Chapter 479: Death Demands a Body, and Taking a Disciple

On November 4, the operation to eliminate the Lord Tianyang Star Temple's elite stationed in Chen Guo was declared complete.

In contrast to the high-profile mobilization before the battle, Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's conduct after the battle became extremely low-key.

Even the nominal pretext—that this war was a farewell tribute to the late emperor—was handled solely by Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao, who made a token appearance without any public fanfare.

Simultaneously, Chen Guo banned any widespread publicity of the event.

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao knew well that, compared to the Lord Tianyang Star Temple and the Cangming Star Temple, Chen Guo was the true beneficiary of this conflict.

Due to the Cangming Star Lord's greed and Xu Jin's hidden cards being revealed, the Lord Tianyang and Cangming Star Temples suffered massive losses among their eighth-rank warriors.

Originally, they outnumbered Chen Guo by two to one.

Now, they were severely weakened, their number of eighth-rank warriors nearly equal to that of Chen Guo's National Dao Academy.

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao began rewarding merit and punishing failure, adjusting the leadership of each branch and regional Dao academies based on their performance in the battle.

Those who performed excellently were rewarded and promoted.

Those who performed poorly were analyzed; some were reassigned to idle posts, others punished, and the worst faced criminal charges.

At the same time, funeral arrangements for Ji Bang began.

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao personally decreed that Ji Bang be granted a state funeral.

Chen Guo observed thirty days of national mourning.

Ultimately, Ji's new patriarch, Ji Heng, firmly declined, and the mourning period was reduced to seven days.

The burial would occur after Ji family members from the Star River battlefield returned.

In contrast, the Lord Tianyang and Cangming Star Temples were filled with grim silence, their reconnaissance riders dispatched in all directions, even resorting to long-dormant covert agents to uncover the truths they sought.

Especially the Cangming Star Lord, who suffered the most.

Four elders, including the Grand Elder Sun Sun Xianzu, had perished, yet he dared not announce it.

If this news leaked, not only would the Star Temple fracture, but even the Da Chu Empire under Cangming's rule would descend into chaos.

Though the Da Chu Emperor had long submitted to the Cangming Star Lord,

he had never had the opportunity to rebel.

But if the Cangming Star Temple's strength was crippled, everything would change.

No emperor wishes to have another ancestor looming over his head.

Thus, the deaths of the four elders remained a top secret within the Cangming Star Temple.

The Cangming Star Temple publicly claimed the four elders had entered a secret realm to meditate and seek breakthroughs in their cultivation.

For now, they would hide it.

Meanwhile, the Cangming Star Lord began selecting elite sixth- and seventh-rank cultivators.

Over the years, the Cangming Star Temple had accumulated vast resources—it was time to spend them without restraint.

Before the news of the four elders' deaths spread, if even one or two eighth-rank cultivators could be forged—or if he himself broke through to the ninth rank—the crisis would vanish.

On the afternoon of November 5, after finishing his myriad duties, Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao arrived at the Hei Wu Kong Academy.

Inside the Hei Wu Kong Academy, Xu Jin was in deep cultivation with Ying Ge.

More precisely, Ying Ge was cultivating within Xu Jin's Can Dou Lamp Domain, while Xu Jin himself bore the burden of labor.

He continuously channeled star force and soul essence into the Seven Kill Ironwood Sword, exhausting it completely, then immediately restored his strength via arrays and Wen Meng's healing, repeating the cycle endlessly.

Xu Jin intended to restore the Seven Kill Ironwood Sword's power to near-full capacity in the shortest possible time.

Xu Jin had already become deeply entangled in the karmic threads of the Star Temples—he must remain vigilant.

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao had come to the Hei Wu Kong Academy for a specific purpose.

"After Ji Bang's funeral, the Autumn Selection will begin, but there are issues with candidate selection," said Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao.

"How so?"

"The Lord Tianyang Star Temple has been eliminated, so the Autumn Selection no longer involves them—but the Cangming Star Temple cannot be ignored this year. Of course, we could now break ties with them outright and refuse the selection; we now have the strength to do so.

But if we break with them now, we risk driving the Cangming Star Temple back into alliance with the Lord Tianyang Star Temple to suppress Chen Guo.

Thus, this year's selection must continue.

Next year, we can abolish it entirely.

But my thought is: this year, the Cangming Star Temple's selection must proceed, yet we must not delay any of Chen Guo's prodigies' cultivation paths.

That's why I've come to you for help," Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao said directly.

Xu Jin understood Grand Master Cheng's implication—it aligned perfectly with his own plans.

"Grand Master, I'll handle it. I still have a few days free—I'll take on a disciple ahead of schedule, and that should resolve the selection issue," Xu Jin said.

Hearing Xu Jin's implication, Cheng Cheng Yuexiao asked, "A few days? So soon? Where are you planning to go?"

"After Ji Lao's funeral, I intend to travel to the star region where my Master and Master Uncle fled, to search for traces of them.

A year has passed—I now have the strength.

