[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive":3,"chapter-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-153":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Villain Is Too Self-Destructive",{"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},2282520,4465,"Chapter 153: Mysteries Beneath the Core, A Moment of Choice","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>The faint tremor coming from the tip of the \"Silent Shadow\" sword was like a candle flickering in the darkness, yet it clearly guided Zhao Yuan’s focus toward the deep, dark-red region beneath the giant cocoon. The resonance between the sword intent and the stone slab fragments reached its peak at this moment, as if something below were calling out, or rather... waiting for a power of the same origin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to hesitate. The squelching sounds from deep within the \"blood vessels\" behind him were drawing closer, and the concentration of demonic energy and blood-evil resentment in the air was rising sharply; clearly, a large number of monsters were closing in rapidly. Meanwhile, the blasphemous altar before him flickered with evil light, and although its resonance with the central \"Slumbering Star Core\" (the giant cocoon) was not yet complete, the pulsing rhythm revealed an increasingly obvious instability and aura of chaos, as if a sleeping behemoth had been disturbed by inferior noise and might wake up in a more violent manner at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xinghui, Fellow Daoist Hanying, Shi Meng, Tie Shan, the four of you, use the altar and the surrounding terrain to set up a defensive line and block or delay the incoming monsters as much as possible!\" Zhao Yuan forced himself to stand straight, his speech rapid, his voice somewhat hoarse from weakness, yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness. \"Shadow Seven, Shadow Eleven, come down with me. The blasphemous array of the altar and the abnormal resonance with the 'Star Core' are the keys; we must find the source or the core control point to have any chance of interrupting all this, otherwise we will all be exhausted to death here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the dark-red, twisted region beneath the giant cocoon: \"The 'Silent Shadow's' sensing points there. That place might be the core node of the entire ruin's energy network, or it might be the final target the Rebirth Sect is attempting to pollute and control. We will go down to investigate and find a way to break the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True Person Xinghui’s expression was grave: \"Little Friend Zhao Yuan, your injuries are not light, and the situation below is unknown; the danger may far exceed what is here...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is precisely because it is dangerous that we must go.\" Zhao Yuan interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over his companions. \"Staying here is just waiting for death. Going down might offer a glimmer of survival, or at least allow us to understand what this 'Covenant of the Slumbering Star' is hiding, and what the Rebirth Sect and the Demon Abyss are actually trying to do. This is the purpose of our trip.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanying was silent for a moment, then nodded and pressed a jade pendant engraved with ice-blue runes into Zhao Yuan’s hand: \"This is the 'Ice Heart Pendant'; it can protect your heart meridian and spiritual sense in extreme environments and resist some spiritual erosion. Be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Meng and Tie Shan cupped their fists heavily: \"Brother Zhao, go with peace of mind! Leave the scum above to us! As long as we have a single breath left, we will never let them interfere with you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Seven and Shadow Eleven appeared silently at Zhao Yuan’s side, already prepared for the infiltration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold on, wait for us to return.\" Zhao Yuan took one last look at his companions, took a deep breath, turned, and leaped without hesitation toward the dark-red region beneath the giant cocoon. Shadow Seven and Shadow Eleven followed closely behind, and the three figures were quickly swallowed by the dense, dark-red light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost the moment they disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by teeth-grinding tearing sounds and frantic roars, seven or eight mutated monsters of various shapes—all equally twisted and hideous, radiating fluctuations from the early to mid Nascent Soul realm—swarmed out from the ruptures in the \"blood vessels\" from different directions! Some resembled the \"pincer-claw monsters\" Zhao Yuan had just slain, others looked like a combination of multi-legged insects and rotting fish, and some even retained partial human forms, yet were covered in bone spurs and suckers. The only commonality was that they all exuded a chaotic aura mixed with demonic energy, blood-evil, and starlight, their eyes filled only with pure greed for the flesh and souls of the living!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Form the array! Kill!\" True Person Xinghui shouted, the array disk in his hand shining brilliantly as several condensed \"Star Radiance Chains\" were the first to entangle the monsters charging at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanying’s Ice Soul Heart-Protecting Mirror hung high, and a biting \"Mystic Ice Storm\" swept out from her center, attempting to freeze the monsters' movements. Shi Meng and Tie Shan roared as they met them, their giant axes and heavy hammers swinging like windmills, using pure strength and blood-energy to hard-clash against the monsters' pounces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle instantly entered a white-hot state!