Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

44: Chapter 40 Star Emblem

44 -40 Star Emblem

Xu Jin was sizing up the Star Emblem when Qi Shanye left without making a sound.

By the time Xu Jin noticed, Qi Shanye was already gone.

This greatly infuriated Xu Jin, who had just been delighted to receive a life-saving treasure.

The usage had been explained, but there was no mention of its actual power or capabilities.

What level of expert could this Dawn Emblem threaten?

It could probably kill someone in the Star Casting Realm, but what about the Star Refining Realm?

Could it defeat them?

And the Concealing Emblem, how easily could it be exposed in front of what level of expert?

The instruction manual provided was far too incomplete.

Complaints aside, Xu Jin still carefully concealed it on his person.

After arriving in this world, the first protection and true love he received were from his father Xu Dajiang and his sister Xu Jiang.

The green-clothed man’s gift might not be called true love, but it was indeed protective of Xu Jin, giving him a bit more confidence.

But why would the green-clothed man do this?

What was he after?

He didn’t have any wealth to be coveted, so it could only be about recruiting talent.

However, the recruitment of talent could be for various reasons, some of which were a bit frightening…

…

The next day, at a quarter past 5 a.m., Xu Jin got up as usual to cultivate.

Starting today, he would begin refining his legs, starting with the right one.

Once both legs were refined, Xu Jin’s physical body would completely surpass that of an ordinary person, even those who had trained hard for decades.

The first change upon breaking through to the third layer of Dining Dawn was that his Star Power became more robust.

In the second layer of Dining Dawn combined with the Small Star Gathering Pattern, Xu Jin could perform the Five Battles Killing Fist eight times when at full Star Power.

Now he could do it ten times.

After six rounds of cultivation in the morning and evening, he could perform it sixty times, and with the Mental Awakening Pill, it would be even faster.

But soon, a pleasant surprise arrived.

Suddenly, Xu Jin understood the minor power the green-clothed man had mentioned that would emerge from the initial formation of the Clearing Soul Star Pattern.

It was this minor power that pleasantly surprised Xu Jin.

Before this, Xu Jin’s Divine Soul Power could only sustain three rounds of Dining Dawn Form.

After three rounds, he would feel tiredness, and if he forcibly continued the Dining Dawn Form, he would soon experience splitting headaches.

At that point, he would have to take a Mental Awakening Pill to undergo the fourth round of cultivation.

Yet this morning, after three rounds of Dining Dawn Form, Xu Jin didn’t feel the slightest bit tired.

Had his Divine Soul Power grown stronger?

Under such suspicion, Xu Jin performed the Dining Dawn Form for the fourth round of cultivation.

Twenty minutes later, his chest felt full again, his Star Power was replenished, and he could perform the Five Battles Killing Fist ten times.

Only then did Xu Jin begin to feel a slight sense of fatigue.

His Divine Soul Power had increased.

In fact, it had surged by a full third.

This wasn’t just a minor increase; it was somewhat explosive.

This directly changed Xu Jin’s fundamental cultivation cycles from six rounds a day to eight.

This was just the power after the initial formation of the Clearing Soul Star Pattern—if it were completely formed, wouldn’t Divine Soul Power increase again?

That would be truly explosive.

Such an advantage in cultivation had increased yet again.

Under these circumstances, Xu Jin felt that, barring any delays, he could break through to the fourth layer of Dining Dawn in at most eight days.

On his way to the cafeteria, a menial stopped Xu Jin, “Senior Brother Xu, Instructor Ning asked me to wait here for you and said you should go to her courtyard to find her.”

The way the menial addressed him had changed too.

Half a month ago, they were all shouting “Xu Jin, Xu Jin,” but now they had switched to “Senior Brother Xu,” and their attitude had become very respectful.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

A few minutes later, Xu Jin arrived at Ning Yuchan’s courtyard, “Master, you were looking for me?”

Xu Jin’s use of the term “Master” was an opportunistic move, one of the results of his past life experiences; in interpersonal relationships, one had to be a bit thick-skinned.

After all, an instructor was for everyone, but a master was one’s own.

“Hold on, I am an instructor, not your master.

You have to kowtow to a master,” Ning Yuchan hurriedly said.

“Instructor, you’ve directly taught me so much, you are like a master to me.

Then let me make up a few kowtows to you now,” Xu Jin pretended to kneel.

Although his words seemed sincere, the act of kneeling and kowtowing was something Xu Jin was actually somewhat resistant to.

Ning Yuchan glared at Xu Jin; what did he mean by directly taught?

Wasn’t that an exaggeration?

She quickly extended her iron crutch and stopped Xu Jin from kneeling, “Stop your flattery.

Those Star Refilling Pills I rewarded you with the other day, you haven’t used them all up, have you?”

“No,” Xu Jin answered.

“Good, remember, if you go out, always keep your Star Power above fifty percent, and since you have not yet reached Star Casting, keep your cultivation level ready at seventy or eighty percent.

That way, if you encounter danger, you’ll be able to mobilize your Star Power calmly.”

“If Star Power is not enough, use it when needed; don’t skimp—preserving life is the top priority.

Also, when you’re out and about, don’t overdo your cultivation; keep your Divine Soul Power at a certain level,” Ning Yuchan advised firmly, making Xu Jin feel this title of ‘master’ wasn’t given in vain.

