Chapter 246: Transplanting Flowers and Caution

After completing the evolution of the Fire Source Star Pattern, Wen Meng Star Pattern, and Break-Spirit Star Pattern, Xu Jin still had five Golden Stars and three Brilliant Stars left.

So, which star pattern should he evolve next for the best cost-effectiveness?

This answer had already been considered by Xu Jin before he arrived.

The star pattern with the highest cost-effectiveness was, in fact, only one.

That was the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

The primary function of the Clear Soul Star Pattern is to passively and continuously enhance spiritual soul cultivation.

The higher the star pattern's rank, the stronger its effect.

Therefore, theoretically, the earlier it is evolved, the greater the benefit.

Evolve it a day earlier, gain a day's advantage.

For his fourth evolved star pattern, Xu Jin chose the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Previously, the Clear Soul Star Pattern Xu Jin learned from Old Qi was Rank Four Middle; the latest version from the Star Calendar Star Hall, at least the one Xu Jin obtained from the Star Picking Tower's branch, was Rank Five Upper.

This rank puzzled Xu Jin.

The latest versions of other star patterns Xu Jin learned from the Star Picking Tower's branch were all significantly higher.

For example: Break-Spirit was Rank Six Upper, Calm Will was Rank Six Upper, Ming Ji was Rank Six Middle, Illusory Will was Rank Five Upper, Dread was Rank Six Middle, and Object Control was Rank Six Upper.

Most of these star patterns had reached Rank Six Middle or Rank Six Upper.

But only the Clear Soul Star Pattern was Rank Five Upper.

Even Xu Jin knew the Clear Soul Star Pattern offered the greatest long-term benefit.

For any faction, the benefit of evolving a higher-rank Clear Soul Star Pattern was staggering.

Then why hadn't the Star Calendar Star Hall evolved a Rank Six Clear Soul Star Pattern?

Was it because the main hall hadn't distributed it to the branch?

Or was it because

I hope it's not the second reason.

If it were the second reason, Xu Jin's cost today might be very high.

The next instant, Xu Jin activated his intent, instantly summoning another Golden Star and initiating High-Level Dao Evolution.

He selected the Clear Soul Star Pattern for evolution.

This time, the High-Level Dao Evolution plunged Xu Jin into a series of dreamlike lifetimes; had he not already accumulated substantial experience in star pattern evolution, he could not have connected these scenes to the star pattern.

Quickly, Xu Jin abandoned this immersive experience and instead guided his existing Rank Five Upper Clear Soul Star Pattern, beginning to align it with the evolutions revealed by the High-Level Dao Evolution.

The entire process was extremely obscure.

Unfortunately, Xu Jin had guessed correctly.

It was the second reason.

The reason the Star Calendar Star Hall had distributed only Rank Five Upper Clear Soul Star Patterns to the Star Picking Tower's branch was likely because the evolution difficulty of the Clear Soul Star Pattern was extremely high.

Xu Jin felt this difficulty was two to three times greater than that of other star patterns.

By the time the first Golden Star's High-Level Dao Evolution ended, Xu Jin had only advanced the Clear Soul Star Pattern from Rank Five Upper to Rank Six Middle.

Even then, only two branches had been evolved; the main trunk had not yet been uncovered.

Previously, when Xu Jin used Golden Stars to evolve star patterns below Rank Seven, progress had been swift—he could easily leap an entire rank.

But now, he hadn't even advanced two minor ranks.

This further demonstrated the rarity of the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Without hesitation, Xu Jin activated another Golden Star, initiating another High-Level Dao Evolution.

This time, the target remained the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Still incredibly difficult, still profoundly obscure.

Of course, compared to the first Golden Star's results, it was slightly better.

After half an hour, this High-Level Dao Evolution ended.

Rank Six Upper.

Xu Jin barely managed to evolve the Clear Soul Star Pattern to Rank Six Upper before time ran out.

Too difficult.

Two Golden Stars had only elevated the Clear Soul Star Pattern by one major rank.

For a moment, Xu Jin considered activating a Brilliant Star to evolve the Clear Soul Star Pattern again.

But Xu Jin promptly restrained this impulse.

Such impulses were unacceptable.

Although Xu Jin had many Golden and Brilliant Stars, he couldn't afford to waste them recklessly.

Moreover, even if he activated a Brilliant Star, given his current level, the High-Level Dao Evolution would most likely fail, yielding only a minor rank increase.

Accumulate!

Xu Jin realized the key issue: he had virtually no accumulation regarding the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Even the research notes he obtained from the Star Calendar Star Hall contained nothing on the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Now, evolving the Clear Soul Star Pattern to Rank Six Upper—three minor ranks higher than before—had increased its effect by at least thirty percent.

