[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-34":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},2274892,4448,"Chapter 34: Enlisted","the-star-martial-era-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>In the training hall, all newly admitted disciples of the Dao Academy had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had also arrived; he glanced around, slightly puzzled—back in Point Star Academy, senior disciples from previous cohorts were common, but lately not a single one could be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A iron staff struck the ground; Ning Yuchan floated down gracefully, her robes fluttering, her veil suddenly lifted by the wind, revealing an unexpected allure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the disciples awaited eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ning Yuchan said nothing; she merely waited to one side, deepening Xu Jin’s confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Dao Academy, there were few people worthy of waiting for the Chief Instructor Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this not about cultivation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a streak of blood-red light streaked across the sky and descended like a bolt of crimson lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it landed, the students all tensed—Duzhu Tian Zhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood Butcher Tian Zhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recent demonic disturbances in the county seat threaten your safety. From today, the Dao Academy is sealed—no outsiders may enter, and no one may leave without orders. Violators will be executed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word “executed” sent a chill through every disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Due to demonic disturbances, to enhance your ability to protect yourselves, immediate combat training will commence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ning Yuchan, Luo Kexing—you two will lead my six personal guards to conduct the training, distribute weapons and armor, and any injuries will be treated by the Elixir Chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment, you are all enrolled in the Reserve Unit of the Chen Guo Jin Shan Dao Academy's Star Patrol Corps, under military discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those unwilling may leave the academy immediately—step forward now!” Tian Zhang glared at the newly admitted disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples were all intimidated by Tian Zhang’s aura; none dared speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none of them were fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they harbored reluctance, they dared only think it privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dared not show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ranks, Luo Geng glanced at his uncle Luo Kexing beside the podium, seeking some sign in his uncle’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Luo Kexing stared straight ahead, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What expression could a flag master recovering at home possibly have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scanning the entire assembly with a killing gaze for three seconds, Tian Zhang said, “Since no one objects, proceed immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhang waved his hand; with a rustling sound, laborers brought in piles of equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Xu Jin and the others received their gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A set of standard Star Patrol leather armor with neck protection—though called leather, it was lined with scale plates at vital areas, weighing roughly thirty catties total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before breaking through to Meal Mist First Stage, wearing this would have made Xu Jin’s movements difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with Meal Mist Second Stage cultivation, it felt effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt he could handle even heavier armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons differed: those below Meal Mist Second Stage received one standard longsword and one wooden training sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those above Meal Mist Second Stage could choose their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Instructor Ning, I’ve just broken through to Meal Mist Second Stage—what weapon should I choose?” Xu Jin asked while collecting his gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan, as Chief Instructor, must have real combat experience—her advice would be correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having broken through to Meal Mist Second Stage, Xu Jin felt his refined right arm was deadlier than any sword—he didn’t know what to pick, so he asked Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see you’ve been training hard these past days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan showed no surprise at Xu Jin’s breakthrough to Meal Mist Second Stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven days from Point Star to Meal Mist First Stage, then five more to Second Stage—no surprise at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real time-consuming stages in Meal Mist are Fourth and Fifth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Fourth and Fifth, refining the legs takes more than three times longer than refining the arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the battlefield, survival comes first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you stand out, you’ll draw enemy attention—and become their priority target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My advice: stick with the longsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword techniques are fastest to master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You still have a few days—finish refining your left arm as quickly as possible.” Ning Yuchan murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan’s voice was ordinary, yet it made Xu Jin suddenly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught several key phrases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survival comes first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still have a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Ning Yuchan wasn’t among the academy’s top power brokers, she was among the closest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she saying these newly admitted disciples would be sent to the battlefield in just a few days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they sending these raw, bloodless new disciples to the battlefield?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin tried to extract more information from Ning Yuchan, but after speaking, she fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin knew he had only one choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Train harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed confirmed his suspicions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhang’s six personal guards taught a sword form derived from the Five Stars Killing Fist, called the Five Directions Killing Sword—every technique evolved from the Five Stars Killing Fist. The disciples picked it up quickly, but mastering its battlefield application was hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting and killing are not the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing techniques cannot be practiced alone—they must be trained with partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The afternoon’s progress moved fast: first, striking vital points on straw dummies for one hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After one hour, they moved to paired combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s sparring partner was Song Ye from the Middle Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both wore full armor and wielded ironwood swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was merely light contact—but the six patrol guards began shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you all starving? My hand’s stronger than yours gripping that sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hit them with full force first—then find openings!