Chapter 326: The Kingfisher

The letters from the State Tutor and Ji Bang are all inside the Jade Gui.

What surprised Xu Jin was that the Jade Gui was sealed with star force imbued with the aura of State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

When Xu Jin broke the seal and sank his mind into it, he froze.

The betrothal agreement was real.

It was the betrothal between Ji Hongli and Xu Jin.

This betrothal was signed by Xu Dajiang and Ji Bang, the old patriarch; bizarrely, the witness was the State Tutor.

Xu Jin wasn't even present—how could the State Tutor have witnessed it?

All he could say was that his father had sold him off too quickly.

Now it had landed right on his face as a written contract.

Ji Bang's letter was simple and direct.

【Xu Jin, my grandson-in-law, we're people of the martial world—no need for false formalities. Since the betrothal contract is already signed and you're currently unable to marry, it's perfect: let Hongli go to you and care for you a little.

Bring you tea, serve you water, add clothes, warm your bedding—she can bring you some warmth in a foreign land, so you won't miss home too much.

Let you know, my granddaughter Hongli was raised in luxury, but her nature is pure and kind. If she does anything improper, please pity her, love her, guide her well, and don't scold her too harshly.

Also, Hongli doesn't yet know you faked your death. When you're ready to tell her, choose your own moment.

When you one day return to Chen Guo, I will hold a grand wedding for you and Hongli—then the whole city will be red with silk and wine—your grandfather, Ji Bang.】

Well then, Old Man Ji Bang truly deserved his reputation as aged ginger—under one betrothal contract, he was already calling me "my beloved grandson-in-law," and by the end, he'd become "grandfather."

The other letter was from Xu Dajiang, his father.

His father's letter was much simpler: he said he was hiding safely in a foreign land under Ji Bang's arrangement, not to worry, and hoped Xu Jin would marry quickly and have children soon.

At least two babies within three years.

Next time they met, he wanted to see his first grandchild.

Xu Jin could only mutter inwardly.

What grandchild? Next time they met, if things went wrong, Xu Jin might be meeting a younger brother.

The letter from State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao was more serious.

It was also clearer—or rather, more direct.

This arrangement was made because Old Man Ji truly favored Xu Jin, and secondly, because Ji Hongli and Xu Jin's relationship was truly special—Ji Hongli had told her grandmother that upon hearing of Xu Jin's death, she had wept uncontrollably and nearly starved herself.

Of course, the most important reason behind this arrangement: the Ji family—or the Ji clan—had already placed all their bets on Xu Jin.

Just in the past two months, the resources the Ji family poured into Ji Hongli were terrifying.

They weren't afraid of waste—they were afraid Ji Hongli's cultivation wouldn't keep pace with Xu Jin's.

The Ji family was a thousand-year great clan; even during Chen Guo's heyday, the Jis were still there. Within the Ji lineage, eight high-level experts had emerged, and they controlled several known star domains.

Otherwise, they couldn't have pushed Ji Hongli's spirit cultivation to the fourth realm in two months, and her star force to fourth realm, Star Condensation Third Layer.

On one hand, this was due to the Ji clan's willingness to spare no cost; on the other, low-rank heavenly treasures weren't priceless—they could still be found.

Unlike heavenly treasures used by fifth-rank and above cultivators, which were extremely precious and mostly required barter.

As for how to settle Ji Hongli, the State Tutor was blunt: it depended on Xu Jin's wishes.

If he wanted her, keep her by his side; if not, tell him, and he'd arrange for her to be placed beside Ning Yuchan.

With him watching, Xu Jin needn't fear offending the Ji family.

Of course, the State Tutor's meaning was: if Xu Jin didn't dislike Ji Hongli, it was best to take her.

Though this was an age where power resided in the self, one's energy was still limited.

Whoever wished to achieve great ambitions needed a group of allies—especially those absolutely trustworthy.

【State Tutor, Ji Hongli has arrived safely and is temporarily lodged with me.】

【Good. Contact me directly if anything arises.】

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao immediately replied to Xu Jin with a starlight message.

Inside the Danxia Palace of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, upon seeing Xu Jin's starlight message, finally exhaled in relief.

【Uncle Ji, things are nearly settled.】

Why send Ji Hongli over?

This wasn't just Ji Bang's idea.

Ji Bang merely suggested sending Ji Hongli to Xu Jin's side—he'd only been testing State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao's reaction, but received the State Tutor's firm support.

Why did State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao do this?

It was partly the State Tutor's own private motive.

Because Cheng Yuexiao noticed that after Xu Jin faked his death and went to the Star River Battlefield, his father and Jiang Er were also sent into the star domain, Xu Jin had no ties left.

Completely unattached.

And Xu Jin was at the peak of youth and vigor.

