Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 22: Chapter 19: Discontention and Struggle

On the Martial Arts Arena, Ning Yuchan also wore a puzzled face.

”Have none of you any further objections?” This question, which she typically asked as a matter of routine, was directed at Luo Geng. Unexpectedly, it turned out there were indeed objections.

The others, including Mountain Master Dong Zhao, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu, Dean Cao Chun, Governor Tian Zhang, and all the instructors, also followed suit and looked towards the crowd below.

Todayʼs spring Star Pointing Conference assessment had been one issue after another.

Lu Xianbing!

In a moment, everyoneʼs gaze converged on Lu Xianbing, who had stepped forward to express his objections.

Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu watched the scene unfold with a trace of happiness.

What a good thing.

Even though objections couldnʼt change the outcome, they could certainly change the direction of the wind.

With other events to distract from the previous intense competition between Xu Jin and Luo Geng, at least his embarrassment wouldnʼt be as conspicuous.

The thought struck Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu, who was about to leave in shame, and he decided to remain.

”Lu Xianbing, Xu Jin and Luo Geng competed for a place in the Inner Court through martial learning; what is your objection?” Ning Yuchanʼs voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

You, Lu Xianbing, secured your spot early. Why are you causing trouble now?

There had been enough issues this Star-pointing Season.

”Chief Instructor Ning, I have no objections to Xu Jin winning the spot. My objections are to the previous Inner Court allocations!” Lu Xianbing said loudly.

Hearing this, Ning Yuchan was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Vice Mountain Master Feng, as he had handled this matter just earlier.

Although it had followed precedent, it was announced by the Vice Mountain Master.

Lu Xianbing knew opportunities to express objections were rare, and without waiting for the masters to ask further, he continued directly.

”I was inspired by Brother Xu Jin!”

While speaking, Lu Xianbing respectfully bowed and expressed his gratitude to Xu Jin.

”Honorable masters, Zhou Du achieved Star Pointing in twenty-one days, while I achieved it in twenty-nine days; both our talent assessments are graded A -. Zhou Du broke through to the Fifth Layer of the Dining Dawn three days ago, while I had already broken through four days ago.

If Zhou Du and I share the same talent grade and Cultivation Level, why is he admitted to the Inner Court and not me?”

Upon hearing this on the Martial Arts Arena, Feng Shu was taken aback, his expression growing even darker. This matter seemed to never end.

”Honorable masters, if the reason Zhou Du can enter the Inner Court and I cannot is because Zhou Du achieved Star Pointing in twenty-one days and I in twenty-nine days.

Then I echo the words of Brother Xu Jin.

If everything is to be ranked by the number of days taken to achieve Star Pointing, then why cultivate at all?

In future when patrolling the county city of Jinshan County, everyone might as well raise a sign showing their number of days for Star Pointing above their heads, and evil demons and bandits will be scared away—no need for cultivation!

And in the future, when defending our families and country, killing enemies on the battlefield, everyone can also raise signs showing their days of Star Pointing. Defeating invaders by comparing the number of Star Pointing days would suffice—why cultivate at all...”

Before Lu Xianbing could finish, many youngsters on the platform started to laugh.

The scene Lu Xianbing described was just too absurd.

While patrolling, instead of capturing thieves, they would flaunt the number of Star Pointing days.

On the battlefield, instead of drawing swords against the enemy, they would show off their Star Pointing days—the thought itself was indeed ridiculous.

”Enough!”

Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu, with a face dark as the bottom of a pot, thundered angrily, ”Lu Xianbing, what are you trying to do?”

”Vice Mountain Master, Iʼm not trying to do anything. I only seek fair treatment!

Instead of facing an enemy and losing the will to fight because they have achieved Star Pointing one day sooner than me, giving up without a struggle!” Lu Xianbing retorted strongly!

All the students fell silent.

The expressions of all the masters on the Martial Arts Arena also turned solemn.

