Chapter 137: The Grand Master

Amidst the flashing starlight, Xu Jin appeared directly inside the Star-Plucking Tower he had entered when he first entered the Fire Profound Star Domain.

Taking one step out, he appeared outside the Star-Plucking Tower instantly.

Outside the Jinshan County Star-Plucking Tower branch, Flag Leader Zhang Yunliang, who had been on duty for more than ten days, suddenly felt something strange behind him, and saw that between the Star-Plucking Tower branch hidden in the void, a figure stepped out.

"Xu Jin!"

Zhang Yunliang's eyes widened, and he took out his Star-Plucking Token for the first time.

The next instant, Xu Jin saw two rays of starlight rising from the Jinshan Dao Academy one after another.

One shot straight into the sky and then stepped on the stars to come, extremely fast.

The other figure, however, came flashing over in a rising and falling motion.

"Xu Jin, you finally came out!" In the fourth second of Xu Jin's return to the present world, Mountain Chief Dong Zhao appeared in front of Xu Jin with a face full of surprise.

In the sixth second, with a bang, the iron crutch landed, and Ning Yuchan also appeared in front of Xu Jin, her pretty face covered by a light veil, full of surprise.

"Hmm, not bad."

Mountain Chief Dong Zhao looked at the returning Xu Jin and then looked at Flag Leader Zhang Yunliang. He was just about to give instructions when suddenly, the Jinshan County Star-Plucking Tower branch, which had been hidden in the void, began to flash again, appearing and disappearing in the void.

The next instant, the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, wearing hemp shoes and white clothes with long hair draped over his shoulders, stepped out of the Star-Plucking Tower branch and appeared in front of everyone.

"Grand Master."

The group saluted; Dong Zhao, Xu Jin, and Ning Yuchan were okay, but Flag Leader Zhang Yunliang was directly stunned.

Xu Jin, a disciple of their county Dao Academy, what had he done?

It was just returning from the Star Domain, just staying a bit longer, it was understandable for the Mountain Chief to come to welcome him, but why did even the Grand Master come in person?

While shocked, the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly pointed at Flag Leader Zhang Yunliang's brow. Xu Jin's Clear Record Star Pattern in his body warned instantly, sensing powerful Spirit fluctuations.

With one point, Zhang Yunliang's eyes became confused.

"You cannot mention Xu Jin's affairs to anyone; as long as you say any information related to Xu Jin, you will die! If anyone asks about Xu Jin's affairs, you don't know anything," the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao pointed his fingertip at Zhang Yunliang's forehead and said in a low voice, his voice having an indescribable magic.

Zhang Yunliang's eyes were confused, as if sleepwalking, and he followed the Grand Master and repeated the words just now.

Dong Zhao and Ning Yuchan looked at each other; Ning Yuchan closed her eyes slightly, also prepared to be handled by the Grand Master.

But after handling Zhang Yunliang, the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled, "It was just a spiritual shackle placed on him through Spirit Power, just in case; you don't need it."

Xu Jin was thoughtful.

Was it not needed?

Or could it not be done?

Just now, as Xu Jin's Clear Record Star Pattern operated, Xu Jin already had a rough sensing of the Grand Master's Spirit Power.

Very strong, several times that of Xu Jin.

But what the specific situation was, Xu Jin didn't dare to sense it again.

The Clear Record Star Pattern only operated for that instant before being suppressed by Xu Jin, and at the same time, he fully activated the Hidden Treasure Star Pattern to hide the aura of his own Spirit Star.

An existence like the Grand Master, at least Sixth-tier or above, might discover his secret.

"Go!"

The next instant, Xu Jin felt as if he were riding the clouds and driving the mist; when he landed, he appeared in Mountain Chief Dong Zhao's courtyard.

And Flag Leader Zhang Yunliang, who was next to the Star-Plucking Tower branch, slowly woke up ten breaths after Xu Jin and the others left. He seemed to remember something, but shivered violently, calmed down for a while, and then slowly left.

Next was Xu Jin's time to tell the story.

