[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-3":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},2274861,4448,"Chapter 3: Can-Dou Altar","the-star-martial-era-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Quiet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reciting the Ninefold Star-Exorcism Litany, Xu Jin, his hopes running too high, felt his heart pounding as if it might leap from his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hasn’t anything happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he arrived, after reciting the Ninefold Star-Exorcism Litany, he’d seen a flash of light and been spun into chaos—why is there no reaction now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Exorcism Litany must be correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that this world has no such thing as the Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That can’t be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there weren’t any, how did the altar’s ritual send me here in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be the distance is too great?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if I can’t go back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I just going to sit here and wait to die of illness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin’s mind churned with anxiety and scattered thoughts, a sudden change erupted upon Guanhe Terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Exorcism Altar on Guanhe Terrace instantly blazed bright—so intensely it was almost blinding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A patch of stars in the sky seemed to flicker faintly for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Exorcism Altar flared for that single moment, and all its radiance surged into Xu Jin’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the nine star-lamps on the altar extinguished entirely; the incense and candles turned to ash—but what jolted Xu Jin was the jade tablet in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade tablet, once cool and slightly warm to the touch, suddenly crumbled to dust, startling Xu Jin so badly he snapped his eyes open and scanned his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he saw filled his face and eyes with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still on Guanhe Terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still in this city of Jinshan, Yanzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t been sent back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d still have to sit and wait to die of illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly despondent, Xu Jin slumped heavily to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did this altar ritual fail?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, in his deepest despair, Xu Jin realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The altar ritual hadn’t failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin carefully examined the Star-Exorcism Altar: all nine star-lamps were extinguished, their oil, wicks, and iron lamp-holders reduced to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade tablet in his hand had also turned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the ritual had failed, such anomalies would never have occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t been sent back as he’d hoped—perhaps it succeeded, but something strange must have happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, what changed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After closely observing the Star-Exorcism Altar on Guanhe Terrace, Xu Jin closed his eyes and began to review everything that had just occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reviewing—this was a method Xu Jin had relied on in his past life for study and work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether his exam results improved or regressed, or he encountered difficulties at work, Xu Jin would close his eyes, reflect, analyze gains and losses, and seek the root of the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, the moment Xu Jin closed his eyes, the anomaly reappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star-Exorcism Altar appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it appeared inside his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xu Jin’s mind stood a brand-new Star-Exorcism Altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its center rested a jade tablet, nearly identical to the one he had held before, which had crumbled to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also an altar, but atop it burned only a single bright, shining star-lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused, Xu Jin suddenly noticed characters on the jade tablet at the altar’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, the characters on the jade tablet became crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【First-Stage Can-Dou Altar】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Lord: Xu Jin】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Graced by the Stars: One daily bow grants one thread of starlight】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star-Lamp: One】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Can Nurture: Zero】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Can Ascend】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few lines of small characters, concise yet cryptic—Xu Jin remained utterly baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the altar ritual, instead of sending him back, it gave him this Can-Dou Altar—what kind of trick is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It can ascend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or does ascending this Can-Dou Altar someday grant him the possibility of returning home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his thoughts swirled, a sharp whistle pierced the distance. When Xu Jin turned, he saw a crimson firework explode far away, blazing fiercely against the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could wonder further, more crimson fireworks erupted in rapid succession from afar, drawing closer—each explosion forming a straight line pointing directly toward Xu Jin’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was utterly terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d quietly performed a half-baked Star-Exorcism ritual—how did it trigger such a massive reaction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did his Star-Exorcism Altar violate some taboo, or attract the attention of some powerful being in this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a world where star-mages can chase stars and outrun the moon—who knows what unknown abilities exist? It’s entirely possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river wind blew across his face, clearing his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, retreat—return to the Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they’re coming for him, they won’t just cut him down on sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ll need evidence, traces, something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deal with it as it comes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurled the Jianlaideqingshi  into the Dajiang as fast as he could, then swept the ashes into his sackcloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted that under the river wind, everything would vanish soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Xu Jin slipped the fruit offerings into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweetness was rare here—taking it back to eat, yes, but also to leave no trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The firelight within the city faded, but countless shouts erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin even saw dozens of streaks of light, like meteors, darting through the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a few hundred meters, he spotted soldiers of the Jinshan County Guard in uniform sprinting down the street—and they spotted him, shouting at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he stopped walking obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to run, but his body, afflicted with congenital illness, could never outrun these Jinshan County Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the squad leader among them would surely be a Star-Warrior of at least the Fourth Stage of Meal-Cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He absolutely couldn’t outpace them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Jin not running didn’t mean he’d surrender passively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first few guards rushing forward, perhaps eager for glory, charged at him with ferocious expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin raised his Jinshan Dao Academy waist-token high and shouted, “I am Xu Jin, disciple of the Jinshan Dao Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Jinshan Dao Academy accepted fifty taels of silver for Star-Pointing participation, making it seem low-barrier,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>nearly all mid- and low-ranking officers in the Jinshan County Guard and the government office’s constables were graduates of the Jinshan Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like alumni.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This identity still held some weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, upon hearing Xu Jin’s shout and seeing his waist-token, the ferocious guards abruptly halted and turned to look behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Qu, he says he’s a Dao Academy disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother?” Captain Qu Gui took only three steps and crossed over ten meters to stand before Xu Jin, sizing him up—his expression shifted from stern to a smile, “Which academy are you from, brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin immediately performed the Dao Academy’s clasped-hand bow, “Greetings, Elder Brother. I’m a disciple of this year’s Star-Pointing Season.