Chapter 292
Chapter 292: Gathering
Jun Hua immediately remembered the small spacecraft Wang Jie had first arrived in. It bore the emblem of Armor One Sect. This man’s background grew even more mysterious and unpredictable.
After exchanging polite greetings, Wang Jie turned serious and asked, “Emperor, do you know why we’re here?”
Jun Hua shook her head.
Yu Dong and the others naturally had no idea either.
Wang Jie’s expression became grave, “Because soon, an extraordinary treasure will appear nearby. We—and those people earlier—have all come here for that treasure.”
Jun Hua was astonished, “What treasure?”
“Does the Emperor want it as well?” Wang Jie asked, wearing a faint, teasing smile.
Jun Hua gave a helpless laugh, “Of course not. I’m just curious.”
The Silver Radiance Empire had greatly helped Wang Jie, and Jun Hua herself had aided him several times, so Wang Jie would protect them as best as he could. “Don’t ask about the treasure. The less you know, the safer you’ll be. I have a home here, so I’ll do my best to keep the Silver Radiance Empire safe from harm.”
Jun Hua bowed immediately, “Thank you, Big Brother Wang.”
Wang Jie added firmly, “But if things go beyond my ability, there’s nothing I can do. Right now, the best thing you can do is to cooperate fully. Find out as much as you can about these outsiders in advance, gather information about their strength, and report to me so I can find ways to counter them.”
“Big Brother Wang, please just tell me what to do,” Jun Hua responded earnestly.
“Seal off the Silver Radiance Empire. Record identities of everyone who enters or exits. Keep constant surveillance over all outsiders remotely, without disturbing them directly. Report immediately to me if anyone suspicious or unusual appears…” Wang Jie gave many detailed instructions, and Jun Hua promptly relayed orders according to his wishes.
The entire Silver Radiance Empire began operating swiftly.
Though insignificant compared to the vast universe, within their region the Silver Radiance Empire’s efficiency was truly remarkable.
Within just two hours, countless surveillance images from all corners of the Silver Radiance Empire began streaming into Accompanying Lake Residence. Currently, these images showed nothing unusual. However, the moment outsiders appeared, they would be immediately monitored, their identities confirmed, and any anomalies instantly reported back to Accompanying Lake Residence.
Light screens rose one after another within the courtyard of Accompanying Lake Residence.
Wang Jie and his companions spread out, some fishing, some sleeping, some quietly cultivating, all calmly waiting.
A disciple had once asked what exactly they were waiting for.
Wu Yuan’s reply was simple—they awaited news of the Red Moon.
The Red Moon would appear somewhere within a certain area, but how exactly to find it, no one knew.
Only the person who had released the news understood clearly. Once enough people gathered, that person would certainly reveal the next step. Only then would it be the right moment to act.
There was no use going there early.
Far away from Imperial Capital Star, Yan Long and the others gathered together, their faces grim, their breaths uneven, some even had traces of blood at the corners of their mouths, clearly injured.
“Were those people from Black White Heaven Club just now?” Lan Qi asked, her face pale and heart still racing. She had almost been crushed by Wu Yuan’s immense star force. Had Lan Ning not pulled her away, she wouldn’t have escaped Imperial Capital Star alive.
Lan Ning’s expression was heavy as he answered, “Yes, that was indeed Black White Heaven Club.”
Qing Ge said quietly, “The one who attacked us was Wu Yuan. I’ve seen him on the Ying Yang Battlefield. Back then, his opponents were Hundred Star Realm experts. Now, we’re the ones facing him.”
“You’re mistaken,” a middle-aged man stepped forward—it was the Hundred Star Realm cultivator who had torn apart Wu Yuan’s star force.
Under everyone’s gaze, the man slowly explained, “Wu Yuan’s true opponents aren’t you, but rather other powerful Hundred Star Realm cultivators from the major clubs. You were just unlucky to run into him.”
“And among all those clubs, Black White Heaven Club doesn’t even rank near the top. So, my advice is that you all should just give up.”
“Give up the Nan Clan’s hidden legacy? Do you think that’s possible?” Qing Ge argued fiercely.
