him using Dream Warming, quickly obtaining the information he needed.

This fourth-rank star realm was called the Flame Wolf Star Realm; long before the Nine Stars Tide, its two kings had agreed to mobilize heavy forces to await the Tide's opening of the Star Gate.

The Star Gate opened just a hundred li from Yanjiao Capital—all aliens pouring in were from the Yanjiao Clan.

According to the captive, the elite forces of the Green Wolf Clan would soon arrive at the Star Gate's outer edge and then surge forth to strike a devastating blow.

In other words, more reinforcements were coming.

Under these circumstances, Xu Jin's resolve hardened.

The next instant, Xu Jin transmitted his plan to Grand Preceptor Cheng Yuexiao via the Star Picking Token.

Such a major matter required informing the Preceptor.

【Can you guarantee your return within two hours?】 came the Preceptor's starlight message.

【As long as luck isn't terrible, I should be able to return within two hours.】 Xu Jin affirmed.

【Good. Set two hours as the limit. After two hours, whether you've returned or not, if I'm free, I'll come to meet you; if not, Peng Lao or another seventh-rank will.】

Upon receiving the Preceptor's confirmation, Xu Jin immediately handed the County Magistrate the prepared Star Realm Marker for the Flame Wolf Star Realm, as a contingency.

"County Magistrate, hold firm—I will relieve your pressure from within in half an hour!"

The next instant, Xu Jin leapt forward and vanished into the Star Gate.

The County Magistrate stared at Xu Jin's disappearing figure, his expression solemn. "A true hero!"

The next moment, two more third-rank aliens burst forth—the County Magistrate charged without hesitation.

At the Heavenly Sun Star Palace's main hall, Grand Elder Wang Kan hurried to meet the Heavenly Sun Star Lord.

"How is the situation?"

"My Lord, within Da Hong, there are now two seventh-rank Star Gates, four sixth-rank, eleven fifth-rank, twenty-seven fourth-rank, fifty-one third-rank, and sixty-five second-rank Star Gates.

The number of Star Gates appearing during this Nine Stars Tide is double that of the regular triennial Star Tide.

Fortunately, Da Hong was well-prepared and, per your orders, has already deployed most of its elite forces.

We estimate full suppression within two to three days, and peace restored within three to four days—with minimal losses." Grand Elder Wang Kan replied.

"What of Da Chen, the Barbarians, and Da Chu?" the Heavenly Sun Star Lord asked.

"My Lord, the Barbarians had bad luck this year—more temporary Star Gates appeared than in any previous Nine Stars Tide. Da Chen and Da Chu are similar. But Da Chu and the Azure Star Palace are strong and handling it calmly. Da Chen should manage too, though it's strained."

Wang Kan added suddenly, "My Lord, we just received word: Da Chen's Dao Academy True Disciple Xu Jin has been dispatched to Danzhou's Yangjiang Commandery, Guan County, to seal a fourth-rank Star Gate."

At this, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord's eyelids snapped up. "What do you propose?"

"My Lord, the Star Tower's temporary restrictions mean travel takes time!

And previous fifth-rank assassins failed.

Given Xu Jin's current status, he must possess multiple sixth-rank upper-grade life-saving rune tablets.

So why not send a seventh-rank expert to eliminate him outright?" Wang Kan made a slashing motion.

"Can they arrive in time?"

"Uncertain! The nearest seventh-rank expert flying nonstop would still take one and a half to two hours. Too bad an eighth-rank would draw too much attention—I'd have gone myself!" Wang Kan chuckled.

"You going would be foolproof!

But the disturbance would be too great.

Might even cause failure!

Then arrange it."

The Heavenly Sun Star Lord frowned, then added: "Theoretically, Da Chen is now critically short on manpower and cannot spare a seventh-rank to guard Xu Jin. For safety, send two seventh-ranks."

"My Lord, wise indeed!"

After a small compliment, Wang Kan added, "My Lord, what if I send Hu Jinsan, Deputy Commandant Hu? Last time Hu Zhen died at Da Chen's hands, the Hu family has been seething with rage.

Sending him to assassinate Xu Jin? He'll give it his all!

Success is certain!"

"Hmm, good. Send another reliable one as well."

As Grand Elder Wang Kan accepted the order, the Star Lord of Tianyang suddenly shifted his gaze and asked, "Does the Cangming Star Hall know this intelligence?"

"Your Majesty, they likely already know. Among our Tianyang Star Hall's spies are several Triple-Faced Men; through them, we can leak the information to the Cangming Star Hall. They will almost certainly seize this chance to act," Grand Elder Wang Kan replied.

After a few breaths of silence, the Star Lord of Tianyang said, "Send Sixth Elder Xia Zhong as the other candidate. Only Xia Zhong can suppress Hu Jinshan."

As Wang Kan nodded in agreement, he frowned in confusion, "What is Your Majesty's meaning?"

"Tell Sixth Elder Xia Zhong: if Cangming's experts arrive, hold back. Let them—or secretly aid them—to strike first, then expose the Cangming experts!"

At that moment, the relationship between Cheng Yuexiao—or rather, the Dao Academy of Chen Guo—and the Cangming Star Hall will plummet to freezing point.

Tell me, when you go to them afterward to propose an alliance, what choice will Cangming make?" said the Star Lord of Tianyang.

Grand Elder Wang Kan's eyes suddenly lit with understanding; he raised his thumb in admiration. "Your Majesty's brilliance! This two birds with one stone strategy is exquisite!"

