[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-240":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},2275098,4448,"Chapter 240","the-star-martial-era-chapter-240",240,"\u003Cp>In the Grand Assembly Hall of the Sun Star Palace, a young man with crimson hair walked in slowly, and the two guards at the door bowed in unison to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson-haired youth strode straight to Master Wang Kan, who was immersed in official duties, bowed deeply, then stood silently to one side, waiting for his master to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After signing the document before him, Grand Elder Wang Kan looked up and smiled, “Xinghuo, you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke, Wang Kan sensed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, his disciple’s mood wasn’t just low—it felt strangely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciple Zhou Xinghuo was the top true disciple among all new recruits to the Sun Star Palace this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also the most gifted disciple the Sun Star Palace had seen in a decade; otherwise, Wang Kan would never have taken him on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Zhou Xinghuo had never disappointed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Sun Star Palace, he was undefeated at his own level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more proudly, his disciple Zhou Xinghuo had already claimed the top spot in the Third-Rank Training Realm’s combat rankings—and had held it for two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third-Rank Training Realm’s rankings carried immense prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many veteran cultivators stuck at the peak of Star Refining Ninth Layer possessed formidable combat power, capable of challenging a large portion of Fourth-Rank Star Condensing Mid-Layer cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhou Xinghuo had crushed them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, Zhou Xinghuo was already an invincible presence within the Third-Rank Star Refining realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, Xinghuo, what’s wrong? This isn’t like your usual confident self,” Wang Kan chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I lost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xinghuo spoke with head bowed and spirit crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Kan was instantly startled—he realized Zhou Xinghuo must have been defeated in the Third-Rank Training Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Youngsters needed setbacks—it was good for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was his true thought; he still had to comfort his disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing—just one loss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivators can’t be invincible forever. When facing different opponents, defeats happen—but they’re good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learn from them, summarize your lessons, and come back stronger,” Wang Kan encouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I lost four times in a row,” Zhou Xinghuo said, voice heavy with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Kan was instantly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Xinghuo continued slowly, “Master, I lost four times in a row—to the same person. I used every tactic I knew, and all failed! Worse, I felt that person wasn’t even trying—during our battles, he held back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the fourth defeat, I suddenly felt I could never beat him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t even have the courage to challenge him a fifth time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished, Zhou Xinghuo looked up, face filled with dejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words terrified Grand Elder Wang Kan of the Sun Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His top true disciple, Zhou Xinghuo, had lost four times in a row—and the opponent hadn’t even used his full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was outrageous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such power was terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Grand Elder Wang Kan’s mind flashed to one thing—the Golden Star Six-in-a-Row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Golden Star Six-in-a-Row was achieved by a single person, then nine times out of ten, that person was the one who had defeated his disciple Zhou Xinghuo four times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciple Zhou Xinghuo had only just barely claimed one Golden Star not long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation had remained stagnant precisely to let him continue refining at Star Refining Ninth Layer, steadily improving his strength, hoping to claim another Golden Star before breaking through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the person who had defeated Zhou Xinghuo four times in a row must have claimed more than one Golden Star—perhaps even the legendary, long-sought genius who had snatched six Golden Stars in a row!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s his name? What’s his cultivation level? Do you know which faction or country he’s from?” Wang Kan fired off three rapid questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xinghuo was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master wasn’t comforting him—he was more interested in the identity of the one who defeated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he could only answer honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his answer amounted to nothing—only one piece of information: “Qi Tian Da Sheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about his Star Art? What are its characteristics? Such legendary geniuses are always heavily cultivated by their factions and taught unique Star Patterns—these can reveal their origins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Kan didn’t say it outright, but if he could narrow down the broad origin, then with the Star Art’s characteristics, he could soon pinpoint Qi Tian Da Sheng’s true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he could act accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fire-based Star Art. His strongest technique is Flame Burst. I felt his Fire Source Star Pattern must be extraordinary—extremely powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My own fire Star Art uses a mid-tier Fire Source Star Pattern from the Fifth Rank and a low-tier Fire Image Star Pattern from the Third Rank—its power is already immense. But his Flame Burst eventually burned through my Fire Source entirely, directly destroying my fire-based defensive Star Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believe his Fire Source Star Pattern is at least Fifth Rank Upper, possibly even Sixth Rank!” Zhou Xinghuo said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixth Rank Fire Source Star Pattern?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Kan gave his disciple a surprised look, suddenly realizing he’d spoiled him too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To excuse his own defeat, he’d come up with such a ridiculous lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Refining cultivators could potentially engrave a Fifth Rank Upper Fire Source Star Pattern—but even that would take months of grueling effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Rank Star Patterns were extremely difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Sixth Rank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many cultivators stuck at Fifth Rank Late or Peak have failed to break through because they couldn’t comprehend or engrave a Sixth Rank Star Pattern?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Third-Rank cultivator engraving a Sixth Rank Star Pattern? Impossible—even in dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the only known Seventh Rank Fire Source Star Patterns exist only within the Sun Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Wang Kan’s expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized his disciple’s grave flaw—or Yinhuan —his psychological resilience was far too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invented such a laughable excuse about a Third-Rank cultivator possessing a Sixth Rank Fire Source Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, thoughts were thoughts—he had to treat his disciple’s mental wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He patiently counseled him for a full half-hour, until Zhou Xinghuo finally regained some spirit, his eyes flickering with renewed hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’ll arrange a special combat training regimen for you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training realms can’t compare to real combat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can training exercises compare to real combat with actual opponents!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In ten days, you’ll definitely defeat Qi Tian Da Sheng,” Wang Kan declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Zhou Xinghuo bowed and left the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Wang Kan issued orders: assign three Fifth-Rank Gathering Battle cultivators to take turns sparring with Zhou Xinghuo daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth-Rank cultivators could control their power and pinpoint Zhou Xinghuo’s weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly—they could crush him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Kan’s orders to the three sparring partners were clear: each must give Zhou Xinghuo ten matches daily, and in five of them, he must suffer humiliating defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing four times in a row? What’s that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted Zhou Xinghuo to lose fifteen times in a single day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After arranging his disciple’s training, Grand Elder Wang Kan immediately issued orders to Xia Zhong, the Sixth Elder in charge of the Sun Star Palace’s intelligence division, “Chì Yǐng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixth Elder Xia, the top-ranked combatant in the Third-Rank Training Realm, Qi Tian Da Sheng, is suspected to be the legendary genius who previously snatched six Golden Stars in a row. From this moment, gather all information on Qi Tian Da Sheng, analyze his true identity as quickly as possible, and report directly to me. This task is yours alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth Elder Xia Zhong, who controlled Chì Yǐng, received the order but did not reply immediately. Reaching the position of Sixth Elder, Xia Zhong was no fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly identified the task’s difficulty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Elder, I need Zhou Xinghuo’s cooperation. Otherwise, gathering data will be extremely difficult—because Qi Tian Da Sheng is already the top-ranked combatant in the Third-Rank Training Realm; only the second-place cultivator can challenge him at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, I must wait until he breaks into the Fourth-Rank Star Condensing realm and enters the Fourth-Rank Training Realm, then I can deploy many operatives to challenge him and collect sufficient data for accurate analysis!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, accurate analysis is nearly impossible,” Sixth Elder Xia Zhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll have Xinghuo cooperate with you,” Wang Kan replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Zhou Xinghuo had previously held the top spot in the Third-Rank Training Realm was no secret within the Sun Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor was it a secret among other factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Grand Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had no idea his brutal beatings of Zhou Xinghuo had triggered this chain reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xinghuo was strong, stubborn, and cocky—Xu Jin saw him as a worthy opponent, so he fought him four times in a row and crushed him each time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Qi Tian Da Sheng: Congratulations on claiming the top rank in the Third-Rank Training Realm. Maintain this rank—every seven days, you will receive 14 strands of Starlight as a reward.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Qi Tian Da Sheng: Congratulations on permanently earning the title “Wandering Moon Meteor.” Continue earning more special titles—there may be surprises.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Starlight message after battle was normal—14 strands of Starlight was substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maintain the rank, and you earn two strands daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s a steady income going forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the second Starlight message from the Star-Picking Tower was intriguing: earn more special titles, and there may be surprises?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Collect enough special titles—could it summon a divine dragon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First-Rank Training Realm had special titles. Second-Rank had none. Third-Rank had them. Xu Jin guessed Fourth, Fifth, and even Sixth-Rank Training Realms must also have them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it mean collecting five special titles triggers the surprise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the surprise only comes after collecting all five special titles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Xu Jin decided to give it a try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I ever manage to collect them all, I’ll see what the Star-Plucking Tower has in store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Walking the Moon, Shooting Star: You stood out among millions, shining like a meteor across the world. Upon earning this title, you may send two free Starlight Messages daily, and receive a 2% weighting bonus when trading in the Ten Thousand Stars Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note: This reward stacks with other titles.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third Starlight Message brought Xu Jin another great surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key is that it stacks with other title rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I add the reward from the ‘Plain Starlight’ title—free one Starlight Message per day—then Xu Jin can send three free Starlight Messages daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin felt that if he could obtain one more special title from a fourth-rank Combat Trial Realm and stack them all, he’d never need to spend Starlight on messages again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, three free Starlight Messages per day would save him a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three per day, ninety per month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If saved entirely, that’s nine thousand taels of silver per month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad it can’t be cashed out—if it could, Xu Jin could become a millionaire just from this alone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 2% weighting bonus is also valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, buying from the Star-Plucking Tower system gave only a 1% discount, which felt negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But 3%? That’s substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another saving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the afternoon of October 24, after finishing his research on the manuscripts in the State Academy’s library, Xu Jin was about to carve some seals when Qing Fan knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin now carves fourth-rank seals only during spare moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spends most of an hour each day making about twenty or so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All other time goes into studying manuscripts and refining Star Seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, a visitor has come—Wang Jiugao, a True Disciple of the Dao Academy.” Qing Fan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is Brother Wang here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Xu Jin rose quickly and went to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fifteen breaths, the two sat in the reception hall. Once Qing Fan served tea, Wang Jiugao lowered his voice: “Big Brother, I don’t know whether you’re aware of this or have prepared for it, but after much deliberation, I felt I must tell you, so you won’t be caught unprepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?” Xu Jin’s expression showed surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, have you heard of Starfall?” Wang Jiugao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard of it—each year between November and December, due to the shifting of the stars, stellar energy fluctuates violently, known as the Star Tide. Many star realms use this tide to smash through the veil between worlds and open Star Gates, then invade our realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said to be a prime opportunity for us State Academy disciples to earn merit.” Xu Jin replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the State Academy’s library, Xu Jin didn’t just study manuscripts—he read everything, so he knew many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Wang Jiugao still whispered: “In past years, it was indeed a great chance to earn merit, but this year is different—it’s not just the usual triennial Great Star Tide, but also the rare nine-year cycle of the Nine-Star Tide!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only will it open far more Star Gates from star realms, but the Nine-Star Tide will also temporarily empower the alien races within those realms to break through their cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, this year’s Starfall is extremely dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for us disciples who’ve been in the Starlight Realm for less than three months—if we join the battle, the risks are immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past years, the State Academy never sent beginners like us into battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my father, reviewing past records, believes that during every Nine-Star Tide, the Academy suffers severe manpower shortages and deploys nearly every disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My family has already secured me a posting to patrol the county seat, a two-month assignment that will let me avoid the Starfall mission entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Brother, you saved my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought—I should get you a spot too!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do you say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s go together, patrol the countryside for a month or two, and avoid all this danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xu Jin was first stunned, then smiled bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was kind of him—truly a good younger brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among all State Academy disciples, everyone else could do this—only Xu Jin could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Jin did this, how could he face the Grand Master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Jin hesitate, Wang Jiugao grew anxious: “Big Brother, why are you still hesitating! My father’s records show that during the last Nine-Star Tide nine years ago, six of the fifteen True Disciples died in battle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Xu Jin’s pupils contracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six True Disciples dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he owed his cultivation to the Grand Master—the more dire the situation, the more he must not flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he couldn’t outright reject Wang Jiugao’s goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would hurt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, I’d love to avoid it—but the Grand Master already told me personally that I must fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only use the Grand Master as a shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jiugao was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Grand Master had already ordered it, there was nothing to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, Big Brother, what shall we do!” Wang Jiugao fretted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about me—I’m sure the Grand Master will give me some life-saving artifact.” Xu Jin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a little more small talk, Wang Jiugao left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon after he departed, Yin Mingzhang and Niu Ju also came to visit Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their purpose made Xu Jin uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had the same idea as Wang Jiugao—to leave early and avoid the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble families’ intelligence was truly swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Xu Jin realize how serious the Nine-Star Tide truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to prepare in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2561,"2026-06-19T23:56:34.019Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2088dc147fababf4cf20fd28907999fc6a500217a4c6306ed6c12afbcc22bd56","the-star-martial-era-chapter-241","the-star-martial-era-chapter-239",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]