Chapter 431: Harvest and the Speed of War

With the Wanlian Hanxing Pearl in hand, Xu Jin immediately sank his spiritual sense into it, wondering if it was one of those items cultivable by spiritual sense.

His spiritual sense swept in, but found only the pure Wanlian Hanxing Pearl, with no spiritual sense embedded.

So it seemed anyone could use it.

Merely sensing it, Xu Jin was startled.

The ice-star force within was vast as an ocean.

But more astonishing was the deepest blue star force at its core—dense, concentrated, and terrifying.

Xu Jin's spiritual sense merely touched it briefly.

Whoosh!

A chilling cold surged straight into his skull, making him feel frozen.

Within the Upper Star Palace, the Yuan Spirit radiated brilliant light, and the Zhenyi Stele blazed with starlight.

Xu Jin was greatly alarmed.

This ice force could affect the spiritual soul.

No wonder Lord Song Shoujie of Luoshui and Headmaster Dong Zhao had both been severely wounded by Zhang Lin.

No wonder Zhang Lin treated this as his ultimate treasure.

Had he not accumulated vast experience from guarding corpses, and seized that fleeting moment of advantage,

If Zhang Lin had launched this at him, the outcome would have been uncertain.

Especially this core force—it could injure the spiritual soul.

Even he, Xu Jin, if caught off guard, would be taken by surprise.

This item could severely wound anyone below the eighth realm.

Even an eighth-realm cultivator, if struck, would suffer greatly.

Yet in the instant his mind sank into it, the stars on Xu Jin's Can Dou Platform flickered faintly.

A subtle thought stirred—he immediately realized this Wanlian Hanxing Pearl could be nurtured.

In the next instant, he stored the Wanlian Hanxing Pearl inside the Can Dou Platform, placing it within one of the star lamps.

This Wanlian Hanxing Pearl was extremely fierce, its coldness oppressive, monopolizing an entire star lamp.

As he placed it inside, Xu Jin even sensed starlight draining from the Can Dou Platform into the lamp.

He knew that previously, when nurturing elixirs, though some star force was consumed, the amount was minimal—the Can Dou Platform drew sufficient star force from outside.

But this Wanlian Hanxing Pearl demanded additional star force from the Can Dou Platform itself.

Xu Jin regarded thoughtfully the seven law stars enveloping the Can Dou Platform.

Ice was a water attribute.

His water law star had already reached the fifth realm.

If it participated in the nurturing, then—

In the next instant, as Xu Jin activated the Can Dou Platform, the blue water law star descended directly onto the Wanlian Hanxing Pearl, its radiance illuminating it; within moments, strands of starlight flowed into the pearl, its aura noticeably strengthened.

It could be nurtured!

But what was its upper limit?

This was a treasure capable of severely wounding seventh-realm cultivators—and even injuring eighth-realm ones.

In the next instant, as the Mingji Star Pattern swept through, Xu Jin immediately located Zhang Lin's miniature space.

Carefully drawing it out, he sank his mind into it and began searching.

Over three thousand fifth-realm star jade tablets, over two hundred sixth-realm star jade tablets—suddenly, Xu Jin's pupils contracted sharply.

Seventh-realm star jade tablets—this fellow had three of them!

This was the first time Xu Jin had ever seen a seventh-realm star jade tablet.

Big spender.

This guy was definitely a big spender!

Four vials of Longgui Dampower Elixir!

In the next instant, Xu Jin's pupils contracted again.

He discovered nine jade boxes sealed with multiple layers of prohibitions—five were empty, the other four contained fifth-realm spiritual herbs: Century Yin Spirit Crystal.

In an instant, Xu Jin understood.

Extravagant.

No wonder he was the top genius of the Tianyang Star Temple.

This fifth-realm spiritual herb, which aids breakthroughs to the fifth realm and the formation of the Yuan Spirit, this fellow used it daily to enhance his spiritual soul's cultivation.

