Chapter 471: Breaching and Sudden Internal and External Crisis

The Western Sea Province Branch of the Lord Tianyang Star Hall.

Due to the mourning period of Chen Guo, Branch Master Wang Qing had sealed the branch seven days ago, banning all entry and exit.

But to avoid provoking Chen Guo, the security remained outwardly lax yet inwardly tight, and the protective array had not been activated.

It wasn't that they feared Chen Guo would take action.

The Star Hall's high command had already analyzed this issue—it was highly unlikely.

But an empire never lacks passionate youths.

If some passionate youth from Chen Guo, inflamed with rage, incited a mob to storm the branch, that would be a real problem.

In such a scenario, killing them would escalate the situation; any conflict sparked at this moment would be unpredictable.

Not killing them would be even worse.

Hence, the branch had been sealed early.

But as Chen Guo's mourning period neared its end, Branch Master Wang Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing had happened so far; just hold on for another day or two, and this matter would be over.

Suddenly, Branch Master Wang Qing's Zhaixing Command Token flashed with starlight repeatedly.

All were urgent starlight messages.

He sank his mind into them, glanced once, and his face changed.

Each one was an emergency report from the spies he had dispatched.

【Master, the Xihai Province Star Patrol Guards have suddenly launched an attack and are heading straight for the branch.】

【Master, the elite of the Chen Guo Imperial Academy's Xihai Province Branch have fully mobilized and are advancing toward the branch.】

Wang Qing shot to his feet; the moment he looked up, he saw thousands of starlights surging toward the branch—he panicked instantly.

"Deputy Master Ma, activate the branch protective array!"

At the same moment, Branch Master Wang Qing immediately reported the emergency to the main hall and requested reinforcements!

He completed all of this in a single breath.

"Follow me! Form battle lines!"

The next instant, Branch Master Wang Qing leapt into the stars, leading over a thousand elite branch warriors already assembled, rushing toward the front of the branch.

Once the branch array activated, with the vast reserves of Star Jade Tablets stored here, even if a seventh-rank opponent arrived, combined with their forces, they could hold for one or two hours.

Within one or two hours, reinforcements from the main hall would surely arrive.

He had full confidence in the main hall's strength.

In barely an instant, Master Wang Qing led over a thousand elites to form battle lines before the branch.

In the distance, Chen Guo's Xihai Province elite had already reached a thousand meters.

But Wang Qing wasn't afraid at all.

Once the array activated, they'd be safe for the short term.

Eight hundred meters.

Five hundred meters!

The Chen Guo elite were about to launch their assault—why hadn't the protective array risen?

Startled, Wang Qing no longer had time to shout orders—he instantly flashed sideways, dashing straight toward the left-side Array Core Hall.

Just as he reached the doorway, he froze.

"Old Ma, you?"

He saw Deputy Master Ma unconscious at the entrance of the Array Core Hall, a white-robed youth turning his head to look at him.

"Who are you?"

"Chen Guo, Xu Jin!"

Wang Qing's eyes widened sharply; his star force surged violently—but he still shouted backward, "Intruder! I'll handle him—hurry and activate the protective array!"

The youth before him was at the third level of sixth-rank cultivation.

Wang Qing himself was at the sixth level of sixth-rank.

He held a significant advantage, but he might not be able to defeat him quickly.

So he devised the optimal solution.

He would fight him, while others activated the protective array.

Once the array activated, everything would be secure!

As his star force surged, flames were about to erupt!

Suddenly, Wang Qing felt unusual movement beneath his feet—a earth-star technique.

His heart lurched—he tried to leap into the stars.

But in that same instant, his body grew as heavy as a mountain.

Pūpūpū!

Dozens of earth-yellow spear-lights erupted violently from the ground, piercing through Wang Qing, immobilized by the Earth Magnetic Field.

Like skewering a candied hawthorn.

Normally, a candied hawthorn is pierced by just one stick.

But Branch Master Wang Qing had been pierced by at least five!

In an instant, his eyes bulged, blood gushed from his mouth, and he died on the spot.

This scene was witnessed by the dozens of elites Wang Qing had just summoned to activate the protective array.

One glance sent the Lord Tianyang Star Hall elites trembling with terror!

That was their branch master.

Their strongest, most powerful master—slain in a single blow, skewered like a hawthorn!

Then what about them?

While still reeling in terror, they saw the terrifying youth raise his hand—hundreds of earth-yellow spear-lights erupted from the ground, all skewering like candied hawthorns.

Under the terrifying power of the Earth Magnetic Field, no one could evade.

They could only watch in horror as the earth-yellow spear-lights pierced them.

Those who reacted slowly were actually lucky.

Because the spear-lights surged upward in one blast.

They pierced straight through the lower body, driving cleanly through the skull—dying instantly, mercifully quick.

