Chapter 393: The Emperor

April 26, while Xu Jin was fully preparing within the Star-Picking Tower, the Star-Picking Token suddenly trembled.

Xu Jin sank his mind to inspect it—and smiled. It was a Starlight Message from the Great Saint Long Yu of the Gou Dao Sect.

Not from the Tiger of Jingshan.

Since returning these past few days, Xu Jin had received a challenge message from the Tiger of Jingshan every other day.

This annoyed him.

Probably the bastard couldn't accept defeat.

But what good is resentment when I one-shot you?

【My lord, I've arrived at the capital of Chen Guo, Wanyi. What should I do? Give me instructions.】

This was the Starlight Message from Long Yu.

【Tell me your location—I'll come find you.】

Soon after, Long Yu sent another Starlight Message in reply.

Half a watch later, Xu Jin altered his face to resemble Long Yu's and left the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

Though he'd only operated under the title of Qi Tian Sheng for half a year—and even then, as discreetly as possible—Qi Tian Sheng was now a minor celebrity, making further actions inconvenient.

So Xu Jin used the Hundred Illusion Star Patterns to assume another face.

A quarter watch later, Xu Jin met Long Yu at Zhao Yue Tower, the most prosperous and upscale establishment in Wanyi, Chen Guo.

The bastard was drinking by the window on the fourth floor, dressed in blue martial robes and black boots, immaculately groomed, with a folding fan resting beside him—looked quite refined.

Anyone who claimed this bastard was a notorious disciple of the Blood God Sect would be thought insane!

One had to admit, his ability to read people was astonishing.

Even though Xu Jin had changed his face, he'd merely walked into the tower and headed straight for Long Yu's table—and Long Yu immediately rose and bowed deeply in greeting.

Clearly, he'd recognized the visitor as Xu Jin!

This level of perception was truly...

Combined with his utterly cowardly nature, he'd be impossible to kill even if he tried.

A tavern wasn't a place for serious talk; after dining and drinking like old friends, they went to Long Yu's lodging compound.

With a casual wave, Xu Jin activated a Starlight barrier to seal off the interior. No sooner had he sat down than Long Yu prostrated himself in full reverence.

This bow wasn't just due to control over life and death—it was primarily because of the terrifying power Xu Jin had displayed within the Star Realm.

He'd slain a fifth-rank ninth-layer monarch as easily as killing a chicken.

How could Long Yu not kowtow?

"Long Yu, you're impressive," Xu Jin chuckled. "A wanted Blood God Sect remnant like you walks into the capital of Chen Guo like it's empty."

"My lord flatters me—it's just the Blood God Sect's basic survival skill."

"Besides, the bigger the place, the easier it is to enter." Long Yu said.

"How so?" Xu Jin was now curious.

"My lord, many noble families have heirs who can't cultivate, or patriarchs who can't break through, or last-line scions with abysmal talent—they all need us. They're our clients."

Gaining a little convenience becomes very easy.

The larger the city, the more convenient it is—especially the capital.

Entering Chen Guo's capital was simple, thanks to the identity token provided by His Majesty." Long Yu smiled.

Xu Jin was startled. "So the nobility and high officials of every nation have Blood God Sect clients?"

"Probably."

Long Yu nodded. "I'm barely a mid-level member, but I know of many in Chen Guo. The Divine Son's current missions mostly involve Chen Guo—he likely has no contact with other nations. But if Chen Guo has them, other nations' elites must too."

Xu Jin nodded, then sighed helplessly.

The reason the Blood God Sect couldn't be eradicated was probably this—every high-ranking official was a sieve!

"Did you bring the items? What about Fu Ying?" Xu Jin asked.

"My lord, here's the letter from the Divine Son—he says all relevant details are inside. These are the Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Pills: two total—one at half-fifth rank, one at full fifth rank. The Divine Son says the half-fifth-rank one has been enhanced."

"The full fifth-rank one is a gift for you, my lord." As he spoke, Long Yu handed over a pill vial and a jade tablet.

Xu Jin opened the vial and sank his mind into it. Having seen many Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Pills before, he immediately noticed the anomaly.

The half-fifth-rank pill was darker in color, emitting a cold, sinister aura; the fifth-rank pill was far purer.

He remembered to send me a gift—Fu Ying of the Blood God Sect really knows how to handle things.

One fifth-rank Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Pill was enough to boost Xu Jin's cultivation base by half a layer.

"The Divine Son is still in the Fourth-Rank Yunluo Star Realm," Long Yu said. "He says thanks to your favor, the Yunluo Star Realm is now very safe. He plans to refine more Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Pills before emerging."

Xu Jin nodded and sank his mind into the jade tablet.

Fu Ying of the Blood God Sect was efficient.

The tablet recorded Gao Jie's repeated demands for progress.

In the past twenty-plus days, Gao Jie had inquired seven times—lately, nearly every other day, pressing urgently.

