Chapter 435

To be honest, the Marquis of Luoshui offered Xu Jin a condition he could not refuse.

But this condition required a Great Dao Oath sworn with the soul.

It had to be sincere.

This greatly reduced the difficulty of Xu Jin passing the sixth trial.

Especially with the added stipulation that his life would not be endangered—Xu Jin found this highly acceptable.

"With Brother Song's help, I have an eighty to ninety percent chance of passing the sixth trial, becoming a direct disciple of the Seventh Kill True Person, and obtaining the further inheritance."

"But Brother must understand."

"Whether when we received the Seventh Kill Dragon Stake or the Five Elemental Star Invocation Scripture, there were soul seals prohibiting external transmission."

"So I suspect the further inheritance will carry similar restrictions."

"Brother, rest assured—I anticipated this."

"That's precisely why I emphasized the condition that your life won't be endangered," said the Marquis of Luoshui.

"In that case, I couldn't ask for better!" Xu Jin bowed and smiled.

"Come, let's move farther away first, then Brother, please swear the Great Dao Oath." The Marquis of Luoshui chuckled.

"Please."

At this stage, Xu Jin had not yet established the Cloud Tower; he could only summon his Yuan Spirit to swear the Great Dao Oath, whose binding power was extremely weak.

But this applied only to cultivators with no sincere pursuit of the Dao or limited future potential.

For a genius like Xu Jin, even the slightest influence from a Great Dao Oath was of immense concern, let alone its full binding force.

The long-term consequences would be enormous.

Thus, as long as Xu Jin was willing to swear the oath, the Marquis of Luoshui, Song Shoujie, felt perfectly at ease.

After distancing themselves from the Seventh Kill Palace and Ju Xuan, Xu Jin, as the Marquis requested, summoned his Yuan Spirit and swore the Great Dao Oath.

"Brother, do you have a battle plan for dealing with Ju Xuan?" Xu Jin asked proactively.

"Brother, are you in a hurry? Do you need to rush?" The Marquis of Luoshui replied with a question.

"In a hurry?"

Xu Jin shook his head. "My only goal right now is to obtain the further inheritance of the Seventh Kill True Person—I'm in no rush at all."

"To be frank, although I'm at mid-seventh realm, I possess the combat power to challenge an ordinary eighth realm."

"But Ju Xuan is no ordinary eighth realm."

"He is an eighth realm cultivator who, with peerless talent, has refined himself step by step to the most perfect state possible."

"From my observation, his combat power far exceeds that of even ordinary late eighth realm cultivators."

"I, unworthy as I am, wish to use Ju Xuan's strength to measure myself."

"If you're not in a hurry, there are still twenty-nine days until the end of the Seventh Kill Secret Realm's sixth trial."

"I intend to spend twenty-eight days fully healing my injuries and bringing my state to peak condition."

"Then I will challenge Ju Xuan."

"I still have two death-replacement opportunities."

"I can fight consecutively until death!"

"I will surely create an opening for you to break out of the Seventh Kill Palace."

"And I myself will engage in a full-power battle against one of the world's top eighth realm cultivators, discovering my own shortcomings," said the Marquis of Luoshui, Song Shoujie.

"Perfect!"

Xu Jin readily agreed.

In truth, even if the Marquis of Luoshui hadn't spoken, Xu Jin had already thought the same.

Twenty-eight days, if used for cultivation, would allow Xu Jin's power to surge dramatically.

And Xu Jin's power was currently rising at high speed.

Even if Ju Xuan had partially recovered, Xu Jin's improvement would far surpass his.

Moreover, Xu Jin's advancement was highly unconventional—he had absolute confidence in this.

"Then let's each find a secluded place to cultivate in this vast Seventh Kill Secret Realm. We'll reunite here in twenty-eight days."

After speaking, Song Shoujie glanced toward the Qisha Palace and handed Xu Jin two alert talismans: "If Ju Xuan leaves the palace gate to pursue you, my younger brother can activate the talisman, and I will arrive instantly."

"Thank you, Brother."

Then the two parted ways, each seeking a secluded place to cultivate.

