Chapter 199
Chapter 199: You Don’t Belong Here
Yun Ju grew excited, saying eagerly, “Can I truly enter Armor One Sect?”
“Of course,” Qi Xue Yin answered, smiling as she handed him a token. “With this, you may directly approach Galaxy Combat Equipment Company and compete under their authority for a place in Armor One Sect.”
Yun Ju’s eyes brightened with delight. [Excellent! With this, I’ll ascend in one leap and redeem myself in Master’s eyes.] Bowing gratefully, he said, “Thank you, Third Miss.”
Qi Xue Yin returned a polite smile.
Yun Ju solemnly tucked away the token, his entire face glowing as if he had forgotten his earlier humiliation.
[No, I can’t let Wang Jie off lightly. At the same time, I must grow closer to this woman.] Thinking this, he spoke with feigned regret, “I greatly admire Third Miss’s generosity. Had I known earlier, I would have stopped those base individuals from offending your sight.”
Qi Xue Yin looked puzzled. “Senior Brother, whatever do you mean?”
“Third Miss, are you aware that a lock force cultivator has attended this Alchemy Gathering?” Yun Ju asked pointedly.
“A lock force cultivator?” Qi Xue Yin gasped in astonishment.
Around them, startled gazes gathered. A lock force cultivator here?
Especially among Qi Xue Yin’s retinue, faces darkened noticeably.
Though named an Alchemy Gathering, it was essentially a banquet held in their honor. Only prestigious individuals were invited. A lock force cultivator was the lowest rank imaginable—someone who shouldn’t even qualify to attend such a gathering, not to mention here in the Fourth Star Cloud, much less the First.
Inviting someone of lock force cultivation was an insult to their esteemed guests, like inviting a beggar to a royal feast.
Master Bai Ye shot Yun Ju an icy glance.
Si Shang He frowned. [How foolish Yun Ju is, to inform Qi Xue Yin.]
Yun Ju, nearly stripped of his White Wanderer and disciple status by Realm Lord Bai over the affair between Zhi Academy and Devour Star, harbored deep resentment toward Wang Jie. He could no longer hold his tongue.
As for offending the Alchemy Dao lineage, he no longer cared.
With the token, he would surely journey to the First Star Cloud. When he returned, he would be transformed.
It was said that Mo Wan Yin became a Six Dao Wanderer precisely because she went to the First Star Cloud.
If Mo Wan Yin could succeed, so could he.
Once he became a Six Dao Wanderer, not only would Master forgive him, the entire sect would spare no effort to elevate him.
Mo Wan Yin hurriedly stepped forward to explain, “Third Miss, please understand, Black White Heaven has no intention of disrespecting Galaxy Combat Equipment Company. It’s simply that this lock force cultivator is also a celestial refinement master, which is why he was invited.”
“A lock force cultivator who can perform celestial refinement?” Qi Xue Yin was genuinely shocked. “Is there truly such a person?”
Yun Ju had no idea Wang Jie was a celestial refinement master. He had assumed Wang Jie gained entry by clinging to Su Le. [Celestial refinement master? Impossible. How could someone locked in force master celestial refinement?]
“If such an extraordinary individual truly exists, Senior Sister, please introduce me,” Qi Xue Yin said curiously.
Mo Wan Yin sighed inwardly, helplessly looking for Wang Jie.
Earlier, Wang Jie had secretly asked her and her master not to mention him, or else her master would have introduced him immediately.
Who knew Yun Ju would reveal him like this?
“He’s over there,” Mo Wan Yin finally spotted Wang Jie. She was about to have someone summon him—after all, it wouldn’t do for a guest like Qi Xue Yin to approach him directly—when Qi Xue Yin suddenly stopped her. Qi Xue Yin’s eyes widened with profound shock, staring transfixed at the distant figure as she began to slowly walk forward.
Everyone following Qi Xue Yin exchanged puzzled glances.
In the distance, Wang Jie exhaled softly. [So I’ve been found after all. That Yun Ju deserves punishment.]
Setting down his cup, he raised his gaze toward the approaching figure. [Since I can’t avoid this meeting, I might as well greet her. After all, we’re already acquainted.]
