Moreover, according to the not-so-rich medical knowledge Xu Jin learned from some online popular science in his previous life, this body likely had congenital heart disease.
The previous owner probably died of it.
And he had already triggered it four times during cultivation.
That was the main reason Xu Jin wanted to go back.
Although the world before his eyes was quite novel, with Star Mages said to be capable of chasing stars and moons, Xu Jin was still eager to explore, especially since he had the opportunity to cultivate right here.
But this body seemed to have congenital heart disease, often feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing on his chest, making breathing uneasy, and whenever he cultivated at critical moments, the disease would flare up, leading to cultivation failure.
If the disease were to worsen someday, he would just drop dead.
In any world, staying alive was the priority.
Moreover, the sole reason his predecessor's father had gone broke to send him to the Jinshan Taoist Institute was that there was a chance to cure his serious illness here.
Of course, it was just a chance.
Therefore, Xu Jin was very urgent to return.
He didn't want to die.
Although his previous body wasn't muscular, it wasn't bad either.
Under normal circumstances, going back seemed basically impossible, but Xu Jin felt there might be a way, as he had worked out how he ended up here.
He wanted to try if he could return the same way.
During the May Day holiday, while Xu Jin was traveling through Long Land, he came across a dilapidated small temple, which turned out to be the Wuhou Temple, and he went in for a visit and to offer his respects.
The Taoist monk, who was guarding the temple, strongly recommended their Wuhou Temple's Star Exorcism Altar, claiming it might not prolong one's life but could still bring blessings and ward off disasters.
Anyways, there was no harm in trying. Having some understanding of this and with the mindset of better safe than sorry, Xu Jin decided to give it a shot, spending a hundred money.
The Taoist didn't charge much, but the ritual preparation was impressive.
Incense, oil lamps, jade ritual implements, robes, and even a sacrificial text that was several dozen characters long.
He instructed Xu Jin to don the robes, step on the Nine-Star pattern, and light the Star Lamps (oil lamps) and incense, and then recite the sacrificial text nine times silently. After that, Xu Jin found himself here.
Now, Xu Jin wanted to try if he could go back through the Star Exorcism Ceremony.
Ever since he found out the body was ill, Xu Jin had been preparing for this, and now he was only missing one jade ritual implement.
"Morning class is over."
With instructor Ning Yuchan's announcement, the three-hour morning class came to an end.
Almost everyone was exhausted, as the Dining Dawn Form was extremely draining.
However, today, instructor Ning Yuchan did not leave immediately but looked at the weary youths and suddenly said, "The Star Pointing period ends in seven days, and the Star Patterns branded on your bodies will also disappear then.
In the last seven days, I hope you all clear your minds of distractions and dedicate yourselves to cultivating and learning, striving for Star Pointing.
Even if you succeed in Star Pointing at the last moment, you can still get a C - rating and continue cultivating Star Skill.
But if Star Pointing fails."
Ning Yuchan's gaze swept over the youths who had not yet succeeded, "Not to mention your families may not be able to afford the two hundred taels of silver needed to rebrand the Star Pattern again, even if you do manage to succeed afterwards, the highest grade you would get is the unremarkable D-level, and whether you can cultivate Star Skill is still in question.
So, give it your all these last seven days!"
After speaking, Ning Yuchan paused slightly and took strides over ten meters, disappearing in a few bounds.
Xu Jin slowly stood up and let out a helpless sigh.
He, too, wanted to push harder, but pushing harder meant triggering his disease and nearing death.
He could only try the Star Exorcism Ceremony.
He had everything prepared for the Star Exorcism Ceremony now, just missing a jade ritual implement, essentially a piece of jade.
He had found the jade, but jade was expensive everywhere, and the one he wanted cost five taels of silver. He was two taels short.
But no matter where you are, shit is hard to eat, and money is hard to earn.
At noon, after hastily attending two classes on the Star Martial Six Arts, Xu Jin, who had been worrying about ways to make money, suddenly heard someone calling his name.
"Xu Jin, you have a visitor!"
Joy appeared on Xu Jin's face at first, followed by worry.
Without kin in this Jinshan Taoist Institute, the one to visit him would definitely be his predecessor's father, Xu Dajiang.
Xu Dajiang was extremely kind to his predecessor, or rather to Xu Jin, visiting every two weeks without fail, always responding to whatever the current Xu Jin asked for.
It was Xu Dajiang, this stand-in dad, who made it possible for Xu Jin's life after transmigrating to go on.
The problem now was, Xu Jin wanted to go back.
"Dad! Jiang'er."
At the entrance of the Jinshan Taoist Institute, Xu Dajiang with a bundle on his back and a poised young girl stood looking hopeful.
"Jin'er!"
"Brother!"
As Xu Jin approached, his sister Xu Jiang waved excitedly.
Just like before, the family of three sat under a large willow tree not far from the entrance of the institute, with Xu Jiang unpacking items from the bundle.
"Brother, here are the washed clothes for you to change into. Take off the dirty ones, and I'll take them back to wash. I'll bring them to you next time."
"Brother, here are the wheat cakes I baked this morning; they're still soft."
"Brother, here are the fried broad beans I made; they're really crispy."
"Brother, these are frogs from Dad's field. I boiled them and then fried them with oil. They're delicious—you have to try them."
After sitting down, 14-year-old Jiang'er didn't stop moving her mouth or her hands, continually grabbing things.
Xu Jin didn't hold back, tucking into the food.
The institute provided meals, but only enough to fill those who hadn't succeeded in Star Pointing. Xu Jin, being frail, received some extra silver from Xu Dajiang to buy additional food to nourish himself. Though it wasn't much, Xu Jin saved it all.