Truly extravagant!

Just these items alone were a massive haul—though not quite wealth rivaling a nation, it was more than most would amass in a lifetime.

He found over twenty star emblems, a few fifth- and sixth-realm ones—likely stockpiled, useless.

But for survival, he had five space-translocation emblems.

Their ranks varied, from mid-fifth to high-sixth realm.

Instantaneous teleportation distances ranged from two hundred to six hundred li.

This guy was extremely cautious about his life.

But now, they all fell to Xu Jin.

After scouring Zhang Lin's miniature space, Xu Jin found only one other Wanlian Hanxing Pearl.

And this one differed from the previous.

This Wanlian Hanxing Pearl was ordinary—its core lacked the terrifying ice force capable of injuring the spiritual soul.

But its power was still strong—when activated, it matched the power of a mid-seventh-realm item.

Roughly equal to the power of the high-sixth-realm emblem Xu Jin had nurtured.

But this one could also be nurtured.

Xu Jin placed it alongside the other into the Can Dou Platform's star lamp, letting the water law star illuminate and nurture it.

In the future, this too would become one of Xu Jin's survival treasures.

Elsewhere in Zhang Lin's miniature space, Xu Jin found some star jade tablets and cultivation notes—all detailing insights into water and ice star force cultivation.

Yet not a single star jade tablet related to ice star arts or star patterns was found.

This was normal—major factions tightly controlled such knowledge.

He also collected several sixth-realm star artifacts, valuable items he kept.

He had truly grown rich.

Then, Xu Jin merely unleashed star force; within a dozen breaths, he fully enveloped the fire divine truth with his own energy, imprinting a trace of his own aura, making it safe to store in the miniature space.

Once stored, even if killed, it wouldn't be looted—upon resurrection, it could be retrieved from the Seven Kill Secret Realm.

But if truly slain and the miniature space forcibly extracted, it would still be lost.

Suddenly, two streaks of starlight arrived from afar, one following the other.

Xu Jin, alert, recognized them as Lord Luoshui and Dong Zhao, having escaped.

Lord Luoshui's body still glowed faintly green—he was healing himself with a Star Healing Emblem; his severed arm was nearly restored.

Seeing Xu Jin standing motionless, Lord Luoshui Song Shoujie was startled: "Where's Zhang Lin? Did you lose the fire divine truth?"

"No loss!"

Xu Jin immediately revealed the fire divine truth; Lord Luoshui Song Shoujie relaxed, and Dong Zhao sighed in relief.

"Where's Zhang Lin?" Lord Luoshui asked curiously.

"Dead."

"Killed by you?" Lord Luoshui was shocked. "That shouldn't be possible—even if you could kill him once, Zhang Lin would never let himself be so easily—"

He broke off mid-sentence, his pupils contracting sharply—he saw the corpse.

Not far away lay a body shattered into pieces, its attire unmistakably Zhang Lin's.

This was a complete annihilation of Zhang Lin!

"You killed him?" Even Lord Luoshui, commander of an army and famed for his composure, was shaken.

He knew better than anyone how elusive Zhang Lin was.

He and Dong Zhao had nearly been killed by Zhang Lin.

Yet this Qi Tian Sheng had slain Zhang Lin.

Precisely speaking, he had slain Zhang Lin at least three times.

Dong Zhao was also stunned.

He knew Xu Jin was strong.

He knew Xu Jin could stand against Zhang Lin—he firmly believed that.

But to kill Zhang Lin.

And kill him three times in succession—completely erase him!

This power!

It had once again shattered his understanding.

In the Lingwu Star Region, Dong Zhao had thought Xu Jin strong, but still slightly inferior to him; during the Nine Star Tide, he thought Xu Jin's strength equaled his own, Kexi he died in battle; before the final stages of the Seven Kill Secret Realm, he thought Xu Jin's insight and talent far surpassed his own, but his actual strength only slightly greater;

When Xu Jin rescued him and Lord Luoshui, Dong Zhao had merely thought Xu Jin slightly stronger than him.

