Chapter 89: Is He a Spy?
Xia Bei Yi’s gaze sharpened as a chilling aura pressed against his body.
The mighty strike landed forcefully on the icy ground, yet the surface, smooth as a mirror, remained unscathed.
“Full Star Realm?”
Without hesitation, Xia Bei Yi leaped skyward, rushing beyond Green Mountain City. Shadows flickered around him, figures emerging from the darkness. Among them was one of the Berserk Clan creatures who had been negotiating with Wang Jie.
“We thought only Ten-Seal cultivators had infiltrated, but it seems we have a Full Star Realm expert as well.”
As those words fell, the blackened sky split apart. A gleam of light reflected into Xia Bei Yi’s eyes—it was an enormous battle axe, its edge radiating a deadly sharpness, imbued with boundless Star Force. The sheer pressure of its presence made the entire Green Square Star Cluster tremble.
Another Full Star Realm cultivator.
Xia Bei Yi had no idea when he had been targeted. Even if Puppeteer Tower discovered his departure, the Berserk Clan shouldn’t have been able to react so quickly.
But now was no time for contemplation.
Facing the incoming axe, he thrust his arms forward, stacking Star Force across the sky, shaping it into a colossal glacier that surged forth to meet the attack.
Boom!
The battle axe clashed against the ice mountain, shattering it with a force so great that Green Mountain City trembled. The aftermath sent ripples through Green Square Star, making the ground quiver violently, its very structure threatening to break apart. Even the surrounding stars visibly shifted in the sky.
Within Puppeteer Tower, Wang Jie watched in astonishment. “So this… this is a Full Star Realm battle? The destruction alone could shatter a planet.”
Jiang You Sheng arrived. “Master, are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine,” Wang Jie replied, before asking, “That man—is he…?”
“Bei Feng.”
“Brother Bei Feng? He’s a spy?”
Jiang You Sheng spoke in a deep voice. “He’s from Frost Radiance Sect. But… there’s no trace of the sect’s aura on him. It seems he was specially raised by the Berserk Clan. They assumed only Ten-Seal cultivators had infiltrated, but never expected a Full Star Realm to slip in.”
Wang Jie frowned. “What is his goal? Why attack all of a sudden?”
Jiang You Sheng chuckled. “It’s thanks to your warning, Master. He must have a purpose—twice he asked you to take him out of the city. It was clearly part of his plan.”
Wang Jie looked back toward the battle.
A massive rift split the heavens.
The cry of a starfire sparrow echoed as Xia Bei Yi loosed his arrows. Each shot claimed the life of a Berserk Clan creature, except for the Full Star Realm one, who barely withstood the onslaught.
“Are you not going to assist?” Wang Jie asked.
“Not necessary,” Jiang You Sheng replied casually.
In Wang Jie’s vision, a new figure emerged from the void, its form indistinct yet exuding an immense, suffocating presence.
A Wandering Star Realm cultivator.
Xia Bei Yi’s expression turned grim as he drew another volley of arrows. Mid-flight, each arrow twisted, reshaped by Star Force, merging into the form of a black celestial peacock that let out a deafening screech as it surged forward. In response, the Wandering Star Realm creature howled, unleashing a torrent of black liquid.
The two forces collided in the vast expanse of the cosmos, locked in a stalemate.
Jiang You Sheng was visibly surprised. “To think he can challenge a Wandering Star Realm fighter… He must be one of Frost Radiance Sect’s elite.”
Wang Jie gazed up, watching as the clash sent tremors through Green Square Star, distorting the heavens. Even the faintest trace of the released Star Force was enough to leave him breathless.
The Berserk Clan couldn’t suppress Xia Bei Yi.
Their strongest warriors had already been dispatched to the frontlines. Otherwise, those four colossal beings alone would have been enough to overwhelm him.
“Tower Master Jiang, I request your assistance!” A powerful voice resounded through the battlefield.
Jiang You Sheng sighed. “It seems I must act after all.”
Wang Jie hesitated. “Would this endanger the Seventh Star Chain?”
“As long as he dies here, it won’t matter. Besides, as the Tower Master of the Ninth Star Chain’s Puppeteer Tower, refusing to help would make things difficult for me in the future.” With that, he merged into his puppet, surging into battle against Xia Bei Yi.
Wang Jie remained indifferent to Xia Bei Yi’s fate.
He had no fondness for Frost Radiance Sect. However, the battle was spectacular to watch.
Especially when, under the darkened sky, a single candlelight appeared.
That was Star Method.
