Chapter 203: Dao-Weaving

In the main hall of Feiyan Learning Hall, Liu Qingzhu was individually questioning each student.

The students questioned were the senior disciple Yang Miao, the second disciple Tang Chuo, the third disciple Lu Xuan, and Jiang Yuan.

The results of the questioning were both expected and unexpected.

These four disciples had achieved far higher points than usual in the Star River Secret Realm, so there must have been a reason—likely good fortune in forming teams for combat.

But what Liu Qingzhu hadn't anticipated was that all four had gained their increased points solely through Xu Jin's assistance, or rather, after teaming up with Xu Jin.

"Remember, you are not to mention your teaming up with Xu Jin to anyone—anyone at all, including other junior sisters or any relatives! If I find out you've leaked it, you'll never call me your master again."

"If you tell anyone about teaming up with Xu Jin and bring shame upon me as your teacher, you may leave Feiyan Learning Hall immediately—I won't have a disciple like you."

After giving each of the four female disciples her instructions and warnings, Liu Qingzhu finally exhaled in relief.

She had just sealed the final patch on this matter.

Liu Qingzhu didn't know how Xu Jin had randomly encountered these four fellow students across the vast Star River Secret Realm.

But she knew that in such a vast realm, stumbling upon even one fellow student from the Learning Hall was extraordinary luck; encountering two was miraculous; yet to precisely encounter four? If this became known, it would demand serious investigation.

Cheating?

How could one cheat under the Grand Master's gaze?

The only possibility was that Xu Jin possessed some secret.

What secret, Liu Qingzhu didn't care to know—it might have something to do with positioning—but as a teacher, she had to patch things up for her students.

"Issue an order: starting next month, all disciples' cultivation resources within the Learning Hall shall be doubled."

Upon hearing this order, Yang Miao did not leave immediately but hesitated, "Teacher, what about Xu Shi-di?"

Liu Qingzhu shot her a sharp glance, "You little thing—are you falling for him? Do you think I'd shortchange your Xu Shi-di?"

In an instant, Yang Miao's face turned bright red.

"Teacher, it's you who's smitten."

Saying this, Yang Miao turned and left the main hall. After delivering Liu Qingzhu's order, the entire Feiyan Learning Hall erupted once more in cheers.

Next summoned in was Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, what do you think of the fourfold increase in cultivation resources granted to our Learning Hall?" Liu Qingzhu asked.

"I have no opinion—I leave it entirely to the teacher's discretion," Xu Jin replied.

After a moment's thought, Liu Qingzhu nodded, "I'll double your training time in the third-rank Star Power Secret Realm."

Xu Jin was stunned. "Teacher, isn't that too much?"

"Not nearly enough."

Liu Qingzhu shook her head. "Previously, our Learning Hall received only twenty-four hours per month in the third-rank Star Power Secret Realm. Starting next month, it becomes ninety-six hours—an increase of seventy-two hours. I'm merely giving you twelve extra hours. That's nothing."

Since the teacher said so, Xu Jin gladly accepted.

"Moreover, our Learning Hall originally received only twelve hours per month in the fourth-rank Star Power Secret Realm, all allocated to fourth-rank Star Condensation disciples. I won't dwell on your contribution.

Starting next month, you will also be allocated twelve hours in the fourth-rank Star Power Secret Realm!

The other disciples still have thirty-six hours to share—more than enough."

"Thank you, Teacher," Xu Jin accepted without hesitation.

Since everyone benefited, Xu Jin taking more was perfectly justified.

"The Learning Hall ranked first in the Grand Hall Competition will receive six opportunities to ascend the Heavenly Stair to temper the soul, plus six Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills. The Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills are useless to you, so I won't give them to you. I'll assign you two of the Heavenly Stair opportunities—don't say they're too few," Liu Qingzhu said.

"How could I? Two are already plenty."

"Good. I'll also give you two extra bottles of Superior Star-Refining Elixir each month, and three extra bottles of Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill," Liu Qingzhu added.

"Teacher, I'll accept the Superior Star-Refining Elixir, but I don't need the Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill," Xu Jin said after consideration.

Superior Star-Refining Elixir was useful.

But Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill was no longer of much use to Xu Jin—one pill's effect was inferior to his own Wen Meng technique, which could induce a fifteen-minute deep sleep for recovery.

It would benefit other disciples more.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin left the Learning Hall, still ringing with laughter and joy.

