Chapter 178: The Grand Master

The star patterns of fifth-rank and above that Xu Jin could currently learn were listed for him by Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

Essentially, all the star patterns Xu Jin had already learned were included.

The Great Gathering Star Pattern, the Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern, the Spiral Star Pattern, the Shooting Star Pattern, the Burst Flame Star Pattern, the Star Transformation Star Pattern—additionally, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao provided Xu Jin with two new special star patterns to learn.

The Thorn Star Pattern and the Swimming Fish Star Pattern.

Both of these special star patterns can enhance defense to some degree, but the Thorn Star Pattern increases defense slightly while reflecting star force, whereas the Swimming Fish Star Pattern is a highly sophisticated technique for deflecting force.

If learned, it could deflect a portion of any star force attack.

If Xu Jin chose to learn it, he could learn up to the fifth-rank Swimming Fish Star Pattern.

The fifth-rank Swimming Fish Star Pattern could deflect twenty-five percent of incoming star force, making it a relatively powerful defensive technique.

"Grand Master, I have a question: Previously, Teacher Liu Qingzhu said that in the entire Chen Guo, only the Ji family of Wan Yi possessed a fifth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source—why do you also have one?" Xu Jin asked his first doubt.

"Liu Qingzhu is indeed a good teacher, but she does not specialize in fire-star arts, so there are some things she has not yet encountered."

Many years ago, the fifth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern held by the Ji family was indeed the strongest in Chen Guo.

But the Ji family is merely a clan; their resources, compared to those of the State Star Academy, are ultimately inferior.

Moreover, though powerful, the Ji family remains subjects of Chen Guo.

Thus, over a decade ago, I made a secret deal with the Ji family.

The State Star Academy naturally acquired a stronger Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern. However, learning the fifth-rank Fire Source Star Pattern requires stringent conditions; very few within the academy have mastered it, and even fewer know of its existence.

Furthermore, every disciple who learns a star pattern of fifth-rank or higher from the State Star Academy must receive the seal of the Nine Sheng Bells."

"The Nine Sheng Bells?" Xu Jin was puzzled.

"They are our Chen Guo's national artifact—the very star artifact that secures our nation."

As he spoke, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao flicked his finger, and suddenly a small set of nine bells in blue and gold appeared between his fingers.

There were nine tiny bells in total, each giving Xu Jin a distinctly different impression.

Some seemed cute, like dolls; others radiated a fierce, menacing aura at a single glance; and the ninth bell—when Xu Jin looked at it, he felt the world spin and felt himself being pulled in.

Grand Master swept his sleeve, and all unusual effects vanished.

"Since you asked, I'll explain now: if you choose to learn any fifth-rank or higher star pattern from the State Star Academy, you will be sealed by the Nine Sheng Bells."

But this seal will have no negative effect on you.

Once the seal is implanted, any star pattern you learn from the State Star Academy cannot be displayed to anyone in any form without official rank authorization—you may use it, you may inscribe it yourself, but you cannot reproduce it for others.

It is primarily to prevent leaks.

In the future, once your rank within the State Star Academy reaches a certain level, you will gain the freedom to teach." Cheng Yuexiao said.

After speaking, Cheng Yuexiao asked, "Xu Jin, are you willing to accept the seal of the Nine Sheng Bells? If you are, you may then learn fifth-rank and higher star patterns; if not, then—"

"I definitely accept! With this seal, the high-rank star patterns of the State Star Academy can't be leaked!"

"Grand Master, do other Star Halls also have similar star artifacts or secret methods?" Xu Jin asked.

"They all do! Even if they don't, the entire nation will mobilize to create one—otherwise, a single leak means arming the enemy, with catastrophic losses."

This statement left Xu Jin somewhat disappointed.

Xu Jin had previously considered capturing Star Hall disciples to obtain their precious star patterns—but now he could abandon that idea entirely.

But the Grand Master's next remark stirred his heart again.

"It can indeed prevent leaks, but not absolutely."

