Chapter 373: Stars Beyond Heaven

Xu Jin, I've prepared the four-tier star regions you need to clear. There are seven currently accessible, unharvested by other factions, and directly reachable via the Star River passages; I'll send the data to your Star-Picking Token shortly.

Additionally, there are twenty-two four-tier star regions with star-region markers but inaccessible via the Star River passages. I've acquired temporary star-gate activation arrays from Xumi Palace through intermediaries—you may arrange your own entry.

Though I know your strength is unquestionable, I must still remind you: prioritize safety.

Star regions hold all manner of wonders—exercise caution.

As Xu Jin was studying and refining the Thunder-Dashing Star Pattern, Minister Cheng Yuexiao's starlight message arrived, along with data on the seven four-tier star regions accessible via the Star River.

Xu Jin did not reply immediately.

Only after fully consuming the last drop of the Thunder-Dashing Star Pattern's inherited blood did he respond to Minister Cheng Yuexiao.

{Minister, if you have time, may we meet in person?

{Good.

In the next instant, as Xu Jin issued the invitation, Minister Cheng Yuexiao's starlight projection materialized before him.

A starlight projection, accessible to those possessing a third-tier Star-Picking Token, consumes 100 strands of starlight to enable face-to-face remote communication.

"Minister, it's been a long time."

No sooner had the starlight projection appeared than Minister Cheng Yuexiao smiled at Xu Jin. "Three months—from barely entering the fourth tier to reaching fourth-tier ninth layer. That's a record."

"I had the Altar's Heavenly Path's aid."

"That's still your fortune! Others wouldn't even survive to receive such fortune, let alone wield it." Minister Cheng Yuexiao had long known of the events in Jichuan Star Region—he was awed by Xu Jin's strength and deeply relieved.

"Speak then—why did you ask me to come in person?"

Xu Jin smiled. "Minister, I've just refined several new star patterns—I'd like to give them to you."

Cheng Yuexiao blinked, then pointed at Xu Jin and laughed. "You've got a good heart! I went to great lengths to get you those temporary spatial star-gate arrays—bribed countless people under false identities."

The Xumi Palace folk remain as stingy as ever.

Tell me—what star patterns did you refine this time?"

Last time, Xu Jin had urgently sent him an eighth-tier Thunder-Origin Star Pattern via his Star-Picking Token—Cheng Yuexiao had been stunned.

An eighth-tier Thunder-Origin Star Pattern was a sect's treasured artifact anywhere—yet this boy handed it to him outright!

"Minister, take a look—tell me what you think this pattern is."

As he spoke, Xu Jin handed Cheng Yuexiao the newly refined Thunder-Image Star Pattern jade tablet.

Cheng Yuexiao took it.

Though the starlight projection couldn't carry the tablet away, examining it posed no issue.

As his mind sank into the pattern, Cheng Yuexiao's expression grew grave. "This is clearly a newly refined thunder-based star pattern."

"Correct."

"What tier?"

Suddenly, Cheng Yuexiao's hand trembled violently. "Eighth-tier upper? You didn't push the Thunder-Origin Star Pattern to eighth-tier upper, did you?"

Before he finished, he shook his head. "No—this isn't Thunder-Origin. It's a completely new thunder pattern—one I've never seen before!"

These lines, this flow—it doesn't seem offensive?

More like supportive!

Some branches seem to resonate with the Thunder-Origin Star Pattern."

Cheng Yuexiao murmured as he studied it. After fifteen minutes, he suddenly looked up at Xu Jin with shock. "Could this be—?"

In Cheng Yuexiao's stunned gaze, Xu Jin gave a slight nod.

The moment Xu Jin nodded, Cheng Yuexiao's starlight projection shuddered violently like rippling water—nearly dissolving.

"Xu Jin, I… suspect this is the Thunder-Image Star Pattern. Did I… guess right…?"

In that instant, the Grand Minister trembled like a child.

As Xu Jin gave a firm nod, "Minister, you didn't guess wrong—it's the Thunder-Image Star Pattern."

The moment he spoke the answer, Cheng Yuexiao's starlight projection surged violently and collapsed.

Xu Jin stared, stunned.

Inside Danxia Palace, Minister Cheng Yuexiao leapt to his feet, gasping for breath.

His pale cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Minister, are you alright?"

Peng Lao rushed over, alarmed.

Cheng Yuexiao glanced at Peng Lao with delight, said "I'm fine," and immediately sat cross-legged on the floor.

In the next instant, the starlight projection reappeared before Xu Jin.

Seeing Xu Jin's smiling eyes, Cheng Yuexiao chuckled. "I lost composure—but it's understandable."

"Xu Jin, do you know the tiers of the Fire-Image and Water-Image Star Patterns held by the Heavenly Sun Star Temple?"

"What tiers?"

"The Heavenly Sun Star Temple's Fire-Image Star Pattern is highest—eighth-tier middle. Their Water-Image is only seventh-tier upper."

