Chapter 185: Gift

To Xu Jin's surprise, Qi Shanye did not reply immediately.

Xu Jin waited a full half-hour before receiving a long, formal starlight message from Qi Shanye.

【Jin'er, I understand your thoughts—I know you love your sister and want to give her everything best you have.

But my advice is: not now. Not at all, at least not yet.

There are three reasons: First, your sister is too young—only fifteen—and her mind is not yet mature. This matter concerns life and death; it is easily leaked, and explaining its critical stakes would only impose greater psychological pressure on her.

Second, your sister's talent is unknown. If her talent is merely average or even upper-average, giving her these things would only delay her. You, a genius, are a rarity even once in a hundred years.

Third, your own strength is still insufficient. Once your cultivation base breaks through to the fifth rank, you will have basic self-preservation power; at worst, you can still flee like I did, relying solely on your skills.

So I believe it is better not to teach her yet.

Whether Jiang Er's Star Pointing talent is upper-average, excellent, or even supreme, do not teach her yet. Wait a few years—until you are stronger and Jiang Er is more mature—then you may, at your discretion, impart to her some star patterns, such as Mingji Star Pattern, or even the Zhenyi Star Pattern our Lingji Star Hall has deduced to the sixth rank, to slightly enhance her strength and proceed step by step.

Moreover, with your current status and cultivation resources in the Chen Guo Dao Academy, even if Jiang Er cultivates solely within the Chen Guo Dao Academy system, she will not fall behind.

Remember: excess is as bad as deficiency.

Jiang Er is still young. Let her grow up happily for a few more years, let nature take its course. When she is older and stronger, it will not be too late to shoulder these burdens.

Remember: cultivation is not merely about making yourself stronger.

It is about allowing you to witness more and better sights of this world.】

Xu Jin read Qi Shanye's long letter three times carefully before exhaling deeply, a hidden knot in his heart beginning to loosen.

Old Qi's eyes were indeed sharp—he saw the crux of the issue at a glance.

In truth, Xu Jin had been agonizing over this matter because he wanted to give his sister the best.

But the secret star patterns of the Lingji Star Hall—such as Chengpo, or Mingji—were truly among the rarest and finest star patterns in the world, the very best things Xu Jin currently possessed.

Giving them to Jiang Er would expose her to danger.

Yet not giving them filled him with guilt—he feared that if Jiang Er ever struggled in cultivation or failed to reach high levels, it would be because he had withheld the best from her.

He had wrestled with this for days.

Now, with Old Qi's words, Xu Jin's mind cleared.

Let nature take its course!

Moreover, Old Qi's final sentence struck Xu Jin as profoundly insightful—cultivation is to witness more and better sights of this world.

Xu Jin felt he had learned something.

【Thank you, Master, for your guidance.】

Xu Jin bowed deeply in gratitude before falling into a deep sleep.

September 18 was the day for autumn Star Pointing registration at the Dao Academy.

Early that morning, after completing his morning practice, Xu Jin took his sister Jiang Er to the External Affairs Hall to register.

Thanks to the favor of Deputy Head Ling Mao, everything went smoothly.

Because of Xu Jin's status, they did not need to stay in the dormitory; tomorrow morning, they would simply arrive punctually at the outer academy to begin Star Pointing.

Now, all that remained was to see whether she could succeed in Star Pointing within a few days.

As for the Star Pointing process itself, Xu Jin had no worries.

In the meantime, Ning Yuchan had not been idle—besides nurturing her Central Star Palace, she had long since learned the Five Dou Killing Fist and had repeatedly familiarized herself with the Jianju Star Pattern.

Compared to Xu Jin's own bewildered state during his Star Pointing, she was far ahead.

This treatment already rivaled that of a typical cultivation clan.

Many cultivation clans lacked a supreme-level figure like the Grand Master to personally nurture their Central Star Palace.

After seeing his sister Jiang Er settled, Xu Jin went to the Dao Academy's library.

