Chapter 94: Wang Jie’s Command
The Frost Radiance Sect had suffered heavy losses on the battlefield. External forces had intervened, rallying to support the Ninth Star Chain. Meanwhile, the Silver Radiance Empire’s warships were mobilizing toward the border in full force. Wang Jie sensed the shifting tides, an unease settling in his chest. Using his authority, he delved into the military records and discovered that the empire’s entire fleet was being repositioned. Some had already breached the border, while others were headed toward the region surrounding Blue Star.
His heart pounded at the sight.
Without hesitation, he made his way to the Imperial Palace to seek an audience with Jun Hua.
Instead, he first encountered Yu Dong.
Yu Dong regarded Wang Jie with an odd expression. Not long ago, this man had given her a flower—something she had never received in her entire life. The thought stirred a mix of emotions within her.
“What do you want?” she asked, her tone neutral.
“I need to speak with the Emperor regarding an urgent matter,” Wang Jie responded.
Yu Dong refused him outright. “The Emperor is currently discussing war strategy. You should return for now.”
“This is about the war,” Wang Jie insisted. “There is something I must understand.”
Yu Dong scrutinized him. She knew Wang Jie held close ties with Jun Hua and was also a disciple of the Frost Radiance Sect, though his cultivation was not as profound as hers. He was resourceful, however, and undoubtedly had access to information others did not.
“Speak. What do you wish to know?” she finally relented.
Wang Jie took a breath before revealing what he had discovered—the deployment of warships toward Blue Star’s vicinity. He demanded to know the reason.
Yu Dong answered plainly, “The warships in that sector have already been withdrawn.” She projected a Cosmic Map, tracing a line across the void. “They will regroup here.”
The new defensive line placed Blue Star firmly outside its protection.
“Why?” Wang Jie’s voice tightened.
Yu Dong hesitated for a moment before speaking in a grave tone. “The Sixth Star Chain has reinforced the Ninth Star Chain, forcing the battlefront into the Eighth Star Chain. Beyond this line, enemies have already begun to amass. We do not know their numbers or exact location. The only choice is to establish a defensive perimeter and monitor their movements.”
“What about the civilizations beyond that line?”
“They will be abandoned.”
The certainty in her voice sent a chill through Wang Jie.
Abandoned?
That meant Blue Star had been discarded as well.
If enemy forces arrived, Blue Star would not survive.
Yu Dong noticed the drastic change in Wang Jie’s expression. His gaze locked onto the Cosmic Map, intense and unwavering. He clearly held deep concern for that sector.
Wang Jie looked up at her. “I must speak with the Emperor. Please, inform her.”
Yu Dong hesitated.
“I am asking you for this favor,” he pressed.
She studied him for a moment before nodding. Without another word, she disappeared into the halls of the palace.
Wang Jie stood waiting outside for two whole hours before he was finally granted an audience.
“You came here because of that sector?” Jun Hua got straight to the point.
Wang Jie did not hide his purpose. “Yes. I implore you, do not abandon it. At the very least, send warships to investigate. I will go as well.”
Jun Hua shook her head. “Apologies, but this decision is not mine to make. Before the war, all strategic planning—including resource allocation, deployment, and logistics—was overseen by Jin Chu, our senior sister. Now that the war has begun, all decisions fall to the sect’s high council.”
“The order to abandon that sector came from the council. I cannot change it.”
“Then who can?” Wang Jie pressed. “Who issued the command?”
Jun Hua met his gaze. “One of our sect’s direct disciples, Xia Zhen Zhen. She has been appointed as the commander within the Silver Radiance Empire’s jurisdiction.”
Wang Jie immediately thought of Xia Bei Yi—another direct disciple of the sect. However, unlike Xia Bei Yi, Xia Zhen Zhen had remained within the sect’s core, deeply entrenched in its hierarchy. Her standing and influence were leagues beyond his.
Then what of his own position?
Would his status as a Guest Elder of the Frost Radiance Sect carry any weight?
Yu Dong spoke up. “Wang Jie, do you have any idea how much the sect has already lost in the Ninth Star Chain?”
He did not.
“At this point, all orders come directly from the sect’s high council. None below them can object—or dare to.”
Jun Hua added, “The Frost Radiance Sect has spent years preparing for this war. We will not accept failure. Even we have no authority to challenge Jin Chu’s decisions.”
Wang Jie raised his head. “Then summon Jin Chu here. I will speak with her—under the authority of my status as a Guest Elder.”
