Chapter 181

September 17th, in the Foreign Affairs Hall.

Vice Hall Master Ling Mao personally received Xu Jin again, being exceptionally enthusiastic.

After a round of counting, Ling Mao personally listed a manifest for Xu Jin.

Listed on the manifest were the various star cores Xu Jin had brought back from the third-tier Purple Wind Star Domain, totaling 1,241 third-tier star cores and 5 fourth-tier star cores.

The third-tier star cores exchanged for 7,560 Dao Merits for Xu Jin.

This was mainly because of the large quantity, and another reason was that the star cores Xu Jin obtained this time were mostly mid-tier third-tier ones, and there were quite a few high-tier ones as well.

What surprised Xu Jin was that the Dao Merits exchanged for fourth-tier star cores were unexpectedly high.

A mid-tier fourth-tier first-layer star core could actually exchange for 300 Dao Merits, and a mid-tier fourth-tier second-layer star core exchanged directly for 400 Dao Merits.

The five fourth-tier star cores exchanged for 1,800 Dao Merits for Xu Jin.

After thinking about it, Xu Jin still didn't take out the other eleven fourth-tier star cores he had kept in the Arena.

What Xu Jin kept were all star cores of fourth-tier Condense Star third-layer and above, and two of them were even high-tier Forge Star ones.

It wouldn't be cost-effective to use these star cores to exchange for Dao Merits.

At the very least, they could be consumed all at once and used as fourth-tier emblems.

After a round of exchanges, Xu Jin's Dao Merits increased again, making Xu Jin beam with joy.

Among these were also the Dao Merits given by Wang Jiugao for buying the star soldier emblems.

【Dao Merits: 28,650 points】

【Starlight: 1,244 strands】

This gave Xu Jin a sense of being a wealthy man.

With so many Dao Merits, the value was not small; if he accumulated a bit more, he wouldn't be far from being the richest man in Jin Shan County.

"Hall Master Ling, I saw the notice that registration for this year's Autumn Star-Pointing Season has already begun, right?" Xu Jin asked.

Hearing this, Ling Mao nodded, "Is Lord Xu wanting to register someone for the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Pointing? The National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Pointing has slightly more requirements, because the Autumn Star-Pointing for ordinary disciples is generally registered at the Dachen Wan Yi National Dao Academy.

So there are some conditions for the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Pointing.

How about this, Lord Xu, tell me the information of the person you want to register, and I'll help you look into it."

Xu Jin was surprised.

He hadn't specifically looked into this point.

He didn't expect that there would be so many conditions for registering directly for the National Dao Academy's Star-Pointing.

But after thinking about it, it was perfectly normal.

The National Dao Academy was Da Chen's top cultivation venue; if one could just pay one or two hundred taels of silver, the National Dao Academy's disciples would have long since overflowed.

There would be no need for the Dachen Wan Yi Dao Academy to exist.

This was the same principle as the ordinary middle schools and the number one ranked middle school in the province or city in Xu Jin's previous life.

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

"There are three conditions for registering directly for the National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Pointing." Ling Mao extended three fingers toward Xu Jin.

"The first is that the family must have a cultivator of the fifth tier or above, but there are many ways to work around this; Lord Xu is a direct disciple, and the blood relatives of direct disciples can also satisfy this condition."

"The second is that one needs to have had their middle star palace nourished by a powerhouse of the fourth tier or above to be able to register directly for the National Dao Academy to participate in the Star-Pointing."

"The third is the Star-Pointing fee, which is collected in Dao Merits, fifty Dao Merits."

After finishing, Ling Mao analyzed for Xu Jin, "Lord Xu has no problem with the first and third conditions, but I don't know if Lord Xu has noticed the second condition. If you haven't noticed, I can help Lord Xu invite someone, or I can also take action myself." Ling Mao said with a chuckle.

Ling Mao explained it so carefully and finally gave a solution; to put it bluntly, he still wanted to gain a favor from Xu Jin.

At this moment, Xu Jin understood why the Grand Master and Ning Yuchan both wanted to nourish Jiang Er's middle star palace; it turned out this rule was hidden.

Sure enough, after Xu Jin thanked him and indicated that it had already been nourished, a trace of disappointment flashed in Ling Mao's eyes; the favor of this direct disciple was not easy to earn.

He mentioned another requirement: the second rule required the signature and seal of the expert who nourished the middle star palace to be submitted to the National Dao Academy.

