Chapter 296
Chapter 296: Red Moon Technique
Yu Zhi turned to Wang Jie, asking, “Junior Brother, what do you mean?”
Wang Jie met Yu Zhi’s eyes and smiled faintly, saying, “Senior Brother, please announce this for me—I can find the Red Moon, but I want two conditions met. First, our Black White Heaven Club must be granted the privilege of entering the Nan family’s location before anyone else. Second, I personally must receive some benefit as well. Since I’m the one doing the searching, I’ll decide exactly what this reward will be after giving it some thought. Let’s see if they’re willing first.”
Yu Zhi paused, then looked toward Wu Yuan.
Wu Yuan was also watching Wang Jie thoughtfully.
Everyone else exchanged puzzled glances.
Asking for a reward? None of them had even considered such a thing.
Han Ling hesitated, speaking carefully, “Junior Brother Wang, the first request makes sense. You found the Red Moon, so naturally, our club deserves to enter first. But this second condition…” He shook his head slowly.
A disciple bluntly interrupted, his tone sharp and unfriendly: “You’d have to find the Red Moon anyway, why should anyone reward you for that?” Although rude, his words expressed the hidden thoughts of every other club clearly.
No one considered the danger of entering the Nan family’s location first.
Why bother? Everyone who came intended to enter anyway. Being first might even yield greater rewards.
Wang Jie chuckled lightly, replying, “This is exactly why I asked Senior Brother Yu Zhi to make the announcement. If they refuse to give me benefits, then I simply won’t look for it.”
A disciple snorted disdainfully. [Refuse to search? Easier said than done! Does he really think the powers behind those clubs are kind-hearted enough to let him off?]
Indeed, Wang Jie was powerful enough to become a Six Dao Wanderer while still in the Lock Force full Star Realm. His strength was proven, and no one doubted his qualification. But his thinking seemed foolish.
Yu Zhi forced a bitter smile, “It’s useless. Even if you refuse, the sect will pressure you into searching anyway.”
Wang Jie’s expression remained confident, “Announce it exactly as I’ve said. I have my reasons.”
Mo Wan Yin’s lips curled into a quiet smile. With the Star Path Master secretly supporting him, who in the sect would dare pressure him? Others might not know, but she certainly did.
Yu Zhi glanced again at Wu Yuan, who finally nodded his agreement.
Though reluctant to draw unwanted attention, Yu Zhi was responsible for club affairs. He had no choice but to pass Wang Jie’s demands to the outside world.
As expected, once Yu Zhi’s words were made public, mockery quickly followed, each sneer clearly audible even from Accompanying Lake Residence.
“A mere Six Dao Wanderer dares defy the sect’s will? Inform the sect immediately. Apply pressure on Black White Heaven! Let’s see if Wang Jie still refuses to look!”
“Asking for rewards might be understandable, but openly threatening us? Where does he get such audacity?”
“Absolutely arrogant!”
“He doesn’t know how lucky he is…”
Then the Yun Clan Club arrived, representing both the Yun family and the powerful Armor One Sect.
Yun Jian was a composed man. Upon arriving at Accompanying Lake Residence, he nodded briefly toward Mo Wan Yin, then looked directly at Wu Yuan. “There’s no need for collaboration with outside Bridge Pillars. Resources belonging to our Big Dipper Bridge Pillar must remain within it. You should understand.”
Wu Yuan’s expression immediately turned serious. Facing Yun Jian was far different from facing members of Sincere One Dao or others. At worst, Sincere One Dao could not threaten Black White Heaven directly, but the Armor One Sect was another matter entirely. A single word from them could force Black White Heaven’s submission.
“If cooperation is necessary, naturally we would prioritize Big Dipper Bridge Pillar,” Wu Yuan stated decisively.
Yun Jian turned his calm gaze toward Wang Jie, asking simply, “Will you find the Red Moon? I guarantee that you will enter first.” He completely ignored Wang Jie’s second condition.
Wang Jie smiled calmly, replying without hesitation, “Both conditions must be met. Not one less.”
Surprise flashed through Yun Jian’s eyes. Even with Yun Jian personally visiting, Wang Jie remained unmoved?
