[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-81":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},2274939,4448,"Chapter 81","the-star-martial-era-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>\"Huh, you can now instantly summon a Starlight Veil? Not bad progress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xu Jin was delighted, the green-clad man’s voice sounded again, and his figure appeared before Xu Jin like shattered light and shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all this time, I thought you’d been crushed to death—I was even ready to burn you some paper money,\" Xu Jin said, his smile fading as he snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re that eager for me to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-clad man frowned. \"Many want to kill me. Many can kill me. But none who both want to and can—there’s none in Yanzhou. Are you missing me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin snorted twice, then asked outright, \"Did you disappear this long because of the Great Sweep Against Evil Cultists?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, he dared not ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he understood this green-clad man a little—he wouldn’t turn hostile just for asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-clad man fell silent, then finally said, \"Do you think I’m an evil cultist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does it matter to you whether I’m an evil cultist?\" the green-clad man asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was Xu Jin’s turn to fall silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question was hard to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does it matter whether someone is an evil cultist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin wasn’t rigid, but he still held clear moral positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, he despised the Blood God Cult’s demons; for example, during his mission in Heshui County, those bandits who slaughtered civilians—especially Zhao Zhen, who harvested children for ritual mutilation—he hated with extreme venom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he only regretted not killing them more swiftly—if he got another chance, he’d peel their skin and tear their tendons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the green-clad man was like that, then it mattered greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Xu Jin gave his answer: \"If you truly are an evil cultist, then I’ll have to see whether you’re the kind of evil I believe you to be!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The kind of evil you believe?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-clad man suddenly laughed. \"I thought you’d leap up right now, brandish your righteous sword, and slay me, this Shadow Demon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shadow Demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Qi Shanye. The Tianyang Star Hall has issued a warrant for me as the Shadow Demon. The evil cultist they swept for in Jinshan City was me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s expression hardened instantly; he sat up straight, staring at Qi Shanye’s green-clad back, his gaze complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But twenty years ago, the martial world called me the Shadowless Marvelous Hero. Over time, it became Shadow Hero. Later, I became the Shadow Demon. In recent years, I became the evil cultist the Tianyang Branch Hall is sweeping for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re looking for the evil cultist they swept for a few days ago, I’m him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if you mean an evil cultist in the literal sense, then I’m not!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye spoke slowly, yet sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were anyone else, he’d never explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From hero to demon—it’s just the ebb and flow of this mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those obsessed with such labels are mostly ordinary mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only this boy is special—he caught my eye. Otherwise...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Xu Jin grinned broadly. \"If what you say is true, then you’re not the kind of evil I believe in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh, you’ve got guts—daring to clear my name!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye’s expression relaxed instantly—he was terrified too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid this boy’s values clashed with his own, rendering all his efforts wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know if he’d find another suitable successor in the time left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know the outcome of the recent sweep against the evil cultist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought we caught the evil cultist, but the real mastermind behind it turned out to be Zhou Qingzhu, the head of the Tianyang Branch Hall. They say he was the loudest calling for the sweep,\" Xu Jin said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This news was gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a massive stir at the Tianyang Branch Hall couldn’t be hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the authorities said nothing, the rumor had spread like wildfire—especially within the Dao Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not arresting me? Not reporting me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only kill true evil cultists!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye laughed. \"You kid!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, can you show your real face? Otherwise, if you die someday, I won’t even be able to bury you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re that eager for me to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye spun like a whirlwind, flicked his wrist, and gave Xu Jin a sharp knuckle rap on the head—revealing his true face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slightly long square face, thick dark eyebrows like rods, a bristling beard that spoke of deep weariness. His once piercing gaze now softened as he looked at Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you’re not afraid, I’ll tell you where I come from—and where the things I taught you originate—so you don’t accidentally bring down a death sentence on yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye spoke for nearly half an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told of the Lingji Star Palace’s history, why he was branded an evil cultist, and the origins of the Chengpo Star Pattern he taught Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the three surviving Star Halls today—including the sealed Lingji Star Hall—each has at least one secret star pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only the Lingji Star Hall’s secret pattern concerns the divine soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weak have no diplomacy, no right to define.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, those who practice the Lingji Star Hall’s legacy have been branded evil cultists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So if you practice the Lingji Star Hall’s legacy, you’re an evil cultist and will be hunted?\" Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could that be!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye sneered. \"The Three Star Halls and the high officials of every nation all practice Lingji Star Hall’s techniques. As long as you have status, you can use them freely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if you lack status and use them, it’s a capital crime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was power—the same as in his past life. He understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry—you’re the seed I chose. I won’t harm you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have two choices. One: learn only the Lingji Star Hall’s star patterns. The patterns are for internal use; the star arts for external. As long as you don’t show them, no one will know what star patterns you practice. Later, if you find a suitable opportunity, find a successor to pass it on—I no longer have time.