[{"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-98":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},2282465,4465,"Chapter 98: The Secret of the Star Fall","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>The trip to the Ghost Market, though failing to strike directly at the Shadow Tower’s nest, resulted in the slaying of three Gold-rank assassins—especially one at the peak of the late Nascent Soul realm. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Shadow Tower and once again demonstrated Lin Xuan’s ruthless methods and unfathomable strength to the various factions in the Imperial Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning to Azure Cloud Cottage, Lin Xuan first carefully inspected the storage bags obtained from the three assassins. Aside from a significant number of spirit stones, various insidious hidden weapons, and elixirs, he found a black token made of a unique material. Engraved on the front was a blurry ghost head, and on the back was the number \"Seven.\" This was likely an internal identity token for the Shadow Tower, which might prove useful in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest harvest was a jade slip found on the leader of the assassins, which recorded the mission. The content of the jade slip was encrypted, but how could that stump Lin Xuan? He used his chaotic spiritual power to forcibly wash over it, and in just a moment, he broke the restriction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information within the jade slip made his gaze sharpen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mission target pointed clearly at him—Lin Xuan. Mission requirements: Capture alive if possible, and obtain all items and inheritances on his person related to \"Chaos\" and \"Stars\"; if capture is impossible, then kill without mercy, ensuring his soul is utterly destroyed to leave no future trouble. Mission grade: Top Secret, Grade A-plus. Issuer: Anonymous, but guaranteed and partially paid via the Zhao family’s channels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Zhao family!\" Cold light flickered in Lin Xuan’s eyes. It really was them! Furthermore, the mission grade was actually \"Grade A-plus,\" which showed just how highly the Shadow Tower—or rather, the employer behind them—valued him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond this, the jade slip also contained some \"analysis\" information about him, including descriptions of methods he had revealed while acting in Black Rock City, Star Burial Valley, and Ancient Green Wood City, as well as an assessment that his strength might have reached \"late Nascent Soul, possessing suspected domain power, and owning special chaotic-attribute spiritual power.\" The detail of the information made even Lin Xuan feel a trace of alarm; the Shadow Tower’s intelligence capabilities were truly not to be underestimated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Zhao family is determined to fight me to the death.\" After memorizing the contents of the jade slip, Lin Xuan destroyed it casually. He was not afraid; instead, it stirred up an even stronger fighting spirit. The crazier the enemy, the more it showed they felt threatened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dealing with these, he turned his attention back to the unknown star iron. The battle outside the Ghost Market, as well as the previous fight against Ye Chen at the Dao Discussion Platform, had given him new insights into his own power, especially the application of star power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat cross-legged, placing the star iron in his palm. His Chaos Dao Seed rotated slowly, and pure chaotic spiritual power, mixed with a trace of star core origin, was carefully channeled into the star iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hum—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star iron was activated once again, and that incomplete three-dimensional star map was projected out, rotating slowly. Unlike before, the star map seemed a bit clearer this time, especially one star that had been extremely dim, which now glowed slightly, resonating more strongly with the Chaos Dao Seed in his dantian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A larger, yet relatively more orderly stream of information poured into Lin Xuan’s sea of consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the information was no longer just vague coordinates and incomplete body-refining techniques, but included a more complete guiding mantra, as well as fragmented descriptions of that coordinate location!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guiding mantra was called the \"Star-Guiding Art.\" It was not an attack or defense technique, but a secret method specifically used to draw in specific star power and open certain portals or beacons. As for the place the coordinates pointed to, the information called it the outskirts of the \"Star Fall Secret Realm,\" a ruin named the \"Star-Gazing Platform\"!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Star Fall Secret Realm!\" Lin Xuan’s heart shook violently! This was the elusive small world mentioned in the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s jade slip, where the Star Palace’s mountain gate was located!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This piece of star iron was actually a token, or rather a key, to open a ruin on the outskirts of the Star Fall Secret Realm?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That incomplete \"Star Body-Refining Art\" seemed to be merely the foundational part that could only be completed by obtaining the full inheritance at the \"Star-Gazing Platform\"!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information also mentioned that the Star Fall Secret Realm was not completely sealed; its outer barrier would develop periodic weak points due to the movement of the celestial stars. With the help of the \"Star-Guiding Art\" and this star iron (referred to in the information as the \"Star Fall Order\"), one could open a short-lived passage to the \"Star-Gazing Platform\" at specific times and locations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The next cycle for the passage to open is...\" Lin Xuan quickly deduced based on the star movement patterns in the information, \"Three months from now! The location is... 'Star-Fall Lake,' three thousand miles outside the Imperial Capital's northern suburbs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything seemed to be connected!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star Palace hunting down the Azure Phoenix Feng Xi was to take its origin to sacrifice to the Star Tower and stabilize the Star Fall Secret Realm. And the \"Star Fall Order\" in his own hands was the key to opening the ruins on the outskirts of that secret realm! Perhaps the Star Palace successor at that time wasn't entirely after the Azure Phoenix, but had also sensed the aura of the star iron?