Chapter 286
Chapter 286: You’re Alive?
Many people thought the same.
In fact, Qing Zheng and the others were not slacking at all—they had been training so fiercely that exhaustion overtook them. They were more anxious than anyone else, desperate to reunite with Wang Jie. It shouldn’t always be Wang Jie charging ahead alone.
They were brothers.
Back on Blue Star, Wang Jie had dragged them forward. It was the same even now.
They wanted to share his burdens.
At that moment, Hong Jian’s personal terminal chimed. He glanced down in surprise and said, astonished, “Senior Zong Cheng Ping is here.”
The two women were equally startled.
Without Wang Jie around, Zong Cheng Ping was considered the strongest lock force cultivator in Lock Path Interval. They had only seen him once before. What could he possibly want now?
“Wake Old Five and the others.”
Not long after, Hong Jian, Qing Zheng, and the others stood before Zong Cheng Ping.
Zong Cheng Ping hadn’t come alone; Lie Qiu, Feng Wen Cheng, and nearly every influential lock force cultivator from Lock Path Interval accompanied him.
Blue Star’s people had been placed on Feng Yu Star, where all they yearned for was peace, time to cultivate without disturbance. Every slight disturbance from the outside unsettled them because they lacked the power to confront crises.
The sudden arrival of so many important people made them deeply anxious.
Facing everyone, Zong Cheng Ping wore a broad, warm smile as he asked, “Younger Brother Hong, are you comfortable here on Feng Yu Star? Has anyone bothered you?”
Seeing Zong Cheng Ping’s friendly demeanor, everyone’s nerves eased a little.
Hong Jian stepped forward, smiling politely: “No one at all. We’re quite comfortable here. Thank you for your concern, Elder Brother.”
Zong Cheng Ping nodded, adding gently, “If anything doesn’t suit you, let me know. Think of Lock Path Interval as your own home; there’s no need to be shy.”
Hong Jian exchanged a few courteous words.
Qing Zheng, however, couldn’t wait and immediately asked, “Senior Zong, have you brought any news of our boss?”
Meeting the expectant gazes of the anxious Blue Star group, Zong Cheng Ping nodded gravely.
Their hearts tightened.
“Congratulations, everyone.”
With just these four words, eyes widened, anxiety instantly replaced by hope.
“Senior Brother Wang Jie has officially become one of the Six Dao Wanderers,” Zong Cheng Ping announced, hardly believing his own words.
When Lock Path Interval learned that Wang Jie had actually become one of the Six Dao Wanderers, the shock was as intense as discovering that a friend by your side was secretly the Sect Master in disguise.
What did becoming a Six Dao Wanderer mean? It symbolized far more than strength—it meant status, resources, and profound influence within the sect.
Wang Jie, a cultivator who wasn’t even at the Wandering Star Realm, from every perspective shouldn’t have become a Six Dao Wanderer. Yet somehow, he had achieved it.
Lock Path Interval had always been isolated, ignorant of Wang Jie’s adventures outside. But when news of his new title spread, influential lords suddenly approached Lock Path Interval, trying to form bonds with Blue Star’s people. Even the formerly arrogant deacons eagerly began channeling resources their way.
Even members from the Elders’ Court and followers of the Black and White Realms—the Black Wanderers and White Wanderers—reached out, hoping to build relationships with the Blue Star group.
At that moment, Lock Path Interval became the focal point of all attention across Black White Heaven.
All of this had come about simply because Wang Jie had become a Six Dao Wanderer.
Zong Cheng Ping and the others still didn’t fully grasp the implications of a Six Dao Wanderer. They didn’t clearly understand the profound support Wang Jie now had—virtually the backing of most sect lords, possibly even involving the First Star Cloud itself.
Even the Zhi family had begun watching.
Zong Cheng Ping had come today precisely to discuss this matter with Blue Star’s people, to ask who they might wish to meet or form closer ties with, as he had brought greetings from many influential figures.
Although Hong Jian and the others had only been here for a year or so, they understood the significance of being a Six Dao Wanderer.