But now, Dong Zhao suddenly felt Xu Jin's strength wasn't just slightly greater—it was vastly superior. Standing before Xu Jin, for an instant, the man before him seemed to tower above him, demanding his reverence.

In the astonished gazes of Dong Zhao and Marquis Song Shoujie, Xu Jin gave a slight nod.

Dong Zhao was composed, but Marquis Song's face changed instantly. "How did you manage that?"

Marquis Song had intended to challenge him, but the words caught in his throat—he felt it inappropriate, so he rephrased his question.

No one helped Xu Jin in this Seven Kill Secret Realm.

"A secret."

Marquis Song: "..."

Watching Marquis Song's frustration, Xu Jin felt somewhat satisfied—the resentment he'd felt from being outright dismissed by Marquis Song had lessened slightly.

But regardless, with this achievement, Marquis Song Shoujie would no longer regard Xu Jin as a mere fifth-rank cultivator.

Whatever the secret, if he could slay Zhang Lin, he could slay Marquis Song too.

Marquis Song Shoujie now regarded Xu Jin as an equal.

"What are your plans for this Fire Divine Dao Essence?" Marquis Song Shoujie suddenly asked.

"Take it back to the State Master," Xu Jin said without hesitation.

He already possessed the Thunder Divine Dao Essence; this Fire one naturally belonged to the State Master.

Moreover, there were three other Divine Dao Essences—he wanted to try, to see if he could snatch one or two more, especially the Earth one.

"That's certain! But what I mean is, how do we handle it now? You don't plan to wait until the Seven Kill Secret Realm ends before returning it to the State Master, do you?"

As he asked, Marquis Song analyzed: "Five Divine Dao Essences—no one knows where the others are—but currently, six top-tier eighth-rank cultivators exist. It's impossible for each to claim one."

Those who fail to obtain one, or whose sect members die—

Will likely shamelessly wait at the Seven Kill Secret Realm's Star Gate.

If only one person waits, fine.

The State Master can handle it.

But if two factions conspire—or even three!

Then it won't just be difficult—it could spark a bloody war.

Especially the Vajra Palace, which has long been at odds with our Chen Guo. Now, it's certain the Vajra Palace and the Heavenly Sun Star Temple will not obtain any Divine Dao Essence.

The likelihood of these two joining forces is high.

So we must arrange this in advance.

Race against time!"

What Marquis Song said made perfect sense.

Dong Zhao and Xu Jin both turned to him and asked, "How do you propose we proceed?"

Marquis Song had risen to lead an army in just over a decade—he was exceptionally skilled in strategy; his opinion must be heard.

"Speed is paramount in warfare!

One of us must return immediately with the Divine Dao Essence and deliver it swiftly to the State Master.

Whether or not the State Master breaks through soon, as long as this artifact is in his hands, we're safe!" said Marquis Song.

"How do we send it?"

As Dong Zhao spoke, he instantly understood Marquis Song's plan.

"Who will carry it? Once we decide, we can notify the State Master to meet us—we've already made prior arrangements," said Dong Zhao.

"I can't."

Marquis Song immediately ruled himself out. "First, I still want to try my luck—see if I can obtain another Divine Dao Essence and gain further Seven Kill inheritance.

Second, if I leave, I'll be immediately transported to the Star River Battlefield's Star Gate.

To transport this Fire Divine Dao Essence from the Star River Battlefield to the mortal realm, it would take me at least two and a half days.

Two and a half days is more than enough for major powers in the mortal realm to mobilize forces to intercept me.

It might even trigger a world war!

Only one of you two can carry it—it'll be easier for the State Master to meet you."

Hearing this, Xu Jin felt a flush of shame.

Just moments ago, Xu Jin had wondered whether Marquis Song intended to use the task of returning the Fire Divine Dao Essence as an excuse to keep it for himself.

