[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-17":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},2274875,4448,"Chapter 17: What","the-star-martial-era-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Deputy Head Feng Shu was annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just half a quarter-hour, he had been interrupted twice—and the second time, by a boy who had just awakened his star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in front of so many eyes, he had to maintain his image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw it was Xu Jin—the boy the Head had just upgraded in talent rating—his face darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin? No one asked you. What’s your opinion?” Despite his displeasure, Feng Shu still gave Xu Jin a chance to speak—after all, this was in public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Head Feng, the third rule for selecting disciples into the Middle Court is that one must have a C-rank rating and break through to Meal-Mist First Stage by the end of Star Awakening, correct?” Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. But you’re only C-.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through his reply, Feng Shu suddenly realized—he had overlooked it. He’d been so focused on reading the list that he forgot the Head had casually upgraded this boy’s talent rating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Academy’s selection rules, talent rank comes first, cultivation progress second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the list, Xu Jin had broken through to Meal-Mist First Stage, but his talent was only C-, so he’d been skipped outright—because three disciples ahead of him had already reached Meal-Mist First Stage with C+ ratings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Xu Jin had no eligibility to compete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Feng Shu hadn’t mentioned him at all earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just now, Head Dong Zhao had personally upgraded Xu Jin’s talent rating to C+.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant Xu Jin now had eligibility—at least enough to be mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Head upgraded Xu Jin’s rating, Feng Shu had been distracted, pondering Dong Zhao’s possible departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Xu Jin’s “I have an objection” had publicly exposed this oversight—leaving him not only annoyed, but also embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, my mistake!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who doesn’t make mistakes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Shu gave a forced laugh, openly admitting his error, then continued, “Per our Academy rules, the final slot goes to those who’ve reached Meal-Mist First Stage: Luo Geng, Hong Gang, Fang Zixing, and Xu Jin. But among these four, only Luo Geng—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice halted mid-sentence. A bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He’d nearly slipped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his cautious habit made him glance one more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the first oversight might have been excusable—after all, he’d spent years mechanically reading lists, and Xu Jin’s rating had been upgraded on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he slipped again, he’d be branded careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Ning Yuchan’s Star Awakening roster, Xu Jin’s name, like Luo Geng’s, was marked in red—only earlier, his C- rating had made him overlook it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red mark means the disciple has manifested a basic star technique. Had he continued as he’d planned, he’d have made another error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only Luo Geng and Xu Jin have manifested the basic star shield. Therefore, the final slot to enter the Middle Court will be decided between Luo Geng and Xu Jin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Luo Geng’s heart, which had just settled, rose again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin also felt a wave of relief—he was finally in the running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Deputy Head Feng Shu continued, “Per our Academy rules, when talent rating and cultivation level are equal, we select the superior one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first criterion is the number of days spent awakening stars: Luo Geng took sixty-two days, Xu Jin took eighty-three. The difference is clear—Luo Geng wins!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final slot to enter the Middle Court goes to Luo Geng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Luo Geng erupted in joy; Xu Jin froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all this struggle, all this effort, all this fighting—he was eliminated over a single difference in star-awakening days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did that mean, no matter how hard he fought in the future, if his star-awakening days were longer than his rival’s, he’d always lose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolutely not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the training stage, Feng Shu finished speaking and flipped to another page of the star roster, preparing to announce the names of those entering the Outer Court. Once done, the Star Awakening trial would end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin had made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d come this far. He’d already offended the man. To back down now would be foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Feng Shu was citing Academy rules—he couldn’t directly contradict him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin raised his voice sharply: “Deputy Head Feng, I object! I refuse to accept this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Shu, interrupted again, frowned in clear irritation. “The rules are clear. How dare you challenge them? If you cause further trouble, you’ll be expelled from the Dao Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had nothing left to lose. He wouldn’t quit now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Head Feng, esteemed elders—if this is how it is, why even divide the Academy into Inner and Outer Courts? Why waste time and resources cultivating at all? In battle, just judge strength by star-awakening days—that’s all you need!