Chapter 208
Chapter 208: Too Merciful
Star guardian? Wang Jie had heard that term before, back on Blue Star.
“The star guardians live on the very edge of our universe, closest to that deadly force. They watch carefully, and as soon as that force changes, they alert all the human powers to respond.”
“To avoid provoking a reaction from that deadly power, star guardians must match its frequency. That includes both their cultivation realm and their age.”
Shu Rang gazed into the starry heavens. “No one knows why, but age is one of the star guardian’s essential conditions.”
“The Bridge Pillar is divided into four great star clouds from bottom to top, each guarding one direction against that deadly force. The requirements for cultivation rise the higher you go.”
“The Fourth Star Cloud’s guardians are Wandering Star Realm. Third Nebula requires Hundred Star Realm. Second Star Cloud demands Star Refining Realm. As for the First Star Cloud—” Shu Rang turned, looking directly at Wang Jie, “—it naturally requires the Small World Realm.”
“There is no fixed number of star guardians—the more, the better. Yet even searching throughout the entire human world, it’s hard to find even a few suitable candidates.”
“The Fourth Star Cloud’s guardians must be Wandering Star Realm cultivators. Because there are four guardians, they’re called—the Four Traveling Gods.”
Surprised, Wang Jie murmured, “So that’s where the Four Traveling Gods get their name.”
Shu Rang nodded slowly. “The Third Nebula requires Hundred Star Stage cultivators. The place they guard is named Sky Azure, so they’re known as the Five of Sky Azure. But…” He paused briefly. “Actually, there should be six. The sixth guardian has re-cultivated several times, yet every time, he returns to his position as a star guardian. Outsiders usually only speak of five, while he is called—the Sixth of Sky Azure.”
“You should already know who that is.”
Wang Jie’s expression grew solemn. “Shu Mu Night.”
Shu Rang looked directly into Wang Jie’s eyes. “A star guardian has the power to directly command all major forces and enjoys unlimited resources. Once they become guardians, they stand at the forefront, protecting all humanity within the Bridge Pillar—not just limited to the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar. Naturally, they receive the highest treatment.”
“Now you can imagine how astonishing it was that you defeated Shu Mu Night.”
“Shu Mu Night reached star guardian strength in his first cultivation cycle, making him one of the strongest Hundred Star Realm beings in the universe. Every time he re-cultivates, he grows even stronger. And yet, you defeated him at the same level. It’s nearly a dream—something outsiders couldn’t even imagine.”
“The gap between a star guardian and a regular cultivator is enormous. For instance, compared to Black White Heaven’s Six Dao Wanderers, any one of the Four Traveling Gods could effortlessly slaughter all six together.” Shu Rang clasped his hands behind his back. “Yes, I said one against six.”
Wang Jie’s pupils shrank—one versus six, and slaughtering them effortlessly.
“I’ll make an even simpler comparison. If during the bridge-building incident, it had not been that girl from the Zhi family, but rather one of the Four Traveling Gods…” Shu Rang snorted lightly, “the dead would’ve been the Skeletal Clan instead.”
Wang Jie was stunned. “So, that’s why they’re called wandering gods. They’re gods among those in the Wandering Star Realm?”
Shu Rang nodded. “You could say that.”
Seeing Wang Jie deep in thought, Shu Rang continued slowly, “I never expected you to have such a past. It seems this master’s eyes were blinded by lock force—I was too merciful to you. Since you can defeat Shu Mu Night, becoming a star guardian should be your goal. Let’s change your path.”
Wang Jie felt unease rising inside him. “Change? Change to what path?”
Shu Rang walked away, and as he departed, his voice drifted back, “The Four Great Training Fields are too comfortable. You’ll go somewhere else. I’ve truly grown soft in my old age.”
As Shu Rang’s voice faded, Wang Jie’s anxiety grew stronger. It appeared he wouldn’t remain at the Four Great Training Fields much longer.
Then where would he go?
With a restless heart, he boarded a spacecraft. No matter what happened, he needed to learn the Stacking Heavenly Light first.
