Chapter 212: Returning to the Star Realm

Chapter 212: Returning to the Star Realm

"You're going to the Star Realm?"

In a private room of a restaurant, Zhao Manying looked at Ji Xinghuo in surprise, suddenly finding the food in her mouth less appealing.

Ji Xinghuo nodded, "Yes, I've made up my mind."

"Why?" Zhao Manying asked, puzzled as she had a good understanding of Ji Xinghuo's situation. "You've just merged with the electrostatic field. Next, you should focus on practicing and improving your star power. Try to reach the bottleneck of an advanced alien and then prepare for the star gland implantation to become a super alien."

"Before I become a super alien, I want to merge with another alien species, and for that, I need to find a new expansion wonder." Ji Xinghuo replied.

As he spoke, he fed some grilled meat to Qinghong, who was sitting on the table.

Qinghong had shrunk to half a meter in length, its body a mix of green with gold and silver patterns, resembling an ordinary reptilian pet but with a more slender build.

Having not eaten in nearly a month, Qinghong devoured large amounts of food at every meal as if making up for lost time.

"Expansion wonder..." Zhao Manying sighed, feeling helpless.

She and Ji Xinghuo had shared information about their respective mergers, and they had already used all the expansion wonders available for purchase.

Even the ones that were not for sale, they had managed to obtain.

Ji Xinghuo's desire for another expansion wonder was not a matter that could be solved with money alone.

In fact, he had already requested one from the Sword Bureau, and Zhou Yi had immediately agreed, providing a Qingkong fruit the very next day.

"Which part of the Star Realm do you plan to go to for an expansion wonder?" Zhao Manying asked.

"The Bloody Highlands," Ji Xinghuo replied.

His answer startled her.

Even though Zhao Manying had never ventured into the Star Realm herself, she had heard of the infamous Bloody Highlands.

Located west of the Thousand Peaks Forest, it was an immense highland several times larger than the territory of the Sky Feather King's Court, said to be as vast as the entire planet Earth.

The Bloody Highlands were characterized by high altitudes, with hundreds of thousands of towering peaks forming an endless mountain range. The terrain between the mountains was treacherous, and the climate varied and complex, giving birth to countless species and monsters while also harboring numerous treasures.

There was no single unified nation in the highlands, as countless Star Realm alien tribes, kingdoms, and cities vied for power.

Among them were also dozens of galactic civilizations, creating a chaotic situation with constant warfare.

In this land, the only constant was the absence of order.

On a scale of 1 to 10, if the danger level of the Thousand Peaks Forest was a 2, then the Bloody Highlands would be a 5 or higher!

However, danger often came hand in hand with opportunity.

The Bloody Highlands offered far more resources and opportunities than the Thousand Peaks Forest.

For aliens from Earth who wished to leave the Thousand Peaks Forest but had no desire to join the True Dragon Empire, the Bloody Highlands was the top choice.

Among the hundreds of vassal states and border regions surrounding the True Dragon Empire, the Bloody Highlands was one of the most well-known. Even the citizens of the True Dragon Empire, including the True Dragons themselves, often ventured into the Bloody Highlands in search of their own opportunities.

In the south of the Empire, there was no better place to forge one's path than the Bloody Highlands!

Ji Xinghuo had heard of this place before.

In his recent research, the Bloody Highlands had immediately caught his attention. At least three rare expansion wonders were known to originate from this place.

Moreover, with the constant battles and the law of the strong prevailing, he would have ample opportunities to harvest spiritual source energy.

There could be no better place for an adventure.

"Are you sure it's safe to go to the Bloody Highlands as just an advanced alien?" Zhao Manying asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"Don't worry," Ji Xinghuo said with a relaxed expression. "I wouldn't go if I wasn't confident. My electromagnetic induction ability will help me avoid most powerful enemies."

"Alright..."

Zhao Manying put down her chopsticks and looked at Ji Xinghuo seriously. "But we haven't reached our hundred-day mark yet."

The two of them had agreed to date for a hundred days.

From the beginning of March to the end of May, there were still about ten days left until they reached the hundred-day mark.

Ji Xinghuo nodded gently, "I know."

"So, what's your decision?" Zhao Manying pressed, "Do we continue, or do you have other ideas?" The other idea, of course, being a breakup.

"Doesn't our relationship continue even after a hundred days?" Ji Xinghuo reached out and held her slender, strong hand, a smile playing on his lips. "You've always said that we're moving too fast. I don't want to make a decision on the day our agreement ends, so I'll go to the Star Realm. We can take some time apart to calm down and think about what we truly want."