Wang Jie shuddered.
He had underestimated Bei Feng’s status within Frost Radiance Sect—he actually knew Star Method.
The Berserk Clan fighters and Jiang You Sheng were equally shocked.
The moment Star Method was unleashed, capturing Xia Bei Yi became an impossibility. But escaping wouldn’t be easy either—he was still no Wandering Star Realm cultivator. Even if he relied on some means to flee into the void, it would be tantamount to suicide.
His only choice was to hide.
Jiang You Sheng returned. “I never expected Bei Feng to master Star Method. The Berserk Clan will never let him go. Master, we must leave immediately.”
Wang Jie nodded in agreement.
Just as Jiang You Sheng predicted, that very night, the Berserk Clan made their report. Wang Jie didn’t know the outcome, but he did notice that the creatures of Green Square Star Cluster were withdrawing en masse. Those unable to escape were simply abandoned.
Resources were also being transferred.
The next day, a Berserk Clan representative personally visited Wang Jie to express gratitude.
“If not for your warning, Tower Master Jiang would never have been alerted to Bei Feng. You deserve the greatest credit for this.” Jiang You Sheng chuckled.
Wang Jie replied humbly, “Bei Feng’s repeated requests to leave the city were already suspicious. And he was even willing to offer a Star Artifact as a bribe—I merely pointed it out.”
Jiang You Sheng smirked. “Without your insight, Puppeteer Tower would have lifted the restrictions long ago, and he would have returned to Frost Radiance Sect unhindered. Your contribution is undeniable.”
The Berserk Clan warrior immediately produced a million Star Stones as a reward.
Jiang You Sheng’s expression darkened. “I assumed this million Star Stones was meant for me, but it turns out it’s for Master Wang Jie. The Berserk Clan is quite generous.”
His words left no room for dignity.
The creature of the Berserk Clan wore an unpleasant expression. Muttering a few words of reluctant gratitude, it turned and left.
Jiang You Sheng snorted coldly, then turned to Wang Jie with a reassuring smile. “Master, rest assured. This matter will be handled appropriately.”
Wang Jie waved dismissively, showing indifference. Of course, he still accepted the one million Star Stones without hesitation.
“Tower Master, I have a favor to ask,” Wang Jie said.
“Master, please speak freely,” Jiang You Sheng replied.
“Would it be possible to find a skilled Smith Refiner to forge swords for me?”
Jiang You Sheng looked puzzled. “Master needs swords? I have some here.”
“I need many.”
“How many?”
“As many as possible.”
Jiang You Sheng hesitated. “With war looming, the finest Smith Refiners of the Ninth Star Chain have all been taken by the Berserk Clan to forge weapons. The two hundred weapons they provided you weren’t just old stock; many were freshly crafted. Finding a good Smith Refiner now is nearly impossible. Even if I did, you wouldn’t get priority.”
Wang Jie felt a wave of disappointment. The combat technique he had mysteriously obtained required swords—the more, the better.
Seeing his frustration, Jiang You Sheng reassured him. “Once we reach the Seventh Star Chain, I will help you find a proper Smith Refiner. That place is a haven for the Weapon-Forging Dao.”
Beyond the Fourth Defensive Line, war raged fiercely. Colossal beasts fell one after another, their corpses drifting in the starry void. Among them were the four behemoths that had once guarded Green Mountain City. Now, all lay slain.
Vice Domain Lord Yan Fu Yu clashed repeatedly with the Fourth Defensive Line’s Commander, Mad Thunder.
Mad Thunder had unleashed the power of the Five Prisons, displaying formidable strength, but Yan Fu Yu was no weaker.
Their repeated battles left the Fourth Defensive Line on the brink of collapse.
In Green Mountain City, a creature from the Berserk Clan sought out Wang Jie again, this time offering him a Three-Tribulation Star Artifact.
The artifact itself was unimpressive—a mere earring of unknown origins. Beautiful but functionally useless. Perhaps that was why the Berserk Clan was willing to part with it so easily.
Even so, its presence eased Jiang You Sheng’s dissatisfaction.
No matter how worthless it seemed, a Three-Tribulation Star Artifact was still an artifact of its caliber. Selling it would start at four million Star Stones at the very least—not bad at all.
Meanwhile, the Berserk Clan had begun sealing off the Green Square Star Cluster, searching tirelessly for Xia Bei Yi. They were awaiting reinforcements from other Berserk Clan powerhouses.
During these two days, Wang Jie continuously purchased swords. Any ordinary sword would do. He simply wanted to practice.
