Chapter 204: Mandala Star Pattern

In the instant he chose to begin the high-level Great Expansion Dao, Xu Jin's vision shimmered with starlight, suddenly soaring to infinite heights.

In an instant, he landed upon a star blazing with radiant light.

The star was utterly silent, lifeless—then the starlight before him shifted again, and his perspective changed, revealing countless flames.

More precisely, molten flame.

Rivers of molten flame surged beneath the surface, crashing back and forth; as time passed, the molten streams suddenly erupted skyward, turning the once-silent star into a sky choked with black smoke, then rolling flames and rivers of molten gold.

His vision rose once more, and the blazing star now lay beneath his overhead gaze, starlight pouring from its celestial dome in all directions.

Xu Jin frowned, feeling… nothing at all.

Suddenly, the Mingji Star Pattern in his Lower Star Palace began to rotate slowly, and in an instant, his perception of starlight sharpened dramatically.

Within the starlight, there was fire!

Was this the fire of the star?

In the next instant, as Xu Jin willed it, his mind sank once more into the star, sensing the inner changes of its flame, then his perspective rose again, feeling the faint fire-essence carried by the scattered starlight.

Xu Jin vaguely grasped something, but it felt as if veiled by a sheet of paper—he could sense it, yet could not pierce through.

The next instant, the starlight before him shifted, revealing another star.

The same evolutionary process, yet utterly different.

Sensing something within, Xu Jin pushed his Mingji Star Pattern to its limit, seeking to grasp the mid-tier fire source on the sixth-rank level—but he could never quite touch it.

The starlight shifted again, revealing another star.

This time, Xu Jin had experience; combining it with his prior deductions on the mid-tier fire source star pattern of the sixth rank, he soon sketched a main star pattern that faintly resonated with the star's inner fire.

The scene shifted constantly, the stars changed endlessly.

The main branches and subsidiary star patterns Xu Jin sketched multiplied, exceeding seven in number.

Originally, only one main branch and three subsidiary branches were needed to break through from the mid-tier sixth rank to the lower seventh rank.

But now, the fragments of star patterns Xu Jin had gathered far exceeded what was needed—yet he could not weave them into a complete cycle.

Even if he forcibly fused them into a complete cycle, it would shatter instantly!

Where was the bottleneck?

Xu Jin frowned.

Or rather—what was the key to breaking through to the seventh rank?

What was missing?

Xu Jin steadied his mind and carefully examined his failed lower-seventh-rank star pattern.

He found no cause.

It bore no obvious difference from the sixth-rank pattern—yet it could not form a complete cycle?

Then the problem must lie in the seventh-rank threshold itself!

Suddenly, Xu Jin recalled the knowledge Grand Master had once imparted about seventh-rank star patterns.

Seventh-rank star patterns already involve Dao principles—the cosmic order of stellar motion, the very essence of the stars.

Moreover, the same seventh-rank star pattern, when learned by different cultivators, yields different effects.

For learning a seventh-rank star pattern requires each cultivator to connect with Heaven and Earth, perceive, and obtain that single thread of Dao essence to inscribe as their own.

Thus, seventh-rank star patterns are alike yet distinct.

As he recalled, Xu Jin realized the key—connecting with Heaven and Earth!

【Grand Master, how does one connect with Heaven and Earth?】

Instantly, Xu Jin sent a starlight message to Grand Master via the Star-Picking Token.

Fortunately, the Star-Picking Token still functioned.

But Grand Master's reply rang directly in Xu Jin's ears.

"You used Golden Star? Seeking to break through to seventh rank? To connect with Heaven and Earth, you must use your Divine Soul force to perceive the thread of Dao essence within the stars and cosmos, mimic its resonance as closely as possible, then imprint and solidify it—that is how you connect with Heaven and Earth.

This is exceedingly difficult; many peak sixth-rank experts are trapped here, unable to break through!

But since you are using Golden Star, the high-level Great Expansion process within the Star-Picking Tower has already established the hardest link—the connection with Heaven and Earth. Your task now is to carefully identify the single thread of Dao essence you can perceive and confirm, then use your Divine Soul force to sense, mimic, and imprint its frequency.

If successful, you will be able to resonate with that thread from afar.

That is connecting with Heaven and Earth."

With Grand Master's guidance, Xu Jin's confusion vanished instantly—he now had direction.

The next instant, starlight shifted again, revealing a brand-new star; Xu Jin began searching within the evolution of its stellar fire for that core thread of Dao essence.

With prior experience, Xu Jin quickly discerned a thread of Dao essence within the stellar fire—but it remained hazy.

In such a blurred state, he could barely see it, let alone mimic it.

Xu Jin pushed his Divine Soul force to its limit, pouring it relentlessly; the thread of Dao essence grew clearer—but still not sharp enough to inscribe.

In the next instant, Xu Jin sent a strand of Divine Soul force into his Lower Star Palace, injecting it into the Mingji Star Pattern.

This was a minor technique Qi Shanye had taught him to enhance the Mingji Star Pattern's power.

Continuously injecting Divine Soul force greatly amplified the Mingji Star Pattern's perception.

