[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-162":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},2275020,4448,"Chapter 162: Burning (Request Subscription)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>In the autumn examination realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, Grand Star Lord Du Tingyun of the Tianyang Star Hall, and Grand Star Lord Zhang Zhen of the Cangming Star Hall each arrived with several subordinates, gathering together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since both Star Lords have arrived, shall we draw lots to select star domains, as per the old rules?” said Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though both Star Lords had agreed, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui still said, “Grand Master, both Star Lords, let me restate the rules: each side must provide star domains that have not yet been conquered or controlled; otherwise, they must compensate the other two sides with a million strands of starlight. Is that clear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, don’t you trust us? Let’s get started,” Zhang Zhen said with a smile, stroking his delicate mustache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, the Chen Guo Dao Academy, the Tianyang Star Hall, and the Cangming Star Hall each provided three third-rank star domains; all sides confirmed they were unclaimed, after which Zhang Zhen of the Cangming Star Hall took out nine identical jade tablets and inscribed the names of the nine third-rank star domains directly into them with his spiritual sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhang Zhen and Du Tingyun each placed sealing barriers on the nine jade tablets to prevent spiritual sense surveillance, each tablet was covered in thick starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Zhang Zhen with his mustache waved his hand, and the nine jade tablets rose simultaneously, hanging high above the autumn examination realm of the Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Master Cheng, please,” urged Du Tingyun, wearing a jade dragon hairpin crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Yuexiao glanced once, then casually summoned one jade tablet, violently shattered its seal, and after a single look, his eyes dimmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third-rank Zi Feng Star Domain, provided by the Cangming Star Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cangming Star Hall had previously attacked it several times, coming just short of conquest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The local alien race in this third-rank Zi Feng Star Domain was slightly more troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this difficulty was one all three factions’ disciples must face together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the star domain Cheng Yuexiao drew, Zhang Zhen and Du Tingyun exchanged another glance, then stroked their mustaches again, their eyes already gleaming with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by drawing a star domain provided by the Cangming Star Hall could there be any chance to execute those underhanded tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they never expected Cheng Yuexiao’s luck to be this bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can only say: fate is not with him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the star domains confirmed, Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui gathered the remaining eight jade tablets before him, violently shattered each seal, and checked the star domain names within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, Sacrificial Officer Meng, don’t you trust us?” Du Tingyun sneered, his jade crown swaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just tradition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Yanhui checked each one in turn, confirmed all nine star domain names were present, then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, this had happened only once—when each jade tablet bore only one star domain name—but even that single incident had made Chen Guo remember it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Star Lord Zhang, please provide the map of the Zi Feng Star Domain. We will gather our disciples inside the Cangming Star Hall’s main pavilion, Zhaixing Tower, and depart together,” said Meng Yanhui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhen casually flung out a jade tablet and swiftly departed with Du Tingyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Yanhui then sent the map to the seven disciples via the Zhaixing Token at top speed, and appeared alongside Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao in the chamber where Xu Jin and the others had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao swept his sleeve, and starlight descended, lifting the seven disciples into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve sent the key information to your Zhaixing Tokens—pay attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The native alien race of the Zi Feng Star Domain is primarily the Zi Yi Clan of the Bahuang aliens—faster than ordinary aliens. You must be especially cautious to avoid encountering Zi Yi Clan members of the Condensing Star realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Condensing Star realm Zi Yi Clan members excel in speed; the royal lineage especially masters thunder-based star arts, making them one of the fiercest alien races among the Bahuang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet within the entire Zi Feng Star Domain, there are no more than a hundred fourth-rank Condensing Star aliens, most of them early-stage. Fourth-rank mid- to late-stage Zi Yi Clan members will not exceed twenty—be extremely careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For gathering points, there are four high mountains: Lei Yi Mountain, Zi Feng Gorge, Ban Yi Peak, and Jin Yang Mountain, located respectively in the southeast, northwest, and northeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence from several years ago indicates the Zi Feng Star Domain has been unified. Once you enter, you will be repelled by the star domain’s will, and its royal court will know your approximate location. It is advised you move every three hours, and each move must exceed one hundred li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>»\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten breaths later, Grand Master Cheng carried the seven disciples down before the Cangming Star Hall’s main pavilion, Zhaixing Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty years ago, the Cangming Star Hall had built a Zhaixing Tower in Wan Yi, but it was only a branch tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within any region spanning a thousand li, only one main Zhaixing Tower may exist—that is the rule