Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 20: Chapter 17 Whatʼs the Point of Cultivation Then

Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu was slightly annoyed.

In just 15 minutes, he had been interrupted twice, and the second interruption was from a young man who had just performed ”Star Pointing.”

However, under the scrutiny of the public, he still needed to maintain his image.

Upon realizing it was Xu Jin, who had just had his talent evaluation upgraded by the Mountain Master, Feng Shuʼs expression darkened slightly.

”Xu Jin? I didnʼt ask you, what do you have to say?” While expressing his dissatisfaction, Feng Shu still gave Xu Jin a chance to speak, considering the public setting.

”Vice Mountain Master Feng, the third rule for selecting disciples into the Middle Court of the Taoist Institute is that a Level C evaluation and a breakthrough to the First Layer of Dining Dawn by the end of ʼStar Pointing Seasonʼ qualifies one for selection, right?” Xu Jin asked.

”Yes. But you are only C—”

Before he could finish his thought, Feng Shu suddenly realized he had been negligent; he had been preoccupied with reading the list and forgot about the Mountain Master casually mentioning this young manʼs talent evaluation.

This was somewhat embarrassing.

In the selection rules of the Taoist Institute, talent tier comes first, followed by cultivation progress.

Based on the list, Xu Jin had indeed broken through to the First Layer of Dining Dawn, but as a Low-Level C, he was overlooked since there were three disciples ahead of him who had also reached the First Layer of Dining Dawn with a High-Level C evaluation.

So, Xu Jin didnʼt even qualify to compete.

Thus, Feng Shu had not even mentioned it.

But just recently, Mountain Master Dong Zhao had personally upgraded Xu Jinʼs talent evaluation to High-Level C.

That meant Xu Jin was qualified, at least qualified enough to be mentioned by him.

Just now, while the Mountain Master was upgrading Xu Jinʼs evaluation, he was distracted by the issues concerning Mountain Master Dong Zhaoʼs decisions.

And Xu Jinʼs statement about having an ʼobjectionʼ publicly highlighted his oversight, adding to his embarrassment besides his dissatisfaction.

”Hehe, that was an oversight on my part!”

Who doesnʼt make a mistake?

With an awkward laugh, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu openly admitted his error and then said, ”So, according to our Taoist Instituteʼs rules, the last spot, Luo Geng, Hong Gang, Fang Zixing, Xu Jin, all reached the First Layer of Dining Dawn, but among these four, only Luo Geng...”

Mid-sentence, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shuʼs voice suddenly paused, and a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead—he almost neglected it again.

Thankfully, his cautious habit made him take another look.

Otherwise, the first oversight might be excusable, since for many years he had been strictly adhering to the list, and only followed it, and Xu Jinʼs evaluation was upgraded on the spot.

But if he overlooked it a second time, he would indeed be labeled as careless.

Fortunately, he noticed it.

Xu Jinʼs name, submitted by Ning Yuchan in the ʼStar Pointingʼ record, was highlighted in red just like Luo Gengʼs, but previously with a Low-Level C evaluation, it wasnʼt noticeable.

Those marked in red indicated the manifestation of a basic ʼStar Skill,ʼ and if he had continued with his previous thinking, it would have been another mistake.

”Only Luo Geng and Xu Jin manifested the basic Star Shield skill. So, the last spot in the Middle Court will be between Luo Geng and Xu Jin.”

Nearby, Luo Gengʼs heart that had just settled was anxious again.

Xu Jin also felt a relief in his heart, glad to be included finally.

However, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu continued, ”According to the rules of our Jinshan Taoist Institute, when talent evaluations and cultivation levels are identical, preference is given by selecting the superior one.

The primary factor for preference is the number of days in ʼStar Pointing.ʼ Luo Geng took 62 days and Xu Jin 83 days. The superior one is evident—it should be Luo Geng!

This last Middle Court spot should belong to Luo Geng!”

At these words, Luo Geng was overjoyed while Xu Jin was stunned.

After all the effort and struggle, to be excluded just because of the number of days in ʼStar Pointing.ʼ

Does that mean, no matter how much he competes in the future, as long as his ʼStar Pointingʼ days are less than his competitors, he will always be a loser?

No!

Absolutely not!

On the Martial Arts Arena, after Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu finished speaking, he was about to open another page of the ʼStar Pointingʼ record to read the list of disciples entering the Outer Court. Once read, the ʼStar Pointingʼ evaluation would be concluded.

But Xu Jin made a decision at that moment.

Having come this far and already offended people, backing down now would be foolish.

But what Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu said was about the Instituteʼs rules, so he couldnʼt directly refute them.

Immediately, Xu Jin shouted, ”Vice Mountain Master Feng, I have an objection, I donʼt accept this!”

Being interrupted, Feng Shu frowned deeply, looking at Xu Jin with great dissatisfaction, ”The rules are as such, how dare you refute them! Act out again, and youʼll be directly expelled from the Taoist School!”

At this point, Xu Jin was all in; there was no reason to give up halfway.

”Vice Mountain Master Feng, esteemed elders, if so, why differentiate between Inner and Middle Court at all, why waste resources and time on cultivation, letʼs just decide combat encounters directly by the number of days in ʼStar Pointing.ʼ

A person with one day of ʼStar Pointingʼ could then become invincible in the world, what need would we have for cultivation!

Just slap a ʼTaoist Institute Certified One-Day Star Pointingʼ label on your forehead, and let all heroes and villains retreat.

Why bother with cultivation at all!”

At this statement, laughter and astonishment erupted instantly.

