Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation
Chapter 83 - 79 Test and Starlight Transmission (Please follow, seek monthly pass)

Chapter 83: Chapter 79 Test and Starlight Transmission (Please follow, seek monthly pass)

Zeng Shuo’s Star-picking Order displayed a light screen that showed a total of twenty-six Star Weapons, divided into five categories.

The most numerous were naturally the weapons, with thirteen pieces. Xu Jin just glanced over them and directly moved on.

There were only two items in the boots category, one called Chasing Wind Boots and the other called Three Mountains Heavy Boots.

The Chasing Wind Boots could enhance the power of Star Power burst by twenty percent, meaning that wearing the Chasing Wind Boots, Xu Jin’s Flying Star Step could be at least twenty percent more powerful. They were priced at five thousand taels and were a very good choice.

The Three Mountains Heavy Boots, priced at fifteen thousand taels, would activate a Starlight Shield equivalent to the First Tier Peak when infused with Star Power, thus being defensive in nature.

Just looking at the price, the cost-performance ratio was also very high.

But it was obviously not suitable for Xu Jin.

In a few days, Xu Jin’s basic Star Skill, Starlight Shield, would be able to be cast instantaneously even without the need for the Star Lamp to solidify it.

There were five items in the shield category, including arm guards, leg guards, large shields, arm shields, and round shields, with prices ranging from three thousand to over ten thousand taels. Xu Jin took a look and also passed over them.

He already had an arm shield, and the one designed by the creatures of the Blood God Sect for ease of carry was very practical and easy to use, now worn on his left arm.

There were four pieces of armor and two pieces in the special category.

One of the special Star Weapons was the Heavenly Phenomenon Pendant, and the other was the Sirius Star Ring.

The Heavenly Phenomenon Pendant has the basic Star Skill Starlight Shield engraved and solidified inside, and it can be activated instantly once with its own Star Power; after the Star Power is exhausted, it can recover slowly on its own or be filled externally, priced at eighteen thousand taels.

The Sirius Star Ring has the basic Star Skill Star Arrow engraved and solidified within. Like the Heavenly Phenomenon Pendant, it can also recover its Star Power on its own and be activated instantly once, priced at twenty-one thousand taels.

Such special Star Weapons that come with their own Star Power and have Star Skills engraved are considered the most precious category of Star Weapons.

Instant Star Skills can save lives at critical moments.

Applicable to most people, but not very meaningful for Xu Jin.

Finally, Xu Jin set his sights on the four pieces of armor.

Among the four pieces of armor, one was a full-body heavy armor, two were full-body light armors, and one was a half-body inner armor.

The full-body heavy armor was priced at 26,000 taels and weighed 160 catties; it could easily defend against attacks from Second-tier cultivators and even partially block the attacks of Third-level Star Refining cultivators in the early period. It was truly a lifesaver.

But it was too heavy and too conspicuous.

It would be fine for use on the battlefield, but it was not convenient to even carry around on a daily basis.

It took up space and was heavy.

The light armor weighed 80 catties and could at most defend against a full-force strike from a Second Order Star Casting cultivator; if it sustained multiple strikes from a Second Order Star Casting cultivator, it would be damaged, priced at eighteen thousand taels.

The half-body inner armor weighed 26 catties and was known as Croc Dragon Soft Armor; once infused with Star Power, it could defend against attacks from Second Order Star Casting cultivators and even dampen the attacks of Third-level Star Refining cultivators. It was priced at 15,000 taels.

How to say it... Out of the five categories and twenty-six pieces of First Tier Star Weapons, the only two that caught Xu Jin’s eye were the Chasing Wind Boots and the Croc Dragon Soft Armor.

In terms of price alone, the Chasing Wind Boots were only five thousand taels.

Eventually, Xu Jin chose the more cost-effective Croc Dragon Soft Armor.

This Croc Dragon Soft Armor was very light and, crucially, convenient.

It could be worn under outer clothing on a daily basis, providing a life-saving effect at key moments.

"You have a good eye, and you’re also quite lucky. This Croc Dragon Soft Armor is rare, with only one piece available every four or five months. It happened to be available just for you this time."