But those who reacted quickly, who were clever, suffered terribly.

Their bodies felt as if crushed under a mountain—they couldn't dodge, but could bend or twist to avoid fatal strikes.

These men immediately attempted such evasions.

Then the earth-yellow spear-lights pierced them through the lower body, bursting out from the waist, chest, or even shoulders.

Severely wounded, but not dead.

The key was, the earth-yellow spear-lights, combined with the Earth Magnetic Field, rooted themselves like vines.

Like giant nails, they pinned them to the ground.

Excruciating pain.

Especially for many whose lower dantian had been shattered outright.

In an instant, screams rose like a deafening tide.

Originally, the Lord Tianyang Star Hall's thousand elites had been highly motivated.

They were well-trained.

They held a strong sense of superiority and complete faith in the main hall.

But now, their branch master had been instantly killed, skewered like a hawthorn.

Then, dozens of fifth-rank warriors, not yet killed, screamed and wailed, even begging their comrades for help.

In an instant, morale collapsed completely!

Each one's spirit shattered.

Completely broken.

How could they possibly fight now?

Some stood bewildered and helpless.

Some fled.

Others surrendered outright.

Under these circumstances, the group that had just arrived—Director Lou Zhi and Yang Miao of the Xihai Province Branch Academy—witnessed an astonishing sight.

They hadn't even moved, and the Lord Tianyang Star Hall's Xihai Province Branch elites had already collapsed!

All sixth-ranks were dead; most fifth-ranks had fallen.

The remaining fourth- and third-ranks were mostly broken.

The Liu Feiyan Academy sisters, who had been eager to fight, were instantly deflated. Boring!

There was no enemy worth fighting.

Utterly crumbling at first contact!

But the sisters' gazes toward their senior brother Xu Jin had changed completely.

Previously, Senior Brother was just strong, plus the only male in Liu Feiyan Academy, and handsome—everyone liked him.

Now, it was pure admiration for strength.

In their eyes, Xu Jin was sparkling like a star!

He had casually slain two Fifth-Stage Initiation-level directors of the West Sea State branch, and now their gaze at Xu Jin was as if they had seen gods or demons.

In just a few breaths, this one man had wiped out every Fifth- and Sixth-Stage expert in the branch of the Heavenly Sun Star Hall!

In other words, if this person came after them, he could slaughter their entire branch alone.

No wonder he's so young and already serves as Deputy Academic Director!

His strength isn't just enough for Deputy Academic Director—he'd be perfectly qualified for Chief Academic Director, and I'd support it wholeheartedly!

Suddenly, Director Lou Zhi realized something.

Deputy Academic Director is probably just a temporary position for him.

With such strength, being appointed Deputy Academic Director is merely a formality.

No, it's not just a formality—it's clearly about building his own faction.

Suddenly, Director Lou Zhi, realizing this, looked at Xu Jin as if he had discovered a priceless treasure.

The Autumn Examination!

This year's Autumn Examination has been delayed!

And he has a grandson with extraordinary talent who is going to take the examination.

Then—

In an instant, Lou Zhi made his decision.

After the battle, he must have a serious talk with his grandson.

No matter how his grandson performs in the Autumn Examination, he must enter this Deputy Academic Director's academy.

If he refuses?

Then I'll beat him until he agrees!

In front of his grandson, he is his grandfather!

By the way, what's the name of that academy again?

Wu Kong Hall!

Xu Jin, Deputy Academic Director of Wu Kong Hall!

Lou Zhi memorized it instantly!

Without realizing it, Lou Zhi's attitude toward Xu Jin had completely reversed!

Before, it was mere routine.

Now—

The battle ended extremely quickly.

Less than half a watch, the battle was over.

Of the 1,487 disciples of the West Sea State Branch of the Heavenly Sun Star Hall, over seven hundred were slain, over seven hundred captured alive, and more than thirty remained missing.

They were probably out on missions or stationed outside the branch.

Lou Zhi had already ordered the state capital sealed off!

"Deputy Academic Director Xu, truly a young hero! I didn't understand before why someone so young could become Deputy Academic Director—now I know!"

Well-deserved! Well-deserved!"

As Lou Zhi approached Xu Jin, he immediately began flattering him.

Even though he knew it was flattery, Xu Jin still found it pleasing.

Emotional value, after all.

"What should we do next? Please, Deputy Academic Director, guide us," Lou Zhi said, his tone sincere.

"First, strip this branch inside and out—take everything movable. Every single war prize must be collected, inventoried, and stored—but hurry."

Once completed, all personnel will withdraw to the branch headquarters and activate the protective array."

"To guard against counterattacks from the Heavenly Sun Star Hall's experts!" Xu Jin instructed—this was also their predetermined plan with the State Tutor.

"Understood! I'll arrange it immediately!" Lou Zhi said.

