[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-125":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},2274983,4448,"Chapter 125: Legacy of Valor (Third Update, Requesting Subscription)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-125",125,"\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, these are all the information and dangers regarding the second-rank star domain. Do you have any questions? Ask now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On August 8, in Ning Yuchan’s courtyard at Jinshan Dao Academy, Ning Yuchan was giving Xu Jin individual guidance before star-casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This included all information and dangers related to the second-rank star domain, as well as key precautions for star-casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, if I understand correctly, does that mean if my strength permits, as long as I can withstand attacks and ensure my own safety, I can cultivate indefinitely within the second-rank star domain?” Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, no—within the second-rank star domain, theoretically you can cultivate up to Star Refining Ninth Weight, but absolutely not. If your cultivation base breaks through into the Star Refining realm while inside the second-rank star domain, you’ll be trapped there forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember what I just said: don’t be reckless. If you sense danger you can’t handle, return immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every question Xu Jin asked, Ning Yuchan followed with another round of warnings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the time was nearly up, Ning Yuchan said, “It’s almost time to gather for the second-rank star domain’s opening. Come, I’ll take you to the Star-Plucking Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Plucking Tower Ning Yuchan referred to now was not the one accessed via the Star-Plucking Token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, Ning Yuchan and others called the Star-Plucking Tower accessed via the Star-Plucking Token the Star-Plucking Secret Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actual physical manifestation of the Star-Plucking Tower was called the Star-Plucking Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the one Ning Yuchan was taking Xu Jin to now was the physical manifestation of the Jinshan County branch of the Star-Plucking Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had heard of this before, but he had never actually seen the physical branch tower of the Star-Plucking Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin followed cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since receiving Lao Qi’s star-message yesterday, Xu Jin had felt a tremendous weight lifted off his shoulders!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Qi was still alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the first good piece of news!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just this one piece of good news was enough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since yesterday, Xu Jin’s mood had grown noticeably lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin also understood that Lao Qi had sent him only one star-message in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That suggested Lao Qi’s situation was likely dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as long as he was alive, there was hope!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he needed to seize every opportunity to rapidly increase his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Ning Yuchan brought Xu Jin to an open square at the foot of the mountain outside Jinshan Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Dong Zhao, Lu Xianbing, Yue Daqi, Wang Weisheng, Zhang Han, and others were already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are all the students here?” As Xu Jin arrived, Principal Dong Zhao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor Tian Zhang nodded beside him. “Principal, all nine students entering the star domain for star-casting have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Have you all brought your star weapons, recovery elixirs, and most importantly, the critical elixirs?” Principal Dong Zhao asked the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the students entering the star domain for star-casting would face real combat, so they needed to bring their star weapons and recovery elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone nodded, Principal Dong Zhao took out his Star-Plucking Token and activated it slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, starlight flickered before them, and a seven-story star tower materialized out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled the Star-Plucking Tower that appeared during the Autumn Exam Secret Realm, but was much shorter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Plucking Tower in the Autumn Exam Secret Realm seemed endless, while this branch tower had only seven stories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the Return Jade Tablet. Keep it safe. If you complete star-casting or face mortal danger, shatter this Return Jade Tablet immediately—it will extract you from your star domain within one breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Principal Dong Zhao solemnly handed out the Return Jade Tablets to each student, saving the slightly different second-rank star domain Return Jade Tablet for Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember: don’t be greedy. Safety comes first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although the first- and second-rank star domains you’re entering won’t present dangers beyond your capacity within a certain timeframe, if you ever face mortal danger, return immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as the green mountains remain, you’ll never lack firewood!” Principal Dong Zhao repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students, having been drilled repeatedly by instructors and supervisors, showed no impatience—they all knew Principal Dong Zhao genuinely cared for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting half a watch, Principal Dong Zhao’s Star-Plucking Token flashed. He said firmly, “Alright, the first-rank star domain is open. You eight, enter first. Once inside, grip your Return Jade Tablet and you’ll see the corresponding star gate—step through it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, as previously instructed, quickly find a suitable location to cast your star.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Weisheng stepped forward first, clutching his Return Jade Tablet, and vanished instantly into the branch Star-Plucking Tower, followed by Lu Xianbing, Zhang Han, Yue Daqi, Zhang Ming, and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all eight had disappeared, Principal Dong Zhao turned to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, I promised you before: if you made the top ten in the Autumn Exam, I’d personally reward you with a second-rank star weapon. Tell me—what kind of star weapon do you want?” Principal Dong Zhao suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Principal Dong Zhao not reminded him, Xu Jin would have forgotten entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Principal, no need—you saved my sister, and this is just my duty as a disciple—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Do you look down on me as your principal? Refuse my reward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then choose. A senior’s gift cannot be refused!