Chapter 181: Gratitude

September 17, in the Foreign Affairs Hall.

Deputy Hall Master Ling Mao personally received Xu Jin again, with exceptional warmth.

After a thorough inventory, Ling Mao personally drew up a list for Xu Jin.

The list detailed the various star cores Xu Jin had brought back from the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region: 1, 41 third-rank star cores, plus five fourth-rank star cores.

The third-rank star cores were exchanged for a total of 7, 60 Dao Merits.

This was mainly due to the large quantity, and also because most of the star cores Xu Jin obtained were mid-grade third-rank, with many also being high-grade.

What surprised Xu Jin was the unexpectedly high Dao Merits obtained for the fourth-rank star cores.

A mid-grade fourth-rank one-layer star core could be exchanged for 300 Dao Merits; a mid-grade fourth-rank two-layer star core fetched 400 Dao Merits outright.

The five fourth-rank star cores earned Xu Jin a total of 1, 00 Dao Merits.

After some thought, Xu Jin decided not to bring out the other eleven fourth-rank star cores still stored on the Can Dou Platform.

The ones he kept were all fourth-rank star cores of three-layer or higher condensation, two of which were high-grade casting-star cores.

Exchanging these star cores for Dao Merits would be uneconomical.

At the very least, they could be consumed all at once as fourth-rank talismans.

After this exchange, Xu Jin's Dao Merit total increased further, making him genuinely delighted.

This total also included the Dao Merits Wang Jiugao had paid for purchasing star weapon talismans.

【Dao Merits: 28, 50 points】

【Starlight: 1, 44 strands】

This gave Xu Jin a sense of wealth.

Such a large amount of Dao Merits was considerable; with a bit more accumulation, he would be close to becoming the richest man in Jinshan County.

"Deputy Hall Master Ling, I saw the notice—the Autumn Star-Seeking Season has already opened for registration, correct?" Xu Jin asked.

Upon hearing this, Ling Mao nodded. "Lord Xu wishes to register someone for the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Seeking? The requirements for the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Seeking are stricter, because ordinary disciples typically register at the Wanyi National Dao Academy."

"Therefore, certain conditions apply for direct registration at the National Dao Academy."

"Tell me the details of the person you wish to register, and I'll help you assess them."

Xu Jin was surprised.

He had not specifically researched this point.

He hadn't realized direct registration for the National Dao Academy's Star-Seeking carried so many conditions.

But upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

The National Dao Academy was the pinnacle cultivation facility of Chen Guo; if anyone could join by simply paying a few hundred taels of silver, its student body would overflow.

Then the Wanyi Dao Academy would have no reason to exist.

It was the same principle as the difference between an ordinary middle school and the top-ranked provincial middle school in his past life.

"It's my younger sister; she just turned fifteen this year," Xu Jin said.

"There are three conditions for direct registration in the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Seeking," Ling Mao held up three fingers to Xu Jin.

"First, your household must have a cultivator of fifth-rank or higher—but this condition has many exceptions; as a True Disciple, your blood relatives also qualify."

"Second, the candidate's Middle Star Palace must have been nurtured by a fourth-rank or higher expert to be eligible for direct registration."

"Third, the registration fee is fifty Dao Merits."

After speaking, Ling Mao analyzed for Xu Jin: "The first and third conditions pose no problem for you, Lord Xu, but the second condition—I wonder if you've noticed it? If not, I can arrange an expert for you, or I can even do it myself," Ling Mao said with a smile.

Ling Mao explained so thoroughly and offered a solution precisely because he wanted to earn Xu Jin's favor.

At this moment, Xu Jin understood why the Grand Master and Ning Yuchan had both nurtured Jiang Er's Middle Star Palace—this rule had been hidden all along.

Indeed, after Xu Jin thanked him and stated that the nurturing had already been done, Ling Mao's eyes flickered with disappointment; earning the favor of a True Disciple was no easy task.

He added another requirement: the expert who nurtured the Middle Star Palace must sign and seal the official jade tablet before submitting it to the National Dao Academy.

That was easy enough.

