[{"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-172":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},2282539,4465,"Chapter 172: Star Source as an Anchor","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>Star Fall Island, Guest Reception Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This palace, located on the northwest side of the island and typically used for receiving honored guests, was currently filled with a solemn atmosphere that concealed an underlying agitation. The hall's arrays were fully activated, isolating the interior from the exterior, while the pearl-encrusted dome cast a soft yet bright radiance, illuminating the varied expressions of those within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gong sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn with a hint of imperceptible anticipation. Lin Xuan sat quietly to the lower left of Wei Gong, dressed in a simple green robe, his aura restrained; only the occasional halo swirling in his Chaos Tribulation Pupils revealed his extraordinary nature. Zhao Yuan sat slightly behind Lin Xuan, his face still pale, but his posture was straight and his gaze calm as he silently observed the people in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the hall stood two groups of people, clearly distinct, yet both exuding auras that could not be underestimated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group on the left was led by a middle-aged man in a luxurious purple-gold robe, clean-shaven, with narrow, shrewd eyes. He was Qian Wantong, known as \"Golden Abacus,\" one of the three head shopkeepers under the master of the \"Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,\" the continent's premier merchant guild. Behind him followed several attendants with steady auras and sharp eyes, clearly acting as both guards and appraisers. Qian Wantong wore the slick smile typical of a merchant, but his eyes swept over Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan from time to time, lingering slightly on the ancient \"Silent Shadow\" sword at Zhao Yuan's waist, a flash of surprise crossing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group on the right was led by a short, stout-armed old man with fiery red hair and beard. He was Yan Lie, \"Master Fire-Refiner,\" one of the three Elders of the \"Heavenly Craft Workshop,\" the continent's sacred site for artifact refining. The disciples behind him all possessed scorching auras, with the faint glimmer of magic treasures flowing upon them. Master Yan Lie clearly had a fiery and direct temper; he was currently staring with copper-bell eyes, unreservedly sizing up Lin Xuan, his gaze filled with inquiry and a hint of... excitement at finding a worthy challenge?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the presence of Wei Gong, greetings to Protector Lin and young friend Zhao,\" Qian Wantong said first, cupping his hands with a beaming smile. \"The Demon Abyss is wreaking havoc, the Sea Eye is changing, and the world is shaken. Although my Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is but a merchant guild, we understand the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. Upon hearing the news, our master specifically ordered me to bring precious treasures and secret intelligence, traveling through the night to reach Star Fall Island to contribute our meager efforts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yan Lie snorted, his voice like a booming bell. \"Our Heavenly Craft Workshop doesn't have so many twists and turns! Protector Lin closed the Demon Abyss rift with Chaos Tribulation power and turned the tide; this old man admires you! The filthy things inside that Sea Eye sound wicked just hearing about them! We brought some junk left by our ancestors that specifically counters filthy star power, and a rock we've had gathering dust for who knows how many years, to see if it can help!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their styles were vastly different, but their sincerity seemed genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gong nodded slightly. \"You two have come from afar to provide help in our time of need. On behalf of the entire alliance, I thank you. May I ask what you have brought and what advice you have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Wantong smiled slightly and did not beat around the bush. He took out a jade slip from his robes—neither gold nor jade, pale cyan in color, with countless fine, flowing runes on its surface—and offered it with both hands. \"This is a secret treasure of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—a rubbing of a fragment of the 'Universal Star Cleansing Array.' According to research, this array originated from a branch of the ancient 'Star-Fallen People' and is specifically used to purify negative energies such as resentment and blood-evil mixed within star power. It has miraculous effects in stabilizing star barriers and resisting homologous pollution. Although it is a fragment, the core principles and several purification runes are well-preserved, which may provide inspiration for your island's defensive arrays and the study of the Sea Eye's pollution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Universal Star Cleansing Array! It differed by only two characters from Star Fall Island's \"Universal Star Dou Array,\" yet its function was specialized for \"cleansing\"! Upon hearing this, True Person Beichen's eyes erupted with a scorching light; had it not been for etiquette, he likely would have rushed forward to snatch it. To the Star Palace and Star Fall Island, the value of this item was immeasurable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yan Lie was not to be outdone. With a wave of his large hand, a disciple behind him immediately brought forward a heavy box, three feet square, crafted entirely from \"Spirit-Sealing Profound Iron.