Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation
Chapter 82 - 78 Exchange Rewards

Chapter 82: Chapter 78 Exchange Rewards

[July’s First Place, Xu Jin: 16,974 taels]

[July’s Second Place, Wang Weisheng: 11,763 taels]

[July’s Third Place, Yu Xianghua: 10,359 taels]

...

The giant light screen projected by the Starlight displayed the harvesting rankings from first to fiftieth on both sides of the Martial Arts Hall.

Shocked and astonished exclamations buzzed as one.

Many disciples subconsciously turned to look at Big Brother Wang Weisheng.

Even Yu Xianghua, Zhang Ming, Zhang Han, and others wore faces of surprise; nobody had expected that Big Brother Wang Weisheng’s invincible position as first in the harvest would be broken so easily.

Broken by a newly initiated disciple who had succeeded at Star Pointing less than a month ago.

Following that, doubts arose.

Endless questions.

Xu Jin’s harvesting quantity was terrifying.

Because it not only broke Big Brother’s seven consecutive months of first place in harvesting, but it also set a new ten-year record for the institute.

Even within the institute’s hundred-year records, it ranked among the top ten.

Too impressive.

What was more important was that this harvesting amount was obtained by Xu Jin, a new disciple at the fifth layer of Dining Dawn.

If this number had been achieved by Wang Weisheng, or other senior talented disciples like Zhang Han, Yu Xianghua, or Zhang Ming, no one would question it.

Many held doubts in their hearts.

But most people doubted it silently.

No one would stand up at this moment to question the authenticity of Xu Jin’s harvest.

This was personally announced by the Mountain Master, Dong Zhao.

It indicated that the matter had been confirmed by Mountain Master Dong Zhao.

If that was the case, didn’t it mean Xu Jin was a genius?

Even if it wasn’t personal strength, he must have been exceptional in other ways, such as the emblems he possessed, and so on.

To challenge such a genius after the Mountain Master had come forward, wouldn’t that be foolish?

So, the majority were puzzled, but none dared to step forward and ask.

Eventually, Big Brother Wang Weisheng, whose unbroken first-place position had been stolen, couldn’t help himself.

He had to ask for clarification; otherwise, he would never feel at peace.

"Mountain Master, respected instructors, when I was in the Outer Court, I heard Instructor Zheng total Xu Jin’s harvest at 10,974 taels, how did it change to 16,974 taels now? I’m a bit perplexed," asked Big Brother Wang Weisheng.

He didn’t question the authenticity, but simply voiced his factual confusion.

Still maintaining the magnanimity expected of a Big Brother.

The other disciples too looked puzzled, some even vocally agreeing.

They had the same doubt.

On the raised platform of the Martial Arts Hall, Mountain Master Dong Zhao glanced at Governor Tian Zhang.

Governor Tian Zhang stepped forward with a resolute voice, "During the July mountain harvest, numerous Evil People from the Blood God Sect appeared, causing casualties among our disciples. In the midst of that, Xu Jin slew a seventh and sixth-layer Blood God Sect Evil People each, and captured another of the seventh layer alive.

According to Xu Jin’s wishes, to not calculate the merit but include it as a special harvest, slaying a seventh-layer Blood God Sect Evil Person is accounted for as a special harvest of 1,400 taels, slaying a sixth-layer as 1,200 taels, and capturing alive a seventh-layer as 3,400 taels, thereby adding a special harvest of 6,000 taels in total."

No sooner had Governor Tian Zhang finished speaking than all the disciples’ gazes turned and focused sharply on Xu Jin.

There were all kinds of looks.

Envy, jealousy, and even admiration.

Wang Weisheng, Yu Xianghua, and others also looked at Xu Jin with a mix of envy and helplessness.

In their eyes, Xu Jin was just too lucky.

If they had encountered the Evil People from the Blood God Sect, they too could have slain them; after all, what was so special about sixth and seventh layers? Who hadn’t faced them before?

It’s just that they hadn’t encountered any from the Blood God Sect.

But among all, only Second Brother Zhang Han thought differently.

