Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 316: Chapter 151: Divine Explanation and Breaking Through the Seventy Levels (Third Update, Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Votes)_2

The Academicians had become aware of something.

The next moment, Vice Supervisor Dong Zhao’s fingers swept across his own Star-picking Order, and a Starlight Ranking appeared before everyone.

It was the God-Killing Battlefield Ranking.

Xu Jin’s fifth-place position was quite glaring!

”Before the meeting, this Xu Jin was the ninety-second on the God-Killing Battlefield, but who would have thought that in the duration of this meeting, he has already climbed to fifth place,” Dong Zhao said with a calm yet surprised tone.

Vice Academician Song Ziyue’s expression had become particularly splendid, reflecting various emotions that arose and dissipated; in the end, he sought help from Academician Fang Shihan.

”Fifth place is only just that.”

Academician Fang Shihan said it flatly.

Although he was well aware that now being fifth meant there was a high probability of entering the top three in half a month.

But that would be half a month later.

”Indeed, it’s a joy to see such progress! It seems we need not worry that this leader of the autumn exam will be held back! On the contrary, Vice Academician Song, it appears you should be concerned about your fortune, for the stakes of this wager are not small,” Academician Kou Jing said.

”What will happen in half a month, who knows. Let’s talk about it in half a month,” Song Ziyue had completely calmed down and had begun to think of countermeasures, considering how to enhance the strength of the top three, including imparting experience and techniques for passing the tests, and every possible method.

”Indeed, so then...”

”Academician Kou, please grant me fifteen minutes more! After fifteen minutes, my disciple Xu Jin will be able to break into the top three, and this bet can be settled ahead of time,” Liu Qingzhu said.

”Oh, Xu Jin is that confident?”

”Why doesn’t your disciple claim he’ll be first within fifteen minutes?” Song Ziyue sneered coldly.

”Academician, please give me fifteen minutes; it is time for me, Liu Qingzhu, to reclaim my reputation!

I, Liu Qingzhu, have not led my disciples astray.

Xu Jin, he does not need to change instructors!” Liu Qingzhu stood up and said solemnly.

Having Liu Qingzhu put it that way, it would seem overly harsh if Kou Jing was unwilling to grant even fifteen minutes.

”Very well, everyone, let’s wait fifteen minutes to see the changes in the God-Killing Battlefield Ranking,” Kou Jing smiled.

Unfortunately, the God-Killing Battlefield was a high-level secret realm produced by the Star-picking Tower. The battles within could not be witnessed.

Otherwise, they would be able to watch a combat now.

”Heh, he’s passed the sixty-fifth stage, now fourth!” Academician Pan Hong pointed at the ranking projection by Dong Zhao and laughed.

Beside him, Academician Fang Shihan’s expression was as grim as still water, and Song Ziyue, the leading one among the twelve Vice Academicians, looked both gloomy and anxious.

If Xu Jin really broke into the top three, his face today would have been completely lost.

Not only face, but also a large sum of money.

A very large sum.

”It seems we were all mistaken; Liu Feiyan is quite adept at teaching students,” Kou Jing began to laugh.

”Indeed! Look at you all; just now, you pushed little Feiyan into a corner!” Pan Hong laughed as well.

But aside from the several Academicians, no one else laughed.

If Liu Feiyan’s student had been less successful, then now, it would be a different story.

A terribly tragic story that would have prevented Liu Qingzhu from ever raising his head again.

”Eh, look, the ranking has changed again. That kid is quick to pass stages, that was just twenty breaths of time, right?” Academician Pan Hong laughed again, ”Now, he is second.” He seemed to enjoy the spectacle without fear of the consequences.

At that instant, Song Ziyue’s face turned ashen!

The will to fight had left him.

After so much bluster for so long, he only wanted to find an opportunity to fiercely trample Liu Qingzhu in retaliation, but unexpectedly, he was the one caught in a trap!

If things continued as they were, he’d be the fool!

He even wondered if this was a trap laid out for him by Liu Qingzhu from the start.

But upon reflection, he thought otherwise.

Firstly, Liu Qingzhu didn’t have the capability, and secondly, the whole matter originated from him stirring trouble.

Had he not provoked, this situation would not have occurred.

But now...

”Academician, seeing as how things have turned out, you have all seen that my student Xu Jin has now reached second place on the God-Killing Battlefield, so this gamble can be concluded ahead of schedule!

I now ask all Academicians and Vice Director Dong to oversee the results of this wager.

And urge Song Ziyue to deliver the cultivation supplies,” Liu Qingzhu stood up and spoke with a clear and righteous voice.

Upon hearing this, everyone present could only look at Song Ziyue with sympathetic eyes.

A moment of trash talk had led to such a huge loss.

However, being from the affluent Song Family, this loss wasn’t really a problem.

