"All disciples, hand over your Star-picking Orders immediately, no questions asked, just do as I say, and you’ll get them back later."
As the triumphant disciples were in high spirits, Supervisor Chen Liao, accompanied by several black-clad supervisors, suddenly arrived on the second floor of the Star-picking Tower, unleashing the Seventh Tier aura without any reservation, startling the disciples into looking doubtfully at the present Great State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao.
"Follow the Supervisor’s arrangement; it’s just routine discipline."
With that said by Great State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao, all disciples could only comply with Supervisor’s demand, swiftly handing over their Star-picking Orders before being taken by the black-clothed supervisors into the quiet rooms that had been prepared in advance.
Xu Jin, Dong Zhao, and others surrendered their Star-picking Orders as instructed, and only after doing so did they fully understand what this was all about!
The immediate confiscation of all Star-picking Orders was to prevent the message from being passed on, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
In addition, each disciple was taken individually into the quiet room to be instructed on confidentiality matters, with strict orders not to disclose anything seen, heard, or discovered during the Lougong Battle to anyone except for the State Preceptor, Left Libationer, and Supervisor.
At the same time, there was also a seal placed by the Nine Bright Chime, augmented by State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao.
Xu Jin was unsure about the effectiveness of the so-called sealing with the augmentation of the Nine Bright Chime, but its deterrence was extremely strong.
If someone really wanted to leak information, they had to think twice about the consequences.
What if the seal of the Nine Bright Chime really took effect?
That was the National Treasure, after all; if its power were to erupt, who could withstand it?
The main purpose was to ensure the utmost secrecy of the feat of seizing multiple Star Domains.
Seizing a Third-tier Star Domain was already a rare occasion.
But this time, Dachen had conquered four at once!
Including the Purple Wind Star Domain, that made five.
It was already frightening enough!
In Xu Jin’s view, this was like a super-strengthened version of Datang’s Jimi policy.
Datang’s Jimi policy was only about control and leverage, but the Star Domains conquered by Dachen would provide a continual influx of substantial resources and sometimes even reinforcements.
It wasn’t quite the same as expanding territory, but it was far stronger than the vassal states.
Moreover, they had unprecedentedly conquered a Fourth-tier Star Domain.
Another Fourth-tier Giant Elephant Star Domain could potentially be conquered in the future.
If this news were to spread, it was hard to imagine what situation Dachen would face.
Therefore, everyone, including Xu Jin, Dong Zhao, Pan Hong, Meng Yanhui, Yu Da, and others, had to accept the sealing by the Nine Bright Chime.
This action by the National Daoist Institute was actually extremely advantageous for Xu Jin.
At least Xu Jin’s real combat power, Star Skill characteristics, and genuine battle achievements could be perfectly concealed.
Earning six Gold Stars made him just a super genius.
But a super genius who could directly slay the Fifth-order Ninth-layer Alien Clan King was something completely different.
At the top floor of the Moon-getting Building in the Great Chen Imperial Palace.
Qian’an Emperor Gao Ye was gazing distantly in the direction of the Da Chen National Daoist School, with Chief Chu, hands clasped in his sleeves, slightly stooped at the waist and standing by.
"My companion, the Lougong Battle should be coming to an end, right? The disciples who participated have returned, haven’t they?" Qian’an Emperor Gao Ye suddenly said.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, less than two hours remain until it concludes, and the outcome should be as expected! Your servant here would like to congratulate Your Majesty in advance. In this session of the Lougong Battle, Dachen has outperformed the Tianyang Star Hall and proudly claimed first place.
For the next three years, our Dachen’s Star Picking Tower tribute will be significantly eased, and Your Majesty’s burden will be much lighter. As for the participating disciples, they have already returned," Chief Chu reported softly.
Qian’an Emperor, his face expressionless, hummed lightly, "And the inside story?"
"It is said that as soon as these disciples returned, the State Preceptor imposed a gag order and even utilized the Nine Bright Chime. I was a step too late and could no longer gather intelligence. The State Preceptor said that once his Lougong Battle duties are completed, he will submit a detailed report to Your Majesty," Chief Chu responded.
"Submit a detailed report!"
Upon hearing this, Qian’an Emperor Gao Ye couldn’t help but sneer, "I’m afraid it’s going to be a glossed-over account! Even with Xu Jin’s previous feat of claiming six Gold Stars, he had the audacity to deny it to me; what wouldn’t he dare do!"
With that remark, Chief Chu involuntarily shrank his neck and only after a long while did he speak in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the State Preceptor must have his difficulties."
"Are those his reasons for deceiving his sovereign?"
"When I asked him about the arrangement for the last of Xu Jin’s Gold Stars, he also prevaricated. Tell me, is he still my State Preceptor?"
Qian’an Emperor’s Gao Ye’s questioning drained the blood from Chief Chu’s face; these words were not easy to reply to.
If he agreed with the Qian’an Emperor, that would be instigating discord between the Great State Preceptor and the Emperor.
If the Grand Steward or the State Preceptor heard of it, he would surely be skinned.
Yet to disagree would only further infuriate the Emperor.
But to be honest, at least for the current Dachen, they really could not do without the Great State Preceptor.
"Your Majesty, after all, the Gold Stars are in Xu Jin’s hands," said Chief Chu cautiously.
Qian’an Emperor Gao Ye harrumphed, "And how many Gold Stars Xu Jin actually has is still under question! The State Preceptor says there’s only one left, but I have my doubts."
"That... I do not know."
Upon hearing this, Qian’an Emperor turned his head and glared at Chief Chu, causing Chief Chu to lower his head even more, "After all is said and done, it’s because you haven’t broken through to the Eighth Tier. Otherwise, either you or my backbone could be a bit stiffer, couldn’t it?"