Chapter 228
Chapter 228: Captain
Liu Lin stood quietly at the front, waiting. [They should be here any moment.]
Soon, a spaceship appeared.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward it. As the ship’s hatch opened, figures emerged one by one, prompting surprised murmurs throughout the port.
Names were whispered, each belonging to someone who should never have appeared on a battlefield, yet here they were.
In the sect, the rule was clear: every disciple must train on the Star Cloud Battlefield at least once. Yet many disciples used various means to avoid it, and some who did come never stepped outside the central command area.
Never before had so many renowned disciples arrived all at once.
“No way! Even he came?”
“Who?”
“Shi Wei, one of the sect’s White Wanderers.”
“What? A White Wanderer is here?”
“Forget Shi Wei—look behind him. Isn’t that Young Master Yun Ju?”
“We’re in trouble. I’ve offended Young Master Yun Ju before. I hope he doesn’t recognize me.”
“Wasn’t Yun Ju locked up recently for causing trouble at the sect? How can he be here?”
“Who’s Wen Yuan? The genius formation daoist? Why would he be sent here? Isn’t it said that experts in the Three Paths can’t be forced into battle?”
“Look at that woman—who is she? Young Master Yun Ju is smiling at her so politely.”
“No idea.”
“I don’t recognize her either.”
Dozens of cultivators stepped from the spaceship. Some wore solemn expressions, others looked impatient, while a few arrogantly surveyed their surroundings, disdain clear in their eyes.
Liu Lin felt a headache coming. [This group…none of them will be easy to handle.]
“I, Liu Lin, welcome all senior and junior brothers to the Yin Yang Battlefield.”
Young Master Yun Ju raised an eyebrow as he looked at Liu Lin, saying mockingly, “Isn’t this Senior Brother Liu? It’s been quite some time since we parted at the sect. Who knew you’d still be alive?”
The cultivators around the port gasped in shock.
This Senior Brother Liu was the guardian of the port, with status second only to Senior Sister Yue Jian. His strength was formidable, and few dared show disrespect to him on the Yin Yang Battlefield. Yet he had just been openly provoked.
Liu Lin seemed accustomed to this and replied calmly, “I’ve been lucky. I hope Junior Brother Yun Ju will also be as lucky as me.”
Shi Wei spoke up, “Senior Brother Liu, please rest assured, I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Yun Ju glared angrily at Shi Wei and said bitterly, “Why are you everywhere? Are you insane, even following me onto the battlefield?”
Shi Wei looked steadily at Yun Ju and replied seriously, “Master’s reputation must not be tarnished. Yun Ju, you must repent sincerely. Have you forgotten what happened recently? Master nearly expelled you from the sect.”
Yun Ju fell silent.
Wen Yuan sighed helplessly, “Why was I sent to the battlefield? Can anyone tell me why?” He glanced pleadingly at a tall, strong man beside him and said, “Senior Brother Han, you must protect me. Your junior brother is helpless, truly unable to fight.”
“Hmmph, Brother Wen, you’re far too modest,” someone sneered from behind.
Wen Yuan turned his head, annoyed, “Li Cai, did you bring your father?”
Li Cai snapped angrily, “You’re asking for trouble!”
“Isn’t Elder Li Tong He here? Did I say anything wrong?”
“You—!”
The numerous cultivators around the port stared in disbelief. They’d never been treated like this. When they’d arrived, they were tossed straight into battle like ducks forced into water. Yet these disciples were leisurely chatting.
Liu Lin exhaled slowly, “Senior and junior brothers, enough talk. The elder has already issued instructions: you may choose your own missions, but you must achieve the rank of battle soldier corresponding to your realm before you may leave.”
“But those whose names I call must stay. The elder has other arrangements.”
“Yun Ju, Shi Wei, Li Cai, Wen Yuan, Han Song, Zhi Qing Po.”
These six names belonged to the strongest Wandering Star Realm disciples present.
The others dispersed, eagerly guided away by cultivators anxious to flatter them.
Yun Ju fixed Liu Lin with a glare, “Why must we stay? Just say it plainly.”
