[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-150":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},2275008,4448,"Chapter 150","the-star-martial-era-chapter-150",150,"\u003Cp>“My direct disciple Yuan Feiqing is progressing well; his cultivation base broke through to Star Refining Third Layer two days ago, and his Lower Star Palace has reached Star Refining Second Layer. In practical combat, he’s currently at Stage 64 of the God-Slaying Battlefield, ranked fourth—acceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, two of my core disciples have also broken through to Star Refining Third Layer, and over ten core and inner-court disciples have reached Star Refining Second Layer. Their cultivation progress is quite satisfactory.” The first to report was Senior Academician Pan Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no direct disciples, but a few days ago I specially recruited a core disciple, Lu Kun. His cultivation base broke through to Star Refining Third Layer three days ago, his Lower Star Palace is at Star Refining Second Layer, and he’s at Stage 63 of the God-Slaying Battlefield, ranked fifth—also quite good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three other core disciples have broken through to Star Refining Third Layer, and over ten core and inner-court disciples have reached Star Refining Second Layer.” Senior Academician Fang Shi spoke next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To some extent, the order in which they spoke reflected each Academician’s status within the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also an unspoken rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My direct disciple Yan Chen broke through to Star Refining Third Layer four days ago, reached Stage 65 of the God-Slaying Battlefield, and is ranked second. Among my newly admitted disciples, four have reached Star Refining Third Layer and seventeen have reached Star Refining Second Layer—all are diligent in their cultivation.” Senior Academician Gao Xuan reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the three Senior Academicians finished, Song Ziye, head of the twelve Deputy Academicians, did not speak immediately but looked toward the main seat where Senior Academician Kou Jing sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing everyone waiting, Kou Jing chuckled, “I nearly forgot my own report. My direct disciple Meng Qingqiu broke through to Star Refining Third Layer four days ago, reached Stage 67 of the God-Slaying Battlefield, and is ranked first. I also have five disciples at Star Refining Third Layer and nineteen at Star Refining Second Layer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Kou Jing looked at Song Ziye, who immediately nodded and began his report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lords, my direct disciple Ji Hongli broke through to Star Refining Third Layer three days ago and has successfully engraved two Star Patterns. She is currently at Stage 65 of the God-Slaying Battlefield. Additionally, two of my core disciples have broken through to Star Refining Third Layer, and eleven newly admitted disciples have just reached Star Refining Second Layer.” Song Ziye reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the far end of the long table, Dong Zhao sat calmly, with two black-robed inspectors behind him furiously taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Academician Kou Jing casually praised him and moved on to the next speaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a short while, the other ten Deputy Academicians had all finished their reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of these Deputy Academicians had one direct disciple; even the slowest had broken through to Star Refining Third Layer, and all were ranked within the top twenty on the God-Slaying Battlefield. Each also had at least one or two core disciples at Star Refining Third Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was the turn of the lowest-ranked Deputy Academician, Liu Qingzhu, to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Liu Qingzhu could begin, all eyes turned to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: Liu Qingzhu had made a huge splash this time, brazenly going door-to-door to snatch a student—no one knew what conditions she’d offered, but she’d secured the Autumn Exam’s top scorer for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one most furious about this was actually Senior Academician Fang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the Four Senior Academicians, the Autumn Exam’s top scorer had been his designated pick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Liu Qingzhu had stolen him right under his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But given Fang Shi’s rank and age, competing with a junior he regarded as little more than a girl would be beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi merely cast a glance at Han Qing, one of the twelve Deputy Academicians, who immediately understood and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qing had once been Fang Shi’s disciple; their relationship needed no explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, Sister Liu, you’ve landed the top-ranked direct disciple this year. It’s been half a month since the term started—how’s he doing? Don’t you owe us a report?” Seeing Liu Qingzhu remain silent, Han Qing smiled and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu, sitting upright, shot Han Qing a sharp glare. She hadn’t spoken earlier because she was organizing her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew this wasn’t her fault, nor was it Xu Jin’s—but the fact remained: she was behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lords, my disciple, the Autumn Exam’s top scorer Xu Jin, arrived at the National Academy five days ago due to the Huixuan Star Region incident. His cultivation has just reached the peak of Star Refining First Layer, and he is currently engraving Star Patterns!