Chapter 340: The Day of Clan Annihilation

Star River Marshal's Mansion Secret Realm.

The Sun Star Lord, the Azure Star Lord, the Pacifying Misfortune Star Lord, the Great Hong Emperor Lord, the Great Chu Emperor Lord, and the Four Theater Commanders of the Star River Battlefield, along with Chen Guo's State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, were all seated.

"State Tutor Cheng, if I recall correctly, your Chen Guo has not used the Star-Picking Golden Token since twenty years ago, correct? What has happened? Has Emperor Gan'an passed away?" asked the Azure Star Lord with a teasing smile, but also clear intent to probe.

The Azure Star Palace is currently an ally of Chen Guo's Dao Academy.

If such a major event had truly occurred, Cheng Yuexiao should have privately informed him first—not resort to the Star-Picking Golden Token!

This left the Azure Star Lord deeply puzzled.

In fact, not only the Azure Star Lord, the Sun Star Lord, the Pacifying Misfortune Star Lord, the Four Theater Commanders, and the two Emperor Lords were all deeply astonished.

The Star-Picking Golden Token is a privilege granted exclusively to the holder of the Star-Picking Tower's authority, allowing the summoning of emergency military councils.

Those who summon it without cause more than three times risk demotion of authority.

Upon receiving Cheng Yuexiao's summons via the Golden Token, each of these figures immediately investigated both internal and external conditions, checking for any major shifts in the mortal realm or the Star River Battlefield.

Normally, such a summons would be unnecessary without a major upheaval.

Yet after thorough checks, everything remained stable—no major events had occurred in either the mortal realm or the Star River Battlefield.

The only anomaly was the sudden appearance of a seventh-rank star gate in the Great Hong Theater, through which hundreds of alien races had breached, sparking unrest in Great Hong War City.

But this was not a serious issue.

The Great Hong Theater Commander, Xiahou Shen, claimed he could fully quell the unrest within fifteen minutes and seal the star gate within thirty.

Beyond that, there were no other problems.

Then what was Cheng Yuexiao playing at?

Everyone was pondering: what exactly was Cheng Yuexiao trying to achieve by activating the Star-Picking Golden Token?

Even for holders of authority like themselves, its use was strictly limited—no more than once per year!

Suddenly, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao glanced at a water clock, then at the still-absent Star River Grand Marshal Wei Xu, and frowned, "Time's up—the matter is urgent. I won't wait any longer!"

"Gentlemen, I have just received confirmed intelligence."

In an instant, starlight flashed—a beam descended and instantly coalesced into the spectral form of Star River Grand Marshal Wei Xu, who took his seat at the head.

"Apologies for keeping you all waiting!"

Everyone smiled, signaling it was no issue, and all eyes turned to State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

"Confirmed intelligence: within the star domains, a Sacred Clan messenger has been detected, and a Sacred Clan Golden Token has been seized. We now know a Sacred Clan emissary has arrived and dispatched at least thirty messengers to various star domains, aiming to subjugate the Star Domain Kings and activate these domains to link with the newly unsealed Ancestral Land Celestial Caverns!"

"What?"

"State Tutor Cheng, is this true? Has the Sacred Clan reappeared?"

"Thirty messengers have already been dispatched?"

"State Tutor Cheng, has the Sacred Clan successfully linked with the Ancestral Land?"

"State Tutor Cheng, when did this happen?"

"State Tutor Cheng, where is the Sacred Clan Golden Token? May we see it?"

"State Tutor Cheng, who obtained this intelligence? Can we meet them?"

In an instant, everyone's expressions turned tense, firing off questions in rapid succession.

Cheng Yuexiao merely shrugged helplessly, "Apologies—the disciple who obtained the intelligence has also been trapped. He only managed to send the message. I am merely relaying this intelligence to you. Whether you believe it or not, whether you act on it or not, is entirely up to your own decisions."

