Chapter 156: Ning Ning Yuchan and Poison Pill (Seeking Subscriptions)

"In the Zhai Xing Secret Realm, our Chen Guo Dao Academy has added two more silver stars."

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao, who received the report, had a face full of joy.

Adding two silver stars five days ago didn't actually mean much, but adding two more silver stars five days later was a different story.

This meant that someone could stably produce silver stars.

Ten silver stars could allow for one derivation of the Dao.

If used well, the strength of the entire National Dao Academy could be improved.

Now, there were two keys.

The first key was who this person who obtained the silver stars was, and the second key was, would there be two more silver stars added five or six days later?

The first point was easy to handle; he had to find out. The second point represented sustainability.

Obtaining silver stars sustainably was the most valuable part.

Over the years, the National Dao Academy had seen many geniuses who could pick silver stars, but most geniuses could only pick silver stars occasionally.

If one could pick silver stars sustainably, it not only represented that this person's strength was improving very stably, but it also represented that this person had the potential to pick gold stars!

If the Chen Guo Dao Academy could obtain two or three more gold stars, Cheng Cheng Yuexiao would even have more confidence in further weakening the selection process.

"Peng Zongguan, who picked these silver stars? Have you found out?" Cheng Cheng Yuexiao asked casually.

"Palace Master, among the three generations of old, middle, and young in the National Dao Academy, the masters of the older generation can be completely ruled out. The higher the cultivation base, the harder it is to pick gold and silver stars.

Moreover, the masters of the older generation didn't have the ability to pick silver stars when they were young, let alone now.

The middle generation is the same; most of their potential is exhausted.

However, Cui Jing, who is currently on the Star River Battlefield, has this possibility," Peng Zongguan said.

"Cui Jing once suppressed the geniuses of the academy for ten years, and ten years ago, he picked fifteen silver stars. He indeed has this possibility. Who else?"

"Wang Wang Rusong, the champion of the autumn examination the year before last, is now at the seventh seat of Condense Star, and his spirit cultivation has broken through to the fourth layer of Refine Star. When he was at the Refine Star Realm, he once picked six silver stars, and he previously reported that he had picked three silver stars this year.

He also has this possibility."

Upon hearing this, Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao let out a long sigh, "It's a pity for the champion of last year's autumn examination."

Peng Zongguan remained silent, "Kou Jing previously reported that the student Meng Meng Qingqiu picked one silver star, but in my opinion, Meng Meng Qingqiu does not have the possibility of picking silver stars continuously."

"Then who is the most likely one?"

"The most likely one is naturally Xu Jin, the champion of this year's autumn examination.

I didn't pay attention five days ago, but tonight I discovered that within a quarter of an hour after Xu Jin challenged the 90th level of the Killing God Battlefield, the silver stars of our Chen Guo Zhai Xing Lou in the Zhai Xing Secret Realm increased by two."

"Hmm, keep paying attention. Regardless of whether it is him or not, don't disturb him first.

After all, ten silver stars or less are useless."

Speaking of this, Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's expression suddenly moved, "Peng Zongguan, do you think I should push this student?"

"There have been precedents of pulling up seedlings to help them grow."

Peng Zongguan said in a low voice, "But if he continues to maintain this momentum, when he reaches the mid-to-late stage of Refine Star, if the Palace Master pushes him again, there might be a possibility of picking a gold star."

"Hmm, I know."

On the night of September 5th, the third star halo of Xu Jin's Middle Shang Xinggong Gather Star Core flowed like a heavenly river, rotating around the star core, beautiful and magnificent.

Peak of the third layer of Refine Star.

Xu Jin was considering which Star Pattern to inscribe into his Middle Shang Xinggong.

Currently, there were a total of five Star Patterns that could be inscribed: Spiral, Explosive Flame, Star Change, Whale Swallowing, and Meteor.

The Meteor Star Pattern is a speed-type Star Pattern, which Xu Jin was preparing to inscribe into his Lower Shang Xinggong. The Whale Swallowing Star Pattern can make Star Arts possess bizarre sticky-absorption characteristics and can also improve combat power.

But not now; it should be inscribed after the Star Pattern slots are vacant.

The choices were Spiral, Explosive Flame, and Star Change.

All three could improve combat power.

The might of Explosive Flame superimposed with the newly learned Star Art Star Burst Art would increase significantly, but the speed would become slower. If you can't hit the enemy, it's useless.

And this drawback can be compensated for by the Spiral Star Pattern.

After thinking about it, Xu Jin still decided to prioritize inscribing the Spiral Star Pattern.

