Chapter 208: Old Qi Who Doesn't Lie Flat

【Sorry, Qi Tian Da Sheng has refused the challenge.】

Yue Zhongying, having received the message prompt, was stunned and chose to challenge Xu Jin again.

【Sorry, Qi Tian Da Sheng has refused the challenge.】

The feeling of losing so inexplicably, of being instantly killed, was too unbearable; it felt just like a dream.

Yue Zhongying's stubborn streak also flared up, and she chose to challenge him again.

But the moment she chose to challenge, the light and shadows before her eyes shifted; the rankings on the Third Tier Practice Arena leaderboard had already changed, and Qi Tian Da Sheng's ranking had gone from 463rd to 457th.

She was no longer qualified to challenge him.

She understood that Qi Tian Da Sheng must have won another consecutive match, gaining three points, which caused his ranking to jump significantly.

According to the rules of the Third Tier Practice Arena, within the top thousand but outside the top hundred, one can challenge at most five ranks higher.

Yue Zhongying, anxious to challenge Xu Jin, hurriedly chose to challenge the next person.

Thirty breaths later, Yue Zhongying won, and her points increased by three.

Her ranking became 458th, and she was about to challenge Qi Tian Da Sheng, but Qi Tian Da Sheng's ranking had already disappeared from her view.

Searching again, she discovered that Qi Tian Da Sheng's ranking had already leaped to 410th.

Yue Zhongying, feeling even more stifled, once again chose to challenge the next person.

Previously, she hadn't challenged with full force, nor had she pushed to her limit, because her cultivation was only at the eighth layer of Refine Star, so she wasn't in a hurry to climb the rankings, just practicing actual combat.

Now, provoked by Qi Tian Da Sheng, her competitive spirit was ignited.

In the span of a quarter-hour, she won five more matches in a row.

Her ranking finally reached 401st, but Qi Tian Da Sheng's ranking was nowhere to be found again; she searched upward and finally found it.

【Qi Tian Da Sheng: 372nd.】

Still unable to challenge him.

This left Yue Zhongying feeling exceptionally unsettled.

A stifled feeling was stuck in her chest, unable to be released.

She felt that if she didn't fight another match today, she wouldn't be able to sleep.

And at this very moment, Yue Zhongying finally remembered who Qi Tian Da Sheng was—he was the second-place finisher from the First Tier Practice Arena who had once challenged her and been defeated by her.

Then she had proceeded to Forge Star.

She hadn't expected that in the Third Tier Practice Arena, she would actually be surpassed by him, and even instantly killed!

After thinking it over, Yue Zhongying felt that she must have a match with Qi Tian Da Sheng today.

She spent a wisp of starlight to directly apply to add Qi Tian Da Sheng as a friend, preparing to arrange a battle with him after the request was accepted.

Regardless of winning or losing, she had to fight a match first.

【Sorry, Qi Tian Da Sheng has rejected your friend request.】

"Ah!"

Seeing this message, Yue Zhongying almost roared toward the sky.

How could she have encountered such a petty person!

It was just that she hadn't remembered him!

Apply again!

Rejected again!

After five consecutive times, Yue Zhongying was almost driven mad with anger.

Without being friends, let alone arranging a battle, she couldn't even curse him!

Yue Zhongying was so angry she was nearly clawing at her hair.

Biting her silver teeth, she stared at the Third Tier Practice Arena leaderboard.

Now, there was only one way left.

The top ten!

According to the rules of the Third Tier Practice Arena, if one in the top ten refuses a challenge three times, their ranking will drop.

Once Qi Tian Da Sheng breaks into the top ten, she would follow him in.

By then, she would be able to challenge Qi Tian Da Sheng.

By then, she would be able to ruthlessly ravage this Qi Tian Da Sheng!

But for now, she had to start bitter cultivation!

She could no longer be as lax as before.

Besides, without bitter cultivation, she wouldn't be able to improve her ranking anyway.

