Chapter 290
Chapter 290: Return
The four great star clouds of the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar were vast, with resources constantly emerging everywhere. Indeed, it was impossible to clearly divide these resources by region. No one could resist coveting them, but war couldn’t always be the answer.
“But then, won’t the powerful clubs take all the advantage?” Wang Jie asked.
Wu Yuan, who rarely smiled, laughed softly this time: “That’s why, besides rules, there is also human sentiment. Wherever a club grabs resources, it must leave some scraps behind.”
Wang Jie understood clearly now.
“The universe is abundant with resources. No matter how powerful a club might be, it can’t monopolize them all,” Wu Yuan continued. “Our Black White Heaven Club hasn’t gathered all our experts in a long time, and other clubs are the same. How much can a scattered club truly seize? The journey alone would exhaust everyone.”
Wu Yuan explained in great detail.
Wang Jie gratefully replied, “Thank you, Elder, for clearing my doubts.”
Wu Yuan gave him a thoughtful glance. “No matter how rules are set, there will always be people who find ways to break them. Every action a club takes must be done with extreme caution.”
“I also came from a Slaughter Stone Planet. I once wished to protect my kin and friends. But by the time I had the power to protect them, it was already too late.”
Wang Jie was shocked.
As Wu Yuan turned to leave, he spoke quietly, “I hope you never face such regrets.”
Wang Jie deeply bowed towards Wu Yuan’s retreating figure, “Thank you, Elder.”
With the special privileges of the Accompanying Lake residence, the spaceship Leap soared along a private channel directly to Silver Radiance Imperial Capital, finally docking outside the Imperial Star.
Walking through the Imperial Star, Wang Jie gazed upon the familiar scenes—he had returned once more.
This place was the first home he’d known since leaving Blue Star.
Cheng Qian hurriedly came forward to welcome him: “Welcome back, my Lord.”
“We greet our Lord,” echoed a chorus of respectful voices behind him.
Wang Jie nodded calmly and stepped into Accompanying Lake residence, suddenly drawing a maid close by her waist, laughing heartily as he entered.
Cheng Qian was startled, [Has the lord grown up?]
Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace, Lan Qi sneered disdainfully, having clearly seen this. She had been carefully watching Accompanying Lake residence. Observing Wang Jie arrogantly pull a maid close upon his return, her eyes filled with contempt. [How could a mere lock-force cultivator hold such high status? Only in such a small place could this happen. In my Fallen Bow Hall, he would be nothing more than cannon fodder.]
Jun Hua and Yu Dong also witnessed the scene, exchanging bewildered glances, confusion in their eyes.
They knew Wang Jie fairly well—when had he become so impatient and eager?
Either his temperament had drastically changed, or…
Jun Hua sincerely hoped it was the latter.
Back in the residence, the young maid blushed crimson, her heart racing with anticipation and excitement.
Wang Jie, as master of Accompanying Lake residence, held a position second only to one in the Silver Radiance Empire. Moreover, due to years of cultivation, his appearance and bearing were remarkable. Young and highly respected, his status was extraordinary.
“I’m sorry, you may go now. But please don’t leave the residence just yet,” Wang Jie suddenly released her waist.
The young maid gazed at him in confusion, her large eyes almost overflowing with tears, full of disappointment.
Wang Jie awkwardly explained, “I’m too tired. You go on first.” Then he called Cheng Qian over, instructing him to increase the young maid’s status.
Cheng Qian remained bewildered, unable to grasp Wang Jie’s intentions.
Wang Jie truly rested afterward.
Only when evening fell did he leave the residence, heading straight toward the Star Dome Materials Trading Center.
Su Ying Yu was quite busy, greeting other customers.
Wang Jie didn’t rush her. He strolled leisurely, even purchasing some lock-force materials along the way.
This detail soon reached Lan Qi, who hadn’t eased her surveillance. Upon hearing that Wang Jie was merely buying lock-force materials, she paid even less attention.
Eventually, Su Ying Yu spotted Wang Jie and greeted him joyfully, “So it’s my Lord! When did you return?”
“Today.”
She smiled gently, “Since you’ve sought out this little lady immediately upon your return, is there something you wish to instruct me about?” With that, she guided Wang Jie to a private meeting room.