Liu Lin replied calmly, “You six will form a single team and obey the captain’s orders without question. If the sect hears any disrespect towards the captain, severe punishment awaits.”
“Who is the captain?” Wen Yuan asked curiously.
A slight smile curved Liu Lin’s lips as he turned around.
A figure was approaching. All six disciples turned their eyes to him, mouths falling open in surprise. “Wang Jie?”
“Wang Jie?”
“Him?”
Other than Han Song, they all recognized Wang Jie.
Li Cai, Yun Ju, Shi Wei, and Wen Yuan were especially familiar with him after the struggle for the Devour Star. As for Zhi Qing Po, she’d met Wang Jie at the Galaxy Combat Equipment Company’s tournament. Back then, she was only at Full Star Realm, ranked among the top three of her realm in the sect. Now she’d broken through to Wandering Star Realm, yet she still remembered clearly:
Wang Jie had won two matches, one of them at the Full Star Realm level.
None of them had imagined Wang Jie would become their captain.
Even Wang Jie himself hadn’t expected it, and he felt deeply troubled.
[How am I supposed to lead this team?]
[It’s going to be chaos.]
Yun Ju was the first to object, “Are you kidding? You expect him to be our captain? My captain? He doesn’t deserve it.”
Han Song quietly studied Wang Jie.
[Is this the Wang Jie who can refine Starforce pills and was highly praised by Senior Sister Mo?]
During the previous contest between Galaxy Combat Equipment Company and the sect, Han Song had been in closed-door cultivation and missed the details. Yet he’d heard that Wang Jie had single-handedly restored the sect’s honor by winning two matches. It was unfathomable how a mere Lock Force cultivator could have done such a thing.
Even Master had mentioned Bai Ye, the Heavenly Master, had taken notice of Wang Jie.
Wen Yuan frowned unhappily, “I don’t agree.”
Li Cai echoed him loudly, “Me neither.”
Wang Jie approached them slowly.
Liu Lin watched quietly, then said, “I’m merely conveying the sect’s orders. I didn’t ask if you agreed or not.” He turned to Wang Jie, “They’re yours now.” With that, Liu Lin quickly departed—just seeing these people made his head ache.
He also swiftly cleared away all onlookers.
Wang Jie stopped in front of the six disciples, smiling gently, “Hello everyone, we meet again.”
Yun Ju stared coldly at Wang Jie, his voice sharp with accusation: “What despicable trick did you use to become our captain? I’ll warn you once—undo it yourself, or don’t blame me if something happens on the battlefield.”
It was a threat without disguise.
Even Wang Jie was surprised Yun Ju had ended up here. Back at the sect’s Pill Assembly, Yun Ju had schemed against him, only to fall into Qi Xue Yin’s verbal trap, likely receiving a severe punishment. Qi Xue Yin had even promised to settle this problem for him.
But perhaps the Skeletal Clan’s sudden arrival distracted her, making her forget entirely, leaving Yun Ju untouched, or at least, alive enough to cause trouble.
Ignoring Yun Ju completely, Wang Jie turned instead to Zhi Qing Po, his tone gentle: “You’ve broken through to the Wandering Star Realm?”
Zhi Qing Po nodded slightly, feeling no resentment towards Wang Jie. She knew clearly he was stronger than herself. “Only recently.”
Wang Jie acknowledged her with a nod, then glanced at Han Song, whose energy was the strongest among the group. Politely, he addressed him, “This must be Senior Brother Han Song, the master smith. Greetings from this junior brother.”
Han Song, sturdy and rugged-looking, replied in a steady, deep voice: “That’s me. We’ll be counting on Junior Brother Wang Jie’s support in the Yin Yang battlefield.”
Wang Jie smiled modestly, saying lightly, “Senior Brother, please just don’t blame me if I slow you down.”
Finally, Wang Jie turned toward Li Cai and Wen Yuan, fully expecting disdain from these two unfortunate souls.
Before he could speak, Yun Ju stepped forward aggressively, blocking Wang Jie’s line of sight: “Wang Jie, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?”
Wang Jie regarded Yun Ju coldly, his voice ice-calm: “If you aren’t willing, then just get lost.”
