Chapter 55: Golden Core Principal

What a long night it was…

Standing by his window, watching the neighborhood outside grow noisy and the dawn’s light break, Fang Xing sighed.

He just wanted to grow strong in peace—why did he keep running into all this?

‘Ding!’

At that moment, Jing Xia’s message arrived, containing a file labeled ‘Destroy After Reading.’

Clearly, this was a one-time file that would erase itself after viewing.

‘Even the most surface-level information carries this level of secrecy?’

Fang Xing nodded, just as he was about to open it—Jing Xia’s second message came through: ‘Guo Peipei was silenced during transport!’

‘Silenced?’

Fang Xing’s pupils contracted slightly; unconsciously, he echoed Jing Xia’s catchphrase: ‘Are the Prevention Bureau all useless? How could they let this happen? Or has it already been corrupted?’

He fell silent for a moment, then began reviewing Jing Xia’s files:

‘Star Astrology Society, worships the extraterrestrial demon god ‘Star Devourer·Kegutulemu’… damn it, even dead Dominators still have followers?’

Fang Xing was speechless, continuing to read: ‘They believe the Great One Kegutulemu has not died, merely slumbering in a special form, and seek to ‘awaken’ Him through various means…’

‘Star Association, suspected branch of the Star Astrology Society; followers often appear as astronomy enthusiasts…’

‘Blood Descent Sect, skilled in various blood arts, human modification, and biochemical viruses… believes blood is the source of life, worships a demon god codenamed ‘Endless Blood Sea,’ and holds that all life originated from the Blood Sea…’

‘Chaos Association, worships a demon god named ‘Lord of Entropy,’ believes order is temporary and chaos eternal, and delights in creating disorder…’

The Disciple Society worships a demon god linked to the concept of the 'Gate,' codenamed 'Void Gate,' whose members are elusive and prefer recruiting among biohumans; they teach that the 'Void Gate' has a thousand faces and myriad forms; research suggests the two other demon gods, 'Mysterious Gate of the Mother' and 'Mysterious Lord,' may be one and the same as the 'Void Gate.'

…

Jing Xia’s message was brief, yet included dozens of demonic organizations, each deeply mysterious.

‘And many more are hidden—even the Federation can’t catch their traces…’

‘Among these extraterrestrial demon gods, which one triggered the massive surge in human psychic awakening? Or perhaps not them—but some other unknown entity? Or maybe it’s just a normal cosmic phenomenon?’

After silently reflecting, Fang Xing made himself breakfast, ate calmly, and prepared for school.

Even though he’d just destroyed a cult base last night, he was still a high school student who needed to attend class.

Besides, the atmosphere had grown tense lately—no need to go to Qinglin Market anymore.

The thrill of watching chaos only works if the blood doesn’t splash on you!

The market is bound to descend into chaos for a while, and someone is surely trying to find the one who killed Chen Yi—to see what he took from Chen Yi.

So Fang Xing decided to play it safe again; before fleeing, he’d already stocked up on enough supplies for his cultivation.

Along the riverbank path, Fang Xing did not encounter Jing Xia this time.

After such a grave incident—a prisoner silenced—this dog-walking beauty probably had her hands full.

But at the school gate, Fang Xing met Liu Wei: ‘Ah Wei… coming to class?’

He greeted him politely.

‘Yeah, your neighborhood was pretty chaotic last night…’

Liu Wei said casually.

‘Yeah, caught a cultist…’

Fang Xing nodded; the two entered the school together.

As soon as they entered, Xia Long came toward them: ‘You two are just in time—the principal wants to see you!’

‘Huh?’

Fang Xing’s eyes lit up: ‘Did the scholarship finally come through?’

‘Exactly. This time, not just you two—also Gu Yun from first year, and Bai Lianyi… come with me.’

Xia Long waved and walked ahead.

Fang Xing followed Xia Long all the way to the principal’s office.

To be honest, after two years as a student, this was his first time stepping inside.

‘In my past life, people said university professors were the highest level of mentorship you’d ever meet… seems not wrong.’

‘In this world, even a high school principal is a formidable figure…’

As Fang Xing mentally grumbled, he recalled the principal’s information.

Huying Star was a planet focused on education; every high school principal formed the Supreme Council, steering the entire planet’s policies and direction.

The principal of Yucai High, ‘Lu Guangming,’ was a Martial Dao sixth-stage, ‘Martial Golden Core’ powerhouse!

Lu Guangming looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, slightly bald, and upon seeing Xia Long and Fang Xing and the others, he smiled faintly: ‘Teacher Xia Long, you may leave. Let me spend some time with our top students… come, come, Student Liu, Student Fang, please sit.’