In the front row, Lu Xianbing couldnʼt help but turn back to look at Xu Jin. If anyone had the most grievances today, it had to be him, Lu Xianbing.

He and Zhou Du had the same talent evaluations and cultivation levels; why could Zhou Du enter the Inner Court while he could only enter the Middle Court?

Vice Mountain Master Fengʼs face suddenly turned the color of a pigʼs liver.

Not only was he extremely embarrassed by Xu Jinʼs public defiance, but more importantly, he was unable to refute.

Unable to refute Xu Jinʼs absurd argument, unable to refute Xu Jinʼs genius-like statements!

”How dare you! Where is the Star Patrol Guard!”

Feng Shu shouted angrily, the Starlight in his palm constantly fluctuating.

At that moment, Feng Shu wanted to kill Xu Jin with a single slap; how could this Star-pointing Season have produced such a reckless fool who disregarded his superiors?

Xu Jin stiffened his neck, he had to fight.

If he didnʼt fight, he couldnʼt pay off his debts!

If he didnʼt fight, his family might be ruined!

”Ah, old Feng, calm down!” Mountain Master Dong Zhaoʼs chuckling voice rang out.

Beside the Martial Arts Arena, Ning Yuchanʼs heart, which had been hanging, now relaxed, her crutches slightly eased; she had truly feared that the angry Vice Mountain Master Feng would physically reprimand Xu Jin.

If that had happened, she would have had no choice but to intervene.

”Mountain Master, this... this childʼs bewitching words should get him directly expelled from the Taoist Institute!” Feng Shu suppressed his anger and exclaimed.

”Bewitching words?”

Mountain Master Dong Zhao laughed heartily and looked toward Dean Cao Chun, ”Is that so?”

”According to the Instituteʼs rules, aside from statements that disregard the fundamental laws of humanity, one should not be punished for their words!”

Dean Cao Chunʼs response made Mountain Master Dong Zhaoʼs smile broaden, while Vice Mountain Master Fengʼs expression turned even uglier.

Feng Shu knew he had really stumbled badly today.

Xu Jinʼs rebuttal might have been a minor issue, but Mountain Master Dong Zhao had successfully used this incident to undercut his prestige and even his popularity.

Considering this, the rumors that Dong Zhao was leaving might very well be true.

Then who would his successor be?

”Then itʼs not bewitching words, letʼs discuss the matter at hand.”

Mountain Master Dong Zhao smiled, ”Old Feng, you take a rest first, donʼt get upset with these young people. Itʼs good for the youth to have some fight and spirit in them.”

”Mountain Master, I...”

Feng Shu wanted to say something more, but Mountain Master Dong Zhao slightly exerted force in his palm, pressing Feng Shu back into his seat.

”Actually, what Xu Jin said is also correct. The number of days in Star Pointing is the most important basis for evaluating a personʼs cultivation talent, but not everything should be judged by Star Pointing days.

Otherwise, as Xu Jin said, why bother with our arduous cultivation and deep comprehension, if comparing Star Pointing days would settle it all?”

Mountain Master Dong Zhao indirectly affirmed Xu Jinʼs statement, and the Vice Mountain Master Feng, who had just sat down, looked even more displeased.

”Yuchan, you are the Chief Instructor for this Star-pointing Season; you understand the situation best. You take charge of this last slot, and the four of us will judge.”

Everyone thought Mountain Master Dong Zhao would make a decision, but instead, he handed the matter over to Ning Yuchan.

Ning Yuchan bowed respectfully to take the command, pondered for a moment, and then made a decision.

She was somewhat close to Xu Jin, but she would definitely not show favoritism.

Moreover, since the Mountain Master had handed this matter to her to preside over, with the final decision to be made by the four top leaders of the Institute, it was essentially about upholding the Instituteʼs rules and avoiding public criticism.

”Mountain Master, Vice Mountain Master, Dean, Governor, both Xu Jin and Luo Geng are now rated C + in talent, both are at the First Layer of Dining Dawn, breaking through one after the other within a day, with not much difference in cultivation level.

According to our Instituteʼs regulations, the better candidate should be selected.

Thus, the only remaining options are actual combat and mastery of the Five Battles Killing Fist.

Since actual combat has not been taught by the Institute, using it for selection wouldnʼt be fair.

Letʼs decide who enters the Middle Court based on their proficiency in the Five Battles Killing Fist.

Let them each perform a set of Five Battles Killing Fist, then let the four of you judge, how about that?” Ning Yuchan requested permission.

”It could work.” Mountain Master Dong Zhao looked at Vice Mountain Master Feng, ”Old Feng, what do you think?”

”Itʼs acceptable!”

This solution was fair by all standards; the martial skills were clear for all to see, even Mountain Master Dong Zhao couldnʼt overtly favor anyone, so Feng Shu naturally agreed.

”Itʼs acceptable!”

”Itʼs acceptable!”

Dean Cao Chun and Tian Zhang sequentially agreed.

Upon this declaration, Luo Gengʼs confidence soared.

Xu Jin had only been practicing Five Battles Killing Fist for seven days, while he had been practicing for twenty-eight days, not to mention that he also had an uncle who was a flag master personally guiding him on the subtleties; in the mastery of Five Battles Killing Fist, he was extremely confident.

Not to mention Xu Jin, even a youth rated B - couldnʼt match him!

”Luo Geng, Xu Jin, do either of you have any objections?”

”None!”

”None!”

”Then who will go first?” Ning Yuchan asked.

”Iʼll go first!” Luo Geng jumped out, brimming with confidence.