"I never realized you had so many secrets, hiding so deeply."
On the hillside below the Star Gate, State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao towered above, looking down at Xu Jin with a cold smirk.
With a casual gesture, he propped up a beam of Starlight, enveloping them both.
He ensured that no sound would escape.
Xu Jin stood there, head bowed, shrinking his head.
He felt as if he was a student caught skipping class by a school officer.
Of course, that was all he felt.
Discovered by the State Preceptor Cheng, Xu Jin also realized the gravity of the situation.
Although, from this incident, it seemed that State Preceptor Cheng’s attitude towards Lingji Star Hall was somewhat ambiguous,
Xu Jin dared not take the risk.
With thoughts racing, he pondered how to respond, or rather, how to make up a story.
But in the next instant, State Preceptor Cheng’s words shattered all of Xu Jin’s illusions.
"Star Healing Technique, Disguise, Heavenly Saint Qi, Invisibility, Purple Thunder Bomb, Lingji Remnants, your identity is more explosive one after another. The whole Dachen is searching for the Lingji Remnants, but I never expected that such a person was hiding among my disciples.
I must say, you have far more guts than I imagined.
Even I would not have dared to play this way," State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao said with a cold smirk.
Having even his identity as a Lingji Remnant exposed by the State Preceptor, Xu Jin was terrified and secretly thought that it was all over.
But after hearing what State Preceptor Cheng said next, Xu Jin somewhat relaxed.
Judging by the sound alone, he guessed that the consequences might not be as bad as he feared.
"Disciple wouldn’t dare to compare with you! You are the sun and the moon in the sky, and I am but the mud beneath your feet..." Xu Jin shamelessly started to flatter.
How can I be the sun and the moon!
I couldn’t kill that Hu Zhen,
but you, a Lingji Remnant, did.
If you are the sun and the moon, then I am indeed the mud at your feet," Cheng Yuxiao said with a sneer.
Xu Jin dared not speak anymore, not knowing where he had slipped up to be recognized by the State Preceptor.
"Come on then, tell me what’s going on? What’s with this Star Gate? How did you summon Hu Zhen here?" Cheng Yuxiao continued to ask as Xu Jin remained silent.
Upon this topic, Xu Jin felt heavy at heart.
The massacre in Shilong County was ultimately related to him and Qi.
Xu Jin carried a deep sense of guilt within him.
This was the very reason why Xu Jin had been tirelessly participating in the relief effort for the past three days without sleep.
As his Star Power depleted, he drew directly from the Starlight of the Candou Platform, not sleeping at all.
He just wanted to save people.
"State Preceptor, how can you be sure that I am the one who killed the Divine Soul of Hu Zhen, the Lingji Remnant?" Xu Jin asked, lowering his head.
This was what Xu Jin most wanted to know at the moment.
If the State Preceptor could see it, couldn’t others easily recognize it as well?
And Xu Jin had thought he had covered his tracks perfectly.
Yet he was seen through by the State Preceptor.
"Humph, the Chaotic Star Pendant was given to you by me.
Few people can wield the power of the Star Dome Protector, especially those below Fifth Tier.
Those adept at Thunder Star Skill are even rarer.
In addition, you asked me those questions through Starlight Transmission earlier.
I also noticed you were not in the National Taoist Institute.
Combining all these, even a fool could guess it was you," Cheng Yuxiao said with a sneer.
"I wasn’t in the National Daoist School..."
Xu Jin was about to ask how it was discovered, but then he thought, with the capability of State Preceptor Cheng, it would be very easy to send someone to the Daoist Institute to confirm his absence.
In an instant, Xu Jin deflated like a punctured balloon, spreading his hands out and saying, "Alright, State Preceptor, I am indeed the Lingji Remnant who executed Hu Zhen’s Primordial Spirit. At that moment, I was just too angry to hold back, and seeing the opportunity, I couldn’t help but strike.
State Preceptor, you won’t kill me, will you?" Xu Jin looked up and asked.
Cheng Yuxiao’s face turned serious.
A slap hit Xu Jin on the back of his head, "Am I that stupid to kill you? Even if I wanted to kill you, I would lock you up first and torture you day and night, making you use up all those Gold Stars and Bright Stars before I would casually kill you."
Xu Jin was shocked by these words, his complexion changing.
If it were really like that, it would be worse than death.
Better to just kill him.
"Look at you, scared! Sit down."
Cheng Yuxiao casually sat down on the grass, patted the space next to him indicating Xu Jin to sit, and then let down his long hair that had been tied up.
"Twenty-four years ago, I first entered the Da Chen National Daoist School. Back then, Dachen honored the Lingji Star Hall, and as the Top of the Autumn Exam of the National Taoist Institute, I was granted permission to cultivate in secret within the Lingji Star Hall for a month and was passed on a Divine Soul Star Pattern.
Twenty-three years ago, I won first place in the great competition, achieved a Miracle Merit, and earned the qualification to cultivate in the Spirit God Secret Realm of the Lingji Star Hall. There, I succeeded in Star Casting my Divine Soul.
Twenty-two years ago, I joined forces with disciples of Lingji Star Hall to conquer the Fire Radiant Star Domain.
If we’re really counting, I suppose I should also be considered a Lingji Remnant."
Listening to State Preceptor’s narrative, Xu Jin’s heart settled instantly.
The State Preceptor was clearly indicating his stance to him.
With the State Preceptor being so straightforward, there was no point for Xu Jin to keep hiding anything.
Right away, he told the entire story about Qi Shanye.
Listening, the State Preceptor also sighed with emotion.
"Old Qi, I knew him well too. He beat me up back in the day. It’s a pity he was just too stubborn. If he had come to Wanyi to find me, I would have resolved an identity issue for him no matter what.
And as for choosing a successor, does one really need to coerce by threatening the life of his whole family?"