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His God-Slaying Battlefield ranking barely cracks the top hundred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, eleven of my core and inner-court disciples have reached Star Refining Second Layer.” Liu Qingzhu reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although it’s understandable that the Autumn Exam’s top scorer lags in cultivation, Sister Liu, you must push harder—you can’t afford to delay him!” Han Qing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’d rather delay anyone than the Autumn Exam’s top scorer!” Liu Qingzhu snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Liu, your attitude is unacceptable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Song Ziye, head of the twelve Deputy Academicians, spoke—and his voice made Liu Qingzhu frown, her eyes filled with revulsion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She merely disliked Han Qing, but for Song Ziye, her hatred ran bone-deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every generation’s direct disciple champion is the face of our Chen Guo National Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he’s delayed, it’s a major matter!” Song Ziye declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu didn’t even turn her face toward Song Ziye—she merely glanced sideways at him. “You can eat anything, but don’t speak nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which eye do you see me delaying the direct disciple champion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even Senior Academician Kou hasn’t said I’m delaying him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you just kick Senior Academician Kou out, take his seat, and then criticize me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu was no one to swallow her anger—she fired back on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She not only rebuked Song Ziye but also subtly called out the innocent Senior Academician Kou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it wasn’t that Senior Academician Kou was neglectful—he simply knew the feud between her and Song Ziye was well known, and no one wanted to get involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Academician Kou Jing chuckled at this, pointing at Liu Qingzhu and scolding, “Good one, Liu Feiyan—I just glanced at the statistics, and you’re already blaming me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he tapped the table. “The Autumn Exam’s top scorer lagging in cultivation is understandable—but Deputy Academician Liu, you must push harder. No more delays.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This settled the matter definitively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Song Ziye, who held a grudge against Liu Qingzhu, wouldn’t let this opportunity slip so easily. “It’s understandable, Senior Academician Kou, but the Autumn Exam’s top scorer is no ordinary student!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he’s delayed, it’s our entire National Academy’s shame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suggest we set Liu Deputy Academician a clear goal—otherwise, the direct disciple champion might truly be delayed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If his cultivation falls behind, that’s minor—but if it tarnishes our Academy’s reputation, that’s major!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu’s eyes flared wide—she was about to curse—when Senior Academician Fang Shi spoke up: “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a Senior Academician endorsing it, the matter changed entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Fang Shi turned to Senior Academician Gao Xuan. “What do you think, Senior Academician Gao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Xuan glanced at Fang Shi, then at Liu Qingzhu, and slowly said, “Setting a goal is acceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Senior Academician Pan?” Fang Shi asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Senior Academicians speaking, Liu Qingzhu had no say—even Dong Zhao, the recorder, frowned repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Deputy Inspector, he had little voice in such settings and could only listen silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Setting a goal is acceptable—but it must be a reasonable one,” Senior Academician Pan Hong said, smiling as he looked toward the presiding Senior Academician Kou Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to Senior Academician Kou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, all three Senior Academicians agreed to setting a goal—so the decision was made. Even if Kou Jing opposed, it would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Minglun Hall’s rules had always been this way: the Four Senior Academicians ruled; the minority obeyed the majority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the key question remained: what kind of goal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Set a goal?” Kou Jing leaned back in his chair and looked at Song Ziye. “Ziye, what goal do you propose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye first bowed respectfully to Kou Jing, then said, “Since Xu Jin is the Autumn Exam’s top scorer and receives the Academy’s most abundant cultivation resources, and he was merely a few days late, then before the next Minglun Hall meeting—in half a month—his God-Slaying Battlefield ranking should reach the top five, even the top three!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, his strength during the Autumn Exam was far ahead of everyone else!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If after a month he’s fallen out of the top three, it proves he’s truly been delayed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suggest that if Xu Jin’s God-Slaying Battlefield ranking fails to enter the top three by the next Minglun Hall meeting, the Academy should, per regulations, assign him a new Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you fall out of the top three within a month, it means you’ve truly been delayed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu leapt to her feet, slamming her hand on the table, her chest heaving with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that I dare—it’s the collective decision of the Four Senior Academicians! I merely proposed it!” Song Ziye stared coldly at Liu Qingzhu, his hatred for this woman—whom he had once nearly won but who had ruined his plans—burning deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu slammed her fist on the table and sprang up, her chest trembling with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that I dared! It was a joint decision by the Four Academic Masters—I merely proposed it!” Song Ziye glared coldly at Liu Qingzhu, the woman he had once nearly possessed but failed to win, the one who had ruined his plans—he now deeply hated her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change Masters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That idea was cruel and vicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her, losing a good student meant only a lower evaluation—perhaps a B-minus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Xu Jin, it meant destroying his entire Dao path!