Chapter 656 - 655: The Strong Yet Vulnerable Child Returns to Blue Star

The news that Jiu Li brought caught Li Jing off guard.

Firstly, the bad news was too sudden.

Secondly, he never expected that Jiang Liao, whom he had specially taken care of, would die quietly, and it was apparent that he had known for some time that his days were numbered.

Seeing Li Jing remain silent for a long time without speaking, Jiu Li whispered.

"You need to let Yini know about this."

Li Jing silently nodded, raising his hand to rub his brows.

Jiang Liao had passed away.

He definitely had to inform Jiang Yini about it.

But how should he say it?

Jiang Liao passed away thirty years after his ascension, meaning he had been dead for a full seventy years.

Not to mention, the news was already far too late for Jiang Yini.

Thinking back to Liu Sisi’s prior "reminder," Li Jing felt as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat.

If he hadn’t issued that invitation back then...

Even if Jiang Yini had feelings for him, she probably wouldn’t have taken the initiative to request to ascend together, and they would likely have reunited today after the massive changes of the Big World one hundred years later.

In this case, she would have at least had the chance to fulfill her filial duties by Jiang Liao’s side for thirty years.

She would also have been able to keep her father company on his deathbed.

But there were no what-ifs...

The die was cast, the man was gone.

As he grappled with his feelings, Ji Qing swiftly walked in from the door.

Upon seeing Jiu Li at a glance, she was overjoyed.

"Brother Jiu! I heard you came up and came right away!"

Jiu Li and Ji Qing met later on, but the two got along very well.

In the later stages when she was being "oppressed" by Yulian, the occasional secret gaming sessions with Ji Qing brought her a glimmer of "light".

As a monster mingling in human society, Jiu Li didn’t have many friends at that time, and she was quite introverted.

She knew a lot of monsters, but there wasn’t much interaction.

During that miserable time, Ji Qing’s appearance felt like a savior to her.

Especially on the eve of their ascension, Yulian was pressing her so hard to ensure the company she had painstakingly built could continue after her departure...

Seeing Ji Qing now, Jiu Li got up excitedly and sent a covert message to Li Jing.

"I have delivered the message. The rest is up to you. I’m fine with Ji Qing’s company, you can go ahead."

While sending the message, she opened her arms wide to greet Ji Qing.

"Ah Qing!"

Ji Qing was smart, and she was especially good at being whimsical.

Upon seeing Jiu Li greet her like this, she also opened her arms wide, laughing.

"Ah Jiu!"

Then, the two women gave each other a big hug.

Li Jing watched, torn between laughter and tears, took a deep breath, and got up.

"It’s good that you have arrived, Ji Qing. I need to leave for a while. Jiu Li just came up, you better accompany her."

Ji Qing had become accustomed to Li Jing’s constant hustle and occasional disappearances over the past hundred years since their ascension to the Immortal Realm.

Hearing him say he was leaving, she didn’t think much of it and replied.

"Sure, leave Jiu Li to me, go do what you need to."

Li Jing nodded, stepped forward, and tore the space to leave.

The next moment.

He appeared directly in front of the quiet room where Jiang Yini was in seclusion in the Zhenyuan Tower.

He stood briefly in front of the closed door, then pushed it open.

Jiang Yini was in seclusion.

During the day, the Candle Dragon always accompanied her as a "tool dragon".

Therefore, not only Jiang Yini was in the quiet room at this moment, but the Candle Dragon was also there, meditating with his eyes closed.

Perceiving someone entering the quiet room, the Candle Dragon was the first to slowly open his eyes.

Seeing that it was Li Jing who had come, he was slightly stunned before getting up and paying respect.

"Leader."

Li Jing nodded, waving his hand to indicate no need for formalities.

At this moment, Jiang Yini had also opened her eyes.

Seeing him, she furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Li Jing?"

"Hmm."

Li Jing responded, his gaze turning toward the Candle Dragon.

"Old Dragon, could you excuse us for a bit? Yini and I have some private matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, the Candle Dragon almost shed tears on the spot.

For over a hundred years now.

Because Jiang Yini was immersed in her cultivation, he hadn’t had a day outside in the daylight.