He'd provided all details: secret signals, transaction methods, inside information—all laid out for Xu Jin.

The reason was simple: Xu Jin had previously stated he intended to sneak into the imperial palace during this transaction.

Not because he planned to assassinate the emperor during the exchange.

With the eighth-rank old retainer inside the palace, success was impossible.

Even if he succeeded, Xu Jin couldn't escape.

Xu Jin wanted to enter the palace himself—to scout the situation.

Only Xu Jin possessed the Thirty-Six Mingji Star Patterns.

Their extraordinary sensing ability meant that just walking through the palace once would reveal everything clearly.

It would also give him greater confidence for future actions.

As for transaction safety, Fu Ying of the Blood God Sect had specifically assured him:

Blackout betrayals were virtually impossible.

The Blood God Sect's structure was vast, and after years of servicing major clients, it had earned their trust.

If these elites dared to betray them, they'd face ruin and disgrace—cooperating with the Blood God Sect carried no good reputation.

Besides, if they truly intended to betray, would they dare to eat the pills sent to them?

These were ingested substances!

Precisely because of Fu Ying's multiple assurances, Xu Jin decided to enter the palace early.

Of course, Xu Jin didn't place all his trust in Fu Ying's promises.

To do so would be naive.

Even if the emperor planned to betray him, as long as the palace's defensive array wasn't activated—even with the eighth-rank old retainer present—Xu Jin could still escape.

First, he had the Chaotic Star Art as leverage.

Second, he possessed a fifth-rank Chaotic Void Teleportation Seal, seized earlier.

The fifth-rank Chaotic Void Teleportation Seal could instantly teleport two hundred li—and after Xu Jin's cultivation had enhanced it, its power had doubled.

Of course, this only ensured escape.

But once outside the palace, he'd be safe—the Grand Master could intervene at any moment.

Even more, if the eighth-rank old retainer dared to chase him out of the palace, it might just be Xu Jin's opportunity.

April 27, after multiple discussions with Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and finalizing emergency protocols, Xu Jin once again transformed into Long Yu's appearance.

At dusk, Xu Jin arrived at the palace gate reserved for the Jing Army, as agreed, and crushed a jade talisman.

Less than a hundred breaths later, a middle-aged eunuch of sixth-rank late stage appeared silently.

The moment he appeared, at least four divine soul energies swept over Xu Jin repeatedly. Yet the eunuch smiled warmly and bowed. "May I ask your surname?"

In the instant he appeared, at least four divine soul forces continuously swept over Xu Jin. The middle-aged eunuch smiled warmly and bowed slightly, asking, "May I ask your honorable surname?"

"From where?"

"From Yunluo."

"Follow me."

After verifying the secret signal, the eunuch led Xu Jin directly into the palace, bypassing the usual body search.

Inside the palace, flight was forbidden. After walking for a full quarter watch, they reached an arched gate. Beyond it, the view opened up—and before them stood a seven-story pavilion inscribed with the words "Star Gazing."

"His Majesty is inside. The honored guest may enter alone."

Xu Jin bowed slightly and stepped through the arch.

At the very instant he crossed the arch, a cold aura suddenly enveloped him.

Within the Star Palace, the two Star Official Seals flickered simultaneously; the Yuan Spirit glowed intensely—clearly, a vast divine soul force was scanning and observing Xu Jin's condition.

Xu Jin had anticipated this—and prepared accordingly.

Under mental suppression, his Yuan Spirit contracted completely; the Hidden Star Pattern was pushed to its limit, concealing the Yuan Spirit's aura.

As for Star Qi aura, it didn't matter.

Yesterday, after challenging the Star-Picking Secret Realm, his cultivation had broken through to fifth-rank second layer.

The cultivation level he now displayed was openly fifth-rank second layer.

A few breaths later, the cold aura vanished abruptly.

Inside the Star Gazing Pavilion, the old retainer bowed to Emperor Gan'an. "Your Majesty, the man is unproblematic—just an ordinary fifth-rank. But we cannot yet determine if he's a Blood God Sect disciple. You may test him before taking the pills."

"Thank you, old retainer," Emperor Gan'an said.

Hearing this, the old retainer bowed silently and vanished.

Emperor Qian'an could no longer contain his excitement and directly transmitted a voice message: "Dragon Envoy, come forward."

At this moment, Xu Jin's identity was Long Yu, the emissary of Xueshenzi Fu Ying.

And Long Yu was a known remnant of the Blood God Sect—perfect for the role.

After a dozen breaths, Xu Jin ascended floor by floor, reaching the seventh level of the Star Gazing Pavilion, where he met Emperor Qian'an.

This was the second time Xu Jin had seen Emperor Qian'an of Great Chen.

The last time he had seen Emperor Qian'an, Xu Jin had been filled with profound awe, daring only to glance once before looking away.

Today, he felt not a trace of awe.

Entering the seventh floor, he studied Emperor Qian'an carefully for several moments, then bowed respectfully and said, "Long Yu greets Your Excellency."

