Chapter 218: Refusal

With free Star Jade Tablets to practice on, Xu Jin was naturally very pleased.

A second-grade Star Jade Tablet costs two hundred taels of silver on the market, but inside the National Dao Academy, it's only twenty Dao Merit points per piece.

Moreover, judging from Professor Kou's demeanor, he would likely continue guiding him.

Guidance from a master is priceless.

As before, Xu Jin first applied Star Pivot Star Patterns as the base on three Star Jade Tablets.

Xu Jin's base-layering speed was extremely fast—he completed all three second-grade Star Jade Tablets in under a minute.

This once again surprised Professor Kou, who had begun paying attention to him.

That speed was truly impressive.

Many students who had studied inscription for two or three years couldn't match it.

Two factors affect base-layering speed: proficiency and soul force—neither can be missing.

This suggests Xu Jin had put in serious effort on the Star Pivot Star Pattern, but in just a month and a half, how much effort could he have possibly put in?

Could it exceed the two or three years of effort other students had invested?

The only explanation is that Xu Jin's efficiency is higher—that is, his innate talent and comprehension in this area are exceptionally high.

Then there's his soul force.

In Professor Kou's perception, Xu Jin's soul cultivation was around Star Refinement fifth or sixth level.

That level of soul cultivation wasn't just rare among this year's new students—it was also scarce among last year's intake.

But in Xu Jin's case, it was perfectly normal.

Aside from other elixirs he'd received, just from the last Minglun Hall bet, his group had lost thirteen Dragon Turtle Soul Forging Pills to him.

With these two factors combined, Xu Jin was clearly an unparalleled prodigy for star inscription!

Suddenly, Professor Kou Jing felt regret.

If only he'd been more proactive back then, if only he'd lowered his pride a little—could he have taken Xu Jin as his own disciple?

Then Xu Jin would almost certainly have become his successor.

Too bad.

Now, the only thing Professor Kou Jing felt glad about was that Xu Jin had a strong interest in inscription—he could leverage that.

This time, during base-layering, Xu Jin's progress wasn't as obvious.

The third base-layer only absorbed 92% of the Star Jade Tablet's star energy.

Then Xu Jin began crafting the second-grade Star Shield Inscription.

This time, it flowed effortlessly.

His speed was fast—he successfully produced one second-grade Star Shield Inscription every forty breaths.

After Professor Kou's guidance, he no longer faced any risk of explosion.

Especially the third Star Shield Inscription—he felt extremely confident about it.

At least, Xu Jin himself found no flaws.

"Let me see."

Seeing Xu Jin complete three second-grade inscriptions in under half a watch, Professor Kou felt even more regretful.

Such comprehension. Such speed.

How could he have…

"The first two are both second-grade mid-grade inscriptions—you made seven mistakes total. But on the third, you only made four."

"Your third one is already worthy of being called a second-grade high-grade inscription—it would be highly sought after even within the National Dao Academy."

To avoid disturbing other students, Kou Jing communicated with Xu Jin via voice transmission.

Then, Kou Jing pointed out each of Xu Jin's mistakes one by one; for three errors, he demonstrated the differences directly on the Star Screen, helping Xu Jin, who had previously been confused, suddenly understand.

"Professor Kou, how does one make a supreme-grade inscription?" Xu Jin asked.

"Hah, you've got ambition!"

Hearing the question, Kou Jing laughed. "First, your base must be good. I see your base is decent, but it's still insufficient for a supreme-grade inscription."

"The star energy coverage of the base must reach around 95% to have any chance of producing a supreme-grade inscription."

"And the higher the coverage, the better."

"I notice your base-layering speed is very fast, but the secret isn't just speed—it's also stability. With prolonged practice, you can improve both simultaneously."

"What do you mean by 'simultaneously'?"

"That's another small technique I invented for crafting base layers. When the class ends, if you're willing to learn, stay behind." Kou Jing said.

Hearing this, Xu Jin was overjoyed and immediately thanked him.

Seeing others still working, Kou Jing gave Xu Jin three more second-grade Star Jade Tablets to practice with.

This time, Xu Jin improved further—all three were high-grade inscriptions.

But they were still far from supreme-grade.