Zhao Manying looked at him, at a loss for words for a moment.

Finally, she nodded, "Alright."

She offered him a sweet smile, "I'll wait for you to come back safely." Then she asked, "How long will you be gone?"

"Haha..."

Ji Xinghuo laughed. He understood the underlying meaning behind Zhao Manying's words and assured her, "I won't forget about you."

"Mhm."

Zhao Manying responded softly, and Ji Xinghuo felt her grip on his hand tighten slightly, as if she was reluctant to let go.

"While I'm away from Earth, please look after my family." Ji Xinghuo's expression turned solemn. "Of course, there probably won't be any issues, but what I mean is, if they encounter any troubles they can't handle, I hope you can lend them your support."

Without hesitation, Zhao Manying replied, "You don't need to tell me that. I would do that regardless."

"Thank you."

Ji Xinghuo felt somewhat relieved and continued, "You also need to be careful. Revenge is not something to be rushed. Your safety comes first. We're still young, and there will be opportunities in the future."

"I know what I need to do. You don't have to worry about me." Zhao Manying walked around from the side of the table and sat down next to Ji Xinghuo.

The two of them didn't bring up the topic of the Star Realm again and instead enjoyed the rest of their dinner.

After the meal...

Ji Xinghuo went to meet his second brother, Zhong Ming, and informed him that he would be leaving for the Star Realm. He left him with five True Dragon Coins, which could be sold in case of emergencies to support their family financially.

Earlier in the day, Ji Xinghuo had already discussed his plans with Zhou Yi at the Sword Bureau.

As a Red Cloud Swordsman, he was free to act as he pleased when not on a mission, including entering the Star Realm, and Zhou Yi readily agreed.

According to Zhou Yi, Ji Xinghuo's trip to the Star Realm would allow him to avoid the Qian Yuan Conference, making it even safer.

Late that night...

Ji Xinghuo donned his ceramic steel armor, with Lei Chi and Mo Yin sheathed on his back. He also carried the Invisible Sting and a quiver of arrows, fully equipped and armed.

"I should be going now."

Zhao Manying saw him off at the door without any fuss. She gave him a deep kiss and whispered, "Come back soon. I'll be waiting for you."

Ji Xinghuo nodded, taking one last look at her exquisite beauty before turning and walking out the door.

After leaving home, he first made a trip to the Sword Bureau to return the Purple Lightning Sword. He then boarded a Sky-Space fighter jet belonging to the Sword Bureau and headed directly to Chaka City, entering the Star Gate Fortress. Without having to queue, he passed through the official personnel channel and entered the Star Gate from above.

The world spun around him, and the scenery changed before his eyes.

Ji Xinghuo stood in the Star Gate Square of Olympia, gazing at the azure sky as he took a deep breath, effortlessly adapting to the breath of the Ten Thousand Spirits.

"I'm back!"

He whispered to himself, feeling incredibly comfortable.

It was daytime in the Star Realm.

However, Ji Xinghuo felt a slight chill. When he had left for Earth, the Star Realm had just entered the "Quiet Moon." One hundred and fifty days on Earth was equivalent to two months in the Star Realm, and now, the "Quiet Moon" and "Comfort Moon" had passed, ushering in the "Interval Moon."

The cold season in the Star Realm lasted for nine months, and the Interval Moon, as its name suggested, was the middle month.

The weather during the Interval Moon was pleasantly cool.

If one had to draw a comparison, the current season in the Star Realm was akin to autumn on Earth—neither too cold nor too warm, with an average temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.

But as the season progressed, it would get colder, the nights would lengthen, and the starlit nights would shorten until they eventually ceased to exist, and the cycle would begin anew.

Ji Xinghuo strode forward, making his way out of the Star Gate Square and into the bustling crowd.

His pace gradually quickened as he entered the Dongxia District, wandering aimlessly along the streets. His face remained expressionless, but a cold snort escaped his lips.

As soon as he entered the Star Realm, he had sensed someone secretly observing him, likely having waited for quite some time.

His electromagnetic induction ability quickly locked onto the person's location.

Ji Xinghuo was about to lure the person out, but they were extremely cautious. Before he could make any further moves, they turned back and entered the Star Gate, disappearing from sight. The Star Gate they entered led to the region of the West African Alliance, corresponding to the Abuja Star Gate on Earth.