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The man across from you killed your father, raped your wife, and dug up your ancestors’ graves—use every trick you have,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>kill him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill him with the sword in your hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stab him in the balls if you have to!” The guards’ crude language carried an uncanny power, driving many youths into frenzied roars as they charged their opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Ning Yuchan, Luo Kexing, and the newly arrived instructors Gan and Zheng from the Forging Hall utterly overwhelmed, unable to afford a single moment’s distraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These battle-hardened veterans taught anything, and these bloodless recruits listened to anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even aimed for the eyes and lower body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had their hands full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under military discipline, serious injuries—like eye damage—could not be healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tian Zhang stood holding a handful of rice grains, scanning the field, correcting flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training was training—but maiming them was not his goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ye, Xu Jin’s opponent, roared and charged forward, swinging his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin calmly retreated, turned, and slashed back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wooden sword struck Song Ye’s occiput, sending him crashing down with a cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the helmet saved him—if not, his head would’ve split open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ye, disgruntled, rose. “Again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He charged again; Xu Jin suddenly dropped low and swung his wooden sword into Song Ye’s left thigh, knocking him down once more. Before Song Ye could rise, Xu Jin’s blade rested against his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, Song Ye was felled by Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards’ eyes increasingly fixed on Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had begun to understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he wasn’t technically superior in swordsmanship to Song Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was—he’d killed before, seen blood, and grown far calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strikes were never frantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He responded with composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being knocked down seven times in a row, Song Ye rose, dejected and sullen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t sparring—it was torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re no match for him. Go find someone else. I’ll take over.” Tian Zhang’s personal guard Niu Gui shoved Song Ye aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Gui, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, stared fixedly at Xu Jin and suddenly asked, “You’ve seen blood before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin hesitated how to answer, Niu Gui surged forward like lightning and stabbed him straight in the chest; the immense force sent him flying even through his leather armor, crashing to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Distracted in battle? You die. Again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, gripped his blade with both hands, and fixed his gaze fiercely on Niu Gui across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A longsword slashed down; Xu Jin parried—but it was a feint. He overextended, stumbled, and was immediately cut down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold back three-tenths of your strength when you strike. If you don’t hold back, who dies but you? Again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xu Jin held back—but Niu Gui’s full-force slash still knocked him flat on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you strike, there’s no turning back. Hesitate, and you die. Again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holding back means holding back your body’s strength, not the blade’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin paused, this time not striking immediately, but thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Xu Jin struck again—and was still knocked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a dozen times, Xu Jin was knocked down over a dozen times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different reasons each time, but all boiled down to one thing: overwhelming power, speed, and precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got star force but won’t use it? Are you stupid?” Niu Gui cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though your standard longsword can’t channel star force, mobilizing it can double or triple your waist and arm strength. Try infusing your strikes with star force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next strike, Xu Jin slashed through the air with a piercing, razor-sharp whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Gui glanced at him. “Practice alone for now. I’ll come back later to spar with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training lasted only an hour before many disciples groaned and collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what met them were the sword scabbards of six personal guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blunt, mindless swings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beating them up like rabbits until they scrambled back to their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours later, many could no longer muster the strength to rise even when struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with star force, armored training all afternoon had pushed him to his limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Training’s over. Everyone, come collect your elixirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Xu Jin’s surprise, each man received not just one Blood-Replenishing Pill—but also a Mind-Clarifying Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That amounted to handing out eight taels of silver per person; over seventy men—it was a serious investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin swallowed the pill whole; it dissolved into warmth spreading through him, restoring a measure of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Jin, what’s the Dao Academy up to? I heard they’ve never done this before?” Qian Xiaohu sidled up during dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin shook his head. “But don’t skip your evening lessons. Take the Mind-Clarifying Pill. If you have spare silver, buy more. These days, you must push your strength hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Jin—is something big about to happen?” Qian Xiaohu whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Train hard. No matter what happens, more strength means more chances to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Qian Xiaohu nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Xu Jin wanted to know too—what exactly was Tian Zhang training them for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1764,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7e28fb62537542a66ed733a3a6bd77894a712d18e03932df2546ae6f068f10d1","the-star-martial-era-chapter-35","the-star-martial-era-chapter-33",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]