This was easy to handle.

A few minutes later, Xu Jin paid fifty Dao Merits; after submitting the jade tablet with Ning Yuchan's signature and seal in the afternoon, Jiang Er would be able to get the identity token of an outer disciple of the National Dao Academy.

The National Dao Academy's Autumn Star-Pointing would begin on September 19th.

"Vice Hall Master Ling, I want to purchase a pair of thousand-year turtle shells; I don't know if our Foreign Affairs Hall has any, or where I can purchase them?" Xu Jin took the initiative to ask for advice.

Among the materials for the Arena's fourth-tier ascent, the thousand strands of starlight, thirty-six fourth-tier star jade tablets, thousand catties of silver, and hundred taels of gold had all been gathered long ago.

The one catty of Star Meteor Iron had also been gathered in the third-tier Purple Wind Star Domain.

Now only a thousand catties of iron essence, a hundred catties of copper essence, and one thousand-year turtle shell remained.

Although iron essence and copper essence were military-controlled materials, they were not difficult to obtain; many weapon-forging shops had them, and it wasn't hard to get them by spending a bit more silver.

But for the thousand-year turtle shell, he currently had no clue.

"Is Lord Xu learning alchemy?" Ling Mao looked at Xu Jin with some surprise.

Generally speaking, top geniuses like Xu Jin usually wouldn't learn star-refining skills before reaching the peak of the fourth-tier Condense Star.

It was mainly about distraction.

And after their cultivation base was higher, going back to learn these things would have the effect of half the effort for twice the result.

"Not really!

My father is getting on in years and his spirit is failing; as his children, we want to show some filial piety. I heard people say that thousand-year turtle shells have the effect of nourishing the heart, calming the spirit, and nourishing the soul, so I'm preparing to buy a pair to make a heart-protecting armor for my old father to wear year-round."

This was an excuse Xu Jin had thought of long ago.

Xu Jin had inquired about it many times before; thousand-year turtle shells were treasures among medicinal materials and were one of the main ingredients for the Long Gui Forge Soul Pill, which ordinary people or even ordinary alchemists couldn't touch.

But there were also many wealthy people seeking to buy them, just to nourish the heart and calm the spirit; although the effect of nourishing the soul was weak, it was still effective for ordinary people.

After thinking about it, Xu Jin found this excuse.

It could be considered reasonable.

"Lord Xu's filial piety is commendable!"

Ling Mao first complimented him, then frowned and pondered for a while, "Lord Xu, these thousand-year turtle shells are very popular, and because of their age, they are also very rare. May I ask if Lord Xu wants a small piece or a whole one?"

"Naturally, a whole one."

Hearing this, Ling Mao rubbed his hands and said, "That's a bit difficult! To tell you the truth, Lord Xu, when thousand-year turtle shells are used as medicine, they usually only take a piece the size of a fingernail; when those alchemy masters buy them, they usually buy by weight."

"They usually buy three or five taels."

"Occasionally, there are those who make heart-protecting and spirit-nourishing armor, who also buy eight or nine taels, or even a little over a catty, which is about the size of a palm."

"Whole ones are basically impossible to get."

"And..."

Speaking of this, Ling Mao glanced at Xu Jin and said, "And, they are too expensive; most people can't afford them."

"So expensive? How much does one tael sell for?" Xu Jin was stunned.

Ling Mao knew the number of Dao Merits he currently possessed.

Wouldn't that mean that the nearly 30,000 Dao Merits Xu Jin currently possessed couldn't even buy a single thousand-year turtle shell?

"One tael isn't expensive; one tael of thousand-year turtle shell is only 100 Dao Merits."

"But a whole thousand-year turtle shell is big, very big."

Ling Mao took a look and then gestured to Xu Jin, "The smallest thousand-year turtle shell I've seen is four or five meters long and wide, and the large ones are ten or twenty meters or even tens of meters long and wide."

"They weigh from several thousand catties to tens of thousands of catties."

This description left Xu Jin stunned.

In that case, at 100 Dao Merits per tael, even the smallest thousand-year turtle shell was something Xu Jin couldn't afford.

Seeing Xu Jin's troubled expression, Ling Mao said, "Generally speaking, to make a heart-protecting turtle shell, a piece the size of a palm is enough, at most one or two catties. If it's one this size, I do have channels to help Lord Xu get it."

