June 17th was the last day of this spring's Star-pointing Season, and the atmosphere among the youngsters had become considerably tense.
Because after today, it would be the moment that decided their fate.
On the contrary, those who had successfully completed Star Pointing were much more at ease, especially those who had broken through to the First Layer of Dining Dawn, who were even more relaxed.
During morning class, Xu Jin, as usual, although he had broken through to the First Layer of Dining Dawn, knew that consistent, cumulative effort was essential for successful cultivation.
Moreover, two issues lay before Xu Jin.
First, he was uncertain whether he could join the Middle Court tomorrow.
Second, the Pills used for cultivation would run out after today, but the most pressing issue wasn't about getting the money for the Pills; he needed to make a sum of money in a short time.
Xu Jin was quite worried.
He still didn't know how Xu Dajiang had managed to get those fifty taels of silver.
It was impossible that he had earned it.
Even if Xu Dajiang had skills, strength, and was willing to endure hardship, earning two taels of silver a month was essentially his limit.
Fifty taels, where would he obtain such an amount?
Xu Jin had a bad premonition.
After the end of Star-pointing Season tomorrow, he must go home for a visit.
And he couldn't go back empty-handed; he needed to bring silver to address potential problems.
Amidst his anxious thoughts, Xu Jin felt melancholic. When would he stop worrying about money?
Today was the last day of the Star-pointing Season and hence was rife with incidents.
Very soon, an unsuccessful young Star-pointer let out a pig-like scream; the Star Pattern on his chest had dimmed, and no matter how he posed in the Dining Dawn Form, he could no longer attract the Starlight.
Instructor Ning Yuchan provided an explanation: the Star Pattern branded on his chest had dissipated.
Though a Star Pattern imprint could last three months, dissipation a day or two earlier was not uncommon and was perfectly normal.
In other words, his Star-pointing Season had prematurely ended.
Several youngsters were terrified by this sudden event, worried that theirs would also dissipate, unable to concentrate, leading to even poorer Star-pointing results.
Several were so anxious to succeed in Star-pointing that they overexerted themselves using Divine Soul Power, suffering from splitting headaches yet still insisted on adopting the Dining Dawn Form to attract Starlight, eventually fainting on the spot.
Regarding this, Ning Yuchan could only shake her head helplessly.
Every Star-pointing Season saw such occurrences; it wasn't unexpected.
By evening class, the situation worsened.
One after another saw their Star Patterns disappear, completely losing any possibility of successful Star-pointing.
Some cried, some laughed, some collapsed softly on the ground, and even more burst into loud crying.
However, those who cried out loud were directly picked up by the nape of their neck by Ning Yuchan and thrown far away from the morning class plaza.
Though she understood their emotions, disrupting other youngsters' Star-pointing was unacceptable; it was her duty.
"I did it, Instructor, I did it!"
"I really did!"
Suddenly, amidst the crowd, joyous laughter erupted, and everyone involuntarily turned to look, affecting Xu Jin as well.
Turning his head, he saw it was the acquaintance Liu Ji, causing Xu Jin to frown slightly.
Liu Ji's chest now shone with a bright Star Pattern; he had obviously succeeded in Star-pointing at the very last moment.
Success in Star-pointing, particularly on the final evening, Liu Ji's ecstatic joy was understandable.
But the youngsters around him were incredibly angry.
The next moment, Liu Ji's laughter abruptly stopped and turned into painful yelps.
Suddenly, a silver crutch embedded with mud shot like lightning directly into Liu Ji's mouth, his face contorted in pain as saliva, blood, and muddy water trickled down, looking utterly helpless.
Ning Yuchan, furious with arched eyebrows, said, "Liu Ji, I'm happy you succeeded in Star-pointing! But, your yelling disrupts others' Star-pointing, effectively ruining their prospects.
How do you know others couldn't succeed in Star-pointing at the last moment?"
Liu Ji quickly gestured an apology, and Ning Yuchan finally pulled the crutch from his mouth.
"Instructor, I realize my mistake."
"Everyone continue your cultivation."
Ning Yuchan glanced at Liu Ji and then turned to leave.
Eventually, following Liu Ji, two more managed to succeed in Star-pointing at the last moment, but learning from Liu Ji's lesson, they didn't receive the 'silver crutch' treatment.
This season's final evening class ended amidst many cries of despair.
The despairing looks from many made both Xu Jin and Qian Xiaohu shiver uncontrollably.
Xu Jin suddenly realized that the success of Star Pointing was even more cruel than the college entrance examinations of his past life.
That night, there was no sleep for some, as someone had jumped into the lake.
It caused a great commotion and kept many instructors awake all night.
Failure in Star Pointing was normal, but if a young man died within the Taoist Institute, although no one in this world could blame the institute, it still would not be good for its reputation.
The Taoist Institute still needed to maintain its dignity.
June 18th marked the end of the Star-pointing Season. Perhaps because the sounds of the early morning bell had ceased, many youths, especially those who had failed in Star Pointing, did not get up for the early class. Their failure did not prevent them from sleeping in.
