[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-249":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},2275107,4448,"Chapter 249: Gift","the-star-martial-era-chapter-249",249,"\u003Cp>Three days remain before the preemptive strike against Lougong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, two and a half days remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guodao Academy also acted swiftly, quickly finalizing its selections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Xu Jin was among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his relationship with the Grand Master, Xu Jin learned even more details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The preemptive strike against Lougong had been merged into one campaign; fairness was considered, as well as the need for all sides to maintain sufficient combat readiness during the Nine-Star Tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four realms imposed a strictly defined limit on the number of combatants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the four sides could send at most nine squads, with each squad capped at five members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant the competition would test each side’s overall strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One squad of fifth-rank, three squads of fourth-rank, and five squads of third-rank were permitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for sixth-rank squads—tasked with clearing sixth-rank star zones—the Star River Marshal’s Office strongly urged the realms to send teams, since the pressure from sixth-rank star zones during the Nine-Star Tide was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of the realms were willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combat power gap between sixth- and seventh-rank warriors was too great; the strongest the realms could send to clear sixth-rank zones were sixth-rank peak warriors, yet within sixth-rank zones, though few, there were still several seventh-rank warriors, making heavy casualties likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they sent sixth-rank peak warriors capable of breaking into seventh-rank, victory rates would rise sharply—but they would never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, no sixth-rank warriors would be sent in the preemptive strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised Xu Jin most was that, beyond the manpower limits, the preemptive strike imposed no other rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the manpower cap and the seven-day time limit, there were no other restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as you could kill enemies, and as long as you had the skill to smuggle in higher-rank emblems, that was your business—no one would interfere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only combat records mattered; final rankings would be determined by points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if your third-rank squad pushed into a fourth-rank star zone, it was allowed—as long as you weren’t afraid of casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or if you had the skill to have your third-rank squad slaughter enemies in a second-rank star zone, that was fine too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, aside from manpower limits, time limits, and point rules, there were no other rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After briefing Xu Jin on all the details, the Grand Master dismissed him to consider matters on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instructed Xu Jin to submit a team roster within one day and quickly familiarize himself with his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin would naturally be the captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So how should he form the team?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who should he invite as teammates?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Xu Jin pondered these questions, all other Guodao Academy combatants were summoned in batches to Danxia Palace by the Grand Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the fourth-rank disciples selected for the Lougong campaign were mainly those at fourth-rank fifth and sixth levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These selections had already been made during the Grand Hall Competitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, all selections were being redone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although fourth-rank fifth and sixth-level disciples had considerable combat power, their cultivation base was still lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The revised Lougong campaign demanded extremely high combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Guodao Academy deployed many fourth-rank peak disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, some of the senior disciples from each academic hall—Yang Miao, Fang Ying, Ye Anshi, Li Jingyang, Huang Zhen—remained on the roster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if their cultivation was only fourth-rank Ningxing fifth or sixth level, their combat power still surpassed that of ordinary fourth-rank Ningxing peak disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what it meant to be a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly troubled Cheng Yuexiao was selecting the fifth-rank combatants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only five slots were available, this was the hardest part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It required weighing not just strength, but also personality, temperament, even certain political stances—and factional affiliations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the fifth-rank level, warriors grew older, and their hearts grew more complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the fifth-rank squad was crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because killing fifth- or sixth-rank aliens yielded extremely high points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even killing three or five more could drastically alter rankings and boost point totals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the squad leader—choosing one was extremely difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all candidates were among the twelve vice-deans; ultimately, Cheng Yuexiao appointed Dong Zhao, deputy director of the Inspection Bureau, as fifth-rank squad leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao was fifth-rank peak and had long possessed the ability to challenge higher ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Dong Zhao leading, Cheng Yuexiao was confident the fifth-rank squad would earn points comparable to the other three sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Yuexiao’s real concern, however, remained the fourth-rank squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Wang Rusong, last year’s autumn exam champion, and Fang Ying, this year’s autumn exam champion, were present, overall the academy held no advantage over the Three Star Halls; in fact, it lagged slightly behind the other three sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, according to Cheng Yuexiao’s knowledge, among the fourth-rank training realms of the Zhaixing Tower, only Wang Rusong barely cracked the top ten; most others ranked within the top hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the real point-scoring potential lay in the third-rank squads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this perspective, Cheng Yuexiao placed great hope on Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all combatants were selected, Cheng