In the future, Xu Jin could study the Clear Soul Star Pattern himself, build up sufficient accumulation, and then break through in one decisive push.

After evolving the Clear Soul Star Pattern, Xu Jin noticed his available Golden Stars had sharply decreased.

Only three remained.

For his fifth star pattern, what should he evolve?

The Swimming Fish Star Pattern!

This was the fifth star pattern Xu Jin had carefully selected for focused evolution.

A passive defense star pattern.

Xu Jin felt that, compared to other star patterns, this was one he could use for life—worth investing serious effort into.

Moreover, it was a star pattern that could directly enhance the strength of the Grand Master and others like Teacher Liu.

At their level, each additional ten percent reduction in an enemy's star force had an astonishing effect.

Furthermore, Xu Jin had already prepared extensively for evolving the Swimming Fish Star Pattern.

The research notes on the Swimming Fish Star Pattern had been worn thin from his repeated study.

The next instant, Xu Jin plunged his intent into a Golden Star, activating another one and initiating High-Level Dao Evolution.

His intent was instantly transported into the bodies of countless fish in the deep sea, sensing water currents sliding past, colliding, and with a slight flick of his body, effortlessly deflecting the impact.

He could even alter the direction of the current.

These sensations, combined with Xu Jin's prior insights from studying the Swimming Fish Star Pattern's evolution notes, propelled his progress at an astonishing pace.

Soon, he had evolved the Swimming Fish Star Pattern to Rank Six Middle.

Within fifteen minutes, he had evolved it to Rank Six Upper.

And this High-Level Dao Evolution's time had not yet ended.

Xu Jin continued evolving; after another eighteen minutes, he had advanced the Swimming Fish Star Pattern to Rank Seven Lower—and even evolved two branches, though without uncovering the main trunk, its rank remained Rank Seven Lower.

Huge gains.

He had leapt three minor ranks and entered Rank Seven.

This filled Xu Jin with great delight.

He also realized another point: Preparation!

Preparation before evolving star patterns was crucial.

Although he had prepared for the Clear Soul Star Pattern, the lack of research notes meant his preparation was extremely limited.

This was one reason the Clear Soul Star Pattern required two Golden Stars to advance three minor ranks.

Of course, this also related to the Clear Soul Star Pattern's inherent obscurity.

In the future, preparation before evolution must be more thorough.

Yet, as Xu Jin had just evolved the Swimming Fish Star Pattern, he felt an unfulfilled sensation.

He felt he was on the verge of touching a limit—but just barely missed it.

Xu Jin sensed that if he could break through that limit, he would gain benefits similar to those from the Rank Eight Fire Source Star Pattern's special flames.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin plunged his intent into a Brilliant Star.

The familiar starlight prompt appeared again.

【Each Brilliant Star can directly complete one minor rank of any star pattern below Rank Nine, then immediately enter High-Level Dao Evolution time. Proceed now?】

【Enter High-Level Dao Evolution time】

Continue evolution.

High-Level Dao Evolution immediately immersed Xu Jin's consciousness in a fish leaping upward again and again; after a while, he realized it resembled a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.

Or like fish swimming upstream against a torrent, with immense difficulty.

He had to utilize every current of water around him.

Fortunately, Xu Jin's prior accumulation in the Swimming Fish Star Pattern was substantial, his thoughts deep, and this experience was concrete—not as obscure and ethereal as the Clear Soul Star Pattern.

Quickly, Xu Jin advanced the Swimming Fish Star Pattern to Rank Seven Middle, then Rank Seven Upper.

Upon reaching Rank Seven Upper, Xu Jin clearly touched the limit he had sensed earlier.

But he only sensed it.

He could not cross it.

It was like seeing through a window something just out of reach, yet unable to find the door to touch it.

The role of Canxing was like a violent, massive hammer.

When the high-level Expansion Dao time ended and Xu Jin had still not touched that limit, Canxing directly shattered the barrier enclosing Xu Jin, allowing him to touch that limit outright.

【Will now complete a minor realm of the current star pattern based on the present star inscription.】

In an instant, the Fish Star Pattern on Xu Jin's seventh-rank level was directly completed into an eighth-rank-lower star pattern.

The special effect of the Fish Star Pattern breaking through to eighth rank was also fully understood by Xu Jin through Canxing's evolution.

Its effect was somewhat akin to transference.

It was somewhat like grafting flowers onto another tree.

One could actively activate the Fish to skillfully redirect at least forty-five percent of a target's star force onto another target.

But it was not without cost.

The cost was that Xu Jin had to directly absorb the remaining star force fluctuations, and this process required the support of soul power—the stronger the soul power, the stronger the redirected force.

