Chapter 60: Combat Simulation Realm

In the instant the Star-Plucking Token glowed, Xu Jin felt his vision blur—or his spirit sink—and suddenly, he stood inside a vast, empty hall.

Inside the empty hall, a lifelike version of Xu Jin was scanning the surroundings.

With a thought, Xu Jin instantly exited the hall, still standing in the small courtyard he had just received, the Star-Plucking Token in his palm faintly shimmering with starlight.

Xu Jin immediately realized the entry method of the Star-Plucking Token resembled his Can Dou Platform.

Both seemed to involve consciousness entering.

The External Affairs Hall had said only those at the Sixth Layer of Canxia could enter—wait until reaching Sixth Layer Canxia to seek them out.

Yet Xu Jin could enter directly now.

Recalling it, he suspected it had something to do with his Chengpo Star Pattern.

He gave up pondering and entered again.

This time, Xu Jin was calmer, observing the grand hall.

The hall appeared to be a ground floor.

Directly ahead, a spiral staircase ascended; Xu Jin stepped forward, intending to enter, but his raised foot could not descend.

He could not enter.

Besides the staircase, Xu Jin noticed many shimmering vortex-like light clusters along the hall’s perimeter, resembling doors.

Xu Jin approached the nearest vortex light cluster; as he drew closer, characters appeared above it.

【Tianyang Star Hall】

Tianyang Star Hall?

Xu Jin hesitated, gently touching it—only to find he could not push through. Simultaneously, a voice directly echoed in his mind.

【Proceed to any External Affairs Hall of Tianyang Star Hall to obtain entry credentials, then attempt entry again.】

Xu Jin understood: there was an identity verification system.

He switched to another light door: Cangming Star Hall.

Same result—could not enter.

He tried another door: Zhen’e Star Hall, Lingji Star Hall—both inaccessible.

He switched again: Grand Chen State Dao Academy—could not enter; another: Grand Hong State Dao Academy—still inaccessible.

Suddenly, the fourth light door on his right displayed: Grand Chen State Dao Academy.

Xu Jin rejoiced, thinking he had found his affiliation, and moved to push the door open—but was still blocked.

【Proceed to any External Affairs Office of Grand Chen State Dao Academy to obtain entry credentials, then attempt entry again.】

Xu Jin was puzzled.

Why couldn’t he enter even Grand Chen’s?

Then it struck him—no wonder the External Affairs Office manager at Jinshan Dao Academy told him to return after reaching Canxia Sixth Layer. That must be why.

So the Star-Plucking Token had activated for nothing—he had entered, yet could access nothing.

Slightly frustrated, Xu Jin continued testing; the doors he had tried were those flanking the staircase ahead.

He noticed there were also many light doors at the rear, but far fewer in number.

The first light door directly opposite, he pushed—and it opened.

“Pushed in” was misleading—he himself stepped inside.

The instant he entered, he saw a plaque hanging high above.

【Wanxing Hall】

The moment he stepped in, a voice immediately echoed in his mind.

【Master, select a Star Name before purchasing items. Master is currently First Layer Canxia, eligible only for First Layer transactions.】

“Master” must refer to himself. Star Name?

Xu Jin looked at himself—instantly, text appeared: 【Initial Star Name is free. Once set, any revision costs ten thousand strands of starlight; revision permitted only once per decade.】

Seeing this, Xu Jin cursed inwardly—revising a Star Name cost ten thousand strands? This wasn’t robbery—it was a full-scale eviction.

Based on what he knew, one strand of starlight was worth at least a hundred taels of silver—this price was terrifying.

He considered using his real name.

But then he realized: since he was being asked to choose a Star Name—a kind of ID—it clearly shouldn’t be his real name.

So what should he pick?

Many bizarre online handles from his past life automatically crossed his mind—he’d avoid anything too outrageous, lest he get killed.

He thought of naming himself Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

Then he reconsidered—wasn’t the Great Sage Equaling Heaven sealed away? Unlucky.

Buddha?

Nah, stick with Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

Even if sealed, he still preferred the Great Sage Equaling Heaven—he was cooler, and Buddha was too fat.

