Chapter 122: The Key to Forging the Immaculate Primordial Star Body (Request Subscription)

【Great Chen State Dao Academy Autumn Exam, Fifth Stage Rankings】

【Champion: Xu Jin, Yanzhou】

【Second Place: Meng Qingqiu, State Dao Academy】

【Third Place: Yan Chen, State Dao Academy】

【Fourth Place: Yuan Feiqing, State Dao Academy】

【Fifth Place: Ji Hongli, Wan Yi】

【Sixth Place: Guan Li, State Dao Academy】

【Seventh Place: Ying Ge, Songzhou】

【Eighth Place: Fang Mingchun, State Dao Academy】

【Ninth Place: Ceng Yao, State Dao Academy】

【Tenth Place: Chu Ze, State Dao Academy】

【Eleventh Place: Bu Xuxue, Leizhou】

In the Autumn Exam’s secret realm of the Great Chen State Dao Academy, several starlight-formed leaderboards flickered with one name after another.

They were the True Disciple List, the Core Disciple List, and the Inner Disciple List.

Especially for disciples from the prefectures and commanderies, seeing their names appear on the True Disciple List or Core Disciple List filled them with exhilaration, and congratulations rang out everywhere.

In contrast, the candidates from the Great Chen State Dao Academy remained silent.

Although they held seven of the top ten spots, compared to past years’ results, this was a disgrace.

Yet among them, the most tormented was Lu Kun.

Originally, his name was surely destined for the True Disciple List.

In fact, he was certain to rank among the top five True Disciples.

Unfortunately, he failed in the first stage.

Not even as a True Disciple or Core Disciple—let alone an Inner Disciple—did he qualify.

But Lu Kun was not overly worried.

His strength was undeniable; after the exam, they would likely secure him a special admission slot, as the academy had precedents for such cases.

Of course, he no longer dared hope for True Disciple or Core Disciple status.

But an Inner Disciple position should be attainable—after all, the academy did not wish to see such a genius fade into obscurity or worse.

This thought made Lu Kun even more despondent: originally, True Disciple status had been certain for him.

But now...

More crucially, the star domain tier achieved during star forging—this mattered immensely to him.

It would determine the foundation of his future cultivation.

He lacked the power to alter it himself; only his family elders could intervene.

In truth, Lu Kun had never voiced a thought to anyone: he felt regret.

Over the past two days, Lu Kun had wondered: if in the first stage he had simply surpassed Xu Jin without attempting to eliminate him, would he now be among the True Disciples?

Highly probable.

Too bad there was no remedy for regret.

【Xu Jin: Congratulations on winning the championship of the Fifth Stage of the Autumn Exam. Collect your elixir reward at the external affairs hall of your academy. The opportunity to forge in a second-tier star domain will be activated uniformly in two days; instructors will notify you then. Prepare for star forging.】

【Xu Jin: Congratulations on becoming a True Disciple of the Great Chen State Dao Academy. If your star forging succeeds, report to the State Dao Academy within seven days.】

Xu Jin received the starlight message, but it was not from Old Qi.

Thus ended the Great Chen State Dao Academy Autumn Exam; Xu Jin had successfully secured the True Disciple position.

Yet his heart felt heavy—he could not rejoice without word of Old Qi’s safety.

“All disciples, depart the Autumn Exam secret realm immediately.”

At the command of Yu Da, the Chief Instructor of the Great Chen State Dao Academy, all disciples exited the secret realm within moments, yet the senior officials remained on the Observation Platform.

“Two Star Lords, regarding the selection quota, please confirm it now so we may prepare,” asked Meng Yanhui, Left Sacrificer of the State Dao Academy, expressionless.

Every year, this matter was the most unpleasant, yet unavoidable.

It stemmed from the treaty reluctantly signed years ago between the Great Chen court and the State Dao Academy with the Heavenly Sun Star Hall and the Azure Star Hall.

That single treaty bore countless tears and blood!