"Some secret arts, such as high-rank soul-searching techniques, can still bypass it," said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao. "But those who can master and use high-rank soul-searching techniques are exceedingly rare—so there's no need to worry too much."

"Since you're willing, I'll perform it now."

In the next instant, Grand Master pulled out the Nine Sheng Bells and lightly tapped his finger against the first blue bell.

Hum!

As the clear bell tone rang out, a wave of blue light surged from the bells and sank into Xu Jin's Upper Star Palace.

Within Xu Jin's Upper Star Palace, a ripple of blue light passed through and vanished, as if nothing had happened.

But the Mingji Star Pattern sensed sharply that something indescribable now bound the Upper Star Palace.

"Grand Master, which of these star patterns here have sixth-rank or higher? Are there any seventh-rank star patterns?" Xu Jin asked this because of the Grand Master's mention of the upper limit of his inference ability.

Since the Grand Master said Xu Jin should choose one star pattern to learn up to its inference limit, one of them must be a sixth-rank or higher pattern.

Otherwise, he'd be shortchanged.

Xu Jin asked many questions, but Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was not annoyed—he answered each one in detail.

First, regarding seventh-rank star patterns: individual seventh-rank patterns must be personally comprehended; those that can be taught in bulk are exceedingly rare.

As for sixth-rank patterns available for Xu Jin's selection, there are only four.

They are: the sixth-rank Lower Great Gathering Star Pattern, the sixth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern, the sixth-rank Mid-Stage Spiral Star Pattern, and the sixth-rank Lower Shooting Star Pattern.

Only these four star patterns have currently reached their maximum inference limit.

Choose one from these four.

Honestly, Xu Jin wanted them all—each could greatly enhance his combat power.

But after rational analysis, he chose the sixth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern.

First, the Fire Source Star Pattern enhances the power of all his star arts; the other three sixth-rank patterns offer more specialized boosts.

To maximize benefit, the sixth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern was the best choice.

After selecting this sixth-rank Mid-Stage Fire Source Star Pattern, he still needed to choose one fifth-rank pattern.

The options for fifth-rank patterns were numerous.

After much deliberation, Xu Jin narrowed his final choices to the Spiral Star Pattern, the Shooting Star Pattern, the Swimming Fish Star Pattern, and the Burst Flame Star Pattern.

Honestly, he wanted to learn all of them.

If he could master them all, his strength would rise dramatically.

But he could choose only one.

After long thought, he chose the fifth-rank Swimming Fish Star Pattern.

After inscribing it, all his defensive star arts would become as slippery as a swimming fish, deflecting twenty-five percent of incoming power.

This was equivalent to a fixed defensive enhancement.

With the Swimming Fish Star Pattern, the Rain Curtain Star Pattern, and Lei Yi, Xu Jin felt he could now withstand attacks from mid- to late-stage fourth-rank cultivators.

Xu Jin could not take the jade tablets recording these two star patterns away—he spent half an hour studying them on-site, memorizing them repeatedly, before leaving.

As soon as Xu Jin left the Danxia Academy, Peng Zongguan, with silver hair and beard, appeared silently.

"Is the Palace Master preparing to begin training him?" Peng Zongguan asked.

"In a sense, yes. But his achievements this time fully warrant such a reward," said Cheng Yuexiao.

"What about the Star-Picking Secret Realm's Dao Evolution matter?"

"Wait until he accumulates enough Silver Stars," said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Understood."

"Peng Lao, I need you to handle a matter for me."

"Palace Master, please instruct."

"Over the next one or two years, keep an eye out for any lightning-star patterns that come up for auction—buy them if you can. It's a small preparation for this young man, to help him stand on his own sooner." Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately."

Returning victorious, Xu Jin naturally needed to visit his teacher, Liu Qingzhu.

Xu Jin did not expect that upon meeting her, his teacher would give him a tremendous surprise.

A massive gift package.

Two opportunities for the Ascension Stage, five bottles of Superior Star Refining Elixir, half a bottle of Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir, and one bottle of Five-Spirit Calming Elixir.

These were sent by Song Ziye, one of the Twelve Deputy Academy Masters.

