Chapter 196: Simple Goals

The moment his mind surged into the jade tablet, the light and shadow before Xu Jin's eyes changed, appearing as a three-dimensional version of a mountain and water landscape, a bit like the panoramic three-dimensional photos from his past life.

And then there was nothing.

This surprised Xu Jin greatly.

What was this supposed to be?

Judging from the storage method, being stored separately and inside a jade tablet, it should be something very precious.

Xu Jin had previously guessed that it might be a star pattern or a star art, but he hadn't expected it to be a mountain and water landscape.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's gaze narrowed slightly; he scanned this mountain and water landscape with his divine sense and then discovered an abnormality.

Where there was water in the center of the image, there was a very strong star power mark.

Apart from this, there were no other abnormalities in the entire mountain and water landscape.

Star power mark?

Mountain and water landscape?

Suddenly, Xu Jin reacted.

A map!

This was a real-scene map directly stored in the jade tablet; was this fifth-tier sixth-layer expert marking a location?

Then what was at this location?

And where was this map?

Xu Jin carefully memorized it; the features of this mountain and water landscape were quite distinct, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

It was a canyon lake area, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with lake water surging in from the east, mountains on the north and south sides, but to the west was a towering knife-like mountain peak, much higher than the mountains on both sides.

Below the knife-shaped mountain peak, a river channel had opened up, and the lake water shot out from the river channel toward the distance, forming a waterfall like a bolt of silk.

Xu Jin hadn't traveled much in the real world, and he didn't know the famous scenic spots, so he hadn't seen such a knife-peak waterfall, and he didn't know where it was.

As for the place marked by star power, Xu Jin also had many guesses?

A treasure location?

Or a special discovery?

Or something else?

After thinking, Xu Jin still stored the knife-peak waterfall jade tablet in the Arena for separate storage. Now was not the opportunity to explore these.

Let it be.

After his cultivation became strong, he could inquire about it and see if there were any harvests.

If there was no such fate, he wouldn't force it.

After all, the world was vast, and the probability of accidentally encountering a knife-peak waterfall was still very small.

However, something that could be stored separately by a fifth-tier expert might truly have some value!

Just keep it in mind.

September 24th, Xu Jin's cultivation progress slowed down slightly.

The reason was very simple: the cultivation time for the third-tier star power secret realm and the fourth-tier star power secret realm belonging to Xu Jin had all been used up.

If he cultivated with the small gathering star array, the effect was only equivalent to the cultivation time of the second-tier star power secret realm.

Xu Jin wasn't in a hurry; he simply reduced his cultivation time and spent more time in the National Dao Academy's library.

After starting to dismantle fire-type star patterns, Xu Jin found it more and more interesting, especially in situations where he could evolve them with the star lamp.

That feeling was like playing with Lego.

And playing with ultra-high-difficulty Lego—dismantling the already built Lego completely and then rebuilding it.

The sense of achievement was very strong.

The key was that the harvest was large enough.

A star pattern—Xu Jin only knew how to use it before, but after dismantling it, he understood the principles and changes within it and understood it thoroughly.

Xu Jin had already finished learning the fire-type star patterns recommended by the Grand Master, but Xu Jin didn't rush to derive and deduce them, but continued to learn.

He was becoming more and more interested.

September 25th, Xu Jin was studying in the library when he suddenly received a star light transmission from Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen.

"Junior Brother Xu, come over; there is an important matter to discuss."

This surprised Xu Jin a bit.

Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen was good to him, but they didn't have much contact, limited only to contact within the Feiyan Academy.

Half an hour later, Xu Jin finished his study in the National Dao Academy's library and arrived at the west side hall used by disciples in the Feiyan Academy.

When Xu Jin arrived, he found that the four giants of the Feiyan Academy were all there.

The so-called four giants referred to four disciples with quite powerful Condense Star Realm cultivation.

They were Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen, who had a cultivation as high as the fifth layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star; Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo, who was at the fourth layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star; and Lu Xuan and Jiang Yuan, who were at the third layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star.

Within the entire Feiyan Academy, there were currently only these four disciples whose cultivation was at the third layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star or higher.

It wasn't that there weren't stronger ones, but they had all left.

The Great Chen National Dao Academy stipulated that after cultivating in the National Dao Academy for three years or reaching the sixth layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star, one must take up a post.

In fact, three years or the sixth layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star was just the limit for taking up a post abroad.

Most disciples would consider taking up a post abroad once their cultivation broke through to the fourth tier.

Because the number one destination for taking up a post abroad was the Star River Battlefield.

On the Star River Battlefield, the death rate for the Condense Star Realm was as high as 30%, not to mention the injury and disability rate.

So many disciples were unwilling to go to the Star River Battlefield.