"I can add: the Sacred Clan messenger was detected half a month ago, but I only just received this intelligence. The emissary's targeted star domains are primarily fifth- and fourth-rank ones."

At this, everyone's expressions shifted. Star River Grand Marshal Wei Xu suddenly frowned, "Half a month ago? Why the delay? State Tutor Cheng, is there something else you're not telling us?"

"Grand Marshal Wei, that is all I have to say. I have disclosed every piece of intelligence I possess." Cheng Yuexiao glared at Wei Xu with clear irritation.

"Gentlemen, you've all heard of the Sacred Clan. The Master of the Star-Picking Tower has decreed: the Sacred Clan is our world's greatest enemy, our mortal foe! Upon discovery, we must deploy every resource to destroy them—otherwise, our bloodline faces extinction!"

The Sun Star Lord spoke up, "First, we must thank State Tutor Cheng for delivering this intelligence. Second, the Sacred Clan emissary's messengers have been dispatched for half a month—we must act immediately to devise a response!"

Time no longer permits delay!

I propose that each faction dispatch elite teams to infiltrate our known fourth-, fifth-, and even sixth-rank star domains, investigate the situation, and if any Sacred Clan messengers are found, eliminate them at any cost to thwart the Sacred Clan's grand plan!"

"Exactly!"

"Absolutely!"

The other two Star Lords almost simultaneously endorsed the Sun Star Lord's proposal.

Once these three were united, no dissent was possible.

This was the manifestation of the Three Star Palaces' authority over the Star River Battlefield and the mortal realm.

"Star Lords, if these messengers have truly been traveling through the star domains for half a month, they may already have subdued some—or even all—of the Star Domain Kings?"

"Will sending elite squads now still be timely?"

"Will the losses be too great?" asked Xu Jinglüe, Commander of the Great Chu Theater.

"Losses are unavoidable."

The answer came from the Azure Star Lord, who added, "Put simply: if the Sacred Clan successfully links with the Ancestral Land, they will create vast contiguous landmasses like our own Star River Battlefield, then assemble alien armies to grow endlessly!"

The key issue: our human manpower comes only from the mortal realm, while alien star domains—though not infinite—are certainly hundreds, even thousands strong. At least we know of several hundred to nearly a thousand.

When scattered, these domains pose little threat to us.

But if all these domains link together!

No—not even all of them.

Just one-third, or even less than one-fifth, linked together—and it will be the day of our human race's annihilation!

Gentlemen, organize your forces and enter the star domains immediately," said the Azure Star Lord.

At these words, everyone in the room grew solemn.

Star River Grand Marshal Wei Xu opened his mouth to speak, but found the Three Star Lords had already risen, merely bowed to those present, and departed without delay.

Then, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao and the two Emperor Lords also merely bowed slightly and left.

The Four Theater Commanders likewise bowed to him before departing.

In an instant, only he remained alone.

Beneath the conference table, Wei Xu clenched his iron fist tightly, a flash of fury crossing his face.

When they needed him, they called him "Grand Marshal," as if he were their supreme commander.

But in this emergency, they treated him as if he were nothing.

Wei Xu was certain: the Three Star Lords knew something else.

Something crucial.

Otherwise, they would not have made such an urgent decision and rushed off so hastily.

The next instant, Wei Xu also dissolved into starlight and departed in haste.

Within Chen Guo's Dao Academy, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao had just returned from the Star River Battlefield meeting. The Danxia Palace was already filled with the Dao Academy's senior leadership—all summoned by Cheng Yuexiao before the emergency council.

With a wave of his hand, a starlight projection appeared—it was Mao Yue, Commander of the Chen Theater.

Yet before convening the emergency council, Grand State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao had sent a starlight message and now waited anxiously.

Three breaths later, Cheng Yuexiao received a starlight message confirming Xu Jin's safety, and only then relaxed, beginning to deliberate military arrangements.

