Chapter 279
Chapter 279: Wang Jie and Xi Liu
“That’s exactly why we must kill you, little spy,” the voice spoke again.
Wang Jie hurriedly explained: “Disciple is no spy. Senior can inspect disciple’s body. If disciple is under Edge Sect’s control, surely you’d detect it. Disciple swears, I’m not their spy.”
“Oh? Then how did you obtain that identity token? It’s a true disciple’s token of Edge Sect, matching your rank of Black White Heaven Six Dao Wanderer. With your strength, you couldn’t possibly have stolen it.”
“Junior knows how to deceive.”
The other side fell silent for a moment before asking, “Deceive how?”
“Pretending to be their spy, to get rid of their controlling methods.”
“Do you think Edge Sect’s people are fools? Or perhaps you think we are fools? Even we find those methods hard to remove.”
Wang Jie was speechless. He couldn’t possibly tell them that someone from Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper taught him the Purifying Sword Thread. As he pondered, the voice suddenly remarked, “Indeed, the methods of the Star Path Master’s lineage are unfathomable.”
Wang Jie’s heart jumped. [This person knows?]
At that moment, a figure emerged. When Wang Jie saw him clearly, his body shook. He quickly bowed deeply: “Disciple Wang Jie greets the Black Realm Lord.”
Not in his wildest dreams did he imagine the one hiding here would be the Black Realm Lord himself.
No wonder he knew about Wang Jie’s ties to the Star Path Master.
The Black Realm Lord stared at Wang Jie and said, “So Fang He’s guess was correct after all. You were indeed captured by Edge Sect, yet returned safely by tricking them.”
Wang Jie admitted openly: “Yes. If Realm Lord doubts me, feel free to inspect disciple’s body.”
The Black Realm Lord chuckled softly: “You do have skills, I’ll give you that. Not only did you cleanse yourself of suspicion, but you even managed to make Fang He betray.”
“Fang He’s betrayal has nothing to do with disciple. He fled the battle; that’s the truth.”
The Black Realm Lord continued: “There are countless methods to control someone, many unknown to us. So when you say you removed Edge Sect’s method, I simply don’t believe you.”
Wang Jie’s heart sank. “Disciple has never passed any information to Edge Sect.”
Another presence stepped forward. Or rather, a written character appeared—Gu Xun Yi.
Wang Jie’s heart trembled once more. [Gu Xun Yi and the Black Realm Lord are both here? Even Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper would never imagine the ones he desperately sought were right under his nose.]
“Little fellow, you’re a Star Path Master disciple?” Gu Xun Yi’s voice echoed, though Wang Jie couldn’t pinpoint its source.
Wang Jie nodded quickly: “Yes, disciple’s master is Shu Rang, a Star Path Master.”
“Even a Star Path Master can’t protect you if you’re truly a traitor,” Gu Xun Yi warned.
Just as Wang Jie prepared to explain further, another person emerged—Grandmaster Qi.
Now, all three great Star Refining Realm figures were present, not one missing.
Grandmaster Qi studied Wang Jie, “We’ve observed you absorbing Lock Force to cultivate. Such extraordinary talent—killing you would be a pity. But your safe return here proves Edge Sect trusts you greatly. How can we possibly trust your words?”
Wang Jie’s eyes flickered. [They’re forcing me into making a commitment.]
Clearly, they had some task in mind for him.
He himself was uncertain if his status as a Star Path Master’s disciple could save him, especially here on the battlefield. If they killed him, no one outside would even know. Even if they did, would his cheap master really be able to kill these three Star Refining experts in revenge?
They had every reason to end his life here and now.
Thinking this, Wang Jie bowed even deeper: “Junior doesn’t know how to earn seniors’ trust. Please instruct me.”
The Black Realm Lord and Grandmaster Qi exchanged glances and vanished without a word.
Gu Xun Yi also disappeared.
Wang Jie couldn’t find any trace of them.
At this moment, a soft, gentle voice sounded from behind him: “I can tell you how.”
Wang Jie turned, his body jolting. The woman before him held an indescribable radiance—not merely beauty, for the cultivation world had countless beauties. It was as if she carried sunlight within her, bright enough to dispel even this subterranean gloom.
