[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-561":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starlight Professional",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2309221,4512,"Chapter 561: Assumption of Office","starlight-professional-chapter-561",561,"\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing shifted his thoughts, and his attribute panel instantly changed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Occupation Assigned — ‘Druid’, current level: 1!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You have gained the talent — Nature Affinity!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of emerald green passed through Fang Xing’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he felt the night was profoundly serene; the green grass by the river and the shrubs nearby radiated a sense of kinship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a tingling itch arose from his back, as if his wounds had healed considerably in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he somehow understood many things about Druids, as if nature herself had imparted them to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Druid is an occupation attuned to nature, mastering both plant and animal domains — a natural spellcaster with considerable melee capability…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This clearly differs from the Druids in my memories of games — seems like a modified version, or perhaps… Jin’s transcendent version…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I also seem to have gained knowledge of Druidic advancement and rituals… Is this because my core has digested that portion of the inheritance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s expression brightened: “No wonder it’s a transcendent inheritance — in this world where laws are dim, the Druid’s power remains untouched… It seems this will hold true in any world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at his attribute bar and noticed many changes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Name: Fang Xing】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Age: 16\u002F27】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Occupation: Druid Level 1】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Talent: Nature Affinity】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maximum lifespan increased by two years… This must be the effect of becoming a Druid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human lifespan is never fixed — it can be shortened, and naturally, it can also be extended!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nature Affinity allows me to draw closer to nature — especially the plant and animal domains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is just the early stage; later, agriculture, civilization, even the cosmos can all be encompassed by the Way of Nature!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the benefits of Nature Affinity, Fang Xing immediately noticed his form became more concealed under the night, and he could detect distant watchers and hidden sentries faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And… my talent has expanded — in other words, I should now be able to sense this world’s so-called ‘Qi’.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Blood Shadow Sect’s beginner technique’s eighteen kinds of ‘impure blood Qi’ are problematic… My Nature Affinity should enhance my perception of wood and water elemental Qi…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to that technique, there are 129,600 kinds of elemental Qi in the world — each distinct!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In other words, if I find a suitable wood or water elemental technique, I could become a cultivator in this world — an extra layer of cover…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fang Xing pondered, the perception granted by Nature Affinity alerted him to footsteps in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If discovered, whoever it is will be a nuisance…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he immediately took the carp and slipped away under cover of night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Druid Nature Affinity allowed him to easily hide his form within nature’s shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, another paper servant walked over, muttering: “Who? Who’s there? I clearly heard a sound…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though also a paper servant, if he saw the food in Fang Xing’s hands, he would surely attack and harass him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Fang Xing was the weakest, at the bottom of the hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such is human nature!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin boys and girls, each holding a square-shaped paper-making net, lined up before the paper mill’s “pulp pool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most appeared listless, some with dark circles and heavy bags under their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the extreme indulgence before death… or the instinct to leave offspring before dying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing stood in line with his net, idly pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With last night’s grilled fish and this morning’s thin porridge, he felt his body had improved considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, pain no longer dragged at his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was likely due to the Druid’s advancement and the Golden Wound Ointment…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Young Master Fang out already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Hong spotted Fang Xing and greeted him mockingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I should get to work quickly — how else to repay your kindness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing forced a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he planned to escape or something else, he must first act as if nothing were amiss — striking when least expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he decided to continue pretending for a while longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would naturally need to make a few sheets of ‘blood paper’ — not just to repay the favor, but also as currency within the Paper Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Shadow Sect imposed only a mandatory quota of ten sheets per month on these paper servants; the rest of the time, they were left to fend for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even every seven days, a caravan arrived to trade goods, forming a small marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the paper servants’ greatest wealth was naturally ‘blood paper.