Chapter 221

Fright-Dream!

In the end, Xu Jin defined the newly successfully evolved soul star technique as Fright-Dream.

There was a reason for naming it this way.

The previous two evolution failures were either because Terror broke Warm Dream's dream or Terror broke Illusion Intent's mental illusion.

But what Xu Jin didn't expect was that after evolving the combination of Warm Dream, Illusion Intent, and Terror with Break-Evil as the lead, it actually succeeded; not only did it succeed, but the power was surprisingly great.

Xu Jin originally couldn't figure it out either.

But the information fed back to Xu Jin after the Star Lamp evolution succeeded made Xu Jin understand in an instant.

Break-Evil didn't need much explanation; it was the main means of attack and soul-attack initiation. In the Star Lamp evolution, Warm Dream was ranked second, meaning the target was first pulled into the dream of Warm Dream, then Illusion Intent, where the Illusion Intent star pattern directly formed an illusion in the dream, and finally Terror.

This resulted in Terror being formed within the illusion in the dream; everything became real, yet it was an illusion.

Terror could no longer break Warm Dream.

Instead, it achieved this super-strong soul star technique power.

Xu Jin could be certain that the Fright-Dream he evolved today was absolutely unique.

Nothing else; the Warm Dream star pattern, according to the Grand Master, had only been learned by six people.

Almost everyone knew Break-Evil, but Terror and Illusion Intent were not necessarily the case.

More importantly, the difficulty of deducing soul star techniques was more than ten times that of star-power star techniques.

The reason was simple: star-power cultivation improved very quickly; for example, a fourth-tier Condense Star ninth-layer peak expert had ten star cores, and each star core had ten star pattern positions.

Including the Lower Shang Xinggong, everyone had at least twenty opportunities to try star pattern combinations.

Even if a few were wasted, the impact wasn't too great, as long as star power could be invoked.

But soul cultivation was different; being able to reach the fourth-tier Condense Star Realm in soul cultivation was one in a hundred, and no one dared to try it casually.

There were those who wasted their cultivation and rebuilt it in star power, but no one dared to waste their soul cultivation and rebuild it.

Therefore, Xu Jin concluded that the Fright-Dream star technique he evolved was absolutely a unique soul star technique.

In the test in the Killing God Battlefield just now, it directly hard-controlled a fourth-tier Condense Star third-layer alien for three seconds!

Three seconds!

That was enough for Xu Jin to kill this fourth-tier Condense Star third-layer alien ten times.

Of course, this was because the soul cultivation of the fourth-tier alien evolved in the Killing God Battlefield was quite low, just barely soul-forging star.

But even if he encountered someone with stronger soul cultivation, or even someone with soul cultivation similar to Xu Jin's, Xu Jin estimated that this set of combination star techniques would also be effective.

As for the duration of the hard control, he would have to explore it slowly.

Since the actual combat effect was so strong, Xu Jin began to inscribe it.

He inscribed this set of star patterns directly onto the second Soul Star of his Upper Shang Xinggong.

The first one inscribed was the Clear Soul star pattern, the second was Break-Evil, the third was Warm Dream, the fourth was Illusion Intent, and the fifth was Terror.

Xu Jin was already extremely familiar with these star patterns, and in less than half an hour, he had finished inscribing them all.

In the future, as long as Xu Jin collectively invoked this second Soul Star, he would be able to instantly unleash the combination star technique Fright-Dream!

This was the value of inscribing a complete set of star techniques onto a single star core.

It could be done instantly, and the power was greater.

In the future, if he couldn't find any more star patterns that could increase the power of Fright-Dream on this second Soul Star, he would only be able to use these few star patterns.

For the empty star pattern positions, he would rather fill them with pure passive or Clear Soul star patterns than inscribe other star patterns.

At the same time, Xu Jin also decided on how to use it against enemies in the future.

The combination star technique Fright-Dream should be Xu Jin's killer move for a certain period, so he wouldn't use it every time.

For ordinary enemies, Xu Jin would use the combination of Break-Evil and Warm Dream or Break-Evil and Terror; only when encountering strong enemies would he use Fright-Dream.

After finishing the inscription of the five star patterns on the second soul star core of the Upper Shang Xinggong, Xu Jin thought for a moment and also inscribed the Clear Soul star pattern on the first star pattern position of the third and fourth Soul Stars.

According to Old Qi, only by inscribing two or more Clear Soul star patterns could one truly feel the effect of the Clear Soul star pattern slowly strengthening soul power.

If the effect was obvious, Xu Jin wouldn't mind inscribing a few more Clear Soul star patterns.

As for a super-strong soul star technique combined from eight, nine, or even ten star patterns, there wasn't one yet.

At least Old Qi said the Lord Lingji Shang Xinggong didn't have one.

At the hour of the Dog, after notifying Manager Peng, Xu Jin arrived at the location agreed upon with Deputy Hall Master Ling Mao, but he didn't see Ling Mao.

Just as Xu Jin was about to send a starlight message to Ling Mao, Ling Mao suddenly waved from a carriage on the side, inviting Xu Jin to get on.

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

And in Xu Jin's cognition, carriages were bumpy and quite slow.

