Chapter 119

"Grand Master, we have already discussed it. This year, our Tianyang Star Palace will take four spots, and the Cangming Star Palace will take three." On the martial arts viewing platform, after discussing via sound transmission for a while, Du Tingyun, the Chen Guo Star Master of the Tianyang Star Palace, gave the answer.

Grand Master Cheng Yueshao nodded slightly, but the Left Libationer Meng Yanhui spoke up again, "As for the specific allocation, I ask Star Master Du and Star Master Zhang to state it clearly so I may record it. When the time comes, it will be in black and white, and each will be left to their own fate."

"Our side wants the merit-based spots for the four regions of Danzhou, Xihai Prefecture, Yanzhou, and the Chen Guo Dao Academy," Du Tingyun answered.

"Our side wants the merit-based spots for the three prefectures of Jingzhou, Songzhou, and Leizhou," Zhang Zhen, the Chen Guo Star Master of the Cangming Star Palace, also gave his answer.

Meng Yanhui wrote rapidly with his brush, completing the document in an instant, and then handed it to Grand Master Cheng Yueshao for review. Cheng Yueshao pressed his hand down lightly, stamping it with a starlight seal. Then, Meng Yanhui was about to hand the document to the two Star Masters for their review.

Dong Zhao, the Principal of the Jinshan Dao Academy who had been sitting quietly in the back, suddenly stood up, "Wait a moment."

"Hmm?"

Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen were just about to apply their seals, and seeing someone intervene, their expressions instantly turned displeased. Left Libationer Meng Yanhui also looked at Dong Zhao, somewhat confused.

"Dong Zhao, what is the matter?" Meng Yanhui asked.

"Lord Libationer, I have a document here; I ask that you review it." Dong Zhao handed over a document, and the expression of Hu Xuechuan, the Hu Hu Dianzhu of the Tianyang Star Palace's Yanzhou Branch who was sitting in the second row, turned ugly.

Bad luck.

For the past few years, they had been executing the 'A-grade' plan; he hadn't expected that this year they would switch to the 'B-grade' plan.

Now he was going to be in trouble.

But compared to the major events before, being reprimanded was just being reprimanded; he had no choice but to take it.

After merely glancing at it, Left Libationer Meng Yanhui was overjoyed and immediately handed the document to the Grand Master to read. After Cheng Yueshao finished reading it, a hint of joy appeared on his face as well. Crossing out one spot meant securing one genius; that was quite good.

This Dong Zhao was quite capable and very good at protecting his disciples.

When Meng Yanhui handed the document to Star Master Du Tingyun, Star Master Du Tingyun immediately turned his head and glared at Hu Xuechuan, "Hu Xuechuan, what good deed have you done? How could you issue such a document?"

Hu Xuechuan stood up, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, "During the last encirclement and suppression of the Baidou Star Sect, Dong Zhao acted in time, which allowed my branch to avoid major losses, preserve several experts, and even protect Zhou Qingzhu, the Dean of my Star Palace's Jinshan Branch. To express my gratitude, I drew up this document!"

"Hmph!"

Du Tingyun stared fixedly at Hu Xuechuan for two breaths, then helplessly withdrew his gaze.

This matter had been reported, and he had reviewed it, but this document hadn't mentioned it.

However, being able to draw up such a document meant that the process involved was certainly not as simple as the battle report that had been submitted; Hu Xuechuan must have hidden something.

But at this moment, he couldn't lash out.

He could only take the brush from Meng Yanhui, wave it with a flourish, cross out Yanzhou, and then apply his own star seal. In his mind, however, he began to calculate how to snatch that top-tier genius from Yanzhou.

Every year when the Chen Guo Dao Academy holds its autumn examinations, it is also their busiest time.

With all sorts of information gathering and bribery, the intelligence on Chen Guo's top geniuses was already laid out on their desks.

Including intelligence on the fourth stage, the Star-Plucking Pass; it had been delivered to his hands two minutes before he entered.

Xu Jin.

Xu Jin, the genius from Yanzhou with extremely powerful divine soul energy, must be snatched away.

According to their analysis, the importance of those geniuses with powerful divine soul energy from the Chen Guo Prefecture Dao Academy was not very high.

Because for such geniuses with powerful divine soul energy, there were some artificial factors involved.

For example, entering the Heaven-Ascending Staircase trials early to temper and improve their divine soul energy.

Including the consumption of the Soul-Stabilizing Golden Pill.