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Star Palace... Star Fall Secret Realm... Star-Gazing Platform...\" Lin Xuan’s gaze burned. This was undoubtedly a massive opportunity! As an ancient orthodoxy, the Star Palace’s secret realm must hide countless secrets and treasures, especially the potential complete inheritance regarding the Primordial Dao Ancestor and the Star Dao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, this also meant huge risks. Once he attempted to open the passage, he would inevitably attract the attention of the Star Palace and might even face Star Palace powerhouses directly. Moreover, the Zhao family and the Shadow Tower were watching like tigers eyeing their prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Opportunity and risk coexist...\" Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, a flash of determination in his eyes. \"This Star-Gazing Platform, I must go! However, I need to make full preparations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to improve his strength as much as possible within these three months and prepare means to deal with various emergencies. At the same time, he had to use this period to further clarify the movements of the Star Palace and the Shadow Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following days, Lin Xuan entered a state of seclusion once again. He spent most of his time in Azure Cloud Cottage, trying to use the \"Star-Guiding Art\" to trigger the power of the star iron (Star Fall Order) to deepen his connection with it, while also diligently cultivating the fusion of the \"Heavenly Star Art (Fragment)\" and the Chaos Dao Seed, constantly solidifying his foundation and steadily advancing toward the peak of the late Nascent Soul realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi’s injuries had also basically healed, and its strength had recovered to about eighty percent. Its body flowed with azure flames, looking magnificent and extraordinary. It would occasionally fly out of the cottage and circle over the Imperial Capital, both to stretch its muscles and as an invisible deterrent, making many covetous people afraid to act rashly. The combination of Lin Xuan and the Azure Phoenix had already become a unique sight in the Imperial Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, many people tried to visit Lin Xuan. There were noble families wanting to recruit him, sects hoping to befriend him, and cultivators who were purely curious. But Lin Xuan declined them all on the grounds of seclusion, only paying slight attention to the visiting cards sent by the scholar from the Heavenly Secret Academy and Huangfu Hao, though he did not respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that now was not the time for extensive socializing; his own strength was the foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, he was in the courtyard practicing the various changes of the \"Star-Nether Thunder Prison\" he had newly comprehended, controlling strands of dark purple thunder as if they were extensions of his own arms, when he suddenly heard steady footsteps outside the courtyard, stopping at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor’s aura was thick and carried an official majesty, not like those who had been spying before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commandant of the Imperial City Guard, Wang Gang, by the Imperial Lord’s oral decree, invites Fellow Daoist Lin Xuan to the palace for a talk.\" A resonant voice rang out outside the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Lord’s oral decree? Entering the palace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan’s movements paused, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. The Imperial Lord, Huangfu Tianji, this supreme existence who ruled the Tianyuan Dynasty, actually wanted to see him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a blessing or a curse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a moment, straightened his robes, and waved his hand to open the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing outside was a middle-aged general clad in golden spiritual armor, with a resolute face and an aura as deep as the sea. His cultivation had clearly reached the peak of the late Nascent Soul realm, only one step away from Soul Transformation! It was indeed Wang Gang, the Commandant of the Imperial City Guard. Behind him followed two squads of elite Imperial City guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fellow Daoist Lin, please.\" Seeing Lin Xuan, Wang Gang cupped his hands in a salute, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, but deep in his eyes was a trace of scrutiny and curiosity. Clearly, he had also heard about the incident at the Dao Discussion Platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll have to trouble Commandant Wang to lead the way.\" Lin Xuan’s expression was calm, but his thoughts were racing. Why did the Imperial Lord suddenly summon him? Was it because he had defeated Ye Chen and shown enough value? Or because he had killed people from the Shadow Tower in the Ghost Market, attracting the attention of the Imperial family? Or perhaps... it had to do with that Star Fall Order?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, the trip to the Imperial Palace was destined not to be ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Feng Xi on his shoulder. Feng Xi understood, and azure light burst forth, restoring it to its magnificent form several zhang in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan stepped onto Feng Xi’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Azure Phoenix let out a long cry, spread its wings, and took flight, heading toward the most majestic and mysterious Imperial City in the center of the Imperial Capital, led by Wang Gang and the guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A summons from the Imperial City—was it an opportunity, or a new whirlpool?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan looked calmly at the golden, magnificent palace complex where dragon energy soared into the sky, his heart fearless, his Dao heart only growing firmer.\u003C\u002Fp>",1830,"2026-06-20T01:44:26.720Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","ec1a5d95e3209f5ce7f2987ef6f9adbd3cb741a1cab0b41fb5f1ff8167a3d1a9","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-99","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-97",182,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-villain-is-too-self-destructive-cover.jpg"]