Starry Sky Professional

September 1st.

“Students, on behalf of Blue Star University, I welcome you all…”

On the podium, Nie Ying was delivering a passionate speech.

For everyone's convenience, this speech was conducted in the Blue Star University community within the virtual network.

After all, as professionals, everyone had a lot to deal with.

Fang Xing appeared to be listening intently while idly browsing through his inbox when he suddenly paused.

“Master, you have a new email,”

Little Blue whispered softly in his ear from its perch on his shoulder.

“Hmm.”

Fang Xing opened it immediately: “Finally, has the mentor assignment been announced?”

[Dear Fang Xing, your assigned mentor is 'Pan Xiong,' and your advisor is 'Wei Shentong.' Contact details: …]

He found the first part agreeable but couldn't help but chuckle at the latter.

“Wei Shentong, an advisor?”

“Oh well, some students hardly ever see their advisor throughout college…”

“As long as the mentor is reliable.”

With that thought, he promptly sent a message to 'Pan Xiong.'

Almost within minutes, a reply came.

“Hello, Fang Xing. As your mentor, I need to thoroughly assess your abilities… Let's have our first meeting in person. You can come to the public training room, Room Q34. The password is XXX…”

Pan Xiong's response was formal, yet Fang Xing knew he must be distracted.

Otherwise, how could he reply so quickly?

Shouldn't he be listening to the school's leadership's speech together like everyone else?

“Alright.”

He found it rather agreeable.

‘This virtual space is great, but it struggles to handle the data of high-level experts... Hopefully, it can be optimized in the future.’

As Fang Xing indulged in his imagination, he suddenly heard a burst of enthusiastic applause in his ears.

He wasn't quite sure what had just concluded, but he figured the speech was over, so he joined in with the clapping.

...

Sizzling!

A dense mist of frost appeared as Fang Xing stepped out from the holographic virtual pod and glanced at his attributes panel:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 19】

【Profession: Martial Artist】

【Fourth Realm: Courage and Poise】

【Military Fist Twelve Forms: 89/400】

【Great Dragon Stance: 388/400】

【Tiger Subduing Stance: 289/400】

【Spectral Blade: 23/400】

【Passionate Sword: 31/400】

【Dragon Elephant Art: 215/400】

【Diamond-like Vajra Power: 44/100】

【Sun Buddha's Mantra: 13/200】

【Golden Twin Lotus Mother Protection Script: 55/100】

【Gate of the Heavens】

...

“Aside from the Sun Buddha's Mantra that I've been intentionally restraining, all other skills have improved a lot. Thank goodness my summer of intensive training wasn't wasted... even if I did play games occasionally...”

Observing his progress, Fang Xing traveled to the public training room, gliding on his newly purchased hoverboard just above the ground.

Not getting the hoverboard wasn’t an option. Blue Star University was enormous. Even using his martial arts techniques to navigate would be a hassle.

Viewed from above, the public training center looked immense, resembling an intricately designed beehive, with its interior divided into various sections.

Starting from the most basic martial arts training room, then moving to specialized shooting ranges, weapons testing grounds, potion laboratories, mech repair rooms, and space simulation capsules... everything you could imagine was there.

Room Q34.

After entering the password, Fang Xing stepped inside and immediately felt a surge of gravity.

“The gravity in this room is at least three times that of the outside world!”

His expression remained unchanged as he surveyed the surroundings.

The floor was a reddish-brown material exuding a herbal fragrance, both sturdy and elastic underfoot.

The space was vast, covering at least 300 square meters.

At that moment, it was empty except for a few people standing in the center.

Fang Xing took a glance and to his surprise, recognized two!

“Student Su Longyan!”

He smiled, greeting a timid-looking female student.

“Fang…Fang Xing…”

Su Longyan seemed a bit scared of Fang Xing, thanks to some psychological shadow.

This female student wasn’t weak, just unlucky to encounter Fang Xing.

Besides her, there was a boy holding a gun, with a steely expression. His name should be Ouyang Qianqian.

This classmate excelled at using firearms, exhibiting remarkable tenacity; the time he was knocked unconscious off the stage but still stood tall left a slight impression on Fang Xing.

The remaining student, with rosy lips and pearly white teeth, looked very youthful, but Fang Xing didn't recognize him.

“Excellent, you’re all here.”

The boy with rosy lips smiled slightly: “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Pan Xiong, I’m your martial arts instructor and I’m 87 years old!”

“…"

Fang Xing was somewhat skeptical it was a prank, but after sensing the other’s strength, he chose to keep silent.

Martial artists inherently have admirable spiritual energies; cultivation of the 'Great Sun Rulai Mantra’ further strengthened Fang Xing’s intuitive perception.

‘This teacher... looks like a lad, yet called Pan Xiong, but still looking so young at 86?’

‘Seems like cultivating martial arts to a profound level rivals the rejuvenation seen in Daoism. Or could it be... he underwent genetic surgery?’

“What’s wrong? You don’t believe it?”

Pan Xiong chuckled, and a spark of golden light suddenly flared up, swiftly enveloping the surroundings like a golden sun, exuding an aura of terrifying majesty.

“Ah!”

Su Longyan and Ouyang Qianqian exclaimed, stepping back, only to notice Fang Xing standing still, his expression complex.

When Pan Xiong saw that Fang Xing remained unmoved, a hint of satisfaction crossed his face. Yet he was enshrouded once more in a golden brilliance, making him look like a divine golden guardian, solemn and awe-inspiring.

“Martial Path Golden Body! Vajra Realm!”

Fang Xing took half a step back, his face showing shock. “Greetings, Teacher!”

“Hmm, this pupil can indeed be taught,”

Pan Xiong nodded. “Deserving of this year’s top spot in martial arts.”