Compared to their meeting half a year ago, Emperor Qian'an's face now bore even greater malice.

One's countenance reflects one's heart.

A sovereign who gradually transformed into this visage was not without cause.

Being scrutinized by Long Yu made Emperor Qian'an uneasy, yet he endured it.

"Did you bring the item?"

"I brought it."

Xu Jin pulled out a vial sealed with layers of crimson Blood God Sect seals.

Emperor Qian'an reached to take it, but Long Yu said, "Your Excellency, what of the item my Divine Son requested?"

"Of course it is prepared—but first, we must inspect the goods."

"By all means."

Xu Jin casually tossed the vial, thickly sealed with the Blood God Sect's unique seals, toward him.

Emperor Qian'an did not even look at it—he simply flung it into the empty air behind him.

Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern had already faintly sensed a terrifying presence hidden there.

An eighth-rank aura!

Thus, Xu Jin dared not even activate his Mingji Star Pattern.

A few breaths later, the vial floated back through the air and landed in Emperor Qian'an's hands.

In the next instant, Emperor Qian'an sneered, "This elixir is still undercooked! Is this how your Divine Son treats his clients?"

Clearly, the eighth-rank elder patron had great discernment.

"My Divine Son said you pressed for speed," Xu Jin replied. "If you wish, I can take it back and return in ten days—it'll be nearly perfect then. But he also said the effect is nearly identical as is."

"How do you open the seals?"

"Once I've seen the item, I'll use our unique method to open it," Xu Jin said.

Emperor Qian'an considered, then waved his hand—a large jade box flew toward Xu Jin.

Xu Jin caught it and his pupils tightened.

This corrupt monarch, when indulging himself, showed not the slightest hesitation.

Inside the jade box lay two hundred Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs, and four century-old Infant-Face Spirit Ginsengs capable of propelling a Divine Soul to the fourth rank.

And a vial of Water Cloud Soul Marrow.

Water Cloud Soul Marrow was a sixth-rank Divine Soul herb; consuming it greatly replenished the primordial spirit, and for any who had reached the ninth layer of fourth-rank Divine Soul cultivation, it would inevitably solidify the primordial spirit.

Compared to these, the two hundred Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs were insignificant.

But Xu Jin knew exactly what those two hundred elixirs meant.

The entire Great Chen Imperial Academy's annual allocation of Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs was only two hundred.

Yet this corrupt monarch had produced them all at once!

If these resources were sent to the Great Chen Imperial Academy, they could enable one or two to solidify their primordial spirit, and allow four or five disciples to break through to the fourth rank of Divine Soul cultivation!

Though inwardly furious, Xu Jin smiled, inspected the goods, snapped the jade box shut, and stored it in his Numinous Space. "Your Excellency is truly a man of his word."

As he spoke, Xu Jin extended a thread of crimson star force from his fingertips, coiling around the vial. Within moments, the seals dissolved.

Fortunately, Xu Jin had casually learned a few Blood God Sect star patterns—otherwise, he couldn't have faked this so well.

Seeing the seals break, Emperor Qian'an beamed and waved his hand. "Then, Envoy, please rest in the guest quarters."

"What do you mean?" Xu Jin's expression darkened.

"Since the item you delivered is still undercooked, we must retain you," Emperor Qian'an said. "If I succeed, I'll let you go with generous gifts. If I fail, I'll need to consult your Divine Son through you."

"Your Excellency, those of the Blood God Sect are not to be trifled with," Xu Jin snapped.

"Hahahaha, Envoy, rest easy!"

Emperor Qian'an laughed and waved—his former escort, the middle-aged eunuch, appeared like a ghost and gestured for Xu Jin to follow.

Xu Jin opened his mouth to protest—but the eighth-rank aura suddenly swept over him.

Xu Jin had no choice; he bowed slightly and followed the eunuch away.

Yet after he left, the eighth-rank elder patron's aura did not follow to observe him.

Xu Jin seized the opportunity to activate his Mingji Star Pattern and sense his surroundings.

He scanned the palace grounds for any other seventh-rank cultivators.

This was critical—it was the entire purpose of this mission.

One more seventh-rank could mean the difference between life and death!

Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern had an immense range; as he walked, he sensed nearly half the palace.

Meanwhile, after Xu Jin's departure, Emperor Qian'an in the Star Gazing Pavilion could no longer wait.

"Elder Patron, I've prepared everything—I await only this elixir. Please guard me as I break through!" Emperor Qian'an said.

"Your servant will protect His Majesty without fail. Please focus on your breakthrough."

"Good. With Elder Patron guarding me, I am at ease."

In the next instant, tens of thousands of fifth-rank Star Jade Tablets descended like starlight, instantly activating a pre-prepared array. As four auxiliary breakthrough herbs materialized, Emperor Qian'an's sixth-rank ninth-layer aura surged violently!

(End of Chapter)