“Take these two Vortex Blade Emblems; they can save your life at critical moments.” Ning Yuchan suddenly took out two shimmering green Jade emblems and handed them to Xu Jin.

At that moment, Xu Jin stopped his banter and quickly accepted them before asking, “Master, what are these Vortex Blade Emblems?

How do I use them?

What kind of enemies can they deal with?”

The questions which he hadn’t gotten the chance to ask Qi Shanye were now all pouring out at once.

“We’re pressed for time, so I’ll keep it brief.

You need to hurry and have breakfast; assembly is soon,” Ning Yuchan said.

Sure enough.

No wonder Qi Shanye gave him so many things last night, sparing no Pills, he even rushed to imprint the Clearing Soul Star Pattern onto him in its rudimentary form—it was because they were to act today.

That Ning Yuchan knew of Taoist Institute’s action was no surprise.

But how did Qi Shanye know?

Quickly, from Ning Yuchan’s explanation, Xu Jin gained a preliminary understanding of the Star Emblem.

Those with significant Cultivation levels can seal some powerful Star Skills into materials that can hold Star Power, creating treasures known as Star Emblems.

The sealed Star Skills’ power would also diminish somewhat.

The Star Skills sealed within are different, thus the names of the Star Emblems vary.

The Vortex Blade Emblem presumably had a Vortex Blade Star Skill sealed within.

According to Ning Yuchan, the Vortex Blade Emblems she personally crafted were lethal in one strike to anyone in the Star Refining Realm at the Late Period or below; they could cause severe damage to those in the Star Refining Realm, and at most a slight hindrance to those above the Star Refining Realm.

However, the likelihood of encountering foes above the Star Refining Realm on their mission was very low.

That was because it wasn’t just new disciples like Xu Jin taking action; the Taoist Institute had corresponding operations in place.

Ning Yuchan revealed little, but her few words thoroughly reassured Xu Jin.

They weren’t being sent out as cannon fodder.

He rushed to the dining hall and gobbled down two sizable bowls of rice; the urgent sound of the gong soon followed.

After 100 breaths, all but one of the injured Outer Court disciples from yesterday had arrived, making for a total of seventy-two new disciples.

Tian Zhang, Ning Yuchan, Luo Kexing, along with Tian Zhang’s six trusted aides, were already present.

“The six squad leaders, step forward!” Tian Zhang commanded.

Xu Jin, Yue Daqi, Lu Xianbing, and others stepped out in unison.

“The Taoist Institute has an urgent mission for this batch of disciples.

Other disciples are free to choose a squad leader to join.

Each squad is limited to eleven members today.

After 100 breaths, those without a team will be assigned directly.”

Tian Zhang was straightforward, and so were the disciples in their choices.

After all, choosing a squad leader they trusted or felt closer to was more comfortable.

Qian Xiaohu and Qiao Ruonan were the first to run behind Xu Jin, followed by Song Ye and Fang Zixing.

But Yue Daqi’s team filled up the fastest.

After all, he stood first among the disciples in terms of Cultivation Level; having reached the Fifth Layer of Dining Dawn nearly a month ago, he shouldn’t be far from the Sixth Layer.

Following the strongest was safest; none were fools.

After that, Lu Xianbing’s team filled up, then Ren Xiaoxiang’s and Xu Jin’s teams filled up one after another.

To everyone’s surprise, the last team to fill was not Luo Geng’s from the Outer Court but Yu Guan’s.

The last two, lagging steps behind, had no choice but to join Yu Guan’s team rather reluctantly.

During the battle against the death row inmates that day, though Yu Guan acquired some merit with kills, his performance was slightly lacking compared to the other five squad leaders.

“Alright, the teams are set.

From this moment on, Military Law is in effect.

During the mission, follow the squad leader’s commands in movement, advance, retreat, and concealment.

During battle, anyone who disobeys orders may be executed immediately by the squad leader!

However, as you are new to the army, the Governor has specially assigned one trusted aide to each team to act as a Military Law Officer and guide.

Time is of the essence; the mission’s details will be passed on by the Governor’s trusted aides along the way.

Those who complete the mission will receive their rewards.

Those who die in battle will be compensated.

To those who disobey orders or commit prohibitions, know that Military Law is ruthless!”

After these words, all present felt a chill.

Military Law!

This was not a joke.

In the midst of speaking, Tian Zhang’s six trusted aides had already chosen their respective teams to join.

Coincidentally, the trusted aide who joined Xu Jin’s team was Niu Gui, who had previously volunteered to spar with Xu Jin, making him half an acquaintance.

“After collecting your supplies, each team must immediately depart toward the mission destination.

Complete the mission promptly; any error is inadmissible!”

At Tian Zhang’s command, all disciples received a supply pack, some rations, a waterskin, and five Pills—three Blood Replenishing Pills, one Mental Awakening Pill, and one Star Refilling Pill.

Fifteen minutes later, six teams mounted their horses and departed from Jinshan County city in all directions.

Xu Jin’s team headed towards Heshui County, one of the six counties under Jinshan County.

As the six teams departed, in the Taoist Institute’s Scripture Institute, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu, Dean Cao Chun, Governor Tian Zhang, Chief Instructor Ning Yuchan, Mr.

Gan from the Pill Room, Instructor Zheng from the Forging Hall, and other instructors, including the recuperating flag master Luo Kexing, were all assembled, each looking towards the direction of the mountain peak.

They were waiting to receive Mountain Master Dong Zhao’s orders.