He had already completed studying the Basic Fire Source Dissection; today he was studying "Intermediate Fire Source Star Pattern Dissection," which came with five related handbooks.

But with his prior foundation, his progress now was extremely rapid.

Much of it was repetitive—he understood it at a glance and could skip it.

After studying earnestly for one hour, Xu Jin moved to the third floor of the Dao Academy library.

The third floor of the Dao Academy library mainly stored books and handbooks on cultivation techniques.

According to Dao Academy rules, new disciples could choose one cultivation technique to study after three months of entry—though they could also choose not to.

But for most cultivators, cultivation techniques were a rare means to exchange for cultivation resources over the long term.

Those who mastered cultivation techniques to a divine level were treated like treasures, even barred from the Star River Battlefield.

Every mid-rank alchemist, star engraver, or artifact crafter was a treasure.

As for those who studied Ocean Surveying, Mountain Seeking, or Beast Taming, their deployment to the Star River Battlefield was all but guaranteed.

Xu Jin chose Star Engraving purely because of the Can Dou Platform.

The Can Dou Platform's effect on nurturing star patterns was nothing short of miraculous—it doubled their power.

Externally, it brought Xu Jin a steady stream of wealth; internally, it was a weapon of destruction.

Yet cultivation techniques were not something anyone could take up.

Alchemists must have Fire Star Force as their main and Wood Star Force as their auxiliary; artifact crafters must cultivate both Metal and Fire Star Forces while forging their Divine Soul into a Star.

To become a Star Engraver, the only surface requirement is strong Divine Soul power.

Of course, the stronger the Divine Soul, the easier it is to engrave star patterns.

To achieve anything in Star Engraving—or to earn silver through it—Divine Soul forging is the foundation.

The higher the rank of the engraved star pattern, the greater the Divine Soul power required.

The stronger the Divine Soul, the higher the success rate of engraving, and the more power the pattern retains.

For example, Dawn.

The Dawn Star Art can typically only be cast by fifth-rank Gathered Combat cultivators.

Many fifth-rank cultivators, after mastering the Dawn Star Art, can also turn it into a star pattern.

Success rate depends on proficiency.

Most fifth-rank cultivators' Dawn patterns can only unleash the power of a fourth-rank cultivator.

Usually, they can only match the full-force strike of a fourth-rank early or mid-stage cultivator, so their rating is typically fourth-rank low or mid-grade.

But renowned Star Engravers' Dawn patterns can unleash the full-force strike of a fourth-rank late-stage or even fourth-rank Condensed Star peak cultivator—these are fourth-rank high-grade or supreme-grade star patterns.

Fourth-rank high-grade or supreme-grade star patterns can severely wound fourth-rank Condensed Star late-stage cultivators, even injure fifth-rank Gathered Combat early-stage cultivators.

Fourth-rank low or mid-grade star patterns cannot.

But to become a Star Engraving Master, one's Divine Soul power must be sufficient.

Even Star Engraving Masters require their Divine Soul Star to reach Forge Star late-stage before they can possibly create fourth-rank high-grade or supreme-grade star patterns.

As for alchemists, the requirement for Divine Soul power is low.

This is precisely why alchemy masters are common in the world, but Star Engraving Masters are exceedingly rare—and high-rank fifth- and sixth-rank star patterns are even rarer.

Yet engraving star patterns is not simply copying and inscribing the relevant star art directly—if it were that simple, it would be trivial.

To engrave star patterns, one must first learn a star pattern called Star Pivot.

This Star Pivot does not need to be inscribed in one's own star core, but must be inscribed on the material of the star pattern—on a jade tablet or a clean star core.

The Star Pivot star pattern is divided into first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth ranks.

Each corresponds to the respective star pattern grade.

To engrave a second-rank star pattern, one must master the second-rank Star Pivot; for a third-rank pattern, one needs the third-rank Star Pivot.

In Xu Jin's understanding, the Star Jade Tablet plus the Star Pivot star pattern form the foundation of star pattern creation.

