Chapter 110
Chapter 110: Threat
The value of eight hundred starsea stones equals eight million starstones, with such an exchange rate, it’s highly unusual for anyone to make such a trade. Starsea stones are far more valuable than starstones.
Wang Jie, however, offered eight hundred starsea stones at once, and this caused others to hesitate in raising their bids.
This was exactly what Wang Jie intended. If someone truly sought to acquire the slaughter stones, he might not be able to outbid them. The thousand starsea stones in his possession seemed like a lot, but in reality, they were merely a gift from the Domain Master, offered casually with no promises attached.
There were simply too many wealthy people. All he could do was intimidate them.
Luckily, it worked. With the eight hundred starsea stones, he secured sixty-two slaughter stones.
His objective was achieved. Before the auction even ended, he left, ensuring he wouldn’t be targeted by those with ulterior motives.
“Quickly,” he muttered as he exited the auction hall, just in time to see the second princess being driven away in a beast cart. The gigantic beast pulling the cart moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared.
Inside the cart, Wang Jie saw a rotund figure—Fatty—whose lewd smile was so disturbing that even his front teeth gleamed in the light.
Life soon returned to normal. Wang Jie spent his time accompanying Master Luan in refining pills. That sequence returned to visit Master Luan a few more times. Master Luan could not refuse, but each time, his mood darkened.
“If only that person had half your humility, Master Wang,” Master Luan sighed.
Wang Jie was silent. It wasn’t humility, he simply lacked the confidence to be arrogant.
Rumors spread that he didn’t respect seniors. Master Xu had come to the sect, yet Wang Jie hadn’t gone to pay his respects. Wang Jie ignored it all.
The Domain Master came to see him as well, intending to say something, but unable to find the right words.
The appearance of that sequence put tremendous pressure on him. This person was helping Cold Domain Master vie for the position of the Fog Peak Master, and he was now at a disadvantage.
Wang Jie had no idea how to help him.
Not long after, news came that made the Domain Master’s position even more difficult. The Ninth Star Chain’s berserk clan had launched a counterattack, and Yan Fu Yu had died in battle.
“Yan Fu Yu is dead?” Wang Jie exclaimed.
Zhen Zhen’s face grew heavy. “Yes, Yan Fu Yu died in battle. But that’s not what’s important. What’s truly critical is how the berserk clan managed to counterattack. When the Domain Master returned, he clearly stated that the berserk clan would no longer be a threat, and that was when the sect agreed to divide the Ninth Star Chain with the Seventh Star Chain Puppet Master sect.”
“Now, with the berserk clan’s counterattack, the Puppet Master sect immediately lent their support. Thanks to the previous division of the Ninth Star Chain, the Puppet Master sect has gained the upper hand, and the massive advantage the sect had is now lost.”
“The sect is now questioning the Domain Master.”
Wang Jie couldn’t believe what was happening. The Domain Master had such bad luck. On one side, Cold Domain Master was pressuring him, and on the other, things were falling apart. The Ninth Star Chain war had been his biggest leverage in vying for the position of Fog Peak Master, but now it had become his greatest disadvantage.
“My grandfather says the Domain Master has completely failed. He will never be the Fog Peak Master,” Zhen Zhen said.
Wang Jie was about to speak when he suddenly turned his gaze to the courtyard.
Zhen Zhen almost simultaneously looked in the same direction.
“Is Master Wang here? I, Old Man Zhu Cheng, am here to seek an audience.”
Wang Jie and Zhen Zhen exchanged a surprised glance.
“It’s Cold Domain Master,” Zhen Zhen said.
Wang Jie stepped out of the courtyard and saw Cold Domain Master, Zhu Cheng, standing outside.
As a hundred-star realm expert, the only reason he was treated with respect was because of his Celestial Refinement Master status. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even warrant a second glance.
“Ah, Cold Domain Master, please come in,” Wang Jie said, opening the courtyard gate and inviting him in.
“Zhen Zhen, greetings, Senior,” Zhen Zhen said, bowing politely.