A few minutes later, Xu Jin paid fifty Dao Merits; once he submitted Ning Yuchan's signed and sealed jade tablet in the afternoon, Jiang Er would receive her official outer disciple token from the National Dao Academy.

The National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Seeking begins on September 19.

"Deputy Hall Master Ling, I'd like to purchase a set of thousand-year turtle shell. Does your Foreign Affairs Hall have any, or where might I acquire one?" Xu Jin asked directly.

The materials required to upgrade the Can Dou Platform—1, 00 strands of starlight, thirty-six fourth-rank star jade tablets, a thousand catties of silver, and a hundred taels of gold—had all already been gathered.

One jin of starfall iron had also been obtained within the Third-Rank Purple Wind Star Region.

The only remaining items were a thousand catties of iron essence, a hundred catties of copper essence, and one piece of thousand-year turtle shell.

Iron essence and copper essence were military-controlled materials, but not hard to obtain; many weapon-smithing shops carried them, and with enough silver, acquiring them was no challenge.

But the thousand-year turtle shell remained completely elusive.

"Lord Xu is learning alchemy?" Ling Mao looked at him with surprise.

Typically, top-tier geniuses like Xu Jin did not study star-art techniques before reaching the peak of fourth-rank condensation.

It was mainly because it distracted from cultivation.

And once their cultivation base grew higher, returning to learn these skills later yielded far greater efficiency.

"Not at all!

My father is growing older and his spirit is weakening. As a child, I wish to show filial piety. I heard thousand-year turtle shell has a calming, spirit-nourishing effect, so I plan to buy a set to make a heart-protecting armor for him to wear daily."

This was a pretext Xu Jin had long prepared.

Previously, Xu Jin had inquired widely: thousand-year turtle shell was a rare medicinal ingredient and one of the main components of the Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir; ordinary people and even ordinary alchemists could not access it.

Yet many wealthy individuals sought it for its mild spirit-nourishing effects, which, though faint, still benefited commoners.

After some thought, Xu Jin settled on this excuse.

It was reasonable enough.

"Lord Xu's filial piety is commendable!"

Ling Mao first paid a compliment, then frowned in thought. "Lord Xu, thousand-year turtle shell is extremely sought-after and exceedingly rare due to its age. May I ask—are you seeking a small piece or the entire shell?"

"Naturally, the whole shell."

Hearing this, Ling Mao rubbed his hands. "That's problematic! To be frank, when used in medicine, only a fingernail-sized piece is typically taken. Alchemy masters usually buy by weight—usually three to five taels."

"Occasionally, someone makes a heart-protecting or spirit-nourishing armor, buying eight or nine taels, or even a bit over a jin—about the size of a palm is sufficient."

"A whole shell? It's virtually impossible to obtain."

"And,"

Here, Ling Mao glanced at Xu Jin. "And it's extremely expensive—most people can't afford it."

"So expensive? How much per tael?" Xu Jin exclaimed.

Ling Mao knew exactly how many Dao Merits Xu Jin currently held.

That meant Xu Jin's nearly thirty thousand Dao Merits still wouldn't buy even one piece of thousand-year turtle shell.

"A tael isn't expensive—just 100 Dao Merits per tael."

"But a whole thousand-year turtle shell is enormous."

Ling Mao glanced and gestured to Xu Jin. "The smallest I've seen measured four to five meters in length and width; larger ones reached ten to twenty meters, even dozens of meters. Their weight ranged from several thousand to tens of thousands of catties."

This description left Xu Jin stunned.

If one tael cost 100 Dao Merits, even the smallest thousand-year turtle shell was beyond his means.

Seeing Xu Jin's expression, Ling Mao said, "Typically, a palm-sized piece—no more than one or two jin—is enough for a heart-protecting armor. If that's what you need, I have connections to procure it for you."

"But if you want the whole shell, you must first secure ample funds, then wait for an opportunity."

Assuming the whole shell weighed three thousand catties, that would require at least three million Dao Merits—not just beyond Xu Jin's means now, but likely beyond his means even ten years from now.

Surely the thousand-year turtle shell required to upgrade the Can Dou Platform isn't this absurd?

