Chapter 67: Accompanying Lake Residence
Since that was the case, Wang Jie simply strode out without hesitation.
He had come to realize that the moment of his supposed death had indeed spread throughout the Silver Radiance Empire. If the empire truly wanted to silence him, they wouldn’t need to make a grand spectacle of searching for him.
As the spaceship ascended, Wang Jie finally grasped just how unreliable the contraption that Four Eyes had crafted truly was.
He hadn’t paid much attention when he was escaping the Mining Star, largely because the ship back then was underpowered. But this time, the difference was clear. The lift-off was incredibly smooth, and the moment they broke free from the atmosphere, the ship accelerated instantly—so fast that the stars in the sky turned into streaks of light. Yet, within the ship, everything remained stable and unmoving.
This was the disparity of technology.
And now, his destination was the Silver Radiance Imperial Capital.
Within two days, the spaceship arrived.
During that time, Wang Jie continued absorbing knowledge of the outside world, no longer relying on Jun Tang for information but instead questioning the various people on board. The vessel had a large number of passengers, and they were all quite friendly, readily answering any of his queries. Like a sponge, Wang Jie eagerly absorbed everything he could.
By the time they reached the Silver Radiance Imperial Capital, he was no longer a complete stranger to the empire.
There, he met Jun Hua and the woman who had been used to impersonate her during the assassination attempt.
Her name was Yu Dong, a Full Star Realm powerhouse.
Above Ten Seals was Star-Breaking Realm, and above that was Full Star Realm.
Among all the people Wang Jie had encountered, the only other Full Star Realm cultivator he had seen was the Old General. Yu Dong was the second.
As Wang Jie scrutinized Jun Hua and Yu Dong, Jun Hua, in turn, studied him with equal intensity.
“Thank you for handling that nuisance for me. Otherwise, it would have been quite the ordeal to deal with him,” Jun Hua spoke first. Her voice was soft but carried a faint chill.
Wang Jie replied calmly, “It was only natural.”
Yu Dong shot him a sideways glance.
Jun Hua’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “If it was only natural, why did you run?”
Wang Jie remained composed. “I took the wrong path.”
Yu Dong rolled her eyes. It was her first time seeing someone spout such nonsense with such a straight face.
Jun Hua chuckled but did not press the matter further. “I don’t like owing people favors, so I’m giving you two choices.”
“First, become my personal guard. The compensation is quite generous.”
“Second, I can recommend you to join Frost Radiance Sect, though you would have to pass the trial.”
“You may choose one.”
Wang Jie was taken aback. “Frost Radiance Sect? That’s the strongest sect in the Eighth Star Chain, correct?”
Jun Hua nodded. “I am an Inner Sect Disciple of Frost Radiance Sect, which gives me the right to recommend people for entry. However, all procedures must still be followed. With your strength, passing won’t be an issue. But—” She exchanged a glance with Yu Dong before continuing, “I won’t lie to you.”
“The sect focuses on cultivating Frost Radiance Star Force. Most of its techniques and battle skills are designed for Star Force practitioners. It is not suitable for those who cultivate Lock Force. Moreover, Lock Force cultivators can only enter as Outer Sect Disciples and will never be accepted as true disciples.”
Wang Jie frowned. “Then why hold a trial at all?”
Yu Dong answered, “Even within the Outer Sect, there are different tiers. Let me put it this way—Frost Radiance Sect has fifty million Outer Sect Disciples. Where do you think you’d rank among them?”
Wang Jie was stunned. “Fifty million?”
Yu Dong shot him a disdainful look, as though regarding some backwater bumpkin.
Wang Jie was genuinely shocked.
Fifty million? That was an unfathomable number. It meant there were fifty million Lock Force cultivators within the sect—far exceeding the population of many entire nations from the Blue Star’s era of peace. And that was just the Outer Sect!