If there was an emergence of feelings between a man and a woman who had been together for a long time, that would be understandable.

The problem was, Jiang Yini was human.

Not his type.

And it was clear that she had a close connection with Li Jing; he wouldn’t dare harbor any thoughts even if he had a hundred times the courage.

This was more than just discomfort!

Without the slightest hesitation, the Candle Dragon bowed.

"I am at your command, Leader. Little Dragon takes his leave."

With a respectful reverent bow, the Candle Dragon quickly left the room without looking back, as if fearing Jiang Yini would call him back.

Li Jing saw this scene and couldn’t help but smile.

These hundreds of years.

It really had been hard on the Candle Dragon...

But next...

He should be able to take a short vacation...

Turning back to look at the puzzled Jiang Yini, Li Jing sat down next to her.

Seeing this, Jiang Yini subconsciously turned her body a bit to keep some distance from him.

A hundred years had blinked by.

Because Jiang Yini was always engrossed in her cultivation, they had little chance to see each other during this period, leading to a slight estrangement between them.

Staring at him with beautiful eyes, Jiang Yini tilted her head, waiting for him to speak.

Upon seeing her like this, Li Jing momentarily lost his well-prepared words at the doorstep.

Jiang Yini was always wise and clever.

Seeing him struggling to say something, she gently frowned.

"What’s wrong? What exactly are you here for?"

"I ..."

Li Jing hesitated to open his mouth. Thousands of words were stuck at his tongue-tip, unsure how to express them.

Realizing that the situation was not right, he gritted his teeth quietly and decided to tell her the truth.

"It was just a little while ago, Brother Jiu ascended and she brought the news about Jiang’s uncle."

Jiang Yini was an understanding person.

The ascension of Jiu Li was a delightful event.

But Li Jing shouldn’t be like this.

He also specifically mentioned the news about Jiang Liao...

Perceiving the several hints, the habitual smile on Yini’s lips faded away. Following that, as if anticipating something, she lowered her eyelids silently.

Li Jing was not a fool.

Seeing Yini’s expression, he immediately realized that she was no stranger to Jiang Liao’s situation.

But that’s how things were.

The truth was even harder for him to confront.

Jiang Yini knew about Jiang Liao’s health, but she still chose to ascend with him. This conviction...

Li Jing knew he should say something right now, but he didn’t know what to say.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Jiang Yini raised her eyes, now rimmed with red.

"When did it happen?"

When faced with her question, Li Jing answered honestly.

"Almost seventy years ago."

"Has it been that long?"

Jiang Yini closed her eyes and sighed before looking up.

"I understand now, could you let me be alone for a while?"

Jiang Yini’s unexpected calmness surprised Li Jing to a certain extent.

When she said she wanted to be alone, he reflexively began to rise from his seat, but he sat down as he realized something was not right.

"No."

"..."

Jiang Yini.

Seeing his caring expression, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"What? Are you afraid that I can’t cope? Do you think I’m immature?"

Seeing Jiang Yini laughing, Li Jing felt an inexplicable twinge in his heart. He silently opened his mouth and eventually decided to say in a half-joking way.

"I... I want to stay with you for a while, just in case... you might need a shoulder to lean on later?"

Upon hearing his words, Jiang Yini tilted her head slightly, bit her lip, leaned over a little, and softly said,

"There’s no need to wait, I need it now."

As she spoke, she closed her eyes and leaned towards him.

Seeing this, Li Jing instinctively reached out his hand.

Before he could pull Jiang Yini into his arms, she brushed past his hands and fell into his arms burying her face in his chest. Soon, the corner of her lips became wet from an unnoticed dampness that spread on his shirt.

Jiang Yini didn’t cry out.

But Li Jing wasn’t so foolish as not to realize what had soaked his clothing.

Sighing silently, Li Jing hugged Jiang Yini by her waist.

"I’m sorry."

Jiang Yini did not respond but buried her face even deeper in his chest, silently pouring out her sorrow.

...

After a while.

Jiang Yini gradually calmed down and gently struggled to get up.

Realizing this, Li Jing quietly withdrew his hand.

Jiang Yini left his chest and turned her head to hide her face.

"I’m okay, you don’t have to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Li Jing spoke.

