Chapter 261
Chapter 261: The Days Yet to Come
In the far distance, that figure slowly opened his eyes.
It had already been half a year.
During this time, out of sheer boredom, he had observed Wang Jie closely. He discovered Wang Jie’s bone tempering method and had to admire his ability to endure such pain. Although he could not clearly see the entire process nor the strands of sword silk, he did witness the flesh and blood peeling from Wang Jie’s body, an agony ordinary people could never endure.
He also watched Wang Jie successfully stack four swords into the Sword Rain Technique, which truly astonished him. He could not fathom how such a feat was accomplished.
It was similar to the Starry Finger technique—a single finger extended, moving the stars. It was one finger, yet contained everything. Who would imagine all five fingers could perform the Starry Finger technique? This went beyond reason.
He had grown extremely curious about Wang Jie.
At this moment, he watched as Wang Jie took out a combat power detector, [Is he trying to measure his power?]
Star Breaking Realm—this youth was only in the Star Breaking Realm. According to his estimate, even with incredible talent, Wang Jie’s combat power should at most reach just over a hundred thousand, already astonishing. Even the Six Dao Wanderer at Star Breaking Realm was limited to that.
If this youth ever reached the Wandering Star Realm, he would undoubtedly become another Six Dao Wanderer—provided he, a Lock Force cultivator, could actually break through to Wandering Star.
Beep beep beep.
The detector made its sounds as Wang Jie unleashed his Lock Force. The numbers rapidly rose. Suddenly, he stopped, raised his gaze, and stared directly at that distant observer.
The figure was startled. [He noticed me?]
Wang Jie’s eyes flickered. He drew a deep breath, faced the distant observer, and slowly bowed: “Junior greets senior.”
The figure remained silent, turning away and departing.
Wang Jie watched him leave, his expression heavy. [Just how long has he been watching me? If not for the momentary slip of his aura, I never would have detected him. He must at least be in the Hundred Star Realm.]
He glanced around again, deciding not to continue the test.
Half a year had passed—it was time to leave.
He leapt into motion, quickly rushing out of Meditation Peak.
Upon leaving Meditation Peak, he immediately sought Elder Wu, intending to inform him of his departure, lest it appear as though he had delayed intentionally.
However, Elder Wu was absent. With no choice, Wang Jie headed toward the mission reception area to make his presence known, ensuring other disciples were aware of his whereabouts.
“Senior Brother Wang? Welcome back, Senior Brother,” a disciple greeted him.
Immediately, numerous cultivators nearby began greeting Wang Jie.
Normally, Star Force cultivators discriminated against Lock Force users, but Wang Jie clearly transcended this prejudice. After all, he had directly challenged even the Six Dao Wanderer. Few could claim such bravery.
Wang Jie responded courteously to everyone around him, continuously exchanging greetings.
“Senior Brother, are you looking for missions?”
“I’ll take all of them,” Wang Jie replied.
“Understood.”
“Oh, by the way, has Xiao Luo Si completed any missions lately?” Wang Jie asked. Xiao Luo Si had left a while ago, repeatedly declining his attempts at recruitment.
The disciple managing missions shook his head: “No.”
“All right.”
“You’re truly incredible, Senior Brother, even breaking the Way of the Sword formation! Among all the domains on the First Main Battlefield, only our Yunxi Domain managed it. Neither the Wuchen Domain nor Haoqian Domain succeeded. With you around, even Edge Sect has been keeping quiet lately.”
Wang Jie felt a subtle stirring: “Has Edge Sect really been inactive recently?”
The disciple nodded: “Their activities have greatly diminished, especially since Senior Brother Fang He started leaving the sect frequently.” He suddenly paused, recalling Wang Jie’s history with Fang He, and smiled awkwardly, saying nothing more.
The missions hadn’t changed much, though Wang Jie took the mission to break the Way of the Sword formation again, since he had succeeded once before.
Standing at the edge of the central planet, gazing into the dense mist of Yunxi, Wang Jie’s mood lifted.
[If only I could break my physical limits again,] he thought.
Just as he turned to leave, he spotted a group preparing to depart, one of whom was precisely the traitor he had seen at Meditation Peak.
