Chapter 198
Chapter 198: An Old Acquaintance
The place Wang Jie lived was not far from Celestial Master Bai Ye.
Wang Jie had planned to quietly cultivate for a few days until the Alchemy Gathering began. Yet to his surprise, a visitor arrived the very next day—a celestial refinement master, no less.
It was a middle-aged woman dressed neatly, with a heroic air about her. When she saw Wang Jie, her enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Truthfully, Wang Jie disliked interactions with other celestial refinement masters—mostly because he was a fraud.
Sure enough, the woman’s purpose matched his guess perfectly: she wished to inquire about refining pills with starforce.
Since Wang Jie could refine starforce pills, it was natural that Su Le or Mo Wan Yin would seek out other celestial refinement masters to attempt the same. Unfortunately, this had proven far beyond their capabilities.
“We’ve also tried starforce refining pills by using strange starforce as an additional material. But each attempt has failed. Pill recipes are fixed—adding or removing even one ingredient changes the pill’s properties.”
“So this little lady has come to ask Master Wang: How can starforce refinement enhance the quality of a pill without altering its original properties?”
“Master, please rest assured. I wouldn’t ask your help for free. You may state any request—I’d even willingly become your disciple,” the woman said excitedly.
With no other choice, Wang Jie offered a prepared excuse: “Perhaps it’s related to my cultivation of lockforce.”
The woman was indeed puzzled. How could a lockforce cultivator possibly become a celestial refinement master? This utterly shattered common sense.
“Starforce is born from the essence of the universe. Cultivators who absorb it contend with Heaven and Earth, so starforce inherently contains the vast, domineering energy of the cosmos,” Wang Jie spoke seriously, his expression solemn. “But lockforce is different—it’s gentle. As the saying goes, ‘Harmony of strength and gentleness brings completeness.’”
The woman blinked. “Master, are you saying lockforce is…more humble?”
Wang Jie nodded.
She sank into thoughtful silence.
Soon after, Wang Jie managed to send her off. She was at the Wandering Star Realm and could refine Hundred-Star Realm artifacts, with support from a Hundred-Star Realm elder. Upon leaving, she promised that if Wang Jie ever encountered trouble, he could contact her and she’d certainly have that elder take action.
Not long after she departed, another celestial refinement master arrived.
Although celestial refinement masters were rare, that was only relative to Star Link-level forces like Frost Radiance Sect. Black White Heaven had quite a few celestial refinement masters of varying strengths—but still not enough for every elder to have one.
Thus, celestial refinement masters held considerable prestige within Black White Heaven.
Each celestial refinement master had the backing of a Hundred-Star Realm expert, making them untouchable figures within the sect.
This visitor had also come to inquire about refining starforce pills.
Wang Jie used the same reason to send him away.
Gradually, news spread outside that lockforce cultivators could refine pills using starforce. Those who heard this were astonished. It was already incredible enough for lockforce cultivators to perform celestial refinement, yet this explanation seemed to be the only plausible reason.
Finally, Wang Jie managed to cultivate quietly for a while.
Several days passed, and the Alchemy Gathering began.
Su Le came, cheerfully greeting Wang Jie and bringing him to the gathering.
Most attendees at the Alchemy Gathering belonged to the Alchemy Dao lineage.
“Our sect’s Alchemy Dao has many disciples. Of course, my master is the greatest, but there are other alchemy grand masters as well,” Su Le explained. “Besides alchemy disciples, many regular cultivators also attend, even some from the Artifact Forging Dao and Formation Dao.”
Wang Jie soon spotted a familiar face—Ye Huang.
Ye Huang also saw Wang Jie at the same moment, smiling and nodding in greeting.
Ye Huang had tried to help Wang Jie on Devour Star, though it ended in misunderstanding and nearly hindered him. Nevertheless, Wang Jie remained grateful for his intentions, regardless of the result. He smiled back warmly.
Looking around, the riverside bamboo forest was packed with people.
Numerous pill furnaces had been set up, flames roaring brightly.
