Chapter 224: Successor

"Teacher, I have a friend who has helped me several times before. Now she has gone to the Star River battlefield and is in the front-line troops, recently encountering danger several times. In the outside world, fifth-tier emblems are extremely sought after, so the student wants to buy a few fifth-tier emblems from you to give to her for life-saving purposes." Xu Jin deliberated before stating his second purpose.

Buying emblems.

Buying fifth-tier emblems.

Since he was going to do big things, he had to make more preparations.

Fifth-tier emblems were not even seen at auctions; Xu Jin could only find a way through Senior Dean Kou.

"A friend? What kind of friend?"

Kou Jing did not agree immediately but asked for detailed circumstances.

"Her name is Ning Yuchan; she was my instructor when I was at the Jinshan Dao Academy," Xu Jin replied.

Upon hearing this name, Kou Jing knew who it was.

He was also a witness to Ning Yuchan's affairs six years ago.

"Logically speaking, you are taking emblems to give to someone, and fifth-tier emblems are worth a lot, so I cannot give them to you. But you are now my emblem successor, and I am counting on you to inherit my emblem path.

So I cannot let you waste too much time on such trivial matters."

After finishing, Senior Dean Kou Jing stopped speaking and looked at Xu Jin with an expectant gaze.

Xu Jin was happy; regardless, Senior Dean Kou had agreed to give him fifth-tier emblems, even if he had to buy them.

After all, you couldn't buy this stuff in Dachen Wan Yi even with money.

For a moment, Xu Jin didn't react.

Waiting for Senior Dean Kou to stop speaking, Xu Jin reflected on Senior Dean Kou's words again and realized what was happening.

He was hinting at him!

Emblem successor.

That had to be a proper master-disciple relationship.

Now, it depended on whether Xu Jin accepted it.

Suddenly, Xu Jin had a flash of inspiration, immediately knelt on both knees, and kowtowed three times to Senior Dean Kou.

"Disciple Xu Jin pays respects to my benefactor and teacher!"

Seeing this, Senior Dean Kou smiled so wide his mouth stretched open.

Sitting there, he properly accepted Xu Jin's three kowtows, then lifted Xu Jin up with both hands and said with a smile, "My emblem path will depend on you to inherit and carry forward in the future!"

"The disciple will definitely study and research the emblem path diligently."

While speaking, Senior Dean Kou handed a jade tablet to Xu Jin, "Inside this is the Kou-style emblem technique I researched and invented. Inside are three methods for engraving emblems, improving the emblem success rate, and improving the emblem rank; they are all my unique secret techniques. You can study them carefully; they should be of great help to you."

Xu Jin was stunned; he didn't expect that just after kowtowing, he would receive such a big gift first.

"Thank you, Teacher, I will study them carefully."

"Remember, do not pass them on to outsiders. Also, I will inform the Grand Master about you being my emblem successor," Kou Jing said.

"The disciple understands."

After finishing all this, Kou Jing then took out five emblems and placed them in Xu Jin's hands.

"Since you have become my emblem successor, there must be a meeting gift. I don't have much else, but I do have some emblems in my hands. Here are four fifth-tier emblems, all fifth-tier superior emblems, three attack and one defense.

Everything I produce is a boutique; if used well, they can even injure a sixth-tier early-stage expert. You should use them well.

This one is a sixth-tier mid-grade emblem, named Wind-Walking Fury; it is a composite emblem I researched, with considerable power. I now bestow it upon you for life-saving purposes.

If there is danger, use it decisively; do not treasure it!

You must know, these are all dead objects!

Life is the most important thing," Kou Jing said.

Xu Jin was stunned, looking at the emblems in his hands, frozen.

His original intention was to buy a few fifth-tier emblems from Kou Jing to use, but he didn't expect Senior Dean Kou to give him four fifth-tier emblems directly, and then give him a sixth-tier emblem to save his life.

This deep, caring heart!

