[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-129":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},2274987,4448,"Chapter 129: Two Paths (Requesting Monthly Tickets)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-129",129,"\u003Cp>At the command of Chi Lin’s lord, Chi You, the five tribes under the Chi Lin Court received the order immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order was simple: only five characters—Act as planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they received it, the five tribes, once silent, erupted into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, squad after squad of Canxia-level warriors, carrying vast quantities of Star Jade Tablets, raced toward the highest ground nearest their tribes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One crate after another of low-grade Star Jade Tablets, saturated with star power, were dumped onto the altar already built atop the high ground—roughly tens of thousands in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, the news returned to the Chi Lin Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord, reports from all tribes confirm the deployment has been completed as ordered,” Chi Mu reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what of the Court’s preparations?” Chi You asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the altar has been prepared as required,” Chi Mu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi You nodded, calm and patient, waiting further—soon, a vigorous young Chi Lin warrior arrived and bowed deeply before Chi You at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Son greets Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Prince Chi Meng of the Chi Lin tribe. Chi Mu and the other subordinates bowed to the prince, but as they drew closer, their faces suddenly lit with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Chi Meng was their tribe’s prodigy, having broken through to Star Refining Seventh Layer at twenty-seven, and had been training intensely these past two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chi Mu neared the prince, he suddenly sensed it—the prince had broken through again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Refining Eighth Layer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, heaven favors the Chi Lin clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before all his subordinates, Chi You personally handed Prince Chi Meng the Chi Lin royal seal, a palm-sized artifact symbolizing the tribe’s sovereignty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From this moment, Chi Meng is the new ruler of the Chi Lin tribe. If anything befalls me, obey his commands without question.” At these words, all present fell into sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their king’s soul had been controlled by the Chen people; should the Huoxuan Star Region falter, the Chen could easily kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Chi Meng wept uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had long known this day would come, its arrival brought unbearable grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not grieve! Even without rebellion, my lifespan is nearly spent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I trade my life to carve you a path—to secure a future for the Chi Lin tribe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For decades, the Chen have drained us of vast resources, and every ten years, they purge us—slaughter our elite talents—to enslave us forever!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, my son possesses extraordinary talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this secret technique temporarily seals the star gate, you must devote yourself entirely to cultivation—break through to Star Refining Ninth Layer in the shortest possible time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, you will no longer be bound by Chen control. Kill every Chen prodigy who dares come!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let the Chi Lin tribe regain its freedom!” Chi You declared solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, rest assured! Once I reach Star Refining Ninth Layer, and no longer pay tribute, we’ll rebuild the star gate ourselves in just a few years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I will lead the charge into Chen Guo myself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything happens to you on this mission, I will personally cut off one hundred thousand Chen heads to offer as blood sacrifice to your spirit!” Prince Chi Meng vowed on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi You struck Prince Chi Meng across the face, swelling his cheek instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you learned nothing from Chen’s teachings these past years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A man of noble birth does not sit where danger lurks! You’ve copied this a thousand times—how can you still forget?!” Chi You roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember: years from now, if opportunity arises, you may raid Chen for people and resources—but you must never enter Chen Guo itself! Its strength is beyond your imagining!” As he spoke, a flicker of fear surfaced in Chi You’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Son understands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. This rule must be etched in your soul. Go. Break through to Star Refining Ninth Layer within three months. Order all tribes to release all stored cultivation resources—let the young ones train without restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This operation will seal the star gate for only three months!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three months, Chen warriors will descend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we destroy this first wave, we buy our tribe decades—even a century—of safety.” Chi You commanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinates bowed and departed. Chi Mu stepped forward again. “My Lord, the Chi Lin Heart shows another Chen prodigy, who descended earlier, still lingers at Huigui Mountain. We’ve sent five squads—all were slain. What do you command?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What level were the warriors you sent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fifth group consisted of four Star Refiners: one Seventh Layer, one Sixth Layer, and two Fifth Layer,” Chi Mu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They all died? Then he must be a top-tier Chen prodigy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Chi You said, “Top-tier Chen prodigies often carry second-rank star weapons. Take a force yourself—capture him if you can, kill him if you can’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you must secure his second-rank star weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can equip Chi Meng with a full set of second-rank star weapons, even Cheng Yuexiao, who single-handedly conquered our tribe twenty years ago, would be crushed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. I leave at once—but the journey is long; it will take half a day to reach him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Chi Mu departed, Chi Lin’s lord Chi You walked straight to the courtyard behind the Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard stood a massive altar, piled high with tens of thousands of Star Jade Tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving, Chi You suddenly produced a small statue. After channeling star power into it, the statue glowed faintly, and a hazy figure emerged from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, I have prepared the altar as instructed. I am about to begin. I must confirm: will the item you promised truly arrive?” Chi You asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you successfully seal the Chen star gate and follow my orders, the item will reach you within seven days,” the statue’s voice replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Your Excellency!