[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-41":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},2274899,4448,"Chapter 41: Mad Rakshasa","the-star-martial-era-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>At noon on June 26, the Tianyang Branch Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a crimson light shot up from within the academy, leaping across several distances before crossing the entire Tianyang Branch Academy and arriving at the headmaster’s residence at its deepest point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, I have urgent business to report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few breaths later, the gate of Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu’s residence opened without wind, “Zhong Da, enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Da was a Squad Leader of the Tianyang Branch Academy’s Star Patrol, and the only remaining Squad Leader of the Tianyang Branch Academy’s Star Patrol still stationed in Jinshan County City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, emergency. One and a half hours ago, six squads clad in the standard armor of the Jinshan Dao Academy’s Star Patrol suddenly emerged from within the academy, heading toward the four gates, each squad consisting of thirteen men, all mounted on horses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My operatives tracked them for most of that time and have largely confirmed their direction—these six squads are likely heading to the six counties under Jinshan County’s jurisdiction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, several of these squads contained familiar faces—all were Tian Zhang’s personal guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Other operatives, through extensive reconnaissance, have largely confirmed that these are the newly promoted disciples from this spring’s Star Pointing Season at the Jinshan Dao Academy.” Zhong Da delivered the intelligence with utmost brevity—this was precisely his strength, and the reason he remained in the county city at this critical moment: expertise in intelligence affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qingzhu’s gaze sharpened instantly; he paced back and forth, his expression growing ever more grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At a time like this, what is Dong Zhao sending these newly promoted disciples out to do? Even if they’re accompanied by one of Tian Zhang’s personal guards, what can they possibly accomplish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They certainly aren’t participating in the hunt for demonic cultists—the Jinshan Dao Academy has always been lethargic in such matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the abilities of these newly promoted disciples from the Jinshan Dao Academy, they couldn’t possibly be involved in hunting demonic cultists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet Tian Zhang has granted them the identity of Star Patrol members—so they’re almost certainly heading toward the recent disturbances in each county.” Zhong Da, skilled in intelligence, quickly deduced the situation with near certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Local disturbances!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qingzhu, Headmaster of the Tianyang Branch Academy, wore a grave expression and immediately considered numerous possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many forces can we still mobilize within the academy?” Zhou Qingzhu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most have already been dispatched; only a few instructors and newly promoted disciples remain,” Zhong Da replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, gather all available personnel and keep them on standby. Continue reconnaissance, and send messengers to each county to see if we can urgently requisition a small number of elite forces from those hunting demonic cultists in the wilds,” Zhou Qingzhu ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhong Da departed on his mission, a Star Pigeon flew out from the back courtyard of Zhou Qingzhu, vanishing like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Pigeons are homing pigeons cultivated and tamed by disciples specializing in beast taming, using Star Qi to enhance their speed, altitude, and sentience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this Star Pigeon landed within the Heaven’s River Gang’s branch hall just minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than thirty seconds passed before the Heaven’s River Gang’s leader, Zhou Ji, leaped swiftly toward the Tianyang Branch Academy, his speed so great he seemed to transform into a blue streak of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Zhou Ji arrived before the residence of Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch Academy. Upon arrival, he heard Zhou Qingzhu’s voice carry to him and entered directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any movement yet?” Zhou Qingzhu asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ji’s expression was tense, equally anxious. “Headmaster, as you ordered, we’ve assigned one man daily to act under the guise of a demonic cultist, committing heinous acts and then loudly publicizing them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But strangely, aside from the night of June 19, when he killed the one-eyed wolf Qian Qi and the third young master of the Zhao household, this individual has not struck again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suspect he has already left Jinshan County City?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though this individual possesses extraordinary skill in concealing his aura, Master Hu of the Branch Hall has used a Star Artifact to lock onto his approximate location—should he leave the Jinshan County boundaries, Master Hu would detect it immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few breaths of silence, Zhou Qingzhu added, “Continue instructing your subordinates to spread the rumor—explicitly name the Shadow Demon Qi Shanye as the perpetrator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shadow Demon Qi Shanye? Understood,” Zhou Ji said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, assemble a group of capable personnel as quickly as possible, ready for immediate deployment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qingzhu’s order made Zhou Ji’s expression uneasy. “Headmaster, aside from myself, nearly all our capable personnel have already been dispatched.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the Jinshan County City home to only your gang? There are also the remaining experts from the Cangming Branch Academy and those fierce rogue cultivators—find them immediately. Whatever they demand, give it to them—as long as they’re willing to act!” Zhou Qingzhu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever they demand, give it to them?” Zhou Ji weighed the words carefully before nodding. “I’ll see to it immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen minutes after Zhou Ji departed, Zhong Da returned once more. After Zhong Da left, Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch Academy issued one order after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Deputy Headmaster Liu Yelan of the Tianyang Branch Academy departed with two instructors, exiting the western gate of Jinshan County City, heading toward Heshui County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as they passed through the city gate, Cao Chun, the Supervising Official of the Jinshan Dao Academy, leapt down from the city wall and blocked their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Headmaster Liu, please return,” Cao Chun said succinctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?” Liu Yelan, a middle-aged woman with her hair coiled up, was instantly enraged. In her hand, her longsword trembled with Star Qi—a Star Weapon—pointed directly at Cao Chun as she shouted, “Cao Chun, where I go is none of your business!