Chapter 316
Chapter 316: Black White Heaven, Wang Jie
Luo Yan gazed at Wang Jie with admiration.
This was someone from the Zhi Family, yet she had come here herself to offer an apology. How much power must the Lord possess to accomplish something like this?
In the distance, Luo Yan’s followers also stared, their eyes fixed upon Wang Jie as though beholding a being descended from the heavens.
Wang Jie had always considered himself one who would repay every grudge. In the past, Zhi Shu had harmed him more than once, especially during the battle for the Devour Star. If not for his cunning and skill, he would truly have died there. This woman had become a threshold he had to cross to enter the universe.
Revenge was his duty, a response owed to his past self.
Yet, this woman stood before him now, humble and respectful. How was he to take revenge? After all was said and done, the hatred that had burned within him was now gone.
Without anger, where would he find motivation?
In truth, only two people remained whom he desired vengeance against from start to finish: Zuo Tian and Shu Mu Night.
As for this woman…
He fixed his gaze upon Zhi Shu, and calmly spoke, “To be honest, if you hadn’t come today, I would have forgotten you existed.”
Zhi Shu trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth, an unspeakable sense of humiliation welling up from deep within. She heard clearly the disdain in Wang Jie’s voice. How dare he? She was a member of the Zhi Family, backed by the Ancestor Zhi Qing herself, yet here she was, being belittled by a mere Lock Force cultivator.
Forgotten?
Then what had all her past efforts amounted to?
If Wang Jie had attacked in rage and vengeance right now, she would have suffered pain, yes, but not this unbearable shame. But now, she herself didn’t understand what she truly wanted. Did she want him to retaliate?
The more she thought, the angrier she became.
If it weren’t for his backing by a Star Path Master, if it weren’t for her family’s elders’ stern warning, how could she possibly have come to apologize?
This man was merely a Lock Force cultivator!
So what if he had become a Six Dao Wanderer? No matter how strong, he would eventually fall behind upon reaching Hundred Star Realm. He would never in this lifetime touch Hundred Star Realm, much less Star Refining Realm. Who was he to look down on her? He was nothing but cannon fodder!
“Lord, the Enlightenment Tea has been announced!” Luo Yan suddenly exclaimed.
Wang Jie looked up.
At the same moment, countless eyes from the Four Great Bridge Pillars gazed at their personal terminals, awaiting the announcement from Star Dome Visage.
How many would receive Enlightenment Tea this time? How many would exceed expectations?
On the luminous screen above, the Enlightenment Tree rooted itself in the starry void, branches gently swaying in cosmic winds.
A figure walked beneath the Enlightenment Tree, slowly brewing tea.
That was Enlightenment Tea.
The scene was tranquil, almost ordinary, yet in this instant, it spread throughout the Four Great Bridge Pillars. Whether common cultivators or colossal sects like Armor One, all watched closely.
The first cup of tea was brewed.
Raising a hand, the figure spoke, a voice deep yet ethereal, “Opposing Illusion Mountain, Wu Ming.”
Countless breaths paused.
Opposing Illusion Mountain was a force from the East Dipper Bridge Pillar. Although not as vast as Armor One Sect, their power was terrifyingly great, rivaling even the Unseen Path.
It wasn’t surprising that a disciple of Opposing Illusion Mountain had received Enlightenment Tea, even if the three great Bridge Masters knew little about Wu Ming himself.
Beside Thunder Well, Wang Jie watched the scene, contemplating: Wu Ming? Of course, you’d have your cup. To give him a sense of danger even at Full Star Realm, Wu Ming was truly the first. Even the eleven-seal Dou Huo he had encountered previously did not provoke such a feeling.
Beneath the Enlightenment Tree, the second cup began brewing.
“Han Yan Crossing, Gui Xiao Die.”
Wang Jie grew curious, “Who is this Gui Xiao Die?”
Luo Yan answered respectfully, “Lord, you’ve been cultivating beneath Thunder Well all this time, so you may not know. Gui Xiao Die…”
Normally Luo Yan wouldn’t have such extensive knowledge, but thanks to the Starry Martial Meet reports, all this news had spread widely, enlightening everyone. Not only had they learned of the other Bridge Pillars, they also knew of Han Yan Crossing and the three impossible conditions Gui Xiao Die had proposed.