The Spiral Star Pattern can improve the speed and might of all Star Arts. When he reaches the fourth layer of Refine Star, it won't be too late to inscribe the Explosive Flame Star Pattern.

【Teacher, how is your condition recently? Are you well? How is your injury recovering? I have a question I want to ask in advance: what is going on with the Condense Star of the Spirit Star? Does it require a new cultivation method?】

After inscribing the Star Pattern, Xu Jin sent a starlight message to Old Qi.

Just today, the Refine Star Golden Pill he had obtained last time had been thoroughly nourished to the third level.

Originally, this was a great thing, but now Xu Jin was a bit worried.

Xu Jin had climbed the Heaven-Ascending Stairs ten times in a row.

The effect was even better than Xu Jin had expected.

After climbing the Heaven-Ascending Stairs seven times, his spirit cultivation had improved by one layer.

However, Xu Jin felt that this one layer of cultivation was not entirely due to the Heaven-Ascending Stairs.

It should be related to the Cheng Po Star Pattern.

Old Qi had said before that after the Cheng Po Star Pattern is condensed, it will clarify the spirit day and night without stopping. Although the speed is slow, the effect of accumulation over time is the most astonishing.

It is a unique secret of the Lord Lingji Shang Xinggong.

Moreover, the stronger the spirit cultivation, the stronger the effect of the Cheng Po Star Pattern.

Before the Spirit Star has forged a star or is in the early stage of Refine Star, under the passive blessing of the Cheng Po Star Pattern, it takes about two years to improve by one layer of cultivation.

But after the Spirit Star reaches the late stage of Refine Star, it can improve by one layer of spirit cultivation in one year.

Previously, Xu Jin's spirit cultivation had already broken through to the seventh layer of Refine Star, and the passive blessing of the Cheng Po Star Pattern had significantly strengthened.

At this time, under the tempering of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs, the Spirit Star had just broken through to the eighth layer of Refine Star.

There were still two layers of cultivation left until the peak of the ninth layer of Refine Star.

Previously, when Xu Jin took the third-level Ding Shen Golden Pill, his Spirit Star cultivation had directly exploded by two layers.

And the effect of the Refine Spirit Golden Pill was far stronger than that of the Ding Shen Golden Pill.

If he took it and his Spirit Star broke through to the peak of the ninth layer of Refine Star, if Xu Jin didn't know what to do next, wasting the power of the pill would be a small matter, but hurting his spirit would be a big matter.

Therefore, he specifically asked Qi Qi Shanye.

For this matter, Xu Jin could only ask Qi Qi Shanye.

Three minutes later, Qi Qi Shanye's starlight message arrived.

【You brat, don't be overly ambitious. Spirit Condense Star itself is not difficult; it requires Star Patterns and a large amount of spirit power, but it is extremely difficult to achieve.

In my Lord Lingji Shang Xinggong, many people are inscribing the Cheng Po Star Pattern, and with the help of Ding Shen Golden Pill, Refine Spirit Golden Pill, Long Gui Forging Longgui Duanpo Dan, and the tempering of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs, it takes at least ten years to have the possibility of Spirit Condense Star.

Like your teacher, I spent eleven years on Spirit Condense Star, and in the Lord Lingji Shang Xinggong, I am already a top-tier genius.

As for those in other Star Palaces, without twenty years of diligent practice, and that is under the condition that cultivation resources are extremely abundant, it is impossible to achieve Spirit Condense Star.

Ninety-nine percent of fifth-tier masters do not have Spirit Condense Star, and even a large number of sixth-tier masters do not have Spirit Condense Star, so don't think about it.

But based on your previous performance, five years later, perhaps there is a possibility of Spirit Condense Star.】

Qi Qi Shanye's starlight message left Xu Jin speechless. He talked for a long time, but still didn't say anything.

Helpless, Xu Jin could only ask again, "Teacher, I just want to know out of curiosity. In any case, I can't cultivate it, right?"

【You brat! It doesn't matter if I tell you. Spirit Condense Star itself is not a secret; it actually requires a large amount of pure spirit power to condense a star.

In other words, you have to rely on external objects to help input a large amount of spirit power to condense a star.

Relying on yourself or the tempering of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs is impossible to condense a star.

When condensing a star, you can directly inscribe another Cheng Po Star Pattern.

Many people cannot condense a star for their whole lives because they lack this kind of external object that contains a large capacity of spirit power.

Don't be anxious, brat. I am currently trying to find a way for you.

Within five years, I will definitely find a treasure that can help you with Spirit Condense Star.】 Qi Qi Shanye said.