Xu Jin suddenly felt a bit of guilt because he had come with calculations.

But Senior Dean Kou's deep, caring heart was sincere in every way!

"Teacher, this..."

"Do not push it away; you are already my emblem successor, my most perfect disciple.

The so-called Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher means that besides your parents, the closest person is the teacher!

In the future, whether it is thunder or rain, rewards or punishments, you must accept them all!"

When saying these words, Senior Dean Kou was exceptionally solemn, and Xu Jin was also greatly shocked, reacting in an instant.

In Xu Jin's concept, the master-student relationship was similar to his previous life, but after Senior Dean Kou said this, he finally understood what the true master-student relationship in this world was.

After thanking him, Xu Jin accepted them.

Seeing Xu Jin accept, Kou Jing also stroked his beard and smiled.

Up to this point, Xu Jin, this emblem successor, was finally completely locked in.

Afterward, Kou Jing took out two more fifth-tier emblems and handed them to Xu Jin separately.

"The righteousness of friendship, you must also fulfill! These two fifth-tier superior emblems are all attack-type emblems; you can give them to your friend for life-saving purposes."

Upon receiving this, Xu Jin felt a bit embarrassed and hurriedly tried to decline.

"I said before, I cannot let these trivial matters affect your cultivation; just keep them! It won't be too late to repay me when you reach the fourth or fifth tier in the future," Senior Dean Kou said.

Since Senior Dean Kou had said so, Xu Jin accepted them.

After bidding farewell to Kou Jing, Xu Jin had many emotions.

Senior Dean Kou's gift today was truly a grand gesture.

As far as Xu Jin knew, the selling price of a fifth-tier Star Jade Tablet was as high as ten thousand Dao merits, and the finished price of a fifth-tier emblem was never lower than fifteen thousand Dao merits; as for fifth-tier superior emblems, they were even more expensive.

Kou Jing gave six of them at once.

Sixth-tier emblems were astronomical prices.

Many times, you couldn't buy them even if you wanted to.

One piece represented the full-force strike of a sixth-tier expert; who wouldn't want to buy one!

Returning to his small courtyard, Xu Jin began to research engraving fourth-tier emblems.

Regarding Xu Jin engraving fourth-tier emblems, Senior Dean Kou gave Xu Jin suggestions.

He suggested that Xu Jin engrave star patterns he had already completely mastered, as that would have the highest success rate.

Kou Jing's suggestion was for Xu Jin to engrave the fourth-tier Spiral Flame Explosion emblem, as this would have the highest finished product rate, and the power would not be bad either.

It was just Star Explosion, plus a mid-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, plus a Flame Explosion Star Pattern, plus a Spiral Star Pattern; the normal finished product should be a fourth-tier mid-grade emblem, but if he wanted to craft it into a fourth-tier superior emblem, it would be relatively difficult.

The limitation of the star patterns was right there.

Xu Jin felt that he was very familiar with these star patterns; every star pattern, Xu Jin had livered tens of thousands of times in the Star Lamp, so he wanted to try it directly.

But once he started, he discovered the difficulty of engraving fourth-tier emblems, which had increased by more than double compared to third-tier emblems.

The first piece directly exploded!

This made Xu Jin's heart ache.

A fourth-tier Star Jade Tablet was worth one thousand Dao merits.

However, Xu Jin used all the stock from the third-tier Purple Wind Star Domain last time.

Last time he charged into the third-tier Purple Wind Star Domain, Xu Jin had stored one thousand Star Jade Tablets in the Practice Arena, of which more than eight hundred were fourth-tier Star Jade Tablets, which were just right for deep processing.

He didn't expect it to explode directly!

Xu Jin could only honestly practice in the Star Lamp!

Constantly grinding for proficiency.

After all, one explosion meant a loss of one thousand Dao merits.

After grinding for a day and a half, and livering tens of thousands of times in the Star Lamp, Xu Jin successfully crafted a fourth-tier emblem on the afternoon of October 14th.

