Chapter 215

"Palace Master, Xu Jin's cultivation has broken through to the eighth layer of Refine Star."

"However, the number of Golden Stars within the Star-Plucking Secret Realm has not increased again."

"But the number of Silver Stars has increased by two."

The glimmer of hope that had just surged in the eyes of Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao stalled in an instant.

The number of Golden Stars in the Star-Plucking Secret Realm didn't increase, yet Xu Jin had already broken through to the eighth layer of Refine Star?

The Silver Stars had increased again.

Did he challenge it, but fail?

Or was it something else?

This was information that left Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao feeling quite dejected.

Whether it was Chief Steward Peng or the Grand Master, both understood what this represented!

It is easiest to obtain Golden Stars at the late stage of the third-tier Refine Star Realm and the early stage of the fourth-tier Condense Star Realm.

After that, the higher the cultivation, the higher the difficulty of obtaining Golden Stars.

Xu Jin had previously plucked six Golden Stars in a row, but now he had broken through suddenly without plucking any.

This was a very terrifying omen.

The saying goes: one step slow, every step slow!

If he couldn't defeat a Golden Star-level inner demon or gatekeeper at the seventh-layer peak of the third-tier Refine Star Realm, then at the eighth-layer peak of the third-tier Refine Star Realm, there was a high probability he wouldn't be able to defeat a Golden Star-level inner demon or gatekeeper at the eighth-layer of the fourth-tier Condense Star Realm.

In the future, this gap would only grow larger.

In other words, Xu Jin might never be able to pluck another Golden Star again.

Of course, it wasn't absolute; occasionally plucking one was still possible.

After a long while, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly began to smile bitterly.

"Peng Lao, do you think I am being too greedy?"

Chief Steward Peng shook his head, "The Palace Master only wishes to boost the strength of the Chen Guo Dao Academy; how could that be greed?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao stood up and paced a few steps, "Logically, with these six Golden Stars Xu Jin has already secured as a foundation, the strength of our Chen Guo Dao Academy could definitely reach a higher level.

A seventh-tier low-grade Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern is already close to giving our Chen Guo Dao Academy another seventh-tier powerhouse.

Many who are trapped at the sixth-tier peak and unable to break through also have an additional choice regarding fire-type paths.

But I still want..."

"Golden Stars are hard to come by!"

Chief Steward Peng sighed, "A disciple capable of plucking one or two Golden Stars is already a peerless genius; a disciple capable of plucking six in a row is rare to see in a century.

It is perfectly normal for the Palace Master to have such thoughts."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao did not speak, but paced back and forth in the hall, thinking hard for a quarter of an hour before slowly saying, "Peng Lao, you say, in what other ways can we strengthen Xu Jin's power now?"

"Actual combat can be ruled out; I have watched and studied Xu Jin's actual combat, and I discovered that this kid's actual combat level is extremely high, belonging to the type that has been tempered through long experience."

"Star patterns are possible! If we teach him seventh-tier or higher star patterns of other types, it could also increase his strength in the short term, but we cannot teach him yet.

If we teach him now, he can only engrave them onto the star pattern positions within his mid-to-low star palaces; when he breaks through to Condense Star, it would undoubtedly be a waste of several star pattern positions.

Once he reaches the fourth-tier Condense Star, we can pass on seventh-tier or higher star patterns; if he can comprehend and engrave them successfully, it is possible he could pluck another one or two Golden Stars," Peng Lao said.

"As for the current plan, there is only one path to quickly increase his strength."

When Peng Lao said this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao also suddenly turned his head and said, "Divine Soul!"

"That is indeed the case, but improving Divine Soul cultivation is difficult!" Chief Steward Peng said.

"No matter the price, letting Xu Jin pluck a few more Golden Stars is worth it. This will not only increase Xu Jin's strength but also permanently enhance the foundation of our Chen Guo Dao Academy."

Suddenly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smashed his fists together, "Let's do it."

"Palace Master, do you mean the Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan? The Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan produced by the Dao Academy, the amount allocated to your side, Palace Master, is only two per month."

"No!"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao interrupted Peng Lao's statement, "The Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan is too slow; I want to give him the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed."

Once these words were spoken, Chief Steward Peng's expression changed, "Palace Master, isn't that Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed the elixir you prepared for your own breakthrough? If you give it to Xu Jin, what will you do about your future breakthrough?

Although your cultivation, Palace Master, reached the eighth tier long ago, your Divine Soul has never broken through to the fifth tier, causing your strength to be unable to be fully unleashed.

Without this Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed, your breakthrough will be even harder!"

"My Divine Soul's inability to break through to the fifth tier is mainly due to insufficient accumulation; how many years have I been rising! When I was born, that guy Tianyang Xingjun was already at the eighth tier; in this regard, I cannot compare.

The Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed only increases the probability of my Divine Soul breaking through to the fifth tier by half a percent.

