Chapter 325: Deliver the Person and the Goods Together

At the entrance of Changsheng Auction House, Liu the Shopkeeper, flanked by two clerks, greeted Xu Jin with a beaming, respectful, and utterly delighted smile.

This single transaction elevated him three ranks at once—from a third-class shopkeeper straight to Star-Level Chief Shopkeeper of Changsheng Auction House, making him one of its most sought-after figures overnight.

Not only were his benefits vastly increased, but his authority was now entirely different.

If this performance continued, he might even become Chief Shopkeeper over an entire region in the future.

All of this was thanks to Xu Jin.

That was why he had been waiting here early today.

"Young Master Qi, would you like to rest? If so, I've already prepared wine and pastries for you—you may take a short break." Liu the Shopkeeper flattered.

"No, notify the other party to proceed with the transaction directly."

"Understood."

"Young Master Qi, this way, please."

Soon, Liu the Shopkeeper led Xu Jin straight to a grand hall deep within Changsheng Auction House.

Inside the hall stood a shimmering light gate.

The transaction would take place beyond this light gate.

Three days ago, Liu the Shopkeeper had already explained their transaction method to Xu Jin.

It was a secret-space technique unique to Changsheng Auction House for trading valuable and confidential items, modeled after the Star-Taking Tower's secret space—but one was illusory, the other real.

Liu the Shopkeeper stepped through first; Xu Jin followed.

It was a space filled with starlight, like a secret realm.

As they spoke, Liu the Shopkeeper handed Xu Jin a jade tablet and a token.

"Young Master Qi, I cannot remain here during the transaction, so I must leave first.

The terms have already been confirmed for both parties; the guest should arrive shortly. This Star Jade Tablet contains detailed instructions for the transaction and communication.

You may review it now—if anything is unclear, I will explain it all."

Xu Jin sank his mind into the Star Jade Tablet and instantly understood everything.

Because the operation, the transaction process, and even the defenses were described in excruciating detail.

"No problems," Xu Jin said.

Hearing this, Liu the Shopkeeper bowed deeply to Xu Jin. "I wish you success and abundant gains, Young Master. I'll take my leave now."

With that, Liu the Shopkeeper gripped the token and departed from the secret space.

The secret space was small—only dozens of square meters, simple as a cage—neither star force nor soul force could penetrate it.

Opposite Xu Jin stood a wall of starlight.

According to Liu the Shopkeeper, it was generated by an array, impervious to all below the eighth realm; even an eighth-realm cultivator would need time to break through.

It ensured absolute safety for both trading parties.

Fifteen minutes later, a voice suddenly emerged from Xu Jin's token: "Friend, are you there?"

The other party had arrived.

"I am."

"Then since time is short, let's begin the transaction."

"Agreed."

As he spoke, Xu Jin retrieved from his Central Star Palace a pre-prepared Water Heavenly Star Will, then activated the token; a beam of starlight enveloped the will.

He activated the token again; a treasure box flew out from the starlight wall, and Xu Jin placed the will inside as instructed.

The treasure box retracted into the starlight wall and vanished instantly.

One breath later, another treasure box of different hue appeared—sealed shut, but his soul perception could enter to inspect the goods.

After verifying the goods, he could input starlight through the token to enter standby mode, waiting until both parties confirmed the goods before finalizing the deal.

Three breaths later, the treasure box before Xu Jin suddenly opened—it meant the other party had also verified the goods.

Xu Jin's vast soul force surged instantly into the box, fully seizing control of the Azure Lightning Heavenly Star Will.

His soul perception swept through it for two full breaths before he finally relaxed.

No tricks.

Only then did he safely store it in his Nectar Space, planning to refine it later.

"Friend, you are truly trustworthy," came the voice from the other side.

"So are you."

"Friend, this Lightning Heavenly Star Will I obtained came from a fifth-rank star domain called Spring Thunder! Its exact location is within the Star River Passage outside Poryang War City, in the Poryang Defense Zone of the Great Hong War Zone."

"Thank you!"

"Friend, are you seeking this information to invade the fifth-rank star domain and acquire more Lightning Heavenly Star Wills?" the other side suddenly asked.

Xu Jin frowned—this had a probing tone.

"I did consider it, but I didn't expect it to be a fifth-rank star domain—such a domain is no less perilous than a dragon's den or tiger's lair; I dare not enter without thorough preparation!

Have you entered the Spring Thunder fifth-rank star domain before? Any advice?" Xu Jin asked.

"Alas, the strongest within fifth-rank star domains are sixth-rank, but our human race can only send fifth-rank cultivators—that's a major problem. Worse still, compared to other star domains, the alien races in Lightning star domains are more tenacious, faster, and deadlier.

Those who enter face near-certain death!

Difficult!

Extremely difficult!" came the voice.

"Thank you!"

"We're all human—sharing information is only right. Then, I'll take my leave."

A few breaths later, the voice vanished completely. Xu Jin did not leave immediately—he waited a short while before departing.

