Jiang Yueming spoke for a while, his mouth parched, so he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
It seemed the tea didn't suit his taste, as a green glow suddenly appeared in Jiang Yueming's palm.
Under Lu Lin's watchful eyes, a few tender green leaves unexpectedly sprouted from the tea leaves already steeped in the teacup.
The newly sprouted leaves curled up, as if freshly plucked.
What kind of technique is this?
Lu Lin was dumbfounded.
Is Master Jiang demonstrating magic for me?
Noticing Lu Lin's astonished gaze, Jiang Yueming smiled faintly. "This is merely something one can do casually once their strength reaches a certain realm. It's not worth mentioning."
"Did you remember what I just said?"
"Yes, I remember."
Lu Lin briefly repeated it, and Jiang Yueming nodded in satisfaction.
He had originally come to Tongyuan as a favor to Golden Sword High School's principal, to guide this year's graduates in comprehending Star Skills.
As for taking on a disciple, he hadn't considered it at all.
When he encountered Lu Lin, a genius capable of entering his Second Level Domain just after awakening his Talent, Jiang Yueming felt a stirring of compassion. He believed it would be a disservice to Lu Lin's exceptional aptitude not to take him as a disciple.
Now, it seemed this decision was indeed worthwhile.
Lu Lin's aptitude for learning far surpassed that of his previous disciples.
The fundamental knowledge Jiang Yueming had just imparted would not be recorded in an ordinary person's Biological Chip.
It was commendable that Lu Lin could understand and even articulate his own views in such a short time.
"Good, what you said is correct."
"Next, I will explain to you the Division of Star-Core Realm for human cultivation."
Lu Lin was inwardly surprised.
Having awakened his Talent, he naturally knew that human cultivation involved Refining Star Veins.
But why did Jiang Yueming speak of the "Division of Star-Core Realm"? Could it be that he and Jiang Yueming were not cultivating the same thing?
Jiang Yueming chuckled, unperturbed.
"You don't think that just because we're Refining Star Veins at this stage, we'll need to keep refining them indefinitely, do you?"
"Refining Star Veins is only necessary during the First to Third Level."
"The purpose of this is to allow us to recognize, understand, familiarize ourselves with, and ultimately use the Star Power within the Star Veins through the refining process."
"Once you've refined your Star Veins to perfection and your physical constitution has reached the limit for your current stage, you will need to cultivate something else."
"Teacher, what will we cultivate after the Fourth Level?" Lu Lin asked curiously.
Listening to Jiang Yueming's explanation, Lu Lin recalled that most of the shared experiences he had seen online were from First Level and Level 2 Star Core Warriors.
Forget about those above the Fourth Level; even Third Level Star Core Warriors rarely appeared online.
"After the Fourth Level, one cultivates the Star Body."
Star Body? "Teacher, can you explain that in more detail?"
"Don't be impatient. You're not even a First Level Star Core Warrior yet. Knowing too much won't benefit you. For now, just understand that your main focus is Refining Star Veins. Matters concerning the Star Body are still too distant for you."
Lu Lin felt a sense of helplessness, then asked reluctantly, "Teacher, what realm are you at currently?"
"I, this old man, am currently a Sixth Level Star Core Warrior."
"Sixth Level!" Lu Lin exclaimed in surprise.
Jiang Yueming simply shook his head. "Sixth Level is nothing much. Below the Seventh Level, all are as insignificant as ants. It was solely to find a method to break through to the Seventh Level that I, this old man, decided to leave Blue Star."
Seeing Lu Lin's expression, Jiang Yueming instantly knew what he was thinking.
Even he was aware of the rumors that had previously spread like wildfire.
They claimed Jiang Yueming was too old to achieve a breakthrough, or that his attempt had failed, causing his Star Core and Star Veins to wither. Some even said he left Blue Star to return to his hometown and live out his remaining years in retirement.
"Lu Lin, when we become First Level Star Core Warriors, our lifespan increases by fifty years."