"Go. But no matter what, don't let Xu Jin slip away!"

"Yes!"

Inside the Cangming Star Hall's main hall, the Star Lord of Cangming was making similar arrangements, instructing Seventh Elder Huang Kejia in person.

"Seventh Elder, act according to circumstances! If Tianyang's people arrive, avoid fighting if possible. Let Tianyang bear the blame. In the future, we must ally with Chen Guo to weaken Tianyang Star Hall."

On this matter, avoid antagonizing Chen Guo if you can.

Also, if we are forced to kill Xu Jin, find a way to frame Tianyang Star Hall for it.

Seventh Elder, you're an expert in this—surely you won't fail?" said the Star Lord of Cangming.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost."

"Good. Go."

Seventh Elder Huang Kejia departed with his men. The Star Lord of Cangming then added, "Grand Elder Sun, deploy every capable expert in the Star Hall! This year, Da Chu must bear an extra half percent in tribute, and with the Nine-Star Tide upon us, minimize civilian losses as much as possible."

"Your Majesty is benevolent!"

Grand Elder Sun Xianzu bowed and departed.

During the Nine-Star Tide, only the two Star Halls still have the strength to act elsewhere.

Within the Yanjiao Star Region, Xu Jin had just slain a band of barbarians, interrogated the captives, and confirmed his location.

The only downside of the Star Gates is this:

You exit at fixed points, but entering sends you to random locations.

This time, Xu Jin's luck was poor: his landing point was within the territory of the Blue Wolf Clan.

But the good news: though within Blue Wolf territory, it was only a thousand li from Yanjiao Royal City—not far.

A thousand li? Xu Jin pushed himself to the limit, and arrived in less than half an hour.

Another piece of good news: the Blue Wolf King's elite army lay just five hundred li ahead.

Under normal circumstances, within another hour, the Blue Wolf King's elite force would reach the vicinity of Yanjiao Royal City, then use the Star Gate nearby to invade the mortal realm.

One and a half hours later, Xu Jin stormed into the Blue Wolf King's elite army like a raging storm.

Called an elite army, but it totaled only ten thousand.

Five hundred fourth-rank elites, four thousand third-rank, the rest all second-rank.

Apparently, as agreed with the Yanjiao King, since this was a large-scale advance toward Yanjiao Royal City, only two fifth-rank experts were brought along.

This greatly favored Xu Jin.

Within twenty breaths of charging the formation, he slew the Blue Wolf King and the two fifth-rank experts, then vanished swiftly.

The remaining barbarian elites were thrown into chaos.

Of course, Xu Jin also took the Blue Wolf King's corpse.

For safety, he spent a quarter-hour refining the two Wind-element Celestial Star Will cores dropped from the Blue Wolf King's body, fully integrating them into this realm, before heading toward the vicinity of Yanjiao Royal City.

This operation went even smoother.

With the added power of two low-tier Blue Wolf Hearts, and using his invisibility, Xu Jin slipped silently within twenty meters of the Yanjiao King commanding his troops—without being detected.

He struck suddenly.

A spiral flame explosion beneath his Brilliant Purple Heavenly Fire, combined with the seventh-rank technique Break Evil, instantly killed the Yanjiao King.

Then, Xu Jin raised the Fish-Screen Golden Bell, activated the Earth Root from the Earth Source Star Pattern, anchored himself in place, and slaughtered the two fifth-rank and hundreds of fourth-rank Yanjiao elites before stepping forward and entering the Star Gate.

"Kill!"

As Xu Jin emerged from the Star Gate, he heard the County Magistrate of Guan County roaring, and attacks raining down on him. He was about to counterattack when he suddenly realized—

"It's me!"

The County Magistrate of Guan County froze, his astonishment beyond words.

Less than an hour and a half, and he'd made a round trip through the barbarian star region? That speed was too fast!

How heroic was this?

"The other side should be fine now—the Yanjiao King is dead, the barbarians are in total chaos. This Star Gate is yours to seal," Xu Jin handed the Sealing Jade Tablet to the County Magistrate, then reported to the Grand Master.

【Since you resolved it directly from within the star region, leave the Star Gate sealing to the County Magistrate and return at once! Your safety margin is nearly exhausted.】 came the Starlight Message from Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

【Understood. I'm returning now.】

A few breaths later, the County Magistrate of Guan County watched Xu Jin depart.

Xu Jin, ascending on starlight, headed straight for Yangjiang Commandery City.

He planned to depart via the Star-Picking Tower's branch in Yangjiang.

Just over half a minute later, he arrived at Yangjiang Commandery City—only to find the Tower's gatekeeper, who had previously been a low-rank disciple, now replaced by a fifth-rank expert.

This made Xu Jin frown.

A fifth-rank disciple posted here to guard the gate? Isn't that a waste?

Everyone is fighting for their lives elsewhere!

And a fifth-rank expert is left idle here?

But this wasn't his jurisdiction. He'd report it to the Grand Master upon return. He glanced once more at Yangjiang Commandery City, then moved to enter the Star-Picking Tower.

But as he turned back to look at Yangjiang Commandery City, he froze.

The time was just before Hai Hour—roughly eight or nine p. . in his past life.

Yet the entire Yangjiang Commandery City was eerily silent.

Not a single voice, not a single light!

"Huh? Why is Yangjiang Commandery City so silent?"

Xu Jin asked aloud—and the fifth-rank gatekeeper's expression changed instantly!

(End of Chapter)