He told the Grand Master and the Mountain Chief about the main battles in the Fire Profound Star Domain, but the most important thing was the idol and the jade box, and at the same time, he handed the jade box to the Grand Master to check.

Although he could be sure that the things in this jade box were of great value, Xu Jin didn't dare to use them.

Heaven knows if there were any harmful things hidden inside.

"This is a Second-tier Spirit Pearl, which can be directly used to improve Spirit Power. Looking at the quantity, even if a Meal of Mist Realm martial artist takes it, there is a possibility of directly forging a Spirit Star. In terms of effect, it is three parts stronger than the Spirit-Refining Golden Pill.

However, some other things are hidden inside."

The Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao took it, and suddenly, dazzling starlight appeared on his palm. The starlight rushed directly into the Second-tier Spirit Pearl, swept through several circles, and a wisp of black smoke flew out of the Spirit Pearl and then dissipated.

Looking at this Spirit Pearl again, it had become much purer.

There was no longer that cold feeling from before.

"Your spoils of war, they belong to you. You can absorb them directly. When you absorb them to the limit, you have to choose a Spirit Star Pattern to engrave. After the engraving is completed, you can continue to absorb, and then you can Spirit Forge Star," the Grand Master threw the purified Spirit Pearl to Xu Jin.

"Thank you, Grand Master," Xu Jin thanked him immediately.

The Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao waved his hand, "You must absorb and use this thing quickly, and also, don't tell anyone else! If even a trace of news about this thing leaks out, it will be enough to set off a bloody storm in the world of martial arts.

Let alone Third-tier or Fourth-tier, even Fifth-tier or Sixth-tier experts might take action to grab it!"

"That is indeed the case!"

Mountain Chief Dong Zhao nodded, "Spirit Forge Star, how difficult it is! Back then, even after I took the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill and the Spirit-Refining Golden Pill one after another, it still took me a full eleven years to Spirit Forge Star.

You kid are lucky; this Spirit-Refining Pill is equivalent to ten or even fifteen years of hard cultivation for Fourth or Fifth-tier experts in terms of Spirit cultivation."

"Is Spirit Power improvement so difficult?" Xu Jin looked stunned.

"Of course. Spirit Power is the foundation for breaking through to Fifth-tier and Sixth-tier. Many cultivators are stuck at the peak of Refine Star Ninth Layer for their whole lives because their Spirit Power is insufficient," Cheng Yuexiao said.

After speaking, the Grand Master checked the jade tablet again, "This thing is ordinary; it only records a technique of splitting the spirit, which can allow a wisp of Spirit to exist separately after the Spirit is strong to a certain extent.

These two things added together should be the price the person behind the scenes paid to let Chi You rebel!

First use the Spirit Pearl to improve Chi You's Spirit Power, let him Spirit Forge Star, and then let him cultivate this technique of splitting the spirit. At that time, even if I activate the Spirit of Chi You that I control within the Red Scale Heart, I can only kill one of Chi You's split spirits.

Chi You could escape death from my hands!

A big deal!"

The Grand Master sighed, "Spirit Pearl, this thing, generally only the Baidou God Sect has it, and only the Sect Master, True Persons, and True Lords of the Baidou God Sect have the ability to get it. Then it can be confirmed that the Baidou God Sect participated in this matter."

After speaking, the Grand Master stared at Xu Jin, "Xu Jin, in the short term, you must be careful of the Baidou God Sect and pay attention to safety."

"I have remembered."

"Since you obtained this, Spirit Forge Star is imminent, but you don't have a Spirit Star Pattern! Xu Jin, do you still remember that I once promised you that if you returned alive from the Fire Profound Star Domain, I would let you choose a High-grade Star Pattern to learn?

Then why don't you learn a Spirit Star Pattern from me, so that you can Spirit Forge Star?" The Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suggested.

Xu Jin only pondered for a moment before nodding immediately. This matter absolutely could not be refused.

Refusing would immediately make the Grand Master suspicious.

Besides, only a fool would refuse.

According to Old Qi, Spirit Star Patterns are extremely precious, each one is a secret transmission, and those late-stage Refine Star experts who have Spirit Forge Star might not even have their Star Patterns fully engraved.

