[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-103":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Star Martial Era",{"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},2274961,4448,"Chapter 103: Obtaining the Mystery-Unlocking and Soul-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills (Request Subscription)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>When the burst starlight vanished, Xu Jin was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that Xu Jin had never lost before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously lost to the Immortal of Drunken Moon in actual combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this defeat was his first since he had engraved the Soul-Star and achieved perfect mastery over all star techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was a thoroughly crushing defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the final strike—it was utterly overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt that even if he stacked two more layers of star shields, he’d still be obliterated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only by fully activating his Soul-Star to output maximum star power, exponentially reinforcing the star veil and shields, could he have withstood that strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That final strike was too powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt that strike could easily annihilate even a Star Refining beginner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be a special star technique or star rune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of shock, Xu Jin grew excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he’d found an opponent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Challenge】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few breaths of thought, Xu Jin chose to continue the challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, Buger’er accepted the challenge again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Terrain: Deep Mountain Dense Forest】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, still unyielding? Come back for more punishment?” After entering the training arena, Buger’er stood with his spear, eyeing Xu Jin with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I’m unyielding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, as the light curtain dissolved, Xu Jin shot forward like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he closed in, he employed the kite-ring tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to obliterate the target with the kite-ring tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Buger’er’s reaction was equally swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spear’s starlight flashed repeatedly, shattering Xu Jin’s star arrows, and every one or two attacks, he condensed a cluster of starlight around his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, only two clusters formed, instantly hurtling toward Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two clusters exploded, shattering Xu Jin’s offensive-defense star ring and his hastily erected two layers of star shields, finally causing his star veil to ripple and vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it successfully interrupted Xu Jin’s kite-ring tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Buger’er’s spear struck like a venomous serpent emerging from its den, hammering Xu Jin with star arrows and star rings, occasionally interspersed with a technique Xu Jin called Star Burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It launched a cluster of starlight that spontaneously exploded before impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assault was extremely fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin saw through his intent—he was still trying to form star clusters around his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had been burned once; he knew that once those clusters detonated, they’d kill him in one blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he deliberately targeted the clusters Buger’er formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, he used his body technique to dash forward and fire a star arrow to shatter one cluster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he unleashed a star ring to detonate the cluster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply refused to let any cluster grow beyond four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle lasted seven full minutes; the high-frequency use of star techniques drained Xu Jin’s star power completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With insufficient star power, Xu Jin became sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Buger’er’s spear surged forward with four clusters of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin used his last star power to erect three layers of star shields and one star veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still obliterated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The victory prompt appeared, but Buger’er, the victor, stood frozen, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he won, this “Great Sage Equaling Heaven” had given him a profound sense of threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder which sect’s ultimate prodigy he is? His star techniques reveal no trace of origin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin, defeated for the second time, frowned and pondered for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All usable tactics had been employed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he still lost—where should he break through?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winning was actually very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Xu Jin needed to do was break his own rule—even just once use invisibility in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just vanish for an instant, and he’d win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the kind of real combat Xu Jin wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a hundred breaths of contemplation, Xu Jin initiated another challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buger’er was still there, and he accepted the challenge readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell is afraid of you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then fight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin still charged forward with Flying Star Step, star arrows leading the way, just as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he neared “Buger’er,” he hesitated slightly, then formed a star tether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star tether instantly wrapped around Buger’er’s spear, reapplying the kite-ring tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star arrows rained down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin unleashed star arrows at full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One breath later, starlight exploded along Buger’er’s spear, shattering the star tether—but his front defenses were breached by Xu Jin’s arrows; by the time he brought his spear back to defend, he was already struck down by two star arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Great Sage Equaling Heaven: Victory】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third round: Xu Jin won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the other corner of the Star-Picking Tower’s space, Buger’er looked astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this “Great Sage Equaling Heaven” was powerful and a serious threat, but he hadn’t expected him to defeat him in just the third round through tactical adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he’d realized now: this man’s cultivation base was far below his own, yet he’d still managed to outwit and defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Rank 4 on the One-Stage Training Arena Buger’er challenges you. Accept?