[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-61":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},2308721,4512,"Chapter 61: Reward","starlight-professional-chapter-61",61,"\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long frowned: “Has Xingcheng High School really started teaching students such dangerous martial arts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soul-Snatching Dragon Claw and Extreme Passion Sword, like this one, are too dangerous; though both are A-rank martial arts, they’re not in the high school curriculum—clearly beyond scope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, we didn’t teach this—it’s the Ming student’s family legacy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Fu replied with a forced smile: “This Liu Wei is truly lucky—he awakened an ability perfectly suited for body tempering; he’s probably already broken into the Second Realm by now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Liu Wei roared, every part of his body taut like drawn bowstrings, unleashing immense power—revealing his Sinew Refinement cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved like a dragon pacing, arms spread, lunging at Ming Yixin—striking back with aggression!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crazy Eighteen Strikes—Fierce Tiger Form!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon versus Tiger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena churned with wind and cloud, as if dragons and tigers clashed, two figures darting wildly, qi surging in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed… this Liu Wei has broken into the Second Realm of Martial Arts. This Crazy Eighteen Strikes has real flavor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Fu commented to the two students beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xia Long immediately frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opponent clearly had some confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sinew Refinement martial artists? That’s all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Ming Yixin let out a long howl; her bones cracked one by one, and with a flick of her finger, she emitted a sound like steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bone Refinement as hard as steel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long sighed at once, knowing Liu Wei had lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, faced with Ming Yixin’s bone-strengthened claw, Liu Wei staggered back several steps, five bloody holes suddenly appearing on his chest, still oozing blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Bone Refinement… I’ve lost…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei bowed slightly, his eyes dim, utterly dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hm?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing, witnessing this, felt a sudden stir in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d worked alongside Liu Wei last year, seen him fake fights many times—he knew the man’s habits and tells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This posture… feels like a fake fight. Is he holding back a trump card? Planning to ambush someone?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former grade-topper thought with some concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ming student, would you like to rest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long looked at Ming Yixin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. Continue.” Ming Yixin stared at Fang Xing and Bai Lianyi, her gaze resting more on the female student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, she was curious about someone of the same gender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t even beat Liu Wei—I’m no match for you… I’m sorry, Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lianyi’s face flushed with shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long glared at Fang Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright, I’ll go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing had nothing to say—he could joke earlier, but now he had to step onto the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Xia Long had taken such good care of him—how could he bargain now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky darkened; light snow began to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Fang Xing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked up at the sky, yawning: “Let’s end this boring farce quickly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Yixin’s expressionless face shifted into a dragon-like posture, moving with blinding speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar! Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before her eyes appeared a real dragon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The Dragon’s Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not the simulated realm from training an A-rank martial art—it was the true, genuine martial will of a Courage Realm martial artist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had trained A-rank martial arts and possessed some mental resistance—during her fight with Liu Wei, neither had been affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was only ordinary simulated realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before true martial will, it was like a castle of sand—utterly fragile!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a dam had collapsed, Ming Yixin felt herself transported back to childhood, standing on a roadside facing a ferocious tiger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it was a hundred times more terrifying than any tiger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body trembled, frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing moved with the wind, appearing before her, his hand brushing past her hair: “You’ve lost…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve lost…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Yixin replied dazedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That… was the Dragon’s Realm? He truly mastered it at the Second Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Fu crushed his glasses in his grip: “A genius! A true martial arts genius!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Fang Xing as if gazing upon a priceless treasure, turning to the two students beside him: “You two don’t need to fight—either way, you’d lose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei, watching this, clenched his fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder he’s grade chief—so powerful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Bai Lianyi’s eyes sparkled as if filled with little stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does mastering martial will signify?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means the martial artist’s path has no bottleneck!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like this, if they survive conscription, will at least rise to the status of Gu Yun’s father—truly achieving class transcendence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You kid!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long said nothing more, only clapped Fang Xing on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial realm could still be boosted by resources—but martial will? On Eagle Star, there are no resources capable of awakening martial will in students!