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Dong Zhao’s words left Xu Jin with no room to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, I’ll give you a direction: judging from your previous battles, your star arts are extremely sharp. You rely primarily on star arts in combat, so weapon-type star weapons currently offer you little benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have here a second-rank star boot, the Star-Chasing Boots, which enhance your Flying Star Step by thirty percent, and a second-rank arm shield—perfect for hard-blocking and survival in critical moments. With just a little star power, it can easily withstand attacks from Meal-Cloud Realm cultivators, and even absorb several blows from Star-Casting peak cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will shatter after five strikes from a Star Refining beginner.” Dong Zhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Principal Dong Zhao had invoked “a senior’s gift cannot be refused,” Xu Jin decided to pick one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he wanted both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-rank Star-Chasing Boots, of course—boosting Flying Star Step by thirty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His previous first-rank Wind-Chasing Boots boosted Flying Star Step by twenty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xu Jin’s current combat system, speed accounted for a huge portion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-rank Star-Chasing Boots would significantly enhance his combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the second-rank arm shield, as Principal Dong Zhao said, was extremely useful for hard-blocking and survival in critical moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Jin killed the Blood God Cultists, he’d only obtained one arm shield—and it was first-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he’d used it only once during the last mountain expedition, it had proven quite effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now, entering the second-rank star domain for true combat, either of these two second-rank star weapons would be extremely useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he could choose only one, Xu Jin still intended to pick the second-rank Star-Chasing Boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed’s importance needs no explanation—even a half-percent increase could decide the outcome of a battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin resolved to choose the second-rank Star-Chasing Boots, Ning Yuchan suddenly spoke: “Principal, when did you become so stingy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t need either of these two second-rank star weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since you’ve already said it, why not give both to Xu Jin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin is entering the second-rank star domain alone. Better to give him something for survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Principal Dong Zhao froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor Tian Zhang stared at Ning Yuchan in shock—was this really the Ning Yuchan he knew?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet, reserved, and quick to raise her hammer at the slightest provocation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for her standing right there, Supervisor Tian Zhang would have thought this wasn’t the real Ning Yuchan. Xu Jin was surprised, but inwardly praised Ning Yuchan’s perfect assist—though he felt slightly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d refused even one earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, thanks to Ning Yuchan’s divine assist, he seemed about to accept both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That felt a bit shameless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Principal Dong Zhao, he pointed at Ning Yuchan and chuckled, “Yuchan, you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Dong Zhao fell silent—he’d whispered something to Ning Yuchan, instantly turning her face bright red!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Principal, if you’re stingy, don’t drag me into it!” Ning Yuchan retorted, her face flushed, her veil the only thing hiding her embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she not worn the veil, Xu Jin and the others would have seen her crimson face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Dong Zhao laughed loudly, then reached into his robe and pulled out two second-rank star weapons glowing with starlight—one pair of boots, one arm shield—and handed them to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchan said it—if I don’t give them to you now, I’ll truly become the stingy principal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, both are yours!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But listen well—you must bring back two top-grade star cores, or I won’t let you off!” Principal Dong Zhao laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the matter settled this way, Xu Jin no longer refused—he took them and put them on immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He infused a trace of star power—the Star-Chasing Boots adjusted perfectly to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated Flying Star Step—suddenly, he crossed seventy meters in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This display instantly changed the expressions of Principal Dong Zhao, Supervisor Tian Zhang, and Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventy meters with Flying Star Step—no Star-Casting late-stage cultivator moved that fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with second-rank star weapons, such speed was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Xu Jin had held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nine rounds of Flesh-Refining and Marrow-Washing yesterday, his maximum speed with first-rank Wind-Chasing Boots had exceeded seventy-five meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt that with the second-rank Star-Chasing Boots, his maximum speed should easily surpass eighty meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Principal, for the gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Headmaster, for the gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao smiled and waved his hand, glancing at the Star-Picking Token, then suddenly said, “Alright, go in. Second-tier Star Domain—you enter first through the Star Gate to assemble. Once everyone’s gathered, entry will be opened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, safety first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Jin responded, he bowed respectfully to Dong Zhao, Tian Zhang, and Ning Yuchan one by one, then gripped his Return Jade Tablet and stepped