"But if it's a whole one, then Lord Xu must first prepare sufficient funds and then wait for an opportunity."

A whole one, even if calculated at 3,000 catties, would start at 3 million Dao Merits; let alone the current Xu Jin, even the Xu Jin ten years from now probably wouldn't be able to afford it.

The thousand-year turtle shell required for the Arena's ascent shouldn't be this much of a pit, right?

If it really required a whole one, he could forget about ascending the Arena within ten years.

After thinking about it, Xu Jin said to Ling Mao, "It was my lack of consideration. Since Hall Master Ling has channels, can you help me purchase three pieces, palm-sized will do! I have a few elders I want to show filial piety to."

"Three pieces! This quantity is a bit large; many alchemy masters only purchase one at a time." Ling Mao looked troubled.

"If three pieces won't work, two will do."

"Hmm, I can only say I'll try my best to help Lord Xu get them; if I can't get enough, I hope Lord Xu won't blame me."

"How could I? I'd be too happy that you're helping me."

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

Coming to the Foreign Affairs Hall today, most things had been accomplished.

The thousand-year turtle shell also had a lead; it just depended on how much the Arena's ascent actually required. He hoped it wouldn't be a whole one.

Otherwise, he would really be pitted to death.

Before leaving, Xu Jin asked Ling Mao about the situation with star weapons.

It was not optimistic.

Xu Jin's original intention was to purchase one or two more fourth-tier star weapons or even fifth-tier star weapons.

The role of star weapons was truly too powerful; if used well, they could absolutely turn the tide of battle.

Previously, Xu Jin's use of the fourth-tier star weapon "Star Fall" had already proven the power of star weapons.

Even if it was fourth-tier.

But the news obtained from Vice Hall Master Ling Mao was that the Foreign Affairs Hall never sold fourth-tier star weapons, nor did they have any.

Compared to other materials like Star Meteor Iron, which were so-called military-controlled, the control over star weapons was even stricter.

Many weapon-forging masters needed to consume massive amounts of materials in the early stages.

This point was actually universal.

For mid-to-high-tier alchemists, emblem masters, and weapon-forging masters, if you relied on your own family's wealth, you might not be able to produce a mid-to-high-tier master even if you threw an entire family into it.

Besides the massive supply of materials, various inheritances were also very important.

Therefore, most mid-to-high-tier skill masters were cultivated by the official authorities and had corresponding requirements; almost all their products were sold to the National Dao Academy first.

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

They were simply in short supply.

The general source was official rewards; exchanging them in the Star-Plucking Tower was at an astronomical price.

Of course, they occasionally appeared at auctions.

But once they appeared, they often went for an astronomical price.

Generally speaking, ordinary fourth-tier star weapons started at 2,000 strands of starlight, and at auctions, they were even higher.

The key was that even if you had money, you might not necessarily be able to buy one.

Power, status, information, and wealth—you needed all four to have a chance of buying a star weapon.

Now, Xu Jin had an approximate understanding of the true value of the fourth-tier star weapon "Star Fall" that the Grand Master had rewarded him with.

It probably started at 5,000 strands of starlight.

Especially that "Star Fall Art"; once it hit an auction, it would probably sell for an astronomical price.

However, Ling Mao also provided Xu Jin with a direction; by comparison, there was more movement of star weapons on the Star River Battlefield.

Many people's star weapons were obtained from the Star River Battlefield.

If he really wanted to get star weapons in the future, he could try the Star River Battlefield.

Xu Jin really wanted to get star weapons.

But Xu Jin didn't want to go to the Star River Battlefield right now.

If he could rapidly improve his cultivation base, why run to the Star River Battlefield to lick blood off a knife?

He had to at least reach the mid-to-late Condense Star stage before going to the Star River Battlefield!

In the afternoon, not long after Xu Jin returned from the National Dao Academy library, Qing Fan suddenly came to report that a guest had come to visit.

Xu Jin was surprised and went out to greet them.

He saw an old man wearing a wooden hairpin and an extremely simple, pure light cyan long robe, followed by several people, who were sizing up Xu Jin's small courtyard.

Just as he stepped out of the quiet room door, Xu Jin's Mingji star pattern jumped violently, shining brightly.

Xu Jin was startled.

A powerhouse.

Judging from the sensing of the Mingji star pattern, very strong.

