Chapter 155: Mysterious Invitation (Please subscribe)

September 2nd, which was the fifth day since he learned the mid-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, Xu Jin arrived at the Feiyan Academy early in the morning once again.

If one were to go by the cultivation speed of Xu Jin as understood by his teacher, Liu Zhou Qingzhu, then Xu Jin's cultivation base at this moment should be at the peak of the second layer of Star Refining.

But in reality, it had only taken Xu Jin two and a half days to break through his Middle Shang Xinggong cultivation to the peak of the second layer of Star Refining, and he had already successfully inscribed the Rain Curtain Star Pattern.

As for his Lower Shang Xinggong, it would also reach the peak of the second layer of Star Refining tonight.

Tomorrow, he would reach the third layer of Star Refining.

Xu Jin was here to find his teacher, Liu Zhou Qingzhu, to learn new star patterns.

At Feiyan Academy, Xu Jin was definitely receiving special treatment.

The total number of core disciples and inner court disciples currently at Feiyan Academy had reached over one hundred and fifty. Although there were instructors to help, every morning, at least a dozen disciples would come to ask about all sorts of questions.

Although Xu Jin had arrived early, those senior sisters and junior sisters who lived directly within the academy had arrived even earlier.

Xu Jin honestly went to line up.

Just as he stood at the back of the line, a shadow and a whirlwind arrived simultaneously. The Second Senior Sister, Tang Chuo, walked straight over and said in a muffled voice, "Junior brother, you are the only true disciple, why are you still lining up? Just go straight in."

As soon as she finished speaking, Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo reached out to pull Xu Jin. Xu Jin instinctively resisted for a moment, and suddenly, a massive force surged toward him.

Xu Jin's entire body flew up as if he were riding the clouds.

Just as Xu Jin was about to crash into the hall door from being pulled by Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo, the starlight at Xu Jin's waist exploded more than ten times in succession, only then dissipating the Second Senior Sister's massive force.

Xu Jin looked at Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo with a face full of shock. The Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo, who had short stubble on her face, scratched the back of her head with some embarrassment, "Sorry, junior brother, I used too much force."

The senior sisters and junior sisters around Tang Chuo snickered one after another, and then that sleepyhead Jiang Yuan said, "It's still the Eldest Senior Brother who has better agility! Last time, the Fifth Senior Sister was pulled by Senior Sister Tang once and directly suffered a fracture!"

Tang Chuo glared at her, but Jiang Yuan yawned without the slightest bit of fear.

This little junior sister, Jiang Yuan, was quite interesting. She was a core disciple from last year. In Xu Jin's divine soul perception, she clearly had the cultivation of the Star Condensation Realm, but the aura she displayed was only that of the Star Refining Realm.

However, this divine strength of Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo was truly terrifying.

In a close-quarters encounter at the Star Refining Realm, just relying on this divine strength, there was a possibility of crushing an opponent.

"Hmm, peak of the second layer of Star Refining, the progress is quite good." As soon as they met, Liu Zhou Qingzhu praised Xu Jin, "Is there any difficulty in your cultivation? The star patterns should still be enough to use, right?"

"Teacher, it is like this. My Middle Shang Xinggong is at the peak of the second layer of Star Refining, and my Lower Shang Xinggong is also at the peak of the first layer of Star Refining. So I would like to learn one or two new star patterns or new star arts from you in advance."

Xu Jin was taking the initiative to show Liu Zhou Qingzhu his cultivation speed, accelerating it slightly; otherwise, it would be very uncomfortable to keep holding back.

Anyway, with the 10,000 Dao Merits and 1,000 wisps of starlight rewarded by the imperial court, it was normal for his cultivation progress to be fast.

"You must have already successfully inscribed the mid-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern. Have you also successfully inscribed your speed-type star pattern?" Liu Zhou Qingzhu asked.

"The Willow Catkin Star Pattern is about to be successfully inscribed."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhou Qingzhu said with surprise, "You are inscribing these star patterns quite quickly. In five days, you are actually able to inscribe two star patterns. For most people, inscribing one star pattern in four or five days is already considered very fast."

"It is precisely because star pattern inscription is difficult that the disciple wants to learn early, and then become familiar with and comprehend them early. Once my cultivation base breaks through, I can successfully inscribe them early to improve my strength," Xu Jin said.

"Hmm, then this time, what kind of star pattern do you want to learn?" Liu Zhou Qingzhu asked.

"I ask for your guidance, Teacher, but when I challenged the Killing God Battlefield, the disciple discovered a problem," Xu Jin said.

"What problem?"

"The disciple discovered that my offensive means are still singular. My means of killing the enemy are only Star Arrows and Star Rings; Star Ropes can also be counted as one. I don't know if there are any new star arts I can learn," Xu Jin asked.