As the Marquis of Luoshui said, the Seventh Kill Secret Realm was extremely vast, its boundaries still unexplored, yet safe places for cultivation could be found freely.

Even if Ju Xuan wished to hunt them down, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Xu Jin didn't fly far—just two or three thousand li from the Seventh Kill Palace—and found a natural cave, tidied it up slightly, and began cultivating.

Twenty-eight days was more than enough time.

Xu Jin's first step was to raise his cultivation base.

Currently at early fifth realm, third sub-level, and having already challenged the Star-Picking Trial of fifth realm, third sub-level,

Xu Jin could raise his cultivation all the way to the peak of fifth realm, fourth sub-level.

But this was also one of his current dilemmas.

The Golden Stars and Brilliant Stars were crucial.

If his cultivation broke through to fifth realm, fifth sub-level or even sixth sub-level, he would lose several Golden and Brilliant Stars—he was unwilling to do that.

At present, raising his cultivation by two sub-levels would significantly boost his combat power.

But it would still be insufficient to challenge Ju Xuan.

Xu Jin planned to enhance his strength through other means.

Yet before retrieving the Pure Pearl to begin cultivation, his gaze turned to the Star-Picking Tower's sub-tower beneath his Yuan Spirit in the Upper Star Palace.

A wildly bold idea had long lingered in his mind, yet he had never dared to try it.

Since his Master had given him the Star-Picking Tower sub-tower and instructed him to assimilate and store it, he had never used it.

No opportunity, and he dared not use it.

Using it would invite endless trouble.

And aside from serving as a mobile fortress, it had no other use.

But that was before.

Now, circumstances had changed.

First, Xu Jin was now an Silver-Rank Authority Holder of the Star-Picking Tower, possessing the right to control the sub-tower—and even the right to apply for constructing the main tower.

Second, for this sub-tower to function, it must be integrated under an existing main tower.

Xu Jin understood this as "connecting to the network."

Previously, he had dared not.

He dared not apply to join any Star-Picking Tower main tower.

Even the main tower of Chen Guo had been too dangerous to integrate with.

Because the Chen Guo main tower had once been heavily influenced by the imperial palace.

Emperor Qian'an had been a sieve.

But now, Emperor Qian'an was gone. Xu Jin himself had gained partial authority over the Chen Guo main tower and, with the State Tutor's aid, could suppress all dissent.

Thus, exposing this sub-tower to the network posed no problem.

This idea had been stirring within him recently.

Now, Xu Jin worried only whether this sub-tower could connect to the Chen Guo main tower within the Seventh Kill Secret Realm.

Whether it could or not—testing it would reveal the truth.

But now was not yet the time to act.

The last time his Master had deployed or retrieved the Star-Picking Tower, the disturbance had been immense.

If the Marquis of Luoshui sensed it, Xu Jin wasn't worried—but if Ju Xuan sensed it, trouble would follow.

The Star-Picking Tower sub-tower was a perfect target.

He still needed to wait for the right moment.

"First, cultivate."

The next instant, Xu Jin activated his spiritual sense and began absorbing the pure star force from the sixth realm Pure Pearl—his cultivation base rose visibly and rapidly.

In the present world, the Cangming Star Palace. Seeing his disciple Ye Feng return severely wounded, the Cangming Star Jun wore a grim expression.

He had already learned that only one of his disciples, a seventh realm cultivator, had reached the sixth trial.

Yet he had held great hope that Ye Feng would obtain the Divine Dao Essence.

As the saying goes: the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

Now, hearing Ye Feng's report of failure, the Cangming Star Jun's disappointment was unimaginable.

The Divine Dao Essence to break through to ninth realm—so close, yet slipped away!

The feeling was agonizing.

Especially since five Divine Dao Essences existed—if others obtained them and broke through to ninth realm while he remained stuck, that would be unbearable.

Yet the Cangming Star Jun could not blame his disciple Ye Feng.

Ye Feng had nearly secured the Earth-element Divine Dao Essence when Ju Xuan, an eighth realm alien, intervened, killing him twice. Even if he returned to fight, it would only mean certain death.

