[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-578":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},2309238,4512,"Chapter 578: Invasion","starlight-professional-chapter-578",578,"\u003Cp>For the people of Poison Dragon Slope, daily life repeated itself day after day, nearly identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even many did not know that the surface’s top expert, “Iron Luo the Hermit,” had secretly left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s life was even simpler: he cultivated for several hours each day, then cooked himself something tasty, after which he continued planting trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Three Saints Oak and Green Spirit Bamboo were both spiritual plants, but the experience they now provided was minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, their area was not large, and their age was not high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the later stages, once the snowball started rolling, the number became terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bamboo bed, Fang Xing sat cross-legged, his hands forming different hand seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Streams of emerald light flowed into every part of his body, causing his own spiritual power to grow inwardly restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sliver of malevolent energy remained hidden, causing his aura to instantly drop to the fifth or sixth level of Sensing Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Concealment Technique is merely an auxiliary spell… with a little effort, I’ve already mastered it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glanced at his status bar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Concealment Technique (Beginner 5\u002F100)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At Beginner level, Concealment Technique can mask only one or two levels of cultivation; at Proficient, four or five levels? At Mastery, one can pass as an ordinary mortal—no Sensing Qi cultivator can detect the deception… at Grandmaster level, there’s a chance to fool a Dao Foundation cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t expect too much—it’s just a crude manual…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And once I reach Grandmaster level, I’ll be able to integrate it fully and innovate upon it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fang Xing pondered, his expression suddenly changed: “Oh? Someone really doesn’t believe in fate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his throat, emitting a hissing sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the room, a bamboo green snake immediately slithered away, arriving at a patch of broken rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, two enormous vertical pupils suddenly opened, and a black serpent, several zhang long, crawled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This black serpent had undergone another molt—now it should be called a Black Python. It had refined a venomous malevolent energy; once exhaled, even a Sensing Qi seventh-level expert would dare not meet it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It flicked its tongue, touched the bamboo green snake, then flipped over and vanished into the bamboo shadows…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the bamboo grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure stood silently, scanning Dongfeng, then glancing at the western slope’s bamboo grove: “I’ve heard the spiritual planters of Poison Dragon Slope are the best… today I’ll come see. First, I’ll try to invite them—if they refuse, I’ll kill them outright…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His form dissolved into mist and sank into the bamboo grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive black shadow descended from above!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That demon serpent?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure moved his hand, and a golden small shield materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, his entire body was blasted like a cannonball, slamming into a rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had his body not erupted with a shield of malevolent energy, he might have died instantly with broken bones and snapped tendons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn beast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure, stung by the ambush, cursed and summoned a wine jar in his left hand, hurling it into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his right palm, he unleashed a burst of malevolent energy, shattering the jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful aroma of realgar wine spread out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no ordinary spiritual wine—it carried spiritual herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When stirred by malevolent energy, it instantly transformed into a cloud of red and yellow mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black serpent landed within the mist, its muscles and bones instantly softening, its scales seeming to grow lethargic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, I knew Poison Dragon Slope had this venomous serpent guarding it… how could I have come unprepared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the moonlight, the figure revealed a withered face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to act again when he suddenly felt a chill on his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In shock, the old man realized the ground had been covered with a thick layer of Frost White Ants—ferocious creatures that, even as they saw their own kind killed by his protective malevolent energy, rushed forward relentlessly, spewing thin threads of icy mist from their serrated mandibles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mist mixed with his malevolent energy and began to cancel each other out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining Frost White Ants surged forward, piercing through the golden shield, biting holes into his malevolent aura, then burrowing into his legs, instantly turning them into a thousand punctured wounds…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of poison insect is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was terrified—he was decisive by nature, and in his hand appeared a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of blood—and both his thighs severed cleanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and struck with a palm, using the recoil to propel himself backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of resolve, he was indeed a formidable man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next instant, a great tiger suddenly appeared right in his path of retreat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a tiger crouching on a desolate hill, biding its time, hiding its claws and fangs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A claw of light flashed forth, carrying a serpent-shaped malevolent energy that tore straight through the old man’s chest. “I—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the old man could speak, Fang Xing crushed his skull with a tiger’s paw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Villains always die from talking too much—I usually kill first, then speak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing maintained his Wild Transformation tiger demon form, silently sensing the changes in his tiger body: “Hmm? The cultivation path of this world and Druidism are two separate systems, yet after activating the Mountain Lord Transformation, I can still use spiritual power? This is interesting…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly opened his mouth, and the strange aura swirling around his Mountain Lord form surged forward, dragging a hazy figure from the old man’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its shape was unmistakably similar to the old man’s earlier form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang Ghost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s lips curled into a faint smile: “My Mountain Lord form finally has a servant… Who are you? Why did you come to assassinate me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s soul, dazed and unable to resist Fang Xing’s command, spoke: “I am Song Zhong, eldest of the Song Seven Righteous Ones. I received intelligence that Iron Luo the Hermit was trapped in a mission in Mang Mountain, so I came specifically to capture or kill Poison Dragon Slope’s spiritual planter…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Zhong answered every question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eldest of the Song Seven Righteous Ones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mistake—every word was correct!