With just one glance, he felt warm and at ease, as though all the cold darkness had melted away.
“I am Xi Liu, disciple of Armor One Sect. I’ve seen you before.”
“It’s been a long time, Wang Jie.”
Wang Jie stared in astonishment at the woman named Xi Liu. [She… knows about my past.]
Xi Liu smiled faintly, her expression serene even though she stood in enemy territory. Her calm was like drifting clouds in a peaceful sky.
After his initial shock, Wang Jie quickly calmed himself, asking, “Junior wonders, how can I earn their trust?”
Xi Liu smiled and explained: “We intend to launch a counterattack. But timing is crucial. We need simultaneous warfare both inside and beyond the Twin Wind Line. Only then will Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper’s forces be stretched too thin. To achieve this, we must have someone cross the Twin Wind Line to deliver the message.”
Wang Jie gave a bitter laugh: “Senior sister might overestimate me. The Twin Wind Line is the battlefield between two great Bridge Pillars. Never mind me—even a Star Refining Realm senior couldn’t cross it easily.”
Xi Liu gently acknowledged, “Yes, that’s true. So we’ve prepared another route.”
“Another route?”
“You don’t really believe that after all these years of warfare, neither we nor Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper prepared backup plans, do you? Both sides have hidden measures, just in case.”
Wang Jie nodded thoughtfully. Even ordinary mortal wars had more than one plan.
“However, this second route is quite difficult. Those with higher cultivation will easily be detected, while those weaker aren’t capable enough.” Xi Liu paused, her clear eyes shimmering as she gazed at Wang Jie. Her lips curved upward into a captivating smile: “You are just right.”
Wang Jie sighed bitterly: “If I hadn’t discovered Devour Star’s people, would you still—”
“We would have still brought you down here,” Xi Liu interrupted his wishful thinking.
Strangely enough, her bluntness comforted Wang Jie. At least it wasn’t simply bad luck; he’d been targeted intentionally.
“Senior sister, how can you be sure I’ll succeed?”
Xi Liu smiled softly, her voice full of confidence: “Because you are Wang Jie.”
Wang Jie was startled, remembering that from the start this woman had claimed she’d observed him. She knew about his past, just like Qi Xue Yin.
[I knew meeting someone familiar meant trouble.]
“So, whether this disciple is truly a spy doesn’t matter at all,” Wang Jie remarked.
Xi Liu replied, “As long as you finish this mission, even if you are a spy, it will simply mean that we sent you there as our spy. To be exact, you’d be a spy turned against spies.”
Wang Jie nodded thoughtfully. Whatever they chose to call him, his identity was already complicated enough.
“Since Junior Brother has agreed, let’s not waste any more time.” Xi Liu looked toward an empty spot ahead and said with a smile in her voice, “Senior ones, Junior Brother Wang Jie is taking great risks to deliver our message. Shouldn’t you seniors offer a token of appreciation?”
Wang Jie was startled again. [Was there really such good fortune?] But on second thought, perhaps not. The better the gift, the more dangerous his task was bound to be.
His only comfort lay in the fact that he now had a triple identity: as a keeper of the Ancient Sword Pillar from Edge Sect, a bridge pillar of the Big Dipper from Black White Heaven, and a member of Corpse Sect. Since those were the only factions currently on this battlefield—at most with the addition of the Skeletal Clan—he shouldn’t be so unlucky as to encounter them. His actual danger was, therefore, relatively low.
A bottle of pills floated through the air, gently landing before Wang Jie.
He reached out and took it.
“This is Grandmaster Qi’s Fallen Body Pill. Ordinary Fallen Body Pills aren’t usually carried by seniors at the Heavenly Master level, so this one must be at least Fifth Fragrance quality,” Xi Liu explained.
Wang Jie’s eyes brightened. Fallen Body Pill—he’d long desired one.
“I’ve heard Fallen Body Pills create a vortex within one’s body, absorbing excess star force or lock force. Then, whenever you need it, you can directly tap into that stored energy. Is that true?”
Xi Liu nodded, “Correct. Your demand for lock force is immense, and since the Devour Star is controlled by the keeper of the Ancient Sword Pillar, you cannot carry it away. Now, you can conveniently use this Fallen Body Pill to store lock force within yourself for future needs.”
