Family (Seeking Support)

"This station reports that recently, our city's Patrol and Inspection Department, in cooperation with the Market Supervision Bureau, conducted a special operation, successfully dismantling an illegal market, arresting over ten wanted criminals, and killing several..."

"The Market Supervision Bureau has issued a notice stating that black market transactions are illegal and citizens are encouraged to actively report them."

In the Liang family home, Liang Ji's parents, rarely back from their contracted Spirit Fields, were having dinner with Liang Ji.

On the projected screen, a news report was playing, capturing Liang Ji's attention.

"Little Ji," his father called out then. Liang Ji turned his gaze towards him.

His father said, "This morning, someone visited us, bringing gifts. You weren't here, and we weren't sure if it was appropriate, so we didn't accept it."

"Gifts?" Liang Ji asked, slightly surprised. "Who was it? And why would they send gifts to our family?"

"It was a manager from Yunting Group, someone from the Yun Family," his father replied.

"The Yun Family?" Liang Ji immediately thought of Yun Lai, whom he had met on the trial star.

"Yes, the Yun Family of Mayor Yun," his father nodded.

On the trial star, Liang Ji had heard Fang Xiaohan talk about the Yun Family's situation. They had several Star Lords and were a truly powerful family in Xiushe City, consistently controlling many important positions in the City Council and City Hall.

Such a family sending gifts to them?

Although the visitor was just a manager from one of the Yun Family's subsidiary group companies, it undoubtedly represented the Yun Family's intentions.

Liang Ji couldn't help but put down his chopsticks and asked with a frown, "Did they say anything specific?"

"They didn't say much, but from what I gathered, they seemed to want to win us over. They also asked if I was interested in working for the City Patrol and Inspection Department."

"And they mentioned, intentionally or unintentionally, the upcoming election next year. I suspect they're eyeing the votes you hold, Little Ji. They want you to cast a vote for someone from the Yun Family in next year's City Upper House election."

The Star Alliance operated under an Alliance Council System. Each Main Star had significant autonomy, and the cities within the Main Stars also possessed considerable self-governance.

Within each city, there were an Upper House and a Lower House. The Upper House members were chosen from the city's Star Lord cultivators, elected by all Star Lord cultivators in the city. The Lower House members were chosen from cultivators of other Orthodox traditions, elected by the other Orthodox cultivators in the city. Elections were held every ten years.

Subsequently, the City Council elected and appointed the city's mayor and formed leadership teams for various departments.

The Main Stars and the organizational structures within the Star Alliance were similar, also featuring Upper and Lower Houses at various levels.

Xiushe City was due for its decennial election next year.

Students like Liang Ji, who were in their final year of high school and had recently become Star Lords, had all turned eighteen. As Star Lord cultivators, according to Star Alliance law, they naturally possessed the right to vote and be elected, making them eligible to participate in the Xiushe City Upper House elections.

Of course, newcomers like Liang Ji, lacking wealth and power, could basically only vote. They wouldn't even be nominated for election.

And the Yun Family, as an established Star Lord family in Xiushe City, might not necessarily lack his single vote.

Liang Ji suspected it was more likely that his Retainer, the Half-Dragonfolk, had caught the attention of some individuals with its performance in the previous trial.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Liang Ji looked at his father and asked, "Dad, what do you think? Do you want to join the Patrol and Inspection Department?"

"Why ask me?" His father shook his head directly. "You're a Star Lord. Our family will rely on you in the future, and everything will be based on your needs."

Liang Ji nodded and pondered, "The Patrol and Inspection Department... we could indeed join."

"Not just Dad, Mom could also find a position in a municipal department later on."

"Those Spirit Fields you're contracting are completely unnecessary. Once I advance to Second-Tier Star Lord, the harvest from cultivating Spirit Plants and Spirit Medicine on my Natal Star will yield far more than the hard work of farming those Spirit Fields."

"Instead of that, it would be better to join a government department. You can live comfortably, enjoy some internal government resources and benefits, and it would also be beneficial for your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, his father's face clearly showed a hint of interest. He cultivated the Human Immortal path and was still stuck at the Eighth-Rank Acupoint Refining stage. Without a fortuitous encounter, he would likely never cultivate beyond the Seventh-Rank Soul Refining level in his lifetime, let alone achieve Human Immortal status.

The Human Immortal path was divided into nine ranks: Ninth-Rank Body Refining, Eighth-Rank Acupoint Refining, Seventh-Rank Soul Refining, Sixth-Rank Will Refining, Fifth-Rank Martial Saint, Fourth-Rank Shattering Vacuum, and Third-Rank Human Immortal.

Each step was more difficult than the last, and each advancement required vast resources.