Enraged, Yun Ju instantly thrust out his palm. Wang Jie met him in kind. Their palms collided sharply, Star Force and Lock Force clashing fiercely. Prison Flame surged violently toward Wang Jie, but was halted abruptly by his surging Lock Force. Wang Jie’s strength overwhelmed Yun Ju in an instant, bending Yun Ju’s fingers back painfully.
Yun Ju stared helplessly as his own palm was forced back inch by inch, pain piercing his senses. Desperately, he tried to explode forth his Star Force, but he’d sorely underestimated Wang Jie’s Lock Force.
Though Wang Jie’s Lock Force was far inferior to Yun Ju’s Prison Flame Star Force in purity, it flowed like an endless river, deep and boundless.
A sharp crack echoed clearly.
Yun Ju’s wrist snapped, his eyes wild with fury. He roared hoarsely, “Wang Jie, you’re seeking death!”
Wang Jie, with an indifferent flick, tossed Yun Ju aside effortlessly. Yun Ju staggered backward several steps before regaining his footing, trembling with rage, ready to strike again.
“Stop,” commanded Li Tong He as he appeared suddenly.
Seeing Li Tong He, Yun Ju’s expression wavered between anger and shame, glaring hatefully at Wang Jie.
Wang Jie stood unmoving, hands clasped calmly behind his back.
Witnessing this, Li Cai and the others were deeply shaken. They knew Yun Ju’s true strength well. If Yun Ju had suffered such humiliation, their fates would be no better against Wang Jie. Though this had been a mere clash of palms, it proved clearly enough that Wang Jie truly possessed the strength and qualification to lead their team.
“Greetings, Elder Li,” they quickly said.
“Greetings, Elder.”
“Father,” Li Cai said reluctantly.
Li Tong He gazed sternly at them all, “You seem unhappy with the sect’s appointment?”
Yun Ju raised his head, protesting bitterly: “Elder, what right or ability does this Wang Jie have to be our captain? He’s nothing but a Lock Force wretch who disguises himself as a woman and resorts to dishonorable tricks.”
Li Tong He’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Is that so? Then tell me, how did your wrist break?”
Yun Ju insisted defiantly, “It was just carelessness! His strength is abnormal. If it were a real fight, I would never lose.”
Li Tong He shook his head, speaking firmly: “If this is truly how you all think, then the sect’s decision was correct.”
Before Yun Ju could argue again, Li Tong He continued sternly, “As elite disciples of the sect, you’ve all entered the Star Cloud battlefield before. Don’t you know yet that survival is the only thing that matters here? Realms, fairness—all meaningless words.”
“In that brief exchange just now, if Wang Jie wanted your life, you couldn’t have escaped.”
Yun Ju’s eyes flickered bitterly, unable to refute Li Tong He’s logic. Though he despised Wang Jie, he wasn’t foolish.
Wang Jie’s Lock Force had shockingly resisted his Strange Star Force directly—a feat no other cultivator at the same level could achieve, let alone with Lock Force. It meant Wang Jie truly possessed cultivation power equal to a Wandering Star Realm expert. Coupled with Wang Jie’s terrifying physical strength, Yun Ju had been defeated without even a chance to resist.
And then there was the astonishing speed he had shown on Devour Star, defeating even Zhi Shu.
His prowess was undeniable.
Unable to hold back, Li Cai finally spoke up: “Father, I refuse to remain in this man’s team.”
Li Tong He shouted angrily at once: “Silence! You’ll go wherever you’re told without complaint.” Facing his own son, he held none of the earlier politeness he had shown Yun Ju.
Wen Yuan cast a sympathetic glance at Li Cai.
Li Tong He’s gaze swept across all six people sharply, “Did you not hear Liu Lin’s words just now?”
“Should the sect hear from the captain that any of you have shown disrespect, the punishment will be severe.”
“This warning is no mere joke. It was jointly decided by the sect’s Black and White Realm Lords, the Elder Council, and the Zhi Upper Realm. When I say severe, it means there is no upper limit, not excluding even execution.”
The faces of all six changed dramatically. Wasn’t this too severe?
This was just joining a team, wasn’t it? How could it escalate to such a frightening degree?