Chapter 509: Blood Robe Decree (Year of the Snake, Best Wishes)

The one who led Xu Jin into Sector Three of the Ba Huang City was a cultivator of Gao Jie Second Layer.

His back was unfamiliar, and his voice was unfamiliar.

But his aura was slightly familiar.

Moreover, Xu Jin was certain he had sensed this person's aura before.

This was another function of the Mingji Star Pattern.

As long as someone had been sensed by the Mingji Star Pattern, Xu Jin could memorize their spiritual essence aura.

It was like a unique biological signature.

No matter how much your cultivation base changes, your aura remains unchanged.

Unfortunately, Xu Jin could only recall that this man had once been sensed by his Mingji Star Pattern, but he could not remember where he had seen him, let alone his specific identity.

Xu Jin followed this man to the sky above Sector Three of Ba Huang City, where immediately a patrol elite unit blocked the two of them.

This was a frontline zone—everything was under military control.

But this Gao Jie Second Layer man merely showed a token; the soldiers glanced at Xu Jin, did not search him, and let them pass.

Xu Jin followed him inside. Sector Three of Ba Huang City had been urgently constructed since late November last year—just over a month—and Xu Jin had assumed only the city walls and grand arrays had been erected, but he had not expected the interior to already be taking shape.

The buildings were not finely crafted.

Many structures had been directly raised and condensed by cultivators skilled in Earth Star Arts.

Xu Jin even saw a tavern in operation, and another tall building with a pink flag hanging outside.

"Hepuan Tower!"

Xu Jin gazed at the hanging flag and sighed—apparently, wherever you went, brothels opened the fastest.

On the frontline, with battle imminent, many soldiers didn't save money; their stipends and rewards, beyond what was needed for cultivation, were spent as quickly as possible.

Who knew if they'd survive the next battle?

Seize the day.

So on the frontline, such places were quite common.

Suddenly, they passed another imposing building, its banner reading: Changsheng Trading House!

Changsheng Trading House was indeed extraordinary, with immense influence—it had opened on the frontline so quickly.

The Gao Jie cultivator ahead led Xu Jin past it.

Only after passing Changsheng Trading House by several hundred meters did Xu Jin suddenly remember.

He recalled where he had seen this Gao Jie Second Layer man.

At Changsheng Trading House in Da Chen War City.

When Xu Jin traded the Vermilion Bird Feather, Changsheng Trading House had sent two Gao Jie Ninth Layer elites to guard the scene.

Xu Jin had sensed them with his Mingji Star Pattern, so he remembered.

This man before him was one of those two Gao Jie Ninth Layer guards.

Now he had broken through to Gao Jie Second Layer.

And at the time, Xu Jin had used the identity of Qi Tian Sheng, and even changed his appearance when entering the Qi Tian Sheng auction house.

So this man had no idea Xu Jin had ever seen him.

In other words, it was unlikely this person had been deliberately placed by Da Hong Emperor to confuse matters.

Did Changsheng Trading House have ties to the Blood God Cult?

At this thought, Xu Jin's heart turned icy.

Changsheng Trading House was a colossal entity.

Its business spanned all nations of the mortal realm, its reach extended across the Star River Battlefield.

Its ties with the high echelons of every nation were intricate and complex beyond measure.

If Changsheng Trading House had deep ties to the Blood God Cult, then the Cult's influence was far greater than Xu Jin had imagined.

But if there were ties, it wouldn't be surprising.

After all, Da Hong Emperor himself was the Blood God Cult's Deputy Master—what wasn't possible?

Of course, it might just be coincidence—that guard happened to have ties to the Blood God Cult.

Everything was hard to say.

But Xu Jin had made his decision.

He must find an opportunity to report this discovery to State Tutor Cheng Cheng Yuexiao—if Changsheng Trading House was compromised, the consequences would be enormous.

Just two reasons were enough: First, all battlefield spoils from frontline troops were handled and transported by Changsheng Auction House.

