Chapter 353
Chapter 353: Supreme Speed
Jiang Yu’s urging made Shu He increasingly anxious, but she still couldn’t deal with Wang Jie. Occasionally, Wang Jie would even turn around and counterattack, disturbing her Zen Palm heart and causing each subsequent strike to weaken.
Boom!
In the distance, a spaceship exploded.
Wang Jie’s battle with Shu He had brought the planet to the brink of shattering. Under Wang Jie’s deliberate redirection, the aftershocks destroyed the ship completely.
Taking advantage of this moment, he brought out—the Fuyao Jade.
The Fuyao Jade was a welcoming gift from the ancestor of Black White Heaven, Zhi Yu. When activated, it granted him Star Refining Realm speed for the time it took an incense stick to burn. Originally, Wang Jie hadn’t planned to use it, but Shu He’s relentless pursuit forced his hand.
He had considered using the Memory Devouring Spider Nest formation, but Jiang Yu knew about it and would surely be prepared. Using it would be a waste.
The Fuyao Jade was his only option to keep his identity hidden.
Besides, he wasn’t willing to take a beating without hitting back. These two had to pay a price.
Activation.
In an instant, the surrounding void blurred. His vision stretched endlessly, as if the universe lay in his palm. [So, this is the speed of the Star Refining Realm?] He felt he could vanish before their eyes if he wished.
In front of him, Shu He, unaware of Wang Jie’s change, still thrust out her palm strike.
Far away, Jiang Yu jumped anxiously, urging her onward.
Wang Jie moved, disappearing instantly. First, he appeared behind Shu He, tapping her lightly; then, he flashed before Jiang Yu, whipping him tightly with his whip, and promptly took off. Jiang Yu might have defensive star artifacts, but their protection had limits. Bound by the whip, Jiang Yu couldn’t be harmed, but he could still be dragged away.
Far behind, Shu He still stared blankly ahead. [Where did he go?] Turning around, [where’s the Young Master?]
Both had vanished.
On a planet neither too close nor far from the battlefield, Jiang Yu slammed heavily into the ground. A glowing star shield appeared over his body, preventing injury.
Wang Jie landed.
The incense stick wouldn’t burn forever; he had to hurry.
Jiang Yu struggled to his feet, glaring angrily at Wang Jie. His eyes revealed shock, excitement at uncovering a hidden secret, and a cold sneer: “I knew it! There’s something strange about you. What kind of speed is this? What star artifact did you use? It’s impossible for a mere Lock Force cultivator to wield. Even if you had one, it must’ve been specially treated; otherwise, the moment starforce erupted, you’d be torn apart—especially at your level.”
“Who are you? Why did you infiltrate my Three Chan Heaven? Confess honestly, or I’ll make your life worse than death.”
If Wang Jie had a choice, he wouldn’t have exposed the Fuyao Jade. This thing required recharging after every use, and charging it needed Star Refining Realm starforce, something he had no way to obtain.
All because of Jiang Yu.
Thinking of this, Wang Jie stared coldly at him. “Have the rules of the Zen OrdTwo Changed? Let me remind you, no matter my intention, as long as I entered Three Chan Heaven with the Zen Order token, Three Chan Heaven must ignore my past. That’s your rule.”
Jiang Yu shouted, “That only applies if you’re not scheming against my sect. But you clearly have ulterior motives!”
Wang Jie nodded, calmly replying, “That’s right, I do. So, I apologize, but I need to silence you.”
Jiang Yu’s face paled, eyes flickering with fear, but then he thought of something and smirked confidently. “You want to kill me? My defensive star artifact can’t be broken by the likes of you. Go ahead and try!”
Wang Jie frowned, staring closely at Jiang Yu. Then, Armor Eight Steps appeared behind him. Blending qi with breath, he unleashed his full power into a finger strike.
In front of Shu He, he hadn’t dared to use qi for fear she’d recognize it.
