Chapter 358: The Absurd Investment Plan

{If the crisis in the Hua Shi Star Region is resolved, return swiftly—other star regions still require support.

This was a message sent by Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao to Xu Jin, brief in content and clear in meaning.

It amounted to a plea for help.

Probably, although Da Chen has dispatched elite squads to support various star regions, not all teams have succeeded in preventing these regions from linking to their Ancestral Realm's Cave Heavens.

Xu Jin had stopped two such linkages himself and knew how difficult it was.

Before the envoy gathers the Star Kings and activates the Star Pivot Array with the star region's celestial will, the difficulty remains relatively manageable, with ample room for maneuver.

But once the Star Pivot Array is activated and the Altar Path rises, the difficulty skyrockets.

Because within the Altar Path, sixth-rank cultivators cannot enter—only fifth-rank cultivators may enter.

Yet fifth-rank cultivators entering must face concentrated attacks from five or more late-stage or peak sixth-rank alien Qiangzhe.

Even sixth-rank defensive star artifacts cannot withstand it—no wonder the Grand Master is seeking his aid.

"Young Master Qi, although our Hua Shi Star Region has a branch of Zhaixing Tower, we can only contact the main tower through special means, so the Grand Master cannot send you a direct message—he must relay it through me."

Seeing Xu Jin lost in thought, Domain Lord Ji Cheng looked at him and spoke.

"I understand."

Xu Jin raised his head toward Domain Lord Ji Cheng. "Domain Lord Ji, the Grand Master urgently summons me! There should be no further issues within the Hua Shi Star Region now? If not, I must leave immediately and return to the Star River Battlefield."

"None left."

Domain Lord Ji Cheng shook his head. "During these past ten days as you dismantled the Altar Path, I led the army to capture Huolín City and subdued two sixth-rank Huolín clan members. The Rock Armor clan's capital was already breached, and all their sixth-rank elites have perished."

"What remains is merely mopping up the Hua Shi Star Region with our forces, then unifying it at last."

"That's good." Xu Jin nodded, wanting to say something but hesitating slightly.

"Whatever it is, Young Master Qi, speak freely."

"It's this: the late Xu Jin, who died in battle, was my close friend. His father and younger sister are still within the Hua Shi Star Region—please, Domain Lord, look after them."

In truth, Xu Jin was deeply reluctant to mention this.

To mention it felt unnecessary, as if it would make Ji Cheng suspect something.

Not to mention it, however, left him uneasy.

After all, they were his own father and sister.

After so many years of survival, Xu Jin had learned well the lesson that when a man leaves, his tea grows cold.

In the end, though he knew it was inappropriate and might invite suspicion, he still mentioned it.

That alone eased his mind considerably.

Upon hearing this, Domain Lord Ji Cheng burst into laughter. "Young Master Qi, you worry too much. Xu Dajiang is my in-law, one of the closest kin in this world—no need for you to ask. I will care for them well."

"Their food, clothing, and daily needs will be equal to mine!"

"If danger arises, even if I die in battle, I will ensure my in-law is moved to safety first!"

At these words, Xu Jin was stunned.

Suddenly, he felt awkward.

So awkward he wanted to crawl into a hole and vanish—he felt exposed.

Fortunately, Ji Hongli wasn't here now; otherwise, he would have burst out laughing.

Ji Hongli had claimed the betrothal was with Qi Tiansheng, yet Ji Cheng now called Xu Dajiang his in-law.

This...

Had he been exposed?

While Xu Jin was stunned, he suddenly remembered something and sank his mind into the Zhaixing Token, scrolling through his chat logs with Ji Hongli from the past days.

One glance, and his toes curled in embarrassment.

Exposed!

Definitely exposed!

Ji Cheng must know he is Xu Jin.

But Xu Jin had overlooked it before.

Ten days ago, Ji Hongli had sent Xu Jin a Starlight Message, addressing him as "Senior Brother."

After that, she always called him "Senior Brother."

But before that, she had always called him "Senior Qi."

"Senior Brother" had always been Xu Jin's exclusive title.

This meant Ji Hongli already knew Qi Tiansheng was Xu Jin.

And yet she never revealed it!

That little brat is too cunning!

Next time I get the chance, I'll spank her!

I absolutely must!

So naturally, Ji Cheng also knows he is Xu Jin.

Just as Xu Jin hesitated whether to admit it or not, Ji Cheng suddenly added, "Young Master Qi, in this campaign—breaking the Rock Armor capital, Huolín capital, and earlier defending Hongli City—we seized considerable spoils."

"By protocol, the lion's share belongs to you. I have a catalog here—choose one portion and take it directly."

"After all, only once you take it can others rightfully claim theirs."

Ji Cheng, seasoned in human affairs, had sensed Xu Jin's thoughts and deliberately shifted topic, letting the matter drop.

