Chapter 313
Chapter 313: Investing in the Future
Realm Lord Bai personally summoned everyone to ask for details, ultimately relieved that Wu Yuan had survived. Otherwise, the Black White Heaven Club would have fallen to the same fate as clubs like Ornate Jade Gate—a result utterly unacceptable.
After a few comforting words, everyone dispersed.
Unless another situation arose as critical as the Nan family incident, they would not gather like this again.
Wang Jie headed to the Zhi Upper Realm and met with Zhi Xing Xue.
Zhi Xing Xue’s expression grew serious as she listened carefully to Wang Jie’s recounting of events. Her thoughts were unreadable.
“Great Elder, who do you think is the culprit?” Wang Jie asked.
Zhi Xing Xue shook her head, “I don’t know who the culprit is, but,” she looked at Wang Jie intently, “there is something very strange.”
“What is it?” Wang Jie felt startled, suddenly fearing she’d noticed something suspicious. If Zhi Xing Xue spotted gaps in his story, the sect surely could too.
“How did Zhi Ye know about the Crimson Moon so early?”
Wang Jie blinked, stunned, “Zhi Ye?” He had never imagined the topic shifting abruptly to Zhi Ye.
Zhi Xing Xue nodded, “Zhi Ye knew long ago about the possible location of Crimson Moon. Remember how he specifically spent money buying you a spaceship?”
“The Shen Wang,” Wang Jie recalled.
“Exactly. At that time, he had already mentioned this to me, saying someday he might use your lock force to lure out the Crimson Moon.”
Wang Jie frowned, “But Elder Wu Yuan told me the club only spread news of the Crimson Moon’s location after that.”
“That’s precisely the issue,” Zhi Xing Xue said, her gaze steady. “Zhi Ye knew Crimson Moon’s approximate location before Nan Zhi released the information through the club channels. His knowledge had nothing to do with Nan family descendants.”
“There should only be two kinds of people who could know Crimson Moon’s approximate location,” Wang Jie said quietly. “First, descendants of the Nan family, and second,” his voice lowered further, “the culprit.”
Zhi Xing Xue shook her head gently, “Zhi Ye has no power to annihilate the Nan family. Besides, he was still young when they fell, making it even more impossible.”
“Then, could it be…” Wang Jie pointed upward.
Zhi Xing Xue laughed softly, “My father?”
Wang Jie didn’t deny it, as this seemed the only logical possibility at present. Yet inwardly, he knew it was impossible, because Ban Xia had no relation to Black White Heaven.
“My father couldn’t eliminate the Nan family either. You underestimate the Nan family. They commanded the Four Seasons Train across the four great Bridge Pillars, and even though major powers feared them, all they could do was issue warnings. Why? Because the Nan family was immensely strong. Their ancestor was immensely strong. The Four Seasons Train, no matter which Bridge Pillar it stood upon, could always rank in the top five, or even higher.”
“If my father truly had the power to destroy the Nan family, Black White Heaven wouldn’t merely control the Fourth Star Cloud.”
“This Fourth Star Cloud is oppressed by three greater Star Clouds above and burdened by the Ancient Sword Pillar Keeper war below, leaving no room for development,” Zhi Xing Xue explained.
Wang Jie nodded slowly, “If that’s the case, perhaps Senior Zhi Ye found other descendants of the Nan family?”
Zhi Xing Xue made a small sound of agreement, “Not impossible. But forget it—this matter has already passed. Let’s leave the rest to the seniors.”
“Seniors?”
“You didn’t think the Nan family matter ended so simply, did you?” Zhi Xing Xue’s expression turned grave. “The culprit’s identity must be uncovered, or no one will rest easy.”
Wang Jie bade farewell and left. Zhi Xing Xue arranged for Little Blue to escort him; otherwise, given Wang Jie’s strength, traveling anywhere would take far too long.
Only three years remained until the Starry Martial Meet.
Time was precious.
Wang Jie did not refuse Little Blue’s help, sincerely grateful.
First, he found a quiet place to contact old friends from Blue Star, reassuring them of his safety. Then he decided to head toward Great Star Mountain.
