Chapter 200: Yang Miao Takes the Elixir

Star River Secret Realm.

Xu Jin let out a long breath after the fierce battle, checked his score, and found it had just surpassed 1000.

So far, he had not yet reached the territory of fourth-rank alien races; only by entering their territory would his score surge rapidly.

Having fought in the Star River Secret Realm for nearly two hours, Xu Jin was gradually understanding what the Grand Halls Competition truly tested.

The Grand Halls Competition tested not merely combat power, but the combat awareness and battlefield thinking of all disciples.

Combat awareness and battlefield thinking were far more complex than simply killing more aliens.

It required careful consideration of how to preserve oneself and how to allocate star energy.

Because each disciple's star energy was limited, and so were their supplies.

Even if you reached the Star River battlefield with abundant supplies, the efficacy of elixirs would drastically diminish after consecutive use.

Thus, how to allocate star energy on the battlefield was a profound art.

This topic had been taught before, but few disciples truly understood or valued it.

Yet, Shizhan in the Star River Secret Realm allowed most disciples to realize its importance and begin refining their battlefield thinking.

For instance, Xu Jin, in two hours, had earned over a thousand points, but his upper and lower star palaces had already consumed over half their star energy.

At this rate, Xu Jin's score for today would likely plateau around three thousand.

This was determined by his total star energy.

Now, Xu Jin finally understood why so many senior brothers and teachers at the State Dao Academy favored star weapons.

Because using star weapons consumed only one-fifth the star energy of star arts.

They offered exceptional endurance, enabling more kills, conserving more star energy, and extending survival time.

Even though Xu Jin was a super-grade star-casting cultivator, had undergone nine rounds of marrow-washing and bone-purifying, and forged a flawless primordial star body with star energy far exceeding other prodigies,

He could at most possess six or seven percent more star energy than other prodigies.

Where the Can Dou Platform could be used, Xu Jin's star energy was never an issue; but where it could not, star energy became his greatest limitation.

This reminded him of the earlier Object-Control Star Pattern—he needed to find a way to obtain a sword-shaped or needle-shaped star artifact to compensate for this weakness.

But right now, this was no difficulty for him.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, activated his star core, and began drawing star energy into his body.

Aside from restrictions on elixirs and star weapons, the Star River Secret Realm mirrored real combat exactly—disciples could restore their star energy.

Yet for most, this was not an ideal method.

Because the speed of star energy restoration was still quite slow.

If completely depleted, it took two or three hours to fully recover.

Even if half was consumed, restoration required one or two hours.

Xu Jin's advantage lay precisely here.

His flawless primordial star body allowed him to absorb star energy at more than double the speed of others, and his already powerful fourth-rank first-layer divine soul further accelerated his recovery.

This advantage was overwhelming.

Other prodigies: the weaker ones hadn't even cast their divine souls yet; the stronger ones had barely cast theirs—like Fang Ying, the eldest disciple of Master Fang Xuezheng and last year's Autumn Exam champion, whose divine soul cultivation was merely third-layer star forging.

Under these conditions, Xu Jin's star energy recovery was several times faster than theirs.

In just fifteen minutes, his star energy, which had dropped to fifty percent, was restored to peak condition.

The next instant, Xu Jin surged toward areas with denser star energy fluctuations.

Half an hour later, Xu Jin encountered a common fourth-rank alien.

No contest—he slew it.

This disappointed him.

To prevent exposure, the Grand Master had forbidden Xu Jin from entering the God-Slaying Battlefield.

Thus, Xu Jin had high expectations for this Star River Secret Realm.

He hoped to encounter a worthy opponent.

But after encountering this fourth-rank alien in the Star River Secret Realm, Xu Jin realized it was just like those on the God-Slaying Battlefield.

Under these circumstances, there was little challenge for him.

At fifth-layer star forging, fourth-rank early-stage Ningxing aliens offered no challenge.

Now, Xu Jin had reached the peak of sixth-layer star forging, and his actual combat power had risen dramatically.

Even fourth-rank mid-stage Ningxing aliens likely posed little challenge to him.

But if he encountered a fourth-rank late-stage Ningxing alien, it would still be a serious challenge.

He just didn't know how many such aliens existed.

As he pondered, Xu Jin used a Thunder Burst Step followed by an Inferno Explosion, instantly slaying a fourth-rank mid-stage elite alien.

Xu Jin's score surged.

In the Grand Halls Competition Secret Realm.

The atmosphere was slightly awkward.

