Chapter 300

Chapter 300: Following

“Everyone, spread out and search carefully. Let’s see what we can find,” Wu Yuan instructed. Immediately, the group scattered in different directions.

Though star force could sweep across this land, many hidden things remained unaffected by it. Some treasures could only be discovered by their own eyes and hands.

Each person was responsible for a specific area. Searching separately allowed them to quickly comb through their respective patches of ground.

Wang Jie climbed over the mountain ridge, his eyes greeted by a fiery-red landscape. Under such intense heat, even blood would evaporate. Unless something truly existed here, it would not be easy to overlook.

However, after a short while, the group finished searching the entire area.

“There’s nothing here.”

“Let’s move to the next piece.”

Under Wu Yuan’s lead, everyone headed towards a nearby stretch of yellowish earth.

This yellow land was soft in texture, lifeless yet beautiful in its decay, resembling a forest of withered leaves.

Now, all the other groups hurriedly searched through different pieces of land as well.

Although there were many scattered fragments, it wouldn’t take long before each one had been thoroughly inspected.

Suddenly, Wang Jie approached Wu Yuan, suggesting they follow the Dao One Club group.

Wu Yuan asked, confused, “Why follow them?”

Wang Jie spoke solemnly, “I suspect members of the Nan Family are hidden among them.”

Wu Yuan was startled. “How could you know that?”

Wang Jie could not reveal the true identity of the Nan Family descendant, as it involved matters related to Star Dome Visage. Even Black White Heaven lacked this information. How could Wang Jie possibly explain his knowledge? Revealing it fully would cause more trouble than he could handle.

However, he had to give some explanation. Following the Dao One Club alone would mean certain death. Young Ling’er was not one to be trifled with, and the several wandering star realm cultivators with her were also formidable.

Wang Jie explained gravely, “When I was cultivating the Crimson Moon technique, I clearly felt a connection to someone in the direction of the Dao One Club. Although that person quickly cut off the link, preventing me from identifying who it was, I’m certain someone among them has cultivated the Crimson Moon technique to an even higher level than mine.”

Wu Yuan’s expression turned serious, and he immediately called everyone together, heading swiftly toward the Dao One Club group.

The others didn’t require explanations—Wu Yuan’s command alone was enough. His decisiveness wasn’t entirely because he trusted Wang Jie, but rather because the land was vast and searching anywhere else would be the same.

The Dao One Club was already heading in another direction, and Wang Jie’s urgency was to avoid losing their trail.

On their way to intercept the Dao One Club, battles erupted on various land fragments. Some groups cheered loudly after discovering something, while others were chased relentlessly, obviously having found valuable treasures.

This caused Yun Que and the others anxiety. They couldn’t understand why their group ignored potential discoveries and hurried instead after another group.

Wu Yuan offered no explanation, simply urging them forward.

Suddenly, someone rushed toward them from afar. Upon seeing Wang Jie’s group, the person’s expression shifted dramatically, and they turned to flee.

Wu Yuan casually waved his hand, star force surging violently as he dragged the fleeing person back.

The captured cultivator was merely at the wandering star realm. Though his combat strength was respectable—around three hundred thousand—it was utterly insufficient when facing Wu Yuan. Helplessly, he was dragged over.

Moments later, two figures arrived from a distance, pursuing that same person. By coincidence, they were cultivators from the Dao One Club.

Young Ling’er was not among them, only two wandering star realm cultivators.

Wu Yuan’s eyes flickered, gripping the captive tightly and watching the approaching pair carefully.

The two Dao One Club cultivators exchanged a glance, saluted respectfully, and quietly retreated.

Wu Yuan did not trouble them further.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to the captive.

The man didn’t resist, obediently handing over an object shimmering with dark yellow stripes. The material of the striped artifact was unclear, and it appeared to have been cut. This fragment was only half—or perhaps less—of the original.

“This is what you found?” Yu Zhi asked.

The man replied respectfully, “Yes. I don’t know its use, but the Dao One Club surely knows. I vaguely overheard that it could open something.”

Yu Zhi turned her gaze toward Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan frowned slightly, “Legend says the Nan family’s Four Seasons Train stored all their collections in the Void, and only a special method can draw them out.” He took the striped fragment, saying, “This must be it—a key. Only a complete key can unlock the Void storage.”

“Judging by its size, there should be many keys like this.”

Zhi He rarely spoke, but now she said, “It seems the speculation was correct. The Nan family’s backup plan was to pass everything to the lead carriage, transferring the contents of the remaining three carriages there. When we mentioned this before, Nan Ling didn’t deny it.”

Wu Yuan nodded in agreement, “Indeed. However, the Nan family didn’t foresee their own destruction being so complete, to the point where their descendants can’t even board their own Four Seasons Train. That’s why we’re all here, fighting for this inheritance.” With that, he carefully put away the fragment, saying, “Collect all these fragments when encountered. Eventually, someone will gather a complete key, and then we’ll see.”

“Let’s continue.”

“Where exactly are we going?” Yun Que asked.

Wu Yuan didn’t answer, only gestured for her to follow.

After seeing Shao Ling’er’s group ahead, Wu Yuan finally halted, directing them to search nearby lands that hadn’t been explored yet.

Shao Ling’er became puzzled at the approach of the Black White Heaven Club, recalling they’d headed in another direction earlier. [Why are they here now?] Yet she paid it no mind; each group searched on their own, and even if it weren’t Black White Heaven, another club would have appeared.

Thus, wherever Shao Ling’er led her people, Wu Yuan would follow with Wang Jie’s group, always keeping a visible yet not overly close distance.