Hearing this, Star Lords Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen exchanged glances. Du Tingyun suddenly said, “Grand Master Cheng, since you’ve switched to the Yi-type plan this year, we must also keep our selections secret!”

“If I tell you now, and you make targeted preparations, that wouldn’t be fair.”

“Indeed. I will reveal the specific names only before selection,” said Zhang Zhen.

“That’s unacceptable.”

Meng Yanhui frowned. “Star forging results are unpredictable—even top geniuses progress at different rates. If you don’t fix the list now, and change it later, won’t we be at a greater disadvantage?”

“You’re the ones who switched to the Yi plan. If you’d been told the names early, you’d have boosted them specifically—wouldn’t we be the ones disadvantaged?” Zhang Zhen retorted.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly tapped the table. “Here’s a solution: you each inscribe your names on a jade tablet, then seal them with your star power. Finally, I will add my own seal. The tablet will remain locked until selection in one month.”

“This benefits both sides.”

Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. “Agreed.”

Immediately, Du Tingyun retrieved a star jade tablet, inscribed three names, then handed it to Zhang Zhen, who inscribed four more. They each sealed their entries with star power, then passed it to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao for his seal.

After sealing the star power, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sent a thread of star energy from his fingertip. The jade tablet, now triple-sealed, suddenly rose and hovered in midair.

“Let this tablet remain here. When selection comes in a month, we will inspect it and open it together,” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

“Agreed.”

Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen both nodded. With their star seals intact, leaving it here posed no risk.

“If so, today’s business is concluded. We take our leave.”

“No need to see us off,” Grand Master Cheng bowed slightly.

As the two rose, their subordinates rose with them. The senior officials of the Great Chen State Dao Academy all stood to escort them out.

After the two Star Halls’ officials departed, the heads of the Great Chen State Dao Academy and the academies of each prefecture and commandery remained, awaiting Grand Master Cheng’s instructions.

“This year, the two Star Halls have seven selection quotas. I trust you all already know who they will choose.”

Those selected have the potential to become pillars of our Great Chen’s future.”

The reason we adopted the Yi plan this year was precisely to preserve more geniuses, to safeguard more pillars for our Great Chen’s future.”

Therefore, the top-ranked disciple from each prefecture’s Autumn Exam will receive one superior star-forging elixir from the State Dao Academy; the second-place disciple, three standard star-forging elixirs; the third-place disciple, two standard star-forging elixirs.”

This is the maximum assistance the State Dao Academy can offer. Each prefecture must also provide training resources according to its means.”

Once they report to the academy, they will undergo specialized training.”

Do everything possible to preserve our Great Chen’s pillars—to safeguard our Great Chen’s future!” said Grand Master Cheng.

“As for other rewards, follow the usual precedent.”

“We humbly accept your command.”

The senior officials of the prefectural academies bowed deeply. Only after Grand Master Cheng’s figure vanished did they depart one by one.

In the Jinshan Dao Academy’s Training Hall, Xu Jin did not leave.

Originally, Xu Jin had intended to depart the Training Hall upon exiting the Autumn Exam secret realm, but his instructor stopped him, saying the Headmaster had ordered them to wait.

After about half a watch, Dong Zhao, the Headmaster, who had been seated in meditation, suddenly trembled and rose—he had returned from the Star-Picking Tower’s secret realm.

Seeing this, Xu Jin pondered.

In future, if entering the Star-Picking Tower for extended periods, one must still guard the safety of the physical body.

Though only the consciousness enters the Star-Picking Tower, and the body retains some awareness, it is certainly far weaker than usual—after all, attention is divided.

Watching Headmaster Dong Zhao retract his star device, the Star-Sealing Ring, which had sealed the Training Hall and protected him, stirred a thought in Xu Jin.

What if he had a star device?

Could a second- or third-tier star weapon be cultivated into a star device?

Xu Jin felt eager.

If he later obtained a second- or third-tier star weapon, he wanted to try.

