Chapter 371: The Battle of Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm and the State Preceptor

A brilliant star, when activated, grants one opportunity for high-level Dao evolution and directly completes one minor sub-rank.

According to Xu Jin's prediction, he had already deduced the Lei Xiangxing pattern to the seventh-rank level; one high-level Dao evolution opportunity should push it to the lower eighth-rank, and then, by completing one minor sub-rank, he could directly deduce the eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern.

The eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern—achieved in one step.

Xu Jin also wanted to see what changes and what special star technique the most mysterious and arcane "Xiang"-type star pattern would bring when directly pushed to the eighth-rank.

According to prior experience, once a star pattern reached the eighth-rank, it always granted a special star technique.

But the deduction process left Xu Jin deeply surprised.

The single high-level Dao evolution granted by the brilliant star allowed Xu Jin to smoothly advance the seventh-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern to the upper seventh-rank.

But when he began deducing the upper seventh-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern toward the lower eighth-rank, things became abnormal.

Or rather, the difficulty was unexpectedly immense.

Even with the remaining high-level Dao evolution time exhausted, combined with the Dao-comprehension assistance from the Star Dome Realm and the enhancement from the third-rank Thunder Dao principle, Xu Jin failed to push the Lei Xiangxing pattern from upper seventh-rank to lower eighth-rank.

Even the progress was pitifully low.

He had only deduced two branches, not a single main trunk.

In terms of completion, it was less than fifteen percent.

The difficulty of the eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern had increased exponentially—terrifyingly so.

In the end, after the high-level Dao evolution ended, the brilliant star directly completed it, lifting the Lei Xiangxing pattern from upper seventh-rank to lower eighth-rank.

This lower eighth-rank star pattern had been earned with immense difficulty.

Though hard-won, once the Lei Xiangxing pattern reached lower eighth-rank, it did grant a special star technique: Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm.

The Lei Xiangxing pattern could condense one Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm per day; one hundred Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythms could coalesce into a Thunder Pool, capable of refining the body and enhancing the power of Thunder star techniques.

This left Xu Jin deeply puzzled.

This was the first time he had obtained such a technique—neither quite a star technique nor quite a "Xiang" technique.

What exactly was this Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm?

Though eager, Xu Jin did not immediately inscribe the deduced lower eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern onto his Star Core.

He wanted to compare—wanted to know how much the Lei Xiangxing pattern enhanced Thunder star technique power.

This decision would determine his future deduction direction.

If the enhancement was minor, then other "Xiang"-type patterns—like Earth Xiang, Fire Xiang, Wind Xiang—would suffice; he could stop there, no need to grind them all the way to eighth-rank.

If the enhancement was substantial, and if the special technique Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm was powerful enough, then he would grind relentlessly.

He had already decided on his test subject.

The Star-Picking Realm's Gold-Star guardian and Gold-Star inner demon.

His cultivation had just reached fourth-rank ninth layer, and the Gold-Star and Brilliant Star had not yet been claimed; now was the perfect time to test and claim them simultaneously.

He paused his Star Dome Realm meditation, activated his intent, and entered the Star-Picking Realm, effortlessly claiming two Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars without any difficulty.

He had previously possessed fourteen Silver Stars, consumed ten, and now gained two more—leaving him with six Silver Stars.

The next instant, Xu Jin directly challenged the Gold-Star guardian.

Xu Jin's current cultivation was fourth-rank ninth layer; the Gold-Star guardian's cultivation was fifth-rank ninth layer.

Though fifth-rank ninth layer, within the Star-Picking Realm's rules, it was the strongest possible fifth-rank ninth layer—its cultivation rivaling the top geniuses of all factions, having spent decades refining its foundation to perfection, strengthening at least one star pattern to seventh-layer or higher, and erecting at least seven layers of its Star Tower.

Many sixth-rank mid-to-late cultivators' projected Star Tower shadows had not even reached seven layers.

Extremely powerful.

But before Xu Jin's dramatically enhanced power, it was still insufficient.

After fifteen minutes of multiple tests, Xu Jin effortlessly slew it.

Two strikes of Fire Cloud Divine Thunder could obliterate it.