Xu Jin had grown increasingly cautious.

After exchanging pleasantries with Liu the Shopkeeper, Xu Jin received another piece of intelligence.

This Lightning Heavenly Star Will was not the first to appear at Changsheng Auction House.

It had appeared at least four times.

Meaning the auctions had been ongoing for four years.

Moreover, it had also appeared at Yongfeng Auction House in the Great Hong War Zone and Jiuyuan Auction House in the Great Chu War Zone.

After thanking them, Xu Jin departed.

Finding a shadowed, unoccupied corner, Xu Jin vanished into invisibility, then immediately returned to Xingyang War City to avoid being tracked or ambushed.

On the Star River Battlefield, according to Liu the Shopkeeper, Heavenly Star Wills were not something anyone could possess.

Those he had seen possessing them were all at least sixth-rank, some even seventh- or eighth-rank.

Even sixth-rank possessors usually came from prominent backgrounds!

The implication was clear: Xu Jin must remain extra cautious.

Perhaps because of his invisibility—or perhaps because he was overthinking—he arrived safely in Xingyang War City.

On the way, Xu Jin had already begun planning his expedition to the Spring Thunder star domain.

He thought of many things—could this informant be setting a trap for him?

The possibility still existed.

But any trap could only lie outside the star domain.

Inside the domain, Xu Jin feared nothing.

Especially now that he possessed a Lightning Heavenly Star Will.

【State Advisor, I wish to explore the fifth-rank Spring Thunder star domain. Do you have any intelligence on it?】

After careful thought, Xu Jin sent a starlight message to State Advisor Cheng Yuexiao for advice.

Perhaps asking a few more questions could eliminate danger?

【The fifth-rank Spring Thunder star domain lies in the Great Hong War Zone; my intelligence there is extremely limited. I only know that Great Hong has launched multiple assaults into it, and each time, they returned defeated—twice, even annihilated.

I understand your intentions, but if you intend to explore, you must be even more cautious.】 State Advisor Cheng Yuexiao replied via starlight message.

【I understand. I will be careful.】

Inside Danxia Palace, State Advisor Cheng Yuexiao stared at Xu Jin's starlight message, his expression grave—he knew Xu Jin well.

He knew Xu Jin was fiercely independent.

And in both strength and thought, he was unlike any other.

So he never forced his own advice upon Xu Jin. But he could still increase Xu Jin's chances and preparedness.

【If you plan to explore, wait eight days. In eight days, I'll send you something—it will surely aid you. Then you can explore without haste.】

【Thank you, State Advisor.】

Eight or nine days was time Xu Jin could afford to wait.

Moreover, his current strength was in rapid growth—what was eight or nine days of hard cultivation?

But as soon as he began cultivating, he felt a difference.

The consumption was enormous.

Previously, one hour consumed one fifth-rank Star Jade Tablet—six per day. Now, one hour consumed seven—forty-two per day.

Though his cultivation advancement was astonishing, if he continued at this rate, his supply of fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets would last no more than forty to fifty days.

Suddenly, Xu Jin recalled his cultivation within the Star Force Secret Realm of the Star-Taking Tower.

Purchasing time there offered cultivation effects only slightly inferior to fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets, but each hour consumed only a hundred strands of starlight—compared to his current consumption of seven thousand strands per hour, the difference was immense.

That tiny consumption was negligible.

At that moment, Xu Jin entered the Xingyang War City Star-Picking Tower branch to cultivate.

On December 20, the fourth-tier Star-Power Realm of the Xingyang War City Star-Picking Tower branch suddenly announced maintenance and temporarily ceased external rentals.

This left Xu Jin somewhat disappointed.

He was cultivating perfectly well.

His Middle Star Palace's cultivation base had just broken through to Fourth Tier, Fourth Layer.

At this point, it was precisely seven days until he would form the Nascent Soul.

On the evening of December 20, the fourth-tier Star-Power Realm of the Xingyang War City Star-Picking Tower branch announced it had resumed normal operations. Xu Jin first visited the Star-Picking Realm, successfully obtaining two Golden Stars and one Brilliant Star.

The power of Golden Star-level heart demons and gatekeepers had doubled again, increasing the difficulty of Xu Jin's challenges.

Especially when challenging the Brilliant Star, Xu Jin could barely succeed without using the Divine Soul Star Art.

But after activating the Divine Soul Star Art, the difficulty dropped significantly.

Meanwhile, during his challenges against the Golden and Brilliant Stars, Xu Jin tested out his new combat strategy.

That night, Xu Jin purchased another session of cultivation time in the fourth-tier Star-Power Realm of the branch and entered to train furiously.

This time, Xu Jin focused his cultivation on the Lower Star Palace.

He intended to break through the Lower Star Palace's cultivation base to Fourth Tier, Fourth Layer, then inscribe one more Mingji Star Pattern.

Just three days later, the Xingyang War City Star-Picking Tower branch shut down the fourth-tier Star-Power Realm again, announcing maintenance.

