[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-173":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},2275031,4448,"Chapter 173: The Heart of Lei Yu (Requesting Subscriptions)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-173",173,"\u003Cp>The Starfall Palace’s Dachen Main Hall, Zhaixing Tower branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Lords Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen were playing Go, but their attention was not on the game at all; they kept glancing at the water clock recording time, then scanning the six-golden-wheel in Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao and Left Sacrificial Wine Master Meng Yanhui were fully focused, their spirits bright as they played Go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation began last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During a position update last night, the two Star Lords suddenly noticed that one golden dot and two blood-red dots on the six-golden-wheel were nearly overlapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant one Guodao Academy disciple had coincided in position with two Star Palace disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their positions overlapped, it meant they had encountered each other—meaning one side must die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, since last night, the two Star Lords had been extremely tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the seven disciples the Star Palace had sent in, only these two remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one more of these two died, it would be nearly total annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, given their temperaments, they wouldn’t be this agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for several hours now, no outcome had emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their concern had thrown them off balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overlapping of these three dots—golden and two blood-red—had lasted seven hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And each hour, when positions were updated, there was a slight shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant no one had been captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three remained in close proximity, yet neither side had won, died, or been captured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Star Lords’ minds were becoming unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the hour struck precisely, the two Star Lords fixed their gaze on Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao’s movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao pushed the six-golden-wheel to its limit, and individual light dots reappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dot was still seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappointed, the two Star Lords’ hearts tightened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please don’t let their disciples—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, they saw two blood-red dots appear, and they finally exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then they looked again, and their relief vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dot still overlapped with the two blood-red dots, still in the same region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made the two Star Lords unhappy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the two Star Lords suddenly saw the golden dot tremble—it was moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the blood-red dots remained utterly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, both Star Lords simultaneously felt a surge of dread: Could it be that the two Star Palace disciples had been captured by the single Guodao Academy disciple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this thought struck, their mental state worsened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they hadn’t broken yet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty breaths later, the starlight on the six-golden-wheel vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Star Lords Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen grew even more anxious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purple Wind Star Region, Purple Wing Royal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin, ostensibly sent to a side hall to rest, was in fact under strict guard—but his treatment was decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fruit, tea, and water were provided, and he was free to move within the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet inside the room, one fourth-rank Ningxing Stage Two guard, accompanied by six late-stage Lianning guards, watched over the side hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Xu Jin anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was watched this tightly, the opportunity he had painstakingly created might be lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the various promises of Purple Wing King Zihao, Xu Jin believed not a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain: once this Purple Wing King succeeded in splitting his spirit and broke free from the control of the Starfall Palace, he would certainly kill Zhang Shuo, Xu Jin, and all other invaders!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not Xu Jin’s goal. His goal was to bring all his fellow disciples back alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xu Jin still had time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This side hall was likely used for routine administrative tasks, not specifically for imprisonment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had several windows and was fairly well-lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This allowed the guards outside to monitor Xu Jin—and also allowed Xu Jin to observe the royal palace’s main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, after Xu Jin emerged, two mid- to late-stage Ningxing Purple Wing royals entered the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protectors? Absolutely impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A king of a clan would never allow powerful subordinates to stand beside him while cultivating such a technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The risk was too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In full concentration, even the slightest impulse to strike could mean death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been inside for a long time and had not emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Testing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zihao was using his elite subordinates to test the spirit-splitting technique Xu Jin had provided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was standard procedure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Jin were king, he would do the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he directly cultivated a technique offered by a stranger—especially one as critical as a divine soul technique—he could never be king of the Purple Wing clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had studied the spirit-splitting technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If rushed, it could be achieved in fifteen minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If done carefully and prepared properly, it might take two hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin sat cross-legged on the bed, watching the opposite main hall through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, he activated the Mingji Star Pattern, sensing the subtle changes within the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the distance was great, changes in divine soul energy could still be felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Xu Jin was placed so close to the main hall was likely to keep him under direct watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this proximity, if any anomaly occurred, Zihao could arrive in an instant—no chance for Xu Jin to escape or scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours later, Xu Jin’s Mingji Star Pattern trembled several times—he sensed distinct divine soul changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intense waves of divine soul energy rose one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The test had succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main hall, Zihao watched as Zi Chi and Zi Ying opened their eyes in sequence, his eyes filled with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two had first shown signs of pain, Zihao had even considered killing Xu Jin, suspecting he had been deceived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after only ten breaths of suffering, they recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I have successfully split my spirit, but my divine soul energy has been permanently reduced by one-tenth—including my divine soul origin,” Zi Chi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same for me,” said Zi Ying, who had only just forged his divine soul—now even weaker!