But this technique could not be sustained.

Because the Mingji Star Pattern consumed immense Divine Soul force.

As Qi Shanye said, even with his own mid-stage Divine Soul Condensation cultivation, he could sustain it for no more than half an hour.

A cultivator at the Star Refining stage of Divine Soul might not last even fifteen minutes.

For Xu Jin, duration didn't matter—what mattered was whether it worked!

If it worked, there was a chance he could inscribe the Dao essence and synchronize with it!

In the next instant, as Xu Jin infused Divine Soul force into the Mingji Star Pattern, he felt a flicker of joy.

Clearer!

The thread of Dao essence he perceived had become sharply defined.

It was as if every filament was laid bare.

But his Divine Soul force was draining rapidly.

Xu Jin estimated that at this rate, he would exhaust his Divine Soul force in less than fifteen minutes.

But he didn't need fifteen minutes—just a dozen breaths would suffice.

Fifteen breaths later, a pinpoint of starlight suddenly ignited within Xu Jin's own constructed lower-seventh-rank star pattern; as this point of light pulsed at a strange frequency, a star high above the heavens flickered faintly, its starlight directly reflecting downward.

In the next instant, Xu Jin's previously unformed lower-seventh-rank star pattern, as that single point of light shifted, completed its final grand cycle and blazed fully to life.

At its core, starfire flickered, resonating with a star in the heavens.

In that resonance, a vast, majestic force subtly connected.

At the topmost level of the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao watched the seated Xu Jin, his expression suddenly startled, eyes alight with delight.

But Xu Jin's high-level Great Expansion was not yet over.

Before his eyes, light and shadow shifted again—a new star appeared.

The same evolutionary process.

But this time, Xu Jin was thoroughly familiar with it.

Soon, he located the thread of Dao essence.

He effortlessly activated the Mingji Star Pattern, carefully perceiving it; after a full quarter-hour, another thread of stellar fire was inscribed into this lower-seventh-rank fire source star pattern.

Quickly, the third thread of stellar fire was also successfully inscribed.

After the third thread was inscribed, Xu Jin gained sudden insight.

Three threads of stellar fire were the absolute upper limit of capacity for a lower-seventh-rank fire source star pattern.

Now, Xu Jin continued observing the evolution of stellar fire; stars shifted, and he had inscribed one main branch and three subsidiary branches—but still could not complete the grand cycle, still could not form a closed loop.

But with prior experience, this time Xu Jin moved with ease. After a quarter-hour, a fourth thread of stellar fire coalesced.

Using this fourth thread as the core, the newly sketched mid-seventh-rank fire source star pattern instantly blazed with brilliance, forming a complete, closed loop.

The mid-seventh-rank fire source star pattern was born.

But the Great Expansion was not finished.

A quarter-hour later, a fifth thread of stellar fire coalesced.

But the instant the fifth thread appeared, the first four recoiled in resistance.

Xu Jin felt that if he forcibly inscribed this fifth thread, the entire mid-seventh-rank fire source star pattern might collapse entirely!

Surprised, Xu Jin could only abandon the newly formed fifth thread, letting it dissipate.

Then he summoned a sixth thread of stellar fire—it resisted.

He had to let it dissipate.

When Xu Jin summoned the seventh thread of stellar fire, the first four did not resist; instead, their flames burned brighter, as if welcoming it.

Thus, the fifth thread of stellar fire was finally successfully inscribed into the mid-seventh-rank fire source star pattern, making its glow even fiercer.

Just as Xu Jin began searching for the next thread of stellar fire, the starlight before him suddenly scattered—he felt a crushing sensation of weightlessness, as if falling from tens of thousands of meters, his vision turning pitch black, and an indescribable sluggishness gripping his surroundings.

In the starlight perspective, Xu Jin had felt as fluid as a fish in water.

How exhilarating it had been—now, how agonizing.

"Don't worry. Release your Divine Soul force, let the starlight slowly spread—it will pass. High-level Great Expansion always feels like this."

Watching Xu Jin emerge from high-level Great Expansion, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sighed softly.

He had first felt this sensation eighteen years ago.

He had first experienced this feeling eighteen years ago.

The last time he experienced this feeling was twelve years ago.

Since twelve years ago, he hasn't been able to experience it at all.

As the Grand Master had predicted, after half a quarter-hour, Xu Jin had fully adapted.

It was as if a fish had returned to water.

Yet in the perception of Xu Jin's Mingji Star Pattern, it felt as though the very heavens and earth had welcomed him back—like a prodigal son returning home!

"How does it feel?"

Seeing Xu Jin open his eyes, the Grand Master smiled and asked.

"High-level Great Expansion is entirely different from ordinary Great Expansion—I was reckless. Had you not been here, I might have wasted this Golden Star." Xu Jin said.

"Everyone grows in their own time; this is normal. Ordinary Great Expansion in the Star-Picking Realm is merely a display and evolution, but High-level Great Expansion lets you, within an hour, dreamlike and illusory, touch those stars and sense the Dao's essence up close.