Second, frontline daily supplies—whether for Da Chen, Da Hong, Da Chu, or the Barbarians—were all entrusted to Changsheng Trading House for transport.

Because their logistics and channels reduced costs to the minimum while remaining highly efficient!

Over the past few months, State Tutor Cheng Cheng Yuexiao had gradually revealed to Xu Jin many critical matters within Da Chen, including top-secret Star River Battlefield intelligence, so Xu Jin knew these details.

This Gao Jie Second Layer cultivator led Xu Jin through the city until they reached a warehouse-like hall, where he suddenly stopped and tossed Xu Jin a blood-red token.

"Continuously channel Star Power into it to activate it!"

Xu Jin obeyed.

The moment Star Power surged into it, the token glowed with hazy starlight, enveloping Xu Jin entirely.

The instant he was enveloped, Xu Jin felt utterly cut off from the world.

It was as if he and the man before him existed in separate dimensions.

Yet he could still hear the voice of the Gao Jie Second Layer man.

"May I ask, my lord, what is your name?" Xu Jin cut off his Star Power, feeling the world return, and asked.

The Gao Jie Second Layer man stared at Xu Jin. "You may call me Blood Hawk!"

"Remember, during the journey ahead, you must continuously channel Star Power into your Blood Robe Token.

If you interrupt, you'll be instantly torn apart by spatial chaos."

"Spatial chaos? Are we going to perform spatial teleportation?"

"Why so many questions? Do what I tell you when I tell you!

Ask another word, and get the hell out!

Didn't your superior brief you?" Blood Hawk snapped coldly.

"Understood."

"Wait for orders." With that, Blood Hawk left the warehouse, and at once, array light rose, sealing the interior from the outside.

Xu Jin activated his Mingji Star Pattern to sense—his perception was restricted.

He could not probe beyond the array light.

He turned again to study the Blood Robe Token.

After repeated examination, Xu Jin discovered the Blood Robe Token could also block his Mingji Star Pattern's perception.

His Mingji Star Pattern, at nearly Gao Jie Eighth Layer, was reduced to near uselessness—barely able to sense one or two meters beyond his body.

Remember, under unrestricted conditions, his Mingji Star Pattern could now effortlessly perceive every movement within a three-kilometer radius.

As for safety, Xu Jin was not the least afraid.

The array within this warehouse—if he wished—he could shatter it with a wave of his hand.

Since he was here, he might as well settle in.

Xu Jin calmly took out the blue stone, gripped it, activated his Mingji Star Pattern, and quietly sensed while cultivating the Gao Jie Seven Kill Heart.

An hour later, a flash of starlight appeared on Xu Jin's Zhai Xing Token—it was Ying Ge sending a Starlight Message.

"Senior Brother, good news! The Selection Victory was a great success! Lou Young Lady, as the Autumn Exam champion of Da Chen's Dao Academy, defeated Kang Chu Xuan, the top true disciple of Cang Ming Star Palace. Lou Young Lady won decisively.

Our Da Chen has won the Selection Victory again this year."

Reading Ying Ge's Starlight Message, Xu Jin's expression remained calm.

It was exactly as expected.

His disciples Lou Young Lady and Ji Fei had only trained under him for a month or two, yet the cultivation resources they received were staggering.

Their spiritual essence cultivation had already reached San Jie Star Refining Ninth Layer—this was even after holding them back to avoid rapid growth.

And with the aid of Xu Jin's Can Dou Lamp Domain, they had inscribed numerous Liu Jie spiritual essence star patterns.

The Great Gathering Star Pattern had also reached Liu Jie.

In terms of foundational strength, they were stronger than Xu Jin had been at their age.

Under these circumstances, if they didn't win, it would defy heaven.

Notably, this year's Selection Victory, with only Cang Ming Star Palace as the opponent, adopted a simpler format.

Top-tier genius duel.

