Chapter 360: Two Palaces

To reinforce the Fifth-Rank Jichuan Star Region, Xu Jin estimated that, given his current condition, the journey wouldn't take long.

But his cultivation was stuck—Fourth-Rank Eighth Layer peak. Normally, within the Altar Heavenly Path, his cultivation base should have surged; thus, he must secure the Golden Star and Can Star.

Otherwise, he'd be wasting both the Golden Star and Can Star, or squandering this precious cultivation opportunity offered by the Altar Heavenly Path.

The next instant, Xu Jin's mind shifted, and he entered the Plucking Stars Secret Realm, beginning his challenge from the Bronze Star.

By now, Xu Jin had accumulated dozens of Bronze Stars; if converted into starlight, that would amount to a considerable fortune.

But Xu Jin wasn't short of this now—he kept accumulating.

Including the Silver Stars.

Xu Jin had already used the two openings granted by ten Silver Stars to activate the Yan Dao technique.

After completing his challenge at Fourth-Rank Eighth Layer, the number of Silver Stars he'd saved reached fourteen—enough to activate Yan Dao once more.

But he wasn't in a hurry to use them: first, he had no time; second, he intended to reserve these Silver Stars' Yan Dao activations for the Thunder Elephant Star Pattern.

When he had leisure, Xu Jin could analyze and deduce the Thunder Elephant Star Pattern from the ancestral bloodline inheritances of alien star patterns; its rank likely wouldn't be high, and he'd need to push hard to refine it.

Once he mastered the Thunder Elephant Star Pattern, the foundational power of his Thunder-element star techniques would surge again.

The Fire Element and Earth Element star patterns were also targets he planned to analyze and deduce in the near future.

Fire Element and Water Element star patterns existed in the Heavenly Sun Star Hall, but they were its most guarded secrets.

Not even core disciples received them.

During the Golden Star challenge, Xu Jin's Fourth-Rank Eighth Layer cultivation faced Fifth-Rank Eighth Layer guardians and inner demons—something that posed no problem for Xu Jin, whose combat power had just skyrocketed.

Whether enhancing his star patterns to three-story, three-layer strength or augmenting with Law forces from Third and Fourth Ranks.

Even if only one of these two enhancements were applied to Xu Jin, he could easily defeat Golden Star-level guardians and inner demons; combined, the advantage was overwhelming.

Xu Jin fought for a full quarter-hour solely to hone his tactics.

Such powerful sparring partners, yet without risk of death, were exceedingly rare.

He must train more.

After half an hour, two Golden Stars and one Can Star were added to his tally.

He glanced at them once and smiled contentedly.

This round of accumulation had yielded a substantial number of Silver Stars, Golden Stars, and Can Stars.

Soon, his combat power would surge again.

Before entering Hua Shi Star Region, Xu Jin had consecutively challenged the Plucking Stars Secret Realm at Fourth-Rank Sixth and Seventh Layers, increasing his depleted Golden Stars to six and his Can Stars to four.

After today's challenges, Xu Jin now possessed fourteen Silver Stars, eight Golden Stars, and five Can Stars.

After finishing, he sent starlight messages to Ji Hongli and Ning Yuchan, asking how they were doing—if they were ready, they needed to depart.

【Brother, I've plucked a Golden Star! After all this time, I finally got one! Brother, thank you.】

From Ji Hongli's reply, her mood was clear.

If she were standing before Xu Jin, she'd surely jump up and down.

【It must be because of the two portions of world origin, and because I strengthened the Golden Source Star Pattern to three layers—my combat power surged, and I easily defeated the Golden Star-level guardian. But the Golden Star-level inner demon was too hard—I failed the challenge.】

【Still, I've saved ten Silver Stars and gained one Golden Star. When I have time, after deducing the Golden Source Star Pattern, my combat power will rise further; after breaking through in cultivation, I'll likely secure another Golden Star.】

【Good. Prepare. We depart for Jichuan Star Region in fifteen minutes!】

After sending the messages, Xu Jin fell into thought.

Should he bring Hou Yunzhang to Jichuan Star Region?

Bringing him would help a little—but only marginally.

As he hesitated, his Plucking Stars Talisman vibrated again—a starlight message arrived, from Hou Yunzhang. The content startled Xu Jin slightly.

【Brother Qi, after much thought, I'd like you to lead the Sword Hero Mercenary Squad. I want to follow you and grow! I've spent years on the Star River Battlefield, endured countless trials—I've long seen you're no ordinary man.】

【You're no hermit cultivator.】

【Nor a common cultivator.】

【So, Brother Qi, please give me and my brothers a chance.】

【We may not help much in major matters, but any tedious, time-consuming chores—you leave them to me. I'll handle them thoroughly and precisely.】

【If Brother Qi agrees, from now on, you're the boss of the Sword Hero Mercenary Squad!】

【If you have any demands of me or my brothers, just say them!】

【If we can do it, we will.】

【If we can't, we'll find a way to do it anyway.】

Reading this letter, Xu Jin's lips curled slightly.