You must keep at least one Golden Star—this will greatly reduce the difficulty when you one day break through to the seventh rank." The Grand Master said.

Having finished, the Grand Master asked again, "What did you gain?"

This was the key point.

"I have not disgraced your trust!" Xu Jin rose and bowed.

In the next instant, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao let out a loud laugh, swept his sleeve, and instantly vanished from the highest level of the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower, reappearing within the Danxia Learning Hall.

With a casual wave, starlight surged forth and enveloped the hall, sealing it off from outside.

After a few breaths of thought, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao spoke slowly, "Xu Jin, I assume you've already evolved the Fire Source Star Pattern down to seventh rank?"

Xu Jin nodded.

"Then you have two choices: first, give me only the mid-level Fire Source Star Pattern of sixth rank. This mid-level sixth-rank Fire Source Star Pattern will become the property of the Dao Academy for free use; whom you teach it to is your choice, but after teaching, you must accept a seal prohibiting external transmission.

However, in the future, if you wish to obtain sixth-rank star patterns, you must follow the rules."

"The second choice is to give me the high-level Fire Source Star Pattern below seventh rank. The Dao Academy will consult your opinion before transmitting it to others; you may still teach it to anyone, but you must still accept the seal prohibiting external transmission. However, per our prior agreement, you may directly obtain the sixth-rank star pattern you desire for your own evolution."

After speaking, the Grand Master paused slightly, then added, "Whichever choice you make, I will be delighted, for both enhance the Dao Academy's strength—you remain a disciple of our Great Chen Dao Academy. Moreover, my promise to gather Thunder Star Patterns for you stands unchanged; regardless of your choice, I will diligently collect them for you."

Having finished, the Grand Master looked at Xu Jin, waiting for his answer.

Xu Jin considered for only one second before deciding.

"I choose the second: the high-level Fire Source Star Pattern below seventh rank—I'll engrave it now!" Xu Jin said.

"Oh? So quick? I thought you might ask for other conditions." The Grand Master chuckled.

"There can be no home without a nation!

If the State Dao Academy grows stronger, and if you, Grand Master, grow stronger, then when I travel abroad, I'll have greater confidence." Xu Jin said.

"Hahaha!"

Hearing this, the Grand Master burst into loud laughter, his voice shaking the land, yet the star curtain tightly confined it within the Danxia Learning Hall.

When the Grand Master finished laughing, Xu Jin asked mischievously, "You just asked if I'd ask for other conditions—does that mean I still can?"

"Too late!"

As he spoke, the Grand Master extended his hand toward Xu Jin. "Your gains today should exceed your expectations. Quickly engrave it—I haven't seen a high-level star pattern born from a Golden Star's high-level Great Expansion in a long time."

Xu Jin took out a Star Jade Tablet to begin engraving, when the Grand Master suddenly handed him several purple Star Jade Tablets.

"Use these. High-level star patterns can only be engraved on Star Jade Tablets of seventh rank or higher." The Grand Master said.

Watching the Grand Master retrieve these items with such effortless ease, Xu Jin suddenly had a thought and asked, "Grand Master, I wonder—how do you keep so many things in your robes? Your robes don't look like they hold much at all.

Where are you pulling them from?"

"Ah, this is a Space Star Art—also a combined Star Pattern."

"You want to learn it?"

Xu Jin nodded vigorously.

Space Star Art—he had long desired it.

Having a Space Star Art or a space-storage item would make carrying elixirs or other items immensely convenient.

"I can teach it to you, but you cannot learn it yet. When you're ready, I'll teach you." Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Why can't I learn it now?" Xu Jin asked, puzzled.

"This Star Art is called 'Jiezi Cang Shan.' It's a combined Star Pattern requiring two Star Patterns: Xumi and Object Control. Neither is difficult, but opening the Xumi space requires your Divine Soul cultivation to reach fourth rank—Ningxing. Otherwise, learning it is useless!" the Grand Master said.

At these words, Xu Jin's heart leapt.

If fourth-rank Ningxing Divine Soul cultivation was the requirement, then he could learn it now.

"Grand Master, why not teach me now? Space Star Arts are hard to master—I'll learn and engrave slowly. When my Divine Soul cultivation reaches the needed level, I'll be able to use it immediately—that would be more convenient." Xu Jin said.

"Grand Master, perhaps you could teach me first? Space star patterns are hard to learn, so I'll study them slowly and engrave them bit by bit; once my soul cultivation reaches the right level, I'll be able to use them—that would be more convenient," Xu Jin said.

With a flick of his hand, the Grand Master handed Xu Jin two more Jade Tablets inscribed with Star Patterns.

Xu Jin thanked him, said nothing more, and went to one side to engrave the high-level Fire Source Star Pattern below seventh rank.

Correct—he gave only the below-seventh-rank version, not the mid-seventh-rank one. This was Xu Jin's subtle strategy.

Of course, this also had to do with the fact that the mid-seventh-rank high-level Fire Source Star Pattern had not yet been fully completed.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that the seventh-rank high-grade Fire Source Star Pattern has not yet been fully completed.

(End of chapter)