Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 869 The Ancient Star of the Heavenly Emperor, the Origin of the Heavenly Court (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
In an instant, it traversed space and precisely caught up with the few skeletal ships that were trying to escape, silently disappearing into their engine cores or energy centers.

"Pfft...pfft...pfft..."

After a few soft thuds, the lights of the stern thrusters on the bone ships suddenly went out, and a series of explosions came from inside the ships. Then they completely lost all power and floated in the starry sky like dead fish. The ships continued to decay and disintegrate at an even faster rate... together with the survivors inside, heading towards their end.

In just a dozen or so breaths, a fleet of Starsea Raiders, capable of plundering small stars, was completely annihilated by this silent poison, without even being able to mount a proper resistance.

The starry sky returned to silence, with only the floating shipwrecks and the faint, lingering toxic energy bearing witness to what had just happened.

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Yunjing retracted the dissipated toxic energy, and the projection of the "Mother Lotus of Ten Thousand Poisons" in his palm also dissipated.

He remained calm, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

"Clear the channel and move on."

He gave the order calmly, and in a flash, he was back inside the "Sky Patrol Ship".

The puppet mechanical beasts silently carried out the orders. The patrol ship adjusted its direction, bypassed the wreckage, and accelerated towards the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" once again.

Through the deaths of the enemies, Li Yunjing gained a more direct understanding of the power of the "Mother Lotus of Ten Thousand Poisons".

A seventh-tier treasure, indeed living up to its reputation.

Sometimes, this thing is even more useful than a celestial artifact. Although celestial artifacts are powerful, they are extremely difficult to activate. Even now, Li Yunjing can hardly unleash one-thousandth of their power.

The "Mother Lotus of Ten Thousand Poisons" has been initially refined by him, and its power has already reached the peak of the seventh level, comparable to a great power in the Integration Realm!

A magic weapon of this level is similar to his own cultivation level, and can unleash even more power.

At the same time, it consumes little energy, and coupled with the special nature of the "Great Way of Poison," its destructive power is so strong that it can be described as invincible in the lower realm.

The "Sky Patrol Ship" completely broke away from the airspace contaminated by the wreckage of the raiders and sailed smoothly toward its final destination, the "Ancient Star of the Heavenly Emperor."

As the distance closed, the star that exuded an ancient and vast aura on the star map became increasingly clear in the observation array.

It was not an isolated planet; it was surrounded by countless satellites of varying sizes, floating continents, and even artificial star rings, forming an extremely prosperous cluster of stars.

Countless streams of light weaved through the area, representing various flying magical artifacts, starships, and even cultivators riding on their escape lights, showcasing the prosperity and power of this place far surpassing that of the "Arcane Holy Star."

Li Yunjing did not directly pilot the "Sky Patrol Ship" into this star field, which clearly had a strict order and defense system.

At the edge of a relatively remote asteroid belt, several days' journey from the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star," he ordered the voyage to cease.

"Hidden here awaiting orders, not to be activated except by my summons."

Li Yunjing gave commands to the puppet mechanical beast.

The massive "sky patrol ship" had runes flowing across its surface, and its light quickly dimmed, eventually merging with the dark starry background around it, like a lurking beast, quietly suspended in the shadow of the meteorite.

Li Yunjing took a step forward, and the magnificent "Starry Sky Robe" on his body changed its light, transforming into a seemingly ordinary blue Taoist robe, and the star patterns on it disappeared.

The immense aura emanating from him, the peak of the Nascent Soul stage and one foot in the Divine Transformation stage, was concealed by a profound breath-concealing technique from the Nine Heavens Responding Thunder Scripture. At this moment, he looked like an ordinary cultivator with a cultivation level of around the peak of the Golden Core stage and a somewhat calm demeanor.

No matter how many experts or powerful worlds there are in this universe, cultivators at the Golden Core realm are definitely not weak!

This level of attainment is neither too high nor too low, enough for him to integrate into this world and explore the secrets of the "Palace of Stars".

He determined the direction, and his figure transformed into an almost imperceptible stream of light, flying towards a life-bearing planet marked on the nearby star map, "Qingmu Star".

According to the basic information accompanying the "Meteorite Order," "Qingmu Star" is an important resource planet and transportation hub under the jurisdiction of "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star." It is frequented by numerous cultivators of all kinds, making it an ideal place to gather information.

In a short while, a planet shrouded in a hazy, verdant aura appeared before them.