But this Xu Jin from Yanzhou, as far as it could be seen, at most possessed the resources of one Soul-Stabilizing Golden Pill; everything else was entirely on his own.

Comparing them like this, Xu Jin, who had ascended 196 steps, was far stronger than Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Feiqing, and others who had entered the Heaven-Ascending Stone Staircase at least three times or more.

For example, Meng Qingqiu, who was the granddaughter of Left Libationer Meng Yanhui; according to intelligence, she had entered the Heaven-Ascending Stone Staircase at least four times early.

If entering the Heaven-Ascending Stone Staircase once could improve divine soul energy by at least three to five tiers, then compared to Xu Jin, Meng Qingqiu's true divine soul energy should be at the level of about 175 to 183 tiers.

Then the strength of this Xu Jin's talent could be imagined.

With such talent, especially once he reached above the fifth tier, the possibility of breaking through to the sixth tier was very high.

Therefore, he must be snatched away!

Even on the Star River Battlefield, a sixth-tier expert was an existence capable of holding down a region.

Watching the three parties apply their seals, Dong Zhao let out a long sigh of relief.

Although Dong Zhao believed in Xu Jin's strength, the Star Palace's foundation was hard to say; it was still possible.

In this way, Xu Jin was 100% safe.

The tragedy of Ning Yuchan from back then would not be repeated.

"Begin." Once these matters were settled, Grand Master Cheng Yueshao gave the order to Chief Ning Jiaotou Yu Da.

The fifth stage of the autumn examination, Competing for the Lead, begins!

Yu Da urged the Star-Plucking Token, and in an instant, light screens appeared in the sky.

【Autumn Examination Fifth Stage: Competing for the Lead】

【Rules: The fifth stage, Competing for the Lead, is a real-combat ranking elimination tournament. The top ten from the third and fourth stages automatically obtain Core Disciple status and do not participate in the first two rounds of elimination. Starting from the third round, disciples who have obtained Core Disciple status also join the real-combat ranking elimination tournament. In every round, the winner advances, and the loser is directly eliminated.】

【Battle Order: Based on the rankings from the fourth stage, the first and last are paired to fight until all rankings are decided. The first to fifteenth will become True Transmission Disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy; the sixteenth to two hundred and fifteenth will become Core Disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy. If there are other accidents, replacements will be made downwards from the rankings.】

【Battle Rules: Use uniformly provided star weapons and elixirs; there are no other restrictions.】

【Rewards: The first place is rewarded with five top-grade Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a second-tier star domain; the second and third places are rewarded with three top-grade Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a second-tier star domain; the fourth to fifteenth places are rewarded with two top-grade Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a second-tier star domain.】

【The sixteenth to one hundredth places are rewarded with five ordinary Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a first-tier star domain; the one hundred and first to two hundred and fifteenth places are rewarded with four ordinary Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a first-tier star domain. The two hundred and fifteenth to four hundredth places are rewarded with two ordinary Star-Forging Pills and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a first-tier star domain. The four hundred and first to eight hundredth places are rewarded with one ordinary Star-Forging Pill and one opportunity for Star-Forging in a first-tier star domain.】

As the rules appeared in the sky, Xu Jin and the group of Jinshan Dao Academy disciples watched carefully.

"In this battle, you must all do your utmost!" Chief Ning Jiaotou Ning Yuchan's voice rang out.

"Look at these rewards; the rewards for each ranking tier are different. An opportunity for Star-Forging in a first-tier star domain can only guarantee that your Star-Forging will definitely succeed, and with one Star-Forging Pill, it basically allows you to forge a mid-grade star core.

But four or even five Star-Forging Pills might allow you to forge a top-grade star core!"

Speaking to this point, Ning Yuchan looked at Xu Jin and Wang Weisheng, "You two do not need to participate in the first two rounds, but you must watch the battles carefully. Wang Weisheng, if possible, keep your ranking in the top fifteen; at the very least, keep it in the top one hundred."

Wang Weisheng nodded with a solemn expression.

He had confidence in the top one hundred, but the top fifteen...

"Xu Jin, your goal is the top three, or even first place!" Ning Yuchan's sound transmission rang in Xu Jin's ears, "An opportunity for Star-Forging in a second-tier star domain can guarantee that your Star-Forging will succeed 100%, and at the very least, you can forge a mid-grade star core. Three top-grade Star-Forging Pills, plus the three ordinary Star-Forging Pills you obtained before, and your six times of marrow-cleansing, your probability of forging a top-grade star core is 100%.

