[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-203":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},2275061,4448,"Chapter 203: Dao-Weaving","the-star-martial-era-chapter-203",203,"\u003Cp>In the main hall of Feiyan Learning Hall, Liu Qingzhu was individually questioning each student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students questioned were the senior disciple Yang Miao, the second disciple Tang Chuo, the third disciple Lu Xuan, and Jiang Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results of the questioning were both expected and unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These four disciples had achieved far higher points than usual in the Star River Secret Realm, so there must have been a reason—likely good fortune in forming teams for combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Liu Qingzhu hadn’t anticipated was that all four had gained their increased points solely through Xu Jin’s assistance, or rather, after teaming up with Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, you are not to mention your teaming up with Xu Jin to anyone—anyone at all, including other junior sisters or any relatives! If I find out you’ve leaked it, you’ll never call me your master again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you tell anyone about teaming up with Xu Jin and bring shame upon me as your teacher, you may leave Feiyan Learning Hall immediately—I won’t have a disciple like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving each of the four female disciples her instructions and warnings, Liu Qingzhu finally exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just sealed the final patch on this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu didn’t know how Xu Jin had randomly encountered these four fellow students across the vast Star River Secret Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she knew that in such a vast realm, stumbling upon even one fellow student from the Learning Hall was extraordinary luck; encountering two was miraculous; yet to precisely encounter four? If this became known, it would demand serious investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one cheat under the Grand Master’s gaze?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only possibility was that Xu Jin possessed some secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What secret, Liu Qingzhu didn’t care to know—it might have something to do with positioning—but as a teacher, she had to patch things up for her students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Issue an order: starting next month, all disciples’ cultivation resources within the Learning Hall shall be doubled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this order, Yang Miao did not leave immediately but hesitated, “Teacher, what about Xu Shi-di?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu shot her a sharp glance, “You little thing—are you falling for him? Do you think I’d shortchange your Xu Shi-di?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Yang Miao’s face turned bright red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher, it’s you who’s smitten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Yang Miao turned and left the main hall. After delivering Liu Qingzhu’s order, the entire Feiyan Learning Hall erupted once more in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next summoned in was Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xu Jin, what do you think of the fourfold increase in cultivation resources granted to our Learning Hall?” Liu Qingzhu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no opinion—I leave it entirely to the teacher’s discretion,” Xu Jin replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Liu Qingzhu nodded, “I’ll double your training time in the third-rank Star Power Secret Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was stunned. “Teacher, isn’t that too much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not nearly enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu shook her head. “Previously, our Learning Hall received only twenty-four hours per month in the third-rank Star Power Secret Realm. Starting next month, it becomes ninety-six hours—an increase of seventy-two hours. I’m merely giving you twelve extra hours. That’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the teacher said so, Xu Jin gladly accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, our Learning Hall originally received only twelve hours per month in the fourth-rank Star Power Secret Realm, all allocated to fourth-rank Star Condensation disciples. I won’t dwell on your contribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting next month, you will also be allocated twelve hours in the fourth-rank Star Power Secret Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other disciples still have thirty-six hours to share—more than enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Teacher,” Xu Jin accepted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since everyone benefited, Xu Jin taking more was perfectly justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Learning Hall ranked first in the Grand Hall Competition will receive six opportunities to ascend the Heavenly Stair to temper the soul, plus six Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills. The Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pills are useless to you, so I won’t give them to you. I’ll assign you two of the Heavenly Stair opportunities—don’t say they’re too few,” Liu Qingzhu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I? Two are already plenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll also give you two extra bottles of Superior Star-Refining Elixir each month, and three extra bottles of Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill,” Liu Qingzhu added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher, I’ll accept the Superior Star-Refining Elixir, but I don’t need the Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill,” Xu Jin said after consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Superior Star-Refining Elixir was useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Superior Spirit-Reviving Pill was no longer of much use to Xu Jin—one pill’s effect was inferior to his own Wen Meng technique, which could induce a fifteen-minute deep sleep for recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would benefit other disciples more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin left the Learning Hall, still ringing with laughter and joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Feiyan Learning Hall won first place in the Grand Hall Competition, benefiting all disciples—but under Liu Qingzhu’s allocation, Xu Jin received the lion’s share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the afternoon of September 29, after spending half a day further studying in the Guodao Academy’s Library, Xu