A fourth-tier mid-grade Spiral Flame Explosion emblem.

Xu Jin crafted five pieces in total, with one explosion in the middle; the difficulty of the fourth tier could be imagined.

However, Xu Jin did not continue engraving emblems; after a short nap of half an hour, restoring his state to its peak, Xu Jin came directly to the Danxia Academy.

At the entrance of the Danxia Academy, Senior Brother Pang Yu was on duty.

Xu Jin didn't report, just bowed to Pang Yu and walked straight into the Danxia Hall.

This was a special privilege granted to Xu Jin by the Grand Master.

Seeing this, Pang Yu was both envious and jealous.

"You're here."

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao looked up and saw it was Xu Jin, then put down her work, "You are prepared."

"Prepared, I have studied most of the star pattern research notes in the library; I am ready to deduce the star patterns to verify what I have learned, and then continue studying," Xu Jin said.

"Which star pattern are you ready to deduce?"

"I am ready to continue deducing the Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, and I also want to deduce the Dream-Warming Star Pattern once more," Xu Jin said.

"Ready to deduce two at the same time?"

"Yes! I have thoroughly understood the Dream-Warming Star Pattern research notes you gave me, and I am ready to deduce it; even if I fail, I will accumulate a lot of experience," Xu Jin said.

"Good, then let's go."

The next instant, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao pulled Xu Jin up, and amidst the flashing starlight, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao brought Xu Jin into the Star Dome Secret Realm on the top floor of the Star-Plucking Tower.

"The effect of deduction here should be a bit better. Also, your authority in the Star-Plucking Tower should be copper-level, so you have one hour of enlightenment every month.

When you deduce in a moment, activate this enlightenment effect; it will have twice the result with half the effort!" Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Does the Grand Master mean that this Star Dome Secret Realm enlightenment can improve the deduction effect?" Xu Jin asked puzzledly.

"Of course!"

"I have deduced quite a few star patterns using Star Dome Secret Realm enlightenment! You must never underestimate the authority of the Star-Plucking Tower.

According to my personal experience, the enlightenment effect of the Star Dome Secret Realm should have one-third of the effect of ordinary Dao derivation.

If this effect is superimposed, it is very powerful!

The best time I used it, under superposition, I used a gold star in the Star Dome Secret Realm to directly deduce the seventh-tier Wind Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern from seventh-tier low to seventh-tier high," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"I understand."

"Then how do I activate it?" Xu Jin asked puzzledly.

"Directly command the Star Spirit to activate it." So that was it.

While Xu Jin sat cross-legged, he called out to the Star Spirit with his mind.

As soon as he called out.

Curses, roars, and expressions of dissatisfaction surged over like a tide.

"Why did you only come now!"

"Why haven't you contacted me for so long!"

"I'm suffocating..."

"If you do this again, you will never see any follow-up about the Monkey King," Xu Jin said.

"If you dare not give it to me, don't think about letting me serve you!" The Star Spirit actually threatened Xu Jin in return.

"Alright, then I'll leave now, and I don't need your service either!"

Xu Jin made a gesture to leave.

"Hey, don't!"

Seeing Xu Jin about to leave, the Star Spirit immediately surrendered, "I won't scold you anymore, is that okay?"

"You must listen to me!"

The Star Spirit hesitated.

"Actually, I have already prepared the follow-up for you, but you are not very obedient, so I don't want to give it to you."

"I will be obedient, I will definitely be obedient!" Hearing this, the Star Spirit promised hurriedly.

Xu Jin smiled; this was progress. In the future, he could slowly obtain other information.

"Then first help me activate the enlightenment time for this month in the Star Dome Secret Realm."

"Good."

"By the way, I only have one hour a month, can you help me open a bit more?" Xu Jin probed.

"That won't work, I don't have that authority! I am just an assistant, I can't make the decision on this," the Star Spirit shook its head.