If alive, I must see them; if dead, I must see their bodies!" Xu Jin's expression was utterly resolute.

Upon hearing this, Grand Master Cheng nodded heavily. "Indeed, you must go.

I support you."

"Yes, as for the selection, Grand Master, rest assured—I still have several days; it's enough.

But I need my disciple sent to me soon—I only have these few days," Xu Jin said.

"Do you have any candidates in mind?

Or shall I recommend some?" Cheng Cheng Yuexiao asked.

"Originally, I planned to take one, but since Ji Lao died, I intend to take two—but I must meet them in person; only if they're suitable will I accept them.

Also, I want Mo Ji's son, Mo Daniu, to study within the National Dao Academy system for a few years.

Cultivation in the Seven Kill Star Region is fine, but other aspects may lag far behind.

Beyond that, I'll select several promising youths from the Seven Kill Star Region and gradually send them to the Hei Wu Kong Academy for Ying Ge to train.

I also ask you, Grand Master, to guide them, and to resolve their official identities." Xu Jin said.

"No problem."

When Lou Zhi, Dean of the Xihai Province Branch, received the Grand Master's starlight message, his hands trembled!

The great fortune of the Lou family had arrived.

The overwhelming fortune had finally come to the Lou family.

His grandson, Lou Young Lady, was to be met by Vice Academy Director Xu Jin—if suitable, he would be taken as a disciple ahead of schedule.

He was to bring him to the National Dao Academy this afternoon.

The day before the great battle, Lou Zhi's hands had not shaken—but now they did.

Now, it all depended on his grandson, Lou Young Lady.

This boy had been clever since childhood, with some perseverance—he excelled far beyond his peers in reading, writing, and training the Five Dipper Killing Fist and Star Pointing.

But he feared the boy might be reckless and miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

So before meeting his grandson, Lou Zhi had already prepared.

He would try to persuade him.

If persuasion failed, he would beat him into submission!

Even if he beat the boy to the brink of death, he would use the Star Healing Seal to erase the wounds—until the boy submitted.

But unexpectedly, Lou Zhi's brutal methods were never needed.

Lou Zhi merely recounted Xu Jin's battlefield achievements and age—and his grandson's eyes lit up, eager to rush over and kowtow to Xu Jin on the spot.

This delighted Lou Zhi immensely.

This grandson was like him—he knew value!

In the Ji family mansion in Wan Yi, Chen Guo, the funeral hall was prepared, the entire household draped in white.

When a servant announced the arrival of Vice Academy Director Xu Jin, Ji Heng, the new patriarch of the Ji family, visibly relaxed and personally went out to greet him.

Xu Jin first approached Ji Lao's spirit tablet, bowed deeply, offered incense, and burned paper money; after Ji Heng and the Ji family members returned the bows, Ji Heng led Xu Jin to the back hall.

For the Ji family, Ji Bang's death was like the collapse of a celestial pillar.

Ji Heng, though newly installed as patriarch and already at seventh-rank fourth layer—slightly stronger than Ji Lao—was weaker in combat, lacked connections, and had far less prestige.

Moreover, he had been serving at the Star River frontier and had not yet taken charge of domestic affairs.

Especially since Ji Bang's death was sudden, many matters remained unaddressed. Xu Jin's personal visit gave Ji Heng immediate reassurance.

Ji Ji Hongli and other Ji family members from the Star River battlefield were still en route, arriving no sooner than the next day.

"Uncle Ji."

"No, no!"

The moment Xu Jin spoke, Ji Heng hurriedly protested.

Though he was seventh-rank, Ji Lao had subtly told him that Xu Jin could kill seventh-rank cultivators as easily as slaughtering dogs.

He trusted his father's words.

How could he dare to act presumptuously before Xu Jin?

"Uncle Ji surely knows about Ji Hongli—so you need not be so formal. Should the Ji family ever need aid, you may contact me directly," Xu Jin offered his promise first.

With this promise, Ji Heng's tension eased considerably.

It wasn't that he lacked confidence in the Ji family.

Rather, as the Ji family's heir, he had read history and witnessed too many great clans' downfall—he feared he could not uphold the Ji family's current standing.

Though Ji Bang had only recently broken into the seventh rank, he had been able to speak with nearly every eighth-rank cultivator in Chen Guo.

Including Marshal Mao Han Yue of the Star River battlefield.

He Ji Heng couldn't do it.

"Uncle Ji, I've built a new learning hall and wish to take two disciples. Does the Ji family have any suitable teenage boys? If so, please send them to Hei Wu Kong Learning Hall for inspection."

As soon as Xu Jin spoke, Ji Heng understood his intent.

This wasn't just showing favor to the Ji family—it was binding them even tighter.

With Ji Ji Hongli's connection, adding one more disciple would force the Ji family to be utterly tied to Xu Jin.

As for whether to bind or not?

Come on, Ji Bang had already placed a massive bet on Xu Jin while alive; his successor not following suit would be foolish!

Half an hour later, the entire Ji household saw Xu Jin off.

