Chapter 154: Silver Stars and Outside Tactics (Request Subscription)

Before breaking through to Star Refining Second Stage, Xu Jin decided to enter the Star Picking Secret Realm one more time.

The last time he entered the Star Picking Secret Realm, his own inner demon instantly killed him—that experience was too painful.

But it only stoked Xu Jin's competitive spirit.

Isn't it said that defeating oneself is the ultimate victory?

Xu Jin now wanted to defeat himself.

He had already replayed that battle against his own inner demon several times.

In fact, it had much to do with Xu Jin's own psychology.

Previously, the opponents Xu Jin faced—whether in the Star Picking Tower's combat simulations—had never been overly strong, and he had always held back his true strength, never fully unleashed it.

But the inner demon struck with one hundred percent firepower from the start.

It was equivalent to Xu Jin himself attacking with no reservations.

And then he was instantly killed.

Xu Jin had already planned out several counter-tactics related to this.

【Star Picking Challenge: You may challenge the guardian or your own inner demon.】

【Challenger: Xu Jin, Star Refining First Stage】

This time, Xu Jin first chose to challenge the guardian.

The next instant, he was transported into a shifting light-and-shadow space; across the light screen stood a green-robed swordsman, holding his longsword backward, his face obscured.

The moment the light screen vanished, Xu Jin unleashed his full power.

His Soul Star spun once, unleashing Break Evil, while simultaneously firing a fire arrow infused with forty percent star power.

At that moment, Xu Jin unleashed his full strength without holding back.

The Break Evil star pattern struck silently, swift and sudden.

The green-robed swordsman, just beginning to turn into green light, froze abruptly, tumbled out of the glow, and was instantly shattered into starlight by Xu Jin's fire arrow.

【Victory】

【Challenger, congratulations, you have earned one Bronze Star】

Xu Jin was stunned.

He felt the guardian's defeat had been too easy.

From the perception of his Mingji Star Pattern, the guardian was undoubtedly a top-tier Casting Star cultivator, yet Xu Jin had wiped him out in one burst.

But upon reflection, it was normal.

He was merely a top-tier Casting Star guardian at Star Refining First Stage, while Xu Jin himself was a super-tier Casting Star with a flawless primordial star body refined nine times.

【Star Picking Challenge: You may challenge a Silver Star guardian or your own inner demon.】

Seeing this prompt, Xu Jin began to understand.

The Star Picking Challenge operated along two separate paths.

One for the guardian, one for the inner demon.

The next instant, Xu Jin took a deep breath, recalled his predetermined tactics and several testing methods he'd previously conceived, then selected to challenge the inner demon.

Starlight flickered.

Across from him appeared once more the tall, upright man.

Last time, Xu Jin hadn't realized it was himself.

That figure truly stood as straight as a pine.

As the light and shadow vanished, Xu Jin and the inner demon moved simultaneously.

The instant the inner demon charged forward, Xu Jin immediately employed the kite-ring tactic, dodging the inner demon's ferocious lightning serpent strike.

A star ring rippled outward, his ten fingers struck in rapid succession; within his Soul Star, the Calm Will Star Pattern formed into a Calm Will Bell, which Xu Jin pushed to its limit.

Almost at the same instant, Break Evil struck, and the Soul Star blazed with brilliant light.

Meanwhile, Xu Jin's full-power attacks also landed.

The inner demon was instantly shattered into starlight under Xu Jin's full assault.

【Challenger, congratulations, you have earned one Bronze Star】

Having won the challenge, Xu Jin exhaled in relief.

The psychological shadow from his previous instant defeat by the inner demon vanished completely.

Ten breaths later, the light and shadow before Xu Jin shifted again, pulling him back into the battlefield.

This time, Xu Jin challenged a Silver Star guardian.

According to the description, it was a guardian three stages higher than him.

It was still the green-robed swordsman, but now he radiated the aura of Star Refining Fourth Stage peak.

Extremely formidable.

At the start of battle, Xu Jin used the same tactics as before.

Break Evil and a star arrow infused with thirty percent star power.