into the Star-Picking Tower’s branch tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Xu Jin’s entry, the headmaster Dong Zhao brushed his finger across the Star-Picking Token—the newly manifested branch tower of Jinshan County in the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower instantly vanished, dissolving into the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing this, Dong Zhao and Tian Zhang simultaneously turned to look at Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Ning Yuchan seemed to realize something, slammed her iron cane down, and instantly transformed into starlight, fleeing away like a startled bird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, I merely secured one extra star weapon for my disciple—do you have to be so stingy?” Ning Yuchan’s voice drifted through the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhang stared in shock. “Headmaster, what did you just say to Yuchan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said she favors outsiders over her own family!” With that, Dong Zhao shot skyward and vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems… she really does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhang murmured, then vanished instantly as well. Only a squad of Star-Patrol Guards remained on duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Star Tower plaza of the Great Chen National Academy, a towering tower pierced the clouds, faintly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, one could only see starlight and clouds; up close, one could discern the actual form of the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower, though it flickered in and out amid shimmering starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, hundreds of disciples from the Great Chen National Academy had gathered here, awaiting their turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All were disciples preparing to enter the Star Domains to forge Stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, all disciples entering the first-tier Star Domain were watched by the Inspector Chen Liao and several Xuezheng, as they stepped into the main tower of the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On-site, only nine True Disciples remained, waiting to enter the second-tier Star Domain for forging—among them was Ji Hongli from Wan Yi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the fifteen True Disciples from this autumn examination, the Great Chen National Academy held only eight—fewest in its history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Feiqing, Fang Mingchun, and others whispered among themselves, discussing how to successfully regroup within the second-tier Star Domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If just two of them could regroup and join forces, their survival time within the second-tier Star Domain would greatly increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, not only could they forge Stars, but their cultivation base would rapidly advance to mid-stage Star Forging, possibly even late-stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group discussed, suddenly a young man, escorted by an Assistant Xuezheng, hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Lü?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lü Kun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the newcomer, many were astonished; when they saw Lü Kun receive his Return Jade Tablet for the second-tier Star Domain from Inspector Chen Liao, their shock deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Yan Chen, Yuan Feiqing, and Fang Mingchun—who were close to Lü Kun—all other True Disciples stared questioningly at Inspector Chen Liao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, they were all senior and junior brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the issue was, they had fought tooth and nail to earn their True Disciple status and this extremely scarce opportunity to enter the second-tier Star Domain for forging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Lü Kun—a disciple who failed the first round and wasn’t even an inner disciple—was here to enter the second-tier Star Domain with them. To say they felt no resentment was false!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had already begun questioning the Academy’s fairness because of Lü Kun’s presence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One straightforward True Disciple had stepped forward, preparing to question Inspector Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Lü, how did you end up here?” Fang Mingchun asked, overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Kun glanced at his former brothers-in-arms, their expressions varied, and said calmly, “I used the legacy of my uncle’s Five-Star Hero Medal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the True Disciples who had been advancing to question Inspector Chen Liao halted. Others’ expressions changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From suspicion and resentment, they turned to admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mingchun, who had just been beaming, immediately suppressed his joy and bowed deeply to Lü Kun in solemn respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Ji Hongli, Yuan Feiqing, and others all stood still and bowed to Lü Kun in respect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those who sacrificed on the Star River battlefield at fifth-tier or higher could earn the Five-Star Hero Medal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Five-Star Hero Medal granted descendants within the family various protections—and legacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One such legacy was a single opportunity to enter the second-tier Star Domain for forging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder even the stern Inspector remained silent and quietly handed Lü Kun his Return Jade Tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s why!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Kun returned their bows, but his gaze toward his fellow disciples was no longer as warm as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One unexpected failure had allowed this genius to taste firsthand the coldness of human relations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his grandfather, this unexpected failure in the autumn examination might not be a bad thing for Lü Kun, who had always been proud and haughty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, time’s up—go in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inspector Chen Liao’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember—if danger arises, shatter your Return Jade Tablet immediately. Never be reckless. Safety first!” said Inspector Chen Liao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the National Academy’s True Disciples filed into the main tower of the Great Chen Star-Picking Tower—Lü Kun was the last to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2524,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d5f3dd7e8640072340d2d687f8b5bf4bdc47f31642ccf8e7d1312eff83ed0727","the-star-martial-era-chapter-126","the-star-martial-era-chapter-124",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]