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry. The Chen have already begun war preparations. In no more than four hours, their warriors will descend!” the statue’s voice said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So soon!” Chi You exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Believe it or not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the statue’s glow vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Chi You’s face appeared a look of relief—he was glad he had acted decisively, or else…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Chi You stepped to the altar’s edge, slashed his wrist with a knife, and let dark red blood drip onto the Chi Lin Heart he held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a clan heirloom, said to communicate with the will of the star they dwelled upon, granting them protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood sank into the Chi Lin Heart and vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, the Chi Lin Heart blazed crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi You’s star power surged into it, activating it—then, six beams of starlight shot out, crossing space and time to land upon six altars piled with Star Jade Tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the starlight struck, every Star Jade Tablet on each altar ignited as if set aflame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, tens of thousands of tablets on each altar exploded into fire, terrifying star energy surging skyward, converging toward the Chi Lin Heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the immense power now under his control, even the weathered Chi You trembled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This day had finally come!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a roar, Chi You raised the Chi Lin Heart high—immediately, the six converging beams of starlight surged skyward, slamming into the heavens of the Huoxuan Star Region!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder cracked from nowhere in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ripples spread across the heavens, growing ever stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a faint, shimmering star gate began to materialize under the assault of star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Break it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the star gate appeared, Chi You raised the Chi Lin Heart again—every beam of starlight surged toward the newly formed gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star gate in the sky trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Autumn Examination Realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, the instant the floating orb in the void flared wildly, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao vanished from his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the Star-Picking Tokens of the Left and Right Sacrifices and several Xuezhengs flashed—and they too vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next breath, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, the Left and Right Sacrifices, and the several Xuezhengs appeared together in a chamber within the main tower of Chen Guo’s Star-Picking Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this chamber stood five star gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leftmost gate now flickered violently, as if on the verge of collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s hair whipped wildly as starlight cascaded like a waterfall toward the Huoxuan Star Region’s gate. The Left and Right Sacrifices and the Xuezhengs rushed forward, pouring their own star power into the gate, stars forming before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the torrent of star energy, the trembling gate stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it continued to ripple with starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant someone inside Huoxuan was continuously attacking the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng and the two Sacrifices, the Xuezhengs—all wore grim expressions, continuing to pour star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every mind held one question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too coincidental!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they decided to launch a preemptive sweep of Huoxuan, and only an hour after mobilizing, Huoxuan erupted in rebellion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timing was too precise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very bad omen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the Autumn Examination Realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, as the top leaders vanished, the glowing orb bearing only Xu Jin’s name suddenly went dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orb vanished—Xu Jin’s name vanished with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan’s face paled; she turned anxiously toward Headmaster Dong Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao merely pondered for an instant before vanishing, having left the Autumn Examination Secret Realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Dong Zhao and Ning Yuchan appeared successively before the Star-Picking Tower’s branch outpost in Jinshan County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Star-Picking Tower’s branch outpost, no one was present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao activated the Star-Picking Token, causing the branch outpost to materialize, then stepped forward into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the tower, it was also empty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao’s expression instantly grew grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan, face flushed with urgency, was about to speak, but Dong Zhao halted her: “Yuchan, don’t panic—we absolutely cannot panic!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After steadying himself and pondering for several breaths, Dong Zhao spoke slowly: “We can confirm that the Huoxuan Star Domain has encountered trouble—Xu Jin is trapped inside. But we can also confirm that Xu Jin is still alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for now, he faces no immediate grave danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, return with me to the Secret Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand State Master and the others will handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before returning to the Autumn Examination Secret Realm, Dong Zhao directly summoned Zhang Yunliang, the Flag Master of the Patrol-Star Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay here. The moment anyone appears from the Star-Picking Tower, notify me immediately,” Dong Zhao ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, Headmaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving his instructions, Dong Zhao finally turned back to the Dao Academy, only re-entering the Autumn Examination Secret Realm once he reached a secure location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the peak of Huigui Mountain in the Huoxuan Star Domain, Xu Jin stared in astonishment at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, a fantastical spectacle had unfolded above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin swore that even the most advanced special effects from his past life’s cinema could not replicate