If Xu Jin can pluck two more Golden Stars after using it, then it will have paid for itself.

If he can pluck four more Golden Stars, then it will be a massive profit."

"Palace Master, think thrice!" Chief Steward Peng was anxious, "The Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed is not like the Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan; the Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan can be sought, but for the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed, opportunity, luck, and strength are all indispensable.

Even if the Palace Master wanted to seek it, it wouldn't come."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's eyes, however, revealed a look of determination, "My mind is made up! If Xu Jin uses it and can pluck two more Golden Stars, our Chen Guo Dao Academy can have one more seventh-tier mid-grade or even seventh-tier high-grade star pattern.

If he can pluck three to four, our Chen Guo Dao Academy can have at least one more eighth-tier low-grade star pattern.

Eighth-tier low-grade star pattern—do you know what this represents, old man?

It is even possible for you, old man, to break through to the eighth tier!

It can also extend your life, old man!

In the future, every few decades, it is possible for our Chen Guo Dao Academy to have one more eighth-tier expert!

With every additional eighth-tier expert, the foundation and strength of our Chen Guo Dao Academy will be even stronger!"

After speaking, a flash of starlight appeared under Cheng Yuexiao's feet, and he instantly left the Danxia Academy, heading straight for Xu Jin's small courtyard.

Chief Steward Peng looked at the departing Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and could only sigh, instantly stepping onto the stars and following him.

Inside Xu Jin's small courtyard, Xu Jin had just finished his daily morning lesson.

His mid-star palace cultivation had successfully broken through to the eighth layer of Refine Star; at this rate, in three and a half days, his mid-star palace cultivation would be able to break through to the eighth-layer peak of Refine Star.

As for the rest of his time, Xu Jin put it all into researching and dismantling star patterns at the Dao Academy's library.

Recently, as Xu Jin dismantled and deduced more of the research notes from those predecessors, he had already gained the ability to draw inferences about other cases.

Many star pattern notes no longer needed deduction; he understood them at a glance.

Suddenly, the Mingji Star Pattern in Xu Jin's lower star palace spun violently, its brilliance shining brightly.

Two powerful star power fluctuations appeared one after another above Xu Jin's small courtyard.

Having experienced this many times, Xu Jin already understood what was going on.

The Grand Master had come!

Xu Jin was not stupid; he immediately associated it with something.

Nine times out of ten, the Grand Master had discovered that his cultivation had broken through to the eighth layer of Refine Star, yet he hadn't plucked a Golden Star, and had come to inquire.

How should he put it?

Xu Jin was somewhat hesitant.

Just as Xu Jin was pondering, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao appeared in Xu Jin's courtyard. After notifying Xu Jin via voice transmission, he walked into Xu Jin's cultivation meditation room, raised a cluster of starlight, and instantly isolated the outside.

High above, Chief Steward Peng restrained his aura, faintly monitoring all directions.

When they lured and killed the fifth-tier powerhouse and Star Master Zhang Zhen of the Cangming Shang Xinggong that day, the Chen Guo Dao Academy also took the opportunity to conduct a major cleanup internally.

Who exactly was leaking Xu Jin's information?

Inside the Dao Academy, no one dared to monitor Xu Jin.

But as soon as Xu Jin left the Dao Academy, an assassination attempt immediately followed, which meant someone was tipping them off!

Under deliberate surveillance, they discovered that the duty guards at the entrance of the Dao Academy had problems. There were two duty guards, working in shifts.

Their main job was to cooperate with the patrolling Star Guards on duty to check waist tokens, register visitor information, and so on.

That day, they discovered that as soon as Xu Jin left the main gate of the Dao Academy, the duty guard touched his own Star-Plucking Token.

Because they wanted to catch a big fish, they didn't immediately arrest this low-status duty guard, wanting to wait until the big fishing plan was completed before arresting and interrogating him, so as not to alert the enemy.

But what surprised everyone was that after killing Zhang Zhen, when they turned back to arrest this duty guard, he was already dead!

He had been silenced!

This made Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao extremely annoyed.

This duty guard had already been secretly monitored, and he was still inside the Chen Guo Dao Academy, yet he had been silenced by someone.

What did this mean?

It meant there was a mole!

Inside the Chen Guo Dao Academy, there was an even higher-level mole, and their cultivation was definitely not low.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to kill that duty guard silently while he was under surveillance.

That duty guard was a disciple who had been injured and disabled, with a cultivation of the third layer of Refine Star; the one monitoring him was a Danxia Guard of the fourth-tier fourth-layer Condense Star.

Under these circumstances, the one who could silence this duty guard silently was at least a fifth-tier mid-to-late-stage Gather Battle powerhouse, or perhaps even stronger.

Such an existence should not have a low status in the Dao Academy.

But tracing further down, there were no clues.

They could only be cautious and on guard.

Especially regarding matters concerning Xu Jin, both Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Chief Steward Peng were very cautious.

"Grand Master."