As for a supreme-grade star core, it depends on your own fortune," Ning Yuchan said.

"Is it very difficult to forge a supreme-grade star core?" Xu Jin asked.

"Very difficult. Among the disciples who forge stars after the Chen Guo Dao Academy autumn examination, on average, there is not even one per year. Even for each Star Palace, there are only one or two a year," Ning Yuchan said.

"Teacher, rest assured."

While communicating, Xu Jin kept watching the people from the Star Palace on the martial arts viewing platform, especially Hu Xuechuan.

Xu Jin was truly a bit worried about Old Qi.

Old Qi was definitely going to cause trouble.

If Hu Xuechuan left, it would mean that Old Qi's trouble-making had been discovered.

Fortunately, up to now, Hu Xuechuan was still on the martial arts viewing platform.

The next instant, changes appeared in the autumn examination secret realm field; amidst a rumbling vibration, twelve martial arts rings rose from the ground, marked with serial numbers from one to twelve.

Each ring was one hundred meters long and wide, enough for the combatants to perform.

"Disciples who have received the starlight transmission, please go to the corresponding ring within five breaths to participate in the real-combat ranking; those who do not arrive within five breaths will be directly eliminated." Chief Ning Jiaotou Yu Da's voice rang out.

A few breaths later, battles began simultaneously on the twelve rings. In Xu Jin's view, the battles at this moment had nothing worth watching, whether in terms of tactics or intensity.

Because of the rules, the first and last were paired to fight, which was equivalent to the eleventh place of the fourth stage fighting the last place of the fourth stage.

Divine soul energy was the most capable of reflecting strength, especially since it had a huge impact on the basic power of star arts.

Therefore, the battles at the beginning of this first round were basically crushing, and most of the matches ended within three breaths.

After half an hour, the first round ended.

Among the nine disciples of the Jinshan Dao Academy who qualified, besides Xu Jin and Wang Weisheng, three were directly eliminated in the first round; Zhang Han, Zhang Ming, Lu Xianbing, and Yue Daqi rushed into the second round.

Without rest, the second round began directly.

This round took a little longer, taking more than half an hour, and there were a few matches that were very evenly matched.

In a few matches, both sides even exhausted their star power.

But in Xu Jin's view, there was still nothing to watch. He specifically observed the combat characteristics of Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Feiqing, and others, but didn't see anything.

Because their battles ended too quickly, ending within three to five seconds.

In the second round, Zhang Ming and Yue Daqi were eliminated, and their rankings were 374th and 249th respectively.

Honestly speaking, Yue Daqi was still very strong.

He just suffered from a short cultivation time; if this autumn examination could be delayed for another month or two, Yue Daqi would definitely be able to compete for a Core Disciple spot.

Lu Xianbing was overjoyed; in this battle, Lu Xianbing won extremely dangerously, winning by a hair's breadth, achieving a ranking of 192nd, which could be considered as locking in a Core Disciple spot in advance.

This was also related to Lu Xianbing's very rich real-combat experience.

Besides conducting a large amount of real combat in the first-tier practice secret realm before the autumn examination, including the abusive real combat with Xu Jin, in the real world, his father had also arranged for many experts to accompany him in training.

Therefore, his real-combat adaptability was extremely strong.

Zhang Han's ranking was only two places higher than Lu Xianbing's, 190th.

But at this very moment, he was also grinning from ear to ear.

The Core Disciple status was in hand.

Previously, his psychological position was actually still that of an Inner Court disciple; he hadn't expected to actually obtain Core Disciple status.

This was still related to the ranking of the fourth stage.

Whether it was Lu Xianbing or Zhang Han, because of Xu Jin in the fourth stage, they both obtained relatively high rankings.

Then this fifth stage was a pairing of the first and last, which led to the opponents they were matched with being relatively low in ranking; it could be considered picking up a bargain.

Basically, those who fought with them were all ranked around 400th.

But if they were ranked 400th in the fourth stage, then those who fought with them would be ranked around 200th, and it would be extremely difficult for them to obtain Core Disciple status.

While congratulating them, Xu Jin kept staring at the martial arts viewing platform; on the platform, Hu Xuechuan, the Hu Hu Dianzhu of the Tianyang Star Palace, was still there.