this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was overwhelmingly grand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if the entire sky of the star domain was trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal pillar of stellar energy relentlessly struck the heavens until a Star Gate appeared—then began hammering the Star Gate itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet countless ripples of stellar energy cascaded down from beyond, pouring into the Star Gate to stabilize it. This condition persisted for a full quarter-hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the pillar of energy vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Star Gate was now cracked, inch by inch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, it had not shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had a premonition: if this Star Gate broke, he would likely never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of unease rose in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just two hours earlier, Xu Jin had just eliminated a group of high-level Chi Lin clan experts at the Star-Forge realm—its strongest member at Star-Forge Fifth Layer—requiring some effort on his part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, after eliminating a wave of alien foes, one could safely cultivate for at least six hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xu Jin had only cultivated for two hours when this anomaly occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something major I don’t know about must be happening!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Jin pondered, he made a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a great change had occurred, it was better to return early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who drown beneath the waves are always the ones trying to ride them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Safety first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in this alien star domain, far removed from the mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xu Jin crushed the Return Jade Tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still in place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Return Jade Tablet had failed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this mean he could not return?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Xu Jin grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could accept being transported to the mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to be trapped for life in this second-rank Huoxuan Star Domain? He could not accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear this was almost certainly a low-tier, possibly fractured, small world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the native inhabitants’ cultivation ceiling would not be capped at Star-Forge Ninth Layer’s peak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A world devoid of greenery, populated by aliens whose faces were covered in scales—such a world held no joy for Xu Jin, even if he became its king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could he return?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried activating the Star-Picking Token—the only possible link to the outside world—but received no response!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! My Star-Forge Journey has turned into Xu Binxun’s Wanderings!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay calm. Must stay calm. The Chen Guo Dao Academy must be taking action!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin kept reassuring himself, his Star-Picking Token suddenly trembled—he rejoiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Picking Token was functional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even holding it, he could not enter the Star-Picking Tower’s Secret Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, a line of text appeared on Xu Jin’s Star-Picking Token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sink your thoughts into the Star-Picking Token to communicate with me. I am Cheng Yuexiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s gaze went blank. “Grand State Master, can you tell me what happened? I saw stellar light striking the sky, then a Star Gate appeared—and now it’s cracking inch by inch, but hasn’t shattered! What should I do next?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can I return?” Xu Jin immediately sank his thoughts into the Star-Picking Token, firing off a rapid series of direct questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When seeking rescue, do not waste precious time with emotional outbursts—ask only the most essential questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A rebellion has erupted in the Huoxuan Star Domain! The Star Gate is severely damaged; repair will take at least three months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months? What can I do? How can I return?” Xu Jin laughed bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two options,” said Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Grand State Master, clarify.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is your current cultivation level? How is your Star-Forge progress?” Grand State Master Cheng Yuexiao did not rush to answer, but instead inquired about Xu Jin’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand State Master, I have forged two inches and six cun in the Middle Star Palace, and two inches and three cun in the Lower Star Palace. My cultivation has not risen much—I’ve barely reached mid-Star-Forge.” After a pause, Xu Jin gave an astonishing answer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Two inches and six cun? An S-grade Star Core? Excellent, excellent.” The first phrase was astonishment; the second shifted seamlessly into admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin exhaled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strategy worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a situation—trapped in enemy territory—one misstep could lead to abandonment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, it was a matter of cost-benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Often, if the cost of rescue was too great—even terrifying—the rescue would be abandoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was a rule!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If saving one person required five others to die, what choice would be made?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin did not know what price Chen Guo would pay to rescue him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was raise his value in the eyes of Chen Guo’s officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had considered revealing his true Star-Forge data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two inches and one cun in the Middle Star Palace. Two inches in the Lower Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He privately referred to this as a Super S-grade Star Core—far more powerful than even an S-grade Star Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared not say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not out of cowardice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, what was there to hide?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Survival first—reveal your value to live and return!