Chapter 310: A Major Problem

Xingyang Battle City is said to have been, in its former life, the royal city of a Tier 4 star domain that was pierced through.

The so-called "piercing through" begins with shattering the star domain's barrier, followed by continuous destruction and expansion.

This requires the consumption of massive amounts of manpower and time, especially from powerhouses; the cost is extremely high.

Once the target star domain is pierced, the Will of Heaven and Earth within it is merged with the Will of Heaven and Earth of the current world, or rather, devoured by it.

Then, the various restrictions imposed by the target star domain's Will of Heaven and Earth vanish.

For instance, restrictions like only allowing Tier 4 cultivators to enter or capping cultivation at the peak of Tier 5, Ninth Layer, all disappear.

Next, the main force charges in to sweep the area, complete the occupation, and finally, link it to the continent of the Star River Battlefield.

All of this is recorded in the library of the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

Because of this, many architectural styles in Xingyang Battle City possess strong exotic characteristics, while the newly built structures exhibit a distinct Chen Guo style.

Two vastly different styles standing in the same city reveal a strange, eerie beauty.

Xu Jin strolled through the streets of Xingyang Battle City, but his mood was not good.

Xingyang Battle City is the garrison for the 5th Guard of the Chen Guo Uncle Xuan Hu Army.

And the commander of the Chen Guo Uncle Xuan Hu Army is none other than Chai Ce, the Marquis of Yangdu, one of the Three Princes and Seven Marquises.

Marquis Yangdu Chai Ce commands the Chen Guo Uncle Xuan Hu Army, with 36,000 Huben soldiers under his banner, all of whom are at least at the Refine Star Realm. In the Chen Guo war zone, they garrison two cities: Xingyang Battle City and Yangdu Battle City.

Yangdu Battle City is also a key stronghold garrisoned by Marquis Yangdu Chai Ce and serves as the front line.

According to Chen Guo war zone military law, all army commanders must personally garrison the front line.

As far as Xu Jin understands, Ning Yuchan's assignment to the Uncle Xuan Hu Army in the Chen Guo war zone should be a normal allocation.

The allocation rule in the Chen Guo war zone is based on regional origin.

Since the Marquis of Yangdu's fief in the current world is in Yanzhou, according to the rules, most cultivators from Yanzhou are assigned under the Marquis of Yangdu; this is something Xu Jin learned in the library.

One important reason for this is—hometown accents.

After all, the Star River Battlefield is far from the current world, and the regional nature of the soldiers in the army needs to be considered, which can also alleviate the homesickness of most soldiers.

What Xu Jin is considering, however, is whether the Marquis of Yangdu will target Ning Yuchan.

After all, back when they broke into the Marquis of Yangdu's territory to save Jiang Er, Ning Yuchan was the one who charged the hardest.

Although the Academy Head Dong Zhao was at the very front, it is hard to say.

However, in the star-light messages Ning Yuchan sent to report her safety, everything was normal; she was directly appointed as the Deputy Commandant of the Second Division of the 5th Guard of the Uncle Xuan Hu Army.

Under Chen Guo military regulations, a Guard General usually requires Tier 6 cultivation, while a front-line Commandant is usually Tier 5.

With Ning Yuchan having just broken through to Tier 5, serving as a Deputy Commandant is quite normal.

After walking around, Xu Jin found the garrison camp of the 5th Guard of the Uncle Xuan Hu Army, located in the southern part of Xingyang Battle City.

How to see Ning Yuchan, and in what capacity, is a troublesome matter.

For the time being, Xu Jin cannot tell Ning Yuchan the truth.

The Grand Master had also specifically instructed him before he came.

The close relationship between Xu Jin and Ning Yuchan is no secret, and there might be people with ulterior motives watching in the shadows.

He suggested waiting until this matter passes and no one is paying attention, at which point Xu Jin can decide for himself whether to tell Ning Yuchan.

After just one lap, Xu Jin passed by the gate of the 5th Guard camp and turned onto another street.

