Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 1825: Chapter 762: Meeting Gift

”This Zhang Huai is truly loyal and brave! How are his injuries?”

High above Dongxuan Island, after listening to Xu Jin’s account, True Monarch Tianzhang first praised Zhang Huai, then asked about his condition.

Su Shize looked at Xu Jin. Just now it had been Xu Jin treating him, but Zhang Huai’s injuries were not something that could be healed casually.

”Reporting to True Monarch, Zhang Huai also saved my life. I just had him take an eighth-tier top-grade Divine Soul spiritual medicine I kept for saving my own life. His Divine Soul injuries have already somewhat recovered. With a few more seventh-tier and eighth-tier Divine Soul spiritual medicines later, he should be able to fully recover!” Xu Jin said.

Just now, True Monarch Tianzhang had asked Xu Jin about the specific process of how he and Zhang Huai defended the island.

After all, Su Shize had seen with his own eyes the elite lineup the enemy sent to launch a sudden assault on the Teleportation Array. Xu Jin hadn’t concealed too much; he only altered the key nodes a bit.

Ninety percent truth, ten percent lie.

The essence of lying is that most of what you say is true; only the most crucial point needs to be false.

Xu Jin had indeed slain two Star Monarchs. Of course, that had been with the help of Great Star Monarch Zhang Huai and two Little Star Monarchs. No one ever complains about having too much merit.

He had also fought a major battle with Star Monarch Jiali, but was gravely injured on the spot. Thankfully, Great Star Monarch Zhang Huai fought desperately to save him, allowing him to escape One Tribulation, then Xu Jin burned a life-saving treasure to block for one breath’s time, just as True Monarch Tianzhang arrived.

Star Monarch Jiali shot straight into the sky, a flash of golden light, and disappeared!

This was Xu Jin’s version of events.

He was slightly hiding his edge.

With his current strength, if he went all out and killed Star Monarch Jiali, it would indeed bring him astonishing fame and directly eliminate most of his troubles—but it would also attract far more terrifying threats!

After listening, True Monarch Tianzhang’s first concern was still Zhang Huai’s injuries.

This made Xu Jin feel genuinely comfortable.

Just from this alone, it showed that True Monarch Tianzhang was someone you could get along with.

”In this battle to defend Dongxuan Island, Xu Jin’s merit is immense, and Zhang Huai fought to the death, loyal to his post. His contributions are indispensable!

Under such circumstances, the consumption for treating Zhang Huai’s injuries will be borne by the Dao Palace.

Shize, in a bit you will directly give Xu Jin three eighth-tier Divine Soul–type spiritual medicines and three seventh-tier Divine Soul spiritual medicines. The matter of treating Zhang Huai will be handed over to him. Any spiritual medicines he expends will also be covered by the Dao Palace.” True Monarch Tianzhang ordered.

”Yes.” Su Shize bowed and accepted the order.

”As for Xu Jin’s war merit, guarding the Teleportation Array is first merit. Slaying two Star Monarchs, you will record that separately.” True Monarch Tianzhang instructed.

”Yes.”

At the moment Su Shize accepted the order, Xu Jin’s expression moved. He hurriedly bowed and said, ”True Monarch, this subordinate is uneasy. Those war merits and the slaying of the two Star Monarchs were all done by me together with Zhang Huai and the others...”

Xu Jin had only said half his piece before True Monarch Tianzhang waved his hand to stop him. ”Xu Jin, no need for this! Every genius has more or less some secrets. I respect that and understand!

Zhang Huai certainly has courage to spare and truly blocked a fatal blow for you, but as for how much he actually contributed...”

True Monarch Tianzhang shook his head with a smile. ”I understand what you mean!

Among the younger generation, there are very few who know how to hide their edge as you do!

We’ll do it according to your wishes!

But as for the war merit, just accept it with an easy mind!

In our Dongxuan Star Realm, we value war merit above all!

Our True Monarch titles, and those Star Lord titles others bear, were not earned by cultivation alone, but carved out through killing!

Look at my son—he still doesn’t even have a Star Lord title!”

Xu Jin already understood what True Monarch Tianzhang was getting at.

”Alright, no need to worry. Under this old man’s command, you can cultivate and display your abilities without concern. No matter who sets their eyes on you, this old man will do everything in his power to protect you!

Even if it’s that old Bixuan, this old man won’t hesitate to have a bout with him!

Do you understand?” True Monarch Tianzhang looked at Xu Jin with a smile.

At the side, Star Monarch Su Shize’s eyes showed a look of shock.

In all his years, this was the first time he had heard his own father make such a promise to a junior!