"Would you... like me to take you back to Blue Star for a visit?"

Jiang Yini turned around in astonishment.

"Is this... possible?"

"In the past, I couldn’t do it, but now I can."

Li Jing looked at her tear-stained face and replied.

In the face of his look, Jiang Yini turned her head away and took out a handkerchief to wipe her cheeks. Feeling a little better, she turned her head back to look at him and asked,

"At what cost?"

"It’s free this time."

Li Jing smiled.

Suddenly hearing this, Jiang Yini twitched with a smile and lightly punched him.

"Don’t joke around, I’m asking about the price of taking me back to Blue Star."

"Ahem."

Li Jing coughed and spoke honestly.

"You should be aware, the Celestial Realm has undergone a tremendous change, Brother Jiu ascended because Blue Star was affected as well. I was involved in this period, a lot also happened, and I obtained some indescribable benefits. Theoretically speaking, I can go back anytime without any cost."

Continuing, he spoke.

"The only thing to note is that once back on Blue Star, we cannot use any power beyond the limit of Blue Star. Otherwise, even though I might not suffer any consequences, you may be accused of defiance and attract the Heavenly Punishment."

Hearing Li Jing’s lengthy explanation, Jiang Yini stared deeply at him for a moment, trying to verify that he wasn’t fooling her.

Seeing his matter-of-fact face, she bit her red lips.

"If that’s the case, take me back for a visit."

"Okay."

Li Jing nodded, then went on to ask.

"Should we leave now?"

"No rush."

Shaking her head, Jiang Yini gently pushed him away.

"Please leave first, let me freshen up."

Li Jing reluctantly stood up, looking at her hesitantly.

"Are you... really okay?"

"Are you hoping I’ll end up in tears, begging you for dear life before you’re satisfied?"

Jiang Yini responded with a question.

Stunned, Li Jing took a step back.

"I’ll wait outside."

"Mm."

Acknowledging with a sound, Jiang Yini waved him away dismissively.

...

Jiang Yini didn’t keep Li Jing waiting for long. Soon enough, she refreshed her appearance and stepped out of her room.

Seeing him waiting by the door, she calmly asked as if nothing had happened.

"How do we get back?"

Seeing her stable emotion, a weight lifted in Li Jing’s heart.

"It’s simple."

He said softly, then waved his hands, tearing open a spatial rift.

He didn’t dupe Jiang Yini.

Returning to Blue Star, he could certainly do so with ease now.

Because...

He is now a Watcher of the Big World.

The title of Watcher granted him many privileges.

As long as he wished, he could now go to any place in the Big World.

The prerequisite was...

He needed to know where that place was.

However, it wasn’t without its costs.

Firstly, all of this was established on the spatial rules he controlled. He needed to have an understanding of these rules to ensure he would not open the wrong passage.

Secondly...

Opening a passage required a bit of his Origin.

How much he needed to use depended on the distance to be traversed at once.

It’s worth mentioning that...

The Immortal Realm and Blue Star are not only located within the same space levels, they are also within the same galaxy and not too far from each other.

However, with the power and level of cosmic exploration of the Blue Star people, they could never discover the Immortal Realm, which was closed off and hidden by special rules.

Therefore, returning to Blue Star was nothing for Li Jing.

He was a person with six Origins after all.

Sacrificing a little bit didn’t matter much.

Though the loss of origins could not be reversed, as long as he continued his Cultivation, his Origin would steadily grow stronger.

He estimated roughly...

For Li Jing to open a spatial passage to Blue Star, he’d lose the Origin equivalent to two levels. By hunting two Essence Source-rich monsters, he could easily recover it.

Jiang Yini was now also the master of Thirteen Realms and closed to Half-step Return to Origin.

In fact, she had studied the rules of space during her hundred years of harsh cultivation, but she hadn’t yet mastered these rules.

But the cognition and control of spatial rules brought about by the Venerable Realm allowed her to recognize that the spatial rift opened by Li Jing led to her most familiar homeland – Blue Star.

Glancing at Li Jing, Jiang Yini couldn’t help commenting.

"You, really... are becoming more and more... unpredictable..."

Dumbfounded, Li Jing extended a hand.