"Of course there are new star arts, but star arts with powerful might are mostly combination star arts." Liu Zhou Qingzhu fell into deep thought, and after a long while, she said again.

"Among fire-type star arts, the basic star art 'Star Explosion' can greatly increase the might of fire-type star arts. There is also the entry-level star art 'Star Rain Art', which is also the foundation for mid-to-late-stage high-might star arts.

I can pass these two star arts to you. You can practice them diligently without affecting your cultivation progress, striving to reach semi-instant casting as soon as possible. Only with semi-instant casting can you form combat strength.

Especially the Star Explosion Art.

But as for the Star Rain Art, let alone instant casting, even semi-instant casting is extremely difficult!

Many people practice diligently for more than ten years and may not necessarily be able to cast it instantly. You don't need to be anxious when practicing," Liu Zhou Qingzhu said.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"After you master the Star Rain Art, do not display it in front of others before the late stage of Star Refining. According to the academy's teaching regulations, I am teaching this beyond the syllabus," Liu Zhou Qingzhu laughed.

"In addition, regarding star patterns, if you want to increase the diversity of your attacks, the 'Star Transformation' star pattern is a must-learn. Furthermore, the 'Flame Flower' star pattern and 'Explosive Flame' star pattern are star patterns dedicated to fire-type star arts, which can greatly enhance the might of the 'Explosive Flame Art' on the basis of the Star Explosion Art.

The improvement is over fifty percent, and the star power consumption will also increase, but for you, that is not a problem.

The only drawback is that after the Explosive Flame and Star Explosion Art are superimposed, the bombardment speed of the star art will become slower."

"And to solve this drawback, you must use the 'Spiral' star pattern to cooperate. In this way, your star pattern slots will not be enough. This involves the combination of star patterns.

Which of these star patterns do you want to learn?" Liu Zhou Qingzhu asked.

"What is your suggestion, Teacher?"

"Explosive Flame, Spiral, and Star Transformation can be learned. Even if they don't form a set, the might is not bad. Once you reach Star Condensation, you can cooperate in sets. You should learn Explosive Flame and Spiral first.

The Explosive Flame star pattern I have here is a fourth-tier mid-grade one. As for the Spiral star pattern, the highest grade in the academy is sixth-tier low-grade, but currently, I can only pass you a fourth-tier high-grade one. Fifth and sixth-tier star patterns need to be exchanged using A-grade performance reviews, merits, or Dao Merits," Liu Zhou Qingzhu said.

"Teacher, pass the Star Transformation one to me as well. I want to study it. Anyway, my cultivation progress hasn't fallen behind," Xu Jin laughed.

"You!"

Liu Zhou Qingzhu pointed at Xu Jin and scolded him with a laugh, "I'll pass it to you, but don't go around talking about it! There is no such teaching method for disciples of the National Academy.

Half a month after enrollment, I've already passed you six star patterns.

If this gets out, the Grand Master will scold me for being a spendthrift!

The Dharma should not be passed lightly!"

"Teacher Liu is still the best, knowing how to cherish and teach her disciples." Xu Jin shamelessly flattered her, which made Liu Zhou Qingzhu happy again.

"You, stop flattering me. Get your ranking in the Killing God Battlefield sorted out, and I will find a way to get you some benefits," Liu Zhou Qingzhu laughed.

A few minutes later, Xu Jin left with five jade tablets in one go.

They were the Star Explosion Art, Star Rain Art, fourth-tier high-grade Spiral star pattern, fourth-tier mid-grade Explosive Flame star pattern, and fourth-tier low-grade Star Transformation star pattern.

The Star Transformation star pattern is actually a broad category of Fire Transformation star patterns.

Xu Jin had previously seen the Fire Transformation star pattern on the Fire Spirit Star Core he offered, and he had already experienced it.

Its main function is to make the form of attacks ever-changing.

For example, fire arrows can turn into fireballs, fire blades, fire swords, fire spears, and then one can directly condense various star-power-formed star weapons in their hands.

Like the blade wheels and star power giant hammers that Ning Yuchan had previously used, they were all the effects of the Star Transformation star pattern.

Many powerful star arts require the cooperation of the Star Transformation star pattern.

Xu Jin wanted to understand it, and secondly, he wanted to register it with Liu Zhou Qingzhu.

If he were to display star arts related to the Star Transformation star pattern through the offered Fire Spirit Star Core in the future, then Liu Zhou Qingzhu would be there to cover for him.

Leaving Liu Zhou Qingzhu, Xu Jin went straight to the third-tier Star Power Secret Realm.

After using it today, his time in the third-tier Star Power Secret Realm would be used up.