Master Fang Xuezheng's teaching exchange meeting, due to his personal motives, ended abruptly and haphazardly.

Many Xuezhengs and Deputy Xuezhengs grew bored and sat cross-legged, studying star arts on their own.

Within the Zhai Xing Tower's secret realm, though cultivation was impossible, they could still study star arts and deduce star patterns.

Yet they occasionally glanced at the Grand Halls Competition disciple score leaderboard.

Currently, only the top hundred were displayed.

Unquestionably, the top four had been monopolized.

They were Fang Ying, Ye Anshi, Huang Zhen, and Li Jingyang.

These four were the eldest disciples of Masters Fang Shinan, Kou Jing, Pan Hong, and Gao Xuan.

Fifth place was Zhang Gongdu, eldest disciple of Deputy Xuezheng Song Ziye; sixth was Qu Changqing, eldest disciple of Deputy Xuezheng Tang Hui.

Fundamentally, the top four were in one tier, all exceeding 1500 points; the next few hovered just above 1000.

Disciples ranked after fifty had only around five hundred points; those at one hundred had roughly four hundred.

This highlighted the importance of each academy's eldest disciple.

Liu Qingzhu, who had previously defeated Master Fang Xuezheng in a heated argument, now radiated confidence, frequently glancing at the leaderboard.

She closely monitored the Feiyan Academy's rankings—results were not promising.

Her eldest disciple, Yang Miao, ranked twenty-first with seven hundred points; her second disciple, Tang Chuo, was seventy-third.

But what delighted her most was Xu Jin's ranking: initially low, he had surged to tenth place after two hours, with just over a thousand points.

This thrilled Liu Qingzhu.

If Xu Jin could remain in the top ten, Feiyan Academy would avoid last place this year—worst case, they could at least fight for second-to-last.

This brought Liu Qingzhu great relief.

This disciple of hers was worth every bit of care.

He delivered precisely when it mattered.

Just thinking she wouldn't have to lead the Autumn Star-Pointing Season disciples again made Liu Qingzhu feel immensely lighter.

Last year's Grand Halls Competition ended in last place, and she'd been forced to lead the Spring Star-Pointing Season disciples—so much so that even her own nephew Yan Chen looked down on her.

The blow to Liu Qingzhu was unimaginable.

The relief she felt now was absolute.

Everything felt weightless.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Deputy Xuezheng Shen Wei let out a soft exclamation, catching Liu Qingzhu's attention; she followed his gaze and instinctively glanced at the Grand Halls Competition leaderboard.

One look, and her eyes widened in shock.

She saw Xu Jin's score skyrocketing.

It jumped almost every second, increasing dozens of points each time.

In five or six seconds, his score surged from just over a thousand to over 1300.

His rank leapt from tenth to fifth.

Deputy Xuezheng Tang Hui's disciple, ranked sixth, didn't matter—but Song Ziye, head of the twelve Deputy Xuezhengs, his gaze flickered repeatedly; moments ago lost in thought, he now fixed his full attention on the leaderboard.

This was not a good sign.

Fortunately, the other Feiyan Academy disciples' scores remained poor.

Even if Xu Jin broke into the top five, he couldn't threaten Song Ziye's position as top Deputy Xuezheng.

But he still needed watching.

On the leaderboard, Song Ziye's eldest disciple Zhang Gongdu's score rose steadily and slowly; after half an hour, it reached 1300.

But Xu Jin's score darkened Song Ziye's expression.

Xu Jin's score had now reached 1800, still ranked fifth.

Yet he was only fifty points behind Li Jingyang.

Song Ziye's eyebrows lifted.

Was he about to surpass the scores of the four Xuezhengs' eldest disciples?

That was almost monstrous.

The lowest cultivation among the four Xuezhengs' disciples was fourth-rank Ningxing sixth layer.

After this year's Grand Halls Competition, all four eldest disciples should break through to fourth-rank Ningxing seventh layer and be assigned to external posts.

But what is Xu Jin's cultivation base?

Just Peak of Star Refining Sixth Layer.

That's a bit too monstrous, isn't it?

Half a quarter-hour later, Senior University Zheng Gao Xuan awoke from his state of spiritual wandering, frowned, and looked at the ranking list. His top disciple, Li Jingyang, had dropped to fifth place; fourth place was Xu Jin, who had surpassed him by over sixty points.

"This?"

A quarter-hour later, Senior University Zheng Pan Hong also regained his focus and reexamined the ranking list.

