Chapter 404: A Fallen Star

The negative effects of the thirty-six stars forged within the Central Star Palace finally manifested as Xu Jin attempted to break through.

Previously, when he advanced his cultivation base from Fifth Stage First Rank to Fifth Stage First Rank Peak, he had done so within the Altar Heavenly Path, where star power was extraordinarily dense, allowing rapid progress with almost no sensation.

Breaking through to Fifth Stage Second Rank had been merely a final step, effortless.

But now, as Xu Jin sought to elevate his cultivation from Fifth Stage Second Rank Early to Fifth Stage Third Rank, he felt the immense burden imposed by the thirty-six star cores.

Take, for example, the Fifth Stage Ten-Thousand-Spirit Blood Elixir delivered by Xue Shenzi.

A normal cultivator needs only one such pill to advance one rank.

But Xu Jin consumed two, and his Central Star Palace's cultivation barely reached Fifth Stage Second Rank Late—still no breakthrough.

Only after drawing out one-tenth of the star power stored within the white residual bone did his Central Star Palace finally break through to Fifth Stage Third Rank.

With thirty-six stars forged, his strength is several times that of a normal cultivator, but so too is the difficulty of cultivation.

A normal Fifth Stage cultivator requires at least two months to advance one rank.

Logically, Xu Jin might need eight months to advance one rank.

Fortunately, Xu Jin's divine soul mental force is exceptionally strong, allowing him to cultivate at four to five times the speed of a normal cultivator using his teleportation-style method.

With this reduction and increase balanced, Xu Jin still requires two months to break through one rank.

Theoretically, raising a single Star Palace to Fifth Stage Ninth Rank Peak would take roughly two years.

The Central and Lower Star Palaces together would take four years.

This pace is extremely fast for a normal cultivator.

But to Xu Jin, it still feels too slow.

Only after four years might his cultivation break into Sixth Stage.

The star power within the white residual bone could save him about half a year.

Perhaps in the future, he could find ways to optimize this further.

On May 4, Xu Jin's cultivation broke through to Fifth Stage Third Rank—only his Central Star Palace advanced; his Lower Star Palace remained at Fifth Stage Second Rank Early.

But this did not prevent him from entering the Star-Picking Secret Realm for challenges.

At Fifth Stage Second Rank, when Xu Jin challenged the Star-Picking Secret Realm, he had shattered opponents effortlessly, instantly killing Gold-Star-level heart demons and Gold-Star-level guardians.

But at Fifth Stage Third Rank, the difficulty had clearly changed.

Xu Jin now needed two strikes of his Bing Fire Divine Thunder and Wu Earth Divine Thunder to kill Gold-Star-level heart demons and guardians.

Clearly, the combat power of Sixth Stage Gold-Star-level heart demons and guardians had multiplied.

Xu Jin estimated that when his cultivation reached Fifth Stage Fifth or Sixth Rank, he would encounter serious difficulties challenging Gold-Star and Brilliant-Star levels.

Or perhaps, when his cultivation reached Sixth Stage, obtaining Gold-Star and Brilliant-Star rewards would become extremely difficult!

This conclusion stemmed from his observations during his battle with Emperor Gan'an and while watching Eighth-Stage masters like the State Tutor fight—he noticed a common trait among those above the Seventh Stage: they could draw upon celestial star power to strengthen themselves.

Emperor Gan'an had just broken through; the star power he could summon was extremely weak. But veteran Seventh Stage masters were different.

Take Feng Yi, the Seventh Stage master Xu Jin had slain—he was simply unlucky.

He never even had time to activate his Star Tower to draw in celestial power before Xu Jin obliterated him in moments.

Xu Jin could not predict how much harder future challenges in the Star-Picking Secret Realm would become.

But he could foresee that the number of Gold-Stars and Brilliant-Stars he could obtain in the future would be limited.

Based on his current cultivation, he might acquire between ten and fifteen Brilliant-Stars in the future.

Therefore, he must use them sparingly.

Yet, when it came to the Mingji Star Pattern's evolution, he could not afford to be frugal.

He had already inscribed thirty-six of them.

After completing his Star-Picking Secret Realm challenge and gaining two new Gold-Stars and one Brilliant-Star, Xu Jin began evolving the Mingji Star Pattern.

The Mingji Star Pattern was one of the most difficult to evolve within the Lingji Star Hall, second only to the Chengpo Star Pattern, nearly equal in difficulty.

As soon as he began, he realized it himself.

The Mingji Star Pattern was Sixth Stage Middle.

Previously, when evolving other star patterns, one Gold-Star could advance four minor tiers.

But when evolving the Mingji Star Pattern, efficiency halved—or worse.

The first Gold-Star elevated the Mingji Star Pattern from Sixth Stage Middle to Seventh Stage Lower—only two minor tiers.

The second Gold-Star raised it from Seventh Stage Lower to just slightly past Seventh Stage Middle.

Not even two minor tiers.

Xu Jin then decisively used one Brilliant-Star.

At this point, he had zero Gold-Stars left, and one Brilliant-Star remaining.