Seated across from her, Wang Jie sipped his tea calmly, “I need information about wandering star-realm cultivators entering the Silver Radiance Empire.”
Su Ying Yu’s eyes flickered briefly, “I’m sorry, my Lord, but this little lady neither sells information nor possesses such intelligence. I cannot help you.”
“Isn’t the head of Star Dome Visage in the Silver Radiance Empire you?”
Su Ying Yu fixed her gaze upon him, “How did my Lord find out?”
“A guess.”
“Well then, congratulations, my Lord, your guess was correct. But some information is meant to be sold, while others are not. Mine belongs to the latter.”
Wang Jie looked steadily at her, “But you’ve helped me quite a bit before.”
Su Ying Yu sighed helplessly, “Even so, my Lord, you can’t ruin my livelihood by making me break the rules.” She paused, staring keenly at Wang Jie, “Honestly, I’m quite curious. How exactly did my Lord confirm my identity? If you’re willing to share this, I could offer you some information freely in return.”
Wang Jie smiled faintly, amused, “You think someone told me?”
“Didn’t they?” Su Ying Yu’s eyes burned with intensity. “Star Dome’s branches in Silver Radiance include materials trading, pills, weapons, even the Star Fusion Center. With so many branches here, what made you guess I handle intelligence?”
Wang Jie countered, “Then I’m equally curious—why did you assist me so generously back then? Star Dome Visage doesn’t lack customers, especially not someone insignificant like a lock-force cultivator.”
“Don’t try to placate me with the excuse ‘customers are heaven.’ You valued me for another reason.”
A subtle smile appeared at Su Ying Yu’s lips. “Fine, the answer is simple—I couldn’t find out your origins.”
Wang Jie knew this was indeed the reason.
Back when he first interacted with Su Ying Yu in Silver Radiance Empire, she had gone out of her way to assist him. He initially believed it was because he resided at Accompanying Lake and held a special status. But looking back, how could a powerful person like her, responsible for intelligence in Star Dome Visage, truly value someone of his former position? Even Jun Hua would be ordinary before her.
For such a person to help him spontaneously was suspicious from the start.
As for earning profits? That was just an excuse.
A single cultivator of the Star Breaking Realm Star Force could bring Star Dome Visage far more wealth than Wang Jie ever could at that time. Yet such cultivators were as numerous as ants. Gathering grains of sand into a tower mattered only if the tower could touch the heavens. And Star Dome Visage was precisely that sky. No matter how tall the tower, it could never reach that high.
Star Dome Visage had no reason to warmly approach a mere Lock Force cultivator.
Unless that Lock Force cultivator was so peculiar that even Star Dome Visage’s intelligence network couldn’t uncover his origins. Only then would someone like Su Ying Yu take notice.
Wang Jie’s gaze met Su Ying Yu’s. Each held information the other deeply desired.
“Then, have you discovered it yet?” Wang Jie asked.
“Still nothing,” Su Ying Yu replied cautiously, eyes curious. “Would my lord satisfy my curiosity?”
“All right, I’ll tell you.” Wang Jie took out a jade token, slapping it down firmly onto the table.
Su Ying Yu stared blankly at the jade, utterly dumbfounded.
She had imagined countless possibilities, but never once had she thought Wang Jie might actually be an Observer. [By the heavens… this man is an Observer of Star Dome Visage? He is one of our own?]
Wang Jie smiled, amused at her expression.
Su Ying Yu lifted her gaze to Wang Jie, managing only a bitter smile as she said quietly, “My lord truly knows how to tease me.”
Wang Jie calmly retrieved the jade token. “I only wanted to know if others could buy information about us from you.”
Su Ying Yu let out a breath, explaining carefully, “Information is a weapon—but weapons can turn back against their wielders. Many people know how to buy intelligence from Star Dome Visage, yet they may not fully trust what they buy.”
She composed herself before continuing seriously, “Those who entered Silver Radiance Empire and are currently controlling Jun Hua and her people consist of twenty-eight cultivators led by Ornate Jade Gate from the Third Nebula. The strongest among them is likely Yan Long, the chief disciple of Ornate Jade Gate. His power rivals that of a Six Dao Wanderer from Black White Heaven. The rest are all Wandering Star Realm cultivators. No Hundred Star Realm experts are present.”