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zihao was overjoyed upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Good! Good! If it works, it’s perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You two are great contributors to the Purple Wing clan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each of you will receive four top-grade Spirit-Reviving Pills, then rest,” Zihao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bowing in thanks, Zi Chi and Zi Ying left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Zihao instructed his guards that no one was to disturb him, and began his own cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had already darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Jin saw Zi Chi and Zi Ying emerge, he immediately sensed their divine soul changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have succeeded in splitting their spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most pleasing to Xu Jin was that the two left directly—they must have gone to rest and recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This delighted Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having two mid- to late-stage Ningxing guards stationed here had been a major problem for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin calculated the distances, sensed and observed the surrounding guards, finalizing his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, between this side hall and the main hall opposite, there were three fourth-rank guards: two Ningxing Stage Two, one Ningxing Stage Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty Lianning Stage Late guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only within two hundred meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond two hundred meters, there was at least one fourth-rank guard, and over a dozen third-rank Lianning guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the entire palace, fourth-rank guards would not exceed ten, but would not be fewer than six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of Lianning-rank guards was far greater—starting at a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin carefully sensed his surroundings, adjusted his state, and planned his attack step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His optimal window for combat lasted only two breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Secret Method succeeded—when the soul was split—was an absolute period of vulnerability, lasting only two breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two breaths, he would begin to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it would only be a reaction; the agonizing pain and weakness of the split soul could not be endured by sheer willpower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like your body went numb—you could grit your teeth all you wanted, but your body would still be numb, needing time to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within five breaths was Xu Jin’s best moment to strike; beyond ten breaths, Zihao would have mostly recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s greatest challenge was the three fourth-rank Star-Condensing experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest threat was undoubtedly the one at fourth-rank Star-Condensing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time was ample; Xu Jin methodically weighed each option, planning step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One and a half hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the Mingji Star Pattern in Xu Jin’s Lower Star Palace trembled slightly—and at that same instant, a powerful soul ripple erupted from the opposite hall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be beginning the final step—splitting the soul!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously, Xu Jin walked straight toward the hall’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pulled open the hall door, the Star-Condensing second-rank guard stationed outside had already sensed something—he turned toward Xu Jin with wary eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, His Majesty ordered that you cannot—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, a staggering soul ripple erupted violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Break Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same moment, flames exploded as the Star-Condensing second-rank guard clutched his head and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was instantly decapitated, completely unprepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Star-Refining guards around him—including the two fourth-rank guards across the hall—immediately turned their gazes toward Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderclap erupted—before the Star-Refining guards could react and attack, thunder erupted beneath Xu Jin’s feet; Thunder Wings materialized behind him, and he vanished from the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-rank Thunder Wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder Step!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder erupted directly at the entrance of Zihao’s hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Protect His Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the roar sounded, the two fourth-rank guards lunged toward Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin merely flicked his wrist and hurled a blade wheel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, he unleashed Break Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying blade wheel hurtled toward the fourth-rank Ziyi guard. Though merely a top-grade third-rank Star Pattern, after Xu Jin’s cultivation, it possessed considerable lethality even against fourth-rank Star-Condensing experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth-rank guard roared furiously, lightning flashing wildly as he resisted the incoming blade wheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the second-rank guard—who hadn’t even completed Soul-Star Formation—Break Shatter crushed him instantly; as he clutched his head and screamed, Flame Burst blew his skull apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instant kill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, before the attacks of the surrounding Star-Refining guards could strike Xu Jin, he had already burst through the hall’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely two breaths!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the hall, Zihao, who had just completed soul-splitting, struggled to open his eyes as Xu Jin charged in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Xu Jin hurled out his fourth-rank Dawn Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had no intention of directly clashing with Zihao, a peak ninth-rank Star-Condensing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He aimed to obliterate him outright with the cultivated Dawn Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn Radiance exploded instantly around Zihao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the moment of explosion, Zihao’s pair of purple wings were already drenched in lightning, folding inward to shield him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a shield of lightning rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside it, a massive, earth-yellow, prismatic shield emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earth Prism Great Shield!