Fourth- and fifth-rank star domains must be the primary targets.

Great Hong War City, Divine Sword Gang's base.

Xu Jin stared at the unconscious sixth-rank captive before him, slammed his palm down—and crushed the skull instantly, killing him outright!

The other eight sixth-ranks stood silently, awaiting Xu Jin.

"Thank you all. I will report your contributions truthfully to the State Tutor," said Xu Jin.

"Young Master, you're too kind! The State Tutor also instructed us that if you have any other tasks, please command us freely," said the lead sixth-rank, bowing deeply with utmost reverence.

This reverence came from the depths of their souls.

Who, after spending dozens of breaths alone in a room with a seventh-rank eighth-layer powerhouse, witnessing violent star-force fluctuations, saw the seventh-rank die—and this one survive?

No matter the method, whether by his own strength or external aid, such a result could only be described in two words: incredible.

Whichever way, it warranted their most reverent attitude. Xu Jin considered, then retrieved the five sixth-rank heads he had taken at the Star River Passage, including Feng Yi's corpse, and handed them to the leader.

"Investigate the identities of these individuals—including the slain sixth-ranks. I will also inform the State Tutor to issue a parallel order," said Xu Jin.

"Understood!"

"Young Master, should we escort you out of Great Hong War City?" asked the leader.

"No."

"Then we take our leave!"

One by one, they bowed and departed swiftly.

After they left, Xu Jin vanished into invisibility, lost in thought.

The two captured sixth-ranks had provided little information on the Divine Sword Gang—but it was enough.

Of course, with this alone, he could not yet uncover the mastermind behind the one who traded him the Thunder Heaven-Celestial Will.

But he now had a clear direction.

The entire Divine Sword Gang answered only to its leader, Feng Yi, and his deputy, Shang Tai.

Yet according to these sixth-ranks, over a decade ago, the Divine Sword Gang was merely a small mercenary team, and Feng Yi was only a late-stage sixth-rank.

In the past decade, the gang expanded rapidly, often seizing opportunities—even conquering and sweeping through multiple star domains.

Their leader, Feng Yi, seemed connected to another powerful figure.

This was merely speculation from those sixth-ranks.

But Xu Jin believed it was true.

Feng Yi's primary cultivation was Wind Star Art—completely unrelated to Thunder or Water. Why would he seek a Water Heaven-Celestial Will?

Neither Feng Yi nor Shang Tai had any connection with Xu Jin.

That Feng Yi first lay in ambush, then attempted an assassination in the city—both aimed to kill him!

Absolutely, he was acting on someone's orders!

The question is: who could command or control a seventh-rank eighth-layer powerhouse?

Who could turn a tiny mercenary band into the third-ranked gang in the Dahong War Zone within just over a decade?

And who could push a sixth-rank lone cultivator to continuously advance and break into seventh-rank eighth-layer over a decade ago?

That pace is far faster than many in the National Dao Academy.

Although Feng Yi's seventh-rank strength was somewhat hollow, seventh-rank is still seventh-rank!

Who could it be?

Who else could it be?

Xu Jin already had an idea.

And it was merely simple elimination!

The mastermind behind this was almost certainly an eighth-rank powerhouse, and undoubtedly held immense power!

Although the number of eighth-rank powerhouses in the Star River Battlefield exceeds that of the mortal world, there are still only a handful.

When the State Tutor has time, I'll ask him to analyze this—then I'll likely get the answer!

After several breaths, Xu Jin entered the Star-Picking Tower branch within Dahong War City; as he entered, the massive Star Gate outside Dahong War City had already been sealed, and soldiers had begun patrolling the streets, restoring order.

This scene made Xu Jin ponder.

Dahong's strength is still very formidable!

Xu Jin immediately purchased training time in a fourth-rank Star-Power Realm and planned to cultivate for half a day or a full day inside the Star-Picking Tower branch.