The Zen Order rules only lost their effect for cultivators at the Death Realm. He absolutely couldn’t let others see he could use qi. But now, alone with Jiang Yu, whose vision and strength were far from being able to recognize it—and attacking from behind—he had no concerns.
The finger struck, and a starry shield flared again, blocking him.
Jiang Yu smugly turned around, about to mock Wang Jie, but Wang Jie swiftly stepped with Armor Eight Steps to avoid being seen. He struck repeatedly, each blow fiercer than the last, yet he still couldn’t breach Jiang Yu’s shield.
[Jiang Yu truly comes from a wealthy family—he not only has defensive star artifacts but even modified them to activate automatically.]
No matter how Wang Jie attacked, Jiang Yu was unharmed. Sometimes, the force blasted him away, but Jiang Yu simply stood up, brushing off the dust, laughing mockingly at Wang Jie, untouched by injury.
Wang Jie saw the incense stick steadily burning away.
Helpless, he once again bound Jiang Yu with his whip, leaping off to another place.
With Star Refining Realm speed, the vast expanse of space around the Miao clan was reachable in mere moments. This time, Wang Jie arrived on a planet near the Sea Cliff Great Formation. This planet crawled with countless bugs, revolting to the extreme, mingled with human corpses and white bones—a true purgatory.
Jiang Yu saw this, pupils shrinking, his face instantly pale.
Dragging him along, Wang Jie prepared to throw him in.
Jiang Yu screamed in terror, “No! Lu Bu Qi! Stop, stop~~!”
Ignoring his cries, Wang Jie hurled him directly into the swarm of insects.
Jiang Yu struggled desperately, filled with dread, but unable to break free. He was quickly swallowed up.
Wang Jie looked down from above.
Any normal person would tremble with fear and disgust at those insects. Jiang Yu was no exception. Since Jiang Yu caused trouble now, he would surely cause trouble again in the future. It was better to collect some interest first.
Looking upon the spreading bones beneath, he thought coldly, [Sea Cliff Miao Clan—your evil demands destruction.]
His body blurred again, vanishing as he headed toward Lock Force Devour Star.
When his body touched down upon the Lock Force Devour Star, the Fuyao Pendant’s power faded away.
His vision returned to normal.
Wang Jie exhaled deeply. [The speed of Star Refining Realm is truly captivating. I wonder if I’ll ever reach it in this lifetime.]
He cleared his mind, performed the exercise, and healed his wounds.
In the battle with Shu He, the bones in his right arm had fractured, leaving a rather serious injury. Yet, just a single session of exercise was enough to mend it entirely.
Afterward, he carefully examined the Lock Force beneath his feet on this Devour Star.
Moments later, surprise lit up his face.
The amount of Lock Force this Devour Star held was far less than the one from Black White Heaven, and that was good news for him. The Black White Heaven’s Lock Force Devour Star required Master’s special handling before he could safely absorb it. But this star’s Lock Force was much weaker, making it possible for him to absorb it directly without help. Its Lock Force was simply within the range he could endure.
Realizing this, he immediately began to absorb the Lock Force.
While Wang Jie replenished himself, the battle outside against the Miao Clan finally came to an end.
Miao Sha had fallen, slain by Xu Zhao Nan and another Hundred Star Realm disciple.
With his dying breath, Miao Sha cried out bitterly. Even in death, he did not know who he’d offended.
Meanwhile, Miao Mei also met her end beneath the combined attack of Yue Jian and the others.
Lao Ji, anxious to locate Jiang Yu, abandoned Miao Mei at once when Yue Jian’s group charged forward, retreating swiftly.
He first reunited with Shu He and, upon learning of Jiang Yu’s disappearance, desperately began to search.
Thankfully, Jiang Yu carried another way to contact them—not the standard terminal, but another method entirely—allowing them to dig him out from beneath countless swarms of insects.
When Jiang Yu emerged, his face was haggard, and his eyes filled with terror.
Shu He burst out angrily: “Young master, I’ll avenge you for this! I’ll slaughter that Lu Bu Qi myself.”
