Chapter 361: Direct Charge Formation

The Jichuan Star Region is one of the four fifth-rank star regions governed by a regional lord from Chen Guo.

In terms of control duration, it has been under control for over a decade longer than the fifth-rank Huashi Star Region.

Thus, its control level is slightly higher than Huashi's.

According to intelligence from the State Advisor, the Jichuan Star Region initially made steady progress in halting the connection to the Cave Heaven.

Especially after reinforcements arrived and merged with Regional Lord Meng Yanwei's forces, they pushed back the alien army organized by the Messengers, forcing them into retreat after retreat.

But at a critical moment, the Messengers activated a seventh-rank star core, killing two sixth-rank experts in succession, severely wounding the regional lord, breaking the momentum of the allied army, and seizing breathing room before directly opening the Star Pivot Array in Qingyi Wangcheng and raising the Altar Skyway.

Then, trouble arrived.

They couldn't break in!

The Altar Skyway acted like a natural, impregnable fortress, blocking all sixth-rank experts.

Attacking it meant opposing the very essence of the star region—without overwhelming force, it could not be shattered.

Elite fifth-ranks had attempted two assaults, but suffered heavy casualties.

They could only watch helplessly as the Altar Skyway steadily neared the ancestral Cave Heaven.

In the end, they had no choice but to request aid from the Grand State Advisor.

The Grand State Advisor had no better solution either—fifth-rank geniuses capable of challenging late-stage sixth-rank opponents were exceedingly rare.

Not to mention fighting multiple opponents at once.

Fortunately, Xu Jin's mission in the Huashi Star Region had concluded.

Thus, Xu Jin's deployment to Jichuan Star Region proceeded smoothly.

With the space-pass jade tablet provided by the State Advisor's emissaries, Xu Jin, Ning Yuchan, Ji Hongli, and Hou Yunzhang arrived in Jichuan Star Region and quickly made contact with the elite reinforcements dispatched by Regional Lord Meng Yanwei.

They boarded the star-ship sent by the regional lord and arrived at Qingyi Wangcheng, the location of the Altar Skyway, in less than an hour.

Due to the joint offensive by the regional lord and Chen Guo's elite, and because the aliens' top sixth-rank experts had retreated into the Altar Skyway, Qingyi Wangcheng had already been captured.

But they were now trapped before the Altar Skyway, powerless to advance.

The aliens inside the Altar Skyway watched the surrounding human forces, especially after the Altar Skyway rose higher and they saw humans slaughtering their own kind—fury burned in their hearts.

They waited only for the Altar Skyway to fully link with the ancestral Cave Heaven, so their cultivation could surge past the seventh-rank, then launch a counterattack against humanity.

Xu Jin's group of four was immediately taken to the royal palace of Qingyi Wangcheng to meet Regional Lord Meng Yanwei.

The royal palace had been converted by Meng Yanwei into a temporary command tent.

The human elites of Jichuan Star Region, along with the Chen Guo Dao Academy's reinforcements, were deeply hopeful for the State Advisor's aid.

Upon hearing the reinforcements had arrived, they nearly lined the path to welcome the four into the command tent.

But along the way, many began whispering.

Ning Yuchan was acceptable—fifth-rank fourth layer peak, at least a fifth-rank. Hou Yunzhang was also decent—fifth-rank ninth layer peak. Both were usable.

But Xu Jin and Ji Hongli—one was fourth-rank eighth layer, the other fourth-rank sixth layer.

What was this, a joke?

Sending two fourth-ranks? How little did they respect the sixth-rank experts inside the Altar Skyway?

It was downright humiliating.

Especially for a group of fifth-rank elites, many at late-stage fifth-rank or even fifth-rank ninth layer.

Within these few steps into the command tent, whispers had already begun.

But unexpectedly, upon hearing the reinforcement team had arrived, Regional Lord Meng Yanwei rushed out of the tent himself to greet them.