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them leaped into the dark-red region, as if passing through a layer of viscous and cold energy curtain. The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, leaving only the twisted, pulsing dark-red glow projected from the bottom of the central giant cocoon. Beneath their feet was not solid ground, but a \"lake\" that constantly churned, seemingly composed of liquid energy and materialized resentment; stepping on it felt like sinking into a quagmire, yet there was a strange lifting force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemed to be the place where energy gathered and settled directly beneath the giant cocoon. Looking up, the massive \"Slumbering Star Core\" pulsed slowly several dozen zhang above, like a deformed dark-red sun, emitting a suffocating pressure. Countless thick streams of dark-red energy were injected into the cocoon from the \"blood vessels\" above, while other, more condensed and deeper-colored energy streams dripped from the bottom of the cocoon, rooting into this \"energy lake\" like root systems, cycling back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the center of the \"energy lake,\" where Zhao Yuan’s \"Silent Shadow\" had the strongest response, stood a small \"island\" that was completely out of place with the surrounding environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not a naturally formed landmass, but a circular platform about three zhang in diameter, constructed from pure, silver-white star-radiance stone. The surface of the platform was smooth as a mirror, engraved with extremely complex, fine, and profound star runes that flowed with pure, slightly cold silver starlight, repelling the encroaching dark-red energy and forming a relatively \"clean\" area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the platform, an object floated quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a crystal fragment about the size of a palm, with an irregular shape. It was a deep, ghostly blue throughout, as if a miniature, eternally rotating starry sky were sealed within it, with countless tiny starlights flickering and flowing inside. The surface of the crystal was covered in fine cracks, yet this did not diminish the vast, ancient, and purely ultimate star-origin aura it emitted! Unlike the violent star power mixed with blood-evil and resentment in the giant cocoon above, the power of this fragment was more restrained and essential, like the heart of a star, or... the core \"True Essence\" left behind after a star’s extinction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is... a Star Core fragment? The true, unpolluted star origin!\" Shadow Seven whispered, shock flashing in his eyes. As a member of the Imperial Shadow Guard, he had seen countless rare treasures, but he had never heard of such pure, high-grade star-origin material!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Eleven had already quickly scanned the platform and the fragment: \"The platform is an extremely sophisticated purification and sealing array; it seems to be protecting this fragment, and also seems to be using the fragment's power to purify some of the polluted energy seeping down from the 'Star Core' above, maintaining a fragile balance in this area. But the power of the array is slowly decaying; the surrounding polluted energy is too strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan walked slowly onto the star-radiance stone platform. The moment he stepped onto the platform, a cool and pure star power surged into his body, slightly soothing his restless blood-energy and exhausted soul. The stone slab fragment in his bosom emitted a joyful, light chime, and the \"Silent Shadow\" in his hand resonated wonderfully with the ghostly blue starlight of the star core fragment, as if they were old friends reunited after a long separation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked to the fragment and observed it carefully. On the surface of the platform beneath the fragment, several lines of small text were engraved in the same ancient script as the \"Covenant of the Slumbering Star\" stele. Thanks to the information from the stone slab fragment and the vague sensing brought by the sword intent resonance, Zhao Yuan could barely interpret their meaning:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Year One of the Star Fall Era, Day of the Great Cataclysm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Three Enclosures Star Gods descended in wrath, the covenant backfired, the stars fell, and the vast seas overturned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our clan exhausted everything to cast the 'Slumbering Star Core,' gathering the thoughts of the myriad people and the remaining star power, wishing to keep the spark of civilization from extinguishing and to wait for an opportunity to reset the covenant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet the day the 'Core' was completed was the beginning of eternal imprisonment. Blood-resentment infected it, wisdom was clouded, the 'Core' gradually turned into a 'Cocoon,' becoming their food and anchor point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We leave this 'Star Essence' fragment, condensed from our clan’s final pure thoughts and hope. If a fated person from later generations arrives here, holding pure star power or perhaps a vessel that can 'sever illusions,' they may use this fragment to glimpse the truth of the 'Covenant' and find a way to break the 'Cocoon'... or, bury it completely, so that our clan may finally find rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—Last High Priest of the Star Fall Era, Chen Yao, final words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The text was filled with sorrow, despair, and a final, faint glimmer of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan felt a tremor in his heart. This brief information revealed part of the truth: the destruction of the \"Star Fall People\" stemmed from the backlash of a covenant with the so-called \"Three Enclosures Star Gods.\" They had forged the \"Slumbering Star Core\" (the giant cocoon above) intending to preserve the spark of civilization and wait for an opportunity, but instead, the final essence and resentment of their entire civilization were polluted and imprisoned, becoming food for that \"Star God\" to continuously absorb and an anchor point to locate this realm! The Rebirth Sect and the Demon Abyss were trying to perform an even more evil pollution and usurpation upon this already polluted and twisted \"Cocoon\"!