Exquisite food and wine were arranged along the riverbank; cultivators were human, after all—they also sought pleasure.
Wang Jie saw the celestial refinement master from the previous days and immediately felt a headache, quickly avoiding her.
A booming laughter echoed through the crowd. Turning to look, Wang Jie saw a burly man holding a giant hammer—clearly someone from Artifact Forging Dao. Elsewhere, a Star Sealing Stone hovered in midair, indicating the presence of Formation Dao practitioners.
This Alchemy Gathering had attracted quite a diverse group.
Wang Jie stayed hidden in a corner, unwilling to wander around. He had attended solely to become acquainted with Celestial Master Bai Ye and to express his gratitude to Mo Wan Yin.
At this moment, an elder approached and stopped before Wang Jie. “Are you Wang Jie?”
Upon seeing the elder, Wang Jie bowed slightly, greeting respectfully: “Junior greets senior.”
The elder gave a grunt, observing Wang Jie with emotion. “For a lockforce cultivator to reach your current achievements, perhaps only Zhong Yi could compare.”
Wang Jie’s heart stirred. “Senior has met Zhong Yi?”
“A very long time ago.”
“May I dare ask senior’s name?”
“This old man is Si Shang He.”
Wang Jie felt shock rise within him—Si Shang He was the most senior and respected elder in the Elder Hall?
Back then, when Wang Jie had kidnapped the descendants of several elders, it was Si Shang He who had traveled to Zhi Upper Realm and spoken with Zhi Xing Xue, finally deciding to recognize Lock Path Interval’s independence. Only Si Shang He possessed the authority to represent the Elder Hall.
Wang Jie bowed again. “Junior Wang Jie thanks senior deeply for your past assistance.”
Si Shang He chuckled, shaking his head. “It had nothing to do with me. You were simply bold enough—even daring to offend our Elder Hall. Don’t tell me you intend to remain hidden forever in Lock Path Interval?”
Wang Jie responded apologetically, “In the eyes of the Elder Hall, junior is but an ant. Many things could never have been accomplished without staking my life. I’m merely taking each step as it comes. If I’ve caused offense, junior is deeply terrified.”
Si Shang He gazed deeply at Wang Jie, then silently walked away.
Wang Jie watched as he walked away and quietly let out a breath. In truth, he had no wish to offend anyone, but circumstances left him no choice.
[I should move even further away.]
Suddenly, the area fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the entrance of the bamboo grove.
Wang Jie overheard whispers among the crowd; the first guest from Star Cloud had arrived.
Curious, he glanced up—and froze.
[Qi Xue Yin?]
[Isn’t the universe vast beyond measure? How could I possibly run into her here?]
The newcomer was indeed Qi Xue Yin from the Galaxy Equipment Company—the same young miss who had been pummeled senseless by Shu Mu Night on Blue Star, forced to hide until Wang Jie stepped in to help her.
Wang Jie would never have guessed she would show up in such a place.
At the bamboo grove’s entrance, Qi Xue Yin walked gracefully toward Master Bai Ye and Si Shang He, smiling elegantly with natural poise. Behind her trailed a group of cultivators whose calm and solemn demeanors clearly distinguished them from everyone else present.
Compared to their time on Blue Star, Qi Xue Yin had changed dramatically. Most notably, she had reached the Wandering Star Realm—her cultivation progressing with astonishing speed.
Wang Jie quickly glanced at the followers behind her; he recognized no one besides Qi Xue Yin herself.
He quietly stepped backward again, suddenly regretting his decision to come.
[What would happen if Qi Xue Yin recognized me?]
[Would Master Bai Ye mention my identity? Probably not. After all, refining Chen Pills was no small feat. Black White Heaven might teach it to their own people, but surely not share such secrets with someone from First Star Cloud.]
Still, after considering it, he decided caution was best.
Immediately, he contacted Su Le, asking him to urgently warn Master Bai Ye not to mention his name.
“Wang Jie.”
Startled, Wang Jie turned his head: “Han Ling?”
