Chapter 197

The evening of September 26th.

After three days of bitter cultivation, Xu Jin's cultivation in the Middle Shang Xinggong had also reached the peak of the sixth layer of the Refine Star Realm.

The Flame Flower Star Pattern had long been inscribed in the Star Lamp with such familiarity that it quickly occupied the seventh star pattern position in the Middle Shang Xinggong.

Middle Shang Xinggong: Great Gather Star Pattern, Mid-tier Fire Source, Spiral Star Pattern, Rain Curtain Star Pattern, Blazing Flame Star Pattern, Star Change Star Pattern, Flame Flower Star Pattern.

According to the current progress, in another three days, Xu Jin's Lower Shang Xinggong would also be able to reach the peak of the sixth layer of the Refine Star Realm, and then he would be able to break through to the seventh layer of the Refine Star Realm. Then, the seventh star pattern of the Middle Shang Xinggong would also need to be prepared.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's Star-Plucking Token vibrated slightly.

It was a reply from his teacher, Qi Shanye.

Having nothing to do in the evening, Xu Jin told Old Qi about the events of the past few days, including the assassination attempt. However, Xu Jin did not take the initiative to mention the four gold stars he had obtained, and Old Qi did not ask.

After all, Old Qi had experienced great storms and waves, and their current relationship was somewhat like teacher and friend, so Xu Jin wanted to ask for his opinion on this matter.

【Rest assured, such internal attrition as various parties assassinating each other's geniuses will not last long; it is merely a short-term opportunistic behavior. The leaders of all parties are old and cunning; they will not let it go unchecked. As far as the current situation is concerned, the Star River Battlefield still extremely needs combat power.

As for your current actions attracting attention and your range of movement being limited to the National Dao Academy, it is actually very easy to solve: a fake identity and disguise will suffice. Combined with the invisibility technique I taught you, you can deceive most people.

If you cleverly use the Hidden Repository Star Pattern again, you can change your star power aura to a certain extent.

By then, as long as you do not expose your behavioral characteristics, even Cheng Yuexiao of your National Dao Academy might not be able to recognize you if she were standing right in front of you.】

Qi Shanye sent a long reply to Xu Jin.

【Teacher, I have thought about these things, but disguise techniques are easy to learn but difficult to master.】

This was the real difficulty Xu Jin faced.

Xu Jin could barely use some of the makeup techniques from his past life's memories, but under the sensing of star power and soul power, they had nowhere to hide.

【The highest level of disguise is to directly change one's appearance! Actually, as long as one's cultivation reaches the seventh layer of the Meal of Mist Realm, one can change one's appearance and even height through star power. It is easy to control muscles and skin with star power to change appearance for a short time, but it is very, very difficult to keep it unchanged.

In this regard, your teacher here has a lot of experience. There is a star pattern you can learn and practice more; once mastered, it has great use.】

Along with this starlight message, Qi Shanye also sent a star pattern and a small secret technique.

The star pattern is called the Hundred-Change Star Pattern.

It is a relatively simple star pattern with a fairly low rank, only third tier, high grade.

Xu Jin studied it for a while and had already seen some of the ropes; this was also the greatest harvest Xu Jin had gained from studying and learning in the National Dao Academy's library every day recently.

Before, when he saw star patterns, he was completely confused and could only copy them blindly; now, he could see some logic in them.

This Hundred-Change Star Pattern seems to allow star power to be output in a specific form continuously and stably in small amounts.

The star pattern description provided by Qi Shanye also proved this point.

The Hundred-Change Star Pattern was a star pattern Qi Shanye had deduced to maintain his disguise in order to save his life during his years of fleeing for his life.

Therefore, its rank is quite low.

But it is extremely brilliant.

Combined with the Hidden Repository Star Pattern to change one's aura, it is simply a perfect match for changing one's identity.

After successful inscription, one can record and adjust a star power continuous output scheme oneself.

In other words, it can maintain a certain appearance adjustment.

The first adjustment is relatively time-consuming, but after adjustment, the appearance can be changed in seconds.

The small secret technique is a trick for using the Hidden Repository Star Pattern.

By adjusting and changing the operation of the Hidden Repository Star Gate, one can adjust and change one's own star power aura fluctuations and soul aura fluctuations.

Because for the strong, what you look like is just a basis for tracking; the key is your star power fluctuations and soul aura fluctuations, which are fixed.

Appearance can be changed with star power, but star power fluctuations and soul aura fluctuations are extremely difficult to change.

Yet Qi Shanye can.

It can be said that this is the essence of Qi Shanye's twenty years of fleeing for his life.

Now, he has passed it all on to Xu Jin in one go.

Xu Jin quickly learned how to use the Hidden Repository Star Pattern.

It requires dividing one's soul power into two strands to catalyze the Hidden Repository Star Pattern, and then changing the operating frequency; the strength of the soul power can then cover up and change one's own aura.