Frustrated beyond words, he still had to comfort his disciple Ye Feng.

At the same time, he had to comfort his disciple Ye Feng, his heart clogged with despair.

He also bestowed upon him a protective Seven-Star Spirit Armor and numerous spirit herbs before allowing the disciple Ye Feng to leave.

During his battle with Ju Xuan, Ye Feng's Seven-Star Spirit Armor had long since shattered.

Afterwards, the Star Lord of Cangming simply waited in silence.

After waiting nearly half an hour, Huang Kejia, the Seventh Elder in charge of intelligence at the Cangming Star Hall, hurriedly arrived, paid his respects, and got straight to the point.

"My Lord, latest intelligence: Chen Guo's State Master Cheng Yuexiao, along with the Lord of Xumi Palace, Luo Xian, and the Lord of Muling Palace, Chi Lei, engaged in a fierce battle deep within the Great Green Mountain of Chen Guo's Jinshan Commandery.

Zhuang Zhifei, the Second Elder of Xumi Palace and a Gao Jie-level powerhouse, was slain!"

The Star Lord of Cangming's expression changed sharply. "Are you certain? Cheng Yuexiao, after leaving Wan Yi, managed to kill Zhuang Zhifei, a Gao Jie early-stage powerhouse, while under siege by Luo Xian and Chi Lei?

Has Cheng Yuexiao become this strong?"

"My Lord, it was likely sequential combat, not a simultaneous siege."

"But even sequential combat is formidable enough!

This proves Cheng Yuexiao's true combat power has far surpassed Luo Xian, who is also at Gao Jie peak.

What elixir did Cheng Yuexiao take?

How could his strength have risen so rapidly in just half a year?

He hasn't even broken through to the Ninth Realm, has he?"

As the Star Lord of Cangming pondered, he suddenly realized and shuddered. "Why did they fight deep within the Great Green Mountain? Was it for the Divine Dao Truth?"

"Indeed!

Both Xumi Palace and Muling Palace have already made it public.

They claim a Chen Guo elite has obtained a Divine Dao Truth!" said Seventh Elder Huang Kejia.

"Where is this Chen Guo elite now?" Clearly, the Star Lord of Cangming was intrigued—but he also harbored deeper thoughts.

Seventh Elder Huang Kejia looked ashamed. "My Lord, before I received this intelligence, this Chen Guo elite had already been escorted back to Wan Yi by Cheng Yuexiao!"

Upon hearing this, the Star Lord of Cangming slumped back in his seat, his face filled with disappointment.

Once Cheng Yuexiao returned to Wan Yi, it became his home ground.

Previously, it might have required three top Gao Jie-level experts working together to succeed.

But based on today's intelligence, even three top Gao Jie-level experts might not succeed.

Moreover, there is only one Divine Dao Truth—three Gao Jie-level experts could never cooperate sincerely; they would only scheme against each other.

Therefore, this Divine Dao Truth is already beyond reach!

"Any other news?"

"My Lord, the Zhen'e Star Hall has dispatched the Zhen'e Star Lord himself to retrieve two participating disciples—it appears they also recovered a Divine Dao Truth."

"Even Zhen'e has one?"

This made the Star Lord of Cangming anxious. "What about the other three? What of Tianyang?"

"My Lord, so far, the Tianyang Star Lord has not moved at all. According to intelligence, only Zhang Lin from the Tianyang Star Hall entered the Sixth Gate, but Zhang Lin has not emerged yet," said Huang Kejia.

"That means the Tianyang Star Hall has not obtained a Divine Dao Truth, nor has Muling Palace. Xumi Palace has already lost all hope!

Three remain!

Within the Qisha Secret Realm, there are still three!"

"My Lord, according to consolidated intelligence from all sides, the Jinzhu barbarian Ju Xuan has acquired at least two Divine Dao Truths."

"Two? So only one remains for others to fight over?"

Upon this realization, the Star Lord of Cangming's emotions grew complex. He suddenly said, "The only chance now is to vigilantly monitor every Star Gate in the Qisha Secret Realm—anyone who emerges must be pursued and interrogated with full force!"

