[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-73":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},2308733,4512,"Chapter 73: 73. Chapter 73: Dingzhen Pill and Qingyan Ox (In Honor of Ally Master Elvin2016)","starlight-professional-chapter-73",73,"\u003Cp>73. Chapter 73: Dingzhen Pill and Qingyan Ox (In Honor of Ally Master Elvin2016)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dense forest, Han Qingyun led the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him followed three Cultivation Base Completion cultivators: the elderly man of the Long clan, Mi Weidao, and Su Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly man of the Long clan glanced at Han Qingyun’s back, his lips twitching slightly as he whispered through spirit transmission: “Is this man trustworthy? This mission is crucial. If you’re willing to explain beforehand, I actually know several renowned demon hunters…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye’s bright eyes blinked, and she likewise sent her voice through spiritual power: “Han Qingyun previously traded medicinal herbs with Qingdan Workshop. He’s fairly reliable… After discovering Zeng Yi’s betrayal, I dare not trust any famous demon hunters. Better to pick someone random—his cultivation is low, at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low cultivation means easy to control!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once we reach the destination and he’s no longer useful, a single talisman can pin him in place for hours—deaf and blind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one is ruthless enough, eliminating him outright wouldn’t matter much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, Han Qingyun continued diligently guiding the way, seemingly unaware of anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao’s gaze, however, flickered with a cold hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The show’s about to begin…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After soaking in the hot spring, Fang Xing rose slowly, dressed himself, then slung the Qinghong Sword across his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the four men’s route, he dispatched a drone to scout and discovered the lair of a second-rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming their likely destination, he prepared to go himself and watch the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Cultivation Base Completion cultivators possess extraordinary spiritual senses—ordinary drones stand little chance of sneaking in undetected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just go take a look… If no good opportunity arises, I’ll treat it as entertainment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Merely getting close is enough for maneuvering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in a green robe, Fang Xing stepped out of the marketplace, leapt lightly, and vanished into the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feishi Gorge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For miles around, not a blade of grass grew—only jagged rocks, with a cold spring flowing through, creating an eerie atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the gorge stood a massive stone mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain was hollow, with a cave entrance over ten meters tall; standing before it, one felt utterly insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the cave entrance lay scattered white bones, piled into a thick layer, intensifying the sense of extreme danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, this is where the Qingyan Ox resides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far off, Han Qingyun clutched a talisman, his face tense: “This beast prefers to venture out at dusk, so it’s still inside its den… Its injuries are yang-natured, and it grows most frenzied around noon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent, excellent! Truly meticulous, observant to the finest detail!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao praised, then raised a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A green sword-light, sharp beyond compare, sliced Han Qingyun cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse collapsed, blood gushing forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly man of the Long clan gasped, instantly turning toward the cave entrance: “Second-rank beasts have keen senses—they’ll detect blood easily!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax. I’ve already set up an array around the area…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao’s hand materialized a small green flag, then turned to Su Ye: “Hunting a second-rank beast is of great importance—we cannot risk exposure due to some lowly cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though such Louyi —worthless insects—could be crushed easily even by the dozen, their interference at the critical moment of battling the beast could be disastrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given this, what can little sister say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye let out a bitter laugh: “But Master, this puts me in an unjust position… Qingdan Workshop’s reputation is ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, if Sister succeeds in Foundation Establishment, you can open ten more Qingdan Workshops.” Mi Weidao glanced at the sky unconcerned: “Noon has arrived. Let’s form the Gengjin Sancai Array—I’ll serve as Vanguard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is a swordsman, your Great Gengjin Sword Art unmatched among Cultivation Base cultivators—you’re perfect as the array’s tip. Elder Long, please arrange to lure the beast out…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye nodded repeatedly, discussing the plan in detail—no one spared a glance for the corpse on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, a deep, monstrous roar erupted as a terrifying beast burst from the cave—the second-rank Qingyan Ox!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ox stood seven to eight meters tall, its entire body a deep blue, covered in strange rock-like armor, resembling a mobile mountain of stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step it took shook the ground as if a minor earthquake had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More crucially, on its rocky back were three claw marks, their edges glowing faintly gold—as if countless golden insects gnawed at the wound, causing it to keep expanding…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Qingyan Ox’s eyes turned red, and it charged straight toward the elderly man of the Long clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man scrambled backward into the Gengjin Sancai Array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao laughed heartily as the spiritual power of the other two Cultivation Base Completion cultivators was amplified and purified by the array, flowing ceaselessly into him—he felt on the verge of breaking through the Cultivation Base realm into a new stage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Gengjin Sword Art—Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed his sword, and a massive sword qi, green with flecks of gold, swept across the Qingyan Ox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moo-moo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the beast’s agonized bellow, the golden-green sword qi struck its spine, sending countless shards of rock tumbling down—especially at the three golden wounds, where scars tore open and gouts of demonic blood sprayed everywhere!