Chapter 88: Changes After Upgrading and Climbing the Mountain (Requesting Monthly Votes)

The instant Xu Jin successfully upgraded the Third-Grade Combat Platform, his mind sank into the jade tablet of the Third-Grade Combat Platform, curious what changes had occurred beyond the addition of a new star lamp after upgrading from Second Grade to Third Grade.

He glanced once—and immediately noticed the change, his eyes brightening with delight.

【Third-Grade Combat Platform】

【Master: Xu Jin】

【Graced by the Stars: One daily bow grants three strands of starlight】

【Star Lamp One: Solidified Star Art—Basic Star Arrow】

【Star Lamp Two: Solidified Star Art—Basic Star Shield】

【Star Lamp Three: None】

【Items for Cultivation: Soul-Replenishing Pill, Spirit-Reviving Pill, Dawn Seal, Concealment Seal, Spinning Blade Seal, First-Grade Star Weapon Long Knife, First-Grade Star Weapon Long Sword, First-Grade Star Weapon Wind-Chasing Boots, First-Grade Star Weapon Arm Guards】

【Star Arts: Basic Star Shield, Basic Star Ray, Basic Star Ring, Basic Star Arrow, Basic Star Shield, Flying Star Step】

【Offerings: Third-Grade Leopard Spirit, Fourth-Grade Thunder Ray】

【Can Be Offered: Third-Grade Snake Spirit, Third-Grade Tiger Spirit, Third-Grade Rampaging Bear】

Star weapons.

Among the items for cultivation, star weapons had suddenly appeared.

At First Grade, the Combat Platform could only cultivate elixirs; after upgrading to Second Grade, it could offer spirit entities and cultivate seals; now that it had reached Third Grade, it could cultivate star weapons.

Xu Jin wondered: what changes would occur when the Combat Platform upgraded to Fourth Grade?

What new functions would it bring?

The next instant, Xu Jin could hardly wait to cultivate a star weapon.

He wanted to know the effect of cultivating a star weapon—would it enhance power, trigger an upgrade, or how long would it take?

All of this required testing.

But inserting the star weapon he was currently using was clearly unsuitable—whether the Wind-Chasing Boots or the Crocodile Dragon Soft Armor, both were indispensable; the only one he could replace was the star weapon long knife.

All star weapon long knives were roughly the same; tonight, Xu Jin had seized another star weapon long knife.

Both blades were usable, and their current power levels were nearly identical.

The next instant, Xu Jin’s mind shifted—and the First-Grade star weapon long knife he had seized tonight vanished into thin air, reappearing inside the third star lamp.

He didn’t know how many days it would take to see cultivation effects.

Then, Xu Jin placed three Spirit-Reviving Pills into each of the other two star lamps.

After upgrading to Third Grade, each star lamp could now cultivate three elixirs at once, up from two.

Before this, Xu Jin had barely enough cultivated Spirit-Reviving Pills for daily use, with only a tiny reserve.

But now, after upgrading to Third Grade, he could cultivate six First-Grade Spirit-Reviving Pills daily—premium-grade ones—and would have far more to spare.

Then, he could also use the star lamps for testing.

The next instant, the small figure at the center of the Combat Platform rose, stepped the Gang and bowed to the Stars; above the empty platform, three thicker strands of starlight appeared.

Third-Grade starlight.

Xu Jin tested it—he drew in only two-thirds of it, and it completely refilled the Star Markings he had drained during his previous starlight infusion.

Doubled.

One strand of Third-Grade starlight obtained from bowing contained twice the star energy of Second-Grade starlight, and four times that of First-Grade starlight.

Then, Xu Jin moved his mind to sink into the jade tablet, eager to check the conditions for upgrading the Third-Grade Combat Platform to Fourth Grade—when suddenly, the Mingji Star Marking in the Lower Star Palace trembled, alerting him.

The door to the room stood wide open.

In the same instant, Qi Shanye appeared—but frowned. “So much killing intent?

You’ve killed many people, haven’t you?

What happened?”

Xu Jin opened his eyes, saw Qi Shanye, and immediately rose from the bed, bowing. “Master.”