Undeniably, as a Martial Dao powerhouse, this principal had none of the aura of a warrior—he resembled more a dedicated educator.

On the office sofa sat two others: Gu Yun and Bai Lianyi!

Fang Xing thanked Liu Wei and sat beside them.

‘Our school suffers… this year’s senior class looks like it’ll be wiped out—none will get into university. All our hopes rest on you four.’

Lu Guangming looked at the four with sincere earnestness: ‘The school will award you all top-tier scholarships: one million star credits per semester. I hope you’ll continue striving, bringing honor to our school…’

‘One million per semester? Can’t even buy a laser pistol on the black market…’

Fang Xing mentally grumbled, but knew it was still a massive sum.

At least, barely enough to buy an apartment in Xingfu Huayuan Community.

‘But Yucai High’s college admission rate is pretty dismal… wait, Gu Yun was recruited as a top student—so now, among all of grade eleven, only three university prospects, all clustered in Class Two? Isn’t that too obvious?’

Fang Xing suddenly realized a possibility—and froze.

He looked up, meeting Lu Guangming’s gentle gaze.

The principal smiled at him warmly, kindly.

But Fang Xing’s heart stirred: ‘Is this an inspection? Directly by a Martial Golden Core powerhouse?’

Yet he was no demon worshiper—his conscience was clear.

‘Alright, if you have any problems with your studies or life, come find me…’

After warmly chatting with the four students, Lu Guangming began to dismiss them.

Fang Xing and the others bowed politely and exited, closing the office door behind them.

Only then did Lu Guangming sink into his leather armchair, cradling his thermos filled with goji berries: ‘People really must accept aging… looking at these young people makes me feel another year older—time flies, beauty fades… oh right, I can live five hundred years—never mind.’

On his desk, a half-body hologram suddenly appeared—a stylish, beautiful woman: ‘Lu Guangming… what’s the inspection result?’

At the mention of serious business, Lu Guangming’s expression turned serious.

He set down the thermos, thought for a moment, then replied gravely: ‘Gu Yun was recruited by me personally—absolutely no issue… besides, those three from Class Two of grade eleven also seem fine…’

‘Seem?’

The woman was displeased with Lu Guangming’s vagueness.

‘Sigh, I’m just a humble Martial Golden Core—not a Martial Saint or Martial God—how can I guarantee I won’t miss something?’

Lu Guangming exhaled slowly: ‘If I must say, Liu Wei might be the biggest concern… after all, you and I both know natural evolution of psychic abilities is nonsense—every psychic’s emergence is tied to some extraterrestrial demon god!’

‘But we must uphold the Federation’s laws—we can’t arrest someone just for awakening a psychic ability… that would demoralize our own people,’ the woman said.

‘So I’ll keep an eye on them… besides, isn’t the Prevention Bureau watching this side too?’ Lu Guangming lifted his thermos and took another sip, relaxing into his chair: ‘With you watching, old Lu can afford to slack off occasionally…’

…

‘I never expected it’d be a top-tier scholarship…’

As they stepped out of the office, Bai Lianyi spoke first.

‘Yeah, now we won’t have to worry too much about living expenses or nutrition costs for the semester.’

Though Fang Xing mentally cursed the Federation’s stinginess, his face showed genuine delight.

‘Yeah… I was about to start fighting in underground rings.’

Liu Wei added.

Martial cultivators advanced far faster than Dao cultivators.

Even a Qi Condensation cultivator might spend years just advancing one layer in their foundational technique.

Some might be stuck for years, even decades, at the early or mid-Qi Condensation stage—or struggle to break through to late Qi Condensation…

In comparison, martial cultivators advanced much faster.

At least half of Yucai High’s students broke through to Martial Stage Two by graduation.

If they entered university, their success rate in becoming certified professionals neared one hundred percent.

With sufficient resources, they could surge forward without difficulty.

Hearing Liu Wei say he’d consider underground fighting, Fang Xing glanced sideways at his old playmate.

‘If you’re truly short on cash, why not be my sparring partner?’

Gu Yun looked at Liu Wei, a spark of combat intent in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected the two random targets she’d picked years ago would turn out to be such gifted students.

No—Liu Wei was merely lucky, his psychic ability exploding overnight.

Fang Xing, who had mastered the Ghost God Blade without a teacher, was the true genius.

Thinking this, her gaze toward Fang Xing grew warmer: ‘I’m off to class… and remember your internship!’