Without alerting any patrols that might exist on the planet's perimeter, Li Yunjing found a relatively sparse spiritual energy area on the edge of the planet and silently plunged into the atmosphere like a shooting star.

The landing site was a vast, boundless primeval forest with ancient trees reaching for the sky.

A rich aura of Yi Wood energy wafted over, mixed with the scents of various demonic beasts.

"With a wood-type spiritual root, cultivating here will be twice as effective!"

Li Yunjing's divine sense spread out like a tide, instantly covering an area of ​​a thousand miles.

He quickly pinpointed a direction where there were spiritual energy fluctuations from a gathering of cultivators, as well as the outline of a rather large city.

He used his escape technique, his figure flashing through the forest in a few moments, and he arrived outside the city.

The city wall was built from a giant tree with a bluish glow, reaching a height of a hundred feet. It was engraved with defensive formations. Guards in uniform blue armor stood at the city gate. The flow of people coming and going was bustling, mostly cultivators with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Golden Core. Occasionally, one could sense the aura of one or two Nascent Soul cultivators flying across the sky and directly into the city.

Above the city gate hangs a huge wooden plaque with three large characters written in ancient seal script: "Qingmu City".

Li Yunjing mingled with the crowd entering the city, paid a few low-grade spirit stones as an entrance fee, and successfully entered the city.

The city was even more bustling, with wide streets paved with bluestone slabs and shops lining both sides, with flags fluttering in the breeze.

Shops selling elixirs, magical artifacts, talismans, spiritual herbs, and materials from demonic beasts are plentiful, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining fill the air.

Cultivators frequently flew overhead on flying swords, gourds, or various strange flying mounts, stirring up gusts of spiritual wind.

The architectural style here is completely different from that of "Arcane Holy Star," leaning more towards the pavilions, towers, flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters of "Tianlan Star," full of the artistic conception of the world of cultivation.

The cultivators' clothing is mostly long robes and close-fitting clothes, with few strange or unusual outfits.

Li Yunjing strolled along the street, seemingly casually, but in reality, his divine sense was like an invisible spider web, quietly capturing the countless exchanges of divine thoughts flowing in the air, the conversations in the shops, and even the discussions in the taverns and teahouses.

He needs to know the most authentic and up-to-date information about the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star," especially its power distribution, recent developments, and the rules and taboos for entering.

I walked into a teahouse that looked quite lively and was called "Baixiaoge".

These kinds of places are usually where all sorts of people gather, and they are the most well-informed.

Li Yunjing sat down by the window on the second floor and ordered a pot of local specialty "Qingwu Lingcha" tea. He poured himself a drink and pretended to admire the street scene outside the window, but his ears picked up all the conversations in the teahouse.

"...Have you heard? The 'Xuantian Sword Sect' and the 'Jade Pool Holy Land' almost went to war again over the newly discovered top-grade spiritual vein at 'Falling Star Lake'!"

"Hmph, do these top sects even care about the survival of us rogue cultivators? They've taken all the good resources!"

"Be careful what you say! Be careful what you say! The walls may be overheard!"

"What's there to be afraid of? In Qingmu City, do they think they can control everything? The City Lord's Mansion is directly under the jurisdiction of the 'Heavenly Court'!"

"Speaking of the 'Heavenly Court,' isn't the once-in-a-century 'Southern Heavenly Gate' examination coming up soon? I wonder how many geniuses will be able to leap over the dragon gate and enter the ranks of the Heavenly Court this time!"

"Difficult, as difficult as ascending to heaven! It is said that the only requirement for registration is that one must be a Nascent Soul cultivator under five hundred years old! One must also pass numerous tests, and only unparalleled geniuses can enter..."

"Alas, we have no hope. But I heard that this assessment will be held on the outskirts of the 'Battlefield of Ten Thousand Races,' so we can try our luck there. Maybe we can find some good things left behind by our predecessors..."

"You wish! The 'Battlefield of Ten Thousand Races' is an extremely dangerous place. The outer perimeter is filled with malevolent energy, and spatial rifts are everywhere. Even Nascent Soul True Monarchs dare not venture too deep into it!"

"Breaking news! Ancient ruins of the 'Star Palace' may have been discovered deep within the 'Meteor Sea,' and several groups of people have already rushed there!"

"The ruins of the Palace of Stars? Really? Could it be some old monster spreading false information?"