After leaving the Zhai Xing Lou, Yue Zhongying sent a message to her good friend; having suffered such great anger, she had to vent and complain, otherwise, she would be the one to burst.

"Yueyue, today I encountered a super petty, super petty disgusting man; you don't know how small-minded he is..."

Yue Zhongying complained to her friend at length.

Still in that luxurious palace atop the mountain peak, looking at her close friend's complaints, Zuiyue Xianzi suddenly laughed.

That guy seems quite interesting too.

But why won't he just soften his stance toward her?

Can't he take the initiative to send her a message?

Xu Jin was unaware of all this, but Xu Jin felt very satisfied.

You, Yue Zhongying, are arrogant enough; you kept Xu Jin on your mind for over a month, yet you didn't even remember the name Qi Tian Da Sheng.

Now it felt great.

Especially the consecutive rejections of challenges and friend requests—it really felt great.

However, for Xu Jin, the satisfaction only lasted for a moment; not long after, having finished the predetermined number of challenges, Xu Jin left the Third Tier Practice Arena.

What was certain was that Xu Jin's goal now was already the top ten of the Third Tier Practice Arena.

Xu Jin had already seen clearly that with his current strength, let alone the top thousand, even the top hundred wouldn't cause him any trouble.

He just didn't know if there were any opponents among the top ten.

On October 2nd, Jiang Er, who had successfully condensed her star, officially broke through her cultivation to the second layer of Meal of Mist; her speed was considered fast.

The Chen Guo Dao Yuan remained in a state of combat readiness, with internal and external access restricted.

In fact, it wasn't just the Chen Guo Dao Yuan; even Wan Yi had strengthened its vigilance, but it hadn't gone as far as Da Chu, which had placed the entire city under martial law.

Xu Jin began to dismantle and study the research notes related to the Youyu Star Pattern in the Dao Yuan's library; there weren't many, only a dozen or so books. The Youyu Star Pattern was the next star pattern Xu Jin had predetermined to deduce.

At the same time, Xu Jin began to delve into research notes on star patterns in other areas.

Especially research notes on Shenpo Star Patterns.

But he didn't find many, so Xu Jin specifically sought advice from the Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

Cheng Yuexiao also gave Xu Jin an answer.

Research notes on Shenpo Star Patterns were inherently precious and also very rare.

Because people capable of researching Shenpo Star Patterns were themselves few and far between.

In the end, the Grand Master gave Xu Jin the Shenpo Star Pattern notes regarding Wen Meng; a portion was written by his teacher, and a portion was the Grand Master's own research insights, which counted as private goods.

Apart from this, all the Shenpo research notes that could be found in the Dao Yuan library added up to only twenty-some books.

And most of them were very simple.

This made Xu Jin frown.

Without relevant foundational learning, even if he used the Golden Star to deduce Shenpo Star Patterns, the probability of failure would be very high.

Even if successful, the gains wouldn't be too great.

If he wanted to utilize the Golden Star, Xu Jin had to find a way to learn the relevant theoretical knowledge of Shenpo Star Patterns.

Where could he find it?

Xu Jin instantly thought of his teacher, Qi Shanye.

At night, after Xu Jin finished his evening lessons, he received a starlight transmission sent by Ning Yuchan.

【I'm a day late because I was on a patrol mission; previously, I wasn't within the range of the Zhai Xing Lou in the Star River Battlefield, so I didn't send you a message to report that I was safe. Currently, everything is fine.

I have officially joined the Da Chen Uncle Xuan Hu Army of the Star River Battlefield, serving as the Deputy Commandant of the Fifth Guard of the Da Chen Uncle Xuan Hu Army. Currently, I am still in the rear, but in three months, I will be deployed to the front lines. By then, just wait for me to perform a miraculous feat!

Are you and Jiang Er doing well?