As long as their cultivation broke through to the fourth tier, if they had a good destination, disciples with connections would take up posts in these places in advance, then take the opportunity to continue improving their cultivation.

For example, the academies of various prefectures were a good destination, and there were also guards and military officers in border prefectures, all of which were hot commodities.

So those who remained in the Academy after breaking through to the fourth tier were either those who were wholeheartedly cultivating, like Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen, or those waiting for an opportunity.

"Senior Brother is here."

Just as Xu Jin entered, Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo, who was sturdy and had a circle of sideburns, directly pulled Xu Jin over.

With just a light pull, Xu Jin floated up.

Now, Xu Jin wasn't panicked.

His body floated lightly like willow catkins, and he landed in the seat.

This scene made Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen glance sideways slightly.

This movement technique was quite good.

"Senior Sister, you summoned me here; I don't know what for?" Xu Jin asked after greeting everyone one by one.

"Junior Brother Xu, it's like this: do you know about the Academy Competition?" Yang Miaozhen asked.

Hearing this, Xu Jin shook his head.

He had been in the National Dao Academy for more than a month and had always buried himself in cultivation; he really hadn't participated much in these things.

"This is a tradition of the National Dao Academy, held twice a year in spring and autumn, both after the star-condensing season; it can be considered a relatively important assessment within the National Dao Academy, and this assessment focuses on the academies," Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen said.

"Academy?"

"Correct. Junior Brother Xu should know that the treatment received by various academies from the National Dao Academy differs. Just like the cultivation time in the third-tier star power secret realm, the four academies of the four Academy Heads are the highest, starting at 48 hours a month.

Like the twelve deputy academies of the twelve Deputy Academy Heads, the cultivation time in the third-tier star power secret realm allocated to each academy starts at 24 hours, but the highest also has 48 hours.

For example, the third-tier star power secret realm cultivation time for the academy of Deputy Academy Head Song Ziye reaches 48 hours a month."

"This is also different?" Xu Jin was stunned.

"Of course, the National Dao Academy also encourages competition internally."

On this point, Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen explained to Xu Jin for a full quarter of an hour before he finally understood clearly.

It was the internal competition mechanism of the National Dao Academy. The four Academy Head academies and the twelve Deputy Academy Head academies competed based on points and rankings during the Academy Competition.

The higher the ranking of the academy, the more cultivation resources it obtained.

And the third-tier star power secret realm cultivation time was just one of them; the top six even had rewards for fourth-tier star power secret realm cultivation time and Heavenly Stair opportunities.

Besides that, different rankings also meant different additional cultivation elixirs obtained by each academy every month.

The gap between the first place and the last place was as high as three times!

This gap surprised Xu Jin a bit.

"Senior Sister, then what was our Feiyan Academy's ranking in the various academies this spring?" Xu Jin asked.

"Sixteenth place."

Xu Jin was stunned.

So it was the last place.

Seeing Xu Jin's stunned expression, Yang Miaozhen hurriedly explained, "Although the additional cultivation resources obtained are a bit less, there aren't many disciples in our Feiyan Academy, so the cultivation resources allocated to each person in our Feiyan Academy are not less than those of other academies.

As for you, Junior Brother, you know even better!

Over this past month, Teacher has already allocated more than one-third of the academy's freely distributable resources to you."

This was Yang Miaozhen fearing that Xu Jin would be dissatisfied with this ranking and have any thoughts.

At this moment, Xu Jin understood some of the rumors he had heard before.

It was said that Teacher Liu Qingzhu's nephew, Yan Chen, wasn't willing to take her as his teacher.

So it was because of the Feiyan Academy's last-place ranking.

Seeing Xu Jin reveal a thoughtful expression, Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo suddenly said in a muffled voice, "Junior Brother Xu, don't look down on our Feiyan Academy because of this ranking!

Our Feiyan Academy took ninth place in the academies last autumn and tenth place in the academies last spring.

Taking last place this spring was mainly because, just before the competition, the two strongest senior sisters suddenly announced they were getting married..."

"Don't mention them to me!" Yang Miaozhen's face suddenly sank.

"I know this."

Jiang Yuan, who was holding a piece of sugarcane and gnawing on it, hurriedly raised her hand, "I heard it was instigated by Deputy Academy Head Song. It not only made Teacher lose face but also made her bring a season of spring star-condensing disciples with no face at all."

Xu Jin had just learned this rule.

The Deputy Academy Head of the academy ranked last in the various

It is a punishment, but also an opportunity!

But within the National Dao Academy, the punishment outweighs the opportunity!

"Then, what is the meaning of Senior Sister seeking me out?"

"I have observed your ranking in the God-Slaying Battlefield, Junior Brother. You now possess the initial combat power of the Condense Star Realm, and Condense Star Realm combat power is extremely important in the Inter-Hall Grand Competition.