Yet so far, the first-tier star weapon he used for experiments had not yet been cultivated to second tier.

This was partly because he had not continuously cultivated it during this period.

For the past few weeks, all three star lamps had been used to cultivate elixirs.

A few days ago, they were used to cultivate the Transformation Elixir; these past two days, they were used to cultivate the Star-Forging Elixir.

“You’ve seen the Autumn Exam results,” Headmaster Dong Zhao began speaking upon returning. “I can confidently say our Jinshan Dao Academy’s performance this year was extraordinary—how extraordinary?”

“Among all seventy-four prefectural academies of the six provinces of Great Chen, Jinshan Dao Academy ranked first.”

This achievement stems from your efforts—we are proud of you!”

Instantly, thunderous applause erupted.

“In recognition of your performance, Jinshan Dao Academy will issue rewards,” said Dong Zhao. At once, the disciples’ eyes lit with anticipation.

“Per State Dao Academy regulations, all disciples who have reached the Seventh Layer of Meal-Cloud cultivation may claim a star-forging elixir free of charge—whether they participated in the Autumn Exam or not, as long as they meet the condition, they may claim it!”

“As for additional rewards: every disciple who participated in the Autumn Exam will receive one extra star-forging elixir to increase your forging success rate.”

This reward meant little to Xu Jin and others, but the ordinary disciples erupted in cheers.

For ordinary disciples, star forging usually offered no chance to enter a star domain—they relied entirely on star-forging elixirs.

One star-forging elixir gave at most a forty percent success rate.

Two star-forging elixirs raised it to sixty percent.

Many disciples at the Qi Condensation Seventh Layer have spent considerable time accumulating Dao merits, starlight, and silver, all to secure one more Casting Star Elixir for another star casting.

Even counting what the Dao Academy provided, each of them must prepare at least one more Casting Star Elixir—many have already done so.

By awarding one extra now, their success rate for star casting reaches eighty percent.

Those well-prepared now even have a hundred percent chance of successfully casting a star.

The star cores they forge may even become mid-grade star cores.

“In addition, all disciples who passed the Autumn Examination will receive one extra Casting Star Elixir from Jinshan Dao Academy. As your Headmaster, I hope you forge stronger Dao Foundations in the coming star castings!”

This thrilled the nine disciples who passed, especially Lu Xianbing, Yue Daqi, Zhang Han, and Zhang Ming—particularly Yue Daqi, whose preparations were insufficient.

Under previous conditions, having earned the status of an inner-disciple of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, he would enter the First-Star Zone to cast his star with only two Casting Star Elixirs.

Under normal circumstances, he could forge a mid-grade star core, but the chance of forging a high-grade star core was nearly nonexistent.

Because the Casting Star Elixirs were too few.

But now, with this academy reward, he has at least five Casting Star Elixirs—giving him a real chance to forge a high-grade star core.

Even if he fails to forge a high-grade star core, the mid-grade star core he forges will far surpass ordinary mid-grade cores, making his Dao Foundation far stronger.

Lu Xianbing was equally thrilled.

Three Casting Star Elixirs equal fifteen hundred Dao merits; combined with his previous rewards and the high-grade Casting Star Elixir his family prepared, Lu Xianbing has an eighty percent chance of forging a high-grade star core!

Watching the ecstatic disciples, Headmaster Dong Zhao continued, “Don’t celebrate yet—this isn’t all! According to the national Dao Academy’s rules, Jinshan Dao Academy has topped all seventy-four counties across the Six States in this year’s Autumn Examination pass rate.

As per tradition, the national Dao Academy has awarded Jinshan Dao Academy fifty Casting Star Elixirs and five high-grade Casting Star Elixirs.

Therefore, I have decided to award every disciple who took the Autumn Examination one additional Casting Star Elixir.