And his mother, who cultivated the Qi Refiner tradition.

The Qi Refiner path was also divided into nine ranks: Ninth-Rank Qi Refining, Eighth-Rank Fiend Refining, Seventh-Rank Gang Refining, Sixth-Rank Golden Core. After forming a Golden Core, one would focus on refining it. Three turns of the Golden Core made it Fifth Rank, six turns made it Fourth Rank, and nine turns made it Third Rank.

Liang Ji's mother was still at the Ninth-Rank Qi Refining stage and hadn't even accumulated enough Fiend Qi resources needed for Fiend Refining.

Under normal circumstances, they might work their entire lives and only manage to help his mother barely achieve Gang Refining, without even being able to form a Golden Core.

But since they had embarked on the path of cultivation, who wouldn't want to reach higher peaks and witness more beautiful scenery?

It was just that most lacked the opportunity and couldn't see the path ahead.

And now, Liang Ji was undoubtedly the greatest opportunity for his parents.

"However, there's no rush for this," Liang Ji said at this moment. "After I take the college entrance examination, you can get involved in politics. You should be able to get a higher and better starting point."

His mother's eyes lit up at this, and she looked at him, asking, "Little Ji, are you very confident about the college entrance examination?"

Only if Liang Ji achieved good results in the college entrance examination and joined a better Academy would their family receive more attention, and their parents' entry into politics would have a higher and better starting point.

Liang Ji smiled and nodded, "I do have some confidence."

Liang Ji's father and mother's smiles became even more pronounced.

"Good! Good!" His father praised repeatedly. "Let's put these matters aside for now. Everything will focus on your cultivation and the college entrance examination."

"Little Ji, regarding your cultivation, is there anything we can help with?"

Liang Ji shook his head and said, "My cultivation is fine, and my retainers are also on the right track. Just wait for my good news."

After talking with his parents, Liang Ji returned to his bedroom to check the 'Star Compass'. The information on it had been updated significantly.

Star Lord: Liang Ji.

Cultivation: Nine-Rank Body Refining (Muscle and Bone Training 10%).

Natal Star: Dragon Soul Star.

Star Diameter: 1366 km.

Star Composition: Earth (42%), Metal (12%), Water (23%), Wood (13%), Fire (6%), Air (4%).

Spirit Vein: Tier 1 (1%).

Retainer: Half-Dragonfolk.

Dao Fruit: 0.07%.

Because he had obtained some Spirit Seeds, Spirit Roots, and Spirit Springs during the trial, Liang Ji chose to refine some of them into his Natal Star. Therefore, his Natal Star had grown considerably in area over the past few days, and the proportions of various elements within it had also changed.

As for the crucial Dao Fruit, it had also grown somewhat due to the development of his Natal Star and his Half-Dragonfolk retainers, increasing from 0.05% to 0.07%.

Once this Dao Fruit fully matures, and the Star Lord reaches Third-Rank Void Refining Perfection, he will be able to consume the Dao Fruit and attempt cultivation in the Second-Rank Dao Integration Realm.

This is also the biggest difference between the Star Lord's cultivation and other orthodox paths. Most other orthodox paths can only cultivate up to the Third Rank, with no further progress. They cannot integrate the Dao, let alone transcend, ascend, or become saints.

Retainer: Half-Dragonfolk.

Tier: Tier 1.

Quantity: 10,000 (Tier 1: 2,389, Tier 0: 7,611).

Religion: Heavenly Emperor Faith (Worship: Xi).

Politics: Small Tribe (Leader: King).

Economy: Farming, Animal Husbandry (Leader: Nong).

Military: Hunting Team (Commander: Chi).

Skills: Snake Barbarian Scripture (Hegemonic Body), Mountain Splitting Axe, Flying Snake Spear, Bedrock Shield.

The Half-Dragonfolk retainers had undergone significant changes. Their total number had reached ten thousand, which was the current limit that Liang Ji's Natal Star could generate. To increase them further, he would need to refine more Demon Cores and improve the Star's Spirit Vein and Natal Star.

However, thanks to the rewards from the 'Starlight Rain' and the increasing number of Spirit Roots and Spirit Seeds planted on the Dragon Soul Star, the conditions had improved. More and more Half-Dragonfolk retainers had awakened their bloodlines and spiritual intelligence, advancing to Tier 1. Their numbers had already exceeded two thousand, with an awakening rate of over one-fifth.

Liang Ji believed that if this development continued, by the time of the competition, the number of his Tier 1 retainers would undoubtedly be even greater.

Another big shot has released a new book in the Xianxia genre!

(T_T) The Xianxia new book rankings are going to drop another spot.

Family, please show your support!