Chapter Seventeen: Ten Thousand Star Household

A night of rolling thunder and killing!

Blizzards sealed the heavens, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and atop the back mountain, life and death were decided.

Chen Fusheng had still underestimated an Other Shore Realm Star Master. Even though his ambush had succeeded and heavily wounded Teng Xiong,

the energy in an Other Shore Realm cultivator's qi sea had undergone a qualitative transformation. It was more than ten times mightier than that of the Star Guiding Realm. Teng Xiong, grievously wounded and on the verge of death, went mad and detonated his qi sea in a final counterattack.

Chen Fusheng's six layers of body-shielding energy exploded. He suffered a heavy blow, his iron-like body sent flying. His robes were torn to tatters, and he crashed onto the frozen soil.

Teng Xiong was covered in blood but was not quite dead yet. Lying in a pool of hot blood, he growled, "So it was you. You killed my son. You can't die—I'll pull out your tendons and skin you alive..."

Before he could finish, Chen Fusheng suddenly clambered to his feet.

"You!"

Teng Xiong was startled. He struggled up and tried to flee, but he had no strength left and fell repeatedly.

He was even more shaken. A Star Guiding Realm cultivator had endured the energy blast of an Other Shore Realm expert and could still get back up to fight?

Just as Teng Xiong thought of a special constitution, his broken body was hoisted up in Chen Fusheng's arms.

"You little beast, what are you trying to do?" Teng Xiong shouted harshly. The healing power of the Other Shore Realm was astonishing; as long as he had time to recuperate, he could recover.

"Whoosh, whoosh!"

Chen Fusheng's expression was icy. He tore through the wind and snow, racing toward the mountaintop.

Teng Xiong was terrified now. Chen Fusheng had not said a word from beginning to end. After searching him thoroughly, he found a gray-black cloth bag.

Then, with his bloodstained palm gripping Teng Xiong's ankle, he swung him around with a thunderous roar.

"No, no, no... No! You vile beast, I'm a Star Official! How dare you kill me? Your Nine Clans will be annihilated! Ah, no..."

Teng Xiong's screams faded into the distance as Chen Fusheng swung him into the Black River. Layer upon layer of solid ice burst apart, and the bitter cold soon froze the opening shut.

Chen Fusheng stopped atop the mountain. His figure was indistinct in the wind and snow as he lowered his head and watched coldly.

Golden light bloomed in Chen Fusheng's pupils. With his astonishing eyesight, he locked onto Teng Xiong and watched with his own eyes as the man sank into the river, his broken body quickly freezing solid.

"Being buried together is a bargain for your whole family. In your next life, don't come out to harm people."

Chen Fusheng turned and sprinted back to the battlefield. He soon found the black saber buried beneath the snow.

He knew that the wind and snow were so fierce tonight that even the most pungent stench of blood would be concealed. There was no need to clean up the battlefield.

The identity of a Star Official was earth-shaking, but in the Outer Sect, there were at least eight hundred disciples who hated him. No matter how thoroughly this was investigated, it would never be traced back to him.

It was already the latter half of the night when Chen Fusheng ran madly over the wall and returned home.

Inside, Huang Tiancheng rose to glance out the window, then closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Chen Fusheng discovered that his injuries were somewhat severe. Seven or eight bones were broken, his skin was damaged, and his entire body burned fiercely.

"An Other Shore Realm cultivator is indeed an Other Shore Realm cultivator. Their qi sea is the key. My first ambush should have targeted his qi sea and exhausted his energy."

Chen Fusheng first went to the kitchen, stripped off his bloodstained clothes, found some firewood, and lit it to heat water for a bath.

Then he sat cross-legged in the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, breathing in and out energy to nourish his wounds.

There was nothing he could do. All the Star Stones Wang Lie had given him had been offered up to carve the diagram, leaving him so poor he could hear his own pockets rattle.

Nourishing his wounds through solitary breathing was very slow, but fortunately, his foundation was deep, and the remaining medicinal power could still be drawn out.

Several hours later, his injuries had recovered by thirty to forty percent. He poured out scalding hot water, washed away the blood covering his body, and felt the tension in his heart immediately disperse.

At first, he had indeed been incomparably nervous when he killed Teng Lin. But now his body and mind were exhilarated. He had slain Teng Xiong, that vicious beast, and rid the people of a scourge!

"Right, this storage bag..."

As for Teng Xiong's weapon, it was probably forged from refined steel. It counted as a fine weapon, and its market price was roughly five hundred Star Stones.

As everyone knew, fine weapons could withstand the infusion of energy and thereby unleash formidable attacks.