Moments later, Jin Chu arrived.
She had heard something amusing: the Silver Radiance Empire’s supposed Ten-Imprint Lock Force Cultivator, who had been sent on a suicide mission, was now claiming to be a Guest Elder of the sect?
Absurd.
Yet, she had come.
Wang Jie met Jin Chu’s gaze, and for the first time, she truly studied him.
“My title as Guest Elder was granted by Domain Master Ning Yu Zhu,” Wang Jie declared. “Vice Domain Yan Fu Yu and Direct Disciple Xia Bei Yi can also attest to it. However, whether the sect itself has formally acknowledged my status, I do not know.”
Jin Chu frowned and glanced at Jun Hua and Yu Dong. Both women were equally uncertain.
“How did you attain such a title?” Jin Chu questioned.
Wang Jie clasped his hands behind his back. “Because I am a Celestial Refinement Master.”
Yu Dong inhaled sharply. “A Celestial Refinement Master?”
Jin Chu’s eyes widened. “You are a Celestial Refinement Master?”
Wang Jie nodded.
“You—a Lock Force Cultivator—are a Celestial Refinement Master?” Jin Chu’s skepticism was palpable.
“Who decreed that a Lock Force Cultivator could not also be a Celestial Refinement Master?” Wang Jie countered.
Jin Chu opened her mouth to refute him but found herself unable to. It defied common sense, yet there was no rule forbidding such a combination.
After a moment’s contemplation, she relented. “Wait here. I will report to the sect and verify this claim.”
Wang Jie sighed. “Domain Master Ning Yu Zhu is in the Ninth Star Chain—he may not have had the chance to complete my formal registration. Can you not contact him directly? Or Vice Domain Yan Fu Yu and Xia Bei Yi?”
Jin Chu did not answer.
Instead, she proceeded with her own course of action.
If this person was truly a Guest Official, then contacting the front lines was reasonable. However, if he was an imposter, then Jin Chu’s troubles would be immense. Every second of communication with the front lines was of utmost gravity.
At the scene, Jun Hua and Yu Dong exchanged glances before turning their eyes to Wang Jie. Could this really be false? Such matters could surely be investigated and verified.
If it was true…
Then this man was even more enigmatic. Armor One Sect and Frost Radiance Sect—two forces so distant that they were hardly connected. From the perspective of Armor One Sect, Frost Radiance Sect was likely just a remote and insignificant place, perhaps not even worthy of acknowledgment. But if this person truly hailed from Armor One Sect, then many of the perplexing aspects of his presence would suddenly make sense.
Armor One Sect and their world belonged to completely different realms.
It took an entire half a day before Jin Chu finally received a response. Contacting Frost Radiance Sect from this place was no simple task—every message had to be relayed through multiple channels, consuming both time and effort.
Jin Chu gazed at Wang Jie with a complicated expression before slowly bowing in respect. “Inner Sect Disciple of Frost Radiance Sect, Jin Chu, greets the honored Guest Official.”
Jun Hua and Yu Dong followed suit, bowing in unison. “Greetings, honored Guest Official.”
A Guest Official held an extraordinary status. Regardless of their actual cultivation strength, they were, at the very least, considered equivalent to Direct Disciples, and most even stood above them, comparable to the rank of Inner Sect Elders.
To such a figure, disciples naturally had to show respect.
Wang Jie exhaled in relief—Ning Yu Zhu had handled matters reliably.
“Rise.”
Jin Chu straightened, maintaining a respectful tone. She wanted to address Wang Jie properly, but for a moment, she hesitated. How was she supposed to address him?
Had there ever been such a young Guest Official in the history of Frost Radiance Sect? She couldn’t recall one.
When dealing with other Guest Officials, she would typically address them as ‘Senior’ or ‘Elder,’ but this man…?
Wang Jie paid no heed to formalities. “So, tell me—does my status permit me to request changes to certain war strategies?”
Jin Chu looked troubled. “Apologies, but no, it does not.”
Wang Jie’s heart sank. “Even as a Guest Official?”
Jin Chu explained, “A Guest Official is not an Elder. Within the sect, they have no authority—only resources. So—”
“It is possible.”
A voice rang out from the distance, drawing everyone’s attention.
The newcomer was a woman clad in a flowing green gown. Her demeanor was elegant, her features stunning, and on her cheek, a delicate leaf-shaped tattoo enhanced her natural beauty, giving her an aura of striking charm and ethereal presence.