"There's no smoke without fire! It's said that even the bigwigs of the 'Sky Patrol Bureau' have been alarmed..."

……

A flood of information rushed into Li Yunjing's mind, and he quickly filtered and organized the useful parts.

The "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" appears to be ruled by a vast power called the "Heavenly Court," which includes top sects such as the "Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect" and the "Jade Pool Holy Land."

Entering the core area of ​​the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" seems to require either rigorous testing or possessing a specific identity.

The terms "the Great Examination at the Southern Heavenly Gate" and "Heavenly Register" point to a selection mechanism.

The "Battlefield of Ten Thousand Races," "Sea of ​​Meteorites," and "Ruins of the Star Palace" indicate that this star field is full of both opportunities and dangers.

"Heavenly Court"!
These two words carry extraordinary weight in the cultivation world, especially in top sects like the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" that have a long history and wield power over thunder and punish on behalf of Heaven!
That title is not one that ordinary forces can usurp!

In his understanding, in ancient times, the true "Heavenly Court" ruled over all the heavens and myriad realms, with strict order, numerous immortals and gods, and its power spanned the long river of time and space.

Even though later, due to unknown changes, the immortals retreated and the ascension passage seemed to have problems, making the connection between the lower realm and the immortal realm extremely difficult or even severed, the majesty of the "Heavenly Court" was still imprinted deep in the memories of many ancient traditions.

Who dares to openly establish a "Heavenly Court" in the mortal realm and call themselves the "Heavenly Emperor"?
This is not merely arrogance, but a tremendous provocation against the ancient order and the possibly mysterious rules of the celestial realm!
They will suffer immense karmic consequences!
"Do the cultivators of this realm not know the weight of karma carried by the words 'Heavenly Court'?"

"Or is it... that this 'Heavenly Court' is not the same as that 'Heavenly Court,' but just happens to have the same name?"

Li Yunjing's mind raced, but his intuition told him that things were not so simple.

A power capable of ruling such a prosperous star field, establishing the "Southern Heavenly Gate Examination," and possessing an institution like the "Sky Patrol Bureau" must have a leader who is no ignorant madman.

"Or perhaps... the connection between this realm and the immortal realm has not been completely severed?"

"Could it be that this 'Heavenly Court' has some unknown backing?"

Li Yunjing's hand holding the teacup remained motionless, but his heart was already churning with emotions.

He continued to sip his tea without making a sound, but his spiritual sense was like an invisible net, capturing all the information inside and outside the teahouse.

Before the shock of the word "Heavenly Court" had subsided, another name caught his attention.

"Palace of Stars"!
That's his real purpose!
The "Palace of Stars" was once the overlord of this world, but there is no eternal overlord, and it has long since perished in the long river of history.

The "Heavenly Court" is a force that rose to power after the "Palace of Stars" and became the new overlord.

He possesses the "Meteorite Token" and has a deep connection with the ruins of the "Palace of Stars." This time, he traversed the void and entered the vast universe of stars, his purpose being the treasures here!

The fact that these people were talking about the "Palace of Stars" naturally made Li Yunjing put the matter of the "Heavenly Court" out of his mind and listen to whether these cultivators had any valuable information to share.

The teahouse remained noisy, and the discussion about the ruins of the "Palace of Stars" was gradually replaced by other trivial matters.

Seeing that he could no longer hear any valuable information, Li Yunjing put down his teacup, left the tea payment, and quietly left "Baixiaoge".

Walking on the bustling streets of Qingmu City, his target turned to the shops that sold cultivation resources.

Having just arrived, he needed to understand the local prices, replenish some commonly used supplies, and also see how the resources under the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" differed from those under the "Tianlan Star".

He strolled into a shop with a spacious storefront and a signboard that read "Bai Cao Tang".

The shop is filled with the aroma of herbs, and behind the counter are rows of jade medicine cabinets labeled with the names of various spiritual herbs and medicines.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you need?"

An elderly man who appeared to be in charge greeted them with a beaming smile: "Our shop has a full range of elixirs and spiritual herbs, all of superior quality."

Li Yunjing glanced at the medicine cabinet and casually named several spiritual herbs that were considered relatively rare even on "Tianlan Star" and could aid in the cultivation of the Nascent Soul stage.

