Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 127: Chapter 96: Ning Yuchan’s Requests and the Petty-minded Old Qi (Please Subscribe)_3

Suddenly, Ning Yuchan stopped and after pondering for a long time, she said, ”Xu Jin, there’s something I originally didn’t want you to know. Previously, I thought you had considerable combat power, but there was no opportunity for you. Now, however, I think there is still a chance for you.”

”Please continue, instructor.”

”The Mountain Master took a great risk this time by stepping across counties to rescue your sister and a group of abducted girls. He succeeded, but he has also seriously offended the Dean of the Yan State Taoist Institute, who might target the Mountain Master during this autumn exam.

”Your performance in the autumn exam is critical for the Mountain Master.

”I hope you can intensify your cultivation recently so that you can at least enter the examination phase this autumn!” said Ning Yuchan.

”Instructor, I will try my best. But the exam is based on ability, how could it target anyone?” Xu Jin asked, puzzled.

”The rules of the autumn exam are complicated; you’ll understand when the time comes! Moreover, if you can enter the exam phase, then Star Casting should not be a big problem, and you might even be able to create a Middle or even Top-Grade Star Core!” Ning Yuchan explained.

An hour later, Xu Jin finally left Ning Yuchan’s courtyard.

Ning Yuchan had set for Xu Jin three extremely important objectives at this stage.

First, the internal assessment in two days’ time: Xu Jin must break into the top three among this session’s disciples and activate the Star-picking Order to participate in this year’s full institute’s disciples’ assessment.

Next, Xu Jin must be among the top ten in the full institute’s disciples’ assessment to qualify for the autumn exam.

When leaving, Ning Yuchan taught Xu Jin two Golden Chapters, the Golden Refine Chapter and the Golden Chain Chapter, corresponding to the Seventh Layer cultivation method of Dining Dawn and another fundamental Star Skill—Star Rope.

The reason for teaching Xu Jin new Star Skills was that during the battle at Thousand Leaf Island, Ning Yuchan noticed that Xu Jin could instantaneously cast at least three Star Skills.

With the talent to successfully engrave the Great Gathering Star Pattern in sixteen days, it was not surprising that he could comprehend the Star Skills to instantaneously cast at the level of Great Perfection.

Yet, upon departing, Xu Jin felt somewhat embarrassed.

It was because he needed Ning Yuchan to cover up a lie.

”You lied to the Mountain Master? Telling him you successfully engraved the Great Gathering Star Pattern a day ago?”

Ning Yuchan knocked on Xu Jin’s forehead hard, causing his head to buzz with pain.

”Why didn’t you lie to me as well?”

”Hey, you’re my instructor!”

”Hmph! I know what to do now.”

After Xu Jin left, a slight smile appeared on Ning Yuchan’s tense face.

Closing the courtyard gate, Ning Yuchan looked at the gift Xu Jin had given her, showing surprise and delight in succession.

”Pine nuts? This kid has good taste.”

In the courtyard, Ning Yuchan happily took out a plate of pine nuts and melon seeds to snack on, along with some dried fruits, munching away contentedly.

Despite being the Chief Instructor, she was only twenty-three years old.

******

At night, Xu Jin was diligently practicing the newly learned Star Skills and Star Patterns. Qi, as always, came over to offer guidance for a while.

However, the more he instructed, the more sullen Qi’s face became, his tone growing increasingly stern.

Eventually, Qi grew angrier as he taught and even felt an impulse to give the young man a thrashing.

That evening, after having a few drinks with Tian Zhang, the topic of Xu Jin came up.

Qi naturally cared about matters concerning Xu Jin.

He had never told anyone about taking Xu Jin as a disciple.

But Tian Zhang said Xu Jin had come to see him during the day and even brought gifts, describing him as a respectful and grateful good kid worthy of being a focal point for nurturing by the institute.

Yet there was a problem—it wasn’t his call!

Qi grew more frustrated as the evening went on.

Yet it was something he couldn’t quite express his frustration about.

Wouldn’t that just show that he was being petty?

Xu Jin had noticed the change in Qi’s mood quite early on.

Practicing Mingji Star Pattern wasn’t for nothing.

But Xu Jin held back, curious to see just how petty Qi could get.

Just before leaving when his practice was almost over, seeing Qi’s drooping mouth corners, Xu Jin knew that Qi truly cared about him but could also be quite petty.

”Teacher, wait a moment.”

”Hmm?” Qi, who was about to leave and was previously displeased, suddenly seemed expectant when Xu Jin called him back.

”Teacher, I noticed that your clothes were quite worn, so I bought you several sets of clothes, socks, and shoes. Please see if they fit. You can change out of your old ones and leave them with me; I’ll help you wash them.” What Xu Jin didn’t say was that it was likely his sister who would do the washing.

Qi opened the package and saw there were four sets of clothing, complete from inside out, including new hairpins, as well as toothbrushes, tooth powders, and other small items.

In an instant, Qi’s eyes reddened slightly.

Having wandered for twenty years...

The next moment, Qi grabbed the bundle and disappeared without looking back, fearing that Xu Jin might see.

”I’ll make do with these!”

Only this sentence was carried by the wind before Qi vanished completely.

Xu Jin smiled, having seen everything. Qi’s previously drooped face and now the buoyancy from receiving the gifts were all noticed by him.

Petty Qi, huh!