Chapter 316: Use Your Head as a Borrowed Tool

Xu Jin now counted himself an expert in invisibility, so to suddenly detect another intruder spying on him naturally piqued his curiosity.

His cultivation base was low—ninth layer of the fourth realm.

Xu Jin activated two Mingji Star Patterns in his Star Palace; within moments, he roughly pinpointed the location of this "Li Gui."

He was pacing outside Xu Jin's small courtyard.

It seemed he was spying.

Who could it be?

Xu Jin's first thought was whether this was an agent of Emperor Gan'an coming to find him.

At this moment, the one most eager to uncover Xu Jin's whereabouts was surely that foolish emperor.

Precisely because of this, Xu Jin did not act.

After a dozen breaths, Xu Jin noticed this "Li Gui" had tested several times, confirmed no one was inside the courtyard, then slipped in silently—without triggering the alert array he had purchased.

This stunned Xu Jin.

This low-tier alert array was useless.

A few breaths later, the "Li Gui" left Xu Jin's courtyard, and Xu Jin followed silently.

Clearly, this Li Gui had not noticed Xu Jin.

The invisibility technique from Lingji Star Palace was still very powerful.

Ten li from Xu Jin's courtyard, the "Li Gui" revealed himself—a short, slender cultivator.

Xu Jin trailed him, and half an hour later, arrived at a large compound whose gate bore the characters: Qisha Tang.

Seeing those characters, Xu Jin immediately recalled Zheng Guan, who had argued with Hou Yunzhang that afternoon over purchasing a mid-tier Star-Healing array.

Could this be the fellow sending someone to probe Xu Jin's background?

Xu Jin activated the Mingji Star Pattern to sense remotely and found that within Qisha Tang, the strongest presences were two ninth-layer fifth-realm signatures—none above sixth realm.

Altogether, there were forty to fifty energy signatures, mostly fourth realm.

With no sixth-realm presence, there was virtually no chance they had discovered Xu Jin.

Xu Jin boldly slipped in invisibly, following the "Li Gui" until he entered one of the rooms.

"Huh, Lao Ma's back? How's it going?"

"Master, I've gathered enough."

"Tell me."

"Master, the house was empty—I got a clear look! The kid's food and belongings were extremely plain; even his bedding was brought from home, and everything else was ordinary.

Even the bedding was ordinary.

There was a tea set, worth no more than twenty taels on the market.

Besides the kid's own energy signature, two others had passed through: one fifth-realm, one fourth-realm—no one else."

"I feel he's not someone with status or background," Lao Ma replied.

"Are you certain?"

"Master, don't you trust my eyes? Usually, sons of noble families—even imperial princes—use only the finest things. This kid's belongings don't even touch 'refined.'

And as for the sixth-realm bodyguard you suspected might exist—

I found nothing!

Normally, if there were hidden elite guards, their presence would leave traces in the courtyard.

But there's nothing." Lao Ma said.

Hearing this, Zheng Guan laughed, "Looks like this kid's just some local rich man's son. He casually produced a mid-tier Star-Healing array, so he must carry at least one, probably several, fifth-realm protective talismans.

He's got wealth too.

Lao Ma, keep watching him.

As soon as he leaves Xingyang War City, notify me immediately!

You won't go unrewarded," Zheng Guan said.

After hearing this, Xu Jin slipped away silently.

Originally, Xu Jin had planned to kill the fellow outright.

But he couldn't do it silently.

Killing Zheng Guan would let Xu Jin escape unseen, but it would inevitably cause commotion—and draw attention from the Xingyang War City authorities.

Xu Jin was now so discreet he dared not even acknowledge Ning Yuchan.

He certainly wouldn't risk exposure over a nobody like this.

If so, then let them come to him.

Back at the courtyard, Xu Jin inspected everything and, finding no tampering, resumed his cultivation.

In Yangdu War City, inside the residence of Marquis Chai Ce of Yangdu.

Zhao Weizhen, Right Secretary of the Xuanhu Army, hurried into the back garden and bowed to Marquis Chai Ce, clad in brocade robes, "My Lord, you summoned me?"

Marquis Chai Ce turned, looked at Zhao Weizhen bowing before him, and gestured, "Come closer."

Zhao Weizhen obeyed and stepped forward.

In the next instant, Marquis Chai Ce reached out and slapped Zhao Weizhen across the face.

Crack!

Instantly, Zhao Weizhen's face swelled, blood trickling from his lip!

"Do you know your mistake?" Marquis Chai Ce barked.

Zhao Weizhen rose, dared not wipe the blood, and hurriedly apologized, "My Lord, I underestimated the enemy, planned poorly, and failed to take it seriously—leading to the complete annihilation of our elite force sent to Huayun Star Region."

Crack!

