Chapter 187

What about the Spring Rain Bureau? Has any relevant intelligence been submitted?

How is the investigation by the Danxia Guard going? How's the latest collection of intelligence on talented disciples from various nations and star palaces?

Two more golden stars have appeared? How come there are so many talented disciples this year?

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao fired off three questions, then slowly rose to put on his robe, drank a few sips of cold tea, and finally became fully alert—he suddenly turned to Director Peng.

Director Peng, could it be Xu Jin?

Director Peng gave a slight nod. "My lord, I just went to the rooftop above Xu Jin's courtyard. The boy is indeed diligent—he rises before the third watch to cultivate. But whether it's him, I can't confirm yet."

Given the gravity of this matter, I'll go and confirm it myself.

After dressing, a cascade of starlight flowed from his head to his feet; the Grand Master, just awakened from sleep, was now brimming with vigor and radiance, then vanished.

Inside the quiet chamber, Xu Jin, who was cultivating, suddenly tensed—his Mingji Star Pattern in the Lower Star Palace flared with brilliant light.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao standing outside his chamber window, watching him.

Xu Jin was stunned, then quickly rose to greet the Grand Master inside.

After a sphere of starlight separated the interior from the outside, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao asked, "Xu Jin, did you pluck any golden stars this morning?"

I did.

I plucked two.

Cheng Yuexiao froze.

He hadn't expected the news that had made his heart race this morning to be confirmed so quickly—and again by one of his own disciples.

But remembering how he'd waited half the night without result, he grew curious.

Was the silver star you plucked last night yours?

Yes, it was. Xu Jin answered directly—there was no need to hide it.

The Grand Master already knew he'd plucked golden stars; hiding the silver one was pointless.

Then did you fail your challenge against the golden star last night? Cheng Yuexiao asked.

I didn't fail—I didn't even challenge it last night.

Cheng Yuexiao blinked, then stared at Xu Jin with a slow, piercing gaze. He'd spent five pots of tea waiting for that golden star to be recorded, only to find the boy hadn't fought at all.

Seeing the Grand Master fixedly watching him, Xu Jin quickly added, "Last night I suddenly realized: Da Chen had just claimed two silver stars, and the Star-Picking Realm had suddenly added two golden ones. Someone might suspect me. So I held off on challenging—only did it this morning."

Cheng Yuexiao rubbed his fingertips together, tempted to punch Xu Jin, but smiled instead. "Good. You've learned to think and protect yourself. Progress! Excellent. Keep doing this."

After a moment, Cheng Yuexiao suddenly asked, "Of the handbooks I assigned you on dismantling fire-star patterns, how many have you studied?"

After a moment's thought, Cheng Yuexiao suddenly asked, "Of the handbooks I assigned you on dismantling fire star patterns, how many have you studied?"

Fourth already? Do you fully understand and master them?

I think so.

What does "I think so" mean?

I feel I understand them.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao glanced at Xu Jin, then spoke no further—he swept his finger across the air, summoning a curtain of starlight, then sketched several patterns. "Complete them. Then explain them to me."

Xu Jin needed only one look to understand what was being tested.

The third main trunk of the Low-Level Fire-Origin Star Pattern—he surged star-force from his fingertip, swiftly completing the pattern. As the completed pattern ignited into flame, Xu Jin began speaking fluently.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's eyes flickered with surprise. He pressed further with several more questions, including ones on Mid-Level Fire-Origin patterns—all answered by Xu Jin without hesitation.

Listening to Xu Jin's responses, Cheng Yuexiao's fingers behind his back trembled slightly.

"Good. Keep going. Try to finish the remaining handbooks within these few days. Then you may exchange ten silver stars for one ordinary Dao-Expanding opportunity—attempt to deduce the Mid-Level Fire-Origin Star Pattern."

"Good, then keep going. Try to finish studying the other handbooks within these few days; then you can exchange ten silver stars for one ordinary Dao-expansion opportunity to attempt refining a mid-rank fire source star pattern."

After giving his instructions, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao turned to leave—but paused at the threshold. "Your Lower Star Palace is already at Peak Fifth Stage of Star Refinement. Are you planning to break through?"

After giving his instructions, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was about to leave, but suddenly turned back and asked, "Your Middle Star Palace has reached the peak of the fifth Star Refining stage—are you planning to break through?"

Don't break through yet. Cultivate your Lower Star Palace a bit more. Waiting a few days before advancing to Sixth Stage won't hurt. Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

Xu Jin was startled, but then understood—he nodded in acceptance.

It must be because he plucked two golden stars in succession—the Grand Master didn't want him to draw too much attention, so he was delaying his breakthrough.

It was likely because he had claimed two golden stars in succession that Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao didn't want him to draw too much attention, so he advised him to delay his breakthrough.

After all, it didn't affect his cultivation progress.

Moments later, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao departed. Xu Jin turned to cultivate his Lower Star Palace.

