Chapter 322: Preparing for the Breakthrough
Chapter 322: Preparing for the Breakthrough
Several days later...
"Congratulations, Doctor."
After the thesis defense, Nie Ying personally presented a badge to Fang Xing.
In this interstellar age, online certifications and access permissions were of utmost importance, and offline ceremonies were becoming increasingly rare.
At Bluestar University, there were no grand ceremonies for undergraduate or graduate graduations.
However, a doctoral degree was different, and with Fang Xing being a Martial Saint, Nie Ying specially organized a small celebration after the graduation.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Fang Xing received the Bluestar badge and attended the reception with Nie Ying, meeting some of his former senior classmates.
Bluestar University, as one of the top three universities, had produced countless powerful individuals.
Recently, with Ye Liuyun, the principal, preparing to break through the Martial God realm, many powerful individuals had returned to the campus.
Fang Xing also benefited from Ye Liuyun's influence and met a large number of top-level figures in the Federation.
At this occasion, he conducted himself with great humility, leaving everything to Nie Ying.
"Martial Saint Fang, congratulations on your graduation."
Xu Sanyang approached with a glass of wine in hand.
"Congressman Xu," Fang Xing responded with restraint.
This Xu Sanyang, despite having pioneered the Half-Witch Doctor Path, ultimately chose the path of a martial artist and had also reached the Eighth Stage of the Martial Saint realm.
Ye Liuyun's attempt to break through the Martial God realm was the greatest attraction for martial artists.
"You are very strong..."
Xu Sanyang poured himself another glass of wine, "I can't quite see through you anymore..."
Fang Xing suddenly recalled that Xu Sanyang, his senior classmate, seemed to have a poor tolerance for alcohol, and his inspiration increased as he got more intoxicated.
However, his current strength was indeed difficult to gauge.
Unexpectedly, even Xu Sanyang in his half-drunken state couldn't see through him.
"I've just been doing some research. By the way, Congressman Xu, do you know any experts in the field of dreams and consciousness? I have some questions I'd like to ask."
Fang Xing had many doubts about the strange phenomenon of his third crossing over.
"Is it because of that Artisan of Dreams? The Federation has long been supporting research on dreams and the subconscious... Many universities have established specialized dream majors, and there's even a new profession called 'Dreamweaver'!"
Xu Sanyang said, "The master who developed the Dreamweaver profession is called 'Lilith Anna', a Ninth Stage Illusionist. I'll introduce you to her one of these days..."
"Thank you!" Fang Xing sincerely expressed his gratitude.
He was very curious as to why his third crossing over had brought his consciousness directly into this world.
Moreover, his relationship with Li Ying after his arrival was also very strange and special.
In any case, he couldn't possibly be a product of the other's split personality.
...
After the reception, Fang Xing returned to his villa on Bluestar and laid down in the virtual cabin, ready to play games without fail.
First, it was Glory of the Soldier, then Crystal King, White Ape Jianghu, and Sword Hero...
After a round of gaming, he had won numerous MVPs and felt a sense of emptiness as he exited the virtual cabin.
"There's a problem..."
Fang Xing furrowed his brows slightly.
He played games mainly to relax, entertain himself, and also to check on the intelligence of the various sects.
But surprisingly... everything seemed normal!
"Everything being normal is the biggest abnormality!"
"Ye Liuyun's breakthrough to the Martial God realm is a huge event for the Demon Realm. How could there be no reaction at all?"
"Unless... these local Demon Realm believers have lost their trust."
Fang Xing sighed, recalling the Moon Goddess incident where ten local Demon Realm believers had eight infiltrators and spies among them, leading to a complete failure and even the death of the Moon Goddess.
Thinking about his own disciples, how many of them were double or triple agents?
It was clear that even the demons knew how unreliable these believers were.
It was normal for them to be abandoned.
The extra-dimensional demons were crazy, but not stupid.
"Perhaps, these are all just smokescreens?"
"The Federation is so vast, there must be corresponding measures... Maybe they've set up a trap, and it's a fierce battle."
"Martial Saint graduates like me are returning in large numbers, and it's the time when Bluestar University is at its strongest."
"I'd like to see how many extra-dimensional demons' main bodies dare to descend."
Fang Xing's lips curved into a slight smile.
...
Finally, the day of Ye Liuyun's breakthrough to the Martial God realm arrived, much to the anticipation of all Federation citizens.
At Bluestar University, Fang Xing and Nie Ying walked in the grand library, which resembled a white jade seal.
"The principal will be breaking through in the Little Realm above the library..."
Nie Ying explained to Fang Xing, "At that time, there will be only one camera controlled by the Omniscient Mind, and no one else is allowed to enter..."
The Little Realm above the library was originally used to house the Ten Thousand Spirit Ledger.
After it was broken, it should have been repaired to some extent.
Currently, it served as an excellent 'secret room'.
"The principal is truly noble and upright," Fang Xing sighed.
During a breakthrough, any disturbance was highly undesirable! Even a single live-streaming camera could slightly reduce the chances of a successful breakthrough.
Even a tiny reduction could mean the difference between life and death at a critical moment!
Fang Xing couldn't help but admire Ye Liuyun for taking this step.
"The Principal has already entered the Little Realm, and the task of sealing off and evacuating the ordinary students is complete. Let's wait together."
