Chapter 1017: Changes in the Star Origin Guards

In the central camp of the Star Origin Guards...

Zhuge Xiang stared at dozens of captains who were sitting upright across him. Comparatively, the several camp commanders who were present seemed a little more casual.

His expression was sunken as he growled, “Can someone tell me what the hell happened?!”

As soon as the words left his lips, even the camp commanders tensed up slightly. They no longer acted as casually as before.

Zhuge Xiang continued, “When did we become an organization so full of holes that not only could an assassin kill someone under our protection, but he even managed to escape unharmed? There’s also the matter of the Azure Flame World. I barely heard its name, but almost every single faction outside already heard the news!”

Even though Zhugu Xiang’s tone remained the same as he spoke, anyone who was familiar with him would be able to hear the killing intent smoldering under his calm facade.

The Star Origin Guards Commander, Zhuge Xiang, was utterly enraged!

Even if he restrained his aura completely, the anger of a fourth tier Martial Void Realm True Immortal wasn’t something to scoff at. It was more than enough to cause everyone present to tremble in their boots.

Seeing as no one was planning to give him an explanation, Zhuge Xiang’s gaze landed on the Martial Void Realm and Martial Dipper Realm members of the Star Origin Guards.

“Hu Linghua, Fan Guang. You’re the camp commanders of the Third and Fourth camps respectively. What do you have to say about this?”

A cultivator whose skin was as clear as jade and had a body bulging with muscles got to his feet and reported, “The flying ship from the Azure Flame World was discovered by the fourth and sixth squads of the Third Camp. When we returned to the Land of Star Origin, the cultivators on board were entrusted to the guards in the Fourth Camp. 2 captains on our side left after the handover. As of right now, we have recalled the guards under them. They have already been placed under custody and we are finding out how news of it leaked.”

Zhuge Xiang snorted coldly and he could already guess that it wasn’t just a single person who revealed confidential information to the great powers. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many factions who heard of it.

Hu Linghua, the Third Camp Commander sighed softly in response, “This subordinate has neglected his role and failed to keep everyone in check. Guard Commander, please strip me of my position!”

Zhuge Xiang stared at Hu Linghua with a profound gaze before turning away. “We’ll deal with that another time.”

Hu Linghua forced a chuckle and sat back down. At the same time, he was pretty sure he would have to properly purge the Third Camp of anyone who was found colluding with outsiders. In fact... there might be a huge batch of them he would have to deal with!”

The Fourth Camp Commander was an old expert whose hair and beard had started to turn white. His name was Fan Guang, and one could see the vicissitudes of time etched onto his wrinkled face as he forced a chuckle in response. “After our Fourth Camp received the flying ship, we sent the third and fifth squads over to provide protection. However, the assassin who came seemed extremely familiar with our formation, and not only did he find a blindspot in our defenses, he seemed to be extremely familiar with the arts of assassination. The moment he made his move, he heavily injured the Martial Dipper Realm expert we were protecting. The expert we were protecting couldn’t even split off a Fate Dipper Clone in time and the second attack came. The second strike completely destroyed his soul and by the time I arrived, the assassin already escaped. The defenses of the third and fifth squad were also completely broken...”

“Heh... Hehe... This is great. This is amazing!” Zhuge Xiang was angered to the point he broke out in laughter. Gnashing his teeth, he continued, “Someone actually dares to challenge the prestige of our Star Origin Guards! How many years has it been since the last incident?!”

Fan Guang sighed, “Guards Commander, I was negligent and underestimated our opponent. I have humiliated our Star Origin Guards and I am willing to take responsibility for my actions. Even if I am relieved of my post, I will accept my punishment.”

Zhuge Xiang sighed softly in response. “Camp Commander Fan, allowing news to leak from our Star Origin Guards can only be attributed to us being too lenient when leading our members. However, to allow someone to destroy our protective formation would mean that we aren’t capable enough. You have served the Star Origin Guards for tens of years now, and you have always done your job well. Let’s leave this matter behind us and we shall thank you for your service. From this day forth, you should enjoy your life of retirement.”

Fan Guang forced a smile in response as he cupped his fists, “Many thanks, Guards Commander...”

Compared to being let go for his incompetence, making Fan Guang resign from his post allowed him to retain his final shred of dignity. It could be said to be Zhuge Xiang’s appreciation for his tens of years of service.

Waving his sleeves once, Zhuge Xiang indicated for Fan Guang to take his leave. The other camp commanders and captains quickly got to their feet to send him off.

Among the 7 camps of the Star Origin Guards, Fan Guang was the oldest camp commander with the exception of the other 2 Martial Void Realm commanders. Slowly taking off his Star Robes, he eventually left the camp.

Behind him, the various camp commanders and captains stared at his desolate figure as he made his way out and felt strange emotions welling up in their hearts.

“Alright. Tell me, who should take the place of the Fourth Camp Commander?” Zhuge Xiang’s voice scattered the somber atmosphere and everyone perked up. There seemed to be rays of lights flashing in many people’s eyes as they looked around.

“According to the rules, the deputy camp commander should take up the position...”

“Hmph! The Deputy Fourth Camp Commander is a joke! Qu Youdao, weren’t you the captain in charge of the third squad who allowed the assassin to succeed? You also accepted a new Star Origin Guard into the squad but the moment he ran into the assassin, he was so scared he backed off, allowing the assassin to get away! Is the Star Robe on him a piece of decoration?!” Zhuge Xiang snorted.