Nothing else—his top disciple Huang Zhen had also been surpassed by Xu Jin.

Surpassed by a mere Star Refining Sixth Layer.

This kid.

Suddenly, Senior University Zheng Pan Hong felt a pang of regret—he hadn't fully lowered his pride back then.

If he had truly lowered himself, personally visited Xu Jin's courtyard, and humbly recruited him, Xu Jin would surely have become his disciple.

With Xu Jin's performance today, he will surely win first place in the next two or three Grand Hall Competitions.

If he's this strong at Star Refining Sixth Layer, how powerful would he be at Star Refining Ninth Layer—or even after breaking into the Condensing Star Realm?

Master Kou Jing had also returned to his senses at some point, staring silently as his top disciple Ye Anshi was surpassed by Xu Jin by fifty points.

He also felt regret.

The Autumn Exam's True Disciple Champion, no matter what, is always exceptional.

He had known Xu Jin was the True Disciple Champion, but upon learning Xu Jin came from a rural family in a county town with no family support, he lost interest in taking him as a disciple.

He had merely sent a letter as a token gesture.

The four essentials of cultivation: Method, Companion, Wealth, and Location.

Method can be provided by the Dao Academy, but Companion and Wealth often rely on family support.

Especially Wealth—this is even more critical.

That's why Kou Jing hadn't been serious about recruiting Xu Jin.

But now, with Xu Jin's momentum, Kou Jing regretted it!

At the Head Seat, Fang Shi, the Southern Senior University Zheng, who had long been lost in spiritual wandering, also returned to himself, staring intently at the ranking list.

Though his expression was blank, most could sense a hint of gloom.

His top disciple, Fang Ying, the previous Autumn Exam Champion's score, had been surpassed by Xu Jin.

And surpassed by over a hundred points!

This placed immense pressure on Senior University Zheng Fang.

He felt this Xu Jin could not be contained!

How could his strength possibly be this strong?

A third-rank Star Refining Sixth Layer's Autumn Exam score had surpassed last year's fourth-rank Condensing Star Sixth Layer champion.

This was too powerful!

If we exclude luck, then Xu Jin's true strength—

Suddenly, Senior University Zheng Fang's heart skipped a beat.

Two words came to mind.

Golden Star.

If this is Xu Jin's true combat power, could those four Golden Stars have been taken by him?

There really is such a possibility!

At this thought, Senior University Zheng Fang's heart pounded hard.

If true, four Golden Stars!

In the past twenty years, the National Dao Academy had only ever earned three Golden Stars—that was already immense fortune!

Now then—

【Enough】

Inside the Grand Hall Competition's secret realm, Xu Jin's Star-Picking Token suddenly trembled, receiving a starlight message from Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

Normally, within the Grand Hall Competition's secret realm, the Star-Picking Token is forbidden.

But this prohibition is enforced through the authority of the Star-Picking Tower, under Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's control.

In other words, whether it can be used depends entirely on Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's will.

Others cannot use it, but Grand Master can.

Thus, Xu Jin's Star-Picking Token receiving a starlight message was perfectly normal.

Xu Jin, who had been in the thick of battle, sighed bitterly—he had just begun slaying fourth-rank Condensing Star aliens, killed only a few of the fourth-rank Condensing Star Fourth Layer ones, and now it was over.

Really a bit… disappointing!

But there was nothing to be done.

The next instant, Xu Jin's Star-Picking Token trembled again; Grand Master directly sent him a map, marked with a single glowing dot—this must be Senior Sister Yang Miao's location.

Xu Jin did not rush there immediately; he found a spot and began restoring his star energy again.

In just three quarter-hours, his star energy, depleted to only thirty percent, was fully restored.

Then, Xu Jin set off toward the direction marked on the map—Senior Sister Yang Miao's.

The distance was considerable; it took him nearly half an hour before he found Yang Miao.

To unexpectedly encounter Xu Jin, Senior Sister Yang Miao's joy was beyond description!

This luck was incredible!

During the Grand Hall Competition, the National Dao Academy does not forbid disciples from forming teams—it's all a matter of luck.

This vast Star River Secret Realm, filled with over three thousand people, made the chance of classmates meeting as unlikely as finding a needle in a sea—and to meet one with comparable combat power suitable for teamwork? Even harder!

Yang Miao's joy was evident.

Xu Jin's combat power was strong; teaming with him would surely earn them more points.

With this, Feiyan Academy's ranking in this year's Grand Hall Competition would not be poor.

At the very least, they wouldn't be last!