Though I've never possessed an Image-type star pattern, I know how difficult their refinement is.

Refining Image-type star patterns is even harder than refining Soul-type patterns.

Yet you've refined the Thunder-Image Star Pattern to eighth-tier upper.

It's simply unimaginable!" said Minister Cheng Yuexiao.

"Three Brilliant Stars."

Xu Jin gave the answer—Cheng Yuexiao was stunned again.

After a long pause, Cheng Yuexiao said, "Worth it! Even three Brilliant Stars—its value is beyond measure!"

Here, Cheng Yuexiao's eyes lit with anticipation. "With this pattern, next time I face the Xumi Palace Master, I won't need the Nine Sheng Bells—I'll still drive that old man back!"

Xu Jin was surprised. He asked for the reason.

Once he understood, Xu Jin's expression darkened. "Emperor Gan'an is still this selfish! For his own gain, he plans to lure the Xumi Palace directly into Chen Guo?"

"Exactly. This emperor is the very definition of selfishness," said Minister Cheng Yuexiao helplessly.

"Minister, give me more time."

Minister Cheng Yuexiao looked at Xu Jin, said nothing more, and nodded firmly.

"Minister, here's another surprise—guess what it is?"

"What?"

As he spoke, Xu Jin handed Cheng Yuexiao another star pattern jade tablet.

This time, with prior experience, Cheng Yuexiao gasped aloud. "Earth-Image! This is definitely Earth-Image! How did you get Thunder-Image and Earth-Image?!"

Thunder-Image is the Xumu Palace's secret art; Earth-Image belongs to the Azure Star Temple.

If either faction found out, they'd go mad!"

And it's eighth-tier!

Eighth-tier lower Earth-Image Star Pattern!

The Azure Star Temple's Earth-Image is only seventh-tier lower."

"Minister, there's more—this one: eighth-tier middle Willow-Down Star Pattern!" Xu Jin smiled.

Receiving three eighth-tier star patterns—two of them priceless Image-type patterns—Cheng Yuexiao's excitement was beyond words.

In the next instant, Cheng Yuexiao leapt to his feet. "Xu Jin, do you know what these three patterns mean for the Chen Guo Dao Academy?"

Before Xu Jin could answer, Cheng Yuexiao blurted, "With these three, plus the other eighth-tier patterns you've given me, our seventh- and eighth-tier experts can now directly confront—and even overwhelm—those of other factions!"

Even crush them!

In one month, even outside our capital, Wan Yi, without the Nine Sheng Bells, I dare challenge any eighth-tier expert alive!"

My once-unreachable dream… may now be within reach…"

As Grand Minister, Cheng Yuexiao calmed himself after a few breaths, then sat firmly before Xu Jin. "Xu Jin—what do you want?"

"What do I want? Didn't you already give it to me?" Xu Jin smiled.

"Not enough!"

In terms of value alone, these patterns could buy Chen Guo itself."

Here, Minister Cheng Yuexiao looked deeply at Xu Jin. "Xu Jin, my greatest fortune in life was choosing you as the Autumn Exam champion. Cultivate well—grow fast. This world is far larger than you imagine."

He added, "Whatever you need—say it. If I have it, I'll give it. If I don't, I'll find a way to get it for you."

"I will," Xu Jin smiled.

He truly cherished this bond of absolute trust with Cheng Yuexiao.

Like a lifelong comrade who'd shared death—say anything, do anything, and you need only believe, without second thoughts.

It was incredibly easy.

After some casual chat, Minister Cheng Yuexiao brought up another matter.

"The investigation into the seventh-tier Shang Tai and Feng Yi, and related intelligence, is nearly complete."

"Oh? Minister, please proceed."

"It's complicated. All publicly traceable leads have been severed and erased. In the end, only one lead remained—likely the truth."

"Wei Xu."

"What?" Xu Jin was stunned.

"Grand Marshal Wei Xu of the Star River Battlefield. Shang Tai left no trace—but Feng Yi, seventeen years ago, was a cultivator stuck at seventh-tier ninth layer, guilty of a grave crime, slated for exile to a seventh-tier star region.

Yet somehow, he was taken by the then-Grand Marshal of the Star River Battlefield.

Later, Feng Yi became a lone cultivator again—but rose to fame, his cultivation advancing swiftly: first sixth-tier, then seventh-tier.

Later, he became the leader of the Divine Sword Gang, the third-largest faction in Dahong War City, wielding immense influence.

If Feng Yi has a powerful backer behind him, that backer can only be Wei Xu!

And according to your words, Wei Xu's primary cultivation focuses on Water and Wood Star Arts.

In fact, beings capable of commanding a Seventh-Rank late-stage Feng Yi are few and far between on the Star River Battlefield.

Once you peel away the layers, deducing that he is backed by Wei Xu is not difficult!

