The night in Jinshan County City had lost the bright lights it usually had.
Ever since the great search for evil demons, there had been fewer and fewer people out on the streets at night.
As of yesterday, acts of violence had occurred within the county city, and today, a major incident was reported at the docks. Every household locked their doors, turned off their lights, and hid.
Merchants and families who had experienced unrest brought their entire families into cellars or hidden rooms.
A blue light streaked across the sky from the entrance of the Heavenly River Gang and soon landed quietly at the entrance of the Tianyang branch, slipping in silently.
The Tianyang branch was one of the three remaining National Taoist Institutes in Jinshan County City.
It originated from the Tianyang Star Hall and was a division of the Tianyang Star Hall in Yan State.
In terms of influence and power, it was much stronger than the Jinshan Taoist Institute.
Gang Leader Zhou Ji of the Heavenly River Gang went directly to the residence of Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu at the Tianyang branch. It wasn't long before he was invited inside.
"Have you figured it out?" Zhou Qingzhu stood by the window in a grayish-green long robe while Zhou Ji, hunched over, handed him three oil paper bags.
"Mountain Master, we've mostly figured it out.
It must have been that person who acted, we can be sure of that, and he might still be hiding in the county city.
Qian Qi and the third son of the Zhao Family were both killed by the same person.
The Star Power aura of the two who committed the killings was the same, and the news of these two impersonating evil demons and committing crimes was deliberately released by me as per your arrangements", Zhou Ji said.
"However, Deng Hu, who was killed, had a weak Star Power aura and even urinated, seemingly to hide his aura, extremely filthy."
"If that person is covering his tracks, it's not something you would discover.
The matter of Deng Hu probably wasn't him; leave it to the people below to handle it", instructed Zhou Qingzhu, the Mountain Master of the Tianyang Branch.
"Mountain Master, should we continue?"
"Of course, continue!" Zhou Qingzhu's robe fluttered in the mountain breeze, his tone indifferent, "Not only continue, but expand.
Send out all your elite subordinates. Not only should traces of demons appear in the various counties of my Jinshan County, but even in the neighboring Wuchang County and Pill Dawn County.
But remember,
The traces of demons in Jinshan County City must not stop, and they must be as nefarious as possible, from sexual assault to plundering, all malicious acts must be attributed to this demon, but from today onwards, not too many, one or two a day will suffice", instructed Zhou Qingzhu.
"Mountain Master, with other counties, we might risk losing men..."
"Should I find someone else to handle this?"
Zhou Qingzhu's single statement covered Zhou Ji's forehead with cold sweat as he immediately bowed and said, "Please rest assured, uncle, I can handle it."
"If your vision is limited to that little plot of the Heavenly River Gang, then this is as far as you go", Zhou Qingzhu continued to warn.
"I understand, I will arrange it right away."
Zhou Qingzhu silently waved his hand and Zhou Ji quietly retreated and left.
******
At the same time, in the residence of Superintendent Tian Zhang of the Jinshan Taoist Institute, Superintendent Tian Zhang abruptly opened his eyes while sitting cross-legged in the quiet room and spoke to the empty window.
"Haven't you left yet?"
Dressed in green, Qi Shanye's figure slowly emerged from the window, "Someone said that your eldest son, for both wealth and power, wiped out Manager Liu's entire family from Liu's Iron Forging Shop and then married their eldest daughter?"
"My son did marry a concubine, surname Sun, not Liu, and she comes from a family of scholars", Tian Zhang said.
"So I came to tell you, otherwise, your son would already be dead by now", Qi Shanye leapt through the window and seated himself.
"Are you idle, tired of living? Stirring up such a storm in Jinshan County and not fleeing, aren't you afraid of dying?" Tian Zhang coldly asked.
"If any of these disturbances were my doing, I would give you part of Lingji Star Hall's inheritance to pursue, how about that?" Qi Shanye said.
"No!"
Tian Zhang firmly refused, "That inheritance has already been labeled evil; whoever touches it dies, I dare not touch it."
"Heh, heh, heh, aren't you clear if it's demonic?"
"What difference does it make if I am? Haven't your Star Halls been nearly wiped out?"
Qi Shanye fell silent, "Really not interested?
Your descendants could all learn it and eventually establish a new sect."
"Do you want me to suffer another calamity of extermination?" Tian Zhang scoffed.
"Star Patterns are internal, Star Skills externa; could just learn the Star Patterns!"
Tian Zhang remained silent for a few moments, which made Qi Shanye even more silent.
"Everyone scrambles for the inheritance, yet it cannot be given away." Qi Shanye sighed, "Why don't you help me find a disciple?"
"I can't find one, and I don't want to harm anyone," Tian Zhang refused again.
"Then help me arrange an identity at your Taoist Institute."
Tian Zhang frowned. "You're not going to harm me, are you?"
"When have I ever harmed you? I have interacted with you three times, each time to save you," Qi Shanye said.
"Fine," Tian Zhang reluctantly agreed.
******
June 21 was the first lesson for the newly initiated disciples of the Taoist Institute, and Xu Jin learned another piece of news.
The dean of the Inner Court of the Taoist Institute was the Mountain Master, Dong Zhao. The dean of the Middle Court was Feng Shu, the Vice Mountain Master Xu Jin had offended. The dean of the Outer Court was Dean Cao Chun.
