Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 339: Chapter 160: Jiang’er’s Opportunity (Please Subscribe)

”Uncle, please have some tea.”

In the little courtyard, Jiang’er offered a cup of tea to the State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao with both hands, and also brought over a plate of seeds and dried fruit. ”Uncle, have some seeds; they’re really tasty.”

”Uncle?”

State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao froze for a moment upon hearing this address.

How many years had it been since anyone had called him that?

”Little girl, what’s your name?”

”My name is Jiang’er, Xu Jiang. Xu Jin is my brother.”

”You have a good brother,” the State Preceptor observed Jiang’er.

To be honest, as his cultivation level had grown stronger over the years, and as he had become more high and mighty, the majority of those who dared to speak to him as equals were the aged. As for the young people, they would tremble in his presence, their words fumbling.

But being addressed like this by the little girl had stirred a sense of reflection in him.

Seeing the handful of seeds that the little girl passed him, Cheng Yuxiao was taken aback.

Who would dare offer seeds to him with their bare hands?

One would normally use a plate and present them with both hands, but this... this felt different.

After accepting them, Jiang’er casually sat down beside him, also cracking seeds open. While she cracked them, she asked, ”What business do you have with my brother?”

Prompted by Jiang’er, Cheng Yuxiao also found himself rarely snacking on seeds.

When Xu Jin entered, he saw State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao spitting out seed shells.

This image...

It was somewhat undignified.

”Brother, this uncle is looking for you!”

Seeing Xu Jin return, Jiang’er got up neatly, tidied up the seed shells, then stepped aside, her mouth forming an O!

She saw Xu Jin bowing in respect.

”Disciple pays respect to the State Preceptor!”

”Dispense with the formalities. Sit!”

Cheng Yuxiao nodded towards a chair, but Xu Jin didn’t dare move.

To sit as an equal with the State Preceptor seemed rather presumptuous.

”Even your sister dares to sit; are you going to admit you are less than her?”

Xu Jin: ”...”

”My younger sister...”

”Well then, your sister is quite cute, so sit down and talk.” The State Preceptor, Cheng Yuxiao said helplessly. That was the disadvantage of holding a high position – every action was interpreted by others.

Now that it had come to this, Xu Jin boldly sat down.

”Your issue has been resolved,” the State Preceptor said.

”Resolved? Can the State Preceptor please be more specific?”

”The Fourth Prince, Prince Xin, has taken a fancy to your Red Scale Heart! He most likely wants to enhance his own foundation to solidify his position in the succession battle. After all, something like the Red Scale Heart is an extremely rare and hard to come by treasure,” the State Preceptor said casually.

”Prince Xin, competing for inheritance?” Xu Jin smiled bitterly, indeed a big fish. Lucky that he had sought the help of the State Preceptor.

”What do you mean by resolved?”

”The royal bloodline... As the State Preceptor, it’s not my place to kill lightly. But I’ve taken out two of the Royal Mansion’s stewards.

Moreover, I’ve made it clear; if any mishap befalls your relatives, I will amputate one of Prince Xin’s arms and purge all the sub-officials under Prince Xin’s Mansion.

Rest assured, there should be no more problems outside the rules.

In the future, if any incident arises beyond the rules, you can come to me, and I’ll take care of it for you,” State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao said.

”Disciple thanks the State Preceptor,” Xu Jin said, rising to express his gratitude.

”Are you confident about tomorrow’s selection battle?” the State Preceptor asked.

”A little, though it depends on the opponent,” Xu Jin said.

”Your opponent, at the very least, will be of Meng Qingqiu and Ji Hongli’s caliber, and probably possessing a higher cultivation tier and potentially greater practical combat ability. I’m confident in your personal strength, but you still need to be cautious.

Besides, if there’s a chance, help your fellow disciples from the Daoist School if you can during the battle.

Of course, that’s only if you make it back safely,” State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao continued.

With this said, Xu Jin couldn’t hold back and eagerly asked, ”State Preceptor, what exactly is the purpose of this so-called selection battle between the two Star Halls? Also, what form will the battle take, and where will it be held?”

”This is a long story; to be clear, I’d have to start from twenty years ago, with the fall of Lingji Star Hall, which was under Dachen’s patronage, and relate it to the Blood Star Pact.

But essentially, every year, Tianyang Star Hall and Cangming Star Hall use these so-called selection battles to destroy the geniuses of Dachen, suppressing our country’s future potential. This way, they can exert their power and leverage over us to reap greater benefits, or even eventually turn us into their puppet state.”

”As for the form the selection battle takes, you’ll find out the specific rules tomorrow.

The battles take place within the Third Tier Star Domain.

The combat format is similar to the fifth round of your autumn exam.

In a way, that fifth round of the autumn exam was a kind of rehearsal.

However, the opposing sides in the battle will now be disciples from the Da Chen National Daoist School, Tianyang Star Hall, Cangming Star Hall, and the native forces of the Third Tier Star Domain itself.

Single combat is relatively difficult.

If you’re in luck and can form a team for the battle, your chances of returning victorious greatly increase,” State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao explained.

”I see.”

Looking at State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao, Xu Jin suddenly asked, ”State Preceptor, do you know about the Red Scale Heart Armor from the Fire Radiant Star Domain?”

”Red Scale Heart Armor?”

State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao displayed a reminiscent expression, ”When I conquered the Fire Radiant Star Domain over twenty years ago, I heard of it but didn’t pay much attention. Although I conquered and refined the Red Scale Heart back then, I also sustained severe injuries, so I hastily dealt with it before hurrying back. You have obtained it?”

”I have it!” Xu Jin said in a low voice, ”But I don’t know if this Red Scale Heart Armor is of any use in other star domains?”