Last night, Xu Jin and Qi Shanye had formally established their master-disciple bond; he could no longer be as casual as before.

Like in his past life—if you met your teacher on the street, at the very least, you had to greet them.

“I did kill people. I stood in the rain for so long, changed out of my wet clothes—how did you still notice?” Xu Jin asked, puzzled.

“That’s the function of the Mingji Star Marking.

You’ve only just inscribed it; after forging your Star Core, when you rely on the stars, the Mingji Star Marking’s subtleties will grow. By the time you reach my level, it will rival the finest perception techniques in this world.”

After speaking, Qi Shanye asked again, “What exactly happened?”

Since he now called him Master, Xu Jin no longer concealed anything—he told Qi Shanye everything that had occurred today.

“Yangdu Prefecture, Autumn Leaf Lake, Thousand Leaves Island, Worship of the Stars Cult? Could there be a Fifth-Grade presence?”

“When do you plan to rescue them? I’ll act—even if there’s a Fifth-Grade expert, it won’t be a problem.”

Xu Jin hadn’t expected—he’d been planning to ask Qi Shanye for help rescuing his sister—but Qi Shanye had already decided to act, claiming he could handle a Fifth-Grade expert.

This made Xu Jin extremely happy.

This master was truly a master.

“My plan is as soon as possible. I killed Zhao Weiqing of the Zhao household; it won’t take long before Thousand Leaves Island learns of it,” Xu Jin said.

“That’s true. Then we can depart soon—arrive after midnight.”

Here, Qi Shanye suddenly frowned. “But there’s one issue that must be properly resolved.”

“Master, please speak.”

“My identity is easily linked to you. If I intervene too often, my identity may be exposed.

If my identity is exposed and tied to you, it will bring you catastrophic disaster.

So, we still need to find another person—I’ll secretly help you eliminate the experts you can’t handle.” Qi Shanye said.

Hearing this, Xu Jin’s heart sharply chilled.

Fortunately, Qi Shanye had thought carefully—he hadn’t even considered this point himself.

“If you don’t have a suitable person, I’ll find someone else. Though this person is highly trustworthy, our connection still carries exposure risk,” Qi Shanye said.

After thinking, Xu Jin decided to find someone himself.

Qi Shanye was decent, not a wicked demon—but the Heavenly Sun Star Palace had branded him a demon. If Xu Jin’s connection to Qi Shanye was exposed, it would bring him utter ruin.

“Alright, go. I’ll wait. Don’t reveal my existence. Don’t mention the Fifth-Grade presence at Autumn Leaf Lake if you can help it,” Qi Shanye advised.

“Understood.”

A few minutes later, Xu Jin held an umbrella and arrived at Ning Yuchan’s courtyard gate.

Before knocking, he hesitated.

This mission might anger the Marquis of Yangdu; more likely, it would make him a mortal enemy of the Worship of the Stars Cult.

The Worship of the Stars Cult and the Blood God Cult were ancient evil sects, spanning thousands of years; despite repeated crackdowns by empires and star palaces, they remained active.

Xu Jin himself feared the trouble of exposure from his link to Qi Shanye—what about Ning Yuchan?

This matter, if mishandled, could bring her great trouble.

Suddenly, Xu Jin hesitated—he felt he couldn’t drag Ning Yuchan into this.

Ning Yuchan truly cared for him.

Maybe he should take the risk alone.

If Qi Shanye was exposed, he alone would bear all consequences—don’t let Ning Yuchan be harmed.

“You’ve been standing here for a while—why not come in?” Ning Yuchan’s voice suddenly came—she stood at the courtyard gate, holding an umbrella, leaning on her cane, watching Xu Jin.

He had just decided to leave—her sudden appearance startled him.

What should he say?

“Uh, Master, I—I came to return the silver.”

Xu Jin quickly found an excuse, thinking on his feet.

“Come in.”

In the rain, Ning Yuchan invited Xu Jin into her room for the first time.

Her courtyard was much larger than Xu Jin’s, with very simple furnishings: a small table, two chairs, a desk, a few books.

What stood out were two ceramic vases—one on the small table, one on the desk—each holding several unfamiliar flowers and herbs, likely wild blooms and grasses, yellow petals and green leaves, giving a very soothing impression.