As Zeng Shuo spoke, he brought the Croc Dragon Soft Armor over to Xu Jin.

It felt cool to the touch, but also had a peculiar tactile sensation.

"By the way, Hall Master Zeng, those Chasing Wind Boots, can I buy just one pair?" After receiving the Croc Dragon Soft Armor, Xu Jin suddenly asked tentatively.

The Foreign Affairs Hall sold many things, but Xu Jin didn’t know if they were available for direct sale.

The Chasing Wind Boots were also extremely practical.

In the world of martial arts, speed is unbreakable.

To increase speed is to increase both offensive power and life-saving ability.

"We do sell them, but per the rules, they can only be bought by entering the Dachen National Daoist School’s Star-picking Tower Main Building with a Star-picking Order." As he said this, Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall, Zeng Shuo, paused slightly then continued, "However, if you, Xu Jin, want to buy them, I can place the order for you, and just add the record.

After all, the Chasing Wind Boots are only restocked every two or three months."

"Then I thank Hall Master Zeng a lot."

Xu Jin understood that this Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall was doing him a favor, and he would need to acknowledge this kindness.

Otherwise, Xu Jin would have to wait until he reached the Sixth Layer before he could make the purchase.

If someone else bought them, he’d have to wait several months.

With these Chasing Wind Boots, Xu Jin’s mountain harvesting trip next month would be much easier.

A few minutes later, Xu Jin got the Chasing Wind Boots, and the more than ten thousand taels of silver that had just come into his hands were quickly reduced by another five thousand taels.

It seemed that his silver didn’t last long.

"By the way, I’d also like to buy nine Human Tier Star Jades; does the Foreign Affairs Hall have them in stock?" Xu Jin thought that since he was already there, he might as well collect the nine Star Jades he needed to upgrade the Candou Platform to the Third Tier.

"Oh, are you planning to practice engraving emblems?" Zeng Shuo laughed, "Emblem engraving is easy to learn but difficult to master. Even a Second-tier Emblem Master would need a minimum of ten thousand taels of silver to be properly trained."

Xu Jin understood that this was another well-intentioned reminder from Zeng Shuo.

"Just curious, I want to try with the First-tier ones to get a feel for it."

"Hmm, that’s only natural."

After receiving the nine Star Jades, Xu Jin paid for them and thanked Zeng Shuo again before leaving.

Following the spending, Xu Jin’s recently acquired 12,880 taels of silver had dwindled to 6,980 taels.

Including the silver he had left from previously killing creatures of the Blood God Sect and his own remaining silver, he still had just over eight thousand taels.

Xu Jin planned to use these silver taels for cultivation and settling his family matters; as for the debt he owed his teacher Ning Yuchan, he would repay it next month.

After all, it wasn’t good to be in debt for too long.

After leaving the Foreign Affairs Hall, Qian Xiaohu, Song Ye, Lu Xianbing, and Qiao Ruonan were still waiting for Xu Jin.

Seeing the Croc Dragon Soft Armor cradled by Xu Jin, one pair of eyes after another sparkled.

"Fifteen thousand taels, when will I ever manage to get something like this," Song Ye was filled with envy.

"Dude, Brother Jin, your luck isn’t half bad."

Lu Xianbing admired the Croc Dragon Soft Armor as well, "Inner armor is in high demand. My dad had to pull strings to purchase one directly from the State Daoist Institute in Yan State."

Upon hearing this, Song Ye and the others stared at Lu Xianbing as if he was brazenly flaunting his wealth.

As for the Chasing Wind Boots, Xu Jin did not take them out to show off.

"You guys, make sure to quickly convert the silver you’ve obtained into strength. The stronger you are, the more you’ll acquire. Give it three to five months, and you too can easily save up for one," Xu Jin said with a smile.

By the time all of this was sorted out, it had gotten dark. Thinking that he would see his sister Jiang’er tomorrow, Xu Jin was not in a hurry. He planned to buy some gifts in the morning; he would buy a new pair of shoes for his father Xu Dajiang, some meat, a little wine, and a new dress for Jiang’er, as well as some of her favorite pastries, before heading home.

