Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 6: Chapter 3 Candou Platform_2

But Xu Jin didnʼt run, which didnʼt mean Xu Jin was resigned to his fate.

The first to rush over, a few county guards perhaps looking for glory, were ferocious as they pounced directly toward him.

Xu Jin held up the waist badge of the Jinshan Taoist Institute high and shouted, ”I am Xu Jin, a disciple of the Jinshan Taoist Institute!”

Donʼt think that just because it takes fifty taels of silver to participate in Star Pointing, the threshold seems low.

But most of the middle and lower officers within the county guard of the entire Jinshan County, including government constables, mostly come from the Jinshan Taoist Institute.

Similar to alumni.

This identity still has some use.

Indeed, as Xu Jin shouted loudly and raised the waist badge of the institute, those ferocious county guards suddenly stopped, instead turning to look behind.

”Captain Qu, he says he is a disciple of the institute.”

”A fellow disciple?”

The team leader, Qu Gui, in the middle of the squad, took just three steps, crossing a distance of more than ten meters to reach Xu Jin. While sizing Xu Jin up, his expression changed from stern to a smile, ”Which institute are you from, fellow disciple?”

Xu Jin hastily performed the formal bowing gesture of the institute, ”Iʼve seen you, senior brother. I am a disciple from this seasonʼs Star Pointing at the institute.”

”This seasonʼs Star Pointing disciples?” Qu Gui stared at Xu Jin and soon understood, his expression turning cold.

The disciples of Star Pointing Season werenʼt actually considered true inhabitants of the institute until they had successfully completed Star Pointing.

But looking at the badge, he was indeed an authentic disciple of the institute, so he couldnʼt just turn hostile.

”Isnʼt now the time for evening classes? Fellow disciple, why are you wandering around the city instead of attending classes?” This question was a routine inquiry.

In a flash, many excuses passed through Xu Jinʼs mind, but none could withstand scrutiny. In the end, he honestly said, ”The Star Pointing Season is ending. I failed to complete Star Pointing, felt depressed, and just came out to clear my mind.”

Looking at Xu Jin, Qu Guiʼs expression turned completely cold, and annoyance brewed in his mind.

You, a hopeless Star Pointer, how dare you claim to be his fellow disciple?

Thereafter, Qu Gui had no desire whatsoever to speak with Xu Jin, his face full of disgust.

”Take him away, send him to the Star Patrol Guard of the institute for identity verification.”

Upon finishing, he left with most of the county guards.

As they left, those ferocious county guards looked at Xu Jin with some envy.

Unfortunately, this guy had a waist badge from the institute, otherwise, for a suspect captured on the streets like him, they could have squeezed at least three taels of silver out of him.

After all, an opportunity like a citywide search for evil demons was rare.

Xu Jin felt embarrassed but at the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Temporarily safe.

Half an hour later, Xu Jin was escorted by two county guards to the Star Patrol Guardʼs station adjacent to the institute. Xu Jin was received by Cui Tianqi, a bearded man with a face full of whiskers and the flag master of the Star Patrol Guard. Without making any identification, Cui Tianqi immediately launched into a scolding.

”When I taught Star Martial, I reminded you countless times that whether itʼs Star Pointing, Star Martial, or combat, you must never give up until the last moment!

Throughout history, there have been many who succeeded in Star Pointing at the very last moment when the Star Pattern vanished.

And you, failing to complete Star Pointing, go out to clear your mind because youʼre feeling distressed?

How can you be so weak?”

Cui Tianqi poked Xu Jinʼs forehead several times, directly knocking Xu Jin to the ground, which made Cui Tianqi grin showing his teeth.

Arenʼt you too weak?

”Instructor Cui, Iʼm sorry!”

This Cui Tianqi, one of the instructors teaching Star Martial at the institute, certainly remembered the frail Xu Jin.

”Hurry up and go, there are still several days until Star Pointing ends, donʼt give up!”

Xu Jin thanked him and left, while Cui Tianqiʼs voice echoed from behind, ”Donʼt wander around these days. There are traces of evil demons within the county, and we are actively searching.”

Xu Jin turned around and thanked him before leaving, feeling relieved again.

So, there were traces of evil demons in the county, not because he was performing star exorcism.

Returning to the large communal bedroom, the other teenagers were still in evening classes, so it was empty and very quiet.

After calming himself down a bit, Xu Jin decided to take this opportunity to study the Candou Platform.

Every day one prays, and one netting of Starlight follows?