As he left, Xu Jin took a fifteen-year-old boy named Ji Fei, a prodigy with Eight Heavenly Star Points, who intended to take the Autumn Examination this year.

In fact, the Ji family had presented three boys to Xu Jin; in the end, he chose Ji Fei.

Ji Fei had thick eyebrows and large eyes, looked very honest, had excellent talent, and suited Xu Jin's taste.

Him.

That evening, Lou Zhi brought his grandson Lou Young Lady to Hei Wu Kong Learning Hall to pay respects to Xu Jin.

To Xu Jin's amusement, Lou Young Lady said nothing upon seeing him—he immediately rushed forward, slammed three loud kowtows on the ground, then looked up with worshipful eyes.

Bright white teeth, two dimples, small but sharp eyes that darted about.

Just upon meeting him, Xu Jin was already somewhat satisfied.

After asking a few casual questions, Xu Jin agreed.

Accepted.

After all, taking a disciple isn't marrying a bride.

Train them first; if they're good, nurture them heavily later.

If they're not worth it, let them fade quietly.

That night, Xu Jin specifically brought Mo Daniu over from the Seven Kill Star Domain.

The State Tutor had already arranged Mo Daniu's identity documents and sent over the Star-Picking Order as well.

Also included was a box of ten Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills and five Soul-Refining Golden Core Pills—gifts for Xu Jin's newly opened learning hall!

In a new organization, status is the most important.

Xu Jin was unquestionably the master, the leader.

Below Xu Jin was Ying Ge.

He was the head instructor of Hei Wu Kong Learning Hall and the senior uncle to all disciples.

Mo Daniu, with his square face and resolute expression, had joined earliest; though his cultivation base was still Star Refining First Stage, his soul cultivation had already reached Star Refining Fourth Stage.

He was the senior disciple.

Ji Fei, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, was the second senior disciple; the clever and amusing Lou Young Lady naturally ranked third.

After the Autumn Examination, no matter how many disciples chose Hei Wu Kong Learning Hall, these three's positions were set.

Xu Jin was never one to waste time.

That very night, training began immediately.

To solve the problem of selecting the best, it was simple:

Produce one disciple who would sweep away all the prodigies of Cangming Star Hall.

For others, this would be difficult.

But for Xu Jin, it was effortless.

Even those with poor talent could quickly learn many star patterns and dominate their generation.

The Wenmeng Star Pattern was simply the perfect tool for cultivating disciples.

Sleep for a day or two, and a low-rank star pattern was mastered.

This speed was astonishing.

Others—even top-tier prodigies—took six or seven days to master a single star pattern.

Moreover, Xu Jin could greatly enhance their soul cultivation.

Of course, in the end, whether Ji Fei or Lou Young Lady would win the Autumn Examination's top prize depended entirely on their own efforts.

The master leads you through the gate; cultivation lies within the individual!

Xu Jin's methods of cultivating disciples were also extremely brutal.

Each received one Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pill just sent by the State Tutor, plus one Three-Variant Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pill.

That night, he caused Ji Fei and Lou Young Lady's souls to condense stars.

The first soul star pattern they learned was Chengpo; the second was Posha.

After all, as Xu Jin's direct disciples, if he ever became universally despised, no amount of cleansing could wash away their association.

So Xu Jin trained them without restraint.

Of course, before training, placing soul seals on them was mandatory.

Xu Jin forbade them from revealing any star patterns, star arts, cultivation methods, or even the elixirs he provided to anyone.

On November 6, Ji Fei and Lou Young Lady's soul cultivation reached Star Refining Second Stage.

One Three-Variant Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pill per day—of course, Da Niu and Ying Ge received their share too.

But Ying Ge exchanged two Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills for his portion.

The three boys were Xu Jin's disciples; Ying Ge was not.

Yet after so long of cultivation, Ying Ge's soul cultivation was nearing the peak of Fourth Stage Ninth Level.

Xu Jin estimated that before leaving, he could help Ying Ge break through and condense his Soul Spirit.

Ying Ge's price was binding himself to Hei Wu Kong Hall.

As head instructor of Hei Wu Kong Hall, condensing a Soul Spirit was mandatory—his status couldn't be weak.

On the evening of the 6th, as Xu Jin was teaching the boys, the Star-Picking Order flickered with starlight—he suddenly received a starlight message from State Tutor Cheng Cheng Yuexiao.

"Kou Jing, Ji Hongli, Ning Yuchan, and others have returned from the Star River Battlefield. Would you like to come?"

Seeing the starlight message, Xu Jin was overjoyed.

No need to ask—it was a must.

Especially Master Kou Jing; Xu Jin had thought he'd only see him again on the Star River Battlefield, yet here he was returning.

In the next instant, Xu Jin's mind stirred—Wenmeng instantly plunged the three boys into deep sleep, transmitting a star pattern to each in their dreams, then Xu Jin instantly stepped into the stars.

"Younger Brother Ying, watch over them," Xu Jin's voice echoed as he departed.

(End of Chapter)