"Your words are somewhat ambiguous."

Jiang Yini laughed, looking at his extended hand.

"Going by what you said, only Brother Jiu has ascended, right? If we’re going back, shouldn’t we fetch Sisi and the others so they can go home too?"

"Sisi and the others were forced to cross disaster due to the changes in the Immortal Realm’s energy. It might be one year or half that before they can finish."

Li Jing responded, saying.

"I will arrange for them to go home later if they wish."

Hearing this, Jiang Yini nodded, hesitating before placing her delicate hand in his.

Without delay, Li Jing pulled her into the spatial rift.

...

Space Travel was short-lived.

In the blink of an eye, Li Jing and Jiang Yini arrived in Blue Star, appearing above the capital of Longyu Country.

However, before they could take a good look at the city below that was once familiar but now strange, a long alarm sounded, followed by the tense and repressive triple wind siren.

Li Jing and Jiang Yini were both stunned by the sudden alarm. They soon understood why this highest level of alarm had been triggered.

The reason...

Was their return.

How could they be so sure?

Opposite them, an enormous air fleet hovered in the sky.

One battleship after another locked onto them, their main guns already fully charged.

Behind the fleet were dozens of true airborne carriers.

On the flight deck, gigantic aircraft crafted like flying swords were ready to launch.

After more than a hundred years...

Blue Star had indeed developed rapidly.

Forget the numerous airships and carriers that refreshed their cognition, the giant aircraft crafted like flying swords were far beyond their previous conception.

It was understandable for Li Jing not to have known them.

However, Jiang Yini was a high-ranking official in the Management Bureau.

The Jiang family, which had served Longyu for generations, backed her.

When it came to confidential things, she knew a lot.

Now it was clear that Longyu’s capital was heavily guarded, ready to defend against threats it had anticipated before they even arrived. Li Jing and Jiang Yini, who had been mistaken for the invaders, exchanged a glance and pulled out their Management Bureau badges from their separate worlds.

A hundred years had passed, and Longyu had undergone a tremendous technological revolution.

However, the identification mechanism for Bureau badges had not changed.

Because the mechanism and the manufacturing method of the badges were perfect, there was no need for changes.

Li Jing and Jiang Yini’s badges had been retained as souvenirs and had been canceled in actuality, but they could still be identified.

Then...

As soon as the badges were authenticated, the alarms that echoed throughout the capital of Longyu were immediately deactivated, but the air fleet still remained on high alert.

Seeing this, Li Jing and Jiang Yini did not react.

Their badges may have been canceled, their records still existed.

Their identities would soon be confirmed.

Returning after a hundred years...

They knew, without thinking, that many things and people had changed.

They didn’t want to cause trouble, and they didn’t want to create problems for their past homeland.

...

The efficiency of the Longyu Administration Bureau was as high as ever, not leaving Li Jing and Jiang Yini waiting for long.

Recognizing the Management Bureau’s ID, which had been cancelled a hundred years ago, the relevant information was quickly reported to the higher-ups and then confirmed.

Not for a moment.

A stream of light rushed towards them and revealed itself in front of the two.

The person.

It was Chen Jing.

Upon seeing him, Li Jing smiled slightly.

"Uncle."

Chen Jing, who is now one of the Guardian Gods of Longyu, initially could not quite believe that he was meeting someone-

Ascended.

He never heard of anyone who could come back.

As for this kind of thing happening in front of his eyes, it’s not a joke.

As for the person who traveled through space to arrive here, God knows what their background is.

The appearance seen by the naked eye may not necessarily be the truth.

Especially given the fact that just before Li Jing and Jiang Yini arrived, a great change took place on the Blue Star, the whole world was in chaos, and all the countries have entered a state of high alert.

Upon hearing Li Jing’s voice, Chen Jing finally dared to make a real confirmation.

"Good boy! You...why did you suddenly come back?!"

Surprised and delighted, Chen Jing looked at Jiang Yini with a pause in his expression, and then realized that he had asked a very stupid question.

It’s said that when you care too much, you tend to get confused.

Seeing his son-in-law again after a hundred years of separation, all his attention was on Li Jing.

Otherwise, with his detailed thoughts.