"The items you require, fellow Daoist, are all extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes, and his attitude became even more respectful: "'Millennial Jade Marrow Fungus,' 'Seven-Leaf Star Orchid,' 'Earth Core Fire Lotus'... our shop does have them in stock, but the prices..."

He gave a number.

Li Yunjing's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred within him.

The price of these medicinal herbs here is nearly 30% higher than on "Tianlan Star"!

It seems that the cultivation civilization here is flourishing, and the demand for and consumption of high-level resources is also greater.

He inquired about several uncommon medicinal materials used for refining special elixirs or for detoxification and healing, and found that some of them seemed to be more common in this area, and their prices were relatively low.

"This place is rich in the spiritual energy of the Wood element, and it is indeed abundant in wood-related materials and some spiritual materials that rely on the power of life."

Li Yunjing understood.

Instead of buying those expensive Nascent Soul stage main medicines, he spent some spirit stones to buy a lot of local specialty auxiliary medicinal materials and seeds at reasonable prices, intending to cultivate or research them himself in the future.

After leaving "Bai Cao Tang", he entered a magic weapon shop called "Shen Bing Ge".

Unlike the enchanted weapons and magical ornaments at "Arcane Holy Star," this place mainly displays traditional cultivation artifacts such as flying swords, magic knives, treasure seals, and ancient mirrors, with a restrained radiance and simple, ancient runes.

Li Yunjing focused on storage artifacts with spatial attributes, as well as flying artifacts and defensive magic treasures.

After some questioning and comparison, he discovered that the crafting techniques here seemed to be more refined than those of other magic artifacts of the same rank, especially in terms of material purification and the stability of rune engraving, which were slightly superior to those of "Tianlan Star".

"It seems that the level of weapon crafting in this world is indeed unique."

Li Yunjing nodded to himself.

He spent a lot of spirit stones to buy some special metals and auxiliary materials for refining and repairing magical artifacts.

Afterwards, he visited several shops selling talismans, array materials, and even monster materials, gaining a clearer understanding of the cultivation resources and prices within the sphere of influence of "Qingmu Star" and even "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star".

Overall, the area is rich in resources with a large circulation, but competition for high-end resources is fierce and prices are high.

Some local specialty spiritual materials are of good quality and inexpensive, while some general-purpose high-level resources are quite expensive.

As he walked out of a "library" that specialized in selling various jade slips and rubbings of martial arts manuals, the sun was already setting.

He didn't buy any cultivation techniques, but instead bought some basic jade slips containing information about the local customs, monster illustrations, and common formations to broaden his knowledge.

As dusk settles, the night in "Aoki City" remains lively, but it is more tranquil than during the daytime hustle and bustle.

Li Yunjing did not linger on the street for long. He found an elegant inn called "Xiankelai".

Seeing Li Yunjing's extraordinary demeanor, the innkeeper enthusiastically recommended several excellent independent cave dwellings.

Li Yunjing chose a cave dwelling located in the backyard of the inn, which had relatively rich spiritual energy and was equipped with a simple protective array, and paid ten days' rent.

The interior of the cave dwelling was simply furnished with a table, a chair, and a stone bed, but it was clean and tidy, and the array formations also prevented most outsiders from peeping in.

Li Yunjing sat cross-legged on the stone bed, but did not immediately begin cultivating.

He first flicked his sleeves, and on top of the existing formations in the cave, he silently set up several more layers of concealment and early warning restrictions that he was good at, to ensure that nothing went wrong.

After doing all this, he took out the jade slips he had bought at the "Scripture Pavilion" that day, which contained information on local customs, monster illustrations, and other information. He then immersed his divine sense into them and began to read them with great interest.

The information in the jade slip was all-encompassing, though most of it was superficial, but it was just right for a newcomer like him to quickly understand this world.

The "Chronicles of Aoki Star" provides a detailed account of the region's mountains and rivers, major cities, distribution of power, and some famous dangerous and mysterious places.

It mentions that the largest power on "Qingmu Star" is not the City Lord's Mansion, but a local sect called "Qingmu Sect". Its founder is said to have some connection with a star lord of the "Heavenly Court", which is why it was able to occupy a place here.

The City Lord's Mansion represents the "Heavenly Court" in exercising management authority, and the two complement each other.

"Illustrated Guide to Common Monsters in the Celestial Spheres" includes thousands of monsters inhabiting the "Ancient Star of the Heavenly Emperor" and its affiliated stars, with illustrations and text, marking their habits, weaknesses and value.

