Chapter 221

Startled Dream!

In the end, Xu Jin named the newly evolved divine soul star technique "Startled Dream."

There was a reason for this name.

The first two evolutions failed—either the Shocking Fear shattered Wen Meng's dream, or it shattered the Illusion's mental illusion.

But Xu Jin never expected that combining Break Evil, Wen Meng, Illusion, and Shocking Fear would succeed—and not only succeed, but produce an unexpectedly immense power.

Xu Jin had originally been unable to understand why.

Yet after the Star Lamp evolved successfully, the feedback it gave Xu Jin instantly clarified everything.

Break Evil needs no explanation—it is the primary offensive tool and the main method for injecting divine soul attacks. In the Star Lamp evolution, Wen Meng was ranked second, meaning the target was first drawn into Wen Meng's dream, then Illusion, whose star pattern directly formed illusions within the dream, and finally Shocking Fear.

This meant Shocking Fear formed within the dream's illusions—everything seemed real, yet was illusion.

Shocking Fear could no longer shatter Wen Meng.

Instead, it had forged this extraordinarily powerful divine soul star technique.

Xu Jin was certain that the Startled Dream he had evolved today was utterly unique.

Why? According to the Grand Master, only six people had learned the Wen Meng star pattern.

Break Evil was nearly universal, but Shocking Fear and Illusion were not guaranteed.

More importantly, the difficulty of evolving divine soul star techniques was more than ten times that of star-force star techniques.

The reason was simple: star-force cultivation advanced rapidly; a fourth-rank Condensing Star ninth-layer peak expert already possessed ten star cores, each with ten star pattern slots.

Including the upper star palace, each person had at least twenty opportunities to test star pattern combinations.

Even if a few failed, the impact was minor—star-force could be readily summoned.

But divine soul cultivation was different: reaching fourth-rank Condensing Star was rare among a hundred, and no one dared experiment casually.

Star-force cultivators could discard their cultivation and start over, but no one dared discard divine soul cultivation.

Thus, Xu Jin concluded that the Startled Dream technique he had evolved was undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind divine soul star technique.

During the trial in the God-Slaying Battlefield, it directly immobilized a fourth-rank Condensing Star third-layer alien for three seconds!

Three seconds!

Enough for Xu Jin to slay that fourth-rank Condensing Star third-layer alien ten times over.

Of course, this was due to the fact that the fourth-rank alien's divine soul cultivation in the God-Slaying Battlefield was extremely low—barely at Divine Soul Casting Star level.

But even against stronger divine soul cultivators, or those with cultivation comparable to Xu Jin's, he estimated this combination technique would still function.

As for the duration of immobilization, that would require gradual experimentation.

Since the combat effectiveness was so strong, Xu Jin began engraving it.

He engraved the entire set of star patterns directly onto the second divine soul star in his upper star palace.

The first engraved was the Clear Soul star pattern, the second Break Evil, the third Wen Meng, the fourth Illusion, and the fifth Shocking Fear.

Xu Jin had long since mastered these star patterns; within less than half an hour, all were engraved.

From now on, whenever Xu Jin activated the second divine soul star as a whole, he could instantly unleash the combined technique: Startled Dream!

This was the true value of a set technique engraved on a single star core.

It allowed instant activation and greater power.

In the future, if no further star patterns could be added to enhance Startled Dream, these five would be the only ones used.

Empty star pattern slots should be filled with purely passive patterns or Clear Soul star patterns—no other patterns allowed.

At the same time, Xu Jin decided on his future combat usage.

The combined technique Startled Dream would be his ultimate move within a certain timeframe, not used every time.

For ordinary enemies, he would use Break Evil combined with Wen Meng, or Break Evil with Shocking Fear; only against strong foes would he use Startled Dream.

After engraving the five star patterns on the second divine soul star in his upper star palace, Xu Jin paused, then engraved the Clear Soul star pattern on the first slot of his third and fourth divine soul stars.

According to Old Qi, only by engraving two or more Clear Soul star patterns could one truly sense the slow strengthening of divine soul power.

If the effect was clear, Xu Jin had no objection to engraving even more Clear Soul star patterns.

So far, no one had created a super-strong divine soul star technique with eight, nine, or even ten star patterns.

At least, Old Qi said the Spirit Star Hall had none.

At exactly the hour of Xu, Xu Jin informed Director Peng, then arrived at the location agreed upon with Deputy Director Ling Mao—but Ling Mao was not there.

Just as Xu Jin was about to send Ling Mao a starlight message, Ling Mao suddenly waved from a nearby carriage, inviting Xu Jin aboard.

Xu Jin had seen many carriages, but this was his first time riding in one.

