Chapter 145: The Terrifying Wen Meng Star Pattern (Request Subscription)

One Liànxīng Pill was consumed in just over fifteen minutes.

Under inner observation, thin strands of sparse starlight orbited the central star core in Xu Jin's Zhong Xing Palace, their number clearly visible.

A single mental sweep made the count clear.

Consuming one Liànxīng Pill added seventy-six strands of starlight to Xu Jin's Zhong Xing Palace central star core.

This number was still far from breakthrough.

Liu Qingzhu had explained cultivation in the Liànxīng Realm to Xu Jin in great detail, almost quantified.

To be precise, contemporary cultivators had quantified the experience they had painstakingly gathered.

The Liànxīng Realm involves expanding the star palace and refining starlight into orbiting star clouds; each additional orbiting star cloud allows one more star pattern to be inscribed.

Different types of star forging require different quantities of starlight to form orbiting star clouds.

For an inferior star forging, just over one hundred and fifty strands of starlight suffice to break into Liànxīng First Stage, Initial Level.

No more than just over five hundred strands are needed to reach Liànxīng First Stage, Peak.

But for a middle-grade star forging, this number doubles—over a thousand strands are required to reach Liànxīng First Stage, Peak; for high-grade, fifteen hundred strands; for supreme-grade, two thousand strands.

Xu Jin calculated: his was super-grade star forging, reaching three cun one.

Theoretically, to bring his current cultivation to Liànxīng First Stage, Peak, Xu Jin needed to cultivate over two thousand five hundred orbiting star strands.

Previously, Liu Qingzhu had estimated that with one Liànxīng Pill each morning and evening, plus several hours of training in a Gao Jie Star Force Secret Realm, plus one hour daily in the Feiyàn Palace's Star Gathering Array, Xu Jin could reach Liànxīng First Stage, Peak within six to seven days.

That was because Liu Qingzhu had classified Xu Jin's star forging as high-grade—nearly supreme-grade.

This was the official result announced by the Grand National Master.

Xu Jin had reported his star forging as two cun six, barely qualifying as supreme-grade.

But the Grand National Master publicly listed Xu Jin's results in the Guodao Academy as two cun four for the Zhong Xing Palace and two cun two for the Xia Xing Palace.

Both were high-grade, nearing supreme-grade.

The Grand National Master had explained this to Xu Jin this morning.

It was for Xu Jin's protection.

Supreme-grade star forging, even among major Star Palaces, was an absolute genius-level rarity.

Xu Jin, as the Autumn Exam champion of Chen Guo's Guodao Academy, was already under intense scrutiny; if he were revealed as supreme-grade, he'd attract even more attention.

So Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao publicly announced Xu Jin's star forging as two cun four.

Xu Jin didn't care about this.

He was still number one; nothing was affected.

But now, cultivation needed to be accelerated.

If he didn't work hard and fell behind the original schedule, people would assume he wasn't trying.

Even worse—like Shang Zhongyong.

That would be no fun.

The key issue was that Xu Jin himself had concealed his true level, and the Grand National Master had concealed even more—creating a significant gap.

At this rate—with one Liànxīng Pill each morning and evening, plus intense training—it would take at least ten days to reach Liànxīng First Stage, Peak.

And that was only because Xu Jin possessed exceptional divine soul power and the benefit of the Wu Lou Xiantian Star Body.

According to Liu Qingzhu, the medicinal effect of Liànxīng Pills was fixed; cultivation results varied with talent and divine soul power.

Generally, the top three true disciples of the Guodao Academy—like Meng Qingqiu or Yan Chen—could gain about fifty orbiting star strands per Liànxīng Pill.

But Xu Jin gained seventy-five.

His effect had surged by fifty percent.

But he was super-grade star forging.

Then Xu Jin took out another high-grade Liànxīng Pill.

High-grade Liànxīng Pills differed vastly in quality from regular ones, so consecutive use caused negligible medicinal decay.

The effect of high-grade Liànxīng Pills was indeed impressive.

In just over fifteen minutes, another one hundred and fifty strands of orbiting starlight were added to Xu Jin's central star core.

Afterwards, Xu Jin continuously depleted and restored his star force to further expand his Liànxīng cultivation.

He trained for two and a half hours.

His Zhong Xing Palace gained another forty orbiting star strands.

Altogether, Xu Jin had trained for three hours—six hours—time was nearing midnight; he was truly training hard.

Xu Jin's Zhong Xing Palace starlight now totaled just over two hundred sixty-five strands.

Barely one-tenth of what he needed to reach Liànxīng First Stage, Peak.

If he trained like this every morning and evening, breakthrough would come in five to six days.

But pill consumption would be extraordinary.

The pills Liu Qingzhu gave him would last only three or four days.