Fortunately, it was said that these deans were just in name, and the daily management was handled by the instructors and educators.
The Chief Instructor of the three courts was Ning Yuchan, an old acquaintance, which made Xu Jin feel at ease.
At precisely 9:00 AM, after the morning lessons, the newly initiated disciples, as required, gathered in the Martial Arts Hall of the Institute to attend their first class.
The announcement stated that today they would be taught new cultivation techniques, and no one was allowed to be absent or late.
Upon arrival, in the Martial Arts Hall, Xu Jin not only saw people from the Outer Court like Qian Xiaohu, Luo Geng, and Liu Ji, but also saw the Inner Court's Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Lu Xianbing.
Seeing these people, Xu Jin felt reassured.
Their presence in the Martial Arts Hall indicated that although the Institute was divided into Inner, Middle, and Outer Courts, this division was mainly in terms of treatment. At least for now, there was no difference in the teaching of cultivation techniques.
Otherwise, if the disciples of the Inner Court, whose monthly salary and cultivation resources were four times that of those in the Middle Court, also had a greater advantage in cultivation techniques, the gap between the Inner and Middle Court disciples would only grow wider, becoming insurmountably large.
Even so, these disparities in cultivation resources were not easily overcome.
From Lu Xianbing, Xu Jin had learned the day before that Inner Court disciples received a monthly salary of twenty taels of silver, eight Mental Awakening Pills, and one low-grade Star Refilling Pill.
The Star Refilling Pill was a genuine pill containing Star Power. The Blood Replenishing Pill, Solid Foundation Pill, and Mental Awakening Pill that Xu Jin had taken before were just ordinary medicines refined from common ingredients.
The Pill Room sold each Star Refilling Pill for twenty taels of silver, which were used for rapidly recovering Star Power.
In contrast, Middle Court disciples received a monthly salary of ten taels of silver and two Mental Awakening Pills, a massive difference in treatment.
It was said that there were also differences in chores among the Inner, Middle, and Outer Court disciples. Inner Court disciples had fewer chores and more time for cultivation, while Outer Court disciples had more chores.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we meet again." With the mere sound of a silver crutch striking the ground and the appearance of a pale blue silhouette, Ning Yuchan appeared before them.
"From today, you are the disciples of the Dachen Jinshan Taoist Institute. From today, you will truly embark on the path of cultivation; this will also be the most important matter after the success of your Star Pointing." As she spoke, Ning Yuchan sat down in a chair, placing the silver crutch by her side; her skirt fluttered slightly in the breeze as her legs crossed, her dignified beauty momentarily stunning many of the young students.
"Do you remember how you started on the path of cultivation?"
"Star Pattern!"
"First, a cultivator from the Star Refining Realm imprinted you with a Star Pattern, allowing you to use the Dining Dawn Form and Drinking Radiance Style to channel Star Power into your bodies."
"The true name of the imprint you received is the Gathering Star Pattern. The Gathering Star Pattern passed down by our Jinshan Taoist Institute is divided into three layers: the Simple Star Gathering Pattern, the Small Star Gathering Pattern, and the Great Gathering Star Pattern.
The Simple Star Gathering Pattern is what an instructor of the Star Condensing Realm taught you to imprint before your Star Pointing.
The difference between these three is simple; the speed of channeling and the upper limit of storing Star Power varies multiplicatively among them." As she spoke, Ning Yuchan brought out three blocks of jade, the size of matchboxes, and placed them on the table.
"These contain the Small Star Gathering Pattern and the Great Star Gathering Pattern. Starting with the Inner Court, three people at a time come forward to channel Star Power to observe and memorize, each time for 100 breaths. If not memorized, you can come back the next day to view it again.
However, each session is limited to 100 breaths, as a longer time could overly deplete the Divine Soul."
As she spoke, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Lu Xianbing had already stepped forward, each picking up a piece of jade to observe.
Ning Yuchan then said, "If anyone else has questions, ask them now."
"Instructor Ning, why didn't you imprint us with the Great Star Gathering Pattern before we underwent Star Pointing?" a young student asked.
"Star Patterns inward, Star Skills outward.
Our bodies naturally resist and reject Star Power that carries the essence of others.
Thus we could only imprint you with the Simplified Gathering Star Pattern, and even so, you had to keep channeling Star Power into your body to solidify and fully integrate it as your own. To my knowledge, no one can directly imprint another with either the Small or Great Star Gathering Pattern." Ning Yuchan replied.
"Instructor, what exactly is the difference between the Small and Great Star Gathering Patterns?"
"This is a newly derived version of the Gathering Star Pattern by State Preceptor Cheng of the National Taoist Institute, with an enhanced potency. Assuming the Simplified Star Gathering Pattern has a capacity and absorption rate of Star Power as one, then the Small Star Gathering Pattern would be twice that, and the Great Star Gathering Pattern three times.
Additionally, the Great Star Gathering Pattern forms the foundation for Star Casting.
Only those who have successfully internalized the Great Gathering Star Pattern can hope to attempt Star Casting."
At this point, Ning Yuchan suddenly announced, "Since we are on the subject, let me declare a reward policy of the Institute."
At the mention of rewards, all the young students perked up their ears.