Chapter 317

Chapter 317: Under Pressure

So many people had witnessed the Blue Star trial.

If Wang Jie had died back then, everything would have been buried forever.

But now he stood under the gaze of countless eyes again, dragged into the center of the stage. His past could no longer remain secret.

Du Xian had always known Wang Jie’s history wasn’t ordinary. She had tried to investigate before and found nothing.

But she hadn’t imagined this.

That was Shu Mu Ye—Tian Cang’s sixth person, a man who rebuilt three times, each time returning as a Guarding Star Realm figure.

And he had lost to Wang Jie.

The shock rolled across the universe like thunder.

“Why?” people raged. “Du Mu’s disciple Xi Ci, Jia Yi Sect’s Young Master Xiao, Yuan Mu of the sword court—none of them received Enlightenment Tea. Why does Wang Jie get it?”

“Exactly! Li Ao is a starry sky behemoth with the Eleven Seals and talent that defies reason, and even he didn’t receive it.”

“And that Han Lin who bragged at the Thousand Rivers—fine, I hate his guts, but he clearly has real skill. Better than Wang Jie, right? Wang Jie is just a Lockforce cultivator!”

“Look at the latest news before you talk,” someone snapped. “Wang Jie isn’t simple.”

“What’s not simple? Sure, becoming a Black-White Heaven Six-Path Roamer at Full-Star Realm is impressive, but which of these monsters doesn’t have terrifying combat power?”

“He beat Shu Mu Ye.”

The crowd froze, then exploded.

“Impossible!”

“That’s Tian Cang’s Guarding Star Realm. How could he possibly win?”

“The news came from Jia Yi Sect, Third Zen Heaven, and other major powers,” someone said grimly. “The Star Vault Vista confirmed it. It’s true.”

“Cheng Yi Dao didn’t deny it either.”

For a moment, the universe seemed to hold its breath.

Then the noise returned—louder than before.

Where had a monster like this come from?

—

In Jia Yi Sect, Wen Zhao sat alone in her courtyard, looking up at the sky. A faint smile curved her lips.

Wang Jie.

Long time no see.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Chong Ruo Ruo burst through the door. “Wang Jie is alive! That guy is alive!”

Wen Zhao’s smile didn’t move. “I know.”

Chong Ruo Ruo glared at her. “You can still smile? He faked his death and fooled all of us. I was upset for ages.”

Wen Zhao gave her a strange look. “Upset?”

“Oh—no, no. Not that kind of upset.” Chong Ruo Ruo flailed, then forced herself upright. “I mean annoyed. Right. Annoyed. Hey, what’s with that look? I don’t feel anything for him. My heart only has Brother Xiao. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“That has nothing to do with me,” Wen Zhao said.

“Aren’t you two a couple?” Chong Ruo Ruo pressed.

Wen Zhao’s face went red. “Don’t talk nonsense. There’s no such thing.”

Chong Ruo Ruo rolled her eyes. “You sure look like you’ve got thoughts.”

Wen Zhao shook her head. “He’s a comrade. That’s all.”

Chong Ruo Ruo leaned in, eyes bright with amazement despite herself. “But he really is something. In the Blue Star trial he nearly beat Shu Mu Ye to death. Now he received Enlightenment Tea for the Starry Sky Martial Tournament. Do you really think he’s just some ordinary native?”

Wen Zhao’s smile softened. “Some people shine no matter how deeply they try to hide it.”

—

In Cheng Yi Dao, Shao Ling Er stared in disbelief. “It’s him?”

A middle-aged woman nodded, her expression heavy. “That’s the one. He defeated Shu Mu Ye back then and kept him from obtaining the bridgeway art.”

“But he died,” Shao Ling Er said, voice tight. “Jia Yi Sect wouldn’t lie to us. Why is he alive?”

“Didn’t we send people to search the Blue Star location afterward?” Shao Ling Er continued. “The Blue Star was gone.”

“We assumed Jia Yi Sect building a bridge caused it,” the woman said. “Now it looks more like the Blue Star was pushed away.”

“By Jia Yi Sect?”

