Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation
Chapter 335 - 158: Selection of the Best Slots (Please Subscribe)_2

Chapter 335: Chapter 158: Selection of the Best Slots (Please Subscribe)_2

For a few moments, Du Tingyun suddenly laughed, "The State Preceptor’s decision is fair, quite fair indeed!"

"Indeed fair, acceptable."

"Then, let’s meet again tomorrow evening."

"Until then!"

After this exchange, the people from Tianyang Star Hall and Cangming Star Hall disappeared simultaneously, leaving only National Master Cheng Yuxiao and the Left and Right Libationers in the entire Autumn Examination Secret Realm.

"State Preceptor, this year’s selection of outstanding disciples, aside from Xu Jin and Ji Hongli being somewhat unexpected, the rest from every state are the first place winners of the autumn exams who have already been preparing for battle.

Based on the results of the last implementation of the B plan, we should be able to retain half of our disciples, at least three of them, without any issues," said Song Bing in a calm voice.

Xu Jin was not originally within the quota, and the selection from Wanyi was expected to be either Meng Qingqiu or Yan Chen.

These two were considered the top two talents from Wanyi.

But unexpectedly, it turned out to be Ji Hongli.

However, Ji Hongli’s cultivation level did not lag behind.

As for Xu Jin, his top ranking in the God-Killing Battlefield had already proven his strength.

The only concern was about the elite disciples sent by the two Star Halls.

In terms of strength, there was indeed a gap.

The geniuses from the various states of Dachen were limited to within Dachen, but the disciples from the two Star Halls were the best of the best selected from the three great empires: Dachen, Dachu, and Dahong—not to mention they are ahead in aspects like Star Skill, Star Pattern, and resources as well.

From this standpoint, it was risky for anyone involved.

"State Preceptor, should we maybe boost their strength temporarily?" Meng Yanhui suddenly suggested.

"What are your plans?" National Master Cheng Yuxiao asked.

"Open up the Fourth-Order Star Power Secret Realm to them directly. There’s still one day and one night left, they should be able to increase their cultivation level," Meng Yanhui explained.

"Hmm, open it up!

Besides that, give each of them one bottle of top-grade Star Refining Pills, and give each of them one Mental-locking Golden Pill as well. Even if it’s a waste of the Drug efficacy, it can still help improve their strength by one or two percent.

Furthermore, let them each choose a Third Tier Star Weapon. As long as they come back alive, the Third Tier Star Weapons are theirs to keep.

That’s probably the greatest help the Taoist Institute can offer them, right?"

Cheng Yuxiao smiled bitterly as his demeanor grew heavy, and he suddenly sighed, "It’s also my incompetence as the National Master that after all these years, this selection of the eminent has not been abolished."

"Lingji Star Hall has been annihilated! National Master, you alone are standing up against the two Star Halls, and yet you’ve made our Dachen’s strength rise steadily. You’ve already exhausted all thoughts and efforts," Meng Yanhui responded.

"Without the National Master’s relentless effort, these selection slots could have been seven people a year for each Star Hall!

And they could pick anyone they wanted from among the disciples of the whole year.

Now, only picking from the autumn exam disciples has greatly preserved Dachen’s vitality," added Song Bing.

National Master Cheng Yuxiao gave a wry smile, "Make it clear to these disciples! Have them leave their wills behind. If they return successfully, there will be rewards, and if they die in battle, there will be significant compensation!"

"Rest assured, State Preceptor, it will be arranged properly."

Hearing this, Song Bing further suggested, "State Preceptor, should we gather these disciples together in advance to let them get acquainted? If they have a bit of luck, and two of them can team up, then perhaps more of them can return."

"That’s a good idea, set them up to cultivate together tomorrow morning."

With that, National Master Cheng Yuxiao disappeared.

*****

Xu Jin, who was in deep cultivation at the small courtyard, suddenly received an urgent Starlight Transmission from the Foreign Affairs Hall, the kind that vibrates thrice signalling immense urgency.

An urgent Starlight Transmission from the Foreign Affairs Hall is only slightly less pressing than a military order. Xu Jin immediately stopped his cultivation and rushed to the Foreign Affairs Hall.

By the time Xu Jin arrived, Ji Hongli was already there.

"Eh, Senior Brother Xu, you received an urgent notice too?"

"You received it as well. Do you know what it’s about?"

Subsequently, Xu Jin saw Ying Ge and Bu Xutui, whom he had met during the autumn exam; all four were somewhat astonished.

"It’s very likely a selection of the best."

