Chapter 339
Chapter 339: The Darkness He Brings
Jun Qian frowned, her voice sharp: “What did you say?”
Gu Qing He gazed calmly at Jun Qian: “Was I not clear enough? To pressure Black White Heaven, to suppress your people.”
Jun Qian’s eyes turned cold as ice: “Aren’t you overly confident, Your Excellency? This is Black White Heaven.”
“Feel free to test me,” Gu Qing He replied, raising his hand.
Jun Qian’s eyes hardened instantly, changing the colors of heaven and earth. Endless star force burst forth, transforming into countless warriors and countless shadows wielding innumerable battle techniques. This magnificent power, however, had no effect on their surroundings. Jun Qian’s control over star force was unmatched, shining as brightly as a star herself.
Yet Gu Qing He merely smiled faintly, then lowered a single finger.
The countless figures formed by star force cascaded downward like flowing water, pouring into Black White Heaven in a torrent, resembling an ink painting. Jun Qian was horrified to feel cracks forming within her previously unyielding star force. Blood spilled from her lips as she stumbled backward.
Just one move, a single move, and Jun Qian was defeated.
Shock filled the faces of all the disciples of Black White Heaven. [How is this possible? Realm Lord Bai couldn’t even withstand a single strike?]
Jun Qian’s face was pale, staring at Gu Qing He in disbelief.
Gu Qing He gazed off into the distance: “I wonder, what gave you the confidence that you could defeat a Star Guardian from the same era?” He had no interest in waiting for Jun Qian’s reply and continued, “You all should understand my intentions. Feel free to strike—even Senior Zhi Yu. But if I retreat, my master will come next.”
“And from the looks of it, you don’t seem capable of making me retreat.”
At Lock Path Interval, Shu Rang stared deeply toward the Third Star Link, his expression heavy.
Zhi Yu appeared beside him: “The disciple from Da Yan has arrived.”
“I know.”
“I’ll try my best to hold him back, but I can’t guarantee success. Gu Qing He was once the Tian Cang Star Guardian. His Star Refining Realm cultivation can even challenge those in the World Realm.”
Shu Rang turned to him: “I won’t put you in a difficult position.”
With a complicated glance and a heavy sigh, Zhi Yu departed.
Black White Heaven trembled as Ancestor Zhi Yu emerged from seclusion to confront this formidable enemy.
At the Sect Encircling Corridor, Zhi Xing Xue and Zhi Qing stood together, looking toward the young man who had accompanied Gu Qing He.
The young man wore a gentle smile, almost identical to Gu Qing He’s calm demeanor: “Shen Zhou greets you, Seniors.”
Zhi Qing’s expression turned grave: “The Tian Cang Star Guardian, Shen Zhou of the White Robes?”
Gasps rippled through the crowd of Black White Heaven disciples.
This generation’s Tian Cang Star Guardian had arrived.
Regardless of their personal strength, the Tian Cang Star Guardians held unmatched authority, capable of theoretically commanding any sect due to their role as guardians of the Bridge Pillars.
Yet, in practice, even they might not sway colossal sects like Armor One Sect or Sincere One Dao.
Unfortunately, Black White Heaven did not belong to such powerful exceptions.
Gu Qing He was undeniably powerful but had lost his authority upon leaving Tian Cang. Driving him away was manageable. Shen Zhou, however, was different. He was the current Tian Cang Star Guardian, supported by the full might of the Four Bridge Pillars.
Black White Heaven originally intended to seize him, but upon learning he was Shen Zhou, they abandoned the thought instantly.
To act against a Star Guardian was equivalent to courting death.
Smiling, Shen Zhou addressed everyone calmly: “I’m here to deliver a message. As long as Wang Jie remains within Black White Heaven, I, Shen Zhou, shall oppose Black White Heaven every single day. From this moment onward, Black White Heaven shall mobilize all sect resources in support of Tian Cang. Black White Heaven’s clubs shall no longer participate in outside activities—those who disobey will be killed. Disciples of Black White Heaven are forbidden from leaving the Fourth Star Cloud—those who disobey will be killed. Black White Heaven…”
Shen Zhou’s words spread far, repeated by those around him until they echoed throughout the entire Black White Heaven.