This time, even if Xu Jin were slow-witted, he finally realized.

He understood his golden period of exploiting the system was over.

At least, it was over at this Xingyang War City Star-Picking Tower branch.

The reason for the fourth-tier Star-Power Realm's maintenance was undoubtedly closely tied to his astonishing cultivation efficiency.

It had happened twice already.

As long as the administrators weren't completely foolish, they'd start investigating the cause.

One more time, and they'd almost certainly discover Xu Jin.

So he couldn't keep exploiting the system—but if he got the chance later, he could try it at other Star-Picking Tower branches that hadn't been exploited yet.

Especially as Xu Jin's Nascent Soul Taiguang's coverage expanded further, the cultivation effect would become even more terrifying.

Notably, in just six days, the coverage of Xu Jin's Nascent Soul Taiguang increased from 6. meters to 6. meters.

The progress was astonishing.

Unfortunately, Xu Jin could only use his fifth-tier Star Jade Tablet for cultivation for now.

"The item I prepared for you will arrive today. After you assimilate it, if you wish to explore the Spring Thunder Star Region, go ahead—it will greatly improve your safety."

"Also, the person delivering this item carries a letter. If you're willing, you may keep it."

"If you're not willing, send them to Ning Yuchan—your choice."

"But personally, I advise you to keep them close. Whether you accept or not, decide according to your own heart in the future."

"A true man having three wives and four concubines is perfectly ordinary."

"Especially we people of the Jianghu."

"Of course, first and foremost, you must be happy if you have the ability."

The Grand Preceptor's words left Xu Jin utterly baffled; he stared for a long while before slowly piecing it together.

The person coming to deliver this item to him was no ordinary courier.

It wasn't just delivering goods—it was delivering the person along with the goods.

Of course, that depended on whether he was willing.

Who could it be?

Xu Jin was deeply puzzled.

But since Grand Preceptor Cheng Yuexiao advised him this way, Xu Jin grew curious: if the Grand Preceptor is giving me this advice, what's his own situation?

"May I ask, Grand Preceptor, what is your current status? How many wives and concubines do you have?"

"People of the Jianghu don't concern themselves with wives and concubines. My courtyard has five: one was my deeply devoted junior sister from my sect, one is a Princess of Chen Guo, and three are Jianghu figures I met while traveling the world."

Xu Jin stared, stunned, at the Grand Preceptor's reply.

The Grand Preceptor's courtyard had five women.

One of them was even a princess—he never would have guessed.

Was the Grand Preceptor using himself as an example to guide Xu Jin?

Half a day later, someone applied to add Xu Jin's Qitian Sheng Star-Picking Token as a friend.

Seeing the applicant, Xu Jin was stunned: Little Fish!

Xu Jin knew Little Fish—he recognized her, their relationship wasn't deep, but it wasn't shallow either.

Ji Hongli!

Ji Hongli of the Chen Guo Dao Academy used the name Ji Hongli within the academy, but used "Little Fish" in the Combat Arena Realm.

She had told Xu Jin this herself.

So, was it Ji Bang's idea to send Ji Hongli—or the Grand Preceptor's?

Accepted.

After a brief exchange, they exchanged addresses.

Less than half a minute later, Xu Jin saw Ji Hongli, dressed in a bright red dress, walking toward him with a tense expression.

"You're Qitian Sheng?"

"Yes."

As Xu Jin invited Ji Hongli into the courtyard, before he could speak, she angrily pulled out a large chest, "This is what the Grand Preceptor told me to deliver to you."

Xu Jin's gaze froze.

A Numinous Space!

Three months ago, Ji Hongli's Divine Soul cultivation was barely at Star Casting.

The last time they met, her Divine Soul cultivation was only at Second or Third Layer of Star Refining.

Less than two months later, she's already at Fourth Tier?

What did she eat?

Xu Jin stared intently at Ji Hongli, which immediately angered her: "What are you staring at? Keep looking, and I'll pluck out your eyeballs!" Her star power surged, brimming with killing intent.

Xu Jin was stunned.

As she spoke, Ji Hongli slammed a Star Jade Tablet onto the table before Xu Jin: "I don't know what kind of marriage contract you and I supposedly have!"

"But my grandfather says it exists—then it exists!"

"But don't think a piece of paper can bind us people of the Jianghu!"

"I've already got someone I love!"

"He's the hero of my heart!"

"I've come here now only because my grandfather ordered me—to protect and assist you for one year!"

"After one year, I'll have fulfilled my filial duty to my grandfather."

"Then I'll leave without a second thought!"

"So, get rid of any foolish notions you might have right now!"

"Besides, since we'll be living together for a year!"

"I've written up an agreement!"

"Called the Seven Articles of Conduct!"

"There are seven rules—you must obey them, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

As she spoke, Ji Hongli slammed her palm down, shattering the table before Xu Jin.

So fierce, yet so adorable!

This left Xu Jin utterly speechless.

What kind of move was this—sending such a person, from the Grand Preceptor and Ji Bang?

(End of Chapter)