Inside the Star-Picking Tower, due to its authority, it was still relatively safe.

For now, Xu Jin dared not wander freely!

At present, it seems the State Tutor's available influence within Dahong War City is also very limited.

Moreover, if the mastermind is determined to kill Xu Jin, having sent so many sixth-ranks and two seventh-ranks this time, might the next strike send a seventh-rank ninth-layer peak?

Or even an eighth-rank?

Xu Jin wasn't sure whether an eighth-rank could be involved.

But sending a seventh-rank ninth-layer peak was highly possible.

Don't be fooled by Xu Jin's recent direct killing of Feng Yi, the seventh-rank eighth-layer.

In truth, it wasn't just luck—it was cunning.

Feng Yi himself was merely a seventh-rank lone cultivator, with weak combat ability and mediocre Star Arts and Star Patterns.

Moreover, Feng Yi had already been injured beforehand; secondly, Xu Jin used stealth and the chaos within Dahong War City to get close to this seventh-rank lone cultivator, then launched a Soul-Star Art to create an opening!

Otherwise, even getting close to a top-tier seventh-rank powerhouse would have been impossible for Xu Jin!

If another seventh-rank showed up, Xu Jin had no confidence he could handle it!

Better to stay hidden and cultivate for half a day or a day inside the Star-Picking Tower, observe the situation, and then hear the State Tutor's advice!

Also, pick a Golden Star.

His cultivation base had already broken through to fourth-rank fifth-layer, and he hadn't yet harvested the Golden Star for this minor realm.

In the same quiet chamber, the burly old man stared at the battlefield report before him, with no desire to drink tea or play Go.

Even at first glance, his fingers had trembled slightly.

Feng Yi, seventh-rank eighth-layer, was dead!

Seventh-rank!

In the past twenty years, he had painstakingly cultivated only a handful of seventh-rank subordinates.

Today alone, he lost two!

Over a dozen sixth-ranks gone!

How could he not grieve!

Yet he hadn't even plucked a single hair from the enemy, let alone the anticipated twenty to thirty percent of Thunder Heaven-Star Will—those were true treasures!

"What happened?"

"My lord, that boy may be only fourth-rank, but his combat power is astonishing—he possesses a sixth-rank defensive Star Artifact; ordinary sixth-ranks can't even harm him! Yet this boy can kill sixth-ranks!"

This boy is undoubtedly an unparalleled genius from some hidden clan!

The kind of genius kept secret, never seen in public!

As for Feng Yi's side, investigation is still ongoing. Suddenly, a powerful force stormed in—each warrior was extraordinarily strong. According to the final emergency alerts from the slain sixth-ranks, these intruders were the same rank as them, yet their combat power far surpassed theirs by a wide margin!

In mere dozens of breaths, they slaughtered all the elite of the Divine Sword Gang.

Feng Yi was also killed!

But no one knows how he died!" reported the Shadow Division Director.

"This must be interference from the boy's hidden backers. Where were the Shadow Spies?

And where is that boy now? Where did he go?" demanded the burly old man.

"Two Shadow Spies were discovered and killed, cutting off our most accurate intelligence source!

The boy entered the Dahong War City Star-Picking Tower branch and is currently missing. We've already dispatched personnel to check the teleportation records at the main Star-Picking Tower in Star River City!" replied the Shadow Division Director.

"Useless!"

Silence.

After a furious shout came a long, heavy silence.

Finally, the burly old man said, "Execute the severance plan."

"Yes. Your servant obeys."

"Be decisive. Don't hesitate."

"Your servant understands."

"Also, at the Changsheng Auction House, the shopkeeper must know the boy's true identity. Investigate him, then make the shopkeeper disappear." ordered the burly old man.

"Your servant will arrange it immediately."

After speaking, the burly old man silently waved his hand, dismissing the Shadow Division Director, then sighed softly.

"What a turbulent time!"

(End of Chapter)