Cold Domain Master smiled and looked at Zhen Zhen. “Ah, little lass, you’re here too. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your grandfather. How is he?”
Zhen Zhen smiled. “Grandfather is doing well. Thank you for your concern, Senior.”
Cold Domain Master nodded. “I need to speak with Master Wang about some matters.”
Zhen Zhen glanced at Wang Jie before excusing herself.
“Please, Senior, come inside,” Wang Jie said.
“No need, Master Wang. Have you heard the news outside?”
“What news, Senior?”
“The berserk clan’s counterattack. The Domain Master has already gone to the Ninth Star Chain. As for Fog Peak’s Master position, he no longer has the qualifications,” Cold Domain Master said, smiling openly, without hiding his amusement.
Wang Jie was deeply unsettled by this smile.
It was as if Cold Domain Master was looking at him like he was nothing more than a commodity. There was no pretension, just an unspoken sense of superiority.
Wang Jie stared back. “This matter has nothing to do with me. I am simply a ten-seal lock force cultivator, not interested in what’s happening in the outside world.”
Cold Domain Master chuckled. “You should care. After all, you’re at Fog Peak, aren’t you?”
Wang Jie’s eyes flickered, but before he could respond, Cold Domain Master raised his hand, interrupting him.
“Honored guest, you can enter the sect, or you can be expelled. If you are not my Frost Radiance sect’s honored guest, where do you plan to go next?”
Wang Jie narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, Senior?”
Cold Domain Master smiled coldly. “I’m just reminding you of your place. What the Domain Master can offer you, I can offer as well. As for that lass Zhen Zhen, she’s probably here as a mediator for her grandfather. But let me tell you, her grandfather is in no position to compete with me.”
“The position of Fog Peak Master? I have already secured it.”
He glanced around the courtyard. “Mooncrown Mountain is vast, but Fog Peak is even greater. But if you take the wrong path, you might not be able to return.” With that, he turned and left.
Wang Jie watched him go, feeling deeply uncomfortable. Cold Domain Master had spoken to him from a position of sheer arrogance, without any attempt at pretension.
This attitude left a lingering unease in him.
In truth, his greatest leverage at Fog Peak wasn’t the Domain Master, but Master Luan. He decided to wait for Master Luan to finish refining pills before discussing the matter further. No matter how powerful Cold Domain Master was, he couldn’t possibly sway Master Luan, right?
Zhen Zhen returned shortly after and asked what had happened. Wang Jie told her everything about Cold Domain Master’s threat.
“He threatened you directly?” Zhen Zhen was shocked.
Wang Jie nodded. “In his eyes, I am just a minor character. He has Master Xu, and he doesn’t care about my Celestial Refinement Master status.”
Zhen Zhen frowned. “He really thinks he’s the Fog Peak Master, doesn’t he? I never realized he was so arrogant.”
Wang Jie asked, “If he truly is Fog Peak’s Master, does he have the right to expel me?”
Zhen Zhen was certain. “No. You were appointed by the sect as an honored guest. But…” She thought for a moment. “While he can’t expel you, he can restrict you.”
“What do you mean?”
“How many Celestial Refinement tasks has the sect assigned you for the year?”
“Thirty.”
“What if it were fifty? Sixty? Or even a hundred? What would you do?”
Wang Jie wasn’t worried. It was just a matter of one night. Of course, he couldn’t say that out loud.
Zhen Zhen continued, “You wouldn’t have time to leave, let alone cultivate. The sect is large, but power is decentralized. Fog Peak’s matters should be managed by its Master, and even the sect master doesn’t intervene.”
Wang Jie recalled the scenes at the auction house. Reality was harsh.
Especially with another Celestial Refinement Master around, one far superior to him. The sect would have no reason to care about him.
He couldn’t leave. If he did, things would get complicated for the Blue Star people in the Silver Radiance Empire.
“By the way, why doesn’t your grandfather want to fight for the position of Fog Peak Master?”
Zhen Zhen sighed. “Grandfather’s personality doesn’t allow him to fight for positions. But if you’re willing, my grandfather will certainly protect you.”