Nie Ying's expression was somewhat desolate as he followed Fang Xing to the terrace of the Great Library.
The entrance to the Little Realm here had long been closed, replaced by a massive screen.
In the center of the screen stood a single figure—none other than the Martial God, Ye Liuyun!
On the terrace, about twenty people were scattered, all with cultivation bases above the Eighth Stage.
Among them was an elderly man with a grandfatherly appearance, his spirit seemingly in decline to a certain extent. He was half-lying down, wearing a white undershirt with several holes, and holding a fan in his hand.
It was none other than Old Man Meng, the librarian who had previously guarded the Ten Thousand Spirit Ledger.
"Old Master Meng..."
Fang Xing stepped forward and greeted him.
"It's you..."
Old Master Meng lifted his eyes and sighed, "Little Ye is risking his life to surpass the Martial God. You are our school's most outstanding young man. Watch and learn well... This old bone of mine is as good as useless..."
His words carried a sense of dejection and despair.
Even though it was a holographic simulation, the screen still struggled to convey the subtle changes in vital energy, essence, and will during the breakthrough.
Not to mention, the current virtual technology of the Federation had not yet reached such a standard.
Therefore, these Martial Saints had gathered at the entrance of the Little Realm to personally experience those fluctuations.
Fang Xing remained silent and sat cross-legged.
Old Master Meng continued to mutter, "In your batch, Old Man here had high hopes for Gu Jiantong... But that kid had bad luck. Even after being rescued, he was already half-crippled."
Gu Jiantong, the one with the bushy eyebrows!
Another familiar name.
Fang Xing couldn't help but ask, "I remember he was possessed by the Gate Sect's master, but wasn't he eventually saved?"
"Although he was saved, that demon didn't care about his body. He forcibly tapped into his potential, ruining his ability to transform essence. His body was riddled with holes, mixed with demon god pollution, entangled with the source of life... Even with the use of a Source Sea-grade treatment cabin and the help of various professors, it was difficult to reverse the damage. They could only barely repair his body and restore his sanity... Recently, I heard that he has given up on the Martial Dao and returned home to inherit a hundred billion fortune and get married."
Old Master Meng explained.
"That's truly..."
Fang Xing didn't know what to say.
But to have survived the possession of the Gate Sect's master and still be alive was already a stroke of luck.
Not to mention the hundred billion fortune, a luxurious mansion, and a beautiful wife... Thinking about it made him envious.
"It's starting."
Just then, Nie Ying spoke calmly.
Fang Xing turned to the screen and saw Ye Liuyun still sitting cross-legged, without any changes.
He paused for a moment and released a strand of his aura, instantly sensing the vast Martial Dao vital energy and will emanating from the Little Realm.
After a few seconds, the vital energy and will began to fluctuate slightly.
"The teacher is indeed worthy of being a former Martial God, with a grasp of Qi Mechanism far beyond mine..."
Fang Xing couldn't help but admire.
Nie Ying, however, looked at his student with a hint of surprise.
He had been a Martial God but had fallen from that realm, yet his vision and experience remained. He could discern the beginning of the breakthrough.
But the timing Fang Xing had chosen was already better than that of several of his Martial Saint senior brothers.
In the Martial Competition, having a keen eye and grasping the right moment even a second or two earlier could mean the difference between heaven and earth.
"Among my students, you might very well be the one to achieve the highest in the future."
Nie Ying sighed.
Previously, Pan Xiong had recommended this student to him, and he had reluctantly accepted.
After all, as the vice-principal, he had taught and mentored countless graduate and doctoral students over the years.
Later, when he learned that Fang Xing had killed the school's instructor Wei Shen Tong, he felt a hint of displeasure.
Although there were extenuating circumstances, couldn't he have sought the school's judgment instead of taking matters into his own hands?
This was a common flaw among those in power. If you have a grievance, you can seek my help to resolve it, but you shouldn't take matters into your own hands.
Of course, Nie Ying was a decent person; at least he had given what was due.
Fang Xing was also glad that his mentor didn't interfere with his affairs and enjoyed his freedom.
Later, as Fang Xing gradually revealed his talent, it turned out he was a late-bloomer capable of breaking through the Vajra Realm, and Nie Ying changed his mind, accepting him as a doctoral student.
And then came the breakthrough to Martial Saint!
Now, Nie Ying suddenly realized that Fang Xing seemed to have surpassed all his other students and become his true disciple.
Upon hearing this, the Martial Saints near Nie Ying's changed expressions.
Fang Xing, however, remained calm and seized this rare opportunity to carefully sense the changes in vital energy within the Little Realm.
As for the outside world? He was quite at ease.
With the Federation's extensive preparations and backup plans... There were already over twenty Martial Saints and Martial Gods guarding the library alone.
Even if an extra-dimensional demon came, they would be beaten to death!
"However, theoretically speaking, the demon god shouldn't be able to reach here, right? Otherwise, the Federation would lose all face."
...
As Fang Xing indulged in his thoughts, outside the Blue Star, in the near-Earth orbit, a 'moon' appeared.
Within the moon stood a young man with a buzz cut, dressed in black, and with a cold demeanor. It was none other than the Space Martial God of the Nine Swords Academy, 'Seabreaker'!
He piloted the 'Moon Goddess Ship', silently observing the Blue Star...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
