Starry Sky Professional

Liu Wei handed over two bottles of salty soda, saying, “Here... why are you spacing out?”

“Oh, thanks.”

Fang Xing accepted the soda, taking a casual sip. The specially made beverage sparkled under the sunlight, reflecting a spectrum of colors and bursting with a myriad of flavors. The delightful effervescence danced on his tongue, offering a refreshing coolness and compelling him to gulp it down with its persistent subtle saltiness. “So refreshing...”

Drinking their salty sodas, Fang Xing and Liu Wei walked home together.

They both rented a place nearby, not far from the school. A small river meandered past, its waters crystal clear, with snow-white banks.

“I’m definitely going to get into college!”

Suddenly, Liu Wei tossed his soda bottle afar, watching the splash, and spoke up.

“Hmm?”

Fang Xing was busy calculating his family assets, daydreaming about fully enjoying this era's pleasures and exploring the newly introduced ‘Gate of the Heavens’, when Liu Wei’s words caught his attention, making him turn to face him.

“I must get into college and switch majors, preferably to the Mech Department. Practicing martial arts leads nowhere,” Liu Wei declared earnestly.

In Blue Star Federation’s customary terms, martial practitioners earn the title of ‘Wudao Master’ only upon reaching the Fourth Stage—the Guts Stage.

Of course, a Wudao Master can further advance to become a ‘Mecha Martial Artist’.

Even in ancient times, armed warriors vastly outclassed their unarmored counterparts, let alone with mechas.

From his previous knowledge, even the lowest-grade military exoskeletons could instantly elevate an ordinary person to rival a ‘Guts Stage’ Wudao Master!

‘Alas... lack of resources. Otherwise, everyone could joyously pilot mechas together,’ he sighed internally.

Why does the Blue Star Federation heavily invest in the martial arts system and produce numerous biohumans? Simply due to the frontline shortages—of cannon fodder, mecha pilots, and resources.

Rumors persist that some high-level officials have proposed opening up genetic modulation technology and shortening the biohuman cultivation period outside birthing pods from ten months to three months or even less. But many oppose this, arguing it would truly strip humans of their potential and limitless possibilities.

According to current technology, genetic modulation enhances biohumans' likelihood of advancing to the Fourth Martial Stage, yet significantly cuts their chances of becoming an Eighth Stage Martial Sage or Ninth Stage Martial God.

‘But if the Blue Star Federation suffers a major defeat, further straining resources, who knows what might happen then.’

‘After all, cannon fodder is cannon fodder; you can't expect too much... And as for things like Martial Saints and Martial Gods, they're not exceptionally strong. Top-tier Mecha Warriors, Spirit Masters, and Sword Masters, among other professions, can be even more destructive...’

‘Of course, the different professions aren't completely isolated from one another... For instance, a martial artist needs to wear special exoskeletons or even custom mechas to unleash their full potential!’

"Alright, keep at it!"

After pondering a thousand thoughts, the only words Fang Xing managed to say were these three.

After parting ways, Fang Xing returned to his home.

Calling it a 'home' was a bit of a stretch, as it was more like an apartment. As soon as you entered, you could see the living room, with a kitchen and bedroom besides, quite spacious actually.

"Nowadays, the property prices in the Xingfu Community seem to be around ten thousand Star Yuan per square meter..."

Fang Xing glanced around, a thought surfacing in his mind.

"Even rent isn't cheap, and without the federal student loan, it would indeed be hard to afford..." He took out his phone, deftly opening an app to check his wallet.

【Balance: 14,231.9 Star Yuan】 "Just enough to buy a bit more than a square meter, and that's only because I've been working on the side during my spare time..."

Fang Xing recalled the original owner's dream; it wasn't exactly to get into college, but to buy a house! Not here on this fledgling star, but in the capital, Blue Star—the origin of the Blue Star Federation.

"With the housing prices on Blue Star, the immigration costs, and spaceship tickets... this amount isn't even a drop in the ocean..."

"Perhaps only the elite professionals could afford it?" Fang Xing calculated and was speechless; this dream was much bigger than Liu Wei's.

‘Survival first, then worry about buying a house.’

Having once felt the squeeze of modern mortgages in his past life, Fang Xing now sneered at the original owner's desire: "This money is better spent enjoying life first... After all, starbound entertainment is wonderfully diverse..."

"Even though this is just an ordinary educational planet, there's still plenty of fun to be had..."

Recalling the basic information about this place, Fang Xing couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the Blue Star Federation.

Eaglet Star is located in the Heishan Galaxy, with the primary components of its atmosphere being nitrogen and oxygen. It consists of 44.6% land, including continents and islands, and 55.4% oceans and bodies of water, with a gravity standard 1.2 times that of Blue Star.

As an educational planet, its main industry is various schools and training centers.

In essence, the entire planet's economy revolves around this educational industry chain.

Because of this, Liu Wei feels hopeless—without the ability for interstellar travel, he simply cannot escape this planet.

For those biosynthetic humans who think too much, Eaglet Star feels like a massive cage, with even the skies and outer space exuding a sense of oppression.

