```
Silence!
After reciting the Star Exorcism Ritual nine times, Xu Jin, with excessive anticipation, felt his heart almost leaping out of his throat.
Why was there still no movement?
When he had recited the ritual nine times before, his eyes brightened, and the world spun around him. Why was there no reaction this time?
There shouldn't be anything wrong with the Star Exorcism Ritual.
Could it be that this world did not have the so-called North Dipper Nine Stars?
That shouldn't be the case.
If not, how did the previous exorcism send him to this world in the first place?
Could the distance be too far?
What if he couldn't return?
Should he just wait for the illness to set in like a bird waiting for death from the sky?
As Xu Jin's mind was in turmoil and his thoughts chaotic, a change suddenly occurred on the River Viewing Platform.
The Star Exorcism Altar on the River Viewing Platform lit up in an instant, even dazzlingly bright.
A certain constellation in the sky seemed to twinkle for a brief moment.
The Star Exorcism Altar shone dazzlingly for that instant, and it seemed that all of its brilliance poured into Xu Jin's body.
The next instant, all nine Star Lamps on the altar went out, the incense ashes turned to dust, but what truly startled Xu Jin was the jade in his hand.
The jade, originally cool and slightly warm to the touch, suddenly disintegrated into dust, startling Xu Jin enough to open his eyes wide and look around.
In the first instant of opening his eyes, disappointment filled Xu Jin's face and eyes.
He was still on the River Viewing Platform.
Still in the county city of Jinshan County in Yan State.
Still in this world.
He had not returned!
Still doomed to sit and await his impending death.
In utmost disappointment, Xu Jin listlessly sat down on the ground.
"How could the ritual for star exorcism possibly fail...."
Suddenly, the extremely disappointed Xu Jin realized something.
The ritual had not failed.
Xu Jin carefully observed the condition of the Star Exorcism Altar, all nine Star Lamps were extinguished, and the lamp oil, wicks, including the iron lamps, all turned to ashes.
The jade in his hands also became ash.
If the exorcism had failed, such anomalies would definitely not occur.
But it did not send him back as he had hoped; perhaps it had succeeded, but something unexpected must have happened.
What could have happened?
Or rather, what kind of change had occurred?
After inspecting the Star Exorcism Altar on the River Viewing Platform, Xu Jin closed his eyes to reflect on everything that had just taken place.
Reflecting was Xu Jin's secret weapon from both his studies and work in his previous life.
Whether it was for exams or setbacks at work, Xu Jin would close his eyes to reflect, study the gains and losses, and look for problems.
But, this time, just as Xu Jin closed his eyes, another anomaly occurred.
The Star Exorcism Altar appeared.
But it appeared in his mind.
In Xu Jin's mind, a new Star Exorcism Altar formed.
At the very center of this altar, lay a piece of jade, nearly identical to the one that had crumbled from his hands earlier.
And there was an altar, but atop the altar, there was only one brightly shining Star Lamp.
"What is this?"
Xu Jin was utterly confused, and amid his doubts, he suddenly noticed that there seemed to be characters on the most central piece of jade.
With a thought, the characters on the jade became very clear.
[First Tier Candou Platform]
[Fighting Master: Xu Jin]
[Acquire Star Favor, a daily worship yields one shred of Starlight]
[Star Lamp: One]
[Nourishable Items: None]
[Upgrade possible]
A few lines of simple words, yet Xu Jin was still utterly perplexed.
The ritual did not send him back, but it gave him this Candou Platform; what was the meaning of this?
It can be upgraded?
Or does it mean that by upgrading this Candou Platform in the future, there might be a possibility of returning?
As his thoughts were in disarray, a sharp screeching sound suddenly emanated from afar. When Xu Jin turned to look, he saw a red firework explode in the distance, dazzling against the night sky.
Xu Jin was instantly alarmed.
What sort of emergency had occurred?
As he wondered, more red fireworks consecutively burst from afar, from a distance to nearby, those exploding red fireworks formed a line, seemingly pointing in Xu Jin's direction.
Xu Jin was startled.
He had quietly conducted an unsuccessful Star Exorcism Ceremony, so how could it have sparked such a commotion?
Did his Star Exorcism Altar violate any taboo, or did it attract the attention of some powerful entity in this world?
This was a world where Star Mages could chase stars and moons; heaven knows what unknown divine skills or abilities might exist. It was entirely possible.
The river breeze blew against his face, clearing Xu Jin's mind.
Retreat first, back to the Taoist Institute.
Even if they were indeed coming for him, they wouldn't just kill him on sight.
They would need to look for some evidence or traces.
Deal with it when the time comes.
He quickly threw the stones he had picked up into the great river, and swept away the ashes with his bundle.
He believed that under the breeze, everything would disappear in a moment.
Before leaving, Xu Jin even pocketed the fruit offerings.
Sweets were rare here, so taking them back to eat made sense, of course, but also to leave no trace.
In the city, the glow dimmed, but the sound of numerous shouts arose.
Xu Jin even saw dozens of meteor-like lights shuttling back and forth across the sky.
Not even a few hundred meters away, he saw the Jinshan County Guards, dressed in their uniforms, rushing onto the street, and they noticed him, shouting in his direction.
Xu Jin was greatly shocked.
But still, he obediently stopped in his tracks.
He wanted to run, but with his innately weak body, how could he outrun these county guards.
What's more, in each team of county guards, the team leader was surely a Star Martial of the Dining Dawn Fourth Layer or above.
He definitely could not outrun them.
```