[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-46":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},2274904,4448,"Chapter 46: Changes After Upgrading","the-star-martial-era-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>【Second-Grade Combat Altar】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Altar Master: Xu Jin】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gained Star’s Favor: One bow daily grants two strands of starlight】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Lamp One: Solidify the basic star technique Star Mang ; replaceable after one day】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Lamp Two: Can be solidified】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Items for Cultivation: Bu-Xing Pill, Ti-Shen Pill, Dawn Seal, Conceal Seal, Spinning Blade Seal】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Star Techniques: Basic Star Shield, Basic Star Mang , Basic Star Ring, Basic Star Arrow, Basic Star Light Veil】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Can be upgraded】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first surprise after the Combat Altar reached second grade appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seals received could now be cultivated as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect of cultivating seals was almost certainly to enhance their respective power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, only one item could be cultivated under each star lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the two star lamps on the Combat Altar, Xu Jin felt they were far too few—he longed to upgrade to third or even fourth grade immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the seal cultivation function appeared, Xu Jin already envisioned numerous cunning tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Xu Jin placed a Dawn Seal and a Spinning Blade Seal beneath each star lamp; instantly, faint, shimmering starlight enveloped them, flowing like radiant hues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Jin had expected, after the Combat Altar reached second grade, a second star lamp had indeed appeared, increasing daily starlight from one strand to two—a slight disappointment to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though doubled, the improvement felt minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously equivalent to two Bu-Xing Pills, it was now equivalent to four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tiny bit disappointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The replacement time for solidified star patterns was reduced by one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be a total reduction of one day after upgrading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, star patterns could be replaced every eight days; now, every seven days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, Xu Jin solidified Basic Star Arrow onto Star Lamp Two; instantly, intricate star patterns appeared on the second lamp, entirely different from those on the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These star patterns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had some ideas, but they were vague—he could only leave them for future study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally planned to cultivate pills, hoping to produce at least one faint-halo Bu-Xing Pill and one Ti-Shen Pill; now that seals could be cultivated, he must prioritize superior seal cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offensive seals—even a ten to twenty percent power increase—could be life-or-death in critical moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vital survival tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seals must come first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If future star lamps have spare cultivation slots, Ti-Shen Pills must be prioritized next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if pill effects double, Ti-Shen Pills yield greater theoretical benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, one Ti-Shen Pill allows Xu Jin to draw two additional rounds of starlight; if doubled, he could draw four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far superior to Bu-Xing Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if time permits later, he must test the effects of cultivating the same item for two, three, or even five days—or determine the upper limit of cultivation enhancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Xu Jin turned his thoughts to the Jade Tablet’s upgrade potential; instantly, a string of information appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin wanted to see what was needed to upgrade to third-grade Combat Altar—given the seal cultivation function, he must find a way to upgrade to third grade as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Upgrade Required: One hundred strands of starlight, nine Grade-Personal Star Jade Tablets, one thousand jin of refined iron, one hundred jin of purple copper, ten jin of silver, ten liang of gold, one liang of starfall iron.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon closer inspection, Xu Jin sucked in a sharp breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The requirements to upgrade from second to third grade were more than ten times those needed to upgrade from first to second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had learned from Ning Yuchan about Star Seals that Star Jade Tablets were essential—they were naturally star-charged jade capable of storing star energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t asked the price, but it was certainly expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin had also heard of starfall iron—a necessary material for crafting star weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by embedding a certain quantity of starfall iron could a regular weapon transmit star energy and become a star weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know the price of starfall iron, but it was said a basic star weapon cost at least a thousand taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He estimated upgrading from second to third grade would consume roughly two to three thousand taels of silver—not impossible, but substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another glance at the Combat Altar, Xu Jin decided that once midnight passed, he would replace the solidified star technique on Star Lamp One with Basic Star Ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique was extremely useful against enemies attempting close-range ambushes or surprise attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During close combat, its instant activation could produce unexpected effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Jin, in his current state, were to attack the Cloud-Roasting Fifth Layer bandit he faced in his first battle today, he estimated he could kill him with one surprise strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before exiting the Combat Altar, Xu Jin thoughtfully bowed once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt he had received only one strand of starlight today, but now that the Altar had upgraded, bowing again should at least grant another strand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One strand of starlight equaled the effect of two Bu-Xing Pills—worth forty taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mustn’t waste it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, as the miniature figure on the Combat Altar bowed, two strands of starlight appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unexpected boon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opportunity to gain starlight through bowing must have refreshed after the Altar’s upgrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was one way to understand it—but these starlight strands made Xu Jin pause and examine them more closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he looked, the starlight gained from bowing at the second-grade Combat Altar seemed thicker than that from the first-grade Altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, Xu Jin decided to test it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midnight had passed; he could still gain two more strands—starlight reserves were ample.