Hou Yunzhang was interesting.

Not just his foresight—he saw clearly, far beyond men like Li Tian or Cui Chongguang.

Compared to two or three months ago, when he'd been forced to fake his death and flee to the Star River Battlefield, Xu Jin's perspective had changed again.

Mostly because his foundation had changed.

With foundation and strength, one's confidence grows.

Give him a little more time, and his identity won't be an issue.

Since Hou Yunzhang was so sincere and perceptive, Xu Jin decided to give him a chance.

【I won't be your captain—you remain captain. But I'm temporarily taking over your squad. If you perform well, great fortune awaits you.】

【Thank you, Boss! Whatever you need, just order me!】

The term "Boss" gave Xu Jin a gangster vibe.

【Don't call me Boss. Don't be too familiar in person—my identity is sensitive. Don't get too close. Also, I'm leaving soon to reinforce Jichuan Star Region. Do you want to come?】

【Of course I do!】

Xu Jin smiled.

After giving the rendezvous point, Xu Jin's mind returned to the Plucking Stars Secret Realm.

This time, he checked the Golden Star count.

Earlier, when he'd plucked six Golden Stars in a row, it caused an uproar and led directly to his current situation.

Now Ji Hongli and Ning Yuchan each plucked one Golden Star—they had no hidden permissions, so the total must have increased by two.

He wanted to see how the Plucking Stars Secret Realm's Golden Star count had changed.

He looked—and was startled.

【Golden Stars: 534 plucked this year, 8 this year】

Xu Jin's scalp prickled.

Eight this year.

It had only been one month—and eight Golden Stars had been added.

Who was this powerful?

Ning Yuchan's earlier Golden Star was from last year. Subtract Ji Hongli and Ning Yuchan's two new ones—meaning, in just one month, someone in this realm had plucked six Golden Stars.

In the past, this number would have surpassed Xu Jin's own six-in-a-row feat.

To others, it looked like eight Golden Stars added in a single month!

That was terrifying.

Who did this?

After thinking, Xu Jin immediately sent a starlight message to the Grand Preceptor, asking about it.

Under these circumstances, wouldn't every faction—including Chen Guo—be in an uproar? Eight Golden Stars!

But Xu Jin was surprised—the Grand Preceptor's reply was calm.

【This is normal now that the Sumeru Palace and the Wood Spirit Palace have fully returned to the mortal realm. Previously, they were sealed off from this world; though they had branch towers, many functions of the Plucking Stars Tower were denied them.】

【For example, challenging the Plucking Stars Secret Realm—that was their restriction!】

【But since yesterday, after the Sumeru Palace and Wood Spirit Palace re-entered the mortal realm, their branch towers were upgraded to main towers, and their disciples gained full access to the Plucking Stars Tower's permissions—including the ability to challenge the Secret Realm.】

【Thus, since yesterday, the number of Silver and Golden Stars in the Plucking Stars Tower has been rising continuously.】

【Eight Golden Stars added by the two palaces is slightly high, but still within acceptable limits.】

【Especially the Sumeru Palace—their space star techniques are not only strange but also immensely powerful.】

【Don't worry. After this month, things will return to normal.】

【Grand Preceptor, will the Heavenly Sun, Zhen'e, and Cangming factions react violently?】 Xu Jin asked.

【Unlikely—at least not in the short term. The Sumeru Palace and Wood Spirit Palace were sealed off from the mortal realm for many years. Though secluded, they amassed vast wealth through monopolized star techniques and star patterns. Their foundations are strong.】

【But now that they've returned, they won't remain content with their former tiny territories—they'll expand.】

【In months, or at most half a year, they'll inevitably clash with factions in the mortal realm.】

【Meanwhile, the alien ancestral ancestral realms have now firmly established themselves on the Star River Battlefield, and the Holy Clan's envoys have arrived. With so many events happening at once, I sense a great transformation is imminent.】

【After you complete your mission, focus on raising your cultivation.】

【No matter what changes come, cultivation and combat power are the primary factors.】

【I understand, Grand Preceptor.】

In the Chen Guo Dao Academy, Grand Preceptor Cheng Yuexiao finished his starlight message to Xu Jin and turned to Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui. "Yanhui, Jichuan Star Region shouldn't be too dangerous. There's still a good chance of success."

【Even if things go awry…】

【With Xu Jin's help, the Meng clan members can retreat safely—but your brother stationed in the star region…】

Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui, though anxious, thought clearly: "It doesn't matter. If that's how it ends, it's his fate—our cultivators' fate."