Li Yunjing even saw several ancient beasts that had long since disappeared from "Tianlan Star," but seemed to still have traces of them in this world.

The book "Analysis and New Compilation of Basic Formations" made Li Yunjing's gaze narrow slightly.

This jade slip is not simply a list of formations, but rather it elucidates the essence of the Dao of Formations from the basic principles of the circulation of primordial energy and the connection of runes. Some of its viewpoints are quite novel and even inspired him, a master of formations. It is evident that this world has a unique lineage in the Dao of Formations.

He also perused a jade slip that recorded major events of the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" and its surrounding star regions over the past thousand years.

It mentions several large-scale "Starfield Expansion Wars," major battles with certain alien races, and some far-reaching heavenly decrees issued by the "Heavenly Court."

Every word reveals the absolute dominance of the "Heavenly Court" over this star region and the unfathomable depth of its power.

"It seems that this 'Heavenly Court' is far more than just a name that has been usurped..."

Li Yunjing put down the jade slip, lost in thought. "Its rule permeated every aspect of life. It was well-organized and strictly governed by laws. It truly had the air of the ancient Heavenly Court ruling over all the heavens."

He had a vague feeling that the waters of this "Ancient Star of the Heavenly Emperor" were deeper than he had imagined.

The "Great Examination at the Southern Heavenly Gate" was probably not just about selecting talent; it may have had a deeper purpose.

However, these are not things he needs to investigate further for the time being.

The most urgent task is to head to the "Sea of ​​Meteorites" as soon as possible to explore the ruins of the "Palace of Stars".

However, based on what we've learned, the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star" is governed by strict laws, making it difficult to enter, let alone travel around and reach the "Meteorite Sea."

"I need to find a reasonable way to integrate with the 'Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star'!" Li Yunjing put down the jade slip and gently tapped the stone bed with his fingertips, making a regular "tap-tap" sound.

"The Great Test at the Southern Heavenly Gate..."

He murmured the name.

This seems to be the most formal, and only, way open to outsiders like him.

By passing the examination and obtaining "Heavenly Status," one can become a member of the "Heavenly Court" system and enjoy corresponding rights and freedoms, including the right to move within a specific area.

But the big exam is still three years away, and he can't wait that long.

The ruins of the "Palace of Stars" are about to be discovered; this opportunity will not wait for anyone.

"Perhaps... we could start with the 'Sky Patrol Division'?"

Li Yunjing's eyes flashed.

According to the jade slip, the duties of the "Sky Patrol Division" are to patrol the star field, uphold the laws of the "Heavenly Court," and suppress interstellar pirates and bandits.

Its members possess certain law enforcement powers and freedom of action, and frequently enter dangerous areas such as the "Meteorite Sea".

If one could join the "Sky Patrol Bureau" in some way, even as a temporary position, it might solve the current problem.

He once again immersed his divine sense into the jade slip that recorded the local customs and features of the "Ancient Star of the Heavenly Emperor," carefully searching for information about the recruitment of the "Sky Patrol Division."

As expected, the jade slip mentioned that in addition to internal training and recommendations from major sects, the "Sky Patrol Division" would occasionally recruit "guest ministers" or "outer patrol envoys" with special talents or strengths from the outside world, especially when there was a shortage of manpower to carry out certain dangerous missions.

These types of recruitment usually have strict requirements, but once approved, applicants can obtain temporary status and generous compensation.

"Guest Minister...Imperial Inspector..."

Li Yunjing had made up his mind.

This might be a shortcut.

As dawn broke, the streets of "Aoki City" were already bustling with people.

Li Yunjing stepped into the grand gate of "Wanbaolou" again. The manager who had received him yesterday immediately greeted him with a big smile.

"Your esteemed presence is an honor to our humble establishment!"

What do you need today?

The manager's attitude was even more respectful than yesterday, clearly indicating that he now regarded Li Yunjing as an important client.

Li Yunjing nodded slightly and said directly, "I need some information."

The manager understood immediately and made a "please" gesture: "Please follow me, senior. There are private rooms upstairs that are quieter."

The two went up to the third floor and entered a quiet room with elegant furnishings and soundproofing.

The maidservant served the spirit tea and then quietly withdrew.

"What kind of information would you like to inquire about, senior?"

The steward personally poured tea for Li Yunjing and asked in a low voice.