Xu Jin, however, woke up on time, got dressed, and went out, his face filled with helplessness as he picked up a few smooth pebbles to solve a personal problem, only to find Qian Xiaohu still deep asleep. He shook him awake, "Xiaohu, get up."
Blearily opening his eyes, Qian Xiaohu mumbled confusedly, "Brother Jin, what's happening?"
"Get up, early class."
Qian Xiaohu rubbed his eyes again, now more awake, "Brother Jin, hasn't the Star-pointing Season ended? The instructors didn't say anything, why still have an early class?"
Xu Jin was stunned for a moment, then suddenly slapped the back of Qian Xiaohu's head.
"Is the early class for the instructors?
Is cultivation for the instructors?
If you haven't even understood this, then why are you still cultivating? You might as well go work as a laborer at the dock!"
With that, Xu Jin left on his own.
It was just a younger brother, not a son; there was only so much Xu Jin could say.
Fortunately, on the way to the early class square, a groomed Qian Xiaohu caught up, looking at Xu Jin's stern face and hurriedly apologizing, "Brother Jin, I was foolish. It won't happen again."
"You should say that to yourself."
As they spoke, they arrived at the early class square where many familiar figures were practicing the Five Battles Killing Fist, quietly waiting for the first light of dawn.
Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, Zhou Du, Lu Xianbing, Song Ye, Qiao Ruonan, and others were already there, and soon Luo Geng also arrived.
Xu Jin just glanced in Yue Daqi's direction and pointed to Qian Xiaohu, then went off on his own to practice.
Qian Xiaohu, watching these talents far superior to him, stood in place. Before long, despite the early morning, his forehead began to sweat.
It seemed he had come to some realization.
On the first day of early class after the end of Star-pointing Season, over two-thirds of the youths who had successfully completed Star Pointing attended.
Not long after the class ended, the sounds of the bell rang out, and servants were sent to inform all the successful youths to assemble at the Outer Court Martial Arts Hall at 15 p.m. The Mountain Master, Vice Mountain Master, Dean, and other top officials of the Taoist Institute would be present to assess and decide the future of these youths.
Before 15 p.m., Xu Jin and Qian Xiaohu, among others, had already arrived early at the Outer Court Martial Arts Hall.
Last night was the decisive moment for the fate of the youths who did not succeed in Star Pointing, and this afternoon would determine the fates of those who had.
To tell the truth, having been in Jinshan Taoist Institute for three months, Xu Jin had never seen any of the institute's high-ranking officials such as the Mountain Master, Vice Mountain Master, or the Star Patrol Guard Governor.
He only knew that the Mountain Master of the institute was a figure powerful enough to shake the entire Jinshan County with a stomp of his foot.
The Mountain Master, Vice Mountain Master, Dean, and Governor of the Star Patrol Guard were known as the four major powerhouses of Jinshan Taoist Institute.
This was generally the case in all the Taoist institutes throughout the states and counties of Chen Country.
In the past, these figures were legendary to the youths who had just succeeded in Star Pointing. However, today they would witness them with their own eyes, causing excitement among many.
Xu Jin was also looking forward to it.
Suddenly, a sound of breaking through the air came from the sky, a deep blue stream of light appeared from halfway up the mountain where the institute was located, slicing across the sky and directly landing on the high platform of the Martial Arts Hall, allowing the gathered students to see clearly.
A man in a black round-necked robe, his hair bound in a fabric, his face as still as water, stern-looking.
Instructor Ning Yuchan and Cui Tianqi, the flag master of the Star Patrol Guard, among others, began to greet with clasped fists, "Greetings, Dean."
This was Dean Cao Chun, said to be the most feared person by the disciples of the institute.
Suddenly, a stream of aquamarine brilliance swept across the sky, rapidly descending; it was an elder in a green robe.
The group of instructors greeted him again—it was Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu.
Close on his heels was a crimson stream of light. This red light moved extremely fast, even carrying a sense of oppression, and the figure landed on the Martial Arts Arena with a loud thump, a hand on the hilt of a sword, his presence emanating a fierce aura.
This time, as the instructors greeted, many youths also began to cheer and greet.
This was Tian Zhang, the Governor of the Star Patrol Guard, also a legendary figure in Jinshan County.
Suddenly, a deep cyan stream of light appeared in the sky. All instructors, flag masters, including Dean Cao Chun, Vice Mountain Master Feng Shu, and Governor Tian Zhang, rose to greet.
"Greetings, Mountain Master!"
A man dressed in white with a blue fabric headband, Mountain Master Dong Zhao, landed, his long beard fluttering, appearing almost ethereal.
As Xu Jin joined the others in greeting, he also recalled the legendary story involving Governor Tian Zhang and Mountain Master Dong Zhao.
This legend was well known in Jinshan County; many were aware of it, and the reason for the youths' cheers was just that. But it was only now that Xu Jin remembered.
Blood Slaughter Tian Zhang!