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Accept】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth round: Buger’er won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth round: Great Sage Equaling Heaven won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth round: Buger’er won again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin wanted to challenge again, but Buger’er refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, Xu Jin received a friend request from “Buger’er.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he accepted, Xu Jin silently cursed the Star-Picking Tower for being so exploitative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even adding a friend cost one strand of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, a starlight message arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【I’ve fought eight rounds today; my Soul-Star power is depleted. We’ll fight again tomorrow. Buger’er】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was why he refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin didn’t reply; he had one hundred taels of silver, but he didn’t initiate another challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six rounds total: two wins, four losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The loss rate was still high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every round, both sides adjusted tactics continuously; relatively speaking, Xu Jin still lost more often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my strength improves further, my win rate will gradually rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eight consecutive battles in the Training Realm—is this the upper limit of a top prodigy’s Soul-Star power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buger’er’s starlight message unintentionally revealed much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight times was already a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before engraving the Pure Soul-Star Rune, Xu Jin could only manage five; after initial engraving, six; after full stabilization, eight. Now that he had forged his Soul-Star, he hadn’t tested his new limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the top prodigies of Jinshan Dao Academy, the gap still existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xianbing could challenge five times consecutively in the Training Realm, barely six, but after six, he suffered splitting headaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s Star-Picking champion, Yue Daqi, could challenge six times consecutively in the Training Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One extra challenge meant fifteen to twenty percent more Soul-Star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the gap between Jinshan Dao Academy’s prodigies and top prodigies from other factions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, assuming Buger’er truly reached his limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>July 19, Xu Jin decided to return home to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve disturbed you too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since becoming the senior disciple of the Dao Academy for just half a day, visitors have come nonstop, especially at night, leaving Old Qi constantly on edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some came to curry favor, others to ask Master Xu Jin for guidance, and still others to book him as their next mountain-exploration companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one arrived with a smile and brought at least some gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s hard to turn away someone who comes with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you don’t open the door, just knocking disturbs Xu Jin’s cultivation or rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin specifically informed Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house he bought was well-located, only a ten-minute walk away—if he rushed, he could get there in one or two minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan agreed, but specifically instructed Xu Jin to come see her tomorrow morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having told Ning Yuchan, he naturally had to tell Qi Shanye too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the place where Qi Shanye had been guiding Xu Jin became Xu’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The star technique you described is likely the effect of the Cangming Star Temple’s unique secret star pattern, the Gou Xuan Star Pattern. As for the technique itself, it’s Star Burst Art—a variant of Star Arrow.” That night, when Xu Jin recounted his combat in the Training Mirage, Qi Shanye immediately made his judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The person you encountered was almost certainly a true disciple of the Cangming Star Temple. This unique secret star pattern is only taught to true disciples, and only to top-tier geniuses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to your description, that man has almost certainly achieved the Pure Body and reached the peak of Meal the Mist Seventh Layer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though your cultivation base was inferior, you still won two battles—you haven’t disgraced your master,” Qi Shanye chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, is the Cangming Star Temple’s secret star pattern really that powerful? I feel the Mingji Star Pattern of the Lingji Star Temple is somewhat weak,” Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Qi Shanye glared. “Who said that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mingji Star Pattern is an auxiliary star pattern—its effectiveness grows stronger the further you advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the Mingji Star Pattern is an auxiliary star pattern. After you forge your Star Core, you’ll receive another unique secret star pattern from the Lingji Star Temple, which will greatly boost your combat power,” Qi Shanye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving a few more pointers, Qi Shanye suddenly said, “Since you’ve already encountered a Cangming Star Temple disciple in the Training Mirage, today I’ll tell you about the distinctive features and countermeasures for each Star Temple’s unique star patterns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just understanding them would have prevented you from losing your first battle so badly yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin was overjoyed—it was exactly what he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, I’ll tell you about the Tianyang Star Temple—it’s essentially the Lingji Star Temple’s mortal enemy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know of three secret star patterns in the Tianyang Star Temple: Water Imagery Star Pattern, Fan Yun Star Pattern, and