Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 12: Chapter 9 Adding Flowers and Sending Charcoal

”Xu Jin, itʼs you again?”

After finishing her shift and just about to clean up, Ning Yuchan was surprised to find Xu Jin at her door.

Why has this kid been coming by so frequently these past couple of days?

Despite her curiosity, she still let Xu Jin into the courtyard. As an instructor at the Taoist Institute, she felt a sense of responsibility towards these young people.

”Whatʼs the matter, do you have any doubts about your cultivation?” Seated back on the stone bench and placing her silver crutch aside, Ning Yuchan asked.

”Instructor, I found that when I take Blood Replenishing Pills and Solid Foundation Pills during Body Refining, my cultivation progress is very good, possibly more than half faster than the others. Is this normal?” Xu Jin inquired.

Ning Yuchan looked up, her expression somewhat startled.

The last question ʼIs this normal?ʼ caught her off guard.

She had thought Xu Jin might be flaunting his successful cultivation progress of the day, which was understandable for a young person.

But this last question made her wonder if Xu Jin was doubting whether something was wrong with himself.

”Itʼs normal. The pace of cultivation with pills is definitely a bit faster.”

”But mine seems excessively fast. I feel like my one-day Body Refining progress has already surpassed several weeks of progress by my senior brothers in the Star Pointing process.” Seeing that Ning Yuchan followed his train of thought, Xu Jin continued subtly.

”There are times when some individuals progress in Body Refining much faster than most.”

Ning Yuchan gave a noncommittal reply, not daring to voice some of her own conjectures.

When reviewing Xu Jinʼs Body Refining progress after the evening class, she had thought carefully about this issue.

Generally speaking, someone who took eighty-three days for Star Pointing could not possibly have such a fast Body Refining speed, unless, of course, one used more and higher-grade pills.

But this young man clearly lacked the financial means.

Could it be that Xu Jinʼs true talents had been obscured by his congenital heart condition, which caused him to nearly die during several Star Pointing attempts?

This possibility was significant.

The reason she didnʼt mention it was because the speed of Star Pointing involved the upcoming assessment of cultivation talent levels, with the duration of Star Pointing being the main criterion.

This included both the Taoist Institute and Star Hall, which considered the number of days spent on Star Pointing as the primary factor.

This is because the number of days spent on Star Pointing is indisputable and least affected by external forces, making it difficult to cheat.

If you dare use any other standard for reference, noble families will immediately pile up resources to influence the results.

Xu Jinʼs case was exceedingly rare.

At least in Jinshan Taoist Institute in Jinshan County, there had been no such case in nearly a century of Star-pointing Seasons.

But if it were true, could Xu Jinʼs real cultivation talent compare to the current Star Pointing First, Yue Daqi?

Unfortunately, each person could only perform Star Pointing once, and the achieved results could not be altered by anyone.

Otherwise, Xu Jin could easily enter the Inner Court of the Taoist Institute like Yue Daqi and might even be selected for the National Taoist Institute or a Star Hall.

Even if he couldnʼt enter the Inner Court, Xu Jinʼs future cultivation speed should be faster than that of other young people, perhaps significantly faster.

At least in the Dining Dawn Realm, even the probability of reaching Star Casting would be a little higher.

”Perhaps after the Star-pointing Season ends, I can mention this situation to the Mountain Master.”

Ning Yuchan had already thought of a plan, and Xu Jin spoke up again.

”Instructor, youʼve said before that the quicker oneʼs cultivation realm advances, the more cultivation resources one obtains.”

”Yes,” Ning Yuchan nodded.

”Instructor, have you also said that the higher the cultivation realm, the more silver one can earn?”

”Of course.”

Ning Yuchan nodded, ”After the Star-pointing Season ends, you all can decide whether to stay or go. Even if you join the Outer Court of the Taoist Institute, doing chores while cultivating, thereʼs a monthly salary of three taels of silver. If you break through to the first layer of the Dining Dawn Realm, the monthly salary directly increases to five taels, and you could even earn some extra on the side.