Not being last meant the goal was achieved!

"Xu Younger Brother, shall we team up?" Yang Miao proactively invited.

Xu Jin had come precisely seeking a teammate; her invitation was more than welcome—he immediately agreed.

Yang Miao had been lingering in the region where third-rank Star Refining Ninth Layer and fourth-rank First Layer aliens appeared.

After forming the team, Xu Jin, relying on past experience, immediately led Yang Miao deeper into the core region.

"Younger Brother, we've already reached the zone of fourth-rank Second Layer aliens—fourth-rank Third Layer aliens have appeared. If we advance further, we might encounter fourth-rank Fourth or Fifth Layer aliens. Isn't this too reckless?" Yang Miao was cautious.

"Senior Sister, let's test our limits. With two of us working together, we can retreat safely. If needed, we can always fall back."

"Fine!"

Less than a quarter-hour after agreeing, Yang Miao was exhilarated.

It felt like she was soaring.

Fighting alongside Xu Jin was incredibly satisfying.

Xu Jin moved slightly faster, using Starfire Chain or Starfire Ring to restrain enemies ahead, sometimes slowing them with Thunder Arrows—then Yang Miao stepped forward, her spear like a dragon, striking one enemy after another!

Points began to skyrocket.

Inside the Grand Hall Competition's secret realm.

As Xu Jin's point growth slowed drastically and his ranking gradually dropped, the Senior and Deputy Senior University Zhengs all breathed a sigh of relief.

Luck!

Xu Jin must have stumbled upon a small alien tribe within the Star River Secret Realm and slaughtered them en masse, rapidly boosting his ranking.

Now, his star energy is nearly depleted, his luck has run out, his points have stopped rising, and his ranking is falling.

This is common!

In past Grand Hall Competitions, this happened frequently.

Seeing Xu Jin's ranking drop from first to fourth, sixth, then eighth, Senior University Zheng Fang Shi felt some disappointment.

The fleeting idea that had just sparked in his heart faded.

He chuckled and shook his head—he must have overthought it.

This Xu Jin was merely a flash of luck!

And likely luck gained through recklessness.

Many first-time participants in the Grand Hall Competition make this mistake—unable to manage their star energy, they charge into large alien groups, unleash furious attacks, surge in points for a while, then collapse from exhaustion.

The unlucky ones get killed by alien elites and are forced to withdraw from the competition!

Clearly, Xu Jin was in this situation—he was just lucky enough not to be slaughtered by alien elites.

Right now, he's probably resting in some corner, recovering star energy.

It'll take two or three hours to fully restore it; surpassing others' points again will be extremely difficult!

Deputy Senior University Zheng Liu Qingzhu also felt slight disappointment, yet remained pleased.

This disciple of hers had fought hard—for her sake.

Liu Qingzhu knew about Yang Miao seeking out Xu Jin.

Even if he maintains his current points, Xu Jin has already made a great contribution to Feiyan Academy.

One-third of the Grand Hall Competition's time has passed.

At the same time, one-third of the disciples had already died within the secret realm and withdrawn from the Grand Hall Competition.

Now, only the performance rankings of the remaining disciples mattered.

In these four hours, her eldest disciple Yang Miao's ranking had dropped another spot, falling to twenty-second.

This saddened Liu Qingzhu.

Yang Miao had decent talent and worked hard, but with no family backing, her cultivation resources were extremely limited.

There was nothing to be done—this was reality!

As she sighed, Liu Qingzhu's gaze suddenly shifted.

Liu Qingzhu suddenly noticed Yang Miao's ranking had jumped up one place.

It rose to twentieth.

Liu Qingzhu paid it no mind—a single-rank fluctuation was normal.

But the next instant, Yang Miao's points surged by over a hundred, and her ranking leapt from twentieth to eighteenth.

This change delighted Liu Qingzhu, and she instinctively glanced again.

She was stunned!

In just that instant, Yang Miao's ranking had changed again!

Sixteenth!

This left Liu Qingzhu deeply puzzled.

Her eldest disciple's performance was impressive, but still within the usual range of mid-tier standings.

Beside her, Vice Academician Shen Wei began chatting with Liu Qingzhu; out of politeness, she replied a few words, but when she turned back, Liu Qingzhu sat bolt upright.

Yang Miao's ranking had surged to eleventh!

Liu Qingzhu muttered, "This girl—so fierce? Did she swallow some aphrodisiac?"

Beside her, Shen Wei's eyes also widened sharply!

(End of Chapter)