Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

49: Chapter 45 Candou Platform Upgrade

49 -45 Candou Platform Upgrade

The loot consisted mostly of silver notes and broken silver, but there were also a large amount of pills.

From Hong Li’s body, the most Star Refilling Pills were found—two and a half bottles.

The other four targets had only their leaders possessing Star Refilling Pills, ranging from one bottle to several pills.

After counting, there were a total of forty-six Star Refilling Pills.

Just this item alone, if converted to silver, was nearly one thousand taels.

There were 1,500 taels in silver notes, about one hundred and twenty taels in broken silver, and several pieces of gold jewelry.

Among the stolen goods, there were over thirty jade items, ninety-seven taels of gold, twenty-six silver notes each worth one hundred taels, over three hundred and thirty silver ingots each worth ten taels, and a box of various gold, silver, and jeweled treasures.

It was hard to put a value on these, as most were gold and silver jewelry, jade decorations, and pearls.

Excluding the gold and silver jewelry and jade items, there was a total of 6,900 taels of gold and silver.

Xu Jin did not hold back.

According to what Niu Gui had said, since the victims were almost nonexistent, even if it were handed over, it would become confiscated, and it was customary in the military to just take it.

However, Xu Jin first took six hundred taels of silver from the stolen goods, planning to give two hundred taels to the almshouse.

The children who had been skinned alive also needed a few taels of silver for emergencies.

He planned to give twenty taels each to the dozens of rescued female victims, and this included the customary contributions to the civil clerks, criminal room clerks, and the Beast Taming Hall.

Then, Xu Jin took an additional 35% from the stolen goods, about 2,400 taels, and added it to the seized goods, then threw the broken silver and gold jewelry back into the stolen goods.

This made the total available silver for division 3,900 taels.

In terms of dividing up the silver, Xu Jin was even less reserved—both he and Niu Gui took 20%, and the rest was divided equally among the others.

In this regard, Xu Jin did so confidently, as based on contributions, he and Niu Gui did the bulk of the work and deserved more.

Anyone who disagreed could compare based on the number of enemies they had killed.

In the end, Xu Jin received 780 taels of silver and nine Star Refilling Pills.

As for the others, each received about 210 taels and two to three Star Refilling Pills, varying by person.

Those who wanted more Star Refilling Pills could use their silver to compensate others.

Dividing up this wealth, everyone was overjoyed.

During previous training, many had struggled, and going out on missions was nerve-wracking.

But now, with this substantial amount of silver in hand, it all seemed worth it.

Especially for disciples like Qian Xiaohu and Sha Youtian, who came from modest backgrounds, this wealth was enough to propel their families up a social tier.

Not to mention Xu Jin.

The first thing Xu Jin thought of was his little sister Jiang’er.

With this money, once he returned to the county city, he could find that Master Zhao and, even if it meant breaking a contract, ensure his sister’s freedom.

Next year, she could register for the Star-pointing Season.

Xu Jin now had the financial means.

Niu Gui’s share had already been set aside by Xu Jin.

When distributing the silver, Xu Jin mostly handed out silver notes, with a small amount of silver ingots.

According to the guides from the Spring Rain Department, the real danger was on the return journey, and heavy packages could be problematic.

When dividing the silver, Xu Jin took a little more gold to replace the silver, about five taels of gold.

While gathering the remaining three chests of stolen goods together, Xu Jin personally sorted them and, taking the opportunity, activated the Candou Platform and absorbed nine pieces of jade.

Thus, Xu Jin had all the supplies needed for advancing the Candou Platform, except for ten strands of Starlight.

Quickly, Xu Jin made arrangements; twelve people split into four groups, three per group to take turns keeping watch.

“Those who are not keeping watch can also cultivate for a while.

Keep one or two Star Refilling Pills in case of emergencies; use the rest as soon as possible to convert them into combat strength—it’s the best way.

We might encounter dangers on the way back.”

Xu Jin left these instructions with the others—it was all he could say, whether they listened was up to them.

Casually nibbling on some dry food, Xu Jin then circulated the Drinking Radiance Style to replenish his Star Power.

After today’s five battles, Xu Jin’s Star Power had long been depleted.

He had taken a regular Star Refilling Pill on the way, and now only had a little left.

However, there were still two strands of Starlight left on the Candou Platform, always kept in reserve.

Upon thinking of this, Xu Jin calculated a bit.

The Candou Platform needed ten strands of Starlight to upgrade; currently, there were two strands.

As soon as midnight passed, another strand would be replenished.

It would take at least seven more days to accumulate enough Starlight for the upgrade.

It was a bit regrettable.

If he could upgrade the Candou Platform today, Xu Jin’s combat power would definitely increase significantly.

For instance, with the Star Lamp, currently there was one.

Xu Jin felt that after upgrading, the most likely possibility was that an additional lamp would be added.

Adding another Star Lamp meant he could solidify another basic Star Skill.

Based on today’s battle, the basic Star Shield, basic Star Ring, and basic Star Arrow were the most practical in actual combat.

If he could achieve instantaneous usage, Xu Jin’s combat power would substantially increase.

