Chapter 438: Inheritance and Bluffing

【Congratulations on defeating my illusion at the age of thirty, and earning a True Intent of Seven Killings. From this moment, your status is elevated—you are now my inner disciple.】

【As my inner disciple, you shall receive the Star-Rising and Dip-Spirit Contract.】

As Xu Jin entered the Seven Killings Palace, starlight flickered before his eyes in rapid succession.

A single glance was enough to fill Xu Jin with joy.

Indeed, as he and Marquis Song Song Shoujie had anticipated, becoming an inner disciple granted further transmission.

Amidst the ebbing and flowing starlight, three colossal starlight spirit steles emerged. From afar, the steles appeared chaotic; up close, with focused intent, the exact text of the Star-Rising and Dip-Spirit Contract became clear.

After reading it thoroughly, Xu Jin's heart could only think of one word: Worth it!

Absolutely worth it!

Previously, as a registered disciple, he had received the Five-Element Star-Invoking Ritual, which he abbreviated as Star-Invoking Art.

The most direct effect of Star-Invoking Art was, after establishing a connection with one's destiny star, to draw up to thirty percent of its starlight power, while also granting a thirty percent chance to break through from the peak of the sixth realm's ninth layer to the seventh realm.

It was one percent stronger than the Mingji Star-Invoking Art from the State Academy's transmission.

Do not underestimate this one percent.

Even this one percent in power and breakthrough probability was terrifying.

Emperor Qian'an, after immense effort and great cost, obtained the Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Elixir from Xue Shenzi Fuying—only to raise his breakthrough probability to the seventh realm by a hair over one percent.

Yet now, the mere difference in this cultivation art left Xu Jin stunned.

With the Star-Rising and Dip-Spirit Contract, one could draw up to fifty percent of one's destiny star's starlight power, while the probability of breaking through from the peak of the sixth realm's ninth layer to the seventh realm soared to fifty percent.

Merely by changing the art, its effect far surpassed the Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Elixir.

Compared to the Mingji Star-Invoking Art of Great Chen, its power and breakthrough probability more than doubled.

Two percent versus fifty percent!

It was like earth versus heaven!

With additional advantages, a peak sixth realm ninth layer cultivator might achieve a breakthrough probability exceeding sixty percent.

Combat power would also be greater.

Such a transmission was undoubtedly a supreme treasure.

Marquis Luo Shui's insight was sharp—but whether he could pass this on to Marquis Luo Shui remained uncertain.

The next instant, Xu Jin stilled his thoughts and began deep contemplation.

The Star-Rising and Dip Art was not overly obscure; after roughly one day, Xu Jin grasped its essence and fully understood the fundamental difference between Star-Invoking Art and Star-Linking Art.

In his own words, Star-Invoking Art was like prayer or supplication—sincerity summoned response; but Star-Linking Art bore traces of Star-Invoking Art, yet centered on mutual benefit.

You empower me, and I shall aid you in return.

Its core was the Rising and Dip.

A unique method to return a portion of one's own power to one's destiny star.

Though the return was small, accumulated over time, it became significant.

Conversely, the difficulty was greater.

One foundational requirement for practicing the Star-Rising and Dip-Spirit Contract was to have formed an embryonic Nascent Soul.

Without forming an embryonic Nascent Soul, practice was useless.

If the insights gained from the star stele aided him, Xu Jin's own Nascent Soul was already strong—a bonus for breaking through to the seventh realm. He had long since comprehended the eighth realm's star patterns—another bonus. His star power was immensely vast—yet another bonus.

At that point, Xu Jin's probability of breaking through to the seventh realm might exceed eighty percent.

Overjoyed, Xu Jin continued his contemplation.

The effect of the star steles within the Seven Killings Palace resembled the golden star obtained from the Star-Plucking Tower—immersing Xu Jin's mind in an experiential, immersive state, vastly accelerating comprehension. What would normally take ten days, half a month, or longer to master was nearly complete in one and a half days.

He only regretted that he had not yet raised the Cloud Tower—otherwise, he could have begun cultivation immediately.

But Xu Jin was not in a hurry; he repeatedly sank his mind into the star steles, contemplating and practicing.

While deep in contemplation, Xu Jin suddenly felt a tightening in his chest—a vast, formidable aura had appeared within the Seven Killings Palace.

Turning back, he saw the eighth-rank Jinchu barbarian, Ju Chu Xuan, arrive.

Through his Mingji Star Pattern's perception, Xu Jin's gaze flickered slightly.

Ju Chu Xuan's aura had dropped again.

It had plummeted to early eighth realm—from nearly mid-eighth realm.

This was also a result of their prior battle.

With Ju Chu Xuan's cultivation base diminished, the difficulty of defeating him would also decrease.

Xu Jin's gaze settled on Ju Chu Xuan's golden horn.

The golden horn had been restored, but under the Mingji Star Pattern's perception, a bloodline remained there, not yet fully healed.

Ju Chu Xuan glared fiercely at Xu Jin. "Boy, when I entered, it was already the final moment of the sixth trial of the Seven Killings Realm. Aside from you and me, no one else can pass the sixth trial."