“Speak. What’s this about?” Ning Yuchan asked.

“Master, I’ve come to return the silver.”

Xu Jin quickly pulled out the oiled paper bundle and began counting the silver notes.

How much did he owe Ning Yuchan?

It should be 6,600 taels—he quickly counted.

Thud!

Suddenly, Ning Yuchan’s iron cane came down, pressing on the silver notes Xu Jin was counting.

“Tell me. What’s this about?”

“Master, I really came to return—”

“You’re nervous.”

Ning Yuchan stared at Xu Jin with wide, almond-shaped eyes. “And you killed someone today.” Xu Jin was speechless.

How could everyone tell he’d killed someone tonight?

“Master, how did you know I killed someone?” Xu Jin asked curiously.

“Your boots carry a faint scent of blood,” Ning Yuchan said.

Xu Jin looked down and suddenly understood.

After finishing tonight’s business and returning, he had changed all his clothes—except the Crocodile Hide Armor and the Wind-Chasing Boots.

“Speak,” Ning Yuchan retracted her iron cane and said softly, “if you still call me Master.”

With things said this far, Xu Jin no longer hid anything.

If he kept hiding, he’d lose this teacher.

He told her everything, but omitted the information about Old Qi and the fifth-rank expert.

Still, Xu Jin emphasized, “Master, the real danger is this: whether we draw the ire of the Yangdu Marquis or the Worshipers of the Dipper Cult—”

“—it’ll bring trouble to me, is that it?” Ning Yuchan sneered.

Suddenly, Ning Yuchan spun like a whirlwind, her iron cane slicing down with a rush of wind—yet it halted just above Xu Jin’s forehead before he could even blink in shock.

“First, if you’re afraid it’ll bring me trouble, you don’t see me as your teacher!”

“Second, over fifteen hundred young girls—and all you thought of was your sister?”

Xu Jin froze, speechless.

It was true.

He hadn’t really considered anyone else.

But then again, Xu Jin was just an ordinary man—he risked death to save his sister.

To consider others? Even if he wanted to, he lacked the ability.

“Master, I don’t have that ability.”

“Add me, and now you do!”

With that, Ning Yuchan retracted her cane. “Go. Prepare. Find a boat first. Meet me at the west city dock in half an hour.”

“Get them out before dawn.”

Xu Jin had wanted to say more, but then he thought: Ning Yuchan was decisive and confident, and behind her stood Old Qi to handle the experts—what was there to fear?

Fear nothing!

He answered and turned to leave, but Ning Yuchan called him back.

Xu Jin turned, puzzled.

“Take the silver notes,” Ning Yuchan nodded toward him.

“Master, these are the silver I owe you—I was planning to repay—”

“I know. Repay me after you cultivate the Star Core,” Ning Yuchan gave a clear deadline.

Since Ning Yuchan was so straightforward, Xu Jin had no reason to dawdle—he tucked the silver notes away and turned to prepare.

After Xu Jin left, Ning Yuchan pondered a moment, then pulled out the Star-Picking Token. Moments later, a long message of starlight was sent.

Half an hour later, when Ning Yuchan arrived at the west city dock, Xu Jin had already borrowed two Thundering Boats using his Patrol Star Guard Commander’s badge from the River Patrol Office.

Thundering Boats were a unique type of small vessel belonging to the River Patrol Office.

Leather was fixed to the bow and stern to reinforce the hull, allowing it to withstand high speeds; at the rear, a wheel made of Starfall Iron was added—barely qualifying as a semi-Star Weapon.

When going downstream, Star Force could flow directly through the Starfall Iron wheel to accelerate and control direction, propelling the boat at high speed.

When going upstream, the wheel could be activated to break through the water—though Star Force consumption was higher.

But the speed was fast.

Downstream, it could cover a hundred li per hour; upstream, still over sixty li per hour. The drawback: limited capacity—usually four or five people, eight at absolute maximum.

“Let’s go.”

Seeing Xu Jin already ready, Ning Yuchan tapped her cane, boarded the boat, and took the helm herself. Star Force surged—and the Thundering Boat shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

“Master, didn’t you prepare anything else?” Xu Jin asked, eyeing Ning Yuchan in her tight-fitting attire with her iron cane.