Inside the meditation room, seeing the Grand Master enter, Xu Jin hurriedly stood up to pay his respects.

After Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sat down, Xu Jin hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Grand Master, this challenge to the Star-Plucking Secret Realm..."

"No need to say more; I already know about this matter."

The Grand Master directly interrupted Xu Jin's words, then comforted him, "You don't need to take this matter to heart, nor do you need to feel too much pressure. After all, failing to challenge a Golden Star is normal.

Failure is the norm; success is rare!

Otherwise, it wouldn't have caused such a big stir.

Therefore, don't have any pressure; just cultivate with a calm mind."

This comfort left Xu Jin speechless and slightly ashamed.

The Grand Master was truly good to him now; although it was also because of the value he displayed, in this regard, there was really nothing to complain about.

He even ran over specifically to comfort him.

While speaking, he saw Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly take out two jade boxes and place them in front of Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, although you failed this challenge, psychologically, I still hope you can pluck a few more Golden Stars in the future.

You already understand the value of Golden Stars!

So I want to enhance your strength so that you can pluck a few more Golden Stars.

I have thought it over and over; neither actual combat nor star patterns can enhance your strength at the moment.

So I have prepared six Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan and a portion of Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed for you, which should be able to significantly improve your Divine Soul power and directly increase your combat strength!" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

Xu Jin looked at the two jade boxes pushed over by the Grand Master and was instantly stunned.

Xu Jin didn't expect the Grand Master to be sending elixirs.

This wasn't just sending warmth; he was also sending benefits!

Xu Jin felt even more ashamed.

"Grand Master, I have never heard of this Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed? What is its use?" Xu Jin asked.

"This is a type of heaven-and-earth treasure that can directly improve Divine Soul power; it is relatively rare. If you are lucky, you might find it in some seventh-tier or sixth-tier star domains.

I also obtained one by chance and thought I would use it to improve your strength.

Its medicinal effect is about three times that of the Refine Spirit Golden Elixir; it should be able to directly increase your Divine Soul cultivation by two layers, and it also has the effect of purifying the mind and repairing hidden injuries to the Divine Soul. Combined with these Long Gui Longgui Duanpo Dan, it should be able to increase your Divine Soul cultivation by three layers.

By then, when your cultivation reaches the eighth-layer peak of Refine Star, you should be able to pluck another Golden Star!

When your cultivation breaks through to the ninth layer of Refine Star, you can use one or two more Golden Stars to deduce your seventh-tier low-grade mid-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern to the seventh-tier high-grade.

By then, your strength will inevitably soar, and it is estimated you can pluck another two Golden Stars."

The Grand Master spoke at length, directly arranging Xu Jin's future strength improvement.

But upon hearing this, Xu Jin felt even more guilty.

Heaven-and-earth treasures like the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed were not recorded in the "Ten Thousand Star Wonders" or the "Pharmacopoeia."

Xu Jin had never even heard of it.

That basically confirmed it was an extremely rare and precious heaven-and-earth treasure.

Even if it wasn't priceless, it was close.

The Grand Master was truly pouring his heart out for him.

But he...

Thinking of this, Xu Jin suddenly made a decision.

The next moment, Xu Jin pushed the jade box containing the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus Seed, which had layers of starlight seals, back to the Grand Master, instantly surprising Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Xu Jin, what is this?"

"Grand Master, this thing is too precious; I cannot accept it!"

Upon hearing this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled, "What your teacher gives you, you must accept! Just take it, improve your strength, and pluck more Golden Stars! Even if you don't pluck another Golden Star after taking it, I won't blame you."

"No!"

The more magnanimous the Grand Master was, the more guilty Xu Jin felt, "No, Grand Master, I actually don't need it."

"Don't need it? What do you mean?"

"Grand Master, this time, I actually plucked a Golden Star."

"What?"

Cheng Yuexiao's eyes widened suddenly, "No, why didn't the Star-Plucking Secret Realm display it?"

Suddenly, Cheng Yuexiao's eyes widened even further, and he stood up directly, even more shocked.

"No, don't tell me you plucked a Brilliant Star?"

This time, it was Xu Jin's turn to be shocked, "Grand Master, how did you know I plucked a Brilliant Star?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Master suddenly began to laugh, laughing incomparably heartily.

"There is a successor! There is a successor!"

"As for why I know, it's because I also plucked a Brilliant Star back then and know the authority of the Brilliant Star! This is the only way in the Star-Plucking Secret Realm to pluck a Golden Star and hide the information," Cheng Yuexiao laughed.

"Grand Master, you also plucked a Brilliant Star!" Xu Jin was stunned.

"Alright, I already know; don't tell anyone else about this matter!"

While speaking, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was about to leave, but Xu Jin was anxious, "Grand Master, this thing..."

"If I give it to you, use it!

I hope you pluck a second Brilliant Star!" After finishing, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao withdrew his starlight and left directly; as he left, the corners of Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's mouth were curled up!

(End of chapter)