This time, Feiyan Learning Hall won first place in the Grand Hall Competition, benefiting all disciples—but under Liu Qingzhu's allocation, Xu Jin received the lion's share.

On the afternoon of September 29, after spending half a day further studying in the Guodao Academy's Library, Xu Jin finally finished reading the last manuscript on fire-star patterns.

Thus, in half a month, Xu Jin had thoroughly studied, deconstructed, and reconstructed all one hundred and nine manuscripts on fire-star patterns left by predecessors in the Guodao Academy's Library. He had now mastered the mid-rank Fire Source Star Pattern of the sixth tier—completely memorized.

Fully understood.

At this point, if Xu Jin wished to inscribe a high-rank fifth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern, he could; if he wished to inscribe a mid-rank sixth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern, he could.

Even in combat, he could now make this mid-rank Fire Source Star Pattern manifest precisely the rank of power he desired.

The Grand Master had listed only five fire-star pattern manuscripts Xu Jin must study.

But Xu Jin had read all one hundred and nine manuscripts related to fire-star patterns in the Guodao Academy's Library.

The reason he progressed so quickly was that many manuscripts contained repetitive content.

Early readings took long; later ones became extremely fast.

Taking up the books, Xu Jin rose and headed straight for Danxia Learning Palace.

"Senior Brother Pang, I wish to see the Grand Master—please announce me," said Xu Jin to the guard, who was still Pang Yu.

"Brother, wait a moment—I'll go inquire with the Grand Master."

"Let him in."

Before Pang Yu could turn, the Grand Master's voice came from within the inner hall, followed by an instruction: "Xu Jin, from now on, come straight in—no need to announce yourself."

"Thank you, Grand Master!"

This privilege made Senior Brother Pang Yu's eyes redden.

In the entire Guodao Academy, only eight people could enter the Grand Master's presence without announcement: the two Librarians, the Supervisor, the four Learning Masters, and Director Peng.

Now, Xu Jin was added to that list.

Even Pang Yu himself did not have this privilege.

Outside his duty hours, he still needed to announce himself to see the Grand Master.

But Pang Yu could do nothing—he could only let Xu Jin walk straight in.

"Grand Master, I'm ready."

After entering and bowing, Xu Jin spoke directly.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's brush suddenly halted. He looked up at Xu Jin. "Have you fully absorbed the five books I gave you? Then reproduce for me a high-rank fifth-tier, mid-rank fifth-tier, and low-rank sixth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern.

Hmm—time limit: two quarter-hours."

This was the Grand Master's test.

In the Zhaixing Tower's Dao-Weaving, it wasn't merely theoretical speculation—if one didn't fully master a star pattern, even within the Zhaixing Tower, failure was likely.

As someone who had walked this path, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao knew well: the Zhaixing Tower merely offered opportunity and conditions. Without proper preparation, failure was inevitable.

Even he himself, in his first attempt using ten silver stars for a Dao-Weaving opportunity, had failed.

Only after deep reflection and meticulous preparation did he avoid wasting later silver and gold stars.

This was precisely why he was testing Xu Jin now.

If Xu Jin couldn't do it, the risk of wasting a Dao-Weaving opportunity would be high.

Better not to attempt it at all.

Based on the Grand Master's judgment, if Xu Jin could meet his requirements within two quarter-hours, then in fire-star patterns—specifically Fire Source Star Patterns—he had already met the basic standard for Dao-Weaving.

If not, the attempt must be postponed.

In the next instant, Xu Jin took out three blank jade tablets, sank his mind into them, and began inscribing rapidly. For Xu Jin, who had fully studied the fire-star pattern manuscripts from the Guodao Academy's Library, there was no difficulty whatsoever.

One after another.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin handed over the three inscribed jade tablets. "Grand Master, I've completed them."

"Hm?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao looked up in surprise, staring at Xu Jin, then glanced at the time.

Hadn't even half a quarter-hour passed?

"All done?"

"All done."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was stunned again. "You inscribed these now?"

After asking, he realized the question was excessive and quickly laughed. "I just find your inscription speed astonishing."

Smiling, the Grand Master picked up the three jade tablets to inspect them.

The more he inspected, the more astonished he became.

Perfect!

Every stroke of the star pattern was smooth, natural, without the slightest hesitation.

Moreover, the traces showed each was carved in a single continuous motion—no pauses.

This proved Xu Jin had mastered the star pattern to the point of perfection—he fully understood and internalized it.

Otherwise, he could not have achieved this.

