Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 616: Chapter 254 Not the First

Inside the second floor of the Da Chen Star-picking Tower main building, Fourth Young Master Dai of Sumeru Palace was sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed, deeply engaged in cultivation.

By his side, Libationer Meng Yanhui of Dachen was accompanying him.

Not far from Star-picking Tower, a row of rooms had been temporarily converted into a pastry room, a tea room, and kitchens were on standby, ready to serve whatever Fourth Young Master Dai might desire at a moment’s notice.

The disciples of Sumeru Palace were renowned for their refined lifestyles.

Indeed, even the brocade cushions they sat upon were brought along with them.

Nonetheless, despite their opulent living conditions, the determination and hardship in their pursuit of the Tao, under the governance of the Sumeru Palace Master, was by no means inferior.

Even during a guard-duty period, Fourth Young Master Dai was still engaged in arduous cultivation and contemplation.

Suddenly, the starlight of the fifth temporary star gate to their left flickered and shimmered, and the cultivating Fourth Young Master Dai’s eyes stirred, and he opened them.

”Do you have disciples coming back?

Could it be that they have failed and are fleeing back?

From the Third Tier Sand River Star Domain,” Fourth Young Master Dai reminded.

Libationer Meng Yanhui opened his eyes; although he was aware of some matters, Fourth Young Master Dai’s comments stirred some worries in him.

In the next moment, Xu Jin emerged from the temporary star gate and appeared on the second floor of Star-picking Tower, his whole body radiating a killing aura yet exuding a spirit of vitality.

Merely by his appearance, one could tell he was not returning from a defeat.

Even Fourth Young Master Dai noticed something unusual, and moreover, only one person had returned.

Xu Jin silently gave a bow, acknowledging the scion of Sumeru Palace.

”Back so soon? How did it go?” Libationer Meng Yanhui hurriedly approached him.

”Mission accomplished!” Xu Jin bowed.

”Good!”

”Good!”

”Good!”

Meng Yanhui repeated the word ”good” three times and immediately sent a Starlight Transmission to inform National Master Cheng Yuxiao.

”The National Master will be here shortly; please wait for a moment.”

”Mm, Libationer Meng, I need to find a place to rest for 15 minutes and recuperate a bit.”

With a nod of acknowledgment, Xu Jin stepped out of the main building of Star-picking Tower and then into a quiet room that the National Taoist Institute had already prepared for him.

Upon entering the quiet room, Xu Jin activated the alert function of the Mingji Star Pattern and swallowed a First Essence Four Mysterious Star Recovery Pill, while the Warm Dream Star Pattern began its work, swiftly drawing him into a deep sleep.

Inside the Third Tier Sand River Star Domain, Xu Jin had not expended even one-tenth of his Divine Soul Power, but the consumption of his Star Power had been quite significant.

He was about to campaign in the next Star Domain.

Although the Third Tier Star Domains seemed to pose little challenge to him, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Xu Jin decided to spend 15 minutes recuperating to ensure he was in peak condition, especially regarding his Divine Soul Power.

Moreover, a short rest under the effects of Warm Dream significantly improved his recovery from fatigue.

This Lougong Battle would last a full seven days.

Although cultivators possess extraordinary stamina, going beyond three days without sleep would rapidly diminish their condition.

A 15-minute rest with Warm Dream, however, would completely replenish Xu Jin’s endurance.

Within the second floor of the Da Chen Star-picking Tower main building, National Master Cheng Yuxiao appeared, and Dai Guanwen, who had just begun his cultivation with closed eyes, merely opened his eyes to acknowledge her with a nod before intending to resume his cultivation.

But in the next instant, Cheng Yuxiao spoke, ”Fourth Young Master, I must trouble you once more; another star gate needs to be reopened.” While speaking, Cheng Yuxiao produced a Star Domain Mark.

This prompted Dai Guanwen, who had just closed his eyes, to open them again and frown, ”State Preceptor Cheng, this is not within our agreement, this exceeds nine.”

”Fourth Young Master, the rules of this Lougong Battle allow the participation of nine teams, but they do not specify that only nine star gates may be opened; there’s no issue with the rules, right?” said Cheng Yuxiao.

After pondering for a few moments, Dai Guanwen nodded, ”Indeed, that is the case, but...” He showed a hesitant expression.

”If there’s any difficulty, please speak freely, Fourth Young Master,” said Cheng Yuxiao.

”State Preceptor Cheng, as you have seen, the opening of these star gates isn’t achieved out of thin air; it requires a foundation in Spatial Array, then with my Secret Technique as a guide, and the Star Domain Mark as the directive, only then can it be opened.

The other aspects are manageable, but the Space Jades necessary for setting up the Spatial Array are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and valuable, and Marshal Wei has only paid for nine temporary star gates,” Dai Guanwen explained.

”I understand that, and we certainly cannot allow you, Fourth Young Master, to suffer a loss; naturally, the excess costs will be borne by Da Chen. How much is needed?” Cheng Yuxiao inquired.

”That being the case, it can be arranged.”

Dai Guanwen nodded and then asked, ”May I inquire which tier of Star Domain the National Master intends to open now?”

”Third Tier.”

”The Third Tier is acceptable. It only requires four Space Jades. The construction of each Space Jade takes us more than ten days, and the cost we previously quoted to Marshal Wei was 1,500 strands of Starlight per piece....”

”For opening this star gate, I will relinquish 7,000 strands of Starlight to the Fourth Young Master, and the extra can be considered a token of gratitude for your hard work,” Cheng Yuxiao generously offered.

However, instantly Dai Guanwen’s expression darkened, ”What are you implying, State Preceptor Cheng? Am I, Dai Guanwen, someone to covet those thousand strands of Starlight?”

At this remark, Cheng Yuxiao was slightly confused, not quite understanding Dai Guanwen’s intention.

On the other hand, Libationer Meng Yanhui stepped forward with a smile and said, ”Fourth Young Master has misunderstood; our National Master did not mean that. Our National Master was implying that the price you quoted to Marshal Wei was a special favor offered by Sumeru Palace.

At 1,500 strands of Starlight per Space Jade, there was surely a loss.

Only at 2,000 strands of Starlight could we break even.

For four pieces, we should pay 8,000 strands of Starlight to prevent Fourth Young Master from incurring a loss.

We must trouble you to open the star gate.

Your great righteousness, Fourth Young Master, will assuredly be remembered by Da Chen, and we will be grateful.”