Mainly because her appearance was too distinctive.

Even if she covered her face, someone would recognize her.

A long spear planted on the deck might’ve been better.

“You’re afraid I’ll be recognized?” Ning Yuchan, standing on the light boat with wind whipping her hair, laughed aloud, “Xu Jin, when have you ever seen a cat afraid of mice?”

“Remember—we are the authorities. The Worshipers of the Dipper Cult are bandits!”

“They should fear us—not the other way around!”

Otherwise, why would they carry out their schemes in remote mountains and wilds instead of coming straight to the Juncheng?”

“Don’t worry!”

Xu Jin nodded, but inwardly sighed helplessly.

To say she was reckless? No—she’d seen things.

To say she was cautious? Yet here they were, in a single light boat, charging straight into the Worshipers’ lair.

Truly—her spirit soared to the heavens!

Xu Jin felt that in this regard, Ning Yuchan was more of a man than he was.

He, on the other hand, was overly cautious.

Fortunately, Old Qi was covering their backs—he had departed by boat fifteen minutes ago.

The light boat glided downstream, Ning Yuchan steering, leaving Xu Jin with nothing to do.

Xu Jin sat cross-legged at the bow, channeling most of his Star Force into the Star-Seeking Altar, secretly activating the Drink-the-Glow Technique to restore his Star Force.

Repeatedly, when his Spirit Power was drained, he swallowed a Spirit-Reviving Pill.

By the time the light boat entered Autumn Leaf Lake, Xu Jin had already channeled three strands of starlight into the Star-Seeking Altar.

These three strands were the ones he had received from his Star Worship after midnight—his Star-Seeking Altar now held nine strands of starlight, enough to handle any surprises.

“Master, shall I take the helm while you recover?” Xu Jin asked.

“No need.”

The light boat surged into Autumn Leaf Lake, heading straight for Thousand Leaf Island.

This made Xu Jin anxious.

“Master, shouldn’t we sneak in?” he asked.

“Do you think we can sneak in?” Ning Yuchan suddenly said.

“What do you mean?” Xu Jin was confused.

“Xu Jin, how do you think the Worshipers of the Dipper Cult have survived for over a thousand years despite being hunted for so long by all the Star Palaces and nations?”

“Luck?”

“No. Caution!”

“The Worshipers of the Dipper Cult survive through absolute caution,” Ning Yuchan answered before Xu Jin could reply.

“We’ve already seen Thousand Leaf Island—only twenty or thirty li away. If they haven’t noticed us yet, they’d have been wiped out long ago.”

Xu Jin fell silent.

Clearly, he still lacked street experience.

“The moment we turned from the Jinsha River into the Qiuye tributary, the Worshipers spotted us. By the time we entered Autumn Leaf Lake, every member on Thousand Leaf Island already knew we were here,” Ning Yuchan said.

“Already discovered?” Xu Jin’s scalp prickled—he’d just been thinking of sneaking in. “Then what now?”

“What else? Charge the mountain!”

“Below Star Core cultivation, you handle it. Above Star Core, I’ll handle it. Dare you?”

“How could I not dare!” Xu Jin immediately puffed out his chest.

At the same moment, Ning Yuchan pointed toward the flickering torches rising from the massive island silhouette. “Look—they’re waiting for us on shore.”

“Waiting?”

“They’ve already confirmed our numbers, even our basic cultivation levels—they’ve sized us up completely.”

“They’re not afraid. They believe they can handle us, so they wait on shore,” Ning Yuchan said.

“When? How did I miss it?” Xu Jin gasped.

“What’s your cultivation level? How could you possibly notice?”

“Keep cultivating—you’ve got a long way to go.”

Ning Yuchan laughed, then suddenly grabbed the back of Xu Jin’s neck and leapt into the air. Starlight exploded beneath her feet as she shot toward shore like a falling star.

Almost simultaneously, two streaks of starlight erupted from the shore, rushing toward Ning Yuchan.

In that instant, Xu Jin’s mind held only two words.

So reckless!

(End of Chapter)