With sufficient pills, reaching Liànxīng Third or even Fourth Stage in a month wouldn't be a problem.

But without pills, it might take one or two months just to break into Liànxīng First Stage.

No wonder those with family backing cultivated so fast.

Pay-to-win players.

Xu Jin had already decided: he'd pay to win too.

No one was paying for him!

He'd pay for himself!

After cultivation, Xu Jin immediately entered the Second-Class Combat Secret Realm.

Last night, Xu Jin won fifteen consecutive battles in the Second-Class Combat Secret Realm, shooting from over fifty thousandth place straight into the top five hundred.

Today, he continued.

Still one-hit kills.

After ten battles, his rank surged to eighth place.

Lucky—he challenged during a time when all top ten were online.

It seemed most geniuses had synchronized their schedules, logging into the Combat Secret Realm precisely at midnight.

On his fifteenth challenge, Xu Jin targeted the number three in the Second-Class Combat Secret Realm.

He won easily.

In the next instant, a starlight message arrived.

【The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, congratulations on achieving third place in the Second-Class Combat Secret Realm. Maintain for seven days to receive five strands of starlight reward.】

【The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, you have permanently earned the title "Pingye Starlight" in the First-Class Combat Secret Realm. Keep it up.】

These two starlight messages left Xu Jin annoyed.

He'd just realized the title reward for top three in the Second-Class Combat Secret Realm was still "Pingye Starlight."

That was pointless.

Instantly, Xu Jin lost all motivation to climb the rankings.

He no longer cared about delaying his breakthrough to earn a title.

Tomorrow, he'd train in the Third-Class Star Force Secret Realm—he should break into Liànxīng First Stage, Initial Level smoothly.

After leaving the Zhixing Tower's Combat Secret Realm, Xu Jin didn't rush to sleep.

Instead, he swallowed a Yi Yun high-grade focus pill, restored some of his depleted divine soul power, and began inscribing star patterns on his divine soul star.

Star Pattern—Wen Meng!

Of the three divine soul star patterns, Wen Meng was the simplest below Fourth Grade; Xu Jin had already mastered it thoroughly inside the Star Lamp.

Not just Wen Meng—in the past three days, he'd also fully inscribed the Zhen Yi and Po Sha divine soul star patterns inside the Star Lamp.

He'd just now found time to inscribe them.

Now, inscribing star patterns was second nature to Xu Jin, especially after thousands upon thousands of repetitions inside the Star Lamp.

After fifteen minutes, the Wen Meng star pattern was cleanly inscribed on the third halo of Xu Jin's divine soul star, effortlessly.

Instantly, a soothing warmth spread through his entire body, leaving him both alert and comfortable—as if his entire head had been soaked in warm water.

Under inner observation, the recovery speed of his divine soul power accelerated.

Slight activation of the Wen Meng star pattern instantly induced a drowsy sensation.

He quickly dispersed it and regained full alertness.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's mind stirred—he activated the Wen Meng star pattern again.

Almost the instant he activated it, Xu Jin collapsed into deep sleep.

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jin awoke precisely as intended.

He inner-observed his divine soul star—his expression turned delighted.

The Wen Meng star pattern recommended by Shan Chang was indeed the right choice.

Just now, by self-inducing a fifteen-minute dream-sleep, Xu Jin had recovered half a percent of his previously depleted divine soul power.

This effect surpassed that of the Yi Yun high-grade focus pill.

From now on, theoretically, even if Xu Jin's divine soul power was completely drained, activating the Wen Meng star pattern would restore him to peak state in no more than two and a half hours of sleep.

Previously, he needed at least four hours of sleep to recover only seventy to eighty percent of his divine soul power.

Divine technique!

In his previous life, this would have been the ultimate divine technique!

Countless insomniacs of both genders would probably rush to call Xu Jin Dad!

Even Xu Jin himself would adore it!

The feeling of lying in bed, desperately trying to sleep but failing—it's excruciating.

Xu Jin was also preparing to rest, but before sleep, he heard Jiang Er in the next room still chattering away with Ning Yuchan.

He stepped out, walked to the door, and lightly knocked, saying in a low tone, "Jiang Er, aren't you sleeping? Do you want to disturb Yu Chan's cultivation tomorrow?"

Starting tomorrow, you must read half a book per day—I'll check on you!"

Inside the bedroom, Jiang Er, sharing a bed with Ning Yuchan, helplessly stuck out her tongue and made a face at Xu Jin through the window.

Before she finished the face, hearing Xu Jin's assignment, her little face twisted into a grimace; she immediately clung to Ning Yuchan, half-climbing onto her, shaking her and pleading.

"Xu Jin, don't blame Jiang Er—it was me who wanted to chat with her."

"Alright, Yu Chan, you should sleep early too."

"You too."