Li Yunjing took a sip of tea and said casually, "I've heard that the 'Sky Patrol Division' occasionally recruits people. As I'm new here, I'm quite interested in this. I wonder if your establishment has any connections or knows if there are any such recruitments recently?"

"As expected of a senior, you've set your sights on the 'Sky Patrol Division' as soon as you arrived."

Upon hearing this, the manager's eyes flashed with understanding, but he did not answer immediately. Instead, he pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "To be honest, senior, the recruitment of the 'Sky Patrol Division,' especially the recruitment of external personnel, has extremely harsh conditions, and the news usually only circulates within a specific circle, making it difficult for outsiders to find out about it."

"It's just a small token of my appreciation; I hope you can do me a favor."

Li Yunjing remained calm as a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, radiating pure spiritual energy, slid onto the table beside the steward: "All I need to know is whether there are any connections or whether there has been any news recently."

"Senior, you're welcome."

The steward touched the mid-grade spirit stones with his fingertips, feeling the abundant spiritual power within them. His smile widened, and he quickly put the spirit stones away, lowering his voice to say, "Since you asked, senior, I have indeed heard some rumors."

"About half a month ago, a small team from the 'Sky Patrol Division' did pass by 'Azure Wood Star' for supplies. It seems they lost some men while carrying out some mission in the 'Meteor Sea' and urgently needed to be replenished."

He leaned closer, his voice barely audible: "The one leading the team is a patrol angel surnamed Zhao, with a cultivation level of the early Nascent Soul stage."

"They made a brief stop at the city lord's mansion and seemed to mention recruiting temporary skilled workers, but the requirements were that they be at least at the Nascent Soul stage and have special skills or be able to prove their strength."

"Oh? Do you know where they are now?"

Is recruitment still ongoing?

Upon hearing that this team was actually patrolling the "Meteorite Sea," Li Yunjing's spirits lifted, and he asked questions repeatedly.

"Well... I'm not so sure."

The manager looked troubled. "That squad left the day after they finished resupplying. Apparently, the mission was urgent."

"As for whether the recruitment is effective, I am of low rank and have no influence over that level."

He then changed the subject, saying, "However, if you really want to inquire, perhaps you can try your luck at the 'Wind and Rain Pavilion' in the west of the city."

"Wind and Rain Pavilion?"

"Exactly."

The manager explained, "On the surface, 'Wind and Rain Pavilion' is a restaurant, but in reality... it's a gathering place for all sorts of people, especially some rogue cultivators and mercenaries who travel the Star Sea and live on the edge of death like to gather there to exchange information."

"The place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and while it's well-informed, it's also hard to tell what's true and what's false."

"If you go, senior, please be extra careful."

Li Yunjing noted down the name and then asked, "If you need a reliable intermediary to make the connection, could your establishment perhaps provide an introduction?"

“Senior, you are wise. My ‘Wanbaolou’ is a legitimate business and has no direct dealings with the ‘Xuntiansi’. We would not dare to make such a connection rashly, lest we bring trouble upon ourselves.”

The manager shook his head with a wry smile: "Perhaps... there are brokers at 'Wind and Rain Pavilion' who specialize in this kind of business."

Li Yunjing understood that the steward's knowledge was limited, and it was already rare that he could provide the clue of "Wind and Rain Pavilion".

He didn't ask any more questions, and casually bought two kinds of local specialties for refining weapons before getting up to take his leave.

After leaving Wanbaolou, Li Yunjing headed straight towards the west of the city.

The western part of the city was significantly more chaotic than the city center. The buildings were low and dilapidated, and the cultivators on the streets were generally of low cultivation level, with mixed auras. You could even see some cultivators with murderous expressions and a faint smell of blood on their bodies.

The "Wind and Rain Tower" is easy to find. It is the tallest wooden building in the west of the city. Although it is quite old, it is very popular. Even before you get close, you can hear the noise coming from inside.

Li Yunjing stepped inside, and a scent mixed with the aroma of alcohol and various exotic spices wafted towards him.

The main hall was extremely spacious, filled with rough wooden tables and occupied by all sorts of monks.

Some were playing drinking games loudly, some were talking in hushed tones, and some were drinking silently, their eyes warily scanning everyone who came in.

Li Yunjing's cultivation at the peak of the Golden Core stage wasn't particularly outstanding here, but his calm demeanor still attracted several scrutinizing gazes.