As for the matter of purchasing extra time, Xu Jin was not in a hurry; anyway, he was not lacking in Dao Merits now.

Coming out of the third-tier Star Power Secret Realm, he did not immediately return to his small courtyard, but entered the main building of the Da Chen Star-Plucking Tower, and then stepped onto the stairs on the side of the building.

This was the entrance to the Heaven-Ascending Stairs of the main building of the Da Chen Star-Plucking Tower in the present world.

As the stairs turned, Xu Jin stepped into the entrance of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs he was already familiar with.

Subsequently, Xu Jin climbed up step by step.

This was already Xu Jin's fifth time coming to the Heaven-Ascending Stairs.

Counting what he had as a true disciple, what his teacher gave him, and the rewards he obtained as the champion of the autumn examination, Xu Jin had a total of fourteen opportunities to climb the Heaven-Ascending Stairs.

Starting from August 29th, Xu Jin had come to climb the Heaven-Ascending Stairs once every day to temper his divine soul and improve his divine soul power.

On the Heaven Stairs, Xu Jin climbed step by step, and soon reached the two-hundredth step.

But reaching the two-hundredth step still posed no pressure to Xu Jin.

Continuing to climb, soon, Xu Jin reached the two-hundred-and-sixtieth step.

According to his teacher Liu Zhou Qingzhu, every ten steps on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs is a hurdle. Generally speaking, only after the divine soul has forged a star can one reach above the two-hundredth step.

And after the two-hundredth step, for every additional step climbed, the pressure borne by the divine soul increases by one point, and the tempering effect is very obvious.

Every ten steps represent a small realm of the Divine Soul Star.

Generally speaking, if the Divine Soul Star is at the first layer of Star Refining, one can reach the two-hundred-and-tenth step. Depending on personal willpower, those who are strong can climb one or two more steps.

But climbing one or two more steps is the limit. Xu Jin arrived at the two-hundred-and-fiftieth step, and huge pressure rushed toward him.

His nerves were tense, and every step he took felt like he was carrying a mountain on his back.

Ten minutes later, Xu Jin reached the two-hundred-and-seventy-third step and was extremely arduously moving toward the next step.

Xu Jin's current Divine Soul Star was at the early stage of the seventh layer of Star Refining. Theoretically, the two-hundred-and-seventy-third step was Xu Jin's limit.

But one minute later, Xu Jin stepped onto the two-hundred-and-seventy-fourth step.

Xu Jin did not stop.

He continued upward.

The next instant, it felt as if countless blades and arrows were hacking at Xu Jin's divine soul from all directions, making Xu Jin break out in cold sweat, and the pressure coming from his body felt like it was going to crush Xu Jin to the ground.

A quarter of an hour later, Xu Jin, bent over and bearing the huge pressure, stepped onto the two-hundred-and-seventy-fifth step.

He continued to move toward the next step.

At this moment, the terrifying pressure twisted toward Xu Jin like a millstone.

It made Xu Jin extremely painful.

There were ten thousand thoughts in his mind wanting to give up.

"Tempering, I must persist to the limit."

Xu Jin persisted and crawled onto the two-hundred-and-seventy-sixth step like a snake.

The next instant, it felt as if his brain was being ground by countless millstones, and Xu Jin was in so much pain he almost fainted.

Five breaths later, the Mingji Star Pattern's brilliance flashed violently. Xu Jin felt his vision go black, and before he was about to faint, he silently recited "Leave" in his heart, instantly disappearing from the Heaven-Ascending Stairs and appearing inside the main building of the Star-Plucking Tower.

Xu Jin's entire body felt as if he had been fished out of water, exhausted to the extreme.

After returning to the small courtyard, Xu Jin used the Dream-Woven Star Pattern to guide himself and fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed.

An hour later, Xu Jin woke up, full of spirit, looking at the starlight circling the Divine Soul Star and the slightly thicker star halo, full of smiles.

Although the Heaven-Ascending Stairs were extremely painful, every time there was positive feedback and positive gains, and he could see obvious improvements.

According to his teacher, as long as he reached the limit every time, ten times on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs would be enough to improve the cultivation of the Divine Soul Star by one layer.

Looking at this progress, Xu Jin felt that ten times were not needed; eight times might be enough.

This should be related to the fact that he could persist to the limit of the limit every time.

This was another wonder of the Mingji Star Pattern.

Otherwise, Xu Jin would not dare to do this, because if he really fainted on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs, it would hurt his divine soul.

In the National Academy, examples of accidents on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs that hurt the divine soul and could not recover for two or three months were everywhere.

Xu Jin, relying on the early warning of the Mingji Star Pattern, was able to reach the limit.

"Young Master, there is a letter." After Xu Jin woke up, the maid and housekeeper, Qing Fan, presented a letter.