First, he activated the Brilliant-Star's High-Level Dao Evolution to elevate the Mingji Star Pattern from Seventh Stage Middle to Seventh Stage Upper.

The difficulty doubled again when evolving from Seventh Stage Upper to Eighth Stage Lower; Xu Jin felt it had reached the difficulty level of Xiang-class star patterns.

Even after the Brilliant-Star's High-Level Dao Evolution ended, it failed to push the Mingji Star Pattern into Eighth Stage Lower.

Only through the Brilliant-Star's special effect—directly advancing one minor tier—did the Mingji Star Pattern finally reach Eighth Stage Lower.

As the Mingji Star Pattern ascended to Eighth Stage Lower, a flood of information surged into Xu Jin's mind.

As expected, upon reaching Eighth Stage Lower, the Mingji Star Pattern granted a new special star technique.

Celestial-Human Resonance: Can establish faint connections with all things in heaven and earth, allowing you to vaguely perceive their mutual influences and receive guidance.

When he read this, Xu Jin's expression hardened, and he froze.

After reading the technique's description—Celestial-Human Resonance—word by word again, uncontainable joy surfaced in his eyes.

Worth it.

Extremely worth it.

In Xu Jin's understanding, this Celestial-Human Resonance, simply put, allowed him to predict fortune and misfortune.

More mystically, he could now play the role of a divine soothsayer.

But its precise function still needed gradual exploration.

Gradual experience.

Yet Xu Jin was certain: this was undoubtedly a divine technique.

Half a day later, Xu Jin completed the full supplementation of the newly evolved Eighth Stage Lower Mingji Star Pattern across all thirty-six star cores of his Lower Star Palace.

Then, activating the Mingji Star Pattern once more, he instantly smiled.

His perception range had increased dramatically.

Previously, the perception range of the thirty-six Mingji Star Patterns was roughly two kilometers.

Now, after elevating the Mingji Star Pattern from Sixth Stage Middle to Eighth Stage Lower, his perception range reached three kilometers—an increase of fifty percent.

Within a three-kilometer radius centered on Xu Jin, nothing could now escape his awareness.

Extremely practical for small-scale combat.

But compared to Ji Hongli's Hundred Flowers, Hundred Herbs Star Pattern, it was still far inferior.

But hers was better suited for large-scale warfare.

Afterwards, Xu Jin continued his deep cultivation, focusing primarily on strengthening his star patterns, aside from raising his cultivation.

Previously, within the Star Domain and while seizing Emperor Gan'an's assets, Xu Jin had acquired many Fifth Stage spiritual herbs.

These Fifth Stage spiritual herbs were highly efficient for strengthening star patterns.

Strengthening a star pattern directly increased combat power.

Upon use, he found the efficiency truly exceptional.

Normally, with his current divine soul cultivation, strengthening one star pattern by one tier required about six days. But one Fifth Stage spiritual herb provided the equivalent of two days' worth of strengthening.

Exceptional.

Do not assume that one Fifth Stage spiritual herb being worth two days' strengthening is insignificant or low-value.

Because Xu Jin had forged a Yuan Spirit, his star pattern strengthening efficiency was already several times that of other cultivators.

Take Hou Yunzhang—even with his Fifth Stage Ninth Rank cultivation and dual Star Palaces, his own strengthening efficiency was already very high. Yet he needed a full two months to strengthen one star pattern by one tier!

Even when cultivating at full capacity.

Converted, one Fifth Stage spiritual herb could directly strengthen one star pattern by one-third—extremely powerful.

Especially for Fifth Stage Early to Mid cultivators, its effect was miraculous.

On May 7, when Xu Jin had strengthened the Lei Yuanxing Pattern to Level Five, the Tu Yuanxing and Huo Yuanxing Patterns to Level Four, and the Lei Xiang, Tu Xiang, and Huo Xiang Patterns to Level Two, he received a starlight message from the State Tutor.

【If you have spare time, come to Danxia Palace.】

With the State Tutor summoning him, Xu Jin naturally went gladly.

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at Danxia Palace.

Seeing State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, he was stunned.

The once vibrant State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao now bore enormous dark circles under his eyes.

Clearly, he had overworked himself.

"State Tutor, state affairs are important, but your health matters more," Xu Jin bowed and advised.

"Ah, I know. I haven't slept in nine days. But matters are mostly sorted; now they'll gradually stabilize," Cheng Yuexiao said.

Hearing the State Tutor had gone nine days without sleep yet summoned him immediately, Xu Jin wondered if another major crisis had arisen.

He hurriedly asked, "What urgent matter has the State Tutor summoned me for?"

"Nothing urgent. I just wanted to ask: have you decided about restoring your identity? I've already arranged your position—first as Deputy Director for one year, then as Deputy Academic Director for several years, gathering disciples to form your core. Once you break into Sixth Stage, you'll become Chief Academic Director."

In five years, you should be eligible to become Right Sacrificial Wine Master.

"If you learn quickly, within ten years I may be able to pass this burden onto you," said State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

Xu Jin was stunned.

He had already laid out the path for him.

"State Tutor, if you give this to me, what will you do?" Xu Jin asked.