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year’s Star-Pointing Season disciple?” Qu Gui studied Xu Jin, then immediately understood—his expression turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Star-Pointing Season disciple isn’t yet a true Dao Academy disciple—only those who succeed in Star-Pointing are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the waist-token was genuine; he couldn’t just turn hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this the evening meditation hour? Why are you wandering the city instead of attending?” This was routine questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Xu Jin’s mind raced through countless excuses—but none held up under scrutiny. In the end, he answered honestly, “The Star-Pointing Season is ending, and I failed to point a star. I’m troubled, so I came out for a walk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Xu Jin, Qu Gui’s expression turned utterly cold, his heart filled with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare a hopeless failure like you call me Elder Brother?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Qu Gui had no desire whatsoever to speak to Xu Jin—his face brimmed with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take him away. Deliver him to the Dao Academy’s Star-Patrol for identity verification.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, he left with most of the county guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they departed, those fierce-looking county guards cast envious glances at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad this kid had a Dao Academy badge; otherwise, a suspect caught right off the street would’ve been squeezed for at least three taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, opportunities for nationwide manhunts against demonic forces are rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though embarrassed, Xu Jin sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was temporarily safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Xu Jin was escorted by two county guards to the Xingwei outpost beside the Dao Academy, where Cui Tianqi, a bearded man, took custody of him—he was the flag master of the Xingwei and made no verification, immediately launching into a furious scolding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I taught you Star Martial Arts, I repeatedly warned you: whether it’s Star Pointing, Star Martial Arts, or combat, never give up until the very last moment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout history, countless individuals have only manifested their Star Patterns and succeeded in Star Pointing at the final instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You failed to point your star, so you just sulked off to clear your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How cowardly are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several quick finger strikes landed on Xu Jin’s forehead, knocking him straight to the ground, making Cui Tianqi grimace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he really this frail?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Cui, I’m sorry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Tianqi was one of the instructors who taught Xu Jin Star Martial Arts at the Dao Academy and had a strong impression of the frail Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get going—there are still several days left before Star Pointing ends; don’t give up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin thanked him and left, but Cui Tianqi’s voice called out behind him: “Don’t wander around these days—the county is on high alert for demonic traces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin turned to thank him again and left, exhaling a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the demonic traces in the county weren’t because of his ritual to ward off stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the dormitory, the other boys were still in evening study; the room was empty and eerily quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calming his emotions, Xu Jin decided to use this time to study the Candou Platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can bowing once daily really grant a thread of starlight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do you bow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dormitory, Xu Jin followed the ritual steps he’d used for his previous warding ritual, faced the direction of the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper, silently recited the incantation, and bowed once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then went to the open space behind the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed several more times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does this so-called daily bow require setting up a full altar and performing the full warding ritual every time to gain a thread of starlight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be deadly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trouble isn’t the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem is that incense, candles, jade tablets, and oil lamps aren’t cheap—Xu Jin had no money left to buy another set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Save up? How long would that take?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he only managed to gather enough silver thanks to his father, Xu Dajiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frowning, Xu Jin closed his eyes again, and the Candou Platform reappeared in his mind—a bright, shining star lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that I must bow here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how do you bow to the stars here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this thought arose, a faint, indistinct figure appeared seated in the center of the Candou Platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps the figure had always been there, and Xu Jin simply hadn’t noticed before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this… me?” Xu Jin suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Xu Jin focused his mind, and the seated, indistinct figure rose, holding a jade tablet, standing on the altar, and bowed toward heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a beam of light appeared above the Candou Platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thread of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bow once daily, gain one thread of starlight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin began to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what can this starlight be used for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For cultivation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the first thing Xu Jin thought of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared not experiment now—he didn’t know what might happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, they were still hunting demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evening study at the Dao Academy lasted from 7:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.—over three hours. After finding no answers, Xu Jin silently tore up the letter he’d written for Xu Dajiang and lay down on his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attempt to return home had failed; he needed to seriously consider his future in this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, how he should walk the path of this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within less than half an hour, his thoughts became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he must find a way to cure his congenital heart condition and survive—he must live well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To survive, the method is simple: continue cultivating, and do everything possible to succeed in Star Pointing, to see if cultivation can completely cure this body’s congenital ailment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he truly cannot succeed in Star Pointing, Xu Jin would have to rely on his meager medical knowledge from his past life to prolong his life—and that would be terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, he must earn more silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether in his past or present life, gratitude and repayment are essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must earn silver to repay Xu Dajiang, who treated him kindly in this life, and to care for his gentle, caring sister, Xu Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, the moment Xu Jiang combed his hair was the most cherished moment of Xu Jin’s life now—and the most peaceful moment of his past and present lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Improving his living conditions in this life was merely a side benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, without exposing himself, he must uncover the true function of the Candou Platform—it might be the key to his survival in this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clamor of voices pulled Xu Jin from his thoughts; he was just about to pretend to sleep when the boy beside him, Qian Xiaohu, shoved him: “Brother Jin, Uncle Ning’s calling you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin, pretending to sleep, sat up and slapped Qian Xiaohu on the back of the head: “Where did your memory go? Don’t call him that—it’s Master Ning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Master Ning was extremely strict and often punished with his iron cane, many boys privately called him “Cripple Ning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Xiaohu quickly smiled apologetically: “But we’re alone now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even alone, you can’t!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, do you know why Master Ning wants to see me?” Xu Jin quickly put on his shoes and got up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Xiaohu, sixteen years old, had a good heart but was young and clueless about many things; Xu Jin had been fed medicine by him during his previous episodes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Xiaohu shook his head: “Master Ning said that as long as you can get up, you’re to go find her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This puzzled Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had taken sick leave during evening study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would Master Ning want to see him so late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To scold him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puzzled, Xu Jin quickly left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2416,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","934c32f3fc8aea03dc7b7034d88a3c5754af47a2e1d1c2e92c6ec626395ae4be","the-star-martial-era-chapter-4","the-star-martial-era-chapter-2",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]