“A Fifth Fragrance Fallen Body Pill can hold much more lock force than ordinary ones.”
Wang Jie expressed genuine gratitude, “My thanks to Grandmaster Qi.”
Suddenly, a single character materialized before him: Illusion.
It flashed swiftly, embedding itself into Wang Jie’s forehead.
Stumbling back a few steps, Wang Jie touched his forehead, but felt nothing unusual.
“This is Senior Gu’s word. In moments of life-or-death danger, it can help save your life,” Xi Liu explained, envy evident in her voice as she looked cheerfully into the distance. “Senior is truly generous. Junior here didn’t receive such a gift.”
Gu Xun Yi’s voice sounded calmly, “You have no need for it.”
Xi Liu’s eyes curved beautifully, “Who wouldn’t need Senior Gu’s word?”
Just then, another object appeared from the void, landing in front of Wang Jie. The Black Realm Lord’s voice echoed, “With this, you can freely traverse the starry skies at speeds equal to Hundred Star Realm experts.”
Joy surged through Wang Jie. [Truly a treasure!]
Not being a Wandering Star Realm cultivator, his inability to walk freely through space had always been his greatest weakness. This object was exactly what he needed. However, looking closer, he found it oddly simple: three roughly attached wooden boards that looked unreliable at best.
Xi Liu exclaimed admiringly, “Senior Mo is truly generous! A Five Tribulations Star Artifact, and one exceptionally suited for Junior Brother Wang Jie. What a rare treasure—not just swift, but surely strong in defense as well.”
[A Five Tribulations Star Artifact?] Wang Jie was genuinely astonished. Star Artifacts of this level were refined only by Star Refining Realm masters, priceless and extremely rare.
The Black Realm Lord was treating him rather well, considering he’d been the first to threaten him earlier.
After Black Realm Lord explained its use, Wang Jie quickly stored it away, fearing the senior might change his mind. With this artifact, he wouldn’t have to fear becoming lost in space again.
Lastly, Xi Liu took out a jade token and handed it to Wang Jie, “I have something for you as well. After all, this plan was my idea, meaning sending Junior Brother into danger is partly my responsibility. Consider this my apology.”
Wang Jie politely said a few humble words but didn’t hesitate at all as he accepted the jade.
“This is my Armor One Sect’s entry token. It represents me. Junior Brother can freely enter most areas of Armor One Sect with it, especially Starry Cliff.” Xi Liu’s eyes held a deep beauty, as if stars themselves danced within.
Wang Jie asked curiously, “Starry Cliff?”
He gently stroked the jade token, realizing he already had quite a collection of identity tokens. This Armor One Sect token seemed precious indeed.
Xi Liu had deliberately emphasized Starry Cliff, which sounded related to his Starry Finger Technique.
Xi Liu slowly explained, “Throughout Armor One Sect’s history, there has been one peerless star technique known as the Starry Finger Technique.”
Wang Jie raised an eyebrow.
“This finger technique isn’t difficult to start learning, nor to grasp initially. Its true difficulty lies in increasing its power.”
“Legend has it, the perfected Starry Finger Technique can shatter even a Star Cloud with a single point. It is rightly known as one of the most powerful star methods ever created.” At this, she smiled knowingly at Wang Jie, “I wonder how far Junior Brother has cultivated this technique?”
Wang Jie stared in shock. [Is this real? Is the Starry Finger Technique I’ve practiced genuine? Shattering a Star Cloud with a single finger?]
“This ‘Star Cloud’ you speak of refers to…?”
“The very Star Cloud you’re thinking of.”
“The Fourth Star Cloud?”
“You could put it that way.”
Wang Jie sighed, “Then what I cultivated must be a fake Starry Finger Technique. It only shares the name.” But something didn’t add up. Starry Finger Technique was clearly the advanced form of Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger. Since Heaven and Earth Luo Xuan Finger was a supreme inheritance of Armor One Sect, then logically, its advanced form, Starry Finger Technique, should also originate there.
Yet why did his Starry Finger Technique seem only moderately powerful?
In reality, its strength was impressive enough already, since opponents of the same level could hardly withstand a single strike from it.