Chapter 2138: Chu Jia’s Opportunity

Under Kou Chongxue’s urging, Shang Xia had no choice but to enter seclusion and devote himself entirely to researching his new cultivation system. It took him more than half a year before he finally completed the creation of the Talisman Seed inheritance for the first three cultivation realms, the Essence Realm, Yin Yang Realm, and Triple Command Realm. Based on that, he also organized the original cultivation system a little better.

Although his new system only covered the first three realms, in truth, it already outlined the path for future development. Later generations would only need to extend it according to his vision, continuously supplementing and refining it thereafter.

By the time more than half a year had passed, it was already the 38th year of the Essence Luxuriant Calendar.

After nearly two years of preparation, combined with earlier stockpiles, the Tongyou Institution had finally produced enough Star Devouring Silk to meet Shang Xia’s requirements.

“Before weaving the Star Devouring Silk, I carefully screened each strand to ensure that every thread was of the seventh rank.” Ren Huan said as he guided Shang Xia along a bolt of luminous fabric that shimmered with countless specks of light.

Shang Xia gently brushed his hand across the surface of the Star Devouring Silk, sensing the essence within it, comparing it closely to the origin of the stars and to the inner qi produced by the Big Dipper Star Origin in his dantian.

Ren Huan was about to continue his explanation when Shang Xia suddenly asked, “Were the Star Devouring Silkworms raised entirely within the Tongyou Dao Field?”

Ren Huan froze for a moment, unsure why Shang Xia would ask about the breeding grounds, but quickly shook his head. “Most of the Star Devouring Silkworms, especially those of the sixth and seventh rank, are indeed raised within the secret realm. However, some are bred in two other Elysiums, and a small portion of the silkworms are bred on the You Continent.”

Shang Xia nodded slightly. “No wonder. There are subtle differences among these silks. If those inconsistencies could be evened out, the quality of the talisman paper made from them might reach an entirely new level.”

Ren Huan’s eyes lit up with realization. As a master talisman paper craftsman, he immediately recognized the potential of that suggestion.

“But the challenge...” Ren Huan said with some hesitation, “It lies in how to smooth out those differences. Unless we strictly classify the silks by place of origin, and even then, silks from the same location can still vary somewhat, though less so than between different parts or secret realms.”

Shang Xia thought for a moment and asked, “How is the Starry Tree on the Star Observatory in the Dao Field faring these days?”

Ren Huan’s eyes brightened instantly. “You mean... We should use the Starlight Essence gathered to eliminate the difference?”

Shang Xia smiled. “Can we try it?”

Ren Huan pondered briefly before replying, “It would definitely work, and could even raise the quality of some lower-tier talisman papers by a full grade. However... The cost would be heavy, the consumption of Starlight Essence would be tremendous. Using it on lower-tier Star Devouring Silk talisman paper would hardly be worth it.”

Shang Xia laughed, “When have we ever been short on low-tier talisman paper? We should put our resources where it matter. I’d say there’s no need to soak anything below rank five talisman paper in Starlight Essence.”

The bolt of Star Devouring Silk Shang Xia obtained, woven entirely from rank seven threads, had practically consumed all of the Tongyou Institution’s savings in recent years.

The finished bolt was 9.9 feet long and 3.3 feet wide. However, that was only the beginning.

Next, Shang Xia needed to infuse the bolt with the essence of the stars. Then, he would need to use a secret art to turn it into Starlight Yarn.

After that, he would need to take the Starlight Yarn into the Star River itself for purification, refining it further into what would be known as Star Rinsing Muslin.

And even that was not the end. According to the secret method the Star Origin Lord had once imparted for crafting the Starlight Curtain, he would then have to refine and nurture the material using his inner qi before it could finally be completed.

...

“In the next stage, you’ll need to temper it with the essence of the stars. Do you also have to venture deep into the void to approach one of those stars directly?”

Inside a secluded residence in the void outside the Essence Luxuriant World, Chu Jia casually flipped through Shang Xia’s transcribed notes on the secret art for creating the Starlight Curtain and asked casually.

Shang Xia smiled. “That won’t be necessary.”

Chu Jia raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Shang Xia explained, “Because the Fate Star mentioned in the Heaven Observation Sect’s legacy doesn’t apply to me, I have more than one. I have an ample supply of essence of the stars to temper the silk, and that will also greatly shorten the time required.”

Chu Jia nodded in dawning realization. “So that’s why you need to borrow the Star Observatory?”

Unexpectedly, Shang Xia shook his head. “No, that’s just a cover.”

Seeing Chu Jia’s puzzled look, Shang Xia explained, “In recent years, the rivalry between our Stargazing Hall and the Stargazers of the Six Essence Heavenly Field has never ceased. Although it appears balanced on the surface, the Stargazers from the Six Essence Heavenly Field have always held the upper hand, constantly suppressing us.”

“At first, we thought Yuan Qiuyuan’s advancement to a high-level True Immortal would reverse this passive situation. Too bad his first attempt to advance to the fourth tier failed, breaking the momentum the Stargazing Hall maintained. Though he has since succeeded, he no longer has the same unstoppable drive he once had, and the hall still hasn’t managed to turn the tide against the Six Essence Heavenly Field.”

Chu Jia frowned. “Then why bring me along? I know nothing of stargazing, and I don’t see any use for formations on the Star Observatory either.”

Shang Xia merely smiled in response. “Have you ever truly observed the stars in my Dipper Star Formation?”

Chu Jia was puzzled, and she frowned. “How could I not have? Don’t forget, I was one of those helping you screen those stars, per your request... Great Sage Shang...”

Shang Xia waved his hand. “That’s different. I mean, since they took shape in the Dipper Star Formation, have you ever seen their complete manifestation?”

Chu Jia frowned. “I’m no Stargazer, nor can I see that far. How could I possibly observe them?”

Shang Xia nodded, then said, “Whether you can one day become a rank seven Formation Grandmaster may well depend on this opportunity.”

Chu Jia froze for a moment, her eyes flickering with emotion, but soon, a look of worry surfaced. “In that case, won’t your Fate Stars risk being exposed to the Stargazers of the Six Essence Heavenly Field?”

“So what if they are?” Shang Xia replied nonchalantly, then added, “Besides, aren’t Yuan Qiuyuan and the others still here?”

In truth, Shang Xia had never been overly concerned about the exposure of his Fate Stars. It would be an inconvenience at best.

As they approached the Star Observatory in the void outside the Essence Luxuriant World, Chu Jia summoned her formation divine weapon, the Five Element Rings, to protect herself.

Originally, she intended to lay down a protective formation, but since it was the Star Observatory, Yuan Qiuyuan, Yan Ming, and Zhang Yusheng would never allow her to set up a formation there.

Compared to Chu Jia’s protective artifacts, Yuan Qiuyuan, Yan Ming, and Zhang Yusheng seemed to have taken no defensive measures at all. But as Stargazers, the Star Observatory beneath their feet was, in truth, their greatest protection and their most powerful weapon.