Wang Jie felt astonished.
Her conditions were incredibly harsh.
He himself clearly understood how difficult it was to defeat the Heaven Azure Star Guardian.
[Wait, haven’t I fulfilled one already?]
Zhi Shu stared at the screen as she spoke, “Originally, the outside world valued Gui Xiao Die due to her control over the Three-Legged Black Tortoise. But now, it seems this woman’s own strength is remarkable. She has been awarded Enlightenment Tea.”
The third cup was brewed.
“Sincere One Dao, Shao Gu Chen.”
Unsurprising. Utterly unsurprising. Shao Gu Chen could be considered this Starry Martial Meet’s greatest favorite. He had broken thirteen stars in Star Breaking Stage, just like Shu Mu Night after his third reforge. This was almost inconceivable; it meant that Shao Gu Chen, a genius who had yet to use the Tai Su Essence Scripture to reforge, was already comparable to the thrice-reforged Shu Mu Night at Star Breaking Realm.
Even Shao Ling’er paled in comparison.
Listening to Luo Yan’s explanation, Wang Jie furrowed his brows.
Someone who could already rival the thrice-reforged Shu Mu Night? How did Sincere One Dao produce so many prodigies?
The fourth cup of Enlightenment Tea was brewed.
“South Dipper Alliance, Qing Kong.”
Only the people from South Dipper Bridge Pillar knew exactly how special Qing Kong was.
Born with violet eyes, peerless in beauty, she was rumored to carry the blood marrow of some formidable ancient creature. From birth, she had stood at Ten Seal peak, her first cry breaking through into Star Breaking Realm. Though currently at Full Star Realm, she had intentionally suppressed her cultivation.
No one truly knew the extent of this woman’s power.
During the club conflicts, Wang Jie had seen her but had never exchanged blows. He remained unaware of her true strength.
But undoubtedly, she was no simple opponent.
The fifth cup of Enlightenment Tea was brewed.
“Sword Pool, Hou Qing Ge.”
Hou Qing Ge? Who could this be?
No one had ever heard that name before.
With the surname Hou, she must surely hail from the Jian Chi’s Hou Clan, inheritor of their famous Bridge Techniques, and thus, her strength should be exceptional. Yet even the disciples within Jian Chi found themselves at a loss.
They knew Hou Xiao and many outstanding disciples of the Hou family, but the name Hou Qing Ge was completely unfamiliar.
Whispers rose among the crowd.
The Star Dome held information inaccessible to outsiders. If they named Hou Qing Ge, she must surely be extraordinary.
At this moment, countless gazes from Jian Chi’s Hou family turned toward a small, secluded courtyard—that was Hou Qing Ge’s dwelling. [Was this lass really so powerful?]
“Mother! Hou Qing Ge actually has Enlightenment Tea? No way! That Enlightenment Tea should be mine! Mother, you have to help me. If I can drink that tea, I’ll surely shine at the Wandering Star Realm martial gathering!” A young woman loudly pleaded.
Nearby, an old woman’s eyes turned sharp and cruel as she stared toward the lonely courtyard, her voice dark and cold: “Don’t worry, child. Mother will snatch it for you.”
The sixth cup of Enlightenment Tea.
“Armor One Sect, Wen Qing.”
Immediately, countless disciples from Armor One Sect rejoiced. At last, their turn had arrived.
None of the Four Traveling Gods hailed from the Big Dipper Bridge Pillar this time, a tremendous loss for Big Dipper—and even more so for Armor One Sect. Now that one of their own had received Enlightenment Tea, it meant the Star Dome recognized him, and perhaps victory could be theirs.
A victory would surely mean a future place among the Wandering Gods.
This generation of Armor One Sect held real promise.
Curious, Wang Jie turned toward Luo Yan and asked: “Wen Qing?”
Luo Yan shook his head blankly; the information he’d gathered didn’t mention this person at all.
Zhi Shu spoke softly: “Wen Qing is from the Wen Clan of Armor One Sect. His older brother is Wen Ze.”
Wang Jie’s expression changed sharply: “Wen Ze? One of the Star Guardians of Tian Cang?”