\" Qi Shanye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? You don’t have time? What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t interrupt. You’ll find out later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The second choice: I teach you the complete Lingji Star Hall legacy. But when using star arts, avoid being seen. If seen, you must kill the witness—or with your current status, you’ll bring down a death sentence on yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Qi Shanye looked down and fixed his gaze on Xu Jin. \"Which one do you choose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin met Qi Shanye’s gaze, his mind racing—how should he choose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learn only the star patterns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be safest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learn the star arts, and you’ll likely want to use them—exposure becomes possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I choose, I have a question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the Lingji Star Hall weak? Twenty years ago, it was one of the Four Great Star Halls—how could it have been sealed and destroyed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s question struck a nerve. \"Weak? Our Lingji Star Hall was never weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty years ago, I was the head of the Lingji Star Hall’s Yanzhou Branch. I could easily defeat any other branch head alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Over twenty years, the Tianyang Star Hall’s main hall sent assassination squads after me—I killed three. The Cangming Branch sent squads after me—I killed four.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, the whole world issued warrants—even deployed the Hall’s sacred star artifacts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet I still moved freely through this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In recent years, Hu Xuechuan, head of the Tianyang Branch Hall, gathered over ten men with star artifacts, set up a net of traps, and hunted me relentlessly—still couldn’t touch me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You say we’re weak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sounds like you’re not weak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In fact, you’re strong!\" Xu Jin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. So I still can’t understand how our Lingji Star Hall was sealed and destroyed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty years ago, the Lingji Star Hall’s strength was the greatest among the Four Halls!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But when I heard the news, the Hall was already sealed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I must find a reason, it’s because our Lingji Star Hall had too few disciples capable of receiving the core legacy—too hard to find.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Qi Shanye glanced at Xu Jin. \"Any other questions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want me to be your successor?\" Xu Jin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In a way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it’s up to you. The Lingji Star Hall’s legacy is too heavy—I fear you can’t bear it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow your heart. If you ever get the chance, find me another successor—that’s my only request!\" Qi Shanye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. I choose the second path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sheep is herded; ten sheep are herded too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learn it first—then decide whether to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learn it first; if you don't use it, then don't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If pushed to the brink, what does it matter if I use it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least I still have something usable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is Xu Jin’s choice and consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, I sense your spirit force has improved dramatically—your Chengpo Star Pattern should be fully solidified by now, correct?” Qi Shanye suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it was only solidified yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re diligent, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye nodded. “Then I’ll transmit to you two of the two great secret star patterns of the Lingji Star Hall: Mingji.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mingji?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What power does it have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its applications are boundless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It can illuminate heaven and earth, discern the four directions, and record all comings and goings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin still didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you understood it completely, you’d already be a Star Lord of the Lingji Star Hall. Just practice it—you’ll see its boundless applications. After initial engraving succeeds, it will make you more sensitive to changes in star force. Legend says that when perfected, it grants the power to pierce heaven and earth, traverse yin and yang, and shuttle between countless worlds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you really going to blow that hard? Did you even master it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Shanye paused. “I didn’t master it, but my master told me this, and it’s been passed down generation after generation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t there any star arts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ordinary star arts you can learn anywhere. But the unique star arts of the Lingji Star Hall are all built upon these two secret star patterns,” said Qi Shanye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open your lower star palace completely to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Qi Shanye finished speaking, Xu Jin hurriedly asked, “I want to know—since you’ve already taken two of my three star palaces (upper, middle, lower), will this affect my ability to learn other star patterns in the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will I even have space left to engrave them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could that be? Once you forge and refine your star palaces, you’ll only ever lack star patterns, never have too many.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, advanced and high-tier star arts are all formed through combinations and variations of star patterns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With these two patterns, many of your star arts will gain tremendous power!” said Qi Shanye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long will it take to master this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This one’s quick—no more than a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Qi Shanye’s palm covered Xu Jin’s lower abdomen. Though it felt strange, Xu Jin endured it for the sake of learning the star pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow my star force as I engrave it—keep your star force steady and centered, but don’t interrupt it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1877,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a5de6fd07da805203a6439d90463a8241df5fb7da8bec270e9648f2a870d2dfc","the-star-martial-era-chapter-82","the-star-martial-era-chapter-80",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]