Wang Jie understood. Zhen Zhen was suggesting he become her grandfather’s personal Celestial Refinement Master, helping with the refinement of materials for his breakthrough into the Star Refining realm.
He decided to seek Master Luan’s opinion first. If it came down to it, whether it was the Domain Master or her grandfather, they were both options.
A few days later, Wang Jie went to see Master Luan and was stopped by Zhen Xiao Nian. “That big scallion is inside.”
Wang Jie was speechless. “You should shout that next time, directly to his face.”
Zhen Xiao Nian was serious. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“Has Master Luan come out yet?”
“Almost.”
“Then I’ll go in.”
“Don’t you need to avoid him?”
“It’s fine.” Wang Jie entered, and a deep green light met his eyes. This was his first real meeting with Sequence.
Sequence saw Wang Jie and sneered. “You’re Wang Jie?”
Wang Jie nodded. “Yes.”
Sequence narrowed his eyes. “Is this the attitude you have when meeting me?”
Zhen Xiao Nian stepped aside and watched quietly from a distance.
Wang Jie was confused. “What kind of attitude should I have?”
Sequence’s voice was icy. “Junior is so arrogant. I was planning to take you as my disciple and teach you the art of Celestial Refining, but now it seems you need to learn some manners first.”
Wang Jie was surprised. “Master Xu, you were willing to take me as your disciple?”
Sequence looked away, drinking his tea arrogantly. “That depends on whether you are worthy.”
“Not worthy,” Wang Jie answered directly.
Sequence froze. This guy was something else.
At that moment, Zhen Xiao Nian seemed to hear something and walked toward Sequence. “Master Xu, my master is requesting your presence.”
Sequence glared at Wang Jie before following Zhen Xiao Nian.
Zhen Xiao Nian nodded at Wang Jie and gestured for him to wait.
Sequence and Master Luan didn’t talk for long before leaving, looking displeased.
Master Luan emerged shortly after, looking exhausted as he glanced at Wang Jie. “That person is narrow-minded. Little friend, be careful. He just had me expel you from Mooncrown Mountain. How dare he!”
Wang Jie was shocked. “I didn’t offend him.”
Master Luan frowned. “He’s helping Cold Domain Master, who’s a sworn enemy of the Domain Master. It’s not surprising he’s targeting you. Besides, it seems like you’re not too concerned about him.”
Wang Jie shrugged. “A little.”
Master Luan smiled. “You truly speak your mind. That makes things even more dangerous.”
“I understand, Master. Thank you for your concern,” Wang Jie said, but he hesitated, wanting to say more.
Master Luan took out some pills and handed them to Wang Jie. “These pills need your Celestial Refinement.”
Wang Jie took them. “It’s no trouble. Refining tools and pills are the same to me.”
“Looks like you’ve encountered some trouble?” Master Luan asked, concerned.
Wang Jie sighed and explained Cold Domain Master’s threat.
Master Luan was furious. “Zhu Cheng dares to threaten a Celestial Refinement Master? Where did he get the audacity? Don’t worry, little friend. Even if he becomes Fog Peak Master, he can’t do anything to you.”
“As for sect tasks, don’t worry about them. You’ve been refining pills for me, which is already for the sect’s benefit. Don’t worry about those tasks.”
Wang Jie stood and bowed. “Thank you, Master.”
Master Luan nodded. “Rest assured. This sect isn’t under Zhu Cheng’s control.”
With that, Master Luan left to rest and prepare a new batch of pills.
These pills weren’t ordinary—they were called Starseed Pills. Wang Jie didn’t ask what effects they had, as he never cared about the pills’ effects when refining them. But he knew they were likely for the hundred-star realm, and would be ineffective for any other realms.
They must be very expensive.
Wang Jie walked through the mountains, feeling grateful for Master Luan’s kindness.
In the future, he would focus on improving his chances of success in Celestial Refining, but he couldn’t overdo it—too much could cause him trouble.
Now, his collection of pills had grown significantly. Besides the basic pills, there was also this batch from Master Luan, known as Primal Bone Pills, which were for the Full Star Realm.