Jin finally finished reading the last manuscript on fire-star patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in half a month, Xu Jin had thoroughly studied, deconstructed, and reconstructed all one hundred and nine manuscripts on fire-star patterns left by predecessors in the Guodao Academy’s Library. He had now mastered the mid-rank Fire Source Star Pattern of the sixth tier—completely memorized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fully understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, if Xu Jin wished to inscribe a high-rank fifth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern, he could; if he wished to inscribe a mid-rank sixth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern, he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in combat, he could now make this mid-rank Fire Source Star Pattern manifest precisely the rank of power he desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Master had listed only five fire-star pattern manuscripts Xu Jin must study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin had read all one hundred and nine manuscripts related to fire-star patterns in the Guodao Academy’s Library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he progressed so quickly was that many manuscripts contained repetitive content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early readings took long; later ones became extremely fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking up the books, Xu Jin rose and headed straight for Danxia Learning Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Pang, I wish to see the Grand Master—please announce me,” said Xu Jin to the guard, who was still Pang Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, wait a moment—I’ll go inquire with the Grand Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Pang Yu could turn, the Grand Master’s voice came from within the inner hall, followed by an instruction: “Xu Jin, from now on, come straight in—no need to announce yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Grand Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This privilege made Senior Brother Pang Yu’s eyes redden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire Guodao Academy, only eight people could enter the Grand Master’s presence without announcement: the two Librarians, the Supervisor, the four Learning Masters, and Director Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Xu Jin was added to that list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Pang Yu himself did not have this privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside his duty hours, he still needed to announce himself to see the Grand Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Pang Yu could do nothing—he could only let Xu Jin walk straight in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Master, I’m ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering and bowing, Xu Jin spoke directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao’s brush suddenly halted. He looked up at Xu Jin. “Have you fully absorbed the five books I gave you? Then reproduce for me a high-rank fifth-tier, mid-rank fifth-tier, and low-rank sixth-tier Fire Source Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm—time limit: two quarter-hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Grand Master’s test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Zhaixing Tower’s Dao-Weaving, it wasn’t merely theoretical speculation—if one didn’t fully master a star pattern, even within the Zhaixing Tower, failure was likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As someone who had walked this path, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao knew well: the Zhaixing Tower merely offered opportunity and conditions. Without proper preparation, failure was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he himself, in his first attempt using ten silver stars for a Dao-Weaving opportunity, had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after deep reflection and meticulous preparation did he avoid wasting later silver and gold stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why he was testing Xu Jin now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Jin couldn’t do it, the risk of wasting a Dao-Weaving opportunity would be high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better not to attempt it at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the Grand Master’s judgment, if Xu Jin could meet his requirements within two quarter-hours, then in fire-star patterns—specifically Fire Source Star Patterns—he had already met the basic standard for Dao-Weaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, the attempt must be postponed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Xu Jin took out three blank jade tablets, sank his mind into them, and began inscribing rapidly. For Xu Jin, who had fully studied the fire-star pattern manuscripts from the Guodao Academy’s Library, there was no difficulty whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin handed over the three inscribed jade tablets. “Grand Master, I’ve completed them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao looked up in surprise, staring at Xu Jin, then glanced at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t even half a quarter-hour passed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All done?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was stunned again. “You inscribed these now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After asking, he realized the question was excessive and quickly laughed. “I just find your inscription speed astonishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, the Grand Master picked up the three jade tablets to inspect them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he inspected, the more astonished he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every stroke of the star pattern was smooth, natural, without the slightest hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the traces showed each was carved in a single continuous motion—no pauses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This proved Xu Jin had mastered the star pattern to the point of perfection—he fully understood and internalized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he could not have achieved this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve clearly put in serious effort in the Library lately,” the Grand Master exclaimed after inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In speed and skill, he far surpassed his own younger self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many fifth- and even sixth-rank experts specializing in fire-star techniques didn’t possess Xu Jin’s level of mastery or this speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not much—just a few hours each day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao rose to his feet, and Xu Jin hurried behind him as they entered the back hall, cutting off all sightlines; there, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly took Xu Jin’s hand and stepped forward with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the stars before him shifted, and Xu Jin suddenly found himself inside a pavilion shimmering with starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion had no roof, yet it was covered by a dome of starlight, extraordinarily magnificent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the windows, white clouds drifted lazily by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This startled Xu Jin deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were above the clouds!