Chapter 326

The letters from the Grand Master and Director Ji Bang were both inside the jade tablet.

What surprised Xu Jin was that the jade tablet was actually reinforced with a star power seal carrying Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's aura.

The moment Xu Jin broke the seal and his thoughts sank in, he was stunned.

The so-called marriage contract was actually true.

It was a marriage contract between Ji Hongli and Xu Jin.

This marriage contract was signed by his father, Xu Dajiang, and Old Master Director Ji Bang, and the hell of it was that the witness was actually the Grand Master.

Xu Jin himself wasn't even present; Grand Master, how did you witness it?

It could only be said that his father sold him, his son, too quickly.

Resulting in a marriage contract being slapped in his face at this moment.

Director Ji Bang's letter was simple and direct.

【Xu Jin, my grandson-in-law, we people of the jianghu don't stand on so much ceremony. Since the marriage contract is already made, and it is inconvenient for you to get married recently, it is just as well to let Hongli go over to take care of you.

Serving tea and water, adding clothes and warming the bed—it should bring some warmth to my worthy grandson-in-law in a foreign land, so you won't be too homesick.

I must inform my worthy grandson-in-law that my granddaughter Hongli has been pampered since childhood, but she is pure and kind by nature. If there is anything improper, I ask my worthy grandson-in-law to pity her, love her, and teach her well, but do not blame her too much.

In addition, Hongli does not yet know about your faked death; you can choose the right time to tell her, worthy grandson-in-law.

When you return to Dachen in the future, worthy grandson-in-law, we will hold a grand wedding ceremony for you and Hongli. At that time, the whole city will be decorated in red and filled with wine—your grandfather, Director Ji Bang.】

Well, Old Master Director Ji Bang is truly an old ginger; under the marriage contract, he already calls him "worthy grandson-in-law" with extreme intimacy, and by the end, he has already become his grandfather.

The other letter was from his father, Xu Dajiang.

His father's letter was much simpler, saying that he was avoiding disaster in a foreign land under Director Ji Bang's arrangement and was very safe, so he shouldn't worry, and he hoped Xu Jin would have children quickly after getting married.

At least two in three years.

Next time they meet, he wants to see his eldest grandson.

Xu Jin could only secretly grumble.

See his eldest grandson, my foot; next time they meet, if things go wrong, Xu Jin might have to see a younger brother.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's letter was relatively serious.

It explained things more clearly, or rather, more directly.

There was such an arrangement for two reasons: first, Old Master Ji really took a fancy to Xu Jin, and second, the relationship between Ji Hongli and Xu Jin was indeed different. Ji Hongli had told her grandmother about this, and after learning of Xu Jin's death, Ji Hongli had cried her heart out and almost went on a hunger strike.

Of course, the most important thing was the deep-seated reason behind this arrangement: the Ji family, or the Ji clan, had already placed their bets on Xu Jin.

Not to mention anything else, just in the past two months, the resources the Ji family had poured into Ji Hongli were terrifying.

They were not afraid of waste; they were only afraid that Ji Hongli's cultivation would not keep up with Xu Jin's pace.

The Ji family was a thousand-year-old clan; they existed when Dachen was around. Within the Ji clan, there had been eighth-tier experts, and the known star domains they controlled were quite a few.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to smash Ji Hongli's divine soul cultivation to the fourth tier and her star power cultivation to the third layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star stage within two months.

On one hand, this had to do with the Ji clan sparing no cost; on the other hand, low-tier heavenly treasures were not priceless and could still be found.

Unlike the heavenly treasures used by cultivators above the fifth tier, which were very precious and mostly required barter.

As for how to settle Ji Hongli, the Grand Master also spoke very directly: it depends on Xu Jin's wishes.

If he is willing, keep her by his side; if not, tell him, and he will arrange for her to be by Ning Yuchan's side.

With him around, there was no need to fear offending the Ji family.

Of course, the Grand Master's meaning was that if Xu Jin didn't dislike Ji Hongli, it would be best to take her in.

Although this was an era where great power returned to oneself, energy was limited after all.

No matter who it was, to achieve great ambitions, one needed a group of helpers, especially the kind of help that was absolutely trustworthy.