Days passed in this manner, and Wang Jie was fortunate enough to find another striped fragment. Others also made discoveries.

During this time, they came across a group of corpses belonging to the Nan family.

The cause of death was identical—all killed by sword techniques, specifically the same sword style.

They grew increasingly convinced that the entire Nan family had been annihilated by a single person.

This conclusion was shocking. The Nan family wasn’t small; they controlled the Third Nebula and had ambitions far beyond. Even placed among the First Star Cloud factions, they would rank in the top five or even top three. For such a formidable power to be destroyed by one person, just how terrifying must that person’s strength be?

Shao Ling’er gazed solemnly at the corpses before her. Again, it was the same sword technique, yet strangely ordinary, as if casually wielded.

“Senior sister, the Black White Heaven group is still following us,” a female disciple quietly reminded her.

Shao Ling’er frowned, looking into the distance.

If days ago it could have been coincidence, now she was certain they had been deliberately targeted by the Black White Heaven group. Wherever she went, they followed.

But why?

“Senior sister, could they have allied with the Alliance Club and are waiting for a chance to strike?” the female disciple asked.

Shao Ling’er’s eyes flashed sharply as she looked at her junior sister, “That’s possible.”

The female disciple continued, “When we went to the Accompanying Lake residence before, Ke Mu Sheng and others were already there. No one knows what they discussed. Perhaps they agreed to cooperate then. We thought Ke Mu Sheng’s target was Wang Jie, but with so many powerful clubs there, even a united effort wouldn’t have succeeded. Ke Mu Sheng must have understood this, so any alliance likely took effect after entering the Four Seasons Train.”

Hearing this, Shao Ling’er immediately walked toward the Black White Heaven group.

The female disciple remained where she stood, her eyes flickering with subtle meaning.

“Wu Yuan!” Shao Ling’er shouted sharply.

Wu Yuan had been searching for striped fragments; hearing his name, he looked up, saying calmly, “Shao Ling’er?”

She glared at him coldly, “Why are you following us?”

Wu Yuan’s voice remained indifferent, “This train isn’t very large. Everyone searches their own way. What makes you think we’re following you?”

Shao Ling’er sneered, “Cut the nonsense. You know whether you’re following or not. I’m warning you: keep it up, and you’ll face my wrath.” With that, she turned and left.

Wu Yuan watched her go without concern and resumed his search.

He had every intention of continuing to follow.

Since Wang Jie confirmed there was someone within Dao One Club cultivating the Red Moon technique extensively, that person might have ties to the Nan family. Only by closely watching them could the greatest gains be achieved. Shao Ling’er’s threat was meaningless.

If Black White Heaven retreated from a mere threat, it might as well have never come.

Among those clubs lacking even Hundred Star Realm experts, many had entered the train, and many had died in recent days. Some fell victim to the train’s hidden formations, but far more died to fighting among clubs themselves.

Black White Heaven Club had also robbed smaller clubs of their striped fragments.

They had already acquired five fragments in total.

Days quietly slipped by. One day, Wang Jie stood before a group, beckoning lightly, “Hand it over—I’ve already seen it.”

The group helplessly handed over the striped fragment, reluctantly retreating.

Wang Jie didn’t chase them. He had gotten what he wanted.

Far away in another direction, Yan Long’s group was desperately scattering, fleeing as sword qi tore apart the void, killing them one by one.

Lan Qi watched in despair as the sword qi approached, but an arrow’s edge knocked her aside just in time. It was Lan Ning.

“Sister!” Lan Qi called out.

“Run quickly!” Lan Ning shouted.

Clenching her teeth, Lan Qi plummeted downward, escaping.

Above, a Wandering Star Realm expert from Nine Swords Club laughed as he lifted his sword, slashing downward.

Lan Ning shot an arrow, but it shattered easily against the sword qi, nearly killing her in the process.

Ornate Jade Gate’s group was hunted by Nine Swords Club for the three striped fragments they had found simultaneously and unfortunately been seen taking.

More than a dozen Gong Nation disciples were ripped apart, their blood staining the void.

Zhong plummeted through the air, fleeing in desperation. [Run, I must run, flee!]

Yet in the next instant, a wave of freezing cold energy swept through, freezing her midair. She crashed down, shattering into pieces and perishing instantly.

A True Disciple of Frost Radiance Sect couldn’t even match a common Wandering Star Realm cultivator from Nine Swords Club. The gap was too great.

Yan Long threw out the three striped fragments hastily, finally causing Yuan Qiao Qiao’s group to spare them.

After all, they were still in the Third Nebula, and resource struggles among clubs required some restraint. If Ornate Jade Gate were pushed too far, none of them would leave alive.

Huai Si panted heavily, standing beside Bao Lei—the young lord of Gong Nation’s Bao family—and Kuang Yu, a Star Refining Realm direct descendant of Eight Prison Berserk Clan’s Mad Roar lineage, who trained at Ornate Jade Gate. His strength ranked third among the gate’s disciples, yet he had nearly fallen to Pei Lin moments ago.

Watching Nine Swords Club retreat, they breathed deeply in relief.

“Let’s reunite with Senior Brother Yan and avoid these clubs.”

The train wasn’t large, yet battles erupted everywhere as factions fought fiercely.

Amidst such chaos, Yun Jian became the first to assemble a complete striped key. When the pieces clicked together, ripples spread through space.

Nearby observers watched intently.

Yun Jian didn’t care.

As the ripples faded, cracks opened in the void like an enlarged storage ring, dropping forth piece after piece of precious Starsea Stones.