Like Xu Jin's current Spirit Star, with Refine Star Sixth Layer cultivation, theoretically, he can engrave seven Spirit Star Patterns.

But in reality, Xu Jin's Spirit Star currently has three Spirit Star Patterns engraved, which are Clear Spirit, Hidden Treasure, and Hidden Image, and there are still four empty spots!

Only a fool would not want it.

"Disciple bows and thanks the Grand Master!" Xu Jin bowed to the end instantly.

The Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao didn't stand on ceremony and solidly accepted this bow from Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, the Spirit Star Patterns I can currently teach you are three: one is called Suppress Intent, two is Break Evil, three is Warm Dream. Which one are you willing to learn?"

After the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao gave the choice, he roughly explained the functions of these three types of Spirit Star Patterns to Xu Jin.

Suppress Intent Star Pattern is a defensive Spirit Star Pattern, which can defend against general Spirit attacks and has a protective effect on the Spirit. When cultivating, it can also improve the cultivation effect and has various wonderful uses.

Break Evil Star Pattern, as the name suggests, is an offensive Spirit Star Pattern, which can condense a Break Evil Arrow with Spirit Power to attack the enemy's Spirit. In battle, it can achieve miraculous results, but the consumption is quite large.

After Spirit Forge Star, most people's Spirit Power can only condense two or three Break Evil Arrows, but they can often play a role in winning against the strong with the weak, especially against experts below the peak of Fourth-tier.

Warm Dream Star Pattern is a slightly special Star Pattern, which can make the target fall into a dream quickly to interrogate and obtain the information one wants to know. It can also soothe one's own and others' Spirits through dreams, has a certain therapeutic effect on Spirit injuries, and can also speed up the recovery speed of Spirit Power to a certain extent.

"Which one do you want to learn?" The Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao asked.

Xu Jin was stunned and couldn't help but look at Ning Yuchan.

To be honest, Xu Jin wanted to learn all of them.

If it were like knocking on the Mountain Chief's bamboo pole a few days ago, knocking one Second-tier Star Weapon into two Second-tier Star Weapons.

If someone cooperated now, knocking one Star Pattern taught by the Grand Master into three, that would be perfect.

It was a pity that there was no divine assist today.

Whether it was Ning Yuchan or Mountain Chief Dong Zhao, neither dared to be presumptuous in front of the Grand Master.

But it was also very normal.

Second-tier Star Weapons were all things with a price; ten or twenty thousand taels of silver was the limit, equivalent to one or two hundred wisps of starlight from the Star-Plucking Tower.

But this Spirit Star Pattern, each one could be called a priceless treasure.

Looking at Xu Jin's pleading gaze, Mountain Chief Dong Zhao suddenly smiled, "It's a pity I don't have this luck; if I had this luck, I would definitely choose Warm..."

The moment the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's gaze stared over, Mountain Chief Dong Zhao closed his mouth appropriately, "Grand Master, look at me, I talk too much, I just miss my teacher a bit!"

Hearing this, the Grand Master shook his head and gave a bitter smile, no longer pursuing the matter of Dong Zhao guiding Xu Jin.

"Little Dong's choice is also not bad. The Pattern of Patterned Dreams has the highest growth potential; the stronger the cultivation, the greater its use. The other two Spirit-Soul Star Patterns are of great help to you at the current stage. It depends on how you choose," the Grand Master said directly.

"Thank you, Grand Master, thank you, Dean. I choose the Pattern of Patterned Dreams!"

Since Dean Dong Zhao had braved the Grand Master's stern gaze to give him a hint, Xu Jin would truly be a fool if he didn't know which one to choose.

Hearing this, the Grand Master took out a Jade Tablet and handed it to Xu Jin, saying sternly, "This Pattern of Patterned Dreams was passed down by my master and can be considered a unique and precious Star Pattern. You may only learn it yourself and absolutely must not pass it on to anyone else!

Without my permission, if you teach this Pattern of Patterned Dreams to others, I will personally take action to purge you all! Including you and the person you taught, understand?" While speaking, the Grand Master also glared at Dong Zhao.