With words said to this extent, how could Xu Jin not understand?

”Many thanks to True Monarch for his protection!”

”As long as you understand.”

After speaking, True Monarch Tianzhang turned to Star Monarch Su Shize. ”Shize, from now on you and Xu Jin should communicate and interact more. Treat each other as peers! Oh, and remember to tell Xuan’er and also Ling Luo that when they see Xu Jin, they must pay respect as juniors!”

As soon as True Monarch Tianzhang finished speaking, Xu Jin hurriedly shook his head. ”This must not be, True Monarch, this must not be!”

”What, are Xuan’er and Ling Luo so useless they’re unworthy of associating with you? Or is my Shize also unworthy?”

”No, no!” Xu Jin quickly denied it.

”Then it’s settled.” As he spoke, True Monarch Tianzhang cast a sidelong glance at Su Shize.

The latter suddenly reacted, hurriedly stepped forward, and proactively grasped Xu Jin’s hand. ”Brother Xu, I’ve merely lived a few more years. If you don’t mind, just call me Big Brother Su from now on.”

Xu Jin’s gaze paused for a moment, then he immediately reacted as well.

Back in the Kunling Domain he’d been quite the figure, had seen every kind of situation. This kind of thing was all too familiar.

”This younger brother greets Big Brother Su!”

”Brother Xu!”

Off to the side, watching the two start calling each other ”brother” and adding each other as contacts on the Dongxuan Order, True Monarch Tianzhang stroked his beard and laughed.

”In that case, this old man will just call you ’virtuous nephew’ from now on!

In fact, you’re Linxiao’s husband, and our Su Family and the Zhu Family are old family friends. From that standpoint, you are already this old man’s junior by family ties.

In the future, when we meet in private, you should greet me with the etiquette due a senior uncle!” True Monarch Tianzhang said with a smile.

”Xu Jin pays respects to Senior Uncle!” Xu Jin once more made a deep bow!

With such a big thigh主动 offered, it would be a waste not to cling on.

Although this thigh was far inferior to his master, Emperor Fenghua, the Su Family was the local powerful dragon.

Clinging on early would definitely let Xu Jin grow more safely and gain more benefits.

Hearing this, True Monarch Tianzhang once again stroked his beard and laughed. ”Since we’ve established this uncle–nephew relationship, as a senior I can’t accept your bow for nothing. I must prepare a meeting gift for you!”

”This must not be. Being able to receive Senior Uncle’s care is already a blessing as great as heaven; how could I dare ask for anything more!” Xu Jin hurriedly refused.

True Monarch Tianzhang, however, remained unmoved, continuing to stroke his beard in thought. ”You primarily cultivate Space and the Thunder Series, correct?”

”For now, yes.” Xu Jin answered honestly.

With a light nod, True Monarch Tianzhang directly took out an object flickering with silver starlight from his robe and handed it straight to Xu Jin.

His Divine Thought moved slightly; as soon as Xu Jin sensed its aura, his expression tightened—Space aura.

But that aura was far stronger than Xu Jin’s space-type treasure material, the Sky Split Butterfly Wings!

Could it be... an Innate space-type spiritual material?

”Uncle, this is?”

”This is a greeting gift from this uncle of yours! Many years ago I collected this Innate space-type spiritual material, the Shadow Stone Mirror. Unfortunately, no genius in my clan ever appeared who cultivated the Space Law Path, so I kept it sealed away.

Now it seems, I held onto it for the right person.

Heaven has decreed that I would have such a worthy junior nephew as you!” True Monarch Tianzhang said with a squinting smile.

”This... Uncle, this gift is far too precious.” Xu Jin tried to decline.

”If it weren’t something worth much, this uncle wouldn’t have the face to give it!”

”You’re already calling him uncle, Xu, and you’re still not taking it?

When an elder bestows something, it must not be refused!” Star Monarch Su Shize, at the side, chimed in to help.

They had already spoken to this extent; if Xu Jin still refused, that would be failing to appreciate their kindness and would sow resentment.

Besides, this thing happened to be exactly the treasure Xu Jin urgently needed.

An Innate space-type spiritual material—once placed in the Star Lamp for Nourishment, it would surely transform into an Innate Treasure Material.

The Space Lifebound Spiritual Treasure forged from it in the future would definitely be incomparably powerful.

”Then this junior will accept it. Many thanks for the treasure, Uncle!” Xu Jin respectfully received it with both hands.

By accepting this treasure, it meant Xu Jin’s relationship with Tianzhang the Su Family had become closer and more intimate, and it also meant the ties between Yutang the Zhu Family and Tianzhang the Su Family had likewise drawn closer.