Before Zhao Weizhen finished speaking, Marquis Chai Ce slapped him again, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Can you blame yourself for the total loss in Huayun Star Region? That was my decision—and thank heaven we sent few, because the more we sent, the greater the loss.

Even the elite they sent in were wiped out.

This isn't your fault!

Keep thinking—where did you go wrong?" Marquis Chai Ce said slowly.

Zhao Weizhen kept his head down, both cheeks swollen, yet could not fathom what mistake had enraged his Lord so.

"You're usually so sharp—how could you be so blind on this?" Chai Ce continued slowly.

In the next instant, Zhao Weizhen dropped to his knees. "Please, My Lord, enlighten me—I will correct it!"

Seeing this, Chai Ce's expression turned icy. "I heard you blocked the mid-tier Star-Healing talismans meant for the Fifth Division?"

Zhao Weizhen's face changed instantly—he understood. "My Lord, I didn't block them—during the Nine-Star Tide, mid-tier Star-Healing talismans are scarce; every unit is demanding them, so..."

Boom!

Chai Ce kicked out, striking Zhao Weizhen's chest—bones cracked. Zhao Weizhen spat blood as he fell, yet rose again, saying, "I know my mistake—I'll arrange immediate redistribution!"

"Do you truly know your mistake?" Chai Ce asked coldly.

"I truly know my mistake."

"Weizhen, I know you want to target Ning Yuchan. You're my trusted man—I grant you such authority.

But Ning Yuchan is also my subordinate.

You may oppose her, but only within the rules!

If you undermine my foundation to target her, I'll be the first to flay you alive!

Do you understand?" Marquis Chai Ce said.

"I understand."

"Do you know what my foundation is?"

"My Lord, it's the Xuanhu Army!"

Yangdu Marquis Chai Ce nodded, "Your previous actions were entirely correct! In battle, how can there be no deaths?"

Marquis Chai Ce nodded. "Your earlier approach was correct! In war, how can men not die?

If Ning Yuchan dies in the Star River passage or some star region, that's perfectly normal.

Not to mention my own Xuanhu Army—we lose a fifth-realm officer every two or three days on average.

If others can die, why can't Ning Yuchan?"

Yangdu Marquis Chai Ce's expression turned sharply stern, "To survive the battlefield only to die of illness or injury in camp—because you lacked a single mid-grade Star-Healing Seal—that is not normal!"

Marquis Chai Ce's expression turned razor-sharp. "If a soldier survives the battlefield only to die in camp from illness or injury—because he lacked a single mid-tier Star-Healing talisman—that's abnormal!

That undermines my Xuanhu Army's foundation!

That shatters my army's morale!

If this happens again, I may have to borrow your head to stabilize morale!

Do you understand?"

"If you understand, then get out! Handle this matter thoroughly—make sure every soldier knows that anyone who returns alive, no matter who they are, I will spare no cost to save!"

"Then get out! Handle this properly—make every soldier know that anyone who returns alive, no matter who, I will spare no cost to heal!

Not let them die from neglect!" Marquis roared.

Zhao Weizhen bowed and withdrew. Not long after, the Fifth Division's Division Commander, who had waited over an hour in the commander's tent, successfully obtained two mid-grade Star-Healing Seals.

Zhao Weizhen bowed and withdrew. Not long after, the Fifth Division's Division Commander, who had waited over an hour in the command tent, successfully received two mid-tier Star-Healing talismans.

It was said that Marquis Chai Ce, upon learning of Deputy Director Ning Yuchan's injury, took it extremely seriously, personally securing the talismans at high cost from the Great Chen War Zone, and even dispatched a water-element Star Force physician skilled in healing and recovery to accompany Division Commander Zhang Fang to Xingyang War City!

Half a day later, after Division Commander Zhang Fang returned to the Fifth Division's camp, the news spread like wings across the entire encampment.

【101】 Upon learning Ning Yuchan had improved, the two mid-tier Star-Healing talismans meant for her were immediately awarded to her.

It was also said that "anyone—officer or soldier—who still had a breath in them, Chai Ce would sell his pots and pans to save!"

The news spread, and not just the Fifth Guard, but the entire Xuanhu Army saw a surge in morale and cohesion.

On December 6, under the influence of Xu Jin's Wenmeng, Zhong Wei, a friend of Xu Jin, sent Ning Yuchan a package.

Inside were two fifth-rank middle-grade insignias and a vial of elixir.

And a letter.

The letter's postmark date was before the Nine-Star Tide.

That meant this package had been mailed to Ning Yuchan by Xu Jin before his death.

The vial contained ten Longgui Duanpo Elixirs, all triple-infused.

They were primarily meant to boost Ning Yuchan's divine soul cultivation.

After more than two months apart, Ning Yuchan's divine soul cultivation had advanced from Third-Rank Star Refining Fourth Stage to Fifth Stage.

