Chapter 208: The Unwillingly Lazy Old Qi

【Sorry, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven refuses to fight.】

Yue Zhongying froze upon receiving the notification and chose to challenge Xu Jin again.

【Sorry, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven refuses to fight.】

This loss was utterly inexplicable—being instantly defeated felt unbearable, like a dream.

Yue Zhongying's stubbornness flared up, and she chose to challenge again.

But the moment she selected the challenge, the scenery shifted before her eyes; the rankings of the Third-Stage Combat Realm had changed—the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's rank had risen from 463 to 457.

She no longer had the qualification to challenge him.

She understood: the Great Sage Equaling Heaven must have won another consecutive battle, earning three points and surging in rank.

According to the rules of the Third-Stage Combat Realm, within the top thousand but outside the top hundred, one may challenge at most five ranks above.

Eager to challenge Xu Jin, Yue Zhongying immediately selected her next opponent.

Thirty seconds later, Yue Zhongying gained three points.

Her rank rose to 458, and she prepared to challenge the Great Sage Equaling Heaven—but his rank vanished from view.

She searched again and found the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's rank had jumped to 410.

Even more frustrated, Yue Zhongying chose to challenge the next person.

Previously, she had never pushed herself to the limit, never fought aggressively, because her cultivation was only Star Refinement Eighth Layer; she wasn't in a hurry to climb the rankings, only practicing real combat.

Now, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven had stirred her competitive spirit.

Within fifteen minutes, she won five more battles in a row.

Her rank finally surged to 401, but the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's rank was gone again; she searched upward and finally found him.

【Great Sage Equaling Heaven: 372nd.】

Still couldn't challenge him.

This left Yue Zhongying deeply aggrieved.

A stifling knot of anger lodged in her chest, refusing to release.

She felt that if she didn't fight one more battle today, she wouldn't be able to sleep.

At that moment, Yue Zhongying finally remembered who the Great Sage Equaling Heaven was—he had been the runner-up in the First-Stage Combat Realm, once challenged her, and been defeated by her.

Then she had forged her Star Core.

She never imagined that in the Third-Stage Combat Realm, he would overtake her—and crush her instantly.

After thinking it over, Yue Zhongying decided she must fight the Great Sage Equaling Heaven today.

She spent a sliver of starlight to directly send a friend request to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, planning to invite him to battle once accepted.

Win or lose, she'd fight him first.

【Sorry, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven declined your friend request.】

"Ah!"

Seeing this message, Yue Zhongying nearly roared to the heavens.

How could she have encountered such a petty, spiteful creature!

So what if she didn't remember him!

Send another request!

Rejected again!

After five consecutive rejections, Yue Zhongying was nearly driven mad.

Without being added as a friend, she couldn't even challenge him, let alone curse him!

Yue Zhongying was furious, on the verge of losing control.

She clenched her silver teeth and stared at the Third-Stage Combat Realm rankings.

Now, there was only one solution.

Top ten!

According to the rules of the Third-Stage Combat Realm, if the top ten refuse three consecutive challenges, their rank drops.

She would wait until the Great Sage Equaling Heaven broke into the top ten, then follow him in.

Then, she could finally challenge the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

Then, she could utterly crush that Great Sage Equaling Heaven!

But now, she had to begin rigorous training!

She could no longer be as lax as before.

Besides, without rigorous training, she couldn't improve her rank.

After leaving the Star-Picking Tower, Yue Zhongying sent a message to her close friend—after such a humiliation, she had to vent, or she'd suffocate.

"Yueyue, today I met the most stingy, disgusting man—you can't imagine how petty he is."

Yue Zhongying unloaded a torrent of complaints to her friend.

In the same luxurious palace atop the mountain, Zuiyue Immortaless smiled as she read her friend's rant.

That guy seemed rather amusing.

But why wouldn't he just apologize to her?

Couldn't he just send her a message himself?

Xu Jin knew none of this—but he was enjoying himself immensely.

You, Yue Zhongying, were so cocky, made Xu Jin think of you for over a month, yet you didn't even remember the name "Great Sage Equaling Heaven."

Now he was satisfied.

Especially when rejecting her challenge requests and friend applications—it felt wonderful.