【Grand Master, Ji Hongli has arrived safely and is temporarily settled on my side.】

【Very well, you can contact me directly if anything happens.】

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao replied to Xu Jin's starlight message immediately.

Inside the Danxia Palace of the Dachen National Dao Academy, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao saw Xu Jin's starlight message, and the heart he had been holding finally relaxed.

【Uncle Ji, the matter is basically done.】

Why send Ji Hongli over?

This matter was actually not just Director Ji Bang's idea.

Director Ji Bang only suggested sending Ji Hongli to Xu Jin's side, originally asking Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao tentatively, but he received the Grand Master's firm support.

Why did Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao do this?

This could also be considered a bit of the Grand Master's selfishness.

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

The kind without any worries.

And Xu Jin was in the prime of his youth, full of vigor.

If he were to meet a few people of the jianghu on the Star River Battlefield, like dry wood and fire, it would be fine if they were from Dachen, but if they weren't, then it would be hard to say where Xu Jin would end up.

Director Ji Bang had the intention, and Cheng Yuexiao pushed the boat along with the current, leading to this divine development.

Originally, the initial candidate was Meng Qingqiu.

This was strongly requested by the Left Libationer Meng Yanhui.

But after thinking it over repeatedly, the Grand Master felt Meng Qingqiu was temporarily unsuitable.

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

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

The key was that the relationship between Meng Qingqiu and Xu Jin was mediocre.

His expression became extremely complex at this moment.

So the matter of sending Meng Qingqiu over was temporarily put on hold.

And the Meng family was now also betting the strength of the entire clan, cultivating Meng Qingqiu with all their might, also for the sake of sending her to Xu Jin's side in the future.

Inside Xingyang War City, Xu Jin was checking the supplies sent by the Grand Master that could help him in his quiet room.

You have to say, these supplies were of great help to Xu Jin's subsequent actions.

Sixth-tier supreme-grade star artifact Golden Scale Armor, sixth-tier supreme-grade star artifact Fire Ox Sword, and sixth-tier supreme-grade star artifact Fire Ox Shield.

These three sixth-tier star artifacts were all made from top-tier materials captured during the battle in the star domain during the last Battle of Lou Nan Gong Zhi.

The scales of the Golden Snake King, the horns of the Fire Ox King, and the hide of the Fire Ox King.

The Golden Scale Armor could amplify metal-attribute star arts by 70% when activated; the Fire Ox Sword and Fire Ox Shield could amplify the power of fire-attribute star arts by 70%.

In addition, the Golden Scale Armor was solidified with the sixth-tier defensive star art, Golden Scale Overlapping Armor.

It could be said that as long as Xu Jin wore this sixth-tier supreme-grade star artifact Golden Scale Armor, he would be in an invincible position when facing most sixth-tier experts; even if he stood still and let them blast him, he could withstand two or three full-power attacks from a sixth-tier ninth-layer peak expert.

As for the Fire Ox Sword and Fire Ox Shield, the star patterns engraved inside were mostly of the tough defensive type.

They did not have solidified fire-attribute star arts.

Because any solidified fire-attribute star art was not as good as the ones Xu Jin could perform himself.

They could be considered sixth-tier star artifacts customized for Xu Jin.

In addition, there was a letter from his teacher Kou Jing, as well as five sixth-tier high-grade emblems.

This immediately made Xu Jin's confidence soar.

Sixth-tier high-grade emblems—these were good things.

After being nurtured, they could even contend with seventh-tier experts for a while.

"I am going to Dahong War City tomorrow. You stay here and cultivate well, don't run around, and wait for my return." After checking everything, Xu Jin said to the quiet Ji Hongli.

Aside from the cute and fierce "Seven Chapters of the Covenant" at the beginning, Ji Hongli was busy tidying up the room Xu Jin had arranged for her and even set up various warning arrays.

She even showed off the sixth-tier emblem and the sixth-tier high-grade Golden Scale Armor to Xu Jin as a show of force.

The Ji clan had spent a fortune sending Ji Hongli to Xu Jin's side.