This pace was actually quite fast.

But to Xu Jin, it was still insufficient.

Ning Yuchan's severe divine soul injury was precisely due to insufficient divine soul cultivation.

If her divine soul cultivation had been stronger, she wouldn't have suffered such grave injuries.

Ten triple-infused Longgui Duanpo Elixirs were enough to push Ning Yuchan's divine soul cultivation to Third-Rank Star Refining Ninth Stage—or even peak.

Then, Xu Jin would find an opportunity to help her break through to Fourth Rank.

In the camp, when Ning Yuchan received Xu Jin's package, she burst into tears.

After weeping, she still firmly believed Xu Jin had not died!

On December 11, Xu Jin had been on the Star River Battlefield for twenty-one days, and a full month had passed since his last consumption of the Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir.

At this moment, Xu Jin's Central Star Palace was at Fourth Rank Second Stage peak, and his Lower Star Palace was at Fourth Rank Second Stage late stage.

After activating the barely functional alert array, Xu Jin took out one Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir and swallowed it.

Instantly, a vast torrent of star power erupted within him; the three stars in his Central Star Palace began spinning rapidly, channeling immense star power to forge new star palaces. Soon, the Chuxing of a fourth star appeared.

Not long after, the fourth star core, grounded with the Great Star Gathering Pattern, solidified.

Xu Jin's cultivation immediately broke through to Fourth Rank Third Stage.

Yet only a small portion of the Fourth-Rank Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir's potency had been consumed; Xu Jin directed the remainder into his Lower Star Palace, where the third star core there began rapidly growing. Soon, his Lower Star Palace reached Fourth Rank Second Stage peak.

Fifteen minutes later, when the elixir's potency was fully exhausted, Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace cultivation also broke through to Fourth Rank Third Stage.

Xu Jin had discovered the optimal way to use the Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir.

Minor realm barriers usually couldn't hold back Fourth-Rank cultivators, but when one reached the peak of a minor stage, even Xu Jin needed three to five days of accumulation before he could break through in one go.

But with the Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir, he could break through directly.

This saved at least six or seven days for both his Central and Lower Star Palaces.

The only trouble was that after absorbing it, Xu Jin once again heard countless screams and murmurs—and felt they were slightly heavier than after absorbing the first one.

The side effects of the Ten-Thousand Blood Spirit Elixir could not be ignored.

Otherwise, Xu Jin was confident he could use these elixirs to rapidly push his cultivation to Fourth-Rank late stage!

The moment his cultivation broke through to Fourth Rank Third Stage, Xu Jin inscribed a Mingji Star Pattern onto the third star core of his Lower Star Palace.

He also used the Mingji Star Pattern as the foundational pattern for the fourth star core.

The higher the cultivation, the more vital the Mingji Star Pattern became.

Xu Jin had decided that from now on, each new star core in his Lower Star Palace would bear an additional Mingji Star Pattern.

Xu Jin felt the Mingji Star Pattern was somewhat like a radar.

In war, wasn't a radar indispensable?

After breaking through to Fourth Rank Third Stage of Star Condensation, Xu Jin resumed his daily cultivation, keeping watch on Ning Yuchan's movements.

If Ning Yuchan was deployed again, Xu Jin would have to act.

Currently, there was no evidence.

But from the tone of Ning Yuchan's personal guards, it seemed she was being targeted.

Otherwise, how could one person be so unlucky?

December 13.

Xu Jin's Zhaixing Token suddenly flashed three times.

This surprised him—his Qitian Saint Zhaixing Token had few friends.

【Dear Lord Qi, tomorrow's auction on the 14th will feature a thousand-year turtle shell and a Crimson Sparrow Feather. If you are interested, please arrive at the Changsheng Auction House in Dachen War City before the fourth watch of You hour. Respectfully submitted, Liu Qi.】

Xu Jin scanned it and immediately grew excited.

He had found the trail of the Crimson Sparrow Feather and the thousand-year turtle shell.

If he obtained these two items, his Can Dou Platform could ascend in rank.

At that point, even just the Star Technique Evolution function would gain tremendous value.

The value of a Fourth-Rank Star Technique and a Fifth-Rank Star Technique was entirely different.

Moreover, the efficiency of elixir cultivation would change dramatically.

According to Xu Jin's estimation, a Fifth-Rank Can Dou Platform should be able to cultivate twenty-five elixirs at once, and support more inscribed patterns.

As for the Star Lamp offerings, five Star Lamps could now support five star cores—each a major boost for Xu Jin.

Not to mention, the Can Dou Platform's ascension might unlock entirely new functions!

This auction was one he absolutely had to attend.

But he needed to prepare ample bidding funds.

Immediately, Xu Jin began inscribing patterns.

(End of Chapter)