Although Jiang Er and Ning Yuchan both said they'd sleep immediately, Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern sensed that both were more alert than ever.

Suddenly, Xu Jin had an idea.

Why not try?

Xu Jin activated the Wenmeng Star Pattern; a gentle, undetectable spiritual force enveloped Jiang Er and Ning Yuchan.

In an instant, Jiang Er turned her head and fell asleep, breathing evenly.

"Asleep so fast?"

Seeing Jiang Er instantly fall asleep, Ning Yuchan was surprised—she thought it was because children had pure minds and could sleep the moment they wanted to—when suddenly, overwhelming drowsiness washed over her.

The next instant, Ning Yuchan's head tilted, and she too sank into deep sleep.

This startled Xu Jin greatly.

Is the Wenmeng Star Pattern really that powerful?

Did this peak Ninth Star Condensation powerhouse just fall asleep because of me?

What if this happened in battle?

Xu Jin immediately dismissed the thought.

In battle, it's useless.

In combat, the opponent's mind is highly focused and alert; unless Xu Jin maintained the Wenmeng Star Pattern at point-blank range continuously, he couldn't pull them into a dream.

Besides, it also had to do with Ning Yuchan's spiritual core not yet forming a star.

Still, the Wenmeng Star Pattern had one crucial function: entering dreams.

To interrogate enemies through dreams.

Of course, not entirely interrogation.

And if used for evil, the Wenmeng Star Pattern was simply terrifying!

It was perfect for lecherous men!

As long as the target was unguarded, they'd fall asleep in a second.

Too bad Xu Jin wasn't a lecher!

Still, he needed to remind Jiang Er and Yu Chan to stay vigilant.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern in his lower star palace trembled—he sensed Jiang Er, still asleep, suddenly tensing up.

His heart tightened.

Was she having a nightmare?

Since she'd just been put to sleep by the Wenmeng Star Pattern, Xu Jin once again activated it, sending a thread of spiritual force into Jiang Er's body.

In an instant, Xu Jin appeared on an island.

On the island, a young girl was being whipped on a pole by several brutal men.

In the distance, a divine statue glowed faintly; all around, countless girls in gray robes watched the overseer beating the girl, trembling in fear.

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized where this was.

Qianye Island!

The Worship of Dou Shen Cult.

This was Jiang Er's dream.

Although Jiang Er had been rescued, she herself often fell into this nightmare.

In previous terms, she had suffered spiritual trauma and hadn't recovered.

What should he do?

How to weave a dream?

Xu Jin activated his spiritual force and began weaving Jiang Er's dream.

The next instant, in Jiang Er's dream, Xu Jin in golden armor descended from the sky, killing the overseer instantly and slaying all the bandits of the Worship of Dou Shen Cult.

Finally, he appeared before Jiang Er, revealing his true face!

"Big brother!"

In the dream, Jiang Er flung herself into Xu Jin's arms and burst into tears.

In reality, Jiang Er, still asleep, wept profusely—but her body gradually relaxed, her breathing steadied, and her little face softened in comfort.

Xu Jin exhaled in relief.

He'd used the simplest, most brutal method to shatter the dream.

Unexpectedly, it worked well.

But dreams often repeat themselves in new variations.

Xu Jin planned to use the Wenmeng Star Pattern on Jiang Er every night before sleep; if a nightmare appeared, he'd break it.

After several sessions, he should be able to heal her psychological trauma.

Returning to his room, Xu Jin silently marveled.

Only now, after touching and activating the Wenmeng Star Pattern, did Xu Jin realize how wondrous and powerful the transcendent arts of this world were—far beyond his imagination.

What he'd encountered was merely the tip of the iceberg.

He must be even more cautious in the future.

On August 24, as Xu Jin finished his morning cultivation, Lü Kun, an inner disciple of the Grand Academician Fang Shi, arrived before the academy hall and stood solemnly with hands clasped, waiting quietly.

He waited for an entire hour.

Just as Xu Jin finished his morning practice in his courtyard, a streak of starlight landed before the academy hall—it was Grand Academician Fang Shi.

The instant Fang Shi appeared, Lü Kun, who had waited an hour, hurried forward, knelt, and kowtowed, "Inner disciple Lü Kun's devotion to the Dao is unyielding—I beg the Grand Academician to take pity!"

Grand Academician Fang Shi glanced at Lü Kun, walked straight into the academy hall, and ignored him.

Lü Kun knelt there for two full hours.

At noon, as Grand Academician Fang Shi left the academy hall and saw Lü Kun still kneeling, his expression changed slightly.

Soon after, Lü Kun was summoned into the academy hall.

Within fifteen minutes, the news spread throughout the Guodao Academy.

Grand Academician Fang Shi, moved by Lü Kun's sincerity, specially granted him one core disciple slot, permitting him to become his disciple!

(End of Chapter)