How come I was born a deity?

Chapter 13: Star Chart

"Speaking of which," Chen Qi suddenly said, "now that I've gathered a hundred stars, can I start constructing my own star map?"

Shen Nianxu stammered as she answered, "Is...is that alright?"

Master Xuanqing said in a strange tone, "One hundred? One hundred is certainly enough to start constructing a star map. In fact, you could have started much earlier."

Xu Yangzi nodded, giving an affirmative answer, "I started constructing star maps when I had twenty stars. Constructing star maps is not the problem; drawing star maps is the real difficulty."

Chen Qi was taken aback. "But didn't she tell me to first gather a hundred stars before constructing a star map?"

Feeling everyone's attention on her, Shen Nianxu scratched her head sheepishly. "Oh dear... I was worried that his foundation wouldn't be stable because he's improving so fast. That's why I set a seemingly difficult goal for him. Who knew he'd achieve it so quickly..."

Master Xuanqing nodded, "Indeed, a solid foundation is the most important thing. After all, we didn't know your talent was so terrifying..."

She looked Chen Qi up and down and said, "From my intuitive perspective, you are now comparable to a cultivator who has been cultivating for a whole year. You can start building a star map and try to step into the threshold of a second-level cultivator."

"That's great!" Chen Qi immediately became interested, the initial novelty quickly replaced by the excitement of being a second-tier cultivator. "How is this star map constructed?"

This time, Shen Nianxu remained silent. After all, Xuanqing Zhenren's strength and qualifications were undeniable, and many cultivators would rather die than have the opportunity to guide Chen Qi.

He has to be a spoiled brat...

If it weren't for Chen Fuzhou's connection, it would have been quite difficult for Shen Nianxu and Chen Qi to see Master Xuanqing today.

"A star map is a picture adorned with stars," Master Xuanqing waved his right hand, and the light in the entire room dimmed, and the brilliant starlight spread out, slowly unfolding a picture composed entirely of stars connected one by one. "That's it."

Chen Qi's pupils dilated slightly, because he had seen this painting, which was laid out by Master Xuanqing, in an art book before.

It is Qi Baishi's "Shrimp".

The painting, made up of stars, is so lifelike that each shrimp seems to come alive on the surface of the star map, giving people a perfect feeling.

"Constructing a star map actually means choosing a painting as a base and then using stars to depict it. This process not only tests the number of stars you have, but also your ability to control spiritual energy."

"The more complex and massive the star map, the greater the number of stars required and the greater the demand for spiritual energy control. In fact, among second-tier cultivators, the more complex and massive the star map, the stronger the cultivator is."

Chen Qi looked at him with a knowing expression. "So, what level is your star map?"

In response, Xu Yangzi proudly stated, "Of course, that's top-tier! Most second-tier cultivators can only refer to simple line drawings in children's books for their star charts. Master's 'Shrimp' is practically a game-changer!"

Shen Nianxu added, "And there's Senior Chen. Senior Chen's star chart is the 'Eight Horses Chart,' which is even more difficult than Xuanqing Zhenren's. So when he reached the second-tier cultivator level, it was already at the level of a nuclear bomb."

Master Xuanqing put away his star chart, smiled, and said, "So, as a first-level cultivator, your speed in condensing stars is indeed extraordinary, but to break through to the second-level cultivator level, it mainly depends on your control over spiritual energy."

"The stronger your control, the faster you can reach the level of a second-tier cultivator. You still have a long way to go."

Xu Yangzi turned around, rummaged through a drawer on a bookshelf for a while, pulled out something, and handed it to Chen Qi. "Here, if you need it, I can lend you this."

"What is this?"

Chen Qi took the book from Xu Yangzi's hand.

I glanced at the cover.

The Complete Collection of Children's Drawings

Chen Qi: "..."

He returned the book to Xu Yangzi and asked, "Then what is your star chart?"

Xu Yangzi gave a soft hum and waved his right hand, and a star map slowly unfolded.

"After all, with my master's masterpiece as a precedent, I was bound to follow in his footsteps. I chose 'Insects on a Palm Leaf' from Qi Baishi's painting. Although it is not as good as my master's, it can still be considered one of the best among second-level cultivators."

Master Xuanqing nodded with considerable pride in response.

"Is that so...?" Chen Qi stroked his chin.

"This is also one of the purposes of my trip," Shen Nianxu replied. "I know that Master Xuanqing has a book used by cultivators. It is very detailed and can be used to construct star maps. I really want to borrow it for him."

Master Xuanqing frowned slightly. "Logically speaking, shouldn't your bookstore have something like this?"

"This..." Shen Nianxu gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, both the Star Book used by cultivators and the Earth Escape Scroll of the Heavenly Book of Escape Techniques that you mentioned before were stored by the previous boss. But he died too suddenly, and I don't even know where he hid them."

"So, having no other choice, I had to come to you."

Master Xuanqing was shocked. "Even the Earth Escape Scroll of the 'Heavenly Book of Escape Techniques' is lost? That's a treasure that only one copy exists in the entire Qingcheng!"

"It's not lost, it's just not found yet. It's definitely still here," Shen Nianxu bowed her head to Xuanqing Zhenren, her head touching the ground. "Please, Chen Qi really needs this."

Master Xuanqing sighed softly and helped Shen Nianxu up.

"If you and your previous boss came to me begging, I definitely wouldn't even bother with you."

"But, I've practically watched Chen Qi grow up. I even held him when he was little. Just for that reason alone, I can't possibly not help him, especially since it's such a small thing."

Shen Nianxu was immediately delighted, "Then there's the matter of voting..."

Master Xuanqing glanced at Chen Qi, who was sitting next to him and pressing down on his junior sister's head to keep her from getting close, and said, "Voting for you... is not impossible, but there is one condition."

"Chen Qi must at least have a certain level of strength and achievements. I think every force that knows of Chen Qi's existence and has some connection with Chen Fuzhou understands this point."

"As long as Chen Fuzhou is alive, helping Chen Qi is the same as helping yourself."

Master Xuanqing's words were quite realistic: "But if Chen Qi can't demonstrate sufficient strength or achievements, helping him will be pointless and will only give others cause for criticism, which is not good for anyone."

Shen Nianxu's expression turned serious. "I understand what you mean."

To put it bluntly, Chen Qi needs to first present a reason that can convince everyone, otherwise how can everyone help him?

So now it all depends on Chen Qi's performance.

Whether we live or die at the end of the year depends on this gamble!