Chapter 186

Chapter 186: The Chaos

Stars turned and spun, real yet unreal. Zhi Nan Xing’s pupils constricted. It was bad—this was a Star Method. He immediately summoned his bronze scroll to defend.

Twelve bronze scrolls circled him, releasing star force that shot into the sky, while he took out his formation book to set up a formation.

But it was too late.

If Zhi Nan Xing had summoned the formation book earlier, he could have blocked Wang Jie. But now, it was too late.

Having fought Wen Yuan before, Wang Jie had gained insight into breaking formations. As soon as the formation book appeared, Wang Jie unleashed several finger shadows using the starry finger technique, destabilizing the formation. His footwork with sword step sliced through the formation, striking the bronze scroll.

The tremendous force sent Zhi Nan Xing flying.

The formation book activated, but Zhi Nan Xing had already been thrown out of the formation’s range. Only the bronze scroll remained to protect him.

One after another, finger shadows fell upon the bronze scroll.

Zhi Nan Xing felt endless force pounding at him, and before he could stop himself, a mouthful of blood was coughed up, causing him to lose consciousness.

As he fainted, the bronze scroll fell, and the finger shadows dissipated.

Wang Jie exhaled deeply and glanced towards the earlier position. The formation was activated, but he didn’t know what kind of formation it was. However, given that Zhi Nan Xing had used it at a critical moment, it was definitely not simple. If Zhi Nan Xing hadn’t been so arrogant, Wang Jie might not have been able to deal with him.

Picking up the bronze scroll, he noted its sturdy material but couldn’t tell what level it was.

He then looked at Zhi Nan Xing, dragging him into the wreckage of the exploded spaceship.

Zhi Nan Xing didn’t know how long he had been unconscious. His head throbbed, and his mouth tasted bitter.

When he opened his eyes, the blurry sight of flickering flames filled his vision. Memories rushed back to him, and he suddenly sat up, swaying from his injuries.

“Only two hours and you’re awake? Your recovery is impressive,” Wang Jie’s voice rang out.

Zhi Nan Xing looked back. There, Wang Jie was sitting, toying with the bronze scroll.

“Give it back to me.”

Wang Jie smiled, “What’s the point of returning trophies?”

Zhi Nan Xing’s face turned pale. He couldn’t help but sit down, suppressing the pain as he spoke weakly, “Fine, keep it. Let’s see if your superior, the Zhi family, will make you return it.”

Wang Jie furrowed his brow, his gaze falling on the bronze scroll again.

“The Zhi family’s Spring and Autumn technique requires twelve bronze scrolls to cooperate. This is standard for a core disciple of the Zhi family.”

“This bronze scroll is a three tribulations star artifact. If I reach the full star realm, it can be upgraded to a four tribulations star artifact—its value is immense.” At this point, he sneered at Wang Jie, “Some people have tried to take the bronze scroll. They thought that by targeting the Zhi family’s core disciples and stealing the scroll, they could make a fortune. Want to know how that turned out?”

Before Wang Jie could respond, Zhi Nan Xing slowly continued, “The Zhi family’s teachings state that if the bronze scroll is stolen, they will do everything to retrieve it. As for the target, no mercy.”

Wang Jie chuckled, “Is that all?”

Zhi Nan Xing stared at him.

“So, what happens to the Zhi family’s disciples whose bronze scrolls are taken?”

Zhi Nan Xing fell silent.

Wang Jie put the bronze scroll away, “If you want it, fine. Report it to the Zhi family and let them come and find me. I’ll be waiting to see what punishment you receive.”

Zhi Nan Xing’s expression darkened. “Wang Jie, do you really think the Zhi family can’t touch you?”

Wang Jie’s expression grew cold. “I think it’s you who believes I wouldn’t dare to kill you.”

“Bold! If you dare to kill me, no one behind you will be able to protect you—no matter who they are,” Zhi Nan Xing shouted.

Wang Jie walked towards him, killing intent radiating from him.

Zhi Nan Xing’s pupils trembled as he fixed his gaze on Wang Jie.