After the initial awkwardness, Xu Jin steadied himself.

What was there to fear from a father-in-law?

The betrothal was already set.

What was there to fear?

It should be the father-in-law who fears.

He should be the one scheming to treat me well, so he can treat my daughter well!

In my past life's thinking, a father-in-law should be treated like a brother!

Maybe we should have a big drinking session someday?

With this thought, Xu Jin took the catalog of spoils from Ji Cheng with complete ease—it was divided into two sections.

One section focused on wealth: mainly Star Jade Gui, various major heavenly treasures, and earthly rarities.

The other section focused on rare and exotic treasures.

Perhaps because the looting had been thorough due to the large number of participants, Xu Jin's gaze sharpened at just one glance at the rare treasures page.

Tulong Mushroom!

It was exactly what he needed.

Changsheng Auction House had Chi Que Feathers—but they weren't for sale; you had to trade Tulong Mushrooms for them.

The earlier intelligence indicated Tulong Mushrooms appeared in star regions dominated by Earth energy.

The Hua Shi Star Region had the Earth Spirit Clan and the Rock Armor Clan—Xu Jin had planned to ask Domain Lord Ji Cheng about Tulong Mushrooms before leaving, to see if he could find any.

He hadn't expected them to be among the spoils.

Not only Tulong Mushrooms, but also Yangyang Jade Marrow and Qingjin Stone.

Yangyang Jade Marrow and Qingjin Stone were materials of the same tier as Chi Que Feathers and Tulong Mushrooms, equally usable for reinforcing Star Patterns.

Yangyang Jade Marrow was even slightly stronger than Chi Que Feathers.

These materials were all top-tier heavenly treasures.

In the Star River Battlefield, they were traded only by barter—extremely precious.

After a few breaths, Xu Jin took all eleven portions of Tulong Mushrooms and all nine portions of Yangyang Jade Marrow, plus seven or eight other rare treasures, and also took one hundred sixth-rank Star Jade Gui.

That was enough.

Although Xu Jin's contribution was immense, taking more would be greedy.

After all, the items he took were priceless.

As for Qingjin Stone, Xu Jin let Ning Yuchan take it.

Ning Yuchan took seven portions of Qingjin Stone and one thousand fifth-rank Star Jade Gui; then Ji Hongli chose a few items; finally, Hou Yunzhang, Li Zhen, and others divided the rest.

After giving a few instructions, Xu Jin did not leave immediately but went first to his father's courtyard within the Domain Lord's residence.

Before departing, he still needed to give some final instructions.

He also needed to check on Jiang Er—especially Jiang Er, who was now his key cultivation target!

The crucial figure for securing Golden Stars and Can Stars in the future.

"If you have business to attend to, go ahead—we're fine here. Don't worry about us," Xu Dajiang said, open-minded as Xu Jin announced his departure.

Then Xu Jin began assessing Jiang Er's cultivation progress.

The first to check was naturally the Chengpo Star Pattern.

The result surprised him with delight—he had mastered it!

Jiang Er had successfully imprinted the Chengpo Star Pattern.

Xu Jin had only taught Jiang Er once—but in dreams, he had taught him dozens, nearly a hundred times.

Yet compared to real time, the dream training consumed far less time.

Compared to when Qi Shanye had taught Xu Jin the Chengpo Star Pattern, it was dozens of times simpler.

Qi Shanye had personally guided Xu Jin, using his own power to engrave the Chengpo Star Pattern for over ten days before Xu Jin barely learned it.

And Qi Shanye had already called Xu Jin a genius.

In the Lingji Star Hall, even a genius needs a master to personally teach them for a full month to learn the Chengpo Star Pattern.

Because of this difficulty, even within the Lingji Star Hall, not everyone can learn the Chengpo Star Pattern.

It's not merely that the Lingji Star Hall refuses to teach it.

It's that the teaching difficulty is simply too great.

The master must personally use their Divine Soul power to engrave the pattern onto the student's fragile Star Palace, and one misstep could severely injure the student's Divine Soul—those with poor talent simply cannot learn it.

But now, Xu Jin has solved this problem.

The Wengmeng Star Pattern is truly incredible.

The Star Pattern created by Mao Yan, Master of Grand Preceptor Cheng Yuexiao, is extraordinarily powerful.

Had the Lingji Star Hall collapsed a few decades later, and had it learned this Wengmeng Star Pattern and further refined it, its strength would have exploded in no time!

They've even mastered the most difficult Chengpo Star Pattern.

The rest would be easy.

To accelerate Jiang Er's progress, Xu Jin once again used the Wengmeng Star Pattern to teach her the Mingji Star Pattern in her dream.

"Jiang Er, you must not speak of the Chengpo or Mingji Star Patterns to anyone—not even your father! If you do, you'll be killed, and your entire family will be wiped out. Do you understand?" Xu Jin instructed.