Just Jiang Yini being by Li Jing’s side, how could he not realize why he had returned?

Jiang Yini had always been well versed in the ways of the world.

Meeting Chen Jing’s gaze, she gave a light laugh and nodded.

"Brother-in-law."

After greeting him, she disengaged her small hand from Li Jing’s and said,

"I am going home first; you can catch up with your father-in-law. I’ll come looking for you later."

With that, she controlled the sky and moved toward the Jiang family’s residence.

Of course, Li Jing would not let Jiang Yini go alone, but he was not in a hurry to chase after her, instead turning his gaze to Chen Jing.

"Uncle, I’ll be excusing myself for a moment."

Chen Jing is not an idiot.

He had realized why Li Jing and Jiang Yini had returned, and he certainly couldn’t say that since they had come to catch up with him, he should hold them back.

In comparison.

The way the two were holding hands earlier was something he cared about too much.

What’s the meaning of that?

Did this kid, Li Jing, after going to the Immortal Realm, even seduce his sister-in-law?

However, after a careful thought, Chen Jing felt that this shouldn’t surprise him.

Even before they ascended, there was already a hint of something between the two.

Looking into it more closely.

When Jiang Yini decided to leave her home and follow Li Jing to ascend to the Immortal Realm, one could tell with a toe that it couldn’t be simply because of they were friends.

All at once, this made Chen Jing feel a bit uncomfortable.

The key is that the family hierarchy got messed up!

He squeezed a smile, and Chen Jing nodded slightly.

"The Blue Star has undergone drastic changes, and I was responsible for staying behind in the country, while your aunt and Liu Shi have gone to other critical places. You go take care of your matters first, and I will let them know to come back later, and we can catch up then."

"Alright."

Li Jing smiled and said,

"Uncle, if there is anything in Longyu that needs my help, you can collect it. On the Blue Star, I can’t use too much power, but I can still solve some small problems that bother you."

This statement, Chen Jing not only liked to hear?

The Blue Star has undergone drastic changes, and over the past hundred years, the once top country in the world, Longyu, has not only had its position shaken, but has also experienced significant internal chaos.

The key is.

Due to the strengthening of the country over the past hundred years, the resources obtained by the cultivators in the country are abundant.

Strong ones like Jiu Li, who ascended all of a sudden because they couldn’t hold back when things happened, are too numerous to count, and most of them are related to the official side of Longyu, making it so that there was a shortage of manpower in Longyu for a time.

If this were not the case, Jiang Jingxian and Liu Shi, who like him, were also Guardian Gods of Longyu, would not have left the country’s capital.

The greatest significance of the existence of a country’s Guardian Gods is to guard the core of a country.

If not for the fact that there was no other way, at this moment, all three of them should be stationed in the capital to guard it.

Now Li Jing is back.

This good son-in-law even made a statement here.

What could be the problem, then?

Chen Jing knows Li Jing.

This kid...

Damn it, he’s a monster!

After ascending to the celestial realm for a full hundred years, God knows how powerful this kid has become now.

The mere fact that he can return from the Celestial Realm proves a lot.

Coughing, Chen Jing said seriously,

"You, an ascendant from the Celestial Realm, returning to participate in the affairs of the Blue Star, this is not appropriate, It’s too bullying."

With that, he changed the subject.

"The military satellites should have captured the moment when you and Yini returned. You wouldn’t mind if I made the footage public worldwide, would you?"

Li Jing was at a loss, then responded in a strange voice,

"Wouldn’t that bring trouble to Longyu?"

"No, times have changed, and Longyu is no longer the same Longyu as it was a hundred years ago."

Chen Jing laughed and said,

"Just give me a word, is it okay or not?"

"I don’t mind, go ahead and do as you see fit uncle."

Li Jing responded with a smile,

"After all, I won’t be staying on the Blue Star for long, so don’t worry too much."

"Alright."

Chen Jing happily rubbed his hands together, suddenly realizing that he should be aware of his image as an old father-in-law, and coughed before straightening up.

"You can go catch up with Yini, she has always been stubborn but is actually soft on the inside, you better pamper her more."

Li Jing grinned and nodded, his figure moved towards the Jiang family’s residence.

.....