"Yes! I will arrange it immediately."

After Seventh Elder Huang Kejia departed, the Star Lord of Cangming wore a worried expression. Monitoring the Star Gates might help.

But what if the remaining Divine Dao Truths were all taken by the Jinzhu barbarian Ju Xuan?

Although barbarians cannot refine the Divine Dao Truths granted by their ancestral masters,

what if someone of higher stature intervened and claimed them after Ju Xuan took them back?

Then the trouble would be immense!

At this thought, the Star Lord of Cangming felt a faint resentment.

Why didn't our Ancestral Master simply bestow the Divine Dao Truths upon us directly, so we could break through immediately?

Now, if the Jinzhu barbarians truly take them away,

the trouble will be truly immense!

In the Tianyang Star Hall, the Tianyang Star Lord sat expressionless upon his throne.

Sixth Elder Xia Zhong, in charge of intelligence, stood bowed before him, daring not to breathe.

According to the latest intelligence, Chen Guo obtained one, the Zhen'e Star Hall obtained one, while the Cangming Star Hall, Xumi Palace, and Muling Palace all gained nothing.

The Gao Jie barbarian Ju Xuan seized two, and one remains unaccounted for.

That final one is most likely in the hands of his disciple, Zhang Lin.

Yet, the Tianyang Star Lord had used an emergency link to contact Zhang Lin, urging him to withdraw and return the Divine Dao Truth so he could meet him.

But Zhang Lin gave no response.

This gave the Tianyang Star Lord a bad feeling.

Yet he also found it unlikely.

He cared deeply for this disciple.

Previously, in his spare time, he had spent considerable effort personally enhancing two of Zhang Lin's Ten-Thousand Refinement Cold-Star Pearls.

With these two Ten-Thousand Refinement Cold-Star Pearls, even the Gao Jie barbarian Ju Xuan could be slain—they would ensure his survival.

There should be no accident.

For a moment, the Tianyang Star Lord's heart raced.

He hoped his beloved disciple Zhang Lin had obtained a Divine Dao Truth, feeling a quiet anticipation.

Yet he also feared his disciple had met with misfortune and lost the Divine Dao Truth.

Honestly, he hadn't felt such anxiety over gain or loss in many years!

But now, he could only wait!

Wait until the Qisha Secret Realm ended, and all would be revealed.

Raid Wan Yi?

That was Cheng Yuexiao's home ground.

Two or three factions weren't enough; a coalition of four would only scheme against each other. As soon as any advantage appeared, their own side would turn on itself.

After all, there was only one Divine Dao Truth!

Crucially, the Tianyang Star Lord still held out hope.

Inside Xumi Palace, the Lord of Muling Palace and the severely wounded Lord of Xumi Palace sat face-to-face in secret council.

"If Cheng Yuexiao, a Gao Jie peak, is this terrifying, what will happen when he breaks through to the Ninth Realm?

We must find a way to stop him!

Why not ally with the Tianyang Star Lord and the Cangming Star Lord? Let all four of us storm Wan Yi together?

We can afford to sacrifice a few Gao Jie-level experts!" proposed the Lord of Xumi Palace.

The Lord of Muling Palace glanced at him. "Lord Luo, first tell me how much strength you can contribute—I need to calculate."

The Lord of Xumi Palace paused for a few breaths. "My Yuanling is severely injured; even the fastest recovery will take over twenty days. Currently, Xumi Palace can still field one Gao Jie mid-stage Elder and one Gao Jie late-stage Elder."

He spoke only half his sentence before falling silent under the Lord of Muling Palace's cold gaze.

If he didn't go, how could they possibly launch a four-party assault?

Wan Yi is Cheng Yuexiao's home ground.

Without four top Gao Jie-level experts working in perfect unison, it cannot be taken!

Even achieving such unity among four top Gao Jie-level experts was already their greatest challenge.

Yet now, they couldn't even gather four top Gao Jie-level experts.

How could they possibly solve the greatest problem?

In other words, this path was closed.

They must now focus on the whereabouts of the other Divine Dao Truths.

After all, only two are truly claimed!

(End of Chapter)