But for Fang Xing...

“Wow... how big does your heart need to be to feel stifled by a whole planet when it comes to personal freedom?”

He pondered this as he opened a food delivery app on his phone.

Before long, the whirring sound of propellers came from the balcony.

A drone landed on the balcony, leaving behind a steaming package.

“Confirm delivery, dear customer, and please leave a good review!”

A cute, lively voice chimed in before the drone retracted.

“What an old-fashioned delivery method...”

Upon closer inspection, the lunchbox was filled with grains of rice the size of a pinky nail, each one plump and translucent, like red jade.

“Ah, this is 'Bloodfang Rice,' reputed to greatly nourish one's energy and blood.”

“Alongside that, we have Sharosaur steak... oh, this meat juice...”

Using chopsticks, he picked up a piece of steak, gazing at the crystal-clear meat before putting it in his mouth. A burst of strong meaty aroma filled his mouth. The Sharosaur meat was so tender it melted on the tongue without getting caught in the teeth. With every chew, waves of meat juice burst forth, complemented perfectly by vegetables and fragrant rice—simply exceptional...

“Delicious!”

Before he knew it, Fang Xing was looking at the empty container with a hint of longing on his face. “Even though it costs over a hundred, it’s worth every coin. I'll have a cup of milk tea to top it off... living life to the fullest is pure joy, forget about buying a house for now!”

As for the prospect of enlisting in the military after graduating high school in three years, Fang Xing had conveniently put that thought aside.

After finishing his meal, he tossed the takeout box in the trash and retrieved a pair of high-tech glasses from the drawer.

Once he put it on, a fantastical world immediately emerged.

“Hmm? This virtual reality game doesn't have an 18+ rating? I’m impressed...”

The next moment, Fang Xing was like an explorer finding new land, unknowingly getting absorbed in it.

The next day.

In the bedroom.

Fang Xing's face was flushed, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat as if he were soaked.

He stood like a bow, his spine like a dragon, diligently practicing the Great Dragon Stance!

Even though he had a great time playing the game yesterday, he was an adult and knew restraint. He made sure to go to bed by midnight. This morning, after a refreshing rest and a simple wash, he began his training.

Half an hour later, Fang Xing was panting deeply, his thoughts focused on his attribute panel:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 16】

【Occupation: Warrior】

【First Realm: Flesh and Skin】

【Military Fist Twelve Forms: 56/100】

【Great Dragon Stance: 67/100】

【Gate of All Worlds: 2/100】

“Neither the Great Dragon Stance nor the Military Fist Twelve Forms have changed. As expected, it's tough to trigger a qualitative change with just a single day, huh?”

“But the Gate of All Worlds...”

Fang Xing shifted his focus to the symbol resembling a mirrored door, and a surge of inexplicable information flooded his mind: “A 1% increase in just one day?”

“At this rate, in 98 more days, I could open the Gate of All Worlds and travel to another realm?”

Fang Xing felt a rush of excitement.

Another world!

Perhaps this was a chance to travel again, maybe even return to the original Earth!

Though, going back would mean continuing as a workhorse, still unable to afford even a bathroom in the capital, uh...

"Comparing like this, traveling with a powerful cheat of sorts doesn't seem all that bad…" Fang Xing's lips curled slightly. "What's more important is that there's a way out!"

Even if he fails the university entrance exam three years from now and is forced into military service, he can go to a different world and avoid the dangers of the battlefield.

"Still, if I'm crossing into another world, I'd better be well-prepared."

With a serious expression, he opened the online store on his phone, searching for some essential gear.

The simplest air monitors, food-grade toxin test strips, drones, even protective gear and weapons...

After all, another world might be extraordinarily dangerous, and he had to be fully prepared.

Thankfully, there's still plenty of time.

"When it comes to protective gear, the Federation does have some good stuff. For instance, the basic nano-protective suit can generate a mask and offer full, seamless protection. Even an average person, without combat skills, is impenetrable to attacks from warriors of the third realm wearing it…"

"That's for protective gear, but the Federation does have restrictions on weapons… huh?"

Fang Xing's eyes suddenly brightened upon seeing what seemed to be the most expensive weapon in the store.

At the top of the product page was an image of a firearm. Its silvery-white body looked quite futuristic, and its sleek design seemed very handy.

['Rapid Dragon' Class Laser Gun, Price: 200,000 Star Coins]

"Rapid Dragon is a major federal arms manufacturer. The laser emitted from this gun can kill even a fourth realm martial artist instantly. Unfortunately, it's the civilian version..."

Fang Xing sighed in disappointment. The so-called 'civilian version' meant the internal mechanism had been locked to prevent it from targeting humanoid creatures.

"If I crossed into a world full of monsters, it would still be very useful, but… I can't afford it…"

"Looks like I'll have to start grinding hard for the next three months."

“Could it be... is this the fate of the working class?”

The chapter wraps up with Fang Xing pondering over his situation and the challenges ahead.

(End of Chapter)