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing stared at his paper-making net — square like a tofu frame, yet with razor-sharp edges lined with tiny barbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an essential tool for every paper servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his turn came, Fang Xing stepped before the pulp pool, gripping the net and submerging it. “Sssss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his hands touched the pulp, pain flared — clearly, the pulp was corrosive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s expression remained unchanged; his hands stayed steady as a mountain, ensuring the pulp spread evenly across the mesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This step was crucial — uneven thickness would ruin the final product’s quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he moved his fingers, he felt a sting, like a bee’s bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The net’s barbs were drawing his essence and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve gained two years of lifespan… but I feel I can only last another month. Within a month, I must escape or ascend — or I’m dead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Fang Xing lifted the net, now coated evenly with pulp, and found a sunlit patch of ground to begin the drying and pressing steps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between each step, paper servants had to deliberately pierce their fingers to supply essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lunch improved slightly — a few steamed buns and pickled vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by dusk did Fang Xing finally produce a single sheet of fresh, pure white paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please... collect 6...9...books....!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper was thick and rigid, with an indescribable texture, its surface faintly tinged with blood-red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a finished sheet of ‘blood paper’ — essential for Blood Shadow Sect disciples to practice ‘Paper Folding Art.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While ordinary paper could be used for the Paper Folding Art, it was easily destroyed by impurities and Crimson Dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this ‘blood paper’ repelled all evils — paper figures and paper soldiers made from it had no such flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dinner was a slightly thicker vegetable porridge and a few coarse grain buns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing hastily ate and returned to his hut, staring at his dry, cracked, rough hands in silence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s routine work… I’ve mostly figured it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Paper servants can move freely within the valley, but the valley entrance seems patrolled by paper servants…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, paper birds occasionally fly overhead, scouting…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For these ordinary humans, escaping is truly as hard as climbing to heaven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, several sparrows flew in, chirping noisily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cute little things, eat up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled and pulled crumbs from his sleeve to feed the sparrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Druid Nature Affinity includes both plant and animal affinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not been assigned as a paper servant, but instead sent to a herb garden, he might have thrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Druids pair well with Spirit Planters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he could only use animal affinity to recruit small creatures for patrol and scouting…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though sparrows and rats had low intelligence, simple communication was still possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the sparrows had spotted paper creatures in the sky…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tonight, I rely on you to stand guard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patting the sparrows’ tiny heads, Fang Xing lay on his bed, focusing his mind on his attribute bar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Age: 16\u002F26】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maximum lifespan decreased by another year — one sheet of blood paper costs nearly a full year of life… Too steep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this rate, even if I escape, I won’t live long — this won’t do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though I can’t sense my core’s location, my existence is its ‘anchor’ — even if I must die, I must hold on until my core awakens…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his core might sleep for decades, even centuries!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lifespan is utterly insufficient!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed silently: “Indeed, I must rely on the Druid’s talents…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gaining so much knowledge, he now knew that at Level 5, a Druid gains a talent called 【Eternal Youth】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this stage, Druids never age, and their lifespan decays slows to about half its previous rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This means the remaining lifespan can be doubled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this world, Qi Sensing cultivators have roughly the same lifespan as ordinary people—sometimes even shorter... but Dao Foundation cultivators, even those with an inferior Dao Foundation, can easily live beyond two hundred years... if you also take up Level 5 Druidism, you can live four hundred years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s eyes lit up: \"Moreover, the [Eternal Youth] talent can be upgraded—at Level 15, it evolves into [Ageless Body], reducing the rate of lifespan depletion to one-fifth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At Level 20, it becomes the [Immortal Longevity] talent! Lifespan depletion drops to one-tenth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words, even an ordinary person’s lifespan could stretch to a thousand years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re a Dao Foundation cultivator, you could live two thousand years...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So at least in terms of lifespan, there’s little to worry about—even if you lose a few years now, advancing your Druid level or breaking through cultivation realms in this world will also extend your lifespan...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next, we must consider how to escape this predicament.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s first thought was not to reveal his talent, but to flee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Blood Shadow Sect is a heretical cult—not a place suited for residence or long-term stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Druid advancement requires closeness to nature, not cultivation of heretical arts or constant killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With the defense level of this valley, ordinary people can’t escape—but once I advance one more level, it won’t be a problem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1631,"2026-06-20T11:03:22.760Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7aad4eea9d70a6ee85933b2419dd957999b00969c9bc8cbc729b3ec54d52bba1","starlight-professional-chapter-562","starlight-professional-chapter-560",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]