NOVEL NEXT Chapter 292: Preparedness Averts Peril_2
Ying Ge suddenly felt immense joy.
"This... this is a direct pass to heaven!"
Everyone knew who Elder Peng, the Chief Steward, was.
For ordinary people, even speaking a word to him was difficult.
Yet his senior brother was directly recommending him!
"Senior brother, this..." Ying Ge was at a loss for words to express his gratitude.
"We are brothers; there's no need for such words."
As they spoke, Xu Jin took out a Fourth Tier Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Pill and handed it to Ying Ge.
"Take this pill and refine it when you go back. It should help you break through the bottleneck of the ninth layer of Star Refining and let you breakthrough directly to Fourth Tier Star Condensation! After the breakthrough, your cultivation speed should increase even faster," Xu Jin said.
Ying Ge was stunned and hurriedly began to refuse!
"Senior brother, this is too precious, I..."
"Stop the nonsense, accept it first and improve your cultivation. Later, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to repay me. What, don't you want to help me?" Xu Jin scolded.
"How could that be!"
Ying Ge, with no other choice, could only accept it.
Originally, at his cultivation realm, a commoner would need to struggle for half a year, or even a year, to get a chance for a breakthrough from the National Taoist Institute.
But now, Xu Jin was directly enabling his breakthrough.
Far outstripping his fellow disciples.
Not to mention, after breaking through to the Fourth Tier, the surge in cultivation speed was a tremendous advantage!
And then, a Fourth Tier at nineteen!
It would cause quite a stir in his family!
Those in his family, around thirty or forty years old, stuck in the Star Refining Realm, yet he, at nineteen, would have broken through to the Fourth Tier!
The benefits this brought were chain-like.
Especially for someone from a great clan like him!
Plus the relationship with Elder Peng...
As for words of gratitude, Ying Ge did not utter even half a sentence more.
Such a favor could only be truly acknowledged by actions in the future.
After sending Ying Ge away, Xu Jin also became pensive.
The plan that he and the State Preceptor had agreed upon was about to be implemented during the Nine-star Tide.
Once the plan was put into motion, there would be many things that Xu Jin would no longer be able to do.
Although the State Preceptor would certainly take care of him, Xu Jin always preferred to have a backup.
Ying Ge was that backup plan.
Better safe than sorry.
*****
In the Libationer Hall of the Right Libationer Song Bing, Song Bing had called Vice Academician Han Qing for a few concerned words and then asked for details about the combat in the Star Domain.
Vice Academician Han Qing was a disciple brought up by Song Bing, so their relationship was naturally different.
As soon as Song Bing asked, Han Qing responded with trepidation, "Teacher, regarding the details of combat within the Star Domain, not only has the State Preceptor issued a gag order, but he has also cast a prohibition with the Nine Bright Chime. I truly cannot answer."
Song Bing was stunned.
No wonder he could get no information about the details of combat within the Star Domain. That explained it.
A gag order and the prohibition of the Nine Bright Chime, a double safeguard.
Under such circumstances, even if Han Qing was his disciple, he could not divulge anything.
With no other option, he waved his hand to dismiss Han Qing.
Watching Han Qing leave, Song Bing's brows furrowed tightly. Had Cheng Yuxiao become so guarded against him?
At the same moment, in the Academic Hall, Academician Fang was also deeply troubled.
His disciple, Fang Ying, had not returned.
After inquiring with many people and failing to get a definitive answer, the only response from the State Preceptor was: Fang Ying was alive and carrying out a secret mission, due to return in a month.
This made Fang Shihan even more puzzled.
He asked others but received not a single piece of information.
It was said that all those who knew the details of the Star Domain battle were under a gag order and prohibition of the Nine Bright Chime.
Fang Shihan could understand all this.
However, as far as Fang Shihan knew, Kou Jing and Pan Hong had both been involved in related matters. Of the Four Great Academicians, Gao Xuan had ties to the Imperial Family, a fact which afforded him natural status.
But now, Fang Shihan was being treated similarly to Gao Xuan.
This realization made Fang Shihan feel like he was being marginalized within the National Taoist Institute!
That was not a good sign!
Kou Jing had broken through, yet he found himself marginalized!
Fang Shihan began to reflect. When had he started to be marginalized?
In the midst of his pondering, Fang Shihan pinpointed a key moment: Xu Jin!
*****
Inside the main hall of Tianyang Star Hall, Wang Kan, the Great Elder of Tianyang Star Hall who had been dispatched to Cangming Star Hall and Doom-suppressing Star Hall, returned to report his mission. Although the mission had been successful, his expression did not show joy; in fact, there was even a hint of helplessness.