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Testing with one strand wouldn’t be wasteful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose and performed the Five Stars Killing Fist twice, exhausting all star energy in his body; then, with a thought, he drew one strand of starlight from the Combat Altar into his star pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprise arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest star pattern swelled with fullness—his star energy was saturated—but half the strand from the Combat Altar remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, one strand had just filled Xu Jin’s star energy at Cloud-Roasting Third Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, half a strand sufficed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that after upgrading to second grade, the starlight gained from bowing not only increased in quantity but also doubled in star energy content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actual enhancement was fourfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This change delighted Xu Jin immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, two enhanced strands of starlight daily after upgrading to second grade equaled eight Bu-Xing Pills—worth one hundred sixty taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just from this, Xu Jin felt he could amass considerable wealth in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could save pills just by this alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doubled star energy per strand instantly made his star energy far more abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With nothing else to do, Xu Jin began practicing the Five Stars Killing Fist on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He performed it thirty-two times in succession, completely consuming both strands of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The starlight refining his body had surged over an inch below his thighs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time had passed unnoticed—midnight had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, Xu Jin bowed again; two thick strands of second-grade starlight appeared on the Combat Altar, and he replaced the solidified star technique on Star Lamp One with Basic Star Ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After meditating on the Star Palace’s Cheng-Po star pattern for fifteen minutes, Xu Jin fell into deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, in the side room converted into a temporary interrogation chamber, wails echoed like ghosts and wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three corpses were dragged out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had died under torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night patrol disciples stared at the unrecognizable bodies, chilled—but not one felt sympathy for the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the atrocities these bandits had committed, ten thousand cuts would not suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interrogations lasted until the sun was high; Xu Jin finally met Niu Gui, his eyes bloodshot from sleeplessness, and Hong Li and Liu San, barely alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only these two survived the night’s torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stack of confessions, signed with blood fingerprints, four copies in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Gui handed Xu Jin three copies: “Take one. Carry the other two with trustworthy people, in case of trouble. I’ll rest for an hour, then depart. Handle everything else before I wake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Niu Gui walked into a room and collapsed into sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin paid off the four clerks and two jailers with silver, then gave them instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, a minor official from the Relief House arrived in a cart with an elderly physician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Relief House official seemed accustomed to such scenes—his expression blank; the physician glanced once, then burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a tragedy,” the physician trembled as he treated the children’s wounds—later, bone-setters would be needed; many limbs required breaking and resetting to have any hope of recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how much recovery would occur? Unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin said nothing—he handed the physician a hundred taels of silver: “Cover these children’s current medical costs. If more is needed, return to the Relief House—I’ll leave silver for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Relief House official, seeing the two hundred taels Xu Jin offered, instantly brightened—reaching to take the silver, but finding it unmoved—he looked at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Xu Jin, Squad Leader of the Jinshan City Star Patrol. May I ask your name?” Xu Jin stated his identity directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official paused, then understood Xu Jin’s intent: “I am Su Mingbai, overseer of the Relief House.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These children, still minors, have suffered such a tragedy; they require extra meals and medical care. I donate these two hundred taels of silver to the Relief Institute, and I beg Master Su to give them your utmost attention.” Xu Jin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Mingbai took the silver and hurriedly replied, “Of course, of course. The Relief Institute can only provide these children with a single meal a day, but with your two hundred taels, these eight children will surely recover quickly and never lack clothing or medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Then I, Xu Mou, will pay you a special visit in half a year to express my gratitude.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Mingbai paused slightly, then immediately bowed his hands. “Then I shall wait at the gate, looking forward to your arrival in half a year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Relief Institute’s cart carry away the eight children who had been mutilated, Xu Jin exhaled a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his intervention and this silver, Su Mingbai would dare not neglect these children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he would have to come back in half a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after the handover was complete, Niu Gui, who had slept for an hour, woke up on schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s expression turned solemn—time to return!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1749,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a782ae1a4ff000006b1c9a330108a932eacbcde98cdd08a08e6d76f16aa34b35","the-star-martial-era-chapter-47","the-star-martial-era-chapter-45",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]