But this time, the Break Evil strike only caused the green-robed swordsman to stagger slightly; his Soul Star suffered no serious damage. The swordlight flickered, forming a green sword shield that continuously shredded Xu Jin's star arrows.

Then, he actually blocked the attack.

But the instant he lunged forward, lightning serpents rained down from above his head.

Astonishingly, a green vortex appeared and directly swallowed Xu Jin's lightning serpents.

But the next instant, Xu Jin appeared before the green-robed swordsman and punched forward, fire light exploding in rapid succession.

He was instantly shattered into specks of starlight.

【Challenger, congratulations, you have successfully challenged a Silver Star guardian, earning one Silver Star】

Xu Jin was immediately teleported away.

He had earned this Silver Star in just five seconds.

But Xu Jin knew clearly that he had already used most of his techniques.

Yet there was no other way.

Xu Jin was currently only at Star Refining First Stage, and his Star Patterns, at most, numbered only four.

Just as Xu Jin obtained the Silver Star, the Star Picking Challenge leaderboard.

The Silver Star total increased by one.

The total Silver Stars of the Great Chen Star Picking Tower also increased by one, rising from forty-three to forty-four.

Ten breaths later, Xu Jin began his next challenge.

This time, he chose to challenge the Silver Star inner demon.

For this challenge, Xu Jin deliberately switched his offered Star Core and attempted something bold.

As long as he didn't lose consecutively, it didn't matter.

The moment the light screen vanished, the inner demon launched its attack; Xu Jin, at the very first moment of battle, exploded into Flying Star Step and retreated instantly.

But in that instant of retreat, Xu Jin activated his Clear Soul, Return Store, and Conceal Form Star Patterns simultaneously, summoning star mist; the next instant, he vanished from his original spot.

Then, Xu Jin saw the inner demon appear confused.

It could not locate its target.

It blasted the spot where Xu Jin had vanished with fire-based star arts, then began searching aimlessly like a headless fly.

This behavior instantly suggested a possibility to Xu Jin.

Could the inner demon summoned by the Star Picking Secret Realm only replicate star power, unable to simulate the state of the Soul Star?

As for why the inner demon could use Break Evil, the reason was simple: Break Evil was a standard Soul Star Pattern.

But unusual Soul Star Arts like invisibility, the inner demon could not replicate.

Yet for now, this was merely Xu Jin's hypothesis; to confirm it, he would need multiple further tests in subsequent challenges.

Two seconds later, the inner demon spun around sharply.

It was Xu Jin, who had stealthily approached from the side, unleashing a sudden burst—starlight already striking the inner demon's back.

Simultaneously, he activated the kite-ring tactic, fully unleashing his power, and launched consecutive Break Evil strikes.

One second later, the Silver Star inner demon dissolved.

Victory achieved; Xu Jin earned another Silver Star.

In Xu Jin's estimation, with his current strength, as long as he unleashed his full power, obtaining a Silver Star was not difficult.

Then what about a Gold Star?

Ten breaths later, the light and shadow before Xu Jin shifted again, pulling him back into the battlefield.

This time, Xu Jin challenged a Gold Star guardian.

This time, the green-robed swordsman had become a white-robed knife-wielder.

The terrifying aura of Condensation First Stage peak radiated from afar, overwhelming Xu Jin with immense pressure.

The moment the light screen vanished, Xu Jin exploded into Flying Star Step and retreated actively, also testing his invisibility.

But before he had even reached mid-air, the white-robed knife-wielder appeared beside him.

One slash—and Xu Jin was reduced to specks of starlight.

Defeat!

A crushing defeat!

Afterwards, Xu Jin checked his rewards from the Star Picking Secret Realm: two Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars—then he left the main tower of the Great Chen Star Picking Tower without attempting to challenge the Gold Star inner demon.

After these consecutive challenges, Xu Jin had begun to discern a pattern.

For Xu Jin himself, the inner demon is stronger than the gatekeeper. This relates to Xu Jin's own strength.

But the evolution of the soul-force likely follows direct cultivation rank assignments by the Star-Picking Tower, not simulation.

Once you learn special soul-star runes later, you'll know for sure.