All disciples who passed the Autumn Examination will receive one more Casting Star Elixir on top of that. Furthermore, our senior brother Xu Jin, who brought great honor to our academy this year, will receive three additional ordinary Casting Star Elixirs and three high-grade Casting Star Elixirs; Wang Weisheng will receive two ordinary and one high-grade Casting Star Elixir; Zhang Han will receive one ordinary and one high-grade Casting Star Elixir.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Han, Wang Weisheng, and Xu Jin were overjoyed.

This reward was incredible.

One ordinary Casting Star Elixir is worth five hundred Dao merits; one high-grade Casting Star Elixir is worth two thousand Dao merits.

Especially Xu Jin—this single round of rewards gives him five ordinary Casting Star Elixirs; combined with the first round, he now has eight ordinary ones, worth four thousand Dao merits alone.

Three high-grade Casting Star Elixirs equal six thousand Dao merits.

Altogether, that’s ten thousand Dao merits.

What is the value of ten thousand Dao merits?

Converted to silver, it’s worth at least one hundred thousand taels!

But while ten thousand Dao merits can be exchanged for one hundred thousand taels, one hundred thousand taels cannot buy ten thousand Dao merits!

“All rewards may be collected at the External Affairs Hall.”

Soon, all disciples rushed excitedly toward the External Affairs Hall, but when Xu Jin tried to leave, he received a voice transmission from Headmaster Dong Zhao.

Not only Xu Jin stayed behind—Wang Weisheng and Zhang Han remained as well.

This made Xu Jin’s eyes flicker slightly. The three who stayed were the top three of this year’s Autumn Examination—was there another reward?

“Hmm, you’ve all heard of the Selection of the Best, correct?” Headmaster Dong Zhao’s words immediately stiffened their expressions.

The Selection of the Best had been whispered about among academy disciples, but most weren’t worried.

Because usually, only one disciple per province is taken by the Star Palace.

Unless you’re an absolute genius, you won’t be chosen.

In the past, those selected were often the top student of the provincial Dao Academy.

But today, Wang Weisheng and Zhang Han both looked at Xu Jin.

Xu Jin is this year’s Autumn Examination champion—he will surely be selected. Then—

For a moment, Wang Weisheng and Zhang Han looked at Xu Jin with deep concern.

“First, I can assure you that none of our Jinshan Dao Academy disciples will be selected this year—you may rest easy and cultivate. Second, given your performances, as your Headmaster, I personally award each of you one ordinary Casting Star Elixir, hoping it aids you.” Headmaster Dong Zhao said.

Zhang Han and Wang Weisheng couldn’t hide their joy.

For them, each additional Casting Star Elixir meant another chance to forge a high-grade star core.

With this string of rewards, they felt their chance of forging a high-grade star core was now very high.

Naturally, they were delighted.

But Xu Jin felt little excitement.

Including the second-round reward, he now had eleven ordinary Casting Star Elixirs—this extra one from the Headmaster brings him to twelve.

And his high-grade Casting Star Elixirs, counting the fifth-round reward, already number eight.

“Moreover, as Xu Jin is the top student of Yanzhou, according to national Dao Academy regulations, he receives one additional high-grade Casting Star Elixir.”

Zhang Han and Wang Weisheng could only envy him.

But they could only envy—he wasn’t just Yanzhou’s top student, he was the national champion of this year’s Autumn Examination. Such a reward was entirely fitting.

Afterwards, Headmaster Dong Zhao gave the three a few reminders about star casting, then kept Xu Jin alone.

“Xu Jin, do you feel you have too many Casting Star Elixirs? Do these rewards no longer feel meaningful?” Headmaster Dong Zhao asked.

“Not at all—even an ordinary Casting Star Elixir is worth five hundred Dao merits. How could such a valuable thing feel meaningless?” Xu Jin smiled.

Dong Zhao was startled, then laughed. It was natural—children from poor backgrounds thought this way, perfectly understandable.

“Xu Jin, have you ever considered why the national Dao Academy and provincial and county Dao Academies, knowing this, still lavish such rewards on top-tier geniuses like you?