“Yin Hongding was worried I would compete with him for the Gu Jiantong. Haha... Even with top-tier abilities and natural talent, those who have had it easy still struggle when they eventually meet stronger talents. I prefer you kinds who crawl out from the muck, showing real resilience!”

“Teacher!”

At this moment, Su Longyan and Ouyang Qianqian also stepped forward to greet him together.

“Hmm, I will teach you two classes each week. Think carefully about what you want to ask...”

Pan Xiong was straightforward: “As for university advice, participate more in student council tasks, earn more credits, take advantage of the Compendium of All Spirits, and grab treasures from the vault. That’s it... Fang Xing, you may ask your question first.”

“Teacher, my Niwan Palace is already perfected, and with just a bit more time I can break through the fifth stage of the Great Dragon Stance. Should I attempt to break into the External Scene?”

Fang Xing asked, oblivious to the astonished looks on his classmates.

Was this the pace of a first-year student about to break through to the fifth realm of martial arts?

‘Could this... be a true genius?’

Su Longyan lowered her head but soon lifted it again in defiance.

“Hmm... Your ‘Spirit’ is indeed complete, only lacking domain mastery. Breaking into the fifth realm should be effortless. However, I see you’re on the path of the Dragon-Tiger Golden Elixir, so it’s better to wait, perfect the Tiger Taming Stance to the fifth stage first... Think about matching the Dragon and Tiger before crossing into the External Scene...”

Pan Xiong advised. “Also... I’ve watched your previous combat videos; I suggest you learn another movement skill.”

“Yes, I wish to learn the ‘Skywalk Step,’ though it seems this step can only be learned post-External Scene...”

Fang Xing was envious when he saw Xia Long walking on air; but Xia Long’s technique required domain power, which he couldn’t yet achieve.

All other movement arts were not up to his standards, so he waited until the semester started to see what opinion his instructor might have.

“Hmm, go to the university library and search for a footwork skill—‘Void Dance Step.’ It’s derived from Skywalk Step but surpasses it in mystique. This martial art, an S-rank, was only recently completed.”

Pan Xiong instructed, “As long as you learn the basics of Void Dance Step, you can walk on air without needing the External Scene realm...”

“Yes!”

Fang Xing decided that after returning, he should strengthen his agility skills a bit more.

“Su Longyan, your understanding of the Tai Chi concept is commendable... However, you indulge too much in the soft and yielding ways of overcoming adversaries. From today onward, learn the Frenzied Eighteen Strikes and the Demonic Staff Technique... train every day in the fierce and vigorous force.”

“Ouyang Qian, you have plenty of perseverance but lack a solid foundation... Improve your level first, then we’ll talk...”

Pan Xiong then began instructing two other students.

Taking this opportunity, Fang Xing downloaded 'Step of the Dancing Sky', glanced over it, and felt a burst of joy.

“The fundamentals of the Step of the Dancing Sky focus on exerting mighty force to step on air... Imagine the air as a solid object, and naturally, it becomes a foothold to exert strength... To achieve this, you need a strong physique and incredible explosive power... This truly suits me!”

Previously, the vast assortment of martial arts in the great library was overwhelming; even within just the category of agility techniques, there were tens of thousands of volumes, nearly impossible to sift through.

Yet Pan Xiong could point out the right direction in an instant, leaving Fang Xing to marvel at his discerning eye.

“Teacher, could you teach me the 'Essence of Dancing Sky'?”

Fang Xing took the chance to ask.

As long as he could comprehend it once, he could use it as a benchmark and continually practice until proficient.

And once the basics were down, recording it on his attribute panel, what more was there to fear?

“The Essence of Dancing Sky?”

A hint of amusement played on Pan Xiong's lips: “I can't teach it... That technique and I just don’t match.”

“Then... may I try it in the virtual space?”

Fang Xing asked tentatively.

Although the virtual space can at most simulate experts of the outer scenery level, its repository of concepts ought to be abundant.

“Hehe, with a mere demonstration by an outer scenery expert, how could it be comprehensive?”

A mysterious smile appeared on Pan Xiong’s face: “It’s perfect timing... This time, I’ll let you experience the true essence of Blue Star University — ‘The Compendium of All Spirits’!”

“What exactly is the Compendium of All Spirits?”

Su Longyan asked curiously.

“The Compendium of All Spirits is a scroll!”

Pan Xiong, seemingly not answering at all, kept the three in suspense before chuckling: “It’s a mystical scroll left by the founding principal, continuously developed and augmented by generations of our university’s elite... It has almost amalgamated the myriad martial arts of the world. As long as you delve into it, your concepts and domains can advance by leaps and bounds...”

It was a quiet evening at Blue Star University, the time when students retired to their dorms, eager to delve into their studies. Fang Xing, however, was restless, his mind fixated on the newfound potential he had discovered earlier that day.

Guided by Pan Xiong, he had learned about the "Compendium of All Spirits," a legendary manuscript said to hold the secrets of enhancing martial prowess far beyond ordinary limits. Even the thought of it was enough to ignite a fire within him.

As he pondered over the possibilities, Fang Xing wondered how he might access such a formidable resource. His determination, sharp as ever, would not allow him to give up so easily.

It was then that a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Lost in your ambitions again, I see," said Gu Yun, a fellow student and occasional confidante. Her gentle teasing brought him back to reality, where the evening air was cool and fragrant with the scent of night-blooming flowers.

Fang Xing turned to her with a smile, "Ambitious dreams need ambitious actions, wouldn't you agree?"

"Perhaps, but remember to enjoy life's quieter moments, too," she replied, her tone light yet carrying an undeniable wisdom. "After all, even the fiercest warriors must find their peace."

(End of Chapter)