Several days later, he arrived at Star Dome Trading House on Great Star Mountain. Luckily, he didn’t meet Du Xian—otherwise, he would really suspect that woman was following him.
“I want to buy information about Zhi Shu.”
“Apologies, customer. We don’t sell information about Zhi family members. It’s a rule.”
“Then I’ll buy information about bodyguards. I’m looking for a guard who can defeat Zhi Shu.”
“Apologies, customer. There is no such guard available at Great Star Mountain.”
“Then, I’ll buy information on cultivating the Stacking Heavenly Light.”
“…”
Wang Jie left Star Dome Trading House without spending a single coin, having rendered the clerk speechless.
Feeling helpless, Wang Jie knew that with Zhi Shu blocking the mountain top, he had no way to cultivate the Stacking Heavenly Light. He glanced toward Great Star Mountain, wishing he could be stronger.
Just then, his personal terminal beeped softly. A direct summons came from the sect, bypassing the training fields completely.
“Disciple Wang Jie, you are forcibly conscripted into the Yin Yang Battlefield. Depart immediately—to Mo Lian.”
Mo Lian was the Black Realm Lord.
Wang Jie’s face turned grim—his premonition had come true.
What Zhi Qing had failed to do, his master had easily accomplished, dispatching him directly to a Star Cloud battlefield.
Wang Jie knew the Yin Yang Battlefield well. Zhi Xing Xue had once shown him a list of lock force disciples sent to Star Cloud battlefields. If he remembered correctly, Elder Li Tong He from the Elder Hall benefited most from this particular battlefield.
He never thought he’d end up there one day.
Accompanying the order was a route map to the Yin Yang Battlefield.
Wang Jie took a deep breath and decided to buy supplies first—plenty of them, to survive.
At that same moment, countless people received the same summons. Such an order could never target a single person, especially not someone merely at the Star Breaking Realm.
This forced mobilization enlisted 100,000 lock force cultivators, and Wang Jie was just one among many. Most glanced briefly and ignored it—who cared about mere lock force cultivators?
Only a few faces turned grim.
Zhi Xing Xue immediately sought out Black Realm Lord Mo Lian, but he had already departed for the battlefield and could not be contacted.
She turned instead to the White Realm Lord, but he had no authority over forced battlefield conscription and hadn’t noticed Wang Jie’s summons.
Zhi Qing was in closed-door cultivation.
Zhi Xing Xue could not understand who had the power to bypass her and even Zhi Ye, causing the Black Realm Lord to target Wang Jie directly.
Soon, Zhi Ye also arrived to seek answers.
“Aunt, please let it go for now. This can’t be changed.”
Zhi Xing Xue fixed her gaze on Zhi Ye and asked, “Do you know who interfered with Wang Jie?”
Zhi Ye gave a bitter smile and replied, “It’s not interference—perhaps, it’s favoritism.”
Zhi Xing Xue didn’t understand.
“While you were away from the sect, a customer arrived. His identity is extremely special, known only to a handful within the sect. His name is Shu Rang, and he is—a Star Path Master.”
Zhi Xing Xue’s eyes shifted sharply. “A Star Path Master? Black White Heaven has a Star Path Master?”
Zhi Ye nodded slowly. “Senior Shu Rang holds an exceptional position in the sect. The sect imposes no rules upon him, yet he can sway its decisions freely, much less demand a mere Lock Force disciple. It was by his direct order that Wang Jie was transferred. Even the Black Realm Lord could not refuse.”
“But why?”
“The moment Wang Jie was forcibly recruited to the battlefield, many things became clear,” Zhi Ye explained quietly.
Understanding dawned on Zhi Xing Xue. Wang Jie was actually this Star Path Master’s disciple.
No wonder Wang Jie was so formidable—at the Star Breaking Realm, he had already defeated countless Wandering Star cultivators, even besting Zhi Shu and seizing Devour Star. She had long wondered about the source of Wang Jie’s incredible power, and now Zhi Ye’s explanation made sense.
For a Star Path Master, nothing was impossible.