With each sentence, the disciples of Black White Heaven felt increasing anger, yet their hearts sank deeper into despair.
In Drunken Serenity Forest, Yu Zhi closed her eyes.
The Tian Cang Star Guardian possessed absolute authority. Even without invoking that power directly, Shen Zhou’s own club could erase Black White Heaven’s entire influence.
When competing for the Southern Family’s legacy, they had become powerless the moment any Star Guardian’s club entered the fray.
Whether it was the Four Traveling Gods or Tian Cang Star Guardian, they were existences beyond resistance.
Shen Zhou’s declaration had utterly extinguished Black White Heaven’s future.
As long as Wang Jie remained, no disciple from Black White Heaven could ever rise again. This day brought darkness to Wang Jie and to all of Black White Heaven.
At Lock Path Interval, Wang Jie opened his eyes to receive this devastating news.
Shu Rang appeared beside him, gazing gently: “It’s time to go.”
Wang Jie nodded quietly: “Yes.”
“Do you blame your master?”
“No,” Wang Jie replied firmly. “Without Master, this disciple would have died long ago.”
“I gave you great fortune, yet also brought you immense suffering. From now on, the Four Bridge Pillars will have no place for you. Once the Starry Martial Meet ends in defeat, your enemies will strike.”
“Then I’ll just keep winning all the way,” Wang Jie answered calmly.
Shu Rang burst into laughter: “Exactly! That’s why your Master paved a path for you from the very beginning.”
Realization dawned on Wang Jie: “Marry those two girls.”
“Precisely. That old ghost Ting Can from Star Dome Visage is your only lifeline. Marrying them means even your fiercest rivals wouldn’t dare harm you.”
“Then marrying two is…?”
“Insurance, in case that old ghost sacrifices one.”
“Master is wise.”
“Not as clever as you! You did remarkably well during the Martial Meet’s final battle. A man must be firm! Love, pursuit—these are illusions. Force your imprint into her heart, ensuring she can neither forget nor marry anyone else.”
“But, truthfully, I underestimated your methods. Impressive!”
Wang Jie felt speechless. If not for Ting Chen’s repeated provocations, saying he was unworthy, he wouldn’t have been pushed to such extremes.
Doing something like that in front of the universe wasn’t kind.
But he did not regret it.
I just don’t know how to explain this to Ban Xia—even though Ban Xia probably wouldn’t care anyway.
Outside the Sect Encircling Corridor of Black White Heaven, Zhi Yu and Gu Qing He halted their fight.
Gazing into the distance, Zhi Yu exhaled softly, saying, “He’s gone.”
Gu Qing He nodded respectfully, “Thank you, Senior, for your mercy.”
Zhi Yu fixed a deep gaze upon Gu Qing He, speaking solemnly, “Tell your master: it’s wise to leave room in all matters—there’s no need to push others to desperation.”
Gu Qing He turned away without concern.
Zhi Xing Xue stepped forward anxiously, pleading, “Father, Wang Jie has just performed a great service for our sect.”
Zhi Yu raised his hand, stopping her helplessly, “I know, but Black White Heaven is too small—we cannot weather every storm.”
Zhi Xing Xue wanted to say more, but seeing Zhi Yu’s expression, her eyes dimmed.
She recognized this feeling.
When Frost Radiance Sect fell, she had been powerless. Now, with Wang Jie forced to leave, she was equally helpless.
Clearly, she had reached Star Refining Realm, yet nothing had changed.
Far away, Zhi Qing remained silent. She cared little about Wang Jie, but Gu Qing He had insulted Black White Heaven—she would settle this account someday.
…
Under the vast expanse of stars, Shu Rang led Wang Jie away from the Lock Path Interval, heading toward the Third Nebula.
Meanwhile, Gu Qing He approached with Shen Zhou, as if knowing exactly where they would be.
After some time, their paths crossed.
Facing Shu Rang, Gu Qing He bowed slowly, “Greetings, Senior.”
Shen Zhou also saluted respectfully, “Greetings, Senior.”
Shu Rang regarded Gu Qing He coldly, “Who gave you the courage to appear before this old man? Is that old ghost Da Yan intending to see the young die before the old?”
Wang Jie stared at Gu Qing He and Shen Zhou. Just these two alone had managed to pressure all of Black White Heaven.