Wang Jie’s eyes brightened, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him. “Senior Brother, do you perhaps remember this Junior Brother?”
Song Yan glanced at Wang Jie, his brows knitting slightly. He remembered this man—he had encountered him at Meditation Peak, where Wang Jie had deliberately greeted him.
Song Yan nodded but remained silent, continuing onward.
Wang Jie persisted with another greeting: “Is Senior Brother heading out somewhere?”
Song Yan gave him a cautious look: “Is there something you need?”
“Nothing special. I just wanted to formally introduce myself to Senior Brother.”
“Then come along,” Song Yan replied.
Wang Jie’s gaze flickered. [Join him? Wouldn’t following a traitor openly be asking for trouble? Then again, I’m also technically a traitor to Edge Sect.]
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out, filled with mocking disdain: “I wondered who it was—if it isn’t Junior Brother Wang Jie? Planning to follow Junior Brother Song to gain some merit?”
Wang Jie turned his gaze toward the voice. [Fang He?]
Song Yan looked toward Fang He, his expression softening slightly: “Senior Brother Fang, you’re acquainted with this Junior Brother?”
Fang He sneered coldly: “Of course. My memories of Junior Brother Wang are quite vivid. Isn’t that right, Junior Brother?”
Wang Jie’s lips curled slightly: “Indeed, my impression of Senior Brother Fang is equally profound.”
Song Yan suddenly realized something, glancing at Wang Jie: “Are you the Wang Jie who confronted Senior Brother Fang?”
Before Wang Jie could answer, Fang He stepped forward and interrupted: “Yes, this Junior Brother Wang is quite bold. A Lock Force cultivator abandoned by everyone yet still insists on standing out. Junior Brother Song, be careful. Perhaps he plans to use you for merit. Watch out, lest he accuses you before Tong Shou of abandoning him to danger.”
Several cultivators behind Fang He echoed his words: “Exactly. Senior Brother Song, you must be careful—he cannot come to harm once outside.”
“Whenever there’s danger, it’s your fault, Senior Brother Song!”
“You must protect him closely. Haha!”
“This is a battlefield. Anyone scared of dying can scram far away. You even went to complain to Tong Shou…”
A crowd of disciples scolded angrily.
Fang He watched with a cold sneer.
Song Yan looked toward Wang Jie, his gaze becoming colder by the moment.
But Wang Jie’s gaze at Fang He carried a hint of strangeness—and pity. [Of all the people to side with, he chose a traitor.]
“Senior Brother Fang, you truly have a talent for turning cowardice into something refined and graceful.”
Fang He’s eyes darkened dangerously: “What did you say?”
Wang Jie rolled his eyes: “You didn’t dare fight against the Three Blades of Blade Gate yourself and pushed me—a mere Lock Force cultivator—to face them instead. Someone like you, calling yourself a Six Dao Wanderer, insults Senior Sister Mo Wan Yin’s reputation. Even Senior Brother Han Ling has more dignity than you.”
“Wang Jie, you’re too insolent! How dare you speak this way to Senior Brother Fang?” another disciple shouted sharply.
Song Yan spoke coldly: “Junior Brother Wang, you’re crossing the line.”
Wang Jie turned to Song Yan, “I still don’t know Senior Brother’s name.”
Fang He laughed aloud: “Junior Brother Song, you should tell him. Our Junior Brother Wang here seems desperate to befriend you.”
Song Yan’s voice was ice-cold: “Junior Brother Wang and I have only met twice. I fear there’s no reason for us to get better acquainted. Take care of yourself.” Saying this, he brushed past Wang Jie and left.
Fang He stepped closer, whispering beside Wang Jie: “Kid, our matter isn’t over. Just wait.”
Cultivators nearby mocked openly: “Senior Brother Song understands the Yunxi Domain and has led us to great achievements. Not everyone is worthy to approach him.”
“Cowards can just get lost.”
“Why not beg Tong Shou for help? Maybe he’ll pity you and throw you some merit points. Haha.”