As he spoke, Xu Jin sent a starlight message to State Tutor Cheng Cheng Yuexiao.

【State Tutor, the mission in West Sea State is complete. I am ready to deploy for support at any time.】

【Good. Well done. Proceed to the Star-Picking Tower and await orders. No current developments—should anything arise, engage immediately.】

【Understood.】

Inside the Heavenly Sun Star Hall's main hall, figures darted about as elders flew at top speed from their respective offices or secluded cultivation spots toward the main hall.

As they raced, their Star-Picking Tokens flashed with starlight nonstop.

All were urgent—desperate urgency!

Inside the main hall, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord's Star-Picking Token flashed incessantly.

All were urgent—desperate urgency!

Each branch director had the authority to send direct starlight messages to him, but normally no one dared.

Now, they were all frantic!

The Heavenly Sun Star Lord's thoughts were overwhelmed, barely keeping up.

Requests for aid!

Ever since Cheng Cheng Yuexiao announced his intent to avenge the nation, the desperate starlight messages had never stopped.

The Heavenly Sun Star Hall's branch states and prefectural academies within Chen Guo were simultaneously attacked by Chen Guo's elite forces.

Clearly, Chen Guo had planned this in advance!

But how dare Cheng Cheng Yuexiao?

The Heavenly Sun Star Hall was now stunned and enraged.

In fact, nine or ten days ago, he had already convened his top officials to discuss whether Chen Guo would retaliate during the state mourning.

The conclusion was: no.

True, Chen Guo's strength had surged significantly this year.

But the Heavenly Sun Star Hall and the Azure Star Hall stationed in Chen Guo were of the same nature.

If Chen Guo attacked the Heavenly Sun Star Hall's forces within its borders, what would become of the Azure Star Hall?

At that point, the Azure Star Hall would surely turn against Chen Guo!

If both halls joined forces, even in a final war, Chen Guo would barely survive—perhaps only Wan Yi.

Moreover, the Heavenly Sun Star Hall had absolute confidence in its own strength.

Chen Guo's strength had risen greatly this year, but it was still far behind the Heavenly Sun Star Hall.

In population, resources, and number of experts, it was vastly inferior.

Thus, the analysis concluded: Chen Guo still dared not break ties.

It was not yet time to break ties.

Meanwhile, internal crises had emerged within the Heavenly Sun Star Hall, so they planned to resolve those first, then turn to deal with Chen Guo, which had grown increasingly defiant.

Unexpectedly, Chen Guo struck first!

Suddenly, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord recalled an intelligence report received three days ago.

It said the Azure Star Hall had made breakthroughs in the Great Gathering Star Pattern and ordered all branch disciples to close their academies and meditate on the new Great Gathering Star Pattern.

At the time, he had wondered: how could the Azure Star Lord afford to spend over a decade meditating on a Seventh-Stage Great Gathering Star Pattern?

Wouldn't it be better to use that time and energy to master other primary combat star patterns?

Especially the beast-type star patterns.

He had been puzzled then.

Now he saw: it was a ruse!

All of it was a ruse!

Chen Guo must have coordinated with the Azure Star Hall and reached a mutual agreement.

Instantly, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord Zhuang Zhen felt stabbed in the back!

There had been betrayals before—but those were merely over interests.

This time, it was true, genuine betrayal!

Suddenly, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord realized the gravity of the situation!

Four words appeared in his mind: internal turmoil, external threat!

At that thought, the Heavenly Sun Star Lord was startled: when had the mighty Heavenly Sun Star Hall become like this?

The next instant, Grand Elder Wang Kan burst into the main hall, bowing hastily as he cried, "My Lord, disaster! Cheng Cheng Yuexiao has launched attacks on our branch personnel! The elite of Wan Yi Branch have been slaughtered, and the common disciples captured!"

"My Lord, fresh report: Jingzhou Branch and its prefectural academies have been attacked! Two prefectural academies have fallen; others still resist and are calling for aid!"

"My Lord, Songzhou's branches and academies under attack! Requesting aid!"

"My Lord, Leizhou's branches and academies under attack! Requesting aid!"

"My Lord, disaster! A surviving disciple has urgently reported: the West Sea State Branch has been breached! All core elites—from the branch director and deputy director down—have been slain; common disciples captured!" cried Fourth Elder Qin Da as he rushed into the hall.

"What? Another branch has fallen!" Grand Elder Wang Kan and the other Eighth-Stage elders were stunned.

Wan Yi Branch falling was understandable!

But West Sea State—

The next instant, all Eighth-Stage elders turned their gazes toward the Heavenly Sun Star Lord.

In the next instant, all eight Elders turned their gazes toward Lord Tianyang Tianyang Xingjun.

Your Majesty, time is pressing; please decide swiftly!

(End of Chapter)