Upon hearing that Wang Jie had actually achieved this, their faces flushed red with excitement, almost roaring out loud in pride.
Old Five clenched his fists—[Our boss truly is incredible. No matter where he goes, he’s always the boss.]
Hong Jian let out a long breath, feeling deeply relieved. In truth, all they had ever wished for was Wang Jie’s safety.
In the background, Doctor Four-Eyes also smiled faintly.
Lian Qin thought about her swimsuit again, recalling the awkwardness on Wang Jie’s face when he’d accepted it, wondering just how far he’d eventually rise.
Zong Cheng Ping and his companions spoke at length with Hong Jian’s group, explaining in detail the status of a Six Dao Wanderer and sharing constant updates on Wang Jie’s activities in the outside world.
Now that Wang Jie had attained this title, Lock Path Interval was no longer isolated. Messages poured in continuously.
Similarly, the people from Blue Star gradually learned about various lords within the sect, becoming clearer about the external situation. The more they heard, the more vividly they realized the life-and-death struggles Wang Jie must have experienced. Even just hearing about those dangers felt suffocating.
A single misstep on the battlefield meant death.
Wang Jie had truly fought tooth-and-nail to reach this height.
“So, have you considered connecting with some of the sect’s people, building good relationships?” Lie Qiu asked.
The Feng brothers exchanged looks; indeed, each had already been contacted by some lords hoping to befriend Wang Jie through them.
Hong Jian and the others glanced at one another, uncertain how to respond.
In the end, they deferred the decision to Qing Sheng—Qing Zheng’s father, and thus their Second Brother’s father.
Qing Sheng had once been merely a moderately wealthy merchant before the apocalypse on Blue Star. After disaster struck, he used cunning strategies to rise to a status equal to the Five Great Bases, commanding vast resources. Even the Armor One Sect trial disciples had sought his favor.
His strategic vision was unquestionably superior.
Hong Jian and the others deeply trusted him.
Qing Sheng gave his decision clearly: meet no one, and simply wait for Wang Jie’s return.
Feng Wen Cheng couldn’t help but interject, “Senior Brother Wang had conflicts with quite a few people back at Lock Path Interval. Wouldn’t it be better to use this chance to resolve those tensions? Some issues don’t necessarily require Senior Brother to handle personally—you all could resolve them yourselves.”
Qing Sheng smiled and said, “Wang Jie’s grudges will naturally be settled by himself. All we need to do is wait for him to return. Whom we should approach or whom we should avoid—all of that will follow his word. Right now, we meet no one.”
Zong Cheng Ping gazed deeply at Qing Sheng and nodded slowly, “Very well. Then our reply shall be that your group must wait for Senior Brother Wang’s return before deciding whether to interact with the outside world.”
“Our thanks,” Qing Sheng and the others said gratefully.
As Zong Cheng Ping departed from Feng Yu Xing, he glanced back thoughtfully. Though the Blue Star people had ascended rapidly, they were neither arrogant nor reckless. If no mishaps occurred, these people would surely become a significant force in the sect’s future.
…
Elsewhere, within the battleship, Wang Jie was carefully studying the Refining Travel Scripture and the cultivation method given by his cheap master.
After studying them closely, his eyes fell upon two jade stones. Indeed, these two methods differed like heaven and earth, completely opposite in approach.
The Refining Travel Scripture was the most orthodox method for progressing from Full Star Realm into the Wandering Star Realm.
Essentially, it involved drawing the star force or lock force that one had absorbed into the bones, similar to internal cultivation during the Ten-Seal stage. This scripture guided the force inward, merging it smoothly into the skeleton.
The greatest advantage of this method was its gentleness. It created a process, like interlocking gears, connecting the outer cultivation to the inner bones. It greatly improved one’s chances of successfully breaking through to Wandering Star Realm.
Those who practiced the Refining Travel Scripture had a higher success rate in reaching Wandering Star Realm compared to other methods. Moreover, it was very gentle.
But the technique his cheap master had provided was entirely different. It could barely be called a method; rather, it was more like torture, as brutal as hammering one’s bones.