of the Zhaixing Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Master arrives swiftly—please enter,” said Zhang Zhen, personally greeting them, then leading Cheng Yuexiao and the disciples into the branch tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen Guo Dao Academy had not obtained a star gate to the third-rank Zi Feng Star Domain, but the Cangming Star Hall had—so they must enter the third-rank Zi Feng Star Domain through the Cangming Star Hall’s branch tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant they stepped inside, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and Meng Yanhui’s pupils contracted sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For they saw the two star halls’ supreme geniuses: Tian Lie and Zhang Shuo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both star halls had truly invested heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Lie, Tianyang Star Hall’s Jipin  Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fifth stage, extremely strong combat power, excels in fire-based star arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Yuanguang, publicly listed by Tianyang Star Hall as a superior Casting Star genius, but rumored to be a Jipin  Casting Star genius in truth, currently at peak of Refining Star fourth stage, said to have already achieved Spiritual Soul Casting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wang Anye, Tianyang Star Hall’s superior Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fourth stage, excels in thunder-based star arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Shuo, Cangming Star Hall’s Jipin  Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fifth stage, extremely strong combat power, said to have already reached Refining Star first stage in Spiritual Soul cultivation, possibly higher, excels in earth-based star arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tao Tianqiang, Cangming Star Hall’s superior Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fourth stage, excels in fire-based star arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guan Ji, Cangming Star Hall’s superior Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fourth stage, excels in water-based star arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Yulan, Cangming Star Hall’s superior Casting Star genius, peak of Refining Star fourth stage, excels in fire-based star arts, rumored to be even faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui acted with extreme efficiency—upon seeing the disciples of the two star halls, he immediately sent their basic intelligence to Xu Jin and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Dao Academy had prepared extensively for this selection battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, are the rules clear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they had arrived at the Cangming Star Hall, Zhang Zhen, Grand Star Lord of the Cangming Star Hall, became host and took charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples naturally nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin nodded too, yet felt slightly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For in the dozens of breaths since entering, Xu Jin noticed the seven disciples from the opposing star halls were all staring at him with wolf-like eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Tian Lie and Zhang Shuo—the two supreme geniuses Meng had pointed out—looked as if they wanted to devour him, excited and cruel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving confirmation, Zhang Zhen turned to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao. “Grand Master, shall we activate the star device?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Du Tingyun, Grand Star Lord of the Tianyang Star Hall, pulled out a wheel-like star device, wiped away its aura with a casual stroke, and handed it to Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao. “Old rule—your side activates it, ours supervises. Agreed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.” Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao took the Six-Metal Wheel, and the fourteen disciples from both sides each dropped a drop of blood in sequence; a golden light shot from the wheel and merged into each disciple’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After a star hall disciple slays two Refining Star ninth-stage aliens, they will receive position updates of the Dao Academy disciples every hour,” commanded Zhang Zhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare to enter,” said Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me reiterate: each person may carry only two star weapons; fourth-rank or higher talismans and star devices are forbidden and cannot be brought in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elixirs are unlimited, but each person may carry only five talismans below fourth-rank.” Left Sacrificial Officer Meng Yanhui emphasized again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the star hall disciples stepped toward the star gate of the third-rank Zi Feng Star Domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During those few steps toward the gate, Grand Master Cheng and Meng Yanhui’s spiritual sense and star power had swept over the disciple’s body seven or eight times, ensuring he carried no extra talismans that might compromise fairness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the star hall disciples entered under the inspection of Grand Master Cheng and Meng Yanhui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came time for the Dao Academy disciples to enter, however, Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen began using powerful spiritual sense and star power to thoroughly scan the Dao Academy disciples inside and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before stepping into the star gate, Xu Jin felt their spiritual sense inspect him at least ten times over; only after confirming no irregularities did he step through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the fourth-rank star device Lu Xing Zhui he had previously acquired, Xu Jin had already stored it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin had his own secret—he intended to conduct a small experiment this time entering the star domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So before stepping into the star gate, Xu Jin felt a slight tension, fearing discovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But until the moment Xu Jin stepped through the gate, neither Star Lord showed any reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This delighted him—the experiment succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Can Dou Tai was far more powerful and mysterious than Xu Jin had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, when he entered the second-rank star domain, Xu Jin had