Earning silver is indeed quick.”

”Instructor, what about joining the Middle Court of the Taoist Institute?” Xu Jin asked.

”The Middle Court, ah, the benefits there are even better. Not to mention starting at ten taels of silver a month, but also two Mental Awakening Pills each month,” Ning Yuchan said.

Xu Jinʼs eyes suddenly lit up; the benefits of the Middle Court were indeed high, a full four times that of the Outer Court.

And the Inner Court?

Xu Jin didnʼt ask; inquiring further would be overreaching and might cause irritation.

”Instructor, do you think I have a chance to enter the Middle Court? I want to earn more silver,” Xu Jin straightforwardly stated his purpose.

Ning Yuchan was slightly taken aback, sizing up Xu Jin carefully. To be honest, if her speculation were true, Xu Jin could enter not just the Middle Court, but even the Inner Court.

But having achieved Star Pointing only in eighty-three days was a solid fact, irrefutable evidence.

Even if she reported these circumstances to the Mountain Master of the Taoist Institute, given his nature, he would at most secretly keep a closer watch on Xu Jin but absolutely would not break the Instituteʼs rules for him.

If they broke the rules for Xu Jin, how would they manage thereafter?

Ning Yuchan slowly shook her head, ”Xu Jin, the Taoist Instituteʼs rules dictate that only those with a B-rating, who complete Star Pointing within fifty days, can directly enter the Middle Court.”

Sensing that this might be discouraging for Xu Jin, Ning Yuchan added, ” However, if you diligently cultivate, thereʼs still a chance for you to enter the Middle Court in the future.”

Xu Jinʼs eyes, which had dimmed a moment before, brightened slightly, ”Instructor, are there certain conditions?”

”For a Level C-rating, anyone who breaks through to the first layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of the Star-pointing Season, or reaches the Fifth Layer within three months after the end of the season, or contributes Great Merit to the Taoist Institute or Jinshan County can be considered for entry into the Middle Court,” Ning Yuchan explained.

”Instructor, I want to join the Middle Court,” Xu Jin suddenly stated.

Ning Yuchan looked up at Xu Jin, noticing his determination. She did not pour cold water on him, instead offering encouragement, ”Given your current pace of cultivation, as long as you do not slack and have a bit of help from pills, it is possible for you to break through to the Fifth Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm within three months after the season ends. Then, you can...”

”No, thatʼs too slow!

Instructor, I want to join the Middle Court right when the Star-pointing Season ends!

I want to earn silver faster,” Xu Jin stated very directly.

Ning Yuchan slowly shook her head, ”You only succeeded in Star Pointing after eighty-three days, Iʼm afraid...”

”Instructor, there are six more days until the Star-pointing Season ends, and I want to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of the Star-pointing Season, so I can join the Middle Court,” Xu Jin stated his goals and plans once again.

”This...” Ning Yuchan shook her head, ”Iʼm afraid thatʼs not very likely. Even the First Yue Daqi of this yearʼs Star Pointing took nine days to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm. You have only six days left; itʼs not very likely.”

”Instructor, then tell me, with the speed of my Body Refining today, is it possible for me to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm in six days?” Xu Jin asked.

”Maintaining todayʼs pace of Body Refining is not entirely impossible...”

Ning Yuchan pondered, if Xu Jin could maintain todayʼs pace of Body Refining, then it was indeed possible for him to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm in six days; however, the consumption involved...

In an instant, Ning Yuchan understood.

She realized why this young man came looking for her this evening and why he had beaten around the bush with so many words.

It must be for the following purpose.

Nine out of ten times, he came to borrow silver for Cultivation.

Once she thought it through, Ning Yuchan suddenly found this young man in front of her not only bold but also quite interesting.

A student proactively seeking to borrow silver from an instructor for Cultivation was unheard of.

She had seen instructors teaching and even sponsoring students, but students coming to borrow a significant amount of silver, and doing so upfront, was indeed a first.

”Instructor, I need to earn silver as quickly as possible.”