\" The moment the box opened, a cool, vast, yet ancient and refined star aura instantly permeated the entire hall! Even Lin Xuan was slightly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box was lined with soft, star-patterned brocade, and resting quietly upon it was an object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange crystal, about the size of a human head, irregular in shape, deep and mysterious blue in color, as if it had sealed within it a miniature, eternally rotating brilliant nebula! The surface of the crystal was not smooth, possessing natural, bumpy textures like star trajectories. As the box opened, it emitted a soft and steady deep-blue starlight, illuminating the surroundings as if in a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more strangely, the star power emitted by this crystal was so refined and essential that it seemed... to surpass even the \"Star Essence\" fragment! Moreover, its fluctuations carried an indescribable sense of \"stability\" and \"bearing,\" as if it could suppress all vanity and anchor the soul of all things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is... 'Star Source Marrow'?!\" True Person Beichen gasped, his voice changing pitch. \"The legendary wonder that only has a one-in-a-billion chance of being born under the extreme conditions of a star core's collapse, condensing the most essential source power of the stars and the 'immortal' Dao rhyme?! This item... has this not long been extinct?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yan Lie proudly stroked his fiery red beard. \"Hmph! You have some eye for quality! This 'Star Source Marrow' was brought back by our sect's founder after a narrow escape while exploring an ancient star-fall ruin; it has been kept as a treasure of our workshop ever since. This thing is hard as nails; no divine fire can melt it, and no array can be carved into it. Aside from emitting some pure star power to nourish the soul and acting as a decoration, it's useless! It was just gathering dust!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He changed the subject and pointed at Zhao Yuan. \"But before we came, we heard that this young friend Zhao carries a star inheritance and has been tainted by some demon seed, leaving his soul unstable. I figured, this damn rock has no other skill, but it is 'stable'! Stable as a tortoise! I wonder if it can be used as an 'anchor' for him to steady his soul and, incidentally, channel some star power to help him cultivate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Wantong also added at the right moment, looking at Lin Xuan, \"Our guild's ancient records also have sporadic mentions that because the 'Star Source Marrow' has an extremely high essence and is extremely stable in nature, it has a strong suppression and isolation effect on all soul-level erosion, pollution, and turbulence. Perhaps... it could provide a certain 'isolation' or 'weakening' effect on the demon seed within young friend Zhao that resonates with the Sea Eye core? Of course, how to specifically utilize it would require the expertise of a great master like Protector Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Source Marrow! An ancient wonder that specifically counters soul erosion, stabilizes the Dao foundation, and channels pure star power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the fragment of the \"Universal Star Cleansing Array\" or this \"Star Source Marrow,\" both were \"remedies\" that directly addressed the current predicament of Star Fall Island and Zhao Yuan! The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and the Heavenly Craft Workshop had truly spared no expense, demonstrating astonishing intelligence and decisiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gong took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He stood up solemnly and bowed respectfully to Qian Wantong and Master Yan Lie. \"Your generous gifts are truly timely rain! The alliance will keep this in mind! If you have any needs in the future, as long as it does not violate righteousness, Star Fall Island and the alliance will surely repay you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Wantong hurriedly returned the bow. \"Wei Gong, you are too kind. As fellow humans, this is only right.\" Master Yan Lie waved his hand. \"Enough with the empty talk! As long as the stuff can be used, that's fine! Hurry up and see if the kid can use this rock!