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No Master would pour their heart into a disciple who joined mid-way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin would become despised by all—his future could be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why Liu Qingzhu despised Song Ziye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a grudge against her—fine. But to harm her merely to make her suffer, to ruin a disciple’s future just to humiliate her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why Liu Qingzhu utterly despised Song Ziye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Change Masters?” Senior Academician Kou Jing frowned. “That’s not advisable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Jing knew the consequences too well—it was tantamount to harming Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A disciple taken in mid-path was like an adopted child versus a biological one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If after half a month Xu Jin truly fails to enter the top five or even top three, then he must have been delayed—and he must be reassigned!” Song Ziye held firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s truly the case, then assigning Xu Jin a new Master—with proper instructions—might be acceptable,” Senior Academician Fang Shi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi’s words instantly enraged Liu Qingzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was petty beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to explode, her Star-Picking Token trembled violently—three rapid pulses of starlight transmission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a unique feature of the Academy’s starlight communication: three rapid pulses meant an emergency of the highest urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an emergency wasn’t merely life-or-death—it could be a military order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, Liu Qingzhu focused her mind into the Star-Picking Token to read the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Don’t panic. Check the latest God-Slaying Battlefield ranking. — Dong Zhao】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu glanced sideways at Dong Zhao, then focused her mind into the Star-Picking Token, entering the God-Slaying Battlefield. She scanned the star-screen once—and her eyes flickered with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eleventh: Xu Jin, Stage 60”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu glanced at Dong Zhao with the corner of her eye, then sank her mind into the Star-Taking Token, entering the God-Slaying Battlefield; after a single sweep of the star screen, surprise flickered in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eleventh: Xu Jin, Sixtieth Gate\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ranking sent a jolt through Liu Qingzhu’s heart; in an instant, she understood what it meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had fought in the Godslayer Arena herself and knew its true difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The checkpoints divisible by ten are the hardest—Xu Jin might be stuck at the sixtieth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s not important; what matters is that Xu Jin, at only Foundation Establishment Stage One, has reached rank eleven and the sixtieth level, proving his combat ability is extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many disciples at Foundation Establishment Stage Three can’t even break past the fiftieth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give Xu Jin a little more time, and his chances of entering the top five in the Godslayer Arena are extremely high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she realized this, Liu Qingzhu felt as if she’d swallowed a calming pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly refreshing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, over these past years, she’s clashed with Song Ziye multiple times—and mostly ended up losing and getting the worse end of the deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she’d long since accepted that suffering losses and damage to her reputation was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she absolutely would not let his disciple suffer because of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This disciple was one she had personally, shamelessly, gone door-to-door to snatch away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were ruined because of her, she’d never forgive herself in this lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now things were better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, this won’t do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Liu Qingzhu slammed her fist on the table again, and naturally, Song Ziye opposed again—just for the sake of opposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Shimei—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not your junior sister; don’t disgust me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sentence forced Song Ziye to switch titles mid-sentence: “Liu Vice-Dean, the Senior Deans have already decided on a goal—no matter how much you slam tables, it’s useless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not opposing setting a goal!” Liu Qingzhu suddenly turned to Kou Jing. “Senior Dean, since you’ve all decided to set a goal for me, I accept it! But forcing me to hand over my disciple to someone else—isn’t that punishment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I meet it, what’s the reward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reward? That’s your duty!” Song Ziye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Song Ziye, do you even have shame? When setting this goal, why didn’t you mention Xu Jin was trapped in the Fire Radiance Star Zone for half a month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, you and Senior Dean Fang Shi have teamed up to bully and punish me, a woman!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that’s the case, I absolutely refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Senior Dean Kou, why don’t you step down and let Senior Dean Fang take charge?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see this Minglun Hall meeting has already become his and Song Ziye’s personal show!