As soon as Xu Jin opened his mouth, he slightly surprised Ning Yuchan, who had thought that his next words would be to ask to borrow silver.

”Instructor, although my father and my sister have never mentioned it in front of me, I know theyʼve not only spent all the savings of our household to help me Star Point, but also taken on a heavy amount of external debt to cure my Innate heart disease.

Especially the Mental Awakening Pill that my father asked you to buy yesterday, Iʼm guessing he must have borrowed usurious silver notes; otherwise, he wouldnʼt have been able to get those fifty taels of silver.

Usury can bleed one dry and claim lives.

If itʼs delayed, itʼs disaster for the household!

Now that Iʼve succeeded in Star Pointing, I must earn silver quickly to fill this gap and earn some more so that my father can enjoy some good fortune, to let my sister have some better days.

Instructor, I ask for your help!” As he spoke, Xu Jin bowed deeply to Ning Yuchan.

Although kneeling to borrow silver was something Xu Jin couldnʼt bring himself to do,

having been hammered by society, bending the knee to borrow silver was something Xu Jin could manage.

Watching Xu Jin bow deeply, Ning Yuchan felt a mix of emotions.

His words made her see this young man in a new light.

She knew Xu Dajiang, who had made great sacrifices for Xu Jin; that little girl named Xu Jiang, she had also met a few times, sensible and adorable.

Xu Jin, after Star Pointing, having such thoughts, didnʼt let Xu Dajiangʼs efforts be in vain; he took responsibility.

He was a real man.

Initially, Ning Yuchan intended to refuse, as she was only an instructor. If each and every youngster came to her for help, she would bankrupt herself even if she wanted to.

But Xu Jinʼs words changed her mind.

Moreover, if Xu Jinʼs Cultivation talent truly was held back by his Innate heart disease, what then of his potential future achievements...

”Speak, how do you want me to help you?” Ning Yuchan pondered for a while, finally speaking.

Xu Jin was inwardly overjoyed. Ning Yuchanʼs words meant that his venture for investment (a loan) had found some hope.

”Instructor, I would like to borrow one hundred taels of silver, so I can purchase Pills to maintain my current pace of Body Refining, and strive to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of Star-pointing Season.

If the instructor could lend me one hundred taels of silver, I would forever be grateful for your great kindness and even the life-saving grace to my family. One year from now, I will repay you with two hundred taels,” Xu Jin said.

When borrowing money, not only must you lower your pride, but also provide a definite repayment date.

That was Xu Jinʼs experience from a previous life.

Those who said they would repay the amount in a few days or weeks generally required you to chase them for the money.

After speaking, Xu Jin added, ”Instructor, I will write an IOU.”

Ning Yuchan took another careful look at Xu Jin and made her judgment.

Based on her past understanding and her observations today, Xu Jin was a filial person, a person of integrity.

Today, he showed responsibility.

Not only was he daring in his actions, but he also had clear and logical reasoning.

In the future, he might achieve something remarkable.

If she lent the silver, it was akin to providing timely help.

As the saying goes, itʼs easy to add flowers to the brocade but difficult to send charcoal in the snow.

”Mm, responsible, filial, and I would say righteous; I like that!

Iʼll lend you the one hundred taels of silver,” Ning Yuchan said as she took out a silver note from her robes and handed it to Xu Jin, ”Itʼs from Sitong Bank, keep it safe.”

Xu Jin quickly accepted it and thanked her again, ”Thank you, instructor, for the help. A year from now, double...”

”No need!” Ning Yuchan interrupted Xu Jinʼs words directly, ”Just return the principal after a year; thereʼs no need for the interest, remember that you owe me a favor.”

”This...”

”Hmm, you donʼt want to owe me a favor?” Ning Yuchanʼs gaze suddenly turned sharp.

”How could I not? If possible, I would rather owe a few more such favors right now,” Xu Jin said with a wry smile. ”Instructor, then I shall write an IOU.”

”No need. Within Jinshan County, there arenʼt many who would dare not to repay a debt owed to me, Ning Yuchan,” she declared confidently, her head held high.