To what extent has Jiang Er's cultivation reached? Once Jiang Er breaks through to the fifth layer of Meal of Mist, get her a Zhai Xing Token early; I want to talk to her.】

Xu Jin had been anxious these past two days because there was no news from Ning Yuchan, and he had even asked the Academy Head Dong Zhao once.

The Academy Head Dong Zhao said that communications from the Star River Battlefield were not timely, which was when Xu Jin finally set his mind at ease.

And she wanted to perform a miraculous feat!

【Safety first! Safety first! Safety first!】

Xu Jin specifically emphasized this first point, and then replied with some domestic trivialities.

【Understood, you too.】

After finishing his chat with Ning Yuchan, Xu Jin entered the Third Tier Practice Arena to continue his challenges, still with fifteen consecutive wins.

Fifteen consecutive wins caused Xu Jin's ranking to leap directly to 146th. What Xu Jin didn't know was that Yue Zhongying, who had also logged on to challenge today, didn't even bother to challenge when she saw this ranking of Qi Tian Da Sheng.

She prepared to leave directly for bitter cultivation.

But before leaving, she still wouldn't give up and initiated a friend request toward Qi Tian Da Sheng.

Unsurprisingly, she was rejected!

She was so angry she stomped her feet!

She complained to Zuiyue Xianzi again, and then went off to bitter cultivation!

She was provoked!

As for Xu Jin, he was completely unaware as he chatted with his teacher, Qi Shanye.

【Teacher, how have you been lately... Do you have any deduction notes for Shenpo Star Patterns?】

After exchanging a few greetings, Xu Jin went straight to the point.

【Research notes on Shenpo Star Patterns? I certainly have them. Why do you want this? Right now, you should be focusing on improving your cultivation as quickly as possible; once your cultivation is high, then you can engage in research.】 Qi Shanye reminded Xu Jin.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin directly played his trump card for Qi Shanye.

Without playing his trump card, he wouldn't be able to get this stuff.

Anyway, he was already a remnant of the Lingji Shang Xinggong, so telling his teacher about this matter wouldn't hurt.

【Teacher, recently I plucked a Golden Star in the Zhai Xing Secret Realm and wanted to deduce some Shenpo Star Patterns to strengthen my power. But to deduce star patterns, one must first learn the foundations related to Shenpo Star Patterns. Here at the Chen Guo Dao Yuan, there are very few research notes related to Shenpo Star Patterns, so I specifically sought advice from you.

Teacher, there is one more thing. The Grand Master of the Dao Yuan, Cheng Yuexiao, said that the Po Sha Star Pattern of the Lingji Shang Xinggong has already been deduced to the sixth tier supreme grade, but what you passed on to me is the sixth tier low grade. I want to know if you didn't learn it, or if you were planning to pass it on to me later?】 Xu Jin asked directly.

Inside the Barbarian Purple Lion City, Qi Shanye, upon seeing this news, nearly jumped up, his eyes suddenly widening to their limit.

A Gold Star!

His disciple Xu Jin has plucked a Gold Star!

It is a pity that the Spirit Record Shang Xinggong has already locked its halls.

If this were in the past, reporting this news alone would have been a great merit, and he would have at least been able to obtain a Sixth Tier star pattern from the Main Hall.

He did not misjudge the person!

He, Qi Shanye, truly did not misjudge the person.

Being able to pluck a Gold Star is already extremely impressive.

Among the geniuses of all the star palaces, it is a rare existence indeed.

【Jin Er, plucking a Gold Star is a good thing, but my advice as your master is that you had best not use this Gold Star to research Divine Soul star patterns. The difficulty of researching and deducing Divine Soul star patterns is several times that of other star patterns; using a Gold Star for research and deduction carries a very high possibility of failure and waste.

I suggest you keep it. When you learn a star pattern above the Sixth Tier, or after you learn the limit version of a star pattern from the National Dao Academy, then use it to deduce a higher-tier star pattern. At that time, your strength will be able to surge greatly.