This carriage of Ling Mao's was a single-horse carriage, but it used a second-tier star horse, so it was very fast.

Running, it was also surprisingly stable.

Seeing Xu Jin's curious look, Ling Mao smiled and explained, "Although it's not as fast as traveling on your own, it has the advantage of privacy; the four walls of the carriage have anti-peeping materials and arrays, and the chassis is equipped with buffer arrays only used on star boats.

If Lord Xu needs one, I can also help you procure one."

"No need, no need, I was just curious; it's really quite stable."

After sitting for a while, Xu Jin sighed with emotion; in terms of stability, it was even more stable than the cars of his previous life.

But it was clear that the technology tree of the current world was mostly focused on war, and a small part was focused on these luxury goods that ordinary people couldn't enjoy.

But no one was researching the things ordinary people used.

This would also be a path to wealth in the future.

The great power gathered by ordinary people was actually quite terrifying.

When Xu Jin had the strength in the future, he could try it.

Why say he would try it only when he had the strength?

In this era where great power belongs to oneself, possessing rare items or wealth is the original sin.

Without strength, one would be plundered at any time.

Ling Mao smiled; Xu Jin would change his mind later.

While chatting on the road, Ling Mao addressed him as "Lord Xu" in every sentence, which made Xu Jin's heart stir slightly.

"Hall Master Ling, actually I'm just a junior; you don't need to call me Lord Xu, it's too distant. You can just call me Xu Jin in the future," Xu Jin said casually.

Hearing this, Ling Mao also laughed, "You are a peerage holder bestowed by the Empire!

Although Da Chen has bestowed many peerages, this is still a position that many people can't touch in their entire lives! Like me, although my official rank has gone up, I still can't touch this peerage."

Sighing, Ling Mao added, "Since you say it's distant, let's be closer in the future. Actually, I feel quite compatible with Lord Xu; I'm not too old either, how about we call each other brothers from now on!"

"This..."

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

"How could that be?"

"Brother Xu!" The next instant, Ling Mao bowed solemnly, considering the matter settled.

Xu Jin also hurriedly bowed solemnly, "Brother Ling."

The relationship between the two could be considered a step closer.

Any closer, and they would probably be cutting a rooster's head to swear brotherhood.

But Xu Jin estimated that they wouldn't reach that step.

After a quarter of an hour, they stopped in front of a large building, the Changsheng Auction House.

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

It was the largest and most powerful merchant firm in the current world, and it was said to have the support of the Star River Marshal's Mansion, so it could easily transport a large amount of spoils from the Star River Battlefield to the current world's countries for trading and auction.

Most of the auction items were spoils from the Star River Battlefield.

But the really good things were digested by the Star River Battlefield first.

So what appeared here were the leftovers picked over by the strong of the Star River Battlefield.

But they still made the cultivators of the current world flock to them.

For example, star weapons; the market for fourth-tier star weapons in the Star River Battlefield wasn't large, and they were somewhat chicken ribs, as the mainstream of the Star River Battlefield was fifth-tier star weapons, so some fourth-tier star weapons flowed out.

Like sixth-tier star weapons, they basically wouldn't appear. If they appeared occasionally, they were things that all the strong would fight over.

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

Thanks to Ling Mao's status, Xu Jin followed Ling Mao through a special passage and entered a VIP single room on the third floor.

Just after sitting down, two maids who were dressed just right and had excellent figures, but with dark green eyes, came in to serve, offering tea and fruit, with a half-kneeling service throughout.

Why say their dress was just right?

It was the kind where you said they were exposed, but it seemed they weren't, and you said they weren't, but it seemed they were.

It was more attractive than pure exposure.

But what Xu Jin cared more about was the identity of these maids.

"These should be captives of the Five Spirits clan. If Brother Xu likes any, I'll give them to you," Ling Mao laughed.

"This is... population sold from the Star River Battlefield?" Xu Jin thought of something.

Ling Mao looked at Xu Jin and suddenly said firmly, "Brother, you have to know, that is war!

Do you understand the true meaning of war?"

"I have been to the Star Domain to fight; I should understand."

"No!"

Ling Mao shook his head, "That is an attack, which can only be considered a part of war.

Have you seen a tiger hunting a deer, a rabbit, or a fox in the forest?

That is the entirety of war."

Speaking of this, Ling Mao sighed suddenly, "However, you will soon see the real war."

"What do you mean?"

Xu Jin didn't quite understand.

"It's almost the end of the year, and it's been two or three years; Brother, you should cultivate well. Your actual combat ability is so strong, maybe there will be a time for you to perform meritorious service," Ling Mao said.

Xu Jin pondered.

Could it be that some major event would happen at the end of the year?

Calculating, Xu Jin had only been in this world for more than half a year, not even a full year.

Very quickly, under Ling Mao's notification, a manager of the Changsheng Auction House came over, and seeing the stack of third-tier superior Flame-Explosion Emblems that Xu Jin took out, the manager was also slightly surprised.

Selling so many emblems at once was still relatively rare.