“We don’t know yet. We have to dig deeper.”

Shao Ling Er stared at Wang Jie’s image on the projection, remembering the club struggle.

If she’d known then—if she’d known the one who beat Senior Brother was right in front of her—she would never have let him live.

She turned to leave.

“Ling Er,” the woman called. “Where are you going?”

“To find Gu Chen and say a few words.”

The woman’s gaze sharpened. “He received Enlightenment Tea. His strength isn’t ordinary. Don’t create trouble for Gu Chen. The tournament comes first.”

Shao Ling Er paused, then nodded. “Understood.”

—

Somewhere in the starry sky, in a place filled with birdsong and flowers, Ting He hummed to herself, delighted.

Pink hair fell over her shoulders like silk, framing a face that could topple cities.

She’d just heard the news.

Wang Jie was alive.

Good.

—

In Tian Cang, a voice rang out, dripping with glee. “Guess what I found out? Shu Mu Ye—someone beat you up! Hahahaha!”

“Who?” another voice demanded. “Shu Mu Ye got beaten? That won’t do. Besides me, no one gets to beat him.”

“Shu Mu Ye,” someone else chimed in, laughing. “How did that Wang Jie beat you? Tell us.”

Shu Mu Ye’s voice came calm and even. If you listened closely, there was a hint of amusement. “He slapped me.”

Silence.

A dead, stunned silence.

Shu Mu Ye’s voice returned, faintly amused. “Any other questions?”

No one spoke.

Ban Xia opened her eyes, startled. Wang Jie?

He’d done something like that?

—

After the Enlightenment Tea announcement, Wang Jie returned to the Thunder Well.

Not because he was desperate to cultivate.

Because he wanted quiet.

He had never been this exposed. With Enlightenment Tea, every secret was being dragged into the light.

Jia Yi Sect would watch him. Cheng Yi Dao would watch him.

And so would the monsters across the four Bridge-Pillars—especially Shu Mu Ye.

Wang Jie didn’t know how strong Shu Mu Ye was now, but rumor said Shu Mu Ye had returned to Tian Cang, still a Guarding Star Realm figure.

That meant terrifying power.

Being yanked from the shadows to the center of the stage carried a pressure that was hard to describe.

While he was thinking, Shu Rang appeared before him.

Wang Jie didn’t look surprised. “Master. Your disciple feels the pressure.”

Shu Rang took a drink, his expression troubled. “Your master feels pressure too.”

Wang Jie frowned. “Because of me?”

Shu Rang looked at him steadily. “I have an enemy. Strong—very strong. Strong enough that even I can only hide in a corner of Black-White Heaven to survive.”

His gaze turned grave. “Now that you’re shining so brightly, the news that you have a Star Dao Master behind you will spread. If my enemy comes looking…”

He didn’t finish, but the weight in his face said enough.

The Star Dao Master was mysterious and unfathomable, the kind of presence the universe believed could solve anything.

But Shu Rang had never lied to Wang Jie. He’d told Wang Jie why he accepted him as a disciple. He’d told him he hid in Black-White Heaven to avoid an enemy.

He didn’t pretend.

Wang Jie bowed deeply. “Disciple has caused Master trouble.”

Shu Rang waved a hand. “Cause and effect are written by heaven. Enough.”

Then he said, “Don’t worry about my side. What you need to do is keep your head down and suppress the noise.”

“Others can build fame. You can’t.”

“You have to wait.”

“How long?” Wang Jie asked.

“One and a half years.”

“Until the Starry Sky Martial Tournament begins?”

Shu Rang nodded. “Yes. Once it starts, the entire universe will be watching. Whether my enemy comes or not, he won’t cause trouble during the tournament—he’d be courting disaster.”

“After that, you won’t need to stay quiet.” Shu Rang’s eyes sharpened. “On the contrary—the louder you are, the better.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added, “Provided you can reach the front of the tournament. Provided you can become…”

His voice lowered, heavy with intent.

“The champion.”

Wang Jie clenched his fist. “As champion, I can use the fame of countless beings across the universe to deter your enemy?”