"Upon becoming a Level 4 Star Core Warrior, our lifespan increases by another hundred years."
"As a Sixth Level Star Core Warrior, I, this old man, am not even a hundred years old; I'm still in my prime. How could my Star Core and Star Veins have withered and collapsed, leaving me breathless when I walk or speak?"
"Those rumors circulating outside? Just listen to them for what they are. You'd be a fool to believe them."
"Enough about that, let's get back to the main topic. To become a Star Skill Instructor, you must construct your own Star Power Domain."
"This is the most crucial, most important, and also the most perilous step."
"This restaurant isn't the place for it. This old man reserved a Cultivation Room this morning. Let's head over there."
Lu Lin followed Jiang Yueming, taking the elevator to the top floor of the Dragon Battle Hotel.
Upon arriving, Lu Lin felt the two Star Veins in his body stir. Without him actively cultivating, the dense Star Power, so thick it was almost a tangible mist, continuously drilled into his Star Core and Star Veins.
"This is a Star Array established by a Star Power Array Master. It can significantly enhance the concentration of Star Power in a specific area."
"The Dragon Battle Hotel has certainly invested heavily. The Star Power concentration here is nearly half that of this old man's personal Cultivation Room."
It's always the casual boasts that hit hardest.
What Lu Lin considered a place of extremely dense Star Power was, in the eyes of a Boss like Jiang Yueming, merely comparable to the average concentration of his personal Cultivation Room.
The crucial part was, Lu Lin knew Jiang Yueming had no need to show off before him; it was purely a casual remark.
「No. 9812 Cultivation Room.」
Inside the Cultivation Room, there were only two cushions that looked exceedingly valuable.
Jiang Yueming and Lu Lin sat facing each other on the cushions.
"Lu Lin, when constructing a Star Power Domain, you must achieve three things:"
"Eyes there."
"Star Power there."
"Consciousness there."
"When initially constructing the domain, do not be greedy. It is best to make it as large as possible within your capabilities."
"However, you must remember: never let the domain's scope exceed your control."
"Otherwise, in the best-case scenario, your Talent will be shattered, and you will lose any chance of ever becoming a Star Skill Instructor."
"In the worst case, the domain will collapse and cause a backlash to your Consciousness Universe, rendering you into a vegetative state."
Lu Lin nodded solemnly.
This is vital information concerning my very life; I must commit it to memory.
"Furthermore, the most important aspect of constructing a Star Power Domain is your 'vision.'"
"You must be able to 'see' the extent of the domain you are building."
"If you cannot see it, the consequences will be even more severe."
As Jiang Yueming spoke of this, he still held considerable confidence in Lu Lin.
The inheritance of a Star Skill Instructor primarily depended on Talent.
Without the Talent to 'see' the Star Power Domain, all effort would be futile.
Yesterday, while comprehending Star Skills, Lu Lin had unknowingly entered the Second Layer of the world Jiang Yueming constructed. This was what moved Jiang Yueming to consider taking him as a disciple.
"Teacher, I understand."
"Good. Now, begin. Calm your mind and allow your breath to sink deep into your belly."
"Close your eyes and enter your Consciousness Universe."
Lu Lin closed his eyes and entered his Consciousness Universe.
His Eyeball Star Core was the sole star within his Consciousness Universe.
His two Talent Star Veins were like radiant, dazzling rivers of stars.
Lu Lin noticed that, due to being in the Cultivation Room with its dense Star Power, the refinement levels of both his Star Veins had increased somewhat.
Although his Earth-Type Star Vessel showed only a small increase, he could still perceive its progress.
His Second Star Vein, however, had improved significantly. In just this short period, it was already approaching the Zero Level Fourth Stage.
Heavens, this is too fast!
If his Earth Talent could also improve this quickly, why would he even need the Star Vein Refining Method?
Just lying down in a Cultivation Room filled with dense Star Power would suffice.
"Focus your mind; release your Star Power."
Suddenly, Jiang Yueming's voice resonated within his Consciousness Universe.