"Young Master Xu, I have just checked the quality; this quality of third-tier superior Flame-Explosion Emblems is the most sought-after in the Star River Battlefield. How about I buy them out at a flat price, and they won't go to auction; our firm will take them to the Star River Battlefield to resell, how about that?" the manager asked.

"And the price?" Ling Mao asked with a smile.

"Usually, a set of ten third-tier superior emblems of similar quality can usually be auctioned for 370 wisps of starlight per set. With this quantity, the transaction price is higher; let's say 400 wisps of starlight per set, which is the highest price. Our firm won't have much profit even if we take them to the Star River Battlefield.

But this is the greatest sincerity our firm can show to make friends with Young Master Xu."

While speaking, the manager handed over a token, "In the future, if Young Master Xu has emblems, feel free to come to our Changsheng Merchant Firm to sell them, and we guarantee to give Young Master Xu the highest price."

"Easy, easy."

In the blink of an eye, 3600 wisps of starlight were in hand, which also gave Xu Jin some confidence to participate in the bidding.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have had much confidence in bidding.

In the way of emblems, Xu Jin really hadn't chosen wrong.

The Arena was truly its perfect match!

Very quickly, the bidding began.

The opening auction item was actually two Refine-God Golden Pills.

Auctioned individually.

From the beginning, the competition was extremely fierce!

People were bidding frequently.

In the end, the two Refine-God Golden Pills were sold for 3400 wisps of starlight and 3340 wisps of starlight, respectively.

Subsequently auctioned was the Dragon-Turtle Forging-Duan Longgui Duanpo Dan, in sets of two, with an average transaction price of over 3900 wisps of starlight.

By comparison, the transaction price of the Dragon-Turtle Forging-Duan Longgui Duanpo Dan was slightly higher.

But Xu Jin understood immediately; everyone could only take one Refine-God Golden Pill, so the premium was limited, but the Dragon-Turtle Forging-Duan Longgui Duanpo Dan was a precious consumable, so the transaction price was naturally higher.

After more than a dozen auction items in a row, one of the treasures that could extend life by about twenty years was snatched up frantically.

The transaction price was as high as over 80,000 wisps of starlight, which directly scared Xu Jin.

Because when Xu Jin saw it, he was thinking about whether to pick up a bargain and get a copy for his father.

But he didn't expect the transaction price to be so terrifying!

However, there might be opportunities in the future.

"The next auction item is a fourth-tier sword weapon, named Cover-Moon, the caster is unknown, and it is known to have changed at least three owners; it is extremely sharp and carries star techniques like 'As You Wish' and 'Cover-Moon'; it is best used with thunder-type star power and wind-type star power for maximum lethality.

The starting price is 3000 wisps of starlight.

Each bid must not be less than 50 wisps of starlight.

Now, please bid, interested bosses."

Following the host's "start," the bidding sounds were endless.

In the blink of an eye, someone had added to 3800 wisps of starlight.

This instantly made Xu Jin's face bitter.

This had already exceeded his bidding limit.

"Brother, feel free to bid; I'll make up for whatever you're short of; be bolder," Ling Mao's voice transmission sounded.

"4000 wisps of starlight!"

"4100 wisps!"

Just as Xu Jin bid, someone immediately added to it.

But with Ling Mao's backing, Xu Jin also began to bid with confidence.

Bidding all the way to 4700 wisps of starlight, no one else bid; this fourth-tier star weapon, Cover-Moon, was successfully auctioned!

With the target in hand, Xu Jin also breathed a sigh of relief; next, he would be a bystander for the purpose of watching the fun.

After all, his own starlight was spent, and he owed an external debt.

"The next auction item is a fifth-tier star core of an alien race from the Star River Battlefield, starting at fifth-tier medium grade, in sets of ten, with a starting price of 3000 wisps of starlight per set, and each bid must not be less than 50 wisps of starlight."

The appearance of this auction item immediately made Xu Jin sit up straight.

Fifth-tier star cores were something Xu Jin had always sought but couldn't find.

The External Affairs Academy didn't have them for sale either.

He didn't expect to encounter them at the auction.

Seeing Xu Jin's look, Ling Mao laughed, "What, you're interested in this! Fifth-tier star cores are also considered precious; some are used to inscribe star patterns, and some are used to set up arrays, but before using them, they all need to spend time being purified.

If Brother Xu is interested, feel free to bid; I'll pay for it."

"This, I'll have to trouble Brother Ling."

"You and I are brothers; what trouble is there!"

"Good."

Xu Jin was overjoyed and immediately began to bid.

There wasn't much trouble with this.

These fifth-tier star cores were considered common in the Star River Battlefield; Xu Jin only bid up to 3200 wisps of starlight and successfully obtained them.

"The next auction item is a sixth-tier medium-grade alien star core obtained from the Star River Battlefield, from a sixth-tier Star Domain, with a starting price of 3000 wisps of starlight, and each bid must not be less than 50 wisps of starlight; those interested can bid now."

This again made Xu Jin pause, and he subconsciously looked at Ling Mao.

Ling Mao was stunned, "Brother is interested in this too? Then feel free to bid; I'll pay for you," Ling Mao immediately gave his promise.

"Good, thank you, Brother Ling."

Xu Jin began to bid again.

(End of chapter)