[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-20":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starlight Professional",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308680,4512,"Chapter 20: Chapter One","starlight-professional-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>With Fang Xing’s current strength, he naturally advanced unimpeded through the arena matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The final match: Fang Xing versus Liu Wei—you will determine the top two ranks of this practical exam!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena, Xia Long gazed at the two competitors and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of anything else, the top two spots in the practical exam were already secured by his Grade 1, Class 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal may not say much, but at least this year’s benefits should be increased, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If either of these two students gets into university, he deserves a hefty bonus!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah Xing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the muscles on his body rippled like flowing water, appearing strangely unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing, however, suddenly sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei is strong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awakening an ability is like defying heaven itself—and it’s one of the most immediately potent power-based abilities!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once we fight, I won’t be able to defeat him without revealing my full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could expose certain things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Second place in the practical exam is still a decent rank, especially… with the written exam to come!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing made his decision and finally spoke: “I surrender…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surrender?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long frowned; the students and teachers around erupted in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surrender? Why surrender?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Liu Wei and Fang Xing are close friends—grew up together… maybe he can’t bring himself to fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some admired him; others sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei’s expression darkened instantly: “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to fight you. That’s reason enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing exhaled slowly: “Besides… second place in the practical exam is good enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei’s heart stirred—he remembered the final score combined practical and written exam results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his academic performance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not utterly terrible, but still slightly behind Fang Xing’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well, since the contestant has surrendered, this match is won by Liu Wei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Long cleared his throat, a faint smile on his face: “This end-of-term exam has concluded successfully—scores will be released shortly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the AI grading system, the written exam results had already been calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waited until now solely for the practical results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Fang Xing saw his scores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Written Exam Score: 874 (out of 1000)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Practical Exam Score: 98 (out of 100)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Composite Score: 175.6 (Composite Rank: 1)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? I’m top of the grade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing was stunned, then understood: “Looks like all the top written exam scorers lost badly in the practical…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible? I’m only third?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wei also saw his score, struggling to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded: “This summer, I plan to focus on intensive study and cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I hope all three of you maintain this progress—I’ll apply for scholarships next semester.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glanced sidelong at Liu Wei and Bai Lianyi, sensing something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for living expenses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d soon get the scholarship—no need to work part-time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally over…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingfu Jiayuan Community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing shut the door and lay back comfortably on his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the final exam, school had gone on break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two months of vacation were enough for him to thoroughly explore that other world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Power—I need stronger power!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Liu Wei’s progress, Fang Xing felt a prickling unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the usual envy—fearing a brother’s hardship while dreading his success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was… Liu Wei’s transformation was strange!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To others, it might seem normal—but the original owner had grown up with Liu Wei as a brother!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with the odd things Liu Wei had occasionally revealed, Fang Xing sensed danger drawing near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe I’m overthinking—Liu Wei just got lucky, underwent a gene mutation, and awakened an ability…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But… I still need to cut ties quickly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing stared inward—he also wanted to distance himself from Liu Wei to avoid his childhood friend discovering his anomaly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘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.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original’s friend was not his friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In novels he’d read, protagonists who instantly embraced parents and siblings after reincarnation weren’t his style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the original’s memories, it’d feel even more false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I am myself—I just need to be me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing sighed, preparing to play a game to commemorate his lost youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, another new 18+ game—let me properly critique it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He put on his holographic glasses and immersed himself in a new release, oblivious to the passage of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed. When Fang Xing finally sighed in satisfaction and removed his glasses, he found the outside world plunged into darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Did the delivery arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing walked to the door and saw two courier packages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were a wig and the vintage robe he’d ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To impersonate someone from the other world, long hair was essential; with time limited, the wig would suffice for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vintage fashion was popular on Eagle Star—he wouldn’t stand out wearing ancient robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fed and rested—tomorrow, I cross over… this time, to the ‘Qinglin Bazaar’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After months of language study, Fang Xing had largely mastered the other world’s tongue—face-to-face communication posed no major issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d even secretly approached several farmland zones and exchanged a few words with seemingly simple farmers—without raising suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two months should yield some results… at least, I need to find a source for the ‘Xiantian Pill’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advancing in martial cultivation is easier with sufficient resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving from Stage One, Flesh Stage, to Stage Two, Tendon-Bone Stage, requires only sufficient Blood Qi Pills—no major hurdle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But advancing from Tendon-Bone Stage to Jade Skin Stage is difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strengthening the internal organs and expanding internal Qi takes years—many high schoolers fail, losing their chance at university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing silently planned his future, his eyes growing brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In such a brilliant interstellar age, wouldn't it be a shame not to charge at the forefront of the tide?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1399,"2026-06-20T11:03:20.053Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fefd3eac56e324b3a4cbb99c6719db5699fb44c449e5ceca8d393bb536d71bfe","starlight-professional-chapter-21","starlight-professional-chapter-19",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]