Qi Xue Yin approached step by step, her heart pounding as she gazed at that familiar face, one that had haunted her dreams.
[It’s him. It’s really him.]
This was the man who had risen again and again on Blue Star to confront Shu Mu Night, overshadowing them—those supposed prodigies of the universe. He was the man who had once slapped Shu Mu Night, the one who became their last beacon of hope. The man who defeated Shu Mu Night, standing proudly atop the altar, bathed in sunlight.
[Hadn’t he died?]
The Blue Star Trial had etched itself deeply in their memories. Shu Mu Night’s invincible power and this man’s unyielding will had reshaped their understanding of strength. At that moment, Wang Jie had stood at the pinnacle.
Such a man had existed—and had seemingly perished.
Yet now, he stood alive before her.
[Is it really him?]
Standing before Wang Jie, Qi Xue Yin suppressed her inner astonishment, softly and courteously speaking, “Galaxy Combat Equipment Company, Qi Xue Yin.”
Wang Jie smiled gently. “I am Wang Jie. It is an honor to meet you for the first time.”
Qi Xue Yin’s anxious heart instantly settled. [It truly is him—Wang Jie.]
Mo Wan Yin stepped forward, saying, “He is Wang Jie, the lock force cultivator capable of celestial refinement.”
“Wang Jie, allow me to introduce the Third Miss of Galaxy Combat Equipment Company from the First Star Cloud, Qi Xue Yin,” Mo Wan Yin said respectfully.
Wang Jie smiled politely, “It’s a great honor to meet you, Third Miss.”
Qi Xue Yin gazed deeply at Wang Jie, and finally spoke, her voice still faintly strained with emotion, “And I am equally honored to meet you, Wang Jie.”
In the distance, Yun Ju approached, her expression dark. She asked sharply, “Wang Jie, are you truly a celestial refinement master?”
Wang Jie looked at her with disdain, “Even if I am, so what?”
“Impossible. How could a lock force cultivator ever become a celestial refinement master? You must have used some vile trickery again,” Yun Ju turned toward Qi Xue Yin, saying bitterly, “Third Miss, you may not know, but when we fought for Strange Planet, this man disguised himself repeatedly, deceiving and sowing discord, until he finally took the planet through his treachery. He’s nothing but a despicable liar.”
Qi Xue Yin gave Wang Jie a peculiar glance, then turned back to Yun Ju, “Him, despicable?”
Mo Wan Yin snapped angrily, “Yun Ju, disputes among cultivators have no place for accusations of treachery. You fell for his tricks, yet blame others?”
Yun Ju retorted, “Who could have guessed he would deceive and disguise himself so shamelessly? We cultivators risked our lives, only for him to reap the reward. If he’s not vile, then what is he? His celestial refinement skills must be false too; surely he resorted to some shameful methods.”
“Yun Ju, step down,” Si Shang He reprimanded harshly.
Yun Ju clenched her teeth, staring fiercely at Wang Jie, “Wang Jie, tell us clearly—can you truly perform celestial refinement or not?”
Everyone gazed at Wang Jie, their eyes filled with curiosity.
No one could have imagined that a simple pill banquet would be disrupted by a mere lock force cultivator.
All blame lay with Yun Ju, recklessly exposing Wang Jie’s status in public without any consideration.
Wang Jie shrugged carelessly, “If you say I can’t, then let’s say I can’t.”
“Look! He’s afraid to admit it openly; he’s clearly lying!” Yun Ju shouted excitedly.
Qi Xue Yin blinked softly, looking curiously at Wang Jie, “Can you truly perform celestial refinement?”
Yun Ju hurriedly interjected, “Third Miss, he already admitted he’s faking.”
Wang Jie calmly raised his cup and took a sip of wine, “I can.”
“Amazing,” Qi Xue Yin praised sincerely, “A lock force cultivator mastering celestial refinement—truly impressive.”
Yun Ju was utterly bewildered, [Has Qi Xue Yin gone mad? Why is she so easily convinced? Her eyes sparkle terribly bright, like she’s enchanted.]
“Third Miss, he’s fake. He can’t refine at all,” Yun Ju insisted desperately.