If he encountered a few martial world beauties on the Star River Battlefield, dry tinder and blazing fire—if they were from Chen Guo, fine; if not, where would Xu Jin end up? No one could say.

Ji Bang had the intention; Cheng Yuexiao happily went along with the current—and this unexpected turn came about.

Originally, Meng Qingqiu had been the first choice.

This was strongly demanded by Left Sacrificer Meng Yanhui.

But after careful consideration, the State Tutor felt Meng Qingqiu wasn't suitable yet.

It wasn't that Meng Qingqiu wasn't beautiful.

On the contrary, Meng Qingqiu was beautiful and a true heroine among women.

The key was, Meng Qingqiu and Xu Jin had only a mediocre relationship.

Sending her over Mianqiang might not work.

So the plan to send Meng Qingqiu was temporarily shelved.

Meanwhile, the Meng family had also staked their entire clan's resources to fully cultivate Meng Qingqiu, preparing to send her to Xu Jin's side in the future.

Inside Xingyang War City, Xu Jin was calmly inventorying the supplies the State Tutor had sent him.

You know what? These supplies greatly aided Xu Jin's upcoming actions.

A sixth-rank supreme star weapon: Golden Scale Armor; sixth-rank supreme star weapon: Fire Ox Sword; sixth-rank supreme star weapon: Fire Ox Shield.

These three sixth-rank star weapons were forged from top-tier materials seized during the Lügong Battle in the star domain.

Scales from the Golden Snake King, Fire Ox King's horns, Fire Ox King's hide.

The Golden Scale Armor enhances metal star arts by seventy percent; the Fire Ox Sword and Fire Ox Shield enhance fire star arts by seventy percent.

In addition, the Golden Scale Armor is permanently inscribed with the sixth-rank defensive star art: Golden Scale Overlapping Armor.

In short, as long as Xu Jin wears this sixth-rank supreme star weapon, he stands invincible against most sixth-rank experts—standing still, he can withstand two or three full-force attacks from sixth-rank ninth-layer peak experts.

The Fire Ox Sword and Fire Ox Shield are inscribed with star patterns mostly focused on resilience and defense.

They don't have any permanently embedded fire star arts.

Because any fixed fire star art can't match what Xu Jin himself casts.

They were custom-made for Xu Jin.

In addition, there was a letter from his teacher Kou Jing, and five sixth-rank superior talismans.

This immediately boosted Xu Jin's confidence.

Sixth-rank superior talismans—these were precious items.

After being nurtured, they could even challenge seventh-rank experts.

"I'm going to Dahong War City tomorrow. Stay here and cultivate well. Don't wander off. Wait for my return." After finishing the inventory, Xu Jin said to the quiet Ji Hongli.

Since her initial feisty seven-point agreement, Ji Hongli had been organizing the room Xu Jin assigned her and setting up various alert arrays.

She even showed off to Xu Jin, in a defiant manner, her sixth-rank talisman and sixth-rank supreme Golden Scale Armor.

The Ji family had truly invested heavily in sending Ji Hongli to Xu Jin's side.

Otherwise, if they bet correctly but lost the person, the Ji clan would suffer a catastrophic loss.

"No, I'm going too."

"You're useless. I'm going to a fifth-rank star domain, even facing sixth-rank experts—you'd only hold me back." Xu Jin said.

"Impossible. When I came, Grandpa and the State Tutor tested my strength—under the aid of this full set of star weapons, I can defeat fifth-rank experts, and even survive against sixth-rank experts.

If I use talismans, I might even kill fifth- or sixth-rank experts.

Moreover, my water and wood star arts have extremely strong supportive abilities—they can even threaten sixth-rank experts." Ji Hongli said.

"Wood star arts?" Xu Jin suddenly frowned, "Do you know the Wood Origin Star Pattern?"

"Of course."

"Can you use Star Healing?"

"Star Healing? I can't." Ji Hongli shook her head. "But with my Hundred Blossoms Star Pattern combined with the Hundred Herbs Star Pattern, I can make sixth-rank experts fall poisoned without them even noticing.

Reconnaissance, scouting, alerting, deceiving enemies—I excel at all of them.

You must take me. My grandfather said that if I want to break off this betrothal, I must save you five times.

After saving you five times,

I'll have repaid my great debt to your grandfather, and then I can legally dissolve the betrothal if I wish." Ji Hongli said.

Xu Jin, hearing this, was torn between laughter and despair.

This foolish girl—she didn't even realize she'd been sold by her own grandfather, and was still counting the money.

Save him Xu Jin five times.

How long would that take?

At that time, Ji Hongli probably already knew Xu Jin's true identity.

How would Ji Hongli have faced him back then?

Suddenly, Xu Jin found himself looking forward to the moment when Ji Hongli learned his true identity and publicly humiliated herself before him.

Where should this head be buried?

Just thinking about it makes me excited!

