[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-701":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},2309361,4512,"Chapter 701","starlight-professional-chapter-701",701,"\u003Cp>“First Rank?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the martial world, could there really be a rising star who has reached the First Rank Imperishable Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Tianyang Zi knelt on the ground, gazing at the figure like a black sun demon, and Xun Heihu standing resolutely before it—his heart trembled with shock and bitterness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We easily crush Third-Rank and Middle-Rank martialists with our spiritual pressure… but to suppress me, a Second-Rank? Could the Black Lotus Elder have ascended to the Super Rank?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a pity—if I had known Xun Heihu had such potential, I would have taken him into the Tianyang Sect and passed the title ‘Tianyang Zi’ to him… If he cultivates for decades, he might even break beyond the First Rank…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous Tianyang Zi of the sect was slain while surrounded by demonic armies; he was hastily elevated and now stands only at Second Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, if Xun Heihu had the heritage and resources of the Nine Great Sects… perhaps in decades he could truly face the Black Lotus Elder on equal terms!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mistake—even Xun Heihu, regarded as astonishingly gifted, would need decades in Tianyang Zi’s eyes to earn the right to confront the Black Lotus Elder directly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even then, only if there were no interference, only if the battle were fair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, even reaching the Black Lotus Elder’s presence would mean surviving countless trials from dark-path masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lotus Elder’s blood qi surged like a furnace, rising above his head as thick smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes glowed with a pitch-black sheen as he fixed them on Xun Heihu: “So it’s you… You’ve finally come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I’ve come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Heihu sighed and activated the ‘Xuanwu True Art’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, despite the Black Lotus Elder’s overwhelming aura and intense spiritual pressure, Xun Heihu stood firm like a reef amid raging waves—calm, unshaken, even at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent, excellent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lotus Elder grew even more delighted: “I’ve trained in martial arts for years, yet never broke beyond the First Rank… Until recently, when Pan Wu revealed a glimmer of insight… In the world of martial arts, the Lower Three Ranks are merely foundational strength, the Middle Three Ranks accumulate internal force—only the Upper Three Ranks bring true transformation: Third Rank shatters mountains, able to stand against a thousand soldiers; Second Rank opens the spiritual sea; First Rank Imperishable grants true spiritual indestructibility and mastery of countless wonders… But in our Buddhist path, even if one forms a śarīra, the body remains unliberated—when the end comes, the best fate is rainbow transformation…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, I conclude: beyond the First Rank, there must be a new realm. I humbly beg you to enlighten me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was slow, devoid of any arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even placed himself in a position of humility, seeking instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden shift left Tianyang Zi, Du Qiankun, and others stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Tian Ni and Wu the Strategist, locked in combat, unconsciously eased their attacks by a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all First-Rank Grand Masters—naturally, they yearned for the realm beyond the First Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xun Heihu was merely a lone martialist of the martial world—even if he reached the First Rank, could he surpass the accumulated knowledge of countless generations from the Nine Great Sects and touch the Super Rank?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second Rank opens the spiritual sea, cultivating the ‘spirit’ among the Three Treasures of essence, qi, and spirit… Only when the spirit’s source is strong can one achieve spiritual indestructibility and enter the First Rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Heihu spoke calmly: “But the Three Treasures are inherently one. The next step is to transition from ‘spirit merging with heaven and earth’ to ‘body merging with heaven and earth,’ further achieving unity with the cosmos, subtly returning to emptiness… I name it the Super Rank—Void Realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Xun Heihu took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his first step, he stepped directly upon empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By his second step, invisible steps seemed to form in the void, allowing him to ascend step by step until he hovered in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monstrous eagle-beast was startled, soaring higher—unaware how this human had learned to fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, even the First Rank Imperishable Realm only grants spiritual peculiarities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But physical flight? Still a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xun Heihu had achieved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Super Rank?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s truly the Super Rank?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Physical flight… Am I dreaming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire martial world stood dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t think flight seems simple in a supernatural world—it’s extraordinarily rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially physical flight—it has nearly become the dividing line between Low Martial and Mid Martial worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this world has not yet matured enough to support a Super Rank Void Realm martialist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the power of the True Martial Talisman forcibly overcame the world’s suppression and elevated Xun Heihu to this state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Void Realm? Indeed mysterious…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared on the Black Lotus Elder’s face—no fear, no anxiety… only profound peace, tranquility, and joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the detachment of “hearing the Dao in the morning, dying content at night!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I beg you, Elder, to instruct me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lotus Elder’s internal force surged fiercely—an indescribable depth of internal energy erupted skyward, forming a hurricane!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the hurricane, the previously invisible internal force suddenly solidified…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>into a slowly blooming black lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One petal after another unfolded, revealing a demonic shadow standing atop a pitch-black lotus platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had a single head and two arms, its appearance nearly human, yet entirely black—formed purely from condensed internal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon wore armor; its face bore a faint resemblance to the Black Lotus Elder, yet was distinctly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… spirit influencing matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To manifest internal force to this degree—surely he’s within a step of breaking into the Super Rank?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianyang Zi needed only one glance at the black humanoid form to lose all desire to oppose him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This aura… unmatched among all Grand Masters in history… but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All martialists stared at Xun Heihu, hovering in midair—as if gazing upon a deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black Lotus Thousand Vows!