Yuexiao, following Guodao Academy tradition, granted privileges to those serving the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could choose one star emblem to upgrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they could upgrade only one emblem by one major rank—that is, three minor ranks—and only up to seventh-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was meant to temporarily boost the combatants’ strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with only two and a half days remaining, time was extremely tight; not everyone could fully engrave and strengthen their upgraded emblems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all disciples were overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many upgraded third-rank emblems to fourth-rank; most upgraded fourth-rank emblems to fifth-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, upgrading a third-rank emblem directly to fourth-rank required at least one great merit; upgrading a fourth-rank emblem by even one minor rank also required one great merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all instructions were given, all selected combatants departed—except Liu Qingzhu, who was kept behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Liu Qingzhu left Danxia Palace and returned to Feiyan Academic Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, Liu Qingzhu felt as if she were dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, the Grand Master had treated her exceptionally well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had transmitted four star emblems to her all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all four emblems appeared to be the Guodao Academy’s latest versions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the Shooting Star Emblem—the speed-type emblem the Guodao Academy taught—Liu Qingzhu had learned the fifth-rank middle version; she knew the latest version was sixth-rank lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, the Grand Master gave her the sixth-rank upper version of the Shooting Star Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth-rank upper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had skipped four minor ranks at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, this would require four great merits to obtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao gave it to her directly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gave it to her directly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the shock was not over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shatter Demon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu knew well that the Guodao Academy’s Shatter Demon Emblem was fifth-rank middle; she had learned that version, and it had cost her two great merits to obtain the latest edition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao silently transmitted to her the seventh-rank lower Shatter Demon Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seventh-rank emblem!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she heard the Grand Master had given her a seventh-rank lower emblem, she thought she had misheard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle: “Laws are not lightly transmitted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guodao Academy was extremely strict about transmitting seventh-rank emblems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each cultivator received one seventh-rank emblem upon breaking into sixth-rank, another upon reaching sixth-rank peak; the rest had to be earned gradually through accumulated merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today, the Grand Master had directly given her the seventh-rank lower Shatter Demon Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a Divine Soul emblem—the most secret of secrets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legend held that even the ancient Lingji Star Hall had only advanced the Shatter Demon Emblem to sixth-rank upper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, the Grand Master had given her seventh-rank lower Shatter Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu was so overwhelmed with joy she nearly fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this joyous blow was not the heaviest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heaviest came next: the Fire Source Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Master had directly transmitted to her the seventh-rank upper high-grade Fire Source Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Liu Qingzhu so ecstatic she nearly passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seventh-rank upper high-grade Fire Source Emblem—never mind how he obtained it, even sixth-rank peak cultivators might not acquire one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she had been taught it early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant she could spend five or even ten years slowly comprehending the seventh-rank upper high-grade Fire Source Emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even elaborating, when the time came, her probability of breaking into seventh-rank would increase by at least one to two tenths. But joy was not yet over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fish Swimming Emblem!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another seventh-rank upper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao had transmitted yet another seventh-rank upper emblem to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu was nearly fainting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many peak sixth-rank experts might not acquire so many seventh-rank star patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she already had three seventh-rank star patterns, two of them upper-tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu returned to the Flying Swallow Academy in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning to the Flying Swallow Academy, her mind was flooded with thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had asked the Grand Master why he suddenly bestowed so many star patterns upon her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Grand Master had simply said one phrase, over and over: it was her due.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It left her utterly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could she, Liu Qingzhu, be Cheng Yuexiao’s illegitimate daughter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She needed to ask her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then she dismissed the idea—age didn’t match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Master’s true age was unknown, but based on her growth trajectory, she was likely between forty and fifty, probably in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Liu Qingzhu herself was already over thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The age gap between them was less than fifteen years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the Grand Master be after her beauty!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That possibility actually existed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this point, Liu Qingzhu was extremely confident!