[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-562":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},2309222,4512,"Chapter 562: Eternal Life","starlight-professional-chapter-562",562,"\u003Cp>Fang Xing recalled the druid knowledge he had acquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At level 2 druid, one gains the ability “Wild Shape,” transforming into a small animal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, only small animals— insects or giants are out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become an insect or a giant, according to Fang Xing’s inheritance, one must perform a special natural ritual to obtain the specialization “Ultra-Small Shape” or “Ultra-Giant Shape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But small animals are already sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether bird, rat, or fish… all could help him escape the valley undetected!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beyond the valley lies a wild, dense forest… the forest is the druid’s domain… my innate nature affinity lets me ‘pass through woods without a trace,’ leaving not a single mark…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But can I reach level 2 druid within a month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the only concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a heavy heart, Fang Xing drifted slowly into sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, as usual, he ate breakfast and went to the paper mill…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of exertion surprised Tao Hong somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they only needed to submit ten blood papers per month; many paper slaves worked one day and rested two, nurturing their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Xing merely smiled faintly; Tao Hong assumed she understood—he was terrified of the overseer’s disciples and wanted to finish his quota early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days passed in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing found Tao Hong and handed her two blood papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Hong took them, stunned: “You’re not pushing yourself this hard just for me, are you? Listen to me—your life is your own; if you exhaust it, it’s gone for good…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… I just want to visit the market early and stock up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing waved his hand, unconsciously glancing at his status panel:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Age: 16\u002F20】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t keep making paper anymore—or I’ll truly die young…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this explanation, Tao Hong visibly relaxed, patting her chest: “Going to the market is fine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced around, lowering her voice: “Remember to hide your blood papers well—Xing San and his gang love to sneak up and steal before you even finish…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing frowned, recalling unpleasant memories: “The overseer disciples never intervene…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah… Xing San’s big share always goes to the overseer disciples—who’s going to care?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Hong sneered: “I’ve seen through it all—our submitted blood papers belong to the sect; Xing San’s bribes go to himself. If you were him, what would you choose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied Tao Hong more closely; though only days had passed, his druid perception clearly sensed her weakening—gray strands now showed in her hair: “You can dodge the first, but not the fifteenth… we don’t even know how many months we can last…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This world…” Tao Hong sighed softly, then clenched her teeth, her eyes flickering: “You, this soft-skinned little master—before you die, you’re still a virgin, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing answered firmly, clearly seeing a flicker of disappointment cross Tao Hong’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The valley market, though claimed to be run by traveling merchants, was in truth owned by Blood Shadow Sect disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By evening, a layer of mist suddenly rose over an open field, forming walls of fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance stood two paper figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These paper figures were crudely made, resembling ancient funeral effigies burned in rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were shaped as boy and girl, the boy sweetly naive, the girl adorably cute, both with twin topknots and bright rouge on their cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, one on each side, they stood like door gods at the market entrance, each holding a mourning staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side of each staff was written: “Payment and Goods Exchanged”; on the other: “No Credit Given.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s an uncanny sense of ill omen… as if I’m not entering a market, but a tomb.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing walked past the two paper figures, his expression sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heightened perception told him these paper figures were no ordinary objects—their fragile-looking bodies were likely harder than steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they went mad, killing every paper slave in the valley would be no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this the strength of the valley’s guards?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered the market and saw scattered stalls, sparsely arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even paper slaves had set up their own stalls, trading among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most transactions used blood papers, though barter was also common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come see! World-class mortal martial arts—only one blood paper per book!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blood-Nourishing Powder—strengthens blood and qi…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine weapons, blades, axes, hooks, forks, needles, thread—all available!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing kept his gaze straight ahead, ignoring them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Buying mortal martial arts here is a trap—everyone ends up drained of blood and qi; why train any art if you’re eager to die faster?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But some health-restoring pills might at least replenish a bit of essence…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wandered, pausing before one stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young brother, interested in sense-qi techniques?” The vendor immediately perked up: “The beginner technique we issued only senses eighteen types of blood qi. If you failed to cultivate it, maybe you lack the sect’s innate talent—but that doesn’t mean you lack talent for other techniques… I’ve collected all ten outsider sects’ beginner methods—everything covered, excellent value!