I would like to ask you to prepare for battle with all your might over these next few days, and when the time comes, go all out to earn some face back for our teacher. As for cultivation resources and the like, I don't care about them that much," Yang Miaozhen said.

"Senior Sister, rest assured. I am a member of the Flying Swallow Academy, and when the time comes, I will certainly do my utmost," Xu Jin said.

"Senior Sister, is there anything I can prepare in advance?" Xu Jin asked.

"No! To ensure fairness, the format of each Inter-Hall Grand Competition is arranged on the spot, but the forms are mostly those we have experienced before. The key is still strength," Yang Miaozhen said.

"I understand."

"Additionally, Junior Brother, you must also attach importance to this battle, because the annual autumn Inter-Hall Grand Competition is actually just a prelude."

"A prelude?" Xu Jin was puzzled.

"Yes, the annual Inter-Hall Grand Competition is actually a selection process for the upcoming Zhai Xing Lou Championship Battle!" Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen said.

Xu Jin had heard of the Zhai Xing Lou Championship before; the Grand Master had mentioned it to him previously.

He said he hoped Xu Jin could win the Zhai Xing Lou Championship, and if he could, it might even benefit Xu Jin's hometown.

At the time, Xu Jin didn't dare to ask too much, but now that Senior Sister was talking about it, Xu Jin hurriedly asked for the details of the Zhai Xing Lou Championship.

Senior Sister was familiar with the matter and quickly explained it clearly to Xu Jin.

The Zhai Xing Lou Championship is a competition held jointly by the major Star Halls and various nations for a special purpose.

But the purpose of the competition is not to determine the strength of the disciples.

Rather, it involves the genuine division of interests.

It is also known as the Tower Tribute Battle.

Regarding this, Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen only understood a portion.

It is said that although the major Star Halls of various nations spent enormous costs to build the main Star-Plucking Tower, they must still pay astronomical amounts of materials to the Star-Plucking Tower every year to maintain its continuous operation.

And to obtain various kinds of benefits.

For instance, ascending the Heavenly Steps is one of the benefits.

For instance, the purchase prices of Star Power Secret Realms, teleportation costs, and so on.

It is extremely complex.

No single nation or Star Hall can support the consumption required to maintain the Star-Plucking Tower on its own.

But an equal split is also unfair.

It is said that this not only involves material consumption but also concerns the authority of the Star-Plucking Tower, and can even influence the Star River Battlefield.

Later, the so-called Tower Tribute Battle came into being, which is the so-called Zhai Xing Lou Championship!

The Tower Tribute Battle occurs once every three years.

Yang Miaozhen did not participate in the previous session, but she had heard of it.

"Junior Brother Xu, in the Tower Tribute Battle, it is said that the rewards for the champion are extremely high. At the same time, each champion can even obtain authority over the Star-Plucking Tower, though I do not know the specifics!

But what I want to say is that this is extremely important to you!

Therefore, you must achieve good results in the Inter-Hall Grand Competition and then participate in a Tower Tribute Battle. Even if you cannot achieve a high ranking, it is still accumulating experience!

Preparing for the next Tower Tribute Battle!" Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen said.

"Senior Sister, then what are the participation requirements for the Inter-Hall Grand Competition and the Tower Tribute Battle, respectively?" Xu Jin asked.

"Disciples of each academy can participate in the Inter-Hall Grand Competition! The disciples participating in the Tower Tribute Battle are selected by the Dao Academy. It is said there are some restrictions: if you are over twenty years old or your cultivation exceeds the sixth layer of the Condense Star Realm, you are not allowed to participate!" Yang Miaozhen said.

"I understand!" Xu Jin nodded heavily.

Upon hearing this, the Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo, who was to the side, also nodded vigorously. "As long as you understand, Junior Brother. Our goal this time is—"

"Second place!"

Jiang Yuan, who was still nibbling on sugarcane like a hamster, hurriedly said.

This goal gave Xu Jin a huge shock.

Second place!

In other words, wouldn't that mean surpassing three of the four major Academician Academies?

This goal is set high indeed!

The senior sisters of the Flying Swallow Academy truly have high spirits!

Xu Jin could only say he was impressed.

But just at this moment, Lu Xuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly added, "It's second to last!"

"It should be fifteenth place!"

Second Senior Sister Tang Chuo chuckled honestly.

"Right, at the very least, we must fight our way to fifteenth place; we absolutely cannot become sixteenth! We cannot let our teacher lose face because of us anymore," Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen said.

Xu Jin was stunned.

The senior sisters of the Flying Swallow Academy are truly honest!

And down-to-earth!

Second to last, ranking fifteenth!

This goal, no matter how you look at it, is so simple and sincere!

It must be achieved!

(End of chapter)