He needs to get settled first.

Since Ning Yuchan is in Xingyang Battle City anyway, Xu Jin's current plan is to cultivate for a while; he can cultivate anywhere.

There is no need to buy a house; Xu Jin just wants to rent a courtyard here to cultivate.

Xingyang Battle City is vast and sparsely populated, and there are plenty of independent courtyards provided for cultivators, available for rent or purchase.

By now, Xu Jin has long passed the stage of pinching every penny.

He rented a moderately sized courtyard for the price of one Tier 3 Star Jade Tablet per month.

The reason it is so expensive is that this courtyard comes with a Tier 2 alert array; once activated, it can barely serve as an early warning.

That is, it can warn if an outsider breaks into the courtyard, but it has no defensive function.

After taking out brand-new bedding from his Sumeru space and laying it out, the first thing Xu Jin did was sleep.

Since the Nine-Star Tide began, Xu Jin had not rested properly.

In between, he discovered Chief Steward Chu's blood sacrifice, initiated the "Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell" plan, and during the two-plus days on the star boat, he hadn't dared to close his eyes.

The benefits of Wen Meng's guidance manifested at this moment.

Instant sleep!

Xu Jin fell asleep at noon, but was startled awake at dusk.

He was awakened simultaneously by the Mingji Star Pattern and the courtyard's alert array.

Someone broke in?

Two people!

Both are Tier 4, Ninth Layer!

As Xu Jin frowned and carefully stepped out of the room, he saw two middle-aged men chatting at the gate of his courtyard. "Look, our new neighbor is out." As they spoke, the two waved at Xu Jin.

Xu Jin was stunned.

A quarter of an hour later, Xu Jin understood completely!

It was a bit like meeting fellow countrymen!

These two were both cultivators from Yanzhou who had settled here.

Seeing the alert light rise from this courtyard, they called some friends to bring wine and meat to get to know the new neighbor.

Men are a strange species; you might pass someone a hundred times without becoming friends, but after a round of drinks, you are bound to become friends—the basic kind.

The two were named Zhong Wei and He Gongyou.

Zhong Wei is 37 this year, and He Gongyou is 44. They had been on the Star River Battlefield for several years, mixing in different mercenary squads, and both had just returned from battle not long ago.

Listening to their casual chat, they were actually both hired by generals of the 5th Guard of the Uncle Xuan Hu Army to fight alongside the regular army.

"Two brothers, can we ordinary rogue cultivators actually fight alongside the regular army?" This made Xu Jin quite curious, and he fully utilized his sweet-talking nature.

"Brother, you are new to the Star River Battlefield, so you don't know. The Star River Battlefield has rich spoils, but every battle is fought with your head on the line. The casualty rate of the regular army is still very high, including the generals."

"In the past, we rogue cultivators wanted to get rich, but a squad only has a dozen people. If we run into a large group of aliens, the probability of total annihilation is even higher."

"Later, some people started cooperating with army generals."

"Before these army generals execute military tasks, they recruit some mercenary squads to fight together."

"Our rogue mercenary squads usually start at Tier 4, while the main combat force of the Uncle Xuan Hu Army is Tier 3."

"Take a division of the Uncle Xuan Hu Army as an example. A division has about 1,200 to 1,500 people. The main general, the Commandant, and the Deputy Commandant must be Tier 5. The personal guard is Tier 4. From there downwards, the Flag Master and Squad Master must also be Tier 4, while most others are Tier 3. Calculating this way, having a hundred Tier 4s in this division is considered good; most only have seventy or eighty."

"And most of these Tier 4s are in the early or mid-stage. Like us, who are in the late stage, there are even fewer."

"Take the mercenary squad I'm in, for example. There are twelve of us in total: five at Tier 4, Ninth Layer; six at Tier 4, late stage; and one at Tier 4, mid-stage. If you put us in that division, we would be the elite of the elite."