"Now, see who can save you!"

Xu Jin smiled but said nothing, which angered Ju Chu Xuan.

Just as Ju Chu Xuan was about to speak, starlight flashed before them both.

【The sixth trial of the Seven Killings Realm has ended. Two have passed. Quickly contemplate the star steles. In one day, the seventh trial—the final trial—will open.】

More starlight appeared before Ju Chu Xuan—he too had received the inner disciple position and the Star-Linking Art transmission.

Immediately, Ju Chu Xuan sat before one of the star steles and began contemplation. Soon, his expression turned ecstatic!

Worth it!

Absolutely worth it!

Previously, as a registered disciple, the transmission he received was roughly equal to—or even weaker than—the one he obtained from the Sacred Ancestor.

But the Star-Linking Art received after passing the sixth trial was truly extraordinary.

It was one percent stronger than the secret art the Sacred Ancestor had taught him.

If he re-cultivated this art, his combat power would surge again.

He would surpass even the elite of his own tribe by at least one percent.

Do not underestimate this one percent.

This one percent alone would allow him to outshine all his peers and leave them far behind.

He would become the greatest among geniuses!

The next instant, Ju Chu Xuan ignored Xu Jin entirely and became utterly absorbed in contemplating the transmission.

Xu Jin naturally would not fall behind.

On July 11th, as starlight suddenly flickered before him, the star stele before him dissolved into starlight—Xu Jin's contemplation ended.

Not far away, Ju Chu Xuan opened his eyes, still lost in the experience.

【Heaven and Earth are only about struggle; only killing can struggle, only killing can end struggle. Seventh Trial of the Seven Killings: Kill.】

【I shall take one true disciple. Whoever passes the seventh trial of the Seven Killings shall become my true disciple.】

【Slay the other opponent who eliminated you, and you shall earn the right to become my true disciple.】

【At the age of forty, I attained enlightenment on the Dao, then broke through to the ninth realm, advancing relentlessly, using the Path of Killing to directly attain the position of Star Lord.】

【My Path of Killing may only be inherited by the strong.】

【Within the Seven Killings Realm, there stands an illusion of me at the age of forty. To survive ten breaths under his assault grants you the status of my true disciple—you may attempt this up to three times.】

【The seventh trial of the Seven Killings Realm will remain open for forty-nine days.】

【Those who meet the condition within forty-nine days shall become my true disciple and receive my Path of Killing transmission.】

【If no one meets the condition within forty-nine days, the Seven Killings Realm will permanently close, expelling all remaining individuals, awaiting its next opening for a worthy soul.】

A series of starlight characters appeared before Xu Jin—the detailed conditions of the seventh trial.

The moment he finished reading these two conditions, Xu Jin's heart tightened.

This was a true kill-or-be-killed scenario.

Only one person could receive the true transmission—and both conditions had to be met.

Instantly, Xu Jin turned to Ju Chu Xuan.

At the same moment, Ju Chu Xuan turned to Xu Jin, a cruel smile slowly spreading across his face, murderous intent blazing!

"Boy, see how you escape now!"

Xu Jin said nothing. His Thunder Wings emerged, the Fish-Curtain Golden Bell materialized, and he silently watched the light screen above the Seven Killings Palace.

Ju Chu Xuan's body blazed with starlight; lightning-like white radiance coiled around his golden horn, his Star Tower appeared behind him, and starlight descended from the heavens.

Clearly, Ju Chu Xuan had unleashed his full strength to confront Xu Jin.

The next instant, the star curtain above the Seven Killings Palace vanished—mysterious repelling force surged, attempting to expel both from the palace.

Almost simultaneously, thunder erupted—Xu Jin instantly split into eight, dashing in all directions.

As Ju Chu Xuan burst from the Seven Killings Palace, his golden horn unleashed eight streaks of white radiance, instantly obliterating seven of Xu Jin's illusions. At the same moment, Ju Chu Xuan activated his secret art, merging his body with his Star Tower, and shot toward Xu Jin like a meteor.

This burst of speed was astonishing—within mere breaths, he closed the distance to within five hundred meters of Xu Jin, ready to strike.

At that exact moment, Xu Jin's form suddenly slowed.

The Five-Element Divine Thunder he had prepared erupted into a bolt as thick as a water barrel, crashing down upon Ju Chu Xuan's head.

Ju Chu Xuan had been chasing Xu Jin with furious speed.

Seeing the multicolored thunderbolt strike again, he instantly gasped in shock!

Again!

Instantly, Ju Chu Xuan, terrified, unleashed his full defensive power.

The thunder crashed down upon him.

The protective starlight powered by Ju Chu Xuan's full strength wavered but did not dissipate.

Ju Chu Xuan was stunned.

This power was far weaker than the lightning that had previously killed him, reducing his life-saving Golden Ancestor Golden Scale Shield to ashes.

In truth, Ju Chu Xuan had sensed it.

But after being instantly killed, he had been terrified.

Though he sensed it, he dared not gamble.