”This...” Vice Academician Han Qing wanted to say something, seemingly aiming to excuse Song Ziyue from his predicament, but upon encountering Dong Zhao’s stern gaze, he abruptly silenced himself.

The records of the Taoist Institute’s Inspection Department had been set, and with the certification of the Four Great Academicians, no one could overturn the agreement.

It simply meant bad luck on Song Ziyue’s part!

Academician Kou Jing, the duty Academician, glanced over the crowd, then finally looked at Song Ziyue, ”Ziyue, a wager is a wager! The cultivation supplies you promised, when do you plan to provide them?

You must at least set a deadline.

Oh, right, the Vice Supervisor has already recorded the matter in the Inspection Department’s archives; you will need to communicate with them about this matter.

Here, my two Dragon Turtle Soul Refining Pills, I’ll hand them over first, I accept the loss!”

”Lucky for that kid!”

When Kou Jing took out an elixir bottle, he glanced at the other three Academicians, meaning, ”I’ve taken mine out, hurry up and take yours.”

Academician Pan Hong chuckled wryly and began to reach for an elixir bottle; however, Academician Fang Shihan suddenly interjected, ”Hold on!”

”Hmm?”

Everyone turned their attention to Academician Fang Shihan.

Could there still be an unexpected development at this point?

”Vice Director Dong, when you recorded this matter just now, wasn’t the agreement that in half a month, Xu Jin’s ranking on the God-Killing Battlefield has to be in the top three?” asked Academician Fang Shihan.

”Indeed, that’s correct!”

”That settles it then!”

Academician Fang Shihan nodded, ”Xu Jin has just now fought his way into the top three of the God-Killing List, but whether he can stay in the top three in half a month, we’ll only know then!

We should revisit this matter in half a month at Minglun Hall when the ranking of the God-Killing Battlefield will be clear at a glance!”

With these words, Song Ziyue, who had just had a gloomy expression, instantly regained his spirit and sat up straight.

He was endlessly impressed by Academician Fang Shihan.

What a brilliant explanation!

And so reasonable too!

Not forced at all!

Indeed, experience counts for everything!

No wonder he’s an Academician!

”This explanation...is actually acceptable,” Academician Kou Jing said with a smile, then turned to Liu Qingzhu, ”Feiyan, what do you think?”

Liu Feiyan was speechless.

Fang Shihan’s explanation was indeed irrefutable.

Because it was, indeed, previously stated to be after half a month.

But at this moment, Liu Feiyan had immense confidence in her own disciple, Xu Jin.

If Refining Star at the First Layer could reach second place, what about the Third Layer half a month later?

Now, Xu Jin had only engraved one Star Pattern; in half a month, at the least, he could engrave two to three more Star Patterns, greatly boosting his strength; climbing the Heavenly Ascending Stairs for a few more days, perhaps even his Divine Soul could undergo Star Casting.

In half a month, Xu Jin being first was a possibility.

”Let it be half a month then. I have no objections.”

”Good.”

Academician Kou Jing made the final decision, ”Then in half a month, we’ll reconvene at Minglun Hall! But Vice Academician Song, since the matter will be reconsidered in half a month, you must have the cultivation resources from the bet ready regardless of the outcome.

If you win, you take them.

If Vice Academician Liu wins, you must give them to her on the spot.

Can you do that?” Kou Jing asked.

Song Ziyue was about to respond when suddenly, Academician Pan Hong interjected, ”Wow, that kid has already conquered the sixty-eighth level, first place!”

Song Ziyue’s face suddenly turned a bit unsightly.

How come this Xu Jin seemed so strong?

”Vice Academician Song?” Kou Jing pressed.

”Academician Kou, there’s no problem from my side. Regardless of win or lose, I will have the cultivation resources from the bet prepared!” said Song Ziyue reluctantly.

”Okay, meeting adjourned!”

Kou Jing left first, followed by Academician Fang, Academician Gao, and lastly, Academician Pan. As he stood up, he exclaimed in surprise again, ”Sixty-ninth level now; that kid is pretty fast!”

His words felt like a knife in Song Ziyue’s heart.

But he was still trying to comfort himself.

Just surpassed by two levels.

There was still half a month left, still a chance for change.

Afterward, Song Ziyue also slowly stood up, casting a fierce glance at Liu Qingzhu before leaving Minglun Hall at a deliberate pace.

He hadn’t walked a few hundred meters from Minglun Hall when suddenly a chorus of exclaims from the instructors erupted from within.

”Conquered!

He actually conquered the seventieth level too!”

”Xu Jin is too incredible, breaking through the seventieth level so quickly!”

”The seventy-third level shouldn’t be a problem for Xu Jin, right?”

”Look, the seventy-first level has been broken too!”

...

A series of exclamations, each one stabbing in Song Ziyue’s heart like a knife.

The gap was growing larger and larger!