If Da Chen wins, the top-tier genius remains in Da Chen.

If Da Chen loses, that top-tier genius is absorbed into Cang Ming Star Palace.

"Teach them well—don't let this victory breed arrogance."

"Senior Brother, rest assured! Because the Autumn Exam champion came from Wu Kong Academy, the runner-up was also taken by Ji Fei—our Wu Kong Academy is currently extremely popular, with many disciples choosing to join.

Myself and these few others can no longer handle the teaching—Senior Brother, should we add more students?" Ying Ge asked.

"Go find State Tutor—he'll assign you more staff. But personally oversee the core ones." Xu Jin instructed.

"Senior Brother, don't worry—I've already made a portrait of you. All academy disciples must pay respects to you. In the future, they'll all be your disciples."

"Good. I trust your judgment."

Xu Jin had no objection to this.

The Grand Master appointed him to oversee the Hei Wu Kong Academy precisely to help Xu Jin build a loyal base and usable strength.

Since the Star-Picking Token works here, it means this No. 3 satellite city of Bahuang City lies within the coverage of the Star-Picking Tower's branch.

Xu Jin simply used the Star-Picking Token to report his findings on the Changsheng Trading House to the Grand Master, and also asked about the serial number of the Bloodrobe Token.

Soon, Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao sent back a starlight reply.

【I will secretly investigate the Changsheng Trading House! It might be an isolated case, or it might involve widespread complicity. In truth, the Changsheng Trading House is an ideal channel for the Blood God Sect to smuggle and fence stolen goods.】

Xu Jin understood Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's meaning.

The Blood God Sect acquires various rare resources from the barbarian star domains, most of which must be exchanged for human cultivation resources.

Whether it's star weapons, star artifacts, or elixirs and talismans, the barbarians' craftsmanship is far too poor.

Both in quality and output.

The Blood God Sect's demand in these areas is enormous.

Therefore, they need an extremely strong and stable channel to fence stolen goods.

The Changsheng Trading House is highly likely to play this role.

But how deeply it is involved is hard to say.

Because even Chen Guo itself holds shares in the Changsheng Trading House.

【I've never heard of the Bloodrobe Token, but from your description, it's very likely a rare spatial artifact.】

The concept of spatial turbulence is uncertain.

But the restriction on your ability to observe them is real.

Still, during transit, do not interrupt the Bloodrobe Token's starlight—should you encounter spatial turbulence, even a ninth-rank cultivator cannot survive.

Safety first.

【As for the Blood God Sect's inner workings, investigate slowly.】

【Understood.】

The Blood Eagle left Xu Jin in this warehouse for two full hours before returning.

The moment he returned, he said, "We're leaving—activate the Bloodrobe Token!"

"Let me stress again: do not interrupt the starlight of the Bloodrobe Token. If you encounter spatial turbulence and something goes wrong, even Heaven's Emperor himself can't save you."

"Don't worry."

"Then follow me."

In the next instant, Xu Jin activated the Bloodrobe Token. The moment starlight enveloped him, that same sense of isolation returned, and as he followed the Blood Eagle forward, an indescribable, nauseating sensation overwhelmed him, making him feel as if he might vomit blood.

Leaving the warehouse, they walked less than a hundred meters before the Blood Eagle led Xu Jin into a small courtyard, then descended into a cellar. After circling for a while, a subterranean hall suddenly appeared ahead.

At the center of the subterranean hall stood a starlight-shimmering array.

Four sixth-rank cultivators guarded the perimeter of the array.

Seeing the Blood Eagle arrive, they all bowed in unison.

"Activate the array!"

As the Blood Eagle stepped into the array, he motioned for Xu Jin to join him.

Unfortunately, under the Bloodrobe Token's starlight, Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern could not record the auras of these four individuals.

In an instant, the array activated.

Although Xu Jin was enveloped by the Bloodrobe Token's starlight, his Mingji Star Pattern's sensing ability could barely extend one meter beyond his body.