But the hard part is the evidence!" said State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

"So you mean there is no evidence at all?"

"Yes."

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao nodded. "It's all speculation. Wei Xu merely saved a man over a decade ago—that's not evidence."

Yet in a world where power stems from the self, evidence is often unnecessary. Do you understand my meaning?"

"I understand."

"Thank you, State Tutor," Xu Jin rose and bowed.

"Between us, no thanks are needed," State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao waved dismissively.

They chatted for another half-hour, during which Xu Jin recounted all his discoveries from Yangdu Marquis's domain, including the timing of the Lan Mountain Star Region investigation, exchanged opinions, and only departed after State Tutor Cheng renewed the star projection twice.

Before leaving, State Tutor Cheng added, "Xu Jin, if you ever wish to return, just return! In a few days, whether in the mortal realm or the Star River Battlefield, I will fear no Eighth-Rank."

"Even if multiple Eighth-Ranks arrive together, I can still protect you."

"I will."

Xu Jin smiled and bowed; State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao then dissolved into countless starlights and vanished.

In truth, when State Tutor Cheng left, Xu Jin had one thing he didn't say: the day of his return is drawing near!

Not long after State Tutor Cheng departed, Xu Jin received twenty-two temporary Spatial Star Gate array plates delivered by a trusted courier.

Yet after obtaining the array plates, Xu Jin did not rush to sweep the area.

Instead, he shifted his intent and returned to the Fourth-Rank Training Realm.

The Fourth-Rank Training Realm now held no real combat challenge for Xu Jin.

But Xu Jin had fought his way up from the First-, Second-, and Third-Rank Training Realms, topping each one and earning a special title in each.

So he didn't want to miss the Fourth-Rank either.

First, he suspected that, given the Star-Picking Tower's usual rules, collecting several titles might yield rewards.

Just like the Brilliant Star.

Few would have guessed that collecting nine Brilliant Stars grants the holder authority as a Silver Authority Holder of the Star-Picking Tower.

Then what about these Training Realm titles?

Of course, even if there's no reward,

it still satisfies Xu Jin's childish obsession with collecting.

As a child, he was scolded countless times for chasing after instant noodle cards!

In school, he stayed up all night to collect all the achievement badges in games!

So the Fourth-Rank Training Realm was a must.

In fact, during this period, whenever Xu Jin had free time, he'd challenge the Fourth-Rank Training Realm—it offered no real challenge.

His current rank was seventh in the Fourth-Rank Training Realm.

He wondered how his luck would be today—could he climb straight to first place?

【Challenge Sixth Place: Snow Spring?】

【Challenge】

【Opponent has accepted. Combat will begin in five breaths.】

The information before him filled Xu Jin with delight—this guy was here.

He'd challenged several times before and never found him!

Combat was set to begin in five breaths—but ended in an instant.

A single flick of lightning obliterated him.

The battle ended, leaving only the challenger's stunned silence.

Xu Jin's luck was good today—he found all the top-ranked opponents in sequence.

He crushed them all, advancing straight to the top rank of the Fourth-Rank Training Realm: Tiger of Jingshan.

Three months had passed, and the top rank of the Fourth-Rank Training Realm was still held by the Tiger of Jingshan.

【Challenge】

【Opponent has accepted. Combat will begin in five breaths.】

In the next instant, starlight shifted, and Xu Jin entered the combat realm—a vast, open plain with no cover.

Opposite him, the Tiger of Jingshan strode forward, his entire body crackling with lightning.

"Hei Wukong—your name is odd. What does 'Wukong' mean?"

"Nothing. Those who understand will understand; those who don't, it doesn't matter," Xu Jin replied calmly.

"Brother, you're arrogant! But arrogance means nothing before me!

Hei Wukong—I'll turn it into Dead Wukong." The Tiger of Jingshan toyed with lightning in his palm, his eyes brimming with battle lust.

"I look forward to it!"

In that moment, Xu Jin truly looked forward to it!

The next instant, the screen vanished, thunder exploded, and the Tiger of Jingshan surged toward Xu Jin as a bolt of lightning.

And at that same instant, Xu Jin smirked—unfairly.

With a thunderous crash, the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield materialized, slamming directly into the path of the Jingshan Tiger's lightning charge.

The latter crashed headlong into it!

And that was the end.

The Jingshan Tiger, colliding with the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield, instantly shattered into a burst of starlight.

In the next instant, Xu Jin smirked again, and tapped the starlight before him.

【Hei Wukong: Congratulations, you have claimed the top rank of the Fourth-Rank Training Realm. Maintain this rank—every seven days, you will receive 21 strands of starlight as reward.】

【Hei Wukong: Congratulations, you have earned the title "Celestial Starfall." Maintain this rank for seven days to permanently acquire this title. Continue earning more special titles—perhaps surprises await.】

In another palace, the Tiger of Jingshan, lightning coiled around his fingers, stared blankly.

(End of Chapter)