Beyond that, for third-rank and higher star patterns, one must use Linking Star Patterns to connect and integrate multiple star patterns to unleash the combined star art's power.

This is another barrier.

Most people's star patterns can reach at most third-rank.

Ning Yuchan, for instance, can proficiently produce her favored third-rank Spiral Blade star pattern, but cannot make fourth-rank patterns—she fails to meet all the thresholds.

Fifth-rank and higher star patterns are even more complex.

But after self-studying "An Overview of Star Engraving," Xu Jin felt amused.

Previously unaware, now that he understood, he realized star engraving suited him perfectly.

These star patterns were hard for others to master, but for Xu Jin, there was a shortcut through diligent practice. He decided to go straight to the first floor of the library and asked the librarian for first- and second-rank Star Pivot star pattern jade tablets.

Then he would return and slowly contemplate them, practicing a little each day—he would master them soon enough.

【Grand Master, the Emperor has summoned me. I must present myself at the imperial court at the first hour of Shen this afternoon—is there anything I should be mindful of?】

As he prepared to leave, Xu Jin sent a starlight message to the Grand Master: he was to appear before the Emperor at the first hour of Shen this afternoon.

He was no longer nervous.

In recent times, Xu Jin had met many powerful figures.

He had even slain two Star Realm Kings.

He was no longer intimidated by so-called kings.

What worried him was the underlying relationships.

In recent days, he had learned that the Chen imperial family and the Chen Guo Dao Academy were not harmonious.

The Dao Academy concentrated immense power within itself, and often the entire Chen court had to bow to it; it was said the Grand Master had once blocked the palace gates and beaten the current Left Chancellor.

The reasons were complex.

The imperial power sought to exert greater influence and control over the Dao Academy.

But the Grand Master refused to yield an inch.

Under these circumstances, conflict arose naturally.

The Grand Dao Academy of Chen Guo nearly possesses the power to overthrow the state; its Grand Master holds a status higher than the reigning Chancellor, and even the Emperor must heed Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's opinion.

It is not that Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao is a corrupt minister.

It is the power of the individual!

Xu Jin understood: such overwhelming personal strength made the imperial authority feel insecure, and conflict naturally arose.

But the Grand Master is wholly devoted to reviving Chen Guo's former glory; currently, the conflict remains only a hidden current.

Having read many historical texts and so-called palace intrigue dramas in his past life, Xu Jin already understood the imperial family's fears.

The imperial family feared one question: Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao is loyal to Chen Guo now—but what if his successor harbors disloyal intentions?

That was likely the reason.

Thus, over the years, the imperial family had diligently cultivated.

They scoured the land for celestial treasures and rare resources to supply imperial descendants, hoping to produce a powerful royal figure capable of suppressing the state's destiny.

There were many talents, but supreme geniuses were rare.

Because he now understood all this, Xu Jin had asked the Grand Master one question before departing.

Xu Jin knew full well which side his allegiance lay on—it was not something he could choose; it was innate.

So he had to be certain.

【No need to worry. Go with peace of mind. Should any issue arise, I will inform you.】

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's reply was simple.

Before the hour of Shen, Xu Jin had already arrived at the Imperial Audience Hall.

Then came the waiting.

The first quarter of Shen passed. The second quarter passed. The third quarter passed. Officials came and went in the Audience Hall, but no one summoned Xu Jin.

This made Xu Jin silently complain.

No sense of punctuality at all.

The appointment was for the first quarter of Shen, and now it was nearly the fourth quarter—delayed by almost an hour.

If there were comments, Xu Jin wanted to slap the phrase "wasting time is theft and murder" right onto Emperor Gao Ye's face.

Xu Jin could only wait patiently until the seventh quarter of Shen—nearly two hours—when the summons finally came.

The Quiet Mind Pavilion requests Xu Jin's presence.

The etiquette had been pre-trained.