In the future, there would inevitably be karmic ties!

However, Xu Jin wasn’t worried in the least.

This cause and effect, he could bear—and he could repay!

”That’s more like it!”

Seeing Xu Jin accept the treasure, True Monarch Tianzhang stroked his beard and smiled again. ”I see you were injured in this battle. Once this Shadow Stone Mirror is added into your Lifebound Spiritual Treasure during refining, it will allow your Space Lifebound Spiritual Treasure to unleash defensive secret techniques of the Space Folding type, with even faster speed and far greater might. It will absolutely give a tremendous boost to your life-saving ability!”

”This junior was thinking the same. From now on, my life-saving ability has gained another layer.” Xu Jin smiled; what True Monarch Tianzhang said was indeed true!

What a fine treasure!

”Mm, worthy nephew, go find a place to comprehend and cultivate first. It’ll probably take several more days before we can return! Make good use of this time for Enlightenment; these days you’re stranded here won’t be counted against your usage time.” True Monarch Tianzhang said with a smile.

”It’ll still be several days? Is Uncle planning a counterattack?” Xu Jin asked, puzzled.

”Counterattack?”

True Monarch Tianzhang shook his head. ”I don’t have the ability to counterattack the Golden Roc Star Realm! But don’t you find it strange that the True Monarchs of the Golden Roc Star Realm were able to pinpoint Dongxuan Island so precisely?

You must know, the position of Star River Island is constantly shifting.”

Hearing this, Xu Jin’s gaze sharpened. ”Uncle means... there’s an internal traitor?”

”There must be someone guiding their positioning and passing information! Otherwise, there’s no way their advantage in troop numbers would be so overwhelming!

Bear in mind, there are occasionally True Monarchs cultivating on Dongxuan Island as well.” True Monarch Tianzhang said.

”In that case, is there anything this junior can help with?”

”No, hurrying to raise your Cultivation Level is the proper path! I, on the other hand, want to see if I can’t drag this little bug out.” True Monarch Tianzhang said.

”In that case, Uncle, Mr. Su, you two go ahead with your work. I’ll go cultivate first.”

*****

After Xu Jin left, Star Monarch Su Shize looked at True Monarch Tianzhang with a surprised gaze. ”Father, why are you treating this Xu Jin like this?”

”Shize, if you faced two Star Monarchs, how long would it take you to suppress and kill them?” True Monarch Tianzhang asked.

”If I spare no cost, and use the life-saving means Father gave me, I can do it in two breaths.”

”Then what about when you had just broken through to Little Star Monarch?”

”At most I could kill one, then flee for my life.”

At this, Star Monarch Su Shize suddenly understood and fully reacted. ”Father means to make use of...”

Before he could finish, True Monarch Tianzhang shot him a fiercely sharp glare that forced him to swallow his words.

”If I intended to make use of him, would I hand out an Innate space-type spiritual material? That can practically be considered half a clan-suppressing treasure of our Su!”

”Then what does Father mean?”

Hearing this, True Monarch Tianzhang sighed. ”You grew up in a great clan from childhood, never entered a Military Camp—your heart is too full of calculation! This is one of the reasons you’ve been unable to prove the Dao for so long.

You must understand, using gains and benefits is only a method, not the goal!

Many times, once you discover a Dao, you must fix yourself upon it. Even if you use utilitarian methods, those are only methods—the goal must always remain the same!

This can be considered a heart-tempering task I’m giving you as your father!

If you can truly forge a bond with Xu Jin, even to the point of opening your hearts and becoming close friends, then in the future, even if I pass away, my Tianzhang the Su Family will still enjoy several hundred years of prosperity!

Moreover, your opportunity to break through lies on Xu Jin as well!

Do you understand?”

Hearing this, Star Monarch Su Shize pondered for several breaths before nodding heavily. ”Thank you for the guidance, Father. I will strive to put it into practice!”

”Mm, knowing and then doing it—that’s best!

All these years, I’ve seen those at the Peak of Ninth Rank reverse-slay Little Star Monarchs and suppress Great Star Monarchs.

But an Eighth Tier Peak cultivator reverse-slaying two Star Monarchs—this is the first time I’ve seen it, and the first time I’ve even heard of it. Do you understand?” True Monarch Tianzhang instructed.

”Father, I will remember!”

”Mm, and as for those few little brats back home, make it clear to them: they must observe the rites with the greatest respect!”

”I’ll drill it into them!”

”Good. Then go. Work with Zhu Linxiao and see if you can ferret out the mole or any clues!”

With a wave of True Monarch Tianzhang’s hand, Star Monarch Su Shize vanished into the distance in an instant.