After dinner, Xu Jin went straight to Lu Xianbing’s courtyard.

"Brother Lu, how about a spar?"

"Hmm?"

Seeing Xu Jin take the initiative to come for a spar, Lu Xianbing was quite surprised.

"I want to test out this Croc Dragon Soft Armor."

"Alright!"

"Look out for my spear!"

In an instant, starlight burst from the spear in Lu Xianbing’s palm, striking towards Xu Jin like a venomous dragon.

Xu Jin didn’t dodge.

He channeled Star Power into his Croc Dragon Soft Armor and took the hit head-on.

Starlight exploded against Xu Jin’s chest, the sheer force pushed him three steps back, and he felt only a slight prickling sensation; beyond that, he felt nothing.

"Again!"

Xu Jin’s feet erupted with starlight, and he surged forward once more.

Gradually, Xu Jin roughly figured out the defense capability of the Croc Dragon Soft Armor; it was indeed strong in defense, but it only protected against damage from Star Power. Against pure physical force, especially blunt trauma, its defensive power was limited.

Then, Xu Jin’s feet executed the Flying Star Step in rapid succession, constantly darting left and right, entangling with Lu Xianbing but only using simple weapons, not casting any Star Skill.

Fifteen minutes later, Lu Xianbing stood with his spear at rest, gasping for breath, looking at Xu Jin in shock.

"No good, you’re too strong. You learned Flying Star Step about half a month after me, right? But why are your Flying Star Steps so powerful?

Are they already close to Great Perfection?" Lu Xianbing asked incredulously.

During the recent spar, although saying he couldn’t keep up with Xu Jin’s shadow was a bit of an exaggeration, Xu Jin managed to dodge every one of Lu Xianbing’s attacks.

Lu Xianbing felt helplessly outmatched in speed and was overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness.

"Not yet, it’s just reached Great Success."

"It’s already reached Great Success?" Lu Xianbing’s eyes widened. "That was quick. My Flying Star Step will need at least another half a month of hard training to reach Great Success!"

"I might just have a natural talent for it."

Actually, Xu Jin was testing the Practical Combat Ability of the Chasing Wind Boots.

Xu Jin’s Flying Star Step was just short of Perfection, but with the Chasing Wind Boots, he had already achieved the effect of Perfection.

In a few days when his Flying Star Step fully reached Great Perfection, the effect would be even stronger.

By then, most cultivators in the Star Casting Realm probably wouldn’t be faster than Xu Jin.

In the evening, Xu Jin returned to his own courtyard to continue his Cultivation.

After completing his Cultivation, he couldn’t wait to enter the Star-picking Tower.

As soon as he entered, consecutive points of starlight floated towards him.

Was someone sending him a Starlight Transmission?

Xu Jin wondered.

In the Star Tower, he had only one friend so far, right?

"Despicable Great Saint, are you scared now? Why didn’t you show up today? — Left by Drunk Moon Immortal."

"Despicable Great Saint, if you dare, come fight! — Left by Drunk Moon Immortal."

"It seems you’re really scared, huh? Not daring to fight for three days in a row, Despicable Great Saint, you truly live up to your name — Left by Drunk Moon Immortal."

Xu Jin shook his head as he read this.

This girl must be dying to get her revenge.

His strategy that day was just a stroke of inspiration, a feat of improvisation.

Where did the accusations of being despicable come from?

Besides, on the battlefield, the dead have no right to call others despicable!

Xu Jin didn’t respond.

A single response would consume a strand of Starlight, which would cost a hundred taels of silver.

International satellite calls weren’t even that expensive.

Xu Jin didn’t issue any challenges either.

Firstly, it’s best to stay away from such petty women.

Secondly, he wanted to test a certain piece of data that day.

A very important piece of data he had previously speculated about.

Glancing at the Martial Arts Secret Realm rankings, he noticed his rank had fallen to over 30,000 after not participating for four nights.

Suddenly, a name on the First Tier Martial Arts Secret Realm rankings caught Xu Jin’s attention, making his gaze freeze in place.