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Black Lotus Elder’s voice, the colossal internal force form moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless black lotuses bloomed in midair, accompanied by Buddhist chants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianyang Zi and others’ expressions changed—they felt the explosive force of those black lotuses could easily injure them severely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Buddhist chants in the air alone could paralyze Middle-Rank martialists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third-rank martial artist lost the ability to move!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this technique, Xun Heihu exhaled a long breath: “Indeed… you have not yet broken into the Super Rank. The Void Realm involves a trace of Void Power—Void Palm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck out with a palm, carrying a hint of spatial shearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck out with a palm that carried a hint of spatial strangulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That massive shadow, those countless black lotuses—what were they against the scouring of void?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That vast black shadow, those countless black lotuses—what did they matter against the strangulation of empty space?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palm print suddenly appeared in midair, striking the Black Lotus Elder’s chest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ribs shattered; he spat blood repeatedly, staggering backward until he collapsed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lotus Elder’s chest bones shattered; he spat out gushes of blood, staggered backward, and finally collapsed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Black Lotus Elder exhaled a breath laced with blood foam, his body suddenly withered, shriveled—returning to the emaciated monk he once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Black Lotus Elder exhaled a breath thick with blood foam, his body suddenly withered, shriveled, and reverted to the gaunt form of a skeletal monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the brink of death, the Black Lotus Elder seemed to revert to Lotus Elder, his eyes filled with terror: “Beware the Lotus Heart! He…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the brink of death, the Black Lotus Elder seemed to revert to Lotus Elder, his eyes filled with terror: “Beware the Lotus Heart! He…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Lotus Elder’s head exploded—his corpse was doused in oil and ignited by Xun Heihu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Lotus Elder’s head exploded outright; his corpse was doused in oil by Xun Heihu and burned fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianyang Zi stared at Xun Heihu’s action, his expression strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Qiankun and others looked as if their minds had broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Lotus Elder, who had conquered the entire Northern martial world and sent the Southern martial world into panic—was he really dead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even granting the most generous odds—if Xun Heihu won, shouldn’t it have been a three-day, three-night battle, ending with a narrow, lucky victory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it be… so clean and swift?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry… it slipped out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Heihu exhaled deeply, revealing a relieved smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, his palm strike had been his utmost effort—he’d even prepared to flee if no victory came within ten moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed acceptable: a Super Rank crushing a half-step Super Rank should be this overwhelming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what did he mean by those final words?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Heihu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably the lingering poison of Pan Wu… But such matters are unsolvable—even if you find and destroy all the seeds now, thousands or ten thousand years later… Pan Wu will simply cultivate another batch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s probably due to the Pan Wu residual poison… but this problem is utterly unsolvable—even if you find and eradicate all the seeds this time, after thousands or even tens of thousands of years… Pan Wu will cultivate anew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thousands or ten thousand years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Heihu fell silent. At the Upper Three Ranks of martial arts, one becomes a Grand Master capable of founding a sect, with exquisite control over bodily vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Void Realm of the Super Rank, needless to say, is even more profound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew his lifespan would be roughly a thousand years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several millennia, wouldn’t he be nothing but bones?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you have no better solution—perhaps… pass down the True Martial lineage and pass this mission to future generations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing suggested with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you have no better solution—perhaps… you could pass down the True Martial Dao heritage, and leave this mission to future generations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled and came up with an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!??!??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tian Ni, who had been locked in fierce combat with Wu the Strategist and Qing Yong Monk, suddenly let out a piercing scream and clutched her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes turned red, yet her aura intensified rather than weakened, as if she had gone mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tian Ni’s techniques had previously been exquisitely refined, now she had become a “Warrior Madman!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Xun, why has Tian Ni become like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Yangzi drew near, watching as three jet-black śarīra emerged from the charred corpse of Heilian Shangren and fell into Master Xun Heihu’s hands—yet feigned not to see them, and asked aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When a worshipper of the Divine loses their deity, they become like this… the best outcome is always turning into a Warrior Madman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Xun Heihu flashed forward, entering the battlefield of the three Rank-One experts. His aura surged, forcing Wu the Strategist and Qing Yong Monk back, then he thrust one finger against Tian Ni’s third eye: “I transmit to you the True Martial Contemplation Map. Tian Ni, awaken at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Ni’s movements froze. Within her mind-sea, a True Martial Dharma Form was slowly coalescing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sat cross-legged upon the Black Tortoise, clad in a Daoist robe, its face faintly resembling Master Xun Heihu’s own!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Tian Ni could no longer begin cultivating the contemplation method from scratch; she could only have Master Xun Heihu imprint his own contemplation map directly into her mind-sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, only a Rank-One Grand Master skilled in spiritual transformation could accomplish such a feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madness in Tian Ni’s eyes rapidly faded; suddenly, she clasped her hands together and bowed deeply to Master Xun Heihu, her expression utterly reverent: “I behold the Venerable One, as if beholding a true god. I beg the Venerable One to show mercy and allow Tianxin to serve at your side…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Master Xun Heihu seemed to hear the sound of countless hearts breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>",1978,"2026-06-20T11:03:23.251Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","64b1b53cf67353e26092f0d331d049ad8f3bff4a4040a10dbdd77b52538d96b2","starlight-professional-chapter-702","starlight-professional-chapter-700",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]