Yet, despite his efforts, he had only managed to gather a little over seventy swords in that time. Green Mountain City was vast; he continued his search.
That day, he stumbled upon a rare find, purchasing one hundred and thirty swords at once. Overjoyed, he now had two hundred swords in total—just enough.
But as he returned, an assassination attempt awaited him.
Several Ten-Seal Creatures ambushed him, but he dispatched them with ease. However, the incident angered Puppeteer Tower, which immediately issued a warning to Green Mountain City. To enforce order, they slaughtered a group of offenders, restoring temporary peace.
This prompted Jiang You Sheng to urge Wang Jie once more to leave with him for the Seventh Star Chain.
“Everyone who can flee is already fleeing. The Fourth Defensive Line won’t hold. Even if we’re not in immediate danger, staying here will only make life difficult,” Jiang You Sheng warned. With Puppeteer Tower having handled the recent turmoil, he added, “At the very least, we should escape to the Third Defensive Line.”
Wang Jie had never refused before, and now was no time to start.
Returning to the Eighth Star Chain would have to wait for another opportunity. If he delayed any longer, Jiang You Sheng might start asking questions.
Just as they prepared to leave, a Berserk Clan delegation arrived. At its head was a being Wang Jie had never seen before. Yet, the surrounding Berserk Clan creatures treated it with great deference.
“Mad Thunder? What are you doing here?” Jiang You Sheng exclaimed in surprise.
Wang Jie’s gaze sharpened. Mad Thunder? The Commander of the Fourth Defensive Line? Shouldn’t it be on the battlefield? What was it doing here?
Mad Thunder greeted Jiang You Sheng briefly before turning toward Wang Jie. From a human perspective, the Berserk Clan creatures were grotesque and terrifying. Yet, Mad Thunder attempted what could only be described as a smile.
“So, this is the Celestial Refinement Master?” it asked.
Jiang You Sheng frowned. “Yes, this is the Celestial Refinement Master. Mad Thunder, what happened to the Fourth Defensive Line?”
Mad Thunder ignored the question and instead bowed slightly to Wang Jie. “I am Mad Thunder, Commander of the Fourth Defensive Line. Master, have you ever considered coming to the Eight Prison Realms?”
Wang Jie hadn’t spoken yet when Jiang You Sheng’s expression changed drastically. He stepped in front of Wang Jie. “Mad Thunder, what are you trying to do?”
Mad Thunder stared at Jiang You Sheng. “I wish to invite Master to the Eight Prison Realms.”
“Master belongs to the Seventh Star Chain,” Jiang You Sheng declared firmly.
“One’s birthplace does not determine one’s destiny,” Mad Thunder said smoothly. “Master, would you not agree?”
Wang Jie was startled. Hearing such philosophical words from a monstrous being was unsettling.
Then realization struck.
“I see. You’ve already given up on the Fourth Defensive Line. You know it cannot hold, and you don’t want to die there. But you can’t simply flee back to the Eight Prison Realms. That would be certain death as well. So you seek to return under the pretense of escorting a Celestial Refinement Master. By bringing one back, you hope to offset your failure and escape execution.” Jiang You Sheng’s voice was cold.
Mad Thunder chuckled. “You may think what you like, but my invitation is sincere. Master, what say you?”
Wang Jie didn’t hesitate. “Not interested.” His answer was blunt and final.
If he followed Jiang You Sheng to the Seventh Star Chain, there might still be a path back to Blue Star. But if he ventured to the Eight Prison Realms, the war’s outcome aside, how could a lone human possibly thrive in a realm of monsters?
Mad Thunder remained unfazed. “Master, I fear you do not understand the opportunities within the Eight Prison Realms. We have abundant resources for your cultivation. Tower Master Jiang, step aside.”
Jiang You Sheng roared, “Mad Thunder, even Little Circle Lake awaits my return with Master. If you steal him away, do you not fear inciting Little Circle Lake’s wrath?”
Mad Thunder hesitated briefly but stood firm. It had no choice.
Without bringing back a Celestial Refinement Master, returning to the Eight Prison Realms meant certain death.
“Tower Master Jiang, we have been friends for years. Do not force my hand,” Mad Thunder warned.
“You are the one forcing my hand!”
“Berserk Clan! Bring the Master with us!”
“Puppeteer Tower! Protect the Master!”
Green Mountain City erupted into chaos as Mad Thunder and Jiang You Sheng clashed, and the Berserk Clan unleashed nearly ten thousand Cosmic Giant Beasts to besiege Puppeteer Tower.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation