[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-225":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},2275083,4448,"Chapter 225: The Crack","the-star-martial-era-chapter-225",225,"\u003Cp>Xu Jin had engraved the Lower Star Palace’s pattern several days ago and had already stabilized a new face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Xu Jin intended to create the greatest possible contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a man like Xu Jin disguised himself as a woman, who would ever suspect it was him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Qi Shanye’s insights on disguise changed Xu Jin’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye said disguise wasn’t just about changing appearance—once the face changed, posture, behavior, and habits must change too, or the deception would easily crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without deep research and imitation, Qi Shanye strongly advised against men disguising as women, youths as elders, or elders as youths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle of disguise: if you haven’t studied deeply, don’t alter age by more than ten years; if you haven’t deeply experienced a certain identity, avoid switching to one with too great a disparity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to paint a tiger but ending up looking like a dog is the easiest way to expose yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin grasped these points instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Xu Jin adopted the appearance of a twenty-four- or twenty-five-year-old wandering swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It differed little from his original identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basically, all he needed was to reshape his face and change his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, Qi Shanye raised the most critical point: the back view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many overlook the back view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He advised Xu Jin to slightly alter his posture—slight shoulder slump, bent waist, or standing with hand on sword or knife—to change his silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Xu Jin now appeared as a young Qing-clad swordsman, twenty-four or twenty-five, with a single crimson headband tied across his forehead, instantly giving him a bold, striking charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his cultivation aura, he made no effort to conceal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura of Star Refining Ninth Layer was fully exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At twenty-four or twenty-five, Star Refining Ninth Layer was common—perfect for a wandering cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, weakness was a sin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third-layer Star Refining was weak among cultivators; if his aura were even lower, he might attract unexpected trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Qianli National Academy, at dawn, Xu Jin went straight to the western city warehouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very place where he had been assassinated before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t for nostalgia—it was because this place had public transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were four ways to reach Songzhou: first, rent a one- or two-star warhorse, taking over a day and exhausting the rider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, fly there yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, use public transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth, use the Star Picking Tower’s teleportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teleportation was immediately ruled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, his Star Picking Token’s rank was too low to use the Tower’s teleportation; second, teleportation might expose his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin initially considered flying himself—he had the Fourth-Stage Star Stepping artifact, and his Star Power could be replenished anytime via the Can Dou Platform; if all went well, he’d arrive in an hour and a half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he thought: too conspicuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man at Star Refining Ninth Layer who could fly via Star Stepping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone paying attention would realize he possessed a Star Artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, only those who broke through to Fifth Layer could fly via Star Stepping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he chose public transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modern public transport wasn’t advanced, but it existed between major cities—large starships operated by merchant caravans would carry passengers for silver; Xu Jin had already confirmed this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Songzhouzhoucheng, young sir? In one hour, Yuanfeng Merchants’ Starship No. 2 departs for Songzhou, estimated journey three hours, one-way fare six hundred taels, round-trip one thousand taels—how will you pay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One-way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it! One passenger for Yuanfeng No. 2.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After paying, a guard led Xu Jin to the starship dock, where he handed over the token to the captain, and an official escorted him to the mid-deck of the vessel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, since this is a merchant vessel, passengers’ movement is restricted to the forward deck. Violations may provoke attacks from our hired protectors—please don’t make things difficult for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official finished his warning, then smiled and pushed a sale: “Young master, journeys can be dull—we have three tea-and-wine chambers aboard. If you wish, you may pre-book a private cabin for rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tea-and-wine chambers?” Xu Jin was puzzled—he’d never heard of such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A small private room with tea, wine, and serving maids—extra fee five hundred taels. The maids are from Wan Yi’s Red House, each skilled in the arts—if you’re willing, you’ll be thoroughly satisfied. Of course, tea fees are extra.” The official leaned close, grinning with a lewd smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a private room service—with business added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called “tea fee” was actually payment for sex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They really knew how to play it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But two