If Xu Jinʼs previous actions were merely a dispute over treatment, then Lu Xianbingʼs statement was quite serious.

It hinted at challenging the rules of the Taoist Institute.

Essentially, Vice Mountain Master Feng hadnʼt done anything wrong today; he simply followed protocol, showing no favoritism—it was just bad luck to run into Xu Jin, a particularly thorny issue.

Yet now, he was being targeted again, which was infuriating.

Xu Jin, who had just stepped down from the Martial Arts Arena, was also stunned.

He certainly hadnʼt expected Lu Xianbing to pull such a stunt.

He had already offended the Vice Mountain Master enough, and there might be consequences to face in the future.

But now, with Lu Xianbingʼs outburst, and saying that it was inspired by him, this was essentially an utter and complete offense against Vice Mountain Master Feng.

A thorough one.

After pondering, Xu Jin felt he had to do something.

Reconciliation was impossible now.

The only option was to escalate the conflict.

Escalate it to the point where everyone was aware that if Vice Mountain Master Feng showed even the slightest unfair treatment towards Xu Jin, it would be regarded as retaliation against him.

Clap, clap, clap!

The monotonous yet loud applause rang out.

It was Xu Jin clapping for Lu Xianbingʼs speech.

Ning Yuchan pressed a hand to her forehead.

Whatʼs with this season of Star-pointing? Why were there always troublemakers emerging?

”Honorable masters, I do not know what you think, but today, the standards youʼve used to select candidates for the Inner and Middle Courts give me and Lu Xianbing the impression that itʼs like this.

Even if our talent evaluations are equal, even if our Cultivation Levels are equal, as long as one has fewer days for achieving Star Pointing than us, they will always be stronger than us.”

”After all that bitter cultivation, itʼs still the number of days at Star Pointing that determines oneʼs standing.”

”If thatʼs the case, then all the hard work is for nothing!”

”Then whatʼs the point of cultivating at all!” Xu Jin said.

On the Martial Arts Arena, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shuʼs chest heaved dramatically, and after perfunctorily overseeing the assessment, he was repeatedly humiliated by a few brats. If nobody was around, he would have likely killed them out of anger.

”Indeed, it makes me feel like all my hard work is for naught!

Since I, Lu Xianbing, succeeded at Star Pointing, I have attended my morning and evening classes without fail, rain or shine, and I dare not miss a single lesson in the Star Martial Six Arts.

Iʼve cultivated arduously to the Fifth Layer of Dining Dawn, spending all my spare time fiercely practicing the Five Battles Killing Fist and reflecting on its techniques, all for the chance to join the Inner Court of the Taoist Institute, in hopes of advancing further in my cultivation.

Yet to my disbelief, with equal talent and cultivation level, I still canʼt surpass others in the number of days at Star Pointing!

I am not convinced!

Therefore, I have a grievance!” Lu Xianbing finished speaking and then gave a respectful bow to the instructor on the stage, ”Iʼve voiced my grievance, now I await the instructorsʼ judgment!”

All the instructors on the platform turned their gazes towards Mountain Master Dong Zhao.

Despite everything, Mountain Master Dong Zhao still sported a beaming smile and, surprisingly, even applauded after listening!

”This is the temperament that a young person should possess!

If you feel injustice, you should speak up!

If youʼre unconvinced, you should challenge it!

Very well, since you, Lu Xianbing, feel aggrieved and unconvinced, then as the Mountain Master, Iʼll give you a chance!

You can compete with Zhou Du for the spot in the Inner Court!”

”Thank you, Mountain Master!” Lu Xianbing expressed his gratitude.

”Both you and Zhou Du have reached the Fifth Layer of Dining Dawn, so there are two ways you can compete. One is to demonstrate your Martial Learning separately, and we will judge the proficiency of your Five Battles Killing Fist. The other is actual combat, where you two will fight on the spot, and the victor will be admitted.