"Useless!"

Xu Jin used a bit of psychological manipulation, making the Star Spirit so angry it wanted to scold but didn't dare, so it could only activate the enlightenment time in the Star Dome Secret Realm for Xu Jin.

The next instant, Xu Jin's mind sank into the gold star.

【Do you wish to consume one gold star to activate high-tier Dao derivation?】

【Activate】

Almost the moment Xu Jin's consciousness was pulled up by the starlight, dozens of starlight beams projected down in the Star Dome, falling onto Xu Jin. The moment one of the starlight beams fell on Xu Jin, it gave him an indescribable sense of clarity.

That feeling was like being well-rested, waking up refreshed and mentally extremely sharp!

Thinking was extremely agile.

At the same instant, Xu Jin's mind sank into the seventh-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, and he began high-tier Dao derivation.

Compared to the last time, Xu Jin was familiar with the road for this high-tier Dao derivation.

He had reviewed the last high-tier Dao derivation, and amidst countless flames rising and falling, the seventh-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, which he had only completed one-third of previously, was rapidly being perfected.

Very quickly, a complete seventh-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern appeared.

As time passed, Xu Jin ignited one star fire after another, and the seventh-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern successfully crossed into the seventh-tier superior, until a complete seventh-tier superior Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern was achieved.

But the high-tier Dao derivation had not ended.

Xu Jin's perspective suddenly changed; a dazzling purple flame appeared, which Xu Jin observed as it rose and fell, followed by a deep crimson flame, and then a ghostly white flame.

Observing these three types of flames, Xu Jin had a sudden realization, feeling it vaguely, but it was just missing a little bit.

Xu Jin understood that this should be the key to breaking through to the eighth-tier star pattern.

But just at this moment, the starlight before his eyes receded; the time for high-tier Dao derivation had ended.

"How was it?"

Xu Jin opened his eyes to see the Grand Master's concerned gaze.

"It's done. Seventh-tier superior!"

This time, Xu Jin did not hide it.

"Seventh-tier superior, crossing two tiers in a row!"

Cheng Yuexiao was overjoyed again.

If the seventh-tier low high-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern was just entering the seventh-tier threshold, the seventh-tier superior high-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern was very powerful, because it had already touched the threshold of the eighth tier!

And Xu Jin still had two Brilliant Stars in his hands!

That is to say, as long as he was willing, a brand-new eighth-tier Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern was within reach!

Eighth-tier star pattern.

That was the true foundation of a force.

The entire Chen Guo Dao Academy currently possessed only two eighth-tier star patterns!

"Continue?"

After the surprise, Cheng Yuexiao asked about Xu Jin's state.

"Not bad, continue!"

The next instant, Xu Jin's mind sank into the Dream-Warming Star Pattern, chose another gold star, and began high-tier Dao derivation.

The process of the Dream-Warming Star Pattern was different from the Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern; Xu Jin was directly pulled into a dream, beginning to experience countless dreams!

Fortunately, with the research notes given by Cheng Yuexiao as a foundation, and the fact that the Dream-Warming Star Pattern was only fifth-tier superior, the deduction was incredibly smooth.

One gold star only deduced the Dream-Warming Star Pattern to sixth-tier superior.

That was also not bad.

But after deducing the Dream-Warming Star Pattern to sixth-tier superior, Xu Jin did not stop, but used another gold star to begin deducing the Flowing Star Star Pattern.

This was the Dao Academy's speed-type star pattern, good at bursting, and even better at escaping.

The Dao Academy's latest version was sixth-tier low.

This was also one of the star patterns Xu Jin had mainly researched these days.

Speed, whether in attack or life-saving, was very important.

According to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, for every small rank a speed-type star pattern improved, the speed would increase by ten percent.