Gu Qing He stood straight, smiling, “Master mentioned that Senior dislikes bullying juniors.”
Shu Rang laughed coldly, “You’re hardly a junior. Star Refining Realm—worthy enough to kill, especially considering you were once the Tian Cang Star Guardian.”
Wang Jie startled at this revelation. [So this person was once Tian Cang’s Star Guardian?]
Yet Gu Qing He showed no fear, calmly replying, “Senior, have you forgotten? The Star Refining Realm may soon need new Star Guardians.”
Shu Rang’s gaze sharpened, “Why seek out this old man? I’ve already left Black White Heaven. Besides, my disciple won the Starry Martial Meet—does that old ghost dare touch him? In fact, I wish he would.”
Gu Qing He glanced briefly at Wang Jie, “Of course, he wouldn’t dare. I’m merely here to deliver my respected teacher’s message: there is still a place for Senior in Star Palace.”
“Hahaha,” Shu Rang laughed harshly, “Beliefs surpass even life. Has your master lost his senses, making such an offer at this time?”
“Why remain stubborn, Senior? Under the grand trend, right and wrong have already become clear.”
“Enough nonsense! It’s not your place as a junior to lecture this old man,” Shu Rang’s eyes flashed fiercely. The stars twisted, and a giant ruler emerged across the heavens, Gu Qing He positioned precisely in its center.
Gu Qing He’s expression tightened as he faced Shu Rang, “Senior, if not for yourself, won’t you consider your disciple? The inheritance of your beliefs surpasses all else. You’ve finally taken in another disciple—are you determined to repeat past tragedies?”
Wang Jie’s heart skipped. [If marrying those two girls was Master’s way of giving me a way out, then why did he truly accept me as a disciple?]
This question had been circling his mind, and now the answer seemed within reach.
Shu Rang snorted coldly, the giant ruler shifted slightly, and a line of blood trickled from Gu Qing He’s lips.
Neither Zhi Yu nor any of the Star Refining experts from Black White Heaven could injure Gu Qing He, yet a mere glance from Shu Rang had drawn blood.
Shen Zhou gazed at the bright red blood, and his eyes toward Shu Rang changed profoundly.
[Is this the legendary expert who can rival my respected teacher? Even Senior Brother Gu is helpless before him.]
“Senior can kill me if he wishes. My death would serve my beliefs,” Gu Qing He slowly declared.
Shu Rang narrowed his eyes, waving a hand, and the ruler disappeared.
Gu Qing He wiped the blood from his lips, smiled calmly, and turned toward Wang Jie, “As fellow practitioners of Star Dao, I’ll call you Junior Brother. Junior Brother Wang, if you value your life, persuade your master. It’s only a matter of belief. If your master joins Star Palace, you would have a status unrivaled among the Four Bridge Pillars. Truly, you’d soar to heaven in a single step.”
Wang Jie met Gu Qing He’s gaze seriously, “Enough nonsense. It’s not your place as a junior to lecture my master.”
Gu Qing He’s expression darkened immediately.
Shen Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly.
Shu Rang glanced silently at Wang Jie, a grin appearing on his face.
Gu Qing He stared at Wang Jie, “Junior Brother, perhaps you’re unaware of past events. You had Senior Brothers and Sisters, but they’re all dead now. Do you wish to follow in their footsteps?”
Wang Jie frowned deeply, “Stop calling me Junior Brother. You’re not worthy.” He suddenly realized how irritating those three words were.
Gu Qing He’s expression completely darkened.
Shu Rang waved dismissively, “Enough. Get lost. This old man won’t kill you, but I don’t wish to see you again.”
Gu Qing He nodded, “Very well. Junior takes his leave.” Without another word, he turned swiftly away, leaving Shu Rang and Wang Jie both surprised at his decisiveness.
However, Shen Zhou remained behind.
Both turned their attention to him.
Shen Zhou bowed once again, “Next, it’s Junior’s turn. My master instructed that if Senior remains unwilling to sit in Star Palace, then it is my task to watch Junior Brother Wang closely.” He smiled faintly at Wang Jie, adding, “Not for long—only ten years.”
Wang Jie remained calm. [Ten years. That would be the time of the Star Tour Martial Meet.]