"What are you laughing at?" Ji Hongli stared at Xu Jin's grin—each glance made it seem more lewd.

"Nothing! You saved me—just don't let me save you, that's enough."

"By the way, why are you so determined to break off our engagement?" Xu Jin asked.

"I told you—I have someone I love. I've sworn eternal vows to him already. I'm here now only to fulfill my filial duty and my grandfather's wish," Ji Hongli said. "Sworn eternal vows?"

"To whom?"

"That's exaggerated, isn't it?" Xu Jin asked.

"Of course, the greatest hero in my heart."

"The greatest hero? Don't tell me he's a bear?" Xu Jin teased.

At once, Ji Hongli sprang to her feet, both daggers drawn, eyebrows raised, eyes blazing. "Say 'bear' one more time—I'll make you bleed five paces!"

Xu Jin was startled by her reaction.

This woman is serious.

Her star force and spirit aura had locked onto him; her spirit aura was practically itching to strike—she'd likely land a spirit attack first.

"Alright, alright, greatest hero! Then who exactly is this greatest hero of yours? Have I ever heard of him?" Xu Jin asked.

As he spoke, Xu Jin longed to record this exchange on a jade tablet.

Later, he'd show it to Ji Hongli again.

Would that be too cruel?

"My greatest hero's surname is Xu! Everyone says he's dead—but…" Here, Ji Hongli fell silent, refusing to utter another word.

This left Xu Jin deeply curious—how much did Ji Hongli actually know?

"If you're willing to go, prepare yourself for hardship—fighting with me is no easy thing," Xu Jin said.

"Don't underestimate me. The hardships I've endured with my greatest hero, the dangers we've faced, the legends we've forged—you can't even imagine!"

Ji Hongli stood proud as a mermaid with her tail held high.

But Xu Jin's mind recalled their adventure together in the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Zone.

That adventure truly was unforgettable!

"Then prepare well. We leave tomorrow."

Taking Ji Hongli along was a carefully considered decision—she was a pay-to-win player. Though her cultivation base was only Fourth-Rank Third Layer, her Sixth-Rank star artifacts made her formidable; as long as luck held, she could protect herself.

What truly convinced Xu Jin was her mastery of Water and Wood star arts—his own weaknesses.

In alien star zones, vigilance and rest were major problems.

Ji Hongli could fill that gap perfectly.

Xu Jin needed a teammate he could absolutely trust.

That night, after two months, Xu Jin entered the Fourth-Rank Training Realm for the first time, assuming the identity of Hei Wukong, and began live combat training.

But Xu Jin deliberately limited his power.

He avoided Fire star arts and spirit arts entirely, using only Thunder and Earth star arts—otherwise, topping the Fourth-Rank Training Realm leaderboard was merely a matter of time.

He also wanted to test his own Liushuo combat tactics.

Fifteen battles. Fifteen victories!

No doubt about it.

On the morning of December 24, after confirming with Hou Yunzhang and Zhong Wei that Ning Yuchan had no military assignment, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli departed, first flying to the Star-Picking Tower branch in Da Chen War City, then onward to Star River City.

Star River City was the headquarters of the Star River Warfront's Marshal's Office and the main tower of the Star-Picking Tower.

It was also one of the few places in the Star River Warfront with teleportation capabilities.

After arriving in Star River City, Xu Jin didn't rush to leave with Ji Hongli—he instead bought her three days of training time in the Fourth-Rank Star Force Realm.

"I don't need it!"

Xu Jin hadn't expected Ji Hongli to refuse outright.

"Train for three days before we leave," Xu Jin said.

"I don't need it! If I wanted to train, I'd buy it myself."

"Besides, I have a Fifth-Rank Star Gathering Array—my training would be even better!"

Here, Ji Hongli hesitated slightly. "If you need it, I can lend you my Fifth-Rank Star Gathering Array—we can take turns. Training would be more efficient."

"No thanks."

"Then wait for me three days at the inn where we ate earlier."

As he spoke, Xu Jin stepped directly into the Fourth-Rank Star Force Realm of the Star River City main Star-Picking Tower.

This wool had to be sheared!

One hour saved seven thousand strands of starlight.

Six hours total—how much would that save?

And wouldn't the main tower's Fourth-Rank Star Force Realm be larger?

Watching Xu Jin—or rather, Qi Tian Sheng—enter the main Star-Picking Tower to train, Ji Hongli suddenly felt guilty.

Had she been too harsh?

Had she hurt Qi Tian Sheng's pride?

But in an instant, Ji Hongli made her decision.

She remembered what the State Advisor had told her, his instructions, the spirit seal he'd placed upon her.

The Great Sage returns!

She would wait for the day her Great Sage returned!

And she would train hard—to keep pace with her greatest hero!

Unexpectedly, Xu Jin trained for three full days in the main Star-Picking Tower of Star River City—and no inspection occurred.