Otherwise, if the bet was right but the person was gone, the Ji clan would have lost a fortune.

"No, I want to go too."

"It's useless for you to go. I'm going to a fifth-tier star domain and might even face sixth-tier experts. If you go, you'll only hold me back," Xu Jin said.

"Impossible. When I came, my grandfather and the Grand Master tested my strength. With the assistance of this set of star artifacts, I can defeat fifth-tier experts, and even if I face sixth-tier experts, I can save my life.

If I use the emblems, it's even possible to kill fifth-tier or even sixth-tier experts.

Moreover, my water-attribute and wood-attribute star arts have very, very strong auxiliary capabilities and can even threaten sixth-tier experts," Ji Hongli said.

"Wood-attribute star arts?" Xu Jin suddenly felt somewhat puzzled, "You know the Wood Source Star Pattern?"

"Of course I do."

"Then do you know Star Healing?"

"I don't know Star Healing," Ji Hongli shook her head, "But the combination of the Hundred Flowers Star Pattern and the Hundred Grass Star Pattern I practice can even poison sixth-tier experts silently.

Pathfinding, reconnaissance, vigilance, and confusing the enemy—I am proficient in all of them.

You must take me with you. My grandfather said that if I want to annul the marriage contract with you, I need to save you five times.

After saving you five times.

It will be considered repaying the great kindness you showed my grandfather, and at that time, if I am not willing, I can openly annul the marriage contract with you," Ji Hongli said.

Xu Jin heard this and was left between laughter and tears.

This silly girl, she was sold by her own grandfather and didn't even know it, and was still helping him count the money.

Save him, Xu Jin, five times.

How long would that take?

By then, Ji Hongli would probably know Xu Jin's identity.

At that time, how would Ji Hongli face him?

Suddenly, Xu Jin felt some anticipation, looking forward to the moment in the future when Ji Hongli would know his true identity and die of embarrassment in front of him!

Where would she hide her head?

Just thinking about it made him look forward to it!

"What are you laughing at?" Ji Hongli looked at Xu Jin's smile and found it increasingly lecherous.

"Nothing! It's good enough if you don't need me to save you.

By the way, why are you so determined to annul the marriage contract with me?" Xu Jin asked.

"I told you, I have someone I love, and I have already made a solemn vow with him! I am only here now to fulfill my filial duty and complete my grandfather's wish," Ji Hongli said. "A solemn vow?

With whom?

Is it that exaggerated?" Xu Jin asked.

"Naturally, it's the peerless hero in my heart."

"A peerless hero? Could it be a coward?" Xu Jin asked deliberately.

As soon as these words were spoken, Ji Hongli stood up with a swish, her twin daggers unsheathed, her beautiful eyebrows raised, and her almond eyes glaring in anger, "If you dare say 'coward' one more time, believe it or not, I'll make you bleed five steps away right now!"

Xu Jin was also startled by Ji Hongli.

This woman was playing for real.

Both her star power and divine soul aura had locked onto him, and her divine soul aura was even more restless; if she made a move, she would probably hit him with a divine soul attack first.

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

When he asked this, Xu Jin really wanted to record this conversation with the jade tablet.

And show it to Ji Hongli again later.

Was he being too bad?

"My peerless hero's surname is Xu! They all say he is dead, but..." Speaking of this, Ji Hongli stopped talking and didn't say another word.

This made Xu Jin very curious about how much Ji Hongli knew.

"If you are willing to go, then be prepared to suffer. Fighting with me is very hard," Xu Jin said.

"Don't underestimate me. The hardships I've endured, the dangers I've experienced, and the legends I've created with my peerless hero are beyond your imagination!"

Ji Hongli was as proud as a mermaid with her tail raised.

Xu Jin's mind, however, recalled the adventure he and Ji Hongli had in the third-tier Purple Wind star domain.

That adventure was truly... an endless aftertaste!

"Then prepare yourself well, we leave tomorrow."

Taking Ji Hongli with him was something Xu Jin had considered carefully; Ji Hongli was a "pay-to-win" player, and although her cultivation was only at the third layer of the fourth tier, with a full set of sixth-tier star artifacts, her strength wasn't bad. As long as her luck wasn't bad, self-preservation wouldn't be a problem.