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beautiful, long-legged, and well-endowed—she was the envy of every woman she met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it shouldn’t be that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Grand Master wanted her beauty, she should’ve been manipulated, coerced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should’ve been lured with seventh-rank star patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So here’s the question: if the Grand Master used seventh-rank star patterns to tempt her, would she…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One? Probably not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was, the Grand Master was quite handsome too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, the Grand Master had just given them to her—directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just handed them over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingzhu was even more baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a prelude—giving benefits first, then hinting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then shouldn’t she receive a Starlight Message now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To summon her to Danxia Palace for meditation tonight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such a Starlight Message came, should she go—or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the Star-Picking Token trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That tremor made Liu Qingzhu hesitate to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if it was the Grand Master summoning her to meditate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should she go—or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tensing for a long while, Liu Qingzhu sank her mind into the Star-Picking Token—and her pretty face instantly darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just her mother reminding her she’d be fighting soon, and calling her home for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a scare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left and right, Liu Qingzhu couldn’t figure out the reason, nor did any Starlight Message arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, forget it—I’ll just start cultivating first. The star patterns are already mine; I might as well take them for free!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days was extremely limited; she couldn’t possibly master all four star patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, Liu Qingzhu made her choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, study the Swimming Fish Star Pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had studied it before—high-tier Swimming Fish Star Patterns were absolute lifesavers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously acquired versions were low-tier; now, with upper-tier seventh-rank Swimming Fish Star Patterns, she must master them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, she must reinforce the upper-tier sixth-rank Swimming Fish Star Pattern within three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If time remained, the Breaking Evil Star Pattern was her top priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It directly boosted combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest could wait until after the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, what a pity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Master already sealed me with the Nine Sheng Bell—I can’t reveal even a single detail about today’s star patterns. Otherwise, just these four would let me brag for ages to my best friend and Song Ziye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, Liu Qingzhu focused entirely on studying the star pattern engraving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she engraved only half of these star patterns, her cultivation base wouldn’t rise, but her combat power would surge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she engraved them all, she would surely claim a top-twenty spot in the Fifth-Rank Training Arena!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the small courtyard, Xu Jin was also preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, he, a fourth-rank Pattern Master of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, had received an order from the External Affairs Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within two days, he must produce at least twenty upper-tier third-rank patterns, or ten fourth-rank patterns—the Dao Academy would pay a premium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special circumstances could be explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin did not refuse the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his current level, producing third- and lower-to-mid-tier fourth-rank patterns was extremely fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five per quarter-hour was his average speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The restriction on spiritual soul exhaustion that limited other Pattern Masters barely affected him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, his spiritual soul cultivation was strong enough; second, his Dream-Warming recovery effect had improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a two-quarter-hour nap, his spiritual soul energy recovered by twenty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this task wasn’t a burden for Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he needed to consider was how much contribution he should make to the Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, patterns were in high demand right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking it over, Xu Jin decided not to draw too much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d deliver forty third-rank patterns and fifty fourth-rank patterns to the External Affairs Hall tomorrow—that would be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exceeding the quota.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man equaling six or seven others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Er, come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Xu Jin sent a voice message to Jiang Er, who was practicing the Five Stars Killing Fist within the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Jiang Er entered, wiping sweat from her brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, you called me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve reached Meal of Mist Stage Six—good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just broke through this morning,” Jiang Er said, her cheeks flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her Class-A talent and abundant cultivation elixirs like Awakening Spirit Pills and Star-Replenishing Pills, Jiang Er reached Meal of Mist Stage Six in just one and a half months after achieving Star Pointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pace was fast for Jin Shan Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the Dao Academy, it was only average to slightly below average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had never given her top-tier Star-Replenishing Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rapid cultivation advancement wasn’t beneficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star arts and star patterns were what mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Er, since your cultivation has reached Meal of Mist Stage Six, I have two gifts for you—consider them rewards.” Xu Jin smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gifts? Rewards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing “gifts,” Jiang Er’s eyes instantly crinkled into crescents. “Brother, hurry up and show me what they are!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2415,"2026-06-19T23:56:34.019Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","96fd413647bbf7909ae97c356c4a9438ddf53335df9a43575ca91d3df63117bb","the-star-martial-era-chapter-250","the-star-martial-era-chapter-248",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]