Only those who had faced the Blood God Sect’s Evil People knew how cunning, treacherous, and cruel they could be.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be called Evil People of the Blood God Sect.

Zhang Han himself was an example, with his strength, he could vanquish seventh-layer Blood God Sect Evil People one by one, even handling two at a time.

But the truth was, if Xu Jin hadn’t acted, he would have lost his life.

The Evil People from the Blood God Sect were not just about their Cultivation Realm; he must stay extremely vigilant in the future.

"Do any of you still have questions about this mountain harvesting?

If so, ask them now, and I, the Mountain Master, will answer them one by one!

The mountain harvest is one of the fundamental pillars for the survival of Jinshan Taoist Institute, based on fairness and justice, with unquestioned responses to doubts," exclaimed Mountain Master Dong Zhao in a loud voice.

All the disciples shook their heads; there were no further questions.

The harvesting amount of Jinshan Taoist Institute was all calculated with Star-picking Orders, which rarely had issues.

If you have no doubts, then disperse. You all have worked hard, you may go to the Foreign Affairs Hall to hand over and exchange for your rewards.

In addition, you will have tomorrow off!"

Having said that, Mountain Master Dong Zhao stepped on the Starlight and departed through the air.

Below the stage, Xu Jin was overjoyed.

He had just been thinking of going to find Ning Yuchan to request leave; tomorrow, July 14, was the day his sister returned home after a full month of work, and he had to go home.

I didn’t expect there to be a break tomorrow, that works out perfectly.

After dismissal, the senior students from previous terms all went straight back to rest without rushing to exchange their rewards.

Only the disciples who were initiated this spring at Star Pointing ran toward the Foreign Affairs Hall to exchange their rewards.

It is no wonder—they are poor!

Cultivating consumes a lot, and although the monthly salary provided by the Taoist Institute is considerable compared to ordinary people, it is still far from sufficient for cultivation.

Most people actually did quite well with their harvests when not compared to Xu Jin.

For instance, Qiao Ruonan’s harvest amounted to 1063 taels—after deducting the base requirements and percentage taken by the Taoist Institute, she also netted over 400 taels.

Fang Zixing, Hong Gang, Sha Youtian, and Song Ye, these members who were in the same group as Captain Xu, had harvests mostly ranging between 1000 to 1500 taels, which after exchanging their rewards, allowed their cultivation levels to rapidly increase for a while.

To Xu Jin’s surprise, Qian Xiaohu actually obtained a harvest of 2673 taels.

This harvest amount was almost enough to break into the top one hundred.

"Xiaohu, how come your harvest is so high this time? Did you strike it big by chance?" On the way, Song Ye asked while walking.

"What luck? I’m just bold, not afraid of filth or insects, and I specialize in squeezing into mountain crevices and swamps. I go wherever it’s dirty and frightening since no one else does. Places with a lot of animal carcasses are stinky and full of bugs and ants, but no one else goes there. My haul ends up being pretty good.

Of course, I stay within the safe areas on the Taoist Institute’s map," Qian Xiaohu said with a simple laugh.

Hearing this, Xu Jin couldn’t help but smile.

Everyone has their own way of thinking and their own path.

Xiaohu’s willingness to endure hardship is notable, and not many people would make that choice.

Xu Jin calculated that Qian Xiaohu would pocket at least over 1400 taels, which was a considerable income that would allow him to rapidly cultivate for a while.

There were many people at the Foreign Affairs Hall, but those at the front of the queue were settling their accounts quickly. Before long, it was Xu Jin’s turn.

When the master in charge heard it was Xu Jin, he directly invited him into the inner hall of the Foreign Affairs Hall, saying that Xu Jin should wait, as his rewards would be personally calculated and distributed by the Hall Master.

Before long, a hefty middle-aged fat man bustled into the inner hall.

Xu Jin quickly offered a salute, "I have seen Hall Master Zeng."

Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall, Zeng Shuo, had only been seen by Xu Jin once before.