He'd misjudged him entirely.

Marquis Song's reasoning was perfectly sound.

"You're faster than me and stronger in combat—you're the better choice," said Dong Zhao.

The logic was sound, but Xu Jin didn't want to go.

He still wanted to obtain further Seven Kill True Lord inheritance.

"Master, you go. I want to try again," Xu Jin said, gazing toward the Seven Kill Palace—his meaning was clear.

Xu Jin still sought further Seven Kill True Lord inheritance.

"I can go, but I won't have your confidence. Still, with the State Master waiting, it shouldn't be a problem. Should I contact him now?" said Dong Zhao.

When Dong Zhao and Marquis Song Shoujie arrived, each had brought an emergency contact talisman linked to the State Master.

"Agreed."

Xu Jin and Marquis Song both nodded in agreement.

Then Dong Zhao drew forth the Parent-Child Demon Talisman and activated it; soon, the transmission was complete.

"The State Master has received the alert—he'll come to meet me. I'll now refine and store it in my Vajra Space."

Then Dong Zhao began activating the Fire Star Talisman, re-fusing and refining the Fire Divine Dao Essence.

This refinement was only preliminary—just enough to make storage in the Vajra Space convenient.

Xu Jin had refined his previous essence in just ten breaths; Dong Zhao took a full half-hour to seal the Fire Divine Dao Essence into his Vajra Space.

The moment he finished, Dong Zhao opened his eyes and said, "I'm leaving—who will escort me out?"

As Marquis Song moved to act, Xu Jin stepped forward and handed Dong Zhao four talismans.

"I've got some!"

"Space-Shift Talismans—keep them as backups. You can never have too many."

As Xu Jin spoke aloud, he secretly whispered, "Master, two of these talismans conceal your aura. If danger arises, use the Space-Shift Talisman first, then the concealment one—you should evade capture."

Those two concealment talismans were sixth-rank stealth talismans Xu Jin had crafted himself.

Now, he could make them himself.

Their effect was extraordinary.

Especially since they'd been nurtured.

At this moment, for the safety of the Fire Divine Dao Essence, Xu Jin revealed them to others for the first time!

The next instant, Marquis Song struck—a palm blow shattered Dong Zhao's body into starlight.

He sent Dong Zhao away instantly.

This allowed Dong Zhao to exit the Seven Kill Secret Realm swiftly.

"Younger Brother Qi, what are your plans now?" At this moment, Marquis Song's address to Xu Jin had changed—he now called him "younger brother" with warmth!

Clearly, Marquis Song was actively drawing closer to Xu Jin.

"I plan to try my luck again. I won't travel with you, but if I run into danger, I'll send a warning—please lend me your aid then," said Xu Jin.

"Naturally."

No alliance, but mutual watchfulness.

Song Shoujie understood Xu Jin's meaning.

Mostly because traveling together was troublesome.

If another Divine Dao Essence was found, whose would it be?

It might turn allies into enemies!

The next instant, the two split in opposite directions, stepping upon starlight.

As Xu Jin surged toward the direction of the Earth Divine Dao Essence, he immediately pulled out the bronze mandarin duck seal.

Originally, this mandarin duck seal had been used by the Blood God Disciple and Emperor Gan'an for one-way communication.

Later, to facilitate operations, the Blood God Disciple gave his half of the mandarin duck seal to Xu Jin.

After killing Emperor Gan'an, Xu Jin retrieved the other half from the emperor's Vajra Space and gave it to the State Master, enabling emergency contact between them.

This mandarin duck seal could transmit messages directly—far superior to the Parent-Child Demon Talisman, which could only issue alerts.

While flying, Xu Jin immediately sent a message to the State Master via the mandarin duck seal, explaining the situation and potential dangers!

Soon, Xu Jin's mandarin duck seal received a reply from the State Master.

【Good. I'm setting out with Peng Lao to meet you immediately.】

(End of Chapter)