Unfortunately, when he killed Deng Hu earlier, Xu Jin had too few options and could only choose basic Star Radiance.

Now, the basic Star Radiance solidified on this Star Lamp would need two more days before it could be switched.

This made Xu Jin even more regretful.

Two days, which meant he could change it the day after tomorrow at midnight.

If he could change it tomorrow, then his personal security on the way back would be stronger.

As for individual strength, Xu Jin had just broken through to the third tier of the Dining Dawn the previous night, and a breakthrough to the fourth tier of the Dining Dawn in a short time was impossible.

That meant the only direction for increasing his strength now was through martial practice within the Star Lamp.

Xu Jin’s Five Battles Killing Fist had achieved great success.

Among all the basic Star Skills, his progress with the Basic Star Shield was the fastest.

While practicing in the Star Lamp, he was starting to sense the instantaneous effect, and with a bit more effort, the Basic Star Shield might become instantaneous.

His ability to protect himself was even stronger now.

However, tonight should be uneventful, so his Body Refining cultivation still needed to proceed.

Just as Xu Jin’s thoughts moved away from the Candou Platform, he suddenly thought of a question.

The gold and silver absorbed by the Candou Platform could be expelled again.

What about the Starlight?

The essence of Starlight was Star Power.

If it could penetrate into Xu Jin’s body, could Xu Jin infuse Star Power into the Candou Platform?

Upon thinking this, Xu Jin felt it was entirely possible and immediately started to try.

He simultaneously concentrated on the Star Pattern and the Candou Platform, guiding the Starlight within the Star Pattern to flow towards the Candou Platform.

In the next instant, Xu Jin’s Star Pattern suddenly emptied, becoming devoid of any content, while the Starlight on the Candou Platform had increased by a strand.

It had turned into three strands!

It was possible!

Now that Xu Jin had successfully engraved the Small Star Gathering Pattern and reached the Third Layer of Dining Dawn Style, all his Star Power could just condense into a strand of Starlight.

Since he could use Star Power to reverse the flow of Starlight, he decided to continue.

After three rounds of Drinking Radiance Style, the Starlight on Xu Jin’s Candou Platform increased from three strands to six.

He was still four strands short.

Xu Jin decisively took a Rejuvenation Pill.

Currently, one Rejuvenation Pill could restore half of Xu Jin’s Divine Soul Power, allowing him to perform two more rounds of Drinking Radiance Style.

After half an hour, the Starlight on Xu Jin’s Candou Platform turned into eight strands.

He was two strands short of Starlight.

Where could he get them?

The remaining options were Star Refilling Pills or getting some sleep and then performing the Dining Dawn Form.

But tomorrow’s Star Power definitely couldn’t be completely used up, it needed to be saved for the road.

According to Xu Jin’s previous tests with the Star Refilling Pill, two pills could provide one strand of Star Power containing Starlight, meaning, theoretically, another four pills would make up the two strands.

Although the direct replenishment effect of Star Refilling Pills didn’t decline as sharply as the Rejuvenation Pill when taken in succession, four pills might not be enough, possibly requiring five to six pills.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin directly took out the Star Refilling Pill that had been nourished for a day and a half under the Candou Star Lamp.

Testing would come later.

Now, enhancing his strength took priority.

A Star Refilling Pill, which had been nourished for a day and a half, was consumed and instantly transformed into a surging Star Power that entered Xu Jin’s Star Pattern.

As his Star Pattern swelled, he guided it to the Candou Platform.

On the Candou Platform, another Star Pattern appeared.

The remaining efficacy of the One Halo Star Refilling Pill provided Xu Jin with an additional 35% of Star Power before it completely dissipated.

Previously, one day of nourishment doubled the efficacy of the Pill, but this one, nourished for a day and a half, only added 35% in efficacy.

It seemed that one day of nourishment offered the best increase in drug efficacy, with diminished returns thereafter.

Of course, this still needed testing.

He was still one strand of Starlight short.

Xu Jin swallowed a Mental Awakening Pill and once again performed the Drinking Radiance Style.

Fifteen minutes later, the Starlight on the Candou Platform had increased from nine strands to ten.

In the next moment, Xu Jin’s thoughts sank into the jade atop the Candou Platform.

The information on the jade that read “Upgrade Possible” had now changed to “Upgrade,” glittering with countless flows of Starlight inside and out, as if numerous strands of Starlight were circulating.

After a thought, Xu Jin used the excuse of running water to find an unoccupied wing room in the backyard to avoid drawing attention during the upgrade.

In the next instant, Xu Jin’s thoughts entered the “Upgrade” characters inscribed on the jade.

Upgrade!

Almost at the same instance, a strand of invisible Starlight rose from Xu Jin’s Candou Platform, shooting straight into the sky.

In the void, within the Star Domain where the North Dipper Stars resided, nine stars suddenly flickered brightly for an instant, very briefly.

So briefly that the world’s top experts sensed the disturbance and, when they looked up at the sky, the North Dipper Stars had returned to normal, as if they had never changed.

But the brilliant Starlight had already fallen from the sky, landing on Xu Jin’s Candou Platform.

On the Candou Platform, a brand new Star Lamp was slowly materializing.