Jin Chu, Jun Hua, and Yu Dong immediately bowed in respect. “Greetings, Senior Sister Xia Zhen Zhen.”
Once one attained the rank of Direct Disciple, their seniority stood above all other disciples, regardless of age.
The woman before them was none other than Xia Zhen Zhen, one of the Direct Disciples of Frost Radiance Sect.
She approached Wang Jie with graceful steps, bowing slightly. “Zhen Zhen greets the honored Guest Official.”
Wang Jie wasn’t sure how to return the courtesy and simply nodded. “Hello.”
Xia Zhen Zhen smiled. “Does the honored Guest Official have any thoughts regarding our war deployments?”
Wang Jie pointed to the Cosmic Map. “This region contains my homeland. I do not wish for it to be abandoned in this war.”
Some matters could not be concealed. Rather than attempt secrecy, it was better to be upfront.
Not just Frost Radiance Sect, but even the Silver Radiance Empire would eventually uncover Blue Star.
Given his current identity, the exposure of Blue Star posed no direct danger. In fact, it could serve as a bargaining chip to leverage the protection of the Silver Radiance Empire.
Xia Zhen Zhen raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I see. Then, we shall follow the honored Guest Official’s wishes.” She then turned to Jun Hua. “Deploy additional battleships to safeguard the honored Guest Official’s homeland. On the battlefields of the Silver Radiance Empire, the words of the honored Guest Official carry the same weight as mine.”
Jun Hua glanced at Wang Jie before responding. “Yes, Senior Sister.”
Wang Jie expressed his gratitude. “Thank you.”
Xia Zhen Zhen’s lips curled into a warm smile. “No need for thanks, but I must caution you—the enemy is formidable. Relying solely on the Silver Radiance Empire may not be enough to protect your homeland. And our sect is already engaged in battles on multiple fronts, with no room for additional intervention.”
Wang Jie asked, “The enemy in the Sixth Star Chain?”
Xia Zhen Zhen’s expression turned serious. “Gong Nation, renowned as the third largest supplier of cannon fodder in the Star Cloud Battlefield.”
Wang Jie quickly learned the details.
Gong Nation ruled over the Sixth Star Chain. Its status was, in fact, higher than that of the Eighth Star Chain, mainly because it produced the most expendable soldiers for the Third Star Cloud.
The Star Chains had their own battlefields.
And the Star Clouds had their own wars.
The expendable soldiers of Gong Nation were all thrown into the Star Cloud Battlefield. Before the downfall of the Nan Family, their importance had been undeniable. Though not human, these creatures bore an uncanny resemblance to humans. They revered death and were infamously difficult to eliminate.
“We anticipated that attacking the Ninth Star Chain would prompt intervention from the Puppeteer Sect of the Seventh Star Chain, yet they have remained inactive. Instead, it is Gong Nation that has made a move.”
“Until now, no one expected Gong Nation to be aligned with the Anti-Nebula Faction.”
Wang Jie absorbed the information but refrained from asking too many questions. These matters were beyond his reach. At present, his only goal was to return to Blue Star.
With a brief farewell to Xia Zhen Zhen, he turned to Jun Hua and requested the fastest available ship to transport him back to Blue Star. Jun Hua readily agreed.
There was, however, one last request.
“I want to take Xuan with me.”
Jun Hua’s eyes flickered. “You wish to take him?”
Wang Jie nodded. “Jun Tang is dead, so he poses no threat to you anymore. If the enemies from Gong Nation truly invade my homeland, I alone won’t be enough to stop them. Having another expert would increase our chances of survival. I ask for the Emperor’s permission.”
Jun Hua hesitated.
Then Xia Zhen Zhen spoke. “A mere Full Star Realm cultivator—what is there to worry about, Junior Sister?”
Jun Hua immediately nodded. “There is no issue. It will be done as the honored Guest Official wishes.”
Wang Jie exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”
After bidding farewell once more to Xia Zhen Zhen and Jin Chu, he departed.
Watching his retreating figure, Xia Zhen Zhen turned to Jin Chu. “Junior Sister Jin Chu.”
“I am here, Senior Sister.”
“Once the honored Guest Official sets off, take Wu Mian and follow him. Ensure his safety. But if there is no confrontation with Gong Nation, do not reveal yourselves.”
Jin Chu was taken aback—she hadn’t expected Xia Zhen Zhen to regard Wang Jie with such significance.
“…Understood, Senior Sister.”
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