Starry Sky Professional

Eagle Star.

Space Center.

Fang Xing stepped out of the hovering car, pulling along a suitcase with sunglasses perched on his nose.

“Fang Xing, you're bound for great things on this journey!”

Teacher Lan Fei bid farewell with a smile.

With the exams over, she no longer had an obligation to accompany Fang Xing, feeling a subtle sense of relief. Yet, a tinge of regret surfaced as she recalled a few tasks.

“Thank you, teacher…”

Fang Xing took a step forward, seemingly about to give Lan Fei a cheek kiss as a farewell. In truth, he whispered in her ear in a voice only she could hear: “Teacher, you wouldn’t want your secrets exposed, would you…”

Watching Lan Fei's shocked and hurriedly masked expression, Fang Xing laughed heartily and strode through the security gates.

‘How… how does he know?’

Lan Fei covered her mouth, staring at Fang Xing's departing figure in utter bewilderment.

As the sole aerospace hub of Eagle Star, the security here was extremely tight, with experts constantly on standby in the departure hall.

Passing through the security check, Fang Xing entered the waiting area, looking quite at ease.

Teasing Lan Fei was just a little joke. He wanted to ensure she didn’t feel smug about spying on him.

‘Maybe… I should turn her into my spy instead?’

‘No, it's unnecessary… As a trade-off for keeping quiet, all I need is for her to give me a heads-up at a critical moment in the future.’

He found a spot to sit, ready to enjoy a drink.

“Boss, boss… over here!”

A middle-aged man with a bushy beard waved enthusiastically, catching the attention of those nearby.

But in this interstellar age, with gene surgeries allowing people to live for centuries, encounters with young people being addressed by elderly titles like uncle or even grandpa were commonplace and accepted.

“Song Jingang, you're here too.”

Fang Xing approached Song Jingang, gazing at his overly matured features with a sigh.

This guy, he grew up way too fast.

“Yeah, boss, how did you do in the exams?”

Song Jingang seemed a bit downcast: “I checked my answers, my humanities score only feels like it'll be around 950. I messed up the martial arts assessment, got knocked out at the fourth checkpoint, leaving me with just 99. That totals to 899.”

"So, with a total of 1849, you should comfortably meet the first-rate university cut-off… Wait, you also have your ability bonus."

Fang Xing was intrigued: “How much do you think it will be?”

“Ordinary low-level abilities get no bonus at all, but my 'Vajra Body' is a top-tier ability. I should get around 50 to possibly 100 points?”

Song Jingang replied with pride.

“Such a big range?”

Fang Xing expressed curiosity.

“These bonuses aren't added to the total score… They depend on each university during admissions, like if they're focusing on ability studies, they might give me more to get me into their department… Schools like Blue Star University might just add 50.”

Song Jingang had a hint of anxiety on his face: “I hope this year's super-tier cut-off isn't 1900… I'd be devastated.”

Only by passing the school's cut-off score could one qualify for their admissions test.

Fang Xing sat there, brimming with confidence in his own results.

Song Jingang felt at ease, knowing he had a fallback option in his exams. He was still hoping for more, though.

"Hey, boss... Have you gotten your results yet?"

Song Jingang's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Right, boss... You left in such a hurry. Did you know you did well and went straight to Blue Star to avoid the hassle?"

"Well, that was part of the consideration," Fang Xing admitted openly.

His college entrance exam results might be unsettling, so it was better to escape to Blue Star early. Such matters were trivial there.

"It's not out yet, but I estimate it will be soon..."

In the interstellar age, exam grading was swift. After a day, it was likely they were sorting out the rankings.

But regardless, it should be released today.

"Oh? How did you score in martial arts, boss?"

Song Jingang's eyes flickered with interest.

He had advanced to the fourth realm, and his Diamond Body's defense was famously impregnable, unless...

"1044..."

Fang Xing did not keep it a secret, as it wasn't possible anyway. Everyone would know soon, regardless of whether they should or not.

"Hiss... never mind, I didn't ask."

Song Jingang dropped the subject, sobering up and turning to surf the internet obediently.

"Haha... You didn't even know the martial arts full score is 1000. How can you call yourself a candidate?"

Fang Xing and Song Jingang's conversation wasn't quiet, catching the attention of a trendy young couple across from them.

The man snorted, turning to Song Jingang. "A grown man pretending to be a student..."

"I'm not pretending... and I'm not an old man," Song Jingang replied sullenly.

The fashionable woman next to him suddenly spoke up while scrolling through her phone. "The exam results are out... Top of Eagle Star: Fang Xing, total score... 2030?!"