One had to form an internal dome of power around their flesh, then violently compress this dome inward, forcing lock force into the bones and blood. It was blunt and ruthless. The pain of using this technique was no less than having one’s skin peeled away.
Even Wang Jie shuddered at the mere thought.
However, this was exactly the method best suited to him, for his strength was immense, far beyond ordinary people.
Most cultivators couldn’t endure such brutality.
Wang Jie immediately suspected that his cheap master had crafted this method specifically to suit his unusual physique.
It was indeed perfect for him—provided he could withstand the agony.
Wang Jie pursed his lips and put away the Refining Travel Scripture. This method wasn’t suitable at all. The Heaven Reversal Path he followed was far too advanced; it couldn’t be integrated into his bones through the gentle scripture.
Only this brutal, forceful technique could work quickly and effectively on him.
Thus, Wang Jie began cultivating.
First, he closed his eyes and gathered lock force from his ten seals on the surface of his body, spreading it outward until it surrounded him like an invisible dome of energy.
This step wasn’t difficult; it only required deep concentration.
After several days, the dome of lock force formed. Now came the critical moment—he immediately pressed it inward.
Blood spurted from his mouth instantly. Wang Jie’s face turned deathly pale, and his whole body felt as though his soul had been torn free. The moment he compressed the dome inward, it felt as if he had split himself apart. Splitting himself—the sensation was utterly bizarre and excruciating.
The agony was so intense that he nearly didn’t dare try again.
[Should I continue?]
He stared at the blood staining the floor, clenched his teeth, and forced himself forward. Painful or not, it was useful. Wasn’t the unnamed Bone Tempering Method similarly painful? Yet he had persisted through it.
His cheap master truly had a talent for discovering torturous methods. [Could he secretly have sadistic tendencies?]
With this fleeting thought, he pressed onward.
Time after time, he tried again. Each attempt made his soul feel as if it were slipping from his body. Each time, it was like racing against death itself. Each effort felt like tearing open his own skin.
He suddenly recalled Si Yao’s words, mentioning that a senior of Star Dome Visage once said: nothing in this world came freely; if something seemed effortless, it was merely because you hadn’t realized what price you’d already paid, or had yet to pay.
Though Wang Jie possessed vast amounts of lock force, ordinarily his advancement into Wandering Star Realm should have been slow, even impossible. Now, he knew the price he had to pay to enter the Wandering Star Realm was this unbearable suffering.
All the ordeals he’d endured in the Ten-Seal Realm and Star Breaking Realm were part of the price he must pay to advance. Not a single moment of suffering was wasted.
The floor was already stained red with his blood, the stench of iron strong enough to drift outside his resting chamber.
After another session, Wang Jie decided to slow down. Charging ahead recklessly could easily bring death instead of progress.
Leaving the resting chamber, his pale complexion drew curious gazes.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Wang.”
“Our respects, Senior Brother.”
“Hmm? Senior Brother, you look unwell. Would Junior Sister be allowed to attend to you closely?”
Wang Jie kept his eyes fixed ahead. Temptations were fleeting clouds, fragrant perfume a deadly poison. [Alluring beauty is just painted bones beneath.]
He quickened his steps to escape, though admittedly, this Junior Sister’s figure was quite impressive.
Soon after, he encountered someone unexpected—Xiao Rong.
Wang Jie stared at him, speechless. “You’re still alive?”
Xiao Rong respectfully bowed deeply. “Greetings, Senior Brother.”
Wang Jie carefully sized up Xiao Rong and even tried to observe his energy, but found nothing special. He was simply an ordinary cultivator at Lock Force Wandering Star Realm.
[Strange.] How could this fellow survive all the way from the Cloud Stream Region until now? With all the massive battles, even slightly bad luck could have ended him.
“How did you manage to survive until now?” Though his words were rude, Wang Jie couldn’t help asking; he was truly curious.
Xiao Rong cautiously glanced left and right. Seeing nobody nearby, he quietly whispered, “I’ve stayed on battlefields long enough to master a life-saving skill.”
“For instance?”
“Playing dead.”