What moved Xu Jin was Ji Hongli's proficiency in water-attribute and wood-attribute star arts, which happened to be his own weak points.

Fighting in a foreign star domain, vigilance and rest were major problems.

Ji Hongli happened to be able to make up for them.

Xu Jin needed such an absolutely trustworthy teammate.

That night, for the first time in two months, Xu Jin entered the fourth-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm as "Hei Hei Wu Kong" and began actual combat practice.

However, Xu Jin deliberately limited his strength.

For example, he didn't use fire-attribute star arts or divine soul star arts, only lightning and earth-attribute star arts; otherwise, Xu Jin reaching the top of the fourth-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm would only be a matter of time.

At the same time, Xu Jin was also testing and implementing his "Liushuo" tactics.

Fifteen battles, fifteen wins!

Without any suspense.

Early on the morning of December 24th, after Xu Jin confirmed through Hou Yunzhang and Zhong Wei that Ning Yuchan had no military missions, he went out with Ji Hongli, first flying to the Star-Plucking Tower branch in Dachen War City, and then flying to Star River City through the Star-Plucking Tower branch in Dachen War City.

Star River City was the garrison of the Marshal's Mansion on the Star River Battlefield and also the location of the main Star-Plucking Tower on the Star River Battlefield.

It was also one of the few locations on the Star River Battlefield where teleportation was possible.

After arriving in Star River City, Xu Jin did not rush to leave with Ji Hongli, but instead purchased cultivation time for the fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm for Ji Hongli.

"I don't need it!"

Xu Jin didn't expect Ji Hongli to refuse him flatly.

"Cultivate for three days before we set off," Xu Jin said.

"I don't need it! If I want to use it, I will purchase it myself.

Also, I have a fifth-tier Star Gathering Array; if I cultivate, the effect is even better!"

Speaking of this, Ji Hongli hesitated slightly, "If you want to use it, you can borrow my fifth-tier Star Gathering Array. We can take turns using it, and the cultivation effect will be better."

"No need!"

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

While speaking, Xu Jin stepped directly into the fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm of the Star-Plucking Tower in Star River City.

This wool had to be fleeced!

In one hour, he saved seven thousand strands of starlight.

In six hours total, how much would he save?

Moreover, would the fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm of the main Star-Plucking Tower be a bit larger?

Watching Xu Jin—or rather, Qi Qi Tian Sheng—step into the main Star-Plucking Tower in Star River City to cultivate, Ji Hongli suddenly felt somewhat self-reproachful.

Was she being too excessive?

Did she hurt Qi Qi Tian Sheng's self-esteem?

But in an instant, Ji Hongli made a decision.

She remembered what the Grand Master had told her, remembered the Grand Master's instructions to her, and the divine soul seal he had placed on her.

The Great Sage returns!

She had to wait for the day her Great Sage returned!

Moreover, she had to cultivate bitterly to keep up with her peerless hero's pace!

Unexpectedly, Xu Jin cultivated in the main Star-Plucking Tower in Star River City for three days, and there was no inspection here.

It should have to do with the Star Power Secret Realm of the main tower being larger.

What Xu Jin didn't know was that three days after he left Star River City, the monthly inventory of the Star-Plucking Tower in Star River City discovered an excessive consumption in the fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm.

The fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm cultivation time sold was about the same as last month, but the number of fourth-tier star jade tablets consumed was one-third higher.

They almost lost money.

This matter was reported to the Right Adjutant of the Star River Marshal's Mansion, and there was no further word.

This bit of loss was a small matter; if you open a business, you can't be afraid of others using more.

On December 27th, Xu Jin took Ji Hongli and teleported from the main Star-Plucking Tower in Star River City to the Dahong War City branch.

The old rule: the wool must be fleeced!

The moment he arrived in Dahong War City, Xu Jin went to cultivate in the fourth-tier Star Power Secret Realm of the branch.

Ji Hongli, on the other hand, cultivated at the inn using her fifth-tier Star Gathering Plate.