"What? Isn't the total score only 2000?"

The young man widened his eyes in disbelief.

At this moment, Fang Xing also checked his message:

【Candidate Fang Xing, Exam Number: 4JD7WJ50HBW6】

【Liberal Arts Score: 986, Martial Arts Score: 1044】

【Total Score: 2030】

【Rank: Eagle Star First, Black Mountain System First... Blue Star Federation Seventh!】

...

"Boss, you're indeed first, seventh in the Federation, wow..."

Song Jingang looked on with envy. "You can go to any top-notch school you want..."

"There are actually six people ranked ahead of me?"

Fang Xing was slightly surprised: 'Is it their liberal arts score that's better, or do they have special extra points?'

As for martial arts?

That was already at the pinnacle for someone his age.

"The gap between the first and second place is massive; the second scored 1849, almost two hundred points less..."

Across from them, a man and woman were in discussion, "This year's college entrance exam has produced a real genius... huh? But the person who came second looks so old, haha..."

They took a glance at the portrait on the screen, then at Song Jingang, and couldn't help but stifle their laughter.

"Go ahead and laugh... I'm used to it," Song Jingang replied in a muffled voice.

"Are you really Fang Xing? Can I have your autograph?"

A fashionable young woman glanced at Fang Xing, who was wearing sunglasses, hesitating as she handed him a note.

"Of course," Fang Xing accepted it, scribbled his name swiftly, then returned it to her. He turned to Song Jingang beside him and asked, "I suppose I'm a recognized genius among humans now. Do you think any cultists might try to attack me to prevent me from growing stronger in the future?"

Song Jingang rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Geniuses aren't expensive. The college entrance exam happens once a year, and there's a top scorer every year. Besides, you’re not even first, just seventh... moreover, no matter how genius you are, can you grow to rival an outer-world evil god?"

"What these cultists truly pay attention to are those with exceptional talent in scientific research... the kind of genius that can single-handedly drive an entire field forward."

In other words, even if Fang Xing were to become a Martial Saint or Martial God...

For the collective well-being of the human race, his impact would be limited.

"What you’re saying makes so much sense, I feel relieved," Fang Xing exhaled deeply.

Song Jingang just rolled his eyes, "Boss, what do you think this place is? This is the Aerospace Center... there are very few places on Nestling Eagle Star with higher security, and Blue Star... that's the homeland of all humanity. Even if an outer-world evil god himself came, he might not manage to cause trouble there..."

"Yes, you're absolutely right," Fang Xing nodded in agreement.

While he and Song Jingang were chatting, their communication devices rang incessantly, obviously stirred by the publication of the exam results, causing a huge uproar across Nestling Eagle Star.

"Hahaha..." Lu Guangming laughed heartily, "Let’s see who dares say the students I teach are no good... this isn't just some internal ranking on Nestling Eagle Star, it’s the first in Heishan! Seventh in the Federation!"

"All thanks to the principal’s exemplary leadership," Xia Long stood by, also smiling broadly.

"After this, I might be compelled to step up a bit more... Xia Long, why don’t you take this position? Most high school principals hover around this level anyway," Lu Guangming suggested.

"Principal, spare me, please. I’m able to train young lads, but buried in paperwork daily is too much. Besides... I want to apply for a Source Sea Grade treatment pod, if all goes smoothly, I’d probably continue my battlefield ventures!" Xia Long replied with a determined expression, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

"You... sigh..." Lu Guangming sighed, taking a sip from his thermos, "Why so persistent? Look at me, even though I'm a Martial Dan, I'm content as a principal of a mere high school."

Listening, Xia Long couldn’t help but roll his eyes: 'You're just lying flat and giving up...'

...

"Qianqian... what's your score?"

In a high-rise apartment, two middle-aged adults watched their daughter check her scores with apprehension etched across their faces.

"Total score is 1499... no hope," Ouyang Qianqian looked up, tears staining her cheeks, "The Federation's university admission lately has been around 1600 points. This score has no chance," she said, barely whispering.

Simply put, she didn’t even qualify for the school entrance exams.

"Dear, don’t worry, your dad has already arranged everything. We’ll start with logistics... it’s just ten years," her father comforted her.

A middle-aged man tried to console her, while tears welled up in the woman's eyes.

A decade of federal military service!

It was cruel for any adult, especially for biochemicals!

...

In the grand estate of the Xu family.

"2030, top of the fledgling hawk, top of the Black Mountain..."

Gu Yun gazed at the screen. Her fingers touched the communicator, then withdrew.

"Xiao Yun, why don't you give him a call to celebrate?"

