Chapter 203: Deriving Dao

Inside the main hall of the Liu Feiyan School, Liu Zhou Qingzhu was separating them and asking questions one by one.

The subjects of the questioning were the top disciple Yang Miaozhen, the second disciple Tang Chuo, the third disciple Lu Xuan, and Jiang Yuan.

The result of the questioning was both within expectation and beyond expectation.

The reason these four disciples could obtain much higher points in the Star River Secret Realm than usual must have a reason; it was highly likely that they were lucky enough to team up to fight.

But Liu Zhou Qingzhu didn't expect that all four of them were helped by Xu Jin, or rather, it was only after teaming up with Xu Jin to fight that their points soared significantly.

"Remember, regarding the matter of teaming up with Xu Jin to fight, you are not allowed to mention it to anyone again; it is anyone, including other junior sisters, including any relatives! If I find out it was leaked, don't recognize me as your teacher in the future."

"If you tell anyone about Xu Jin teaming up with you to fight, causing me, your teacher, to be humiliated, you can just leave the Liu Feiyan School; I don't have a disciple like you either."

Liu Zhou Qingzhu warned the four female disciples one by one, and after warning them one by one, she breathed a sigh of relief.

It could be considered that the last patch for this matter had been applied.

Liu Zhou Qingzhu didn't know how Xu Jin encountered the four schoolmates by chance in the vast Star River Secret Realm.

But Liu Zhou Qingzhu knew that in the vast Star River Secret Realm, encountering one schoolmate by chance was extremely lucky; if encountering two schoolmates by chance, that luck was heaven-defying, but being able to precisely encounter four schoolmates by chance, if this were spread out, it would be worth investigating.

Cheating?

Under the gaze of the Grand Master, how to cheat?

Then it could only be that Xu Jin might have some secret.

What secret, Liu Zhou Qingzhu didn't want to know; it might be related to positioning, but as a teacher, the patch had to be applied well for the student.

"Pass the order down; starting next month, the cultivation resources enjoyed by all disciples in the school will be doubled."

Yang Miaozhen, who received this order, didn't leave immediately, but hesitated, "Teacher, what about Junior Brother Xu?"

Liu Zhou Qingzhu heard this and gave Yang Miaozhen a sideways glance, "You little girl, could it be your heart is moved? Your Junior Brother Xu, could I treat him poorly?"

In an instant, Liu Zhou Qingzhu made Yang Miaozhen blush.

"Master, it's your heart that's moved."

After speaking, Yang Miaozhen turned and left the main hall, and after passing Liu Zhou Qingzhu's order down, cheers rang out again in the Liu Feiyan School.

Subsequently, the one called in was Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, what are your thoughts on the four times the cultivation resources added to the school this time?" Liu Zhou Qingzhu asked.

"Disciple has no thoughts, all depends on the teacher's arrangement," Xu Jin said.

Liu Zhou Qingzhu thought for a while before nodding, "Your cultivation time in the Third Tier Qi Secret Realm will be directly doubled."

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

"Not much."

Liu Zhou Qingzhu shook her head, "Previously, the cultivation time in the Third Tier Qi Secret Realm allocated to our Liu Feiyan School was only twenty-four hours a month, but starting next month, it will directly become ninety-six hours, an increase of seventy-two hours; it's only twelve hours more for you, not much at all."

Since the teacher said so, Xu Jin accepted it happily.

"Besides this, the cultivation time in the Fourth Tier Qi Secret Realm, our Liu Feiyan School originally only had twelve hours a month, all allocated to Fourth Tier Condense Star disciples; this time, I won't say much about your contribution.

Starting next month, twelve hours of cultivation time in the Fourth Tier Qi Secret Realm will also be allocated to you!

Other disciples still have thirty-six hours to allocate, which is enough."

"Thank you, Teacher." Xu Jin also accepted it calmly.

Everyone had benefits to take, and Xu Jin taking a bit more was also peace of mind.

"For the school ranked first in the All-Hall Competition, the National Dao Academy will directly reward six opportunities to climb the Heaven Staircase to hone the divine soul, as well as six Calming Gold Elixirs; the Calming Gold Elixirs are useless to you, so I won't give them to you. I will allocate two of the Heaven Staircase opportunities to you; don't think it's too few." Liu Zhou Qingzhu said.

"How could that be, two is already a lot."

"Hmm, then the Superior Refine Star Elixirs additionally issued by the National Dao Academy, I will give you two more bottles every month, and Superior Refreshing Elixirs, I will also give you three more bottles," Liu Zhou Qingzhu said.

"Teacher, I will accept the Superior Refine Star Elixirs, but I don't need the Superior Refreshing Elixirs," Xu Jin said after deliberation.

Superior Refine Star Elixirs were useful.

But Superior Refreshing Elixirs were not very useful to Xu Jin now; after taking a Superior Refreshing Elixir, the effect was not as good as Xu Jin using Dream Warmth to pull himself into a deep sleep for a quarter-hour to recover.