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is this?” Xu Jin exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The highest point of the present-world form of the Great Chen Star-Picking Pavilion,” Grand Master Cheng said, looking at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, “This place lies a thousand meters above ground, where the present-world form of the Star-Picking Pavilion receives celestial weather phenomena; here, star-patterns and star-art can be deduced with twice the effect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, the Dao unfolds most effectively.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Exchange ten silver stars for one ordinary deduction opportunity, then lock your intent on the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank, sink into it, and contemplate the deduction,” Grand Master Cheng instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was surprised. “Grand Master, are we starting right away? Don’t you have any advice or guidance to give me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone’s thinking differs. I can only lay the foundation. If I gave you my own deduction experience, it would only bind you. Besides, I have no experience to guide you on this mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This star-pattern is the limit of my own understanding,” said the Grand Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin nodded, sat cross-legged at once, and sank his intent into the Star-Picking Realm; with a thought, he immediately exchanged ten silver stars for one ordinary deduction opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Begin Deduction?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Begin】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lock your intent on the relevant star-pattern or star-art】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Xu Jin immersed all his attention into the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, flames surrounded his vision; then, all fire vanished, and the entire world before him turned cold and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, the sun hung high, and a dry branch beneath it suddenly emitted a wisp of smoke; a light breeze stirred, and the smoke became flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame grew from small to large, then shrank back until it extinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout this process, Xu Jin’s perspective shifted constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close to the flame, above it, from the side—every angle of observation; when viewing from high above, the flame suddenly resembled a symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world changed again, and now a forest appeared before Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spark ignited in a corner, and the entire forest burst into roaring flames in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, celestial fire fell from the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One flame after another emerged before Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different flames, different scenes, endlessly evolving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire within stone, fire within water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From birth to intensity, then to extinction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the final overhead view, this flame’s condensed life became a symbol-like entity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one moment, Xu Jin suddenly had a flash of insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fused the condensed life-cycle of one flame—from birth to intensity to extinction—with a main trunk line of the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant, the flame was the trunk line, and the trunk line was the Fire Source Star-Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next flame, he began attempting to integrate aspects of the flame’s birth, intensity, and extinction into the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, he repeated the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continuously refined this mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time, the mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern before Xu Jin finally took shape as a new, complete pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the final stroke was completed, the entire mid-level Fire Source Star-Pattern blazed fiercely, its power rising another level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin suddenly gained clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth rank achieved!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire Source Star-Pattern of the sixth rank had been deduced by him into sixth rank upper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Xu Jin’s control, the new upper sixth-rank Fire Source Star-Pattern continuously scattered into countless flames, then reformed and refined again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was even an impulse to extend new lines, but nothing could sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the evolution continued, the starlight illusion before him flickered uncertainly, about to vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this peak moment, Xu Jin felt his mind crystal-clear, his understanding of flame reaching an unprecedented height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was reluctant to end it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, he sank his intent into the Star-Picking Realm and activated a gold star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Begin High-Rank Deduction?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prompt appeared before Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Yes】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the starlight before Xu Jin shifted rapidly once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2404,"2026-06-19T23:56:34.019Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6a6193db0543810a914283fd031bfd48f135c18f0fd856d713ceaacbfa6ceafe","the-star-martial-era-chapter-204","the-star-martial-era-chapter-202",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]