Chapter 100
Chapter 100: A New Beginning
“What? You’re a smith refiner?” That evening, Wang Jie was casually chatting with Wu Yin. Wu Yin had great respect for Wang Jie, and as a fellow practitioner of lock force, he couldn’t understand how Wang Jie had become a celestial refinement master. He also revealed that he himself was a smith refiner.
Wu Yin said, “Yes, lock force has its limits and no future, so I turned to forging refinement. It’s called forging refinement, but it’s really just the basics of forging. I only learned the basics, just enough to get by in the sect.”
Wang Jie looked at Wu Yin and asked, “I have a lot of materials. Could you help me forge them into swords?”
“I’ve seen your sword techniques, honored guest. They’re incredible. Of course, I can help.”
“Thank you.”
The Berserk Clan had given him many weapons for star refining. Now, as he was leaving, these weapons could be broken down into various materials, just waiting to be forged by the right smith refiner. Wu Yin happened to be here, and it was the perfect opportunity.
No matter Wu Yin’s skill level, being recognized by the Frost Radiance Sect meant he must be capable to some extent.
Wu Yin was stunned when he saw Wang Jie pull out so many materials.
“These… these are all precious materials! Where did honored guest get them?”
The weapons given by the Berserk Clan for star refining were made from rare materials. But not everyone could deconstruct them the way Wang Jie had. This was truly unbelievable.
Wang Jie waved his hand casually. “I have plenty more, and there will be more in the future. Feel free to use whatever you need.”
Wu Yin was speechless. He had thought there would only be a few swords to forge, but with this, there were enough materials to forge many more.
Despite his surprise, Wu Yin could not refuse. The honored guest’s status made it impossible for him to say no. It seemed he would have to work harder.
Wang Jie arranged a place for Wu Yin to forge the weapons.
During this time, Wu Yin would be hard to see.
But Wu Yin did have a request. He introduced Wang Jie to the situation of the Frost Radiance Sect’s outer sect and asked for his help.
The outer sect of the Frost Radiance Sect was made up entirely of lock force cultivators. In other words, only lock force practitioners could join the outer sect.
With fifty million disciples, the outer sect outnumbered the sect’s star force practitioners by far. However, they had little presence in the outside world. Any outer sect disciple could act arrogantly. As the strongest lock force practitioner in the outer sect, Wu Yin, despite his status, did not have the qualifications to enter the inner sect or the Three Peaks.
Wu Yin had been in the outer sect for too long and hoped Wang Jie could help the lock force practitioners there, or at least stop them from being treated unfairly.
“As a celestial refinement master and honored guest of the sect, you will never be treated unfairly. It has nothing to do with lock force or star force. But if you want to help the outer sect, it will be difficult,” Jin Chu replied.
Wang Jie would not agree to Wu Yin’s request without careful thought, because once he agreed, he would have to act on it.
Wu Yin’s request was not a trade, but a simple plea. So, Wang Jie didn’t need to promise to forge weapons for him right away.
Wang Jie turned to Jin Chu. “Is the outer sect treated unfairly?”
Jin Chu thought for a moment. “If two ants were fighting, would you carefully observe and decide who was right or wrong before punishing them? You wouldn’t. What you would do is separate them, and if they fought again, punish them both or crush them.”
“This is the situation the outer sect faces right now.”
Wang Jie understood. To the Frost Radiance Sect, the lives of outer sect cultivators did not matter. They were not even worthy of having their actions judged.
He found Wu Yin and told him he might not be able to help the outer sect.
Wu Yin was not disappointed, and still wholeheartedly helped him forge the weapons.
Three months later, the Silver Radiance Empire’s warship was about to arrive, and Wang Jie had obtained four hundred eighty-six swords—more than double the number of weapons the Berserk Clan had provided.
“If a senior smith refiner were to do this, the weapons could be refined more finely. The materials you gave could only make around two hundred weapons. The higher the level of the smith refiner, the fewer weapons they can forge,” Wu Yin explained. “As for me, please don’t be too harsh on me.”
Wang Jie smiled. “It’s already very good. Thank you.” He didn’t mind; after all, these swords were far superior to the ones he bought outside, and they would suffice for now.
During this time, he had been cultivating underwater. While his strength had not increased, his control over lock force had reached a level of 1,600. More surprisingly, his inner qi had been steadily increasing. Not his physical strength, but his actual energy.
Increasing physical strength required more power, but increasing inner qi was something he had struggled with before. Now, he realized it could be done either through battle or pressure. That was the way forward.
Though the increase was small, any increase was good.
But why couldn’t gravity increase?
Was the gravity insufficient?
The word “extreme” suddenly came to his mind. He remembered when he had fought Shu Mu Night, thinking his strength had broken through to the limit. In other words, he needed to touch that limit.
…
This day would be unforgettable for the people of Blue Star.
They were about to leave their home, heading to an unknown future.
One by one, the people of Blue Star boarded the warships, almost all of them looking back at their beautiful blue planet. So much had happened here. Countless memories, ancestors buried here, countless traces of their past.
They were leaving.
At this moment, even the mutated beasts swimming in the ocean felt familiar.
They were unwilling to leave, but when the Slaughter Stone descended in 2200, they had no choice.
Humans were born in the world, yearning for freedom, but were destined to have little control over their own fate.
The evacuation of millions was silent.