As for the Break Evil star pattern, the Spirit Record Shang Xinggong has indeed deduced it to the Sixth Tier, but limited by my status as your master, I have only learned the lower Sixth Tier Break Evil star pattern.

I am someone who could die at any moment; how could I possibly hold anything back from you, my only disciple?】

Qi Shanye suppressed his joy and replied to Xu Jin with a message.

But the next instant, Xu Jin's reply nearly caused Qi Shanye to explode.

Because of the violent fluctuation of his emotions, the star power used to maintain the disguise of the Hundred Changes star pattern fluctuated violently. The image of the down-and-out old scholar that Qi Shanye had created with the Hundred Changes star pattern fluctuated intensely, and it nearly collapsed!

The next moment, Qi Shanye covered his own mouth with his hand, suppressing a whimpering roar.

He was excited beyond words!

【You plucked them consecutively?】 Qi Shanye controlled his emotions, which were about to explode, and asked hurriedly.

【I wouldn't lie to anyone, let alone you, Teacher! I won't hide it from you, Teacher; I have already plucked six Gold Stars in a row, but I feel that I can pluck at least two more. So, I want to find a Divine Soul star pattern to deduce, and I just wanted to learn the basics of Divine Soul star patterns first.】

"Eight Gold Stars!"

"Eight..."

Looking at this reply, Qi Shanye felt every cell in his body trembling.

This news is just too damn stimulating!

Explosive!

How did this kid quietly hold back such a massive thunderbolt for him!

With eight Gold Stars, taking two or three out to research and deduce Divine Soul star patterns is perfectly fine.

Moreover, Qi Shanye keenly realized a problem.

Xu Jin is now confident in plucking eight Gold Stars.

Then, after Xu Jin uses up seven of these eight Gold Stars, his strength will again increase significantly. At that time, how many more Gold Stars will Xu Jin pluck?

In all likelihood, Xu Jin will be able to pluck a few more.

Perhaps two or three.

Perhaps three or five!

But he will definitely be able to pluck one or two more; this is inevitable!

Planning!

He must plan carefully!

Moreover, the advantage in the Divine Soul aspect, once one takes the lead, is enormous!

This time, Qi Shanye pondered for a full half-hour and even asked Xu Jin several questions in a row.

For example, Xu Jin's current true combat strength, whether he can defeat a Fourth Tier Condense Star mid-stage expert, and so on, before cautiously answering Xu Jin.

【Jin Er, there are many research notes on Divine Soul star patterns in the Spirit Record Shang Xinggong, but I don't have many in my hands. I only have a few volumes; most are sealed in the Star Plucking Tower of the Spirit Record Shang Xinggong.

I can take them out, but once I use them, it will attract Hu Xuechuan's pursuit, and it will bring danger to you!

You just wait. Let me plan carefully, and then I will choose an opportunity to take out the research notes on Divine Soul star patterns for you. How about this: your current cultivation is Refine Star Seventh Layer, so when you break through to Condense Star, I will definitely find a way to get these notes for you.】 Qi Shanye replied.

This is naturally a good thing for Xu Jin, but what Xu Jin saw first was the danger.

Last time, in order to forge the Flawless Innate Star Body for him, Old Qi risked his life to retrieve the Divine Soul Body-Refining Fetal-Return Technique. Although he succeeded, Old Qi nearly died in battle!

This made Xu Jin worry endlessly.

If there are no Divine Soul star pattern research notes, Xu Jin will at most waste one or two Gold Stars.

But if he goes to retrieve them, it might cost Old Qi his life.

Xu Jin did not expect that he had once again placed Old Qi in a dangerous situation.

After thinking for a while, Xu Jin suddenly sent a message to Old Qi.

【Teacher, if you are going to take action, remember to notify me. I have several Fifth Tier high-power emblems given by Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao. I can give them to you in advance. If Hu Xuechuan tracks you down, they will definitely give him a taste of his own medicine!】 Xu Jin thought of an idea.