But for Xu Jin, the satisfaction lasted only a moment; soon after completing his set number of challenges, he left the Third-Stage Combat Realm.

One thing was certain: Xu Jin's new goal was the top ten of the Third-Stage Combat Realm.

Xu Jin had realized that with his current strength, even the top hundred wouldn't pose any difficulty, let alone the top thousand.

He just didn't know if any of the top ten were true opponents.

October 2nd, Jiang Er's cultivation officially broke through to Meal-Cloud Second Layer after successfully forming her Star Core—quite a rapid pace.

The Chen Guo Dao Academy remained in a state of constant military readiness, with strict internal and external restrictions.

Not only was the Chen Guo Dao Academy on high alert, but Wan Yi had also tightened its defenses, though not to the extent of full-city lockdown like Da Chu.

Xu Jin began dissecting and studying the research notes on the Swimming Star Pattern in the academy's library; there weren't many—only about a dozen. The Swimming Star Pattern was Xu Jin's next designated pattern to deduce.

Simultaneously, Xu Jin began exploring other research notes on star patterns.

Especially those on the Soul Star Pattern.

But he found very few, so he specifically consulted Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

Grand Master Cheng gave Xu Jin an answer.

Research notes on the Soul Star Pattern were inherently rare and precious.

Because those capable of studying the Soul Star Pattern were exceedingly few.

In the end, Grand Master Cheng gave Xu Jin the Soul Star Pattern notes on Wen Meng—part from his master's writings, part from Grand Master Cheng's own research insights—essentially personal materials.

Besides these, all the Soul Star Pattern research notes available in the academy's library totaled only twenty-some volumes.

And most were very basic.

This made Xu Jin frown.

Without foundational knowledge, even using Golden Star to deduce the Soul Star Pattern carried a high risk of failure.

Even if successful, the gains would be minimal.

To fully utilize the Golden Star, Xu Jin had to find a way to learn the theoretical knowledge of the Soul Star Pattern.

Where could he find it?

In an instant, Xu Jin thought of his master, Qi Shanye.

That night, after completing his evening practice, Xu Jin received a starlight message from Ning Yuchan.

【A day late—I was on patrol duty and outside the Star River Battlefield's Star-Picking Tower range, so I couldn't send you a safety message earlier. Everything is fine.】

【I've officially joined the Chen Guo Xuanhu Army as Deputy Director of the Fifth Guard. I'm still at the rear; in three months, we'll deploy to the front. Then, wait for me to achieve a miraculous feat!】

【How are you and Jiang Er?】

【What level has Jiang Er reached? Once she breaks through Meal-Cloud Fifth Layer, get her a Star-Picking Token—I want to speak with her.】

Xu Jin had been anxious about Ning Yuchan's silence these past two days and had even asked Chancellor Dong Zhao.

Chancellor Dong Zhao said communications in the Star River Battlefield were delayed, so Xu Jin finally relaxed.

Achieve a miraculous feat!

【Safety first! Safety first! Safety first!】

Xu Jin emphasized this point repeatedly, then replied with some casual family talk.

【Understood. You too.】

After chatting with Ning Yuchan, Xu Jin re-entered the Third-Stage Combat Realm and continued challenging—another fifteen consecutive wins.

Fifteen straight wins pushed Xu Jin's rank straight to 146th. Unaware of this, Yue Zhongying, who had also logged in to challenge that day, saw the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's rank and abandoned all attempts to challenge him.

She prepared to leave and begin rigorous training.

But before leaving, she couldn't resist sending one last friend request to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

As expected—he declined.

She stamped her foot in fury.

He once again ranted at Immortal Zi of the Drunken Moon, then went off to hard cultivation!

He was provoked!

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

【Teacher, how have you been lately? Do you have any research notes on Spirit Star Patterns?】

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Jin got straight to the point.

【Of course we have research notes on Spirit Star Patterns—but why do you need them? Right now, you should focus on rapidly raising your cultivation base; once your base is high enough, you can begin research.】 Qi Shanye warned Xu Jin.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin unleashed his ultimate move.

Without an ultimate move, he wouldn't get his hands on it.

He was already a remnant of the Lingji Star Temple anyway; telling his teacher wouldn't hurt.