Xu Jin wasn't in a hurry—he took it slowly.

When the hourglass ran out, regardless of whether other students had finished, Professor Kou began explaining third-grade inscriptions.

"Higher-grade inscriptions are harder to make for one reason only: the number of star techniques and star patterns you must link increases."

"A second-grade inscription usually requires linking just one basic star technique."

"But a third-grade inscription requires at least one star technique and one star pattern; some even require two star patterns—difficulty multiplies."

"Therefore, mastering star-linking patterns is crucial!"

"One method is stacking: one star technique linked by one linking pattern, one star pattern linked by another linking pattern. Success rate is average, explosion risk is low, but the resulting inscription grade is usually low—mostly mid-to-low grade, rarely high-grade. The advantage is low soul force requirement."

"Another method is framing: using a single linking pattern to link both the star technique and the star pattern simultaneously. Success rate is low, explosion risk is high, but the resulting inscription grade is better—easier to produce high-grade inscriptions. The downside is high soul force demand."

"Now, I'll demonstrate the production of a third-grade Star Burst Inscription using both methods—pay close attention." Kou Jing said.

Indeed, third-grade inscription crafting was more than twice as complex as second-grade.

Professor Kou spent nearly half an hour explaining.

"Now, it's time for live crafting. Same rules as before: first to finish gets a reward, the best one gets a reward, and the top three will receive personal guidance from me."

"Those who successfully crafted second-grade inscriptions, raise your hands."

This time, among the four to five hundred students inside and outside the hall, barely a hundred raised their hands.

The second-grade inscription crafting had already filtered out half the students.

Starlight flew toward them—it was Professor Kou distributing practice Star Jade Tablets to the students.

Suddenly, Xu Jin's gaze shifted.

Ji Hongli and Wang Jiugao each received three tablets.

Xu Jin received six.

Probably because Professor Kou had noticed his speed earlier, he was being given extra practice material.

First, base-layering.

Thanks to Professor Kou's guidance and Xu Jin's own thoughtful analysis, the star energy coverage on his later third-grade Star Jade Tablets reached 93%.

But it was still far from the 95% needed for supreme-grade.

Then, Xu Jin began inscribing the third-grade inscription according to what Professor Kou had just taught.

Before inscribing, Xu Jin activated his protective starlight barrier.

Third-grade Star Jade Tablet explosions were dangerous.

The third-grade Star Burst Inscription required the Star Burst Technique and the Fire Source Star Pattern.

Xu Jin had long been able to cast the Star Burst Technique instantly; as for the Fire Source Star Pattern, Professor Kou said beginners could inscribe either third- or fourth-grade Fire Source Star Patterns.

Although higher-grade Fire Source Star Patterns impart greater power,

they also increase difficulty.

One could wait until much more proficient before inscribing higher-grade Fire Source Star Patterns.

Worth noting, Professor Kou specifically explained how the grade of the Fire Source Star Pattern affected the inscription's power.

The higher the grade of the inscribed star pattern, the greater the inscription's power—but generally, third-grade inscriptions use star patterns below fifth-grade.

For example, if a fifth- or sixth-grade Fire Source Star Pattern were inscribed into a Star Burst Inscription, it might become a third-grade supreme-grade inscription.

If a fourth-grade Star Jade Tablet were used instead, it might produce a fourth-grade low-grade inscription.

But no further than that.

Xu Jin ultimately chose the more difficult framing method, using a fourth-grade low-grade Fire Source Star Pattern.

Although the framing method was difficult, it could produce high-grade inscriptions.

Xu Jin crafted inscriptions for survival and profit.

Clearly, high-grade inscriptions would achieve his goals.

But the framing method's difficulty was obvious.

Within twenty breaths of starting, his first attempt exploded. Fortunately, Xu Jin had grown somewhat proficient—he instantly formed a star screen to contain the explosion, causing no damage.

After carefully analyzing why it exploded, Xu Jin began his second attempt at the third-grade Star Burst Inscription.

This time, just after thirty-five breaths, it exploded again!

Despite the explosions, Xu Jin wasn't discouraged—he calmed his mind, recalled Professor Kou's explanation, and tried again.