Even more surprising: Meng Yanwei warmly welcomed Qi Tiansheng, the fourth-rank eighth layer, not Hou Yunzhang, the fifth-rank ninth layer.

This angered many fifth-rank elites, especially those from the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

"Cui Senior Brother, I thought the fifth-rank ninth layer peak was the leader—turns out the fourth-rank eighth layer is the team captain! Cui Senior Brother, did the Grand State Advisor send the wrong person?" He Fei directly told Cui Jing and the nearby disciples.

Previously, the Chen Guo commander Mao Yue had specifically pulled elite fifth-ranks from the army to reinforce Jichuan Star Region.

Those selected were naturally geniuses—and of those geniuses, ninety-nine out of a hundred came from the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

Cui Jing had dominated the Dao Academy for a decade, its top true disciple a decade ago.

His current cultivation is fifth-rank sixth layer.

But the genius who dominated the Dao Academy for a decade possessed extraordinary combat power.

In prior battles, he had slain a sixth-rank sixth layer alien and repelled a sixth-rank ninth layer alien.

Yet even so, during the two previous assaults on the Altar Skyway, he had been humiliated, forced to retreat, and lost two junior brothers.

As for He Fei, the one speaking, he had been Cui Jing's peer a decade ago—the second-ranked true disciple at the time.

He had been competing with Cui Jing ever since, but his combat power had always been crushed by Cui Jing's; only his cultivation level surpassed Cui Jing's by one layer—at fifth-rank seventh layer.

"Don't speak rashly—the State Advisor sent this person for a reason!" Cui Jing frowned.

Though Cui Jing himself couldn't fathom why the State Advisor had sent a fourth-rank eighth layer, the State Advisor held supreme authority in his heart—he chose to trust him.

"He Senior Brother, don't rush! The State Advisor's reinforcements are never wrong! Perhaps they carry a sixth-rank star artifact—or even a sixth-rank talisman?" another Dao Academy genius, Lin Bicheng, said.

Lin Bicheng was the autumn examination's top true disciple seven years ago, but compared to Cui Jing, he was vastly inferior.

Both his combat power and cultivation were far behind—he was only fifth-rank fifth layer.

In combat power, perhaps due to his cultivation, he was even weaker than He Fei, but he still possessed the ability to challenge higher-rank opponents.

He was one of the elites who had survived the two previous assaults on the Altar Skyway.

"Doesn't Cui Senior Brother have a sixth-rank star artifact?"

"As for sixth-rank talismans?"

"They're useless for anyone!"

"Better to give them to Cui Senior Brother than to him!"

"Junior Brother, enough! Let's see how Regional Lord Meng arranges things!" Cui Jing snapped, silencing He Fei's complaints.

"Please, Young Master Qi—have you already understood the situation of the Altar Skyway?" Inside the command tent, Meng Yanwei personally brought Xu Jin a chair, leaving the generals and fifth-rank elites staring in disbelief.

Meng Yanwei's prestige was still very high.

In truth, Meng Yanwei himself was puzzled—but before this, he had received an urgent message from his elder brother, Meng Yanhui.

The message specifically instructed him to treat Qi Tiansheng with utmost respect, to trust him absolutely, and to allow no slightest impropriety.

It even stated that even Meng Yanhui himself, upon meeting Qi Tiansheng, must show him full respect.

This deeply confused Meng Yanwei.

But his elder brother's words—he believed them, and he obeyed them.

His elder brother had no reason to harm him, and his elder brother was always brilliant.

So even though the officers under him were baffled, and the reinforcements led by Cui Jing and He Fei all looked puzzled,

Meng Yanwei treated Xu Jin as an honored guest.

This made Cui Jing, He Fei, Lin Bicheng, and other elites even more resentful.

After all, when they arrived to reinforce, Regional Lord Meng had never treated them this way.

Not even a chair brought personally—let alone stepping out of the command tent.

Now this…

Even Cui Jing felt a twinge of envy.