“Impudent! Is Senior Brother Han’s name something you can casually call?” snapped Yun Ju, standing beside Han Ling. It had been Han Ling who called Wang Jie’s name, but Yun Ju was the one now speaking, his face filled with disdain.
Wang Jie felt deeply irritated seeing Yun Ju again. [This is troublesome.]
Han Ling studied Wang Jie thoughtfully, his eyes shining oddly: “It’s been over half a year since Devour Star, and your improvement is considerable.”
Remembering how effortlessly this man had shattered his Thunder Pattern back at Devour Star, Wang Jie knew the immense gap between different Wandering Star cultivators. Humbly, he replied, “I haven’t improved much—mostly I was recovering from my injuries. Senior Brother Han’s strength, however, truly amazes.”
Han Ling smiled, offering warmly: “Would you be interested in joining me on the Star Cloud battlefield? I guarantee your safety and could help you gain some battle merits.”
Wang Jie quickly declined the generous offer.
Han Ling sighed regretfully, “You defeated Zhi Shu even as a Star Breaking cultivator—that’s remarkable. If someday you enter Wandering Star Realm, you’ll surely earn a place among the Six Dao Wanderers. Keep striving. I look forward to the day we fight side by side on the Star Cloud battlefield. When that time comes, I’ll invite you to join the club.” With that, he smiled faintly and departed.
Wang Jie was puzzled. [What club?]
Beside him, Yun Ju’s expression grew dark. [Senior Brother Han actually plans to invite this person into the club? How can that be? The club has never accepted lowly Lock Force cultivators before—wretched creatures.]
“You can leave too,” Wang Jie said impatiently, reluctant to interact further with Yun Ju.
Yun Ju glared at Wang Jie venomously: “Don’t imagine Senior Brother Han’s recognition means anything. Setting aside whether you can even reach Wandering Star Realm, even if you do, do you really think you’ll continue shining so brightly? Let me tell you clearly—the further a Lock Force cultivator goes, the more useless they become.”
Wang Jie nodded solemnly, “You’re right. Thank you for teaching me. Now you may leave.”
Yun Ju shouted furiously, “If you hadn’t disguised yourself as Nan Xing to deceive me on Devour Star, I wouldn’t have been punished by Master. Wang Jie, remember well—I’ll settle this debt with you. And don’t think attaching yourself to Su Le means you’re connected to the Alchemy Dao lineage!”
His voice was growing louder. [He mustn’t draw Qi Xue Yin’s attention!]
Wang Jie hurriedly agreed, “Rest assured, I’ll be waiting for you to settle things with me.”
Yun Ju snorted coldly and finally left.
Wang Jie breathed a sigh of relief now that Yun Ju was gone.
Quickly, he sent another message to Su Le—and another to Mo Wan Yin, just in case.
“Everyone, the Pill Assembly will now begin! First, we invite Master Lin from Black White Heaven to examine the pills…”
The Pill Assembly was naturally held for exchanging knowledge of the Alchemy Dao.
During the assembly, many pills would be appraised, and some cultivators would refine pills on the spot to give as gifts. Naturally, higher-quality pills were given to more honored guests.
Wang Jie watched from a safe distance as groups of grandmasters of alchemy clustered together.
Occasionally, sounds of praise and wonder filled the air.
Time passed ceaselessly, yet neither day nor night changed. Zhi Learning Valley had been fixed in time. As long as the Pill Assembly continued, night would never fall. [This truly was humanity triumphing over the heavens.]
Master Bai Ye personally refined a pill on the spot and presented it to Qi Xue Yin.
Qi Xue Yin accepted gratefully, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Stepping forward, Yun Ju spoke up, introducing himself politely, “Disciple Yun Ju of Realm Lord Bai greets Third Miss.”
Qi Xue Yin looked at him courteously: “Ah, it’s Senior Brother Yun Ju. Senior Brother Han just mentioned you. Being so young yet so accomplished, Senior Brother has my admiration.”
Yun Ju smiled modestly: “Third Miss is too kind. Compared to Senior Brother Han, I’m still far inferior.”