Doesn’t the national Dao Academy fear wasting cultivation resources?

After all, under normal circumstances, in the Second-Star Zone, with three or four ordinary Casting Star Elixirs and three or four high-grade ones, the chance of forging a high-grade star core exceeds ninety percent.

As for supreme star cores—they are rare and unpredictable.

So why does the national Dao Academy reward you with so many Casting Star Elixirs?” Dong Zhao asked.

This question—had the Headmaster not asked, Xu Jin would never have thought of it.

That was true.

Just now, Xu Jin had been considering what to do with any leftover ordinary Casting Star Elixirs.

He’d thought of saving them for his sister, or selling them for silver when short on funds.

After all, they were scarce resources!

But now, with the Headmaster’s question, there was indeed an issue.

“I humbly ask for your guidance, Headmaster,” Xu Jin said sincerely.

“Because the academy holds different expectations for top-tier geniuses and ordinary disciples.

Ordinary disciples, due to their extremely limited talent, are generally advised to cast stars only in the Mid-Star Palace, prioritizing cultivation base advancement.

Only after reaching Qi Condensation Ninth Layer—or even the Gathering Stars Realm, when stuck at a bottleneck—should they attempt casting stars in the Lower-Star Palace to enhance power.

But for you, the geniuses, the academy hopes you will cast stars simultaneously in both the Mid-Star Palace and the Lower-Star Palace from the start.

Only then can you become peerless within your realm, and stand a chance against geniuses from other nations and the Star Palace.

If you cast only in the Mid-Star Palace, you will inevitably be crushed by geniuses from other nations and the Star Palace.

Precisely because of this, the academy rewards you with so many Casting Star Elixirs. Do you understand?” Dong Zhao said.

After a long silence, Xu Jin slowly nodded.

So that was why the academy gave him so many rewards—to have him cast stars in both the Mid-Star and Lower-Star Palaces.

“Understood?”

“Disciple understands!”

“With the Casting Star Elixirs you currently hold, you have a very high chance of forging high-grade star cores in both the Mid-Star and Lower-Star Palaces simultaneously! But there is one urgent matter you must complete within three days,” Headmaster Dong Zhao said.

“Please instruct me, Headmaster.”

“Star Patterns!”

“To cast stars in the Lower-Star Palace, you must inscribe a Star Pattern within it first—only then can you cast.

You currently have no shortage of Star Patterns: a fourth-rank Rain Curtain Star Pattern, a fifth-rank Mid-level Whale Swallow Star Pattern, and a third-rank Mid-level Great Gathering Star Pattern. You may choose any one to inscribe, but you must complete it within three days.

Because after three days—actually, after two and a half days—the national Dao Academy will open the Second-Star Zone for you to cast stars. So you must hurry.” Dong Zhao said.

“Thank you for your guidance, Headmaster. I will inscribe the Star Pattern as soon as possible.”

After speaking, Xu Jin was about to leave, but suddenly remembered and immediately asked Dong Zhao on the spot which Star Pattern was best for Lower-Star Palace casting.

Dong Zhao explained further, and only then did Xu Jin depart.

After leaving the Training Hall, Xu Jin silently warned himself—he had nearly aroused suspicion.

Because Xu Jin had already inscribed the Mingji Star Pattern in the Lower-Star Palace, he had never considered which of the three Star Patterns to inscribe—he had never planned to ask Dong Zhao.

Had he left directly, he might have raised the Headmaster’s suspicions.

Though the Headmaster had treated him well.

But the Lingji Star Palace’s secrets had been classified by Xu Jin as the utmost secret, especially after learning of Lao Qi’s fate and situation.

As for which of the three Star Patterns—Great Gathering, Rain Curtain, or Whale Swallow—to inscribe first in the Lower-Star Palace, Dong Zhao had given specific advice.