【Xu Jin, the third round of the elimination tournament begins; please go to Ring No. 1 within five breaths to duel with the 216th place.】

After receiving the starlight transmission, Xu Jin stepped onto Ring No. 1 in one step. Before stepping out, he didn't forget to glance at the martial arts viewing platform. His gaze swept over without stopping, which wouldn't attract anyone's attention, but he could be sure that Hu Xuechuan was still there!

Still on the martial arts viewing platform.

Xu Jin's opponent in the third round was a disciple from Jingzhou; when he saw it was Xu Jin, he began to smile bitterly.

There was no hope of picking up any bargains.

And it was indeed so.

After one breath, after Xu Jin got close, he was smashed into starlight by three punches.

There was no display of any technique, only hard-hitting.

At this time, Xu Jin didn't want to show any techniques either.

With so many people watching, if he showed too many tactics, he might be targeted by others later.

After winning, Xu Jin returned to the trial-taker area under the Jinshan Dao Academy flag and casually glanced at the martial arts viewing platform again; Hu Xuechuan was still there.

In the third round, Lu Xianbing and Zhang Han were eliminated at the same time and did not break into the top 100.

However, for them, becoming Core Disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy was already a surprise among surprises.

It was estimated that after today ended, the Prefecture Commandant's mansion would start holding a grand banquet tonight.

Wang Weisheng was originally 76th in the fourth stage, but he was in the top ten who had locked in Core Disciple status in advance and did not participate in the first two rounds, so when the third round of the ranking elimination tournament began, he participated as the 11th place.

He was fighting the 203rd place.

It wasn't too easy to win, but he still won.

He successfully broke into the top 100 Core Disciples.

This made Wang Weisheng overjoyed; although the difference in ranking was still Core Disciple, the reward was one more Star-Forging Pill.

One Star-Forging Pill was 500 Dao Merits, worth 5,000 taels of silver.

The key was that you couldn't exchange for Dao Merits.

Dao Merits could be exchanged for starlight, but starlight couldn't be exchanged for Dao Merits.

All of this was thanks to Xu Jin; Wang Weisheng's gratitude towards Xu Jin was already overflowing.

As for being unconvinced?

It was long gone.

Now, Wang Weisheng only regretted not befriending Xu Jin earlier.

If he had befriended Xu Jin earlier, he might have had a chance to mix into the True Transmission.

【Xu Jin, the fourth round of the elimination tournament begins; please go to Ring No. 1 within five breaths to duel with the 108th place.】

Xu Jin stepped out again, stepping towards Ring No. 1. Before stepping out, he didn't forget to look at the martial arts viewing platform.

Hu Xuechuan was still there.

Just as Xu Jin stepped into Ring No. 1 for the fourth round of the elimination tournament, Hu Xuechuan's expression suddenly changed, and he immediately took out his star weapon, the Star-Fixing Plate, and looked at it intently.

On the Star-Fixing Plate, the red dot he had been tracking for several years, which was originally extremely blurry, suddenly flickered, and its position was rapidly becoming clear!

"He really knows how to pick his time!" Hu Xuechuan sneered, looked at the Star-Fixing Plate, then looked at Star Master Du Tingyun, his brows slightly furrowed.

At this time, he had no way to leave directly.

After pondering for a few breaths, Hu Xuechuan directly sent a sound transmission to Du Tingyun, the Chen Guo Star Master of the Tianyang Star Palace, "Lord Star Master, I just received an urgent report that there is a small urgent matter at the Tianyang Yanzhou Branch, and I need to go handle it immediately; I need to ask for leave."

"Urgent matter? What urgent matter?" Du Tingyun asked. He was already very unhappy with Hu Xuechuan today; hearing Hu Xuechuan say this, he knew Hu Xuechuan was fooling him, and he didn't know what he was going to do again.

In the past two years, Old Hu had been very mysterious.

"Wait a moment, I will go get the urgent report and then submit it to Lord Star Master through the Star-Plucking Token before leaving." Hu Xuechuan was helpless; the things he was doing couldn't be made public, otherwise the benefits wouldn't be his, so he could only do this.

"Oh, I'll wait."

The next instant, Hu Xuechuan's figure disappeared directly from the martial arts viewing platform.

Just at this moment, Xu Jin's fourth-round duel ended easily, and he returned to the trial-taker area. Habitually glancing at the martial arts viewing platform, his expression changed.

Hu Xuechuan was gone!

What did Old Qi go to do?

(End of chapter)