"How did Cangming speak of it?" Tianyang Star Lord asked Wang Kan.
"My Lord, Cangming Star Lord has stated that should our Tianyang Star Hall invade Dachen, he will inevitably support us," replied Wang Kan.
Upon hearing this, Tianyang Star Lord first felt joy, then paused, bewildered. "Support us? What does that mean? Is he planning to send reinforcements only after we've made our move? Has he not discussed any more concrete details with you?"
"No." Wang Kan said helplessly.
The expression on Tianyang Star Lord's face turned ugly.
The attitude of Cangming Star Lord was vague, although not opposed, it was indeed perfunctory. That was attitude enough.
His Tianyang Star Hall would invade, and then there would be support.
They at Tianyang Star Hall were not fools; why would they allow Cangming Star Hall to reap the benefits?
In other words, the actual stance of Cangming Star Lord was refusal!
But why? Cangming had not been like this before.
"And what about the Doom-suppressing Star Lord? What did they say?"
"Doom-suppressing Star Lord directly refused, claiming that this year's tribute is substantial and he has no spare resources to wage a distant war. If our Tianyang Star Hall is willing to help them with one and a half percent of their tribute for the next three years, then he might consider it," Wang Kan stated.
Tianyang Star Lord's brow furrowed once again.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of isolation.
This feeling made him very uncomfortable.
"Let's put this matter on hold for now. Keep a close eye on the movements from Dachen, especially those concerning Xu Jin! According to the intelligence reported by Zong Yan from Sumeru Palace, this Xu Jin holds tremendous potential! Now that he has just broken through to the fourth tier, he is already able to safely return from the fifth-tier Star Domain, imagine how strong he will be once he reaches the fifth or even the sixth tier? It's a pity he isn't a disciple of our Tianyang Star Hall!" the Tianyang Star Lord lamented.
"Lord, shall I start making the arrangements now?"
"Proceed with the arrangements, we must succeed this time!"
"Yes, my lord, I will carry out your orders!"
******
Inside the main hall of Cangming Star Hall, Cangming Star Lord was having a casual conversation with the Great Elder, Sun Xianzu.
"Looking at Tianyang's intentions, they seem to want to take this chance to completely annihilate Dachen. Previously, I only focused on suppressing Dachen and did not pay attention to Tianyang. If Dachen were truly destroyed, the one in most danger might actually be us."
As he spoke, Cangming Star Lord's gaze turned to Sun Xianzu, "Great Elder, do you understand?"
After a moment of contemplation, Sun Xianzu nodded, "My Lord, I understand! In the future, our overall strategy in Cangming will shift slowly and firmly. We must start forming alliances with Dachen and Doom-suppressing Star Hall, and figure out ways to weaken Tianyang Star Hall."
Hearing this, Cangming Star Lord nodded in satisfaction. This Great Elder was indeed very reliable.
"Remember, the changes have to come gradually. We must shift slowly while maintaining balance among all parties. Especially with Dachen, while we align with them, we must still suppress and weaken them when necessary. We cannot let them grow too strong! Keep an eye on that Xu Jin. During the Nine-star Tide, if he is sent out, seize the opportunity to make a move," said Cangming Star Lord.
"I understand."
*****
November 12th.
In less than half a day, Xu Jin had completely grasped the Mid-tier Fourth Order Thunder Origin Star Pattern and, after practicing within the Star Lamp, successfully engraved it onto the third Star Core of the Central Star Palace.
With the Thunder Origin Star Pattern, Xu Jin's power in Thunder Star Skill had significantly increased.
However, compared to the others, the Thunder Origin Star Pattern was currently the weakest among his primary Star Skills.
Both Earth Origin Star Pattern and Fire Origin Star Pattern were at Mid-tier Eighth Order.
Therefore, further development of the Thunder Origin Star Pattern was essential.
In the afternoon, Xu Jin once again entered the Star Dome Secret Realm. Although he did not have time for contemplation, it did not prevent Xu Jin from meditating and deducing Star Patterns within the safe and quiet confines of the Star Dome Secret Realm; he wouldn't be disturbed by anyone here.
[Would you like to spend ten Silver Stars to initiate a common Tao Derivation session?]
Inside the Star-picking Secret Realm, Xu Jin had accumulated another ten Silver Stars. This time, it was perfect for deducing a Low-tier Star Pattern.
[Initiate]
The next instant, Xu Jin's will submerged into the Mid-tier Fourth Order Thunder Origin Star Pattern. He also activated the Mid-tier Thunder Wing Heart, beginning his own deduction and contemplation of this Thunder Origin Star Pattern.