【That won't do. Those are for you to save your life; I cannot take them!】 Old Qi refused.

【Your meaning is, if you die, I will go fight Hu Xuechuan to the death? It is more likely that you can hold these emblems and blast Hu Xuechuan with them. But if I hold them, I might waste them!

As for my means of saving my life, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao has already bestowed a Fourth Tier star artifact, and there is a Chaotic Star Technique, which is a divine life-saving art, so you can rest assured.

When the time comes, you must contact me to take the emblems; otherwise, even if you give them to me, I won't use them!】 Xu Jin said firmly.

Looking at Xu Jin's reply, Qi Shanye felt a bit sour!

He had an inexplicable sense of crisis!

He had the feeling that his child was about to be snatched away!

Is this Cheng Yuexiao being too good to Xu Jin?

First, Fifth Tier high-power emblems, and several of them at that, and then a Fourth Tier star artifact!

Instinctively, Qi Shanye felt a crisis!

"No, I cannot just lie flat like this anymore! I must take action, first settle that opportunity for Jin Er, and then get these notes for Jin Er.

No, there is also the Sixth Tier Break Evil!

Since Jin Er wants to research and deduce Divine Soul star patterns, he must obtain the latest version of the Spirit Record Shang Xinggong's Divine Soul star patterns; otherwise, it would be a waste of effort!

I must take action!"

Qi Shanye is a man of action. That night, after agreeing to Xu Jin's request, he left a letter for the proprietor and disappeared from the Barbarian Purple Lion City.

On October 3rd, the combat readiness status of the Great Chen National Dao Academy was lifted.

Not only was the combat readiness status of the Great Chen National Dao Academy lifted, but the relevant combat readiness status or the hall-protecting grand arrays of the Tianyang Shang Xinggong, Cangming Shang Xinggong, Great Chu Capital, Great Hong National Dao, and Zhen'e Shang Xinggong were all lifted.

However, the restrictions on the Star Plucking Towers of all parties still existed.

This led to a large-scale backlog of people who needed to transit through the Star Plucking Towers.

There was no other way; this kind of situation could not be sustained.

Whether it was the Great Chen National Dao Academy, the Cangming Shang Xinggong, or the Tianyang Shang Xinggong, a sustained combat readiness status was very troublesome.

The interior of every national dao academy or star palace is not only a place for cultivation but also another organ of power, and the number of people living there ranges from ten or twenty thousand to several tens of thousands.

Within the premises, various affairs such as elixir refining, artifact refining, emblem making, research, and workshops are extremely numerous.

Once internal and external communication is cut off, external supplies cannot come in, and internal finished products cannot go out, which will become a major problem.

Therefore, it had to be opened up.

Although it was opened up, it was loose on the outside but tight on the inside.

Like the Great Chen National Dao Academy, it had already issued a warning order to all disciples.

They were not allowed to leave the National Dao Academy at will.

To leave the National Dao Academy, they must inform their teachers and so on.

This warning order was very effective.

On the day the National Dao Academy opened up on October 3rd, basically no disciples went out, but by October 4th, a small number of core disciples who felt they were not too important went out.

And on this day, after the morning class was finished, Xu Jin's cultivation in the Middle Shang Xinggong officially broke through to the peak of Refine Star Seventh Layer.

These past few days, he had to focus on researching star patterns. Apart from morning and evening classes, he spent all his time in the library researching star patterns, so the speed of his cultivation improvement slowed down.

Basically, it took three and a half to four days to improve one layer of cultivation.

Improving the Middle and Lower Star Palaces simultaneously took about eight days.

While his cultivation was improving, another of Xu Jin's plans was also advancing steadily.

On October 5th, the lives of the disciples of the National Dao Academy completely returned to normal, and most disciples began to go out.

By the afternoon of October 6th, Xu Jin picked up the gift that he had Jiang Er prepare and leisurely left the National Dao Academy.

He was going to visit Ying Ge!

(End of chapter)