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this \"Star Essence\" fragment was the final bit of unpolluted, pure star power and hope left by the Star Fall People; it was the key to understanding the truth and perhaps even breaking the \"Cocoon\"! It required pure star power or an implement capable of \"severing illusions\" to activate or use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silent Shadow\" possessed exactly the extinction characteristic of \"severing illusions\"! And its resonance with the star core fragment confirmed this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how to use it? Should he activate the fragment and attempt to purify or confront the \"Cocoon\" above? Or... follow the other choice left by that last High Priest—to \"bury it all completely\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhao Yuan was immersed in the impact of the information and the choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds of battle and roaring from above suddenly became more intense, even intermingled with a muffled groan from True Person Xinghui and a roar of rage from Shi Meng! Clearly, the battle above was exceptionally tragic, and his companions were struggling extremely hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately following, the entire underground space shook violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Slumbering Star Core\" above suddenly erupted with unprecedented, blinding light! The dark-red energy churned as if boiling, its pulsing rhythm becoming completely chaotic, turning rapid and violent! The \"blood vessels\" connected to it bulged crazily, and the energy streams being transported increased explosively!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blasphemous evil light from the direction of the altar also shot into the sky, becoming more deeply entangled with the violent energy of the \"Star Core\"! A terrifying will, mixed with the majesty of stars, the madness of blood-evil, and the treachery of demonic energy, began to slowly awaken and spread from deep within the \"Star Core,\" like a newborn nightmare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not good! The blasphemous ritual above and the resonance with the 'Star Core' have reached a critical point! The 'Star Core' is accelerating its 'awakening,' or rather... being forcibly catalyzed to transform into a more terrifying form!\" Shadow Eleven looked at the data jumping wildly on the detection artifact in his hand, his face looking extremely ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan looked up abruptly at the giant cocoon above, where the light was surging and the pressure was rising sharply, then looked at the humming \"Silent Shadow\" in his hand and the \"Star Essence\" fragment floating quietly before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time was up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to make a decision immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he risk attempting to activate the \"Star Essence\" fragment, using the extinction sword intent as a guide to see if he could purify or influence the \"Star Core,\" winning a chance of survival for his companions and obtaining key information for the alliance to confront the \"World-Eroding\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or... choose to \"bury it completely\"? Using the power of \"Silent Shadow\" combined with the \"Star Essence\" fragment to attempt to trigger some kind of destructive chain reaction, completely destroying this ruin along with the mutating \"Star Core\" and returning it to extinction? But this would likely mean that Xinghui, Hanying, Shi Meng, and Tie Shan, who were fighting bitterly above... would also be buried with it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side was a faint hope and huge risk; on the other was resolute destruction and the sacrifice of his companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan’s fingers turned slightly white from the force. He slowly closed his eyes, his Extinction Sword Heart operating and interrogating at an unprecedented speed under the pressure of the life-and-death choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no more confusion or struggle in his eyes, only a cold, almost translucent determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out his hand, not to grab the \"Star Essence\" fragment, but to hold the \"Silent Shadow\" in his hand slowly and firmly, with the sword tip pointing downward, suspended directly above the ghostly blue star core fragment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he bit the tip of his tongue, spraying a mist of blood containing his extinction sword intent and his life-essence blood onto the body of the \"Silent Shadow\" sword and the \"Star Essence\" fragment below!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With my blood, I sharpen the sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With the intent of extinction, I draw the light of the Star Essence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without breaking, there is no establishing; without destroying, there is no building...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chanted in a low voice the ancient sword formula that he had not yet fully comprehended, yet which had emerged naturally from the depths of his sword heart. The gray-white extinction sword intent and the ghostly blue starlight began to blend and resonate in a profound way, connected by his life-essence blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark-gold patterns on the \"Silent Shadow\" sword came alive, flickering wildly. The \"Star Essence\" fragment below erupted with unprecedented, brilliant starlight, the miniature star sea sealed within it appearing as if it were about to break through its seal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center where the two forces converged, a strange light was gestating—that light was neither gray-white nor ghostly blue, but a deeper, more essential color closer to the essence of nothingness... dark silver!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan’s goal was neither simple purification nor total burial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to use the extinction sword intent as a guide and the \"Star Essence\" fragment as a foundation to strike a sword blow that transcended his current realm and touched a trace of \"Law\"—striking at that twisted \"Covenant,\" striking at the source of the pollution, striking at the most fundamental \"connection\" between the \"Star Core\" being forcibly catalyzed and the blasphemous ritual!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to attempt to... \"sever\" this tragic cycle that had continued for thirty thousand years, even if only... for a fleeting moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Success or failure, it all rests on this one strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life or death, committed to a single sword.\u003C\u002Fp>",2688,"2026-06-20T01:44:26.720Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","72e734d007fd383ee732e84a737b6d2c652849a9e4a9bbe0dccfd7adab71a081","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-154","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-152",182,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-villain-is-too-self-destructive-cover.jpg"]