According to Old Qi, as long as one is not hit by a tracking secret technique, or has not been locked onto by a star weapon with one's essence blood like he was before, then with this method of his, even if he were standing in front of Hu Xuechuan, Hu Xuechuan would not be able to recognize him.

As for the Hundred-Change Star Pattern, Xu Jin thought about it and decided he still had to learn it!

Once learned, it might have great use.

Used well, it can turn decay into magic.

Of course, it must be inscribed on the first star of the Lower Shang Xinggong.

For the star pattern of the first star of the Lower Shang Xinggong, most people use a hodgepodge, inscribing whichever is practical.

After finishing all this, it was almost the Hour of the Rat, so Xu Jin directly entered the third-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm of the Star-Plucking Tower.

Over these past few days, he and the Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue had already reached a tacit understanding: every day at the exact Hour of the Rat, they would enter the Star-Plucking Tower, spar for three rounds, and afterwards, each would go their own way.

Just as Xu Jin entered and was preparing to challenge, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's starlight message arrived.

【Haven't you come yet? Come quickly, I learned a new star pattern today and am going to beat you to a pulp!】

【Fine, just don't cry.】

【We agreed not to mention it, yet you mention it again!】

The next instant, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's challenge request arrived.

As Xu Jin accepted the challenge, light flickered before his eyes, and he entered the secret realm battlefield.

"What kind of star technique did you learn?" In the secret realm battlefield, Xu Jin asked with a smile.

Over the past few days, sparring with Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue every day, yesterday Xu Jin had directly electrocuted this girl until she cried.

Xu Jin himself was also researching and learning new star techniques.

For example, combining the Star Rain Technique with the Star Change Technique, after changing the form of the Star Rain, it directly formed a Star Net, and then combined with the Mid-tier Thunder Source and the Heart of Thunder Wings, it formed a brand new star technique—the Thunder Net Technique!

Xu Jin was also full of admiration for his own whimsical idea.

He had forcibly turned a large-area group attack star technique into a single-target attack star technique.

If replaced with a Mid-tier Fire Source, it would become a Fire Net, with astonishing lethality.

And the Thunder Net is more suitable for capturing targets alive, and can also torment the target a bit.

Just like yesterday, after Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue was covered by the Thunder Net, the attached thunder-type star power was abundant but not very lethal, yet it kept attacking Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue, directly electrocuting her until her whole body trembled and she cried!

The Star-Plucking Tower just lacks a recording function; otherwise, Xu Jin would really have liked to record it.

The scene of a beauty being electrocuted until she cries is still very good to watch, even her crying sounds were trembling!

As for showing off thunder-type star techniques in front of Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue, Xu Jin had also carefully considered it.

In the Star-Plucking Tower's Practice Arena Secret Realm, can one find the opponent's true identity through star technique characteristics? This was a question Xu Jin had carefully considered before.

The answer is yes.

In the Star-Plucking Tower's Practice Arena Secret Realm, other characteristics are not obvious, but the characteristics of star techniques and star patterns are extremely obvious, especially those true-transmission disciples of various Star Halls and National Dao Academies who have learned mid-tier star patterns.

Slowly accumulating characteristics, it is still possible for Xu Jin's true identity to be found out.

But if Xu Jin were to display thunder-type star techniques a few times now, whether it is Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue or other opponents wanting to find Xu Jin's true identity, the difficulty would increase exponentially.

"You'll know once you try."

The next instant, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue suddenly disappeared. This is an old routine.

The Lower Shang Xinggong's Mingji Star Pattern operated, and suddenly, the corners of Xu Jin's mouth lifted; he actually sensed three auras of Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue.

Clones?

Just as Xu Jin was pondering, the three auras of Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue had already approached him, and at the same instant, three majestic Moon Blades instantly intertwined and slashed toward Xu Jin.

The moment the Moon Blades were slashed out, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue disappeared again.

These three spatial Moon Blades were very sharp, making Xu Jin flustered for a moment.

The moment Xu Jin had just dealt with them, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue appeared again, slashed, and disappeared again.

For a time, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's attacks became sharper and sharper, and Xu Jin suffered setbacks frequently.

This star technique combination was very strange; Xu Jin had never seen it before.

However, although Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue could turn invisible, she could not escape the sensing of Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern.

A few breaths later, Xu Jin fired a Thunder Arrow, directly shattering a clone that Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue had just revealed.

Although Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue created a new clone during the next wave of attacks.

But under the sensing of the Mingji Star Pattern, Xu Jin found the different star power fluctuations between the clone and the main body through this new clone Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue had created.

The next instant, Xu Jin fired a Flame Explosion, directly blasting Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's main body to death.

Victory!

"Your luck is just too good, come again!"

Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue was unconvinced and fought again.

The second sparring session was the same routine, but this time, it didn't work.

In the previous round, Xu Jin was unfamiliar because it was his first time encountering such spatial-type clones that could turn invisible.

But in this second round, the moment Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue turned invisible and split into clones, Xu Jin found Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's true body.

The moment Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue appeared to attack, a Thunder Net covered Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue.

"You, you big bad..."