Or fifteen fully powered Heavenly Gang Thunder Chains, delivered in two strikes, could obliterate it.

Xu Jin claimed one Gold Star.

Then, Xu Jin began challenging the Gold-Star inner demon.

The Gold-Star inner demon's combat power was twice that of the Gold-Star guardian, due to Xu Jin himself serving as the benchmark.

Xu Jin primarily used Thunder star techniques, as he was conducting tests.

When using Heavenly Gang Thunder Chains for defense, the Gold-Star inner demon could shatter the Thunder Chain Shield in one and a half strikes.

Under the control of Dreamstart, Xu Jin unleashed two consecutive Fire Cloud Divine Thunder strikes on the Gold-Star inner demon—but failed to kill it.

He estimated that three Fire Cloud Divine Thunder strikes would be needed to directly obliterate the Gold-Star inner demon.

After completing all tests, Xu Jin abandoned all defense, letting the Gold-Star inner demon kill and shatter him into countless starlight fragments.

According to the Star-Picking Realm's rules, after two consecutive failures, one must wait three days before challenging again.

Xu Jin had only failed once so far—he could challenge again shortly.

The next instant, Xu Jin returned to the Star Dome Realm—but did not resume deduction.

Instead, he began inscribing the lower eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern.

A star pattern he had deduced himself required no proficiency—it was like the examiner who already knew the answer inside out.

Every aspect of this lower eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern, inside and out, Xu Jin had comprehended thoroughly.

In just two quarters of an hour, he had completed the inscription.

Previously, there had been ample empty space on his Thunder Star Core.

The instant the lower eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern was inscribed, Xu Jin suddenly felt a strange sensation.

He faintly sensed the presence of lightning within distant clouds.

Previously, he could only sense star force omnipresent around him; now, he could clearly perceive the scarce Thunder star force within the surrounding star force.

With a flick of his intent, he activated both Lei Yuanxing and Lei Xiangxing patterns—and immediately noticed the difference.

With Lei Xiangxing's assistance, the speed at which his internal star force transformed into Thunder star force through Lei Yuanxing doubled.

Not only that—under the powerful perception of his thirty-six Mingji star patterns and the influence of Lei Xiangxing, the Thunder star force generated within his body underwent a qualitative transformation.

The thunder on each strand of Thunder star force had grown more than twice as powerful.

The most direct observation: the lightning arcs on each strand of Thunder star force had thickened more than twice.

What about the Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm?

Xu Jin activated his intent, fully channeling the Lei Xiangxing pattern; the pattern flickered, and suddenly, a pitch-black streak of lightning appeared, coalescing at the very center of Lei Xiangxing, swirling and pulsing.

As it swirled and pulsed, the entire Lei Xiangxing pattern—and even Lei Yuanxing—rippled faintly.

What?

Xu Jin was startled.

One hundred needed to form a Thunder Pool, capable of refining the body and enhancing Thunder star technique power?

Would it take over three months to accumulate?

"First, test the enhancement of Thunder star technique power."

The next instant, Xu Jin activated his intent and re-entered the Star-Picking Realm, immediately challenging the Gold-Star inner demon.

The moment the realm's illusion vanished, Xu Jin surged forward, using Dreamstart to lock the Gold-Star inner demon in place.

The next instant, he activated Lei Yuanxing and Lei Xiangxing, invoking the third-rank Thunder Dao principle, and unleashed the star technique Fire Cloud Divine Thunder!

BOOM! BOOM!

Fire Cloud Divine Thunder moved at extreme speed—in an instant, two strikes landed.

The moment the two Fire Cloud Divine Thunder strikes struck, the Gold-Star inner demon was instantly reduced to ash.

Xu Jin's expression was one of shock mixed with delight.

The power increase was truly enormous!

Though rapid, his thirty-six Mingji star patterns perceived it with absolute clarity.

The second Fire Cloud Divine Thunder strike had used only half its power—and the Gold-Star inner demon was already slain!

Doubled!

The lower eighth-rank Lei Xiangxing pattern had directly doubled the power of Thunder star techniques!

A few breaths later, Xu Jin immediately challenged the Brilliant Star.