He didn’t believe Wang Jie would dare kill him. He was a core disciple of the Zhi family. In this Fourth Star Cloud, who would dare touch anyone from the Zhi family? No one.

Wang Jie stood in front of him, looking down. “Didn’t you say I was bold? Let me show you just how bold I can be.” With that, he lifted Zhi Nan Xing, pulling out the nine form diagram. “Perform the movements.”

Zhi Nan Xing: “??”

Some time later, Zhi Nan Xing stared blankly at the ground, his gaze filled with hatred. Was this bastard humiliating him? Forcing him to perform all sorts of strange movements—what was he trying to do?

Wang Jie put away the nine form diagram, satisfied with the result.

He smiled at Zhi Nan Xing, “We’ll meet again later.” Then, with a swift blow, he knocked him unconscious, burying him underground. Zhi Nan Xing would no longer participate in the Devour Star contest. He could come out after the competition.

Stepping over the nine form diagram, Wang Jie was now Zhi Nan Xing.

He sought out Yun Ju.

In the distance, a spaceship quietly hovered—belonging to Zhi Nan Xing.

Wang Jie had come here to check on the spaceship, but he hadn’t expected to encounter a nightmare of a lifetime.

Wang Jie controlled Zhi Nan Xing’s spaceship, heading in a specific direction.

Yun Ju had never hidden his location, and Wang Jie knew exactly where he was.

Soon, he crossed a large area and found Yun Ju.

Yun Ju looked at the figure in the distance, surprised. “Zhi Nan Xing?”

Wang Jie smiled at Yun Ju, approaching.

Yun Ju also smiled and stepped forward to greet him.

As a White Realm Lord disciple and one of the White Wanderers, Yun Ju held a high position, but no matter how high, he could never surpass the Zhi family. At most, they could interact as equals.

“Junior Brother Nan Xing, what brings you here?”

Wang Jie imitated Zhi Nan Xing’s demeanor, proud yet restrained. His smile was faint, slightly distant, but still warm. “Senior Brother, have you found that Wang Jie yet?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Ju furrowed his brow, his words tinged with anger. “Not yet, but I will definitely find him.”

“Then, Senior Brother, you’d better hurry. Don’t let someone else find him first.”

“If it weren’t for my subordinates being fools, I would have solved this long ago.” Yun Ju’s gaze turned to Zhi Nan Xing. “Junior Brother, what brings you here?”

Wang Jie looked at Yun Ju seriously. “I need Senior Brother’s help. But not for me—I’m just the messenger.”

Yun Ju waved his subordinates away. “I know who you’re close to. What do you want Senior Brother to do?”

Wang Jie intentionally took out the bronze scroll, his eyes filled with killing intent. “Kill Li Cai.”

Yun Ju was stunned, staring at Zhi Nan Xing. “Who?”

“Did Senior Brother not hear me clearly, or did you not want to hear?” Wang Jie replied coldly.

“Junior Brother, do you know that Li Cai is the son of Li Tong, the Elder of the Elder Court? He represents the Elder’s faction. If he dies, the repercussions will be massive. Even I won’t be able to handle it.”

“Then, Senior Brother, feel free to heavily injure him. After that, leave the rest to me.”

Yun Ju stared at Zhi Nan Xing, especially at the bronze scroll in his hands. “Why does Li Cai have to die?”

“Wang Jie couldn’t solve this in the Lock Path interval because the Elder Court set the rule with Li Tong’s support and that senior from the Zhi family. Anyone who dares oppose us will pay the price. Senior Brother, don’t worry. You’ll be injuring Li Cai for the credential contest. Killing him—leave that to me.”

Yun Ju was uneasy, sensing something was wrong, but he couldn’t pinpoint why. Wasn’t the rule set by Si Shang? Li Tong was still in the Ying Yang battlefield.

Wang Jie glanced at Yun Ju, speaking slowly, “Once Senior Brother completes this task, our faction will grant you one condition. Any condition.”

