Chapter 1658

He noticed Xu Jingming's gaze lingering on Yeli's name.

Garrison immediately smiled and explained.

"Your Highness, you've participated in the Universe Talent War."

"You should know, the number of prodigies across the entire Human Universe is as countless as stars."

"But the Universe Talent War is merely a selection event hosted by the Eternal Star Alliance alone."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of awe.

"Beyond the Eternal Star Alliance, the Human Universe also has the God-Slaying Martial Temple, the Universe Mercenary Alliance, and several other peak factions."

"Each faction holds its own talent war to recruit prodigies from all corners."

"The Starfire Program, however, has an even broader selection scope—it draws members not only from major powers like the Eternal Star Alliance and the God-Slaying Martial Temple."

"But also from affiliated races."

"Even from special lifeforms naturally born in the universe."

Garrison gazed at the few shimmering names at the top of the list.

His eyes revealed clear reverence.

"Thus, every member of the Starfire Program is no weakling."

"Take the top five on this list, for instance."

"Each is a monster who forged a Perfect Divine Body, with combat power that is utterly terrifying."

"Perfect Divine Body!"

Xu Jingming's heart jolted.

But his eyes quickly burned with fierce combat intent.

A Perfect Divine Body? Perfect!

Now, at last, he could find true peers to test himself against.

Battles that crushed opponents were satisfying, but after a while, they grew dull.

Then, curiously, he asked:

"How many people are in the Starfire Program now?"

"Report, Your Highness—including you, there are currently 357 official members."

Garrison answered immediately.

"So many?"

Xu Jingming was surprised, his gaze sweeping the Starfire List again.

Line after line of names flashed by.

Suddenly, a familiar name caught his eye—he froze.

"Royce is here too?"

This time, Xu Jingming was genuinely taken aback.

According to Sister Yeli, Royce's strength was built entirely on resources.

His actual combat ability was full of water—how could he become a Starfire Program member?

"You mean Prince Royce?"

Garrison smiled, clearly familiar with this topic:

"Prince Royce's situation is unusual."

"You know his father is the Burning Heaven Sovereign."

"But more importantly,"

"his ancestral patriarch is a World Sovereign-level great being."

"When the Starfire Program was first established, its rules weren't as refined as they are now."

"Prince Royce became one of the first members through family influence."

No way!

Xu Jingming muttered inwardly.

This was a fully structured system!

Having a Sovereign for a father wasn't enough—he had a World Sovereign ancestor backing him.

No wonder Royce was so arrogant.

This kind of reincarnation skill? Unmatched.

One's fate truly varies wildly.

Some are born standing at the finish line others spend their entire lives chasing.

"Your Highness, shall we continue?"

Garrison did not dwell on the topic, instead bowing respectfully:

"Next, Your Highness must ignite the Starfire."

"Complete the final certification and officially become a member of the Starfire Program."

"Ignite the Starfire? How?" Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

Garrison stepped aside, pointing to a peculiar silver device beside the hall's entrance.

The device stood about thirty meters tall, its surface smooth as a mirror.

At its center was a slightly indented fist-shaped sensor zone.

"Very simple."

"Your Highness merely needs to unleash your Divine Power and strike this sensor zone with full force."

The instrument will automatically detect and convert the corresponding Starfire height.

And at this moment,

the commotion from their side had already drawn the attention of many near the hall.

"Huh? Newcomers arrived!"

"He's about to ignite Starfire! I wonder what level his initial Starfire will reach."

"I think I've heard of him—Xu Jingming, right? He just broke through the Eternal Life Realm not long ago; probably a bit doubtful."

"Let's just watch. After all, initial scores are just for fun—the later Starfire values must be earned through real ability."

"......"

Numerous figures flew in from all directions.

Hovering midair, arms crossed, they cast glances over with expressions of eager amusement.

Each of these individuals carried an extraordinary aura, mostly Eternal Life Realm cultivators.

Their gazes toward Xu Jingming held curiosity and scrutiny, along with a faint sense of superiority.

Xu Jingming paid no attention whatsoever to the curious stares around him.

He walked up to the silver instrument.

After a brief sensing, his eyes sharpened and his right fist clenched tightly.

Crackling!

Brilliant golden-green Lei Guang erupted instantly from his fist.

The furious lightning and destructive aura of Doushen Shenlei spread outward.

Several onlooking prodigies nearby changed expression slightly.

Without any wasted words, Xu Jingming twisted his waist.

His fist, wrapped in the full power of Doushen Shenlei, slammed violently into the instrument's recess!

Boom—!!!

A deep, piercing roar exploded outward.

The next instant,

an incredibly brilliant starlight burst forth from the center of the silver instrument!

A solid, towering column of light shot skyward, piercing the clouds!

"It's started! Watch the height!"

"100 meters! 500 meters! It's already broken a kilometer!"

"So fast! Still rising! Two thousand meters! Three thousand meters!"

"Four thousand meters! Five thousand meters! My god, the momentum hasn't slowed!"

"Over eight thousand meters! Nine thousand... broke ten thousand! Broke ten thousand meters!"

"......"

A string of uncontrollable gasps rose from the crowd watching.

The prodigies who had originally come to watch with casual amusement

now wore expressions of utter shock.

"Ten thousand meters?! A newcomer who just entered the Eternal Life First Stage achieved an initial Starfire height of ten thousand meters?!"

"I remember when I entered, I pushed myself to the limit and only reached five thousand meters or so?"

"Sss, how many here have ever achieved ten thousand meters? No more than ten, right?"

"Monster! Another monster has entered."

"......"

A multitude of stunned gazes turned toward Xu Jingming.

Garrison's face broke into a brilliant smile.

He stepped forward and spoke respectfully:

"Your Highness, congratulations!

This Starlight Initiation Instrument is specially crafted.

Regardless of the tester's realm, the difficulty standard for summoning starlight remains uniform.

It comprehensively evaluates divine power quality, primordial resonance, and divine body foundation.

Your score of twelve thousand two hundred meters—

even among all prodigies in the Starfire Program's initial tests, ranks absolutely among the top."

He paused, then added:

"Moreover, the height to which this starlight rises

directly corresponds to your initial Starfire value.

According to conversion, you will receive 12,232 Starfire points.

This will serve as your starting capital for resource exchanges outside the program."

"Oh?"

Xu Jingming raised his sword-like eyebrows, a flicker of surprise in his eyes:

"Directly corresponds to Starfire value? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

His previous punch, though using Doushen Shenlei,

was indeed not his full strength.

Had he known it affected his starting capital, he would have exerted even more effort.

"Your Highness, please don't rush—during the Starfire ignition phase, each new member has three attempts."

"We will record the highest of the three as your final initial Starfire value."

"You may now attempt again."

Garrison smiled.

Garrison smiled.