"Qian Yuan Conference..."

Ji Xinghuo's face was expressionless as he thought about this organization, whose true extent of power remained unknown. It seemed that they had already infiltrated the Star Realm.

Now that they knew he was in the Star Realm, would they make a move?

"They're like a persistent shadow!"

Ji Xinghuo sighed, not wanting to dwell on the matter further. He continued to scan his surroundings with his electromagnetic induction ability to ensure that he wasn't being followed.

He circled around Olympia City, procuring a batch of supplies.

Various arrows, food, water, and consumables were all stuffed into his dimensional stomach pouch before he finally returned to the villa on Qinghao Street.

As expected, the villa was empty.

Ren Mian had not yet returned, and although Jiangnan Cayi tended to the garden, it was evident that it wasn't as well-maintained as when Ren Mian took care of it herself. Many of the plants were in poor condition.

As he walked, Ji Xinghuo couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

The previous year, his first hunting trip had been along this very route with Ren Jie and the others, and everything seemed unchanged.

After traveling for over ten kilometers, when there was no one around, Ji Xinghuo took Qinghong out of his pocket.

Then, he threw it to the ground.

"Quick, grow!"

Qinghong revealed its true form, its body over six meters long, blocking the road as it stood on all fours with its head held high. Its long tail swayed excitedly behind it, and it let out a low, excited roar, happy to be back in the Star Realm with its high-density ether energy.

Ji Xinghuo patted Qinghong's head and threw a large chunk of meat into its mouth.

As it ate, he jumped onto its back.

One benefit of Qinghong's transformation into the 'Lizard Dragon' was that its current form was perfect for riding.

There was no need for a saddle; Qinghong's spine was just right for riding, with the perfect width and height.

"Run!" Ji Xinghuo commanded.

Qinghong swallowed the meat in its mouth and immediately sprinted forward, moving its four limbs in a snake-like motion. Its body was more elongated than a typical lizard, and while its running posture looked awkward, its speed was incredible, providing Ji Xinghuo with a smooth ride, even better than riding a horse.

The scenery on both sides flashed by, and the wind howled in his ears.

Ji Xinghuo estimated that Qinghong's running speed exceeded 100 kilometers per hour, and this was just its regular running speed; it could easily double that with full force.

With Qinghong's stamina, it could run for seven or eight hours without feeling tired.

Along the way...

As Qinghong ran past other hunting teams, they would tense up, but before they could even form a defensive stance, Qinghong would be long gone.

Ji Xinghuo rode atop it, overtaking one team after another.

No one dared to provoke him; Qinghong's mere presence was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the other aliens.

In just over an hour, Qinghong had run beyond human territory, and the road disappeared.

Ji Xinghuo oriented himself and continued westward.

By nightfall, he was already over 500 kilometers away from Free City.

In the past, it would have taken him and Ren Jie two days to travel this distance. However, he didn't set up camp and instead used his electromagnetic induction to scan the surroundings, letting Qinghong continue running through the night until, as dawn approached, Qinghong finally tired.

Ji Xinghuo set up camp in a forest, hunted a spotted elk, and fed it to Qinghong.

After dawn, they set off again.

On the third day...

A familiar steep valley came into view, and Qinghong stopped at the edge of a cliff, with Ji Xinghuo riding on its back, looking ahead.

"Juefeng Valley!"

He was all too familiar with this place.

Qinghong let out an excited roar, its voice sharp and shrill like an infant's, but one could tell it was happy to be home.

"Let's go, head in."

Ji Xinghuo gently patted Qinghong's neck, and it immediately jumped off the cliff. Its four sharp claws dug into the cliff face, and like a gecko, it effortlessly climbed down the wall and onto the ground, dashing into the valley and running through the dense forest and underbrush.

Soon, his electromagnetic induction detected a large group of Stone Golems.

"It's been a while since I played the baboon killer." Ji Xinghuo drew his Invisible Sting and urged Qinghong to charge towards the group of Stone Ghouls.

From a distance of seven or eight hundred meters, the Stone Reaper came into view.

Ji Xinghuo jumped off Qinghong's back, and as he landed, he activated his stealth ring to conceal himself. Qinghong also shrank to a few centimeters in length and crawled onto his body.

Soon, they were within range of the Invisible Sting.

Ji Xinghuo climbed up a large tree, stood on the treetop, and drew his bow, shooting an arrow at the largest elite Stone Golem in the group.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end