"Brother, I understand!"

Jiang Er nodded firmly.

Previously, Jiang Er's abduction had accelerated her growth.

Now she was remarkably sensible, fully aware of the gravity of matters.

A single warning was enough for her to remember it forever.

"Second, after you forge your Star Palace, diligently cultivate the Poshai Star Pattern, Guicang Star Pattern, Nixiang Star Pattern, Xiaoju Star Pattern, and Lei Yuanxing Star Pattern—ensure the patterns are perfectly engraved before advancing your cultivation."

"Remember, once your Upper and Lower Star Palaces both reach the peak of Third Stage Star Forging, you must stop cultivating and come find me."

"At that time, seek out Domain Lord Ji Cheng and say you have urgent business—he can contact me," Xu Jin said.

"Yes, I remember. Don't worry, Brother!"

"Take these pills. I've already explained the usage in the Jade Tablet—again, you must not mention them to anyone," Xu Jin instructed.

Among the pills Xu Jin left were one Three-Variation Calming Golden Core, two Three-Variation Refining Soul Golden Cores, and ten Three-Variation Dragon Turtle Strengthening Soul Pills.

These pills were sufficient for Jiang Er to break through to the Fourth Stage of Divine Soul cultivation.

One of the Three-Variation Refining Soul Golden Cores was specifically for her to use when breaking through to the Fourth Stage of Divine Soul cultivation.

At this point, Xu Jin had completely used up all his Dragon Turtle Strengthening Soul Pills.

He'd need to procure more soon to begin pre-nourishing.

Just as Xu Jin was giving Jiang Er these instructions,

Ji Hongli was also bidding a reluctant farewell to her father, Ji Cheng.

"Father, I feel like Brother Xu and Sister Ning…"

In the study, Ji Hongli looked gloomy.

As a woman, her intuition was astonishing.

Especially over the past ten days, Xu Jin, Ji Hongli, and Ning Yuchan had all been confined together in the relatively cramped space of the Altar Heavenly Path.

Ji Hongli had already noticed something.

"So, do you want to compete?

Or claim him all for yourself?"

Ji Cheng looked at his daughter and sighed inwardly—if she married an average talent, he could guarantee she'd be his only wife.

If he dared take another, he'd break his legs.

Do it again, break them again!

Unfortunately, Ji Hongli had set her sights on someone like Xu Jin—a true dragon among men.

Not just a dragon among men, but a once-in-a-century prodigy.

Such a prodigy could not be controlled by the Ji family.

Nor could Ji Hongli control him.

"Father, I'm not trying to compete—I just feel uneasy, I feel…"

"Normal. Everyone has possessiveness, but you'll understand later. Right now, you only need to do one thing."

"What's that?" Ji Hongli asked, surprised.

"Keep pace with him. Don't let him leave you too far behind—only then can you stand beside him as his closest companion!"

Otherwise, you'll only be a vase, stuck at home raising children!"

"Like… your mother!"

Ji Cheng's words startled Ji Hongli.

Nineteen years ago, when Ji Cheng arrived in the Huashih Star Domain, Ji Hongli's mother was only at the Third Stage and couldn't accompany him; the two women by his side were both Fifth Stage cultivators.

One of them died in battle during Ji Cheng's expansion of the Huashih Star Domain.

To this day, in the Domain Lord's mansion of the Huashih Star Domain, that fallen wife remains the official First Lady.

Although Ji Hongli's mother later came to join Ji Cheng after the domain stabilized,

Their bond could never compare to that of the Third Lady, who had fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Ji Cheng.

This dynamic extended to every aspect of life.

"Do you understand?"

After a long silence, Ji Cheng softly asked, watching Ji Hongli lost in thought.

"I know what I must do. From now on, I'll train twice as hard—I won't live in comfort like before," Ji Hongli said.

"Not just you—starting today, the family's support for you will double again!"

The family will mobilize every connection to gather rare treasures from across the heavens, at any cost, to boost your cultivation so you can keep up with him."

"Your talent is already high. With the family's vast resources and your own diligence, you won't fall behind—you won't be left behind. Do you understand?" Ji Cheng said.

After a few breaths, Ji Hongli nodded firmly.

"Good. Go prepare—see your mother, say your private words. Stay a little longer, then you'll leave with him."

Watching Ji Hongli's retreating back, Ji Cheng activated his authority as head of this Star-Picking Tower branch and sent a Starlight Message directly across the Star Battlefield to his father, Ji Bang.

【Father, I agree to your insane investment plan. Pour seventy percent of our current assets and seventy percent of future profits into Hongli, so she can keep pace with Xu Jin.】

A few breaths later, a Starlight Message returned.

【Hmph, so you've finally seen Xu Jin's potential yourself? You didn't believe your old man's judgment before, you brat!】

【Yeah, Father, you're amazing!】

(End of Chapter)