Jun Hua spoke again. “You don’t need to know too much about the sect just yet. If you choose to go, I’ll brief you in detail before sending you. Now, tell me your decision.”
Wang Jie answered without hesitation. “I’ll be your guard.”
Yu Dong was visibly surprised and glanced at Jun Hua.
Jun Hua, however, showed no surprise at all, as if she had expected his choice all along. “Very well. Guards!”
“At your command, Emperor!”
“Take him to his quarters. By the way, what’s your name?”
“Wang Jie.”
As Wang Jie was led away, Yu Dong voiced her curiosity. “How did you know he would choose the first option?”
Jun Hua replied, “Based on his behavior so far, there are two possibilities. First, he has only recently entered the universe and knows little about it—hence his constant questions about basic knowledge. However, that could also be a deliberate act. The second possibility—”
She turned her gaze toward the distance and took a single step forward. In that instant, the void rippled like shattered ice, and Yu Dong swiftly followed.
With just a single step, they had left their previous location far behind, now standing before a crude, egg-shaped object—Wang Jie’s spaceship.
Jun Hua placed her hand on the ship and slowly applied pressure.
Layers of wallstone peeled away from the surface, revealing a concealed insignia beneath.
Yu Dong’s pupils contracted as she recognized the insignia, though it was somewhat obscured. “Armor One Sect?”
Jun Hua’s expression turned solemn as she grasped one of the fallen wallstone fragments. “This type of material is typically used by major factions for temporary space expeditions—it’s convenient, easy to apply. But have you ever seen anyone use this much of it?”
Yu Dong pressed her palm against the spaceship. “The entire thing is coated in wallstone. That’s extravagant beyond belief.”
Jun Hua’s gaze deepened as she looked toward the horizon. “Either he is truly new to the universe, which still wouldn’t explain the wallstone and the Armor One Sect’s ship… Or—”
She narrowed her eyes. “He is from Armor One Sect.”
Yu Dong frowned in confusion. “If he truly hails from Armor One Sect, why would he conceal it? In the Third Nebula, disciples of Armor One Sect should have nothing to fear. Besides, don’t they all cultivate Star Force?”
Jun Hua shook her head. “I don’t know. Something major has happened recently. Armor One Sect has initiated an Extreme Trial. The specifics remain unknown to us, as we are too far from the center of power. Even the news from Star Dome Vision has been blocked by the sect. Nothing has reached us.”
“But just hearing about it is enough to indicate that something significant is unfolding.”
“If this person were merely a newcomer to the universe, I wouldn’t mind offering goodwill. But if he has ties to Armor One Sect, then it’s an entirely different matter.”
“No matter the case, I don’t intend to pry further. I only wish to safeguard my father’s nation.”
Yu Dong sighed. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
Silver Radiance Imperial Capital was far grander than Blue Star. Wang Jie had traversed numerous planets and seen many places, yet in comparison, Blue Star was relatively small. As they moved through the capital, the sheer prosperity before him surpassed anything from Blue Star’s peaceful era.
Wang Jie was assigned a residence on a secluded island within a lake, not far from the Silver Radiance Imperial Palace. Surrounded by tranquil waters and breathtaking scenery, the entire island was his alone, sealed off entirely from the outside world.
A small elder with scholarly features stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “This humble one is Cheng Qian. I lead the three thousand attendants of Accompanying Lake Residence in greeting, my lord.”
Wang Jie eyed the three thousand people before him, all bowing in unison, feeling utterly out of place. “And… you are?”
Cheng Qian smiled gently. “We serve you here at Accompanying Lake Residence. There are one thousand guards, three hundred maidservants, seven hundred laborers, two hundred chefs, florists—”
Wang Jie scanned his surroundings. The island was vast, spanning over ten kilometers, while the lake itself stretched dozens of times that size. More astonishingly, this wasn’t some remote location on an ordinary planet. This was Silver Radiance Imperial Capital, right beside the Imperial Palace—land here was beyond precious. To be granted such a luxurious residence was beyond comprehension.