Behind Yun Jian stood a woman who carefully examined Wang Jie. [Merely a Lock Force full Star Realm cultivator, yet so confident?]
Though outsiders openly mocked Wang Jie as foolish, none genuinely believed it. Otherwise, someone stronger than Yun Jian would have arrived. Right now, various powers were urgently contacting the sects behind Black White Heaven, pressing to determine if Wang Jie spoke alone or represented his club’s true stance.
Yun Jian departed without uttering threats. Though the Armor One Sect was the strongest power within the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar, even they could not easily command Black White Heaven. Issuing reckless threats would only diminish Yun Jian’s dignity—something he refused to do, especially in front of the woman accompanying him.
Seeing even Armor One Sect unable to sway Wang Jie, other powers had no choice but to wait for responses from behind the scenes.
Soon, a single unified response emerged from Black White Heaven:
“This matter belongs solely to Wang Jie. He alone shall decide.”
A brief reply, yet it spoke volumes—Black White Heaven openly supported Wang Jie’s stance.
In an instant, shock spread through every faction.
Clearly, they’d underestimated this Lock Force cultivator.
These groups had not merely inquired politely; they’d actively pressured Black White Heaven—even Armor One Sect’s Yun Clan had attempted to force their hand. Yet Black White Heaven still backed Wang Jie openly. What mysterious background did this cultivator possess?
Meanwhile, turmoil brewed within Black White Heaven itself.
Inside the Elder Hall, heated arguments raged. Never had so many influential powers—from all four Bridge Pillars—pressed the sect simultaneously.
“Whatever Wang Jie demands, just grant it! Why antagonize every single power?”
“We could disregard the other Bridge Pillars, but offending Armor One Sect’s Yun Clan is utterly unacceptable.”
“The Zhi family already announced publicly—everything depends on Wang Jie’s wishes.”
“And Ancestor Zhi Qing? Quickly summon him from seclusion! We can’t allow Zhi Xing Xue to do whatever he pleases.”
Si Shang He’s gaze deepened as he concluded firmly, “Not only does the Zhi family agree, but even the Black Realm Lord has permitted that boy to choose for himself.”
“Have you contacted the White Realm Lord?”
“Yes. The White Realm Lord said Wang Jie may decide on his own.”
“How can this be? Zhi Xing Xue can’t overpower the White Realm Lord yet, can she? Doesn’t the White Realm Lord also disapprove of him? Why would he allow this?”
“Enough. If it’s already decided, let it be,” Si Shang He settled the matter, his eyes dark with thought. Behind Wang Jie lay a deeper mystery than the outside world imagined.
At the Nine Sword Club within the Silver Radiance Empire, Yuan Qiao Qiao gazed at the reply from her sect, utterly puzzled. The Sword Court itself had instructed her clearly not to trouble Wang Jie.
Wang Jie? When had he become involved with Sword Court? It was one thing for Black White Heaven to shield him, but now even her own sect refused to trouble him. Could he secretly be the sect’s spy inside Black White Heaven? [No, if he were an informant, he wouldn’t behave so openly.]
[What’s going on?]
The very same question haunted Yun Jian’s mind. Just now, his own sect had also instructed him to leave Wang Jie alone. It made no sense. A mere Wang Jie could at most influence Black White Heaven or gain support from the Zhi family. Why would that alarm the sect?
“Even Armor One Sect refuses to offend him? Can we find out his identity?” asked the woman standing behind him, Xue Jian.
Yun Jian’s expression grew solemn as he answered, “I’ve already had the clan investigate. Since even the sect refuses to antagonize him, he must have left some clues behind. We’ll surely find something.”
The outside world’s mockery of Wang Jie abruptly faded, replaced by an eerie calm. News about the Nine Sword Club and Yun Clan Club’s strange orders spread uncontrollably.
For a while, everyone wondered what made Wang Jie so important.
Wang Jie himself knew this would happen. Many secrets would naturally surface as he moved forward. He couldn’t hide them forever, so it was wiser to gain as many benefits as he could before everything came to light. Besides, the journey to the Nan family would surely be dangerous. If he acted mysteriously now, it might offer a chance to escape danger later.