Qi Xue Yin glanced at Yun Ju coldly, her gaze indifferent now, “I trust in Black White Heaven’s reputation; they would not deceive me. Yun Ju, Senior Brother, do you doubt your own sect?”
Yun Ju shuddered as if thrown into an icy abyss.
Her words cut straight to the heart.
“Han Ling, escort Yun Ju back. After the battle for Devour Star, she still hasn’t regained her senses. Let’s not ruin the customers’ enjoyment,” Si Shang He ordered.
Han Ling grabbed Yun Ju forcefully and dragged her away.
Yun Ju opened her mouth to protest but was immediately suppressed by Han Ling, unable to utter even a word, dragged off like a lifeless dog.
The pill banquet returned to normal.
Mo Wan Yin breathed a sigh of relief, “Third Miss, please look—these pills were refined by Master Wang Jie himself, using blazing yang star force.”
Qi Xue Yin smiled gently, “Senior Sister, you need not explain further. I believe Master Wang Jie is capable of celestial refinement.” Turning towards Wang Jie, she spoke respectfully, “Master, I have some confusion regarding celestial refinement. May we discuss it privately?”
Wang Jie made a polite gesture, “Let’s speak over there—the scenery is pleasant.”
Qi Xue Yin stepped forward, walking gracefully.
Wang Jie exchanged a glance with Mo Wan Yin, then gazed briefly at Bai Ye Heavenly Master, Si Shang He, and others before leaving the crowd behind.
Away from everyone else—
Qi Xue Yin looked upon the river’s sparkling surface, “I never expected you to be alive.”
Wang Jie replied with a sigh, “Nor did I expect to see you again.”
Qi Xue Yin’s eyes glittered curiously, “You’re still cultivating lock force?”
“I cultivated lock force from the start; I can’t change now. I’m not like you, who can briefly use lock force when convenient.”
“Come with me, go to the First Star Cloud.”
Wang Jie met her gaze directly, “Why?”
Qi Xue Yin answered seriously, “You don’t belong here.”
“This place suits me fine.”
“The Fourth Star Cloud is the most remote and least prominent among the four star clouds. Your abilities won’t ever fully flourish here. Celestial refinement masters may be useful before reaching the hundred-star realm, but after entering star refining realm, it’s meaningless. With your current status, you’ll never regain your past heights.”
“I don’t remember ever being at any heights.”
“You defeated Shu Mu Night,” Qi Xue Yin’s voice rose slightly, “Even after so long, I still can’t believe someone could actually defeat him. Forget a mere native of a Slaughter Stone Planet—even Armor One Sect’s supreme Heaven’s Chosen prodigy couldn’t accomplish that.”
“Do you understand the magnitude of what you achieved?”
“Can you imagine how astonishing your accomplishment is to those few who know?”
“If it weren’t certain that you had died, Armor One Sect would surely have taken you back and carefully nurtured you. Wang Jie, you don’t belong here. The heights Shu Mu Night reached—you can achieve them too. Such a peak is beyond ordinary imagination.”
Wang Jie lifted a hand to stop her, “Enough. Don’t forget—I’m a lock force cultivator.”
Qi Xue Yin looked deeply at Wang Jie, her expression complicated, “Perhaps even Shu Mu Night himself would feel regret knowing you still cultivate lock force.”
Wang Jie shrugged, gazing at the river’s glittering surface, “I’m content right now. With my celestial refinement master status, I can live easily here, without worrying about survival. Besides, my lock force cultivation has reached its limit—star breaking realm. It’s good enough.”
Qi Xue Yin shuddered, disbelieving, “You reached the limit?”
“It’s lock force—naturally it has a limit.”
Qi Xue Yin studied him silently, “Don’t you wish to see your old companions?”
“Bai Yuan? How is he?”
“You’ll know if you see him.”
“No need. I never planned to leave Black White Heaven.”
“Aren’t you curious about where Blue Star is? Or why it vanished?”
Wang Jie’s gaze shifted slightly, settling on Qi Xue Yin.
Qi Xue Yin pressed further, “Don’t you wonder what truly happened back then? Aren’t you curious about how those who experienced Blue Star’s trials speak of you? Aren’t you curious about those who are still desperately searching for Blue Star? Don’t you want to know these things?”