Wang Jie frowned slightly. Twenty-eight cultivators was quite a substantial number.
Led by Ornate Jade Gate, that meant they were forces opposed to the Nan Clan.
Considering they originated from the Third Nebula, it was no surprise that this group had arrived earliest at Silver Radiance Empire.
“Is it possible that a Hundred Star Realm cultivator is hiding among them?” Wang Jie asked.
“That, I cannot determine. Star Dome Visage’s intelligence is extensive, but not omnipresent.”
“Have they tried to purchase information from you?”
Su Ying Yu shook her head, “They don’t even know that intelligence can be purchased from me. Even if they did, they wouldn’t approach—it would reveal too much about themselves.”
Wang Jie had overlooked this detail. [Right, in buying intelligence, one becomes intelligence themselves.]
He turned and left.
Su Ying Yu did not question him further. Since he was an Observer, he belonged to Star Dome Visage. Even among their own, certain rules had to be upheld, though she was intensely curious about how a mere Lock Force cultivator like Wang Jie had managed to become an Observer.
Returning to Accompanying Lake Residence, Wang Jie relayed the newly obtained intelligence to Wu Yuan and the others.
Yu Zhi asked in astonishment, “Junior Brother Wang, how did you gather this information?”
Wang Jie replied simply, “I have my own intelligence network within Silver Radiance Empire.”
Han Ling and the others exchanged amazed glances.
After a brief discussion, the group decided to remain passive for the time being. With no Hundred Star Realm expert among them, these invaders could be subdued at will. Wu Yuan alone could easily deal with them. With no immediate threat, leaving them openly visible was beneficial for now.
Yet, the plans of mortals often fell short of heaven’s intentions.
Control of Jun Hua and her companions rotated among various members.
Previously, it had been Lan Qi.
Now, it was Yin Bei Yi’s turn.
Yin Bei Yi was a disciple of Frost Radiance Sect who had long trained outside to combat the Berserk Clan of the Ninth Star Chain, intentionally distancing himself from the Frost Radiance Sect’s influence. Yet, at the Ninth Star Chain, his plans were foiled repeatedly by Wang Jie, leading to catastrophic failure.
When Ornate Jade Gate launched its assault on Frost Radiance Sect, Yin Bei Yi had betrayed without hesitation, for he harbored no genuine affection for his former sect.
Now, when Yin Bei Yi saw Wang Jie’s face appear on the monitoring screen, his expression became profoundly colorful.
Wang Jie had made no attempt to disguise himself. His true identity had long been exposed when he contacted Jun Hua, and Silver Radiance Empire surely had records of him. Disguising his appearance now would only make him appear suspicious.
“Wang Jie… Wang Jie… It’s truly Wang Jie!” Yin Bei Yi’s eyes turned bloodshot with fury. [Him! It’s really him! Wang Jie—the one I dreamt of killing night and day!]
He never imagined he would meet his mortal enemy here.
Wang Jie’s reputation was considerable, his fame spreading widely as a Six Dao Wanderer. Yet, he wasn’t as renowned as the Four Traveling Gods. The universe was vast beyond imagination; even the Four Traveling Gods were unknown in many corners, let alone Wang Jie.
Yin Bei Yi had secluded himself in Ornate Jade Gate for bitter cultivation, remaining ignorant of external affairs. Yan Xiao Nian, upon returning to Ornate Jade Gate after Ying Yang Battlefield, had no interactions with Yin Bei Yi. Forced to join Ornate Jade Gate against his will, Yan Xiao Nian disdained Yin Bei Yi, a voluntary traitor. Thus, Yin Bei Yi was completely unaware that Wang Jie had risen beyond the reputation of a mere Lock Force cultivator posing as a Celestial Refinement Master to scam food and favors.
Excited, Yin Bei Yi’s breathing quickened. A sinister grin twisted his lips. [Good, very good! Heaven finally has eyes. I thought I’d lost my chance forever, but now, revenge is finally within my grasp.]
He would torture Wang Jie mercilessly and make him suffer dearly.