"Understood! Regional Lord Meng, time is urgent—we'll skip formalities. Do you have information on the elite aliens inside the Altar Skyway? Let's review it, then act immediately." Xu Jin said.

"Yes yes yes!"

Meng Yanwei instinctively handed Xu Jin a jade tablet—they had prepared it in advance.

But "act immediately"?

"Young Master Qi, what is your battle plan?" Meng Yanwei asked.

"What battle plan?" Xu Jin frowned. Meng Yanwei was stunned, then pressed on, "The detailed tactical deployment for entering the Altar Skyway?"

"Detailed tactical deployment?"

Xu Jin pondered for a few breaths, then said, "The Altar Skyway is narrow—no need for elaborate plans. I lead the charge, and the rest follow me to break through." His words were simple and direct.

Meng Yanwei nodded slightly, saying nothing, but the fifth-rank elites who had failed twice in previous assaults wore expressions of displeasure.

This was too frivolous!

"Direct charge? Then break through? Do you think this is child's play? Do you even know how dangerous the Altar Skyway is?" He Fei couldn't help asking from behind.

Xu Jin glanced back at He Fei—just a brief look, then ignored him.

No need to waste words.

Xu Jin knew these people doubted him—but no amount of explanation would help.

Once the Altar Skyway was broken, they'd understand!

After quickly scanning the jade tablet's information, Xu Jin passed it to Ning Yuchan so the others could review it too.

The aliens inside the Altar Skyway were now clear to Xu Jin.

The difficulty was slightly higher than in the Huashi Star Region.

There were eight sixth-rank aliens inside—three at sixth-rank ninth layer, the other five all at sixth-rank eighth layer, plus one Messenger wielding a seventh-rank star-core weapon.

Their combat power was still formidable.

Especially the Qingyi Clan, who possessed a pair of blue wings—extremely fast, with bizarrely unpredictable movement.

Had this been half a month ago—before Xu Jin had broken the Huashi Star Region's Altar Skyway—his strength then would have faced grave danger!

But after breaking the Huashi Star Region's Altar Skyway, Xu Jin, Ning Yuchan, Ji Hongli, Hou Yunzhang, and the others had all doubled their combat power.

Their coordination had also become much more seamless.

It was no longer a difficult task.

Ignored by Xu Jin, He Fei was so enraged his fur stood on end, but Cui Jing suppressed him.

Half a quarter-hour later, after Ning Yuchan and the other two had finished reading, the jade tablet returned to Xu Jin's hand, and he handed it back to Domain Lord Meng Yanwei.

"Domain Lord Meng, lead the way!"

"What?"

Meng Yanwei, who had just received the information jade tablet, looked puzzled—he didn't understand what Xu Jin meant by "lead the way."

"Domain Lord Meng, I mean take me to the Altar Sky Road—we're charging through!"

Meng Yanwei froze.

Inside the command tent, the elite officers—especially Cui Jing, He Fei, and Lin Bicheng—also froze.

No tactical study, no tactical deployment—just charge straight in?

Isn't that too reckless?

"What's the matter, Domain Lord Meng? Any other problems? Can't we charge?" Xu Jin frowned.

"No! We can charge!"

Meng Yanwei nodded hastily. "But won't you discuss it further? Won't you consult with Cui Jing and the others on tactics?"

"No need."

Suddenly, Meng Yanwei understood Xu Jin's meaning. "Wait—you mean the four of you will charge alone? Not with General Cui and the others?"

Hearing this, Xu Jin turned to look at Cui Jing, He Fei, Lin Bicheng, and the other fifth-rank elites. "If any of them want to join us in the charge, they're welcome—they'll get some rewards."

Xu Jin said this for a reason!

Many star domains currently block the connection between the star domain and the ancestral realm's cave heaven, but only Xu Jin has breached the Altar Sky Road.

Only Xu Jin and his few companions know the Altar Sky Road holds great benefits.

Seeing that Cui Jing, Lin Bicheng, He Fei, and others had not yet reached the peak of fifth-rank ninth layer, Xu Jin had an idea.