Inside Danxia Palace, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Director Peng arrived in succession.

Director Peng's expression was excited. "My lord, four golden stars! And Xu Jin is learning to dismantle fire-star patterns at such speed—he may possess extraordinary talent in fire-star arts. In the future, we might assign him more fire-star patterns to study.

Eventually, he might even deduce a Fire-Aspect Star Pattern."

"His talent is clearly strong. But with four golden stars appearing, the star palaces and nations will likely…" Grand Master's face darkened with concern.

"Order all vice-heads and heads of academies to convene at Minglun Hall in two hours."

"Yes, my lord—why?"

"The appearance of four golden stars has triggered certain people's nerves. Some will likely resort to extreme measures."

"Better to kill wrongly than let one slip away?" Director Peng hesitated.

"That's certain."

Director Peng's brow instantly knotted into a deep " Chuan." "The Star River Battlefield is vast—can't they just expand there? Why must they keep fighting among themselves?"

Hearing this, Grand Master sighed deeply. "The Star River Battlefield is indeed vast—new star domains are discovered every year. But all currently known domains have hard limits. There isn't a single one like the Present World—unrestricted.

This proves, from another angle, the importance of the Present World's authority.

Though since the destruction of the Lingji Star Palace twenty years ago, the major powers of the Present World have made no grand moves, they've all been using their conquests to grow stronger, accumulating power, waiting for the chance to decisively seize the Present World's supreme authority.

Although since the destruction of the Lingji Star Temple twenty years ago, the major powers of the current world have made no large moves, in truth, all of them are using their gains from the Star Battle Zones to strengthen themselves, accumulating power, waiting for the chance to decisively dominate the current world and seize its supreme authority.

Or rather, their destruction of the Lingji Star Palace twenty years ago was merely an appetizer."

"Why can't they just cultivate peacefully?" Director Peng sighed.

"People like you, who seek nothing, are too rare." Grand Master sighed.

"Seek nothing?" Director Peng's expression grew complex. "I don't seek nothing—I do have desires. I only wish the Academy endures, each generation more prosperous than the last…"

Suddenly, Director Peng fell silent.

He realized his desire wasn't so different from the ambitions of others.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao held the Star-Picking Token, his mind sinking into the elite communication group of all major factions' top decision-makers.

The group was silent—no messages at all.

This made Cheng Yuexiao's expression even heavier.

Actually, if everyone jumped in to debate the matter, it would mean they accepted it.

Like when two golden stars were added before—everyone rushed to argue, which meant it was within their tolerance. Now, no one speaks—this means the addition of four golden stars this year is truly serious.

Just as when he gained two golden stars in succession, all the big shots came out to argue—it meant the matter was within their acceptable limit. Now that none of them mention it, the fact that four golden stars were added this year clearly means things have become serious.

That means they're already acting.

He too must prepare—he must act accordingly.

In the morning, Jiang Er happily went to pick stars.

After finishing his cultivation, Xu Jin received another star-message.

From Deputy Head of the External Affairs Hall, Ling Mao—he said he'd found the item Xu Jin requested.

In Hall No. 3 of the External Affairs Hall, Ling Mao laid out three thousand-year turtle shells in a row before Xu Jin.

The shells were deep brown; even from afar, Xu Jin sensed strong star-force.

"I obtained these from a Sixth-Stage Alchemy Master—he brews Dragon-Turtle Soul-Forging Pills and had plenty in stock. I had to beg and bargain hard to get him to part with them," Ling Mao said.

Xu Jin understood—he was laying down a favor. He had to respond clearly. "Thank you, Deputy Head Ling. If you ever need anything from Xu Jin, say it plainly—I'll help if I can."

Xu Jin understood this was about calling in a favor—he had to make his stance clear. "Thank you, Lord Ling, for your help. Should you ever need anything from Xu Jin, say it outright—I'll act if I can."

The three thousand-year turtle shells: the largest slightly bigger than a palm, weighing two jin and four liang; the smallest slightly smaller than a palm, weighing one jin and nine liang.

Total weight: six jin and five liang.

Total cost: 6, 00 Dao Merits. With a 20% tax, nearly 8, 00 Dao Merits.

Xu Jin hadn't expected it—but Ling Mao had already listed the three shells on the External Affairs Hall's sales roster. Xu Jin bought them on the spot, paying 6, 25 Dao Merits—his merit count shrank again.

Xu Jin hadn't expected Ling Mao to directly list these three pieces of thousand-year tortoise shell on the External Affairs Hall's sales roster; Xu Jin bought them on the spot, paying 6, 25 Dao Merit points, and his Dao Merit balance shrank again.

But transactions were always more efficient than direct transfers.

During this, Ling Mao explained the matter to Xu Jin.

It was the rule of the Star-Picking Tower.

Any faction that established a main tower and chose to use the Star-Picking Tower must accept this rule—whether Da Chen's Dao Academy or any Star Palace.