Shu Rang nodded. “The higher you climb, the less he dares to move. If you’re the champion, and the Wandering-Star Tournament is opened by you, he won’t touch you.”

“I understand,” Wang Jie said, expression hardening. “I won’t let Master down.”

He had just gained another reason to seize first place.

Shu Rang seemed satisfied. “Cultivate however you see fit. The methods of a Star Dao Master can only be taught once you reach Roaming-Star Realm. For now, even I don’t know how to help you improve.”

“No one understands you better than you do. Rely on yourself.”

“When Enlightenment Tea arrives, use it to focus on a single power—bring it to its peak.”

“Yes,” Wang Jie said.

Shu Rang left.

Wang Jie remained where he stood, reviewing everything he possessed, waiting for Enlightenment Tea.

After some time, it arrived.

Zhi Xing Xue delivered it herself.

Wang Jie stood outside the Thunder Well and accepted the Enlightenment Tea.

Zhi Xing Xue sighed. “Only the Star Vault Vista knows where the Dao-Enlightenment Tree is. Every so often, it invites people to taste Enlightenment Tea.”

“For Star-Refining Realm experts—and even World Realm figures—the effect is far weaker than it is for you.”

She looked at him. “Wang Jie, don’t waste it.”

“Black-White Heaven is waiting for your good news.”

Wang Jie asked, “How many from Black-White Heaven are entering the tournament?”

“Quite a few. Dozens, at least.”

“That’s not many.”

“You think anyone can qualify to enter?” Zhi Xing Xue said bluntly. “If they’re too weak, going would only disgrace the sect. Sometimes fewer is better.”

Then she added, “And this year, the sect’s greatest hope is you. If you need anything, say it. If the sect can provide it, it will.”

“Not yet,” Wang Jie said.

He preferred to take what he needed after the tournament, when he could repay what he owed. He didn’t want to borrow too much now.

Zhi Xing Xue left.

Wang Jie went back into the Thunder Well, already decided on what he would pursue with Enlightenment Tea.

He hoped it wouldn’t disappoint him.

—

More than a year passed in a blink.

Only thirty days remained until the Starry Sky Martial Tournament.

Wang Jie emerged from the Thunder Well and headed for Suo Xing Jian.

The outside world had become a carnival. Talents erupted everywhere. People fought for fame like starving wolves.

The brightest stars were the ones who had received Enlightenment Tea.

Gui Xiao Die had stepped out of the Cold-Smoke Ferry.

Her beauty made countless people fall at her feet. And the strength she revealed by accident left even seasoned cultivators shaken—she crushed three widely acknowledged geniuses in a single move.

After that, more people bowed beneath her skirt. Those three geniuses even followed at her side.

Shao Gu Chen, also a recipient, was challenged by a duo: Li Ao of the Dou Huo clan, born with the Eleven Seals, and Blood Vine.

Blood Vine was an Eastern Dipper Bridge-Pillar starry sky behemoth—tough beyond reason, best suited to cooperation, able to become living armor. The more blood it devoured, the stronger its defense.

No one saw how Li Ao and Blood Vine fought alongside each other.

No one saw the battle at all.

They only saw the result: Li Ao left without his old arrogance, dragging the shattered Blood Vine behind him, looking like he’d been carved hollow.

Xi Ci, disciple of Old Man Du Mu, roamed the starry sky, wielding Upper Purity Seventy-Two Swords to kill an older Roaming-Star Realm expert with battle power above five hundred thousand. His name spread like wildfire.

Qin Xiao Shu of Bu Zou Guan publicly confessed to Qing Kong, declaring her purple pupils had grown straight into his heart.

In Third Zen Heaven, five Full-Star Realm cultivators joined hands and climbed Reverse-Delusion Mountain, hoping to witness the legendary Wu Ming.

The result left the universe speechless.

Wu Ming directly forced all five to break through—each one stepping into Roaming-Star Realm on the spot.

Third Zen Heaven lost five Full-Star Realm participants for the tournament in a single day.

Wu Ming offered only one comment:

“These five have decent comprehension.”