He ignored them, found an empty seat in a corner, ordered a pot of local strong liquor called "Shaodaozi", and drank it by himself. His consciousness, like an invisible spider web, quietly covered the entire hall.

A flood of noisy information rushed into my mind:
"...Damn it, those bastards from 'Black Skull Ridge' are too ruthless. I almost didn't make it back this time!"

"...I heard the 'Gale Squad' got a big order to raid the 'Shattered Star Belt' for a hefty reward!"

"...Those old men from the 'Sky Patrol Bureau' have been cracking down hard lately, making smuggling business harder to do..."

"...Brother, interested in pulling off a heist? The target is a fat sheep, a lone Nascent Soul cultivator..."

"...Breaking news: A suspected ancient cultivation cave has been discovered on the eastern side of the 'Meteorite Sea,' and many people are rushing there..."

Information is abundant and difficult to distinguish between true and false.

Li Yunjing patiently sifted through the information, focusing on words related to "Sky Patrol Division" and "recruitment".

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the hushed conversation of a group of people near the counter caught his attention.

There were three people sitting at the table, all with auras around the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm. They were dressed plainly, but their eyes were sharp and piercing.

"Zhao and his men suffered a significant loss this time. Qian Laowu is dead inside. They urgently need a capable replacement, otherwise the next mission will be even more uncertain."

"That's right, but Boss Zhao has high standards. He wants someone who is not only highly capable but also trustworthy. They're not easy to find."

"I heard that he announced that anyone who can pass the test will have their pay doubled and will have the opportunity to become a full-time employee."

"A test? Hmph, his test is something most people can't pass... But if I can really succeed, the temporary identity of the 'Sky Patrol Division' is a good thing, making it much easier to move around in the 'Meteor Sea'."

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat. The three of them were most likely talking about the small team led by the patrol angel surnamed Zhao that the manager of "Wanbaolou" had mentioned.

He picked up his wine glass, casually strolled over to the table of three, smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoists. I overheard you discussing the recruitment of the 'Sky Patrol Division'. I apologize for disturbing you, but could you please elaborate?"

The three immediately stopped talking and looked at Li Yunjing warily.

"Who is your Excellency?"

The leader, a man with a scar on his face, looked him up and down a few times and said coldly, "We brothers are just chatting, it's not convenient to tell outsiders."

Li Yunjing's expression remained unchanged. A subtle yet powerful divine pressure, as vast as a mountain, vanished in an instant, targeting only the three of them.

The three of them turned pale instantly, feeling as if they were being stared at by a prehistoric beast, and were filled with horror!

This aura... is definitely not that of a Golden Core cultivator!
He is at least a peak Nascent Soul cultivator!

This person's strength is far beyond their reach!
"It's just a small token of my appreciation for the tea."

Li Yunjing quickly withdrew his oppressive aura, still smiling, and took out a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, placing them on the table: "I am Li Wutian, and I am indeed interested in the recruitment of the 'Sky Patrol Division.' I hope the three of you will do me a favor."

Sensing Li Yunjing's unfathomable strength and lavish spending, the three immediately softened their attitude.

"So it's Senior Li!"

The scarred man quickly put away the spirit stones and forced a smile: "My apologies! Since you asked, senior, we will naturally answer to the best of our knowledge."

"To be honest, senior, we do know an angel named Zhao Xun from the 'Sky Patrol Division'."

He lowered his voice and said, "His squad ran into some tough opponents while on a mission in the 'Meteor Sea' a while ago and lost one of their brothers. They are short-handed now."

"Boss Zhao said that as long as you are strong enough and pass his test, you can temporarily join the team and enjoy the benefits of being an external patrol officer of the Sky Patrol Bureau. The mission rewards are generous, and if you can make contributions, you may even have the opportunity to obtain a formal position."

"Oh? I wonder where this Imperial Envoy Zhao is now? And what form does his test take?"

Li Yunjing asked.

"After completing their mission, Boss Zhao and his team will rest and resupply in Guanlan City on Wanghai Star."

"As for the test..."

The scarred man paused, then said, "It's said to be very simple and straightforward!"

"Just withstand three moves from Boss Zhao and you'll be fine."

A thin cultivator next to him added, "Boss Zhao is at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and his 'Star-Splitting Blade Technique' is incredibly fierce. Ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators can't even withstand a single move from him."

"If you want to give it a try, you should do so within your capabilities."

"Thank you for informing me, all three of you."