The sixth-tier low Flowing Star Star Pattern Xu Jin had learned, combined with Thunder Wings and Thunder-Explosion Step, plus the fourth-tier star artifact, meant Xu Jin's speed was already on par with a fifth-tier mid-stage expert.

If he went one step further, his life-saving ability would be even stronger.

This was a conventional life-saving ability Xu Jin had equipped for himself for this trip out!

Anyway, he had plenty of gold stars!

Even if he used three in a row today, Xu Jin still had six in his hands.

Compared to the seventh-tier superior Fire Lei Lei Yuanxing Pattern, the Flowing Star Star Pattern was much simpler, because it only had one method: burst, pave, then burst, constantly magnifying this process for Xu Jin, letting Xu Jin observe the whole process.

It was successfully deduced to sixth-tier mid.

When it was deduced to sixth-tier mid, the cool feeling around Xu Jin, that cool feeling of an incredibly clear mind, suddenly disappeared.

Xu Jin understood that the enlightenment time in the Star Dome Secret Realm had ended.

When he came, Xu Jin didn't feel much.

But when the enlightenment time ended, Xu Jin had a clear feeling.

Previously, when there was Star Dome enlightenment time, Xu Jin felt like a fish in water, as if he had merged into the whole world, and everything happening before his eyes was happening within his own body, as if he were experiencing it personally.

But when the enlightenment time ended, Xu Jin felt that he had suddenly become a bystander!

High-tier Dao derivation still existed, but without the blessing of the Star Dome Secret Realm's enlightenment time, the effect was weakened.

Finally, Xu Jin only deduced the Flowing Star Star Pattern to sixth-tier superior, and the derivation of this third gold star ended.

At the same time, Xu Jin also learned a lesson.

In the future, he must use gold stars within the Star Dome enlightenment time; that would have the best effect.

"How was the effect?"

After opening his eyes, it was still Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao with an expectant face.

"One gold star, deduced Dream-Warming to sixth-tier superior."

"Too good!

One more time, and we can deduce the Dream-Warming Star Pattern to seventh-tier and above! The teacher deduced back then that a seventh-tier Dream-Warming would have a huge change, and by then, it could be verified," the Grand Master said happily.

"That is, but it will probably take a while," Xu Jin said.

"What's wrong?"

"I feel that the learning accumulation for this period of time has been exhausted. Next, I need to think and review quietly for a few days, and study and remember the various insights from high-tier Dao derivation well.

After researching and understanding those insights that weren't used, I estimate I will be able to use gold stars for high-tier Dao derivation again," Xu Jin said.

"Indeed, it should be so!

Your cultivation is already Refine Star ninth layer!

Cultivation can be slowed down a bit, slowly raising the cultivation of the Lower Star Palace, spending a few months cultivating star arts and star patterns, honing the divine soul, accumulating well and laying a good foundation, and then breaking through to the fourth-tier Condense Star Realm," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Thank you, Grand Master, for your guidance. Then I will just close-door for a few days, record all the insights and gains from these two gold star high-tier Dao derivations, and deduce them a few more times myself, laying the foundation for future deductions," Xu Jin said.

"Hmm, you close-door and research well; there are no chores now, and no one will disturb you," Cheng Yuexiao said.

Before leaving, Xu Jin threw a jade tablet to the Star Spirit, which recorded stories like Havoc in Heaven, but Xu Jin left a cliffhanger at a critical point.

After leaving, Xu Jin let out a long sigh of relief.

The last thing to meet Old Qi: not being discovered for not appearing in the Dao Academy for a long time, was already settled.

Then next, it was time to go meet Old Qi.

At dawn on October 15th, when the sky was about to brighten, Xu Jin used the Hundred-Change Star Pattern to change his appearance, cast invisibility, and left the Chen Guo Dao Academy silently.

No one knew!

As for Jiang Er and Qing Fan, Xu Jin had already instructed them well last night; he was going to close-door in the Star-Plucking Tower for six or seven days, telling them not to worry about him!

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 225 =====