He had been used to saying there were three, so he had taken out the Pattern of Patterned Dreams, which could barely be taken out to teach, originally thinking Xu Jin wouldn't choose this one.

He didn't expect that bastard Dong Zhao to give a hint.

"Disciple will remember!" Xu Jin said as he took the Jade Tablet.

Subsequently, the Grand Master threw the Jade Tablet that recorded the Divine Division Technique to Xu Jin. "This is what you captured, so it belongs to you. But remember, the Divine Division Technique inside must not be practiced lightly.

Without special need, you may only attempt to practice it once your Spirit-Soul cultivation breaks through to the Condense Star Realm, or your future cultivation breaks through to the seventh tier or above.

Otherwise, it will only ruin your future path," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao warned.

Xu Jin thanked him, nodded again to acknowledge, and secretly warned himself.

As Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao nodded in satisfaction, his gaze left Xu Jin and moved to Ning Yuchan, suddenly asking, "Yuchan, have you decided on your destination?"

"Replying to Grand Master, this disciple has already decided!

Even if I die, I will have no regrets!"

Whether it was Cheng Yuexiao or Dong Zhao, when they heard the four words "even if I die, I will have no regrets," their expressions were quite silent. Only Xu Jin was extremely anxious—what had happened?

Where was Instructor Ning going?

"If we really want to discuss it, the Academy still owes you!"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao looked at Ning Yuchan's severed leg, his expression complex. "Since your heart is set on this, I will say no more; let's just go through the process." After speaking, he took out two elixir bottles and handed them to Xu Jin and Ning Yuchan respectively.

"Yuchan, this is the Spirit-Refining Golden Pill you exchanged for using two of your three Grade-A-Superior performance evaluations this time; it should be of use to you."

"Xu Jin, this is the reward you received for being first in the Heaven-Ascending Staircase in the fourth round of the Autumn Examination. I happened to bring it along when I came this time. You had best consume it as soon as possible; do not keep it in your hands for too long!" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao instructed.

"Thank you, Grand Master!"

After the two thanked him again, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao added, "Xu Jin, the Star Pattern reward just now was only a reward I promised you privately! Hurry to the National Academy to report when you are finished; at that time, your merits this time will naturally be rewarded according to your contributions!

I have important matters to attend to, so I will leave first!"

"Dong Zhao, take care to protect Xu Jin's safety."

After giving this instruction, the Grand Master took a step, the distant branch of the Star-Plucking Tower flickered, and Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's aura vanished!

Just as Dean Dong Zhao was about to say something, Xu Jin, who had been struggling internally for a minute, finally made an extremely important decision.

"Teacher Ning, may I take a look at your Spirit-Refining Golden Pill?"

"Here, there's nothing interesting to see about this; they're all the same!" Ning Yuchan threw the Spirit-Refining Golden Pill bottle in her hand to Xu Jin without hesitation.

"I definitely have to compare them. Although they are both Spirit-Refining Golden Pills, there are still differences in their medicinal efficacy! I want to choose a good one. Teacher, you don't mind, do you?" Xu Jin said.

"There's such a saying?" Ning Yuchan was stunned.

"Of course there is, Teacher. I'm going home first; I'll go back and choose slowly!" After speaking, Xu Jin bowed to Dean Dong Zhao and ran off in a flash.

Ning Yuchan stood stunned for a few breaths before reacting. "Hey, this guy, my Spirit-Refining Golden Pill! This thing is useless if taken too much!"

"Don't worry, Teacher, I'm just looking, choosing a good-looking one, I won't take too much!" Xu Jin's voice came from far away on the wind.

Leaving only Ning Yuchan and Dong Zhao looking at each other—can elixirs even be chosen like this?

The next instant, Dong Zhao said helplessly to Ning Yuchan, "Yuchan, you'll have to work hard for these next few days and continue to protect Xu Jin in secret. The number of good things on this kid is increasing more and more!"

"This... this really is..." Ning Yuchan could only agree.

(End of chapter)