If not used, the Fish Star Pattern's default force-dissipating effect remained.

This made Xu Jin think of the star technique he had previously deduced: Fish Curtain Golden Bell.

The enhancement of the Fish Star Pattern would inevitably greatly increase the power of Fish Curtain Golden Bell.

As for the Fish Curtain Golden Bell technique, Xu Jin had previously wondered whether anyone else had developed it.

Xu Jin specifically checked at the National Dao Academy—there was none!

It was still his own creation.

But theoretically, many others could have conceived this star pattern combination.

Why then had no one done it?

Xu Jin found the reason.

The most important was the Rain Curtain Star Pattern—it was the very foundation of the Song family's lineage, of high rank.

But the Rain Curtain Star Pattern at the National Dao Academy was only eighth-rank-lower, a basic star pattern, too low in rank for any high-level cultivators to choose, hence no one had ever deduced it.

Xu Jin did not know whether the Song family had Fish Curtain Golden Bell.

But the Fish Star Pattern publicly taught at the National Dao Academy was generally only fourth-rank-lower.

Moreover, Xu Jin had decided: after leaving, he would definitely inform the Grand Master that his deduced Fish Star Pattern must never be passed to any Song family member.

Want to learn?

Then bring a higher-rank Rain Curtain Star Pattern in exchange.

Fish Star Pattern deduction completed.

Eighth-rank-lower.

Special star technique deduced: Grafting.

Yes, Xu Jin named it Grafting.

According to Xu Jin's original plan, he would continue deducing.

The next to deduce should be the Earth Source Star Pattern.

Xu Jin had originally intended to go all out.

Since he could not comprehend the seventh-rank-lower Earth Source Star Pattern, he might as well use one Gold Star to push the Earth Source Star Pattern from sixth-rank-upper to seventh-rank-lower, thereby gaining a seventh-rank-lower or even seventh-rank-middle Earth Source Star Pattern.

The original plan even included using a Canxing on the Earth Source Star Pattern.

Ideally, to raise it to eighth-rank or higher, which would greatly enhance Xu Jin's defensive power.

But now it seemed that even the existing seventh-rank-lower Earth Source Star Pattern was beyond his comprehension; the deduction effect would likely be poor.

In the end, it would be effort doubled, results halved.

Currently, Xu Jin still had two Gold Stars and two Canxing.

So Xu Jin decided to keep them for now.

First, continue studying the related handbooks on Earth Star Patterns, build sufficient accumulation, then use Gold Stars to deduce the Earth Source Star Pattern.

He checked the time—the three-hour Star Dome Meditation time granted by the Grand Master still had over an hour remaining.

Xu Jin did not waste it; he immediately began studying and comprehending the seventh-rank-lower Earth Source Star Pattern.

Budebushuo, in the Star Dome Realm, the effect of comprehending star patterns was indeed extraordinary.

Half an hour later, the sixth-rank-upper Earth Source Star Pattern in Xu Jin's Central Star Palace suddenly trembled; in the heavens, a certain star also trembled slightly, as if responding.

But this response lasted only an instant before vanishing.

Xu Jin tried again to elicit the response, but it never reappeared.

Helpless, Xu Jin returned to his studies.

Yet during his focused comprehension, that sensation of resonance with one star among the heavens appeared four more times.

Each time, the duration was slightly longer than the previous.

Each time, the depth of resonance was slightly greater than before.

This filled Xu Jin with great joy!

Who said cultivators below sixth rank could not directly comprehend seventh-rank star patterns?

He felt he was close!

But just as Xu Jin felt he was on the verge, the starlight in the sky vanished instantly, and the Star Dome Realm returned to ordinary.

The figure of Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao appeared in the corner.

The three-hour Star Dome meditation time had ended.

Seeing this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao turned to Xu Jin; though he said nothing, his eyes were filled with anticipation!

Eighth-rank-middle High-Level Fire Source!

Seventh-rank-middle Killing Dream!

Seventh-rank-middle Shattering Hex!

Eighth-rank-lower Fish!

This time, apart from Chengpo, Xu Jin revealed everything without reservation.

Though Grand Master's face remained calm, his inner joy and turmoil were beyond description.

Every star pattern Xu Jin deduced today would greatly enhance his strength.

Eighth-rank-middle High-Level Fire Source—this progress was astonishing; Grand Master estimated Xu Jin had likely used two Canxing!

The strongest Wind Source Star Pattern in the Chen Guo National Dao Academy was only eighth-rank-middle.

Now, Xu Jin had directly added an eighth-rank-middle High-Level Fire Source Star Pattern to Chen Guo's National Dao Academy.