Qu Youdao, the Deputy Fourth Camp Commander, felt his face burning up but he didn’t dare to retort.

With the Fourth Camp Commander made to retire, the captains of the third and fifth squads who failed in their tasks would also face massive scrutiny. Both of them wouldn’t be in line to take up the position.

One of the captains of the Fourth Camp tried to argue. “Even so, the Fourth Camp Commander should be a captain within the Fourth Camp. At the very least, we’ll be familiar with everyone here and we can save a lot of time breaking in...”

“Heh, familiar with everyone there...” A sneer came from the side. “Are all of you familiar enough with each other such that all of you will back off when facing the enemy?”

2 captains from the Fourth Camp turned to glare at the person who spoke, but before they could say anything, a voice boomed through the air.

“Shut up! Sit down!” The person who spoke this time was someone sitting a little closer to Zhuge Xiang. He was the Second Camp Commander, He Yingrui, and he was a True Immortal. He turned to Zhuge Xiang and continued, “Guards Commander, our Star Origin Guards have remained passive for too long. It’s time for us to deal with this matter firmly and decisively. We definitely need to discipline our members properly, but we cannot overlook the matter of the Azure Flame World. We cannot weaken ourselves at this moment...”

Zhuge Xiang seemed extremely compelled to listen to the Second Camp Commander and he quickly asked, “Do you have any suggestions?”

He Yingrui responded immediately. “After some restructuring, there will definitely be people who will leave our Star Origin Guards. In order not to lose too much combat power, with the exception of those who were already in line to join us, we should recall those old fellows who were forced to leave the Star Origin Guards for one reason or another in the past. Even if it’s a temporary measure, it would be better than nothing.”

Zhuge Xiang nodded instinctively after listening to He Yingrui. However, he suddenly asked, “Commander He, why isn’t Captain Feng with us?”

Slightly taken aback, He Yingrui gathered his composure before responding, “Captain Feng is extremely close to breaking through to the Martial Void Realm. I have approved her request and she would be in secluded cultivation frequently.”

Nodding slightly, Zhuge Xiang chuckled, “During the exchange between those True Immortals above the Star Relay back then, Captain Feng managed to last all the way to the end. With her foundations, she is indeed a good candidate to enter the Martial Void Realm. However, one cannot break into the Martial Void Realm through secluded cultivation. One needs to make a lot of preparations before looking for the right opportunity. Actually, an expedition to the Azure Flame World might be a good chance for her!”

He Yingrui hesitated slightly and wondered out loud, “Guards Commander, do you mean...”

Zhuge Xiang smiled in response. “Since the position of the Fourth Camp Commander is open, she can take on the role for the time being!”

He Yingrui wanted to say something, but Zhuge Xiang’s gaze already landed on the last camp commander present. “Camp Commander Xing, are you able to deduce the position of the Azure Flame World in the sea of stars?”

Xing Xingtian, the Seventh Camp Commander, seemed unconcerned with the entire conversation from the very start. Now that Zhuge Xiang directed a question at him, he finally snapped back to attention. “Guards Commander, even though the leader of the Azure Flame World’s flying ship was killed, from the item he left behind and the description from the Martial Extermination Realm cultivators who lived, I should be able to trace the path they took. I would most likely be able to calculate the coordinates of the Azure Flame World, but... I would need a little time!”

Without a change in expression, Zhuge Xiang asked, “How long will you need?”

“This...” Xing Xingtian paused slightly before he explained, “I can’t say for sure.”

A frown formed on Zhuge Xiang’s face. “Camp Commander Xing, you’re the only Stargazer in our Star Origin Guards. Even you’re unsure how long it will take...”

Xing Xingtian revealed an uncertain expression but before he could say anything, a light flashed in his eyes. “Guards Commander, how far can a True Immortal send a flying ship through space?”

“What do you mean?” Zhugu Xiang's pupils constricted slightly and realized Xing Xingtian might have a plan.

“According to the cultivators of the Azure Flame World, their True Immortal barely broke through. It’s extremely possible that he’s only at the first tier of the Martial Void Realm. From the time the guards of the Third Camp discovered them, we can trace the distance it took. Actually, the furthest place it can be won’t be further than the 5 Spirit Worlds and the 7... No, 6 Azure Worlds that are connected to us.”

True Immortal Liu Jiuzhen, the captain of the First Camp who had been silent the whole time, finally said, “Do you mean that there’s an Azure World lying within the territory of our Star Origin City the whole time?!”

Xing Xingtian didn’t deny the possibility. Instead, he continued, “What I’m trying to say is that... Could the threat to the Azure Flame World be one of the worlds connected to us?”

Tian Moran, the captain of the second squad of the Second Camp, who had also reached the Martial Void Realm, also spoke. “Do you mean that as long as we keep an eye on the worlds connected to us, we’ll be able to learn of the Azure Flame World’s coordinates?”

“Exactly. I feel that the identity of the assassin has already exposed the fact that one of those worlds is the culprit!” Xing Xingtian nodded in response.

...

As change was sweeping through the Star Origin Guards, Luo Qi finally awakened from a deep meditative state in a quiet courtyard in the city.

As he examined the Fate Dipper Essences in his dantian that were slowly fusing together, he tried to act as calmly as he could. However, tears still formed in his eyes as he cried to himself.

I didn’t think that it really was possible to merge different Fate Dippers together! It won’t be long before I will be able to restore my cultivation and become a true first element Martial Dipper Realm expert! There will be nothing stopping me from returning to the Star Origin Guards!