Under the continuous thunder strikes, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue cried again!

She cried for a full three breaths before the Thunder Net finally obliterated Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue!

Third round!

Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue cried again!

This time, it wasn't a whimpering cry, but a loud cry!

Amidst the loud crying, Zuiyue Xianzi Zuiyue's figure disappeared.

【You jerk, I will never talk to you again in the future】

Xu Jin received a starlight message, which directly gave Xu Jin a head full of question marks.

It was just sparring?

Why did she get angry?

A few breaths later, Xu Jin began to enter the third-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm to challenge.

After four or five consecutive days of challenges, Xu Jin's ranking in the third-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm had already fought its way into the top twenty thousand.

By tomorrow, there would be opponents worth fighting.

Xu Jin's so-called "worth fighting" did not refer to combat power, but rather that this opponent was useful to Xu Jin.

For example, letting Xu Jin witness star techniques he had never seen before.

Or letting Xu Jin try tactics he had never encountered before, greatly improving Xu Jin's practical combat experience.

As for the opponents?

Up until yesterday, Xu Jin had not encountered any opponent.

All victories along the way!

Today was no exception.

However, today a total of three opponents provided Xu Jin with a large amount of brand-new practical combat experience.

One was a water-type star technique cultivator, ninth layer of the Refine Star Realm, whose water-type star techniques were used to perfection, especially the ability to condense Water Spirits to fight Xu Jin, which caused Xu Jin quite a bit of trouble.

After dozens of breaths of bitter fighting, Xu Jin discovered the nemesis of the Water Spirits!

The soul attack secret technique, Arrow of Breaking Evil.

These Water Spirits could be shattered with just one Arrow of Breaking Evil!

He also encountered a wood-type star technique cultivator; it was Xu Jin's first time seeing wood-type star techniques that were not afraid of fire.

It took a hundred breaths of great battle to win.

Another was a star technique cultivator who excelled at setting up illusions; at first, Xu Jin was careless and was actually deceived, even with the Mingji Star Pattern.

Later, he fought cautiously by fully catalyzing the Mingji Star Pattern, and only then did he win!

In the end, fifteen battles, all victories!

【Qi Tian Da Sheng: Sixth Layer of Refine Star Realm】

【Points: 225】

【Ranking: 9453rd】

Xu Jin's ranking in the third-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm had finally fought its way into the top ten thousand.

The top three in the third-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm remained unchanged, but the original first place of the first-tier Practice Arena Secret Realm, Ta Xinghe, had already fought his way to 77th place.

And the previously 998th-ranked Yue Zhongying had also risen to 685th place.

The rising speed was quite fast, but compared to Xu Jin, it was still far behind.

Xu Jin believed that in a few days, he should be able to fight them.

On September 27th, not long after finishing his morning lessons, Xu Jin received a notification from the Liu Feiyan Academy instructor, stating that according to the National Dao Academy's notice, all disciples were to enter the Liu Feiyan Academy to assemble before the Hour of the Sheep today, and then collectively enter the Star-Plucking Tower. This year's autumn Inter-Hall Grand Competition would begin at a quarter past the Hour of the Sheep today.

Xu Jin appreciated this point extremely much.

The National Dao Academy's efficiency in action was extremely high; whatever they said they would do, they notified directly, never dragging their feet.

Xu Jin naturally headed there on time.

At the Hour of the Sheep, Xu Jin arrived at the Liu Feiyan Academy, but was summoned by his teacher, Liu Zhou Qingzhu, first.

"Miaozhen said she has already told you about the Inter-Hall Grand Competition?" Inside the academy, Liu Zhou Qingzhu looked slightly haggard and listless, supporting her chin with her elbow, her large chest resting listlessly under the table.

"Yes, Teacher, Senior Sister has already told me about the relevant situation."

"You don't need to take it to heart!"

Liu Zhou Qingzhu waved her hand listlessly, "I know the situation of the Liu Feiyan Academy best. In the past year or two, quite a few female disciples have gotten married directly; there's no way around it, this is their choice and also the major life event of their lives. As a teacher, I can only support and respect it.

So the Liu Feiyan Academy will most likely be at the bottom, ranking last. You don't need to have pressure; I can at most lead one more autumn Star-Pointing session.

You only need to perform well, especially in the ranking of the Refine Star Realm; if you fight into the top thirty, you will be qualified to participate in the Tower Tribute Battle!

By next year, when you grow up, our Liu Feiyan Academy won't have to be at the bottom anymore."

"Teacher, rest assured, I will work hard!" Xu Jin could only say this.

The next instant, as Xu Jin left, Liu Zhou Qingzhu also sighed helplessly, holding the Star-Plucking Token, and directly entered the original autumn examination secret realm of the Great Chen National Dao Academy, though the name had already been changed to Inter-Hall Grand Competition.

And the other Academicians and Vice Academicians were already waiting for her!

She was the last one to arrive.

Of course, her position was also the last one.

Actually, she really didn't want to come!

(End of chapter)