Xu Jin fell silent for a moment.
Qi Shanye’s words translated to just four characters—no fixed abode.
Even worse, it could be called destitute and homeless.
"Teacher, my family house is quite large, and in the back courtyard, aside from me and my sister, there’s no one else. The east wing room has been cleared out by my sister, why not stay at my place? The morning and evening meals will all be delivered by the cook..."
"I don’t need it, I don’t need your care!" Qi Shanye stubbornly refused.
"But I need your guidance at all times."
Xu Jin had come to understand Qi Shanye somewhat; in fact, he was a proud and tsundere old man, often just stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.
"And last time, didn’t my sister encounter the Baidou Divine Sect? Now that my family has suddenly grown rich, who knows if others might get ideas?
If you stay in the house, it’ll be as secure as a stabilizer.
And that way I can practice my cultivation at ease, right?"
Xu Jin provided a suitable way out.
"This... with your current status as the Star Patrol Commander, surely no one would dare to target your family, right?"
"Ordinary people wouldn’t dare, but who can say for certain about the Blood God Sect or the Baidou Divine Sect! And that Zhao Weizhen who fled from the Zhao Family, I’m quite concerned about him. If he finds out that the downfall of his family started with me, then I’d really be in danger.
An Expert at the Fourth Layer of Star Condensation." Xu Jin wore a face full of worry.
"That is indeed a danger you cannot handle on your own! Hmm, should I stay then?"
"Alright then, to put your mind at ease for your cultivation, I’ll stay for a while," Qi Shanye agreed.
At these words, Xu Jin breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that this rather proud old man had finally taken the offered way out.
In doing so, Xu Jin also felt that he had fulfilled his filial duty to his master. In the future, all he needed to do was pass on this legacy; the affairs of the Lingji Star Hall were too burdensome, Xu Jin didn’t want to carry them and did not dare to do so.
That night, within the Martial Arts Secret Realm, Xu Jin once again continued challenging "No Big Deal."
Seven battles, three victories, four defeats!
On the morning of July 20, after taking two Transcendence Pills that had been nurtured to the First Essence, Xu Jin achieved his third Purification.
The Star Power within his body increased by another one-tenth, and the circulation speed of the Star Power was further enhanced.
After having breakfast with his teacher Qi Shanye behind closed doors and windows, Xu Jin headed straight for the Jinshan Taoist Institute.
He would return home in the evening, but during the day, he would still go to the Institute; every other day, there were still classes to attend.
However, after arriving at the Institute today, Xu Jin went straight to Ning Yuchan’s residence.
Knocking on the door, Ning Yuchan came out but didn’t invite Xu Jin into the courtyard; instead, she said directly, "Follow me."
One minute later, Ning Yuchan led Xu Jin to the residence of the Mountain Master halfway up the mountain.
This left Xu Jin somewhat puzzled; what business did Ning Yuchan have with the Mountain Master that involved him?
"Xu Jin, I’ve called you here today because there are two matters I need to entrust to you," said Mountain Master Dong Zhao after appearing.
"The first matter is about the reward for your engraving of the Great Gathering Star Pattern." As he spoke, Mountain Master Dong Zhao handed Xu Jin three elixir bottles.
In an instant, a thrill rushed through Xu Jin’s heart—the Mental-locking Golden Pill had arrived!
That most exquisite of the small bottles must contain the Mental-locking Golden Pill.
"This is your reward for the first successful engraving of the Great Gathering Star Pattern: two bottles of Mental Awakening Pills, one bottle of low-grade Star Refilling Pills, and one Mental-locking Golden Pill. The other pills need no mentioning, but this Mental-locking Golden Pill, wait until you reach the Peak of the Seventh Layer of Dining Dawn to consume it for the best effect," said Mountain Master Dong Zhao.
Seeing confusion arise in Xu Jin’s eyes, Mountain Master Dong Zhao continued, "The Mental-locking Golden Pill mainly enhances the power of your Divine Soul, and it can increase your current Divine Soul Power by about twenty percent. Divine Soul Power is extremely difficult to enhance rapidly, but everyday cultivation, especially during the Body Refinement of the Seventh Layer of Dining Dawn, can slowly increase your Divine Soul Power.
When you reach the Peak of the Seventh Layer, your Divine Soul Power will have grown to its limit in a short span of time. Consuming the Mental-locking Golden Pill then will produce the best results and can also significantly improve your strength."
"Many thanks, Mountain Master," said Xu Jin.
"The second matter concerns the autumn exam. Previously, the number one seed player from our Institute was the first in the Inner Court, Wang Weisheng. But during the previous monthly exam, you defeated Wang Weisheng. Now you are the first in the Inner Court and will also be our Jinshan Taoist Institute’s number one seed player.
I hope you can achieve a good result in the upcoming autumn exam. Entrance is the bare minimum; I hope you can break into the top ten of the A Level," said Mountain Master Dong Zhao.
"Yes, the top ten of the A Level!"
As Mountain Master Dong Zhao spoke, he suddenly turned around, "Xu Jin, I won’t hide it from you, this is connected to my evaluation as the Mountain Master!
If you can break into the top ten of the A Level, then I, as the Mountain Master, will at least receive an A - rating. If Wang Weisheng can also break into the top ten, I can secure an A rating which would benefit my future prospects.
I hope you can make every effort!
This evaluation is quite important to me personally.
If you manage to break into the top ten of the A Level, I will personally present you with a Second-tier Star Weapon."
At these words, Xu Jin’s pupils suddenly constricted.
Second-tier Star Weapons were worth many times more than First Tier ones.
The most commonly seen First Tier Star Weapons only cost two or three thousand taels of silver, but Second-tier Star Weapons started at least from ten thousand taels and up. Moreover, they’re not something you can normally purchase in the market. Maybe you could find them in the black market of the state capital, but the price...
Xu Jin understood this was a significant reward that Mountain Master Dong Zhao had promised him.
"Rest assured, Mountain Master. To receive the Mountain Master’s assistance at the time of my sister’s crisis, I, Xu Jin, will spare no effort to break into the top ten of the autumn exam, to repay the Mountain Master. There’s no need for the Mountain Master to offer such a generous reward!" said Xu Jin, clasping his fist.