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin considered another possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he revealed his true Star-Forge data, might Chen Guo’s officials suspect he was lying—fabricating his worth merely to survive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might say that possibility was extremely high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, as Xu Jin knew, in the history of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, those who forged S-grade Star Cores were exceedingly rare—perhaps one every ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, revealing only the value of an S-grade Star Core was the safest course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put: Xu Jin ranked first in this year’s Autumn Examination and received the most Shangpin Cast-Star Pills among all disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was entirely plausible he had forged an S-grade Star Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claiming he forged an S-grade Star Core would raise no suspicion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone would believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But claiming a Super S-grade Star Core? The outcome would be uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can I return? Please, Grand State Master, clarify,” Xu Jin asked again through the Star-Picking Token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, there are two paths. First: survive in the Huoxuan Star Domain for three months. After three months, when the Star Gate is repaired, Chen Guo’s elite will flood into the Huoxuan Star Domain, purge it, and retrieve you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there is one problem: because the Chi Lin clan has established a connection to a thread of the Huoxuan Star Domain’s Stellar Will, your location can be precisely sensed by them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the next three months, you may face wave after wave of increasingly fierce attacks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surviving is possible, but extremely difficult,” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, if there were no Star Will marking his location, Xu Jin still had great confidence in surviving three months in the Huoxuan Star Region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt that few beings within the Huoxuan Star Region could threaten him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, only those at the late Star Refining stage could pose a threat to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guerrilla warfare combined with hiding—especially using the Invisible Star Pattern—would make surviving three months no problem at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the Star Will marks his location, it becomes difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Master, what about the second path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second path is even harder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill the Lord of the Red Scales, obtain the Red Scale Heart—the artifact within the Huoxuan Star Region that can communicate with the Star Will—and refine it. Only then can you return,” said Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What cultivation level is the Lord of the Red Scales?” Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lord of the Red Scales is named Chi You. He is at the peak of Star Refining’s ninth level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin fell silent, calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very powerful, but Xu Jin still had considerable odds of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since Xu Jin could unleash his Star Force in a torrential assault—that was his killing technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally planned to bring in a Star Pattern, but before entering, Ning Yuchan had specifically warned him that Star Patterns above second-rank could not be brought into a second-rank star region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he left them behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s silence led Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao to mistakenly believe Xu Jin was afraid, that he lacked confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, you needn’t worry about the Lord of the Red Scales! As long as you find him, confirm the Red Scale Heart is on his person, and contact me—I can obliterate him in an instant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your real difficulty is that you will soon face relentless attacks from hundreds of Star Refining experts from the Red Scale Clan!” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the Red Scale Clan dared to rebel, they must have at least two Star Refining eighth-level experts. There are likely four or five seventh-level ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I don’t need to seek them out—they’ll come to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but you must find the Lord of the Red Scales himself—he should be in the Red Scale Royal Court.” Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was surprised; he hadn’t expected this boy to choose the harder second path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Master, during this process, can I receive any assistance from the State Dao Academy?” Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, Xu Jin—until the Star Gate is repaired, I cannot provide you with any tangible aid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can offer you other forms of assistance,” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of assistance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, a map—I can give you the complete map of the Huoxuan Star Region. And second, me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, Grand Master?” Xu Jin was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, only me! Because I once refined a Red Scale Heart, I can use it to locate your Star-Picking Token. I will remain here constantly—you may ask me any question immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s tactics, strategy, or any other problem, you can ask me anytime!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sighed helplessly. “I’m sorry—I can only do this much for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, I can promise you a reward: if you return alive from the Huoxuan Star Region, you may choose any high-rank Star Pattern to learn from me. Additionally, every enemy you slay within the Huoxuan Star Region will earn you Dao Merit!” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Grand Master. I know what I must do,” Xu Jin murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll transmit the map to you now—it will mark the location of the Red Scale Royal Court. Also, in the coming days, seize every opportunity to cultivate intensely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re only at the Foundation Establishment stage—every bit of progress increases your chance of survival. Do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you truly encounter an enemy you cannot handle, you may trade the Lord of the Red Scales’ life for your safety—I will assist you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, the chance of success is slim, but it remains an opportunity,” said Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, a burst of starlight flared across Xu Jin’s Star-Picking Token. Following Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s instructions, he activated his Star Force—and immediately, a map projected before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the map, Xu Jin’s current location is on Huigui Mountain in the Huoxuan Star Region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huigui Mountain is twelve hundred li from the Red Scale Royal Court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3685,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7df0123147a58232ab4f97382cd7e0514c3934e36063682af94f938fde94d6b9","the-star-martial-era-chapter-130","the-star-martial-era-chapter-128",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]