Luo Yan stared in shock. A Star Guardian of Tian Cang?
Zhi Shu nodded solemnly.
Though Armor One Sect lacked any of the Four Traveling Gods, they had Wen Ze—a Star Guardian.
No wonder this Wen Qing was chosen; his older brother was a Star Guardian himself.
The seventh cup of Enlightenment Tea.
“Black White Heaven, Wang Jie.”
In that instant, Wang Jie froze.
Luo Yan and Zhi Shu turned to stare at him, utterly dumbstruck.
Who?
Wang Jie?
The outside world burst into chaos at that moment.
Wang Jie? Most people had never heard that name.
Black White Heaven paused briefly, then erupted into jubilation. It didn’t matter who Wang Jie was—someone from their realm had received Enlightenment Tea, guaranteeing entry into the top twenty.
It had been countless years.
Black White Heaven had never before produced someone who reached the top twenty—not even the top hundred.
But this time, Enlightenment Tea had been granted to one of their own.
Even Wang Jie himself hadn’t expected it. Back then, Si Yao had shown him visions of numerous geniuses, including Wu Ming and Qing Kong, hoping he might squeeze into the top hundred at best. Yet now, he had directly received Enlightenment Tea.
Were expectations for him truly so high?
Though Wang Jie had always intended to fight for first place, outsiders didn’t know that.
Was it because he’d defeated Fang He and become a Six Dao Wanderer? But among those given Enlightenment Tea, who wasn’t at least at Six Dao Wanderer level? What once seemed miraculous to him was entirely commonplace among these prodigies.
He never imagined he’d be gifted Enlightenment Tea.
Yet now he held the final cup.
The images vanished.
Wang Jie withdrew his gaze. The Star Dome had recognized him.
Luo Yan stammered excitedly: “L-Lord… th-that Wang Jie… that’s you, right?”
Wang Jie nodded calmly: “Probably—unless there’s another Wang Jie from Black White Heaven.”
Luo Yan could barely contain himself, trembling with excitement: “My lord, you’ve actually received Enlightenment Tea! This is an event hosted by the Four Great Bridge Pillars and watched by countless beings. Lord, you’re truly amazing!” With those words, he rushed out, shouting joyfully.
Zhi Shu was still stunned.
She admitted Wang Jie was indeed powerful—he possessed Six Dao Wanderer strength and had the backing of a Star Path Master—but he was still just a Lock Force cultivator. Why did the Star Dome acknowledge him? Why grant him Enlightenment Tea?
Was this man truly that extraordinary?
In that instant, all her previous frustration and resentment vanished into smoke.
The Star Dome itself acknowledged Wang Jie; he had surpassed countless reported prodigies to earn Enlightenment Tea. How could she feel offended if someone like him ignored her?
Wang Jie smiled warmly at Zhi Shu: “Did you need anything else?”
Zhi Shu swallowed nervously, stepping back several paces before deeply bowing toward Wang Jie: “Little lady Zhi Shu sincerely apologizes to Senior Brother. Please forgive my past disrespect.”
Her attitude had changed completely—Wang Jie could sense it.
One cup of Enlightenment Tea had transformed everything.
The universe was harshly realistic.
Without strength, everyone looked down on you.
This was why reputation mattered greatly.
Wang Jie waved her off—not from generosity, but simply lacking interest in revenge.
Zhi Shu held no resentment this time. She bowed again respectfully and departed.
Wang Jie looked toward the distant stars. His past could no longer remain hidden.
Seven cups of Enlightenment Tea, granted to seven individuals. Fewer than in previous years.
And among these seven, the most controversial was undeniably Wang Jie himself.
Coming from Black White Heaven was already unusual, but the revelation of his Lock Force cultivation shook the entire universe.
The Four Great Bridge Pillars fell into silence.
Everything about him was now under investigation. In that instant, he became the center of the universe.
Within the Lock Path Interval, Du Xian stared in shock at the report on Wang Jie.
How could this be possible?
He’d actually defeated Shu Mu Night?
This matter couldn’t remain hidden any longer. It wasn’t due to Star Dome’s investigation but because Armor One Sect, Galaxy Combat Equipment Company, Three Chan Heaven, and even the Heavenly Insect people had all spread the news.