If Celestial Refinement Masters were special among those below the Star Refining Realm, then Star Path Masters were unique in the entire cultivation world. Black White Heaven alone controlled the Fourth Star Cloud, yet after countless years, they had failed to produce even one Star Path Master. An outsider Star Path Master joining their ranks could immediately influence the sect’s highest decisions. Such was the unparalleled respect held by Star Path Masters.
It was a profession so lofty they wouldn’t even let outsiders overhear their conversations.
Zhi Xing Xue sighed helplessly, “Isn’t he worried Wang Jie might die on the battlefield?”
Zhi Ye shrugged. “Who knows what a Star Path Master thinks? Aunt, if you truly care about Wang Jie, perhaps give him something to protect himself.”
After Zhi Ye left, Zhi Xing Xue’s gaze flickered thoughtfully. She pondered a moment, then called, “Little Blue.”
“Master.”
“Go find Wang Jie and give this to him.”
—
The greatest difference between Great Star Mountain and Lock Path Interval was that cultivators here practiced Starforce. On average, their cultivation was only one realm higher, and apart from this, differences weren’t large.
Precisely because of this, it was hard to find truly valuable treasures here.
Far inferior to Zhi Academy.
Actually, given Wang Jie’s current wealth, Lock Path Interval wouldn’t even be enough for his purchases. But time was short, and he had no chance to go directly to Black White Heaven’s sect, so he could only buy whatever suitable things he could find on Great Star Mountain.
Thus, he returned to the Star Dome Trading Pavilion.
With limited time, unable to personally visit every store on Great Star Mountain, he entrusted Star Dome Trading Pavilion to fulfill his requests.
“Customer, here are the Restoration Pills you requested. We currently have one thousand pills for one million starstones. Because you commissioned us, we’ve waived the running fee, so there’s no discount. Will this be alright?”
Wang Jie waved impatiently, “Hurry up.”
“Thank you, customer!”
Seeing the enthusiastic smile on the woman’s face, Wang Jie knew he’d been tricked again. But he had no choice, time was short. Otherwise, how could the cost of mere errands surpass a good discount?
He’d settle this debt with Du Xian later.
“Customer, here’s the Orbit-Gathering Formation Book. It disperses the starforce of Wandering Star cultivators.”
“I’ll take it.”
“These are Revive Pills; we only have twenty pills in stock.”
“Gather as many as possible.”
“These are the swords you requested, forged from Fifth-Grade materials. Currently, there are ninety swords.”
“Keep collecting more.”
“Customer, do you want this pill? It’s a Truth Speaking Pill. Whoever eats it will speak nothing but truth.”
Wang Jie raised an eyebrow. Good stuff—bought.
News kept arriving. Star Dome Trading Pavilion’s efficiency was commendable, justifying their high prices. Especially since they delivered something exceptionally valuable—this one item alone made any errand fee worthwhile.
“This is Cloud-Thread Robe, crafted from ancient Star Silkworm silk. Unfortunately, Star Silkworm silk can’t undergo Star Refinement, so despite being an Eighth-Grade material, it will never become a true Star Artifact. It can only protect against external injuries, not internal damage. The price is five hundred million starstones.”
Wang Jie nearly spat out a mouthful of water. “How much? Five hundred million?”
“Customer, this is an Eighth-Grade material! It can resist external attacks from a Star Refining Realm expert. Meaning if someone at Star Refining Realm slashes you, you won’t be split into two pieces.”
Wang Jie thought to himself, [If you can’t speak well, find someone who can.]
“Normally, Star Artifacts forged from Eighth-Grade materials start at two billion. The Cloud-Thread Robe is cheaper only because it can’t undergo refinement. Even with this flaw, its strengths overshadow its weakness. Think about it: who would know you’re wearing it? So five hundred million is already a bargain.”
“Can’t it be cheaper?”
“How about I negotiate for you?”
“Forget it, I’ll take it at this price.”
Once again, he’d been duped. Could only stop external injuries but not internal? No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t seem worth it. But since he’d just received a hundred billion starstones from Qi Xue Yin, he didn’t mind spending.
“Customer, our shop has a treasure we’re famous for. Would you like to consider it?”
Wang Jie raised an eyebrow, suspiciously amused. “How badly will you cheat—no, how much?”