Li Yunjing nodded: "Would you be so kind as to make an introduction? I am willing to pay a fee."

"Senior, it's not that we're unwilling, but Boss Zhao has a strange temper and doesn't like being disturbed by strangers."

The scarred man exchanged a glance with his companion, then said with difficulty, "We only heard about it by chance and are not qualified to make a direct recommendation."

"If you are truly interested, perhaps you could try your luck at 'Wanghaixing' or 'Guanlan City'. Boss Zhao and his men should stay there for a while to recruit people."

Seeing that it didn't seem like a lie, Li Yunjing didn't press the matter further. He then asked about the approximate locations and routes to "Wanghaixing" and "Guanlan City," before bowing and taking his leave.

Li Yunjing had already made up his mind before leaving the "Wind and Rain Tower".

"Wanghai Star" is a medium-sized life-bearing planet near "Tiandi Ancient Star", and "Guanlan City" is its largest port city.

Going there would allow one to try to contact the "Sky Patrol Bureau" for recruitment, and also bring one closer to the "Heavenly Emperor Ancient Star," killing two birds with one stone.

Without further delay, he returned to his cave dwelling at the inn, tidied up briefly, settled his bill, and quietly left "Greenwood City".

After leaving the city, he found a secluded mountain forest, made sure no one was around, and with a flicker of his body, he transformed into a faint streak of light and sped towards the direction of "Wanghai Star" in the depths of the starry sky.

Several days later, a beautiful blue planet, 70% covered by ocean, came into view.

Li Yunjing reduced his speed, blending into the stream of starships passing by, and headed towards Guanlan City, the most magnificent port city near the planet's equator.

Guanlan City truly lives up to its reputation as the largest port in Wanghaixing, its scale and prosperity far surpassing that of Qingmu City.

The city was built against the mountains and by the sea, and its huge port was filled with thousands of starships of all sizes, from simple wooden sailboats to giant ships thousands of feet long and covered with runes.

The air was filled with the peculiar aroma of salty sea breeze mixed with various spiritual materials and elixirs.

The streets were teeming with people, cultivators of all races jostled shoulder to shoulder, their auras mixed yet powerful. Nascent Soul cultivators were everywhere, and occasionally one could even sense the faint aura of a Divine Transformation True Monarch passing by.

Li Yunjing paid the city entrance fee and strolled along the main street, which was wide enough for ten carriages to pass side by side.

His divine sense was like a finely crafted net, filtering through a massive amount of information and quickly capturing clues related to the Zhao-surname patrol angel of the "Sky Patrol Division".

He did not go to places like the "Wind and Rain Tower" again, but went directly to the most conspicuous building complex in the city, which was shrouded in clouds and mist and bore the emblem of the "Heavenly Court".

That was the "Sky Patrol Division's" outpost in "Guanlan City".

At the entrance of the outpost, guards in standard silver armor, exuding a sharp and capable air, stood watch. Those entering and leaving all had solemn expressions and hurried steps.

Li Yunjing sat down at a teahouse with a good view nearby, ordered a pot of spiritual tea, and appeared leisurely, but in reality, his divine sense had already quietly covered the entrance and exit of the outpost and several nearby streets.

After waiting patiently for about half an hour, finally, a slightly hurried but majestic aura of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator emerged from the outpost, followed by two late-stage Nascent Soul deputies.

The man was dressed in the distinctive silver-trimmed blue official robes of the "Sky Patrol Bureau," with a resolute face and an ancient-style long sword at his waist, the scabbard faintly shimmering with star patterns.

"Lord Zhao, isn't this recruitment too hasty?"

"That 'black vortex' area is extremely dangerous..."

"A deputy said in a low voice, his tone filled with concern."

"Hasty? Qian Wu's revenge cannot go unavenged!"

"Those space pirates must be wiped out!"

"If we're short-staffed, we'll recruit!"

"I refuse to believe that a generous reward won't deter brave men!"

The cultivator, addressed as Lord Zhao, spoke in a low voice, tinged with suppressed anger, "As long as they're strong enough, can pass my tests, and have a clean background, I'll use them for now!"

"Yes, my lord."

"The recruitment notice has been posted, and the assessment location is set at the 'Sword Testing Platform' in the west of the city."

The other deputy replied respectfully.

"Let's go! Let's see if there's anything decent!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Xun led the two men quickly toward the west of the city.

(End of this chapter)