The gatekeeper's strength is also formidable.

Xu Jin's current cultivation foundation is extremely high—rare among a million.

Defeating a Silver-Star gatekeeper of High Third Rank is perfectly normal.

But a Gold-Star gatekeeper with a full major realm advantage is beyond Xu Jin's current ability to defeat.

There's not only cultivation-level suppression, but also suppression in star-art and star-runes.

But that doesn't mean it's impossible to defeat.

Xu Jin believes that once his star-runes and star-art form a small system, he might have a chance to defeat a Gold-Star gatekeeper—the Star-Picking Gold-Star.

But that won't happen until at least Star-Refining fifth or sixth level, maybe even seventh or eighth.

It's impossible during early Star-Refining.

Besides this, Xu Jin has another question—does the Star-Picking Tower simulate or evolve the Crimson-Scale Heart, its inner demon?

Danxia Academy.

Before the small pavilion where Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao resided, footsteps suddenly sounded; Peng the Steward, white-haired and bearded, appeared before the pavilion.

"Come in, Peng Lao."

A few breaths later, the white-haired Peng Steward stood before Cheng Yuexiao, who wore white robes, her long hair loose over her shoulders, deep in meditation.

"What is it?"

"Master, in the Star-Picking Realm, our Chen Guo has gained two more Silver Stars," said Peng Lao.

"Two more Silver Stars?"

Cheng Yuexiao lifted her head, her face already lit with joy. "How long ago?"

"Master, according to the duty officer's report, it happened within the past hour."

"An hour? Two Silver Stars—that means consecutive victories over gatekeeper and inner demon. Who could it be?" Cheng Yuexiao asked curiously.

"I don't know. Information from the Star-Picking Realm is too scarce. My Star-Picking Permit doesn't grant me access."

"If you can't see it, neither can I! Thank you, Peng Lao. When you stroll around at night, keep an eye out for any undiscovered geniuses in the Dao Academy."

"I will."

After bowing, the white-haired Peng Steward vanished the moment he stepped out of the pavilion.

Yet in Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's mind, Xu Jin's face suddenly surfaced.

"Could it be that little brat? After all, his performance in the God-Slaying Battlefield was astonishing."

As she spoke, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao herself drew out her Star-Picking Permit and entered the Star-Picking Realm, gazing at its display, lost in thought.

Six Silver Stars. One Gold Star.

After a long while, she sighed inwardly.

Gold Stars are too hard to obtain.

Even someone as strong as her had only obtained three in her lifetime.

And Chen Guo as a whole hadn't obtained a single Gold Star in twenty years.

This made the one she held all the more precious.

One chance at High-Level Dao Evolution.

She wanted to use it—but dared not.

If she used it, the Chen Guo Dao Academy would have no reserves left in this area.

Wan Yi, Fang Manor!

The residence of Senior Academician Fang Shinan stood in Qinglong Ward, the best location in Wan Yi's southern district, covering vast ground.

The Fang family was a renowned aristocratic clan of Wan Yi: one Duke, one Marquis from the Star-River Battlefield, and three Marquises of Chen Guo—truly a top-tier noble house.

In recent years, with the rise of Senior Academician Fang Shinan, their prestige had grown even greater.

As dusk fell, Song Ziye, one of the twelve Deputy Academicians, arrived with a servant carrying a gift.

The gift wasn't valuable, but visiting without a gift was against protocol.

Half a quarter-hour later, Song Ziye was led into Senior Academician Fang Shinan's study.

Song Ziye's purpose was known to Senior Academician Fang Shinan.

After both sat, tea and snacks were served, and Song Ziye bowed deeply. "Master, regarding the wager, I humbly ask for your guidance."

Hearing this, Senior Academician Fang sighed. "Xu Jin has exceptional combat ability. I've already asked Qingqiu—if her cultivation reached Star-Refining fifth level, could she break through the eightieth gate? She said she could.

If she poured all resources into it, within half a month, her cultivation might reach Star-Refining fifth level in the Middle Star Palace and fourth in the Lower Star Palace. If her star-rune engraving goes smoothly, she should reach around the eighty-eighth gate.