words—way too expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin politely declined with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First time—he didn’t want to be watched here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Notably, most aboard the starship were cultivators, though some ordinary people were present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before takeoff, about forty-plus passengers boarded, their cultivation ranging from Second-Layer Cast-Star to Fourth-Layer Condense-Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many approached to chat and make connections—all politely refused by Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least half had probed him with spiritual senses; Xu Jin didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had scanned every person aboard with his own spiritual sense, ensuring his safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey passed without incident; they arrived on schedule, reaching Songzhouzhoucheng by noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rendezvous point had been prearranged by Xu Jin and Qi Shanye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contact after reaching Mount Song, outside Songzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Songzhouzhoucheng housed branches of the Sunlight Star Temple and the Azure Star Temple, Qi Shanye didn’t want any risks—he wouldn’t enter the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking it over, Xu Jin wandered through Songzhou city, buying three full sets of clothes for his master Qi Shanye—from undergarments to outerwear—then several jars of wine, roasted chickens, braised meats, steamed buns, and dried meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food had to be prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The advantage of the Mustard Seed Concealing Mountain became clear now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, buying so much would require a cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, in secluded spots, Xu Jin stored most of it in his Numinous Space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after the grain crisis he’d faced in the Second-Layer Fire Glitter Star Zone, he’d deliberately bought extra shelf-stable food and stashed it all in the Numinous Space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His space had expanded to three cubic units—quite spacious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon, shortly after leaving the city, Xu Jin slowed his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone really was fearless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since disembarking from the starship, a Star Power aura had been trailing him from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin first thought it coincidence, but the aura followed him continuously since he started buying things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a middle-aged cultivator at Fourth-Layer Condense-Star Fourth Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful recollection, Xu Jin judged this an accident—his identity hadn’t been exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Xu Jin accelerated toward the deeper reaches of Mount Song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Songzhouzhoucheng sixty li, the Fourth-Layer Condense-Star Fourth Layer knife-wielder stopped hiding—he surged forward, openly chasing and blocking Xu Jin’s path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xu Jin didn’t speed up—he let the man catch up and stand before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged knife-wielder had arched eyebrows, a square face, and a seemingly kind expression—but upon close inspection, his face was slightly stiff, clearly wearing a flesh mask—a crude disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, this your first time traveling alone?” The middle-aged knife-wielder chuckled coldly at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was puzzled—he checked himself over, saw no flaws, and rarely spoke to others—how did this man know he was a first-time traveler?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you understand what I mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged knife-wielder suddenly swung his long blade—a blade of light thirty to forty meters long made Xu Jin recoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay silver for a lesson! Throw me everything valuable you have—I’ll give you a taste of the world and spare your life, how’s that?” the knife-wielder grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s pause, Xu Jin tossed his backpack onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged knife-wielder was surprised—he hadn’t expected this young man to be so obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inside your pockets—the silver and gold notes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All in the pack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a clang, Xu Jin threw his Third-Layer Star Sword toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star Picking Token—add me as a friend, then transfer all your Starlight to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin stared in shock. “Brother, if you add me as a friend, aren’t you afraid I’ll come find you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star Picking Tower uses fake names—I don’t give a damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Transfer or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t transfer, and I’ll send you to your grave right now.” The knife-wielder urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll transfer—but I only have two hundred and some Starlight threads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still Starlight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. What’s your Star Picking Tower nickname?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Xiaodao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, big brother, I'll apply now. But tell me, how did you know I'm traveling alone for the first time?\" Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's simple—you didn't even know where the starship's lavatory was, had to ask someone, and then needed them to guide you,\" the knife-wielder said proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin's expression froze; his eyes dropped. \"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. For example, you were ridiculously curious about the passing cloud layers and the scenery outside the deck—these details reveal you've never boarded a starship before. You're too green; clearly, this is your first long journey,\" the knife-wielder said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, so details really do decide success or failure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I meant, I've only ever boarded a large flying vessel for the first time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course! The Great Sage Equaling Heaven—your name 'Qitian' is suitably mighty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the knife-wielder's pupils shrank sharply—he saw Xu Jin lunging at him like a phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare he resist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enraged, the knife-wielder raised his long blade, ready to teach Xu Jin a lesson—or kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the knife-wielder's head exploded with agony; blood gushed from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth; his body's starlight scattered wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of swordlight—and his head shot skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not needed to learn the reason, Xu Jin would have killed him long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Xu Jin's expression turned grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very moment he slew the knife-wielder, the Mingji Star Pattern on the Lower Star Palace suddenly spun at high speed, emitting blinding radiance. Two terrifying auras appeared near Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Mingji Star Pattern's sensing, two fifth-rank peak auras had appeared without warning, approaching him abruptly—no more than thirty meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was an extremely terrifying distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this range, they could strike him with lethal force at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xu Jin had not sensed their approach, nor seen them at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant they had stealthily closed in on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were these elite assassins from the Star Temple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all this caution, had his trail still been exposed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Xu Jin made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he plunged his mind into the Luanying Drop, preparing to activate its life-saving star technique, his hands each clutched two pre-charged fifth-rank star seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, Xu Jin activated his invisibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he disappeared, he swiftly moved away from his original position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid being targeted by concentrated fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after Xu Jin vanished, the enemies did not panic or emerge—they remained hidden, though one of the auras clearly moved, likely searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin dared not let his guard down; he was making his final decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Use the Luanying Technique to flee immediately?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or unleash a few star seals first, then retreat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a mere instant, Xu Jin decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, blast the bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star Temple's assassins just won't leave me alone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, lost him! No way, Lao Qi—your disciple's invisibility technique is this good, even I can't find him?\" Suddenly, a voice echoed across the empty wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, you're slipping, kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye's hearty laughter rang out. \"Disciple, don't be afraid—it's me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the wilderness, Qi Shanye's figure materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Xu Jin recognized his master, he frowned toward another direction. \"Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye blinked again. \"Lao Mo, you're out of practice—you've been spotted by my disciple already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible! Without fourth-rank Condensing Star-level spiritual soul cultivation, you absolutely cannot detect me!\" The figure of Mo Ji, bow and demonic arrows on his back, appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, just teasing you. But you really did lose track of my disciple—how's that for my student?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, Qi Shanye casually helped conceal Xu Jin's presence, but the astonishment in his eyes was indescribable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Mingji Star Pattern inherently pierced concealed auras, its effectiveness dependent on the target's spiritual soul cultivation. Now, he unleashed it fully to sense Xu Jin's cultivation—and saw his disciple's spiritual soul level had reached fourth-rank Condensing Star!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he also knew Xu Jin had long mastered the Nixiang Star Pattern, meaning even his own cultivation could not perceive Xu Jin's true level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Xu Jin's spiritual soul cultivation was definitely at fourth-rank Condensing Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant Mo Ji's judgment had been correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell did he cultivate this fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye was truly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, Tian Sheng, let me introduce you—this is Mo Ji, a top expert from our Lingji Star Temple. He helped me last time, and I invited him again this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, Qi Shanye whispered to Xu Jin: \"I gave you the alias Qi Tian Sheng—taken from your 'Great Sage Equaling Heaven.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, is the alias because this Mo Ji can't be fully trusted?\" Xu Jin whispered back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, he's completely trustworthy! But you, my disciple, are my most precious asset right now—I won't expose you to even the slightest risk. Keep your true identity hidden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, you are Qi Tian Sheng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for all other details—say nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving these instructions, Qi Shanye added: \"Mainly just to be safe. We're all hiding, running from shadows—if captured, we'll be tortured, even soul-searched. Better cautious than sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go find a place and talk properly,\" Qi Shanye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2271,"2026-06-19T23:56:34.019Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5f81393aad93303cdbbd56a00095760a10cf0fa62601c11b5f0569a44f20dae0","the-star-martial-era-chapter-226","the-star-martial-era-chapter-224",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]