Chapter 20: Chapter One

With Fang Xing’s current strength, he naturally advanced unimpeded through the arena matches.

As the competition progressed through the quarterfinals and semifinals, the number of arenas decreased, yet the number of spectators for each match grew ever larger.

Until…

“The final match: Fang Xing versus Liu Wei—you will determine the top two ranks of this practical exam!”

On the arena, Xia Long gazed at the two competitors and smiled faintly.

Regardless of anything else, the top two spots in the practical exam were already secured by his Grade 1, Class 2.

The principal may not say much, but at least this year’s benefits should be increased, right?

If either of these two students gets into university, he deserves a hefty bonus!

“Ah Xing…”

Liu Wei looked at Fang Xing, a spark of eagerness flashing across his face: “Come on… I’ve long wanted to see your true strength.”

As he spoke, the muscles on his body rippled like flowing water, appearing strangely unnatural.

Fang Xing, however, suddenly sighed.

Liu Wei is strong!

Awakening an ability is like defying heaven itself—and it’s one of the most immediately potent power-based abilities!

Once we fight, I won’t be able to defeat him without revealing my full strength.

That could expose certain things.

After all, Jade Skin is essentially the Great Dragon Pillar of the Third Stage, and the rapid progress in Pillar Arts stems from my astonishing talent.

But my progress in Flesh Refinement—nearly half complete—is harder to explain; no matter how gifted one is, without massive resource investment, it’s impossible.

‘Second place in the practical exam is still a decent rank, especially… with the written exam to come!’

A passionate young man's final showdown against a former friend, a bloody battle ending in a hard-won victory—this isn't my style…

Fang Xing made his decision and finally spoke: “I surrender…”

“Surrender?”

Xia Long frowned; the students and teachers around erupted in shock.

“Surrender? Why surrender?”

“I heard Liu Wei and Fang Xing are close friends—grew up together… maybe he can’t bring himself to fight?”

“Nonsense! My childhood buddy and I were bare-assed playmates—I didn’t hold back when we took the high school entrance exam; I got my face beaten into a pig’s head… isn’t friendly sparring normal?”

“Hmph, foolish! As a bio-engineered human, you have nothing but your grades—your end-of-term score matters greatly; if you tie with someone in university admissions, your academic records will be reviewed in full, and this historical performance could tip the scales… Fang Xing is incredibly shortsighted!”

Some admired him; others sneered.

Liu Wei’s expression darkened instantly: “Why?”

“I don’t want to fight you. That’s reason enough.”

Fang Xing exhaled slowly: “Besides… second place in the practical exam is good enough.”

Liu Wei’s heart stirred—he remembered the final score combined practical and written exam results.

And his academic performance?

Not utterly terrible, but still slightly behind Fang Xing’s.

“Very well, since the contestant has surrendered, this match is won by Liu Wei!”

Xia Long cleared his throat, a faint smile on his face: “This end-of-term exam has concluded successfully—scores will be released shortly!”

With the AI grading system, the written exam results had already been calculated.

They waited until now solely for the practical results.

Soon, Fang Xing saw his scores.

【Written Exam Score: 874 (out of 1000)】

【Practical Exam Score: 98 (out of 100)】

【Composite Score: 175.6 (Composite Rank: 1)】

“Huh? I’m top of the grade?”

Fang Xing was stunned, then understood: “Looks like all the top written exam scorers lost badly in the practical…”

“Impossible? I’m only third?”

Liu Wei also saw his score, struggling to accept it.

“It’s normal. Composite score is 90% practical and 10% written. You got first in practical—full 100 points—your written score is 840, total 174, just one point behind second-place Bai Lianyi… you’re third.”

Xia Long turned to Fang Xing: “You recognized your disadvantage and surrendered decisively—brave, in a way… but some teachers viewed it as cowardice, so your practical score was slightly lowered; otherwise, you’d have gotten 99, placing you second. Fang Xing, keep pushing—this score is easily surpassed.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Fang Xing nodded: “This summer, I plan to focus on intensive study and cultivation.”

“Good. I hope all three of you maintain this progress—I’ll apply for scholarships next semester.”

