"Recruitment: Exploring the third level of the Dark Corridor. Requires at least two Level 40 or higher Martial Artists specializing in Spiritual Defense or Purification Martial Arts. Compensation to be discussed, paid as a share of the expedition’s gains."

"Urgent Support: Northern Domain’s ’Frozen Rift’ frontline. Seeking Level 35+ Martial Artists for rotational garrison duty, minimum three-month deployment. Merit points awarded will be increased by 30% under wartime regulations."

"Long-Term Purchase Offer: Pure ’Star Core Crystals’ (30g or more) or stable ’Rift Anchors’ (third-generation or higher). Willing to trade with merit points, Advanced Body Refining Technique Fragments, or custom Rune Equipment."

"Wanted: Cultivation insights for B-level or higher Combat Skills, preferably focusing on speed or Stealth. Price is negotiable."

A quick scan revealed that most missions and trades had clear level requirements. Level 35 was merely the entry threshold; listings for Level 40 and above were everywhere.

The mission locations were often places like the "Star Realm Battlefield," "Deep Secret Realms," or "High-Risk Rifts"—the danger involved was easy to imagine.

Only a very small fraction of postings specifically requested those below Level 35, most likely for expeditions to an Alien Star Realm that Martial Artists over Level 35 couldn’t enter.

Xu Wuyi’s current Life Energy Level was 32.5. With the boost in actual combat power from his True Intent Fusion, he might be able to handle some Level 35 missions. However, he had no experience and certainly wouldn’t attempt one rashly.

Besides, he had no desire to take on high-difficulty missions at the moment.

The battle in Red River City, the fierce fight against Hong Nianyi’s Illusion, the initial fusion of his True Intention... He had accumulated far too much in a short period that he needed to internalize and process.

He needed time to fully convert these experiences into his own foundation, not rush off in pursuit of more merit points or resources.

Closing the mission board, Xu Wuyi opened the "Cultivation Discussion" section.

As expected, this section was much quieter. The latest post was from three days ago, titled "A Few Questions About the Third-Level Visualization Image for ’Red Moon Refining Spirit.’" It only had two brief replies, and the original poster didn’t seem to have followed up with more questions.

It seemed Fu Yun had been right. When Red Star’s members ran into cultivation problems, they preferred to discuss them privately in small groups or directly consult with seniors they knew.

Most of the geniuses who met the entry requirements before the age of twenty-five had their own mentors or resource channels; they didn’t depend on public forums to solve their core cultivation challenges.

Xu Wuyi wasn’t surprised. He exited the section and finally turned his attention to the "Nine Stars Stele."

He clicked on it, and the interface changed. Virtual images of nine pedestals appeared in a circular arrangement before him, looking exactly as they had in the challenge space.

This time, however, he could clearly see the inscriptions and the details of the Illusions on each pedestal.

There were nine Illusions, each with a different stance and a refined aura. Xu Wuyi’s Illusion was ranked ninth, the most recent addition.

His gaze swept over them one by one.

The first was a figure sitting cross-legged. The inscription read: "Ye Guanlan (at Level 34.8) · Record created: May 3, 2XXX, New Calendar."

The Illusion’s aura was as tranquil as the deep sea. Though merely sitting still, it gave off the impression that it had fused with the surrounding space.

A note indicated that Ye Guanlan had since graduated and was now employed at the Federation Star Realm Research Institute.

The second was a young man standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He was rather slim, but his gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s. "Nie Feng (at Level 35) · Record created: November 21, 2XXX, New Calendar."

The space around the Illusion seemed to faintly warp, suggesting a connection to a speed or space-related True Intention. Note: Graduated from Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy; currently Vice-Commander of the Seventh Exploration Corps.

The third was, of course, Hong Nianyi. His Illusion stood with a saber, and even as a mere recording, its fierce saber intention—an intention that felt capable of annihilating anything—was faintly perceptible.

"Hong Nianyi (at Level 33) · Record created: August 15, 2XXX, New Calendar." The note was simple: Currently enrolled at Black Stone University.

The fourth through eighth positions were also filled with Illusions of powerful experts, each with unique characteristics, different weapons, and distinct True Intention traits. Xu Wuyi noted that the person he had replaced in the ninth spot, Wu Feng, had left his Illusion record at Level 33.1. He was depicted holding a long staff, his aura ferocious and explosive.

The Nine Stars Stele recorded the strongest combat footage of the nine geniuses in Red Star’s history who had achieved recognized combat prowess before reaching Level 35.

This was more than just an honor; it was a benchmark for future members, and... a target for them to challenge.

Xu Wuyi looked at his own pedestal. The spear-wielding Illusion stood silently. Though it was the newest addition, it showed no sign of weakness.

He had a feeling that his appearance in this position would inevitably draw attention, and even challenges, in the future.

But that was exactly what he wanted. Clashing with stronger opponents was the fastest way to hone his skills.

After briefly browsing the main functions of Red Star’s internal network, Xu Wuyi logged out.

His consciousness returned, and he sat in the chair before the console, quietly thinking.

’This Red Star platform is even more valuable than I expected. It’s not just a channel for information and resources, but a circle where I can connect with geniuses my own age and even older. Here, I can see the gap between myself and the true top-tier geniuses more clearly, and I can also see the paths I might walk in the future.’

"Star Realm Battlefield... Secret Realm exploration... ancient civilization ruins..." Xu Wuyi murmured the words to himself.

These were all terms he had previously only seen in books or news reports. Now, on the Red Star network, they felt so real and tangible. Many of the members posting missions were active in these very places.

’There’s still a long road ahead.’

’But at least I’m now standing on the threshold, able to see the path forward.’

’The main focus now is still to consolidate my gains and improve.’

’I need to keep making progress with Heart Fire Refining Spirit and maintain my lead in Spiritual Strength.’

’I can’t slack off on my Body Refining with the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace. That’s my foundation.’

’Once Wind-Settling Spear reaches the Perfection realm, I can start studying Shocking God Spear more deeply and push it to Great Success, or even Perfection.’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’Most importantly, I need to continue deepening the fusion of my ’Mountain’ and ’Incineration’ True Intentions, solidify the Mental Realm of the great sun atop the mountain peak, and try to apply it more effectively in actual combat.’

Having sorted out his thoughts, Xu Wuyi felt his resolve harden.

He glanced at the time: three in the afternoon. He still had plenty of time left in the Cultivation Room.

Without hesitation, he rose, walked to the center of the room, and once again picked up the standard-issue long spear.

This time, he didn’t practice any fixed Spear Techniques. He simply stood holding the spear, closed his eyes, and began Concentrating Spirit.

His consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness, guiding the nascent fusion of his "Mountain" and "Incineration" True Intentions. He let them flow slowly, attempting to more naturally integrate their aura with the spear in his hands and with his own posture.

The tip of the spear drooped slightly, its aura sinking like a mountain. With a flicker of his will, a thread of scorching Intention rose from the spear’s shaft, only to be firmly locked down by his stable foundation, contained and unreleased.

He just stood there, perfectly still, like a volcano on the verge of eruption—his calm exterior belying the searing power churning within.