[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-684":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},2309344,4512,"Chapter 684: Great Xia","starlight-professional-chapter-684",684,"\u003Cp>Time flows like water, years pass like a shuttle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, decades had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang still looked like a young man, tall and beautifully built.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he wore solemn, splendid robes, his aura steady as a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood upon a sacrificial altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The altar was entirely white and built to great height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Mang stood nine massive bronze cauldrons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today… Mang hereby proclaims to the Heavenly Gods the founding of Great Xia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s voice boomed like thunder, echoing across the land, clear to the twelve royal marquises, three hundred generals, and tens of thousands of warrior troops behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After decades of southern campaigns and northern expeditions, with feudal technology trees and the spread of “Original Martial Arts,” what was once a small tribe had expanded into a “dynasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the boy named Mang had grown into a true emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, for spreading technology, creating writing, and widely disseminating martial arts, his reputation among humanity had become that of a “Holy Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing remained within the True Martial Talisman; his power had slightly coalesced, allowing him to faintly sense the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was only “sensing”—he still could not move the True Martial Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet… this is a promising trend. Perhaps someday it will be possible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I persist like this, perhaps after countless years, I can escape the True Martial Talisman and be reborn as a human?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To place hope in a host is inferior to placing it in myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though… they are all also ‘me’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing shifted his gaze and saw the twelve royal marquises standing behind Mang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the twelve most formidable Xia warriors who had followed Mang in his eastern and western campaigns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, each bore some degree of mutation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were covered in scales, others had blood-red eyes, some arms had turned into bird talons…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, one might mistake them for demonic beasts that had attained enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even with ‘Original Martial Arts’ suppressing the absorption of beast bloodlines, bodily mutations still occur… though benign, they give off a monstrous aura.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Fang Xing had also instructed Mang to send all collected beast bloodlines into the True Martial Talisman for storage and study… yielding some results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These beasts, though born from the contemplation of Pan Wu Dao, are too weak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or rather… this world is too weak to sustain beings of great power…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do both Pan Wu and I place our hopes on the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if both sides wished to fight, neither could—Pan Wu could not even be revived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet, these men’s mutations from beast bloodlines represent twelve directions. Perhaps they can be named ‘Pan Wu Twelve Forms’? Or ‘Twelve Body Anomalies’? Both are heritable…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing silently pondered as he watched Mang, triumphant, return to his palace—a spacious earthen-brick structure—and begin a grand feast for his ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine bronze wine cups brimmed with liquor; roasted beast meats, fruits, and millet rice offered a unique flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, Great Xia is founded, thanks to your efforts. I now designate the land of Great Xia as the Emperor’s domain; all other lands may be claimed by you, marquises and generals, as your own hereditary fiefs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang raised his wine cup and announced his decision to the assembly below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Xia’s population was still too small; even after another hundred years, it would occupy little territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after securing sufficient land for Xia’s people, Mang generously began granting fiefs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Holy Emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the marquises bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a strikingly martial young man entered the hall, shouldering a beast resembling a saber-toothed tiger: “To celebrate your ascension as Emperor, I have slain this ‘Saber-Tiger Beast’ as a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is… Prince Zhong, the third son? Indeed formidable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To slay a Saber-Tiger Beast—his Original Martial Arts must have reached at least the fourth level…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marquises and generals all praised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang had nine consorts and seventy-two children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the tribal era, it was natural for the strong to have many spouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bloodline of the strong must be passed on—only then could the tribe grow powerful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Zhong was born to Mang’s third consort, trained in martial arts since childhood, and bore a striking resemblance to Mang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father… I’ve slain a ‘White Spirit Deer’ too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the ministers could react, another handsome prince entered the hall and dropped a white spirit deer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most astonishing was the deer’s skin—smoother than jade, untouched by a single scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the sixth prince—‘Jing’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The White Spirit Deer symbolizes auspiciousness—a great omen…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The key is killing it without damaging its precious hide…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha! You are all my good children—take your seats.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang laughed heartily, utterly satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What more could one ask of life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the True Martial Talisman, Fang Xing watched this scene and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time flew by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than fifty years had passed since the founding of Great Xia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Great Xia, three hundred and twelve vassal states had risen, like stars circling the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Great Xia imperial palace…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts of battle erupted. Armies clad in metal armor stormed the palace—two opposing factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overnight, two princes had simultaneously rebelled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Great Xia had been founded, many tribal customs still lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Challenging the strongest to ascend was still a tribal tradition!