This filled Xu Jin with extraordinary delight.

The gains were simply incredible.

Especially the Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir—he had previously lamented that he could only obtain the Spirit Refining Elixir from the Grand Master, and now this made up for it.

That wasn't all.

There were also eight additional Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs, the stakes from the Four Academy Masters.

Thus, Xu Jin now had thirteen Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs in total.

Xu Jin had never heard of the Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir before, but after inquiring, he learned that such pills almost never appeared except at auctions.

The starting bid was one thousand strands of starlight.

And that was just the starting bid.

Xu Jin had received thirteen at once—this was a fortune.

Of course, this was concentrated in Xu Jin's hands; for the Four Academy Masters, two thousand strands of starlight were trivial.

The most pained was Song Ziye, one of the Twelve Deputy Academy Masters.

Song Ziye came from a wealthy family and was very particular about his diet—he ate only one meal per day, and only dishes prepared by the chef of Zhaoxing Tower.

Previously, Zhaoxing Tower delivered eight fixed dishes to his courtyard daily.

From a few days ago, this had been reduced to only three.

It was said that this bet had drastically reduced Song Ziye's personal wealth.

"You wouldn't believe it—during yesterday's Minglun Hall meeting, Song Ziye's face turned black, but he still paid his stake—he's a real man!"

"To be honest, I was worried before, because you entered the Selection War—if your ranking in the God-Slaying Battlefield was surpassed by those who didn't participate, how would that be counted?

You couldn't challenge them, and by the time you returned, the deadline would have passed.

They might start quarreling again, and if things go wrong, they'll just deny everything.

I never expected their disciples to be this useless!

You've already entered the Selective Battle, yet not one of them can break your record. The best among them, Meng Qingqiu, is stuck at the 88th level and can't get past it—let alone the others.

Without you, they're guaranteed to win!

You've really made your master look good this time!'

As she spoke, Liu Qingzhu tossed Xu Jin a jade tablet. 'Here, a fourth-rank Great Star Cluster Pattern—this is the best I could secure for you. Fifth-rank star patterns are restricted by rules; I couldn't get one.'

After you inscribe it, your star power should increase by another ten percent.

If you have spare star positions, you can also inscribe a Great Star Cluster Pattern in your Lower Star Palace.

Once you condense your star core, you must find a way to obtain a fifth-rank Great Star Cluster Pattern!

It greatly boosts star power—that's standard equipment for every star core!'

Xu Jin could directly feel Liu Qingzhu's joy—her speech was lively, overflowing with excitement.

After chatting with Liu Qingzhu for a while and asking a few cultivation questions, Xu Jin finally left.

In the quiet chamber of the small courtyard, Xu Jin drank a cup of tea brewed by Jiang Er; as he breathed in its fragrance, his mind gradually settled.

He began to carefully reflect on his own cultivation path.

Currently, his cultivation base in the Lower Star Palace had reached the peak of Star Refining Fourth Stage—he could now inscribe star patterns.

After inscribing the star pattern, Xu Jin could advance his cultivation.

For the next period, Xu Jin could freely advance his cultivation.

With so many rewards as a foundation, no one would doubt how fast his cultivation rose.

In the end, Xu Jin chose to inscribe a third-rank Great Star Cluster Pattern in the extra star positions of his Lower Star Palace.

As for the newly acquired fourth-rank Great Star Cluster Pattern, it would take a little more time to inscribe successfully.

The star pattern most appropriate to inscribe right now in the Lower Star Palace should have been the Fifth-Rank Swimming Fish Pattern, but when Xu Jin glanced at it, he found that fifth-rank patterns were more than twice as complex as fourth-rank ones—even with the Star Lamp's assistance, it would take at least one or two days to complete.

To avoid delaying his cultivation, Xu Jin chose to first inscribe the third-rank Great Star Cluster Pattern, then add the fourth-rank one later.

Then, Xu Jin organized the patterns and elixirs needing cultivation.

The patterns had already been fully cultivated.

The main concern was the elixirs, especially the newly acquired Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir, which required three rounds of cultivation to maximize its effect.