On his journey back, he had thought carefully.
In three years, there were many areas he needed to improve.
He planned to use the ruler given by his casual master to refine control over lock force, striving for the realm of “a drop contains an ocean” as soon as possible; to advance in the Yi Sword Technique; to cultivate Crimson Moon and master the Sword Form Technique; to collect swords suited for Sword Form Technique; to enhance his Thunder Pattern, and most importantly, to integrate lock force into his bones and blood, seeking to reach Wandering Star Realm early. If there was time, he would study the madman’s pattern, hoping for a touch of time-space, a stroke of luck.
He had much to accomplish.
Yet after careful thought, Wang Jie decided visiting Thunder Well to improve his Thunder Pattern would offer the greatest benefit.
Cultivating at Thunder Well not only strengthened Thunder Patterns, but the oppressive heavenly thunder would press lock force into his body faster. Alongside the nameless art and his daily exercises, this would also gradually increase his qi—the best method available to him at present.
Zhi Xing Xue had offered no further advice.
Wang Jie practiced too many techniques. Every single one was strong, yet simultaneously ordinary—not ordinary compared to others, but ordinary relative to his own level.
None were absolute trump cards, yet none were weak either. Even Zhi Xing Xue couldn’t decide what advice to give and thus left the choice entirely to him.
Under the starry sky, Little Blue carried Wang Jie, swiftly traversing toward Great Star Mountain.
Suddenly, she halted.
Ahead, someone holding a wine gourd came swaying toward them.
Joy filled Wang Jie’s voice, “Master.”
Little Blue jolted in shock and hastily bowed, “Junior Little Blue greets Senior.”
By now, everyone in the sect knew Wang Jie had a mysterious Star Path Master behind him. The master Wang Jie referred to could only be that Star Path Master.
Facing a Star Path Master, even Hundred Star Realm or Star Refining Realm experts would pay deep respect.
Shu Rang took a sip of wine and waved dismissively, “Return now.”
Little Blue glanced respectfully at Wang Jie and then quietly withdrew.
With a casual wave of Shu Rang’s hand, the scenery around them shifted. When they looked again, a familiar towering peak slanted toward the stars—it was the Great Star Mountain.
His casual master rarely intervened directly, yet even these brief glimpses of his power were enough to astound the heart.
“How was your trip? How do you feel?” Shu Rang asked.
Wang Jie smiled bitterly and replied, “I almost died. Club activities are truly dangerous.”
Shu Rang chuckled lightly and said, “If it weren’t dangerous, why would they send you? Even Hundred Star Realm cultivators perished this time. Did you gain anything?”
About Ban Xia’s matters, since his convenient master didn’t ask, Wang Jie chose to remain silent.
“Disciple obtained the complete Red Moon Art, along with many hidden treasures from the Nan family,” Wang Jie respectfully said.
Shu Rang’s eyes brightened immediately, and he praised, “Not bad. Although the Red Moon Art is ordinary, it’s good enough for you at the moment. Perform it for me.”
Without delay, Wang Jie performed the technique.
Shu Rang observed, nodding approvingly, and exclaimed, “It truly is the authentic Red Moon.”
“Master has seen the Red Moon Art before?” asked Wang Jie.
“Nonsense. The Nan family was famous enough, and their Four Seasons Train was even stranger, appearing everywhere unexpectedly. At one point, their reputation even overshadowed the Armor One Sect. How could I not know it?”
Wang Jie grew curious and asked Shu Rang, “Then who exactly destroyed the Nan family?”
Shu Rang rolled his eyes and replied, “How would I know? Star Path Masters aren’t Star Dome Visage, who seem to know everything.”
Surprised, Wang Jie asked, “Does Star Dome Visage know?”
Shu Rang shook his wine gourd thoughtfully. “Not necessarily. Star Dome Visage’s methods of uncovering secrets are more precise and comprehensive than even the Nan family’s, but some individuals aren’t so easy to spy upon. Secrets become known once two people share them, yet if only one person knows… Ha, then it truly is a secret.”
Wang Jie nodded slowly, half-understanding.
