[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-646":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},2309306,4512,"Chapter 646: The Great Saint","starlight-professional-chapter-646",646,"\u003Cp>A common marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the world plunged into chaos, ordinary people still had to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus merchants continued to open their shops, and during community sacrifice events, large market fairs still took place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds thronged the streets; since their purpose was shopping, many carried a few copper coins—perfect targets for pickpockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man in a gray robe, unremarkable in appearance, easily lost in a crowd, neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, walked slowly through the throng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one moment, his left hand shot out like lightning, aiming to snatch a money pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand reached out, iron shackles in form, gripping his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thief?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall, thin figure wearing a wide-brimmed hat had reached out and seized him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What startled the thief even more was that the hat-wearer’s palm was cold and hard—almost not the hand of a living man, but more like that of a corpse…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thief pressed forward with menace: “I’m a member of the Venomous Snake Gang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And worse—you secretly worship the ‘God of Shadows and Thieves’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tall, thin figure in the hat smiled: “A true god—I once had to tread carefully around such beings… but now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a torrent of pitch-black flame erupted violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thief’s expression turned icy; a black dagger suddenly materialized in his hand, like a serpent’s fang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PLOP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black dagger pierced straight through the tall figure’s chest—but to the thief’s shock, the man did not fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, his voice carried amusement: “Apologies… my body has been dead for a long time. Resurrection went awry—I awakened a talent for immunity to toxins and fatal wounds. Your divine curse infused in the dagger has no effect… I never imagined a true god would dwell inside the body of an ordinary thief?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, heaven and earth transformed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of bronze pillars emerged, carved with incomprehensible beasts radiating a primal, savage aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Left and Right Envoys of the Killing Sect, the Four Guardians—all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even they were unremarkable; several demigods lurked in shadows, their eyes greedy, fixed on the ordinary thief as if he were a priceless treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Killing Sect! The True Demon Cult? And the Blood Sea Temple, the Compassion Hall?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plain-faced thief’s eyes flashed twin golden sparks; his form draped itself in a veil of shadow, ready to vanish into darkness: “A pack of clowns, a few demigods… no—wait. How did you find me? The Twelve Golden Men? Damned Primordial God!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As He spoke, the Master of the Killing Sect moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RUSTLE!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hat fell; the black robe tore open, revealing a twisted, deformed body that suddenly exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ribs stained with flesh and blood descended like a cage, trapping the God of Shadows and Thieves within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demigods moved at once; colored spiritual light flared, and countless top-tier talents and abilities activated in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Fatal Palm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The High Priest of the True Demon Lord became a shadow, striking out with one palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two other demigods began chanting; the air grew thick and viscous, as if time itself had frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air warped; a shadow tore free, leaping several times with impossible speed, fleeing toward the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body bore grotesque, jagged wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You shattered the Lixuan Cave Heaven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The void split open; demigods stepped forth—but fewer than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Killing Sect, the Right Envoy and even White Dharma King had vanished—likely slain during the assault on a true god, their souls destined for the Realm of Destruction, the Shadow Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such sacrifice is necessary… the God-Slaying Plan has now entered Phase Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Killing Sect watched this scene with cold indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mortals seeking to slay gods must pay a terrible price!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, half the demigods who attacked the ‘God of Shadows and Thieves’ may have perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if successful, the rewards would be immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For followers of Destruction, death is merely another beginning—they may claim anything they desire within the Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BLAZING!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke, each demigod’s body erupted with dense divine energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were praying to their respective deities for divine grace!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Hunt had begun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed—no one knew how long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desolate wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The God of Shadows and Thieves, battered and bleeding, pulled a dagger from the skull of a demigod wrapped entirely in bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, the Master of the Killing Sect still bore his twisted, deformed form, kneeling half-bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mortals… how could you possibly comprehend the gulf between yourselves and gods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The God of Shadows and Thieves sneered, licking the dagger in his hand, preparing to end the Master’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed something—and screamed: “Impossible… how could the Primordial God have perished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Killing Sect’s expression shifted—he felt the divine grace of the God of Destruction surge with overwhelming power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an ancient, unchanging, eternal might!