【Thank you for your trouble, Teacher, but there is one point you must pay attention to: safety first! Safety first! Safety first! If it happens like last time, where you fall into a life-and-death predicament because of me, no matter how good the thing you get is, I won't use it.】 【Stinky brat, cultivate properly.】

Qi Qi Shanye, who was far away in the barbarian region, had already successfully mixed into the mansion of a barbarian noble as a private tutor. At this time, while chatting with Xu Jin, he was eating grapes peeled by a maid, and his life was quite comfortable.

After reading Qi Qi Shanye's starlight message, Xu Jin started to calculate.

The third-level Ding Shen Golden Pill had improved his spirit cultivation by two layers, so the third-level Refine Spirit Golden Pill would definitely improve his spirit cultivation by more than two layers.

Xu Jin estimated at least three layers.

But taking it in his current state, whether it could allow Xu Jin to achieve Spirit Condense Star in one go was a bit uncertain.

Improving spirit cultivation from the early stage of the eighth layer of Refine Star to the peak of the ninth layer of Refine Star would likely consume a large amount of the Refine Spirit Golden Pill's medicinal power.

He was just afraid that he wouldn't be able to condense a star.

According to Old Qi, this external object that assists in condensing a star is so precious that it would take someone like Old Qi four or five years to possibly get one for Xu Jin.

Then Xu Jin absolutely must not waste this third-level Refine Spirit Golden Pill.

Subsequently, Xu Jin immediately made a decision.

Temporarily do not take the third-level Refine Spirit Golden Pill; keep it for now.

Xu Jin still had five opportunities out of his fourteen for the Heaven-Ascending Stairs. Xu Jin estimated that after five climbs of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs, even if his Spirit Star wasn't at the peak of the eighth layer of Refine Star, it wouldn't be far off.

At that time, taking the Refine Spirit Golden Pill would greatly increase the probability of condensing a star.

Suddenly, Xu Jin thought of the bet between his teacher Liuzhou Qingzhu and the Deputy Academy Head Song Song Ziye.

It included two opportunities to temper on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs, and it was said there were thirteen Long Gui Forging Spirit Pills in total.

The Long Gui Forging Longgui Duanpo Dan is a rare pill that can improve spirit cultivation. Because it is a pill that can be taken continuously, its effect is far worse than the Refine Spirit Golden Pill, but after taking it, it can always improve cultivation.

After nourishment, the effect is definitely better.

If possible, Xu Jin wanted to improve his Spirit Star cultivation to the peak of the ninth layer of Refine Star, and then take the third-level Refine Spirit Golden Pill. Perhaps he could break through his spirit cultivation to the Condense Star Realm in one go.

After thinking about it, Xu Jin got up and walked toward Ning Ning Yuchan's quiet room.

Recently, Ning Ning Yuchan had been going out early and returning late, practicing in seclusion every day.

She said she had inscribed a high-tier Star Pattern again, and her combat power had improved, but her strength was still stuck at the peak of the ninth layer of Condense Star.

As for spirit cultivation, her two rewarded opportunities for the Heaven-Ascending Stairs had also been used up, but she still hadn't forged a star with her spirit.

"Sister Ning Yuchan."

Xu Jin knocked on the door and entered. Ning Ning Yuchan, who was sitting on a meditation cushion, slowly opened her eyes, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Sister Ning Yuchan, you can take this pill."

Xu Jin presented a pill bottle.

"Refine Spirit Golden Pill?"

Ning Ning Yuchan opened it and looked, suddenly feeling a bit surprised, "Eh, why is this pill a bit different? It feels like it's surrounded by countless starlight; it's quite beautiful.

This is my first time seeing such a beautiful pill."

Xu Jin was stunned.

Good-looking, beautiful!

Is this the focus for women!

"Sister Ning Yuchan, your spirit Star Pattern has already been inscribed, right?" Xu Jin said.

"The Intent-Suppressing Star Pattern was inscribed long ago, but the spirit hasn't forged a star, so the effect is very small."

"Hmm, then take it now. It should be able to let your spirit forge a star."

Ning Ning Yuchan picked up this brilliant Refine Spirit Golden Pill with her spring-onion-like fingers, feeling a bit suspicious, "What did you do to this pill?"

"I poisoned it!"

Xu Jin joked.

Upon hearing this, Ning Ning Yuchan giggled, "You brat, you actually want to poison your teacher? That's too bad!"

While speaking, Ning Ning Yuchan swallowed this brilliant Refine Spirit Golden Pill into her stomach.

In the next instant, Ning Ning Yuchan's expression changed.