Fire Imagery Star Pattern. The Water Imagery Star Pattern greatly enhances control over water energy, making the body more inclined toward water-based star force. When casting water-based star techniques, power increases significantly, consumption decreases, and self-recovery improves. Recovery star techniques become the strongest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye spoke for nearly half an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mainly covered the major Star Temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the three existing Star Temples today, each has at least two unique secret star patterns, while the state Dao Academies generally possess only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, each country’s star pattern and technique research emphasizes different directions—for example, in Chen Guo, metal-based star techniques and star patterns are the strongest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gave Xu Jin a great deal of insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially regarding the manifestations and countermeasures of many special star patterns, he now had a preliminary understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the Cangming Star Temple’s Gou Xuan Star Pattern that appeared today—Xu Jin’s response was correct: once detected, destroy it early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gou Xuan Star Pattern, also called Gou Xuan Star Pattern, can accumulate same-type special star force clusters, then link and detonate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of accumulated star force clusters determines the detonation’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three clusters double the power; five triple it; seven quadruple it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But few can manage more than six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I still don’t know where you live in Jinshan County City?” After the guidance ended, Xu Jin suddenly asked Qi Shanye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Qi Shanye smiled. “Why do you care? Don’t you know me? I sleep wherever I want. Even if I sleep in the magistrate’s backyard, on his concubine’s bed, no one would find me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Qi Shanye meant, translated plainly, was four characters: homeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even worse—it was nomadic hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, my house is quite spacious. Besides me and my sister, no one else lives in the back courtyard. I’ve already had my sister clean out the eastern wing. Why don’t you stay here? I’ll have the cook bring you breakfast and dinner every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t need it. I don’t need your care!” Qi Shanye stubbornly refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I need your constant guidance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was beginning to understand Qi Shanye—he was a proud, stubborn man who often just pretended to be hardheaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, my sister was previously attacked by the Worship the Stars Cult. Now that my family has suddenly become wealthy, someone might take advantage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you stay in the house, you’re like a sea-stabilizing divine needle—perfectly safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I can cultivate in peace, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin offered a perfectly suitable way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your current position as Head of the Patrol Star Guard, shouldn’t no one dare target your home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ordinary people won’t, but the Blood God Cult and the Worship the Stars Cult? Who knows? And Zhao Weizhen, who fled from the Zhao family—I’m genuinely worried. If he finds out his family’s downfall originated with me, it’ll be truly dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Nascent Soul Fourth Layer expert,” Xu Jin said, visibly anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a danger you truly can’t handle! Hmm… then I’ll stay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. To let you cultivate in peace, I’ll stay for a while,” Qi Shanye agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin exhaled in relief—this proud old man had finally come down from his high horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this way, Xu Jin had fulfilled his filial duty to his master. Later, he only needed to pass on this lineage. The Lingji Star Temple’s burdens were too heavy—he didn’t want them, and he dared not take them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, in the Training Mirage, Xu Jin again challenged “Not Much to Write Home About” consecutively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven battles: three wins, four losses!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of July 20, after taking two Tui Fan Pills refined to One Refinement, Xu Jin achieved his third purification of marrow and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His star force increased another ten percent, and the speed of its circulation rose again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After having breakfast with Master Qi Shanye behind closed doors, Xu Jin headed straight for Jinshan Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned home at night, but still had to go to the academy during the day—every other day, there were classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, upon arriving at the academy, Xu Jin went directly to Ning Yuchan’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knocked. When Ning Yuchan opened the door, she didn’t invite him in—she stepped out and said, “Follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute later, Ning Yuchan brought Xu Jin to the headmaster’s residence on the mountainside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This puzzled Xu Jin—why was Ning Yuchan bringing him to the headmaster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, I’ve called you here for two matters,” Headmaster Dong Zhao appeared and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, regarding your reward for successfully engraving the Grand Star Gathering Pattern.” As he spoke, Headmaster Dong Zhao handed Xu Jin three elixir vials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Xu Jin’s heart leapt—was this the Ding Shen Golden Core?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most exquisitely crafted small vial must be the Ding Shen Golden Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is your reward for your first successful engraving of the Grand Star Gathering Pattern: two bottles of Xing Shen Dan, one bottle of low-grade Bu Xing Dan, and one Ding Shen Golden Core. The other elixirs need no explanation, but the Ding Shen Golden Core—wait until you reach the peak of Meal the Mist Seventh Layer before taking it. That’s when its effect will be best,” Headmaster Dong Zhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing confusion in Xu Jin’s eyes, Dong Zhao added, “The Ding Shen Golden Core primarily enhances your spiritual soul power—roughly increasing your current spiritual soul power by twenty percent. Spiritual soul power is extremely difficult to rapidly increase, but daily cultivation, especially during Meal the Mist Seventh Layer body refinement, can slowly enhance it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you reach the peak of Meal the Mist Seventh Layer, your spiritual soul power will have reached its short-term limit. At that point, taking the Ding Shen Golden Core will yield optimal results and also somewhat increase your combat power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Headmaster,” Xu Jin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second matter: the Autumn Examination. Previously, our top seed candidate was Wang Weisheng of the Inner Academy. But during last month’s exam, you defeated Wang Weisheng—so now you are the Inner Academy’s top disciple, and also our Jinshan Dao Academy’s top seed candidate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you achieve a strong result in the upcoming Autumn Examination. Passing the entrance is the bare minimum—I hope you break into the top ten of Class A,” Headmaster Dong Zhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Top ten of Class A?