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged forward, his body surging with primordial divine power. BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying force of the Primordial Destruction God shattered the already weakened divine shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange black short sword appeared in the Master’s hand, slicing across the God of Shadows and Thieves’ neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Decapitation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PLOP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The God of Shadows and Thieves collapsed, golden divine blood streaming forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden divine essences fluttered like fireflies, and two strange rhombic crystals emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Office of Shadows and Thieves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master’s eyes burned with hunger; he reached out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ‘Shadow Office’ and ten divine essences landed in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this god-slaying, I contributed the most… I claim the ‘Shadow Office’ and these divine essences…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master turned to the two remaining demigods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no objections.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The High Priest of the True Demon Lord, voice hoarse, seized the ‘Thief’ Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last demigod, clearly reluctant, could only take a few divine essences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the allies departed, the Master of the Killing Sect turned to face the Left Envoy, Poisonous Hand Scholar, who stood behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand; five divine essences flew toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is yours. With these, you may attempt to ignite the Divine Flame and become a demigod.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said the Master of the Killing Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poisonous Hand Scholar accepted them, a flicker of joy crossing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become a demigod, one must accumulate divine essence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving this gift saved centuries of arduous cultivation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without this stroke of fortune, he might never have ascended to demigodhood in his lifetime!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though… the ritual to ignite the Divine Flame was perilous; one misstep could mean total annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for followers of the Killing Sect, what did that matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Master of the Killing Sect? His gains were greater still—fully refining that divine office crystal might allow him to undergo the Divine Enthronement Ritual and become the new ‘God of Shadows’!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If fortune favored him, after the Heavenly Court’s Source Energy Storm ended, he might even enter the former Divine Realm of the God of Shadows and Thieves and claim his legacy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Divine Enthronement Ritual did not guarantee success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Master of the Killing Sect was different!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a powerful patron to cling to. If he became a subordinate deity of the God of Destruction, becoming a true god was all but certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a glorious age…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Killing Sect sighed contentedly: “Return to Sanjue Pass. We must conquer the Zhou Shenchao and seize the most faith!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only faith in our Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poisonous Hand Scholar obediently agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several years passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ordinary people of this world, these years had been tumultuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, so many temples and churches lost their power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a great army stormed through the Three Perfections Pass from beyond the world, and then the Zhou Shenchao collapsed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a new “Dasheng Chao” was established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the imperial palace, after multiple purges, a lingering stench of blood never faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing walked through the magnificent palace, lost in thought: “This is how dynastic change works—wipe out the old power structures, and the realm can finally be well-governed… then wait for the next cycle of order and chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all the true gods supporting the Zhou Shenchao were slaughtered, the collapse of the Zhou Shenchao became inevitable, yet perfectly logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Killing Sect’s army spent years pacifying the realm simply because they wasted time marching and suppressing other heretical cults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with Fang Xing—a primordial god—supporting them, there was never much doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly embarrassed Fang Xing was that the Killing Sect later offered him three thousand beauties, begging him to sire a divine heir as emperor of this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could he leave offspring in a single world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flatly refused, took the title “Sheng,” founded the Dasheng Chao, and prepared to implement the system of abdication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, whichever of them proved strongest would be lifted up to become emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask whether this system was stable—so long as a true god watched from above and the strongest fist ruled, any system could be perfectly stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a faint breeze brushed past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s heart stirred; his innate talent [Harmony with Nature] activated, causing his gaze to rise involuntarily: “Has the celestial source’s turmoil finally begun to subside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, using an Eternal Realm technique to trigger the world’s backlash and sweep the gods from their divine realms for years was already astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over these years, the entire Zhou divine system has perished… the remaining heretical gods and false gods have suffered heavy losses…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Destruction Divine System should now reign supreme.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked at the pile of divine offices in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were valuable, others useless—but each represented a complete cosmic principle, capable of elevating a subordinate god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too many gods aren’t good…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head, when suddenly a voice reached his ears: “...O Great Lord of Shadows, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May your kingdom ascend to the heavens, becoming an eternal, unextinguished star, shielding our souls!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Lord of the Killing Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded: “The Divine Enthronement Ceremony… has finally begun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1701,"2026-06-20T11:03:23.251Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","10a49c11566b9758b319ff4982e9f4ef19b737642bcf4d542c030d19ca8e464c","starlight-professional-chapter-647","starlight-professional-chapter-645",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]