If disciples still want to practice within the Star Power Secret Realm, they can pay with Taoist Merit or Starlight.
Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm, two hours consume thirty points of Taoist Merit, or three strands of Starlight.
"Junior Brother Xu, Vice Academician Liu has granted you twelve two-hour durations in the Third Tier Secret Realm, plus the five two-hour durations that a True Disciple is entitled to, giving you a total of seventeen two-hour durations!
You should use this practice time as soon as possible and apply to freeze any unused time beforehand, otherwise it would be a pity to waste it," Wu Dong said enviously.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Wu. How should I enter this Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm?" Xu Jin asked.
"Your Star-picking Order already has authorization. Enter the present Star-picking Tower, hold your Star-picking Order, go straight to the third floor, see the Light Gate, and you can step directly in. Every two hours, the Star-picking Order will remind you," Wu Dong explained.
This Wu Dong, a Core Disciple with a Cultivation Level at the Star Refining Ninth Layer, presumably came from humble beginnings, which is why he takes on various tasks within the Taoist Institute to accumulate Taoist Merit.
Guarding Star-picking Square grants him ten Taoist Merit points daily during his four two-hour shifts, making it a routine way to earn Taoist Merit.
Stepping into the present Star-picking Tower, were it not for the faint Starlight underfoot, Xu Jin would have almost thought he was entering a regular high-rise.
As the staircase spiraled upward, Xu Jin reached the third floor holding the Star-picking Order and stepped through the Star Gate before him.
The next moment, Xu Jin stepped into a space flickering with Starlight.
At that instant, the dense Starlight surged, with a Star Power Concentration three times that of the outside.
Immediately, Xu Jin felt as if he were back in the Fire Radiant Star Domain.
He tried it out; within this Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm, there were invisible Star Power barriers everywhere, and Xu Jin’s range of movement was confined to a space approximately three meters in length, width, and height.
Within this space, any Star Power absorbed by Xu Jin was immediately replenished, although the concentration never exceeded three times.
This practice time was precious. Xu Jin did not dare waste a single moment and started practicing immediately.
Two hours later, the Star-picking Order slightly vibrated, indicating Xu Jin’s time was up. Xu Jin did not leave but continued, having the time anyway.
However, this two-hour session only added sixty-five strands of Starlight to his Central Star Palace Star Core.
The cultivation effect was roughly three times that of the real world.
Previously in the real world, Xu Jin could increase the Starlight around his Star Core by twenty strands in two hours.
Honestly, it was not even as effective as a single Star Refining Pill.
But while taking two Star Refining Pills in half a day had the best outcome, a third was a waste.
Yet when he couldn’t use Star Refining Pills, this Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm was the next best choice.
Cultivating for two hours here was akin to cultivating for six hours in the real world—both an excellent place for working on one’s Cultivation Level and for spending money.
After practicing for four hours, Xu Jin left the Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm and headed directly to Feiyan Hall.
According to what Vice Academician Liu Qingzhu had said, he also had one two-hour duration of practice time each day in the Gathering Star Hall of Feiyan Hall where the Star Power Concentration was twice that of the outside, doubling his cultivation efficiency.
He estimated he could cultivate about forty-two additional strands of Starlight around his Star Core in two hours.
However, by the time he left the Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm, Xu Jin had already accumulated a thin layer of Starlight around the Gathering Star Core of his Central Star Palace.
This result stemmed from the cumulative effect of last night’s evening class, today’s morning class, and two two-hour sessions in the Third Tier Star Power Secret Realm, amounting to 630 strands of Starlight and indicating Xu Jin’s Central Star Palace Cultivation Level had officially broken through to the Star Refining First Layer.
But it was only the early period of the First Layer.
To engrave star patterns on this First Layer Star Halo, he must reach the peak of the Star Refining First Layer.
Theoretically, it would take Xu Jin at least four to five more days to break through.
However, tonight’s evening class presented a variable.
"Junior Brother is here!"
"Junior Brother is here!"
"Junior Brother Xu is here!"
"Good day, Senior Brother Xu."
As soon as Xu Jin entered Feiyan Hall, a chorus of pleasant greetings filled his ears, pleasing him tremendously.
Especially the female cultivators with their athletic builds—some were powerful like lionesses, while others stood as tall and straight as vigorous pines.
Aside from a few naturally bulky figures, like Second Sister Tang Chuo who was among the most prominent, none had poor physiques.
If you were to take a photo, it indeed would be full of tall legs; no deceptions there!
Two particularly well-built junior sisters caught Xu Jin’s gaze for several moments.
Ah, it was purely admiration of beauty!
The perks of being a True Disciple were again evident in the Gathering Star Array of Feiyan Hall, where he could bypass the queue and enter directly for cultivation.
As expected, with the doubled Star Power Concentration, Xu Jin added forty-two strands of Starlight around his Star Core in two hours.
Just as Xu Jin finished his practice and was leaving the Gathering Star Array of Feiyan Hall, a pair of strikingly long legs blocked his way.
Upon closer inspection, it was a woman adorned in dark red fitted attire with a long spear, wearing combat boots and dark red Light Armor, and approximately as tall as Xu Jin, with her eyebrows sharply arching towards her temples exuding a spirited aura.
Her chest was somewhat flat, though, leaving Xu Jin wondering whether it was natural or due to the armor’s pressure!
"This is Senior Sister Yang Miaozhen," one of the guarding Disciples of the Inner Court quickly introduced.
"Xu Jin greets Senior Sister Yang."
"Hmm, how was the cultivation efficiency?" Yang Miaozhen suddenly asked.
Xu Jin was somewhat puzzled and looked up at Yang Miaozhen. According to his Mingji Star Pattern’s senses,her Cultivation Level was at the Star Condensing Realm, but it was further blurred, unclear to discern.