The cultivation aura was second only to the Grand Master and Grand Steward Peng, and even stronger than the four University Rectors Xu Jin had seen.

Just as he was wondering which big shot it was, Xu Jin suddenly saw a flash of a bright red long dress in the crowd.

Who else could it be but Ji Hongli?

"Truly a young talent."

As the old man wearing extremely simple clothes sized Xu Jin up, Xu Jin felt as if he were being peeled open by a knife, which was extremely uncomfortable.

The Gui Cang star pattern in his upper star palace spontaneously operated to the extreme, and only then did he feel slightly better.

This left Xu Jin horrified.

This meant that this person's soul power far exceeded Xu Jin's.

"Senior Brother, this is my grandfather; he insisted on coming!"

"This is my grandmother!"

"This is my mother!"

Ji Hongli introduced them one by one, and suddenly Xu Jin felt the pressure.

Good heavens, why did so many female relatives come over?

"Young Master, Old Master Ji is the Dean of the Dachen Wan Yi National Dao Academy." Qing Fan leaned in and reminded him slightly.

Xu Jin was stunned; no wonder the cultivation aura was so formidable.

"I won't say much about some things, but I had to come here once! I have many grandchildren, but I view Hongli as the apple of my eye; for the Purple Wind Star Domain, I must thank Young Master Xu for taking action." Director Ji Bang said.

"Fellow disciples, it's only right." Xu Jin said hurriedly.

"Right?

In my life, I've seen plenty; those who fear death are everywhere, and those who protect themselves are as common as the hair on an ox, but I've never seen 'right'!

And even if one protects oneself, it cannot be criticized!

Helping people is a duty if you don't help.

If you help, that's a favor!

And you, before this, were just a passerby to Hongli.

Yet you could risk your life to save her!

Then you tell me, how should this favor be calculated?

If I didn't come here personally for such a favor, I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully!

This girl wouldn't even let me come!" Director Ji Bang laughed and glared at Ji Hongli, who immediately stiffened her neck and glared back.

"Young Master Xu, don't laugh at us! This child Hongli has just been spoiled by us!"

Ji Hongli's grandmother spoke up, "Look at her like this, how will she be able to get married in the future!"

"Grandmother!"

Xu Jin was sweating; even with the experience of his previous life, this scene was a bit daunting.

He didn't know if Ji Hongli had mentioned the hugging and cuddling.

If she had, this was meeting the parents.

If not, that was fine.

Afterward, Ji Hongli's mother and grandmother pulled Jiang Er over, praising her and asking her questions, asking about this and that; in no time, they had emptied out Xu Jin's family background.

If Xu Jin hadn't glared at her, Jiang Er could have even told them about Xu Jin wetting the bed when he was little.

"I'm also a straightforward person, so I won't say any polite words; the Ji family acknowledges this favor. I have already applied to be friends with Young Master Xu; if you have any difficulties in the future, you can find Hongli, or you can find this old man directly.

If I can help, I will definitely help." Director Ji Bang laughed.

"Even if you can't help, you have to help!" Ji Hongli added.

Director Ji Bang was stunned, pointed at Ji Hongli, and laughed and scolded, "Girls are outward-looking, outward-looking indeed!

She hasn't even married yet!"

This made Ji Hongli blush deeply, and Xu Jin was also unable to handle it. Just as he didn't know what to say, Director Ji Bang said seriously, "Hongli is right; even if you can't help, you have to find a way to help.

Just like your actions when you saved Hongli.

Extending a helping hand in a desperate situation is what shows the true character of a hero!"

One sentence directly made Xu Jin blush.

Hero?

Isn't that going too far?

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

"Besides this verbal favor, I, this old man, have taken the liberty to bring a little trinket for Young Master Xu, hoping Young Master Xu likes it."

As he spoke, Director Ji Bang took out an object shining with starlight from his bosom.

When he took it out, it was still a ball of starlight, but when he placed it in front of Xu Jin, it turned into a pair of boots sparkling with starlight.

"I heard from Hongli that you excel in speed, and in daily tactics, speed is also key.

After much thought, I found a fourth-tier star weapon, the Star-Treading Boots, which are most suitable for Young Master Xu.

I hope Young Master Xu likes them." Director Ji Bang pushed this fourth-tier star weapon in front of Xu Jin and then looked at Xu Jin with a smile.

(End of chapter)