Shu Rang suddenly looked at him and asked, “Did Star Dome Visage give you a mission?”
Wang Jie nodded and replied, “They tasked Disciple with obtaining the complete Red Moon Art.”
“Star Dome Visage cares about the Red Moon Art? It seems this technique involves quite a few secrets.”
Wang Jie’s heart stirred, and he immediately spoke, “Indeed, it holds secrets.” Without hiding anything, he recounted the visions he’d experienced upon learning the Red Moon Art.
Shu Rang listened silently, taking a sip of his wine before finally saying, “Now it seems this Red Moon is both a technique and a key.”
“Should Disciple hand the Red Moon over to Star Dome Visage? Master, please guide me.” Wang Jie respectfully bowed.
Shu Rang stared at Wang Jie and asked, “Why tell me this?”
Wang Jie was taken aback, replying hesitantly, “Should I not have? You are my master.”
Shu Rang laughed heartily, “Indeed, I am your master and have helped you before. Therefore, you believe I won’t covet your secrets. You trust me and feel our relationship is special, and my identity makes it unnecessary to take anything from you, am I right?”
Without waiting for Wang Jie’s response, Shu Rang continued, “Then tell me, how is Star Dome Visage any different from me?”
Wang Jie was stunned.
Shu Rang smiled and explained, “Star Dome Visage is an immense existence spanning the Four Great Pillars. Do you think they would rob you or covet your secrets? Speaking of relationships, you also belong to Star Dome Visage. From your point of view, how am I different from Star Dome Visage?”
Wang Jie didn’t know how to respond.
A master was a master. This master, he acknowledged deeply. But Star Dome Visage was merely a force he could join or leave.
Shu Rang spoke meaningfully, “I never stopped you from joining Star Dome Visage, so you should properly use this ladder. Don’t merely consider immediate benefits—look further ahead. Everything you currently possess is merely a resource to exchange for the future.”
These words flashed through Wang Jie’s mind like heaven’s thunder.
In an instant, he gained clarity. [Indeed. In Star Dome Visage’s eyes, the so-called secrets I hold may not matter much. If Star Dome Visage wants the Red Moon Art, then let them have it. If they seek Nan family’s secrets through it, then let them take those as well.]
After all, he had no real use for them himself.
Yet these secrets could become the foundation for his foothold within Star Dome Visage.
Conversely, even if he possessed all of the Nan family’s hidden treasures and secrets, so what? The Nan family had already been destroyed. Could he surpass them on his own?
Master was right—everything he now held was merely to be exchanged for resources in the future.
Only by letting go could he truly gain.
Wang Jie bowed deeply to Shu Rang, “Thank you for Master’s guidance.”
Shu Rang gazed at Wang Jie’s bowed form with complicated eyes. [Little fellow, the wisdom of your predecessors can help you avoid many wrong turns, but in the end, it’s merely guidance. The future path is still yours alone to walk.]
Suddenly remembering something, Wang Jie added, “Master, Disciple learned a strange set of footsteps by chance at the spaceport and wishes for your guidance.”
“Perform it for me.”
Wang Jie demonstrated the strange footwork he had learned from the madman at the spaceport, then looked expectantly at Shu Rang.
Yet Shu Rang was busy drinking.
“Master?”
“Hm? Oh, sorry, my craving for wine flared up. I didn’t see the entire set.”
“Shall Disciple demonstrate again?”
“No need. Each person has their own destiny, and I’m not interested.” Then he suddenly realized something and smiled oddly, saying, “You clever kid—are you now attempting to exchange your resources for the future from me?”
Wang Jie laughed awkwardly and said, “Disciple merely cannot grasp the basics, so I wished for Master’s guidance.”
Shu Rang waved dismissively, “There’s nothing to guide you in. A Star Path Master isn’t omnipotent. I can’t possibly know every technique others possess. Little fellow, cleverness is good, but great wisdom is better.”
“Alright, I’ll take you to Thunder Well. You wish to train there, yes?”
Wang Jie nodded, replying firmly, “Disciple intends to strengthen my Thunder Pattern as much as possible before the Starry Martial Meet.”