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing studied him again, and faintly recalled having seen this man during the Divine Oath ceremony years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the man had been full of vigor; now he was withered, like an ox or horse bent beneath the weight of life—he had not recognized him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had already suspected it was one of those families, so he was not overly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you get this information?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Fei family—Fei Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Zhong answered blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing asked a few more questions, then transformed back into his human form, stroking his chin: “This is interesting… this Fei family’s succession struggle might be a trap…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several months later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron Luo the Hermit returned to Poison Dragon Slope, battered and bruised; even Fang Xing was stirred to visit him, offering many healing berry fruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Green Water Wang’s side remained unchanged, as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the other six righteous ones had concealed Song Zhong’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did so, and Fang Xing was happy to stay low—he would not step forward to admit he had killed anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Qingli Marsh once again fell into eerie calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the new head of the Fei family was chosen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the previously most favored Fei Shentong, but the herb garden overseer, Fei Cai!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, everyone on Poison Dragon Slope rejoiced, looking forward to a brighter future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a blur, five years slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! I won’t marry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s stubborn voice echoed through a thousand mu of bamboo forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yunqian had grown into a delicate, pitiable beauty, now dressed in a snow-white gown, tears welling in her eyes—enough to soften even stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Fang Xing opposite her remained expressionless, clad in a leather robe, inspecting a Green Spirit Bamboo before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Five years… the bamboo forest has expanded to a thousand mu. Now I can feel that even without cultivating, my daily Druid experience rises noticeably…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing touched the bamboo, then turned back, looking at the girl with mild exasperation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunqian… if you don’t want to marry, tell your mother. What use is it telling me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Fang… please speak to my mother for me,” Song Yunqian did not give up: “I won’t marry into the Fei family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, Fang Xing’s relationship with Song Yunqian was distant; for Song Yunqian to come to him now clearly meant she was desperate and grasping at straws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… finally realize you’re afraid?” Fang Xing looked at Song Yunqian, his tone tinged with frustration: “Last year, Qingmu Ridge was recruiting disciples—an excellent opportunity. You went, but weren’t accepted…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yunqian wept: “I didn’t want this either. It wasn’t so strict before. Who knew this time they’d demand not just fourth-stage Sensing Qi cultivation, but also impose far harsher skill assessments…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing stared at Song Yunqian, sensing her still stuck at third-stage Sensing Qi, and felt speechless: “Though the transition from initial to middle Sensing Qi is a minor bottleneck… you were already at second-stage Sensing Qi five years ago, yet you’ve remained trapped at third-stage ever since…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yunqian had pushed her daughter relentlessly—only to trigger a rebellious backlash. Now, all her efforts had come to nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Song Yunqian had forgotten: if her own strength was insufficient, her mother would seek a powerful husband to compensate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, there seemed to be other hidden circumstances this time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending Song Yunqian away, Fang Xing saw Old Lv arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The girl left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She left…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked at Old Lv: “Song Yunqian marrying into the Fei family—was that your mutual decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… for the sake of the Poisonous Dragon Slope’s legacy, no one is beyond sacrifice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lv looked even older, coughing several times: “Cough… cough… the ten-year deadline has come. Per our prior alliance, we must pay a set quota of talisman coins annually—or else provide manpower and labor. Even now, with Fei Cai as head of the Fei family, we must show our respect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words carried deep desolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Old Lv, why aren’t you pretending anymore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s face broke into an intrigued smile. The Five Cloud Friends had once been the most wary of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No more pretense… to be honest, my younger brother suffered irreparable damage last time. Though he barely survived, his cultivation has collapsed—he’s no longer at late Sensing Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lv suddenly cursed: “I’ve finally seen clearly… the Fei family devours people whole, leaving no bones. They mean to swallow up all five of our pioneering families. You’ve seen Green Water Bay’s condition—now we must unite or perish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The death of Song Yunqian’s eldest brother in Green Water Bay had finally leaked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the Poisonous Dragon Slope or the nearby White Bone Alliance could act, the Fei family had forcefully occupied the area under the pretext of existential survival. Though they hadn’t expelled the Song family, they seized nearly all of the shellfish harvest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1862,"2026-06-20T11:03:22.760Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","70599af876ea2d6236f29ed734efce039abda8804fa6586824bf5731001e6d0a","starlight-professional-chapter-579","starlight-professional-chapter-577",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]