【Teacher, I recently harvested a Gold Star in the Plucking Stars Secret Realm and wanted to infer a Spirit Star Pattern to strengthen my power. But to infer a star pattern, I first need to learn its foundational principles. Here at the Grand Chen State Dao Academy, there are almost no research materials on Spirit Star Patterns, so I've come specifically to consult you.】

【Teacher, one more thing: the Grand Master of the Dao Academy, Cheng Yuexiao, said the Lingji Star Temple has already inferred the Break-Spirit Star Pattern to Sixth-Rank Upper. But the version you taught me is Sixth-Rank Lower. Is it because you never learned the higher version—or are you planning to teach it to me later?】 Xu Jin asked directly.

Inside the Purple Lion City of the Barbarian tribes, Qi Shanye nearly jumped out of his skin upon reading this message, his eyes bulging wide.

A Gold Star!

His disciple Xu Jin had harvested a Gold Star!

Too bad the Lingji Star Temple had already locked its hall.

In the past, reporting this news alone would have earned him a major merit, at least securing a Sixth-Rank Star Pattern from the Main Temple.

I didn't misjudge him!

Qi Shanye, indeed, had not misjudged him.

Harvesting even a single Gold Star is already extremely impressive.

Among geniuses across all Star Temples, he stands among the rarest.

【Jin'er, harvesting a Gold Star is good—but my advice is, don't use this one for researching Spirit Star Patterns. The difficulty of inferring Spirit Star Patterns is several times greater than other patterns; using a Gold Star for such research carries an extremely high risk of failure and waste.】

【I suggest you keep it. Wait until you've learned a Sixth-Rank Upper Star Pattern, or acquired the ultimate version of a pattern from the Dao Academy, then use it to infer a higher-rank pattern—your power will surge dramatically.】

【As for the Break-Spirit Star Pattern, the Lingji Star Temple has indeed inferred it to Sixth-Rank Upper, but due to my status, I only learned the Sixth-Rank Lower version.】

【I'm a man who could die at any moment—how could I possibly hold back anything from my only disciple?】

Qi Shanye suppressed his joy and sent Xu Jin a reply.

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

The violent emotional surge caused the star force sustaining his disguise—the Hundred Changes Star Pattern—to fluctuate wildly; the image of the ragged old scholar he'd assumed with the pattern trembled violently, nearly collapsing!

In the next instant, Qi Shanye clapped a hand over his mouth, stifling guttural, incoherent screams.

He was beyond ecstatic!

【You harvested more than one?】 Qi Shanye, barely controlling his explosive emotions, asked urgently.

【I'd never lie to you, Teacher! To be honest, I've already harvested six Gold Stars—but I feel I could harvest at least two more. So I'm seeking a Spirit Star Pattern to infer, and I want to first learn its fundamentals.】

"Eight Gold Stars!"

"Eight…"

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

This news was too damn shocking!

It was explosive!

How had this kid quietly stored such a massive bomb for him!

With eight Gold Stars, using two or three for researching and inferring Spirit Star Patterns was entirely feasible.

Moreover, Qi Shanye sharply realized something.

Xu Jin now had the confidence to harvest eight Gold Stars.

So once Xu Jin used up seven of those eight, his power would surge dramatically—then how many more Gold Stars would he harvest next?

Xu Jin would almost certainly harvest a few more.

Perhaps two or three.

Perhaps three or five!

But he'd definitely harvest at least one or two—that was certain!

Planning!

He must plan carefully!

And once you gain an advantage in Spirit Star Patterns, the gap becomes enormous!

This time, Qi Shanye thought for half an hour straight, asking Xu Jin multiple questions.

Like whether Xu Jin's current true combat power could defeat a Fourth-Rank Condensing Star mid-stage expert, and so on—before finally giving a cautious reply.

【Jin'er, the Lingji Star Temple has an abundance of research materials on Spirit Star Patterns—but I personally have very few. I only hold a handful; most are sealed in the Plucking Stars Tower of the Lingji Star Temple.】

【I could retrieve them, but if I do, Hu Xuechuan will hunt me down—and it will put you in danger!】

【Wait a while. Let me plan carefully, then I'll find the right moment to retrieve the Spirit Star Pattern research materials for you. Here's the deal: your current cultivation is Star Refining Seventh Layer. Once you break through to Condensing Star, I will definitely find a way to get them for you.】 Qi Shanye replied.

