Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation
Chapter 423 - 186: Seeing Gold Star Again

Chapter 423: Chapter 186: Seeing Gold Star Again

"Minister Xu, what are your thoughts?"

The Qian’an Emperor grinned as he looked at Xu Jin, raising the question.

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Xu Jin’s mind.

Xu Jin was not foolish; the issue of a bestowed marriage was not as simple as merely sleeping with a princess—its many hidden implications were what truly mattered.

If it really were just about sleeping with a princess, Xu Jin wouldn’t mind punching in for the task.

But given how little time Xu Jin had spent in Wanyi, and his limited understanding of the complex relationship between the imperial power and the National Taoist Institute, he was unsure whether to refuse or accept.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Xu Jin’s mind.

A bestowed marriage!

But now, the Qian’an Emperor was seeking his opinion.

That suggested the focus might not actually be on the bestowed marriage.

Rather, it was a test.

The emperor was using this situation to probe his attitude and even his stance.

Otherwise, simply offering the marriage outright would have likely had a greater chance of success.

After all, the Imperial family needed to maintain face.

"This matter is for you to decide for yourself. You can agree or refuse. If you wish to marry a princess, agreeing is also an option," said the voice of the National Master Cheng Yue Xiao, which suddenly reached Xu Jin’s ears.

This left Xu Jin somewhat puzzled.

What did it mean when the National Master gave no clear directive?

Was this a test for him?

Forget it, it was too complicated!

Complicated matters weren’t something Xu Jin wanted to engage with now.

When the conditions were right, he believed in breaking all schemes with sheer force; let others plot a thousand strategies, he would shatter them with a single punch.

For now, it was simpler to just keep his head down and focus on cultivation.

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kind offer, but I have just advanced in Star Casting, a critical time for rapid improvement in cultivation and ascetic practice. For now, I am not considering marriage.

Moreover, I have sworn not to engage in Gathering Battles or take a wife!"

Xu Jin, in order to cut through the chaos, set a tough line for himself.

His reasoning was simple; if he could break through to the Gathering Battle Realm as his master Qi Shanye had said, at the very least, he would have the ability to flee to the ends of the Earth.

And considering Xu Jin’s actual combat power, he should be even stronger.

At that time, everything would be different.

The Qian’an Emperor was slightly taken aback, not expecting Xu Jin to outright invoke a vow, thus rejecting the proposal quite thoroughly.

The Fourth Prince, Prince Xin, sneered from the side, "Isn’t that vow a bit too much? I’ve seen many talents unable to break through to the Gathering Battle Realm! If something goes wrong, wouldn’t that mean Xu Jin would never marry?"

"That’s none of Prince Xin’s concern," Xu Jin retorted sharply.

With the National Master by his side, and after Prince Xin had previously overreached towards him, there was no need for politeness.

There was no point in smiling when others slandered you!

A direct confrontation was necessary.

Sure enough, Prince Xin’s expression darkened.

"Minister Xu indeed has a brave spirit, truly a hero from the younger generation!" The Qian’an Emperor smoothed over the situation with a single comment.

"Then I shall wait for Minister Xu to reach the Fifth Tier of the Gathering Battle Realm before discussing this matter again."

With that, the emperor quickly moved past the topic and blandly asked Xu Jin a few other questions before letting him leave.

As soon as Xu Jin had left, the Qian’an Emperor glanced at Chief Chu, who flicked his finger lightly, and a point of Starlight opened up, forming a Star Curtain that enveloped the entire hall.

Almost simultaneously, Prince Xin’s expression grew sinister, "Father, yet another thorn. Although you didn’t directly offer marriage—merely suggesting it—he dared to refuse outright. That’s quite the audacity.

The National Taoist Institute’s disciples are becoming bolder by the year."

"This Xu Jin seems impossible for us to use, appearing utterly devoted to Cheng Yue Xiao," remarked the Third Prince, Prince Jing.

The Qian’an Emperor coldly glanced at his two sons, "If only either of you had half his capability, we wouldn’t be in this state!"

"Father, with Xu Jin, if I explode in power, I could crush ten like him with one hand!" protested Prince Xin.

"That’s because you have reached Star Condensation! Do you still feel confident once he reaches Star Condensation?"

Prince Xin was left speechless.

"Enough, you two should also withdraw and focus on your cultivation. If any of you could break through to the Sixth Tier in the future, that would indeed ease my worries," the Qian’an Emperor scolded sternly.

Then, the two princes departed.

The emperor directly inquired, "Grand Steward, what’s your sense? Does this boy have the potential to pick consecutive Golden Stars? My sensing suggests that his Divine Soul is merely at the initial stage of Star Casting, making Silver Stars within reach but Gold Stars very difficult!"

"Your Majesty, if you speak of the genius who picked two Golden Stars consecutively before, then Xu Jin has the highest likelihood.

Just yesterday on the God-Killing Battlefield, he impressively fought his way to the 127th level.

But if level 127 is his limit, then merely reaching that level wouldn’t suffice for picking a Golden Star.

For him to pick a Golden Star, he’d need to have the strength to reach around 150 levels on the battlefield.

In terms of Divine Soul, I am no match for you, Your Majesty. If you say he can’t pick a Golden Star, then it won’t be Xu Jin," replied Chief Chu, bowing deeply.

The Qian’an Emperor, frowning, sighed, "So you’re saying the genius who obtained those two Golden Stars isn’t one of our Da Chen disciples? If so, securing him will be even more difficult."

The pale-skinned Chief Chu bowed slightly, his demeanor shadowy, "Your Majesty, your humble servant has been doing his utmost in the investigation. If found, I will spare no effort to bring this genius to assist Your Majesty."

"Golden Stars!

If I could obtain just one Golden Star, I might make my breakthrough to the Seventh Tier!"