Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation
Chapter 287 - 143 The Function of Red Scale Heart (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 287: Chapter 143 The Function of Red Scale Heart (Please Subscribe)

"Xu Jin, I have already reported your war achievement in reclaiming the Second-tier Fire Radiant Star Domain to the court, and the decree of rewards will soon be issued. However, regarding the reward, I would like to hear your preference.

Would you like a noble title, or would you prefer more substantive rewards?"

On the morning of August 23, Xu Jin arrived early at the National Taoist Institute where the State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao handled his official duties, known as the Pill Dawn Academy.

The National Taoist Institute was backed by the Cloud Dawn Mountain to the south of Wanyi, at the foot of which stood a colorful rock more than twenty meters high, painted like danxia landform colors. It was here that the Pill Dawn Academy was built, said to be the precursor to the National Taoist Institute of Dachen Country.

Later, successive State Preceptors took office in the Pill Dawn Academy, so the State Preceptor of the National Taoist Institute of Dachen was also known as the Pill Dawn Palace Master.

However, over a thousand years, the nature of the Pill Dawn Academy had changed.

It used to be a place for teaching and preaching Taoism, but now, it had become a place for the State Preceptor to handle governmental affairs.

Xu Jin waited in front of the Pill Dawn Hall for about 15 minutes before he was called in by a Senior Brother named Pang Yu to meet the State Preceptor.

The State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao was as approachable as Xu Jin had seen before.

"State Preceptor, I would like to know, what is this more substantive reward?" Xu Jin asked boldly.

"It’s simple, if you want a noble title, this achievement of reclaiming a star domain qualifies as a miraculous feat of recovering lost territory. The least the court officials can do is grant you a first-class noble title. If I push for it a bit, an untitled third-class viscount is guaranteed.

At the same time, your military rank will be promoted, though the promotion will be limited by your strength.

If you want more substantive rewards, I can put in a good word for you, possibly a third-class noble title, but I can also advocate for a significant amount of Taoist Merit for you, along with a Star Artifact," State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao said.

Star Artifact?

This made Xu Jin’s eyes light up.

A Star Artifact represented strength.

As far as Xu Jin knew, within the entire Jinshan Taoist Institute, only the Mountain Master Dong Zhao possessed a Star Artifact. The others, even the Superintendent or the Governor, held Star Weapons.

However, Xu Jin had only learned a little about the noble titles of Dachen from Dong Zhao on the way yesterday and was not very clear about their benefits.

Suddenly being asked to make a decision was indeed difficult.

Between a third-class viscount and a third-class baron lay a whole tier.

"State Preceptor, which option do you think would be better for my future development?" Xu Jin threw the question back to the State Preceptor.

"Ha, in today’s world, great power comes from within! If you are strong enough, like a blooming flower, all fame and fortune, like butterflies, will naturally flock to you," Cheng Yuxiao laughed.

"Thank you for your guidance, State Preceptor. I choose the substantive reward," Xu Jin said.

"Good, I’ll speak on your behalf at the court."

After that, State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao suddenly asked, "You are a True Disciple. Have you chosen a mentor yet?"

Just as Xu Jin was pondering how to respond, the Mingji Star Pattern from the Lower Star Palace subtly shifted, and he suddenly noticed another gaze, or rather, attention, on him.

It was from the same Senior Brother Pang Yu who had greeted him.

This made Xu Jing feel a bit strange.

This Senior Brother Pang Yu’s Cultivation Level had already reached the Ninth Layer Peak of Star Condensation. Why would he be concerned about him?

"Not yet, many Academicians have shown interest in me, but as I am new here, I am not sure whom to choose as a mentor. Could the State Preceptor give me some advice?" Xu Jin seized the opportunity to ask for advice, following the lead of the State Preceptor’s question.

State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao pointed at Xu Jin and started playfully scolding, "How come I never noticed how slick you are before?

Forget it, it’s a Daoist Institute rule that True Disciples are free to choose their mentors! If I were to give you a recommendation, wouldn’t those Academicians come to the Pill Dawn Academy and scold me to my face?

You should choose for yourself, follow your heart!

After all, in our National Taoist Institute, between the Four Great Academicians and the twelve Vice Academicians, whomever you choose to pledge to won’t be a bad choice."

Again with ’follow your heart’, Xu Jin could only nod in agreement.

"Xu Jin, you are this year’s top of the Autumn Exam from our Dachen National Daoist School, and you have accomplished the miracle merit of reclaiming the Fire Radiant Star Domain. I have high hopes for you! I hope that you’re not only the top of the Autumn Exam but that in the future, you could become the First True Inheritor of our Dachen National Daoist School.

In three months, I hope even more that you can win the Star Tower Competition!

If you do, the disciples from various states and counties of Dachen, and the millions of Dachen people, could finally take a breath," the State Preceptor suddenly said.

"Star Tower Competition?" Xu Jin was puzzled.

"You will know when the time comes! If you truly can win the Star Tower, it would not only benefit the people of Dachen but also help your hometown of Jinshan County’s folks!

Keep cultivating diligently, reaching the middle period of Refining Star in three months is the minimum requirement," State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao said.

"Thank you, State Preceptor. I will work hard."

"Hmm, keep up the good work, I have faith in you!"

Pang Yu, who was standing by, almost rolled his eyes.

That was the fifteenth time the State Preceptor had said that in the last ten days, and the thirtieth time counting last year.

Every True Disciple received this treatment.

"Before you leave, remember to use the Star-picking Order to add me and your Senior Brother Pang as friends. In case of an emergency, you can contact me using the Star-picking Order. If I do not respond and it’s urgent, you can contact Pang Yu."

As the State Preceptor made this arrangement, Pang Yu’s expression genuinely changed.

The same words had been said thirty times before, but this was the first time the State Preceptor actively requested a disciple to add him as a friend using the Star-picking Order.