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill the old bastard… his secret to immortality is mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, don’t blame me—if you don’t die, how can I ascend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders of the two armies were none other than Zhong and Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They easily scattered the palace guards and arrived before the palace of Emperor Mang, who had neglected governance for years and was said to be secluded in meditation, seeking martial enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two princes exchanged glances, did not turn on each other, but nodded in perfect unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to decades ago, they now looked old—hair half-black, half-white, their vital energy withered, far from their former strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace gates swung open, and the youthful Mang stepped out, gazing at the scene with sorrow: “You two… what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, you forced us to this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you alone enjoy the gods’ grace, remaining forever young?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong and Jing roared: “Attack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their troops, seasoned hunters of beasts, moved with perfect coordination and were all powerful warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were confident they could seize Mang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality proved otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows streaked with qi winds struck Mang’s body—yet three feet away, they were halted by an invisible wall, as if forged of bronze and iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang moved—his form too swift for the naked eye to track; only armored warriors flew through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared like a white thread, arriving before Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father… you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing’s face twisted in shock, then burst into wild laughter: “Ha! You kept more than one trick up your sleeve—even from us… ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t… I merely…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang trembled, unable to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He possessed the True Martial Talisman—his martial path could endlessly advance—but others did not! This was a secret he had never shared, not even with his own sons!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fifty-ninth year of Great Xia, Princes Zhong and Jing rebelled and were quelled by Emperor Mang alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, Emperor Mang, single-handedly, faced a thousand, revealing martial power capable of suppressing all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this battle, the two princes were exiled; three marquises and twenty-seven generals involved in the rebellion were stripped of their titles and executed; over ten thousand were slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Springs and autumns slipped away, and before he knew it, another two hundred years had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Zhenwu Talisman’s space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of light, and Xia Mang’s figure materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, though clad in imperial robes, he appeared extremely aged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his vital energy still surged strongly, it seemed that in the next instant, it would collapse like a dam breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? I still cannot break through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mang stared at Fang Xing: “You owe me an explanation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explanation? Hmm… your Wu Gong was always too crude. There were still flaws, the foundation wasn’t laid well—you’ve walked into a dead end… Otherwise, according to the limit, you should have lived five hundred years, not collapsed from old age before even three hundred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing looked at Xia Mang’s condition and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You knew?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mang, like an enraged old lion, snarled: “Then why didn’t you tell me before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you—I can only offer general guidance in Wu Dao…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing shook his head: “Compared to your sons, who died from deviating in cultivation or remained stuck at the mortal threshold, you’ve done quite well… You should realize that with the Zhenwu Talisman’s aid, your Wu Gong has already surpassed the era’s limits—otherwise, how could you have single-handedly suppressed so many rebellions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know about Zhong and Jing’s deaths… I never told you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mang was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, strictly speaking, your two sons died because of your selfishness. Though you passed on Yuan Wu to them, they could never break through to a higher realm to extend their lives… Isn’t going mad normal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once been an emperor—he understood why Xia Mang had hidden the Zhenwu Talisman, never revealing the secret to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were him, he wouldn’t tell anyone about his own golden finger either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, if Xia Mang had shared the Talisman’s power, Great Xia would have been ten, a hundred times more glorious than it is now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, it’s just this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sensed it—this was a limitation of the world’s origin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world had not yet developed to that stage; even if one broke through the world’s limits, one could not go far…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, he didn’t care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you afraid I’ll throw you back into a ten-thousand-zhang cliff and leave you in eternal darkness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mang stepped forward, then suddenly knelt: “Master… please save me. I don’t want to die. If you save me, I will elevate the Zhenwu Talisman as the true deity, replacing the Heavenly God…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What use are mortal beliefs to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing chuckled: “Then go ahead—throw me away if you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he couldn’t move, his patience was eternal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he held shares in the world’s consciousness—he could guarantee he’d be found again someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is fate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as this world was destined for Wu Dao to flourish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his own created world, whether Pan Wu or Zhen Wu, both are Wu Dao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, this world is destined for Wu Dao to keep developing, its origin expanding, gradually accommodating ever-stronger martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, martial artists will carry mountains on their shoulders and crush peaks to fill seas—none of it will be fantasy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1788,"2026-06-20T11:03:23.251Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1dc7e8a105ce9fdf7d4004ffda973ec4db16966103b8af03e232f65acc69b234","starlight-professional-chapter-685","starlight-professional-chapter-683",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]