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This only proves his student is growing ever more outstanding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Fang Xing’s performance in first year, Xia Long couldn’t help but marvel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he’d only thought the boy was progressing steadily, each step solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, not only is he steady—he’s taking enormous strides!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—come with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long seized Fang Xing, his body moving—floating as if weightless, into a classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Teacher, you can fly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martial Outer Form is spirit influencing matter—I don’t fly. I merely use my Outer Form to create footholds midair—it’s a kind of flying step technique!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long explained seriously: “To truly fly with your body, you need to reach Golden Core…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Your martial arts are weak—at least by my knowledge, even Foundation Establishment cultivators can float in midair…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing mentally scoffed, then asked: “So why did you bring me here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much—I just feel your progress is too fast… judging from your body’s reaction just now, you’ve also refined your bones, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long asked: “Any discomfort? Need a physical? Martial artists fear most hidden injuries during foundation-building—only discovering them when trying to condense the Perfect Golden Core, then having to make up for it with a thousandfold effort…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with deep feeling, as if he’d experienced it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. But Teacher—you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked at Xia Long—this teacher was stronger than an ox; surely he wasn’t that frail?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to hide it—I got hidden injuries when I was young, making Golden Core condensation difficult. Otherwise, I wouldn’t still be stuck here as a teacher. If I’d been more careful back then, I’d be a principal by now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With today’s Federation medical tech, even ancient injuries from youth can’t be repaired?” Fang Xing’s expression turned grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Federation now, limb regeneration isn’t even a complex surgery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…These are old battlefield wounds—not just physical…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long seemed to recall something; suddenly, an aura of blood-soaked mountains and corpses enveloped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing wisely said nothing more, only asked: “Is there anything I can do to help you, Teacher?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could help me—I’ve nearly accumulated enough merit, just need one more achievement… If you get into a top-tier university, I’ll finally qualify to apply for a ‘Source Sea-class Healing Chamber full-body restoration’…” Xia Long sounded half-joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, Fang Xing’s admission to university was certain; a first-tier university would require effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a top-tier one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was still uncertain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Federation was vast, with countless star systems and millions of educational planets—yet only a handful of top-tier universities existed, each year a battle among prodigies against prodigies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary geniuses don't even have the qualification to compete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A top-tier university? I see. I was planning to buy a house on Blue Star anyway…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright, I’m counting on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long grinned: “Enough small talk. You brought honor to the school—what reward do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fought for the school’s honor—why would I need a reward?” Fang Xing said with righteous solemnity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t expect the horse to run without feeding it…” Xia Long chuckled. “Besides… are you trying to save money for Lu Guangming? He’s a Martial Golden Core—do you think he cares about this little?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded, beginning to seriously consider what he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, he spoke: “I’ve gained deep insight into the Great Dragon Stake and the Subduing Tiger Stake—my progress has been rapid. If I keep this up, I may be ready to attempt breaking through to Jade Essence by winter break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Already that fast? But the Dragon-Tiger Stake Arts are the foundation of martial cultivation. Since you’ve already reached Stage Four of the Great Dragon Stake, it’s natural your speed would increase.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long didn’t deny it: “But are you underestimating the bottleneck? Even if you’ve forged Jade Skin and Mystic Flesh, Willow Tendons and Steel Bones—you can’t just break through Jade Essence because you want to. Such a bottleneck can trap a martial artist for life; only bloodshed can shatter it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[‘That’s because I have pills… but I won’t mention that.’]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing thought to himself: “Does the school have resources to help me break through to Jade Essence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Don’t even think about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long shook his head: “The Federation tightly controls breakthrough resources for education planets—to filter out true geniuses…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then fine. After I break through to Jade Essence, I should be able to learn new martial arts. If the school insists on giving me a reward, I’d like to start studying one now—so I can practice on my own during winter break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing stated his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to face the same ordeal he suffered during summer again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to get the martial techniques first, so he wouldn’t be caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Jade Essence martial artist’s Qi flows long and steady, like unpolished jade—constantly refined…” Xia Long’s expression turned serious. “Theoretically, one A-rank martial art should carry you all the way to Courage Realm. But you seem insatiable—what do you want to learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me one that strengthens the body. We martial artists—we need strong bodies to have a future…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t deal damage if you’re not standing—that’s the truth!\u003C\u002Fp>",1660,"2026-06-20T11:03:20.053Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8805d5b82a7debcc68fd0560610c3d844ffd736afda79c25b38b3f4611003f45","starlight-professional-chapter-62","starlight-professional-chapter-60",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]