"Who sent it?" Xu Jin was puzzled.

"Young Master, it was sent by a servant boy, who said that Young Master would know after opening the letter," Qing Fan said.

"Lord Xu, I am hosting a banquet at the Zhao Zhai Xing Lou tonight. I respectfully invite Lord Xu to grace us with your presence. It concerns Lord Xu's future, so please be sure to come."

The content was very simple, with no signature.

Xu Jin looked at this letter, sneered, and directly used star power to crush it into powder.

An invitation without even a signature—only a fool would go.

And it concerned his future!

Cultivating diligently was Xu Jin's best future.

But this letter still made Xu Jin extremely vigilant.

He specifically gave Jiang Er a few instructions, telling her not to leave the National Academy, and if there was anything that needed to be purchased, she should leave it to Qing Fan.

In the evening, Xu Jin's Lower Shang Xinggong cultivation also reached the second layer of Star Refining.

It only took a quarter of an hour for Xu Jin to successfully inscribe the fourth-tier high-grade Willow Catkin Star Pattern.

After inscribing it, Xu Jin tried it out on the spot.

The flexibility of his movement technique exceeded Xu Jin's imagination.

The benefits of the "Flying Star Steps" that Xu Jin had previously used, which exploded everywhere on his body, were all presented in this Willow Catkin Star Pattern.

The key was that the movement technique was truly like willow catkins, like wind swaying willows, extremely eerie.

And it was flexible to the extreme.

When Xu Jin previously displayed the same eerie movement technique, he needed to explode the Flying Star Steps seven or eight times, not to mention the consumption of star power, it was also a bit slow.

But after learning the Willow Catkin Star Pattern, what previously took seven or eight Flying Star Steps to complete could now be done in one go.

At the same time, Xu Jin's speed also skyrocketed by thirty percent.

One leap of the Flying Star Steps had already reached over one hundred and fifty meters.

It was very fast.

With both his Middle and Lower Shang Xinggong cultivation at the peak of the second layer of Star Refining, and tomorrow he would break through to the third layer of Star Refining, Xu Jin, in order to earn more Dao Merits, naturally challenged the Killing God Battlefield first!

It had to be said that the increase in speed made Xu Jin's combat strength advance greatly, and the Rain Curtain Star Pattern made Xu Jin's defensive power increase greatly.

The defensive power of the star art directly skyrocketed by two and a half times.

After Xu Jin challenged the 80th level of the Killing God Battlefield, where he had previously failed, it became much easier.

In terms of speed, he was already on par with that alien prodigy at the eighth layer of Star Refining.

As for the other four alien elites at the eighth layer of Star Refining, they were left behind by Xu Jin in terms of speed.

Under Xu Jin's flight, he soon won the opportunity for a one-on-one with the alien prodigy at the eighth layer of Star Refining.

Explosive annihilation!

The things that followed were simple.

The 80th level was successfully passed!

He obtained a Dao Merit reward of 70 points.

Just like Xu Jin's previous speculation, the basic reward for Dao Merits should start from the cultivation base, with one added for every ten levels.

Since he could successfully challenge the 80th level, there was no pressure before the 87th level.

Pushing straight through, Xu Jin killed his way to the 89th level, and then challenged the 90th level.

The 90th level was just as difficult as before. Xu Jin fled in a sorry state for dozens of breaths, finally relying on the super defensive power brought by the Rain Curtain Star Pattern to pull through and kill the alien prodigy at the ninth layer of Star Refining.

But just as he was victorious, Xu Jin gave up the attack.

A few breaths later, he turned into starlight and dissipated.

Xu Jin's level-passing count in the Killing God Battlefield stopped at the 89th level, still in first place.

He was too far ahead of second place.

Currently, second place was Meng Qingqiu, ranked at the 76th level.

Xu Jin felt that it wasn't worth those 10 Dao Merits, so he should hold back a little.

According to the current pattern, if Xu Jin killed his way past the 90th level, he should be able to pass through to about the 94th level in one go.

Xu Jin had not yet encountered enemies of the Star Condensation Realm.

He could only make a speculation.

So it was better to hold back a little and be cautious.

Coming out of the Killing God Battlefield, Xu Jin continued to challenge the Star-Plucking Secret Realm.

Compared to when he was at the first layer of Star Refining, the two newly added star patterns made Xu Jin's comprehensive strength improve greatly.

Xu Jin easily plucked two copper stars and two silver stars.

But when trying to pluck a gold star, he was instantly killed again!

In front of the gold-star-level gatekeeper at the second layer of Star Condensation and his inner demon, Xu Jin still had no power to resist.

At the same moment, in front of Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's small building, the white-haired and white-bearded Manager Peng appeared again.

(End of chapter)