Chapter 377: Augustus

Red Dragon Star.

This planet was purchased for naming rights by Red Dragon Catering Group and has long been operated as its headquarters.

Across the planet, natural ingredient cultivation centers raise various rare birds and beasts in fully wild, free-range conditions.

At the planet's center, atop a massive skyscraper.

Inside the Chairman's office.

"Grandfather!"

A middle-aged man bowed deeply before an elderly man with snow-white hair.

In the Interstellar Federation, where gene surgery is widespread, to appear so aged likely meant he had lived for centuries, his professional rank low, having tried every external means of life extension.

The old man stood tall, imposing without even raising his voice, like a platinum lion: "Xu Capricorn, Xu Manager—address me by my title in a professional setting!"

"Yes, Chairman!"

Xu Capricorn immediately lowered his head.

"The response from Blue Star University has come. It seems your cheap son, my cheap great-grandson, doesn't recognize me…"

Xu the Elder didn't care: "But bioengineered humans are like this—legally, they have no obligation to support their elders… Pity. If he'd just said one word, the group could've seen massive growth, and that one troublesome matter could've been resolved immediately."

"Yes… Whatever the company needs me to do, please instruct me, Chairman."

Xu Capricorn's waist remained bent.

To outsiders, he might command a transstellar corporation, hold high rank and power, a true elite of the upper class.

But before the Chairman, he was still just a grandson.

"Then good… go to the group's biological lab and perform several more sperm donation missions…"

Xu the Elder waved his hand: "That's about all you're good for. Best offer a high price to buy back the ova of the woman who donated them back then… Too bad, whether re-bred or cloned, it's unlikely another Ten Realm warrior will ever emerge… Still, even if the hope is slim, you must try."

"Yes, I'll go at once."

Xu Capricorn bowed his head, a flicker of humiliation in his eyes.

Back then, he was still a young man, earning plenty of pocket money through the Federation's donation programs.

Now, he was no longer young, with hundreds of legal spouses and children, and to do this again… it left a bitter taste.

…

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

"In this golden autumn, I am honored to welcome the students of Blue Star University. I wish you all a brilliant future…"

Fang Xing finished his speech to the sea of new freshmen below, then stepped down from the podium immediately.

"Don't ask me for these events again—send them to Vice Chancellor Nie Ying."

He tossed the speech script carelessly to Wei Jiali and gave the order.

As Chancellor of Blue Star University, his power may not rival the Federation's top nine ruling officials, but his influence remains substantial.

Not to mention, Blue Star University's affiliated corporations alone are oligarchic conglomerates of the Federation.

Add to that the influence of its distinguished alumni, and it becomes a vast, towering faction!

As Chancellor of Blue Star, Fang Xing held real authority.

From approving research funding for professors, to advising the Federation, to awarding top students—even the allocation and order of "Refining the Marrow of the Spirit" slots—anything Fang Xing wished to intervene in, he could.

But he had little interest in any of it.

The only exception was awarding extra subsidies to the original Simplified Buddha Palm research team, and promoting Professor Gu by one administrative rank.

A small repayment for his past free meals.

He also sent people to visit Pan Xiong, helping resolve his difficulties.

Yet after slightly wielding his power, Fang Xing grew weary.

"Indeed… my true passion remains martial arts—pursuing my own strength."

He returned to his villa and resumed cultivation.

The Great Sun Buddha Palm's proficiency rose with repeated use.

But Fang Xing now devoted more effort to the "Star Palace Scroll"!

The process of absorbing cosmic primordial energy also fascinated him deeply.

"My current understanding of the Fire Principle matches that of a Star Lord-level cultivator, but it's of little use."

"Principle comprehension—the higher, the better…"

"Moreover, among all principles, space is unquestionably the superior one!"

Once my immortal avatar reaches the Divine Transformation stage and cultivates the Void Refinement lineage, I should gain a thread of void power—and thus enter the realm of space principle!

"Even later, after Void Refinement, I may truly comprehend the Dao—even a mere ripple of Daoic power would be enough to make many Law Lord cultivators envious…"

Law Lord cultivators struggle to ascend to Dao Lord, and may never even have the chance to deeply experience Daoic power.

For Fang Xing, this was simple.

"So far… whether Immortal Dao or Primordial Energy, both paths hold vast potential…"

"But… to inherit the martial arts of Blue Star's many Martial Gods and forge a martial path for ten thousand generations—this seems far more interesting!"

"I'll give it a try first. If it fails, I still have a backup."

Fang Xing made his decision.

Martial arts had already seeped into his marrow, fused with his will, inseparable.

"Master… you have a banquet invitation."

At that moment, Xiao Lan's sweet voice sounded.