He glanced at the guards. Each one was a cultivator. Though none were particularly strong, with the highest being only at Eight-Seal Level, they were still impressive by most standards.
Under Cheng Qian’s guidance, Wang Jie entered his new home—his first residence beyond Blue Star. From the outside, the architecture exuded an ancient charm, yet the interior brimmed with advanced technology. To his surprise, there was even a Gravity Chamber, perfect for cultivation.
Jun Hua’s generosity was puzzling. Even if he had killed Jun Tang, it hardly warranted such exceptional treatment.
“My lord,” Cheng Qian continued, “next, I shall introduce you to your privileges.”
Wang Jie raised a brow. “Privileges?”
“Yes. Every resident of Accompanying Lake Residence is granted certain rights automatically.”
“First, a custom spaceship. Please select your preferred style and functionalities.”
A light screen materialized midair, displaying numerous models of spaceships, each introduced in elaborate detail—so much detail that Wang Jie found himself unable to comprehend it all.
Cheng Qian noticed his hesitation and was about to explain when Wang Jie interrupted, “Just give me the most expensive one.”
Cheng Qian remained composed, offering a polite smile. “Understood.”
“Next is your Imperial Private Navigation Route.” He opened a comprehensive star map of the Silver Radiance Empire. “Please select a region for prioritized rapid travel. This route will be exclusive to your spaceship.”
Wang Jie stared at the overwhelming sea of stars. “I’ll decide later.”
“As you wish. Now, regarding military deployment authority—”
Wang Jie was startled. “I can command the military?”
Cheng Qian nodded respectfully. “All residents of Accompanying Lake Residence are granted this right. You may deploy up to one hundred space battleships, including two captains, guards—”
Wang Jie exhaled deeply, already overwhelmed. “Enough. I’ll deal with that when the need arises.”
“Understood. Now, regarding the selection of maidservants, please review these options.” Images of stunning women, each dressed in elegant attire, projected before him. “Should you have any preferences, they are already yours to command.”
Wang Jie shot Cheng Qian a flat look. This was excessive. Who could resist such temptation?
“Never bring this up again.”
“Of course, my lord. Next—”
Wang Jie tuned him out, silently exploring his new home while Cheng Qian’s voice droned on, reciting privilege after privilege. The sheer number of benefits was overwhelming, but in the end, only three truly captured Wang Jie’s interest:
First, he now owned two Slaughter Stone Planets. These planets had been seeded with Slaughter Stones years ago, leading to their ecosystems evolving under the force of Lock Power. They had become perfect grounds for hunting mutated creatures, which could be harvested for Cataclysm Materials to refine his Seal Power.
Second, the Silver Radiance Empire had granted him full access to their Star Map, allowing him to search for Blue Star’s exact coordinates.
Third, he was given a storage ring.
Back on Blue Star, he had been envious of Wen Zhao’s storage ring. Now, the Accompanying Lake Residence provided him with one of his own. Without hesitation, Wang Jie activated it with a drop of blood. Inside, he found five billion Silver Radiance Coins, along with Cataclysm Materials, healing elixirs, and various everyday necessities.
Yet, despite all these astonishing gifts, Wang Jie remained deeply perplexed.
Why was Jun Hua treating him so well?
It was strange. Suspiciously so.
Consulting the Star Map, Wang Jie located his Slaughter Stone Planets. They were distant, but still within reach. Without hesitation, he set a private route linking his custom navigation to those planets, ensuring he could reach them as quickly as possible.
As for his custom spaceship, it was already en route.
For the manufacturers, an expensive ship was easy to produce—true customization was what posed a challenge. Since Wang Jie knew little about spaceship design, ordering the most expensive model meant they would likely just bring in a pre-existing top-tier ship.
Beyond these, the Royal Library had also been fully opened to him.
Even the highest-tier cultivation manuals were now at his disposal.
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