A Great Gathering Star Pattern has already been inscribed in the Mid-Star Palace; inscribing Rain Curtain or Whale Swallow would greatly boost Xu Jin’s combat power in the early star-casting phase, but inscribing Great Gathering would greatly increase his star force quantity, enhance his sustained combat ability, and strengthen the base power of his star techniques.

Each has its advantages.

But Dong Zhao ultimately added one point: the higher the rank of the inscribed Star Pattern, the greater the power increase.

That meant he was advising Xu Jin to inscribe the fifth-rank Mid-level Whale Swallow Star Pattern—the same one passed down by his master, the former Grand National Preceptor.

Had there been no Mingji Star Pattern, Xu Jin would have followed Dong Zhao’s advice and inscribed the Whale Swallow Star Pattern.

But now, the Lower-Star Palace already had the Mingji Star Pattern—it could only be inscribed after star-casting.

After thanking Dong Zhao, Xu Jin first went to the External Affairs Hall, then directly left Jinshan Dao Academy and headed home.

After Xu Jin left, Dong Zhao sent a star-message to Ning Yuchan.

“Yuchan, Xu Jin is carrying a large quantity of Zhuxing Dan and is not at the Dao Academy; for the next two days, please go protect him.”

“Headmaster, received.”

Today, people still came to deliver gifts to the Xu household, but far fewer than yesterday.

“Jin’er, I’m planning to host a grand banquet three days from now to celebrate and thank all these guests who brought gifts—what do you think?” Xu Dajiang asked as he returned.

“Father, let’s wait a bit longer. In two and a half days, I’ll be casting the Star, and this isn’t urgent,” Xu Jin said.

“Mm, no rush, no rush.”

After speaking a few words with his father, Xu Jin headed straight to the back courtyard and, beneath his sister’s bed, found the two jade gui that Lao Qi had mentioned.

Even without any star force input, they glowed with shifting radiance—clearly not ordinary items.

Xu Jin tried channeling starlight into them to see the content recorded within, but the moment he did, the starlight was instantly repelled.

In an instant, Xu Jin remembered Lao Qi’s other instruction: only when one reaches the corresponding cultivation level can one perceive the corresponding star patterns and star arts.

The message Xu Jin sent Lao Qi during the day—“If you don’t come back, I won’t learn”—was actually meant to provoke Lao Qi, to make him return alive.

Because what Lao Qi valued most was his legacy.

But now, Xu Jin had fully understood this.

He must learn!

With Lao Qi’s elusive abilities and the twenty years of survival skills he’d honed, Hu Xuechuan couldn’t possibly catch him so easily.

Yet right now, Xu Jin could offer Lao Qi not even a shred of help.

Strength!

Only by rapidly increasing his strength could Xu Jin possibly help Lao Qi!

Therefore, as soon as his cultivation reached the required level, Xu Jin would learn the secret transmissions of the Lingji Star Palace!

He must raise his strength as quickly as possible.

Xu Jin immediately stored the two jade gui inside the Candou Platform.

This was one of the Candou Platform’s incidental functions—it could store a few items such as star cores, elixirs, jade gui, star weapons, silver, and gold.

Of course, the capacity was very limited.

Then, Xu Jin carefully read the thousand-character star message Lao Qi had sent that day.

It recorded a body refinement technique, crucial for the ninth purification of marrow and blood.

But according to Lao Qi’s instructions, the key to the ninth purification of marrow and blood was spiritual soul force.

The stronger the spiritual soul force, the higher the probability of achieving the ninth purification and forming the flawless primordial star body.

The message also stated that, with Xu Jin’s current spiritual soul force and the superior-grade Tuifan Elixir, his chance of forming the flawless primordial star body was as high as two to three percent.

“Spiritual soul force?”

In an instant, Xu Jin thought of his already triple-veined Dingshen Golden Core!

Then he would take the Dingshen Golden Core first.

Suddenly, Xu Jin’s gaze shifted—Lao Qi had specifically mentioned his sister Jiang Er at the end of the message.

(End of Chapter)