I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 390: Chapter 110: New Permissions

Above the Purple Qi Cloud Terrace, in front of Purple Tenuity Palace.

Gou Chen Star Officer, with clouds beneath her feet, flew over swiftly, a gloomy aura about her, indicating that her mood was not at all pleasant.

“What happened?” The Supreme noticed that the state of the Gou Chen Star Officer seemed a bit off and asked, “Was the trip to the Taiwei Court not smooth?”

“What did the Taiwei Monarch say?” Tianyi frowned and said in a deep voice.

Half a month ago, the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin once again encroached upon the celestial territories of Da Qi, seizing another Star Officer.

This enraged the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of Da Qi beyond measure, and the leader Tianyi even dispatched an avatar to come down. After consultation among the high-level officials, they decided to send a high-ranking star officer from the Heavenly Human Realm to Southern Jin to inquire what exactly the intentions of the Taiwei Monarch were.

Officially, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of the three nations should be as branches of the same tree, complementing and supporting each other, standing together against external demons and Evil Gods.

Although no one really took this seriously on a daily basis, such brazen territorial aggression and seizure of star officer positions by the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin was unprecedented.

It was way too overbearing.

Having completely abandoned any sense of righteousness, it was entirely appropriate for the Ziwei Faction of Da Qi to go and demand explanations with moral high ground on their side.

“The Taiwei Monarch refused to see me and spoke arrogantly, harboring ambitions for the position of the Ziwei Master,” Gou Chen Star Officer said gravely, obviously immensely angered. While speaking, her chest heaved with rage that even a Celestial Man’s composure couldn’t suppress.

In fact, she was still holding back; what the Taiwei Monarch really said was, “The Empress Star seeks an audience now? She’s quite impatient. Let her wait until I attain the imperial throne, then I’ll go and bestow my favor upon her.”

To Gou Chen Star Officer, this was nothing short of a blatant insult!

If it weren’t for the fact that they were at the Taiwei Monarch’s home turf, a hasty attack would certainly put her at a disadvantage—otherwise, she would have already commenced a massacre.

“Coveting the position of the Ziwei Master?”

“Is the Taiwei Monarch out of his mind?”

The Supreme and Tianyi exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes. They then both laughed, “The Taiwei Monarch has no idea how powerful the Ziwei Master really is.”

A mighty being capable of slaying even a Tao Lord in his previous life, and this Taiwei Monarch was actually coveting his behavior, completely oblivious of his own impending doom.

“The Ziwei Master… isn’t he only at the Secret Six Rank?” Gou Chen Star Officer was somewhat puzzled and inquired, “Even though the position of the Ziwei Master is indeed extremely high, that Taiwei Monarch…”

She was unaware of Zhou Heng’s real identity in the outside world, which was a common situation within the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers.

Apart from the guides and those they led, as well as the two elders, The Supreme and Tianyi, who resided in the Purple Tenuity Palace, few knew each other’s true identities in the outside world.

“You mean to say that although the Taiwei Monarch is only at Absolute Fourth Rank by cultivation, he has the power close to a Celestial Man due to the authority his star position grants him?” The Supreme said with a smile.

“Exactly.” Gou Chen nodded lightly, “Though I despise that Taiwei Monarch, his strength cannot be underestimated.”

“Once the Ziwei Master breaks through to the Sect Fifth Rank, perhaps he will be able to restrain the authority of the Taiwei Monarch’s star position,” Tianyi said soberly. “After all, the Taiwei Monarch is a subject of the Great Emperor of Ziwei; no matter how strong, he is bound to be restricted.”

“`

“This…” Gou Chen Star Officer was still somewhat uncertain, her willow brows slightly furrowed beneath her mask, she sighed and said, “I do hope so, but on one hand, achieving Sect Fifth Rank is not so easy to breakthrough, previously, it seemed Master of Ziwei was only at the True Energy Realm.

“Moreover, the authority of the Taiwei Monarch’s star position is really very strong, as soon as I stepped into the boundary of the Taiwei Mansion, I had not yet seen the Taiwei Monarch, I already felt a great oppression.”

“Gou Chen, you have joined the organization for a short time and are not too familiar with Master of Ziwei…” The Supreme was about to explain a few things when suddenly his eyes lit up with great joy, and he turned his head towards the direction of the bridge of starlight.

“Master of Ziwei is here! Thank goodness! He’s made a breakthrough!!”

…

The familiar purple Star River, the familiar chanting of prayers.

Zhou Heng had returned to the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, and just as he had anticipated, upon arriving there, he received information transmitted from the Purple Tenuity Palace.

New authorities were unlocked.

The elevation in authorities brought about by this realm breakthrough was tremendous.

Compared to before, it can even be said that it allowed his position as “Master of Ziwei” to undergo a fundamental enhancement.