"Me? Of course I'll cultivate diligently and enjoy life—this magnificent land and rivers, I must travel them all, then strive to break through the ninth realm," said State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

"No!

I don't want this burden yet—you should keep carrying it!

I'll tour this magnificent land for you!" Xu Jin laughed.

The State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, who was pouring tea, froze mid-pour and frowned at Xu Jin. "I'm serious."

Xu Jin grew solemn. "So am I!"

"You?"

Seeing Xu Jin's serious expression, Cheng Yuexiao sighed bitterly.

"State Tutor, look at you—this position holds no interest for me. I'm still young; let me enjoy a few more years of life first," said Xu Jin.

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao shook his head with a bitter smile. "You, then—have you decided about your return? If you have, I can make arrangements."

"Not yet. When I've decided, I'll tell you, State Tutor."

"Very well."

"But I'd like to bring back my sister and my father first," said Xu Jin.

"That's easy—I'll arrange it immediately."

"State Tutor, there are still many valuable items inside Emperor Gan'an's Nirmāṇakāya space."

"They're your spoils—do with them as you wish," said State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, waving his hand before Xu Jin could finish.

Xu Jin was stunned. "Really? But there are two Seven-Star Spirit Treasures?"

"Then you've done well, boy!" said State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao.

Clearly, he had not the slightest intention of taking any of Xu Jin's spoils.

Still, Xu Jin placed the Seven-Star Spirit Treasure, the Wind Luo Fan, before the State Tutor. "I think Peng Lao would use this best."

Including the jade tablets inscribed with Emperor Gan'an's personal records.

Except for the Secret Notes, all other jade tablets were given to the State Tutor.

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao naturally accepted them and called out to Peng Lao.

Peng Lao, having accepted the Seven-Star Spirit Treasure, Wind Luo Fan, rubbed his hands and sighed with emotion. "Boy, you keep giving me favors—how am I ever going to repay you? I can't possibly repay you all!"

"Peng Lao, as long as you and the State Tutor are here, I dare to roam wild and free out there," Xu Jin laughed.

Hearing this, Peng Lao also laughed. "Then go wild as you please—as long as you don't break the sky, I and the Palace Master will shoulder the blame for you," Peng Lao chuckled.

"Then I'll truly go wild."

Xu Jin smiled and pulled out four more jade tablets, pushing them before the State Tutor and Peng Lao.

"What are these?" State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao asked, intrigued.

"Results from my recent research and calculations: Fire Element Star Pattern for eighth realm, Rain Curtain Star Pattern for seventh realm, Thunder Dash Star Pattern for seventh realm, Thunder Wing Star Pattern for seventh realm. With these two star patterns, our Chen Guo Dao Academy's Thunder Star Arts can form a small system—our speed will be vastly ahead of others."

As Xu Jin explained, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao stared at each other, utterly stunned!

Though not the first time, they were still shocked beyond words.

"Fire Element Star Pattern? Thunder Dash Star Pattern? Xu Jin, how did you calculate these? How could you do it so fast?"

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao couldn't help asking.

"State Tutor, didn't I already tell you the method? Alien star pattern inheritance blood, alien blood, and alien core essence—combine them to reverse-engineer the patterns," said Xu Jin.

"I tried! It works—but the calculation takes years! And you'd need about a hundred units of star pattern inheritance blood—it's nearly impossible to obtain. How could you do it so quickly?"

"I obtained Fire Element Star Pattern inheritance blood myself, but estimated it would take five years—even under ideal conditions, and only if I kept acquiring more star pattern inheritance blood," said the State Tutor, astonished.

"I may just have a natural talent for this—twenty or thirty drops of star pattern inheritance blood are enough to reverse-engineer them," said Xu Jin.

Hearing this, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao sighed. "Talent—there's no comparing that."

Xu Jin smiled. The matter of the Can Dou Star Lamp was top secret—even before the State Tutor, he could not speak of it.

"Xu Jin, I want to know—how many Golden Stars did you acquire to calculate so many star patterns to such high levels?" Peng Lao finally couldn't hold back.

"How many?"

Xu Jin paused, then looked up. "Since mid-third realm, not a single one has been wasted."

"What? Not a single one?"

State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao and Peng Lao froze, their eyes filled with disbelief beyond description!

Not a single one.

This answer—if spoken aloud—would terrify anyone.

"State Tutor, I'm preparing to travel," said Xu Jin.

"Where to?" asked State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao, snapping back to awareness.

"State Tutor, I plan to visit Jinshan County. The villagers of Xu Family Village died horribly because of me. Though I cannot bring them back to life, I must at least build them graves so their ancestral rites may continue."

"And I'll look for any survivors," said Xu Jin.

"That's only right. Go then. By the way, before you leave, collect the Deputy Supervisor's token—it'll make your duties easier," said the State Tutor.

"Is that allowed?" Xu Jin hesitated.

"Why not?"

The State Tutor waved his hand. "If anyone asks, just say Qi Tian Sheng is Deputy Supervisor—and later, Xu Jin will be Deputy Supervisor too."

"Very well! Thank you, State Tutor."

(End of Chapter)