As soon as the challenge began, Xu Jin took a direct hit from the Gold-Star inner demon and launched a Fire Cloud Divine Thunder at the Gold-Star guardian.

Despite the Gold-Star guardian's full defense, this single Fire Cloud Divine Thunder strike reduced it to ash.

The power had truly doubled! Under Lei Xiangxing's enhancement, the defensive power of the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield had also doubled.

The Gold-Star inner demon needed three full strikes to shatter it.

But during the activation of the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain Shield—or during any Thunder star technique activation—Xu Jin noticed that the Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm at the center of Lei Xiangxing stirred restlessly.

As if, with a mere thought, he could trigger it.

Xu Jin decided to test it.

After all, one strand of Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm could be condensed each day.

The next instant, as Xu Jin unleashed Fire Cloud Divine Thunder toward the Gold-Star inner demon, he directly triggered that one strand of Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm.

With a mere thought, the strand merged into the Fire Cloud Divine Thunder.

Instantly, the crimson Fire Cloud Divine Thunder gained a haunting, soul-shaking resonance, radiating an immense, overwhelming pressure.

BOOM!

The Fire Cloud Divine Thunder infused with Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm struck.

Xu Jin's eyes widened sharply.

The Gold-Star inner demon was instantly shattered into a wisp of blue smoke, leaving only a pile of ash behind.

This power

After acquiring the Lei Xiangstar Pattern, the Huayun Divine Thunder's power doubled, requiring one and a half strikes to obliterate a Gold-Star-level heart demon.

Now, after integrating the Nine Heaven Thunder Rhythm, a single strike sufficed.

A single Nine Heaven Thunder Rhythm can increase the Huayun Divine Thunder's power by at least fifty percent!

This enhancement!

Excellent star art!

Worth it!

Deducting the Lei Xiangstar Pattern? Extremely worth it!

Even though I used one Brilliant Star to advance the Lei Xiangstar Pattern only to Eighth Rank Lower, it was still worth it.

Amidst flickering light and shadow, another Brilliant Star was secured.

Previously, when deducing the Lei Xiangstar Pattern, I consumed ten Silver Stars, one Gold Star, and one Brilliant Star.

Yet during this entry into the Star-Picking Secret Realm, I gained two more Gold Stars and one Brilliant Star.

Xu Jin's number of Gold Stars did not decrease—it increased, reaching nine, while his Brilliant Stars remained at five.

After exiting the Star-Picking Secret Realm, Xu Jin turned his thoughts to another matter.

The Nine Heaven Thunder Rhythm is so powerful, yet only one can be condensed per day.

If I inscribed multiple Lei Xiangstar Patterns, could I condense multiple Nine Heaven Thunder Rhythms?

Test it!

I must test this idea immediately.

As for the star core's position, it doesn't matter.

After all, the two Great Star Palaces have seventy-two star cores; even if I waste half on testing, I'll still have far more than anyone else.

The next instant, Xu Jin casually selected a star core and began inscribing the Lei Xiangstar Pattern for testing.

Wan Yi, Grand Chen State Dao Academy.

Shortly after returning from the Star River Commander's Office meeting realm, State Master Cheng Yuexiao convened another high-level meeting of the Dao Academy.

This counterattack plan against the ancestral land's cave heaven is extremely important.

He needed to arrange and delegate certain matters in advance.

Including the sixth- and seventh-rank forces for battle—he must now select candidates and intensify their cultivation!

While discussing with Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui and others, State Master Cheng Yuexiao's expression suddenly hardened. He rose abruptly, gazing toward the distant sky as a vast divine soul aura slowly rose.

One breath later, State Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly smiled, "This one arrived rather quickly."

The next instant, Peng Lao, whose cultivation base was second only to the State Master, suddenly paled. "Eighth Rank! An Eighth Rank aura—peak Eighth Rank!"

At the same moment, Patrol Star Commander Pei Ze descended as starlight. "State Master, a peak Eighth Rank cultivator has arrived. Let us go together."

Cheng Yuexiao waved to silence him, watching the approaching peak Eighth Rank aura. "It's Lord Luo of Xumí Palace! Peng Lao, you hold the Star-Picking Tower—prevent opportunists from striking while the iron is hot."