However, there are risks involved with actual combat. Despite our supervision, in case of an accident, you are responsible for your life and any injuries!” Mountain Master Dong Zhao then looked at Lu Xianbing and directly announced, ”Which option do you choose?”

”Mountain Master, whether itʼs actual combat or Martial Learning, I have no regrets regarding life or injury; I can do either.

As the challenger, I shall let Zhou Du decide the method of competition.

Whatever he determines, I will follow suit!” said Lu Xianbing.

”Agreed!”

Mountain Master Dong Zhao had already looked at Zhou Du, ”Zhou Du, since Lu Xianbing has the same talent evaluation and Cultivation Level as you, and he wishes to compete with you for the Inner Court position, which method do you choose for the competition, Martial Learning or actual combat?

Or perhaps, do you have another suggestion?”

Zhou Du was speechless.

At this moment, what could he possibly object to?

He just wanted to enter the Inner Court without any issue and had no desire to compete with Lu Xianbing.

But if he didnʼt dare accept the challenge, he would be labeled as a coward.

Moreover, given the circumstances, if he refused, the instructors would not approve.

However, when it came down to choosing the method of competition, Zhou Du had some considerations.

He had never truly fought before, not even killed a chicken.

Right now, seeing Lu Xianbingʼs aggressive demeanor, he was somewhat afraid.

”Mountain Master, I choose Martial Learning.”

Upon hearing this, Mountain Master Dong Zhaoʼs expression remained unchanged, but a trace of disappointment flashed across the eyes of Governor Tian Zhang.

This Zhou Du, lacking in fighting spirit, would never be selected for the Star Patrol Guard.

What followed was straightforward.

Zhou Du took the stage first to demonstrate his Martial Learning. After completing a set of Five Battles Killing Fist, he managed to execute four basic Star Skills: Star Shield, Star Radiance, Star Ring, and Star Arrow; the final move, Central Leader Determines the World, did not invoke a Star Skill.

His proficiency in the Five Battles Killing Fist was not bad; he had managed to learn four Star Skills in less than two months, almost reaching Small Success.

But among those with A Level talent, it was somewhat lacking.

Both Yue Daqi and Ren Xiaoxiang had achieved Small Success in the Five Battles Killing Fist one month ago, executing all five Star Skills.

Then it was Lu Xianbingʼs turn. His set of Five Battles Killing Fist flowed seamlessly, conjuring Star Shield, Star Radiance, Star Ring, Star Arrow, and Starlight Shield, one after another.

As the Starlight Shield surrounded his entire body, Zhou Duʼs face showed deep shame and embarrassment.

His face was figuratively slapped...

For Ning Yuchan, however, this was not surprising at all.

Among the four individuals with A Level talent, Zhou Duʼs cultivation was decent and diligent, but it couldnʼt be said to be strenuous.

Under these circumstances, there was no suspense regarding the outcome of the competition.

Mountain Master Dong Zhao had intended to seek Vice Mountain Master Fengʼs opinion once more, but when he turned to look, Vice Mountain Master Feng had already left at some unknown time.

Thus, the decision was made: Lu Xianbing was admitted to the Inner Court, and Zhou Du was relegated to the Middle Court.

”Ladies and gentlemen, it appears today that the flaws in our instituteʼs rules have reached a point where they must be amended.

Otherwise, whatʼs the point of cultivating any longer?” After the dispute, Mountain Master Dong Zhao suddenly spoke out in public.

”They must be changed; without change, whatʼs the point of cultivating!” Governor Tian Zhang immediately agreed.

”Agreed!”

Dean Cao Chun, as always, was sparing with his words.

”Ladies and gentlemen, with this, the current Star Pointing Conference concludes. Disciples of the Inner, Middle, and Outer Courts must report to their respective courts within three days and select their daily duties. Failing to do so will be regarded as an automatic forfeiture!” Ning Yuchan announced.

What kind of duties?

Xu Jin also started to ponder.