Above fine weapons were top-grade weapons, all forged from various rare ores. Their value was astonishing by comparison, around two thousand Star Stones, and their attack power could be doubled and stacked.

Anything above that was beyond imagination. Those were Star Weapons!

Ordinary treasure ships and storage bags? Their value could not compare with that of a Star Weapon at all.

Chen Fusheng had never seen a Star Weapon either. It was said that they were all forged from rare iron ores and could even draw upon the power of the stars throughout the heavens in battle, unleashing terrifying attacks.

A Ten Thousand Star Household certainly could not afford one. He estimated that only a multimillionaire would qualify to buy one. Mu Zhen naturally did not have one either, or she would not have feared the demonic beasts at the Black River back then.

"Hmm, I don't have spiritual telekinesis. How do I open the storage bag?"

Chen Fusheng was stumped. Spiritual telekinesis was the soul; only by meditating and emitting fluctuations of the soul could one open a storage bag.

He tried using the Contemplation Method to communicate with the storage bag. With a swish, the drawstring binding its mouth came loose.

"Haha!"

Chen Fusheng burst out laughing. It seemed that spiritual telekinesis and bodily telekinesis were much the same. He had also visualized that the storage bag contained an independent world.

Chen Fusheng estimated that the storage space could hold a water vat. It was clearly the lowest grade, with limited capacity.

Teng Xiong's storage bag was crammed full. Most of it consisted of Star Stones, along with various bottles and jars, as well as a silver jade token.

"Close to three thousand Star Stones, plus these medicinal ingredients..."

"When it's time to make a move, make it. I deserve to get rich!"

However, Chen Fusheng discovered that most of the pills were poisonous. There were few cultivation pills, and there were no pills that strengthened the body.

"He actually has ten Star Essence Pills!"

"Star Essence Pills are refined from pure stellar energy. Each one is worth two hundred Star Stones. They're breakthrough pills for the Star Guiding Realm."

Chen Fusheng was overjoyed. Once these things were converted into wealth, together with the storage bag, he had instantly become a Ten Thousand Star Household!

"With these resources, why would I worry about the Five Organs Source Medicine? It's just that with my physical constitution, I'll probably need to prepare around three sets."

Chen Fusheng glanced at the jade token. It bore a silver star pattern, signifying a first-tier Star Official.

In the Inner Courtyard Star Palace, third-tier Star Officials were the highest rank!

Third-tier meant a High-Ranking Star Official. Above them was the Vice Palace Lord, whose official rank was also at the third tier.

The Inner Courtyard had no Palace Lord at all. A few days earlier, when they had gone out to the river to fish, he had heard Mu Zhen mention it. The Star Palace was simply divided by rank, and the Tian Yuan Star Observation Manor was merely an ordinary Star Observation Manor.

Above that was the legendary Heavenly Star Manor!

The Heavenly Star Manor was the cradle that nurtured Heavenly Star Masters, also known as a Sacred Ground for cultivation. With Mu Zhen's status and position, it was still an existence beyond her reach!

The most terrifying aspect of the Heavenly Star Manor was that the Star Palaces it built radiated across the boundless starry sky, gathering immeasurable stellar energy to nourish its disciples.

But the Tian Yuan Star Observation Manor was limited to the starry sky corresponding to this territory!

The path of cultivation was closely tied to the stars in the heavens. Thus, the Heavenly Star Manor placed the utmost importance on them, and Star Lords presided over the Star Palace!

What was a Star Lord? It was not merely a title of office. It also represented supreme power and status. Even the ruler of the Tian Yuan Kingdom had to treat one with courtesy.

After bathing, he tidied the kitchen, changed clothes, and went to the bedroom. He soon fell asleep.

With the hidden danger resolved, he slept exceptionally soundly. When he woke again, the sun was already high in the sky.

Chen Fusheng thought over the events of the previous night once more and found no lingering hidden danger.

The snow outside had stopped. Sunlight shone brilliantly, and a hint of warmth had returned to the world.

"I wonder whether Lie-ge has broken through yet. The Five Organs Source Medicine probably won't be easy to buy. I'll need to find Mu Zhen for help."

Chen Fusheng's thoughts began to stir. This sleep had also restored strength to his weakened body. A little more recuperation and he would be fine.

After changing into a blue robe, he opened the door and saw Lei San sweeping snow.

"Fusheng, I don't know what's going on, but I feel like I have endless strength!"

Lei San muttered in confusion, as if he had been reborn. He tried cultivating, but still failed to guide the stars, which left him somewhat dispirited.

"Don't rush, Third Brother. Your constitution is growing stronger and stronger. That means you have extraordinary talent. Geniuses often awaken later."