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever awakens in one day becomes invincible! What’s the point of us cultivating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just stick a Dao Academy-certified ‘One-Day Star Awakener’ badge on your forehead, and all heroes will retreat, all demons will scatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the point of us cultivating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, laughter erupted instantly, followed by a wave of uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the front row, Lu Xianbing couldn’t help turning to glance at Xu Jin. If anyone had suffered the most humiliation today, it was him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Zhou Du had identical talent ratings and cultivation levels. Why could Zhou Du enter the Inner Court while he was stuck in the Middle Court?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Head Feng Shu’s face turned livid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only because Xu Jin had publicly defied him—it was worse: he couldn’t refute it. He couldn’t refute Xu Jin’s absurdity, couldn’t refute this monstrous argument!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you! Where are the Star Patrol Guards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Shu roared, starlight flickering in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, he wanted to crush Xu Jin with a single palm strike. Why had this year’s Star Awakening produced such a disrespectful madman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin held his neck stiff. He had to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t fight, he couldn’t repay his debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t fight, his family might be destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, old Feng, calm down!” Head Dong Zhao’s cheerful voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the stage, Ning Yuchan’s tense heart eased. Her iron cane loosened—she’d truly feared Feng Shu would lash out at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had, she’d have had to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head, this boy is spreading heresy! He should be expelled immediately!” Feng Shu forced his anger down, voice trembling with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heresy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head Dong Zhao laughed. He turned to Supervisor Cao Chun. “Is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to Academy rules, no disciple is punished for speech unless it violates moral or ethical codes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor Cao Chun’s reply made Dong Zhao’s smile widen—and Feng Shu’s face darken further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Shu knew—he’d suffered a crushing defeat today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s challenge was minor. But Head Dong Zhao had skillfully used this moment to undermine Feng Shu’s authority—and even his reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the rumors of Dong Zhao’s departure were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who would succeed him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it’s not heresy. Let’s address the matter on its merits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head Dong Zhao smiled. “Old Feng, take a rest. Don’t get angry with these young ones. It’s good they have spirit and drive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head, I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Shu tried to speak, but Dong Zhao’s palm exerted gentle pressure, pinning him back into his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Xu Jin has a point. Star-awakening days are the primary measure of cultivation talent—but we can’t judge everything by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, as Xu Jin said, why bother cultivating, why bother seeking insight? Just compare star-awakening days and be done with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head Dong Zhao indirectly endorsed Xu Jin’s argument. The now-seated Deputy Head Feng Shu’s face turned blacker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchan, you’re the chief instructor of this year’s Star Awakening. You know the situation best. You’ll oversee the final selection. The four of us will judge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone expected Head Dong Zhao to decide. No one expected him to pass it back to Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan bowed in acceptance, thought for a moment, then made her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she was closer to Xu Jin, she would never show favoritism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the Head had entrusted this to her precisely so the final judgment would rest with the Academy’s four leaders—ensuring the rules were upheld and no one could accuse them of bias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head, Deputy Head, Supervisor, Director: Xu Jin and Luo Geng now both have C+ talent ratings and Meal-Mist First Stage cultivation. They broke through one day apart—no significant difference in cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Per Academy rules, we select the superior one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only remaining criteria are combat or mastery of the Five-Dou Killing Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat hasn’t been taught—using it to judge would be unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we’ll decide by mastery of the Five-Dou Killing Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let each perform one set, and the four elders judge. Is that acceptable?” Ning Yuchan requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That works,” Head Dong Zhao said, glancing at Deputy Head Feng Shu. “Old Feng, what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proposal was standard. Fist mastery was clear and visible—Dong Zhao couldn’t openly favor either side. Feng Shu naturally agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor Cao Chun and Director Tian Zhang both concurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Luo Geng’s confidence surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had trained the Five-Dou Killing Fist for only seven days—he’d trained for twenty-eight. Plus, his uncle, a Squad Leader, had personally instructed him in its essentials. He was supremely confident in his fist mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a C- rated boy could match him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo Geng, Xu Jin—do you have any objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then who goes first?\" Ning Yuchan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll go first!\" Luo Geng stepped forward willingly, full of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1589,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5c0d3ab27febe86aafb86b28e9da18fd365b23d867e6de100e40bfcc885e52cd","the-star-martial-era-chapter-18","the-star-martial-era-chapter-16",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]