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of everyone immediately focused on Zhao Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan had already stood up and walked to the \"Star Source Marrow,\" his Chaos Tribulation Pupils flickering with light as he sensed it carefully. After a moment, he nodded. \"The essence of this item is indeed extremely high. Its 'stability' and 'bearing' Dao rhyme will be of great help to my deployment of the 'Chaos Barrier.' If we use a specific array to stimulate its source star power and combine it with the 'Star Essence' fragment, we may be able to construct a 'Star Source Anchoring Array' for Zhao Yuan to stabilize his soul, isolate the demon seed's resonance, and accelerate his cultivation recovery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Zhao Yuan. \"Are you willing to try? Using this as an 'anchor' combined with treatment, the process might be faster and the pain slightly reduced, but deep binding with this object may also bring unknown changes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan did not hesitate. He stood up and bowed deeply to Qian Wantong and Master Yan Lie. \"Many thanks to both seniors for your generous gift! This junior is willing to try!\" His eyes shone with a firm light. He would never let go of any opportunity that could accelerate his recovery and increase his leverage against the demon seed and the Sea Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\" Master Yan Lie slapped his thigh. \"Then let's get to it! Whatever materials or manpower you need, our Heavenly Craft Workshop will cover it! Fatty Qian, your guild's arrays are powerful; you guys should put more effort into setting up that Cleansing Array!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Wantong smiled and nodded. \"That goes without saying. There is no time to lose. Please, Wei Gong, arrange a venue, and we will immediately discuss the details of the array with Protector Lin, Elder Beichen, and the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further pleasantries, everyone immediately turned to the intensive preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The location for the array was chosen in a \"Geocentric Quiet Room\" deep beneath the Star-Fixing Hall, a place prepared long ago where the earth's veins and star power converged most stably. This location was deep within the island's core and protected by layers of arrays, minimizing external interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lin Xuan as the lead, and True Person Beichen, the array masters brought by Qian Wantong, and Master Yan Lie and his disciples as the core team, they began to design and set up this unprecedented \"Star Source Anchoring Array\" based on the principles of the \"Universal Star Cleansing Array\" fragment, combined with the characteristics of the \"Star Source Marrow,\" Zhao Yuan's physical condition, and the power of the \"Star Essence\" fragment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The array was extremely complex. The core was naturally the \"Star Source Marrow,\" placed on a specially made Star Gold pedestal in the center of the quiet room, engraved with guidance and amplification runes. Surrounding it, \"Star Essence\" fragments were used as secondary eyes to lay out nine nested rings of purification and stabilization runes. Further out, a massive array map, drawing on the principles of the Cleansing Array and specifically designed to filter, convert, and channel star power, covered almost the entire floor and parts of the walls of the quiet room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The consumption of materials was enormous, many of which were treasures brought by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and the Heavenly Craft Workshop. The process of setting up the array required extremely precise control and coordination; any slight error could lead to the array failing or even backfiring. Lin Xuan's Chaos Tribulation power played a key role in mediating and stabilizing the process, especially when communicating with a wonder of such high essence as the \"Star Source Marrow,\" where the inclusive and defining nature of Chaos power allowed him to more smoothly draw out the star power within the marrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three full days and nights, without sleep or rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the last rune in the Geocentric Quiet Room was lit, the entire array emitted a low hum, as if the stars were in motion. Deep blue and grayish light intertwined and flowed, forming a stable and profound energy field. All those who participated in the array's construction, including Lin Xuan, showed expressions of exhaustion but relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The array is complete.