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the three hidden Cultivation Base cultivators, the Qingyan Ox suddenly erupted in thick earth-yellow light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground trembled violently as dozens of earth-yellow spears erupted upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their tips were razor-sharp, radiating divine aura and exuding terrifying demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud-thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spears struck the golden barrier of the Gengjin Sancai Array, sounding like rain on banana leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao gave a sharp command, moving with his sword as the golden array shifted with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the greatest advantage of the Gengjin Sancai Array—it was not a static formation, but a living one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More akin to a battle array, it could move alongside the cultivators!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sancai Flow—Defend!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye burned a peculiar talisman in her hand, granting all three enhanced mobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive Gengjin Sancai Array moved with astonishing agility—Long Elder handled defense, Mi Weidao the offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Elder held a massive black shield, its back carved with various grooves, now holding three mid-grade spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed, the mid-grade spirit stones within the grooves dimmed gradually, until they finally shattered with a crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bloodlight surged over the Qingyan Ox’s horns as it charged forward with a violent thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Elder’s face turned pale—he spat out a mouthful of essence-blood: “I can’t hold much longer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao formed hand seals, and a drop of blood flew swiftly into his flying sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword suddenly emitted a dragon’s roar, transforming into a pure golden light that slashed across the Qingyan Ox’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moo!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingyan Ox threw its head back in a final bellow, but could not resist—the blood poured from its neck like a waterfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, it collapsed, its throat cleanly severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! What second-rank beast? Still just another corpse beneath my sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao laughed loudly as he gazed at the small lake formed by the ox’s blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to both of you for your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye coughed twice, her beautiful eyes gleaming as she summoned a flying hairpin to slit open the Qingyan Ox’s belly, her gaze sharp as she searched for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Long Elder wiped blood from his beard, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the beast’s stomach was cut open, releasing a nauseating stench of acid, filled with undigested carcasses of other beasts—and even the remains of cultivators and martial artists…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye’s expression remained unchanged; she continued searching, then slit open another stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, her eyes lit up—she pointed a finger, and a clear light surged forth, reaching for something: “This is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, lightning erupted behind her—an endless sea of thunder and electricity instantly drowned her and Mi Weidao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Weidao tried to shout something, but his form was swallowed by the lightning and vanished completely…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the critical moment, Su Ye’s robes transformed into five-colored radiance, and an inner armor emerged—a black hole that absorbed all nearby lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, her face paled, blood staining her veil: “Old Long—how dare you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Elder ignored her, becoming a shadow as he lunged into the beast’s belly and seized the object Su Ye had found: “Hahahaha… I knew you were suspicious all along. What’s a Dingzhen Pill? This second-rank low-grade beast is exceptionally gifted—it might have Yunyu  an Yaodan … Huh? What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the skeletal remains in his hand—half the bones had already dissolved—his face filled with clear shock and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Yaodan  is the essence formed within a third-rank great beast, possessing infinite applications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet heaven and earth are wondrous—rarely, even a second-rank beast may Yunyu  an Yaodan !\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such second-rank Yaodan  are exceedingly rare, and one of their most vital functions is serving as the primary ingredient for crafting Foundation Establishment Pills!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Zeng Yi was your man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye suddenly seemed to understand: “There never were any Black Tiger remnants—you’re the one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, if I had a second-rank demon core and could refine it into a Foundation Establishment Pill, even I might be able to establish my Foundation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man of the Long family frowned and directly admitted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hardly anyone can find the auxiliary materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill—do you really think you’ve found another alchemist willing to refine one for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Ye’s words carried a hint of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man proposes, Heaven disposes—and besides… isn’t the alchemist right before me? I’ve long known you inherited the ‘Thunder-Repelling Armor’—a mere second-rank low-grade ‘Water Divine Thunder’ couldn’t kill you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man of the Long family’s face softened with kindness: “Given the longstanding ties between our families, if you, my niece, sign this spirit contract and willingly refine pills for me, I’ll spare your life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hand appeared a white parchment contract, its spirit runes shimmering, remarkably extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s truly a hardship for you to have found even a second-rank spirit contract…” Su Ye sighed. “For us Qi Refining cultivators, breaking a first-rank spirit contract still allows us to pay a price and erase the consequences… but a second-rank spirit contract binds even Foundation Establishment cultivators severely… But have you ever considered that the information I gave you was deliberately planted by me to deceive Zeng Yi? This Green Rock Ox has no special talent, no great demon bloodline—it truly has no demon core!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1752,"2026-06-20T11:03:20.053Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","081e2c84d3201871357fde025438c797f9c617e6793a668901f14464a731a9d7","starlight-professional-chapter-74","starlight-professional-chapter-72",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]