In his understanding, carriages were bumpy and slow.

Ling Mao's carriage was a single-horse vehicle, but it used a second-rank star horse, which moved very fast.

And it was remarkably stable when running.

Seeing Xu Jin's curiosity, Ling Mao smiled and explained, "Though not as fast as traveling on foot, it offers privacy—its four walls are lined with materials and arrays to block surveillance, and its chassis is fitted with cushioning arrays only used on starships."

"If you need one, Xu Marquis, I can arrange it for you."

"No need, no need—I'm just curious. It's truly stable."

After sitting for a while, Xu Jin was deeply impressed—its smoothness surpassed even the automobiles of his past life.

But clearly, the present world's technological tree had devoted most of its branches to warfare, and a small portion to luxury goods inaccessible to ordinary people.

Yet no one studied the everyday items used by commoners.

This could become a profitable path in the future.

The collective power of ordinary people was actually terrifying.

When Xu Jin gained sufficient strength, he could try.

Why say "when he gained strength"?

In this era where power resided solely in the individual, possessing rare items or wealth was a sin.

Without strength, one would be plundered at any moment.

Ling Mao smiled, saying Xu Jin would change his mind later.

During the ride, Ling Mao repeatedly addressed Xu Jin as "Xu Marquis," which stirred something in Xu Jin's heart.

"Deputy Director Ling, I'm merely a junior. You needn't call me 'Marquis'—it's too formal. Just call me Xu Jin." Xu Jin said casually.

Hearing this, Ling Mao laughed. "You are an imperial-granted noble!

Though the Chen Guo empire has granted many titles, this remains a position most will never reach in their lifetime! I, for instance, have risen in official rank, yet still hold no noble title."

After a sigh, Ling Mao added, "Since you say it's too formal, let's be more familiar. I feel quite compatible with you, Xu Marquis—I'm not that old. Why not call each other brothers from now on?"

"This—"

"What, do you think I'm too old?"

"How could that be?"

"Brother Xu!" In the next instant, Ling Mao bowed solemnly, sealing the bond.

Xu Jin also bowed solemnly. "Brother Ling."

Their relationship had grown closer still.

The next step would be blood oaths and sworn brotherhood.

But Xu Jin doubted it would go that far.

After fifteen minutes, the carriage stopped before a grand building: Changsheng Auction House.

On the way, Ling Mao had already introduced Changsheng Auction House to Xu Jin.

It was the largest and most powerful trading house in the present world, rumored to be backed by the Star River Marshal's Office, enabling it to easily transport vast quantities of war spoils from the Star River Battlefield to various nations for auction.

Most auction items were spoils from the Star River Battlefield.

But the truly valuable items had already been filtered and consumed within the Star River Battlefield itself.

What appeared here were merely the leftovers chosen by the battlefield's strongest.

Yet they still drew the devotion of present-world cultivators.

For example, fourth-rank star weapons had little market in the Star River Battlefield—they were somewhat useless, as the mainstream there was fifth-rank star weapons, so some fourth-rank ones leaked out.

Sixth-rank star weapons were virtually impossible to appear; when they did, they were fiercely contested by all the strongest.

The sword-shaped star weapon appearing today was a fourth-rank star weapon.

Thanks to Ling Mao's status, Xu Jin followed him through a special passage directly into a VIP private room on the third floor.

No sooner had they sat than two attendants entered, dressed appropriately, with excellent figures, their eyes dark green, serving tea and fruit, kneeling half-bowed throughout.

Why say "dressed appropriately"?

It meant you could say they were revealing, yet they weren't truly exposed; you could say they weren't revealing, yet they were subtly so.

More alluring than outright exposure.

But what Xu Jin cared more about was their identity.

"These are likely captives from the Five Spirits Clan. If Brother Xu finds one he likes, I'll give him to you," Ling Mao chuckled.

"So… these are people trafficked from the Star River Battlefield?" Xu Jin realized something.

Ling Mao looked at Xu Jin, then said solemnly, "Brother, you must understand—this is war!

Do you truly comprehend the true meaning of war?"

"I've fought in the Star Realm—I think I understand."

"No!"

Ling Mao shook his head. "That was merely an offensive action—only a part of war.

Have you ever seen tigers hunting deer, rabbits, or foxes in the mountains?"

That is the entirety of war.

Saying this, Ling Mao let out a sudden sigh. "But you'll soon witness true war."

"What do you mean?"

Xu Jin didn't understand.

"The year's ending soon—it's been two or three years already. Brother, focus on your cultivation. With your combat skills, you might still earn merit."

Xu Jin fell into thought.

Could something major happen by year's end?

He'd only been in this world for a little over half a year—not even a full year yet.