"When two or three of us late-stage Tier 4s coordinate, we can hold off the attack of a Tier 5 alien, and there's even a possibility of killing one."

"So when these generals execute missions, they will hire one or two rogue mercenary squads to act as support."

"The cost is that they share a portion of their spoils with us, while they can significantly reduce their combat losses."

Speaking of this, He Gongyou, whose face was flushed from wine, patted Xu Jin on the shoulder. "Brother, cultivate hard for half a year. As long as your cultivation breaks through to Tier 4, Fourth Layer, whenever you are willing, I can introduce you to our captain."

"In that case, many thanks, brother!"

This kindness must be acknowledged.

"Brother Qi, if you are willing, you can join the squad I am in right now, though since your cultivation is at Tier 4, Second Layer, the treatment might be a bit lower." Zhong Wei also extended an invitation.

Xu Jin thanked him again.

The three chatted again, and under Xu Jin's intentional guidance, the topic shifted to Ning Yuchan.

Ning Yuchan is the Deputy Commandant of the Second Division of the 5th Guard of the Chen Guo Uncle Xuan Hu Army. In the entire 5th Guard, there is one Guard General, two Deputy Generals, five Commandants, and ten Deputy Commandants. Ning Yuchan can be considered a mid-to-high-level general.

It was fine until mentioned, but once mentioned, He Gongyou got excited.

"This Ning Yuchan, she is super fierce! Not only is she brave in battle and always at the forefront when killing aliens, but she can often win against stronger opponents."

"Last time she encountered a Tier 5, Ninth Layer alien, she not only survived but also killed that Tier 5, Ninth Layer alien."

"It's just that there were no vacancies; if there were, she would definitely be promoted to Commandant."

"Now, she is a hot figure in the Uncle Xuan Hu Army!" He Gongyou said.

"A hot figure, how so?"

"She is beautiful, has high cultivation, and a wealthy background. It is said she also has a distinguished origin. Those rogue cultivators look at her and howl; they'd practically throw themselves at her. Whoever wins her heart will have no worries for the rest of their life."

"There are many rogue mercenary squads that would accept lower pay or even lower their own treatment just to fight alongside Ning Yuchan, and there is even competition for it."

"It's a pity that Ning Yuchan likes to use people she knows." He Gongyou said.

"It's just that she has a lame leg; otherwise, how would these rogue cultivators have any chance? She would have been snatched up by high-level generals in the army long ago." Zhong Wei sneered.

"You think no generals in the army have ideas? Last time, a Guard General of the Purple Leopard Army reportedly offered to cure her lame leg, but was rejected. This woman, she's tough!" He Gongyou lowered his voice.

Xu Jin just listened, learning everything about the Uncle Xuan Hu Army.

After they were full of food and wine, the two left, and Xu Jin suddenly thought of a way to see Ning Yuchan.

He could have Zhong Wei make a trip.

As for how to make him go, it's simple: use Wen Meng to hypnotize him and have him accept a commission from a friend.

However, it won't work in the next few days.

Because in the casual chat just now, Xu Jin learned that during the Nine-Star Tide, the Second Division where Ning Yuchan is located was sent to garrison the Star River Passage and has not yet returned.

It is estimated that it will take several more days for them to return.

Xu Jin prepared to cultivate properly for a few days.

Casually setting up a Tier 5 Star Gathering Array and placing a Tier 5 Star Jade Tablet, just as he was about to cultivate, his Upper Shang Xinggong suddenly throbbed.

The moment Xu Jin's consciousness sank in, he was delighted.

The effect of the many Clear Soul Star Patterns he had inscribed was finally showing!

Last time, after killing the Star Official of the Baidou Divine Sect in the Tier 4 Fire Cloud Star Domain, he obtained a massive amount of Divine Soul power, raising his Divine Soul cultivation in one go to the early stage of Tier 4, Condense Star Seventh Layer, and he had inscribed a total of eighteen Clear Soul Star Patterns.