The third attempt showed clear progress—until the final stage, when the linking pattern failed to synchronize, and it exploded again!

Three explosions!

Inside the learning hall, most students had begun exploding their tablets one after another.

A series of loud bangs, like firecrackers.

Outsiders knew it was engraving runes, but those who didn't know thought it was the New Year.

Huh!

Xu Jin exhaled softly, closed his eyes, and reviewed again.

One minute later, Xu Jin began engraving the third-grade Starburst Rune once more.

This time, Xu Jin drew from his previous mistakes and completed the engraving smoothly.

But it was perilous throughout—several times, he barely held it together through sheer strength of his divine soul!

"Senior, I did it!"

This time, Xu Jin was the first to speak up.

Instantly, countless eyes turned toward him, and it also disrupted Wen Lie, who was in the final stages of his work.

He never expected that someone would outpace him—he had always considered himself Senior Kou's top disciple in Starburst Rune engraving.

With this distraction, the star energy of his Star Jade Tablet, nearly complete, instantly scattered and exploded.

Boom!

Rune exploded!

Covered in ash and dust, he stared at Xu Jin in shock.

Senior Kou Jing, however, seized the third-grade Starburst Rune Xu Jin had just completed, his eyes filled with unmistakable astonishment.

Senior Kou Jing knew better than anyone how difficult a third-grade rune was.

Many disciples needed at least a hundred attempts before succeeding.

But Senior Kou had assumed that, given Xu Jin's ability to produce a high-grade second-grade rune, he'd succeed quickly—so he'd given Xu Jin six third-grade Star Jade Tablets.

Kou Jing had originally estimated Xu Jin would succeed on the sixth tablet.

But he hadn't expected success on the fourth!

Only three failures, and he'd produced a third-grade rune.

Kou Jing's spiritual sense sank into the rune for just an instant, and from its unstable, nearly collapsing structure, he immediately recognized this was Xu Jin's first attempt.

Yet he'd used a framework structure—far more difficult.

Suddenly, Senior Kou Jing drifted into memory, recalling his own past.

How many attempts had it taken him, the first time he engraved a third-grade rune?

Hadn't it been the twelfth attempt?

Then his master had called him a genius at rune-making!

More importantly, he'd used a simpler layered structure back then.

But Xu Jin used the harder framework structure—and succeeded on the fourth try?

If his master were still alive, seeing Xu Jin, he'd have fought to the death to take him as a disciple!

Suddenly, a surge of impulse rose in Kou Jing's heart.

Break into the Swallow Hall and snatch Xu Jin away!

Make him his own disciple, then pour everything into cultivating his rune-making talent!

But the next instant, Kou Jing shuddered.

He might dare to provoke other vice-seniors—after all, he could make secret deals, offer more benefits—but Liu Qingzhu, that madwoman? He dared not.

Anger her, and she'd make him lose all face.

Fang Shinan's fate was right before him!

Let's see how he teaches first!

But.

At this thought, Senior Kou Jing's heart felt as if bitten by a venomous snake—unbearably painful.

Regret!

Why hadn't he snatched Xu Jin as his disciple back then!

What pride did he have to cling to!

Kou Jing wanted to slap himself!

He'd spent half his life searching for a successor—only to let him slip away!

It took five or six breaths before Senior Kou Jing suppressed the crushing regret and calmed his emotions.

Then he directly projected the problems in Xu Jin's successfully engraved third-grade Starburst Rune onto the Star Screen for explanation.

This lecture lasted over half an hour.

He explained more than twenty issues.

Kou Jing once again rated Xu Jin's third-grade Starburst Rune as crude work!

It didn't even qualify as a low-grade third-grade rune.

A defective piece!

But this time, no one dared laugh.

Come on—who dared laugh?

Those who couldn't even produce a defective piece had no right to laugh!

"Keep going. Here's your reward—a fourth-grade high-grade rune I made myself."

Xu Jin was overjoyed.

Once nurtured, a fourth-grade high-grade rune in his hands doubled its power—enough to injure a fifth-grade Mid-Stage cultivator.

In the remaining half-class, he directly made Wen Lie and Yan Jiang miserable!

Because the final portion of the class became Xu Jin's private lesson.