If it truly required the whole shell, he'd never upgrade the Can Dou Platform within the next decade.

After thinking, Xu Jin told Ling Mao, "I didn't consider this properly. Since you have connections, could you help me acquire three pieces—palm-sized would suffice? I have several elders I wish to honor."

"Three pieces? That's a large quantity—even many alchemy masters buy only one at a time," Ling Mao looked uneasy.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin said to Ling Mao, "I didn't think it through—if Brother Ling has a channel, could you help me buy three pieces, about the size of a palm? I have several elders I'd like to offer them to."

"I can only promise to try my best, Lord Xu. If I can't get enough, please don't blame me."

"How could I? I'm grateful just for your effort."

A few minutes later, Xu Jin left the Foreign Affairs Hall.

Today's visit had accomplished most of his goals.

The thousand-year turtle shell now had a lead—he just needed to confirm how much the Can Dou Platform upgrade required. Please, don't let it be a whole shell.

Otherwise, he'd be truly ruined.

As he left, Xu Jin inquired about star weapons.

The news was not encouraging.

Xu Jin had intended to purchase one or two more fourth-rank or even fifth-rank star weapons.

Star weapons were incredibly powerful; used well, they could reverse the tide of battle.

Xu Jin had already proven the strength of star weapons with his fourth-rank star weapon, Luanying Zhu.

Even a fourth-rank one.

But from Deputy Hall Master Ling, he learned the Foreign Affairs Hall never sold fourth-rank star weapons—and had none in stock.

Compared to other materials like starfall iron, which were merely military-controlled, star weapons faced far stricter regulation.

But according to Deputy Hall Master Ling Mao, the External Affairs Hall never sells fourth-rank star weapons, nor does it have any.

Compared to other materials such as star-fall iron and other so-called military controls, star weapon regulations are even stricter.

Many master artificers require vast quantities of materials in their early stages.

This is universally true.

For mid- to high-rank alchemists, rune masters, and artificers, your personal wealth alone, even if poured entirely into a family, may not produce even one mid- to high-rank master.

Besides vast material support, lineage inheritance is also crucial.

Thus, most mid- to high-rank skill masters are trained by official institutions, subject to strict requirements, and nearly all their products are sold first to the State Dao Academy.

Of course, the most important point is that the difficulty is extremely high and output is very low.

Demand far exceeds supply.

Sources are generally official grants or exchanges at the Star-Picking Tower, where prices are astronomical.

Occasionally, they appear at auctions.

But whenever they do, the price is invariably astronomical.

Generally, a standard fourth-rank star artifact starts at two thousand strands of starlight; at auctions, it's even higher.

The key is, even if you have money, you may not necessarily be able to buy one.

Power, status, information, and wealth—all four must be roughly equal before you stand a chance to acquire a star artifact.

Now Xu Jin had a rough sense of the true value of the fourth-rank star artifact, Chaos Star Pendant, bestowed upon him by the Grand Master.

Estimated at five thousand strands of starlight minimum.

Especially the Chaos Star Technique—if it ever went to auction, it would likely fetch an astronomical price.

But Ling Mao also gave Xu Jin a direction: in the Star River Battlefield, star artifacts circulate more frequently.

Many people's star artifacts are obtained from the Star River Battlefield.

If you truly want a star artifact, you might try the Star River Battlefield.

Xu Jin truly wanted a star artifact.

But Xu Jin wasn't ready to go to the Star River Battlefield yet.

Why rush to the Star River Battlefield to risk your life when you could rapidly advance your cultivation?

You should wait until your cultivation reaches mid- to late Star Condensation before going to the Star River Battlefield!

In the afternoon, shortly after Xu Jin returned from the State Dao Academy's library, Qing Fan reported a visitor.

Surprised, Xu Jin went out to greet them.

He saw an old man wearing a wooden hairpin and a simple, plain light blue robe, followed by several others, inspecting Xu Jin's courtyard.

As soon as Xu Jin stepped out of the quiet chamber, his Mingji Star Pattern flared violently, radiating brilliant light.

Xu Jin's heart leapt.

A powerhouse.