【I'm only worried about Xu Jin's safety.】

Xu Jin has become an indispensable part of the State Master's future strategy; he cannot be allowed to fail!

Let's wait and see.

But what matters most now is the changes brought by the Sumeru Palace and the Wood Spirit Palace entering this world.

In just one day, envoys from both the Sumeru Palace and the Wood Spirit Palace have begun traveling everywhere—what are your thoughts?" asked Cheng Yuexiao.

Hearing this, Meng Yanhui frowned, then said with concern, "State Master, that is precisely what I fear."

"Why?"

"State Master, the Heavenly Sun Star Palace governs the Great Hong Empire. Though nominally the state religion and the emperor called the Great Hong Emperor, in reality, the Heavenly Sun Star Palace has long since achieved complete infiltration and control.

Today's Great Hong is effectively a theocracy.

The Heavenly Sun Star Lord is, in truth, the Retired Emperor.

The Great Hong Emperor must seek approval for every major decision.

The Heavenly Sun Star Palace and the Great Hong Empire are as tightly sealed as an iron barrel—extremely difficult to penetrate.

Therefore, the Great Hong Empire will not be the first target for the two Palaces in their struggle for power in this world.

The Great Chu Empire and the Azure Star Palace are similar; though the Great Chu Emperor holds slightly better status than the Great Hong Emperor, it is not by much.

Yet in major matters, the Azure Star Lord holds absolute dominance.

It will be extremely difficult for the two Palaces to seize authority and influence from Great Chu!

Of the remaining two, only the Pacifying Star Palace and our Great Chen remain. The Pacifying Star Palace itself is a theocracy—the Pacifying Star Lord is both a Star Lord and the nominal deity of the barbarians. But the barbarians themselves have their own problems: they are scattered across countless tribes. The Pacifying Star Lord influences them by commanding innumerable tribal chieftains, and his control is limited.

I suspect the Wood Spirit Palace's star arts are more compatible with the barbarians and better suited to exert influence among them.

Thus, the Wood Spirit Palace's first foothold for gaining authority and influence in this world will be the barbarians—or some remote frontier lands.

Only afterward will it turn to the Star Battlefield's star domains," said Meng Yanhui.

"And what of the Sumeru Palace?" asked State Master Cheng Yuexiao.

At this question, Meng Yanhui's expression darkened further.

"State Master, fresh news: yesterday, two high-ranking palace eunuchs departed for the Sumeru Palace and the Wood Spirit Palace respectively. This is the worst development yet."

Hearing this, State Master Cheng Yuexiao's face instantly grew grim.

He understood exactly what Meng Yanhui meant.

Due to the Spirit Era Star Palace incident twenty years ago, Great Chen was forced to allow the Heavenly Sun Star Palace and the Azure Star Palace to establish temples and recruit disciples within its borders.

Now that the two Palaces have entered this world,

their first target will inevitably be Great Chen.

There is no choice—Great Chen is weak!

Moreover, from the two Palaces' perspective, since Great Chen permitted the Azure Star Palace and the Heavenly Sun Star Palace to establish temples and recruit disciples, it should permit the two Palaces to do the same.

But the critical problem lies within.

In Great Hong and Great Chu, all major decisions are made by the two Star Lords.

In Great Chen, the Emperor and the State Master are no longer aligned; they are not merely estranged, but actively undermining each other.

Originally, if the two Palaces wished to enter Great Chen, they needed State Master Cheng Yuexiao's approval.

If the State Master refused, they could simply fight.

In recent years, the State Dao Academy has greatly strengthened; the State Master's own cultivation base has risen sharply.

Fighting on home ground, State Master Cheng Yuexiao fears no one!

In short, if negotiations with the two Palaces fail, he can resist them by force.

But now, someone inside is beckoning to them.

Once they gain the moral high ground, matters become far more difficult.

What can be done?

"State Master, you must decide quickly!" said Meng Yanhui.

Hearing this, Cheng Yuexiao smiled bitterly.

He understood Meng Yanhui's meaning.

But this matter—he cannot act. Under all these constraints, he cannot act!

As for anyone else, they lack the capability entirely!

"We can only take one step at a time!"

State Master Cheng Yuexiao sighed, then suddenly called out loudly, "Peng Lao."

"Master," Peng Lao appeared silently.

"Peng Lao, you must work hard—follow those two eunuchs. When they return from the two Palaces, kill them.

From today onward, any eunuch dispatched from the imperial palace must have their destination verified!

Anyone sent to either of the two Palaces—

Execute them immediately!" said State Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Yes."

Peng Lao accepted the order. Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui sighed.

This treats the symptoms, not the root cause—how long can it last?

(End of Chapter)