Every time Xu Jin successfully engraved a third-grade Starburst Rune, Senior Kou Jing seized it as a teaching example, dismantled it on the spot, identified the flaws, and offered solutions.

He even gave Xu Jin another Star Jade Tablet—and extended the class for him!

Under Senior Kou Jing's special attention, Xu Jin's rune-engraving skill rose straight upward.

His later attempts were consistently low-grade third-grade runes.

The final one, according to Senior Kou Jing, had barely reached mid-grade third-grade rune standards!

This level instantly turned Ji Hongli into Xu Jin's biggest fan.

Because she'd exploded three runes already.

"Big Brother, you're so skilled—can I come see you tonight? Can you tutor me alone?" Ji Hongli whispered, pleading with Xu Jin.

Of course, it wasn't just because of Xu Jin's skill—more importantly, Ji Hongli wanted to get close to him.

The sound reached many disciples nearby, who immediately felt intense envy!

Who was Ji Hongli?

Not only a noble heiress, but also one of the top three most beautiful girls in the entire Chen Guo Dao Academy—even among varied tastes, she ranked among the top three!

Many wanted to get close to her but couldn't.

"Uh… Sister Ji, I've got a full training schedule today—I have no time. Let's do it another day."

"Fine…" Ji Hongli pouted, looking utterly dejected.

Fortunately, most disciples of the Chen Guo Dao Academy were still sensible—otherwise, there'd have been plenty of jealous suitors ready to beat Xu Jin up.

"Class dismissed! Xu Jin, come here."

Senior Kou Jing's call once again made Xu Jin the envy of all disciples.

Everyone wasn't stupid—Xu Jin's performance spoke for itself; if Senior Kou Jing was keeping him behind, nine times out of ten, he was giving him private tutoring.

Senior's private tutoring!

Naturally, envy and jealousy surged.

"Xu Jin, have you ever considered specializing in runes?" Senior Kou Jing asked.

"Replying to Senior, I already am. I'll likely focus on rune research and production in the future," Xu Jin said.

"Then have you considered switching academies? If you join my academy, I guarantee your treatment won't be lower—and I'll personally compensate Vice-Senior Liu." In the end, Kou Jing couldn't hold back.

If he didn't even try this hard, Kou Jing thought he might as well cut his own throat.

"Senior Kou, Teacher Liu has treated me extremely well—I'm sorry. But I can still learn rune-making from you; should you ever give me orders in the future, I'll follow them if I can!"

Xu Jin added this because he feared refusing would make Kou Jing stop teaching him rune engraving.

"Sigh, I was blind!"

Kou Jing sighed deeply, then handed Xu Jin a token and added him as a friend on the Star-Picking Token.

"If you have questions, come directly to my academy. In emergencies, just ask me on the Star-Picking Token!"

As he spoke, Senior Kou tossed Xu Jin two more Jade Tablets.

One contains a secret technique I just mentioned—the parallel advancement method. Once mastered, it should allow you to produce supreme-grade base runes.

The other contains my lifetime's summary of key points and experience in crafting third- and fourth-grade runes. Take it, study it yourself. If you don't understand anything, just come ask me." Kou Jing said.

"Thank you, Senior!"

"No need to thank me. Just treat me as your rune teacher. If one day you can engrave fifth- or even sixth-grade runes, I'll be perfectly satisfied."

Xu Jin thanked him again.

"Also, every seven days, submit three different runes to me. That's your homework." Kou Jing said.

"Yes, Disciple remembers!"

A dozen breaths later, Xu Jin left Senior Kou's academy and rushed to the External Affairs Hall, buying a hundred third-grade Star Jade Tablets in one go—spending 9, 00 Dao Merits.

A third-rank jade gui sells for a thousand taels of silver and grants one hundred Dao merits!

I must start earning Dao merits.

Otherwise, even if a fourth-rank star artifact appears, Xu Jin won't have enough money to buy it.

Not to mention upgrading the Star-Contest Platform.

To upgrade a fourth-rank Star-Contest Platform to fifth-rank requires a massive amount of resources!

Just now, Xu Jin had an idea in his mind.

A way to rapidly forge runes using the Star-Contest Platform!

(End of Chapter)