Soon, under Ling Mao's notice, an official from Changsheng Auction House arrived. Seeing the stack of third-rank upper Flame Burst Seals Xu Jin produced, the official was slightly surprised.

Selling so many seals at once was uncommon.

"Young Master Xu, I've just checked their quality. These third-rank upper Flame Burst Seals are the most sought-after on the Star River Battlefield. Why not sell them outright? No auction—my house will take them to the Star River Battlefield for resale."

"What's the price?" Ling Mao asked with a smile.

"Normally, ten seals of this quality sell for about 370 strands of starlight per set. With this quantity, the price should be higher. How about 400 strands per set? That's the highest we can offer—even after reselling on the Star River Battlefield, our profit is minimal."

"But this is the greatest goodwill my house can extend to you, Young Master Xu."

As he spoke, the manager handed over a token. "Should you have more seals in the future, bring them to Changsheng Trading House—we'll always give you the highest price."

"Of course, of course."

In an instant, 3, 00 strands of starlight were in hand, giving Xu Jin some confidence to bid.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have the confidence to raise his bid.

The path of seals—Xu Jin truly hadn't chosen wrong.

The Combat Arena was its perfect match!

Soon, the auction began.

The first item up for auction was two Golden Core pills of the Soul-Refining type.

Sold individually.

The bidding was fiercely competitive from the start!

Bidders shouted prices repeatedly.

In the end, the two Soul-Refining Golden Cores sold for 3, 00 and 3, 40 strands of starlight respectively.

Next came the Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixir, two pills per set, each set selling for over 3, 00 strands of starlight.

Compared to the Golden Cores, the Dragon Turtle Elixir fetched a higher price.

But Xu Jin immediately understood: each person could consume only one Soul-Refining Golden Core, so the premium was limited; yet the Dragon Turtle Elixir was a rare consumable, so its price naturally soared.

Over a dozen items passed, including one celestial treasure that extended life by about twenty years—fiercely contested.

The final price exceeded 80, 00 strands of starlight—this shocked Xu Jin.

He'd been considering whether to snatch a bargain for his father.

He never imagined the price would be so terrifying!

But there might still be chances in the future.

"The next auction item is a fourth-rank sword named Gaiyue. Its maker is unknown, and it has had at least three previous owners. It is razor-sharp, infused with the Star Art of Ruyi and Gaiyue, and its killing power reaches its peak when activated with Thunder-Star Qi and Wind-Star Qi."

"Starting bid: 3, 00 strands of starlight."

"Each raise must be at least 50 strands."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please place your bids."

As the host announced the start, bids poured in without pause.

In moments, someone raised the bid to 3, 00 strands.

Xu Jin's face immediately fell.

This already exceeded his upper limit.

"Brother, bid boldly. If you're short, I'll cover it. Don't hold back." Ling Mao's voice echoed in his mind.

"4, 00 strands!"

"4, 00 strands!"

Xu Jin had barely bid when someone immediately raised it.

But with Ling Mao's backing, Xu Jin began bidding confidently.

The price climbed to 4, 00 strands—then no one raised further. The fourth-rank star-weapon Gaiyue was sold!

Having secured his target, Xu Jin exhaled in relief. From now on, he'd simply watch as an observer.

After all, his starlight was spent—and he now owed debts.

"The next item is a set of five-rank middle-grade alien star cores from the Star River Battlefield. Minimum grade: five-rank middle. Ten cores per set. Starting bid: 3, 00 strands of starlight. Each raise must be at least 50 strands."

The appearance of this item made Xu Jin sit bolt upright.

Five-rank star cores—he'd long sought them without success.

The Foreign Affairs Office didn't sell them.

He never expected to find them here.

Seeing Xu Jin's reaction, Ling Mao chuckled. "Interested? Five-rank star cores are rare—used for engraving seals or forming arrays—but they require purification before use."

"If you want them, bid freely—I'll pay."

"This… I'm indebted to Brother Ling."

"We're brothers—what's there to be indebted for?"

"Alright."

Filled with joy, Xu Jin immediately began bidding.

There was little struggle.

Five-rank star cores were fairly common on the Star River Battlefield. Xu Jin only bid up to 3, 00 strands—and won.

"The next item is a sixth-rank middle-grade alien star core from the Star River Battlefield, originating from a sixth-rank star region. Starting bid: 3, 00 strands of starlight. Each raise must be at least 50 strands. Bidders, please proceed."

This stunned Xu Jin again. He instinctively glanced at Ling Mao.

Ling Mao paused. "You're interested in this too? Bid freely—I'll cover the cost." He immediately pledged.

"Thank you, Brother Ling."

Xu Jin began bidding again.

(End of Chapter)