Gu Yun's mother, with her gentle appearance, approached, setting down a dessert with a kind smile. "I knew Xiaofang was amazing, but to this extent... Your father barely scraped through back in the day; he can't even compare."

"Forget it, he's probably busy now. I'll call later."

Gu Yun got off the windowsill. "I'll go practice with my blade for a bit..."

"Eat your dessert before you do."

Gu Yun's mother watched her direction, a wry smile on her face.

...

Inside a luxurious car.

Teacher Lan Fei was on a call with Yin Huan Zhen. "That's the situation. Fang Xing chose to leave Fledgling Hawk Star and head straight for Blue Star. Clearly, he has great confidence in his results."

"Alright..."

On the screen, Yin Huan Zhen continued playing his game. "Then that's that."

"It's unfortunate Fang Xing will never know what he missed out on by refusing..."

Lan Fei adjusted his glasses, recalling their final farewell.

‘He knows.’

‘If Yin Huan Zhen plans to retaliate against him, should I inform him? Is that his intention all along?’

"Hmm? The exam results are out."

Yin Huan Zhen suddenly paused his game, his expression turning solemn. With just a glance, he seemed to have spotted something intriguing. "Would you like to know my score?"

"Young Master’s talents are unparalleled in the starry sea..."

Lan Fei quickly responded.

"I only scored 2000..."

Yin Huan Zhen waved his hand dismissively. "But Fang Xing... 2030 in total. No wonder he refused recruitment; he's truly a genius among geniuses. Our offer was too low. Now, I do regret it a bit."

"What?"

Lan Fei was taken aback.

It didn’t surprise her if Fang Xing scored well or even topped Fledgling Hawk Star.

But surpassing Yin Huan Zhen?

How is that possible?

...

In the vastness of space.

Two spacecraft drifted aimlessly.

Liu Wei stood in front of a transparent window, looking towards Fledgling Hawk Star.

“What's the matter? Feeling homesick?”

Genius came over with two cups of coffee, handing one to Liu Wei.

They were currently aboard a spaceship, en route to a planet controlled by the resistance forces.

In order to avoid the Azure Federation, they had to take the most remote routes, making wormholes unusable.

The long journey through the lonely expanse of space could easily drive one mad.

Many resistance members opted to enter hibernation chambers, sleeping all the way to their destination.

Liu Wei was among the few who could endure it; he practiced martial arts every day and ate the bland nutritional meals provided on the ship.

Taking a sip of coffee, he said, “Once, I was desperate to escape that place, thought of it as a cage that trapped my body and mind... But now, after leaving, I find myself missing it a little.”

“You admit it, you admit it!”

Genius cheered and then spoke into his headset, “Ten thousand star credits, you multi-legged bugs can't back out now...”

“Did you really bet on me?”

Liu Wei grabbed Genius by the collar. “I haven't even gotten you back for the last time!”

“Wait, I'm a non-combatant, don't be so rough.”

Genius raised his hands in surrender. “I've got something good to show you!”

“What is it?”

Liu Wei took the screen, somewhat skeptical.

“Ah... The monotonous, unchanging journey makes it easy to lose track of time. The results of the latest college entrance exams are out.”

Genius winked. “Don't you want to see?”

Liu Wei's hand trembled slightly.

College entrance exams!

That was his dream before.

In his youth, he thought he would be satisfied just to get into any university, no matter which one.

But reality turned out to be so different...

Reality often surpasses any novel in strange and convoluted ways, because novels require logic, but reality demands none!

“If I hadn't left, I would have been part of this cohort.”

“Wondering if I could have scored over 1600...”

Liu Wei opened the message, suddenly stunned: “Fang Xing's total score... 2030? First on Eagle Hatch Planet, first in the Black Mountain System, seventh in the Federation? This score would surely get him into a top-tier university, right?”

“It's definitely secure. Your classmate is amazing.”

Genius nodded fervently. “The instructor was blind back then; knowing this, they should have recruited him first...”

Liu Wei sighed deeply, as memories of them working together flashed before his eyes. “Ah Xing... Congratulations.”

He turned and strode towards the training room. “I'm doubling today's training!”

Space Center

“Let's go.”

It turned out Song Jingang wasn’t talking nonsense; Fang Xing and he waited until the spaceship check-in was complete, and nothing unusual happened.

A spaceship, entirely gray-black and shaped like a flying saucer, began its ignition and took off... it left Eagle Hatch Planet’s atmosphere directly.

Fang Xing looked back one last time, watching as the gray-blue planet shrank in his view until it disappeared completely...

]

(End of Chapter)