Take them in, let them claim some rewards too.

Their cultivation base should rise two or three layers without issue.

This is also helping the Chen Guo Dao Academy strengthen its power.

Normally, a fifth-rank cultivator needs half a year—or even longer—to advance one layer, unless they have exceptionally abundant cultivation resources.

Two or three layers would save them two years of grueling effort.

By doing this, Xu Jin could help them gain peak fifth-rank ninth-layer cultivation and combat power two years early, and possibly allow one or two of them to break into sixth rank two years ahead of schedule, boosting Chen Guo Dao Academy's sixth-rank combat strength.

So he said it.

But to Cui Jing, He Fei, Lin Bicheng, and the others, Xu Jin's offer of sharing rewards sounded faintly arrogant—even like a condescending gift.

It was deeply unpleasant to hear.

"A fourth-rank eighth-layer upstart, so arrogant? Afraid his tongue'll get blown off by the wind!" He Fei couldn't hold back.

Xu Jin merely shook his head and smiled, saying not another word.

When you listen to the same words with a hostile mindset, there's nothing to be done!

Even if gold falls from the sky, you must reach out to pick it up!

No need to beg them to accept the benefits!

Xu Jin glanced at He Fei, said nothing, and gestured for Meng Yanwei to lead. Meng Yanwei had no choice but to go ahead; Xu Jin's group followed, heading toward the Altar Sky Road.

He Fei, ignored once again, was utterly enraged.

Yet he couldn't lash out.

He had to follow Cui Jing and the others—but that didn't stop him from complaining: "This kid's too arrogant—he has no idea how dangerous the Altar Sky Road is! You can go if you want, but I'm not going. Don't get yourselves killed by this reckless fool inside the Altar Sky Road—that'd be a huge loss!"

Cui Jing said nothing, but Lin Bicheng whispered, "He Shiwei, that's not right! He's from the present age and doesn't know the Altar Sky Road's danger—his arrogance is normal. But we're all Dao Academy classmates, sent by the Grand Master, all geniuses.

If we lose them inside the Altar Sky Road, it weakens Chen Guo Dao Academy's strength.

Why not follow them in? If things turn bad, we can still save them!"

"That's true! I'll go with them—I can't just watch them die in the Altar Sky Road!" Cui Jing sighed.

"You—!"

He Fei was speechless. "Fine, go if you want—but be careful! Don't get killed by this arrogant fool!"

"I'm not going either!"

"Neither am I!"

"I'll go with Senior Brother Cui," whispered Lü Xiaole, another fifth-rank fifth-layer genius disciple.

"Watch out you don't get tricked to death!" He Fei said.

Almost simultaneously, inside the Altar Sky Road, the messenger Ju Wu, perched high above the Altar Sky Road, frowned as he saw another group of human elites gathering. "Qingyi Wang, prepare—the humans are about to charge again."

Behind him, Qingyi Wang, whose wings had shrunk and now fluttered nimbly, laughed. "Messenger Ju, we crushed their last two charges—what difference will this one make? Just station four at the entrance. No need to halt the great array's activation."

"Don't be careless!"

Messenger Ju Wu glanced at the ancestral realm's cave heaven just above. "Humans are cunning. The closer we get to the final moment, the less we can afford to slack!"

"Cease activating the array! Form battle formations!"

"If they dare charge, unleash concentrated fire and strike them down!"

"The more elites we kill, the safer we'll be."

"Only then can we successfully link with the ancestral realm's cave heaven—and you'll all advance swiftly to seventh rank!"

"Understood!"

Since they had pledged allegiance to the Sacred Clan's emissary, they could not ignore the messenger's orders.

"Everyone, cease activating the array and prepare for concentrated fire!"

"This time, if they dare charge again, we'll take down as many as they send!" Qingyi Wang laughed loudly.

"Yes!"

The alien experts all responded in unison!

(End of Chapter)