Xia Long told Fang Xing and Liu Wei, then turned to Bai Lianyi, his smile barely contained: “Bai, your academic scores are excellent, but your practical skills still need work…”

His class had truly brought him honor—topping the entire grade’s top three; even the principal would raise more than a few toasts at the banquet…

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Fang Xing glanced sidelong at Liu Wei and Bai Lianyi, sensing something odd.

Recalling the dog-walking woman, Xia, he’d seen that day, he decided this summer he’d better stay home and explore the other world.

As for living expenses?

He’d soon get the scholarship—no need to work part-time.

…

“Finally over…”

Xingfu Jiayuan Community.

Fang Xing shut the door and lay back comfortably on his bed.

After the final exam, school had gone on break.

Two months of vacation were enough for him to thoroughly explore that other world!

“Power—I need stronger power!”

Thinking of Liu Wei’s progress, Fang Xing felt a prickling unease.

It wasn’t the usual envy—fearing a brother’s hardship while dreading his success.

It was… Liu Wei’s transformation was strange!

To others, it might seem normal—but the original owner had grown up with Liu Wei as a brother!

Combined with the odd things Liu Wei had occasionally revealed, Fang Xing sensed danger drawing near.

‘Maybe I’m overthinking—Liu Wei just got lucky, underwent a gene mutation, and awakened an ability…’

‘But… I still need to cut ties quickly.’

Fang Xing stared inward—he also wanted to distance himself from Liu Wei to avoid his childhood friend discovering his anomaly!

‘Even with the original’s memories… I’m not the real Fang Xing. My past-life habits leave traces others won’t notice—but Liu Wei might.’

Fang Xing sighed.

The original’s friend was not his friend.

In novels he’d read, protagonists who instantly embraced parents and siblings after reincarnation weren’t his style.

Without the original’s memories, it’d feel even more false.

‘I am myself—I just need to be me.’

Fang Xing sighed, preparing to play a game to commemorate his lost youth.

“Hmm, another new 18+ game—let me properly critique it…”

He put on his holographic glasses and immersed himself in a new release, oblivious to the passage of time.

Hours passed. When Fang Xing finally sighed in satisfaction and removed his glasses, he found the outside world plunged into darkness.

“Huh? Did the delivery arrive?”

Fang Xing walked to the door and saw two courier packages.

Inside were a wig and the vintage robe he’d ordered.

To impersonate someone from the other world, long hair was essential; with time limited, the wig would suffice for now.

Vintage fashion was popular on Eagle Star—he wouldn’t stand out wearing ancient robes.

These robes closely resembled the wide-sleeved garments of the other world; his request for aging treatment, coarse hemp fabric dyed blue, made them nearly indistinguishable.

“Fed and rested—tomorrow, I cross over… this time, to the ‘Qinglin Bazaar’…”

After months of language study, Fang Xing had largely mastered the other world’s tongue—face-to-face communication posed no major issue.

He’d even secretly approached several farmland zones and exchanged a few words with seemingly simple farmers—without raising suspicion.

“Two months should yield some results… at least, I need to find a source for the ‘Xiantian Pill’…”

Advancing in martial cultivation is easier with sufficient resources.

Moving from Stage One, Flesh Stage, to Stage Two, Tendon-Bone Stage, requires only sufficient Blood Qi Pills—no major hurdle.

But advancing from Tendon-Bone Stage to Jade Skin Stage is difficult.

Strengthening the internal organs and expanding internal Qi takes years—many high schoolers fail, losing their chance at university.

“With the ‘Xiantian Pill,’ my path to Jade Skin Stage will be smooth… If I also push the Great Dragon Pillar to its fourth stage and attain the ‘Dragon’s Essence,’ I can smoothly enter the Fourth Stage—Courage Stage!”

“If I reach Courage Stage by senior year, university is guaranteed—I might even challenge top-tier schools… elite ones like Blue Star University or Nine Sword Academy remain difficult…”

Fang Xing silently planned his future, his eyes growing brighter.

"In such a brilliant interstellar age, wouldn't it be a shame not to charge at the forefront of the tide?"