Chapter 869

Although located on a star island within the Star Ruins, the True Person's mansion was nearly as grand as those within the Star Realm, with over a hundred rooms of various sizes and twenty attendants assigned to serve.

These attendants were all ordinary cultivators below the Eighth Rank, hailing from diverse backgrounds.

Most had no hope of breaking through and could not join the Dao Army, so they came here seeking a future.

Other cultivators, let alone a True Person, couldn't even see a Star Jun.

They encountered them daily; if the True Person was in a good mood and tossed them a gift, it might mean a complete transformation of their fate.

In truth, Xu Jin had few demands regarding them.

For lodging, he only needed two things: a spacious cultivation space and a reasonable safety margin.

Yet Xu Jin did not refuse.

In the military, a certain display of prestige and strength was the way to survive; too much restraint only invited trouble.

"Great Sage, if you dislike these attendants, wish to replace them, or have any special requests, just tell me directly, and I'll arrange replacements for you," Lin Lin Dapang chuckled, looking at the row of attendants kneeling on the ground.

At these words, the kneeling attendants instantly tensed—being sent back meant it would be nearly impossible to find another position serving a True Person.

Xu Jin's gaze swept over the attendants, and his spiritual sense immediately sensed their nervousness.

These people were all Seventh or Sixth Rank cultivators; in the Kunling Region, they could be considered local figures, but here—

"No need to replace them. Keep them," Xu Jin's voice instantly eased the collective breath of relief from the attendants.

"Good, Great Sage, come to my residence in one hour—I'll host a welcome feast for you!"

"Yes."

As for the title "Great Sage," it was simply adapting to local custom—Xu Jin's current nickname.

Great Sage of Heaven.

Might as well use "Great Sage." Too lazy to think of another.

"My lord, I am your steward Yu Zhong. Any request you have, please issue it—I will do my utmost to fulfill it perfectly." Yu Zhong was a grassroots Seventh Rank peak cultivator here, serving to accumulate resources.

Those like him, holding official duties, earned 1,500 military merits per year; after accumulating for ten or twenty years, they might gather enough resources to break through to Eighth or even Ninth Rank.

"Hmm, I have no special demands—just quiet. Don't disturb me. No one is allowed within fifty meters of my cultivation chamber." Xu Jin instructed.

"Yes, your servant obeys." This order left Yu Zhong deeply disappointed.

Quiet. No disturbance.

That meant no chance to serve, no chance for any upward opportunity.

They could only earn the meager fixed military merits of their attendant post.

Though disappointed, Yu Zhong showed no sign of it.

Watching Yu Zhong slowly bow and retreat, Xu Jin suddenly had an idea and whispered, "Can you gather intelligence?"

Yu Zhong froze mid-retreat, his eyes flashing with ecstatic joy. He immediately affirmed, "Yes, my lord. What kind of intelligence do you require?"

These people feared being ignored by powerful figures more than being used.

"Oh? How do you gather it? Tell me." Xu Jin whispered, needing to verify the channels to avoid embarrassment.

"My lord, the total number of True Persons and Star Jun stationed on this star island within the Star Ruins' Tongxuan War Zone is only six to seven thousand, with roughly one hundred to one hundred fifty thousand Dao Army troops stationed. But the number of attendants like me exceeds one million."

"Everyone here doesn't want to remain like this forever, or their masters have such needs—so internal intelligence networks have formed, though each person's access to information naturally varies." Yu Zhong said.

Xu Jin's gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Yu Zhong. "So does that mean if someone wants to buy my information, you could sell it?"

At once, Yu Zhong dropped to his knees. "My lord, I dare not, and I never would!"

Xu Jin stared at Yu Zhong for several moments, then whispered, "If someone tries to buy, sell them what you know—but if they do, tell me."

"My lord, I dare not!"

"Sell it if they ask!"

"Yes, your servant obeys!"

"Besides that, gather as much varied information as possible—events on other star islands, spoils seized, movements and changes among True Persons—collect whatever you can."

"Your servant obeys. Rest assured, my lord—I will spare no effort."

"What do you need?" Xu Jin asked.

In this world, no one serves for free—only sufficient rewards yield greater returns.

"My lord, I need military merits, Divine Dao Essence, Enlightenment Stones, and a high-grade Star Gathering Array Plate—I wish to break through to Eighth Rank, even Ninth Rank!" Yu Zhong spoke without hesitation.

"Minor matter. Do your job well."

"I understand, my lord. Give me any task—no matter what, I can handle it."

With that, Yu Zhong bowed deeply and withdrew.

Watching Yu Zhong's retreating figure, Xu Jin silently mused, "I hope he finds something useful."

He wouldn't reveal his specific needs, but if, in this vast search, he could uncover information about Star Realm star cores or the Dao of Time, it would be worth it.

One hour later, Xu Jin arrived punctually at Captain Lin Lin Bowei's residence—a large manor.

Lao Li, Lao Wang, Li Li Qingchen, and Zhu Shengnian had already arrived.

Seeing Xu Jin approach, Lin Lin Bowei hurried out to greet him; even veteran Star Jun Lao Li and Lao Wang personally came forward to welcome him.

Just this one battle had earned Xu Jin immense status on Changxing Star Island.

Because Cao Tianyang Zhenjun had declared that Xu Jin's combat power ranked among the top ten on Changxing Star Island.

There were seventeen True Persons on Changxing Star Island.

Xu Jin's standing was clear.

During the banquet, the six members of the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad quickly grew familiar, and Xu Jin naturally became the center of attention.

Li Li Qingchen and Zhu Shengnian, the two Saint Son contenders, showed no resentment and vied to toast Xu Jin.

They had already thought it through—Xu Jin posed no threat to them.

Rather, if they could cling tightly to Xu Jin's coattails, their chances of becoming Imperial Palace Saint Sons in three years would greatly increase.

During the feast, Xu Jin witnessed the sheer number of attendants Yu Zhong had described.

Star Jun like Lin Lin Bowei, Lao Li, and Lao Wang—who had served long on Changxing Star Island—each had sixty to seventy male and female attendants in their courtyards, if not more than a hundred.

It truly was an enormous group.

Xu Jin suddenly felt a flicker of anticipation.

The banquet lasted two hours before ending; Lin Lin Dapang personally saw everyone off, but before he had finished, a female True Person suddenly appeared at the gate of another nearby manor. She glanced over, then shot an irritated glare in their direction.