Seeing the later arrivals, Ying Ge’s expression became grave.

A few breaths later, inside the gathered hall, Left Libationer Meng Yanhui, accompanied by the Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall, Chu Xuan, appeared and announced the issue regarding the selection of the best candidates.

As for Xu Jin’s doubts, Meng Yanhui specifically explained.

Xu Jin was selected as a candidate for Yan State’s quota by the Cangming Star Hall.

Meng Yanhui explained much, fearing that Xu Jin would be dissatisfied.

But Xu Jin didn’t mind at all, he just felt that Mountain Master Dong Zhao’s painstaking efforts had been in vain.

As for the matter of being chosen to participate in the battle, Xu Jin was not fearful at all, on the contrary, he felt an inexplicable sense of excitement.

Of course, all this, in the end, stemmed from Xu Jin’s confidence in his own strength.

"As for this, the State Preceptor is also very sorry. Twenty years ago, when the Lingji Star Hall was destroyed, the former State Preceptor Pei fought to the death, sacrificing his own life to force back two Hall Masters of the major Star Halls and signed the Blood Star Covenant.

The State Preceptor has been trying to change things all these years but, with the power of our Dachen alone, we ultimately cannot resist the two great Star Halls and overturn the Blood Star Covenant.

Next, it’s up to you to fight a bloody battle," Meng Yanhui said.

"We have already been doing our utmost to enhance your strengths! Since you are to participate in the battle tomorrow, the State Preceptor has decided to distribute a bottle of top-grade Star Refining Pills to each of you, as well as one Mental-locking Golden Pill, even if it’s a waste of drug efficacy, it can still enhance your strength by a bit.

At the same time, you will be granted direct access to the Fourth-Order Star Power Secret Realm. With your Third Layer Cultivation Level in Refining Star, you can now enter the Fourth-Order Star Power Secret Realm to cultivate.

From this moment on, as long as you are willing, you can enter the Fourth-Order Star Power Secret Realm and continue to cultivate until the battle," Meng Yanhui said.

"In addition to these, each of you will be allowed to carry two Third-Tier Star Weapons into battle. The State Preceptor has ordered, to provide you all with Top-Grade Third-Tier Star Weapons.

The hundred-odd Top-Grade Third-Tier Star Weapons that my Foreign Affairs Hall has treasured over the years are at your disposal to choose from.

And if you return alive, these Top-Grade Third-Tier Star Weapons will also be yours to use, no need to return them," Hall Master Chu Xuan said.

This series of benefits truly delighted all the disciples.

Although they needed to fight desperately, the National Taoist Institute had treated them fairly.

Finally, when the matter of wills and compensation was brought up, the group of disciples fell silent once again.

"Additionally, you can discuss amongst yourselves! Although the Third-Tier Star Domain is vast and your entry is random, if you’re lucky enough to group together, then your chances of surviving will increase exponentially.

Although we cannot pinpoint your location, there are some methods that can be useful.

In short, as long as it’s not prohibited by the rules, it can be used!

Everything, for the sake of all of you returning alive," Meng Yanhui said.

Upon hearing this, the people present started discussing enthusiastically. Some suggested moving in one direction, some suggested sending signal flares, and some suggested gathering at the highest point.

Various methods were proposed, yet many were rejected.

The Third-Tier Star Domain was extremely vast, and although such simple methods might be somewhat useful, more often than not, it still depended on luck.

Xu Jin listened throughout, but another method appeared in his mind—a method that had a great possibility of being effective.

A method that greatly increased the chance of forming a group.

But there was still a day left, it was too early to speak of it, for the risk of information leaking was possible.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin decided to hold off for now and see how things would develop tomorrow.

"Come, follow me, let’s choose your Star Weapons first, then get acquainted with them. Cultivate, and it would be best to have a few more real battles in the God-Killing Battlefield and Martial Arts Secret Realm! But by tomorrow evening, you must restore yourself to peak condition!

This, concerns the life and death of every one of you!" Meng Yanhui said.

And just as Meng Yanhui and Chu Xuan were taking the people to choose their Star Weapons, within the Pill Dawn Academy, the State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao suddenly spoke up, "Elder Peng, is it almost time?"

"There are 15 minutes until the appointed time," said Chief Peng, suddenly suggesting, "Should I go to the Star Radiance Building?

If I go, there might be some room to spare."

"What’s the point of sparing anything, I’ll go!"

As he spoke, State Preceptor Cheng Yuxiao had already stood up, and with one step, he had left the National Taoist Institute.