At first, he didn’t take much notice, but as Xu Jin’s understanding of the Jinshan Taoist Institute deepened, he realized that in his previous life, this Hall Master Zeng Shuo would have been the head of a county’s finance department.

He must be a close confidant of Mountain Master Dong Zhao.

This person may not be widely known, but within the Jinshan Taoist Institute, his influence should be far from small.

"Wow, indeed a person of striking appearance and extraordinary spirit!"

Hall Master Zeng praised with a laugh before even speaking, "All those who have won the top harvester of the month have always been the top geniuses of our Jinshan Taoist Institute, and they will surely become the pillars of great Dachen in the future.

Moreover, with a cultivation level of Fifth Layer in Dining Dawn, you could even slay Evil People from the Blood God Sect; your combat power is indeed remarkable.

Truly keen and decisive...

..."

Xu Jin felt his polite smile was almost going numb.

This guy in front of him was too good at flattering; more than a dozen phrases in a row, each different from the last.

Xu Jin didn’t even know how to respond.

"Master Zeng is too kind..."

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Hall Master Zeng laughed heartily, taking Xu Jin’s arm with his plump hand and leading him to a long table, "Let’s see, your rewards—I’ll make sure to calculate them thoroughly."

"Thank you, Hall Master Zeng," Xu Jin replied, finally getting to the point, but by now, he really wanted to wash his hands.

"Your total harvest this time is 16974 taels, minus 2000 taels first. Of those 2000 taels, the foundation requirement of the Taoist Institute takes 200, while the institute takes a 50% cut of the remaining 1800, leaving you with 900 taels.

The 14974 taels that remain, the Taoist Institute takes 20%, allowing you to receive 11980 taels altogether. Adding the initial 900 taels, the total reward to be given to you is 12880 taels. If that’s correct, just sign here," Hall Master Zeng said.

"No problem."

"Do you prefer silver notes or calculating based on the starlight at Star-picking Tower?" Hall Master Zeng asked again.

"You must still be holding a one-star Star-picking Order, right? If you opt for starlight instead of silver, it’s twenty taels per strand of Star-picking Strands," Hall Master Zeng said.

"I’ll take the silver notes then."

"Good. Has your Star-picking Order been activated yet?" Hall Master Zeng asked.

"I’m at the Fifth Layer of Dining Dawn, so it has not been activated," Xu Jin replied.

Previously, Xu Jin had already asked Ning Yuchan about this. The information in the public area of the Star-picking Order is private, not accessible to anyone except the owner.

However, should one choose to enter a main building, then the information in the main building becomes visible to those with higher authority.

That meant if Xu Jin chose to enter the Da Chen National Daoist School afterward, then the information within that institute would be seen by others, but the public area information would still remain private unless Xu Jin shared it.

"Alright, since it’s not activated, it can’t be directly transferred within the Taoist Institute, so I will need you to transfer it through your Star-picking Order," Hall Master Zeng patiently explained.

Xu Jin handed his Star-picking Order to Hall Master Zeng. A flash of Starlight on Zeng’s order, and then he promptly returned Xu Jin’s Star-picking Order.

"All done.

Counting the starlight previously awarded to you, once you activate your Star-picking Order, there should be 150 strands of starlight in it.

Additionally, after activating your Star-picking Order, it’s best to enter the Da Chen National Daoist School at your earliest convenience, register and record the information, and then make a trip to the Foreign Affairs Bureau," Hall Master Zeng was patient.

One minute later, Hall Master Zeng handed Xu Jin a thick stack of silver notes, some worth a thousand taels and others worth a hundred taels each.

In an instant, Xu Jin felt a significant sense of security.

He had silver now.

After completing the transfer of the silver notes, Hall Master Zeng’s finger brushed over the Star-picking Order, igniting a flash of Starlight that projected a light screen for Xu Jin.

"Xu Jin, you are the top harvester, and you may choose any First Tier Star Weapon.

Star Weapons are divided into five major categories: weapons, boots, armor, shields, and specials, with a varied number of types within each category. Altogether, there are five categories with twenty-six items. They are all listed here, and you can choose one."