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Chun said nothing, standing with his hands behind his back, a disciplinary ruler in his palm glowing with Star Qi—his meaning clear: no words, challenge me if you dare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yelan glanced toward the Tianyang Branch Academy, then recalled the direct order given by Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu before leaving. She gritted her teeth and prepared to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Headmaster would handle the aftermath—as long as she didn’t kill Cao Chun, there would be no serious consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of an iron crutch striking the ground echoed as Ning Yuchan drifted down from the city wall, her crutch glowing with Star Qi, her aura locking onto another instructor of the Tianyang Branch Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, Luo Kexing, the Squad Leader recovering from injuries, emerged from the trees beside the city, spear in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you’re determined to prevent me from leaving the city—then we must settle this by force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Headmaster Liu Yelan of the Tianyang Branch Academy raised her sword, unleashing a blade of light stretching dozens of meters, slashing toward Cao Chun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the two Tianyang Branch Academy instructors clashed with Ning Yuchan and her allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than two minutes passed before the fight erupted into genuine fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan’s single palm moved like a coiling dragon; streams of Star Qi blades spun and sliced forward. The faster she spun, the sharper the Star Qi blades became—within a single breath, a terrifying wheel of Star Qi blades formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constantly spinning, constantly strengthening, the instructor from the Tianyang Branch Academy facing her stared in terror, barely managing to block for two breaths before his longblade was severed from his grip; half a breath later, his heavy Star Qi shield was cleaved apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his protective Star Qi was about to be shattered, leaving him to be torn apart, Liu Yelan, who was battling Cao Chun, leapt high into the air, her sword tapping repeatedly—each tap sent a streak of swordlight that transformed into a Star Qi dot striking the edge of Ning Yuchan’s spinning blade wheel. Star Qi exploded in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Part of Ning Yuchan’s blade wheel shattered, but Ning Yuchan grew even more frenzied. She swung her iron crutch sideways, channeling Star Qi—suddenly, countless dense spinning blades erupted from the crutch, then, centered on the crutch, it spun violently upward off the ground toward Liu Yelan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Liu Yelan’s cultivation base surpassed Ning Yuchan’s, she was driven into desperate disarray. For an instant, the spinning blades on Ning Yuchan’s crutch surged again, directly twisting Liu Yelan’s sword from her grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spinning blade wheel struck her body—Liu Yelan cried out, smashing a yellowish Star Seal, instantly forming a massive, heavy hammer that slammed toward Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan was blasted backward, blood trickling from her lips, but as soon as she stood, she transformed again into a spinning wheel and charged forward. Worse still, this time, she condensed her blade wheel, leapt upward, and stood upon it, her long hair flowing, her skirt fluttering, her iron crutch glowing with Star Qi—suddenly transforming into a colossal Star Qi iron hammer, fixed upon Liu Yelan, brimming with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the impact of the spinning blade wheel, Ning Yuchan struck once—Liu Yelan spat blood and was flung backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Chun, who had ceased fighting, froze in shock—Yuchan’s combat power has surged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ning Yuchan ready to die for this, Liu Yelan panicked and shouted, “Yuchan, we’ve at least had a half-teacher-student bond—why must it come to this?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Yuchan acted as if she heard nothing, glancing at her crippled leg—her murderous intent intensified. A brilliant, luminous celestial phantom, inscribed with countless intricate Star Patterns, suddenly emerged from within Ning Yuchan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Cao Chun was truly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was invoking the Star Rite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuchan is truly going to kill herself for this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yelan panicked and shouted, “Cao Chun, I’m acting under orders today—but if I die here, think of the consequences!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchan, don’t be reckless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Chun had no choice but to speak out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, they could block the Tianyang Branch Academy’s people from leaving the city—but if they killed even one or two, the Tianyang Branch Hall or even the Star Hall would have grounds to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, pressure would come from the imperial court and the National Dao Academy—even the Headmaster couldn’t bear it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Ning Yuchan appeared mad, the moment Cao Chun spoke, she unleashed a furious barrage of spinning blades, raised her iron hammer, and struck three times in succession, sending Liu Yelan flying backward, spitting blood—then she stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she still hovered above the Star Qi blade wheel, her iron crutch transformed into a Star Qi hammer, pointing directly at Liu Yelan and her two companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yelan, spitting blood, wiped her lips, and sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The name ‘Mad Rakshasa’ is truly well-deserved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad those few in the Star Hall are blind and have lost their conscience!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Liu Yelan turned and left without a trace of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these injuries, she could now report to Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Kexing, who had just barely exhausted himself fighting the other Tianyang Branch Academy instructor, looked at Ning Yuchan standing atop the hammer and blade wheel, his heart chilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen Ning Yuchan many times before—always quiet, her long skirt flowing like water. He had assumed her title “Jade Rakshasa” came from her crippled leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, having witnessed the Mad Rakshasa, he finally understood why she was called the Jade Rakshasa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, the same situation unfolded at the eastern, southern, and northern gates of Jinshan County City—repeatedly, Tianyang Branch Academy cultivators, even those above the Star Refining Realm, attempted to leave, only to be blocked or dissuaded by the Jinshan Dao Academy’s forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Guanhe Terrace in Jinshan County City, Headmaster Dong Zhao held a disc-shaped Star Artifact. A faint beam of Star Qi shot from the artifact, stretching toward all four directions of Jinshan County City, monitoring the Star Qi aura around the city to assist in its lockdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact’s name—Star Lock Ring!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1994,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d18fee585f580118d272914630d5923cd254ad17394f487d69dcdbfcab8ea071","the-star-martial-era-chapter-42","the-star-martial-era-chapter-40",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]