Leaving them for other schoolmates would have a greater effect.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin left the school full of cheers and laughter.

This time, the Liu Feiyan School took first place in the All-Hall Competition, and all disciples benefited, but under Liu Zhou Qingzhu's allocation, Xu Jin took the lion's share.

On the afternoon of September 29, Xu Jin, who had been studying in the National Dao Academy's library for another half day, finally finished reading the last research note on fire-type Star Patterns.

Up to this point, Xu Jin had spent half a month deducing and dismantling all the research notes on fire-type Star Patterns left by predecessors in the National Dao Academy's library, and he already knew the mid-tier fire source Star Patterns in the Sixth Tier by heart.

He understood them completely.

At this moment, Xu Jin wanted to engrave the Fifth Tier upper mid-tier fire source Star Pattern, and he could engrave the Sixth Tier lower mid-tier fire source Star Pattern if he wanted to.

Even in combat, Xu Jin could already make this mid-tier fire source Star Pattern exert whatever rank of power he wanted it to exert.

There were only five books that the Grand Master listed for Xu Jin that must be read.

But Xu Jin had read all 109 notes and research notes related to fire-type Star Patterns in the National Dao Academy's library.

The reason for such fast speed was mainly that there was a lot of repetitive content.

The time spent reading one book in the early stage was a lot, but in the later stage, it became very fast.

Picking up the books, Xu Jin got up and headed straight for the Danxia Palace.

"Senior Brother Pang, I have come to seek an audience with the Grand Master; please report it." The one serving at the hall was still Pang Yu.

"Junior Brother, wait a moment, I will go in and ask the Grand Master for instructions..."

"Let him in."

Just as Pang Yu turned around, the Grand Master's voice came from the inner hall, and at the same time, there was an instruction, "Xu Jin, in the future, when you come over, just come in directly; no need to report."

"Thank you, Grand Master!"

This treatment made Senior Brother Pang Yu's eyes somewhat red.

In the entire National Dao Academy, there were only eight people who could meet the Grand Master directly without reporting: the two Libationers, the Supervisor, the four Great Deans, and one Manager Peng.

Now, Xu Jin had to be added.

This treatment, even he, Pang Yu, didn't have.

During non-duty periods, he also had to report to see the Grand Master.

But regarding this, Pang Yu was also helpless and could only let Xu Jin go straight to see the Grand Master.

"Grand Master, I am ready."

After Xu Jin went in and bowed to pay his respects, he said directly.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's pen stopped abruptly, and he looked up at Xu Jin, "You have thoroughly understood the five books I gave you? Then you can engrave a Fifth Tier upper, Fifth Tier mid, and Sixth Tier lower mid-tier fire source Star Pattern for me now.

Hmm, the time limit is two quarter-hours."

This could be considered the Grand Master's assessment.

Deriving Dao in the Star-Plucking Tower was not a simple deduction; if one did not thoroughly master a certain Star Pattern, even in the Star-Plucking Tower, the possibility of failure was relatively high.

As someone who had been there, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was very clear that the Star-Plucking Tower only provided an opportunity and many opportunities; if one didn't prepare well, the possibility of failure was relatively high.

It was Cheng Yuexiao himself who, when he used ten Silver Stars to exchange for a Dao-deriving opportunity for the first time, also ended in failure.

Later, he learned from the pain and prepared carefully, so he didn't waste the Silver Stars and Gold Stars he got later.

This was also the fundamental reason why he was assessing Xu Jin now.

If he couldn't do it, the probability of wasting the Dao-deriving opportunity would be relatively high.

It would be better not to use it.

According to the Grand Master's understanding, if he could do his requirements in two quarter-hours, then Xu Jin, in terms of fire-type Star Patterns, at least in terms of fire source Star Patterns, would reach the basic requirements for Deriving Dao.

If not, then it would have to be postponed.

The next instant, Xu Jin took out three blank jade tablets, sank his mind into them, and began to engrave rapidly. For Xu Jin, who had finished dismantling the National Dao Academy's library's fire-type Star Pattern notes, there was no difficulty at all.

One piece after another.

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin handed over three jade tablets engraved with Star Patterns, "Grand Master, I have finished."

"Hmm?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao looked up unexpectedly, stunned at Xu Jin, and checked the time again.

It seemed like it hadn't even been half a quarter-hour?

"All done?"

"All done."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was stunned again, "You just recorded this now?"

After asking this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao also felt that this question was a bit excessive, so he smiled again, "I just feel that you engraved it too fast."

The Grand Master smiled and picked up the three jade tablets to check.

The more he checked, the more surprised he was.

It could be called perfect!

Every stroke in the Star Pattern was round and natural, without any stagnation.

And judging from the traces, it was all done in one stroke, without any pause.

This showed that Xu Jin had mastered this Star Pattern itself to a state of perfection, and had completely understood and was proficient in it.

Otherwise, he couldn't achieve such a degree.

"You... it seems you have put in hard work in the library recently?" The Grand Master finished checking and said in surprise.

