Chapter 331: Preparing for Breakthrough (End-of-Month Request for Monthly Tickets)

Several days later.

"Congratulations, Doctoral graduate."

After the thesis defense, Nie Ying personally handed Fang Xing a badge.

In today's interstellar age, what matters are online certifications and permission activation; physical ceremonies have grown increasingly rare.

At Blue Star University, neither undergraduate nor graduate graduations carry any ceremony.

But doctoral graduates are different, and Fang Xing is a Martial Saint—after graduation, Nie Ying specially organized a small celebration.

"Thank you, Master."

Fang Xing carefully stored the Blue Star badge and joined Nie Ying at the reception, meeting several former senior students and big names.

Blue Star University, as one of the three top-tier institutions, has produced countless powerful individuals.

Recently, due to Chancellor Ye Ye Liuyun's attempt to break through beyond the Martial God realm, many powerful figures have returned to campus.

Fang Xing has also benefited from Ye Ye Liuyun's fame, suddenly encountering a large number of Federation elites.

In such settings, he behaved with great humility, leaving everything to Nie Ying.

"Martial Saint Fang, congratulations on your graduation."

Xu Xu Sanyang walked over, holding a glass of wine.

"Councilor Xu."

Fang Xing remained composed.

This Xu Xu Sanyang, though he pioneered half a path of shamanic medicine, ultimately chose the path of the Martial Artist and is also an Eighth Realm Martial Saint.

Ye Ye Liuyun's attempt to break beyond the Martial God realm holds the greatest appeal for Martial Artists.

"You're strong…"

Xu Xu Sanyang downed another glass of wine: "I'm already having trouble reading you…"

Fang Xing suddenly recalled that this Senior Xu Xu Sanyang had a terrible tolerance for alcohol and became more inspired the more drunk he got.

Yet his current strength is indeed difficult to gauge.

Who would have thought that even a half-drunk Xu Xu Sanyang could no longer fathom him?

"I've just been doing some research. By the way, Councilor Xu, do you know any experts in dreams or consciousness? I have some questions I'd like to ask."

Fang Xing had many questions about the strange phenomenon of his third time-travel.

"Are you asking about the Creator? The Federation has long heavily supported research into dreams and the subconscious… Many universities now offer specialized dream programs, and even a brand-new profession has emerged—'Dream Master'!"

Xu Xu Sanyang said: "The master behind the 'Dream Master' profession is 'Lilith Anna,' a Ninth Realm Illusionist. I'll introduce you two someday…"

"Thank you!"

Fang Xing sincerely thanked him.

He was deeply curious about why his consciousness had directly manifested during his third time-travel.

And the relationship between himself and Li Ying after his manifestation was also strange and unique.

He certainly wasn't a product of Li Ying's dissociative identity.

…

After the banquet ended, Fang Xing returned to his villa on Blue Star, stepped into the virtual pod, and began his unshakable gaming routine.

First, Glory of the Soldier, then Crystal King, White Ape Martial World, Sword Hero Love…

After going through them all, he earned countless MVPs, then exited the virtual pod, filled with emptiness.

"Something's wrong…"

Fang Xing frowned slightly.

He played games mainly to relax, entertain himself, and occasionally check on the Sect's business intelligence.

But… everything was normal!

"Everything being normal is the biggest abnormality!"

"Ye Ye Liuyun's attempt to break beyond the Martial God realm is a major event in the Demon Realm—how could there be zero reaction?"

"Unless… these native demon worshippers have lost their trust."

Fang Xing sighed, recalling the previous Moon Goddess incident—eight out of ten native demon worshippers had been planted as moles or spies, leading to total failure and the Moon Goddess's death.

And now, thinking of his own disciples, how many double or triple agents were mixed among them?

Clearly, even the demons on the other side knew how useless these worshippers were.

Being abandoned was only natural.

The extraterrestrial demons were mad, not stupid.

"Perhaps even these are decoys?"

"The Federation is so vast—it must have taken corresponding measures… Maybe they've set a trap, and this is a fierce battle between dragons and tigers."

"Even I, as a newly graduated Martial Saint, am being recalled en masse—this is precisely when Blue Star University's strength is at its peak."

"I'd like to see how many extraterrestrial demons' true bodies will descend."

A faint smile curled on Fang Xing's lips.

…

Amid the eager anticipation of all Federation citizens,

the day finally arrived for Ye Ye Liuyun to break beyond the Martial God realm.

Blue Star University.

Fang Xing and Nie Ying walked through the library, its marble halls like a giant imperial seal.

"The Chancellor plans to break through within a small realm above the library…"

Nie Ying explained to Fang Xing: "Only one camera, controlled by the 'Omniscient Brain,' will be allowed inside—no one else is permitted."

The small realm above the library was originally meant to house the Ten Thousand Spirits Scroll.

It had been shattered and later repaired to some extent.

Now, as a sealed chamber, it was perfectly suited. "The Chancellor truly has noble integrity."

Fang Xing sighed.

During breakthroughs, disturbance is the greatest taboo!

Even having just one live camera pointed at him might reduce the Chancellor's chance of success by a fraction.

And even that tiny fraction could mean the difference between life and death at a critical moment!