This was naturally good news for Xu Jin—but what Xu Jin first noticed was the danger.

Last time, to forge his Perfect Primordial Star Body, Old Qi had risked his life retrieving the Spirit Star Body Reversion Technique—and barely survived!

This filled Xu Jin with deep worry.

Without Spirit Star Pattern research materials, Xu Jin would waste at most one or two Gold Stars.

But if Old Qi went to retrieve them, he might lose his life.

Xu Jin hadn't realized he'd once again placed Old Qi in danger.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin suddenly sent Old Qi a message.

【Teacher, if you plan to act, notify me. I have several Fifth-Rank Upper Great-Power Star Seals given to me by Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao—I can give them to you in advance. If Hu Xuechuan comes after you, they'll give him a real beating!】 Xu Jin had an idea.

【No, that won't do. Those are Cheng Yuexiao's gifts for your survival—I can't take them!】 Old Qi refused.

【You mean, if you die, I'll go fight Hu Xuechuan myself? These seals have a far better chance of hitting Hu Xuechuan if you hold them. But if I hold them, I might waste them!】

【As for my survival techniques, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao has already granted me a Fourth-Rank Star Artifact—a Chaos Star Technique, a divine survival art. Don't worry.】

【When the time comes, you must contact me to take the seals—or I won't use them at all!】 Xu Jin insisted firmly.

Reading Xu Jin's reply, Qi Shanye felt a pang of bitterness.

A strange sense of crisis.

A feeling that his child was about to be taken away.

Was Cheng Yuexiao really that good to Xu Jin?

Fifth-Rank Upper Star Seals—multiple of them—and a Fourth-Rank Star Artifact!

Instinctively, Qi Shanye felt a threat.

"No, I can't just lie around anymore! I must act—first secure that one opportunity for Jin'er, then get him those research materials."

"No, I still need the Sixth-Rank Upper Break-Spirit!"

"If Jin'er is going to research and infer Spirit Star Patterns, he must obtain the latest Lingji Star Temple versions—or he'll be wasting his time!"

"I must act!"

Qi Shanye was a man of action. That very night, after promising Xu Jin, he left a letter for his proprietor and vanished from the Purple Lion City of the Barbarian tribes.

On October 3, the Grand Chen State Dao Academy lifted its combat readiness status.

Not only the Grand Chen State Dao Academy, but also the Tianyang Star Temple, Cangming Star Temple, the capital of Great Chu, Great Hong State Dao, and the Zhen'e Star Temple—all lifted their combat readiness or protective formation states.

But restrictions on the Plucking Stars Towers remained in place.

This caused massive congestion among those needing to transit through the Plucking Stars Towers.

There was no choice—this situation couldn't last.

Whether the Dao Academies or the Star Temples, prolonged combat readiness was extremely troublesome.

These institutions weren't just cultivation grounds—they were also power centers, housing anywhere from ten to several tens of thousands of people.

Within them, countless activities occurred: alchemy, artifact forging, seal crafting, research, workshops, and more.

Once completely sealed off, external supplies couldn't enter, and internal products couldn't leave—creating major problems.

So they had to open up.

Though opened, they remained externally relaxed but internally tense.

The Grand Chen State Dao Academy, for instance, had issued a warning order to all disciples.

No one was to leave the Dao Academy at will.

To leave, one must notify one's master and so on.

This warning order was highly effective.

On October 3, the day the Dao Academy opened, almost no disciples left—but by October 4, a few core disciples who felt they weren't critical began to venture out.

That same day, after morning lessons, Xu Jin's Middle Star Palace cultivation officially broke through to the peak of Star Refining Seventh Layer.

These past few days, he'd focused on studying Star Patterns; aside from morning and evening lessons, he spent all his time in the Scripture Library studying patterns, slowing his cultivation progress.

It now took roughly three and a half to four days to advance one layer.

Simultaneous advancement of lower and middle star palaces required about eight days.

As his cultivation advanced, Xu Jin's other plan progressed steadily.

On October 5, the disciples' daily lives at the Dao Academy fully returned to normal; most began venturing out.

By the afternoon of October 6, Xu Jin picked up the gifts Jiang Er had prepared and calmly left the Dao Academy.

He was going to visit Ying Ge!

(End of chapter)