There were five new authorities:

① Star Officer Identification (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, allowing him to sense the location of every Star Officer within the Purple Tenuity Palace, ignoring the constraints of distance and world. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits.

② Demarcation of Heavenly Domains (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, based in the Purple Tenuity Palace, it allows for a re-demarcation of the heavenly domains, and a redetermination of the domain affiliation of each Star Officer. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits.

③ Deposition of Star Officers (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it empowers him to dismiss any Star Officer from their star position. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, this requires the expenditure of merits to condense a star sigil, issue an edict, and only if the Star Officer accepts the edict, can the deposition be successful.

④ Information Announcements (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it allows him to issue informational announcements to all or a subset of Star Officers, whether they wear a star position mask or not, they will receive the message. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits.

⑤ Star Position Grace (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it allows him to bestow upon a Star Officer a legacy of a star position that corresponds to their own. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits. Upon bestowing, the Master of Ziwei will also acquire a corresponding legacy.

Acquisition of these five authorities of the Master of Ziwei truly distinguished Zhou Heng from the other Star Officers, even giving him the authority to depose Star Officers, turning him into an elevated existence above the Star Officers.

Furthermore, the execution of the Master of Ziwei’s authorities is not only restricted to the domains of the Purple Tenuity Mansion and the Seven Lodgings of the Azure Dragon but can also be enacted upon the domains of the Taiwei Mansion, Tian Market Mansion, Seven Lodgings of the Vermilion Bird, Seven Lodgings of the Black Tortoise, and Seven Lodgings of the White Tiger.

Zhou Heng, who was a relatively high-ranking Star Officer before, is now a true Master of Ziwei.

“The authority to depose Star Officers, for now, doesn’t need to be used and should not be disclosed,” Zhou Heng thought to himself, and mused, “Revealing this authority before having truly strong prestige is absolutely more harm than good.

“The most pressing issue in the Purple Tenuity domain is still the encroachment from the Taiwei Mansion of Southern Jin, having already lost two star positions, I can first publicly reveal the authorities that are useful for this matter, to deal with the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin.

“Besides that, the authorities that I previously had no opportunity to unlock can also be activated now, the authorities of merit transactions and mission issuances – these two alone could throw the operations of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer into radical transformation.”

With his mind made up, Zhou Heng flew onto the Purple Qi Platform, arriving in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace.

The Supreme and the embodiment of heaven’s law still stood guard at the palace gates, and beside them stood a woman – the Gou Chen Star Officer.

All three of them noticed Zhou Heng’s arrival, and they quickly sensed the change in the energy emanating from him.

“Master of Ziwei, you have broken through to Sect Fifth Rank!”

“`

“Congratulations! Grandmaster Zhou Heng, it is indeed a joyous achievement. Haha!”

The Supreme and Tianyi both smiled, feeling very delighted in their hearts.

Now, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer of Da Qi is being oppressed by the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin, with even the Celestial Domain being eroded and having lost three star positions. There is an urgent need for a breakthrough to strike back.

Without a doubt, Zhou Heng, the Ziwei Master, is the best hope.

“Congratulations, Master Ziwei.” The Gou Chen Star Officer also offered congratulations on one side.

Although she did not believe that the Master, after advancing to Sect Fifth Rank, could contend with the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin, as a fellow member of an organization, she too would feel joyous over a breakthrough in realm.

Every member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer knows that the organization is inseparable from themselves, and the stronger the organization becomes, the greater the support they receive.

“I’ve seen the three seniors.” Zhou Heng bowed with a clasped fist salute, then turned to The Supreme and Tianyi with a smile and said, “Seniors, living up to expectations, after my breakthrough to Sect Fifth Rank, I indeed gained new authority.”

“Haha, I knew it!” The Supreme joyfully said upon hearing this, “Could it be possible to confront the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin?”

“Master Ziwei, please tell us what new authority you have.” Tianyi also started to smile.

“New, new authority?” Surprised upon hearing this, Gou Chen’s bright eyes turned towards Zhou Heng, filled with confusion and curiosity.

“Whether I can confront the Taiwei Monarch remains to be seen, but countering the erosion of the Southern Jin’s Taiwei Enclosure is no problem,” Zhou Heng said with a smile. “Moreover, it’s not just about countering; we can also strike back effectively.”

“How so?” The Supreme’s eyes brightened with joy as he said, “How can we strike back?”

“Yes, how can we strike back?” Tianyi also hurriedly asked.

These two Celestial Men spent their days here in the Purple Tenuity Palace and often went back to view the Zhou Tian Star Chart; each time they saw the Celestial Domain being eroded by the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin, they felt frustrated.

But for the time being, they didn’t have a way to strike back, not even one to resist.

This feeling of powerlessness was truly stifling.

Now, hearing that there was hope to strike back, they naturally rejoiced.