Ye Ye Liuyun's willingness to do this earned deep admiration from Fang Xing himself.

"The Chancellor has already entered the small realm. The lockdown and evacuation of regular students are complete. Let's wait together."

Nie Ying's expression was wistful as he followed Fang Xing to the library's rooftop.

The entrance to the small realm had long been sealed, replaced by a massive screen.

In the center of the screen stood only one person: Martial God Ye Ye Liuyun!

On the rooftop, a scattered group of twenty-odd people stood, all with cultivation above the Eighth Realm.

Among them was an elderly man resembling a retired grandpa, his vitality and spirit clearly depleted, half-reclining in a half-torn white T-shirt, holding a bamboo fan.

It was Old Man Meng, the former guardian of the Ten Thousand Spirits Scroll.

"Old Man Meng…"

Fang Xing stepped forward and greeted him.

"Ah, it's you…"

Old Man Meng raised his eyes and sighed: "Little Ye is risking everything to break beyond the Martial God realm. You're the most outstanding young person in our school—watch closely, learn well… this old man's bones are already useless…"

His words carried a palpable aura of despair.

Even a holographic simulation could not fully convey the subtle shifts in qi, strength, and will during a breakthrough.

Especially since the Federation's current virtual technology still fell short of such standards.

That's why these Martial Saints needed to gather at the entrance to the small realm—to personally feel those fluctuations.

Fang Xing remained silent and sat cross-legged.

Old Man Meng mumbled on: "Among your cohort, I originally had the highest hopes for Gu Gu Jiantong… but that boy had terrible luck. Even after being rescued, he was half-destroyed."

Huangmao Gu Gu Jiantong!

Another familiar name.

Fang Xing couldn't help asking: "Didn't he get rescued after being possessed by the Sect Master?"

"He was rescued, yes," Old Man Meng said, "but that demon didn't care about his body at all—it forcibly exploited his potential. His light transformation ability was ruined, his body riddled with wounds, contaminated by demonic corruption, entangled with his life source… Even with a Source Sea-level healing pod and every professor's intervention, we couldn't save him—only barely repaired his body and sanity. Recently, I heard he's given up entirely, abandoned the Martial Path, returned home to inherit his hundred-billion fortune, and is now looking for a wife."

Meng Lao said.

"That's truly…"

Fang Xing didn't know what to say.

But surviving possession by the Sect Master and still living was already lucky enough.

Not to mention the hundred-billion fortune, the mansion, the beautiful wife… thinking about it, he was almost envious.

"It's starting."

At that moment, Nie Ying spoke softly.

Fang Xing looked at the screen and saw Ye Ye Liuyun still seated cross-legged, unchanged.

He paused, then released a trace of his own aura—and immediately felt the profound, oceanic martial qi and will emanating from the small realm.

After a few seconds, that qi and will began to subtly ripple.

"My teacher, once a Martial God, still surpasses me in mastery of energy patterns…"

Fang Xing couldn't help but admire.

Nie Ying glanced at his student with slight surprise.

He had once been a Martial God, though he later fell from his realm, yet his vision and insight remained, allowing him to perceive the beginning.

But Fang Xing's timing surpassed that of his several Martial Saint senior brothers.

In martial competition, gaining even one or two seconds in perception and timing creates a gap as vast as heaven and earth.

"Among my students, you may well achieve the highest future attainment."

Nie Ying sighed with emotion.

When Pan Xiong recommended this student to him, he had only reluctantly accepted him.

After all, as vice principal, he had taught for many years and taken in too many graduate and doctoral students.

He had even felt a touch of displeasure upon learning Fang Xing had slain the school's instructor Wei Wei Shentong.

Though understandable, couldn't you seek the school's intervention? Why resort to direct violence?

This is a common flaw among those in power: you may have grievances, but come to me for justice—do not take matters into your own hands.

Of course, Nie Ying was a decent man; at least he gave what he owed.

Fang Xing was perfectly happy to have his mentor leave him alone, enjoying himself thoroughly.

Later, as his talent gradually emerged, revealing him to be a late-stage prodigy capable of breaking through the Golden Core realm, Nie Ying changed his view and accepted him as a doctoral student.

Finally, he broke through to the Martial Saint realm!

Now, Nie Ying suddenly realized that Fang Xing had seemingly surpassed all his other students and become his true heir.

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of several Martial Saints near Nie Ying changed.

Fang Xing, however, remained calm; he could not miss this rare opportunity and carefully sensed the changes of blood qi within the small realm.

As for the outside world? He was utterly at ease.

The Federation had so many arrangements and backups—just in the library alone, over twenty Martial Saints and Martial Gods stood guard.

Even if an Outer Realm Demon God came, it would be beaten to death!

"Still, theoretically, shouldn't the Demon God be unable to reach here? Otherwise, the Federation would lose all face."

…

As Fang Xing drifted in thought, beyond Blue Star, in low orbit, a "moon" appeared.

Within the moon stood a young man with a crew cut, clad in black, his expression cold—none other than the Space Martial God of Nine Sword Academy, "Duan Hai"!

He piloted the "Moon God," silently observing Blue Star…

(End of Chapter)