Wang Jie stood by the window, looking at Blue Star with a complicated expression. He wasn’t sure if he would ever see this blue pearl that had given him life again.
The warship began to move, and soon Blue Star disappeared from view.
Countless eyes grew dim, filled with memories of the past. Many had not brought any valuables, but they carried spirit tablets, soil from their homeland, even broken door handles, and withered flowers unique to Blue Star.
The warship’s speed wasn’t as fast as the spaceship they had come in, and it took two whole months to reach the Silver Radiance Empire’s capital star.
The journey was smooth, without encountering any enemies.
The people of Blue Star were awestruck by the outside world. They saw perfected civilizations, planets connected to each other, spaceships traveling the stars, and the imperial capital star, much larger than Blue Star.
They felt the new breath of the universe.
The people of Blue Star were settled on Radiant Star, a planet located next to the imperial capital star. It was almost the same size as Blue Star, with pleasant weather, and its position next to the imperial capital star was extremely advantageous.
Jun Hua had truly put thought into this.
During the journey, Wang Jie had already shared much about the outside world with the people of Blue Star. They now knew about the Silver Radiance Empire and the imperial capital star, and seeing that they could stay on Radiant Star, they were all stunned by Wang Jie’s status.
Tang Jie and the others couldn’t understand. Wang Jie had only been gone for two years—how had he gained such high status?
Wang Jie couldn’t explain. He had cheated.
Upon reaching the imperial capital star, Wang Jie learned that the Domain Lord was also here. He left the task of settling the Blue Star people on Radiant Star to others and directly went to meet the Domain Lord.
“Junior greets the Domain Lord,” Wang Jie saluted.
The Domain Lord smiled at Wang Jie and helped him up. “Master, you’re too polite. How was the journey? Was it smooth?”
Wang Jie smiled bitterly. “There was a great battle, but it was still relatively smooth.”
“That’s good. The war has ended. Will you return to the sect with me, or continue staying in the Silver Radiance Empire?”
“Of course, I will return to the sect.”
The Domain Lord had definitely come to take him back, and Wang Jie knew it well.
He was grateful to the Domain Lord, for without him, Blue Star would have already been in ruins. The only regret was the hasty farewell.
Wang Jie didn’t keep the Domain Lord waiting and quickly bid farewell to Old Five and the others, then set off for the Frost Radiance Sect.
Along with the Domain Lord, there were also many other Frost Radiance Sect cultivators who had participated in the battle, including Yan Bei Yi, Yan Zhen Zhen, and Jin Chu. Yan Fu Yu stayed behind at the Ninth Star Chain to handle the aftermath.
One by one, the ships headed into the depths of the stars.
During the journey, Yan Bei Yi didn’t show up. It seemed he was avoiding Wang Jie.
Yan Zhen Zhen, however, continued to approach Wang Jie, and he appreciated her efforts. “If it weren’t for you, young lady, I wouldn’t have been able to save my homeland. Thank you again.”
“Master, you’re too polite,” Yan Zhen Zhen smiled gracefully, her expression playful. “I also have a request for you.”
Wang Jie didn’t expect her to be so direct. Usually, such things were developed step by step.
“What is it, young lady?”
Yan Zhen Zhen said, “My grandfather is in the Hundred Star Realm.”
Wang Jie understood. “Don’t worry, young lady. If I can help, I’ll definitely refine materials for your grandfather.”
Yan Zhen Zhen looked at Wang Jie, her eyes clear and unguarded. He could see his own reflection in her pupils. “When we get to the sect, there will be more than one Hundred Star Realm expert trying to recruit you. Even external forces will want to approach you. I’m not asking for a promise from you, just that, if you have time, you can help my grandfather a little.”
Wang Jie met her gaze and nodded. “I understand.”
Yan Zhen Zhen smiled playfully. “If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me. To win you over, my grandfather will spare no cost.”
Wang Jie chuckled, then thought of something. “By the way, young lady, how is the war going?”
Yan Zhen Zhen replied, “It’s temporarily over. The Berserk Clan was defeated and their whereabouts are unknown. The Ninth Star Chain is now split between the Frost Radiance Sect and the Puppet Master Sect, each taking half.”
Wang Jie was surprised. “The Berserk Clan was completely defeated?”
“Yes. The battle started because the Berserk Clan’s ancestor offended some lord and was heavily wounded. My sect took the opportunity to strike, and the Berserk Clan couldn’t stop us. The defeat was inevitable.”
“Then why did the Puppet Master Sect get involved? Isn’t it the Gong Nation that supported them?”
“The Gong Nation is from the Sixth Star Chain, too far from the Ninth Star Chain. Their support was just for show. The only ones who could truly support the Ninth Star Chain were the Puppet Master Sect. But even they couldn’t save the Berserk Clan. They only managed to gain some of the Ninth Star Chain’s territory by threatening to attack the Frost Radiance Sect.”
Wang Jie understood. “I see, it’s quite chaotic.”
Yan Zhen Zhen smiled. “Not really. The Third Nebula is divided into the Nine Great Star Chains. Ever since the Nan family disappeared, the Nine Great Star Chains have had different attitudes. The first, second, third, fifth, and eighth Star Links are trying to protect the Third Nebula, waiting for the Nan family to return. Meanwhile, the fourth, sixth, seventh, and ninth Star Links want to break away from the Third Nebula to gain more resources.”
“This is the root cause of the war…”