Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 284: Chapter 142: Whom to Choose? (Seeking Subscriptions)_2

As for Core Disciples, even entering the B-level dining hall required spending silver; disciples of the Inner Court were one tier lower.

As for Jiang’er, Xu Jin had opened for her an annual pass to the B-level dining hall, costing her two Taoist Merit points per month, twenty-four points per year; she could eat as much as she wanted.

Of course, this was still a preferential price. If Core Disciples wanted to buy this separately, it would cost them three Taoist Merit points a month.

It must be said that this identity as a True Disciple was indeed very comfortable for Xu Jin.

Benefits, or rather privileges, were visible everywhere.

Just the exclusive mystic blue Taoist robes provided to True Disciples, for instance, came in eight sets.

He could also choose a menial worker to handle daily chores so he could focus purely on cultivation.

According to Jiang’er’s view, such a worker wasn’t necessary.

She could take care of all mundane affairs herself, not needing any help.

However, Ning Yuchan had another suggestion, to pick one anyway.

As a True Disciple, Xu Jin’s status was different now; he could choose a clever person to manage the chores, especially since Jiang’er could register for Star Pointing in at most half a month. Cultivation was the priority.

The menial workers provided by the National Taoist Institute were young men and women with clear backgrounds but failed Star Casting attempts.

It would have been most convenient to choose a male, but with Jiang’er there, they chose a female instead.

Her surname was Li, her name Qing Fan, nineteen years old, well-educated, with a melon-seed face and quite pretty. They temporarily took her in.

As it turned out, Ning Yuchan’s suggestion was correct.

Because during the two hours Xu Jin had moved into the courtyard and was organizing his room, he had already received four visitors bearing four letters.

By evening, he had received five letters in total.

”Young Master, Qu Changqing, a disciple of Vice Academician Tang Hui, has come to visit,” Qing Fan suddenly reported.

”Hm?”

Xu Jin, who had just finished reading the five letters, hurriedly got up and went outside. Soon enough, he welcomed this Senior Brother Qu Changqing, an expert at the Star Condensing Realm.

”Junior Brother Xu, you probably already know the purpose of my visit,” Qu Changqing said with a smile after glancing at the letters on Xu Jin’s desk.

”Many thanks to Master Tang for his high regard. However, as a newcomer who’s just settled in, I am still clueless about how to request a mentor and the obstacles involved, and I currently have no opinion. Please excuse me, Senior Brother Qu.

Within a day or two, I will make a decision.

No matter what, I will personally visit to express my gratitude to Master Tang.” As the disciple had come in person, Xu Jin demonstrated the necessary emotional intelligence.

”The same!”

Qu Changqing smiled, ”When I was just a Core Disciple, choosing a master felt as perplexing as it does for you, Junior Brother. In that case, shall I provide a little guidance?”

”I can’t ask for more!” Xu Jin was overjoyed.

Qu Changqing spent a full half an hour explaining to Xu Jin, also clarifying the rules of the National Taoist Institute for him.

Inner Court disciples and those below did not have the privilege to choose their mentors; it was arranged uniformly by the institute.

Two hundred Core Disciples and fifteen True Disciples, however, could select their mentors according to their wishes.

The range of available mentors included the Four Great Academicians and twelve Vice Academicians.

Only these sixteen Academicians and Vice Academicians had the privilege to pick from the most elite disciples to teach.

Of course, such selection was mutual.

A student may fancy a mentor, but the mentor must also show interest in the student.

The higher the ranking, the greater the student’s right of choice.

For instance, as a Core Disciple, it’s good enough if the Academicians extend an olive branch to you. To choose a mentor?

Go play somewhere else!

The disciples of these Academicians are in no shortage.

In comparison, True Disciples are very much in demand.

The Academicians and Vice Academicians would proactively extend olive branches to the True Disciples they took a liking to.

And thus, True Disciples had the privilege of selecting their mentors.

However, the True Disciples who could truly make the Academicians and Vice Academicians vie for their favor were generally only the top of the autumn exam, at most including those who came second and third.

The four letters previously delivered were from a few Academicians who had taken an interest in Xu Jin.

Since it was a competition, there were so-called benefits.

For example, this representative from one of the twelve Vice Academicians, Qu Changqing, brought with him the goodwill of Vice Academician Tang.

If Xu Jin was willing to become a disciple under Vice Academician Tang, he would be gifted an additional opportunity to climb the Heavenly Ascending Stairs per year, directly given a Mid-tier Star Pattern of Fourth Tier or above, and also granted one chance to cultivate in the Secret Realm.

The terms were very generous indeed.

Particularly, that opportunity to temper the Divine Soul Power on the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, worth ten thousand Taoist Merit points per chance.

Conversely, the four letters that had just arrived did not offer conditions as favorable.

The reason for this also lay in the National Taoist Institute’s performance assessment system.

If a disciple performed exceptionally well, the mentor would also earn a very high rating.

Furthermore, the stronger the disciple’s power, the more influence the mentor’s lineage would have in the National Taoist Institute.

The most recent example was the National Master Cheng Yuxiao.

His mentor, Mao Yan, had risen from Vice Academician to Academician and Left Libationer by virtue of his disciple Cheng Yuxiao’s brilliant performance.

Regrettably, in the battle twenty years ago, as the former State Preceptor Pei Gang fell in battle.

After some pleasantries, Xu Jin smiled and saw off Qu Changqing.

Then he took Jiang’er to the B-level dining hall for a meal.

This trip was truly an eye-opener, especially for Jiang’er, who wouldn’t have known how to behave if not for her brother by her side.

In fact, Xu Jin’s experience was quite alright. A buffet, that’s all!

It was about two to three times more luxurious than a five-star hotel buffet from his previous life, more or less.

All sorts of exotic delicacies were available in generous, satisfying portions.

To be honest, many of the ingredients were new even to Xu Jin.

After a complete meal, upon returning to the courtyard, Qing Fan brought two more letters and another visitor was waiting.