【Great Sage Equaling Heaven】

As the thought settled, Xu Jin instantly felt something—when he observed himself, information appeared.

【Star Master: Great Sage Equaling Heaven】

【Cultivation Base: First Layer Canxia】【Token Rank: One-Star】

【Starlight: One Hundred Strands】

The information was simple, yet it stirred Xu Jin’s excitement.

For this scene bore a faint resemblance to his past-life internet—making him feel this world might not be as backward as he thought.

Xu Jin didn’t yet understand much—he was simply too lowly placed, with too little knowledge.

After setting his Star Name, Xu Jin noticed many shelves appearing in the hall.

【First Layer Star Arts: Star Shield, Star Ray, Star Arrow, Star Ring, Star Veil, Star Rope, Star Blaze, Flying Star Step】

Only eight First Layer Star Arts—three of which he had never learned.

Xu Jin selected one—immediately, detailed information appeared.

【Star Rope: Basic Star Art, Price: 10 strands of starlight. Purchased item is granted immediately.】

Star Blaze and Flying Star Step were the same.

Not expensive—he could afford it now—and instantly, he felt the urge to buy and cultivate one.

Basic Star Arts—were they truly basic? Must learn them.

But as he was about to confirm purchase, he slapped his own hand.

The Jinshan Dao Academy wouldn’t withhold basic Star Arts, would they?

Why spend starlight to buy them?

That’d be wasteful.

Look again.

Besides Star Arts, the First Layer hall offered few other items: elixirs and Star Weapons.

First Layer Star Weapons cost twenty strands; Spirit-Reviving Elixir: one vial for three strands—prices matched the outside market.

But clearly, silver couldn’t be exchanged for starlight—buying elixirs here with starlight was foolish.

Suddenly, Xu Jin spotted the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Elixir Ning Yuchan had promised to reward the first disciple to successfully engrave the Great Star Cluster Pattern.

【Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Elixir: Purifies the soul, slightly enhances soul power, aids in Star Casting. Price: One Hundred Strands of Starlight. (Out of Stock)】

Expensive price, and out of stock—the Wanxing Hall of the Star-Plucking Tower wasn’t impressive.

At the last counter, Xu Jin spotted a “Recycle” label.

The recycling price was outrageous.

Spirit-Reviving Elixir sold here at two strands per vial.

But recycled at ten pills per one strand of starlight.

Get out!

Xu Jin exited Wanxing Hall and walked toward another light door beside it.

He pushed—and a prompt appeared: 【Enter the Combat Simulation Realm?】

【Entering the Combat Simulation Realm consumes starlight.】

【Star Master Great Sage Equaling Heaven is First Layer Canxia. Each entry consumes one strand of starlight, supporting up to ten battles.】

Combat Simulation?

Battles?

Only one strand?

With one hundred strands of starlight, Xu Jin pushed through without hesitation.

His spirit trembled slightly—he felt one strand of starlight deducted.

In the same instant, a vast space shimmering with countless star points appeared before him, and lines of text floated into view.

【First Layer Combat Simulation Realm: Accessible only to First Layer Canxia cultivators. Maximum cultivation level: Canxia Seventh Layer Peak. Those who break through will automatically enter the Second Layer Combat Simulation Realm.】

【Select Weapon: All weapons are identical—First Layer Star Weapons, differing only in appearance.】

Xu Jin considered, then chose a long saber—he used sabers most often and was most familiar with them.

The next instant, a long saber appeared in his hand.

【Challenge another Star Master?】

Xu Jin hesitated.

He thought for a moment and asked, “Will I die if I lose? Is there a penalty?”

【No penalty for defeat! In the Combat Mirage, even if you die, you will immediately revive, only losing one combat attempt. Current attempts: 10.】

【Note: If you die three times consecutively, your Soul Power will be significantly drained. Act within your limits.】

I spent Starlight to buy it, and there’s no loss—what’s the harm in trying?

【Challenge】

Almost the instant Xu Jin selected and confirmed his choice, one star among the millions before him suddenly flared bright and plummeted toward him like a falling meteor!

(End of Chapter)