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fourth-rank defensive Star Pattern!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zihao possessed a fourth-rank defensive Star Pattern—something Xu Jin had never anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, as King of the Purple Wind Star Domain, possessing a life-saving artifact was unsurprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, shock flashed across Zihao’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Dawn Radiance, his fourth-rank defensive Earth Prism Great Shield dissolved like snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shouldn’t be possible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were fourth-rank Star Patterns!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same moment, the fourth-rank guard, having barely shattered Xu Jin’s blade wheel, burst into the hall, drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin, stationed at the hall’s entrance, had already prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Break Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He unleashed them in rapid succession!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth-rank guard, injured and rushing in, immediately clutched his head and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a single Flame Burst only shattered his protective lightning aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin pressed forward without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two consecutive Flame Bursts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Flame Burst exploded at a single point—its maximum power—finishing off the severely wounded fourth-rank guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second Flame Burst detonated across the entire hall entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the entrance became a sea of fire; the Star-Refining late-stage guards rushing forward were all forced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Xu Jin, Dawn Radiance had faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Dawn Radiance, Zihao’s pair of purple lightning wings had been reduced to ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though badly injured, he had not suffered a fatal wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protected by both his lightning wings and the fourth-rank pattern, Zihao had endured Xu Jin’s Dawn Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zihao’s murderous glare, Xu Jin flicked his wrist and hurled another Star Pattern without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Xu Jin’s final Star Pattern!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiral Blade Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it was unleashed, Zihao was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to move, Zihao erupted with torrents of lightning across his entire body—even ignoring the blood gushing from his severed wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If another Dawn Pattern struck him now, he would die without doubt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when he realized it was a third-rank Spiral Blade Pattern did he exhale in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was immediately shocked again—the pattern’s power was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, none of the guards—including those who had rushed back in—noticed Xu Jin had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spiral Blade Pattern spun past, shredding Zihao’s surging protective lightning aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least he had survived it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Xu Jin’s form suddenly appeared behind Zihao—and with it came a powerful soul ripple!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Break Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was a double Break Shatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Break Shatter violently shook Zihao’s soul, leaving him dizzy and disoriented, interrupting his already summoned star force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second Break Shatter caused Zihao to scream in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning on his body suddenly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single point of flame erupted with shocking suddenness behind his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zihao’s head exploded instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King of the Purple Wings—beheaded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very moment of beheading, five other Star-Condensing guards burst into the hall—but at that instant, Xu Jin saw two purple feathers, entwined with lightning, rise from Zihao’s exploded skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These lightning-wrapped feathers emitted a ripple similar to the Crimson Scale Heart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s heart leapt violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same moment, the fastest-moving sixth-rank Star-Condensing expert roared and launched his attack at Xu Jin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s mind had long since sunk into the Chaos Star Fall, preparing to immediately use the Chaos Star Technique to teleport away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the sight of that purple feather, Xu Jin’s heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an opportunity was too rare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Xu Jin reached out, and at the same moment, the fourth-rank star artifact Luansingzhui’s defensive star technique, Golden Bell Shield, materialized instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the two Thunder Feather Hearts fell into Xu Jin’s palm, bolts of lightning slammed one after another against his Golden Bell Shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Bell Shield shattered after absorbing only three lightning strikes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the fourth bolt of lightning was about to strike Xu Jin, his figure suddenly blurred like a phantom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth-rank star artifact — Luansingzhui: Luansing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xu Jin vanished completely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Chi, who had just rushed in a step too late, stared at the decapitated corpse of the King and suddenly burst into loud sobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst his cries of grief, Zi Chi, kneeling on the ground, suddenly rose and roared, “Gather every fourth-rank expert within Wangcheng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man stole the Thunder Feather Hearts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must reclaim them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are our Zi Yi tribe’s most sacred treasure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After issuing the gathering order, a Zi Yi guard of Ningxing Second Layer whispered something to Zi Chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Chi, once again assuming his role as Grand Commander, issued a series of new orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these new orders were strangely unusual!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he mobilized the King’s Personal Guard to seal off not only the Royal Palace, but the entire Wangcheng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ordered that no one was permitted to leave Wangcheng — violators would be executed on the spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dead of night, the troops stationed in Zi Yi Wangcheng were deployed to the city walls by successive military orders, brimming with lethal intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear spread through the entire Wangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet within the Zi Yi royal family, dark currents began to stir!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2679,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2a126ae11e69fb8fd60cb99e7c51062169bfda59ffbf76dfe5a8bae497a8d5c4","the-star-martial-era-chapter-174","the-star-martial-era-chapter-172",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]