“Now, I can expend merit to reallocate the zones of the Celestial Domain and redefine the jurisdictions of the Star Officers,” said Zhou Heng with a smile. “This way, not only can we reclaim the star positions eroded by the Taiwei Enclosure, but we can also erode theirs in return.”

“Reallocate the zones of the Celestial Domain?!” The Supreme’s eyes widened in astonishment, “Doesn’t that mean, in theory, our side could completely expand to form a full Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Constellations?”

“It’s not entirely impossible,” Zhou Heng said, his smile deepening, but then he added an explanation, “It’s just that with my current cultivation level, adjusting the positions of five Star Officers is already the limit in the short term.”

“That’s enough, five is enough! Haha!” Tianyi burst out laughing, “Master Ziwei, please proceed as planned and overpower that barbarian Taiwei Monarch from the south!”

“Master Ziwei, you can actually reallocate the jurisdiction of five star positions?” Gou Chen looked at Zhou Heng with amazed eyes, “It’s possible to manipulate the Celestial Domain of the Zhou Tian Star Chart like this?”

“What’s so strange about that? Isn’t the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin doing just that?” Zhou Heng looked at Gou Chen with slight surprise.

“…” Gou Chen fell silent upon hearing this and then nodded solemnly, bowing to Zhou Heng with the utmost respect, “Please forgive me, Master Ziwei.

“Previously, when I visited the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin, I felt the oppressive aura of the Taiwei Monarch and was intimidated by it. For a moment, I scarcely dared to believe that the Master could contend with him at Sect Fifth Rank. I truly shouldn’t have doubted.”

“You’ve been to the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin?” Zhou Heng looked at The Supreme and Tianyi with puzzlement and said, “During the time I was in closed-door cultivation?”

“That’s right.” The Supreme nodded his head and then roughly described Gou Chen’s experience in the Taiwei Enclosure, also relating the words spoken by the Taiwei Monarch.

“Coveting the imperial authority? Haha…” Zhou Heng laughed out loud, shaking his head, “This Taiwei Monarch is quite serious, indeed a loyal subject, but it remains to be seen whether he has the capability.”

The Three Enclosures of Zhou Tian each has its governance.

The Purple Tenuity Enclosure is the dwelling place of emperors and is at the core of the Three Enclosures. Its Star Officers often hold imperial powers, while the Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure mainly assist local governance as subjects.

The Taiwei Monarch coveting the imperial seat of the Purple Tenuity is, considering the relationships of the star positions, tantamount to rebellion.

“This Taiwei Monarch is audacious; his continual erosion of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure’s Celestial Domain must also be due to this ambition.” The Supreme lightly nodded and said in a deep voice, “Please lead us in a counterattack, Master Ziwei.”

“There’s no need to hurry, seniors. We’ll soon seek out the predecessors of the Five Emperors’ Inner Seats. We might as well take the opportunity to counter the Taiwei Monarch and send him a gift while also strengthening the organization,” Zhou Heng said with a smile.

“Oh?” The Supreme, puzzled for a moment, then realized and smiled, “It seems you’ve already decided which Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure to seize.”

“That’s correct,” Zhou Heng nodded gently, and then added, “Furthermore, when I say there’s no rush, it’s also because I didn’t acquire only this one authority after my breakthrough.”

“There are other authorities?” The Supreme and Tianyi’s eyes shone brightly, immensely surprised.

Both remembered that every time Zhou Heng gained a new authority, it would bring about earth-shattering changes to the entire Purple Tenuity Enclosure.

Gou Chen watched from the sidelines, and she could roughly understand why The Supreme and Tianyi, two longstanding Celestial Men, trusted Zhou Heng so much.

New authorities!

This seemed to mean that the entire organization would undergo new changes!

“There are three new authorities,” Zhou Heng stretched out his hand and gestured with three fingers, “They are ‘Information Announcement,’ ‘Mission Issuance,’ and ‘Merit Trade’.”

These were the three authorities he had decided to disclose after some deliberation.

As for the authorities of dismissing Star Officers, granting star positions, and summoning Star Officers, he was still considering how to demonstrate them in other ways.

“What do these three authorities entail?” The Supreme asked.

In fact, after hearing the names of these three authorities, he already had some guesses, but he still sought the accurate answer.

“Information Announcement, as the name suggests, allows for making announcements to every Star Officer or to selected ones, making it easier to transmit messages.”

Zhou Heng explained, “Merit Trade is also straightforward, changing the current system of merits to allow for circulation, where Star Officers can trade freely among themselves.

“As for Mission Issuance, I’m sure the seniors have guessed it; unlike now, where missions can only be issued by the Bureau of Resolutions, once this authority is activated, each Star Officer will be able to issue missions.”

“This, this…” The Supreme was brimming with excitement, laughing, “Indeed, these are earth-shattering changes. Our organization is bound to develop and expand rapidly!”