Instantly, Xu Jin felt a vast surge of spatial power rise.

A spatial array.

A spatial teleportation array!

This discovery sent shockwaves through Xu Jin.

In the current world, even the Xuemi Palace—the so-called ancestral masters of spatial star arts—did not possess one.

He learned this from Qiao Shen, the personal disciple of the Xuemi Palace's master.

Yet the Blood God Sect had one.

The Blood God Sect's depth surpassed Xu Jin's expectations.

But he was merely astonished, not surprised.

Artifacts like the Yuan Yang Seal—nonexistent in the current world—were commonplace within the Blood God Sect.

A spatial teleportation array was no surprise.

Xu Jin had assumed the spatial teleportation array would directly transport him to the Blood God Sect's Xueyue City or Xueyun City on the Bahuang Continent.

But instead, amid flashing starlight, Xu Jin appeared inside a tall building.

The interior layout was familiar.

It was a grand hall, its walls lined with numerous star gates.

A Star-Picking Tower branch!

Xu Jin froze in shock.

Does the Blood God Sect have a Star-Picking Tower branch?

Or is this Star-Picking Tower branch located on the Bahuang Continent?

Is the Blood God Sect truly this omnipotent?

But then again, considering the Great Hong Emperor is the Blood God Sect's deputy sect leader, this all seemed perfectly normal.

Suddenly, Xu Jin remembered his own authority.

Though he and the Grand Master both held Silver-Rank authority over the Star-Picking Tower,

the Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's Silver-Rank authority applied only within the main Star-Picking Tower of Chen Guo and its subordinate branches.

But Xu Jin's Silver-Rank authority covered the entire Star-Picking Tower network.

In other words, according to Xu Jin's prior understanding, any Star-Picking Tower within the system established by the Ultimate Dao Emperor granted him Silver-Rank authority.

He had already verified this.

His Silver-Rank authority worked even within the Star-Picking Tower of the Great Hong Empire.

Previously, even within Chen Guo, his Silver-Rank authority overrode Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's.

For example, if Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao disabled the teleportation function of the Chen Guo Star-Picking Tower, others could not use it.

He didn't know whether he could override such a ban.

But he himself was not bound by it.

This was certain.

It was like the relationship between central and local authority.

Clearly, central authority superseded local.

Moreover, Xu Jin had previously asked the Star Spirit about this.

Had anyone else ever received a Silver-Rank authority directly from the Star-Picking Tower's main tower, like his?

The Star Spirit replied: "I don't know!"

But Xu Jin had come to understand the Star Spirit's mode of communication.

Bound by the rules imposed by the Ultimate Dao Emperor, the Star Spirit could not directly reveal certain answers to him.

But it could hint through indirect replies.

This had become a small unspoken understanding between Xu Jin and the Star Spirit.

If the question had been met with a flat refusal—"I cannot say"—it would have meant "Yes!"

Only if it existed could it not be said.

But if the answer was "I don't know,"

then the deeper meaning was: the Star Spirit didn't know whether it existed.

Which meant: it did not.

In other words, the Star Spirit had actually given Xu Jin the answer: no one else besides Xu Jin had received a Silver-Rank authority directly from the Star-Picking Tower's main tower.

Which meant: no one else in this world knew that the Silver-Rank authority of the Star-Picking Tower had such a central-local distinction!

In other words, Xu Jin very likely could exercise his authority within this very Star-Picking Tower branch.

But there was no need to do so now.

Right now, Xu Jin only wanted to know: where was this Star-Picking Tower branch located? To whom did it belong?

He could ask the Star Spirit and find out immediately.

But could he even contact the Star Spirit here?

Especially under the starlight isolation of the Bloodrobe Token?

In the next instant, Xu Jin subtly shifted his thoughts and silently called out to the Star Spirit.

In the next instant, Xu Jin subtly shifted his thoughts and directly called out to the Star Spirit in his heart.

(End of chapter)