How do you pray?

In the bedroom, Xu Jin performed the steps of the star exorcism ritual as before, facing the direction of the North Dipper Nine Stars, silently reciting the sacrificial text and making a bow.

No movement.

He then moved to the back of the dormitory where it was empty.

He bowed a few more times.

Still no movement.

Xu Jin was flabbergasted.

Could this so-called daily worship involve opening a ritual for star exorcism every time just to obtain a thread of starlight?

Wouldnʼt that be life-threatening?

Trouble isnʼt feared.

The problem is that incense, jade, and oil lamps arenʼt cheap, and Xu Jin didnʼt have enough silver to prepare another set.

Save up, but for how long?

This time, it was only thanks to his father, Xu Dajiang, that he had gathered enough silver.

Frowning, Xu Jin closed his eyes again. The Candou Platform appeared in his mind, a Star Lamp shining brightly.

Could it be that he was to worship here?

But how could he perform the star worship ritual here?

The moment this thought emerged, right in the middle of the Candou Platform, a vague, cross-legged silhouette suddenly appeared.

Or rather, this shadow had always been there; it was just that Xu Jin hadnʼt noticed it before.

Who was this?

”This seems like me?” Xu Jin suddenly understood.

The next moment, Xu Jinʼs mind shifted, and the vague, cross-legged shadow suddenly stood up, holding the jade in hand, and bowed towards the sky while standing on the platform.

Suddenly, a glow appeared above the Candou Platform.

A thread of starlight.

”Daily worship yields a thread of starlight?”

Xu Jin began to understand.

But what could this starlight be used for?

Could it be used for cultivation?

This was the first thing Xu Jin thought of.

But he didnʼt dare to experiment recklessly at this point; who knew what might happen.

Outside they were actively searching for evil demons.

The Taoist Instituteʼs evening class ran from 7:45 PM to midnight, a good three hours and fifteen minutes. After studying without results, Xu Jin silently tore up the letter left for Xu Dajiang, then lay down on his bed.

Having failed to return home, he needed to think carefully about his future in this life.

Or perhaps consider how to navigate this life.

In less than half an hour, his thoughts had cleared.

The first thing he needed to do was to try every means to cure his innate heart disease and stay alive, making sure he lived well.

To survive, the method was simple: continue cultivating, try every means to successfully perform Star Pointing, and see if through cultivation, he could completely heal his bodyʼs innate condition.

If he couldnʼt successfully perform Star Pointing, then Xu Jin would only have to rely on the meager medical knowledge he knew from his past life to extend his life span, which would probably be quite miserable.

The second task was to earn more silver.

Regardless of his past or present life, repaying kindness was a must.

To earn silver, he needed to repay Xu Dajiang, who had been good to him in this life, and to take good care of his gentle and caring sister, Xu Jiang.

Honestly speaking, having Xu Jiangʼer comb his hair was the most enjoyable thing for Xu Jin now, and it was also the most peaceful moment in both his past and present lives.

As for improving living conditions in this life, that was just something that would happen along the way.

The third task was to understand the usage of the Candou Platform without exposing himself; perhaps, this was key to establishing himself in this lifetime.

The bustling sounds of people pulled Xu Jin back from his reverie. Just as he pretended to fall asleep, his dormmate, Qian Xiaohu, nudged him, ”Brother Jin, Instructor Cripple Ning is calling for you.”

Xu Jin, pretending to sleep, rolled over and aimed a slap at the back of Qian Xiaohuʼs head, ”You little rascal, whereʼs your memory? You canʼt shout carelessly; thatʼs Instructor Ning.”

Because Instructor Ning was quite strict and often aggressive, many of the youths privately called him Cripple Ning.

Qian Xiaohu quickly made an apologetic smile, ”Isnʼt this just between us...”

”Not even in private!”

”By the way, do you know what Instructor Ning wants me for?” Xu Jin swiftly put on his shoes and got down from the bunk.

Qian Xiaohu, only sixteen, was kind-hearted but still young and ignorant. In several past instances when Xu Jin fell ill, it was Qian Xiaohu who had administered his medicine.

”I donʼt know.”

Tie Xiaohu shook his head, ”Instructor Ning said that as long as you can get up, she wants you to find her.”

This made Xu Jin a bit mystified.

He had reported sick leave during the evening class.

So late at night, what could Instructor Ning want with him?

To reprimand him?

Puzzled, Xu Jin swiftly left the dorm.