Lao Ji quickly checked Jiang Yu’s body and sighed with relief upon finding him unharmed. “Young master, are you alright?”
Holding back his fear, Jiang Yu forced a shaky smile and said: “Wh-what could possibly be wrong? They’re just insects, that’s all.”
Lao Ji praised him warmly: “Young master, you’ve truly grown. Although these insects cannot harm anyone physically, most would instinctively tremble before them. Yet you faced them calmly. Such bravery means you will surely achieve greatness.”
Jiang Yu gave another strained smile. [Could he admit he cried? No, absolutely not.]
Gritting his teeth, he asked, “Where is that bastard?”
Shu He’s expression turned solemn: “We haven’t found him. Young master, his speed far surpasses a Hundred Star Realm cultivator. I suspect he’s already entered the Star Refining Realm. It’s unusual for a Full Star Realm Lock Force cultivator to achieve this speed. We should inform the sect immediately.”
Lao Ji agreed: “Although the sect normally forgives past grudges, it would be different if this person comes from Death Realm. We must warn the sect beforehand and report our suspicion. Otherwise, if he accuses us of pursuing him—a Chan disciple—even Lord Yi Chan won’t easily explain it.”
Jiang Yu unwillingly glanced around, wishing they could find that man. Unfortunately, it was impossible now.
“Fine, let’s head back first. This young master suspected that man was suspicious from the very start. That’s why we followed him.”
“Young master is truly wise.”
Back on the Lock Force Devour Star—
After absorbing a round of Lock Force, Wang Jie had finally restored his internal reserves completely.
He checked the Mission Hall.
Miao Sha, Miao Mei, and several Wandering Star Realm targets from the Miao Clan had already been reported as completed.
But several Wandering Star Realm cultivators from the Miao Clan were still alive.
The Sea Cliff Array had only been a bait laid by the Miao Clan to lure the Three Chan Heaven cultivators away, allowing Miao Sha and others to flee. Yet, Miao Sha wasn’t the only smart one among the Miao Clan.
Several clan members had fled in all directions.
Especially the remaining Wandering Star Realm cultivators; they didn’t even need a spaceship. Who could possibly find them once they’d scattered into the stars?
However, without Miao Sha and Miao Mei, the clan had effectively ceased to exist. Those who fled posed no serious threat.
Wang Jie immediately contacted Nian Wei to hand over the Lock Force Devour Star.
Nian Wei reminded him that if anyone else stepped onto this Lock Force Devour Star during this period, it might no longer belong solely to Wang Jie, meaning he wouldn’t be able to directly submit it.
Anything obtained by Star Dome Visage must be unclaimed, especially now.
Wang Jie put down his terminal. The situation in Star Dome Visage these days wasn’t promising. Even claiming one Devour Star required such caution.
He gazed into the distant starry sky.
All he had to do was ensure no second person appeared on this Lock Force Devour Star before the people from Star Dome Visage arrived.
He sat down cross-legged, beginning to cultivate again, slowly merging the Lock Force into his bones and blood. There were still so many techniques to practice, yet so little time.
The Starry Martial Meet drew ever closer.
Breaking through to Wandering Star Realm was his highest priority.
Snow began to fall.
In the eyes of ordinary people, a Strange Planet was no different from any other planet. Some worlds enjoyed eternal springtime, while others endured perpetual cold.
A gentle wind swept past, sending crimson leaves fluttering softly into the snow.
Wang Jie lifted his hand, catching a fallen leaf in his palm. It was similar to a maple leaf, reminding him of a maple forest he’d once visited on Blue Star.
Beneath the vastness of space, a ship silently approached the Lock Force Devour Star.
Inside, tightly packed together, were cultivators from the Miao Clan.
The Miao Clan could still be considered a great family, after all. They’d once possessed two Hundred Star Realm cultivators. Though incomparable to powers controlling entire Star Links, their number of clan members and cultivators was still considerable.