Judging by this speed and level, it was much stronger than he was back then.

Many Fifth Tier or even Sixth Tier powerhouses who specialized in fire-type Star Arts might not have Xu Jin's attainments and speed.

"It's okay, I just spend a few hours there every day."

"Hmm, come with me."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao stood up, and Xu Jin hurriedly followed behind, entering the rear hall. After isolating everyone's sight, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly took Xu Jin's hand and pulled Xu Jin to take a step out.

The next instant, the starlight in front of him changed, and Xu Jin suddenly appeared inside a starlight-shining pavilion.

The pavilion had no roof, but it was covered by a starlight dome, looking incomparably magnificent.

Outside the window, there were even white clouds drifting by.

This surprised Xu Jin greatly.

It was actually above the clouds!

"Where is this?" Xu Jin asked in surprise.

"The highest point of the Great Chen Star-Plucking Tower's manifest body." The Grand Master looked at Xu Jin and said.

After speaking, the Grand Master added, "This place is located a thousand meters above the sky and is the place where the Star-Plucking Tower's manifest body receives the weather of all heavens. Deducing Star Patterns and Star Arts here has the effect of twice the result with half the effort.

Deriving Dao here, the effect is naturally the best."

"Alright, you use ten Silver Stars to exchange for an ordinary Dao-deriving opportunity, then lock your mind on the Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern, immerse yourself in it, and you can contemplate and derive Dao." The Grand Master instructed.

Xu Jin was very surprised, "Grand Master, just start like this, don't you give some experience or pointers?"

"Everyone's way of thinking is different; I can only lay a good foundation for you. If I give you my Dao-deriving experience, it will only be a shackle for you. Moreover, for the Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern, I don't have any experience to give you pointers on.

This Star Pattern is the limit here for me." The Grand Master said.

Xu Jin nodded and sat cross-legged immediately, sinking his mind into the Star-Plucking Secret Realm; with a thought, he immediately used ten Silver Stars to exchange for an ordinary Dao-deriving opportunity.

【Whether to start Deriving Dao?】

【Start】

【Please lock your mind on the relevant Star Pattern or Star Art】

In an instant, Xu Jin immersed his full attention into the Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern.

The next instant, Xu Jin's eyes were surrounded by firelight, and subsequently, all firelight dissipated, and the whole world in front of him became cold and lonely.

Gradually, the scorching sun hung high, and a bit of dead branch hung high under the scorching sun, suddenly emitting light smoke; a breeze blew, and the blue smoke turned into flames.

The flames grew from small to large, and then from large to small, until they extinguished.

During this process, Xu Jin's perspective was also constantly changing.

Close to the flames, above the flames, from the side, various visual observations; when looking down from the high sky, this cluster of flames suddenly seemed to turn into a symbol.

The world continued to change, and this time what appeared in front of Xu Jin was a forest.

A spark ignited from a corner, and the whole forest instantly burst into flames, turning into a raging fire.

Suddenly, heavenly fire fell to the ground.

One fire after another began to emerge in front of Xu Jin.

Different flames, different scenes, constantly evolving.

There was fire in stone, fire in water.

From birth to scorching, then to extinction.

The final bird's-eye view transformed into this kind of life condensed into flames, then evolved into an existence like a symbol.

At a certain moment, Xu Jin suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He combined the concentration of one flame's life from birth to scorching to extinction with a certain main trunk path of the Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern.

At this moment, the main trunk path was the flame, and the flame was the fire source Star Pattern.

Xu Jin suddenly understood a bit.

For the next flame, Xu Jin began to try to integrate some of the birth, scorching, and extinction of the flame into the Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern.

One after another, constantly repeating.

Constantly perfecting this mid-tier fire source Star Pattern.

I don't know how long it took, but the mid-tier fire source Star Pattern in front of Xu Jin was finally pieced together by Xu Jin into a new, complete path.

When the last stroke was gathered, the whole mid-tier fire source Star Pattern was raging with fire, and its power rose to another level.

Xu Jin suddenly had some realization.

Success.

Sixth Tier upper!

The Sixth Tier mid-tier fire source Star Pattern had already been deduced by him into Sixth Tier upper.

The new Sixth Tier upper mid-tier fire source Star Pattern, under Xu Jin's activation, constantly scattered into countless flames, constantly re-gathering and constantly perfecting.

There was even an urge to extend new paths, but it couldn't sprout no matter what.

During the evolution, the starlight illusion in front of him began to flicker, about to dissipate.

Xu Jin, who was in the swing of things at this moment, felt his mind was incomparably clear, and his understanding of flames had reached an unprecedented height.

Still not satisfied.

With a thought, Xu Jin directly sank his mind into the Star-Plucking Secret Realm and drew a Gold Star.

【Whether to perform High-Tier Deriving Dao】

A prompt appeared in front of Xu Jin.

【Yes】

The next instant, the starlight in front of Xu Jin changed rapidly again.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 204 =====