The middle-aged man shook his head, resigned, “I understand. The only other choice is for our sect to interfere openly when the Red Moon appears, and let Star Refining Realm experts take action. Although doing this means we’ll lose the right to fight for other resources in the future, the Nan Clan’s hidden legacy is simply too important. We—”
Yan Long suddenly interrupted him, “You’ve already been exposed. You can’t stay here any longer.”
The middle-aged man glanced at him unhappily, then spoke solemnly, “I know. Take care of yourselves.” Without another word, he turned and left.
His involvement absolutely couldn’t leave any evidence behind.
A voice spoke from a darkened corner, “The person who captured Junior Brother Bei Yi is Wang Jie, once a honored guest of Frost Radiance Sect. And now, he’s a Six Dao Wanderer?”
Yan Long turned to Lan Ning, “Do you know Wang Jie?”
The group had only managed such a timely retreat thanks to Lan Ning’s warning. Had they delayed even a moment, more would have been captured.
Lan Ning nodded slowly, “I met him on the Ying Yang Battlefield. Back then, he could only run from me. Yet now, he’s become one of the Six Dao Wanderers. This news has spread across every major force—he’s the first full-star realm Lock Force cultivator in the entire history of Black White Heaven to become a Six Dao Wanderer, said to have deep connections with First Star Cloud.”
Rui Zhong’s brow furrowed tightly. For Yin Bei Yi to dare approach Wang Jie meant Wang Jie was once no match for Yin Bei Yi in Frost Radiance Sect.
How much time had passed since Frost Radiance Sect’s destruction? Yet now, Wang Jie had become so powerful, enough to stand on equal footing with Yan Long.
Rui Zhong knew Yan Long’s strength clearly.
Competition within Ornate Jade Gate was fierce. When Rui Zhong first entered, he’d challenged top disciples directly. Forget Yan Long—even Qing Ge could easily defeat him, so he fully understood the gap between ordinary cultivators and Six Dao Wanderers.
It was maddening—how could a Lock Force cultivator climb so high?
Meanwhile, on Imperial Capital Star, Wang Jie patiently waited for news from Blue Star.
He asked Jun Hua to send someone to check on Blue Star, to see if that little blue planet still existed.
Though the people of Blue Star had been taken away, it did not mean he had abandoned that little azure orb. Given the chance, he would return. Too many memories lingered there.
At the Accompanying Lake residence, figures gradually appeared in the glowing screens.
Wang Jie and the others immediately turned to watch.
“That—isn’t that Blazing Fire Club?”
“Indeed. Just a minor club, yet they’re bold enough to show up here.”
“Look at the other one. They look familiar; I’m sure I’ve seen them somewhere before.”
One disciple spoke up: “That’s Moon Wind Club.”
“Oh, yes. They got severely punished in the battle for a Five Tribulations Star Artifact left by a powerful expert in the Second Star Cloud.”
“Hmph, they’re still daring enough to come here? Have they even seen what we’re facing now?”
Over the next several days, more clubs were recognized. Those clubs noticed they were being closely watched by the Silver Radiance Empire but didn’t mind. They had long wandered on the edge of life and death. Being targeted only meant someone had already taken control of this Silver Radiance Empire.
Without knowing who exactly controlled things, they would avoid stirring trouble.
Occasionally, someone curious would approach the imperial palace, only to be quickly driven away.
During these days, Jun Hua and her people were very anxious. More and more powerful outsiders arrived. In the past, even a single Star-Breaking Realm cultivator could shake the Silver Radiance Empire. Now, Full Star and Wandering Star Realm cultivators appeared one after another. Fortunately, they were peaceful and did not cause trouble, otherwise, the whole empire would already be in chaos.
The imperial palace was constantly watched, and Jun Hua’s group felt eyes lingering nearby day and night, making it difficult even to sleep.
On one particular day, three figures aboard a merchant ship at the Silver Radiance Empire’s border drew special attention. They appeared ordinary enough that even combat strength detectors failed to register anything unusual, yet their very ordinariness seemed extraordinary.
A young man, a frivolous-looking playboy who kept flirting with women nearby, and a bald-headed youth.
Most peculiar was the bald youth, who held a short wooden sword in his arms. The blade looked like nothing more than a branch crudely carved into the shape of a sword.