"Commander Pei, I'll meet Lord Luo. You guard my back—do not act unless I command it!"

"Yes!"

The next instant, the Nine Sheng Bells materialized. State Master Cheng Yuexiao stepped upon the stars and instantly became a streak of light, hurtling toward the immense aura in the heavens, his voice booming like thunder.

"Lord Luo, you've traveled far—I, Cheng, have come to welcome you!"

"Hahaha, State Master Cheng, I've intruded too abruptly!"

In an instant, the two clashed above the nine heavens. The moment they faced each other, the space before State Master Cheng Yuexiao cracked like a spiderweb.

Earth-yellow starlight fell like mountains, shattering the spatial star force that had rent the air.

"State Master, impressive! Try my next strike!"

Silver starlight surged like a comet toward State Master Cheng Yuexiao. Where it passed, the cloud layer and space were cleanly severed, leaving behind an eerily distinct rift.

State Master Cheng Yuexiao's fingers danced, weaving threads of differently colored starlight like flowers in bloom, Yingxiang the silver starlight.

As if mending, as if tearing, the four-colored starlight torrent clashed evenly with the silver starlight.

In the distant void, faint murmurs of surprise echoed.

For Cheng Yuexiao's cultivation base was merely Eighth Rank Mid.

While Lord Luo of Xumí Palace was peak Eighth Rank.

They had assumed Cheng Yuexiao would immediately deploy the state artifact, the Nine Sheng Bells—but now, without using them, he had matched the enemy evenly.

His combat prowess must be reassessed!

The two exchanged blows fiercely, battling above the nine heavens until stars shattered and skies darkened.

After fifteen minutes, Lord Luo of Xumí Palace suddenly laughed loudly, "State Master Cheng, shall we play for real?"

"Good!"

Almost as he spoke, Cheng Yuexiao swept his hand like plucking a zither, each sweep launching a four-colored meteor.

Instantly, four-colored meteors rained down one after another upon Lord Luo.

Lord Luo was unafraid—he transformed his spatial star force into a silver battle blade piercing the void. Each slash shattered a four-colored meteor.

The battle blade descended like thunder.

After eleven slashes shattered eleven four-colored meteors, the silver blade seized the moment to strike once more—this final slash unleashed hundreds of silver spatial crescents, slashing at Cheng Yuexiao from all directions.

Even as Cheng Yuexiao's fingers flew, launching more four-colored meteors at Lord Luo, he simultaneously flicked starlight to bombard the hundreds of silver crescents.

But these silver crescents were swift and relentless.

In the end, two silver crescents struck Cheng Yuexiao like thunderbolts.

One shattered his defense; the other cleaved directly into his chest, tearing his robe and forcing him back three steps.

Opposite him, Lord Luo had just shattered another four-colored meteor, a smile barely forming—when from within the shattered meteor erupted a thick, pitch-black bolt of lightning, shattering his defense and slamming into his face.

Instantly, his beard and hair turned charred black, forcing him back two steps.

The smile on his face froze, turning awkward.

Both halted.

"State Master of Grand Chen… truly remarkable!"

"Lord Luo's spatial star art is no less extraordinary!"

In an instant, the scattered clouds above resealed, returning to clarity.

The two mighty figures bowed respectfully to each other in the heavens.

"My visit today was hasty. Next time, I shall return with proper gifts to pay my respects to State Master Cheng." With that, Lord Luo, his beard and hair blackened, bowed to Cheng Yuexiao and vanished in a flash of silver starlight.

"Lord Luo, farewell—I do not see you off!"

State Master Cheng Yuexiao also bowed respectfully, watching him depart, the Nine Sheng Bells above his head glowing faintly.

In this battle, the Grand Chen state artifact—the Nine Sheng Bells—had hovered above, yet remained unused!

The several hidden auras watching from the void withdrew simultaneously and swiftly departed.

Each filled with astonishment.

Within the imperial palace, someone stood dumbfounded, utterly shocked!

Only then did State Master Cheng Yuexiao exhale, slowly stepping down from the stars, returning to the Grand Chen Dao Academy.

But when he landed in Danxia Palace, his face turned deathly pale!

(End of Chapter)