Two and a half days later, Xu Jin's Lower Star Palace cultivation successfully broke through to the fourth layer of the fourth tier, gaining another super-grade star core and engraving another Clear Record Star Pattern.

Xu Jin also left the Dahong War City branch early, fearing he would cultivate them into closing the building for inspection again.

At the same time, the coverage range of Xu Jin's Primal Spirit Fetal Light officially reached seven meters!

Xu Jin's cultivation speed had improved again.

On the afternoon of December 29th, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli paid the fees at the City Lord's Mansion in Dahong War City and received the clearance jade tablet for the fifth-tier Spring Thunder star domain—the kind with spatial attributes—at six thousand strands of starlight per tablet.

This clearance jade tablet, firstly, could allow one to pass through the Dahong garrison's defense line to enter the Star River Passage in this direction, and secondly, it had the effect of a star domain beacon, while also having the effect of shielding against spatial turbulence.

However, the effect could only be exerted when entering from the Star River Passage.

If one wanted to return from within the fifth-tier Spring Thunder star domain, one could trigger the star domain beacon to lock onto the location of the Star River Passage and return smoothly.

Fees were also collected based on this.

Half an hour later, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli arrived at the defense zone of the Pengri Army in Dahong War City.

The management here was relatively loose.

As long as one held a clearance jade tablet, the garrison would not ask any questions and would let them pass; cultivators from any side could enter the star domain of the Star River Passage to hunt.

But when Xu Jin and Ji Hongli passed by, a garrison general of the Pengri Army with a broad face and wide mouth suddenly frowned, "You two, the star gates on the Star River Passage here are at least fourth-tier, and some are fifth or even sixth-tier.

With your cultivation, even if you go to a fourth-tier star domain to hunt, it's too dangerous, isn't it?

It's best to find a family elder to protect you before going in.

We are all humans of the real world, don't throw your lives away in vain."

This person was kind-hearted.

"Many thanks for the general's reminder, the family has bestowed life-saving treasures, we are just going to experience it," Xu Jin said.

"Alright, since you insist, then please go ahead! Remember, don't be reckless, saving your life is the priority," the garrison general instructed again.

"Many thanks, General!"

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

For a moment, both Xu Jin and Ji Hongli were filled with exclamation.

It was too beautiful.

It really felt like walking on the Star River, with countless stars shining brilliantly there, as if they were within reach, extraordinarily magnificent.

A hundred breaths later, Xu Jin and Ji Hongli followed the aura guidance of the clearance jade tablet and plunged into the Star River Passage; not long after, they found the Spring Thunder star domain and stepped into it.

Watching Xu Jin and Ji Hongli step into the Star River Passage and disappear, the broad-faced, wide-mouthed Pengri Army garrison general shook his head and sighed, "Another two little brats who don't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth."

"You guys keep an eye on it; if you find them being chased out by alien races, remember to go and meet them early. We are all humans of the real world; when facing alien races, we should be united!" this general instructed.

"Yes, General!"

Just as Xu Jin and Ji Hongli stepped into the fifth-tier Spring Thunder star domain, not long after.

Inside a quiet room, the Star-Plucking Token in front of a majestic figure suddenly flashed with brilliance.

"My lord, your subordinate monitored as you requested and found that two people entered the fifth-tier Spring Thunder star domain, but because it was across the Star River Passage, other information is not very clear."

"So fast!"

This majestic figure laughed, "It seems this person is somewhat impatient, or perhaps they are determined to obtain this lightning-attribute Heaven and Earth Star Will!

Daring to go to a fifth-tier star domain, they must have some confidence.

And only sending two people in—this confidence is sufficient; they must have prepared a lot of trump cards, and the success rate might not be low.

Sixth-tier is probably not enough.

Pass the order, tell Old Feng to take two people to guard there and see if they can pick up some benefits and bring my lightning-attribute Heaven and Earth Star Will back!

In addition, tell the Shadow Department to send people into the Spring Thunder star domain to investigate. If the three kings of the Spring Thunder star domain are truly heavily injured or one is killed, that would be the rarest opportunity we've had to control the Spring Thunder star domain in nearly twenty years."

"Yes, your subordinate will go and pass the order now!"

(End of chapter)