Entering the Quiet Mind Pavilion, Xu Jin glanced once: behind the desk and chairs sat a man clad in dark-gold robes, possessing an elegant and dignified aura, flanked by two young men he did not recognize.

Chen Guo favored black, considering dark hues supreme; that man must be Emperor Gao Ye of Chen Guo.

Before the piercing gaze of the Imperial Eunuch Chief Chu could strike him, Xu Jin stepped into the Quiet Mind Pavilion.

But the instant he stepped in, the Mingji Star Pattern in his Lower Star Palace and the Guicang Star Pattern in his Upper Star Palace both shifted.

The Guicang Star Pattern instantly activated to its utmost, suppressing his aura completely.

The Mingji Star Pattern, however, flared brightly in alarm.

The aura feedback left Xu Jin stunned.

The Imperial Eunuch Chief Chu was powerful—he had seen that before.

But according to the Mingji Star Pattern's feedback, Emperor Gao Ye was also immensely powerful, especially in spirit cultivation—his spirit realm was at least at the Condensing Star level.

In Xu Jin's perception, Emperor Gao Ye's spirit cultivation was even slightly stronger than the Grand Master's.

Yet his overall cultivation base was low—only fifth-rank.

This was strange.

Meanwhile, the two young men also possessed strong spirit cultivation—one at Refining Star Fourth Rebirth, the other at Refining Star Third Rebirth—but their star-force cultivation was merely at the Condensing Star level.

Such a situation was extremely rare.

Many Condensing Star disciples in the Grand Dao Academy had not yet forged their stars in spirit.

Let alone Refining Star Third or Fourth Rebirth.

As Xu Jin was bewildered, he bowed deeply in salute to Emperor Gao Ye; then, under the Imperial Eunuch Chief Chu's guidance, he paid respects to the two young men.

The Third Imperial Prince, Prince Jing, and the Fourth Imperial Prince, Prince Xin.

Surprised but composed, Xu Jin bowed to each in turn.

"Our Grand Dao Academy's Autumn Exam champion truly is a man of outstanding bearing and noble demeanor!" Emperor Gao Ye studied Xu Jin for several breaths before praising him.

Prince Jing and Prince Xin also heaped praise upon him.

Chief Chu was the perfect sidekick, enthusiastically echoing every word.

But Xu Jin remained calm, listening quietly.

"Li, apologize to Xu Jin."

At these words, Prince Xin Gao Li stepped forward to apologize, claiming his past actions were due to malicious manipulation, begging Xu Jin's forgiveness, and presenting a modest gift.

Xu Jin hesitated—should he accept it or not?

For Prince Xin to come before the Emperor and apologize like this—he was no good man.

While he hesitated, the Grand Master's voice echoed in Xu Jin's mind.

"Take it! This Prince Xin is growing increasingly brazen."

Xu Jin made no pretense of refusal—he accepted the gift list outright, causing Prince Xin's expression to freeze.

Even Emperor Gao Ye, seated above, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"I wonder, Master Xu, are you married?" Emperor Gao Ye suddenly asked.

Xu Jin's heart tightened instantly—was he about to be given a royal marriage?

Did Chen Guo really do this so directly?

He thought it, but he could only answer respectfully: "Your subject is still young and unmarried."

"Eighteen is not young. Many men in Chen Guo are already fathers at eighteen," Prince Jing chuckled.

"Indeed," Prince Xin agreed.

Suddenly, Prince Jing added, "Father, my sixth sister is of the same age as Xu Jin. Xu Jin is the Autumn Exam champion and has reclaimed the Second-Rank Fire Xuan Star Region for Chen Guo, achieving great merit.

In the Prior Selection Battle, he led his fellow disciples to a complete victory over the Star Temple disciples, bringing them all back!

Such great merit deserves reward—why not grant him a royal marriage? It would make a fine tale."

Xu Jin was stunned.

Emperor Gao Ye stroked his beard and smiled at Xu Jin.

(End of Chapter)