The tax rate, once set by a main tower, could only be raised, never lowered.

But there were differences.

The taxes generated by each main tower: the Star-Picking Tower took a portion, and returned the rest to the main tower.

This design made Xu Jin even more curious about the Star-Picking Tower!

Who had designed this system?

Was the Star-Picking Tower truly just a single Star-Domain Dao Artifact?

"Besides this, Master Xu, I've also handled the matter you asked me about last time. Including all taxes, it totaled 830 strands of starlight. Here's the land deed, the key, and the contracts of the two remaining apprentices still at the shop," Ling Mao added.

Xu Jin's face lit up—he accepted the items and thanked him again.

Xu Jin heard this and was overjoyed; after accepting the item, he thanked them once again.

This solved his biggest problem.

Ling Mao had done him a great favor; this debt would bind Xu Jin tightly.

In the future, he must repay it with something big.

After leaving the External Affairs Hall, Xu Jin continued to the National Dao Academy's library to study, when he received a starlight message from Ying Bonian.

He had already prepared the iron essence and copper essence Xu Jin needed.

Originally, he planned to send someone personally to deliver them to the National Dao Academy, but the academy's gates were tightly guarded, and these goods were military-controlled materials—he could only trouble Xu Jin to pick them up himself.

However, Ying Bonian had made arrangements: he asked Xu Jin to give him a time, and his son Ying Ge would come to meet Xu Jin and take him to collect the goods.

After repeatedly thanking him, Xu Jin set the pickup time for the third ke of the Shen hour.

This news filled Xu Jin with excitement.

That morning, Xu Jin had already received three pieces of thousand-year turtle shell from Ling Mao.

Normally, one piece would be enough; if one wasn't enough, two would suffice.

The extra piece, Xu Jin truly intended to make into a heart-protecting armor for his father Xu Dajiang, to nourish his spirit and extend his lifespan.

Now, the final materials—iron essence and copper essence—were about to be in hand; once acquired, Xu Jin's Third-Grade Can Dou Platform could ascend to Fourth Grade.

What changes would the Fourth-Grade Can Dou Platform bring?

Xu Jin was eager!

Amid his anticipation, Xu Jin began thinking about the iron essence and copper essence.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he couldn't simply stash them inside the Can Dou Platform.

He needed a middleman method.

And a plausible reason for their use.

Otherwise, such a large quantity of iron essence and copper essence disappearing into his hands would be a serious problem.

So he must prepare thoroughly for this matter.

Fortunately, he had already asked Ling Mao to find a solution and handle it all at once.

Going forward, he would have an explanation ready—making things much easier.

Ling Mao had found for Xu Jin a closed-down weapons forge in Wanyi.

It had two shopfronts and a forge courtyard covering more than ten mu; the location wasn't great, but this was Wanyi of Chen Guo's National Dao Academy.

It cost over eight hundred starlight threads and more than eighty thousand silver taels—counting the starlight premium, over one hundred thousand silver taels.

This slashed Xu Jin's starlight threads from over a thousand down drastically.

【Starlight: 401 threads】

But it was worth it—it solved many of Xu Jin's problems and made future dealings far easier.

Moreover, based on Xu Jin's past-life experience, real estate in the imperial capital could hardly lose money, could it?

At exactly the Shen hour, Ying Ge arrived punctually at Xu Jin's small courtyard, then left the National Dao Academy with him, heading straight to collect the goods.

This batch of goods was transported from elsewhere and cannot easily enter Wan Yi, so it is stored in the warehouse at the West Gate Wharf in Wan Yi.

To be honest, after a month in Wanyi, this was Xu Jin's first time leaving the National Dao Academy, his first time touring Wanyi.

Everything along the way felt fresh.

Compared to Jinshan County City, Wanyi was still very prosperous.

Starships occasionally streaked across the sky.

"Senior Brother, any starship flying over Wanyi must be backed by at least a Fifth-Grade expert, possibly even a Sixth-Grade one. Ordinary people, like my family, might afford a starship, but they have no right to land or take off in Wanyi." Ying Ge acted as Xu Jin's guide, talking nonstop.

The two moved quickly; after half a ke, they left the city and arrived at the West Gate Wharf warehouse, reaching Warehouse No. 15.

Seeing Xu Jin grow wary, Ying Ge quickly explained.

"Senior Brother, the ten nearby warehouses all belong to my family—we store goods here conveniently, so we hired a Fifth-Grade expert as a patron to guard them." Ying Ge smiled.

Xu Jin, who had just sensed the Fifth-Grade expert's aura, suddenly relaxed.

Soon, he saw the iron essence and copper essence.

Their volume wasn't large—two carts could carry them all—but Xu Jin couldn't simply take them away; he had to ask Ying Ge to send someone to deliver them to his newly acquired forge.

As Ying Ge arranged this, Xu Jin's expression changed abruptly. "Younger Brother Ying, how many Fifth-Grade patrons did your family hire?"

(End of Chapter)