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Top ten of Class A!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dong Zhao suddenly turned. “Xu Jin, I won’t hide this from you—it’s tied to my own evaluation as headmaster!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you break into the top ten of Class A, I’ll receive at least a Class A- rating. If Wang Weisheng also breaks into the top ten, I’ll get a Class A rating—beneficial to my future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you give it your all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This evaluation is personally important to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you break into the top ten of Class A, I’ll personally gift you a second-grade star weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin’s pupils shrank sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second-grade star weapon was worth several times more than a first-grade one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most common first-grade weapon star weapons cost only two or three thousand taels of silver, but second-grade weapon star weapons started at ten thousand taels or more—and you generally couldn’t buy them on the open market. Perhaps the black market in the provincial capital had some, but the price…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin understood: this was Headmaster Dong Zhao offering him a substantial reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, rest assured. Since you saved my sister from dire straits, I, Xu Jin, will spare no effort to break into the Autumn Examination’s top ten, to repay you—no need for such a generous reward!” Xu Jin bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao smiled warmly, clearly pleased. “Your heart is enough. But as headmaster, once I’ve promised, I’ll deliver. Remember, second-grade star weapons can only be purchased with Dao Merits—you can’t buy them with silver through normal channels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the headmaster said so, Xu Jin no longer refused—he gave his word again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your current cultivation level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Dong Zhao’s gaze fixed on Xu Jin. Instantly, Xu Jin felt a powerful force settle upon him—he felt as if stripped naked, intensely uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sensation lasted only an instant—Headmaster Dong Zhao withdrew his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat, you’ve already undergone three purifications of marrow and blood, haven’t you? When did this happen?” Dong Zhao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Ning Yuchan stared at Xu Jin in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had undergone three purifications—and she hadn’t noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster’s eyes are sharp as lightning. I just completed the third this morning,” Xu Jin said, offering a small compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dong Zhao ignored the flattery, his eyes fixed on Xu Jin, gleaming with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three purifications in three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This speed was astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the speed of engraving the Small and Large Star Patterns, it was still acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Headmaster Dong Zhao laughed, “If that’s the case, why wait? Let’s do it now—let you experience the exclusive benefit of the Inner Court’s top student!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Inner Court’s top student’s exclusive benefit?” Xu Jin frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, I haven’t yet inquired at the External Affairs Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All Inner Court disciples who have reached Cultivation Stage Seven of Mist Absorption and undergone three rounds of Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification may receive a quantity of Superior Tuifan Pills according to their rank, along with assistance from an Instructor or Tutor for two rounds of Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Inner Court’s top student may claim six Superior Tuifan Pills alone, and may receive direct assistance from me, the Headmaster, for Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification!” said Headmaster Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Xu Jin was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What startled Xu Jin was not the six Superior Tuifan Pills, but the Headmaster personally assisting with Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Xu Jin noticed Ning Yuchan’s expression of surprise—clearly triggered by the Headmaster’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Ning Yuchan surprised by?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan’s surprise was almost certainly due to the Headmaster personally assisting with Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, was this reward added by Headmaster Dong Zhao just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mingji Star Pattern also keenly sensed Ning Yuchan’s surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All you can say is: you’re the Headmaster, so whatever you say goes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, it’s a good thing—Xu Jin had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchan, directly apply for six Superior Tuifan Pills for Xu Jin, then settle the matter at the External Affairs Hall—it’ll be faster, and we can ensure he achieves the Pure Body before the Autumn Exam,” said Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was Xu Jin’s turn to be surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Headmaster’s words, had Ning Yuchan already given Xu Jin those six Superior Tuifan Pills out of her own pocket?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six Superior Tuifan Pills were not cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four thousand eight hundred Dao Merits—equivalent to forty-eight thousand taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key is: even if you have silver, you can’t buy them. Dao Merits can be exchanged for silver, but no amount of silver—or even gold—can be traded for Dao Merits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, three days ago, when Ning Yuchan delivered the pills, Xu Jin hadn’t even entered the Inner Court yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin became the Inner Court’s senior disciple was only yesterday afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she really did pay out of her own pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a wonderful teacher!