It must have been due to the larger size of the main tower's Star Force Realm.

Xu Jin didn't know that three days after he left Star River City, during the monthly audit of the Star-Picking Tower, they discovered abnormal consumption in the Fourth-Rank Star Force Realm.

The amount of Fourth-Rank training time sold was nearly the same as last month, but the number of Fourth-Rank Star Jade Tablets consumed had increased by a third.

They nearly ran at a loss.

The matter was reported up the chain to the Right Deputy Commander of the Star River Marshal's Office—and then vanished.

Such minor losses were trivial. Running a business meant you couldn't fear customers using too much.

On December 27, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli teleported from the main Star-Picking Tower of Star River City to the branch in Da Hong War City.

Same old rule—shear the wool!

The moment they arrived in Hong War City, Xu Jin headed straight to the branch's Fourth-Rank Star Force Realm to train.

Ji Hongli trained in the inn using her Fifth-Rank Star Gathering Array.

Two and a half days later, Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace cultivation broke through to Fourth-Rank Fourth Layer—he gained another Super-Class Star Core and inscribed one more Mingji Star Pattern.

Xu Jin left Da Hong War City's branch early, fearing he'd cause another shutdown from overuse.

Meanwhile, his Yuan Ling Taoguang's coverage had officially expanded to seven meters!

Xu Jin's cultivation speed had improved again.

On the afternoon of December 29, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli paid the fee at the Da Hong War City governor's mansion and received the Fifth-Rank Spring Thunder Star Zone pass jade—space-attribute type, six thousand strands of starlight per piece.

This pass allowed passage through Da Hong's defensive lines into the Star River Corridor, acted as a star zone beacon, and shielded against spatial turbulence.

But its effect only activated when entering from the Star River Corridor.

If one wished to return from within the Fifth-Rank Spring Thunder Star Zone, activating the beacon would lock onto the Corridor's position, ensuring safe return.

That's how they charged for it.

Half an hour later, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli arrived at the Pong Ri Army's defensive zone in Da Hong War City.

Here, enforcement was lax.

As long as one held the pass jade, guards asked no questions and let anyone through—any cultivator from either side could enter the Star River Corridor's star zones to hunt.

But as Xu Jin and Ji Hongli passed, a Pong Ri Army officer with a broad face and wide mouth suddenly frowned. "You two—our Star River Corridor's star gates are all at least Fourth-Rank, some Fifth- or even Sixth-Rank."

"Your cultivation levels—even for Fourth-Rank zones—are far too dangerous."

"You'd better bring a senior family member to escort you."

"We're all human—don't throw your lives away needlessly."

The man was kind-hearted.

"Thank you, General. My family gave me a life-saving artifact—I'm only here for training," Xu Jin replied.

"Alright, since you insist, go ahead! Remember—don't be reckless. Survival comes first," the officer warned again.

"Thank you, General!"

A dozen breaths later, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli stepped together onto the Star River.

Instantly, both were awestruck.

So beautiful.

It truly felt like walking atop a river of stars—countless stars shimmered brilliantly, seemingly within reach, breathtakingly magnificent.

After a hundred breaths, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli followed the aura of the Pass Jade Tablet and plunged into the Star River Passage, soon locating the Spring Thunder Star Region and stepping inside.

Watching Xu Jin and Ji Hongli vanish into the Star River Passage, the broad-faced, wide-mouthed Pong Ri Guard Captain shook his head and sighed, "Another two brats who don't know heaven's height or earth's depth."

"Keep watch—if you spot them being hunted out by alien races, rush to assist them. They're all human of this age; when facing aliens, we must stand united!" the Guard Captain instructed.

"Yes, Captain, rest assured!"

Soon after Xu Jin and Ji Hongli entered the fifth-rank Spring Thunder Star Region,

inside a quiet chamber, the Star-Taking Token before a towering silhouette suddenly glowed.

"My Lord, as ordered, I've been monitoring—two individuals have entered the fifth-rank Spring Thunder Star Region, but due to the Star River Passage, further details are unclear."

"So soon?"

The towering silhouette laughed, "It seems this one can't wait—or he's determined to claim the Thunder Heavenly Star Will at all costs!"

To dare enter a fifth-rank star region, he must have some confidence.

And sending only two people—his faith is strong. He's surely prepared numerous trump cards; his success rate may not be low.

Sixth-rank won't be enough.

Issue orders: send Old Feng with two others to guard the area. See if you can pick up any benefits—and reclaim my Thunder Heavenly Star Will!

Also, send Shadow Division agents into the Spring Thunder Star Region to scout. If any of the three Kings of the Spring Thunder Star Region have been severely wounded or killed, this is the rarest opportunity we've had in nearly twenty years to seize control of the region."

"Yes, I'll deliver the orders at once!"

(End of Chapter)