Chapter 943

"Your servant pays homage to the Emperor, having returned from military duty, to submit my orders."

Inside the Emperor’s palace on Changxing Star Island, Xu Jin bowed and submitted the military orders he had previously received.

Returning to submit orders is standard procedure.

In the past, I was quite familiar with Old Black Guan—I’d just toss the orders over and be done with it. Now, things are different.

The Emperor of Jade Whale casually took the orders and asked with a smile, “Was your mission carried out smoothly?”

“Report, Your Majesty, it went smoothly—I even picked up some military merit,” Xu Jin replied.

“Good. I sense your aura has changed again; clearly, your cultivation has advanced significantly after consuming those two extraordinary merits,” said the Emperor of Jade Whale.

“Indeed, Your Majesty—it allowed me to finally comprehend the spatial laws and techniques; my combat power has indeed improved,” Xu Jin said.

“That’s well. Your combat prowess was already exceptional; now it’s even greater. When the Star Surge comes, you must serve with full strength.”

“It is my duty, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm, go then. Since you’ve returned, report to the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad. My governance of Changxing Star Island has brought changes to all matters—familiarize yourself thoroughly, lest you unintentionally violate military law,” said the Emperor of Jade Whale.

“Your servant obeys.”

Hearing this, the Emperor of Jade Whale waved his hand, and Xu Jin turned and exited the imperial hall. After a moment’s thought, he decided to pay a visit to Shen Zhenxuan, the current commander of the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad and a Seventh-Cycle Space True Person.

Since the Emperor of Jade Whale had instructed him, a formal visit was necessary.

“Great Saint, welcome back! Welcome back!” Shen Zhenxuan greeted Xu Jin with extraordinary enthusiasm.

Shen Zhenxuan’s basic background had already been explained to Xu Jin by Old Black Guan—he was a direct subordinate brought by the Emperor of Jade Whale.

Xu Jin naturally did not take this warmth at face value.

“Master Shen, the Emperor said the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad now falls under your command, and some military regulations have changed—he ordered me to come here,” Xu Jin bowed.

“Indeed. The Emperor has just arrived and naturally brings new momentum. Combat protocols have seen minor adjustments; let me explain them to you in detail.”

“I am grateful.”

Immediately, Shen Zhenxuan explained the changes in military regulations. In essence, little had changed—only minor details, possibly personal habits from the Emperor of Jade Whale’s earlier command of the army.

Soon, Shen Zhenxuan finished explaining, then summoned Wang, the current deputy commander of the Vanguard Squad.

After Wang had attained True Person status, his cultivation had barely reached the First Cycle.

Though low, his identity as a Space True Person ensured he was heavily utilized.

“Wang, the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad’s signal runes have all changed. Explain them clearly to the Great Saint—don’t let him use the wrong ones in battle.”

After receiving the order, Wang stepped out with Xu Jin and began explaining the changes in the signal runes.

The reason for the change was simple.

The signal rune combinations used during combat on Changxing Star Island had remained unchanged for ten years.

This was the first axe the Emperor of Jade Whale had swung upon his arrival.

In the Star Wastes, direct communication is impossible; signal runes are specially crafted starlight symbols that glow for a fixed duration, using different color combinations to guide allied personnel.

For instance, when Xu Jin previously located a Star Realm fragment, he had sent three green starlight signal runes.

The Emperor of Jade Whale believed that after ten years, these combinations were known to the enemy, putting operations at risk—so he changed them.

Wang explained everything to Xu Jin in meticulous detail.

His attitude was also deeply respectful.

Almost reverently so.

Only those who had fought alongside Xu Jin knew just how terrifying his power truly was.

That was why they now held such awe!

“Good, I’ve memorized it all. Wang, when do you plan to break through to the Second Cycle?” Xu Jin asked with a smile after their exchange.

Wang chuckled. “Great Saint, normally I’d need two or three years to reach the Second Cycle True Person—but if you take me on one or two more missions to pick up military merit, I can accumulate enough cultivation resources to break through in just three or four months.”

“Hahaha! Let’s both strive then!”

As Xu Jin prepared to leave, Wang added, “Great Saint, all the new starlight signal runes have been fully crafted. The Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad’s supply is overseen by Lin Dapang.”

“I’ll have him deliver them to your palace shortly.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

As Xu Jin returned to his own palace, his appointed steward Yu Zhong and a group of attendants knelt to greet him.

Having received multiple elixirs from Xu Jin, Yu Zhong’s cultivation had broken through to the Eighth Stage.

Normally, one at the Eighth Stage could apply for selection into the Island Defense Dao Army using military merit—but he chose to remain here serving Xu Jin.

Joking? Only a fool would leave.

Clinging to a giant like Xu Jin might be the greatest fortune of his entire life.

Xu Jin merely nodded, but as he looked at Yu Zhong, a thought suddenly stirred in his mind.

Whether the horse is dead or alive, you must try to see the result.

After all, it costs nothing.

“Yu Zhong, can you obtain information from the Hongluan War Zone?” Xu Jin asked.

In this world, snakes have their paths, mice have theirs—never underestimate anyone.

“Report, my lord, information from the Hongluan War Zone can be obtained, but sparingly—it depends on what kind of intelligence you require, and…”

“And what?” Xu Jin asked as Yu Zhong hesitated.

“Report, my lord, the cost is high—and these expenses cannot be accounted for with official receipts.”

“Oh? How much?”

“Report, my lord, in our circle, Divine Dao Essence is the most valuable currency, followed by Seventh and Eighth Stage heavenly herbs; spirit-core items are even more valuable.”

“Is this enough?”

Yu Zhong’s expression instantly turned to shock—before him appeared a pile of heavenly herbs.

Normally, he sealed each one individually in jade vials, then layered them with heavy seals, terrified of damaging their potency.

But now, they were casually piled before him—over thirty or forty plants.

“More than enough! Absolutely enough!” Yu Zhong’s voice trembled.

“I need detailed intelligence on the thousand-year Purple Yuan Bodhi Branches in the Hongluan War Zone—lots of it. Find everything you can!”

“Of course, if any exist outside the Hongluan War Zone, investigate those too.”

“Do well, and there will be further rewards,” Xu Jin ordered.

“My lord, rest assured—I will give my all, even at the cost of my life.”

“Go.”

Watching Yu Zhong depart, Xu Jin gave him not another glance and returned to his meditation chamber.

Just dropping a casual pawn.

If useful intelligence is found, all the better.

If not, it doesn’t matter.

The dozens of Seventh and Eighth Stage herbs he had just given away were all seized from the Space Emperor Yin Zhong.

He still had over a thousand more of the same herbs.

One could only say that the Space Emperor Yin Zhong was an extraordinary looter.

Inside the chamber, Xu Jin had just sat down, activated the Thunder-Space Concealment Array to raise his defenses, and was about to release Zhu Lin Xiao—when the Tongxuan Token glowed with starlight.