Xu Jin had long ago tossed four of them into the Star Lamp for cultivation.

Other positions still needed to cultivate other elixirs.

There was no more space left for cultivation.

Upgrading the Can Dou Platform was urgent!

At night, Xu Jin stepped directly into the Plucking Star Secret Realm.

He easily obtained two copper stars.

Then he challenged the silver-star gatekeeper.

Thirty seconds later, Xu Jin earned one silver star.

Then he challenged the silver-star inner demon.

Forty seconds later, he earned another silver star.

【Can challenge gold-star gatekeeper and gold-star inner demon. Proceed?】

Xu Jin took a deep breath and made his decision.

【Challenge】

In the next instant, light and shadow shifted, and a hazy figure resembling Xu Jin appeared across from him.

This time, Xu Jin chose to challenge the gold-star inner demon first.

During previous copper- and silver-star challenges, Xu Jin noticed something interesting: the copper- and silver-star inner demons never used any thunder-based star arts except Thunder Serpent.

And during his own challenge, he had used only fire-based star arts.

Thus, Xu Jin reached a conclusion.

The inner demons of the Plucking Star Secret Realm didn't copy whatever he knew—they copied only whatever abilities he had demonstrated within the Plucking Tower's secret realms.

The only thing replicated was likely his star power level.

The previously entered Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Domain, though accessed via the Plucking Tower, was not a Plucking Tower secret realm—it was a real star domain.

With this, Xu Jin felt at ease.

It was essentially exploiting a small glitch.

Regardless, first get one gold star.

At the moment combat began, Xu Jin instantly activated the Thunderstep Flash, dashing forward to within five meters of the inner demon, then unleashed his prepped Shatter Evil.

The Shatter Evil Xu Jin learned came from the Spirit Era Star Palace's sixth-rank-lower Shatter Evil.

The strongest Shatter Evil star pattern currently taught by the Dachen State Academy was only fourth-rank-mid.

And according to Old Qi, even the two major star palaces' Shatter Evil patterns didn't exceed fourth-rank-high.

This was mainly because soul-patterns were extremely difficult to deduce.

The power was unimaginable.

This was also one reason why Xu Jin's Shatter Evil star pattern had repeatedly proven effective in the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Domain!

His soul power was exceptionally strong, his Shatter Evil star pattern was exceptionally strong—it was hard not to succeed!

Xu Jin had used Shatter Evil before when challenging inner demons.

But back then, his speed was similar to the inner demon's; even if he prepared Shatter Evil, he rarely got the chance to use it.

Now, he closed the distance instantly, and the Shatter Evil arrow slammed directly into the inner demon's Upper Star Palace.

The inner demon's soul cultivation was also Star Refining Eighth Stage, but its soul techniques couldn't be copied—that was a secret Xu Jin had already discovered.

In the next instant, Xu Jin saw the inner demon freeze for a fleeting moment—extremely brief.

This was the effect of Shatter Evil's impact.

That time was enough!

Almost simultaneously, Flame Burst and Thunder Bind erupted.

Thunder Bind restrained the enemy; Flame Burst killed it!

This was a proven combat combination Xu Jin had developed after countless battles against fourth-rank experts in the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Domain.

Using it against the inner demon now was especially effective!

With one Flame Burst, the inner demon's protective aura shattered instantly.

Starlight erupted beneath the inner demon's feet as if it meant to retreat.

But it was bound by Thunder Bind.

In the next instant, the inner demon launched its own Flame Burst toward Xu Jin.

Xu Jin's body swayed like a willow fluff, dodging instantly; as he moved, his left hand unleashed Flame Burst.

His right hand flicked slightly, and thunder surged like a waterfall, spiraling toward the inner demon.

Five fingers shattered in succession.

In an extremely short time, Xu Jin emptied all the star power from his Lower Star Palace, unleashing hundreds of thunder arrows.

Thunderlight completely drowned the inner demon.

In the next instant, a message appeared before Xu Jin.

【Congratulations! You have successfully challenged the gold-star inner demon and earned one gold star.】

(End of Chapter)