“Fine,” Yun Ju agreed. He knew that Zhi Nan Xing was close to Zhi Shu, and Zhi Shu was supported by Zhi Qing.

Zhi Qing was second only to the ancestor in the Zhi family.

With Zhi Qing as a backing, it was more secure than being a White Realm Lord.

It wasn’t about heavily injuring Li Cai—it wasn’t a direct kill.

“Where is Li Cai?” Yun Ju was more eager than Wang Jie now.

Wang Jie was about to discuss Li Cai’s whereabouts with Yun Ju when a loud shout rang out: “Yun Ju, get out here!”

Yun Ju’s anger flared as he stood up. “It’s him! This bastard really thinks I’m afraid of him.”

Wang Jie frowned. Shi Wei? That voice—it was definitely Shi Wei’s. He had found Yun Ju at last.

“Junior Brother, wait a moment. I’ll deal with this bastard first.” With that, Yun Ju leaped out, beginning his battle.

Wang Jie couldn’t help but sigh. Shi Wei had to show up now, of all times. What a bother.

Suddenly, he turned his head in another direction—Wen Yuan?

Wen Yuan had come.

And behind him—Li Cai was chasing him.

Wen Yuan was fleeing in panic.

Wang Jie turned to Yun Ju battling Shi Wei, shouting, “Li Cai is here! The jade stone credential is with him!”

Everyone heard him.

Wen Yuan looked at Wang Jie, confused. Which fool still thought the jade stone was with Li Cai? Huh? Zhi Nan Xing?

On the other side, Shi Wei frowned. Hadn’t Wang Jie taken the jade stone from Wen Yuan? Why was it with Li Cai now?

Yun Ju, however, knew this was just an excuse Zhi Nan Xing had given him to deal with Li Cai—clever Junior Brother.

Li Cai was most frustrated. Who said the jade stone was with him?

He saw Wang Jie. “Junior Brother Nan Xing, the jade stone was taken by that Wang Jie long ago. I was tricked by Wen Yuan and lost the jade stone. Everyone in the Devour Star knows this.”

Wang Jie, of course, didn’t admit it. “Senior Brother Li, no need to deny it. This has always been a scheme. With your battle power, how could a lock force cultivator steal the jade stone from you?”

The words sounded nice, but the jade stone had indeed been stolen.

Li Cai, frustrated and angry, retorted, “Wen Yuan tricked me. That Wang Jie was just the opportunist. Junior Brother, if you want the jade stone, go find Wang Jie. I’ll deal with Wen Yuan first.”

“Li Cai, hand over the jade stone.” Yun Ju gave up on Shi Wei and attacked Li Cai.

Li Cai instinctively used his thunder pattern to defend, but was knocked back by the blow, shouting, “Yun Ju, what are you talking about? The jade stone is with Wang Jie, are you insane?”

Yun Ju sneered, “Don’t try to play me. Wen Yuan tricked you? That lock force cultivator is only at the star-breaking realm. Even if he’s talented enough to fight a wandering star realm cultivator, you’re not a normal wandering star realm.”

“It’s clear you and Wen Yuan set this up. Junior Brother Nan Xing was right—this was a well-thought-out plan to avoid being surrounded.”

Li Cai was stunned. Could it be explained this way? It seemed quite reasonable.

Wen Yuan looked back. Was this how it could be explained?

“Yun Ju, apologize to me.” Shi Wei was still chasing Yun Ju.

Yun Ju, infuriated, dodged Shi Wei’s attack, then turned to chase Li Cai. “Li Cai, give me the jade stone.”

Li Cai was furious. “The jade stone isn’t with me!” He glared at Wen Yuan. “Wen Yuan, stay right there. Don’t try to run.”

In the distance, Wang Jie quietly watched the chaos. It was completely chaotic now.

Four wandering star realm cultivators were in a battle, one chasing another. This was… interesting.

In the distance, Yun Ju’s subordinates were also confused. What was going on? How had it all turned into this?

Outside Devour Star, those watching were dumbfounded.

What was happening?