Wang Jie turned back and addressed the crowd loudly: “Fellow disciples, let me kindly warn you—stick closely to Senior Brother Fang. If danger strikes, anyone even a step slower than him will surely be abandoned. Otherwise, so many people leaving together now might end up with only Senior Brother Fang returning alive.”
His voice was loud and carried far, and many cultivators wore odd expressions. Some, naturally, enjoyed watching the trouble unfold.
Fang He turned back, his eyes murderous, “Wang Jie, our future is long.”
Wang Jie’s lips curled slightly upward, “I’ll be waiting.”
After Fang He, Song Yan, and their entourage left, the area became quiet. They’d taken tens of thousands with them—among them many elites. After all, only skilled fighters could join a Six Dao Wanderer in battle.
Wang Jie returned to the central area and met Xiao Rong coming toward him.
When Xiao Rong saw Wang Jie, he slowly bowed: “Senior Brother Wang.”
He was much older than Wang Jie. Back when Wang Jie had entered the Lock Path interval, Xiao Rong had already been famed as the greatest among Lock Force cultivators—a true legend.
Even Shen Wang, who’d once pursued Wang Jie, was nothing compared to Xiao Rong.
Yet now Xiao Rong had to respectfully call him Senior Brother. Life truly was unpredictable.
Wang Jie nodded, motioning him aside to talk, intrigued by Xiao Rong’s presence.
“What are you doing here?”
Xiao Rong smiled bitterly: “I was originally stationed at the Silver Sand Battlefield. Later, the Deacon Hall wanted to target Senior Brother and specially recalled me. But Senior Brother’s methods were too unpredictable—I couldn’t return, so I ended up here.”
Wang Jie gazed at Xiao Rong, “It seems I’ve harmed you indirectly.”
Xiao Rong shook his head, “It has nothing to do with Senior Brother. Whether on Silver Sand Battlefield or here, death is our final fate. Dying anywhere is all the same.”
“You truly can’t return?”
“Back then, the sect saved my life by agreeing I’d remain forever on the battlefield as an example for all Lock Force cultivators. Only if the Zhi Family themselves intervene can I go back.”
Wang Jie fell silent. This was the sorrow of Lock Force cultivators—even being first among them meant nothing to a Star Force cultivator.
Xiao Rong asked curiously, “Senior Brother, why are you here?”
“Bad luck, I suppose,” Wang Jie wasn’t sure how to explain.
Xiao Rong sighed, “With Senior Brother’s strength, you’ll surely return one day. When that day comes, the phrase ‘Lock Force’ won’t limit you anymore.”
Wang Jie looked at Xiao Rong seriously, “The Lock Path interval now has its own rules. Zong Cheng Ping is doing quite well.”
Xiao Rong smiled warmly, “Then that’s good.”
Over the next few days, Wang Jie explored the surroundings. Just as the disciples taking missions had said, Edge Sect was unusually quiet. The battles they encountered were much fewer than at first.
This situation was suspicious.
Edge Sect wouldn’t simply abandon the Yunxi Domain. Moreover, that Song Yan was very active—he was surely plotting something big.
When Wang Jie returned to the center, a voice suddenly called out—it was Tong Shou Shuang Jin: “Come to me.”
Shortly afterward, Wang Jie arrived before Shuang Jin, bowing respectfully: “Greetings, Tong Shou.”
Shuang Jin gazed at him with a faint, unreadable smile: “What? Are you feeling uneasy?”
Wang Jie indeed felt uneasy. Normally, this Tong Shou wouldn’t bother calling for him. Last time, he’d been summoned to support Fang He. He wondered nervously why he’d been summoned now.
Shuang Jin smiled lightly, tapping the table with a finger. Wang Jie felt the world spin. When his vision cleared, he’d already left the previous place. Before he could even look around properly, his gaze was drawn instantly to a familiar star.
“Devour Star?” he blurted out, staring blankly. [Impossible! Have I returned to the sect? This quickly? Is the Star Refining Realm so incredible that one can cross from Yunxi Domain directly to the sect?]
Shuang Jin spoke calmly: “As expected, it is yours. This Devour Star was suddenly pushed here—it must have been intended for you.”