"If even my secretary and AI assistant are letting this through directly, the sender must be powerful… I'll have to play the polite game again—who is it?"

Fang Xing opened his eyes and asked casually.

"The invitation is from the Augustus Family… The Augustus Family is one of ancient Blue Star's noble houses, swiftly transformed in the interstellar age, producing several great adventurers. One of the Federation's nine ruling officials, Uve Augustus, hails from this family." "Ruling Official Uve? I should meet him… In that case, invite Lady Nan Gong Xue as my companion."

Fang Xing told Xiao Lan.

As for itinerary, attire, and private spacecraft—Xiao Lan would handle everything.

"I've long heard of the extravagance of Blue Star's banquets—perfect chance to see for myself…"

Fang Xing felt a hint of anticipation.

…

Several days later.

On Blue Star, within an ancient estate nestled against mountains and water.

Songs rang out in chorus.

The finest singers, sculptors, painters, performers from across the Federation gathered, each giving their all in performance.

Fang Xing wore formal attire, arm linked with Nan Gong Xue.

Nan Gong Xue wore an evening gown, low-cut and backless, revealing a swan-like neck.

Clearly, she had dressed meticulously.

But it made no difference—there were far more beautiful women at the banquet.

Fang Xing even spotted several of the Federation's most popular actresses serving as wine attendants.

"Esteemed guests, please!"

A middle-aged man with wine-red hair approached.

His voice boomed; his features were as chiseled as marble, giving the impression of a noble, powerful gentleman.

"I am Saelin Augustus. You must be the newly appointed Chancellor of Blue Star University?"

Saelin Augustus was talkative.

Fang Xing exchanged a few pleasantries, then asked curiously: "Has Ruling Official Uve arrived?"

Uve Augustus!

He was the pride of all Augustus, a Ten Realm "Ultimate Ability User," the strongest among the Augustus bloodline's innate talents.

"Apologies… my elder brother has urgent matters and did not come."

Saelin Augustus apologized.

"I see…"

Fang Xing instantly lost interest.

This so-called elite banquet had barely a handful of true experts.

Most were merely Nine Realm cultivators, easily crushed by a single slap from him.

Once he understood this, Fang Xing lost all enthusiasm and prepared to fake his way through and leave.

Just then, he halted, his expression turning intrigued.

Nan Gong Xue followed his gaze to a nearly completed oil painting.

On the canvas, a flame burned fiercely!

More astonishingly, though it was merely a painting, standing before it, one could feel the heat of the fire!

"The Mystery of Fire?!"

Nan Gong Xue was startled.

As Fang Xing's close friend, she had accompanied him for years and knew well his creation of the "Mystery of Fire"!

Though Fang Xing now claimed his inspiration was exhausted and his method creation had hit a bottleneck,

even his earlier few Mysteries had driven the Federation into frenzy, prompting countless scientists to launch entirely new research projects, convinced they'd found a new direction.

I have studied the mysterious artifact of Councilor Fang Xing... Compared to those true rule-recorded artifacts, this mere painting is but skin-deep...

A painter wearing a beret approached: "Councilor, I am Fan Lin, a painter."

"The so-called greatest oil painting genius of the past century?"

Nan Gong Xue was slightly startled: "I heard you've taken a very obscure path as a practitioner..."

"Indeed, I channel the Mystery of Fire through cosmic artifacts... Yours is just ordinary oil painting—completely different in difficulty. Quite impressive..."

Fang Xing nodded: "Would you be interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Lan University? I can recommend you a good mentor."

"Apologies... I'm a Ph. . graduate of the Nine Sword Academy."

Fan Lin shook his head and continued brushing his paintbrush.

Upon his canvas, crimson flames danced like spirits, leaping and pulsing...

"Councilor."

As Fang Xing and Nan Gong Xue admired the art, another young man in a tailcoat with platinum hair approached.

He held a glass of champagne and raised it toward Fang Xing: "I wonder if Councilor has any interest in shares of the Red Dragon Food Group?"

"Hm?"

Nan Gong Xue suddenly froze.

Fang Xing had only received the email a few days ago—how could someone already know about the Red Dragon Food Group?

This kind of influence and background could only belong to the very top of the Federation.

"Let me introduce myself—I'm James! James August."

James smiled: "I had some business dealings with the Red Dragon Food Group. They breached their commercial contract and lost part of their stake to me in a bet."

"I see. But I'm not interested."

Fang Xing pulled Nan Gong Xue aside: "Without Wu Wei's banquet, there's nothing worth staying for. We'll take our leave."

His attitude toward his biological parents in this world was neither close nor hostile.

He wouldn't rush to claim kinship, but neither would he kick them when they were down.

Update later

(End of Chapter)