The Silver Radiance Empire found nothing suspicious, but that itself was suspicious enough, so their images were transmitted directly to Accompanying Lake Residence.
“Chen Song, from Three Chan Heaven.” Yu Zhi’s expression turned grave, her voice trembling slightly.
Everyone turned their gaze to the screen.
Wang Jie also looked over, recognizing Chen Song immediately. This was the very same cunning Hundred Star Realm expert from Three Chan Heaven whom his makeshift master had pointed out during their visit to the Dual Wind Line battlefield. Then his gaze shifted to the bald youth—Mo. Wang Jie had not expected him to come here.
Mo had participated in the Blue Star trial, and by now, he should have long reached Wandering Star Realm, yet his appearance had not changed at all. Especially the sword he carried—it still looked wild, though somewhat more sword-like than before.
“Three Chan Heaven Club has arrived,” Yun Que said solemnly.
Everyone’s hearts sank heavily.
Three Chan Heaven was a mountain—a mountain heavy enough to crush even Black White Heaven.
That chaotic blade cultivator had merely transferred from Galaxy Combat Equipment Company to train at Three Chan Heaven, yet had instantly defeated Han Ling, the top cultivator of external Zen, with a single blade strike. Such was the power of Three Chan Heaven.
If the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar hadn’t had Armor One Sect, Three Chan Heaven would undoubtedly have stood at the top.
The screen froze, specifically focused on the trio.
After disembarking, Chen Song appeared calm as usual, but the frivolous youth complained irritably: “Mo, how many times have I told you not to carry that sword everywhere? Look, we’re being watched now. Anyone can see something’s wrong.”
“I’m sorry, Senior Brother.”
“What’s the use of being sorry? You never listen to your Senior Brother! It’s rare for me to get out, you know—I need to make new friends! Now everyone’s suspicious; how can I possibly mingle? Your Senior Brother has thin skin!”
Mo replied helplessly: “I understand, Senior—”
“This lovely young lady, would you give me the honor of dining together tonight?”
“Get lost.”
“Alrighty then. Ahem—Junior Brother, where was I? Right, your Senior Brother is thin-skinned. It’s uncomfortable being stared at. But you, you’re never obedient. Oh—this young lady here, my surname is Lu, given name Li; may I ask your honored name?”
“Who are you, and why are you talking to my wife?”
“Asking directions.”
At Accompanying Lake Residence, everyone watched silently. Was this person really a disciple from the illustrious Three Chan Heaven?
New screens appeared continually, but nothing significant emerged.
Until, after an hour, eleven people emerged from nearly identical spaceships at the same port.
This group was instantly brought up on screen at Accompanying Lake Residence without hesitation. They were clearly extraordinary. The combat strength detectors almost overloaded—they hadn’t bothered to conceal their strength at all.
Wang Jie recognized another familiar face—Su Su.
She had returned as well, though she and Qing Xiao had both previously been captured by the Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper.
Another familiar figure was there—Qing Xiao.
Had these two been ransomed back already? Wang Jie wondered what price Ming Huang Hall and Void Mountain Range had paid. And had Zhi Ye returned as well?
All of these cultivators came from the Second Star Cloud.
“That’s the Void Phoenix Club,” Yu Zhi introduced. “A club formed jointly by Void Mountain Range and Ming Huang Hall. Their relations have always been good.”
“The person leading—he’s from Void Mountain Range? I’ve never seen him before.”
Ming Huang Hall consisted mostly of female cultivators, so this man must have come from Void Mountain Range.
Wu Yuan spoke up: “His name is Su Ji Kong.”
No need to guess further—someone from the Su family of Ming Huang Hall.
“Someone from the Su family is actually a man? I’ve heard the Su family is dominated by women, with the men managing domestic affairs. Furthermore, their famous bridge techniques can’t be passed on to males. This man must be extraordinary to have stepped out from Ming Huang Hall.”
Wu Yuan explained gravely: “Su Ji Kong had no chance with the family’s bridge techniques, yet he pursued another path by crippling his own ears. With exceptional talent, he climbed to the Hundred Star Realm. Even within Ming Huang Hall, his status is considerable. Although he’s no Su Xian Yin, he’s still very close.”
“For Ming Huang Hall to send him shows they’re taking this seriously.”