She has no confidence in the ninetieth gate of the God-Slaying Battlefield."

"About the same—if my disciple Ji Hongli poured all resources into it, her cultivation might be slightly behind Qingqiu's, but breaking through to the eighty-fifth gate of the God-Slaying Battlefield is certain," said Song Ziye.

"But Ziye, you know this isn't the key issue.

The key question is: by half a month from now, what level will Xu Jin reach?" asked Senior Academician Fang.

"Given Xu Jin's current cultivation speed, if he's still at Star-Refining third level after half a month, he won't break the ninetieth gate," said Song Ziye.

"Ziye, under normal circumstances, Xu Jin's cultivation in half a month would max out at Star-Refining third level in the Middle Star Palace.

But now, Xu Jin lacks no cultivation resources. New news: due to his merits in the Huoxuan Star Region, he's been granted Third-Class Merit Noble status, with ten thousand Dao Merits and a thousand strands of starlight!

With just that, Xu Jin won't lack resources for three months, let alone with Liu Qingzhu increasing her investment!" said Fang Shinan.

Song Ziye was stunned, his expression instantly turning bitter.

"Master, does that mean there's no way? No chance at all?"

"If you're willing to sacrifice everything, there's still a chance—but the win rate won't exceed ten percent, maybe only five."

Hearing this, Song Ziye's expression grew even more bitter.

Keeping wealth within the family is fine—but not if it bankrupts me.

One such investment would cripple me.

Two such investments would nearly ruin me—years of work wasted.

A five percent chance...

"Fine."

Senior Academician Fang glanced at Song Ziye, as if to speak, then fell silent, silently sending a message through his Star-Picking Permit.

In the side hall, Fang Zhong, Senior Academician Fang's steward, chatted with Song Feng, Song Ziye's personal attendant.

Though both were stewards and attendants, it mattered who they served.

Outside, their status was still quite high.

Tea and snacks were plentiful.

As the saying goes: even a seventh-rank official stands tall at the Chancellor's gate.

Suddenly, Fang Zhong glanced at his Star-Picking Permit and chuckled. "Ah, Deputy Academician Song has been tricked by the Liu family—tricked into a deep pit."

"Isn't that the truth!

A sure thing ruined by a freak," said Song Feng helplessly.

"I asked around today. Given Xu Jin's cultivation speed, by half a month, he'll likely still be top three in the God-Slaying Battlefield," said Fang Zhong.

"Ah!"

Song Feng sighed. Who could deny it? He was anxious too.

"If you ask me, the only way to win is one method."

"What method?" Hearing "win," Song Feng grew eager and begged for advice.

But Fang Zhong refused to speak. In his impatience, Song Feng promised two banquets with courtesans before Fang Zhong finally opened his mouth.

"Right now, the only way to win is—outside-the-rule tactics!"

"Outside-the-rule tactics?" Song Feng pondered.

Soon after, Deputy Academician Song Ziye left the Fang Manor. Seeing his master's gloomy face, Song Feng whispered softly, "Young Master, shall we use some outside-the-rule tactics?

With them, we'd surely win?"

SLAP!

The moment Song Feng finished speaking, a sharp slap struck his cheek, swelling it instantly.

Song Ziye's brooding expression turned icy. "If you ever suggest such a thing again, you're gone."

One sentence sent Song Feng to his knees, begging forgiveness, swearing he'd never dare again.

"Within the rules' limits, compete and fight however you like!

That's permitted by Grand Master!

But if you use anything beyond the rules and get caught, it means destruction of your family!

My Song family has stood in Chen Guo for centuries because of these four words: tread as if on thin ice!

Besides, this is just an academic rivalry within the Dao Academy!

If I used outside-the-rule tactics and word got out, how could I ever face anyone again?"

After scolding him, Song Ziye glared coldly. "Was this idea your own—or did someone plant it in your head?"

"Young Master, it was Fang Zhong, the Fang Manor steward, who just suggested it!"

"Fang Manor steward!"

Song Ziye turned back, his eyes filled with coldness.

(End of chapter)