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, every Senior Dean and instructor in the room stared, dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is what happens when you push a woman too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gives no one’s face any consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now everyone was stuck, unable to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Senior Dean Fang Shi, who had only offered a mild suggestion and then subtly stirred the pot—only to be directly exposed by this madwoman, Liu Qingzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is just a meeting,” Senior Dean Fang Shi snapped. “According to you, we can’t even speak in Minglun Hall?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Qingzhu ignored Fang Shi entirely; their faces were already torn apart—what was the point of talking? She fixed her gaze steadily on Kou Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Kou Jing, the Senior Dean, backed down, then she’d wasted her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearly, Kou Jing would never back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the Four Senior Deans wasn’t appointed by cowardice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, Kou Jing hadn’t paid much attention—but now, with Liu Qingzhu’s words, he realized this whole affair had been subtly steered by Fang Shi and Song Ziye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If mishandled, it would severely damage his reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Jing suddenly burst into laughter. “You actually took Liu Feiyan’s words seriously? Don’t you know her personality yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Song Ziye and the others relaxed, Kou Jing added, “Vice-Dean Song, but Feiyan’s point is valid: Xu Jin’s cultivation has fallen behind for legitimate reasons. Now pushing him isn’t just punishment—it needs reward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell us, how should the reward be structured?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone instantly tensed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew: Kou Jing said it was nothing—but he’d been awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If a reward is truly needed—if the Autumn Exam champion enters the top three or five, the Dao Academy may award one or two vials of Foundation Establishment Elixir as encouragement!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One or two vials of Foundation Establishment Elixir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Song Ziye, you’re being incredibly generous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fail, and you ruin my future, destroy my student’s path, and make me waste a whole year’s effort!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Succeed, and you offer one or two vials of elixir? Have some dignity—be a human being!” Liu Qingzhu launched into a furious tirade, instantly darkening Song Ziye’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Song Ziye could respond, Liu Qingzhu added, “Senior Dean, this matter was started by Song Ziye—I challenge him to a wager. I demand your impartiality!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A wager?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Fang Shi could speak, Kou Jing cut in: “Vice-Dean Song, do you dare accept?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye had hoped Fang Shi would rescue him—but Kou Jing had already trapped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was Liu Qingzhu and Kou Jing’s perfect tandem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Dean Kou, all Senior Deans—if Xu Jin fails to enter the top five of the Godslayer Arena in half a month, I willingly accept punishment: the Dao Academy will reassign my disciple. But if he enters the top five, I won’t ask for much: Song Ziye must compensate me with one fifth-rank star weapon, grant my disciple Xu Jin three opportunities to ascend the Heavenly Stair, one fifth-rank or higher star pattern, ten vials of superior Foundation Establishment Elixir, two vials of Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pill, and two vials of Five-Spirit Calming Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, you might as well just rob me outright—what’s the point of a wager?” Song Ziye exploded at Liu Qingzhu’s outrageous demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can’t play, don’t start this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you even a man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu smirked, then suddenly laughed lightly: “I forgot—you’re not a man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the instructors who had been watching the drama suddenly remembered something and burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye’s icy gaze swept over them—the laughter died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Feiyan, you’re really making an outrageous demand,” said Senior Dean Fang Shi, speaking first this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your request is meant to bankrupt Song Ziye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s true—it’s a bit too much. Let’s drop the fifth-rank star weapon,” Kou Jing chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth-rank or higher star patterns aren’t cabbage,” Fang Shi added quickly. “Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pills—I don’t even have two vials. Five-Spirit Calming Pills—I only have one spare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Kou Jing, presiding over Minglun Hall, glanced at Fang Shi, then declared loudly: “Then the two of you will wager on whether Xu Jin enters the top five of the Godslayer Arena in half a month!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he doesn’t, Liu Qingzhu loses: Xu Jin will be reassigned a new master, and Liu Qingzhu will receive a Grade-B Lower or even Grade-C evaluation next year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Vice-Dean receiving a Grade-C evaluation would be removed from office—consequences would be dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, if she lost, Liu Qingzhu might lose her position as Vice-Dean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Xu Jin enters the top five in half a month, then Song Ziye loses: he must give Liu Qingzhu and her disciple Xu Jin two opportunities to ascend the Heavenly Stair, five vials of superior Foundation Establishment Elixir, half a vial of Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Pill, and one vial of Five-Spirit Calming Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Qingzhu, Song Ziye—do you accept?” Kou Jing made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Fang Shi’s eyes flicker slightly, a smile curling on his lips—he said nothing. This was Kou Jing asserting his authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, today’s Minglun Hall was under Kou Jing’s rotation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I accept!