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you succeed, you’ll rise to outer disciple status, escaping this slave identity…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke fluently—he’d likely fooled dozens of paper slaves already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, this is the Corpse-Driving Sect’s ‘Golden Body Sense-Qi Method’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the Flying Sword Sect’s ‘Sword-Controlling Scripture’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comprehensive—there’s bound to be one suited for you, young brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing examined each one, picking up a booklet with a green cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Young brother has sharp eyes—this is the secret of Greenwood Ridge: ‘Greenwood Technique’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor, a man in his thirties, was eloquent—he turned an ordinary wood-element beginner technique into something heavenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please... collect 6...9...books....!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing flipped through the first two pages, scanned them carefully, then asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six blood papers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor smiled: “Not expensive at all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not expensive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glared: “And it’s only level one sense-qi technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor suddenly sneered, his expression turning cold: “Sense-qi has nine levels—each a new realm. Sense-qi, refine-qi, transform-qi… each is a major barrier. You paper slaves are lucky just to break the first level, sensing true ‘qi’—what more do you expect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A normal paper slave would now cower and agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t easily intimidated—besides, he was an old hand here, knew the market’s rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this vendor? He was only slightly higher in status than Fang Xing—no power or right to flip the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only have four blood papers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t believe you. Fine—I’ll yield a bit… five blood papers. Not a penny less.” Sure enough, the next second, the vendor shed his arrogant daoist persona and became a haggling merchant, bargaining with Fang Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a look of resignation: “Alright, alright… five blood papers it is. I’ll throw in ‘Origami Secret Art’—a real spell! If you can make the basic ‘paper crane,’ I’ll buy it from you for two blood papers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded, handed over five blood papers, received two manuals, tucked them carefully into his robes, and left quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth watched his back, sneering inwardly: ‘This origami art is one of the few techniques mortals can practice—but mortals seeking dao arts must pay a price… next time, he won’t be seen. If he does appear again? Even better—I’ll make another fortune…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for him breaking through sense-qi level one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly impossible. After all, all dao arts are essentially one family—those who can’t master Blood Shadow Sect’s methods likely lack talent in others too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he truly succeeded, such a non-orthodox cultivator would only become a more valuable slave…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing fed several sparrows and rats, sending them out as sentries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat cross-legged in his wooden hut, the ‘Greenwood Technique’ and ‘Origami Secret Art’ laid before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set the origami art aside and opened the ‘Greenwood Technique.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sense-qi nine levels—level one, ‘Sense-Qi,’ is the most crucial!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world holds 129,600 kinds of qi, but only a few are suitable for cultivators to sense, absorb, and cultivate…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Greenwood Technique primarily senses nine types of qi—the highest is ‘Green Splendor Qi,’ followed by ‘Nine Heavens Qi,’ then ‘Clear Spirit Qi’… the ninth is ‘Plant Essence Qi’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing studied the visualization and hand seals—these were merely auxiliary methods to enhance perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one had sufficient talent, they could skip them entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes slightly and immediately sensed green specks swirling around him, endless and unceasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s plant essence qi… after all, I’m a druid—I have nature affinity, effectively boosting my wood affinity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully discerned again, dividing these green dots into nine categories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nine kinds of qi—I can sense them all… This should count as a decent talent, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the second step is absorption… When my cultivation is complete, I can break through the second layer of ‘Qi Refinement’ and enter the second stage of Sensing Qi. Too bad—I have no cultivation technique…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing carefully sensed the nine different green dots: “Though I can sense Qinghua Qi, in terms of affinity, plant essence seems best… Sensing Qi is ultimately about finding the qi with the strongest affinity. It seems I’m exceptionally compatible with plant essence—is this because Druids possess the Plant Domain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, he no longer hesitated and drew in the plant essence from the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless plant essences, imbued with a sense of closeness and dependence, clustered around him and were continuously absorbed through his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You have performed a cultivation session and gained ‘Nature’s Blessing’! You have acquired partial ‘Nature Knowledge’!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification appeared on his attribute panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing knew his Druid experience had increased…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1599,"2026-06-20T11:03:22.760Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ffb865d003a1434924ccaac7732e4b192ba281c2cc9adb13796eaa8c5b88ee03","starlight-professional-chapter-563","starlight-professional-chapter-561",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]