Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 424: Chapter 186: Seeing Gold Star Again_2

”Two Gold Stars would surely lead to a breakthrough to the Seventh Tier, followed by unrestrained cultivation.

At that time, I will certainly avenge my past humiliations!

But oh, how difficult it is to obtain Gold Stars!”

Facing the sigh of the Qian’an Emperor, the Grand Steward Chu dared not join the conversation and simply bowed slightly.

After a long while, the Qian’an Emperor asked again, ”How is the collection of that treasure coming along?”

”Your Majesty, to meet the requirements, I fear it will still take quite some time to collect.”

”Hurry them, tell them, if they are any slower, do not blame me for being ruthless and turning my face!”

”This old servant obeys the command!”

*****

Xu Jin returned to his small courtyard, which was already piled high with gifts, said to be sent from the palace.

Xu Jin glanced over them irritably and instructed Jiang’er to handle them.

These were the so-called compensatory gifts from Prince Xin.

However, Xu Jin had already seen the gift list in the palace.

It was purely to muddle through with Xu Jin, to muddle through with the State Preceptor.

A thousand catties of tribute rice.

A hundred catties of tribute salt.

Ten bolts of Chu Brocade.

...

Such items, all of them seemed prestigious, but their intrinsic value was not much.

Xu Jin was certain that a wisp of Starlight from the Star-picking Tower could purchase everything on Prince Xin’s compensatory gift list, even leaving some to spare.

By now, Xu Jin had completely understood that this so-called imperial marriage was simply a test of Xu Jin’s attitude, with no chance of any substantive content.

This was because the preparatory gift list already revealed their attitude.

Any gift from the six families who had previously thanked Xu Jin was better than this.

This made Xu Jin feel a certain disdain.

No wonder the State Preceptor said Prince Xin was getting more and more presumptuous.

Of course, Xu Jin understood that this was also determined by his value.

And his strength determined his value.

As for his value in the eyes of Prince Xin or the Imperial Family, Xu Jin didn’t care.

But Xu Jin understood that strength was equivalent to freedom.

Xu Jin wanted to cultivate, to empower himself.

Ideally to be so powerful that he could sleep with the princess if he wanted, and if not, to simply refuse verbally.

That day, Xu Jin spent in arduous cultivation.

On September 19th in the morning, after sending Jiang’er to the Outer Court of the National Taoist Institute for Star Pointing, Xu Jin began his grueling cultivation, filling his schedule to the brim.

He visited the Fourth-Order Star Power Secret Realm for two hours every day and also went to the Gathering Star Array in Feiyan Hall daily.

In addition, with the five opportunities to use the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, Xu Jin also started honing his Divine Soul Power daily.

On the 19th, news of many geniuses successfully Star Pointing spread from the Outer Court of the National Taoist Institute.

The strongest genius, named Song Xian, succeeded in Star Pointing that morning.

An A+ talent evaluation was certain for him.

On the 19th, during the autumn Star Pointing at the National Taoist Institute, a total of three geniuses succeeded in Star Pointing within a day.

Unsurprisingly, Jiang’er did not succeed that day.

In the evening of the 19th, after two days of arduous cultivation, Xu Jin’s Cultivation Level in the Central Star Palace reached the Fifth Layer Peak; as for the Lower Star Palace, it remained at the Fourth Layer Peak. Following the instructions from the State Preceptor, Xu Jin concentrated his efforts on cultivating in the Central Star Palace in those two days.

In the evening, Xu Jin easily engraved the Fourth Tier Upper Star Transformation Star Pattern, which had already been prepared, into the sixth Star Pattern slot of the Central Star Palace.

Instead of heading directly to the Star-picking Secret Realm, Xu Jin first went to the Third Tier Martial Arts Secret Realm.

After fighting fifteen bouts to adapt to the change brought by the Star Transformation Star Pattern,

the most notable change brought about by the Star Transformation Star Pattern was that the Star Skills he released could now be directed by will.

Star Arrows could transform into Star Swords.

They could even turn into Curved Blades.

Even boomerangs were possible.

The Nine Veins Divine Sword was now truly living up to its name.

The most important change was that Xu Jin could now freely materialize weapons with Star Power.

Fire Blades, Fire Swords, Fire Guns, Fire Cutters, anything he wished.

He could even materialize Ning Yuchan’s signature Blade Wheel, albeit only in form, lacking the lethal power of Ning Yuchan’s Blade Wheel.

Ning Yuchan’s Blade Wheel was also a Combined Star Skill, requiring an assembly of Gold Series and Wind Series Star Pattern skills to unleash the Blade Wheel’s prowess.

This was a wholly new Star Skill combination created by Ning Yuchan herself.

This combination method, Ning Yuchan had only generally explained to Xu Jin, requiring four Star Pattern slots.

Subsequently, Xu Jin appeared in the Star-picking Secret Realm and began his challenge directly.

Copper Star, Silver Star, both were without suspense.

However, today Xu Jin did not directly challenge the Gold Star.

After obtaining two Gold Stars previously, it drew attention from various quarters. During his consecutive challenges in the God-Killing Battlefield, the State Preceptor also reminded Xu Jin.

Now, Xu Jin was particularly cautious in this regard.

In the Star-picking Secret Realm, the new Silver Stars would display which power they belonged to.

If Dachen secured two Silver Stars, and then two Gold Stars suddenly appeared anew in the Star-picking Secret Realm, although it would not be exposed directly, if someone attentive noticed, they would surely speculate.

If the range of potential Gold Star winners were narrowed down to within the Da Chen National Daoist School, finding Xu Jin would just be a matter of time.

Unless Xu Jin completely abstained from challenging Gold Stars and Silver Stars in the future.

After challenging the Silver Stars and obtaining two, Xu Jin went straight to sleep.

Xu Jin had no idea that his sleep caused quite a bit of trouble for the State Preceptor.

*****

Inside the Pill Dawn Palace, the State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao had already received the report from Chief Peng. Dachen had secured two more Silver Stars.

When reporting, Chief Peng made a point of glancing over Xu Jin’s small courtyard from above, confirming Xu Jin was in the quiet room, before coming to report.

National Master Cheng Yue Xiao was delighted upon receiving the news.

Not for the two Silver Stars.

But for the upcoming Gold Stars.

According to Xu Jin’s previous habits, after challenging the Silver Stars, he would go on to challenge the Gold Stars in one go.