[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-154":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},2275012,4448,"Chapter 154: Silver Stars and Outside Tactics (Request Subscription)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-154",154,"\u003Cp>Before breaking through to Star Refining Second Stage, Xu Jin decided to enter the Star Picking Secret Realm one more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time he entered the Star Picking Secret Realm, his own inner demon instantly killed him—that experience was too painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it only stoked Xu Jin’s competitive spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t it said that defeating oneself is the ultimate victory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin now wanted to defeat himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already replayed that battle against his own inner demon several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it had much to do with Xu Jin’s own psychology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the opponents Xu Jin faced—whether in the Star Picking Tower’s combat simulations—had never been overly strong, and he had always held back his true strength, never fully unleashed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the inner demon struck with one hundred percent firepower from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was equivalent to Xu Jin himself attacking with no reservations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he was instantly killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had already planned out several counter-tactics related to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Picking Challenge: You may challenge the guardian or your own inner demon.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Challenger: Xu Jin, Star Refining First Stage】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin first chose to challenge the guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, he was transported into a shifting light-and-shadow space; across the light screen stood a green-robed swordsman, holding his longsword backward, his face obscured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the light screen vanished, Xu Jin unleashed his full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Soul Star spun once, unleashing Break Evil, while simultaneously firing a fire arrow infused with forty percent star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Xu Jin unleashed his full strength without holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Break Evil star pattern struck silently, swift and sudden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-robed swordsman, just beginning to turn into green light, froze abruptly, tumbled out of the glow, and was instantly shattered into starlight by Xu Jin’s fire arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Victory】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Challenger, congratulations, you have earned one Bronze Star】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the guardian’s defeat had been too easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the perception of his Mingji Star Pattern, the guardian was undoubtedly a top-tier Casting Star cultivator, yet Xu Jin had wiped him out in one burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon reflection, it was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a top-tier Casting Star guardian at Star Refining First Stage, while Xu Jin himself was a super-tier Casting Star with a flawless primordial star body refined nine times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Picking Challenge: You may challenge a Silver Star guardian or your own inner demon.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this prompt, Xu Jin began to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star Picking Challenge operated along two separate paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One for the guardian, one for the inner demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xu Jin took a deep breath, recalled his predetermined tactics and several testing methods he’d previously conceived, then selected to challenge the inner demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starlight flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him appeared once more the tall, upright man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, Xu Jin hadn’t realized it was himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That figure truly stood as straight as a pine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the light and shadow vanished, Xu Jin and the inner demon moved simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the inner demon charged forward, Xu Jin immediately employed the kite-ring tactic, dodging the inner demon’s ferocious lightning serpent strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A star ring rippled outward, his ten fingers struck in rapid succession; within his Soul Star, the Calm Will Star Pattern formed into a Calm Will Bell, which Xu Jin pushed to its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost at the same instant, Break Evil struck, and the Soul Star blazed with brilliant light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Xu Jin’s full-power attacks also landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner demon was instantly shattered into starlight under Xu Jin’s full assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Challenger, congratulations, you have earned one Bronze Star】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having won the challenge, Xu Jin exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The psychological shadow from his previous instant defeat by the inner demon vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten breaths later, the light and shadow before Xu Jin shifted again, pulling him back into the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin challenged a Silver Star guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the description, it was a guardian three stages higher than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still the green-robed swordsman, but now he radiated the aura of Star Refining Fourth Stage peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start of battle, Xu Jin used the same tactics as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Break Evil and a star arrow infused with thirty percent star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, the Break Evil strike only caused the green-robed swordsman to stagger slightly; his Soul Star suffered no serious damage. The swordlight flickered, forming a green sword shield that continuously shredded Xu Jin’s star arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he actually blocked the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the instant he lunged forward, lightning serpents rained down from above his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astonishingly, a green vortex appeared and directly swallowed Xu Jin’s lightning serpents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next instant, Xu Jin appeared before the green-robed swordsman and punched forward, fire light exploding in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was instantly shattered into specks of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Challenger, congratulations, you have successfully challenged a Silver Star guardian, earning one Silver Star】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was immediately teleported away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had earned this Silver Star in just five seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin knew clearly that he had already used most of his techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no other way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was currently only at Star Refining First Stage, and his Star Patterns, at most, numbered only four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin obtained the Silver Star, the Star Picking Challenge leaderboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silver Star total increased by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The total Silver Stars of the Great Chen Star Picking Tower also increased by one, rising from forty-three to forty-four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten breaths later, Xu Jin began his next challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he chose to challenge the Silver Star inner demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this challenge, Xu Jin deliberately switched his offered Star Core and attempted something bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he didn’t lose consecutively, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the light screen vanished, the inner demon launched its attack; Xu Jin, at the very first moment of battle, exploded into Flying Star Step and retreated instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in that instant of retreat, Xu Jin activated his Clear Soul, Return Store, and Conceal Form Star Patterns simultaneously, summoning star mist; the next instant, he vanished from his original spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Xu Jin saw the inner demon appear confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could not locate its target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It blasted the spot where Xu Jin had vanished with fire-based star arts, then began searching aimlessly like a headless fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This behavior instantly suggested a possibility to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the inner demon summoned by the Star Picking Secret Realm only replicate star power, unable to simulate the state of the Soul Star?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why the inner demon could use Break Evil, the reason was simple: Break Evil was a standard Soul Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unusual Soul Star Arts like invisibility, the inner demon could not replicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet for now, this was merely Xu Jin’s hypothesis; to confirm it, he would need multiple further tests in subsequent challenges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two seconds later, the inner demon spun around sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Xu Jin, who had stealthily approached from the side, unleashing a sudden burst—starlight already striking the inner demon’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, he activated the kite-ring tactic, fully unleashing his power, and launched consecutive Break Evil strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One second later, the Silver Star inner demon dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory achieved; Xu Jin earned another Silver Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xu Jin’s estimation, with his current strength, as long as he unleashed his full power, obtaining a Silver Star was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what about a Gold Star?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten breaths later, the light and shadow before Xu Jin shifted again, pulling him back into the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin challenged a Gold Star guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the green-robed swordsman had become a white-robed knife-wielder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying aura of Condensation First Stage peak radiated from afar, overwhelming Xu Jin with immense pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the light screen vanished, Xu Jin exploded into Flying Star Step and retreated actively, also testing his invisibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he had even reached mid-air, the white-robed knife-wielder appeared beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One slash—and Xu Jin was reduced to specks of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing defeat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Xu Jin checked his rewards from the Star Picking Secret Realm: two Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars—then he left the main tower of the Great Chen Star Picking Tower without attempting to challenge the Gold Star inner demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After these consecutive challenges, Xu Jin had begun to discern a pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Xu Jin himself, the inner demon is stronger than the gatekeeper. This relates to Xu Jin’s own strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the evolution of the soul-force likely follows direct cultivation rank assignments by the Star-Picking Tower, not simulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you learn special soul-star runes later, you’ll know for sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper’s strength is also formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s current cultivation foundation is extremely high—rare among a million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating a Silver-Star gatekeeper of High Third Rank is perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a Gold-Star gatekeeper with a full major realm advantage is beyond Xu Jin’s current ability to defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s not only cultivation-level suppression, but also suppression in star-art and star-runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin believes that once his star-runes and star-art form a small system, he might have a chance to defeat a Gold-Star gatekeeper—the Star-Picking Gold-Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that won’t happen until at least Star-Refining fifth or sixth level, maybe even seventh or eighth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s impossible during early Star-Refining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides this, Xu Jin has another question—does the Star-Picking Tower simulate or evolve the Crimson-Scale Heart, its inner demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danxia Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the small pavilion where Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao resided, footsteps suddenly sounded; Peng the Steward, white-haired and bearded, appeared before the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in, Peng Lao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few breaths later, the white-haired Peng Steward stood before Cheng Yuexiao, who wore white robes, her long hair loose over her shoulders, deep in meditation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, in the Star-Picking Realm, our Chen Guo has gained two more Silver Stars,” said Peng Lao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two more Silver Stars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Yuexiao lifted her head, her face already lit with joy. “How long ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, according to the duty officer’s report, it happened within the past hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An hour? Two Silver Stars—that means consecutive victories over gatekeeper and inner demon. Who could it be?” Cheng Yuexiao asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. Information from the Star-Picking Realm is too scarce. My Star-Picking Permit doesn’t grant me access.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can’t see it, neither can I! Thank you, Peng Lao. When you stroll around at night, keep an eye out for any undiscovered geniuses in the Dao Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bowing, the white-haired Peng Steward vanished the moment he stepped out of the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s mind, Xu Jin’s face suddenly surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be that little brat? After all, his performance in the God-Slaying Battlefield was astonishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao herself drew out her Star-Picking Permit and entered the Star-Picking Realm, gazing at its display, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six Silver Stars. One Gold Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, she sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold Stars are too hard to obtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even someone as strong as her had only obtained three in her lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Chen Guo as a whole hadn’t obtained a single Gold Star in twenty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made the one she held all the more precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One chance at High-Level Dao Evolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to use it—but dared