At this moment, Wang Jie sat beside the lake. He had just received a task from Star Dome Visage to obtain the Crimson Moon Method.
This supreme art of the Nan family could only be practiced by their direct descendants. How could he acquire it? Perhaps it was hidden in the Nan family’s inheritance.
Along with the task, Star Dome Visage also provided information. The one secretly spreading news about the Crimson Moon was actually a descendant of the Nan family. Star Dome Visage directly gave him this person’s detailed identity. Perhaps among everyone gathered here, only he knew who she truly was.
She must be unable to return to the Nan family herself, thus borrowing everyone’s strength.
The reason she chose club channels was clear. Clubs mainly attracted Hundred Star realm cultivators, whom she might still handle. But once Star Refining realm or exceptionally strong Hundred Star cultivators appeared, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Then the next wave of information should soon spread. Previously, it had been confirmed that Lock Force cultivators could locate the Crimson Moon, but the method hadn’t been revealed. That should come soon.
As expected, shortly afterward, another message spread—this time revealing the opening verses of the Crimson Moon Method.
The news reached everyone.
Though these opening verses alone couldn’t grant mastery of the Crimson Moon Method, they could trigger a response from the Crimson Moon itself, allowing its location to be found.
Soon, everyone began practicing this opening passage.
Wang Jie practiced it too.
“The moon holds three phases, emerging when full; yet only at crescent does the killing Dao emerge. Three by three, meridians expand, cycling endlessly nine by nine…”
Practicing this opening wasn’t difficult. It was, after all, only the beginning.
As Wang Jie followed these words, a mysterious sensation rose within him. He felt as if his Lock Force could emerge from his body, gathering outside to form something according to his will, like an avatar taking shape.
There was no doubt that the form would become the Crimson Moon.
But why must it be crimson?
Lock Force often appeared in different colors according to the individual’s practice. Why, then, must it specifically become a crimson moon?
While Wang Jie was pondering this, he suddenly opened his eyes and stopped.
He sensed another vibration, distant yet unmistakable—the Crimson Moon of the Nan family. He had found it.
He couldn’t continue practicing or he might actually summon that moon.
He wondered whether other Lock Force practitioners could sense it too.
The next day, everyone gathered.
“I practiced the opening passage of the Crimson Moon and felt I could project Star Force from my body to condense something,” someone remarked.
“I felt it too,” another agreed.
“Elder, what about you?”
Wu Yuan wore a grave expression. “I too felt I could condense something. But this is merely the opening verse. Even if we form something, it will lack true essence. As for sensing the Crimson Moon, I felt nothing.”
Wang Jie reflected deeply. Indeed, was Lock Force—the power entirely different from Star Force—the only energy able to sense the Nan family’s Crimson Moon? That woman wouldn’t lie; she too sought entry into the Nan family.
“Wang Jie, what about you?” all eyes turned to him.
Wang Jie answered, “I sensed it faintly.”
Everyone showed surprise. Yu Zhi stared intensely at him, “You really sensed it?”
Wang Jie nodded.
Mo Wan Yin remarked, “If Junior Brother Wang can sense it, I wonder if other Lock Force practitioners can too.”
“We’ll see soon,” said Wu Yuan thoughtfully. “Every faction is trying. Whoever senses the Crimson Moon first will surely act. If none succeed, they’ll inevitably come looking for us.” He glanced meaningfully at Wang Jie.
Lock Force practitioners had never before enjoyed such favorable treatment.
One by one, they were showered with abundant resources, receiving guidance from Hundred Star realm experts. Many Lock Force cultivators quickly reached Star Breaking realm, a situation previously unimaginable.
From her vantage point, Jun Hua watched the situation unfolding outside with growing concern.
She wondered what path the Silver Radiance Empire would soon tread.
Lock Force cultivators continually arrived from various regions. Those attempting to practice the Crimson Moon opening were at least Star Breaking realm, with some even Full Star realm. Yet none could sense the Crimson Moon. Attempts kept failing.
Finally, news emerged from Black White Heaven Club: Wang Jie could sense it.
Once again, everyone’s eyes turned toward Accompanying Lake Residence.