That immense spirit medicinal power rushed straight to her head, making Ning Ning Yuchan feel dizzy for a moment.

"Calmly guard the Upper Shang Xinggong and focus on forging a star," Xu Jin shouted in a deep voice.

Ning Ning Yuchan blinked her beautiful eyes, and then focused on forging a star with her spirit.

In just half a quarter of an hour, an immense spirit aura emerged from Ning Ning Yuchan's body.

Feeling this familiar aura, Xu Jin knew that Ning Ning Yuchan had successfully forged a star.

However, Ning Ning Yuchan's spirit aura was constantly improving.

And Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern was rotating slowly with a faint light. Xu Jin could feel every change in Ning Ning Yuchan's spirit aura.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Ning Ning Yuchan's Spirit Star was at the peak of the first layer of Refine Star.

A quarter of an hour later, Ning Ning Yuchan's Spirit Star was at the peak of the second layer of Refine Star.

Two quarters of an hour later, the aura of Ning Ning Yuchan's Spirit Star stopped climbing, at the late stage of the third layer of Refine Star.

Xu Jin felt this degree of improvement was normal.

After all, it was a third-level Refine Spirit Golden Pill, and after the spirit forged a star, it improved by two and a half layers of cultivation.

But if Xu Jin took it himself, it might not necessarily be the case.

Ning Ning Yuchan improved by two and a half layers of cultivation because her spirit power had been tempered for six or seven years.

But if Xu Jin used it to condense a star, it would be a process from nothing to something.

Therefore, if he wanted to break through with one hundred percent certainty, Xu Jin had better improve his Spirit Star cultivation to the ninth layer of Refine Star or even the peak of the ninth layer of Refine Star before trying.

"Xu Jin, this... what exactly did you do to this Refine Spirit Golden Pill? Normally speaking, let alone one, even without counting the significant decay of the medicinal effect, four or five Refine Spirit Golden Pills wouldn't have this effect!"

After finishing, Ning Ning Yuchan said with surprise, "Although I haven't taken the Refine Spirit Golden Pill before, my friends, teachers, junior brothers and sisters, and the Academy Head have all told me about the effect of the Refine Spirit Golden Pill!

Even if taken by someone who has forged a star with their spirit, it cannot improve spirit cultivation by one layer at once."

"I told you, I put deadly poison in it!" Xu Jin laughed.

Upon hearing this, Ning Ning Yuchan rolled her eyes at Xu Jin, "Xu Jin, I think you've become bold after entering the National Dao Academy! Should I ask your teacher to give you special guidance again?"

"Forget it!"

While speaking, Xu Jin took out another pill bottle and handed it to Ning Ning Yuchan, "Sister Ning Yuchan, there is another pill I poisoned here. Do you dare to eat it?"

Ning Ning Yuchan took the pill bottle and found it was a brilliant Ding Shen Golden Pill.

The starlight surrounding it was a bit like the previous Refine Spirit Golden Pill, but a bit different.

Ning Ning Yuchan's beautiful eyes shone with strange light, staring at Xu Jin, full of strange colors.

Obviously, she was full of doubts, but didn't know how to ask or what to say.

As her beautiful eyes wandered, Xu Jin was left a bit dazed.

This pair of beautiful big eyes was amazing.

It felt like they could talk.

"Sister Ning Yuchan, I know what you are thinking! But from now on, don't ask about this matter, and don't mention it to anyone!

This is a secret technique I obtained in the Fire-Splendor Star Realm that has a huge cost and can improve the effect of pills.

Currently, I have only told you.

If you tell others, one day you might have to collect my corpse!" Xu Jin warned.

Ning Ning Yuchan was stunned, and then nodded heavily, "After today, I have never seen such a pill! And I have never eaten one."

"Eh, you gave me the pill made by this secret technique, then what about you?" Ning Ning Yuchan asked.

"I have some, don't worry, eat it quickly."

Ning Ning Yuchan's beautiful eyes wandered, she stared at Xu Jin for a few moments, and then swallowed this brilliant Refine Spirit Golden Pill into her mouth.

In just an instant, Ning Ning Yuchan's spirit aura surged again.

Xu Jin continued to urge the Mingji Star Pattern, carefully sensing the changes in Ning Ning Yuchan's spirit cultivation.

This was an experiment he wanted to do regarding pills.

He wanted to know, after taking an ordinary Ding Shen Golden Pill, if he took a third-level Ding Shen Golden Pill, how much would the medicinal effect decay?

And what is known is that the effect of taking the second Ding Shen Golden Pill is at most only twenty percent of the effect of the first one.

(End of this chapter) ===== CHAPTER 157 =====