not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she used it, the Chen Guo Dao Academy would have no reserves left in this area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Yi, Fang Manor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The residence of Senior Academician Fang Shinan stood in Qinglong Ward, the best location in Wan Yi’s southern district, covering vast ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fang family was a renowned aristocratic clan of Wan Yi: one Duke, one Marquis from the Star-River Battlefield, and three Marquises of Chen Guo—truly a top-tier noble house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent years, with the rise of Senior Academician Fang Shinan, their prestige had grown even greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dusk fell, Song Ziye, one of the twelve Deputy Academicians, arrived with a servant carrying a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gift wasn’t valuable, but visiting without a gift was against protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a quarter-hour later, Song Ziye was led into Senior Academician Fang Shinan’s study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye’s purpose was known to Senior Academician Fang Shinan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After both sat, tea and snacks were served, and Song Ziye bowed deeply. “Master, regarding the wager, I humbly ask for your guidance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Senior Academician Fang sighed. “Xu Jin has exceptional combat ability. I’ve already asked Qingqiu—if her cultivation reached Star-Refining fifth level, could she break through the eightieth gate? She said she could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she poured all resources into it, within half a month, her cultivation might reach Star-Refining fifth level in the Middle Star Palace and fourth in the Lower Star Palace. If her star-rune engraving goes smoothly, she should reach around the eighty-eighth gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She has no confidence in the ninetieth gate of the God-Slaying Battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the same—if my disciple Ji Hongli poured all resources into it, her cultivation might be slightly behind Qingqiu’s, but breaking through to the eighty-fifth gate of the God-Slaying Battlefield is certain,” said Song Ziye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Ziye, you know this isn’t the key issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key question is: by half a month from now, what level will Xu Jin reach?” asked Senior Academician Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given Xu Jin’s current cultivation speed, if he’s still at Star-Refining third level after half a month, he won’t break the ninetieth gate,” said Song Ziye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ziye, under normal circumstances, Xu Jin’s cultivation in half a month would max out at Star-Refining third level in the Middle Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Xu Jin lacks no cultivation resources. New news: due to his merits in the Huoxuan Star Region, he’s been granted Third-Class Merit Noble status, with ten thousand Dao Merits and a thousand strands of starlight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just that, Xu Jin won’t lack resources for three months, let alone with Liu Qingzhu increasing her investment!” said Fang Shinan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye was stunned, his expression instantly turning bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, does that mean there’s no way? No chance at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re willing to sacrifice everything, there’s still a chance—but the win rate won’t exceed ten percent, maybe only five.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Ziye’s expression grew even more bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping wealth within the family is fine—but not if it bankrupts me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One such investment would cripple me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two such investments would nearly ruin me—years of work wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A five percent chance...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Academician Fang glanced at Song Ziye, as if to speak, then fell silent, silently sending a message through his Star-Picking Permit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the side hall, Fang Zhong, Senior Academician Fang’s steward, chatted with Song Feng, Song Ziye’s personal attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though both were stewards and attendants, it mattered who they served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, their status was still quite high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tea and snacks were plentiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: even a seventh-rank official stands tall at the Chancellor’s gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Fang Zhong glanced at his Star-Picking Permit and chuckled. “Ah, Deputy Academician Song has been tricked by the Liu family—tricked into a deep pit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that the truth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sure thing ruined by a freak,” said Song Feng helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked around today. Given Xu Jin’s cultivation speed, by half a month, he’ll likely still be top three in the God-Slaying Battlefield,” said Fang Zhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Feng sighed. Who could deny it? He was anxious too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you ask me, the only way to win is one method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What method?” Hearing “win,” Song Feng grew eager and begged for advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Zhong refused to speak. In his impatience, Song Feng promised two banquets with courtesans before Fang Zhong finally opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, the only way to win is—outside-the-rule tactics!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Outside-the-rule tactics?” Song Feng pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Deputy Academician Song Ziye left the Fang Manor. Seeing his master’s gloomy face, Song Feng whispered softly, “Young Master, shall we use some outside-the-rule tactics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With them, we’d surely win?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SLAP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Song Feng finished speaking, a sharp slap struck his cheek, swelling it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye’s brooding expression turned icy. “If you ever suggest such a thing again, you’re gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sentence sent Song Feng to his knees, begging forgiveness, swearing he’d never dare again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Within the rules’ limits, compete and fight however you like!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s permitted by Grand Master!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you use anything beyond the rules and get caught, it means destruction of your family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Song family has stood in Chen Guo for centuries because of these four words: tread as if on thin ice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, this is just an academic rivalry within the Dao Academy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I used outside-the-rule tactics and word got out, how could I ever face anyone again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scolding him, Song Ziye glared coldly. “Was this idea your own—or did someone plant it in your head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, it was Fang Zhong, the Fang Manor steward, who just suggested it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Manor steward!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ziye turned back, his eyes filled with coldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2815,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9fc9b406fe4c9c733582e06c0e38f6326efd133138ac887f83ee01d95b825a20","the-star-martial-era-chapter-155","the-star-martial-era-chapter-153",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]