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see if he’s a coward!” At this moment, Liu Qingzhu showed Song Ziye zero courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their feud had spilled onto her disciple—how despicable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree—but I have one condition.” Song Ziye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I demand that Xu Jin enter the top three of the Godslayer Arena in half a month—only then will I accept this wager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, I refuse!” Song Ziye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Jing glanced at Song Ziye—this kid wasn’t stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp as a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Qingzhu—what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, pressure fell on Liu Qingzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Xu Jin’s current performance, entering the top five in half a month was likely—but the top three? That was difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his cultivation was two stages behind Meng Qingqiu and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His star patterns were inferior too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New star patterns required time to engrave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she hesitated, her Star-Picking Token suddenly trembled three times in rapid succession—urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu sent her spirit sense into the token to read the starlight message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Xu Jin’s Godslayer Arena ranking has climbed to sixth—level sixty-four. Only three levels behind the top. Dong Zhao】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another massive calming pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a Foundation Establishment Stage One cultivator can enter the top five, then with a little investment to rapidly boost his cultivation, the top three is certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I accept!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu declared boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! It’s settled! Let the four Senior Deans bear witness!” Song Ziye, fearing Liu Qingzhu would retract, immediately dragged the four Senior Deans into the agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. We’ll wait half a month for the result,” said Senior Dean Fang Shi first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can witness it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chief Academician Pan Hong also smiled in agreement, but then suddenly added, “How about we raise the stakes a bit, to motivate the younger generation? If Xu Jin makes it into the top three of the Godslayer Arena, I personally will gift him two Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m short on these myself. What do you think, Academician Kou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Song Ziye’s expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a raise in stakes might push Liu Qingzhu to spare no effort in boosting Xu Jin’s cultivation base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems the rumor that Pan Hong is closely tied to the Liu family is true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, how could Liu Qingzhu’s wealth compare to theirs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worst case, we can get Fang Xuezheng to intervene, then have Gao Xuan give his own students more support, and also reach out to the Yan and Ji families to pour more resources into their own juniors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin won’t make the top three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the first place, Meng Qingqiu—Academician Kou wouldn’t allow his own student to lose the top spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve all said it, so I’m in too—I’ll add two Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs. What about you, Academician Gao?” asked Kou Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re all in, if I don’t join, I’ll look stingy—I’ll add two too,” said Gao Xuan, wearing a tall crown, solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’m in too!” Fang Shi nan also laughed and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, anyone who doesn’t join loses face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But joining is fine too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Dragon Turtle Soul-Forging Elixirs are extremely precious even for Chief Academicians, and are rarely given to students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So is it settled then?” asked Kou Jing with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everyone agreed, Deputy Supervisor Dong Zhao, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke: “Chief Academician Kou, since this matter involves all four Chief Academicians, according to protocol, I must record it in the Inspectorate’s archives and oversee its execution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four Chief Academicians agreed at once; Dong Zhao immediately affixed his seal, signifying that this matter had now escalated from a private arrangement to an official matter of the Guodao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ultimate enforcers henceforth would no longer be the four Chief Academicians, but the Guodao Academy’s Inspectorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well, then the meeting is adjourned. We reconvene in half a month,” announced Chief Academician Kou Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Liu Qingzhu rose and stopped him: “Chief Academician, wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3914,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","737299627bed4b4599fef8e56af496cc9d15e9122f40f1fbc8d7d32c1d1f0218","the-star-martial-era-chapter-151","the-star-martial-era-chapter-149",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]