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Xu Jin’s burning gaze, Ning Yuchan glared at him, then slightly uneasy, brushed a strand of hair aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao, however, didn’t notice this—he asked Xu Jin again, “Xu Jin, do you want to firmly and swiftly achieve the Pure Body, and also slightly enhance your Spirit Power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Xu Jin gave a firm reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you endure pain?” Dong Zhao asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of pain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like a thousand ants gnawing at your heart—though I’ll give you pills to ease the pain,” said Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing “a thousand ants gnawing,” Ning Yuchan’s eyes flickered with pity; Xu Jin hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That description sounded excruciating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must know: below the Star Gathering Realm, cultivators find it extremely difficult to enhance Spirit Power. This is a rare chance to boost it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even with ample Superior Tuifan Pills and a mentor’s help, most achieve five rounds of Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification easily—but achieving six to form the Pure Body is hard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can endure this slight pain, you will surely achieve six rounds of Pure Body—and even have a chance to push toward seven rounds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must understand: such a foundation is what every cultivator dreams of!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Headmaster Dong Zhao resembled a wolf luring Little Red Riding Hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And all you need to endure is a little over a quarter-hour—no more than half an hour,” said Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin looked at Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Headmaster, Xu Jin trusted Ning Yuchan more—he believed her opinion more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Jin’s gaze, Ning Yuchan naturally understood—he said only one sentence: “I tried it myself once—I held on, and achieved the Pure Body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a frail woman could endure it, why couldn’t he, Xu Jin, a man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my teacher can, so can I!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dong Zhao beamed. “Then let’s both assist you—I won’t call Tian Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, don’t resist at all. My Star Power and your teacher Yuchan’s will enter your body. Use your Spirit to cling to our Star Power, hold your mind firm, and absolutely do not faint—if you do, all effort will be lost,” said Headmaster Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood,” Xu Jin replied, but felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Ning Yuchan and Headmaster Dong Zhao placed their hands on Xu Jin’s shoulders—one on each side—and instantly, two utterly different Star Powers surged into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Star Power entered, Xu Jin’s own Star Power instinctively resisted—but he immediately suppressed it with his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, his Spirit clung to the two Star Powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, their Star Powers moved freely within Xu Jin’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, a familiar vibration came—the Golden Refining Chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two entering Star Powers simultaneously began activating their flow according to the Golden Refining Chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their Star Powers began racing through his body, indescribable pain erupted instantly along every path they touched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Star Powers, allowing Xu Jin’s Spirit to cling to them, were no longer harmful to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the speed at which their Star Powers moved within him was more than ten times faster than his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, his Star Power had been a slow jog within him; now, their Star Powers were like dump trucks crashing and careening through his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, they slammed and swept through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt the pain in every pore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain so intense he couldn’t even scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within just a few breaths, sweat soaked through his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Xu Jin hadn’t expected was that this wasn’t the worst pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst came when the two coordinated: first Ning Yuchan’s Star Power swept through, then Headmaster’s Star Power—different in nature, faster—followed with a brutal sweep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like being scrubbed with an iron brush, then scraped with a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was damn painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too late to regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Xu Jin couldn’t even cry out to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only unconsciously cling his Spirit tightly to their Star Powers, riding along as they crashed through his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As layer after layer of bloody sweat rose to his skin, thin strands of dark, muddy grime were expelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty minutes later, when a faint dark oily film began to seep from Xu Jin’s forehead, Ning Yuchan and Headmaster Dong Zhao exchanged a glance and simultaneously withdrew their Star Powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Done!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant their Star Powers retreated, Xu Jin’s held Spirit released—and he instantly fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dong Zhao slipped several pills into Xu Jin’s mouth, then turned to Ning Yuchan. “Yuchan, please watch over him for several hours until he wakes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan wiped the sweat from her brow, then picked up Xu Jin and swiftly leapt toward her residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just twenty minutes, Ning Yuchan, a Ninth Star Condensation powerhouse, was drenched in sweat, her clothes soaked through!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Headmaster’s residence, after Ning Yuchan left, Headmaster Dong Zhao finally exhaled deeply and hurried back inside to change clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inner robe was nearly soaked through as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assisting others with Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification is no easy task!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4365,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8f3265ca99c3e2951fb165f4700defa0538397ec89907ba8b208d163a55baeb5","the-star-martial-era-chapter-104","the-star-martial-era-chapter-102",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]