Only when it struck him did he realize that while the five-colored lightning was strong enough to injure him, it could not kill him.

Ju Chu Xuan's heart suddenly steadied.

In the next instant, Ju Chu Xuan merged once more with the Star Tower and chased after Xu Jin.

Meanwhile, Xu Jin had used that moment to flee another several kilometers.

After more than ten breaths of pursuit and escape, Ju Chu Xuan closed the distance again.

This time, Xu Jin suddenly stopped.

A smile curled on Ju Chu Xuan's lips—he assumed this Qi Tian Sheng was bluffing again, feigning a full defense, yet his body never paused.

In the next instant, ice-blue starlight poured down from high above, crashing down upon him!

Simultaneously, the five-colored lightning struck again.

The terrifying ice-starlight and five-colored lightning struck in succession, instantly shocking Ju Chu Xuan.

He was nearly terrified out of his wits.

He thought history was about to repeat itself.

For before, Qi Tian Sheng had used precisely this method to kill him instantly.

First, he had frozen him in place with ice power, then obliterated him with the five-colored lightning.

This time, it was identical!

The last round had killed him outright.

And back then, he still had the Sacred Ancestor's Golden Scale Shield to save his life.

But now, his life-saving items were almost entirely depleted.

The humans are so damn treacherous!

Just as Ju Chu Xuan's heart sank, the ice-starlight struck—but shattered and scattered rapidly under the impact of his pure white starlight.

Ju Chu Xuan was stunned.

The power was vastly inferior!

This same ice-starlight was nowhere near as powerful as the ice-starlight that had previously frozen him in place.

That time, the ice-starlight had injured his spiritual soul and immobilized him completely.

But this time, it lacked any spiritual soul damage, and its ice power was far weaker—he could shatter it with his own starlight!

The power difference was astronomical.

It couldn't trap him!

Yet, because he was startled and focused entirely on defense, he still took a direct, full hit from the Five Elements Divine Thunder.

The protective starlight Ju Chu Xuan fully activated rippled violently—but ultimately did not break.

Another bluff!

The ice-starlight was also completely shattered by Ju Chu Xuan's burst of starlight.

Ju Chu Xuan first roared in fury, then burst into joy.

This human had run out of tricks!

He had used the same killing technique—but it was all bluster!

That's more like it!

Everyone has treasures bestowed by their sect!

Ju Chu Xuan had one too!

The Sacred Ancestor's Golden Scale Shield could save his life even against a late-stage eighth-rank powerhouse!

But such a treasure—he possessed only one.

The method Qi Tian Sheng used to kill him before was surely external power, granted by a senior sect elder.

By now, it was completely exhausted.

With this, Ju Chu Xuan felt at ease.

Now, all he needed was to catch up to Qi Tian Sheng, spend some time, and kill him.

Then, he could slowly fulfill the other condition.

Ultimately, the true transmission of the Seven Kill True Lord would surely be his!

The inheritance of a direct disciple was this precious.

Then how powerful would the true transmission of the Seven Kill True Lord be?

If he obtained it, he might even ascend to become the strongest in his clan!

With anticipation, Ju Chu Xuan merged once more with the Star Tower, instantly transforming into a meteor and speeding after him.

Though Qi Tian Sheng had fled several kilometers during this time, Ju Chu Xuan would catch up within no more than fifteen breaths.

Eighteen breaths later, Ju Chu Xuan chased relentlessly and finally caught up to Xu Jin again.

Gradually, he closed the distance to within five hundred meters—close enough to strike.

Suddenly, a flash of starlight appeared before him—and his target vanished!

Vanished into thin air!

Ju Chu Xuan froze.

How could this be possible!

But in the next instant, Ju Chu Xuan realized.

The Seven Kill Dragon Stake!

That Qi Tian Sheng must have used the Seven Kill Dragon Stake to escape.

And his Seven Kill Dragon Stake could only be deployed along the path he had come.

Ju Chu Xuan instantly turned back and searched the route he had come.

Half an hour later, Ju Chu Xuan swept his spiritual sense all the way to the vicinity of the Seven Kill Palace—still no sign of Xu Jin.

As if he had vanished completely!

This made Ju Chu Xuan frown deeply.

Then, Ju Chu Xuan rose into the sky, stepping on starlight, pouring star force into his eyes, his gaze blazing like lightning as he scanned all directions.

Ju Chu Xuan tried to locate Xu Jin by scanning for suspicious starlight from above.

After searching the surrounding area for over half an hour, he found nothing.

"This human isn't just cunning—he's also a master at fleeing for his life!"

"But I wonder how long you can keep hiding."

"When the forty-nine-day deadline arrives, you'll still be mine to kill!" Ju Chu Xuan sneered helplessly.

Though he thought this, Ju Chu Xuan still did not give up.

After searching desperately for most of the day, he finally, reluctantly, found a place to retreat and heal his injuries.

He couldn't find the man, but he couldn't delay challenging the Seven Kill True Lord's illusion!

Before the challenge, he had to restore his condition to peak.

(End of Chapter)