Even without releasing the eighth-rank-middle High-Level Fire Source Star Pattern, merely releasing the eighth-rank-lower version would give many who previously failed to break past seventh rank a new chance to succeed.

It might even produce another eighth-rank cultivator.

Of course, that possibility was small.

But it now existed.

And the eighth-rank-lower Fish Star Pattern delighted Grand Master even more.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao had long recognized the Fish Star Pattern's crucial role and wished to deduce it himself.

Because it was among the few star patterns that could directly enhance the combat ability of an eighth-rank cultivator like him.

But human energy was finite; he had too many duties and far too little time.

Thus, the Fish Star Pattern's rank had remained stagnant.

Now, Xu Jin had advanced it—and pushed it all the way to eighth-rank-lower.

In the future, it would surely bring a tremendous surprise to someone!

Of course, the greatest shock was still Dream Turning into Killing Dream!

The Master's hypothesis was true.

Once the Dream Star Pattern was pushed beyond seventh rank, it could transform from a supportive star pattern into a deadly offensive one—extremely powerful.

As expected!

Yet neither the Master nor he himself had achieved this goal.

They had limited Gold Stars, yet too many uses for them.

Now, Xu Jin had accomplished it for them.

For a moment, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao even considered adopting Xu Jin as a junior disciple on behalf of his Master.

He thought better of it.

Doing so would not only throw the National Dao Academy's relationships into chaos, but also expose Xu Jin to great danger.

"The Fish Star Pattern must never be passed to any Song family member unless they exchange it for a Rain Curtain Star Pattern?"

Hearing Xu Jin's instruction, Cheng Yuexiao smiled.

"I remember."

Speaking, to guarantee this would be enforced, Grand Master activated the Nine Sheng Bells and sealed the promise upon himself.

"Grand Master, the sixth-rank-upper Flowing Star Pattern I deduced earlier, and today's deduced Shattering Hex, Fire Source, and Fish Star Patterns, may be prioritized for transmission to Kou Jing, Senior Academy Director, and Liu Feiyan, Deputy Academy Director.

They are truly excellent teachers; I, as their student, wish to repay them in some small way.

For the Flowing Star Pattern, Fish, and Shattering Hex, I hope you directly transmit the latest versions to them, then apply the seal.

As for how to transmit them to others, you decide." Xu Jin clearly expressed his opinion.

"Rest assured, I will."

"I believe they will be proud to have you as their student," said Cheng Yuexiao.

On the evening of November 1, Xu Jin silently slipped out of the Guodao Academy and, assuming the identity of Qi Tian Sheng, went to Changsheng Auction House to attend the monthly auction.

And as Xu Jin entered the Changsheng Auction House under the identity of Qi Tian Sheng, the imperial palace's Grand Supervisor Chu silently appeared behind Emperor Gao Ye.

Only when Emperor Gao Ye lifted his head did the grand supervisor whisper his report.

"Your Majesty, according to prior intelligence from the Imperial City Guard, Xu Jin is highly likely to attend the Changsheng Auction again—this is one of his few opportunities to leave the Guodao Academy."

"But now, the Changsheng Auction has already begun."

"Xu Jin has shown no sign of leaving the Guodao Academy at all."

"This operation may have to be called off," Grand Supervisor Chu said.

"He didn't go?"

"Presumably not. I saw no trace of him leaving the Guodao Academy, and my Imperial City Guard agents inside cannot penetrate its inner defenses," Grand Supervisor Chu bowed his head.

"Too cautious."

After a moment's thought, Emperor Gao Ye set down his imperial brush, having written a directive, then said, "In that case, withdraw the personnel."

"Withdraw them?" Grand Supervisor Chu looked puzzled.

"Surely you've sensed the anomalous fluctuations in the celestial stars these past few days?"

"Indeed, I have."

"Then the Nine-Star Tide is imminent. When it comes, opportunities will abound—act as the moment demands."

"For now, there's no need to provoke the Grand Master," said Emperor Gao Ye.

"Your Majesty speaks wisely."

Grand Supervisor Chu bowed slightly. "I shall prepare at once."

In the next instant, Emperor Gao Ye suddenly fixed his gaze—Grand Supervisor Chu's step froze, and he turned back, bowing in readiness.

"How goes the preparation for that matter?" Emperor Gao Ye asked.

"Your Majesty, all is ready. We need only wait for the Nine-Star Tide to erase everything flawlessly," Grand Supervisor Chu said.

【222】 "Good."

【202】 At the very moment Xu Jin entered Changsheng Auction House as Qi Tian Sheng, Grand Supervisor Chu silently appeared behind Emperor Gao Ye of Gan'an.

(End of Chapter)