obediently left all super-tier talismans behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he wanted to test it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he couldn’t bring it in—or if he was caught—Grand Master Cheng was right there; one word from him would resolve it—he could simply hand it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin hadn’t expected that the object hidden within the Can Dou Tai had escaped detection by both Star Lords, and even the star gate showed no reaction upon passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it remained to be seen whether the super-tier items within the Can Dou Tai could be retrieved once he landed in the third-rank star domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xu Jin’s vision shifted with starlight, and the howling wind filled his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him stretched an endless dense forest; the moment he landed, the Ming Ji Star Pattern on his Lower Palace suddenly flashed repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a group of aliens staring at him in shock not far ahead—their leader a Zi Yi alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refining Star seventh stage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a single glance, the Zi Yi alien roared and charged at Xu Jin with dozens of subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin was utterly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two starfire chains, blazing with fierce flames, spun rapidly like venomous dragons and instantly wrapped and bound the Refining Star seventh-stage alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xu Jin prepared to obliterate him with a fire arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to his surprise, the moment the starfire chains bound the Refining Star seventh-stage alien, he let out a piercing scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where the chains touched, his flesh burned through instantly, revealing white bone, then vanished in flames within moments—completely incinerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This power startled Xu Jin greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, and the starfire ring expanded; most Refining Star early-stage aliens were instantly slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those not instantly killed were severely burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two aliens managed to react and tried to flee—Xu Jin obliterated them with star arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looted quickly—nothing valuable. The Refining Star seventh-stage Zi Yi alien had been reduced to ash; only his star core remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A superior Casting Star Zi Yi alien, not particularly strong, yet still Refining Star seventh stage—had been incinerated outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Killing God Battlefield, such a thing had never happened before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Xu Jin attributed the changes in power to the newly acquired mid-grade Crimson Scale Heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When three low-grade Crimson Scale Hearts merged into one mid-grade Crimson Scale Heart, Xu Jin had sensed something odd, but he didn’t know exactly what had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed clear: the flame’s power had increased dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master Liu Qingzhu had said that one low-grade Crimson Scale Heart is equivalent to the combined effect of a low-grade Fire Source and a low-grade Fire Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Xu Jin did not know the specific function of the Fire Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he took the time to ask Liu Qingzhu directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire Star Pattern is an extremely rare type of star pattern; as far as is known, only the Heavenly Sun Star Temple possesses it, and it is a secret transmission of the temple, not taught to anyone except an unparalleled genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, its exact power remains unclear, but it is undoubtedly the most precious fire star pattern known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen Guo Dao Academy had speculated on the power of the Fire Star Pattern, estimating two primary effects: first, it enhances affinity with fire star force, and after fifth-rank, it can significantly boost the power of mid- and high-grade fire star techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, it enhances the power of all fire star techniques, though the exact degree is unknown—minimum increase of ten percent, possibly as high as fifty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Chen Guo Dao Academy had no Fire Star Pattern, all these estimates were derived solely from combat experience with a few elite geniuses from the Heavenly Sun Star Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even Master Liu Qingzhu could only give Xu Jin this somewhat vague answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Xu Jin deeply felt the power of the Fire Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it was the power of the mid-grade Fire Star Pattern. (Note: star patterns of grades four to six are mid-grade.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Xu Jin now possessed a mid-grade Crimson Scale Heart, the effect of the Fire Star Pattern was most likely that of a mid-grade Fire Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the enhancement in fire power was far stronger than Xu Jin had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the mid-grade Crimson Scale Heart merely replicated the effects of a mid-grade Fire Source and a mid-grade Fire Star Pattern—it did not directly inscribe the mid-grade Fire Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if Xu Jin could have recorded it, he would have been a top-tier contributor to the Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible to imagine—had it been possible, the Grand Master of the State would have recorded it long ago, having held Crimson Scale Hearts for so many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Lower Star Palace, the Mingji Star Pattern had calmed, indicating temporary safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin quickly sank his mind into the Crimson Scale Heart, sensing the positions of his six fellow disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few breaths, his brow furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could he sense only four people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2543,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b39b4c59c81be756940cd5a7bf1c40de4bf029d2018fd1f374f544ba7cb00476","the-star-martial-era-chapter-163","the-star-martial-era-chapter-161",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]