"I'm a genius?" Lei San chuckled. Although he knew Chen Fusheng was comforting him, he was still extremely happy.

As they chatted, Chen Fusheng suddenly sensed a fluctuation that made his heart tremble.

Chen Fusheng turned around and only then noticed several people standing at the courtyard gate.

Among them was a dazzlingly beautiful young woman. Chen Fusheng's heart leaped with joy, then fell silent.

The words he wanted to say all stuck in his throat, refusing to come out.

Regarding this nominal elder sister, Chen Fusheng wanted to hear her explanation. Of course, that explanation was meant for Huang Tiancheng.

Lei San was also stunned. The young woman who entered had changed far too much. She possessed an intimidating nobility, making him almost unable to recognize her.

Huang Li wore a silver dress. Tall and graceful, she stepped onto the soft snow in silver boots studded with gems, her eyes fixed on Chen Fusheng as well.

She froze for a moment. Was this really the younger brother she had not seen for nearly a year?

Chen Fusheng had grown to a height of one hundred and eighty-five centimeters. His skin was fair and smooth, his figure exceptionally straight, and his handsome face glowed with vitality. His eyes glittered brilliantly.

Half a month ago, Chen Fusheng had been thin and short. Now he was full of vigor and radiated an imposing presence.

Chen Fusheng glanced at the little boy Huang Li was holding by the hand. The child was only eight or nine years old, with a prominent brow and an unusually vigorous aura of life.

As for the young man on the other side of the child, he was extraordinary. Every gesture carried an overwhelming might, and he possessed a chilling air of looking down upon all living beings.

"This young man is actually a Star Official." Chen Fusheng noticed the jade token hanging at Ling Yao's waist.

"I say, you brat, seeing a Star Official and you still won't come over to pay your respects?" The boy pointed at Chen Fusheng and ordered him in an old-fashioned tone.

Chen Fusheng was somewhat dismissive. Just last night, he had hammered a Star Official to death.

"Third Younger Brother." Ling Yao gave him a faint glance. "Your temper is getting bigger and bigger. You're even more imposing than I am. Sooner or later, you'll trip over your own feet!"

Ling Chen shrank his head but did not take it to heart.

Ling Yao could not be bothered to say more. After all, Ling Chen was still young.

"Fusheng, come over. This is Senior Brother Ling Yao from our Inner Courtyard." Huang Li was radiant as she proudly introduced the young man, as though she had returned home in glory.

"Little Sister-in-Law, he should be Senior Brother Ling Yao, ranked nineteenth in the Inner Courtyard." The little boy corrected her domineeringly, his pride and smugness overflowing.

Huang Li's expression grew slightly unnatural. Ling Yao frowned and said, "Can you shut up? Huang Li and I are only fellow disciples."

Ling Chen muttered unhappily that this was still something that would happen sooner or later.

Huang Li also nodded with a smile, but the smile was somewhat forced.

Compared with Ling Yao, she knew all too well that her own status was so lowly it was hardly worth mentioning.

Lei San grew somewhat nervous. The Inner Courtyard was a place where Other Shore Realm Star Masters secluded themselves for cultivation. Ranked nineteenth? That was outrageous!

Moreover, he was a Star Official with a bright future. A person like this was countless times more noble than Teng Xiong.

"Your name is Chen Fusheng. It seems you've become a cultivator."

Ling Yao glanced at Chen Fusheng, then asked, "How is your grandfather?"

"Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother, but my grandfather is doing all right."

Chen Fusheng set down the broom. "I apologize for the poor hospitality. Senior Brother, please come inside."

As he turned, he patted Lei San's arm without leaving a trace.

Lei San's heart stirred. Are these visitors up to no good?

Because of what had happened with Teng Xiong that day, Lei San remained vigilant. He hurriedly put down the broom and left.

Inside, Chen Fusheng brought out tables and chairs and invited them to sit.

Whatever purpose they had come with, Chen Fusheng did not want to provoke further complications. He only wanted to live in peace.

Ling Chen looked left and right, broadening his horizons. He had never seen such a poor house before. There was not even a servant girl to serve tea and water.

Today is my first time coming to the Outer Sect, and my first time seeing the house poor people live in. Ling Chen snorted inwardly.

"Sit for a while. I'll go check on Grandpa."

Huang Li's expression was unnatural, and she felt even more ashamed. They had come in such a hurry that they had not had time to notify the household to prepare spiritual tea and refreshments for their honored guests.

Given Ling Yao's identity and the lineage behind him, they should have prepared for several days before inviting an honored guest to their home.

"Grandpa, wake up. Honored guests have come to the house, Grandpa..."