\" Lin Xuan's voice was slightly hoarse, but his eyes were bright. \"Zhao Yuan, enter the center of the array and sit before the 'Star Source Marrow.' I will guide the power of the array to construct a 'Star Source Anchor' for you. The process requires your full cooperation; open your mind and guide the newly born 'Chaos Star Radiance' to resonate with the star power in the marrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan took a deep breath, walked into the center of the flowing array, and sat cross-legged before the \"Star Source Marrow\" that radiated deep blue starlight. A cool, vast, yet incredibly heavy aura rushed toward him, refreshing his spirit. Even the demon seed in his sea of consciousness seemed to temporarily restrain its restlessness under the pressure of this pure and noble star source aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes, fully operating the newly born, faint \"Chaos Star Radiance,\" slowly letting go of his guard against external energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan pressed his hands into the void, injecting Chaos Tribulation power into the core of the array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light in the quiet room flared! The \"Star Source Marrow\" suddenly erupted with brilliant blue starlight, as if a sleeping star had been awakened! The extremely pure star source power surged out like a tide, and after being purified, converted, and guided by the layers of arrays, it transformed into a gentle yet majestic pillar of star light, enveloping Zhao Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the purification power of the \"Star Essence\" fragment was also stimulated, turning into wisps of blue light ribbons that merged into the star light pillar, endowing it with stronger purification and protective characteristics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan felt an indescribable, cool, and heavy power pouring in from the Baihui acupoint on the top of his head, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones, surging into his dantian, and nourishing his cracked Nascent Soul! The moment this power touched his own \"Chaos Star Radiance,\" it produced a wonderful resonance and fusion! His \"Chaos Star Radiance\" was like parched land receiving rain, becoming stronger and more solid at a speed visible to the naked eye! Under the triple nourishment of the Star Source Marrow's essence, the Star Essence's purification, and his own newly born power, the cracks on his Nascent Soul began to heal and reinforce at an unprecedented speed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, a powerful and stable \"anchoring\" force radiated from the depths of the \"Star Source Marrow,\" like invisible roots, deeply piercing into Zhao Yuan's sea of consciousness and the core of his Nascent Soul! Under the suppression of this force, the evil fluctuations emitted by the demon seed in his sea of consciousness were forcibly suppressed and isolated! The \"resonance\" signals that attempted to transmit outward seemed to hit an invisible and heavy \"Star Source Wall,\" becoming extremely weak, distorted, and difficult to penetrate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon seed itself seemed to feel the high-level, pure star power suppression that made it extremely uncomfortable, and it began to struggle frantically, its dark purple light flickering as it tried to strike at the invisible \"anchor.\" But under the essential-level crushing of the \"Star Source Marrow\" and the layers of weakening from the array's power, its struggle appeared futile and weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan's mind was settled! He could clearly feel that a solid \"buffer\" and \"isolation\" layer had been added between himself and the demon seed. Although the demon seed still existed and the erosion continued, its activity and threat were temporarily suppressed to the lowest point! Moreover, in this state, the \"danger\" of him perceiving the demon seed and analyzing its connection to the Sea Eye core seemed to have decreased as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus your mind! Take this opportunity to consolidate your Nascent Soul, strengthen your star radiance, and attempt to comprehend the fusion of 'Chaos Star Radiance' and Star Source power at a deeper level!\" Lin Xuan's voice sounded like a steady rock in Zhao Yuan's consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan immediately gathered his mind, fully guiding this majestic and pure power, and began deep cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Geocentric Quiet Room, starlight flowed and array patterns flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan's aura began to climb and stabilize bit by bit at a steady pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the very moment the \"Star Source Anchoring Array\" was successfully activated and Zhao Yuan entered deep cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Return-to-Ruins Sea Eye, in that \"void of existence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the viscous \"fluid\" flickering with dark gold and dark purple star radiance, the \"embryo\" wrapped in filth seemed to sense the signal of an important \"coordinate\"... and suddenly became extremely weak, nearly severed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold will, mixed with confusion, anger, and a deeper greed, slowly permeated the \"fluid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its newly born, tiny energy \"veins\" began to squirm and explore more actively, as if searching for the traces of the delicious prey that had suddenly \"disappeared\"...\u003C\u002Fp>",3012,"2026-06-20T01:44:26.720Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","7125c958241eaac7b1235d85705578ff754b87f9f9cf8142e151f9641dfbb7f9","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-173","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-171",182,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-villain-is-too-self-destructive-cover.jpg"]