At this moment, the Divine Soul cultivation in Xu Jin's Upper Shang Xinggong was overflowing.

It had reached the peak of Tier 4, Condense Star Seventh Layer.

As long as he accumulated a bit more, he could condense a new Divine Soul Star and break his Divine Soul cultivation through to Tier 4, Condense Star Eighth Layer.

In twenty days, the passive effect of the eighteen Clear Soul Star Patterns had pushed Xu Jin's Divine Soul cultivation from the early stage of Tier 4, Condense Star Seventh Layer to the peak of Tier 4, Condense Star Seventh Layer.

Xu Jin estimated that in less than a month, at most a month, these eighteen Clear Soul Star Patterns would be able to push his Divine Soul cultivation from Tier 4, Eighth Layer to the peak of Tier 4, Eighth Layer.

Two months later, even if Xu Jin slept all day, he could be pushed to the peak of Tier 4, Ninth Layer.

The astonishing effect of the Clear Soul Star Patterns had already begun to manifest on Xu Jin.

However, Xu Jin didn't want to wait.

Two months is very fast for others, but Xu Jin felt it was still a bit slow.

He was currently holding over sixty Long Gui Soul-Forging Pills.

This cultivation resource still needed to be converted into cultivation as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, it would have no value!

The next instant, Xu Jin took out a Three-Essence Long Gui Soul-Forging Pill and consumed it!

The moment it entered his mouth, a massive and cool Divine Soul power rushed straight to his brain. The many Divine Soul stars in Xu Jin's Upper Shang Xinggong rotated simultaneously, and like a dragon-whale drinking water, they directly sucked the massive Divine Soul power into Xu Jin's Upper Shang Xinggong.

His consciousness condensed into a Clear Soul Star Pattern in an instant, and then, driven by his consciousness, it began to rotate.

A few breaths later, a new Divine Soul Star was condensed.

Xu Jin's Divine Soul cultivation broke through to Tier 4, Eighth Layer.

The medicinal power of the Three-Essence Long Gui Soul-Forging Pill was equivalent to six ordinary Long Gui Soul-Forging Pills. After helping Xu Jin break through, there was still a large amount of medicinal power remaining, which Xu Jin quickly absorbed and refined.

Before long, it pushed Xu Jin's Divine Soul cultivation a bit further.

He was one step closer to the mid-stage of Tier 4, Eighth Layer.

According to Xu Jin's previous experience, ten to twelve Three-Essence Long Gui Soul-Forging Pills would raise Xu Jin's Divine Soul cultivation by one layer.

If he didn't consume them, it was estimated that in two months at most, Xu Jin could attempt to condense his Primordial Spirit.

But if he paired it with a Long Gui Soul-Forging Pill morning and night, in just over half a month, he would be able to attempt to condense his Primordial Spirit and break his Divine Soul cultivation through to Tier 5!

Although he had the help of the Long Gui Soul-Forging Pill, Xu Jin still inscribed another Clear Soul Star Pattern on the eighth Divine Soul Star.

The more Clear Soul Star Patterns, the more effective they are!

Currently, the number of Clear Soul Star Patterns Xu Jin had inscribed in his Upper Shang Xinggong had reached twenty!

If there was an opportunity, Xu Jin also planned to deduce the Clear Soul Star Pattern one or two more times.

This is a fundamental star pattern, which could even be called the Source of the Divine Soul, so he must deduce it vigorously.

Thinking of deducing star patterns, Xu Jin thought of another critical issue.

The identity issue of the Star-Plucking Tower.

His Copper-level authority of the Star-Plucking Tower was on that Star-Plucking Token!

Now that his identity had changed to Qi Qi Tian Sheng's Star-Plucking Token, did that mean the authority of the Copper-level holder was gone?

And those titles?

Especially, there were remaining Gold Stars and Brilliant Stars!

At this thought, Xu Jin's brows locked tightly; this was a major problem.

How to solve it?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 311 =====