From the Mingji Star Pattern's sensing, this person was extremely strong.

Their cultivation aura was second only to the Grand Master and Director Peng, even surpassing the four Senior Academicians Xu Jin had met.

Just as he wondered which great figure this was, Xu Jin suddenly spotted a long crimson dress among the crowd.

Who else but Ji Hongli?

"Truly a young talent."

The old man, dressed in the plainest attire, scanned Xu Jin—and Xu Jin felt as if he were being flayed alive, utterly uncomfortable.

Only when his Shangxing Palace's Guicang Star Pattern activated to its maximum did the discomfort ease slightly.

This shocked Xu Jin.

It meant this person's spiritual soul power vastly exceeded his own.

"Big Brother, this is my grandfather—he insisted on coming!"

"This is my grandmother!"

"This is my mother!"

Ji Hongli introduced them one by one, suddenly overwhelming Xu Jin with pressure.

Good heavens, why are so many women here?

"Young Master, Master Ji is the Director of the Wan Yi State Dao Academy," Qing Fan whispered nearby, offering a gentle reminder.

Xu Jin was stunned—no wonder his cultivation aura was so formidable.

"I won't dwell on details, but I had to come personally. I have many grandchildren, yet I treasure Hongli like a pearl. The Zi Feng Star Region owes you a great debt, Young Master Xu." Ji Bang said.

"Fellow disciples, it was only natural," Xu Jin hurriedly replied.

"Natural?"

In my lifetime, I've seen too much. Cowards who fear death are everywhere; those who preserve themselves by staying silent are countless—but I've never seen 'natural'!

Even preserving oneself isn't wrong!

Helping others? Not helping is your duty.

Helping is a favor!

Before this, you and Hongli were strangers.

Yet you risked your life to save her!

So tell me—how do you calculate such a favor?

If I don't come here personally, I won't be able to sleep soundly!

This girl wouldn't even let me come!" Ji Bang chuckled, glaring at Ji Hongli, who immediately stuck out her neck and glared back.

"Young Master Xu, don't laugh! Hongli's been spoiled rotten by us!"

Ji Hongli's grandmother spoke up, "Look at her—how will she ever find a husband?"

"Grandma!"

Xu Jin was sweating—despite his past-life experience, this scene made him uneasy.

He didn't know if Ji Hongli had mentioned their physical closeness.

If she had, this was meeting the family.

If not, it was fine.

Soon after, Ji Hongli's mother and grandmother pulled Jiang Er aside, asking question after question, praising her, and in no time, they had uncovered every detail of Xu Jin's background.

If Xu Jin hadn't glared at her, Jiang Er would have confessed to his childhood bedwetting.

"I'm a straightforward man—I won't waste time on formalities. This favor, the Ji family acknowledges. I've already sent you a friend request. Should you ever face difficulties, you may ask Hongli—or come straight to this old man.

If I can help, I will." Ji Bang smiled.

"Even if you can't help, you must find a way!" Ji Hongli added.

Ji Bang blinked, pointing at Ji Hongli and scolding with a laugh, "A girl's heart turns outward—so outward!

And she's not even married yet!"

Ji Hongli blushed deeply, and Xu Jin felt awkward, unsure what to say—when Ji Bang suddenly grew serious.

"Hongli's right. Even if you can't help, you must find a way.

Just as you did when you saved Hongli.

Reaching out in utter despair—that's true heroism!"

One sentence turned Xu Jin's face red.

Hero?

That's going too far.

He only wanted to repay the Grand Master's favor.

"Besides this verbal debt, I've taken the liberty of bringing you a small gift, Young Master Xu—I hope you like it."

As he spoke, Ji Bang pulled from his sleeve a glowing mass of starlight.

When he first took it out, it was a shimmering orb—but when placed before Xu Jin, it transformed into a pair of starlit boots.

"Hongli told me you excel in speed, and in combat, speed is critical.

After much thought, I found a fourth-rank star artifact: the Treading Star Boots—perfect for you.

I hope you like them." Ji Bang pushed the fourth-rank star artifact toward Xu Jin, then beamed at him.

(End of Chapter)