"You've clearly put in serious effort in the Library lately," the Grand Master exclaimed after inspection.

In speed and skill, he far surpassed his own younger self.

Many fifth- and even sixth-rank experts specializing in fire-star techniques didn't possess Xu Jin's level of mastery or this speed.

"Not much—just a few hours each day."

"Hmm. Come with me."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao rose to his feet, and Xu Jin hurried behind him as they entered the back hall, cutting off all sightlines; there, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly took Xu Jin's hand and stepped forward with him.

In the next instant, the stars before him shifted, and Xu Jin suddenly found himself inside a pavilion shimmering with starlight.

The pavilion had no roof, yet it was covered by a dome of starlight, extraordinarily magnificent.

Outside the windows, white clouds drifted lazily by.

This startled Xu Jin deeply.

They were above the clouds!

"Where is this?" Xu Jin exclaimed.

"The highest point of the present-world form of the Great Chen Star-Picking Pavilion," Grand Master Cheng said, looking at Xu Jin.

He added, "This place lies a thousand meters above ground, where the present-world form of the Star-Picking Pavilion receives celestial weather phenomena; here, star-patterns and star-art can be deduced with twice the effect."

"Here, the Dao unfolds most effectively."

"Enough. Exchange ten silver stars for one ordinary deduction opportunity, then lock your intent on the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank, sink into it, and contemplate the deduction," Grand Master Cheng instructed.

Xu Jin was surprised. "Grand Master, are we starting right away? Don't you have any advice or guidance to give me?"

"Everyone's thinking differs. I can only lay the foundation. If I gave you my own deduction experience, it would only bind you. Besides, I have no experience to guide you on this mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank."

"This star-pattern is the limit of my own understanding," said the Grand Master.

Xu Jin nodded, sat cross-legged at once, and sank his intent into the Star-Picking Realm; with a thought, he immediately exchanged ten silver stars for one ordinary deduction opportunity.

【Begin Deduction?】

【Begin】

【Lock your intent on the relevant star-pattern or star-art】

Instantly, Xu Jin immersed all his attention into the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.

The next instant, flames surrounded his vision; then, all fire vanished, and the entire world before him turned cold and silent.

Gradually, the sun hung high, and a dry branch beneath it suddenly emitted a wisp of smoke; a light breeze stirred, and the smoke became flame.

The flame grew from small to large, then shrank back until it extinguished.

Throughout this process, Xu Jin's perspective shifted constantly.

Close to the flame, above it, from the side—every angle of observation; when viewing from high above, the flame suddenly resembled a symbol.

The world changed again, and now a forest appeared before Xu Jin.

A spark ignited in a corner, and the entire forest burst into roaring flames in an instant.

Then, celestial fire fell from the heavens.

One flame after another emerged before Xu Jin.

Different flames, different scenes, endlessly evolving.

Fire within stone, fire within water.

From birth to intensity, then to extinction.

In the final overhead view, this flame's condensed life became a symbol-like entity.

At one moment, Xu Jin suddenly had a flash of insight.

He fused the condensed life-cycle of one flame—from birth to intensity to extinction—with a main trunk line of the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.

At that instant, the flame was the trunk line, and the trunk line was the Fire Source Star-Pattern.

Xu Jin suddenly understood.

In the next flame, he began attempting to integrate aspects of the flame's birth, intensity, and extinction into the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.

One after another, he repeated the process.

He continuously refined this mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern.

After an unknown length of time, the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern before Xu Jin finally took shape as a new, complete pattern.

When the final stroke was completed, the entire mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern blazed fiercely, its power rising another level.

Xu Jin suddenly gained clarity.

Success.

Sixth rank achieved!

The Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank had been deduced by him into sixth rank upper.

Under Xu Jin's control, the new upper sixth-rank Fire Source Star-Pattern continuously scattered into countless flames, then reformed and refined again and again.

There was even an impulse to extend new lines, but nothing could sprout.

As the evolution continued, the starlight illusion before him flickered uncertainly, about to vanish.

At this peak moment, Xu Jin felt his mind crystal-clear, his understanding of flame reaching an unprecedented height.

He was reluctant to end it.

With a thought, he sank his intent into the Star-Picking Realm and activated a gold star.

【Begin High-Rank Deduction?】

A prompt appeared before Xu Jin.

【Yes】

The next instant, the starlight before Xu Jin shifted rapidly once more.

(End of Chapter)